Powerful neighbours resume hostilities
MOSCOW— They’re the reigning champions of Europe with arguably the best player in the world.
And yet there seems to be little talk about Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo heading into Friday’s much-anticipated World Cup match against neighbouring Spain in Group B play (TSN4, 2 p.m.).
In a way, it’s understood. Spain dominated the headlines this week with the chaos surrounding its coaching situation, to the point where a large number of questions on Thursday at Portugal’s news conference were based around their opponent’s decision to replace coach Julen Lopetegui with Fernando Hierro just days before the game. Secondary was the fact this is the first match between the Iberian neighbours since 2012.
“We’re focused, we’re united and I don’t think we’re concerned with anything else,” Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho said. “We have to focus on the action of the team and what we can do to attain our goal in this World Cup. We’re not really looking at what is happening with other teams.”
Spain, meanwhile, can’t wait to get the ball rolling and put its coaching woes in the past. Spain captain Sergio Ramos said Thursday “we need to turn the page as soon as possible. The World Cup starts tomorrow (for us) and we have a great game to play against the European champions. Hopefully we will start on the right foot.”
EGYPT VS. URUGUAY
TSN4, 8 a.m. Mohamed Salah jogged around the practice field Thursday afternoon, laughing and joking alongside his Egyptian teammates as they went through their final workout before their first match of the World Cup.
It was an unremarkable scene and, still, an important one. Salah, one of world soccer’s breakout stars this season, has been nursing a shoulder injury since May 26, when an awkward fall while playing for Liverpool forced him out of the Champions League final. Thursday’s run-through with Egypt was further evidence that he would be fit to play for the Pharoahs on Friday against Uruguay. Hector Cuper, Egypt’s coach, had insisted as much during a news conference moments before his team took the field for training.
MOROCCO VS. IRAN
TSN4, 11 a.m. Even if some players barely see any action, coach Herve Renard expects the entire Moroccan squad to put the nation’s hopes ahead of their own personal goals against Iran Friday in their Group B opener in Russia.
“Maybe you only play five minutes,” Renard said on the eve of Morocco’s first Cup match since 1998, “but they can be the most important five minutes for your country and your team.”