Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco aims to get the better of France in the first World Cup quarterfinal in Boston
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco v France: An exciting quarterfinal clash awaits in Boston

France and Morocco have set their sight on the FIFA World Cup semi-final stage as they square off at the Boston Stadium on Thursday afternoon, with kick-off at 16:00 local time.

Without a doubt, Morocco is fast becoming one of Africa’s toughest sides in recent years and will be hoping to deliver yet another memorable performance on the world stage come Thursday night.

The French booked their place in the tournament’s last eight following a 1-0 victory over Paraguay during the Round of 16 stage at the Philadelphia Stadium on Monday, 4 July.

Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory for Les Blues

What was a tense affair between the South American side and the French saw loads of running and physicality, with both teams having a real go at one another. However, it was Kylian Mbappé who separated the sides through a 70th-minute penalty.

Morocco eased past hosts Canada

On the other hand, Morocco easily defeated hosts Canada 3-0 at the Houston Stadium to book their place in the quarter-finals. Goals from Azzedine Ounahi (2) and Soufiane Rahimi sealed the victory in stoppage time as Canada struggled to find a way past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

France assistant coach heaps praise on Morocco

Speaking ahead of the clash against Morocco, France assistant coach Guy Stephan had special words of encouragement reserved for Les Lions de l’Atlas, whom he feels will be one of the teams to beat at this year’s FIFA World Cup.

“Their team organisation makes them dangerous,” Stephan told FIFA.com. “They are well-structured as a group and very solid; they are also good on the counter-attack and have scored plenty of goals in this tournament.”

Stephan continued to heap praise on the Moroccan Federation for investing huge sums into the local league structure, which he believes will only improve Morocco as time goes on.

“They (Morocco) have drawn against Brazil and beaten the Netherlands. They can mix it with the best teams from Europe and South America.”

France vs Morocco head-to-head record

France has faced Morocco on two previous occasions, with one win each and a draw.

Les Bleus emerged victorious when the two nations met in Qatar 2022 semi-finals, with the Atlas Lions out for revenge as they target a second straight appearance in the World Cup last four.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Argentina Stages Comeback to End Egypt’s World Cup Run

Egypt’s remarkable World Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end in the round of 16, where they suffered a 3-2 defeat against defending champions Argentina, despite holding a two-goal advantage.

Hossam Hassan’s team initially took control of the match, going ahead 2-0 with goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. However, Argentina rallied in the closing minutes to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.

Ibrahim kicked things off in the 15th minute, scoring with a header from a corner delivered by Marwan Attia. Just before halftime, Egypt’s goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a penalty from Lionel Messi, keeping Argentina at bay as they sought to level the score.

In the second half, Zico had a goal disallowed by VAR, but he found the back of the net in the 67th minute after a swift counterattack involving both Mohamed Salah and Haissem Hassan. Argentina struck back in the 79th minute with Cristian Romero heading in from a Messi cross. Just four minutes later, Messi equalized, and Enzo Fernández clinched the win with a goal in stoppage time.

This defeat marked the end of Egypt’s deepest World Cup run to date. They managed to draw with Belgium and Iran, celebrated their first-ever World Cup victory against New Zealand, and triumphed over Australia in a penalty shootout to reach the knockout stage.

With this loss, Egypt’s unbeaten streak at the tournament came to a close, as they exited following their historic performance. Argentina will now face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals.

Stats

  • Mostafa Shoubeir, who repelled a spot-kick from IR Iran’s Mehdi Taremi in the group stage, became only the fourth goalkeeper to save two penalties in games in one World Cup. The 26-year-old emulated Pole Jan Tomaszewski, American Brad Friedel and another Pole in Wojciech Szczesny.

  • Enzo Fernández scored the 3,000th goal in World Cup history.

Egypt set for a difficult World Cup Round of 16 clash with Argentina
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt set for a difficult World Cup Round of 16 clash with Argentina

Argentina is the clear favourite in this knockout match, but Egypt has shown they can challenge stronger teams and will aim for an upset at the Atlanta Stadium. As the defending champions, Argentina has won every match in the tournament so far, although they needed extra time to beat Cape Verde in the last round. (Photo Credit Egypt FA)

Icon Lionel Messi leads the attack and is having a great World Cup. Alexis Mac Allister provides balance and creativity in midfield. Argentina is expected to have most of the ball and will try to stretch Egypt’s defence.

Egypt reached the Round of 16 after a disciplined performance and won against Australia in a penalty shootout in the last round. Mohamed Salah is their main attacking threat and will be key for counterattacks. Egypt will likely defend tightly and focus on quick transitions and set pieces.

Key battle

The key matchup is Messi vs Salah. Both captains can change the game with a moment of brilliance, making this an exciting tie in the Round of 16.

Prediction

Argentina has more squad depth, better control in midfield, and more experience in knockout games. Egypt has a strong defensive organisation to make it tough, but Argentina should have enough quality to move forward.

Route to the final

The winner of this clash meets the victor of today’s later game between Switzerland and Colombia in the quarter-finals.

Mohamed Sankoh joins Danish Superliga side Randers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Sankoh joins Danish Superliga side Randers

Danish Side Randers FC has signed 22-year-old Dutch-Sierra Leonean striker Mohamed Sankoh from VfB Stuttgart in Germany on a four-year contract.

Hailing from Sierra Leonean parents, Sankoh grew up in the Netherlands and started his football career at KRSV Vredenburch. He then continued developing at Sparta Rotterdam. After that, he moved to Stoke City in England and to VfB Stuttgart in 2020.

Football director Søren Pedersen is happy with Sankoh’s arrival, “Mohamed is an exciting and fast striker. He brings speed and power to our team. His ability to make deep runs can stretch the opponent’s defence and create space for his teammates. He is a constant threat near the goal.

We see him as a strong offensive player. He works hard for the team and knows how to attack open spaces. He has what it takes to turn chances into goals. We are thrilled that Sankoh is now part of our team, says Søren Pedersen.”

At just 22, Sankoh has already gained valuable experience from several international teams, including loan spells in the Netherlands and Italy. He mostly played for VfB Stuttgart’s second team in Germany’s third division, but has also made his Bundesliga debut. His loans have helped him gain experience, including playing 49 games in the top Dutch league.

Sankoh has also represented the Netherlands at youth level and was part of the Dutch U17 national team that won the European Championship in 2019.

Sankoh is excited to wear the light blue jersey of Randers FC: “I feel great about signing with Randers. The welcome has been wonderful, and I am ready to put everything into this club. I can’t wait to start training,” says Sankoh.

He adds, “I already sense it’s a great environment for growth. The staff will help me improve, which is exactly what I need to take the next step.”

UEFA statement on the Balogun case after FIFA decides to suspend his red card
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

UEFA statement on the Balogun case after FIFA decides to suspend his red card

Folarin Balogun can play for the US national team in their World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. FIFA has confirmed that his red-card ban for one game has been suspended.

The 25-year-old striker got a straight red card during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic. This usually means a one-game suspension under FIFA rules, but that decision has now been overturned.

UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, vehemently noted that FIFA’s has reached unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.

“Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line.

Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case, not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted.

It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.

When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined. Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.

Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws. A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.

We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”