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CALIFORNIA, USA: Awer Mabil’s face quickly turned to pure joy. He beamed and fought his emotions, a reaction Australia’s veteran forward hardly could have seen coming. It had nothing to do with a soccer result, either.
PARIS: Algeria have lodged a complaint with FIFA over “refereeing injustice” in their opening World Cup loss to Argentina, particularly a tackle by Lionel Messi, an Algerian football federation source told AFP on Friday. Messi caught Algeria defender Aissa Mandi on the calf with a studs-up challenge from behind in the 30th minute of Tuesday’s match but was not booked. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who had already given reigning world champions Argentina the lead, went on to score a hat-trick. “The complaint primarily concerns Messi’s challenge, which deserved a red card, in everyone’s opinion,” said the federation source. “There were also two elbow incidents...
LOS ANGELES: High-scoring Germany face a powerful Ivory Coast side at the World Cup on Saturday with the winner guaranteed a place in the last 32, while Sweden can also book their ticket. Those three nations can join co-hosts the United States and Mexico who are already through. Germany thrashed debutants Curacao 7-1 in their opener and would be confirmed as Group E winners if they defeat Ivory Coast in Toronto and Ecuador fail to beat Curacao in Kansas City. Progressing to the knockout round would be a relief for the Germans who astonishingly have failed to reach that stage since they won their fourth World Cup in Brazil in 2014. So tight are the margins that Ivory Coast could lock up their place in the next round too, if they beat the Germans. Julian Nagelsmann said his team had to be prepared for Ivory Coast’s athleticism. “Their speed is one of their biggest strengths and that’s what I think they do best,” he told reporters, highlighting the French-born Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe. “During the last game, he was everywhere,” Nagelsmann said of Pepe. Ivory Coast could also count on forward Elye Wahi who has been authorized to enter Canada after initially being denied a visa over reported spot-fixing allegations in France. Sweden face the Netherlands in Houston knowing that a win will secure a place in the knockout round — an extraordinary turnaround for the Scandinavians who only qualified for the World Cup through the Nations League, essentially the back door. Coach Graham Potter warned that Sweden striker Alexander Isak will get “stronger and stronger” as the tournament goes on. Isak had a poor season by his standards, interrupted by frequent injuries, after Liverpool paid Newcastle United a British record £125
LONDON: Spanish knowhow is helping Saudi Arabian football to develop and at the same time using that inside knowledge to warn their countrymen to expect a tough test in Sunday’s crucial 2026 World Cup clash in Atlanta.
PHILADELPHIA: Neymar is expected to return from a right calf injury and play for Brazil in its final World Cup group match, coach Carlo Ancelotti said Friday night. Neymar missed Brazil’s first two games of the tournament, including Friday’s 3-0 win over Haiti. Ancelotti said Neymar would go through individual training on Saturday, train with the team on Monday and “will be available” for Brazil when it closes Group C play against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Neymar is Brazil’s career scoring leader with 79 goals in 129 international appearances. The 34-year-old midfielder has yet to practice in full sessions with the team since reporting to Brazil’s squad while nursing the calf injury. Looking to play in his fourth World Cup, Neymar had tests on his calf last Monday to determine the progress of the injury that he sustained while playing for Brazilian club Santos on May 17. There was widespread debate in Brazil over whether Neymar, whose first World Cup was on home soil in 2014, should have been called up for the tournament.
SANTA CLARA: Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron claimed an unwanted piece of football history on Friday after becoming the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation under new FIFA rules. Former Newcastle player Almiron was given his marching orders in first half stoppage time after covering his mouth while he appeared to direct a comment at Turkiye’s Mert Muldur during the two teams’ World Cup Group D game in Santa Clara, California. Paraguay were leading 1-0 when Almiron was dismissed following a VAR review. FIFA announced in April that players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will be given a red card. The initiative being rolled out at the World Cup is part of a broader effort to combat racism, FIFA has said. The new rule follows controversy earlier this year when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game in February. Prestianni denied racially abusing Vinicius but was later banned for six matches — with three of those suspended — for “homophobic conduct.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been a prominent supporter of the new law. “If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something.
PHILADELPHIA: Matheus Cunha scored twice as Brazil eased past Haiti 3-0 on Friday to breathe life into their World Cup campaign and close in on a spot in the last 32. After a much-criticized display in their opening 1-1 draw with Morocco, the five-time world champions underlined the gulf in class with outsiders Haiti, who became the first country to exit this World Cup. Cunha’s scruffy goal in Philadelphia gave Brazil the lead midway through the first half, and he struck again as Carlo Ancelotti’s side asserted their dominance. Vinicius Junior added a third before the break. Brazil play Scotland in their final Group C game in Miami on June 24. Haiti’s first World Cup appearance since 1974 will end after they play Morocco in Atlanta. The Selecao currently have the edge over Morocco for top spot on goal difference.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi lost an appeal and will stand trial on rape charges in France. An appeals court in Versailles concluded that there was sufficient evidence for Hakimi, 27, to stand trial, according to a statement provided to The Athletic on Friday. Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing since being charged in March 2023. A 24-year- old woman alleged he assaulted her in February 2023, according to previous reports. The Paris Saint-Germain fullback, who is part of Morocco’s squad at the World Cup, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name. “Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case,’” Hakimi posted Friday on X, translated from French. “I chose to remain silent for years.