Cape Verde heroic, Senegal left with regrets, Algeria sink, African exits rated after World Cup knockouts | OneFootball

Africa’s World Cup surge faded in the knockouts, only Egypt and Morocco advanced after nine out of 10 cleared the groups. Morocco will reach at least the quarter-finals.

L'Équipe notes that defeats varied by opponent and ambition, so the late goal trend was anecdotal. The real gap was sustaining focus, fitness and technique to the end.

Cape Verde earned 10/10, their debut lit by a 3-2 extra-time classic against Argentina. Twice behind and level, unbeaten in 90 minutes after three group draws, they enchanted the tournament.

DR Congo 7/10, Harry Kane’s double beat them 2-1 after they nearly led 2-0 before the break. Côte d’Ivoire 6/10, runners-up after beating Ecuador 1-0 and pushing Germany 2-1, then out 2-1 to Norway as Haaland struck late.

South Africa 4/10, they started 0-2 to Mexico, beat South Korea 1-0, then went out 1-0 to Canada. They left little trace and some African supporters withheld backing over xenophobic unrest. Ghana 4/10, they could argue an obvious penalty was missed against England in a 0-0, then Colombia beat them 1-0, Carlos Queiroz’s caution yielded little, Antoine Semenyo quiet.

Senegal 3/10. A 5-0 over Iraq, down to ten on 13 minutes, was their sole win, then three defeats to European teams brought nine against. Belgium’s 3-2 after extra time hurt after dominance, with Mory Diaw’s error and internal issues costly.

Algeria 2/10. Vladimir Petkovic’s team were flat, with puzzling picks including Ibrahim Maza up front in the 2-0 last 16 loss to Switzerland, and the players shared blame for a meek exit.

Source: L'Équipe