Qualification, top 10, a debut… Here's our look back at the November break
Two weeks after a win in Strasbourg,AS Monaco returns to Ligue 1 this weekend. On the menu is a visit from Brest (Friday, 7 p.m.) for a match that pits two European teams against each other. But before thinking about this match, here’s a look at the performances of the twenty Monegasques at work during the international break in November.🔙
Job done for Singo’s Côte d’Ivoire 🎟️
Like the last October break, the majority of them were involved in qualifiers to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations or the 2026 World Cup. This is the case, for example, of Wilfried Singo’s Ivory Coast, who needed just one point to punch their ticket. This was done after a victory over Chad, 4-0. Les Elephants will now be able to defender their title in January 2026 in Morocco.
QUALIFIED. ✅
Reigning champions Côte d'Ivoire have sealed their #AFCON2025 spot! 🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/DKhnj9FZa8
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 15, 2024
Ben Seghir is decisive again 🎯
Speaking of Morocco, the Atlas Lions continued their flawless run in these qualifiers with two big wins in Gabon (1-5) and against Lesotho (7-0). A starter twice, Eliesse Ben Seghir distinguished himself with an assist in the second match on a corner for Soufiane Rahimi.
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Senegal, who have already qualified for AFCON, also made it 2/2 with two victories acquired in Burkina Faso (0-1) and against Burundi (2-0). Krépin Diatta played the entirety of these two matches as a right back, while Lamine Camara only played the last 20 minutes of the last match.
Japan and Brazil edge closer to the World Cup 🤏
Heading to Asia, Takumi Minamino’s Japan has moved a little closer to the World Cup, as it now has a ten-point lead over the first non-qualifier, with four games to go. This break saw the Monaco midfielder take his place among the top 10 Japanese scorers of all time by scoring once in Indonesia (0-4).
🚨 Lethal duo alert!
Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino both make Japan unstoppable! 🇯🇵#AsianQualifiers | #IDNvJPN pic.twitter.com/bKdlGdeSTc
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) November 15, 2024
On the South American side, Vanderson played the entire first match against Venezuela (1-1), before being suspended against Uruguay (1-1). These two additional points give them a five-point lead over the first non-direct qualifier, Bolivia, and therefore a step towards a place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
¡Las posiciones de las #EliminatoriasSudamericanas tras la última fecha del año! 🔥
A classificação das #EliminatoriasSudamericanas após a última rodada do ano! 🔝 pic.twitter.com/pkog2KDfIZ
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) November 20, 2024
A debut for Mawissa with Les Espoirs 🆕
Among the U-21s, Eliot Matazo, a starter in the return leg, and the Belgium U-21s unfortunately failed to win the play-offs for the U-21 Euros by falling 3-1 against the Czech Republic. Already qualified for this competition, the French played two friendlies against Italy (2-2) and Germany (2-2).
It was an opportunity for Christian Mawissa to experience his first two caps in this category (96 minutes), while Soungoutou Magassa (102 minutes) and Kassoum Ouattara (86 minutes) also gained playing time.
France’s U-19s move closer to the Euros 👶
The youngsters from the Academy were also in action. The French U19s of Bamba, Cabral, Kiwa and Tincres took part in the first round of the Elite Tour for the U19 Euros, for example. With seven points, they finished first and will play in the final qualifying round tis spring. The two midfielders also distinguished themselves with a goal for Aladji against Wales and a double for Pape against Liechtenstein.
[#U19] 🤝 Fin du tour de qualification pour l’Euro avec un match nul 0-0 contre l’Ecosse. Les Bleuets terminent premiers de leur groupe et sont qualifiés pour le Tour Élite 👏🏼
👋🏼 Fin du rassemblement. #FiersdetreBleuets 🇫🇷
📸 UEFA pic.twitter.com/o9NghgbtRJ— Équipe de France Jeunes 🇫🇷 (@edfjeunes) November 19, 2024
Bouabré, Nibombé and Belmokhtar impress 👏
But it was not the only members of La Diagonale who were decisive. Saïmon Bouabré notably provided an assist with the French U20s, while Samuel Nibombé, with the Belgian U18s, gave his team victory against Poland. Finally, Ilyes Belmokhtar, in the U17 AFCON qualifiers, scored his team’s last goal in the victory against Egypt (5-1). Bravo à tous! 👏
24’ Goal France U20. The USA are immediately punished for Cremaschi’s missed chance as Les Bleus equalize from a free kick. Not sure how he got that open but Eyestone still should’ve saved it. pic.twitter.com/mqlIN5RPqo
— American Ultras Talk (@ameriultrastalk) November 18, 2024