Source : the age
Renard was sacked in April during his second stint managing Saudi Arabia, having taken a break to coach France’s women’s team at the 2023 World Cup and then returned. But the zealous Frenchman is still with us in spirit. His half-time speech that galvanised the Saudis to their famous Qatar 2022 group-stage upset of eventual champions Argentina lives on.
“Messi at the middle of the pitch. He has the ball. You stay in front of the defence! You don’t know you have to mark him in the middle? Take your phone, you can make a picture with him if you want.”
Uruguay veteran defender Jose Maria Gimenez has not been named in the starting line-up for their World Cup Group H opener against Saudi Arabia, and Ronald Araujo was not included in the squad.
Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa said Gimenez had recovered from an ankle injury, but the 31-year-old may have to wait to make his 100th appearance for the national team.
Here are the main points ahead of kick-off:
- Barcelona defender Araujo suffered a muscle tear during training and will sit out the game.
- Uruguay are starting Sebastian Caceres and Mathias Olivera in central defence.
- Bielsa has picked a strong midfield with Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde.
- Salem Al-Dawsari will lead Saudi Arabia at his third World Cup.
- Saudi Arabia have named a back-five led by Lens defender Saud Abdulhamid, the only player in the squad who plays club football outside the kingdom.
We are four hours away from Iran’s first Group G match against New Zealand, and Los Angeles is expecting to be flooded with protests from the city’s massive Iranian diaspora. The team arrived in the US yesterday, flying from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico and touching down in LA just as a deal was announced to end the US-Iran war.
LA is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, many of whom fled the country after the Islamic Revolution, and Iranian-American fans say they are torn between excitement to see the side play, anger at Tehran’s crackdown on protesters, and worries about Washington’s bombing campaign.
Security has been tight near the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, with several nearby roads already closed off and police officers patrolling the area. Protesters have started to gather outside the stadium, with bigger protests expected closer to kick-off.
Our own Nick Ralston has just landed at LAX and is headed to the stadium to bring us the latest from the ground in the build-up.
Egypt say thanks very much Romelu for spoiling what would have been our very first World Cup win. It really was the difference in a match where Salah’s Egyptians held their own, with 14 shots (four on target) compared to Belgium’s 15 shots (three on target) and an almost even split of possession.
Egypt made a late penalty appeal after Zizo went down under pressure from De Cuyper. VAR let it go. The replays seem to indicate it was a foul, and possibly a second yellow card for De Cuyper, but not clear if the incident actually occurred inside the box.
And so, another draw. That’s two from four. What does the rest of today hold?
The big man is brought on off the bench to replace De Ketelaere in the 66th minute, and that is also the minute he scores to bring Belgium level. With his first touch, no less. Hany is officially credited with an own goal, though he played very little part. Lukaku, fending off attention from both Ibrahim and Hany, stretches to reach a cross from Meunier and, as he does, Ibrahim gets the touch and “clears” the ball into his own net, via a deflection off Hany.
By all means tell me if you disagree, but Belgium were missing that commanding presence up front in the first hour. Egypt have had chances aplenty, though it has to be said De Bruyne really should have scored for Belgium minutes before Lukaku did, instead of miskicking a shot he could have buried with his eyes closed.
This makes the last period of the match more interesting, and it is nice for Lukaku, given he’s copped a bit in the build-up for being out of shape (not to mention a forgettable Qatar 2022 exit).
Belgium 1-1 Egypt, 66 minutes
You may have read our story from Frances Howe yesterday about Australian referee Shaun Evans being accused of making a “white power” gesture during the World Cup broadcast before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao on Monday (AEST).
Well, the Associated Press has some follow-up news, reporting that FIFA’s discrimination monitor at the World Cup has called for Evans to be removed.
“Advice from our experts is that the gesture used clearly resembles an upside down ‘OK’ hand symbol used as a ‘white power’ symbol in global far-right circles,” said the Fare network, a long-time partner of FIFA and European soccer body UEFA to monitor racist and discriminatory chants, flags and symbols at international games.
“Clearly this official should have no further role to play in this World Cup,” Fare said in its statement, describing the gesture as “neo-Nazi”.
It’s half-time and still 1-0 to Egypt so, for those who have just logged on, let’s back track a bit to get you up to speed on who is and isn’t on the pitch.
De Bruyne is captaining Belgium and Courtois started his 16th World Cup match, having returned to the national team in March after a two-year absence. Lukaku, meanwhile, started on the bench.
Belgium: Courtois, Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, Ngoy, Castagne, Onana, Tielemans, Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, De Ketelaere. Subs: Lammens, Penders, Theate, De Cuyper, Witsel, Lukaku, Lukebakio, De Winter, Seys, Moreira, Vanaken, Saelemaekers, Raskin, Fernandez-Pardo
For Egypt, as mentioned, Salah was in the XI. Unsurprising. The free agent was top scorer in qualifying with nine goals and also had the most assists (three). He has already added an assist in this game, for Ashour’s opener.
Egypt: Shobeir, Hany, Fathy, Ibrahim, Fattouh, Lasheen, Attia, Salah, Ashour, Ziko, Marmoush. Subs: El Shenawy, Soliman, Alaa, Abdelmaguid, Rabia, Abdelmoneim, Trezeguet, Abdelkarim, Hassan, Hafez, Donga, Adel, Saber, Alaa, Zizo
Emam Ashour has just put his Egypt team in the best possible position to win a first World Cup match with a frankly exquisite strike from the edge of the box. Ashour picks up an excellent ball from Mo Salah on the left wing and drifts inside, takes one touch and then bends his finish into the corner. Thibaut Courtois, who was in a decent position in the middle of his goal, was flummoxed – and that’s saying something.
Belgium 0-1 Egypt, 19 minutes
ICYMI, the former Socceroo has offered his contribution to the many critics of this Australian team. Said critics have been quiet since Sunday’s 2-0 win.
