A random Jay

Versatile writer | Ghostwriter
Football ⚽️| Manchester United 🔴| Music 🎶

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

“The most incredible cup, a trophy, and ball, that most people dream of all over the world…” - Gianni Infantino, FIFA President speaks on the 2026 #FIFAWorldCup

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

As Lionel Messi has scored a hat-trick, I won’t be shocked if Cristiano Ronaldo score four (4) goal in his first match

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@TouchlineX Licha! He just needs to stay fit!

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

Messi scores the first 2026 #FIFAWorldCup hat trick

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

Lionel Messi scores for Argentina and this time it stands!

Can Algeria equalize?

#ARGALG

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

Offside 🤦🏾

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

It has been chopped off as an offside

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

Messi scores but it is ruled offside #ARGALG

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

The Argentina vs Algeria match is on.

Nothing serious yet #ARGALG

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@FOXSoccer Yes. Licha!

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@BiggChazer Iraq 1 - 4 Norway

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@BiggChazer @BiggChazer 😅

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@BiggChazer Iraq 1 - 4 Norway

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@BiggChazer I got it right this time 😂

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@Akinpersie @BiggChazer Bruh 😭

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

Full-time review: France 🇫🇷 vs Senegal 🇸🇳
#FRASEN

Senegal looked more likely to score in the first-half, but France held them to a goalless draw.

20 minutes in to the Second-half, Olise played Mbappe in clean-through and France got the lead (1 - 0).

Barcola who was subbed in the 80th minute, made an instant impact as he doubled the lead for France (2 - 0).

Senegal looked like they were going to get back in the game, as the 18 year old youngster Mbaye pulled one back for the team few minutes after he was subbed in (2 - 1).

But then, Mbappe scored his second goal of the game in added time to extend France lead.

Final score: France 🇫🇷 3 - 1 Senegal 🇸🇳.

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

Firstly, football is a team sport. We have seen cases of smaller teams get a win from big teams, or get a draw like the Spain vs Cape Verde. It happens.

If a team plays as a unit, there is a high probability for them getting a win or draw against the heavyweights. Aside from the brilliance of their goalkeeper, we saw how Cape Verde defended.

Bodies were on the line anytime spain attempted a shot, they doubled down on any Spanish player with the ball. Above all, they did this as a unit (team). Cape Verde only lacked good attacking prowess.

It doesn’t really signify improvement of any kind.

As for the gap closure, most of the African players going head-on with the European giants, play in Europe. The local based players rarely stand a chance, asides from rare cases like the Cape Verde vs Spain match.

If you noticed, Tunisia, Egypt, and Zambia haven’t won the AFCON in a while. Most teams winning it now are African teams with players based in Europe.

Same thing goes for the World Cup. African teams that have gone beyond the round of 16, had majority of their players in the European league. No relevant significance.

Even African teams with players mostly based in Europe, find it difficult to win European teams.

Back to the question you asked about Cape Verde. The truth is, they are just one of those rare cases of smaller teams dragging with a big teams, just like I said earlier.

And finally, the gap closure exists! No African team filled mostly with home-based players have made it past the group stages. I made an example with AFCON, when last did a team filled local players win the tournament?

There! you have your answer.

[Sir J (J9) @SirJarus]

The gap between European (& even South American) and African national team football is gradually closing.

I'm inclined to saying the increasing exposure of African players to top clubs in Europe is the reason, but the counter argument will be, "Which top clubs do Cape Verde players play for?"

So what's the most significant influence on this?

Or the gap closure doesn't even exist?

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@Akinpersie @BiggChazer Hehe 😂
It looked likely towards the end but then, Mbappe 😅

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@BiggChazer Ouch! Betting is not for me. 😭

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@badasskachii That guy!!!

[A random Jay @A_RandomJay]

@badasskachii Mbappe finally puts one past him 😭