1-2, 3-0! Japan lost in an upset, Vietnam was out, the dark horse of the Africa Cup of Nations was born, and Inter Milan entered the final
The 2024 Asian Cup of Nations and Africa Cup of Nations continued, with Japan and Iran joining forces in the second round, and Vietnam and Indonesia playing in the East derby. In the Africa Cup of Nations, the big dark horse Cape Verde advanced ahead of schedule, and in the Italian Super Cup, Inter Milan and Lazio competed for a place in the final.
Iraq 2-1 Japan
Iraq, currently ranked 63rd in the world, topped the group with two consecutive wins in the round of 36 of the World Preliminary Tournament and won the Asian Cup in 2007. Japan, ranked 17th in the world, is the highest-ranked and most valuable team in Asia, and shocked the world by beating Germany and Spain at the World Cup in Qatar. Japan's teams are all from the Europa League and are the favourites to win the Asian Cup.
In the game, in the first half, Suzuki made a mistake in the save, Hussein scored another goal in stoppage time with a header, and in the second half, the referee blew for a penalty from Japan and cancelled it, and Endo pulled one back with a header in stoppage time. At the end of the game, Japan lost 1-2 to Iraq, 10 consecutive wins were ended, 1 win and 1 loss in the group stage temporarily ranked second, and Iraq won 2 consecutive wins in the group stage to lock in the qualification place in 1 round in advance.
Vietnam 0-1 Indonesia
Vietnam led Japan in the first round and lost 2-4, but it was able to score two goals against Japan, which shows the progress of Vietnamese football. Indonesia lost to Iraq in the first round, but also played a wonderful combination in the game, replicating De Bruyne's pass to score, and the Southeast Asian team made rapid progress.
In the game, in the first half, Indonesian striker Struk was lively, creating a penalty before half-time, Baja scored from the spot, and in the second half, neither side achieved anything. In the end, Vietnam lost 0-1 to Indonesia and suffered two consecutive defeats, and will face Iraq, the top of the group, in the final round. Indonesia is in third place in the group with 1 win and 1 loss, and will face Japan in the final round.
Hong Kong 0-1 Iran
Hong Kong, China, is the belly of Asian football, currently ranked 150th in the world, and scored in the Asian Cup for the first time in 56 years in the last round. Iran are currently ranked 21st in the world, second only to Japan in Asia. Iran has a number of players in Europe and are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
In the game, in the first half, Mohanluo hit the post, Kayibi opened the scoring, Ye Honghui repeatedly saved, and neither side made achievements in the second half. In the end, Iran beat Hong Kong 1-0, with 70% possession and 14 shots on goal. In the Group C standings, Iran qualified ahead of schedule with two consecutive wins, and Hong Kong, China was at the bottom with two consecutive defeats.
Cape Verde 3-0 Mozambique
Cape Verde beat Ghana in the first round to beat Egypt in the group, and Ghana finished top of the group. Cape Verde is ranked 73rd in the world. Mozambique, ranked 111th in the world, drew 2-2 with Egypt in the first round to keep their hopes of qualifying from the group alive.
In the game, Bebe scored in the first half, Cape Verde took the lead, and in the second half, Mendes and Pina scored two more goals, and finally Cape Verde defeated Mozambique 3-0, winning all 2 games and accumulating 6 points, locking the first place in the group in advance and becoming the biggest dark horse in this Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal 3-1 Cameroon
Africa Cup of Nations Group C, Senegal vs. Cameroon. In the first half, Ismaila Sarr seized the opportunity to score a low shot to give Senegal the lead! At half-time, Senegal temporarily 1-0 Cameroon; in the second half, Ismaila Sarr assisted Diallo to score to extend the score advantage, Castelloto scored with a header, and in stoppage time, Mane pushed the goal to seal the win. At the end of the game, Senegal 3-1 Cameroon! Senegal won two consecutive victories and qualified ahead of schedule, and Cameroon only scored 1 point in 2 rounds and temporarily ranked 3rd in the group!
Inter Milan 3-0 Lazio
In the semi-finals of the Italian Super Cup, Inter Milan hosted Lazio. In the first half, Dimarco set up Thuram's goal with a backheel and Barella volleyed into the woodwork. In the rematch, Lautaro made a penalty shot from Calhanoglu, and Frattesi countered with a single knife to score again, and in the closing stages, Immobile scored but was blown for handball. In the end, Inter Milan 3-0 Lazio advanced to the final against Napoli.