Palestinian football fans gathered to watch the World Cup Group on a giant screen (Eyad Baba)In the darkness of a market in the central Gaza Strip, where power outages are a part of daily life, a brightly lit screen showing a World Cup match holds everyone's gaze.Dozens of men and boys stood transfixed as they watched Belgium play Egypt -- a much-anticipated fixture for Palestinian football fans eager to witness the prowess of their idol, Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah.The 1-1 draw in Monday's match didn't dampen their spirits, with some fans climbing onto their friends' shoulders and waving huge Egyptian flags.Smiles spread across the crowd gathered among the ruins of the Nuseirat neighourbood which, like the rest of the Gaza Strip, was devastated during the two-year war between Israel and Hamas."The World Cup is not a trivial event for Gazans," said Mustafa Siam, a member of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), whose president was denied visas for the United States and Canada."Palestinian football fans will try to follow the matches and forget their worries and pain," he told AFP, wearing a tracksuit top in red, the colour of the Palestinian national team.Owners of the small makeshift cafes that have sprung up across the Palestinian territory are doing their best to try to recreate the atmosphere of previous major tournaments.And they are attracting an audience, despite the dire situation facing Gaza's population.In Al-Zawayda, in the central Gaza Strip, a tent in a camp for displaced people shows a match on a small television screen.Fans sit on plastic chairs arranged on the sandy floor, their chatter mingling with the hum of a worn-out generator."We try, as much as possible, to experience the World Cup -- loved by both young and old," said one customer, Eid Al-Attar."Will I ever get the chance to attend an opening match or any World Cup match inside the stadium?" he wondered."Of course, it's a dream for every football fan, but here in Gaza, that's forbidden for us because we are occupied and besieged," he told AFP.Israel strictly controls all entry and exit points into Gaza, where a ceasefire came into effect in October. A small number of people are able to leave in special cases, particularly for medical treatment.- 'We were happy' -In Gaza City, 27-year-old Mazen al-Ghoul watched the World Cup opening ceremony with a feeling of "oppression"."The world is living and enjoying life, while we don't even have homes, schools or electricity to watch the matches," he said.Several people who spoke to AFP recalled the previous World Cup, held in Qatar in 2022, when screens had been set up at Palestine Stadium and Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza City.Then, thousands of football fans had massed to watch the evening matches.Now, several small seafront cafes are showing the games, but generators frequently cut out. Spectators are left exasperated while staff work to patch up the old machines, connected by fraying electrical wires.Other restaurants and local venues where people used to watch the football were destroyed during the war.Marwan al-Sheikh, 30, who now lives in a tent, rememberedwatching the previous World Cup with friends in Gaza's trendy cafes."We were happy," he said."I no longer feel that enthusiasm. I watch the matches in a cafe set up in a tent. Today, we are miserable, our view of the world has changed -- not just when it comes to football."- 'Escape' -On a beach in Khan Yunis, in the south of the Palestinian territory, another high-stakes football showcase was being played out far from the global spotlight.Young men, some barefoot, dart around in the sand under the guidance of a volunteer coach improvising drills amid the shouts."Football is the only escape in life," said Mohammad Abu Tah, one of the coaches of a hastily-formed team inspired by the World Cup."Our own 'World Cup' starts on land that is destroyed, devastated, full of hardship and wounds," added his colleague Jaber al-Basheeti, mentioning amputee players, destroyed facilities and numerous shortages of equipment.And while there were no stands, there was no shortage of spectators, with fans perched on broken blocks of concrete arranged around the makeshift pitch.str-az/crb/mj/acc/smw/dc

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Cristiano Ronaldo's sister has defended the Portugal captain following criticism of his display against DR Congo by insisting none of Roberto Martinez's players performed to the expected standard.Portugal were forced to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw in Houston after surrendering an early lead in their opening World Cup fixture.Joao Neves had put Martinez's side ahead with a deft header, only for Yoane Wissa to equalise shortly before half-time after being left unmarked inside the penalty area.Ronaldo led the line for Portugal but was unable to convert either of the chances that fell his way after the interval, with pundits questioning the veteran forward's influence.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayFormer Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry suggested the 41-year-old was focusing too heavily on his own goalscoring ambitions rather than the needs of the team."The team needs to score, it's not you who needs to score," Henry said during analysis on Fox Sports.Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, quickly came to her brother's defence on social media, arguing that Portugal collectively fell short."They magically forgot how to pass the ball, how to win the ball, how to counter-attack, the game 'rolled' back from midfield," she wrote on Instagram."This 'Cup' is strange. Strange. But let's go. Wrong starts, accurate finishes. Until the end."Aveiro later expanded on her thoughts in a video message, insisting she was not prepared to single out any individual player."I was reading some messages," she said."Obviously, as a supporter of my country, I was disappointed. We didn't play well, no player played well.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Thomas Tuchel left furious after national anthem incident in England World Cup win over CroatiaCristiano Ronaldo was finished at the last World Cup and Portugal have bowed to him for too longThomas Tuchel spotted having heated row with England star during World Cup victory over Croatia"We started the game well, but that was just the beginning."But as I've always heard: 'Bad beginnings, good endings'."Let's think positively, only those who are there make mistakes. They made mistakes, they weren't the team we expected mind you, nobody played well, in my humble opinion."Aveiro also explained why the result had not overshadowed her day, referencing the tragic deaths of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva last year."I'm sad when I see that image of Diogo Jota's mother and father, that's what sadness is," she said."It would be selfish of me to feel sad because of the disappointment of our draw in the World Cup opener."Especially since I woke up happy today and this draw isn't going to take away my happiness."Ronaldo made history against DR Congo by becoming the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days.However, he has now failed to score in each of his last 10 appearances at major international tournaments, spanning both the World Cup and European Championship.Despite the scrutiny surrounding his performance, Martinez remains convinced Ronaldo is still Portugal's most dangerous attacking option."It makes no sense to get the best goalscorer in world football out in a game that you need goals," the Portugal manager said. "For us in moments like this, the experience of Cristiano in the box is important."The way that he attracts defenders is important, the way that we can use the space is important."And clearly when you look for goals, you need to have Cristiano."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

England will face Greece in round one of the 2027 Women's World Cup play-offs, with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales also learning their opponents.

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