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Super Eagles Reach World Cup Playoff Final

Victor Osimhen Nets Brace as Super Eagles Reach World Cup Playoff Final

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Victor Osimhen Nets Brace as Super Eagles Reach World Cup Playoff Final—-Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 afte extratime to advanced to the final of the FIFA African World Cup Qualifying Play-off Tournament in Morocco on Thursday evening.

Goals fromn Sevilla duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke, and a brace from Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen sealed the win for Nigeria, keeping their World Cup hopes alive while ending Gabon’s dream of qualifying for the global stage for the first time in their history.

Nigeria started the game brightly, creating several early chances. Akor Adams came close in the third minute after capitalising on a defensive error, but Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba produced a smart save. Moments later, Alex Iwobi fired over the bar after good work from Bright Osayi-Samuel, while Osimhen also saw two big chances denied by the impressive Mbaba.

Despite Nigeria’s dominance, Gabon’s defence held firm, and the first half ended goalless after a cagey 45 minutes. The Super Eagles had two penalty appeals waved away by VAR following handball incidents in the Gabonese box.

Gabon started the second half stronger and thought they might have earned a penalty of their own when Osayi-Samuel tugged Aaron Appindangoye’s shirt, but the referee waved play on after another VAR review.

Head coach Eric Chelle introduced Moses Simon and Chidera Ejuke just before the hour mark to add fresh energy to Nigeria’s attack, and the substitutions paid off late in the game. In the 78th minute, a defensive mix-up in the Gabonese backline allowed Akor Adams to pounce and slot home for the opener.

Gabon, however, fought back and levelled in the closing minutes through a deflected strike from Mario Lemina. Osimhen missed a golden opportunity to seal the win in stoppage time, sending the tie into extra time.

Nigeria regained control early in extra time as Wilfred Ndidi surged through the midfield before setting up Ejuke, who calmly slotted home his first international goal to restore Nigeria’s lead in the 97th minute. The Super Eagles continued to press, and Osimhen made amends for his earlier misses by firing past Mbaba in the 103rd minute after a fine run from Benjamin Frederick.

The Galatasaray striker completed his brace seven minutes later, producing a clinical finish to put the result beyond doubt and confirm Nigeria’s place in Sunday’s final.

With the emphatic win, the Super Eagles now await the outcome of the second semifinal between Cameroon and DR Congo to know their opponent in the final clash on November 16.

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Tottenham Agree Club-Record £100m Deal for Sandro Tonali From Newcastle United

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Tottenham Agree Club-Record £100m Deal for Sandro Tonali From Newcastle United—-Spurs have reached an agreement with Newcastle United for the Italy international, with Roberto De Zerbi landing his top midfield target in a blockbuster deal worth up to £100 million.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a club-record £100 million deal with Newcastle United to sign Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, in what is set to become one of the biggest transfers of the summer window. The agreement is understood to be worth an initial £92.5 million, with a further £7.5 million in performance-related add-ons.

The 26-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after agreeing personal terms. Tonali is reportedly set to become one of the club’s highest-paid players, with manager Roberto De Zerbi playing a pivotal role in convincing his fellow Italian to make the move to North London.

De Zerbi identified Tonali as the cornerstone of his midfield rebuild, believing the Italy international possesses the technical quality, leadership and tactical intelligence needed to transform Spurs into Premier League and UEFA Champions League contenders. The pair share a close footballing philosophy, with sources indicating Tonali was persuaded by De Zerbi’s long-term vision for the club.

Tonali joined Newcastle United from AC Milan in 2023 for around £55 million and quickly became one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders. Although his first season in England was interrupted by a 10-month suspension for breaches of betting regulations, he returned strongly and helped Newcastle end their long wait for major silverware by winning the Carabao Cup before re-establishing himself as one of the league’s elite central midfielders.

For Newcastle, the sale represents a substantial profit and provides significant financial flexibility as the club continues to reshape its squad. Reports suggest Eddie Howe’s side are already targeting replacements, including Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré and Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi, while also exploring further additions before the new season begins.

The acquisition of Tonali signals Tottenham’s intent under De Zerbi. The Italian midfielder is expected to become the centerpiece of a revamped Spurs side aiming to challenge for domestic honours and compete strongly in Europe. Once the medical and final paperwork are completed, Tonali will officially become Tottenham’s most expensive signing in the club’s history, eclipsing all previous transfer records.

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JUST IN: Folarin Balogun Scores but Sees Red as USA Beat Bosnia to Reach World Cup Round of 16

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JUST IN: Folarin Balogun Scores but Sees Red as USA Beat Bosnia to Reach World Cup Round of 16—-The USMNT defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in Santa Clara to book a last-16 clash with Belgium, but the victory was overshadowed by Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card after the striker had opened the scoring.

The United States booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a determined 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, overcoming the dismissal of star striker Folarin Balogun to continue their impressive run on home soil.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side endured a nervy start at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium as Bosnia threatened through Ermedin Demirović, forcing goalkeeper Matt Freese into two excellent early saves. Despite Bosnia’s bright opening, the hosts gradually settled into the contest, dominating possession and creating the better opportunities.

The breakthrough came just before halftime in the 45th minute. A high press forced Bosnia into surrendering possession near midfield, and after Malik Tillman’s attempted pass deflected kindly into Balogun’s path, the Monaco striker calmly slotted a left-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper to score his third goal of the tournament. The strike made Balogun only the third American player to score three or more goals in a single FIFA World Cup.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 64th minute when Balogun was shown a straight red card following a VAR review. Referee Raphael Claus upgraded the incident to serious foul play after reviewing Balogun’s challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović, leaving the United States to play the remainder of the match with ten men. The dismissal means Balogun will miss the Round of 16 clash against Belgium through suspension.

Despite the setback, the Americans showed tremendous resilience. With Bosnia pushing forward in search of an equalizer, Malik Tillman produced a moment of brilliance in the 82nd minute, curling a superb free-kick into the top corner to double the lead and effectively seal qualification. Matt Freese completed an outstanding evening by preserving his clean sheet with several key saves late in the contest.

The victory sends the United States into the Round of 16, where they will meet Belgium in Seattle in one of the standout ties of the knockout stage. However, Pochettino will be without his leading scorer after Balogun’s dismissal, a significant blow as the co-hosts aim to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.

While Balogun’s evening ended in disappointment, his goal proved crucial in setting the United States on course for victory. Combined with Tillman’s spectacular free-kick and a disciplined defensive display, it was enough to keep the Americans’ World Cup dream alive as they prepare for their toughest test yet against Belgium.

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