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Morocco defeated Argentina in the opening football match of the Paris OIympics after farcical scenes that saw the final few minutes played out in front of an empty stadium in Saint Etienne four hours after the match kicked off.
It looked like Morocco had been denied a memorable victory when Argentina grabbed an equaliser 16 minutes into added time after Cristian Medina headed home to level the Group B clash at 2-2 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
What had been an enthralling match was then marred by ugly scenes at the end that saw Morocco fans invade the pitch and objects thrown at Argentina players as chaos erupted in the eastern French city.
After order was restored and the teams had left the field, they discovered that the match had not been completed but suspended by officials while Medina's goal had been disallowed for offside by VAR.
Two hours after proceedings were brought to a halt, players and officials were back on the pitch, referee Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg officially disallowed the goal and the final three minutes were played with the game finally being completed with no fans present.
Earlier, Argentina had been booed as they emerged on to the pitch and during the national anthems by the crowd, the majority of whom were supporting Morocco. That welcome came after Argentina players were filmed singing what many considered racist chants following their victory in the recent Copa America.
And it was Morocco who took control of the game courtesy of two goals from striker Soufiane Rahimi, who struck just before and after half-time.
Morocco opened the scoring in first-half injury-time after a fine move that saw Ilias Akhomach flicking a back-heel into the path of Bilal El Khannouss whose low cross was smashed home by the Al Ain striker.
It was 2-0 six minutes into the second half when Villarreal winger Akhomach went down in the box after a needless push in the back by Julio Soler and Rahimi fired home from the spot with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli guessing the right way but unable to get a hand to the ball.
It continued what has been a dream season for Rahimi who played a key role in Al Ain triumphing in the Asian Champions League – under the stewardship of Argentine coach Hernan Crespo.
Rahimi bagged three goals over two legs in the UAE club's quarter-final victory over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, a hat-trick in the last-four win against Al Hilal and a brace versus Yokohama F Marinos in the final.
Argentina dragged themselves back into the match in the 68th minute when Julio Soler's cross-come-shot that was turned in at the back post by Giuliano Simeone.
Then Medina thought he had earned his side a point when headed home from close range after the South Americans struck the crossbar twice in the matter of seconds.
That sparked angry scenes among Morocco fans who invaded the pitch and peppered Argentina players with bottles and cups before Nyberg blew for what everyone at the ground thought was the final whistle.
Even Fifa's website declared the game over, while big screens informed fans the match was suspended and they had to leave the stadium.
About an hour after the incident, organisers at the venue said the match was not officially over and VAR was reviewing whether the goal would stand.
Players eventually re-entered the field after a long delay and began to warm up before the game could be concluded.
After warm-ups, players from both teams stood on the field in the otherwise empty stadium while Nyberg went through the motions of reviewing the incident on a pitchside monitor. He offered a brief explanation to Argentina’s players after the goal was overturned while players on Morocco's bench celebrated.
Play went on for just over three minutes after the resumption before the final whistle was blown. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi then gathered his teammates in a huddle on the halfway line with their cheers then echoing around the empty stadium.
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final, first leg:
Liverpool 5
Salah (35', 45 1'), Mane (56'), Firmino (61', 68')
Roma 2
Dzeko (81'), Perotti (85' pen)
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
England v West Indies
England squad for the first Test Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root (captain), Malan, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen, Roland-Jones, Broad, Anderson, Woakes, Crane
Fixtures
1st Test Aug 17-21, Edgbaston
2nd Test Aug 25-29, Headingley
3rd Test Sep 7-11, Lord's
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