All posts tagged: draw

Araujo equaliser saves Uruguay’s blushes in draw with Saudis

Araujo equaliser saves Uruguay’s blushes in draw with Saudis

Published by Sam Flores

(Corrects attribution in final quote from Vinas to Valverde) By Nick Mulvenney MIAMI, June 15 : Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Uruguay in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Monday, preventing another stunning upset in Group H after Spain’s earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde.  The Saudis famously beat Argentina 2-1 in their 2022 tournament opener and looked on course for another shock courtesy of Abdulelah Alamri’s 41st-minute strike until winger Araujo stepped up 10 minutes from time. Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa certainly viewed it as a missed opportunity after European champions Spain dropped two points earlier in the day. “An opponent we should have beaten; we gave away minutes in the first half that suggests we didn’t do things right,” he said. “We had to win this match.” The Green Falcons ultimately had goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais to thank for their point, which will give them confidence they can progress to the knockout stage for the first time since the United States last hosted the World …

Belgium must beat Iran after disappointing draw with Egypt, Garcia says

Belgium must beat Iran after disappointing draw with Egypt, Garcia says

Published by Sam Flores

SEATTLE, June 15 : Belgium are disappointed by a 1-1 draw with Egypt in their World Cup Group G opener on Monday, coach Rudi Garcia said, urging his side to put it right in their next match. Belgium “have to win against Iran,” who they face in their next game on Sunday, the manager said, as they seek to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2018. “There are no two ways about it.”  Egypt came out strong in the first half, taking a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute with a superb strike from midfielder Emam Ashour, his first international ​goal. “We should have been better as a team in the first half,” Garcia said.  Belgium equalised in the 66th minute, when Egypt defender Mohamed Hany diverted ⁠a cross into his own net under pressure ​from forward Romelu Lukaku, who had just come on as a substitute.  “I’m happy for him, and when you’re an opponent and you see Lukaku coming onto the pitch you’re probably quaking in your boots and your …

Morocco’s draw against Brazil showed its potential to be the World Cup’s ultimate dark horse

Morocco’s draw against Brazil showed its potential to be the World Cup’s ultimate dark horse

Published by Sam Flores

When most people think of the FIFA World Cup, they picture countries like France, Spain, Argentina and Brazil. But Morocco, a nation without the same storied soccer history, is making a compelling case as a dark-horse contender. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Four years after becoming the first Arab team to reach the World Cup semifinals, Morocco arrives with a roster of stars — including Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and captain Achraf Hakimi, fresh off a Champions League title with Paris-St. Germain. Their experience is helping shape hungry young talents like Bilal el Khannous and Ayyoub Bouaddi, tenacious midfielders who refuse to surrender possession. Fans flew in to witness one of the most competitive matches of this early phase of the 2026 World Cup — a 1-1 draw packed with players aspiring to become national heroes this summer. “It’s a difficult game to start against a great team of good players. We had a lot of intensity at the start, we kept pushing in the …

Coach Ouahbi confident in Morocco’s future after 1-1 draw with Brazil

Coach Ouahbi confident in Morocco’s future after 1-1 draw with Brazil

Published by Sam Flores

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, June 13 : Morocco are hungry to go beyond the semi-finals at the World Cup, coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after his side earned a 1-1 draw with powerhouse Brazil in their opener on Saturday. Ouahbi had said ahead of the match that Morocco were prepared to shed their underdog image, four years after they knocked out Spain and Portugal to become the first African team to reach the final four in Qatar. While their fans were outnumbered at the sold-out New York New Jersey stadium, Morocco gave them plenty to cheer for with a strong performance against the five-times champions. • Ismael Saibari gave Morocco the first-half lead against the disjointed Brazilian team on Saturday, before Vinicius Jr levelled it in the 32nd minute. • Second-half substitutions brought “freshness” to the team as mistakes began to pile up in the intense contest, Ouahbi said. • “I don’t know if 20 per cent of the crowd were Moroccans, but we could hear them very loudly. If it was only 20 per cent, …

World Cup 2026: Brazil and Morocco draw in heavyweight Group C opener

World Cup 2026: Brazil and Morocco draw in heavyweight Group C opener

Published by Sam Flores

Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday as the five-time World Cup winners made an uncertain start to the tournament in New Jersey. Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point. Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but this performance suggests there is a lot of work to be done by Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and were among those in attendance at MetLife Stadium. Brazil have turned to the hugely successful Ancelotti a bid to end the country’s title drought. He is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at football’s biggest tournament. A fifth-placed finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti. However, the Italian insists Brazil possess a squad capable …

World Cup 2026: Saibari and Vinicius spark draw in Group C drama

World Cup 2026: Saibari and Vinicius spark draw in Group C drama

Published by Sam Flores

Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 in their Group C opener at MetLife stadium. Saibari’s early lob gave Morocco the lead, but Vinicius Junior’s sublime finish levelled the match before half-time. Both sides traded chances in a tense second half, neither able to break the deadlock. Read our blog to see how the match unfolded.  Official lineups of Brazil – Morocco Brazil : Alisson – Ibañez, Marquinhos (c), Gabriel, Douglas Santos – Guimarães, Casemiro, Paqueta – Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius. Morocco : Bounou – Hakimi (c), Diop, Riad, Mazraoui – Bouaddi, El Aynaoui – Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Saibari.   14/06/2026 – 02:13 See you tomorrow That’s all from the Group C clash. Thank you for following along with FRANCE 24’s live coverage. Read our full match report here. 14/06/2026 – 02:05 Great save from Alisson 14/06/2026 – 02:02 14/06/2026 – 02:00 What an intense finish!! 14/06/2026 – 01:58 Another great save from Bono What a day for Morocco’s goalie! 14/06/2026 – 01:58 Vini can’t find the target Vinicius’s pass into the box is cleared by …

World Cup reaching fever pitch in Vancouver after Canada draw opener

World Cup reaching fever pitch in Vancouver after Canada draw opener

Published by Sam Flores

VANCOUVER, June 12 : Toronto may have hosted Canada’s first men’s World Cup match on home soil, but after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina all eyes now turn to the west-coast city of Vancouver, which hosts the games against Qatar and Switzerland that will decide their World Cup fate.  Thousands of fans who flocked to public viewings of the Toronto game in downtown Vancouver saw Canada’s Cyle Larin come off the bench to grab the equaliser that gives them one point in Group B, and the locals are already looking forward to hosting their next game against Qatar at the city’s BC Place stadium.  “As soon as they announced the World Cup coming in Vancouver… I think there’s definitely been an increase in interest in soccer, in football with the Premier League, with the locals,” Canada fan Robert Paige told Reuters at a downtown viewing of the game.  For local fan April Bates, the tournament is already making a difference, especially from a social perspective.  “I do think the World Cup has brought …

Larin the man as courageous Canada battle to 1-1 draw with Bosnia

Larin the man as courageous Canada battle to 1-1 draw with Bosnia

Published by Sam Flores

TORONTO, June 12 : For long spells of Canada’s World Cup Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina it looked like the co-hosts would come up short but striker Cyle Larin came off the bench and calmed their nerves with an equaliser that secured a glorious first point.   Playing in the country’s first men’s World Cup game on home soil, the Canadians enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created plenty of chances. However, a sucker-punch goal from Jovo Lukic for the Bosnians in the 21st minute left the World Cup co-hosts in a deep hole and it fell to Larin to drag them out of it.  After spending 76 minutes stewing on the bench after being left out of Jesse Marsch’s starting lineup, Southampton striker Larin had a point to prove and scored less than three minutes after coming on with an excellent turn and shot. “I mean, I want to play every game and I’ve been working all those seasons in my club to play every game but sometimes you don’t have control, …

Larin Scores in 78th Minute to Rally Canada to 1-1 Draw With Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup Opener

Larin Scores in 78th Minute to Rally Canada to 1-1 Draw With Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup Opener

Published by Sam Flores

TORONTO (AP) — Canada earned its first World Cup point in seven matches on soccer’s biggest stage, and coach Jesse Marsch noted the sea of red-clad, maple leaf-waving fans who continuously belted out chants of “Go Ca-na-da!” helped get it. A slow start and an early deficit turned into a rousing celebration once late substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday in Canada’s tournament debut on home soil. Playing in the shadow of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, and with hockey star Connor McDavid and actors Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers in the stands, Larin converted Promise David’s pass a mere two minutes after entering the game. “The crowd, I think, willed us into the game as (the players) could feel that energy in the second half tilting more and more,” said Marsch, who took particular delight upon learning Myers, who portrayed international man of mystery Austin Powers in the movies, was on among those on hand. “Oh, sweet,” Marsch said. It was an even better feeling …