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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡
Things are getting serious now, in the round of 16. It’s worthwhile to observe that despite all of the great play by smaller countries and that nine of 10 African teams made it to the round-of-32, Europe and South America are once again – as usual – responsible for most of those still playing:
● 2026: 7 Europe, 4 South America, 3 CONCACAF, 2 Africa, 0 Asia
● 2022: 8 Europe, 2 South America, 1 CONCACAF, 2 Africa, 3 Asia (in QAT)
● 2018: 10 Europe, 4 South America, 1 CONCACAF, 0 Africa, 1 Asia (in RUS)
● 2014: 6 Europe, 5 South America, 3 CONCACAF, 2 Africa, 0 Asia (in BRA)
● 2010: 6 Europe, 5 South America, 2 CONCACAF, 1 Africa, 2 Asia (in RSA)
The winners of today’s matches will meet in the quarters on 9 July in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
● Morocco 2, Canada 0 ● Outside temperature were 92 F in Houston, but the round-of-16 opened indoors in NRG Stadium with Canada all over the Moroccan zone from the kick-off. But no goals were scored by the 24th-minute hydration break, despite 61% possession for Canada and four shots to none. For Morocco, they also lost star forward Ismael Saibari to injury in the 22nd, with Soufiane Rahimi replacing him.
The stands were a sea of red – the prime color of both teams – and Morocco was continuously on defense and tempers flared in the 40th with yellow cards booked for both teams. The half ended scoreless with Canada at 67% possession, but just four shots; Morocco had one. More to the point, Canada committed 15 fouls and Morocco 6, Morocco received four yellow cards to Canada’s two.
The second half started the same way, but Morocco got loose in the 50th, off a free kick from the right side by defender Achraf Hakimi, a pass to the left to midfielder Azzedine Ounahi resulted in a right-footed laser that flew through the defense and into the Canadian net for the 1-0 lead on Morocco’s second shot of the game!
Canada continued to push, and the game saw two more yellow cards; at the second hydro break, Canadian possession was down to 62% and shots were still just 5-2 (that’s one shot apiece in the “third period”).
All of the offense was from Canada, then came a fast break for Morocco in the 82nd, with a pass forward to midfielder Brahim Diaz, who dribbled to the right, then stopped and passed left for a one-timer from Ounahi that flashed into the right side of the net for a 2-0 lead.
A third goal almost came in the 85th as a pass this time from Ounahi to the middle of the box for Rahimi resulted in a header that hit the crossbar!
The Moroccans were on the defensive for much of the game, but won handily, making it a 3-0 final with Rahimi scoring almost at the end, on the 98th, on a pass from right to left from Diaz, and then a right-footed finish.
Morocco actually ended with 56% possession, but had just five shots to 11 for Canada. The game had 38 fouls, 24 by Canada. But Morocco is in the quarterfinals once again.
● France 1, Paraguay 0 ● This match started at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 5 p.m. Eastern time with 98 F temperatures and 38% humidity. Ugh.
The Paraguay approach was simple: defend. It worked well in the first half, despite 81% possession for France; they had only one shot before the first hydration break, and that came at the 22-minute mark. But the game was also testy, with a face-off between the teams in the 35th minute and some pushing and shoving.
It was scoreless at the half, with France at 80%, and a 5-2 edge on shots. But no goals – and no shots on goal! – and 96 F temps to start the second half. Happily, the field was finally covered in shade by the 60-minute mark.
The French continued to press in the second half, and got closer to a goal, but a major break in the game came in the 67th. Paraguay midfielder Diego Gomez tripped sub forward Desire Doue in the box as he zig-zagged between three defenders, leading to a video review and a penalty.
French superstar scorer Kylian Mbappe stutter-stepped, then sent a liner into the far right side of the goal in the 70th for a 1-0 lead. The second hydro break came with the French at 78% of the ball and 11-3 on shots.
Paraguay kept chasing a goal, but a French fast break in the 89th saw Mbappe smash a liner from distance that was impressively saved by Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill. Then Paraguay got a turnover in the French zone and French keeper Mike Maignan had to make the save on a drive from midfielder Mauricio.
With Paraguay pressing, a fast break at 90+6 ended with Mbappe taking two shots at goal – including a rebound – and Gill saved both to keep his team in the game. It ended 1-0, with France ending at 76% of possession, France up 15-5 on shots and Paraguay with 13 fouls to 11.
Confirmed: France will meet Morocco in the quarters on 9 July in Foxborough; France beat Morocco, 2-0, in the 2022 World Cup semis.
≡ PANORAMA ≡
The round of 32 is done. The round-of-16 runs from 4 to 7 July:
Sunday, 5 July:
● Brazil vs. Norway: In East Rutherford (4 p.m. Eastern)
● Mexico vs. England: In Mexico City (8 p.m. Eastern) ~ subject to change due to possible thunderstorms
Monday, 6 July:
● Portugal vs. Spain: In Arlington (3 p.m. Eastern)
● U.S. vs. Belgium: In Seattle (8 p.m. Eastern)
Tuesday, 7 July:
● Argentina vs. Egypt: In Atlanta (12 p.m. Eastern)
● Switzerland vs. Colombia or Ghana: In Vancouver (4 p.m. Eastern)
After 27 straight days of matches, 8 July will be a football-free days in preparation for the quarterfinals on 9-10-11 July.
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