International Football
FRANCE BATTLE PAST BRAZIL IN FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Hosts France have battled their way into the last eight of the FIFA World Cup following a 2-1 victory over Brazil after extra-time, joining England, who earlier had defeated Cameroon 3-0 in a fiery encounter.
Following a quiet opening 20 minutes at the Stade Océane in Le Havre, France appeared to have taken the lead when Valérie Gauvin beat Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara to the ball and sent her header spinning into the far corner.
Both players needed treatment after the clash, and it was decided that Gauvin had challenged unfairly for the ball, so the goal was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Gauvin got her goal eventually though, six minutes after half-time, sliding in to convert from six yards out after brilliant work down the right wing by Kadidiatou Diani to beat Tamiers for pace and send in a low cross.
Brazil, uninspired up to this point, almost responded immediately, Cristiane seeing her looping header from a free kick brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi.
They did equalise soon after, however, Thaisa driving into the bottom corner left footed past Bouhaddi – although not before VAR once again intervened after Debinha, who put the initial cross in for the goal, was initially called offside.
Brazil appeared to have won the match with five minutes of normal time to go when Tamires calmly finished into the top corner, but she was correctly called offside.
So the match went to extra-time, where Brazil came close to a winner from open play when Debinha broke the offside trap and poked a shot past Bouhaddi, only for Griedge Mbock Bathy to make an outstanding last gasp block.
France found their winner in the 107th minute, captain Amandine Henry meeting an in-swinging free kick from the right and guiding it into the bottom corner.
France are set play the winner from Monday’s clash between Spain and the United States in the quarter-finals.
They are due to play each other at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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