Bryan Mbeumo and Andre Onana of Manchester United walk out ahead of the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Soldier Field on July 30, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.placeholder image
Bryan Mbeumo and Andre Onana of Manchester United walk out ahead of the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Soldier Field on July 30, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. | Manchester United via Getty Imag
Two Manchester United players were on the wrong end of a big result in World Cup qualifying
Manchester United pair Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo were on the wrong end of huge result in the FIFA World Cup African qualifiers as Cameroon lost 1-0 to Cape Verde on Tuesday night.
The Blue Sharks claimed the famous victory to go four points ahead of Cameroon in their qualifying group. The Blue Sharks need just one win from their final two games to secure their spot at the World Cup next summer.
Dalion Livramento's solo effort on 54 minutes clinched victory for the hosts. He won the ball off Carlos Baleba - who was heavily targeted by United in the summer - before running towards goal and firing past Onana, who stayed rooted to his line.
Historic win for Cape Verde
Mbeumo was unable to inspire Cameroon’s attack as Cape Verde held firm. The United man did have a penalty appeal waved away. Cape Verde have a population of less than 600,000 but are on the cusp of a major upset by finishing above African heavyweights Cameroon to qualify for their first World Cup.
The victory over Cameroon resulted in a pitch invasion from supporters with a number of flares lit as the small nation put themselves on the cusp of reaching the World Cup.
Elsewhere, Amad Diallo played 74 minutes as Ivory Coast drew 0-0 in Gabon to stay one point above the Panthers in Group F.
Bruno Fernandes subbed before late Portugal drama
In other games, United captain Bruno Fernandes played 66 minutes as Portugal picked up a key win over Hungary in UEFA’s World Cup qualifiers.
Hungary look set to be their closest challengers but they surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Ireland last week. Ireland, meanwhile, were embarrassed with a 2-1 loss in Armenia - who now sit second in the group.
Barnabas Varga put Hungary ahead on Tuesday but Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva equalised on 36 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead from the penalty spot.
In some late drama, Varga got Hungary back on level terms six minutes from time but ex-City defender Joao Cancelo put the visitors back ahead just two minutes later in a breathless finish. It puts Portugal five points above Hungary and Ireland after two games.
"It’s never easy once you fall behind, and we showed a lot of character, just like against Germany and Spain (in the Nations League) in June when we were losing but managed to come back," said City man Silva.
"Today, once again against a tough team, we managed to come back. Even when they scored after 80-something minutes, we still managed to score the winner."
Continue Reading