Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has called on government officials who traveled to Qatar to make their way back to Ghana following the country’s exit from the World Cup tournament on Friday.
Uruguay kicked Ghana out of the ongoing tournament by two goals to nil.
Reacting to the news, Mr Nartey George provided four takeaways from the defeat which included “Now can our government officials come back home to their real jobs.”
Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, is among the government officials who flew to Qatar to support their Black Stars.
During the debate on the 2023 budget statement presented by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, only 21 MPs on the Majority side were present. Also, the Minority was infuriated by the absence of Ministers who were to be present to defend the budget allocation to their respective ministries.
It is unknown where the remaining Majority MPs were on November 29, when Parliament debated the budget.
It comes as no surprise that Mr Nartey George has jabbed his colleagues who he says should return to do what they are being paid to do.
The remaining three takeaways provided by the heartbroken MP are that Ghana needs a “proper coach with technical know-how”, and “the GFA executives need to stop interfering in team selection.”
Despite Ghana’s defeat, he was pleased that “we are going home with Uruguay.”
Four take aways from this defeat;
1. We need a proper coach with technical know how
2. The GFA Executives need to stop interfering in team selection
3. Even if we lost, we are going home with Uruguay
4. Now can our government officials come back home to their real jobs.
Otto Addo ceases to be the head coach of the Ghana Black Stars following his resignation.
The 47-year-old stepped down after the senior national football team suffered a humiliating defeat to Uruguay today, December 2.
Ghana lost by two goals to nil in a game many Ghanaians expected the players to seek revenge against Luis Suarez, who cost Ghana a semi-final appearance at the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.
Otto Addo will continue as an assistant coach at Borussia Dortmund.
BREAKING: Otto Addo has stepped down as Ghana manager following their elimination from the World Cup 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/iBgWpzvqAN
Pele has taken action to reassure the public that his most recent hospital stay was only a “monthly visit.”
The three-time World Cup champion, who is considered one of the best players ever, has been receiving medical attention at home in Brazil.
Last year, Pele had surgery to remove a tumor from his colon, and ever since, he has been in and out of the hospital.
Following his admission earlier this week, his daughter Kely Nascimento stated on Wednesday that there was “no surprise or emergency” regarding her father’s hospitalization.
The Brazilian men’s team competing in the World Cup in Qatar delivered an encouraging message to the 82-year-old.
Pele took to Instagram to show his gratitude for the support, sharing a picture of a building in Qatar with his image and the words “get well soon” lit up.
“Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit,” he wrote. “It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes.”
Brazilhave already qualified for the last 16 with top spot in Group G guaranteed if they avoid defeat.
Alves said: “For me, it represents the fact that I can wear the Brazil jersey. It makes me very proud to be here.”
The former Barcelona defender has recovered from a knee injury to compete at his third World Cup.
“I’ve been with the Brazilian squad for many years and to be able to wrap up this cycle, playing a Brazilhave already qualified for the last 16 with top spot in Group G guaranteed if they avoid defeat., makes me very happy,” added Alves, who made his international debut in 2006.
“It’s been 16 years with the national squad and I’ve tried to do my very best. Life, I think, always rewards the people who love what they do, who truly do their best in the mission.
“I think I’m reaping what I have planted over those 16 years.”
Tite insisted he was not yet focused on the knockout stage, despite the anticipated changes.
“We have 26 great playersand I do not have time to be focusing on the broader picture,” he said.
“We’ll make a few changes, we’ll include keys players. In two games we used 19 players. We do not call them starting players or reserves, they are all players.”
Cameroon, who came back from two goals down in their previous game against Serbia to draw 3-3, must win and hope Switzerland fail to beat Serbia in order to go through.
Head coach Rigobert Song said: “With regards to what is at stake tomorrow, we know the Brazilian squad off by heart.
“But we aren’t worrying about what they’re going to bring to the game, it’s about what we bring to the game.
“I don’t really care about what they’re going to do, it’s about us. We are preparing as if we’re playing a final.”
MATCH STATS
Brazil have won both previous World Cup games between themselves and Cameroon – 3-0 in 1994 and 4-1 in 2014.
Brazil have won all seven of their FIFA World Cup matches against African sides, scoring 20 goals and conceding just twice.
A defeat or draw for Cameroon will see them eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup in their sixth successive appearance at the finals, last reaching the knockout rounds in 1990. They’ve never won their final group stage game in seven previous appearances at the World Cup (D2 L5).
Brazil are yet to face a single shot on target at the 2022 World Cup, the first team to not face a shot on target in their first two games at a tournament since France in 1998.
CHRIS SUTTON’S PREDICTION
We’ve seen Serbia and Switzerland focus on keeping Brazil out and they both managed it for a while.
The difference is Cameroon need to win this game to have a chance of staying in the tournament.
Brazil might make a few changes now they are through, but if Cameroon open up and play expansive football against them, things are only going to go one way.
Ghana will be seeking retribution and all three points against Uruguay, after been denied a spot in the 2010 World Cup semifinals by controversial scorer Luis Suarez’s red card 12 years ago.
A tie would be sufficient to disqualify Uruguay from the 2022 competition and is likely to be sufficient to do so. However, the Black Stars might believe they need a win as backup in case South Korea defeats already-qualified Portugal.
The likes of Suarez, Edinson Cavani, and Diego Godin are no longer essential to La Celeste’s success, despite the fact that some of the Uruguayans from 2010 are still present. Instead, they are being propelled forward by a superb midfield trio consisting of Matias Vecino, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo Bentancur.
In a 2-3 loss to Portugal, Ghana’s own 2010 veteran Andre Ayew energized his previously sluggish team. Meanwhile, Jordan Ayew pulled up two assists to help his nation upset South Korea 3-2, putting them on the edge of their first knockout stage appearance since 2010.
Team news
Gideon Mensah of Ghana had to leave the match against South Korea in the closing minutes, but it has subsequently been revealed that the left-back was just experiencing cramp, leaving Otto Addo with a fully healthy squad.
Mexican center back Since Ronald Araujo is still recovering from thigh surgery, he is expected to sit this one out as well. However, Diego Alonso is the only other reported absence.
The stats
Ghana will lean heavily on striker Andre Ayew if they are to have any chance of progressing
Ghana’s 3-2 victory over South Korea last time out was their first win at the World Cup since losing on penalties to Uruguay in 2010. They took just one point from the 2014 World Cup, did not qualify in 2018 and lost to Portugal in their opening match in Qatar.
But the Black Stars were hugely fortunate against South Korea. Addo’s men were outperformed on almost every metric, claiming just 37% possession, completing 270 passes to Korea’s 601, taking only seven shots to South Korea’s 22 and scoring with each of their three shots on target.
Uruguay have yet to score at Qatar 2022 but have been unlucky not to, hitting the woodwork three times across their two games against South Korea and Portugal.
Prediction
Uruguay will be frustrated with their one point from two games in Group H, and understandably so.
They were the better team against South Korea but twice hit the post in a 0-0 draw. And they deserved at least a point against Portugal, again hitting the woodwork and having a harsh penalty awarded against them in a 2-0 defeat.
By contrast, Ghana have been the great entertainers of the World Cup.
The Black Stars have been involved in two five-goal thrillers and could be involved in another in their final group-stage outing, so over 2.5 goals looks like a wise addition to BetBuilder selections with LiveScore Bet.
But Ghana’s fortune from their South Korea success may not follow them into this clash.
Uruguay are more technically accomplished in midfield and have been rock-solid in defence since Diego Alonso took over, with La Celeste conceding just one goal in five competitive matches before the start of the World Cup.
It should be a more entertaining match than their previous Group H outings, and this time Uruguay can celebrate in style. A win for La Celeste and over 2.5 goals looks the way to go and is available at 9/5 with Livescore Bet.
Thomas Muller strongly hinted at his impending retirement from international competition when he called Germany’s World Cup performance in Qatar a “utter disaster.”
While Hansi Flick’s team triumphed in their final match, defeating Costa Rica 4-2, Japan’s unexpected 2-1 victory against Spain resulted in yet another World Cup group-stage exit.
Germany had not lost in the group stage at a World Cup since 1954 before the 2018 event in Russia, but they have now suffered an early exit in the last two competitions.
Muller, a member of the team that triumphed in Brazil in 2014, acknowledged that he was unsure of his next steps and that this might be his last participation on the world scene.
“It’s an absolute disaster! I don’t know what happens next,” he told ARD after the match.
“If this was my last game, then I would like to say a few words to the German football fans.”
He continued: “It was an enormous pleasure, dear people. We experienced great moments. I tried to keep my heart on the pitch in every game.
“I have always delivered commitment and sometimes there were tears of joy from my actions, sometimes the spectators also had pain in their faces.
“Even if I did not succeed in all actions, I did it with love. I’ll have to see about everything else.”
The 33-year-old has earned 121 caps for Germany, joint-fourth all-time for his nation, netting 44 goals, putting him seventh in the scoring charts.
In light of Thursday’s thrilling Group E finale, Luis Enrique claims he would have “had a heart attack” if he had known Spain was momentarily on its way out of the World Cup.
Samurai Blue defeated Spain 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium, with Japan rallying from a deficit after Alvaro Morata’s early goal.
La Roja entered the match at the top of the standings but needed a point to ensure progression without a doubt.
Even though they failed to accomplish that, Germany’s 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in another match meant Luis Enrique’s team would continue to compete, placing Die Nationalelf in second place behind Japan.
Spain, though, entirely dropped out of the top two for a brief period while Costa Rica took the lead in Germany.
Luis Enrique stated that he was ignorant and that he was appreciative of his ignorance.
“We were knocked out for three minutes? Why do you say this? I was not paying attention,” Luis Enrique said with a look of bemusement. “When did that happen?
“Okay, fantastic. I didn’t know this. Why? Because I was paying attention to my match. If I’d have found out, I’d have had a heart-attack.”
Of course, the defeat ultimately cost Spain little because many will argue their immediate path in the knockout stages is now kinder than it would have been if they won the group.
Topping Group E would have put them on track to face Croatia next and potentially Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Finishing as runners-up means they are now likely to come up against Portugal in the last eight, assuming La Roja get beyond Morocco.
Avoid talking about manipulating results. Prior to this game, Brazil dominated the news cycle, but Luis Enrique was not in the mood to celebrate advancement given how close Spain came to packing their bags.
“In football there are no good or bad sides,” he added. “In football you deserve or not and today I’m not happy at all.
“Yes, we qualified, I’d have liked to be top by winning this game, but this was not possible because in five minutes they got two goals, and in 10 minutes we were completely out.
“We were dismantled. We tried to close the game, but it wasn’t possible. But we didn’t have any danger in the first half, then in the second… I told them in half-time [Japan] will push us, they had nothing to lose.
“We didn’t have good game management, we collapsed. I’m not happy, I never celebrate defeats.
“I have nothing to celebrate. Of course, the bracket changes and many things are different, but I have nothing to celebrate.”
Japan’s winning goal by Ao Tanaka was somewhat controversial in nature, as replays showed the ball was agonisingly close to going out of play before Kaoru Mitoma’s cut-back to the match-winner.
Luis Enrique was shown an image of the situation and was left concluding it to be fake.
“I saw the images, they must be wrong or fabricated,” he said. “I saw an image and said that can’t be true.
“I have nothing else to say. I have full respect. I knew something going on as VAR took so long.”
Sergio Busquets refuted claims that Spain was happy to avoid playing Brazil in a potential World Cup quarterfinal after La Roja came through a major scare to advance from Group E.
Alvaro Morata handed Spain an early lead against Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday, putting them on track to win the group. However, Ao Tanaka responded to Ritsu Doan’s equalizer within 142 seconds to propel the Samurai Blue to the top spot.
As Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 in the group’s second match, Spain’s loss allowed them to advance on goal differential. La Roja was briefly on the verge of an astonishing group-stage elimination when Los Ticos lead Hansi Flick’s squad with 20 minutes remaining.
However, Busquets was dismissive when asked if that represented a positive outcome, saying: “It has nothing to do with it.
“We wanted to win and be first. We go to the other side of the bracket, but that does not guarantee that it will be easier or more difficult.
“We didn’t want this to happen, our intention was to win. To continue, we have the round of 16 against Morocco, which is going to be a very difficult match.
“We were not comfortable. They closed the pass between the lines very well and it was very difficult for us to connect and create danger.
“We knew it was going to be like that, it’s a shame about the goals. We have to continue, try to correct the mistakes, and go through the knockouts.”
Spain dropped to third place when Manuel Neuer’s own goal put Costa Rica 2-1 up against Germany at Al Bayt Stadium, before the four-time winners levelled the scores through Kai Havertz three minutes later.
Busquets’ midfield partner Pedri revealed Spain were made aware of their perilous situation during that brief period, as he emphasised the need to improve against Morocco.
Oliver Bierhoff is aware that Germany‘s failure to advance past the group stage of the World Cup on Thursday was entirely their own fault.
At Al Bayt Stadium, Hansi Flick’s team defeated Costa Rica 4-2 in their final Group E encounter, but it wasn’t enough to advance them to the round of 16.
The Samurai Blue took first spot because to Japan’s unexpected 2-1 victory over Spain, while Luis Enrique’s team came in second thanks to a better goal differential than Germany.
Germany was left speechless after falling short once more in Qatar, four years after failing to advance from their group in Russia.
Germany suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Japan in their initial game, but they held Spain to a draw before winning their first match of the competition against Japan in what turned out to be their final match.
Bierhoff, Germany’s national team managing director, said: “We’re extremely disappointed. We’re angry too because we had things in our own hands in all three games.
“Ultimately, football is a simple game. You have to score lots of goals and concede as few goals as you can, which we didn’t manage to do.
“We could have put more pressure on Spain tonight if we had taken our chances and scored more goals. A trend of the last few years has been us throwing away games we’ve controlled.”
Japan will face Croatia for a place in the quarter-final next Monday, with Spain taking on Morocco 24 hours later.
After a thrilling Group E final on Thursday, Japan and Spain advanced, and Joshua Kimmich referred to Germany’s devastating World Cup departure as the worst moment of his career.
Hansi Flick’s team kept their half of the deal with a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their penultimate match, knowing that a victory would likely advance them to the round of 16 if Japan were to lose to Spain.
However, Japan mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat La Roja, ensuring they emerged as a surprise group winner and ruining Germany’s hopes of winning a sixth World Cup. Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka scored in the process.
Kimmich is devastated because Germany has now failed to go past the group stage at two World Cups in a row after doing so on each of their previous 16 visits at the competition.
“For me personally, this is the worst day of my career. I’m afraid I’ll fall into a hole,” Kimmich told reporters. “It makes you think these failures are connected to my person.
“This is definitely the most difficult day of my career for me. The second time being eliminated at a World Cup, in between we had the Euros, where we were eliminated early.
“That is bitter and there have been many missed opportunities within the last four years.”
Germany reached the semi-finals of Kimmich’s first major tournament at Euro 2016, but they have since fallen at the first hurdle at two World Cups and suffered a last-16 defeat to England at Euro 2020.
Costa Rica briefly took a surprise lead when Manuel Neuer put through his own net with 20 minutes remaining on Thursday, and Germany have now gone 12 major tournament games without a clean sheet (World Cup/Euros) – their longest ever streak.
Kimmich’s fellow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan hit out at Die Nationalmannschaft’s defending as he called on his team-mates to reflect on their shortcomings.
“We concede goals too easily, we lose balls too easily and up front we miss goalscoring chances too easily,” Gundogan said.
“Of course, as Germany, we have to have different aspirations, so we have to take a good look at ourselves.
“We just didn’t manage to do our best as a group, or maybe individually. We have to question what the reasons were and everyone has to look in the mirror and tell themselves that it wasn’t enough.”
Today’s highly anticipated encounter between Ghana and Uruguay is a game with a special significance for Ghana’s Afropop singer KiDi.
It’s a “revenge match!” he declared on Twitter.
“Go Black Stars, go,” he also cheered.
He once more used the emoji for crossed swords to criticize Uruguay.
The tweet was posted on Monday, November 28, in the jubilation of Ghana’s 3-2 victory over South Korea in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana had lost 3-2 to Portugal in their Qatar 2022 Group H debut, but this victory gave them reason for optimism.
The West African nation faces off against Uruguay, their bitter rivals who prevented them from achieving history at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, on Friday, December 2.
Ghana was on the verge of becoming the first nation from Africa to advance to the World Cup semifinal round.
However, Luis Suarez parried the ball with his hand, denying Ghana the victory in the frantic match’s closing seconds.
Asamoah Gyan’s subsequent penalty, which was similarly unsuccessful, broke the hearts of many supporters throughout Africa, but especially in Ghana.
To advance to the round of 16, the Otto Addo-led Ghana Black Stars must defeat Uruguay tomorrow.
Luis Suarez has emphasized that tomorrow’s game is a must-win while noting that Portugal and Ghana are leading Group H with 3 and 6 points, respectively.
“We have one point and the final match against Ghana is do and die. We have no option than to win to make our fans happy,” he has noted to the press.
“We are going to put our lives and soul in this last match,” he emphasised, adding confidently that: “Ghana is a good team but we know them, we have beaten them before and we know how to beat them again.”
One of the star athletes at the World Cup in Qatar has been Mohammed Kudus.
Anyone who has watched the 22-year-development old’s at Ajax and his Eredivisie season will not have been surprised by his performances for Ghana.
Kudus has established himself as one of football’s most sought-after attackers after excelling for both club and nation.
We put the Black Stars’ talented prodigy in the limelight as they attempt to secure their spot in the tournament’s last-16 in a crucial match against Uruguay.
World Cup versatility
Kudus’ performances in Ghana’s first two World Cup games served as ideal illustrations of his versatility.
He played central midfield in the 3-2 loss against Portugaland sent a risky ball into the penalty area, where Andre Ayew was able to score.
Kudus was then utilized on the right side of Ghana’s attack in the triumph over South Korea when manager Otto Addo changed to a 4-2-3-1 system and scored twice.
He gave his team an early 2-0 lead with a superb header before giving them the lead back with a composed left-footed effort after the Koreans had rallied for an equalizer.
Those goals took his tally at international level to seven in 20 appearances, which suggests that as good as Kudus is in a deeper position, his future with Ghana is likely to be further forward.
Mohammed Kudus’ touch map shows his versatility in Ghana’s World Cup campaign
Striking performances
Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder certainly seems to think that the talents of Kudus are best used in attacking areas.
Schreuder has been using him as a false nine after two injury-plagued seasons under former manager Erik ten Hag, and he has responded with 10 goals in 21 appearances.
Six matches from the Champions League account for four of those. His goal against Liverpool at Anfield in particular stood out, with Kudus unleashing a powerful finish that rebounded off the crossbar.
The rising star is accustomed to this position because he filled it during his final year with Danish club Nordsjaelland, where he scored 11 Superliga goals and caught the eye of the Dutch powerhouses.
However, the 5-foot-9 player is rumored to like playing in the middle of the field, and Thiago Alcantara was his childhood hero.
Transfer talk
Europe’s biggest clubs do not seem put off by the debate over his positional future.
Before transforming his options with his performances for club and country, Kudus came close to making a summer transfer to Everton, even refusing to train to try and force through a move.
With no disrespect to the Merseysiders, it would appear that any chance that they had of signing him has come and gone.
Just about every major Premier League club have been linked with a move for Kudus since the World Cup started.
So too have the cream of Europe. With Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid all said to be monitoring the player, Kudus truly has the world at his feet.
Ajax ace Mohammed Kudus is a wanted man
Future roles
The fact that Kudus has already proved his ability to play in deep or attacking midfield roles, along with on the wing and as a striker just makes an eventual transfer more inevitable.
His many talents mean that any suitors do not have to worry too much about where they will utilise him, as he can seemingly play anywhere.
The player himself is likely to be more discerning and choose a club where he will be used in a settled role, rather than as a solution to multiple problems.
Ajax have a rich history of using creative midfielders as a No9 and it makes sense for Ghana to use him in a position where he can provide a cutting edge.
With his finishing ability, pace, skill and strength, Kudus has everything needed to be a top forward but his ability off the ball, both going forward and back, are also perfect for a midfielder.
For all the speculation regarding where Kudus will end up playing, it appears certain that it will be at an extremely high level.
Roberto Martinez stated he would resign as the nation’s head coach after Belgium‘s 2022 World Cup group stage elimination on Thursday.
The Red Devils were eliminated from the World Cup after a scoreless tie with Croatia at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, despite the fact that they were in need of a victory.
In his post-game interview, the Spaniard made an official announcement of his departure.
“This was my last game as national coach. I said goodbye to the players and staff,” Martinez said.
The third-placed team from the 2018 World Cupbegan their campaign with a valiant 1-0 victory against Canada before falling to Morocco. They needed a victory over the winners of the 2018 Russian Cup to advance, but they blew their chances.
“Today we were ourselves again. It is never easy to win a match at a World Cup. In that first match against Canada, we won, but we weren’t ourselves. We deservedly lost the second match against Morocco. We weren’t ready,” the 49-year-old added.
Despite 15 shots at goal, Belgium was unable to break through against the Croats. Notably, Lukaku blew three good opportunities.
Martinez stated that despite being one of the favorites to win the championship, they are leaving the international competition proud with what they have accomplished.
“Today we created a lot of chances, so no, I have no regrets. We can leave the World Cup with our heads held high.”
Ghana will today play Uruguay in the ongoing 2022 World Cup tournament happening in Qatar.
At exactly 3pm GMT, Otto Addo’s side will ensure they do not break the hearts of Ghanaians by qualifying to the next stage, as well as beat Uruguay to atone for sins of the former team led by Asamoah Gyan.
The two teams have history. For Ghana, it is a bad memory as Luis Suarez, who at the eleventh hour, decided to become a goalkeeper, robbed Ghana of a semi-final slot in the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.
Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, failed to capitalize on the penalty awarded to Ghana.
On the other hand, coach Otto Addo says he is not in search of revenge.
In his interactions with the media, he has stated that their match against Uruguay is just ‘normal’ and is optimistic that Black Stars will progress from Group H.
“For me, it’s a normal game, but like everyone, I was really sad in 2010 when that incident [of Luis Suarez denying Ghana a certain goal] happened and we missed our chance to proceed to the semis. But it is 12 years ago and Friday will be a different match with a different approach,” Addo said as quoted by the Ghana FA website.
“We are confident enough to know that we can beat them and make it to the next round. We are gradually picking up and I know the boys will show a lot of fight and a lot of passion.
“I am sure our efforts will be rewarded and we will go to the next stage.”
On his part, Uruguay forward, Luis Suarez, says he owes Ghanaians no apology for the Black Stars’ quarter final exit at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“The first time, I don’t apologise about that,” he told the media at a press conference ahead of Uruguay’s final group game against Ghana at the 2022 World Cup.
“I take the handball – but the Ghana player missed a penalty, not me. Maybe I apologise if I injure a player but in this situation, I take a red card, the referee says penalty, it’s not my fault.”
In Group H, Ghana are second with three points following a 3-2 win over South Korea, while Portugal have already advanced with two wins over the Black Stars and Uruguay.
Uruguay drew with South Korea and are at the bottom of the group with a point, the same as the latter who have a superior goal difference.
A Ghanaian female photographer, Senyuiedzorm Awusi Adadevoh, has disclosed that she was nearly raped in Qatar.
According to Awusi, the incident happened on one of the days when she was walking home alone since her usual companion had left early.
She added that she is only sharing her ordeal to ensure that no visitor who has travelled to witness the World Cup goes through what she experienced.
“I always travel with somebody, but with this particular tournament, I have had to come alone. But I have been working with a friend. Yesterday, she did not have two matches; I had two matches, and she was tired, and so she left.
“So, I was getting back home at about 2 a.m., and I saw a young man from afar, an Arabic young man in white, maybe between 17 to 20 years. And I saw him smile, and he went back into a house … and by the time I reached his house, he had come out and greeted me.
“He extended his hands, and I shook (him) – he was a young guy, but he was way taller and bigger than me. And then he just said ‘I want to do the sex’. So, I tried to pull my hand and he just grabbed me and said ‘I say I want to do the sex’,” she narrated in a Facebook live post which was monitored by GhanaWeb.
Awusi said that despite all her efforts to free herself, the Qatari man was still holding on to her, saying, “don’t worry, don’t worry, I will pay you, I will pay you good.”
She said that the incident left her shocked and confused because she was afraid of being raped and losing her equipment, which was worth over €30,000, but she eventually managed to free herself.
The journalist urged Ghanaians and other nationals who are visiting Qatar for the World Cup to make sure that they are always travelling in pairs.
She also urged the Qatari authorities to warn their citizens against engaging in such acts.
According to Neymar’s father, the Brazilian superstar will be “back to his best” in time for the World Cup championship game.
After defeating Switzerland and Serbia in their opening two games in Qatar, the Selecao has already advanced to the round of 16 and only needs a point to take top place in their group.
Neymar was forced to sit out until the knockout rounds due to an ankle injury he sustained during the matchday one triumph over Serbia.
Despite Neymar’s uncertain return date, Brazil are still among the favorites to win the competition.
The forward, though, will reportedly return in plenty of time for the World Cup final, provided Brazil advances that far. He is just two goals shy from tying Pele’s record total of 77 goals for Brazil.
The most crucial factor is that he can return to the field and perform at his top, Neymar Sr remarked in an interview with talkSPORT through an interpreter.
“When he was injured before and he came back again he was at his best. He will do his best.
“Everyone knows Neymar is very important, a great influence on the field and [on] all his colleagues. When Neymar is on the field it’s totally different because he’s number one. We know Neymar’s importance to the group.
“I believe Neymar will be in the field again in the final match and he’ll do his best to win the World Cup together with his colleagues in the Brazilian team.
“He’ll do his best to help them and together win the competition.”
Brazil face Cameroon in their final group game. They will meet the still undecided Group H runners-up if they do finish top.
The Selecao are aiming to win the tournament for the first time since 2002.
Argentine forward Lionel Messiclaims that Diego Maradona would be very thrilled following his victory as Argentina’s most capped player at a World Cup.
Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday earned them first place in Group C and a matchup with Australia in the round of 16. Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi was heavily involved in the victory.
“I only learned about this record recently,” Messi said when told about his latest achievement.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to continue achieving these kinds of records. I think Diego would be super happy for me because he’s always shown me a lot of affection. He was always happy when things went well for me.”
With the score tied, Wojciech Szczesny stopped a penalty shot from Messi, who was playing in the competition for the 22nd time overall—one more than his old mentor Maradona.
Messi could yet take another record from Maradona, as the 63 chances he has created at World Cups in recorded history is second only to his compatriot, who created 67.
The 35-year-old scored in Argentina’s opening two games in Qatar, a 2-0 victory over Mexico and a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, before going scoreless against Poland.
His seven shots against Poland were his most for Argentina without a goal since a 1-1 draw with Iceland at the 2018 World Cup (11).
However, thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez in the second half, Argentina got the victory they needed and are now the heavy favorites to beat Australia.
“After the first goal, everything went our way,” said Messi, who was part of the Argentina squad that finished runners-up to Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
“We started doing again what we had been trying to do since the start of the World Cup, but which we hadn’t been able to achieve for various reasons.
“Having been able to do it today, it gives us confidence for the future.”
On Saturday, Messi will try to score in the World Cup’s knockout rounds for the first time because all eight of his previous goals came in the group stage.
In 23 attempts, he has failed to score after the opening round, although in the final 16 in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 competitions, he did contribute.
In a rematch of one of the most contentious games of the World Cup, Ghana and Uruguay face off on Friday, and Luis Suarez has yet to apologize for his pivotal role in the controversy from 12 years ago.
Uruguay striker Suarez’s deliberate handball on the goal line at the end of extra time in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa denied Ghana a certain goal and a place in history as the first African team to reach the semis.
Suarez was sent off for the handball but celebrated wildly on the sidelines when Asamoah Gyan hit the penalty off the crossbar. Uruguay won the ensuing penalty shootout.
To make it worse, Suarez boasted after the 2010 game: “Truth is, it was worth it.”
On Thursday, he remained unrepentant.
“I don’t apologize because I take the handball and the red card but the Ghana player missed the penalty. It’s not my fault because I didn’t miss the penalty,” Suarez said.
Ghana can now go some way toward settling the score. By beating Uruguay in their final Group H match, Ghana would advance to the round of 16, while knocking Uruguay out of the tournament.
Though the match in Al Wakrah has been circled as one to watch ever since the World Cup draw was made, Ghana coach Otto Addo tried his best to cast it as a “normal game” despite 2010 remaining a raw and painful memory for many Ghanaians, who are demanding revenge for the handball.
“For me, it’s not a big topic,” Addo said, adding he wouldn’t criticize one of his own players if they did the same as Suarez. “I would expect every player to do all he can to make sure his team goes through. Even sacrificing himself with a red card.”
“What happened in 2010 is very sad but we can’t change it. We want to look forward and we want to win this game,” he said. “No matter how.”
Ghana, which squeezed out a thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea in its last game, must win again in Al Wakrah to be certain of going past the group stage for the first time since 2010. A draw could also be enough depending on the result of South Korea vs. Portugal.
Captain Andre Ayew is the only Black Stars player in Qatar who was on the 2010 squad.
Uruguay has a handful, including the 35-year-old Suarez, who is playing what’s likely his farewell World Cup before winding down a career that saw him celebrated as one of the best forwards in the world at one point.
He won the Copa America with Uruguay and Spanish league titles and a Champions League trophy with Barcelona.
Suarez also carved out a reputation as one of the game’s most controversial characters and has been punished three times for biting opponents, including a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Suarez started Uruguay’s 0-0 draw with South Korea in Qatar but was on the bench for the 2-0 loss to Portugal, which left Uruguay bottom of the group.
Uruguay must now beat Ghana and hope South Korea doesn’t beat Portugal to extend its stay at the World Cup and Suarez’s international career for at least one more game. The goal difference will decide if Uruguay and South Korea both win.
Stoking it just a little bit more, Suarez said the 2010 game against Ghana does still mean anything to Uruguay.
“We are going to put our lives and soul into this match,” Suarez said. “Ghana is a good team but we know them, we have beaten them before and we know how to beat them again.”
Tunisianfans celebrate their surprise 1-0 win over France, but it isn’t enough to prevent them leaving the World Cup without progressing from Group D.
Wahbi Khazi’s goal was the difference between the two sides, but with Australia beating Denmark 1-0 in the other game, it is France and Australia who progress.
But in stoppage time, the Tunisians on the sidelines were more interested in the other Group D game, crowding around a TV screen on the bench hoping Denmark would be able to score against Australia — a circumstance that would have lifted Tunisia into second place and also into the round of 16 in Qatar.
“We were praying for a Denmark goal but it never game,” Khazri said. “But that’s the thing with soccer, you should only count on yourself. We didn’t do enough in the first two games, otherwise we’d be through.”
The Tunisian fans are still hopeful, their energy is refilled.
France ended up winning the group with six points, ahead of Australia on goal difference. Tunisia finished with four points in third place. Denmark, which lost to Australia 1-0, ended up in last place with one point.
Meanwhile, the French soccer federation is filing a complaint with FIFA over Antoine Griezmann’s disallowed goal at the end of their loss to Tunisia.
Griezmann was in an offside position when a cross came over but then retreated and appeared to be played back despite the referee having blown the whistle to terminate the game.
Tata Martino acknowledged that Mexico’s World Cup performance was a “major failure” and that his contract had expired, with little chance of him taking over again.
Martino has not been a very well-liked El Tri coach, and his reputation took a hit on Wednesday when his team was eliminated from Qatar 2022’s group stage.
Mexico came agonizingly close to advancing through the round of 16 for the eighth consecutive World Cup before being eliminated on goal differential behind Poland in Group C.
Mexico and Poland are level on points, goal differential, and goals scored after Mexico and Saudi Arabia drew their head-to-head match at Lusail Stadium. Henry Martin and Luis Chavez scored goals in the second half against Saudi Arabia.
Salem Al Dawsari of Saudi Arabia scored a goal in stoppage time to prevent Mexico from being eliminated when Poland’s game versus Argentina was over due to a poor fair play record.
Ultimately, Martino’s team was too late to mount a comeback, and much of the criticism was leveled at the coach, whose name had been booed before to the game.
Told of his status as a “villain” in Mexico, Martino replied: “I can’t tell you anything abut people’s opinions.
“I am the main [person] responsible for the frustrations we have. I’m responsible and it’s a source of great sadness.
“I assume all the responsibility of this huge failure. It’s been eight World Cups this hasn’t happened.”
“Today, we looked for the third goal when we realized it was necessary based on 🇵🇱’s result. We knew that the yellow cards would keep us out.”
Martino’s contract was to expire after the World Cup, and he continued: “I have no reasons at the moment to think the future should be different. The contract expired with the final whistle and there is nothing else to do.”
Chavez was asked for his opinion later in the news conference and added: “We are the players, we assume full responsibility.
“I would say in the second match [against Argentina] we didn’t fully understand what he [Martino] wanted to see on the pitch.
“We defended well for some time but didn’t create enough chances.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard accepted his side did not deserve to advance with their performance against Mexico.
However, he sought instead to focus on their campaign as a whole – including the shock opening win over Argentina.
“Congratulations to the players. We did our best,” he said. “Today it was more difficult for us, but we don’t have to forget what we did together. I will always protect them. I’m proud of their World Cup.”
During Poland’s World Cup match against Argentina, Wojciech Szczesny and Lionel Messi wagered that the referee would not give a penalty, the goalkeeper has said.
In the opening period of Poland’s 2-0 defeat in Group C, the Juventus goalkeeper denied Messi from the penalty spot after a contentious call in which Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot after studying the event and acting on VAR instructions.
Szczesny was one of many who believed that there shouldn’t have been a penalty, even going so far as to wager against Messi during the game’s delay, but he has no plans to fulfill his end of the bargain.
“We spoke before the penalty. I told him I can bet him €100 that he [the referee] wasn’t going to give it. So, I’ve lost a bet against Messi,” he said after the match.
“I don’t know if that’s allowed at the World Cup and I’m probably going to get banned for it but I don’t care right now. And I’m not going to pay him either! He doesn’t care about €100, come on.”
After stopping Salem Al Dawsari of Saudi Arabia in the previous round of matches, Szczesny’s denial of Messi from the penalty spot became the Polish goalie just the third goalkeeper to save two penalties at a single World Cup tournament, excluding shoot-outs.
However, the close race in Group C to qualify to the knockout stage, with Poland barely winning on goal differential over Mexico, kept his celebrations in check.
“Yeah it was nice, I didn’t know at the time it was going to help us get through so I tried not to celebrate,” he added.
“But I’ve had some bad luck at the big tournaments so far, the World Cup four years ago was awful for me and I owed this much to the team and in the last two games I managed to help them a little bit.”
Poland will face defending champions France at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday in the nation’s first appearance in the knockout stage since 1986.
Lionel Messi praised Argentina’s spirit and willpower, saying they “strengthened” after he missed a critical penalty to secure their 2-0 World Cup victory over Poland.
After Wojciech Szczesny saved Messi’s penalty kick, Lionel Scaloni’s team advanced as the Group C champions thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez in the second half.
La Albiceleste, who lost their opening game 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, have advanced to the World Cupknockout rounds for the 13th time in their last 14 outings. On Sunday, they will face Group D runners-up Australia.
“The team came out strengthened after that mistake of mine,” said Messi, who surpassed Diego Maradona in playing the most World Cup games for Argentina (22).
“We knew that once the first goal went in it was going to change the game. The previous game gave us a lot of peace of mind and we went out on the pitch thinking we should win.
“The game with Australia is going to be very difficult. Anyone beats anyone, everything is very even. We have to prepare for the game in the best way we always do.
“We must be calm and go game by game. Now, another World Cup starts, and hopefully we can continue to maintain what we did today.”
Nicolas Otamendi concurred: “This is a team that strengthens under pressure, it was demonstrated. Today we had a final, and we never lost focus.”
Rodrigo De Paul praised the team’s “personality,” but Mac Allister thinks the performance will give them more confidence going into the knockout rounds.
“I think today was a great team game, and that gives us a lot of confidence for what’s coming,” he said.
“It was a convincing performance. We look for the goal at all times. I think we went back to being the team we used to be. We handled the ball more, we had peace of mind, and we didn’t despair. We played well collectively. It fills us with confidence.”
The family of trending Black Stars star man, Mohammed Kudus, have expressed excitement about the success of their son.
In an interview with Citi TV, the lovely family spoke about Kudus’ grass-to-grace story and how he lived in a single room with them at their Nima residence.
The Ajax and Black Stars winger/midfielder made his family happy when he bagged a brace vs South Korea. Hajia Khadija, the young man’s grandmother, was the most excited among Kudus’ family members.
She danced in celebration of her grandson and said Ghana was going to defeat Uruguay.
One of Kudus’ family members, who were equally excited, said Kudus was going to score a hattrick vs Uruguay and mentioned that she had no doubts about Ghana winning the World Cup.
The video of the affable family pleased many Ghanaians, who also expressed positive thoughts ahead of the Uruguay cracker.
Ghanaians React To Kudus’ Family’s Comments
Oduma1992 said:
Indeed God is wonderful
Hajar Abdul karim commented:
Why I’m I crying watching this
makanziequeen also said:
I know my son will also be a big Star for Ghana in Jesus mighty name Amen , I will not stop him from playing football again…
YesAm TooSweet also commented:
Our grandparents are one of a kind, my father got to know how good I was in the goal post when he watched me play a major tournament
England’s 3-0 victory over Wales on Tuesday guaranteed them a spot in the World Cup’s round of 16. They will play African champions Senegal there.
The following information about their opponents will help you understand the path that Gareth Southgate’s team may need to take to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
Who do England play next?
After winning Group B to advance to the knockout rounds, England will take on Senegal.
After defeating Ecuador 2-1 earlier on Tuesday, Senegal advanced from the group stage for just the second time, finishing second to Netherlands in Group A.
When do England play next?
That match will take place on Sunday, 4 December at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar.
What time do England play on Sunday?
England’s last-16 tie kicks off at 19:00 GMT – 22:00 local time in Doha.
How good are the Senegal football team?
Senegal, which is ranked 18th globally and first among African countries, won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2021 after losing in the finals in 2019 and 2002.
In 2002, they made it to the World Cup quarterfinals, but they didn’t qualify again until 2018, when they lost in the group stage with just one victory in three games.
However, they will be without a number of important players against England on Sunday as Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane was forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury and Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is serving a one-match suspension.
Have England and Senegal met before?
This will be the first time the two sides have played each other.
Where is Senegal?
Senegal is in West Africa, next to the Atlantic Ocean.
Who will England play if they beat Senegal?
The winner of Group D, presently France, or the runner-up of Group C, currently Argentina, await England in the quarterfinals, making their path to the championship game possibly difficult.
On Saturday, December 10, that game will be played, and a semi-final will follow on Wednesday, December 14, four days later.
England might play Croatia, who finished second in 2018, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
On December 18, the championship game will be held in Qatar at the Lusail Stadium. The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, or Brazil are possible rivals because they are all on the opposite side of the draw.
Even if Germanyis unexpectedly eliminated early from the World Cup, Hansi Flick plans to stay in charge for the Euro 2024 on home soil.
After losing 2-1 to Japan and tying 1-1 with Spain in their first two games, Germany is currently last in Group E going into the final round of games.
Following Josef Herberger, Flick is the only manager of Germany to have lost his first two World Cup games; no other manager has lost their first three games in charge.
To ensure a spot in the round of 16, the four-time world champions must now defeat Costa Rica and hope Spain defeats Japan.
If Spain and Japan play to a tie or a win for the latter, the outcome would come down to goal differential if Germany wins all three of its games against Costa Rica.
Flick’s decision to stay in the position would be called into doubt if he dropped out of the race at the first hurdle, but he has no plans to do so.
“I don’t know what else will happen, but from my side, my contract runs to 2024 and I’m looking forward to the Euros,” he said at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.
“But we have a while to go until then. We go into the Costa Rica match trying to make things clear from the start, to exert pressure – these are our intentions.
“Of course we know it’ll be difficult against a team who normally defends. We need to adopt the same mentality as we showed against Spain.”
Germany failed to reach the knockout round in Russia four years ago and exited Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage in last year’s rescheduled tournament.
Flick, who took over on the back of those disappointments, is hoping to avoid more major competition disappointment on Thursday.
When asked to explain why Germany have underwhelmed at recent tournaments, Flick said: “Maybe you can ask me this question tomorrow, though I hope not.
“Normally I’m an optimist who thinks positively. I’m not considering anything like [exiting the tournament] for the time being.
“We know it’s not entirely in our own hands and it goes without saying we didn’t get the result we wanted in the first game.
“But we’re here to reach the knockouts and we’ll play our next match with confidence. Whatever happens, happens. Like after the Japan loss, I’m not feeling any pressure.
“We’re heading in the right direction. Things are getting better in training and we’re continuing to learn. We’re finding solutions with the ball and that’s why I think we’re improving.”
Germany are facing Costa Rica at the World Cup for just a second time, having previously won 4-2 in the opening match of the 2006 edition when hosting the tournament.
They have won six of their eight World Cup matches against CONCACAF nations, though their only loss in that run was in their last such match against Mexico in 2018.
Costa Rica have won just one of their past 11 World Cup games against European nations, meanwhile, with that including a 7-0 loss to Spain in their opening group match.
However, Luis Fernando Suarez’s side beat Japan last time out and can themselves reach the last 16 by defeating Germany at Al Bayt Stadium.
A draw would also be enough if Spain overcome Japan, as many expect, and Flick expects Costa Rica to set out defensively in order to take a point.
“If we look at the table then Costa Rica has an opportunity to go last 16 if they draw, so I assume they’ll try to defend as much as possible as they did against Japan,” he said.
“It’s important for us to find a solution. It’s our own fault we’re in this situation and now we have to do what we can. It’s about giving 100 per cent and performing on the day.”
Luis Enrique insists that Spain won’t take any dangers by attempting to orchestrate a certain outcome against Japan in order to avoid playing Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals.
La Roja takes on Samurai Blue on Thursday knowing that a win will guarantee the group’s top rank and set up a matchup with the Group F runners-up in the round of 16.
However, it would also put them in position to face the Selecao in the round of eight.
Attempting to avoid Brazil has been a hot issue throughout Spain’s recent media appearances, and Luis Enrique even acknowledged talking about it with his team.
“Great question, we’ve wondered about this and reflected on it. From a professional point of view, we are only thinking of winning because the four teams can qualify,” he said.
“We want to be first, we cannot and should not speculate. It’s very human to talk about it, we have done it, but it’s useless to choose.
“Imagine, we reach minute 95, we are drawing 0-0, we are winners of the group. But then just before full-time, Costa Rica and Japan score. You’ve speculated the entire game and then in the last 15 seconds you concede. That’s it, you’re out.
“If you’re convinced your team is a good one [you try to win]. We’re here to win seven games.
“Your theory is Brazil [in the quarter-finals]. Let’s play Brazil. We can’t start with these estimations.
🗣️ @LUISENRIQUE21: “Imagínate que salimos a especular ante Japón y quince segundos antes de terminar el partido quedamos eliminados”.
“We try to put up a fight – it doesn’t matter who we’re playing in the round of 16 or quarter-finals.
“If we play Brazil in the quarters, well so be it… We must beat Japan – elite sport and speculation don’t compute, or we don’t understand it that way. Being first would mean that we have been better.
“To win a World Cup you have to win against everyone who comes your way. That’s our goal.”
In fact, Luis Enrique continued by saying he would enjoy playing Brazil in the quarterfinals, even if it meant La Roja had a more difficult path to the championship game.
“I hope to play against Brazil. It will mean that we have both reached the quarter-finals,” he continued.
“Brazil is always a clear favourite [for the World Cup], regardless of the year. They have so much talent and quality, both individually and collectively.
“As for everyone else [the favourites], there aren’t big surprises. I always stick to the FIFA rankings, you can see which are the favourites. You look at the top 10, some aren’t here but generally those are the favourites. Brazil, France won [their groups] easily, so there’s no surprises.”
Spain have generally impressed across their first two games with their vibrant and attack-minded style of play, with many considering them early favourites despite possessing one of the youngest squads.
But one of their young talents who is yet to make an appearance is Ansu Fati, who some felt was fortunate to even be named in the squad after only playing bit-part role for Barcelona this season on his return from injury.
Luis Enrique acknowledged Fati was the most uncertain selection in the group, but he stressed he was thrilled with the training level of all of his forwards.
“He was the last player to enter the list. He wasn’t even in the squad in the previous two international breaks. It might be the position where I had the most doubts, regarding bringing Ansu or another player.
“I have to base my decisions on training. We have eight forwards training so well, I am delighted with them, they are flying. It’s a shame they’ve not all had minutes, they all deserve to play and it hurts me, but there’s no space for everyone – some will not play.
“There’s five substitutes allowed, and some players will end the competition without playing a minute. I’m sorry about that, so sorry, but they have to keep training at a top level and I make decisions based on what I see. I am sorry, but also happy with what I see from those eight players.”
Insisting that this is Belgium’s “golden generation,” Roberto Martinez denies any similarity to England‘s mid-2000s disasters.
Although the Red Devils’ 2018 World Cup finish was their best in recent years, this collection of Belgian players has long been praised.
Coach Martinez has defended the players as pressure mounts on the team heading into the 2022 finals, where there have been rumors of veteran stars fighting.
He aimed to draw attention to the leaders of Belgium’s squad’s contributions off the field as well as on it and made the argument that the England team that received the same moniker under Sven-Goran Eriksson was not comparable.
“It’s interesting, because when I arrived in 2016, there was talk of a ‘golden generation’,” Martinez said on Wednesday.
“Clearly we were not the golden generation. The golden generation of Belgian football was 1986 in Mexico. They were the ones who arrived into the semi-finals.
“Since then, these players showed incredible commitment to the national team. We’re talking about players who left Belgium very young, they went into the best dressing rooms in European football, they win trophies, and they’re always committed.
“We have eight players with over 100 caps; we have Thibaut Courtois reaching his 100th cap against Croatia. You’ve got players who gave their career for the national team.
“This generation is the golden generation of Belgian football, there is no doubt.
“They got the bronze medal in 2018, they kept the national team for four years at the number one spot in the world rankings, a population of 11,000,000.
“Twenty-one of them got their A [coaching] licences. This generation is going to carry on impacting Belgian football from a coaching point of view for the next 20 years.
“They were able to build a new training facility, state of the art, that is going to change Belgian football for the next generations.
“What you can say is this generation haven’t won a major tournament. But leaving a legacy goes a lot further than winning a tournament. I’m sure you can find national teams who win tournaments and they don’t leave a legacy.
“This group of players deserve respect, deserve admiration for what they’ve done.
“From here, we can win, draw, lose, but with the legacy of this generation, I am the proudest person because I’ve been able to work with them, to see day to day how much they care.
“The next 20 years in Belgian football will not be the same because of this generation.
“You cannot compare it to England. England was a group of players that were sensational, outstanding at a group level, and they never found the way to do that with the international team. Comparisons are totally, totally impossible.”
Lionel Messiwill eventually return to Barcelona because the player and team “deserve one last dance together,” according to Jordi Cruyff, sporting director of the Catalan giants.
Messi’s 21-year affiliation with Barcelona ended in August 2021 due to the club’s inability to pay a new contract in accordance with LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations. Messi now plays for Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi is currently in his second season with PSG, but his deal expires at the end of the current campaign, and he has been linked to a transfer to Inter Miami of the Major League Soccer.
Next year, when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner turns 36, Cruyff expects to see him return to Camp Nou, albeit he acknowledges it might not be in a playing role.
“It’s clear Barcelona and Messi have to be together again one day,” Cruyff told RAC1. “It may be after his career, but they deserve a final hug, one last dance together.”
Asked about the possibility of Guardiola managing the Blaugrana again further down the line, Cruyff said: “He’s reached the level of being able to choose his own destiny.
“Not many have reached that point; it’s the dream of every professional. Whether he returns or not, I have no idea. I think he’s happy at City.”
Uruguay forward Luiz Suarez says his side will capitalize on Black Stars porous defence to defeat Ghana in the final Group H encounter in the World Cup on Friday.
After two games in Group H, Uruguay have managed just a point after suffering defeat against Portugal on Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Ghana earned an important win to boost their chances of progressing to the round of 16.
The Black Stars inflicted a 3-2 win over the Asian giants to boost their chances of qualifying to the knockout phase.
The four-time African champions must avoid defeat against Uruguay to book a spot in the Round of 16.
Ahead of the clash, Suarez, who has tagged Ghana’s game as a do or die says he and his teammates will put their lives and soul on the line to secure qualification.
“We have one point and the final match against Ghana is do and die. We have no option than to win to make our fans happy”
“We are going to put our lives and soul in this last match, Ghana is a good team but we know them, we have beaten them before and we know how to beat them again”
“We have watched their video clips and they have porous defence, we will utilize on that to beat them” he said.
Ghana were denied a semifinal berth at the World Cup courtesy of a Luis Suarez handball incident in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona forward prevent a goal-bound header from Ghana’s Dominic Adiyiah in the final minute of extra time at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
Suarez essentially produced a save on the line worthy of a goalkeeper and he was shown a straight red card as a result.
Ghana were also awarded a penalty, but Asamoah Gyan’s attempt from 12 yards crashed into the crossbar, which resulted in Suarez going mental on the touchline and sent the game to a shootout.
Uruguay won the penalty shoot-out to progress to the semifinals with Luis Suarez celebrated for his demonic act.
During Tuesday’s important 1-0 World Cup victory over Iran, United States captain Tyler Adams praised his team’s cohesion, and defender Tim Ream praised the captain’s influence.
At Al Thumama Stadium, Christian Pulisicscored the game-winning goal for the USA just before halftime, advancing them to the round of 16.
Due to the two countries’ tense relationship, geopolitical issues dominated the build-up to the match. This was their first World Cup meeting since a match in France in 1998 that was labeled the “most politically charged game” in tournament history.
Iran won the match 2-1 in Lyon, but this time, the USA crossed the finish line first. Gregg Berhalter’s team was significantly less effective after Pulisic was forced to leave the game at halftime due to a pelvic contusion that will be treated “day-to-day,” despite how much better they had been in the first half.
UPDATE: #USMNT forward Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and his status is day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/abZcjU6tco
Iran increased its pressure at the finish and twice in stoppage time came very close to winning, but the USA held out to schedule a match with the Netherlands.
Their development highlights how far the USA have come in recent years given that they did not even make it to the last World Cup, and Adams’ remarks captured the positive energy surrounding the team.
“For me, I have obviously dreamed of playing in a World Cup, and I didn’t know when that time would come,” he told reporters. “Obviously that has come now. I am very proud to be representing the US and this team.
“The group we have in this locker room is superb, every day we show up and try and get better, and focus on getting better.
“Tonight was one of those nights where you knew you could look to your left and look to your right and there was someone battling for you.”
The USA have only ever been beyond the last 16 at a men’s World Cup once in its current format, back in 2002 when a Landon Donovan-inspired side reached the quarter-finals.
Standing in the way of matching that accomplishment are the Netherlands, and the size of the task facing the USA is not lost on Adams, who rates the Oranje among the best in Qatar.
“Obviously it is a big opportunity for us; an amazing game,” he said. “We have obviously played against good teams here already like England; the Netherlands could be another favourite to win the World Cup and they have done really well to navigate their way through the tournament so far.
“They’ve some amazing players, we are going to have to be ready. For now, we will try to have some downtime and relax to regain our focus. Our coaches will obviously come up with a game plan to get us ready.”
Adams’ performance was vital to the USA prevailing, with the Leeds United midfielder’s poise key to their first-half control and his tenacity important in disrupting an improved Iran after the break.
His 84 touches, 62 completed passes and 12 recoveries were all highs for the match, while Adams also tallied the second-most tackle attempts (three) on the USA team, successfully taking back possession on each occasion.
Ream, playing behind Adams at centre-back, saw his captain’s performance at close quarters and was grateful for his protection.
“[Adams] makes everyone’s job a little bit easier. The amount of ground he covers, his energy, tenacity, work rate; it’s just incredible what he does on a football pitch.
“As he grows the team grows, you could see that. It’s a pleasure to play behind him.”
Of course, it was not the first time this week Adams has been under the spotlight.
He faced up to some awkward questions in Monday’s pre-match press conference, with an Iranian journalist calling him out over his pronunciation of Iran.
Suffice to say, Ream joined the chorus of praise for how Adams handled that particular situation.
“I thought it was brilliant,” Ream said. “It is what it is, that’s the world we’re living in right now.
“For him to handle it with the poise that he did, and the sincerity that he showed, I think was fantastic.”
The pivotal World Cupmatch between Germany and Costa Rica will be officiated by Stephanie Frappart, who will make history as the first woman to ever officiate a match at the men’s event in its 92-year history.
Frappart will be in the middle for the Group E match on Thursday at Al Bayt Stadium, where both clubs still have a chance to advance to the next round in Qatar.
Along with Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan, she was one of three female referees chosen for the World Cup pool in May.
In March 2021, when officiating a match between the Netherlands and Latvia for the men’s World Cup qualification, Frappart became the first woman to officiate a match in the history of the international game.
This Thursday, an all-female refereeing trio will take charge of a men’s @FIFAWorldCup match for the first time.
Stéphanie Frappart will be joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz in overseeing @fedefutbolcrc against @DFB_Team.
The French official has previously officiated high-profile male club matches, like as the 2019 UEFA Super Cup between Chelsea and Liverpool. A year later, she officiated Juventus’ match against Dynamo Kyiv to become the first female referee of a Champions League group game.
“The men’s World Cup is the most important competition in the world, not only football,” she told The Athletic in May when she was selected for the tournament. “But I was the first female referee in France, the first in Europe, every time the first. I know how to deal with that… You’re there because you deserve it.”
The entire on-field officiating team for the game will be female, with Frappart joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a once-in-a-lifetime contract to play for a Saudi Arabian club following his departure from Manchester United.
At the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the forward, who is now 37 years old, is now playing for Portugal.
As Ronaldo prepares to make history by becoming the first male footballer to score in five straight World Cups, CBS Sports reports that Al Nassr FC of Saudi Arabia has made him a whopping $225 million three-year offer. The agreement is said to go into effect following the World Cup.
Ronaldo has shown a strong desire to play solely at the top level available in Europe. Ronaldo was given a contract that will essentially pay him $75 million a year. According to reports, discussions started in the summer, and the team is now waiting for Ronaldo to make up his mind.
One of the most prosperous clubs in Asia and Saudi Arabia is Al Nassr FC.
The club has a total of nine league championships. According to reports, Ronaldo has also being pursued by their rival Al Hilal.
The football player’s post-World Cup plans are still unknown. Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet offered any commentary.
Marcus Rashford was tasked by Luke Shaw with replicating his “unplayable” performance against Wales for the remainder of England‘s World Cup run.
In Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over their British counterparts at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Rashford scored both of England’s goals.
With the win, England won Group B and advanced to the round of 16, where they will play Senegal for a spot in the quarterfinals.
One of Gareth Southgate’s four new players, Rashford opened the scoring with a beautiful free-kick early in the second half. Then, following a frantic run, he doubled his tally with a low drive as Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward let the ball slip through his legs.
According to Shaw, Rashford must continue to produce at the same level after being the first member of Manchester United to score three goals at a World Cup since Bobby Charlton in 1966, when England won the cup.
When asked by Stats Perform what he thought of Rashford’s display, Shaw replied: “He’s so good, the talent he’s got, he can be unplayable.
“I think he needs to deliver that every single game he plays. He’s got the quality that can make a difference, he’s an unbelievable player and one that can make the difference for us.
“Hopefully he can keep those standards high and keep doing it.”
Rashford, who finished with six shots, only one fewer than the entire Wales team managed combined, had scored eight times in 19 appearances for United this season heading into the World Cup, and Shaw has full faith the 25-year-old will keep up his form.
“Very confident. I see it day in, day out – what he’s doing, how he’s training,” Shaw added. “He took his chance, I think it was his time to start and for me he took his chance.
“He needs to keep the standards high now, because he’s a really important player.”
Phil Foden was a star of the show along with Rashford.
Southgate picked Foden in place of Bukayo Saka after receiving criticism from some quarters for not using the Manchester City player against the United States last week.
While Foden took some time to get going, he picked up speed as the first half went on and scored a fantastic goal just 98 seconds after Rashford had given the game its first goal.
“Not just the ones that started today, you look at the bench and the quality we have, we have World Class players who if they’re not starting can come on and change a game,” Shaw said when asked if Foden could be decisive in pushing England deep into the tournament.
“Phil didn’t get a chance against the USA but he came in and was the wonderful player we all know, getting on the ball, making things happen, scoring a very important goal at a crucial time and that’s what we want from all of them. We need them to be like that.”
Rashford revealed after the match that he had recently suffered the loss of a friend, and Shaw – whose grandmother passed away shortly before the World Cup – explained the unique unity of the England camp had been crucial in helping him overcome the loss.
“One million per cent,” Shaw said. “The togetherness is not something I’ve witnessed in a team before.
“Everyone is so close together, we get on so well and push each other every day to get better and keep the standards high. It brings everyone closer together.”
The coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo, is quite certain that his team will defeat Uruguay in their final group match on Friday in order to advance to the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Black Stars will play Uruguay in their final group game, where they are currently ranked second in Group H.
Ghana will advance to the round of 16 whether they win or draw.
“It was really, really long time ago that this incident happened and I am a strong believer that if you don’t seek too much revenge on these kind of things, sometimes you get the blessings,” coach Otto Addo said.
“It will be very difficult but I am confident to know that we can win this game.”
Following their 3-2 victory over South Korea, Ghana became the third African nation, after Senegal and Morocco, to achieve a win in the tournament’s second round of fixtures.
The four-time African champions’ World Cup run got off to a bad start as they fell to Portugal, who advanced to the round of 16.
With a 2-0 victory over Qatar to finish first in Group A, Cody Gakpo netted in his third straight World Cup game as the Netherlands easily advanced to the knockout round.
Gakpo, a PSV attacker who has been one of the tournament’s breakout stars, once again dazzled at Al Bayt Stadium, setting the Oranje up for victory with a precise goal in the 26th minute.
A second goal from Frenkie de Jong ensured a straightforward victory to clinch first place in the pool as Senegal defeated Ecuador in another match.
Memphis Depay’s hamstring injury likely would not have allowed Gakpo to have played such a significant part thus far, but the two started together on Tuesday and will now look to team up once more in the round of 16 against the Group B runners-up.
With Depay in the lineup, the Netherlands immediately appeared more dangerous, even though he was unable to capitalize on a bustle in the box early on, which forced Daley Blind to aim blandly at Meshaal Barsham and promptly miss.
Instead, Gakpo once again came through after a great play, passing the ball to Davy Klaassen and taking it back to hammer a solid finish into the bottom-right corner.
Four minutes into the second half, poor defending by Qatar allowed Louis van Gaal’s team to extend their lead when Depay’s shot was blocked by Barsham and De Jong was able to race past two defenders to the rebound just in front of the goal.
The Netherlands’ place was never in jeopardy despite Steven Berghuis’ third goal being disallowed for a handball by Gakpo during the build-up and the substitute also hitting the crossbar in stoppage time.
What does it mean? Oranje go on the offensive
The Netherlands had attempted only 12 shots worth a combined 0.8 expected goals across their first two matches, outperforming only Costa Rica in each metric.
Qatar made for accommodating opponents on Tuesday, but Depay’s return alongside Gakpo led to a far more dangerous display. The Oranje produced 13 attempts worth 1.6 xG in this game alone.
Another crucial Gakpo goal
Any Netherlands nerves were eased by another opening goal from Gakpo, who had broken the deadlock against both Senegal and Ecuador.
He is the fourth Oranje player to net in three straight World Cup appearances and only the second player from any nation to open the scoring three times in the same group stage at a finals, along with Italy’s Alessandro Altobelli in the first round in 1986.
Unwanted records for hosts
In conceding seven goals in the group stage and losing three matches, Qatar set new records for hosts at a World Cup finals. This was not the sort of history they set out to make 10 days ago.
Key Opta Stats:
– Netherlands have progressed from their first-round group in all nine attempts at the World Cup; this is the best 100 per cent opening group record by any nation at the finals.
– The Oranje have won eight of their last nine group-stage games at the World Cup, while in all rounds, they are now unbeaten in their last 10 at the tournament (W7 D3).
– Gakpo became the first player to score in all three matches in a single group at a World Cup for the Netherlands, and first to do so for any European nation since 2002 (Tomasson, Klose and Wilmots).
– De Jong scored only his second ever goal for the Netherlands, and first since September 2019 in a European Championship qualifier against Germany.
– Netherlands had more shots (13) and as many shots on target (4) in this match against Qatar as they attempted in their first two 2022 World Cup games against Senegal and Ecuador combined (12 shots, 4 on target).
What’s next?
The Netherlands will learn the identity of their last-16 opponents later on Tuesday, as Qatar reflect on a gruelling first World Cup experience.
English Championship outfit, Wigan Athletic, have announced the appointment of Ivory Coast great, Kolo Touré, as their new manager.
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner takes over the Manchester-based club on a three-and-a-half-year deal following a spell with Premier League club Leicester City as one of Brendan Rodgers’ assistant coaches.
He replaces Leam Richardson, who was sacked after only seven games in charge.
Wigan Athletic confirmed the 44-year-old’s appointment in a statement on their website on Tuesday in what is his first head coaching role.
“Wigan Athletic Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Kolo Touré as the Club’s new First Team Manager,” the statement said.
“Touré arrives at the Club on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Leicester City, where he was operating as First Team Coach as part of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching staff.
“Also arriving at Latics will be Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal, with both joining the backroom coaching staff at the Football Club that includes Rob Kelly – who has agreed to continue in his role as Assistant Manager.”
Wigan are currently third from bottom on the Championship table after 21 games into the 2022/23 season.
The club adds that Kolo Touré will travel to Turkey to join Wigan in their mid-season training camp as they look to turn things around when the season resumes from the World Cup break.
The former defender started his career at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in 1999 and had an illustrious playing career with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic, as well as 120 caps for his native Ivory Coast.
Touré made more than 500 senior appearances over a 15-year period, with an honours list that includes two Premier League titles – one as an Arsenal ‘Invincible’, two FA Cups, and two Scottish Premiership titles.
Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil’s final World Cup group match against Cameroon, while Alex Sandro has joined the superstar forward and Danilo on the injury list.
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar hobbled off in the 80th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia last week with a lateral ligament injury to his right ankle.
The 30-year-old sat out Monday’s victory over Switzerland, in which Casemiro scored a late winner, but no official timeframe was given for his recovery.
However, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed on Tuesday that Neymar will play no part against Cameroon, with Brazil requiring a point to guarantee top spot in Group G.
Team-mate Danilo, who has a similar ankle problem to Neymar, will also not recover in time for Friday’s match at Lusail Stadium, while Alex Sandro is suffering from a hip injury.
“After yesterday’s game, Alex Sandro felt pain in his left hip and was unable to continue in the game,” Lasmar said.
“This morning he was reassessed. We took him for an MRI test, which showed a muscle injury in the left hip muscle. The player will not be able to participate in the next match.
“But he is still undergoing treatment so that we can recover him as soon as possible.
“Danilo and Neymar are still recovering from ankle injuries. Each with a different treatment because they are different injuries.”
Neymar was fouled nine times by Serbia players, which is one shy of Brazil’s World Cup record of 10 set against Switzerland in 2018.
He was fouled a leading 44 times across the 2014 and 2018 World Cups combined – once every 21 minutes, more often than any other player impeded on at least 25 occasions.
With their victory over Switzerland, Brazil became the first side in World Cup history to go unbeaten in 17 consecutive group-stage matches in a run stretching back to 1998.
An individual holding a rainbow flag entered the field during the Portugalvs. Uruguay World Cup match in the Lusail Stadium.
The player in issue entered the field just over five minutes into the second half and briefly stopped play.
The invader also had the slogans “Save Ukraine” and “Respect for Iranian Women” on his clothing, which also featured the Superman insignia.
Security then removed him, and Iranian referee Alireza Faghani did the same with the offending flag.
The actions of the pitch invader are the most recent act of protest at Qatar 2022, where the host country severely restricts LGBTQ+ rights.
FIFA effectively prevented European teams from wearing the OneLove armband in a display of solidarity, and Germany protested by covering their mouths before their encounter with Japan.
The event also makes mention of the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing protests against women’s rights in Iran.
On December 2, Portugal and Uruguay face South Korea and Ghana in their respective final Group H matches.\
After sustaining an ankle injury in the Selecao’s opening Group G match, the Paris Saint-Germain attacker was forced to watch his team’s second match from their hotel.
In a cagey encounter, it was the Manchester United midfielder’s late strike that earned Brazil a 1-0 win, and Neymar was succinctly effusive in his praise for his team-mate after the final whistle.
“Casemiro has been the best midfielder in the world for a long time,” the forward simply wrote on Twitter after the match.
Having left it late to seal victory – his 83rd-minute goal was the second-latest winner for Brazil in a World Cup match, after beating Costa Rica in 2018 – Casemiro’s intervention proved crucial for Tite’s side.
Casemiro é o melhor volante do mundo há muito tempo
When asked by Stats Perform in his post-match press conference on whether he agreed with Neymar, Tite replied: “As a habit, I always respect opinions, but do not comment on them.
“But I will allow myself to do so today. I agree.”
Explaining why he elected to play the 30-year-old in a deeper position, he added: “Casemiro is a second midfielder, that’s what we saw happen.
“He works as a central player, he’s a surprise element from the back. If Casemiro is already high, it’s easy to be marked, but when he comes from the back he can be a surprise.”
Brazil wrap up their Group G campaign against Cameroon on December 2.
Pedri has just turned 20. Jamal Musiala and Jude Bellingham still have a few months to go. The kids who are going to break the bank have arrived at the World Cup and are showing their quality.
There are stars who shine brighter, even veterans ready to bow out in style at their last World Cup, but the value of these three players have skyrocketed.
All three are valued at over 100 million euros. And their value continues to grow. They arrived at the World Cup with teams who are candidates to win the tournament.
England, Germany and Spain are among the options to put one more star on their jerseys, but ahead of them, teams like Brazil, Argentina or France started as bigger favourites.
Pedri is the light of Luis Enrique’s side, Musiala brings something different for Germany, and Bellingham has half of the Premier League in love with him.
Getting them out of their teams will not be easy. Especially because Pedri and Musiala are at clubs that are not very good sellers, Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively.
However, with Bellingham, in a Borussia Dortmund side that has never been afraid to get rid of its best players, things change. The fight for the Briton started already a few months ago and promises to be fierce as soon as the English leave the World Cup in Qatar.
Gvardiol unleashed
Perhaps these three are the ones who shine the brightest, but there are others, a little more hidden, who are going to impact the transfer market in the next few windows.
Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol is one of them. The 20-year-old RB Leipzig center-back is poised to break the record price paid for a defender set by Matthijs de Ligt earlier this summer.
Fernandez on the score sheet
Enzo Fernandez’s goal against Mexico was just the tip of the iceberg. At 21, the Benfica midfielder is a quality figure and could become the next big transfer from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League.
Musah is making waves
Perhaps at another level, but also showing quality, appears the Valencia player Yunus Musah.
With the USA he is shining brightly and his price is rising. This week he turns 20 years old. Valencia are willing to sell, but want an offer of substance.
Bruno Fernandesscored both goals as Portugal secured a World Cup last-16 place with a 2-0 win over Uruguay at Lusail Stadium.
The Manchester United midfielder broke the deadlock in a scrappy Group H clash when his 54th-minute cross, which was aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo, nestled in the far corner.
He then wrapped up the points with a stoppage-time penalty and almost had a hat-trick as Fernando Santos’ side joined France and Brazil in sealing their passage to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
The win saw Portugal avenge their 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the last 16 of the 2018 competition in Russia.
Chances did not fall freely during the opening half-hour, with neither side registering a shot on target. William Carvalho’s sweetly struck volley was just too high, while Jose Gimenez sent a looping header narrowly over the crossbar.
The game’s first attempt on target in the 32nd minute almost provided one of the goals of the tournament when Rodrigo Bentancur embarked on a jinking run through the Portugal defence.
But the Uruguay midfielder’s finish let him down, as he shot straight at Diogo Costa when clear on goal.
La Celeste were aiming to become the first nation to record six straight clean sheets in the World Cup group stages, but they were given a warning when Joao Felix hit the side netting in the 51st minute.
Fernandes then opened the scoring three minutes later when his attempted centre, which Ronaldo initially appeared to faintly connect with, evaded Sergio Rochet.
Uruguay looked to respond as Maximiliano Gomez rattled the post and Luis Suarez hit the side netting, but Portugal sealed victory when Fernandes, who was involved in winning the penalty, calmly slotted home from 12 yards after VAR penalised Gimenez for handball.
Fernandes twice went close to completing his hat-trick in the dying moments, Rochet saving his volley before he rattled the woodwork from 20 yards.
What does it mean? Two wins from two for Portugal
For only the third time in their World Cup history, Portugal have won their opening two group games at the finals.
A good omen is that on both previous occasions – 1966 and 2006 – they went on to reach the semi-finals.
Uruguay have failed to score in three consecutive World Cup games for only the second time ever and go into matchday three sitting bottom of the group.
Fernandes at the double
It was a unique brace for Fernandes – FIFA initially credited his first goal to Ronaldo, who insisted he had got a touch – before ruling in the midfielder’s favour.
Fernandes’ double came from a game-high six shots, while his tally of 83 touches was also the highest recorded and no player registered more touches in the opposition box (five) or crosses (five, level with Guillermo Varela) than the United midfielder.
He has been directly involved in eight goals in his last five Portugal appearances (scoring five and assisting three), hitting form at international level at an ideal time.
Quiet Cavani
Edinson Cavani, who netted twice when these nations met in Russia four years ago, was restored to the starting line-up ahead of Luis Suarez.
However, the veteran striker registered just one shot on goal – an early second-half volley he dragged wide – while no starting player had fewer touches than him (21).
Key Opta Stats:
– Portugal have now scored in each of their last eight World Cup games, their best-ever run in the competition.
– Only Brazil (0) and Ecuador (1) have faced fewer opposition shots on target at the 2022 World Cup than Uruguay (3), who conceded with two of the three they faced in this game.
– Portugal tasted victory against a South American side in the World Cup for the first time since 1966 (3-1 v Brazil).
– At 39 years and 275 days old, Portugal defender Pepe became the third-oldest outfield player in World Cup history, behind only Roger Milla (42y, 39d) and Atiba Hutchinson (39y, 292d).
What’s next?
Santos may rest players and rotate his squad for Portugal’s final Group H match against South Korea on Friday. On the same day, Uruguay must beat Ghana to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.
Black Stars defender Mohammed Salisu is the first defender to score for Ghana in World Cup history. The Southampton defender played full throttle in Ghana’s dramatic win against South Korea.
He scored Ghana’s first goal in the 24th minute to help Ghana secure all three points at stake.
Salisu began his career in his hometown youth team, Kumasi Barcelona Babies, before joining West African Football Academy in 2013.
Salisu joined Real Valladolid’s youth setup in October 2017.
On 28 January 2018, Salisu made his senior debut with the reserves, starting in a 4-2 Segunda Division B home loss against Coruxo. On April 29, he scored his first senior goal, equalizing in the 82nd minute of a 2-2 away draw against Racing Ferrol.
Salisu was promoted to the senior Valladolid squad on July 16, 2018. On 9 January 2019, he made his professional debut, starting in a 1-0 away loss to Getafe in the Copa del Rey that season.
On August 18, he made his La Liga debut, starting in a 2-1 away win over Real Betis. On October 26, 2019, he scored his first professional goal, the second goal in a 2-0 home win over Eibar.
Salisu signed for Premier League team Southampton for a cost of £10.9 million on August 12, 2020.
The 23-year-old is 191cm tall and prefers to play with his left foot.
Salisu made his Southampton debut six months after joining for the club, on 11 February 2021, playing the full 90 minutes and maintaining a clean sheet in a 2-0 FA Cup away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Salisu made his Ghana debut on September 23, 2022, as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 friendly loss to Brazil. His current market value according to transfermarkt is 18 million euro
1 – Mohammed Salisu has become the first defender to score for Ghana in World Cup history. New. pic.twitter.com/UutAfwpRXe
Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, is among the many Ghanaians who had a nerve-racking experience while watching Ghana play against South Korea today.
The Black Stars were in a comfortable lead in the first half of the game after they scored two goals. However, the smiles changed to worry as South Korea equalised within 10 minutes.
With team work, Ghana scored a third, but their victory was hanging by a thread as South Korea mounted more pressure as the end of the game drew near.
South Korea for 10 minutes, pounced on the defence of Ghana and this left Asamoah Gyan in discomfort. He paced around, hoping to hear the final whistle to signal Ghana’s victory.
Just as for many Ghanaians, this was one of the longest 10 minutes in Asamoah Gyan’s life.
He was impatient and continued shouting “Referee, it is time. This referee.”
Immense joy after a victory today against South Korea today led Ghana fans to take up a role which the Japanese have happily assumed.
Supporters of the Black Stars to the surprise of many decided to clean up Education City Stadium in Qatar after the game, an action they failed to do when Ghana played Portugal.
Fans of Japansince the beginning of the tournament cleaned the stadium after every match they went to observe.
Ghana fans were cleaning up the stadium after their win against South Korea 🇬🇭❤️
Since the viral video, some Ghanaians on social media have expressed shock to the unanticipated act by their comrades in Qatar. Ghana beat South Korea by three goals. South Korea managed to score two goals.
Marcus Rashford is hoping to receive another chance to atone for his missed penalty in England’s World Cup loss to Italy in the European Championship final.
Along with Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, the Manchester United forward was one of three players on Gareth Southgate’s team who were unable to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma in the penalty shootout.
The group was later the target of racist comments on social media, but that hasn’t stopped him from stepping up for the Three Lions in Qatar if necessary.
“Racism is not good to go through as an individual but it’s not good to see anyone go through it. [It’s] more just disappointment. You’re disappointed that people have views like that,” he said.
“And the main reason is that you don’t have those views about anyone else, regardless of their race or religion. It’s more the disappointment that people are thinking those things, rather than saying them.
“I’ve missed a penalty before. You never want to miss a penalty, it’s a great opportunity for forwards especially to score goals, and obviously they’re big moment.
“As an individual I’ve always been comfortable with and enjoy big moments so I’m hoping I get to take another penalty in the tournament. I’m looking forward to it.”
England were booed off following a goalless draw against the United States last time out, but stand on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages – with only a four-goal defeat to Wales in the final match enough to send them home.
Rashford is confident England will do what is required and will “leave it all out on the pitch” against Wales.
“It is not often I come away with England and feel like we’re going to lose games. I think as a collective, we’re very strong,” he added.
“The togetherness is really high and it is a big feature that Gareth puts emphasis on.
“It is something we have worked on and it has improved as time has gone on. But like I said, the main reason why we are in the position we’re in is because we have good players who are willing to work for one another and leave it all out on the pitch.
“In the next game, we’ll definitely look to do that.”
Cody Gakpo, who performed admirably for the Netherlands in the World Cup, asserts that “anything is conceivable” about his future at PSV Eindhoven.
The 23-year-old has scored in both of his nation’s opening games, which have seen Oranje lead Group A with one game remaining after victories against Senegal and Ecuador, respectively, by scores of 2-0 and 1-1.
While Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich have since been linked, he recently admitted he was disappointed to have missed out on a move to Manchester United.
Gakpo isn’t completely ruling out leaving PSV when the January transfer window opens, even though his primary goal right now is to help the Netherlands advance far in the World Cup.
“Right now I’m busy with the Dutch team. I’ll see what happens in the winter. In football, anything is possible,” he said at a press conference on Sunday.
“I don’t get shy about the rumours. But it’s a team sport, it’s not about one person. I prefer it to be about the team.
“It’s nice things that people write, but I’m not too concerned with that. I’m focused now on the World Cup. I just focus here and do my best.”
Gakpo has been directly involved in 34 goals in 28 games for PSV and the Netherlands this season, scoring 16 and assisting a further eight.
Despite enjoying his best campaign to date, the forward – into his fifth season as a first-team regular for PSV – insists there is still more to come.
“I know what I’m capable of but it’s always a challenge to reach your highest level,” he said. “I’m not there yet; I can improve in a lot of things.
“I know I scored two goals this World Cup. But that’s not the focus right now. I can improve, I want to help the team. It’s about being the best team in the end.”
Gakpo could become the fourth man to score in three straight World Cup games for Oranje after Johan Neeskens (1974), Dennis Bergkamp (1994) and Wesley Sneijder (2010).
The Netherlands will advance to the round of 16 if they defeat Qatar on Tuesday; however, a loss could also be enough if Ecuador defeats Senegal.
They have scored 11 goals and let up only one in their four World Cup victories over Asian opponents.
In the lead-up to Wales‘ matchup with England, a team that Rob Page has referred to as a “beatable” foe, Gareth Bale does not feel that he has any additional burdens on his shoulders.
Wales will leave the World Cup early for the first time since 1958 if they lose to England on Tuesday and hope that Iran and the United States draw in the other Group B game.
The Dragons, who lost to Iran 2-0 after drawing with the USA 1-1, will also move on to the knockout round thanks to an unlikely 4-0 victory over their fierce rivals.
Bale was crucial to Wales‘ achievement in their successful bids to qualify for both Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, which put an end to their protracted wait to compete on the international level.
But the Los Angeles FC forward is hoping to bounce back from the Iran loss with a win against England in what might be his final tournament appearance for Wales.
“We’re disappointed in the results and performance so far but that’s football,” he said at Monday’s pre-match news conference. “This is a World Cup and it’s not easy.
“We’ll always give 100 per cent and we want to try to make things better. The last few days we’ve been working hard and hopefully things turn around for us now.
“We were hurting after the Iran game and the next day. Everyone was really quiet but we have characters in the squad and the energy is high again.
“We’re in good spirits for this next match. This is tournament football and we have to go again.”
Bale scored his side’s only goal of Qatar 2022 so far, a late penalty against the USA, but he has had the fewest touches of the ball of any Wales player in both matches.
The 33-year-old has managed only two shots, one of those being his spot-kick effort, but he insists his nation’s hopes against England do not rest solely on him.
“I don’t feel an added responsibility. We’re a team and nation who work hard for each other and we must deliver as a team, not one person,” he said.
“We’ve been working hard these last couple days. We would have loved to have been winning but the reality is football is hard, but we’ve been keeping our spirits high.”
Wales had never before lost a single game in any of their big tournament appearances, but over the years they have struggled against English neighbors.
In fact, Wales has lost all six of their previous matches against England, scoring just once (a free-kick by Bale in a 2-1 loss in the Euro 2016 group stage) while giving up 11 goals.
However, boss Page is confident his team can break that dreadful streak in a game that Wales absolutely must win if they are to have any chance of extending their stay in Qatar.
“This tournament has shown anyone’s beatable – of course England are beatable,” Page said. “They’ve got a wonderful pool of players, but we must show what we’re capable of.”
Echoing the views of his manager, Bale said: “Absolutely. We’ve done our homework and had meetings, which I’m sure they’ve also done. It’s going to be a difficult game.
“We know England are one of the favourites and we’re under no illusions. There’s been a few shocks already and there’s no reason we can’t do the same.”
Wales enter Tuesday’s game winless in seven matches, which is their worst run without victory since between May 2003 and November 2003.
Brazilian legend Ronaldo has advised Neymar to put his recovery from his World Cup ankle injury ahead of the “envy and animosity” of those who have celebrated it.
Even among Selecao supporters, reactions to Neymar’s exclusion from Brazil’s match against Switzerland and likely the following match against Cameroon have been varied.
Some have turned against Neymar because of his support for Jair Bolsonaro, the 30-year-old PSG striker who lost the presidential race in Brazil to Lula last month.
Despite the fact that Neymar seems to be Brazil’s most likely motivator in Qatar 2022, when the team is vying for a sixth World Cup victory, this is the case.
With his eight goals at the 2002 finals, including two in the final against Germany, Ronaldo was the highlight of the team that won the sixth of five trophy victories.
He described Neymar as “awesome” in an open letter on Instagram, posted on Sunday.
Ronaldo added: “I am sure that most Brazilians, like me, admire and love you. Your talent, by the way, has taken you so far, so high, that there is love and admiration for you in every corner of the world.
“And it is also for this reason, for having reached where you have, for the success you have achieved, that you have to deal with so much envy and malice.
“On a level of celebrating the injury of a star like you, with a story like yours. How far have we come? What world is this? What message are we passing on to our young people? There will always be people rooting against you, but it is sad to see society on a path of trivialising intolerance, of normalising hate speech.
“It is against this verbal violence with destructive power that I write to you today: come back stronger! Smarter! Hungry for goals! The good you do on and off the field is much greater than envy towards you.
“Don’t forget for a second the journey that made you a world football idol. Brazil loves you! The real fans – the ones who are in favour – need your goals, dribbles, boldness and joy! Celebrate the love that comes from most of your country. You will bounce back! And may all the hate turn into fuel.”
Neymar hobbled off in the 80th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 win against Serbia on Thursday, with medical staff announcing he sustained a lateral ligament injury to his right ankle.
The former Barcelona forward was fouled nine times in the Serbia game, the most suffered by any player in a single game so far at the World Cup.
On Sunday at Al Bayt Stadium, Morata scored his second goal of the competition after coming off the bench to give Spain the lead. However, Germany’s substitute Niclas Fullkrug scored a late equalizer to earn his team a point.
Spain, who is currently in first place in Group E, merely needs a point against Japan on Thursday to advance, while Germany must defeat Costa Rica and hope Luis Enrique’s team can help them out.
Striker Morata stressed there is no chance Spain will take Japan lightly at Khalifa International Stadium.
“Japan is a tough team, they run a lot, they are good tactically. It’s another tough game, it’s a World Cup.” he said.
The Atletico Madrid frontman says he has no problem with being among the substitutes again after also finding the back of the net in a 7-0 rout of Costa Rica.
“We are on the bench for this [to score]. Germany are a great team, this match could have been a semi-final or final in the World Cup,” he said.
“It’s the same [starting of being a substitute], the most important thing is to win. They scored an amazing goal, so we didn’t have the victory, but we keep training and pushing with good vibes and positivity.”
Morata has scored eight goals at European Championships and World Cups, at least double the amount of any other player for Spain since 2016.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana was excluded from the Cameroon squad for Monday’s 3-3 draw against Serbia due to disciplinary issues, according to Rigobert Song, who emphasized that the decision “had to happen.”
Despite allegations that the 26-year-playing old’s style in the first World Cup loss to Switzerland was the cause for Onana’s exclusion, Song declined to expound on the situation but was confident in his choice for the team as a whole.
Onana made the most touches outside of the penalty area by a goalie in a World Cup match (26) since records were kept in 1966 against the Swiss.
Song said: “The goalkeeper position is very important but we are in a tournament and I know what I have to do and that is to ensure the team takes precedence over any individuals.
“In a squad, you need discipline and if you can’t fit in with that, then you need to accept responsibility for that. Perhaps sometimes you need to take strong action to help people come to the realisation that certain things need to be done.
“All the 26 players are in a position to play. I took a risk but I accept the responsibility. I am interested in the players that I have at my disposal. Andre has been left out, you need to respect the rules that apply to everyone. It was something that had to happen.”
Devis Epassy, who should have done better with Serbia’s second goal but otherwise displayed good leadership, was brought in to replace Onana.
Song added: “Everyone that did play was capable and those that didn’t want to be a part of that, well they can be judged. Epassy showed he is also a very competent goalkeeper.
“I will talk about this in due course, I want to focus now on the Brazil game. We want to deal with players that want to be in the squad and that are proud to represent Cameroon.
“We are talking about one of the best goalkeepers in Europe [in Onana]. We don’t question his ability but you do need to ensure the team takes precedence over individuals.
“For the time being I have asked him to wait and see if he is willing to stay with us. It’s up to him to a certain extent, he will have to agree to accept the rules.”
&w=707&quality=100)
&w=707&quality=100)
&w=707&quality=100)
