France Must Be Even More Efficient in Attack Against Morocco, Says Deschamps

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - France Press Conference - Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, US - July 8, 2026 France coach Didier Deschamps during the press conference. (Reuters)

17:35-8 July 2026 AD ـ 23 Muharram 1448 AH

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - France Press Conference - Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, US - July 8, 2026 France coach Didier Deschamps during the press conference. (Reuters)

France have scored a ‌tournament-leading 14 goals in the World Cup so far but coach Didier Deschamps urged his players on Wednesday to achieve even greater attacking efficiency when they take on Morocco in Thursday's quarter-final.

The meeting is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, when France ended Morocco's historic run in Qatar, but this time the North Africans are no longer the surprise outsiders but a confident side aiming for the title.

"We have to be efficient, offensively speaking," Deschamps told a press conference. "In all the areas both teams have strong assets."

"We are efficient but ‌we could ‌have done better on this front. Sometimes you ‌have ⁠six chances and ⁠score two goals and sometimes you have two chances and score twice. It is more important to be efficient."

France edged past Paraguay in the round of 16 with a scrappy 1-0 win courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe penalty. The France captain has seven goals in the tournament, second behind Argentina's Lionel Messi, who has eight.

Mbappe, Ousmane ⁠Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola have given France ‌one of the most dangerous forward ‌lines at the World Cup.

Morocco eased through their group stage, before knocking ‌out Netherlands and co-hosts Canada, and confirming their status as serious ‌title contenders.

"Morocco's profile is not the one of Paraguay. We met them four years ago in the semi-finals," Deschamps said. "They played the AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) final. They have top individuals. They are not here to play. ‌They are here to win. We have to be ready and perform and deliver against this great ⁠team."

Deschamps will ⁠need to wait and see whether midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who has been nursing a muscle injury, will be fit in time for the game.

"He feels better but I left early from the hotel this morning. I cannot say more. He might take part in training today. All other players they are available," Deschamps said.

As for France's appeal to have Michael Olise's yellow card in the game against Paraguay rescinded, Deschamps said FIFA had informed them the caution stood.

The ruling comes days after the furor caused by FIFA's decision to suspend a match ban after a red card was given to US player Folarin Balogun and following an intervention by President Donald Trump.

Salah’s Trabzonspor Debut Ends in Draw After Kasimpasa Fight Back

Trabzonspor's Mohamed Salah in action during the Turkish Super Lig football match between Kasimpasa and Trabzonspor in Istanbul, Türkiye, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP)

08:16-16 August 2026 AD ـ 03 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Salah’s Trabzonspor Debut Ends in Draw After Kasimpasa Fight Back

Trabzonspor's Mohamed Salah in action during the Turkish Super Lig football match between Kasimpasa and Trabzonspor in Istanbul, Türkiye, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP)

Mohamed Salah made his competitive debut for Trabzonspor on Saturday, coming off the bench in their Turkish Super Lig opener as Kasimpasa rallied from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw.

Trabzonspor took the lead in the first half through Noah Saviolo ‌before Kasimpasa's ‌Adrian Benedyczak levelled from ‌the ⁠penalty spot in ⁠the second half.

Salah, who joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer after nine seasons at Liverpool, was introduced in the 58th minute shortly after Kasimpasa scored the ⁠equalizer.

The Egypt forward, deployed ‌on the ‌right wing, helped create a number of ‌openings for the visiting side ‌but Trabzonspor were unable to find a winner.

"It's a sad start today. It was a game we had ‌to be victorious in, but we couldn't succeed. Thursday ⁠is ⁠really important, we play a match in Europe, and the opponent is far better than us," Trabzonspor coach Fatih Tekke said.

Trabzonspor, who finished third in the Super Lig last season and won the Turkish Cup, will face Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League play-off round on August 20.

Sports

Djokovic Ousted from Cincinnati Open in His First Match Since Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves to fans as he walks onto the court for a match against Thiago Agustin Tirante of Argentina on day five of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 15, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)

07:32-16 August 2026 AD ـ 03 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Djokovic Ousted from Cincinnati Open in His First Match Since Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic's stay at the Cincinnati Open was a short one. It also might be his last.

The 24-time major champion fell to Thiago Agustin Tirante 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday in a match that took 2 hours, 44 minutes in hot and humid conditions.

A 25-year-old from Argentina, Tirante is ranked No. 50 in the world. Djokovic — a three-time Cincinnati champion and No. 5 in the rankings — was playing for the first time since his loss to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Wimbledon.

Up next for Djokovic is the US Open, which starts Aug. 30 in New York.

Djokovic appeared to struggle physically in the heat and had his 10-match winning streak in Cincinnati snapped. The 39-year-old told reporters that an unspecified health condition made it difficult for him to play in hot and humid weather.

“It’s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years,” Djokovic said. “A lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot. I did anticipate it (would be humid), but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that’s what happened.”

Djokovic has had plenty of success in Cincinnati, with a 45-13 record and titles in 2018, 2020 and 2023. But he wasn't sure he would return.

“I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately,” Djokovic said. “But let’s see what the future brings.”

Djokovic saved 13 of the 15 break points he faced. Tirante broke Djokovic's serve in the ninth game of the final set and then served it out.

“I think this is the best win of my career,” Tirante said. “I think I really did a good job inside the court. I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak.”

In a rain-delayed match that ended at 2:15 a.m. Sunday, top-seeded Alexander Zverev rallied to avoid a third straight loss, beating Cameron Norrie 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

After losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final, Zverev, the French Open champion, returned to play in Montreal and fell to Tallon Griekspoor in his opener Aug. 5.

On the women's side, Alexandra Eala of the Philippines continued her run of strong play with a victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who lost the first set and stopped playing in the second with an ankle injury.

Eala, who is No. 20 in the rankings, won her first WTA singles title in Washington earlier this month and has won eight of her last nine matches.

American Jessica Pegula beat Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-2, improving her record to 25-6 on hard courts in 2026. The third-ranked Pegula won the title in Cincinnati in 2024.

Sports

Iraola: Liverpool's Como Double-header a Key Test Before New Season

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Liverpool v AS Monaco - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 9, 2026 Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo

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17:38-15 August 2026 AD ـ 02 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

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17:38-15 August 2026 AD ـ 02 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Iraola: Liverpool's Como Double-header a Key Test Before New Season

Liverpool's double-header against Serie A side Como on Sunday will be a good test ahead of the new Premier League season, manager Andoni Iraola said on Saturday.

Liverpool, who lost pre-season fixtures against Leeds United and AS Monaco, will face Como twice on Sunday, with one match to be played behind closed doors before the second at Anfield.

Iraola said he took positives from last weekend's 3-2 defeat by Monaco but acknowledged his side must improve their consistency ahead of the new campaign.

"The problem ⁠we had, as ⁠we had against Leeds in Chicago, was that we were not able to sustain our levels and that is something that can only happen with time and with a lot of hard work on the training ground," Iraola told the club's TV ⁠channel.

"I have spoken many times about the type of team I want to see on the pitch, about the intensity, the intent and the energy we are looking for, and while it is clear that there is still a lot of improvement to come, I believe that we are moving in the right direction."

Iraola said Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had returned to training after the World Cup, giving him ⁠a full ⁠squad ahead of the new season, and added that it was now up to the players to deliver consistent performances.

Liverpool also strengthened their defensive options by signing Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona last week, with Iraola welcoming the addition of a player of his quality and experience.

"I am sure he will settle in quickly and have a positive impact on our squad," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Liverpool will start their Premier League season at Newcastle United on August 23

France Must Be Even More Efficient in Attack Against Morocco, Says Deschamps

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