1 hour ago
Key events
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
It’s been a beautiful bully week for African football.
South Africa reached nan knockouts of a World Cup for nan first time. Morocco underlined their imaginable to spell heavy pinch a convincing win. And Côte d’Ivoire vanished level connected points pinch Germany to suffice successful 2nd spot from a difficult group.
All this contempt immoderate questionable comments belittling nan tactical nous and accomplishment recovered connected nan continent.
Senegal could subordinate their neighbours pinch a triumph today. Though they participate this crippled without a constituent having mislaid to France and Norway, nan African champions (sort of) showed glimpses of their expertise successful those matches.
A triumph complete Iraq would return them to 3 points and amended their extremity quality of -3. Right now Senegal are extracurricular nan apical 8 of each nan third-placed teams, but if each goes according to scheme they could leapfrog Scotland and South Korea astatine least. According to Opta, Senegal person a 56.62% chance of reaching nan adjacent round.
First they person to win. Iraq will beryllium organised and passionate. Their coach Graham Arnold promised earlier nan tourney that his squad was “capable of doing thing that will daze nan world”. Beating 1 of Africa’s champion sides would do conscionable that.
Kick-off from Toronto Stadium astatine 8pm BST/3pm section time.
Teams and different updates to come.
