World Cup
Penalty hands Tunisia victory as Africa’s World Cup qualifiers resume
Tunisia needed a late penalty to beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 and move to the top of the standings in their World Cup qualifying group as Africa’s preliminaries for the 2026 finals resumed on Wednesday.
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane struck the 81st-minute spotkick to deny Equatorial Guinea a deserved point as they looked to shrug off the FIFA sanctions that stripped them of the six points from their opening two qualifiers in November.
FIFA found striker Emilio Nsue, a former Spanish junior international, was ineligible to play for the small central African nation despite being in the team over the past 11 years, and reversed Equatorial Guinea’s victories in their opening two matches against Namibia and Liberia.
But the sanction that has seen Nsue, top scorer at the Africa Cup of Natiions finals at the start of the year, suspended for six months looked to have little ill effect on Equatorial Guinea, as they again punched above their weight against one of Africa’s top achievers.
The goal came after a collision between Jannick Buyla and Tunisia’s flying fullback Hamza Mathlouthi that the referee deemed a push.
Tunisia move to nine points in Group H, above Namibia who were held earlier in the day to a 1-1 draw by Liberia in Soweto, South Africa.
Tjipee Karuuombe made a surging run from deep in midfield to get onto a delightful chip from Ben Namib to steer home the ball after eight minutes for Namibia, forced to move the match because of the lack of a suitable stadium.
Terry Sackor got the equaliser in the 65th minute as Liberia finally profited from the long throw that created endless havoc in the home defence.
Togo, who went to the World Cup finals in 2006, were held to a surprise home draw by South Sudan after opening the scoring through their German-born striker Khaled Narey in the 61st minute.
But South Sudan, who have never won a World Cup qualifier, were level within seven minutes after an own goal by Roger Ahoulou.
OWN GOAL
The midfielder also conceded an own goal in last month’s African Champions League final as his club Esperance of Tunisia lost 1-0 on aggregate to Al Ahly of Egypt.
Former Aston Villa defender Curtis Davis, who debuted for Sierra Leone last year at the age of 38 after previously winning England under-21 caps, got the opening goal against Djibouti in El Jadida.
But the small Red Sea state equalised through a 35th-minute penalty, converted by Gabriel Dadzie, born in Ghana but naturalised after playing club football in Djibouti.
Augustus Kargbo snatched the second-half winner for an unconvincing 2-1 triumph that advanced the Lone Stars to four points in Group A.
Djibouti have now lost their last nine World Cup qualifiers.
French-based midfielder Venuste Baboula got the only goal after 29 minutes as the Central African Republic edged Chad 1-0 in Oujda in Group I.
Like Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic hosted their home match in Morocco because their own facilities were deemed not up to international standard.
Africa’s qualifiers continue on Thursday with 10 more qualifiers, including games for Ghana and Senegal, who were at the last finals in Qatar in 2022.
-Reuters
Own goals are rapidly becoming one of the defining statistical features of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Australia’s Cameron Burgess becoming the seventh player to inadvertently score against his own team.
Burgess’s unfortunate contribution came during Australia’s 2-0 Group D defeat to the United States, adding his name to a growing list of players who have experienced one of football’s most painful moments on the sport’s biggest stage.
The tally of seven own goals after the opening rounds of matches highlights an unusual trend at the tournament and has sparked debate among analysts over the reasons behind the phenomenon.
Among the possible explanations are the increased pace of modern football, relentless high pressing, defensive fatigue, and the pressure created by technically gifted attacking players.
Before Burgess’s own goal, six other players had already found the wrong net.
The US have twice benefited from own goals at the World Cup 2026
Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla was the first to suffer the misfortune, followed by Egypt defender Mohammed Hany. Iraq captain Aymen Hussein and Jordan’s Yazan Al-Arab also endured similar moments, while Qatar’s Mohamed Al-Mannai and Switzerland’s Miro Muheim completed the unwanted list.
While own goals have always been part of football, their frequency at the 2026 tournament has made them a notable talking point, with several matches significantly influenced by defensive errors and unfortunate deflections.
As the World Cup progresses, teams will be hoping to tighten up at the back and avoid joining a list that no player wishes to be part of.
World Cup 2026 Own Goals So Far
| Player | Country |
| Damian Bobadilla | Paraguay |
| Mohammed Hany | Egypt |
| Aymen Hussein | Iraq |
| Yazan Al-Arab | Jordan |
| Mohamed Al-Mannai | Qatar |
| Miro Muheim | Switzerland |
| Cameron Burgess | Australia |
Quick Facts
- Total own goals: 7
- Latest own goal: Cameron Burgess (Australia vs USA)
- Teams affected: Paraguay, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Switzerland and Australia
- Tournament trend: Own goals have featured prominently during the group stage and have become one of the notable statistical storylines of World Cup 2026.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Norway will look to strengthen their position in Group A when they take on Senegal in a potentially decisive FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter.
Much of the spotlight will once again fall on prolific striker Erling Haaland, who arrives in scintillating form. The Manchester City forward has scored an astonishing 22 goals in his last 11 competitive appearances for Norway and remains the Scandinavians’ biggest attacking threat.
Norway’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stage could hinge on Haaland maintaining that remarkable scoring run against a Senegal side renowned for their resilience and tournament experience.
The West Africans have built a reputation as difficult opponents on the global stage and possess an impressive record in second group-stage matches at the World Cup. Senegal have never lost their second fixture in the competition, recording one victory and two draws in their previous appearances.
With both teams eyeing a place in the last 32, the clash promises to be a fascinating battle between Norway’s attacking firepower and Senegal’s disciplined, organised approach.
A victory for either side would provide a significant boost to their qualification ambitions ahead of the final round of group matches.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.
History could be made when Argentina take on Austria in Group E as Lionel Messi bids to become the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Already among the most celebrated players the game has known, Messi has another opportunity to add to his remarkable legacy on football’s biggest stage. The Argentine captain will be the focal point as the South Americans seek to secure another important result in their quest for World Cup glory.
Standing in their way is an Austrian side contesting its 31st World Cup match. Interestingly, Austria have never been involved in a goalless draw at the finals, a statistic that suggests goals could once again be on the agenda.
Meanwhile, Jordan continue their search for a first-ever FIFA World Cup point when they face Algeria in another intriguing contest.
The Jordanians have shown admirable determination on their World Cup debut but now face an Algerian side eager to strengthen its position in the group.
The fixture also carries historical significance for Algeria. It comes exactly 12 years after the Desert Foxes defeated the Republic 4-2 in Brazil, their biggest victory margin in World Cup history and their only previous finals meeting with an Asian Football Confederation opponent.
Algeria will be hoping that the anniversary proves a good omen as they seek another positive result against AFC opposition, while Jordan aim to make history by collecting their first points on the world stage.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Own Goals Emerging as an Unwanted Trend at World Cup 2026
Haaland’s Norway Face Stern Senegal Test
Messi Eyes History as Argentina Face Austria; Jordan Chase First Points Against Algeria
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup3 days ago
‘Most Oppressed Team’: Iran Set for FIFA Showdown Over Travel Rules
- World Cup16 hours ago
U.S. defends Iran World Cup travel restrictions, says discussions ongoing
- World Cup1 week ago
Atlas Lions Roar Again: Morocco Hold Five-Time Champions, Brazil In Another World Cup Statement
- World Cup6 days ago
Back in Canada After 39 Years: A Return to Where the Journey Began
- World Cup7 days ago
Doku Faces World Cup-or-Fatherhood Dilemma as Belgium Star Awaits First Child
- World Cup7 days ago
Tunisia Become Second African Casualty as Sweden Hit Five in World Cup Rout
- World Cup7 days ago
Salah Eyes Birthday Gift as Egypt Seek Historic World Cup Breakthrough Against Belgium
- World Cup1 week ago
Advocaat Set to Make World Cup History as Curaçao Face Germany