Saudi Arabia, Tunisia Leave World Cup

Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh
Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh
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Saudi Arabia, Tunisia Leave World Cup

Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh
Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh

Saudi Arabia’s Salem Aldawsari scored on Wednesday in second-half stoppage time against Mexico. But Saudi Arabia was eliminated along with Mexico despite beating Argentina in its opening match.

Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1.

Saudi Arabia had one of the tournament’s biggest ever upsets ever when it beat Argentina 2-1. But the Green Falcons couldn’t pull off another surprise in its second match, a 2-0 loss to Poland.

“Tonight it was difficult to breathe with the intensity Mexico put into the match," Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said Wednesday.

Also Wednesday, Tunisia stunned France when captain Wahbi Khazri stretched to poke the ball past French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda in the 58th minute at the Education City Stadium.

A second-string France side -- already virtually assured of top spot -- suffered a 1-0 loss to Tunisia.

The north Africans' supporters counted down the final seconds to a famous victory over France that eased the pain of elimination.

"They still had top-class players out there but we were superb and I think the result is down to us," Tunisia goalscorer Khazri said.

"Unfortunately in football it is better not to have to rely on others for results, but we can go out with our heads held high."



Adidas Replaces Puma as Mercedes F1 Partner Post-Hamilton

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in his car after finishing fourth in his last race for Mercedes. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in his car after finishing fourth in his last race for Mercedes. (Reuters)
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Adidas Replaces Puma as Mercedes F1 Partner Post-Hamilton

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in his car after finishing fourth in his last race for Mercedes. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in his car after finishing fourth in his last race for Mercedes. (Reuters)

German apparel and footwear brand Adidas will enter Formula One as kit suppliers to the Mercedes Formula One team in a multi-year partnership announced on Tuesday for the new post-Lewis Hamilton era.

Puma previously partnered the once-dominant team, who finished fourth overall in seven-times world champion Hamilton's last season before he moved to Ferrari.

The Adidas deal was expected and had been flagged up in media reports already last year after leaked images of branded apparel.

Mercedes said the specially-designed kit would also be made available to fans, with limited editions planned through the year.

The range will include apparel, footwear and accessories and will be unveiled next month before the season starts in Australia on March 16.

"Our partnership with Adidas is a clear statement of intent as we begin to write our next chapter as a team," said Mercedes principal Toto Wolff in a statement.

Hamilton, who turned 40 on Tuesday, has been replaced at the team by 18-year-old Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli who will partner George Russell.

Mercedes also had fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger, for whom Hamilton was an ambassador, as a partner last season.

Adidas lost out to Nike last year in bidding to supply the Germany national teams from 2027 to 2034.