Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Federal Reserve maintains interest rates    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    58 days that exposed IMF's contradictions on Egypt    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Spain snatch late draw with Morocco to top group
Published in The Egyptian Gazette on 26 - 06 - 2018

KALININGRAD, Russia, June 26, 2018 (News Wires) - Substitute Iago Aspas struck in stoppage-time to earn Spain a dramatic 2-2 draw with Morocco Monday which gave them top spot in World Cup Group B and a place in the last 16.
With Morocco heading towards their first win of the tournament, Aspas cleverly back-heeled the ball into the net to cancel out Youssef En-Nesyri's towering 81st-minute header for Morocco.
The Spanish equaliser was originally ruled out for offside but awarded after a lengthy review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) amid chaotic scenes on the pitch.
Spain took top spot from Portugal on goals scored after the European champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Iran who equalised in stoppage-time with a penalty also given after consultation with the VAR.
"There was a lot of uncertainty, we didn't know we had finished top until some team mates told me," Aspas said. "The important thing is that we are through and finished top of the group.
"Everyone would have taken finishing top of the group when the draw was made, then you have to think about everything that has happened (referring to the sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui), but we have just focused on working hard."
Spain will play Russia in the last 16.
"It will be tough game against the hosts, it will be a packed stadium," said Spain coach Fernando Hierro who took charge of the team two days before the tournament following Lopetegui's sacking.
"We managed to come top of our group,and we need to do our homework properly as Russia will be a very tough match."
The game was scrappy, Morocco picking up six yellow cards, and Spain lurched from indifferent to inspired throughout.
The first team eliminated from the World Cup following two 1-0 losses, Morocco started with intensity and Khalid Boutaid put them ahead in the 14th minute.
Snatching the ball from Sergio Ramos in midfield Boutaid ran through alone and coolly slotted home between the legs of David de Gea for Morocco's first goal of the World Cup and their first at the global showpiece tournament for 20 years.
It was a grey, rainy Baltic evening at Kaliningrad Stadium but the chill could not dampen the spirit of a fired-up pro-Moroccan crowd who celebrated the goal as if their team had just won the World Cup.
"We would have loved to get a win over Spain, this is why we came here tonight," Morocco coach Herve Renard said. "When you look at the lineup it's a mix of Real Madrid and Barcelona so these are outstanding players so our team should be commended.
"We lacked a bit of experience... it's because we haven't been in a World Cup for 20 years. But we showed we were able to take on two of the best teams in the world. The World Cup was a magical moment."
The goal shocked Spain into action and Isco equalised for the 2010 world champions five minutes later, taking Andres Iniesta's pass and crashing it into the roof of the net.
Spain nearly grabbed a second before halftime when Iniesta fired a low pass across the goalmouth that a sliding Diego Costa just failed to connect with.
Morocco returned with renewed purpose and Nordin Amrabat nearly gave the North Africans the lead in the 56th minute when his thunderbolt 25-yard shot clanged off the woodwork.
It was Spain's turn to go close when defender Romain Saiss cleared Isco's header off the line but Morocco struck a telling blow when En-Nesyri rose high to head home a corner.
Spain finally began to play with urgency but were frustrated until Aspas struck and his goal was only given after a long wait for VAR confirmation that he had not strayed offside.
"We leave the World Cup with our heads held high," Morocco midfielder Faycal Fajr said. "We gave everything, we defended our colours."


Clic here to read the story from its source.