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☆ Manchester United on the brink of an early Champions League exit after chaotic draw against Galatasaray
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Manchester United is on the brink of an early Champions League exit after twice throwing away a two-goal lead in a chaotic 3-3 draw with Galatasaray. In the Champions League, you get punished for your mistakes, so we have to learn from that.” Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to TNT Sports after his team's 3-3 draw to Galatasaray on November 29. United has now conceded 14 goals in just five Champions League group matches, the most by an English club after five games in the competition’s history, according to Opta. Bayern had already qualified for the knockout stages ahead of the team’s 0-0 draw with Copenhagen on Tuesday. The team’s only chance of reaching the Champions League knockout stages is to beat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in the final group game and hope that Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw.

Persons: Erik, Alejandro Garnacho, Captain Bruno Fernandes, Hakim Ziyech’s, Andre Onana, Scott McTominay, Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Hag, Garnacho, Yasin Akgul, –, Erik ten Hag, Murad Sezer Organizations: CNN, Manchester United, League, Galatasaray, Cameroon, Getty, TNT Sports, Champions League, Bayern, Copenhagen, Premier League, Manchester City, Reuters, Newcastle, FA, Red Devils, Bayern Munich Locations: AFP, Copenhagen, England, Europe, Old Trafford

☆ Morocco win but other heavyweights humbled in World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ghana and South Africa both suffered embarrassing defeats in World Cup qualification on Tuesday while top contenders Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal and Zambia also found it tough on the road as they all dropped points. On a busy day of 15 matches across the continent, there were also wins for Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Uganda. But it was the Comoros, with a population of around a million, and Rwanda, ranked 140 in world football, who tore up the form book in beating Ghana and South Africa respectively. It was Rwanda’s first victory in their last 11 home matches and took them top of Group C, where they lead not only South Africa but also Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The next round of African qualifiers will be played in June, with the continent now turning its focus to January’s Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

Persons: Moroni, Myziane Maolida, Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Patson Daka, Hakim Ziyech, Bertrand Traore, Dango Ouattara, Tunisia’s, Youssef Msakni, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Cameroon, Burkina, Ocean, African, Nations, Rogers Mato, Cape Verde Islands, Niger, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sao Tome, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Ghana, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Comoros, Rwanda, Cameroon, Africa, Butare, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Togo, Botswana, Somalia, Libya, Mauritius, Angola, Cape, Eswatini, Qatar, Tanzania, Dar, Lilongwe, Sao Tome e Principe, Ivory Coast, Cape Town

☆ Morocco call up Nice midfielder Diop for World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 9 (Reuters) - Former France under-21 international Sofiane Diop has accepted a first call-up from Morocco for the start of their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign this month, coach Walid Regragui confirmed on Thursday. Nice midfielder Diop, 23, was born in France but is also eligible for Morocco, who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar and recently recruited another French youth international in Bayer Leverkusen winger Amine Adli. "He (Diop) is a player who could have chosen other countries also. Morocco are scheduled to host Eritrea next Thursday in their qualification opener and despite reports the latter could withdraw from the preliminaries, Regragui said they have received no confirmation from FIFA. The Atlas Lions will travel away to Tanzania on Nov. 21 for their second game.

Persons: Sofiane Diop, Walid Regragui, Diop, Regragui, Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, El Mehdi Benabid, Ghanem Saiss, Nayef Aguerd, Abdelkabir, Yunis, Achraf, Ayoub El, Noussair Mazraoui, Yahya Attiat Allah, Sofyan, Azzedine Ounahi, Yahya Jabrane, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, Amir Richardson, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En, Tarik Tissoudali, Nick Said, Toby Davis Organizations: Bayer Leverkusen, FIFA, The Atlas Lions, Thomson Locations: France, Morocco, Qatar, Tanzania, Niger, Congo, Zambia, United States, Mexico, Canada

☆ Atlas Lionesses: The Moroccan soccer revolution and the players inspiring a generation of girls
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Alasdair Howorth For Cnn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Morocco players celebrate after advancing to the knock out stage of the Women's World Cup. Her impact on the Moroccan women’s team has been equally dazzling. Chebbak’s legend has only grown this summer in leading the Atlas Lionesses at their first ever World Cup. Frustrated with the lack of women’s soccer, Illa and a few friends set up a team of their own. Nouhaila Benzina, pictured alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has become a history maker during the Women's World Cup.

Persons: Ghizlane Chebbak, Mohammed VI, King, Chebbak, –, Prince Moulay Abdallah, King Mohammed VI, Cheebak, Khadija Illa, “, Alex Grimm, Larbi Chebbak, Ghizlane, didn’t, Misr El, Paul Kane, ” Chebbak, ”, Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Morocco’s, Morocco's, Reynald Pedros, Gary Day, Illa, Colin Murty, Fouzi Lekjaa, Nouhaila, Gianni Infantino, Harold Cunningham Organizations: CNN, of Nations, Morocco women’s, National Women’s Football League, FIFA, Moroccan, Rabat’s AS, AS, CAF Champions League, Confederation of African Football, South, Chebbak, Getty, Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Women’s Football League, CAF Women’s Champions League Locations: Morocco, South Africa, Sahara, Egypt, Germany, South Korea, Colombia, France, Laâyoune, Rabat, soccer, AFP, Moroccan

☆ Saudi Arabia: What is the nation hoping to achieve amid transfer takeover and what happens next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Kaveh Solhekol | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol analyses this transfer market trend... Why are Saudi Arabia spending huge sums on foreign players all of a sudden? Saudi Arabia is looking to expand its economy through other industries in order to help guarantee its financial future. It wants to put Saudi Arabia on the map and raise its profile. What else is Saudi Arabia hoping to achieve? Has Saudi Arabia distorted the transfer market forever?

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohammed Saad, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Bernardo Silva, Heung, Min Son, Kaveh, Mason Mount Chelsea, Declan Rice, Saudi Arabia —, sportswashing, Jamal Khashoggi, Oscar, West Ham's Marko Arnautovic, Lionel Messi, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Mohammed Hamdi, It's, Son Organizations: Saudi Pro League, Al, Alawwal, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Real, Chelsea, Premier League, Sky Sports News, Sky Sports, Manchester United, Arsenal, Soccer, Qatar, eventual, Argentina, Amnesty, Rights, Rights Watch, United, Super League, Brazil, Communist Party, Chinese Super League, MLS, Al Jazira FC, Saudi, Tottenham, Spurs Locations: Al, Shabab, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid, Bournemouth, Saudi, United Nations, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Greece, Egypt, China, Europe, Al Hilal, Al Jazira, Abu Dhabi, Qatar

☆ Chelsea: How American billionaire owner blew over $600 million but ended up with nothing this season
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —“We’re all in – 100%,” US billionaire businessman Todd Boehly told Chelsea fans upon his arrival at the club in May 2022. Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League after losing to Real Madrid 4-0 on aggregate. Following the loss against Real Madrid, Chelsea captain Thiago Silva spoke candidly to reporters on the issues that come with this kind of spending. Besides Kai Havertz and Marc Cucurella, no Chelsea outfield player has started more than 20 games in the Premier League this season. The Blues are on course to have their lowest scoring season in Premier League history with their current total of 30 goals.

☆ Chelsea smash British transfer record to sign Benfica's Fernandez
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Chelsea announced the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on Wednesday after days of complex negotiations between the clubs to secure the Argentina midfielder for a British transfer record 106.8 million pounds ($131.46 million). Premier League club Chelsea announced the signing on Wednesday 1000 GMT via a video on Twitter, which showed a clip of a clock ticking down, making a reference to race against time to sign the World Cup winner. It takes Chelsea's transfer spending in January alone to close to 300 million pounds and to more than 500 million pounds since last May's takeover by an investment group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. His fee eclipses the 100 million pounds Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021. On Tuesday, Chelsea sold experienced midfielder Jorginho to Premier League leaders Arsenal for 12 million pounds.

☆ Chelsea earn scrappy 1-0 win over Palace to ease pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Clare Lovell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was only the second league win in 10 matches for the home side who remain in an unaccustomed 10th place half-way through the season. Today we had five young players in the starting 11, they are doing a really good job at the moment." "Today we are happy for the three points," said Potter, who took over from Thomas Tuchel in September. Palace are in 12th place, six points behind Chelsea. Before kickoff, former Chelsea players who had been coached by or appeared alongside Gianluca Vialli joined the teams to pay tribute to the former Italy international and Chelsea player-manager who died 10 days ago.

☆ Croatia beats Morocco 2-1 to take 3rd place at the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Croatia's Luka Modric, front, kicks the ball during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between Croatia and Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great's last appearance at the World Cup. The runners-up from four years ago secured another medal by beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place match on Saturday. After becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, Morocco's tournament ended in two losses. The World Cup final between defending champion France and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at Lusail Stadium.

Doha, Qatar CNN —They’re known as The Atlas Lions, the Moroccan football team that’s ripped up the history books at the FIFA World Cup. Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri, center, celebrates after scoring the only goal in his side's World Cup quarterfinal win over Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on December 10, 2022. “I think this moment of joy resonates with everyone who is downtrodden.”Morocco’s success has also breathed new life into a once-lost identity, as people from across the Arab world celebrated the team’s victories. “If anything, [the World Cup] has shown the stark contrast between the rulers and the ruled, between the regimes and the publics,” he said. Walid Regragui, Morocco head coach, is thrown in the air after the team qualified for the World Cup knockout stages by beating Canada on December 1.

☆ Africa’s World Cup: how a continent that usually underperforms finally got it right
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —After the first round of games at the World Cup, an all too familiar script looked to be playing out for African football fans. Zaire was the first sub-Saharan nation to participate at the World Cup. But not only is this the most affordable World Cup for Africans, it is also the most accessible. It was a very big challenge for Brazil [in 2014].”Mohamed Kudus was the breakout star of Ghana's World Cup, scoring a brace against South Korea. That investment, along with a crop of stellar talent and Africa’s best coach, has catapulted Morocco to the World Cup semifinals.

☆ France favourites but Morocco eye another knockout punch
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The match against former colonial power France will take on an added edge. Morocco's exploits in Qatar have provided an outlet for marginalised migrant communities in France, who have been out on the streets celebrating their wins. After finishing top of a group that also included Croatia, Belgium and Canada, Morocco then knocked off the fancied Spaniards and Portuguese to reach the semis. France are expected to attack, Morocco resist. When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky Balboa and I think we are the Rocky of this World Cup.

☆ Morocco's foreign-born contingent deliver in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Moroccans are one of the largest migrant populations in Europe, estimated at some five million, and have close ties with the country. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has talent scouts dotted around Europe and move quickly when there is a potential clash of loyalties. Dutch-born Hakim Ziyech had talks with both the Moroccans and Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman about which country he would commit his international future to before deciding on Morocco. But there are doubters about the policy, who feel this assiduous courting of overseas-born players retards opportunity for home-born footballers. "Today we have shown that every Moroccan is Moroccan.

☆ Morocco write World Cup history as they reach semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Morocco had already taken the scalps of Belgium and Spain in this tournament but the win over Portugal is of much greater significance. But the supply quickly dried up thereafter as Morocco closed the passing lanes and frustrated the Portuguese attackers. Joao Felix had two more half chances in the first half but Morocco gained in confidence and found a sudden spring in their step, frequently breaking on the counter attack. Bruno Fernandes hit over the top of the crossbar five minutes later as Portugal threw more into attack and Morocco began to sit deeper. Leaving the World Cup always hurts."

☆ Mr Avocado Head has Morocco daring to dream
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

When the appointment of Regragui following the departure of Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic was announced in August, underwhelmed pundits branded him "avocado head" as a belittling term of derision. Morocco first grabbed attention at the World Cup with a goalless draw against Croatia, the runners-up four years ago. Unfortunately, I did not play in the World Cup. "I think Africans can go far, why not dream of winning the cup? The Moroccan people made us united on the field," Regragui told Bein Sports.

☆ Spain cannot repeat mistakes from Japan collapse, says Rodri
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Spain have learned lessons from the 2-1 loss to Japan that threatened to knock them out of the World Cup and are aware they cannot afford to make the same mistakes against Morocco, Rodri Hernandez said on Sunday. Ultimately, Germany did Spain a favour by beating Costa Rica but Rodri admitted those three difficult minutes unnecessarily complicated their own match before they sealed progress to the last 16. 'CLEAR ROLE'Although Rodri plays as a midfielder for Premier League champions Manchester City, the 26-year-old has been deployed at centre back by Spain coach Luis Enrique at the World Cup. Morocco are in the last 16 for the first time in 36 years and though Rodri said they would be tough opponents, particularly Hakim Ziyech. Reporting by Rohith Nair and William Schomberg in Doha, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Morocco's 'avocado head' plots another World Cup shock
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spain, who humbled Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening game, finished second in Group E behind Japan while Morocco defied the odds to win Group F ahead of Croatia and Belgium. The Spanish, world champions in 2010, lost their last group match to Japan and face a difficult test from a Moroccan side growing in confidence under coach Walid Regragui. Spain drew 1-1 with Germany following their rout of Costa Rica and after the loss to Japan coach Luis Enrique was critical of his team. This was impossible because in five minutes, Japan scored two goals ... we were out, we were dismantled," he said. In the first half against Costa Rica, Spain's 537 successful passes set a World Cup record but they will need to show more cutting edge to stay on course for a second world title.

☆ Morocco cruise into knockout stage with 2-1 win over Canada
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Morocco, who needed a win or a draw in their final Group F match to reach the knockout rounds, took advantage of a weak clearance by goalkeeper Milan Borjan that landed on the foot of Hakim Ziyech. With Croatia drawing with Belgium 0-0 in the other Group F game, Morocco finish first in the group and will face the second-place finishers in Group E, which is made up of Japan, Spain, Germany and Costa Rica. Moroccan manager Walid Regragui predicted his side will prove capable of challenging a mighty opponent in the stage. Why shouldn't we dream of winning the World Cup?" Canada, who are exiting their first World Cup since 1986 without a point, automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as co-hosts along with the United States and Mexico.

☆ Morocco lead Canada 2-1 at the break after goalkeeping howler
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Morocco lead Canada 2-1 at halftime in their World Cup Group F game at a rocking Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday, helped by a goalkeeping howler, a result that would see the North Africans through to the last 16. Youssef En-Nesyri doubled the lead in the 23rd minute when he ran onto a long ball from Achraf Hakimi and hammered a low drive into the corner. Canada, who have already been knocked out, pulled one back in the 40th minute from an own goal as Nayef Aguerd deflected in Sam Adekugbe's cross. A win or draw would see Morocco through to their first appearance in the round of 16 of since 1986. Reporting by Steve Keating in Doha; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Against Belgium, man of the match Ziyech showed what the team was missing in a brilliant performance that helped Morocco to their first World Cup victory since beating Scotland 3-0 in 1998. "He is incredible, the spirit he has, coming back to the national team," a jubilant Regragui said. "A lot of people talk about him, say he is crazy and difficult to manage, that he can't help the team. Ziyech had Morocco's first shot on goal in the second half, and was allowed to move freely between the lines in the front third, tormenting the Belgian defence. Another substitute, Abdelhamid Sabiri, struck the shot that touched captain Romain Saiss on its way in for the first goal.

☆ Morocco stun Belgium to claim long-awaited World Cup win
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Substitutes Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal earned Morocco their first World Cup victory in 24 years as they upset a hugely disappointing Belgium side 2-0 in World Cup Group F on Sunday. It was Morocco's first win at a World Cup since they beat Scotland in 1998. That’s what happens at the World Cup," said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez. Croatia, who have a point from their draw with Morocco, play Canada in the other Group F game later on Sunday. As Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne struggled to find his range and Eden Hazard remained largely ineffective, Morocco looked safe.

☆ No Lukaku but Belgium make three changes for Morocco game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Belgium departing for the World Cup - Brussels Airport, Belgium - November 15, 2022 Belgium's Romelu Lukaku departs for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 REUTERS/Johanna GeronDOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku was again left out of the starting line-up as he recovers from a hamstring injury but coach Roberto Martinez made three changes to his side for the World Cup Group F clash with Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday. Tall midfielder Amadou Onana will start in the place of Youri Tielemans having impressed off the bench in the 1-0 win over Canada, while Thorgan Hazard, brother of captain Eden, comes in for Yannick Carrasco. Right back Thomas Meunier was preferred to Leander Dendoncker. Morocco are unchanged from the 0-0 draw with Croatia as left back Noussair Mazraoui has recovered from a hip injury sustained in that game. Belgium will qualify for the last 16 with a victory and will hope for a much-improved performance compared to the win over Canada, which Martinez called "technically the worst" showing of his six years in charge.

☆ Group's E and F get underway with Belgium, Germany and Spain in action
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Germany will face a Japan team full of names familiar to fans around the world. For Costa Rica, it is a last hurrah for some of the country’s legendary players. So, with one final shot at glory, Belgium begin against a Canada side making its second appearance at a World Cup. Canada ended its 36-year drought to play in a World Cup when it qualified earlier this year. ETSpain vs. Costa Rica: 11 a.m.

☆ Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup. Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesGhanaManager: Otto AddoThe final squad has not been announced yet. READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)—–PortugalManager: Fernando SantosThe final squad has not been announced yet.

☆ Chelsea Londra și-a prezentat echipamentul pentru următorul sezon (VIDEO)
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-13 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: 1 min

Chelsea Londra și-a prezentat echipamentul pentru următorul sezon printr-un videoclip fascinant. Deja sâmbătă, 15 mai, Chelsea va debuta în acest tricou în finala Cupei Angliei,contra formației Leicester City. Echipa feminină îl va îmbrăca duminică, în ultimul act al Ligii Campionilor, în care va înfrunta pe FC Barcelona. Presa britanică anunță că există probabilitatea ca Chelsea să îmbrace echipamentul respectiv și în finala masculină a Ligii Campionilor. Partida „aristocraților” cu Manchester City se va disputa pe 29 mai, pe Estadio do Dragao din orașul Porto și va fi transmisă de PRIME, cu începere de la ora 22:00.

Persons: Mason Mount, Hakim, Timo Werner, Callum Organizations: Chelsea Londra, Chelsea, Cupei, Leicester City, Ligii Campionilor, FC Barcelona, Presa, Manchester City Locations: Callum Hudson, Cupei Angliei, Dragao, Porto

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