Lukaku's introduction earns Belgium 1-1 draw with Egypt
(Corrects to Ahmed Mostafa "Zizo", not Mostafa Zico, in paragraph 18)
Ball Sport News
Vargas confident misfiring Swiss can top World Cup group after 'wake-up call'
June 15 : Switzerland's draw with Qatar after their attacking onslaught in their opening World Cup match was a wake-up call and a warning against complacency, but the team can still win their group, forward Ruben Vargas said on Monday.
Lukaku’s worth to Belgium could yet be measured in gold
SEATTLE, June 15 : Romelu Lukaku had only been on the pitch a little over 20 seconds when his power and persistence forced Egypt defender Mohamed Hany to turn the ball into his own net, underlining the striker’s value to Belgium at this World Cup.
Belgium and Egypt draw 1-1 in World Cup group game
SEATTLE: Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their World Cup opener on Monday (Jun 15) after a second-half Belgian equalizer spoiled Mohamed Salah's 34th birthday.Emam Ashour opened the scoring early in the first half in Seattle, before Romelu Lukaku came off the bench after the hour to force Egypt's Mohamed Hany into an own goal.With the draw, seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt's wait for a first victory at a World Cup goes on.This is their fourth participation in the global showpiece and with Group G fixtures to come against Iran and New Zealand, they will hope to break that hoodoo in North America.For Belgium, this tournament is likely the last chance for the remnants of their golden generation to better their third-placed finish in Russia eight years ago and finally win silverware.Veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Lukaku are the main protagonists of that group still involved in Rudi Garcia's squad. With all eyes in the Pacific Northwest on Salah and De Bruyne, it was the ex-Manchester City playmaker that created the first moment of note in the match when he dragged a sharp effort narrowly wide in the seventh minute.
Canada captain Alphonso Davies appears unlikely to play against Qatar on Thursday
The status of Alphonso Davies, who is attempting to return from a succession of hamstring and muscle strains in time to see at least some World Cup minutes, has become clearer: Despite head coach Jesse Marsch’s earlier assertions that Davies was close to fitness, he almost certainly won’t play Thursday against Qatar.
Cape Verde controlled Spain in a different way, says Bubista
ATLANTA, June 15 : Cape Verde were unsurprisingly under the cosh for most of their debut World Cup clash with Spain on Monday, but after holding out for a 0-0 draw, manager Bubista said that there were other ways of controlling a game apart from dominating possession.
Veteran Vozinha the Cape Verde hero as keeper shuts out Spain
ATLANTA, June 15 : Cape Verde keeper Vozinha broke down in tears at the end of Monday's 0-0 draw with Spain after the 40-year-old was mobbed by his teammates following a stunning display as he denied the European champions victory in their World Cup opener, and became a social media sensation in the process.
Spain have no reason for doubt after Cape Verde stalemate, says coach De la Fuente
ATLANTA, June 15 : Spain manager Luis de la Fuente insisted there was no cause for alarm after his side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde on Monday, saying his players had earned the right to trust themselves after winning the 2024 European Championship with a brilliant unbeaten run.