Oman Snatch World Cup Qualifying Draw Late on in South Korea

South Korea's Son Heung-min takes a free kick - AFP
South Korea's Son Heung-min takes a free kick - AFP
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Oman Snatch World Cup Qualifying Draw Late on in South Korea

South Korea's Son Heung-min takes a free kick - AFP
South Korea's Son Heung-min takes a free kick - AFP

South Korea conceded a goal with 10 minutes left as Oman stunned Son Heung-min's side to snatch a precious 1-1 away draw in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

The hosts looked set for all three points after Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan put them ahead in the first half with a clinical finish.

But Ali Al Busaidi struck from just outside the box on 80 minutes to stun most of the crowd at Goyang Stadium, AFP reported.

South Korea still lead Asian qualifying Group B and are in a strong position to join Japan, the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, in North America.

They face Asian Cup finalists Jordan on Tuesday at home.

South Korea took the lead four minutes before the break when Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in picked out Hwang with a superb threaded through ball.

Hwang took one touch with his right foot to set himself up and with his left foot rifled the ball past goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini into the bottom opposite corner.

Skipper and talisman Son, who has struggled for form and fitness this season with an underwhelming Tottenham side, tried his luck from distance in first-half injury time.

The 32-year-old threatened again shortly after the break as Hong Myung-bo's team went in search of a second goal.

Oman rarely threatened until up popped Busaidi with a left-footed strike that wrong-footed goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

South Korea have 15 points, with Iraq second in the group on 11 but having played a game less.

Jordan are third on nine with Oman fourth on seven points, with three games left to play.

The top two are guaranteed to qualify, with teams finishing third and fourth going into a further qualifying round.



Morocco Sweat over Ezzalzouli Fitness for World Cup Opener

07 June 2026, US, Harrison: Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli and Norway's Erling Haaland in action during an international friendly football match between Morocco and Norway at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison. (dpa)
07 June 2026, US, Harrison: Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli and Norway's Erling Haaland in action during an international friendly football match between Morocco and Norway at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison. (dpa)
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Morocco Sweat over Ezzalzouli Fitness for World Cup Opener

07 June 2026, US, Harrison: Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli and Norway's Erling Haaland in action during an international friendly football match between Morocco and Norway at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison. (dpa)
07 June 2026, US, Harrison: Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli and Norway's Erling Haaland in action during an international friendly football match between Morocco and Norway at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison. (dpa)

Morocco winger Abde Ezzalzouli has undergone tests on his injured knee to determine if he will be fit for his team's World Cup opener against Brazil, a source close to the matter told AFP on Monday.

The Real Betis forward sustained the injury to his right knee during Sunday's 1-1 draw against Norway in a pre-tournament friendly and had to be helped off the pitch.

"Everyone is waiting for Ezzalzouli's test results to determine the severity of his injury and to know if he'll recover in time for the World Cup," said the source.

Morocco play five-time world champions Brazil in their opening match in East Rutherford on Saturday. They will also face Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

According to the source, team officials "need to wait 48 hours to know the details of the injury before taking a decision".

However, reports of Ezzalzouli being sidelined for three to four weeks, or even missing the World Cup entirely, were dismissed as "speculation".

Morocco also have concerns over the fitness of Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, who hurt his shoulder in the game against Norway.


Deschamps Tips Hat-Trick Man Olise to Make Big Impact at World Cup

France's forward #11 Michael Olise (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with France's midfielder #14 Adrien Rabiot (L) and France's defender #19 Theo Hernandez (2L) during the international friendly football match between France and North Ireland at the Decathlon Arena - Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France on June 8, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
France's forward #11 Michael Olise (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with France's midfielder #14 Adrien Rabiot (L) and France's defender #19 Theo Hernandez (2L) during the international friendly football match between France and North Ireland at the Decathlon Arena - Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France on June 8, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
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Deschamps Tips Hat-Trick Man Olise to Make Big Impact at World Cup

France's forward #11 Michael Olise (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with France's midfielder #14 Adrien Rabiot (L) and France's defender #19 Theo Hernandez (2L) during the international friendly football match between France and North Ireland at the Decathlon Arena - Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France on June 8, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
France's forward #11 Michael Olise (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with France's midfielder #14 Adrien Rabiot (L) and France's defender #19 Theo Hernandez (2L) during the international friendly football match between France and North Ireland at the Decathlon Arena - Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France on June 8, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament. (AFP)

France coach Didier Deschamps challenged forward Michael Olise to make his mark at the World Cup after he hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday.

The Bayern Munich winger and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe were joined in a fearsome attack by Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele. The Paris Saint-Germain pair had been rested for the previous friendly -- a loss to Ivory Coast -- after winning the Champions League.

But Olise shone brightest, drilling home rebounds just before and just after half-time before curling in a superb shot from outside the area to finish off the visitors after Patrick Kelly had pulled a goal back.

"We'll need a Michael Olise at that level," Deschamps said. "He stands out because of the season he has had at Bayern and with us."

"He has achieved some really great things, he is full of confidence. He also has the ability to put in the effort, which is remarkable," Deschamps said.

Another Champions League finalist, William Saliba of losers Arsenal, showed he has shaken off an injury scare as he returned to give France a look similar to how they could line up for their World Cup opener against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16.

The French though were frequently disjointed in attack, with skipper Mbappe, who needs one goal to equal Olivier Giroud's team scoring record, often lackluster.

Yet they still pressed the packed Northern Irish defense, forcing desperate blocks and loose clearances.

Although the Lille stadium roof was kept closed on a chilly and damp evening, play was stopped for drinks breaks in the middle of each half to help Les Bleus prepare in every detail for the World Cup.

France, who leave for their training base near Boston on Wednesday, will also face Iraq in Philadelphia and Norway in Foxborough outside Boston in Group I.


Spain Beat Peru 3-1 in Friendly as World Cup Fever Grips Puebla

Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
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Spain Beat Peru 3-1 in Friendly as World Cup Fever Grips Puebla

Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Spain's Gavi, right, and Peru's Jesus Pretell compete for the ball during an international soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Spain beat Peru 3-1 in their final World Cup warm-up match on Monday, giving thousands of fans in Puebla a glimpse of one of the tournament favorites days before the global showpiece begins.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring after two minutes with a fierce strike from the edge of the area before Pedri doubled the lead after the half-hour mark, tapping into an empty net following a cross from Ferran Torres.

Spain added a third early in the second half when Yeremy Pino's ‌delivery forced ‌an error from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, before Jairo ‌Velez ⁠pulled one back ⁠for Peru with a low finish.

The World Cup kicks off on Thursday, while 2010 champions Spain open their campaign against Cape Verde on June 15.

World Cup fever was evident around the stadium in Puebla, where Spain shirts dominated the stands alongside Barcelona jerseys, reflecting the club's strong representation in Luis de la ⁠Fuente's squad.

Peru supporters were outnumbered but remained vocal ‌throughout the evening.

Pedri, Rodri and Ferran ‌Torres drew some of the loudest cheers as fans broke into ‌chants and performed Mexican waves around the stadium.

World Cup merchandise ‌stalls lined the streets outside, while heavy security protocols did little to dampen the festive atmosphere.

"It was a match to build momentum, and we've managed to do just that," Pedri told reporters. "I didn’t realize ‌they loved me so much here in Mexico."

Oyarzabal's opener extended his scoring streak with Spain to ⁠six consecutive ⁠games and he said he hoped to make it seven when the World Cup begins.

"I'm happy and I try to help in any way I can," Oyarzabal said. "What has made things go well for us is that as a group we know what we have to do and we trust each other."

Coach De la Fuente welcomed another convincing display but played down suggestions that Spain were clear favorites for the title.

"Being recognized as favorites guarantees nothing," he said. "We have confidence in ourselves and in the way we play, but there are many other national teams with the same quality and ability as us."