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Saudi Arabia’s national team’s match against Cape Verde in the third and final round of the 2026 World Cup group stage witnessed a shootout that sparked widespread reactions on social media after Firas Al-Brykan and Muhammad Kano got into a verbal altercation during the match.
Saudi Arabia bowed out of World Cup competition after a goalless draw against Cape Verde, picking up just two points from three games in frustration after missing out on a place in the round of 32.
A video shared by platform X shows a verbal altercation between Al-Brykan and Canno, which coincided with the Cape Verdean national team preparing to take a free-kick, before the ball was actually taken.
The footage showed the dispute centered on defensive responsibilities and control in the penalty area, as both players accused opposing players of positioning and controlling given the pressure exerted by the Cape Verdean side during the game.
The altercation did not last long as goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais intervened to contain the situation and calm his two teammates down, asking them to focus on the match while the match continued as normal.
The shot sparked a lot of backlash among fans, as some saw it as reflecting the tension and pressure of the Saudi players in the crucial game, while others believed that such discussions are normal on the pitch, especially in crucial matches that require a lot of concentration in defensive duties.
