馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Switzerland defeats Canada 2-1 to top World Cup Group B, both teams advance
via The Namibian3 min read
Switzerland secured the top spot in World Cup Group B with a 2-1 victory over co-hosts Canada. Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored for Switzerland, who finished with seven points. Promise David scored for Canada, who, despite the loss, advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, finishing second in the group. Canada will play the runner-up from Group A in Los Angeles, while Switzerland will face one of the best third-placed teams. Bosnia-Herzegovina finished third in Group B after a 3-1 win against Qatar and awaits to see if their four points are enough to progress. Prior to the match, Canada midfielder Ismael Kone, who suffered a leg break in a previous game, received a standing ovation from spectators.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
BreakingTwo earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck the same area of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, leading to building collapses and panic in the capital, Caracas. The United States Geological Survey USGS reported that the 7.5-magnitude quake was preceded by a 7.2 foreshock. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that some buildings collapsed and roofs crumbled, though the number of fatalities was unknown. Residents described intense shaking, with one bank employee noting, "The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible." An AFP journalist observed a 22-story building completely destroyed in Caracas's Altamira neighborhood. Cabello advised people to evacuate their homes and mentioned that gas supplies were cut in several buildings as a precaution due to damaged structures. The tremors were felt as far away as Bogota, Colombia, where alarms sounded and some residents evacuated buildings. Colombia's National Seismological Network coordinator, Freddy Tovar, indicated that aftershocks were possible. Both the Colombian disaster management agency UNGRD and the US National Tsunami Warning Center ruled out the possibility of a tsunami.
Morocco secured a 4-2 victory over Haiti in a World Cup match in Atlanta, but finished second in Group C behind Brazil on goal difference. Haiti, despite being eliminated, scored their first World Cup goals in 52 years, with a Yassine Bounou own goal and a strike from Wilson Isidor giving them the lead twice. Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari equalized for Morocco before halftime. Soufiane Rahimi gave Morocco the lead with a deflected effort, and Gessime Yassine sealed the win. Morocco will now face a likely meeting against the Netherlands or Japan in Monterrey. Haiti's performances, despite not earning points, were noted for making their nation proud at their first World Cup since 1974.
Bosnia-Herzegovina secured a 3-1 victory over Qatar in their final Group B match, moving to four points and positioning themselves strongly to advance to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time. Qatar, the 2022 hosts, have been eliminated at the group stage. Goals for Bosnia came from 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic and an own goal by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada. Qatar's Hassan al-Haydos scored late in the first half, but Ermin Mahmic sealed the win for Bosnia in the 80th minute. Bosnia started strong, with Abunada making early saves from Ermedin Demirovic and Ivan Sunjic. Alajbegovic opened the scoring with a shot from outside the area. Edin Dzeko, playing his 150th cap, contributed to Bosnia's second goal, which deflected off a Qatari player and Abunada. Al-Haydos scored for Qatar in the 42nd minute. Al-Haydos later left the game injured in the 55th minute. Mahmic scored Bosnia's third goal, leading to his booking for removing his shirt in celebration.