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Cavani fires La Celeste past European champions
Uruguay, the team with the best defensive record in the group stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ with zero goals conceded, held firm to sink Portugal 2-1 in Sochi on Saturday to set up a quarter-final tie against France. Edinson Cavani's early opener from a superb Luis Suarez cross put La Celeste in the driving seat, enabling them to sit back and soak up the Portuguese pressure. The European champions huffed and puffed but could not blow down the Uruguayan house, searching in vain for a moment of magic from Cristiano Ronaldo, who passed up a presentable chance from a dangerously positioned free-kick. It was from another sort of dead-ball delivery that Portugal found a chink in the armour, Pepe equalising with a header from a corner after the break. However, the veteran centre-back's joy was short-lived, as Cavani restored the South Americans' lead with a stunning side-footed finish not long afterwards. The Uruguayans will have to be just as solid at the bac...
Morocco, Tunisia reach Russia 2018
Morocco, Tunisia secure World Cup berths Tunisia pip Congo DR to Group A's No1 spot, Morocco top Group C Africa's line up at Russia 2018 now complete Morocco and Tunisia completed CAF's line-up at the FIFA World Cup™, securing the last of Africa's berths at Russia 2018. The Atlas Lions recorded an impressive 2-0 victory away to Côte d'Ivoire, while a goalless stalemate at home to Libya was enough for the Eagles of Carthage to pip Congo DR to top spot in Group A. Both nations join Nigeria, Egypt and Senegal as Africa's representatives at the global finals next year. A mouth-watering clash lay in store in Abidjan, where Côte d'Ivoire hosted Morocco, with the winner booking a ticket to Russia 2018. Nabil Dirar gave Morocco the lead on 25 minutes, delivering a cross that Khalid Boutaib came close to heading, but the ball ended up finding the back of the net. The Atlas Lions then doubled their lead just five minutes later through ...
Last-gasp Pharaohs end World Cup exile
Egypt clinched their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ to earn their first appearance at the finals for 28 years, having had to watch from the sidelines since Italy 1990. Their place at the upcoming tournament was clinched in dramatic fashion as Mohamed Salah scored a stoppage-time penalty to sink a stubborn Congo 2-1. They now sit four points clear of second-placed Uganda with one Group E game remaining. The Liverpool man had opened the scoring earlier in the half, only for Arnold Bouka to slam home in the 88th minute to silence almost 85,000 fans and seemingly set-up a tough trip to Ghana to seal their spot. However, they were not to be left disappointed and 44-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary led the celebrations at full-time as the North Africans, seven-time continental champions and 2016 CAF Africa Cup of Nations runners-up booked only their third passage to the finals. Russia will only be their second destination for a World Cup, having made their debut at Italy...