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Haaland Helps Norway Start its World Cup Qualifying Campaign with 5-0 Rout

Norway's Erling Haaland controls the ball during a Group I, World Cup qualifier soccer match between Moldova and Norway at the Zimbru stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja)
Norway's Erling Haaland controls the ball during a Group I, World Cup qualifier soccer match between Moldova and Norway at the Zimbru stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja)
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Haaland Helps Norway Start its World Cup Qualifying Campaign with 5-0 Rout

Norway's Erling Haaland controls the ball during a Group I, World Cup qualifier soccer match between Moldova and Norway at the Zimbru stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja)
Norway's Erling Haaland controls the ball during a Group I, World Cup qualifier soccer match between Moldova and Norway at the Zimbru stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurel Obreja)

Erling Haaland helped Norway make a positive start to its World Cup qualifying campaign by scoring in a 5-0 rout at Moldova on Saturday.
Norway's third and last World Cup appearance was back in 1998, two years before Haaland was born, The Associated Press reported.
Now, Haaland leads a team featuring Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard that bears high expectations of reaching the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Scandinavian side is favored to win Group I, which also saw Israel beat Estonia 2-1 in the opening round.
Haaland scored Norway’s second goal against the outmatched Moldova. That took his exceptional career haul to 39 goals in 40 appearances for his country since his 2019 debut.
Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson opened the scoring for Norway five minutes after kickoff in Chisinau. Haaland doubled the lead in the 23rd. Thelo Aasgaard, who assisted Ryerson for the opener, made it three before Odegaard set up Alexander Sorloth before halftime. Substitute Aron Donnum got on the scoreboard in the second half.
Haaland already knows what it is to win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester City, but he has yet to take his country to a major tournament. Injury ruled Haaland out of several matches during Norway’s unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup. The talented Norway team likewise failed to qualify for the 2024 European Championship when it disappointed with a third-place group finish behind Spain and Scotland.
Wales wins Wales beat Kazakhstan 3-1 in Cardiff as the British team seeks a second straight World Cup appearance. Also in Group J, North Macedonia won 3-0 at Liechtenstein.
Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick scored twice in a 2-1 win over Faroe Islands in Group L, where Montenegro fought back for a 3-1 win over Gibraltar.
Europe to send 16 teams Europe will have 16 teams in the expanded 48-team field for next year's World Cup in North America.
They will come from the winners of the 12 qualifying groups plus four from a playoff of the group runners-up.
The group stage of European qualifying runs through November.

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Sports

Luca Zidane Dropped from Algeria Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
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Luca Zidane Dropped from Algeria Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane was left out of the national team squad on Thursday ahead of two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo, coach Brahim Hemdani said.

Zidane, 28, has recently been missing from the Algerian team, owing to injury and a two-game suspension over scuffles during an AFCON game against Nigeria in January.

But his exclusion was "based on sporting criteria", Hemdani told journalists, according to AFP. "I need to have three goalkeepers who were getting as much playing time as possible."

Hemdani called up USM Alger goalkeeper Oussama Benbot alongside Melvin Mastil of Swiss club Lausanne-Sport and Abdelatif Ramdane of MC Alger.

Zidane, a son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, joined the Fennecs after changing his sporting nationality in September 2025 to represent Algeria, where his family has roots.

The Leganes goalkeeper's absence came as a surprise, along with that of Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ait-Nouri had been sent home in September following a reported dispute with the coaching staff during a match against Zambia.

But Hemdani said there had been "no problem" after his choice not to include the left-back in his next 26-man squad, adding that there were "criteria for inclusion".

"However, anything is possible in the future, and no one has been permanently excluded," the coach said.

Algeria are set to face Togo on November 14 and 17. They have four points from two games and are currently top of AFCON qualification Group I, which includes Zambia and Burundi.

Sports

Family and Teammates Mourn Tenerife Striker De Miguel at Funeral

Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
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Family and Teammates Mourn Tenerife Striker De Miguel at Funeral

Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)

Family, friends and teammates gathered in the village of Navahermosa on Thursday for the funeral of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died following an on-field collision.

De Miguel collided with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during Monday's match and was taken to intensive care. Tenerife confirmed De Miguel's death on Tuesday morning.

The Tenerife squad, club staff and majority shareholder Rayco Garcia attended the funeral, along with Royal Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzan, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid President Florentino ⁠Perez and Atletico Madrid ⁠CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin.

De Miguel's coffin was carried out of San Miguel Arcangel church in a procession to the cemetery.

De Miguel's family thanked well-wishers for their support in a statement read by his agent Manuel Hernandez before the funeral.

"Feeling so much affection ⁠for Jesus and seeing the impact he had on so many people is something we will always carry with us," Reuters quoted the family as saying in the statement read by Hernandez.

"Jesus leaves a void that is impossible to fill, but also cherished memories for all of us who were fortunate enough to share our lives with him. Thank you for loving him and for standing by us."

Spanish police have opened a routine investigation into ⁠De Miguel's ⁠death.

Andorra released a statement on Wednesday, in which Owono said: "These are the most difficult days of my life."

Tenerife's match against Granada and Andorra's game with Mallorca, both scheduled for this weekend, have been postponed.

Tenerife's main rivals, Las Palmas, will play their fixture against Eldense on Sunday in blue and white colours, traditionally worn by Tenerife, as a tribute to De Miguel.

Garcia invited fans to Tenerife's stadium on Saturday to pay their respects to De Miguel in what he called 'the last goodbye'.

Sports

Qiddiya Investment Company, Golf Saudi Sign Five-Year Agreement to Operate The National Golf Club

The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA
The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA
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Qiddiya Investment Company, Golf Saudi Sign Five-Year Agreement to Operate The National Golf Club

The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA
The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA

Qiddiya Investment Company and Golf Saudi have signed a five-year agreement under which Golf Saudi will operate The National Golf Club at Qiddiya City, including managing the course and facilities, overseeing golf operations, organizing events, and developing players.

Signed by Qiddiya Investment Company Managing Director Abdullah Aldawood and Golf Saudi Chief Executive Officer Noah Alireza, the agreement will help expand golf participation, nurture Saudi talent, and establish the club as a leading international golf destination, supporting the growth of sports tourism in Saudi Arabia, SPA reported.

Aldawood said: “The National Golf Club brings Qiddiya City’s Powered by Play philosophy to life, with accessibility at the heart of its design and visitor experience. Our partnership with Golf Saudi combines world-class sporting expertise with opportunities for players of all abilities, helping nurture Saudi talent and welcome visitors from Saudi Arabia and around the world. It reflects Qiddiya Investment Company’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to increase sports participation, encourage healthier and more active lifestyles, and enhance quality of life, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”

Alireza said: “The addition of The National Golf Club at Qiddiya City to Golf Saudi’s portfolio marks another strategic milestone in our continued expansion as a golf facility operator in Saudi Arabia. Our ambition extends to building an integrated network of destinations that deliver world-class experiences, combining operational excellence, management expertise, and authentic Saudi hospitality.”

He added: “Through our partnership with Qiddiya Investment Company, we look forward to bringing our expertise and capabilities to this exceptional facility, enhancing the experience for players and visitors, and developing its potential to host leading tournaments and events at the local and international levels.”

The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required. Its 18-hole course, designed by golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, is surrounded by the distinctive natural formations of the Tuwaiq Mountains.

The club’s message, “Play like no one is watching,” reflects its flexible approach, allowing players to choose rounds suited to their time and skill level while giving beginners opportunities to discover golf and learn its fundamentals.

The course comprises three six-hole loops, offering flexibility for shorter or full rounds. Practice and coaching facilities, beginner-friendly programs, and a future academy aim to make golf more accessible to newcomers.

Located 45 kilometers from Riyadh, The National Golf Club is part of Qiddiya City, a destination combining entertainment, sports, culture, and everyday city life. It sits alongside the planned National Tennis Centre and is surrounded by residential areas, offices, hotels, and retail developments planned for the future. The club embodies Qiddiya City’s Powered by Play philosophy by creating opportunities for sport, social connection, and active lifestyles, supporting efforts to increase sports participation and enhance quality of life.

The club joins Qiddiya City’s growing portfolio of entertainment, cultural, and sports venues, including Six Flags Qiddiya City, which has already opened, alongside Aquarabia and PlayMaker Studios. Future venues include the National Tennis Centre, Speed Park Track, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, Horse Racing Venue, and Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre. Together, these facilities will create a connected destination for international events, elite sport, broader sports participation, and everyday community life for residents, workers, and visitors.