By Rukevwe Odeh

Morocco have secured a place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Monterrey.

The thrilling encounter appeared to be heading in favour of the Dutch after Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute with a composed finish that put the Netherlands within touching distance of qualification.

However, the Atlas Lions produced a dramatic late response as Issa Diop rose highest to head home a stoppage-time equaliser, sending Moroccan supporters into wild celebrations and forcing the contest into extra time.

Despite both sides creating chances during the additional 30 minutes, neither team was able to find the decisive goal, leaving penalties to determine who would advance to the knockout stage.

Morocco showed remarkable composure from the spot, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero with a crucial save during the shootout. Ismael Saibari then calmly converted the decisive penalty to hand the North Africans a memorable 3-2 victory.

The hard-fought triumph sees Morocco progress to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, where they will continue their quest for further success on the global stage after eliminating one of Europe’s traditional football powers.

By Rukevwe Odeh

Former England defender Danny Mills has expressed doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of still playing at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo, who will be 45 by the time the tournament is held, continues to defy expectations with his long-lasting career, but Mills believes age could eventually catch up with the Portuguese star.

Speaking in an interview with betTOM, Mills suggested that while Ronaldo’s influence on football and Portugal will remain significant, it is unlikely he will still be playing at the highest level in four years’ time. He added that a serious injury at this stage of Ronaldo’s career could potentially bring his playing days to an end.

Mills went on to say that it would be difficult to justify selecting Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting lineup for a World Cup in the future, stressing that recovery becomes increasingly challenging as athletes move into their mid-40s.

However, he praised Ronaldo’s professionalism, dedication, and incredible achievements, describing him as one of the greatest players in football history. Mills also noted that Ronaldo could still contribute to football in other roles, such as mentoring younger players or possibly moving into coaching in the future.

Despite the speculation, Mills believes that remaining an active player at the 2030 World Cup would be a major challenge for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

By Rukevwe Odeh

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has dismissed reports suggesting she is planning to quit the Nigerian women’s national team, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Plumptre clarified that the rumours circulating online originated from a fake social media account impersonating her. She warned fans and the public to be cautious of fraudulent pages using her identity to spread misinformation and scam unsuspecting people.

Fake account sparks confusion

The controversy began after a Facebook account bearing her name posted claims that she was unhappy with certain alleged demands involving officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and was considering ending her international career.

The posts quickly went viral, causing concern among supporters of the Super Falcons. However, Plumptre strongly denied making any such statements, stressing that the account responsible is not hers.

Player distances herself from viral claims

The defender also rejected suggestions that she had asked the public for financial assistance, stating that she has never made such requests.

She explained that individuals behind the fake account are attempting to exploit her identity for personal gain and mislead the public.

Plumptre emphasized that she remains committed to the Super Falcons and has no intention of stepping away from the team.

Warning to fans and public

She urged supporters to verify information only through her official platforms, advising them not to engage with accounts requesting money or sharing unverified claims in her name.

Plumptre added that she has already reported the matter to the relevant authorities and believes investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the impersonation.

She also called for vigilance against online scams, noting that impersonation of public figures has become increasingly common.