Source :- THE AGE NEWS
It’s hard not to love the World Cup and here are some of the emotional reactions from Group A’s conclusion today.
Miami: Neymar has finally played in this World Cup, and Brazil has a superstar back in time for the knockout rounds.
Neymar checked in during the 76th minute against Scotland on Thursday, with the team leading 3-0 and well on its way to clinching a spot in the knockout stage that starts next week. Brazil won by that score.
His appearance wasn’t a surprise: Brazil said earlier this week that he would be available, clearing the way for the forward to make his debut after missing the first two matches because of a right calf injury.
It was his first appearance for Brazil since 2023.
South African coach Hugo Broos has paid tribute to his players after they made history in qualifying for the knockout rounds of the World Cup for the first time.
Bafana Bafana will play Canada in a round of 32 knockout match in Los Angeles on Monday at 5am AEST after the Canadians lost to Switzerland earlier today.
Broos has led Bafana Bafana for five years as they qualified for the World Cup for the first time since they hosted it in 2010.
Now his side have beaten the odds to directly qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time.
Atlanta: Qatar player Assim Madibo was given a five-match ban on Wednesday for the tackle that broke the leg of Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné at the World Cup.
Madibo was issued a straight red card for the incident during Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday.
The FIFA disciplinary committee said the suspension was for serious foul play and that the decision was subject to appeal.
Canada’s first World Cup victory was overshadowed by the injury to Koné, who was taken off on a stretcher and later underwent surgery on broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.
A jubilant Thapelo Maseko has dedicated his nation’s 1-0 win over South Korea to those who supported the team, and praised his side’s mentality after being treated as a social media meme after a calamitous opening match.
Maseko’s second-half goal took Bafana Bafana from being eliminated to finishing second in their group.
He paid tribute to the team’s grit and belief after they had two players sent off in their embarrassing opening round loss to Mexico.
“It’s unbelievable. It feels like a dream,” Maseko told broadcasters post game.
South Africa have knocked South Korea out of automatic progression and into the running to be one of the best third placed teams, albeit with a negative goal difference.
Take a look at the results from Group A:
Mexico have tormented Czechia with another goal in the final minutes of the match, in a game that will be one to forget for the European nation.
Kovar makes a great first save to block the first shot from Santiago Gimenez, but the rebound falls to the feet of Roberto Alvarado who is all too ready to pounce, turning to set up the perfect shot for Alvaro Fidalgo who strikes into the top-left corner of the goal.
The volume in the stadium doesn’t lower for the final minute of the match before the full-time whistle is blown.
Ochoa kisses both posts of the goal before hugging his teammates in what could be the final match for the Mexican star. He gets down on one knee and prays.
Mexico 3-0 Czechia, full-time
Bafana Bafana have made national history, qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time in four attempts.
South Africa’s 1-0 win over South Korea takes them to second place in Group A and assures them of a place in the round of 32.
Making the knockouts looked out of the question after they received two red cards in the opening round loss to Mexico, but South Africa showed grit to draw their second game and then battle out much of the Korea match before taking their chance to score.
Mexico will top this group, but South Africa have shocked the world to go through with them.
South Korea now face a nervous wait in the third place shake-up, they should make it, but that will depend on how other results play out.
South Africa 1-0 South Korea, full-time
Tomas Soucek has left the pitch and will be carried back to the dugouts on a stretcher after injuring his knee after appearing to land on it poorly when trying to intercept a goal kick from Ochoa.
It’s a massive blow for Czechia who are scrambling to find the goals that would keep them in the tournament in the final minutes of this match.
Ochoa tried to get the attention of the officials to stop the match and comforted Soucek who appeared to be in substantial pain.
There will be six minutes of additional time.
Mexico 2-0 Czechia, 90+6 minutes
South Korea have been so comfortable during World Cup qualifying and took a win from their first match at this tournament, but they have been mightily disappointing in the attacking third of the ground.
They are trying to get on the front foot now as they are staring down the prospect of falling into the third place in the final group standings.
South Africa lead 1-0 and are defending in a deep block while South Korea can’t seem to find a way past them with their shots and crosses repeatedly blocked.
This will be an incedible win for Bafana Bafana if they are to win this match but injury time awaits.
South Africa 1-0 South Korea, 89 minutes
