Well, what a World Cup, then.
After Cameroon and Serbia served up a thriller early on Monday, Ghana and South Korea swiftly followed suit.
Ghana were two to the good at a raucous Education City Stadium, weathering an early South Korean storm and supposedly cruising to a first World Cup victory in 12 years. Then they were reined back in.
South Korea, stunned initially by the Africans, needed only three second-half minutes. Having required 156 to register a single shot on target this World Cup, they scored with their first and doubled their goal tally with their second. In doing so, they reeled their rivals back in.
But Ghana would have the final say. Mohammed Kudus grabbed his second of the game, matching South Korea’s Cho Gue-sung at the other end and, this time, Paulo Bento’s side had no reply.
So, not long after Cameroon and Serbia drew 3-3, Ghana edged out South Korea 3-2. And there were still two more Monday matches to come.
With the win, Ghana breathed life back into their bid for the knockout stages. If they were gallant in defeat against Portugal, going down 3-2 but still giving Cristiano Ronaldo a mighty fright, they were galvanised against South Korea.
Staring World Cup elimination in the face, they forced it to one side. Defeat would have relegated Otto Addo's men to keeping unwanted company, alongside Qatar and Canada as the only sides already heading out the exit.
Portugal 3 Ghana 2 - in pictures
But they withstood an early South Korean onslaught, seized their chances, got pegged back and, to their immense credit, came again. They ended a frantic and fabulous encounter on top.
At the group summit, too, although previous leaders Portugal were yet to play Uruguay on Match Day 2. Surely that couldn’t provide another see-saw show?
This had been exactly that. Right from the off, South Korea laid siege to the Ghana penalty area. They had seven corners in the first 17 minutes alone.
However, for all the huff and puff, they produced little end product. At one point, Son Heung-min even attempted an audacious overhead kick. It was turning into one of those afternoons.
In a 10-minute spell, it became that afternoon. Ghana struck twice. Jordan Ayew, relegated to the bench in the opener, rewarded his reintroduction with a double impact. Both of his crosses created the Ghana goals. The first, inadvertently, as South Korea failed to clear his free-kick, and the ball fell to Mohammed Salisu, leaving the Ghana defender to poke home.
Replays showed the ball found its way to Salisu by Andre Ayew’s forearm, but even though the Video Assistant Referee was consulted, the goal stood.
Soon, it was two. Again, Ayew was the instigator, sending a superb cross into the South Korean’s six-yard box. The only one to anticipate it, Kudus glanced the header inside the far post. Much like the defence in front, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu stood static.
Bento, the South Korea manager, stood with his hands in his pockets. Understandably, he looked lost in thought. Having to save his World Cup campaign in a match against Portugal, his country of birth and whom he represented at the global finals two decades ago, was probably giving plenty of food for thought.
Ghana fans, scattered around the stadium but with a considerable contingent behind their own goal, were a riot of colour and noise.
At the beginning of the second half, a warning of what was to come. Well, who would have really predicted that? Having had little to do until then, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi pushed away Cho Gue-sung’s goalbound header.
Not long after, he couldn’t. On 58 minutes, Tariq Lamptey was caught on the ball on the right, Lee Kang-in crossed brilliantly with his left, and Cho, his movement expert, nodded home.
Then, repeat. This time, Kim Jin-su hung up the cross, and Cho, rising remarkably high, powered in the header. The South Korean bench leapt from their seats and powered down the touchline. Bento set off in the other direction.
His joy, though, would be short-lived. About seven minutes, in fact. Mensa crossed, Williams missed it completely, and Kudus finished low past Kim. Incredibly, Ghana had done it.
For the remainder, they stood strong. Ati-Zigi saved Lee Kang-in's free-kick and then Kim Jin-su’s rising shot, Daniel Amartey booted Kim’s scuffed effort off the line and Ati-Zigi thwarted Cho.
Ghana prevented a manic match from taking one final twist. As if in keeping with the game, Bento was sent off after the final whistle for remonstrating too vigorously with the referee. Like everyone else at Education City, he could probably do with a lie down.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
SECRET%20INVASION
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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'O'
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
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RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E6pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Marfa%20Deira%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Dirt)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wadheha%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%20(jockey)%2C%20Majed%20Al%20Jahouri%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.35pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20Creek%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBarq%20Al%20Emarat%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%2C%20Ismail%20Mohammed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.10pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMina%20Hamriya%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh95%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tahdeed%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Michael%20Costa%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.45pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mina%20Rashid%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C900m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeyaasi%2C%20Xavier%20Ziani%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8.20pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Garhoud%20Sprint%20DP%20World%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20Dh132%2C500%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mouheeb%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Michael%20Costa%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8.55pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mirdiff%20Stakes%20Jebel%20Ali%20Port%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20Dh120%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seyouff%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Michael%20Costa%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E9.30pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jebel%20Ali%20Free%20Zone%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh95%2C000%20(D)%202%2C000m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAjuste%20Fiscal%2C%20Jose%20da%20Silva%2C%20Julio%20Olascoaga%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)
Saturday
Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)
Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldof v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)
Sunday
Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
if you go
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
