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☆ Lionel Messi expresses regret over not being able to play in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Teele Rebane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi expressed regret Tuesday over not being able to play in a friendly match in Hong Kong. Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, did not step onto the pitch to play against a Hong Kong XI on Sunday, causing outrage among fans. A sellout crowd of 40,000 attended the match in Hong Kong, but the occasion ended acrimoniously when fans booed, jeered and called for ticket refunds as Messi remained on the bench. Even the Hong Kong government said it was “disappointed” that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t brought on during the match. Messi added that he could understand why people were upset that he had not participated in the match, but expressed hope that Miami could play in Hong Kong again at some point.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, ” Messi, clamoring, jeered, ”, Ballon, wasn’t, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Luis Suárez Organizations: CNN, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Hong, Hong Kong XI, Inter, Miami, Wednesday, Vissel Locations: Argentine, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kobe, Vissel Kobe

Through five games, Inter Miami has been outscored 12-7 and won only once. Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino apologized for Messi's absence after Sunday's Hong Kong match. Fans who saw practice on Saturday at least saw the Argentina captain in a kick-around, with Miami co-owner David Beckham also on the field. “We understand the disappointment of the fans for the absence of Leo (Messi) and Luis Suarez,” Martino said. Inter Miami is to practice on Tuesday on the outskirts of Tokyo with snow in the forecast.

Persons: —, Lionel Messi, Messi, Uruguayan Luis Suarez, Suarez, ” John Grady, ”, Grady, Gerardo Martino, David Beckham, Leo, Luis Suarez, ” Martino, “, Luis, ” Messi, Nassr, It's, Martino Organizations: TOKYO, Inter Miami's, Uruguayan, Vissel Kobe, Newell’s, Inter Miami, University of South, Associated Press, Miami, Al, Saudi Arabia —, MLS Locations: El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Florida, Argentina, University of South Carolina, Riyadh, Japan, Tokyo

☆ Hong Kong officials demand answers for Lionel Messi no-show
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —The Hong Kong government’s repeated requests for Lionel Messi to play in a sell-out soccer match went unanswered Sunday, a city official said, as cheers turned to jeers for the Argentine soccer legend. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government, which provided more than $2 million in grants to the match organizer, also said it was “extremely disappointed” the star did not play. Fans make their feelings clear after Lionel Messi's Hong Kong no-show. ‘We do feel a bit scammed’“Messi mania” had captured Hong Kong with Inter Miami’s arrival on Friday as fans swarmed the Major League Soccer team’s hotel. Meanwhile, the stadium reached full capacity during the Inter Miami’s open training session the evening before the match.

Persons: Hong Kong government’s, Lionel Messi, jeers, –, Messi, Ballon, Kevin Yeung, XFEST, Lionel Messi's, Justin Chin, Yeung, “, ” Yeung, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, ‘, ’ “ Messi, ”, Ada Kam, Luis Suárez Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong, Inter Miami’s, Hong, Hong Kong XI, Culture, Bloomberg, Getty, Inter, Major League Soccer team’s, CNN, Nigeria Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, Argentine, Lionel Messi's Hong Kong, Miami, Inter Miami’s, Tokyo, China, Argentina, Hangzhou, Ivory Coast, Beijing

HONG KONG (AP) — Lionel Messi stayed on the bench for the full 90 minutes on Sunday as Inter Miami defeated a Hong Kong XI 4-1 in the latest stop on the MLS team’s preseason Asian tour. Messi played the final seven minutes of the losing effort but a tight hamstring kept the eight-time Ballon D’or winner on the sidelines in Hong Kong along with Uruguayan forward and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. The fans who filled the same arena a day earlier at least saw the 2022 World Cup winner in an open training session along with Miami co-owner David Beckham. Robert Taylor opened the scoring for Miami five minutes before the break with a curling shot from the corner of the area. Miami finishes its Asian tour in Japan on Wednesday as it takes on Vissel Kobe.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia’s, Messi, Ballon, Luis Suarez, David Beckham, Robert Taylor, Henri Anier, Jorn Andersen, Lawson Sunderland, Miami’s, Leonardo Campana, Ryan Sailor, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, Hong, MLS, Hong Kong, Miami, Saudi, Uruguayan Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Nassr, Riyadh, Barcelona, Japan, Kobe

☆ Lionel Messi no-show ignites booing and calls for refunds at Inter Miami match in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Thousands of soccer fans in Hong Kong were left disappointed when Argentine superstar Lionel Messi failed to take to the field in a friendly match for Inter Miami on Sunday. What started with overwhelming cheers and rapture ended in boos and calls for refunds in the sold-out, 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium. Inter Miami — out to prove a point having gone winless during a worldwide pre-season tour — comfortably defeated a Hong Kong XI 4-1 in an event branded as Tatler XFEST Hong Kong. According to Reuters, tickets went on sale in December and cost between 880 and 4,880 Hong Kong dollars (about $113 and $624). “This whole Messi in Hong Kong thing has been building up for quite some time.

Persons: Lionel Messi, —, Messi, Ballon, Hong, “ Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Louise Delmotte, David Beckham, Messi ”, ”, XFEST, Suárez, “, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Leo, Luis, ” Martino, apologetically, Hong Kong, “ Leo, Suarez, ” Suárez, Martino, Yapp Hung, Yapp, Messi superfan Christer Leung, ” Leung, Lionel, Lam Yik, Reuters “ Messi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Argentine, Inter Miami, Hong Kong Stadium, Inter Miami —, Hong, Reuters, CNN, Miami, Al, MLS, Major League Soccer, Hong Kong XI, fai, Messi, Argentina, ’, Inter, USA, Sports, Ardent, Argentina national, Australia, Nigeria, Vissel Kobe Locations: Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, America, China, Beijing, Argentina, Ivory Coast, Hangzhou, Japan

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kicked off their tour of Saudi Arabia by losing to Al-Hilal 4-3 on Monday. The Major League Soccer team is playing two games in the oil-rich kingdom as part of its preseason preparations, but even Messi could not inspire it to victory in Riyadh. While Messi got on the score sheet with a second-half penalty, Malcom came up with the decisive goal to win the match in the 88th. He ultimately opted for a move to the United States to join David Beckham's Miami and quickly led the team to its first trophy, the Leagues Cup. Just when Miami looked to have a draw, Malcom came up with the winner.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, Malcom, Hilal, Germain, David Beckham's Miami, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al, Nasser, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Abdullah Al, Hamdan, Luis Suarez, Michael, Messi's, David Ruiz, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, Al, Major League Soccer, Messi, Paris Saint, Leagues, Newcastle, Fulham Locations: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Riyadh, Paris, United States, Miami, Hong Kong, Japan, Al

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami played six preseason matches last season. It's basically an around-the-world, big-crowd, big-money, bright-spotlight batch of preseason games for Inter Miami, which instantly became a global brand when Messi announced last summer that he was joining the Major League Soccer club. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“It’s incredible,” said DeAndre Yedlin, the Inter Miami defender who was captain until Messi arrived. But Inter Miami not only understands the value of having Messi, it welcomed this massive preseason stretch in advance of an MLS season that starts Feb. 21. “You have to see how many times these people are going to have this possibility.”The financial benefit of Inter Miami and Messi playing in Saudi Arabia hasn't been revealed.

Persons: Lionel Messi's, Al Nassr, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, ”, DeAndre Yedlin, it’s, Leo, he’s, what's, Ballon, Messi —, Germain, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, LIV Golf, hasn't, ” Messi, Drake Callender, “ Organizations: — Inter Miami, Inter Miami, Al, Dallas, Cotton, Major League Soccer, ” Inter Miami, Argentina, MLS, Inter Miami —, Paris Saint, “, Messi, Saudi, Florida International University, it's, Ronaldo Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Florida, Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Portugal, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Japan, Saudi, Spanish, Riyadh, “

☆ Messi's new Inter Miami soccer jersey replaces crypto firm logo with cruise operator icon
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Benjamin Cremaschi #30, Lionel Messi #10 and Luis Suarez #9 of Inter Miami CF unveil new jerseys during the Royal Carribean & Inter Miami CF Launch Event on January 23, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi and his teammates at Major League Soccer's Inter Miami will wear the icon of Royal Caribbean International on their jerseys for the upcoming campaign, replacing crypto investment firm XBTO as the club's main sponsor. In a statement published Tuesday, Royal Caribbean International announced it would soon "make its mark front and center" on the Inter Miami's team's soccer jerseys. The sponsorship deal is likely seeking to harness Messi's popularity ahead of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's second season at Inter Miami. Alongside partnering with Hard Rock International for a "Milanese style" chicken sandwich, Messi recently helped Royal Caribbean International to launch its enormous "Icon of the Seas" ship.

Persons: Benjamin Cremaschi, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jason Liberty, Messi Organizations: Inter Miami CF, Royal, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Royal Caribbean International, Inter Miami's, Royal Caribbean Group, Hard, International Locations: Miami , Florida, Florida, South Florida

☆ Suarez returns to Uruguay squad, Cavani out injured
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Marcelo Bielsa's 24-man list also included fellow striker Edinson Cavani but he has withdrawn after a muscle injury in Boca Juniors' 1-0 win over Newell's Old Boys on Sunday. Mexican club Leon's Federico Vinas has therefore been drafted in as a late replacement. The 36-year-old Suarez, who played his last game for Uruguay in the 2-0 win over Ghana in December at the World Cup, has made 137 international appearances, scoring 68 goals. The striker could return to the top of the all-time South American World Cup qualifying scoring charts, where he trails Argentina's Lionel Messi by two goals with a total of 31. Another record within reach is the number of games played for Uruguay in World Cup qualifiers, currently held by Diego Godin with 65 appearances, three more than the Gremio forward.

Persons: Uruguay's Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Kai Pfaffenbach, Luis Suarez, Cavani, Marcelo Bielsa's, Leon's Federico Vinas, Suarez, Lionel Messi, Diego Godin, Sergio Rochet, Franco, Santiago Mele, Ronald Araujo, Jose Maria Gimenez, Bruno Mendez, Sebastian Caceres, Matias Vina, Sassuolo, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Felipe Carballo, Nicolas de la, Federico Valverde, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Agustin Canobbio, Maximiliano Araujo, Facundo Pellistri, Facundo Torres, Cristian Olivera, Darwin Nunez, Federico Vinas, Angelica Medina, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA World, Qatar, Lusail, Edinson Cavani REUTERS, Boca Juniors, Newell's, Sunday, South, Argentina, Ghana, Gremio, Sporting, Atletico Madrid, Flamengo, Paris St, Tottenham Hotspur, Athletico Paranaense, Manchester United, Strikers, Angeles FC, Thomson Locations: Portugal, Uruguay, Lusail, Qatar, Bolivia, Internacional, Franco Israel, Barcelona, America, Paris, Paris St Germain, Nicolas de la Cruz, Real Madrid, Athletico, Toluca, Manchester, Orlando City, Angeles, Liverpool, Leon, Mexico City

Even, as it turns out, his Inter Miami teammates. He was the captain for Inter Miami to start this season. He’s making somewhere between $50 million and $60 million per season with Inter Miami, and the revenue streams are making that possible. “And then I will come back again, preseason, start from scratch and prepare for the best possible outcomes as always.”Everything is different for Inter Miami now. It was a ride like none other for Inter Miami this season, and the club knows 2024 will be another whirlwind.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, ” Yedlin, He’s, —, Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, “, Ballon d’Or, ”, Guardiola, Germain, Jordi Alba, They’re, “ I’ll, ” Messi, — Messi, Alba, Sergio Busquets —, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, ” Martino, — Luis Suarez, “ I’ve, I’ve, Drake Callender Organizations: Inter Miami, Premier League, U.S, Major League Soccer, Manchester City, Messi, Barcelona, Paris Saint, MLS, Leagues, Inter, Apple, CONCACAF, ”, Argentina, ” Inter Miami Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Florida, Paris, Miami, China, Argentina, Uruguayan, North America

☆ At Barcelona, Timing Is Everything
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Rory Smith | More About Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As he rose through the ranks at Barcelona, Gerard Deulofeu seemed to have everything. Luis Enrique, his manager, regarded him as his “standout.” He was fast-tracked into the senior side at the age of just 17. Deulofeu, though, never quite made it at Barcelona, not really. He felt Luis Enrique, previously such an ardent advocate, did not “trust” him now that he was in charge of the senior team. Deulofeu played six times for Barcelona, and was sold.

Persons: Gerard Deulofeu, Barcelona’s, Deulofeu, Luis Enrique, ”, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suárez, Cesc Fàbregas, Alexis Sánchez, Pedro, Andrés Iniesta Organizations: Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla Locations: Barcelona

☆ Lionel Messi free kick leads Argentina to victory over Ecuador in opening World Cup qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Argentina got its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start thanks to yet another sublime Lionel Messi free kick. “We know that they are difficult matches in the qualifiers,” Messi told reporters after the match. We have to keep going, competing and qualifying for the next World Cup, take it game after game. Everyone wants to beat Argentina and now that we are champions, even more so.”Messi’s goal was his 29th in World Cup qualifying campaigns, equaling his old Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez’s record. While the Albiceleste dominated possession, an organized Ecuador team – which will be expecting to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – stifled the home team’s attack for much of the match.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Hernán Galíndez, ” Messi, Marcelo Endelli, ”, Luis Suarez’s, Gustavo Garello Organizations: CNN, Argentina, Inter Miami, “, South Locations: Ecuador, Argentina’s, “ Ecuador, Argentina, Barcelona, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile

☆ Messi magic earns Argentina win over Ecuador in World Cup qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's second-half goal gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Ecuador on Thursday to get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off on the right foot. World champions Argentina were dominant in possession but frustrated in attack as they struggled to make the breakthrough. Captain Messi, however, continued the fine form he is showing with club side Inter Miami by scoring from a free kick after 77 minutes. "Everyone always wants to beat Argentina and even more so now that we are the world champions. "The objective is to qualify for the World Cup again.

Persons: Lionel Messi's, Captain Messi, Messi, we've, Luis Suarez, Janina Nuno Rios, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Argentina, Ecuador, Inter Miami, South American, South, Bolivia, Venezuela, CONMEBOL, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Uruguay, South American, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico City

SAO PAULO (AP) — Neymar scored his record 78th and 79th goals for Brazil in a 5-1 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia on Friday. Neymar's goals in the Amazon city of Belem put him two above the total of three-time World Cup winner Pelé as the Selecao's top goal scorer. The 2026 edition of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is expanding to a 48-team format. Brazil will play at Peru on Tuesday, the same day Bolivia will host World Cup champion Argentina. Three other matches in South American World Cup qualifying were played Thursday.

Persons: — Neymar, Pelé, Marcelo Bielsa, — Edinson Cavani, Luis Suárez —, Fernando Diniz, Carlo Ancelotti, Neymar, Billy Viscarra, Viscarra, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Vinicius Júnior, Bruno Guimarães, Victor Abrego, Nicolás de la Cruz, Federico Valverde, La, Manuel Ugarte, Darwin Núñez, Valverde, Brayan Cortés, De, De La Cruz, Lionel Messi Organizations: SAO PAULO, Brazil, Bolivia, Copa America, Bolivian, Peru, Argentina, La Cruz, South, ___ Locations: Amazon, Belem, Uruguay, Chile, Montevideo, United States, Mexico, Canada, South America, BRAZIL, BOLIVIA, Brazil, Bolivia, URUGUAY, CHILE, De La, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru

☆ Former Barcelona defender Alba to sign for Inter Miami, says club president
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 18 (Reuters) - Former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba will join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club's president Jorge Mas said on Tuesday. Alba, who has won more than 90 caps for Spain, will be part of a strong ex-Barcelona contingent at Inter Miami, with Messi and Sergio Busquets having already joined the club. Miami are also looking to sign another former Barca player, Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who plays for Gremio in Brazil. Mas said that talks had taken place but "he is a Gremio player and I respect that". The MLS team's president also confirmed the arrival of Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez from Libertad, and said they had made formal contact with Argentine side Racing Club to enquire about Tomas Aviles.

Persons: Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi, Jorge Mas, Alba, Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerardo Martino, Mas, Luis Suarez, Diego Gomez, Tomas Aviles, Angelica Medina, Toby Davis Organizations: Barcelona, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Tata, TyC Sports, Barca, Uruguayan, Gremio, MLS, Libertad, Argentine, Racing Club, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Miami, Brazil, Paraguayan, Mexico

☆ Luis Suárez Miramontes, one of Spain’s greatest footballers, has died aged 88
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Luis Suárez Miramontes, considered one of the greatest Spanish football players in history, has died at the age of 88. In a statement on Sunday, Barcelona confirmed that Suárez had died in Milan, Italy. Putellas recalled meeting Suárez and how he inspired her on Twitter, saying: “[You’re] part of history in football. In 1961, he left for Inter Milan where he continued picking up trophies – winning three Serie A titles and two European Cups. Following his playing career, Suárez managed a number of clubs including Inter Milan and Deportivo.

Persons: CNN — Luis Suárez Miramontes, Alexia Putellas, Féminin, Suárez, “, ”, Putellas, Don Luis Suarez, ” Suárez, –, Javier Zanetti Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Inter Milan, Twitter, Ballon, Barcelona, Deportivo La Coruña, La Liga, Inter, Inter Milan’s, Deportivo, Spanish national Locations: Barcelona, Spanish, Milan, Italy, Barça

☆ Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami contract worth between $50 to $60 million per year, according to club’s part-owner
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi is to earn between $50 and $60 million per year when he joins Inter Miami, the club’s part-owner Jorge Mas told Spanish publication El Pais in an interview. The lower of those figures would make Messi the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS) by over $40 million, according to sports salary tracker Spotrac. According to that site, Xherdan Shaqiri currently earns the most in the league with an annual wage of $8,153,000. Mas named Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez as players the team had talked to, as well as Messi’s compatriot Angel Di Maria, most recently of Juventus. Messi is reportedly due to make his debut for the club on July 21 against Mexican side Cruz Azul.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Jorge Mas, Messi, Xherdan Shaqiri, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mas, El, Jorge, David Beckham, Messi “, Sergio Busquets, ”, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, Angel Di Maria Organizations: CNN, Argentine, Inter Miami, El Pais, Major League Soccer, Forbes, MLS, Apple TV, Adidas, Apple, El, Messi, Barcelona, Juventus, Cruz Azul Locations: Spanish, Saudi Arabian, El Pais, Messi’s, Mas, Barcelona, Cruz

☆ Xavi relies on flawless defence mechanism to lead Barcelona back to glory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The change in mentality may not have sat entirely comfortably with Xavi who said Barca's style was "non-negotiable" when he was appointed coach in November, 2021. A former Barca player himself, Xavi was a symbol of their attacking style as a flamboyant midfielder who won every major title with the club and with Spain. They have conceded 13 goals in the league, by far the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues. The trio hold the key to stifling their rival's attacking threats, particularly Araujo who has arguably been Europe's top defender this season. Barcelona were last champions of Spain in 2018-19 when they still had club greats Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading their attack up-front.

☆ The US may have lost in the World Cup, but soccer is more popular than ever in America
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +36 min

The Atlas Lions made history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal. They made history as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Less spoken about is that they also rate better on television than the men do in the World Cup. We’ll just have to wait and see, though with the US, Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, soccer isn’t going away anytime soon.

☆ Morocco rewrite Africa's World Cup history
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cameroon upset holders Argentina in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup in Italy and went on to the quarter-finals while Senegal did the same to France when they began the defence of their title in 2002. Of the 160 matches played by African sides at the World Cup, only 37 have been won for a success rate below 25%. Most of Africa was still under colonial rule when the World Cup resumed after the Second World War but as countries gained independence, so CAF membership increased and Africa began to flex some muscle. HANDBALLThat achievement held out the promise that Africa would not take long to produce a World Cup winner, but only Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 were able to make the last eight. It got even worse in Russia in 2018 when no African teams made it to the last 16, sparking serious reflection about the direction of the game on the continent.

☆ Croatia beats Japan on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

CNN —Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković made himself a national hero as Croatia beat Japan on penalties 1-1 (3-1) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Marko Djurica/ReutersJapan’s heartbreakDespite its defeat, Japan can look back at an impressive World Cup campaign. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago. He also became just the third goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.

☆ USMNT’s youth and talent at Qatar 2022 bodes well for 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

The Netherlands knocked the USMNT out of the Qatar World Cup on Saturday. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Qatar is the first Islamic country to host a World Cup.

☆ Japan vs. Croatia: Samurai Blue aiming to reach World Cup quarterfinals for first time
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

CNN —In a World Cup of surprises, Japan has played a leading role in headline-making shock results. Croatia is a team undefeated in nine of its last 10 World Cup matches. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Frappert became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament.

☆ France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 3-1 victory over Poland as Kylian Mbappé breaks Pelé’s record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —France was made to work hard for its place in the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming an improved Poland side 3-1 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. That is Mbappé’s fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and already his ninth World Cup goal overall, breaking Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals scored before the age of 24. They made history Thursday as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. Issei Kato/Reuters Kylian Mbappé scores his second goal on November 26, leading France to a 2-1 victory over Denmark. Mbappé was one of the leading stars of the team's World Cup triumph four years ago.

☆ Uruguay beats Ghana in grudge rematch but is eliminated from World Cup after South Korea shocks Portugal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

However, the breakthrough never came and Uruguay exits the World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 2002. No love lostMake no mistake, this fixture was one of the biggest grudge matches at the Qatar World Cup. Then, seemingly in the blink of an eye, it was 2-0 and Ghana’s World Cup hopes were once again evaporating against Uruguay. The Black Stars did at least begin the second half with more energy, as Osman Bukari flashed a shot across the goal inside the opening 60 seconds. Luis Suárez made himself a villain in Ghana for his role in their epic clash at the 2010 World Cup.

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