Edited by Paul Elegbeleye
Table of Contents
THE HIGHS
A 90th minute goal from Manchester United’s playmaker, Amad Diallo, gave Ivory Coast all three points in the encounter against Ecuador. The Elephants were the better side during the encounter as they showed their attacking prowess all through the game.
RB Leipzig’s winger, Yan Diomande, was too hot to handle for the Ecuadorian defence, as he mesmerised them with his skills, and created sufficient chances for his teammates. Although Ecuador struck the crossbar twice, Ivory Coast had more chances, and could have had a better scoreline.
A mouthwatering clash against Germany on June 20, will be a bigger test for the two-time AFCON winners, and will present them with an opportunity to qualify for the Round of 32 early.
Similarly, The Black Stars of Ghana left it very late to secure a 1-0 victory over Panama, through an injury-time winner from their left fullback, Caleb Yirenkyi – who plays for FC Nordsjaelland, in the Danish Superliga.
The 2010 Quarter finalists tormented Panama with their plethora of talents, especially from Man City’s winger, Antoine Semenyo.
The 26-year-old winger was a thorn in the flesh of Panama, and was unsurprisingly named the man of the match. Although starting their journey with a win, the Black Stars must up their game when they face the Three Lions of England on June 23.
THE UPSETS
Against all odds, four African countries stood their grounds against three top European giants, and a Heavyweight from South America.
Cape Verde, who are making their debut in the competition, played out a goalless draw against a star-studded Spanish team.
The second-smallest country by land size and population, had their goalkeeper, Josimar Jose Evora Dias, aka Vozinha, to thank, after he had some outstanding saves to deny Barcelona’s Talisman, Yamine Lamal, and his teammates, an expected victory.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who plays his club football for CD Chaves, in the Portuguese second division, has now become a social media sensation after his heroic display at the match.
Before the match, he had only 40,000 followers on Instagram. But following his remarkable goalkeeping against Spain, he now has more than 13 millions followers on Instagram, and still counting.
He will be in the limelight when they take on Darwin Núñez’s Uruguay on June 23.
Similarly, Egypt played out a 1-1 draw with 2018 third-place winners, Belgium. Ah Ahly’s midfielder, Emam Ashour, had given the Pharaohs the lead in the 19th minute, but a Mohamed Hany’s own goal in the 66th minute, restored parity for the Red Devils.
However, it was a great display from the 7-time AFCON winners, a testament to their determination to go as far as possible in the competition. Next, they face New Zealand on June 21.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco also played out a 1-1 draw with five-time winners Brazil. The AFCON winners – albeit controversial, showed that they desire to go one step further in the competition after an excellent run to the semifinals in 2022.
PSV Eindhoven’s player, Ismael Saibari, gave the Moroccans the lead in the 21st minute through a sublime chip over Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Allison. Real Madrid’s winger, Vinicius Jr, restored parity for The Selecao.
However, it was a remarkable result for Morocco, and they once again showed why they are the best country in Africa at the moment. They will be looking forward to securing all three points when they face Scott McTominay’s Scotland on June 19.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal failed to get their first win of the competition after The Leopards of The Democratic Republic of the Congo, held them to a 1-1 draw yesterday.
Yoane Wissa’s first half stoppage time header, gave DR Congo their first-ever point and goal at the FIFA World Cup. The last time they participated at the FIFA World Cup was in 1974.
Known as Zaire then, they lost all their three games without scoring a goal. The Louis Desabre’s side, who were the last country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, had a compacted defence and showed that they are no pushovers at this year’s World Cup.
They will now battle Luis Dias’s Colombia on June 23, for a chance to qualify for the Round of 32.
THE LOWS
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa began their journey in the competition with a 2-0 loss to Mexico. Worse still, they ended the match with nine men after red cards were shown to defender Sphephelo Sithole, and Themba Zwane, to wrap a bad day for them.
The Hugo Broos’s side, who are making a return to the competition since 2010, when they hosted, will now have to forget the terrible result, and put up a better display when they face The Czech Republic today.
Kylian Mbappé’s French side were too hot to handle for Sadio Mané’s Senegalese team, as The Lions of Terenga succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to the 2018 Winners.
Senegal, who are playing at their fourth World Cup, entered the competition as AFCON winners – although currently in dispute. With a plethora of stars, they couldn’t do much against the French side, even though they curtailed their opponents in the first half.
Two goals from Real Madrid’s star man, Mbappé, and one from PSG’s winger, Bradley Barcola, gave the French side their first win.
Although Ibrahim Diaye’s second half stoppage time goal – making him the second-youngest African goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup after Samuel Eto’o, put the score at 2-1, Mbappé’s second goal one minute later put the nail on the coffin, and condemned Senegal to a losing start. They will hope to make amends when they take on Iraq on June 21.
Lionel Messi Hits Hat-Trick as Argentina Beat Algeria 3-0 in World Cup
Riyad Mahrez’s Algerian side suffered greatly from the 8-time Balon D’or winner, Lionel Messi, after the Former Barcelona’s talisman scored a superb hat trick to condemn The Desert Foxes to a defeat.
Messi, who was the best player at the 2022 World Cup, continued to show why he is perhaps the greatest individual to ever play the beautiful game, after he found the back of the net three times and in scintillating fashion.
A goal in the first half and two more in the second half gave the Argentina side their first win, and began their quest of defending their trophy on a good note.
Throughout the match, the Algerian side were unarguably the second best. They will now seek to show they are not at the World Cup to make up the numbers when they tackle debutants, Jordan, on June 21, a match they will be expected to grab all three points.
So far, it has been a mixture of mixed feelings for the African representatives. However, there are still two rounds to go, and anything could happen. There is lot to play for for the African continent in its quest to win its first-ever World Cup trophy.
The two top teams in each group will qualify automatically for the Round of 32, while eight best third-placed team will also qualify for the next round. What lies in wait for the African teams? Time will tell.
Also Read: England Begins Their World Cup Campaign With 4-2 Win Over Croatia
