Lebanon Stuns France 24-20 in Golden Point
Abbas Miski's late interception sealed a golden-point win for Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Other Sports
Lebanon defeated France 24-20 in golden point at the Rugby League World Cup 2026. Abbas Miski intercepted a kick from France fullback Arthur Mourgue and ran 15 metres to score the winning try.
Why it matters
The result was decided in extra time after a missed penalty goal and a late field goal that forced golden point, underlining how narrow margins can decide tournament matches. For readers following the Rugby League World Cup, it is a notable upset-style result in a closely contested fixture.
Lebanon led 8-6 at halftime before the match was decided in golden point. Alex Conti's penalty attempt from 48 metres out was missed, while Arthur Mourgue's two-point field goal from 40 metres at the full-time buzzer forced extra time.
The players
Abbas Miski
Lebanese player who intercepted Arthur Mourgue's kick and scored the golden-point winning try for Lebanon.
Arthur Mourgue
France fullback whose deep kick was intercepted by Abbas Miski, and who forced golden point with a two-point field goal.
Alex Twal
Lebanon captain who was sin-binned in the final minutes of regulation time after an incident with Julian Bousquet.
The details
Abbas Miski caught a deep kick from France's Arthur Mourgue and ran 15 metres to score the golden-point winner. Earlier, Alex Twal and Julian Bousquet were sin-binned in the final minutes of regulation, and Bousquet was later sent off for a facial on Lebanon captain Twal.
Timeline
Match report published 1 November 2026, following the 31 October 2026 match.
Season Trajectory
The result is a single match within the Rugby League World Cup 2026, where a golden-point finish can shape group standings and qualification positioning. Lebanon's win over France adds to the tournament's early narrative of closely contested fixtures.
Lebanon's golden-point win changes how the tournament table reads, since a single result in extra time can alter the points picture for both teams. For fans, the match is a reminder that penalty kicks and field goals late in the game can decide results.
The takeaway
Narrow finishes like this one show how much a single missed penalty or late interception can swing a tournament result, so readers should watch closely how group standings settle after close matches.
Further reading
Explore more Other Sports coverage for context on this match and the wider tournament.
