Egypt Forward Omar Marmoush Lighting up the Bundesliga

Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush celebrates his 1-1 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern Munich in Frankfurt, western Germany on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush celebrates his 1-1 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern Munich in Frankfurt, western Germany on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
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Egypt Forward Omar Marmoush Lighting up the Bundesliga

Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush celebrates his 1-1 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern Munich in Frankfurt, western Germany on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush celebrates his 1-1 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern Munich in Frankfurt, western Germany on October 6, 2024. (AFP)

Egypt forward Omar Marmoush is the man of the moment in the Bundesliga after a blistering start to the season for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Marmoush denied Bayern Munich a win in a thrilling game Sunday with a stoppage-time equalizer that made it 3-3. It was his second goal of the game. He also set up the other for Hugo Ekitiké, when he ran clear of Dayot Upamecano on a counterattack.

"Marmoush is a player who’s only going to get better with time," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said. "What he did for Ekitiké’s goal is not normal. To push past Upa with strength, no one did that before for the whole season.

"And then to make the right decision at the end, the quality in his strike, and the speed. Sometimes he looks quite relaxed, then when he gets going, he’s really fast."

Marmoush has been stealing the attention from Bayern star Harry Kane, who failed to score Sunday and has five goals from six Bundesliga games this season.

Marmoush, who has now scored in five games straight, has eight, while he has also set up another six for his Frankfurt teammates.

"We’re like a family," he said. "You see that on the field, when we’re celebrating, the ones who didn’t play (join), we celebrate as a team."

Marmoush appears to have made a jump in performance since last season, when he scored 12 goals and set up nine in his 29 Bundesliga appearances.

Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller said he had made a "little deal" before the season with Marmoush, but wouldn’t reveal what it is.

"I told him that a second year with us would do him good because he’s on the way up and hasn’t reached the end," Toppmöller said. "And you can see that in this fantastic season."

The 25-year-old Marmoush is the latest in a long line of forwards who have excelled at Frankfurt, after Randal Kolo Muani, Sébastien Haller, Luka Jović and Jay-Jay Okocha.

Marmoush has had to be patient, working his way through at Wolfsburg, St. Pauli and Stuttgart after joining the former from Cairo-based Wadi Degla SC in 2017.

It’s only since he joined Frankfurt in 2023 that the tireless attacker has added goals to his repertoire.

On Sunday, he combined well with Ekitiké, while Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe headed the ball into his path for Marmoush's second goal.

"When I came last season, we took time to play together and to know what he likes on the pitch, what I like also, and I think in time we just created a connection," Ekitiké said. "Today he had two goals, one assist, So, yeah, he helped the team a lot."

Marmoush’s transformation into a goal-getter is good news for Egypt, which struggled for them without the injured Mohamed Salah at the African Cup of Nations in January.

Marmoush only scored one as the seven-time champion lost on penalties to Congo in the round of 16.

Next up for Frankfurt is a visit to defending champion Bayer Leverkusen after the international break.



Scaloni Running Out of Superlatives as Messi Continues to Break Records

Messi participated as a substitute against Jordan and succeeded in scoring Argentina's third goal (Reuters)
Messi participated as a substitute against Jordan and succeeded in scoring Argentina's third goal (Reuters)
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Scaloni Running Out of Superlatives as Messi Continues to Break Records

Messi participated as a substitute against Jordan and succeeded in scoring Argentina's third goal (Reuters)
Messi participated as a substitute against Jordan and succeeded in scoring Argentina's third goal (Reuters)

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is running out of ways to describe the performances of Lionel Messi after seeing his captain become the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches in their 3-1 win over Jordan on Saturday.

Messi was introduced from the bench on the hour mark at Dallas Stadium and netted an 80th-minute free kick to continue a scoring run that saw him surpass the mark he shared with France's Just Fontaine and Brazilian Jairzinho.

"It's a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that and I don't know what to say," Scaloni said when quizzed once again about Messi's performance.

"Today he could've played 90 minutes and, without ⁠undermining our opponent, ⁠he wanted his team mates to have time on the pitch and to save himself for what's coming up.

"He doesn't think so much about the numbers that people are talking about. The only word that comes to mind is that I'm surprised."

Messi's strike put the seal on a largely comfortable win for the champions, who took a two-goal lead into the interval ⁠following a Giovani Lo Celso free kick and a penalty from Lautaro Martinez.

Those goals were the first not scored by Messi for Argentina at the current World Cup, before the 39-year-old took his total to a tournament-leading six.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Jordan v Argentina - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - June 27, 2026 Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni gives instructions to Lionel Messi during a hydration break REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Scaloni had made nine changes to his starting line-up and he was pleased with the performances of those who had featured little in the tournament so far.

"It's a very positive opinion that I have, especially as I was able to include all the players, this was a goal we always set for ourselves," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"I believe all of them deserve to enjoy ⁠coming to ⁠a World Cup and playing at a World Cup and we were able to give them minutes. I think they played quite well in a difficult match.

"They showed me today that I can count on them."

Argentina next take on Cape Verde in the round of 32 in Miami and Scaloni said he would not underestimate the debutants.

"Based on what I've seen, I'm not surprised," he said of their progress to the knockout rounds. "They're a good team, they have made it very difficult for the three opponents they have played.

"Spain couldn't beat them, Uruguay couldn't either. They're a fast team, they play well with a high caliber of play. I can guarantee you they're a team that's going to make it difficult for us."


Austria Draw with Algeria in World Cup Thriller to Progress and Send Iran Home

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Algeria v Austria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 27, 2026 Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Algeria v Austria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 27, 2026 Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
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Austria Draw with Algeria in World Cup Thriller to Progress and Send Iran Home

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Algeria v Austria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 27, 2026 Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Algeria v Austria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 27, 2026 Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Austria and Algeria played out a thrilling 3-3 draw on Saturday, a result that perfectly suited both sides, sending them into the World Cup last 32 and ending Iran's hopes of reaching the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

The prospect of a mutually beneficial result dominated the build-up, with both sides kicking off with three points and needing only a draw to advance. But there was nothing routine about a Group J finale that exploded into life in stoppage time with two goals and a frantic finish.

The drama reached its peak deep in added time when Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez sparked wild celebrations with what he thought was the winner, only for Austria to launch one final attack and level through Sasa Kalajdzic's header in the 96th minute, seconds after he came off the bench, Reuters reported.

Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" fittingly blared over the Kansas City Stadium loudspeakers after the final whistle as players from both teams celebrated qualification.

"To be honest, I ⁠have no words ⁠right now for what happened in the last 90 seconds," Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said.

"I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything like it, and probably most others haven’t either — being 3–2 down. Regulation time was basically already over and then, with the substitution, we somehow got back into the game. Incredible."

A second-string Argentina side beat Jordan 3-1 having already topped the group, while Austria finished second and will face Spain in the knockout stage. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed sides and will meet Switzerland.

The match also carried echoes of one of the World Cup's most notorious controversies, coming 44 years after the "Disgrace of Gijon", when Austria's 1-0 win over West ⁠Germany in 1982 eliminated Algeria and changed the tournament forever.

However, few could argue that the two teams were playing for a draw in Saturday's back-and-forth thriller.

Austria opened the scoring through Marko Arnautovic in the 28th minute with the game's first shot on target.

The 37-year-old timed his run perfectly to meet a pinpoint long pass from David Alaba and, although his first touch was sloppy, Algeria goalkeeper Oussama Benbot was hesitant off his line, allowing Arnautovic to steer the ball home.

Algeria's Fares Chaibi clattered a shot off the post late in the first half before the North Africans finally equalized in spectacular fashion through Rafik Belghali just before halftime.

After Mahrez kept the ball alive near the byline, Belghali made a dazzling run past three defenders before unleashing a shot into the top corner, which Alexander Schlager had little chance of stopping, for his second international goal.

Rangnick's men reclaimed the lead through Marcel Sabitzer in the 55th minute when Konrad Laimer headed the ball down to his ⁠feet before cutting a bass ⁠back to Sabitzer, who fired home with his first touch from 18 meters for his 27th international goal.

The Austria fans were still celebrating when Vladimir Petkovic's Algeria hit back five minutes later.

Houssem Aouar was the architect, surging down the left before cutting the ball back to Mahrez in space, the captain curling a clinical finish into the top corner beyond the helpless Schlager.

As the clock ticked into the final minutes, whistles and jeers rang around the stadium and some frustrated fans headed to the exits fearing the match was drifting towards the kind of mutually convenient stalemate both teams said would not happen.

That set the stage for a spectacular finish, with Mahrez and Kalajdzic exchanging goals in dramatic fashion.

"You concede the 3-2 in the 94th minute and you think it’s over — what more can happen?" Sabitzer said. "But then we still get a first clear chance. And we still believe. We send a long ball up to the two big guys and then header, header — and 3-3. It’s unbelievable."

Mahrez said Algeria would gladly take the point.

"Yeah, we’re happy," he said. "We’re through to the next round — that’s what we’ll remember, that’s the most important thing. We put in a serious, disciplined performance, we were solid. In the end, we could have won, but it’s a draw. The most important thing is to go through."


Errors Cost Jordan at World Cup but Lessons Have Been Learnt, Says Coach

Jordan's Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami waves to fans after losing the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Jordan and Argentina at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 27, 2026.  (Photo by Aric Becker / AFP)
Jordan's Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami waves to fans after losing the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Jordan and Argentina at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 27, 2026. (Photo by Aric Becker / AFP)
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Errors Cost Jordan at World Cup but Lessons Have Been Learnt, Says Coach

Jordan's Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami waves to fans after losing the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Jordan and Argentina at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 27, 2026.  (Photo by Aric Becker / AFP)
Jordan's Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami waves to fans after losing the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Jordan and Argentina at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 27, 2026. (Photo by Aric Becker / AFP)

Jordan will be better off for the experience from their maiden World Cup despite exiting the tournament in the group phase following three defeats, coach Jamal Sellami said after a 3-1 loss to Argentina in Dallas on Saturday.

Jordan scored in every game and were competitive, but errors due to inexperience cost them and will be the major takeaway from their debut on the global stage, Sellami told a press conference after the loss to the ⁠reigning world champions.

“The ⁠most important thing we can come away with is for the players to have experienced firsthand what they have trained for all these years. They will be better for it,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

“I was telling my players to develop themselves ⁠and improve their fitness as they will be up against high level teams, which requires a higher level of fitness. We worked on improving their skills and they will now be much better equipped to deal with such competitions in the future.”

“They played three matches and were able to score goals in every one of them. But small errors were very costly and it ⁠was due ⁠to this that we conceded goals. When you face the world champions, errors will cost you.”

“Argentina are one of the strongest teams and have excellent players. We were the only team to score against them (in the group phase). We knew how to play against them.”

“We are out of the competition but proud of what we have achieved as a first experience. We went in wanting to learn as many lessons as possible and we did that.”