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Goalscorer Ritsu Doan said Japan had “a different kind of pressure” in Friday’s 2-0 friendly win over Ghana after the high of beating Brazil for the first time last month.

Takumi Minamino and Doan scored either side of half-time as Japan beat fellow World Cup qualifiers Ghana in Toyota with just over half a year to go before next year’s tournament.

It was Japan’s first game since their 3-2 friendly win over Brazil in Tokyo last month, the first time they had beaten the five-time world champions in 14 attempts.

Eintracht Frankfurt forward Doan said the result was still on their minds against Ghana.

“There was a different kind of pressure tonight coming after the Brazil game,” said the 27-year-old.

“We wanted to try to avoid the ups and downs that come in football and I’m glad that we were able to deliver the win.”

It was Ghana’s first game since booking their place at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a 1-0 win over Comoros last month.

Their midfielder Abu Francis left the game on a stretcher early in the second half with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

Ghana defended deep despite fielding Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has scored 10 goals in the English Championship this season.

“Today was good practice for the World Cup in how to break down a high-quality, well-organised team that hunkers down in defence,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.

“We were able to prise them open.”

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

Japan were still missing injured Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo had to be content with a place on the bench on his return to the squad after missing the Brazil game.

Goalkeeper Tomoki Hayakawa took over from Zion Suzuki, who fractured a wrist and finger playing for Parma.

Japan opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Kaishu Sano found Minamino unmarked in the box and the Monaco attacker took a touch before sliding the ball into the net.

Doan doubled Japan’s lead just before the hour mark when he got the ball wide in the box and cut inside before drilling home a left-foot finish.

Moriyasu was happy to keep a clean sheet after drawing 2-2 in a friendly with Paraguay last month and conceding two goals against Brazil.

“I didn’t want to say too much to the players and make them think too much about it,” he said.

“They were determined not to concede and then they would try to force them open and score.”

Japan continue their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Bolivia in Tokyo on Tuesday, while Ghana play South Korea in Seoul.

The Confederation of African Football and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 Local Organising Committee has announced that fans travelling to the tournament will be eligible for free electronic visas.

The African football body disclosed this in a statement on its website on Friday.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Dedicates Gabon Win To Fans, Says Super Eagles Committed To W’Cup Dream

Citizens of countries that normally require a visa to enter Morocco are expected to benefit from the policy.

However, CAF said, “Electronic visas to enter Morocco — obtained through the YALLA app — are now free of charge for supporters attending the competition, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026”.

The announcement came as the global demand grows for Africa’s biggest event, with more fans booking their seat on CAF’s ticketing platform.

Fan ID

It said a fan identification was mandatory for entry to all stadiums and official fan areas.

“CAF Supporters can apply for both the Fan ID and e-visa in one place inside the YALLA app, streamlining travel and stadium access.

“The Fan ID application and e-visa request are completed seamlessly within the YALLA app, ensuring a faster, easier, and secure experience for international visitors and local fans alike,” it added.

CAF explained that to apply, fans are expected to download YALLA on Google Play or the App Store, or visit the YALLA website, complete the Fan ID form, and, if required, the e-visa request.

Once approved, supporters can buy match tickets on the CAF ticketing platform.

298,000 Tickets Sold

It stated that the new measures were designed to deliver a seamless, secure fan experience for Africa’s showpiece event that would be played across nine stadiums in six cities.

“CAF, with support from the LOC, reaffirms its commitment to delivering a world-class spectator experience throughout Africa’s greatest football celebration,” the football body added.

CAF says that 298,000 tickets have been sold on its ticketing platform in the first two phases, with buyers in 33 African countries and 106 nations worldwide.

It disclosed that the greatest demand came from Morocco, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The football showpiece will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 across nine stadiums in six host cities in Morocco.

The Super Eagles are in Group C with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has dedicated Nigeria’s win over Gabon in the semi-final of the African World Cup play-off to fans, stating that the team is committed to qualifying for the competition. 

Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 in the game on Thursday evening in Rabat, Morocco, after extra time.

Speaking after the game in which he bagged a brace, Osimhen said, “I think this win is also dedicated to them because we’ve seen everything on social media and in real life. We’ve seen how they try to defend us and support us. So for me, this win is for them as well.

“From here on, it’s all about greatness. We will continue to give our best to make sure we make all of them proud. It’s not going to be easy, of course.

“We’re going to give everything to make sure we achieve this World Cup,” the Galatasaray forward said.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

INTO THE FINAL! pic.twitter.com/DyApTxNbDS

Osimhen was one of the shining stars on Thursday, scoring two goals in extra-time after missing a sitter with invariably the last kick of the match and the winning strike.

However, he made amends in extra-time, scoring in the 102nd and 110th minutes of the clash after strikes from the Sevilla duo of Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke.

With the victory, the Super Eagles are a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup, billed for next year in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

We face the Leopards on Sunday pic.twitter.com/pJZAvPaGWJ

They will take on the DR Congo, who beat Cameroon 1-0 in the second semi-final play-offs, in the final of the mini-tournament to stand a chance of reaching the inter-continental play-offs in March 2026.

That match against DR Congo’s Leopards will be played on Sunday at 8:00 pm (WAT).

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for an elbow as his Portugal side lost 2-0 against Ireland on Thursday and blew another chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Troy Parrott struck twice in the first half to keep Ireland’s hopes of reaching next summer’s tournament alive with a famous victory against Ronaldo and his team-mates in a Group F qualifier.

With Portugal chasing a way back into the game their frustrated captain Ronaldo was dismissed for elbowing Dara O’Shea in the back.

Portugal still lead the group on 10 points, two ahead of Hungary and three in front of Ireland, with one match remaining on Sunday.

The team that finishes top reaches the World Cup automatically, while second place teams reach the play-offs.

“This is probably the best night I have had in my entire life, I have no words to describe it,” AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott told RTE.

“I am overwhelmed… I don’t know what words to use, but I am over the moon.”

Martinez’s side spurned one chance to qualify in October when they drew with Hungary and another went begging at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland recorded an unforgettable triumph.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side knew they had to avoid defeat to still have a chance of qualification after Hungary, second, beat Armenia 1-0 earlier on in Group F. Ireland last reached the World Cup in 2002.

Portugal controlled the ball in the opening stages as Ireland sat back, content to keep the visitors at bay and cause trouble on the counter.

Parrott headed Ireland into a surprise lead after 17 minutes from close range when Liam Scales nodded the ball back across the face of goal from a corner.

Joao Neves fired narrowly wide and Joao Felix headed over as Portugal looked for an equaliser and turned up the pressure.

Chiedozie Ogbene came close at the other end as he got in behind and flashed a shot against the post in front of a fired-up home crowd.

Parrott doubled Ireland’s lead on the stroke of half-time, cutting in from the left and driving past goalkeeper Diogo Costa low at his near post.

 Ronaldo sees red

Ireland were again forced to defend deep after the break but were helped by Ronaldo’s red card after an hour.

The 40-year-old striker showed his frustration by swinging an elbow into O’Shea’s back, and after a VAR review was dismissed.

It completed a disappointing pair of matches for Ronaldo against Ireland, after he missed a penalty when the sides met in Portugal in October.

Ronaldo, the men’s all-time top goalscorer in international football, could potentially miss the start of the World Cup if Portugal qualify, depending on the length of his ban.

This was Ronaldo’s 13th career red card but his first for Portugal.

Ronaldo sarcastically clapped home fans as he departed, and exchanged words with Hallgrimsson, who had warned the officials not to be influenced by the superstar, before eventually shaking the Irish coach’s hand.

“We didn’t manage (to win), we’re sad and disappointed with what we did here today,” said Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva.

“That’s football, credit to the opponent, who are also a very well-organized team and who already caused us great difficulties in Portugal.”

France reached the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine on Thursday as the country marked the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks, while Portugal were made to wait after losing 2-0 in Dublin as Cristiano Ronaldo saw red.

Norway must also be patient after Italy struck late in Moldova to prevent them from stamping their ticket to next year’s tournament in North America.

France’s victory came in an emotionally-charged Parc des Princes, which observed a minute’s silence to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks in and around Paris on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Most of the 130 people killed in the attacks lost their lives at the Bataclan concert hall in the capital, where they were attending a concert.

But one person died near the Stade de France in the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, where multiple explosions took place as suicide bombers attempted to enter the ground during a friendly between Les Bleus and Germany.

Didier Deschamps was the coach then and remains in charge now, with the approaching World Cup to be his final tournament before stepping down.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

Les Bleus s’imposent 4-0 face à l’Ukraine et se qualifient pour le mondial

pic.twitter.com/ubEzwc9i9y

“Given the context tonight, we are pleased to have put some smiles on faces by securing qualification,” said Deschamps.

“We have fulfilled our objective. I understand that it is seen as normal that France qualify but we still had to go out and do it, so we are very proud.”

Second-half goals by Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, as well as a first international strike for Hugo Ekitike, gave Deschamps’ side an unassailable six-point lead over both Iceland, who beat Azerbaijan 2-0, and Ukraine at the top of Group D.

While France can now look forward to the draw for the finals, which takes place in Washington, DC, on December 5, Ukraine and Iceland meet each other on Sunday in a shoot-out to decide who continues on into the play-offs next March.

Portugal would have secured top spot in Group F with a win against the Republic of Ireland.

But a Ronaldo red card for violent conduct when trailing 2-0 to a Troy Parrott brace meant Portugal remain on 10 points, three ahead of the Irish and two ahead of Hungary, who won 1-0 against Armenia.

Portugal’s final group match will be against Armenia in Porto on Sunday, while Hungary welcome Ireland in what will likely be a clash for second place.

Parrott headed the hosts into the lead on 17 minutes, before doubling up on the stroke of half-time.

Ireland then dug in deep to frustrate their fancied opponents, whose task effectively became insurmountable when 40-year-old Ronaldo swung an elbow into Dara O’Shea’s back and was dismissed after a VAR review.

Ronaldo, the men’s all-time top goalscorer in international football, could potentially miss the start of the World Cup if Portugal qualify, depending on the length of his ban.

“We didn’t manage (to win), we’re sad and disappointed with what we did here today,” Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva said.

Despite romping to an Erling Haaland-inspired 4-1 win over Estonia, Norway will also have to wait until the final matchday to wrap up their berth at the World Cup.

Forwards Alexander Sorloth and Haaland both netted doubles in the space of 12 second-half minutes earlier in Oslo, but the Norwegians had to wait on Italy’s later match against Moldova before they could be certain of topping Group I.

The Moldovans looked to have done enough to send Stale Solbakken’s side to the finals, until Gianluca Mancini struck on 88 minutes to send Italy on the way to a victory that kept their automatic qualification hopes alive.

Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito doubled Italy’s lead in injury time to ensure Sunday’s meeting between the Italians and Norway at the San Siro will be a blockbuster.

Three points separate the pair but Norway hold an imposing head-to-head record over Italy after cruising to a 3-0 win in their encounter in June.

“It wasn’t easy… We also knew that Norway had won, so it was a bit of a strange atmosphere,” Sandro Tonali told Sky Sport Italia.

“It would mean a lot to us (to beat Norway), because it might not heal the wound, but it will help us push forward.”

In Group K, already-qualified England beat Serbia 2-0 at Wembley courtesy of goals by Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, while Albania edged Andorra 1-0 to sew up second spot.

Chancel Mbemba struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner as the Democratic Republic of Congo edged past Cameroon 1-0 to book a date with Nigeria in the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Leopards’ captain slipped free of his marker to meet Brian Cipenga’s deep corner in the first minute of added time, stunning the five-time African champions and sending DR Congo into Sunday’s decisive clash in Rabat.

The defeat ended Cameroon’s hopes of reaching a ninth World Cup. The Indomitable Lions, Africa’s most frequent participants at the tournament, will miss out on next year’s expanded 48-team edition.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Scores Brace As Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1 To Qualify For W’Cup Play-Off Final

With just six places separating the teams in the FIFA world rankings, the semi-final encounter was evenly balanced and played in heavy rain that made conditions tricky at the neutral venue in Morocco.

Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana produced a fine low save to keep out Cédric Bakambu just after the hour mark, while Bryan Mbeumo went close for the Lions minutes later.

Mbeumo’s teammate Karl Etta Eyong also squandered two late chances before Mbemba’s decisive finish settled the contest.

DR Congo, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1974, when the country was still known as Zaire, will now face Nigeria, who earlier defeated Gabon 4-1 after extra time, for a spot in the six-nation intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March.