Matthew Mangam

Rutgers alum | Senior Writer @NYSoccerJournal | Host of @TheBlueBoroughs

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Lionel Messi’s boadyguard won’t let anyone get near him, even pushing away a camera person for Apple TV.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz and Yassine Bouno also had no interest in talking to the media:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

It’s safe to say Erling Haaland did not want to talk to the media:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Patrick Berg speaks on the draw versus Morocco, adjusting to the heat, and more:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Final: Norway 1, Morocco 1

Morocco will definitely be upset not to win this game; they were by far the better team. But Norway took advantage of its one good chance.

My biggest takeaway is that Morocco is a super organized and dangerous team that could yet again make a run.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

24,902 is the announced attendance here today at Sports Illustrated Stadium. About 90% of those are definitely Morocco fans.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Against the run of play, it's 1-1 here at Sports Illustrated Stadium with a goal from Martin Ødegaard on Norway's second shot on goal. About 15 minutes left to play plus stoppage time here in Harrison.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

@GothamGator1 @nysoccerjournal I believe you can watch it in Spanish on ESPN.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Morocco takes the lead through Brahim Diaz and the crowd erupts:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Halftime: Morocco 1, Norway 0

Morocco's been the dominant team — nine shots, four on target — while Norway has totaled just one of its three shots on goal. Erling Haaland's been isolated up top so far, as Morocco is pressing hard and winning the ball back quickly each time.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

The Morocco fans sang along to the national anthem in unison; sounds pretty awesome:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Achraf Hakimi got the loudest crowd pop when his name was announced:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Both teams going with super strong lineups. Norway's got Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and Alexander Sørloth starting, while Morocco features Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz, and Noussair Mazraoui.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

It’s about 15 minutes to kickoff, and the crowd has filled in decently except for some open seats in the lowest bowl behind the goal on the far end. Overall, It’s about 90% Moroccan fans here.

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Also caught this from a Morocco fan on the way in:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Norway enters the pitch with some boos from Morocco fans:

[Matthew Mangam @MatthewMangam]

Morocco fans in full force as they enter the field ahead of their friendly versus Norway here at Sports Illustrated Stadium:

[B/R Football @brfootball]

Antonee Robinson UNLEASHES 😱

[Craig Hope @CraigHope_DM]

😂 “That’s so Barcelona!”

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Dan Burn with the assist for Anthony Gordon

[New York City FC @newyorkcityfc]

Congratulations, Andoni 👏

[New York Soccer Journal @nysoccerjournal]

A brief explanation of our World Cup coverage plans, which includes 3 of our reporters on the ground covering games up and down the East Coast, lots of focus on the teams and matches at New Jersey/New York Stadium, + more (USMNT, Socceroos, etc) https://t.co/B1b5ua0Pzq