Koné and El Aynaoui start for their countries in World Cup quarter-final
Match Report·9 July 2026·1h ago

Koné and El Aynaoui start for their countries in World Cup quarter-final

Source: Il Romanista

Roma midfielders Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui have both been named in the starting lineups for France versus Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final, kicking off at 22:00. The two Giallorossi players will face each other as their nations clash in a match that determines who advances to face either Spain or Belgium, scheduled to play tomorrow at 21:00.

Koné and El Aynaoui represent a rare instance of Roma players appearing on opposite sides in a knockout fixture at the tournament. Both earned starting berths from their respective managers, underlining their importance to their national teams at this stage of the competition. A third Roma player, Salah-Eddine, is also involved in the World Cup, though as a squad member rather than starting.

The quarter-final takes place in America, with coverage available on M6 and beIN SPORTS 1.

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Story Coverage5 sources on this story

# Roma Midfielders Face Off in World Cup Quarter-Final Two AS Roma midfielders will oppose each other when France meet Morocco in a World Cup quarter-final on Tuesday at 22:00 Italian time. Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui have both been named in the starting lineups, guaranteeing at least one Giallorossi player a place in the semi-finals. The match takes place in the United States, with outlets differing slightly on the venue: Forza Roma and Roma News place it in the Boston area, while specific stadium details vary across sources. Both players have impressed throughout the tournament. Koné has become integral to France's midfield under Didier Deschamps, while El Aynaoui has started every Morocco match and is among the team's most dependable operators. This marks a rare historical moment—Roma News notes it is the first time two Roma players have met in a World Cup quarter-final since 1998, when Luigi Di Biagio and Vincent Candela faced off in France versus Italy. The winner will advance to face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals, with the match broadcast on Rai 1, RaiPlay, and DAZN in Italy.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Prendono il via i quarti di finale del Mondiale in America. Alle 22 si gioca Francia-Marocco, una sfida importante anche in ottica Roma: si affrontano infatti Manu Koné e Neil El Aynaoui, entrambi scelti dal 1' dai rispettivi Ct. La squadra vincente affronterà una tra Spagna e Belgio, che…

Read the full article in Italian at Il Romanista.

Read original on Il Romanista

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Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, both Roma midfielders, will oppose each other when France meet Morocco in a World Cup quarter-final at Foxborough tonight at 22:00 Italian time. The match will be broadcast on Rai 1 and RaiPlay, as well as DAZN. This marks the first time two Roma players have met in a World Cup quarter-final since 3 July 1998, when Luigi Di Biagio and Vincent Candela faced off in France–Italy at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. That match ended 0–0 after extra time and was decided by penalties, with Di Biagio striking the crossbar on Italy's final penalty. Koné has become one of France's key midfielders under Didier Deschamps, impressing in the round of 16 against Paraguay with 66 successful passes from 71 attempts, two shots, one hitting the post, four balls recovered and four defensive actions. He lines up in France's midfield alongside Rabiot. El Aynaoui has started every Morocco match and is one of the team's most dependable midfield operators; against Canada in the last 16 he completed 47 of 55 passes, made eight defensive contributions and recovered four balls. At least one Roma player will progress to the semi-finals. Both are in peak form and integral to their national teams' campaigns, ensuring the Giallorossi a significant presence in one of the tournament's biggest remaining fixtures.

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