Mbappe strikes again as France beat Morocco to reach semi-finals

Foxborough: Kylian Mbappe recovered from having a first-half penalty saved to score a magnificent opener that set France on their way to a 2-0 win over Morocco in their World Cup quarter-final showdown on Thursday.

Mbappe's weak spot-kick was easily saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but he made up for that by producing a brilliant curling finish to make it 1-0 on the hour mark. catcrossgame.com

That was Mbappe's eighth goal at the tournament, moving him level again with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, before he came off late on and watched the final minutes with an ice pack around his right ankle.

Before exiting, he set up Ousmane Dembele to run through and settle the contest watched by 63,811 at the Gillette Stadium, as France knocked Morocco out, just as they did in 2022.

Their 2-0 win four years ago in Qatar came in the semi-finals, and this time the victory for Les Bleus takes them through to the last four. They will face Spain or Belgium in Dallas next Tuesday.

France are looking to reach a third consecutive World Cup final in their last tournament before long-serving coach Didier Deschamps stands down.

Winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, it has felt like they have eased through to another semi-final and they were too strong for a Moroccan team lacking firepower in the absence of the injured Ismael Saibari.

Mbappe is one of the greatest goal-scorers of his generation, and the World Cup continues to bring the very best out of him.

After netting braces in the group-stage wins over Senegal and Iraq, as well as the last-32 defeat of Sweden, he got the only goal from the penalty spot against Paraguay in the last round.

He has now scored 20 goals in 20 World Cup appearances, within one goal of Messi's overall tournament record of 21.

More could have been expected from Morocco, who had more of the crowd behind them but lacked a cutting edge in attack as France kept a third clean sheet in as many knockout games.

Nevertheless, they have plenty of exciting young talents -- including former France Under-21 captain Ayyoub Bouaddi in their midfield -- and will surely be a force to be reckoned with again when they co-host the next World Cup in 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal.

On Thursday they were just the latest team to find containing Mbappe at a World Cup to be an impossible task.

The Real Madrid star provoked the penalty as he was scythed down in the area by Noussair Mazraoui after a quick breakaway in the 25th minute.

Argentinian referee Facundo Tello immediately pointed to the spot, although a review was needed to rule out a foul on Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi in the build-up.

Maybe the wait got to Mbappe, whose kick was uncharacteristically weak and easily stopped. It was a reminder that he remains human, just like Messi who has squandered two penalties at this World Cup.

The excellent Bounou frequently kept France at bay in the first half, notably tipping a Desire Doue shot around the post after Bouaddi was robbed of the ball.

Lucas Digne crashed a shot onto the top of the bar from distance as the opening half ended goalless, but France got the reward for their pressure 15 minutes after the restart.

Doue slipped the ball to Mbappe just outside the area, and he controlled before using Issa Diop as a screen to direct a superb strike into the net.

France's all-time leading marksman now has 64 international goals from 104 appearances.

His lay-off in the 66th minute allowed Dembele to advance on goal and curl a shot low into the same corner, a hand from Bounou proving unable to make it 2-0.

Dembele is the reigning Ballon d'Or and now has five goals at this World Cup, but Mbappe continues to hog the limelight.

Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida announced a contract renewal for Hossam Hassan after the national team’s World Cup run.

The Egyptian Football Association has officially announced the board’s approval of the renewal of Hossam Hassan’s contract as national team head coach.

In its statement, the EFA said the board also approved a new deal for team director Ibrahim Hassan, with formal procedures to be completed at the board’s next meeting after the squad returns home.

The FA said the decision was taken to continue the national team’s project and build on the Pharaohs’ recent World Cup campaign.

The 59-year-old had said earlier in the tournament that he had been working without a contract since February 2026.

Hossam Hassan took charge of Egypt in February 2024. He led the team to the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before guiding them through their deepest World Cup run.

Egypt claimed their first World Cup victory under Hassan with a 3-1 win over New Zealand in Group G. They then beat Australia on penalties in the round of 32 before narrowly losing 3-2 to defending champions Argentina in the round of 16.

So far, the length and terms of the contract have not yet been announced.

The post Egypt FA Renew Trust in Hossam Hassan appeared first on KingFut.

اختتمت منافسات بطولة حياة بلازا المفتوحة للشطرنج الخاطف، التي نظمها الاتحاد القطري للشطرنج في القاعة المفتوحة بمجمع حياة بلازا التجاري، بمشاركة نحو 80 لاعباً ولاعبة.
وتوج الفلبيني ليولا رولينسون بالمركز الأول برصيد 8.5 نقطة تلاه الهندي ألبين ساجان ثانيا بـ7.5 نقطة وحل الهندي جون جوبسي ثالثا بـ 7 نقاط والفلبيني ريان ميندوزا رابعا بـ6.5 نقطة ثم الهندي بارفين أدوايث خامسا بالرصيد نفسه بفارق النقلات، ومواطنه راجيش هاري سادسا بـ6. 5 نقطة ايضا.
وحصلت اللاعبة ليان القصابي على جائزة أفضل لاعبة قطرية وأحمد سيف على جائزة أفضل لاعب قطري.
وأعرب السيد محمد المضاحكة، رئيس الاتحاد القطري للشطرنج، عن سعادته الكبيرة بالأجواء الختامية مشيرا إلى أن المنافسات في البطولة المفتوحة أو منافسات تحت 16 عاماً وكذلك البطولة المخصصة للاعبين القطريين، كانت مميزة للغاية في ظل المشاركة الكبيرة.
وثمن المضاحكة التعاون مع مجمع حياة بلازا والذي يمتد لسنوات طويلة حيث يأتي في إطار الحرص على توسيع انتشار ثقافة الشطرنج في المجتمع، لافتا إلى أن هذه البطولات تسهم في زيادة الخبرة للاعبي المنتخبات الوطنية تمهيدا لخوضهم الاستحقاقات المقبلة خاصة أن هناك العديد من البطولات الدولية المدرجة في الأشهر القادمة.
وأضاف: «يسعى الاتحاد إلى تنفيذ إستراتيجيته من خلال إقامة عدد كبير من البطولات، إلى جانب حرصه على دفع عجلة اللعبة في جميع مناطق الدوحة، ومساعيه لنشرها في مختلف المناطق الجغرافية.

Doha: Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain has announced his resignation as president of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) following the conclusion of Qatar’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.

In a statement posted on his official X account on Thursday, Al-Buenain said his decision comes after three years at the helm of the federation, a period he described as one of significant challenges and continuous efforts to advance Qatari football.

He said the federation worked tirelessly to turn its ambitions into tangible achievements, with commitment, dedication and teamwork playing a key role in meeting the objectives set during his tenure.

Al-Buenain, who was elected as QFA president in 2023, thanked everyone who supported the federation throughout his presidency and wished continued success for Qatari football in the years ahead.

He said the achievements during his tenure reflected the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, adding that the successes achieved were the result of collective effort and a focus on the interests of Qatari football.

He said he leaves his position with pride in what was accomplished over the past three years, while expressing confidence that Qatari football will continue to progress.

Al-Buenain also wished the QFA and Al Annabi continued success in the future.

During his presidency, Qatar won their second straight Asian Cup title in 2024 and reached the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time through the qualifying phase after making debut as hosts in 2024.

Al-Buenain’s resignation comes after Al Annabi’s World Cup exit, with Qatar finishing bottom of Group B. Qatar earned a historic first-ever World Cup point after a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their opening match, before suffering defeats against Canada (6-0) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (3-1) to end their campaign in the group stage.

أعلنت القيادة العامة لقوة دفاع البحرين، تصدي منظومات الدفاع الجوي وتدمير عدد من الاعتداءات الجوية الإيرانية صباح اليوم.
وذكرت /قوة دفاع البحرين/ في بيان لها اليوم، أن إيران تواصل نهجها العدائي الممنهج عبر اعتداءاتها الآثمة بالصواريخ والطائرات المسيرة التي تستهدف المدنيين في مملكة البحرين.
وأهابت بالجميع ضرورة توخي الحذر، وعدم الاقتراب من أو لمس أي أجسام غريبة أو مشبوهة ناتجة عن مخلفات الاعتداء الإيراني الغاشم، والإبلاغ عنها فورا.
كما أكدت أن كافة أسلحتها ووحداتها في أعلى درجات الجاهزية وعلى أهبة الاستعداد الدفاعي لحماية البحرين، وأنها بكامل الجاهزية للتعامل الفني الآمن مع تلك الأجسام، ضماناً للسلامة العامة للمواطنين والمقيمين كافة.
وشددت القيادة العامة لقوة دفاع البحرين، على أن تعمد استخدام الصواريخ والطائرات المسيرة في استهداف المدنيين والممتلكات الخاصة، يعد انتهاكاً صارخاً للقانون الدولي الإنساني.