Brazil left it late, but Gabriel Martinelli’s dramatic stoppage-time strike sealed a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in Houston, sending the five-time world champions into the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. For long spells, Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked on course for a shocking early exit after Japan produced another fearless display on the world stage. Kaishu Sano fired the Samurai Blue ahead in the first half, stunning Brazil and putting Japan within touching distance of a historic first-ever World Cup knockout win. Sano’s goal came in the 29th minute after capitalizing on a poor pass from Danilo.…
Autore: Precious Ebi
Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro called his side’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Germany the greatest moment of his coaching career after guiding La Albirroja into the World Cup round of 16 for the first time since 2010. In a thrilling encounter on Monday, Paraguay battled fiercely to a 1-1 draw after extra time before holding their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties, stunning the four-time world champions in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. An emotional Alfaro praised his players, describing them as “26 legends” for their courage and determination. “The warriors walked off that pitch as legends,” Alfaro…
Algeria and Austria delivered one of the most dramatic matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, producing a breathtaking finale that saw both sides secure qualification for the knockout stages while Iran suffered heartbreak. In a game packed with twists, tension, and late drama, both teams got the exact point they needed in a pulsating 3-3 draw in Kansas City. Austria looked to be heading out of the tournament when Riyad Mahrez struck deep into stoppage time to put Algeria 3-2 ahead in the 93rd minute. At that moment, Iran were set to progress as one of the…
Yoane Wissa delivered a match-winning performance as the Democratic Republic of Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta, securing a place in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 against England. The Newcastle United forward once again proved his importance for the Leopards, scoring twice to take his tournament tally to three goals and hand DR Congo their first-ever World Cup victory. Wissa had already made his mark earlier in the competition, finding the net in their opening draw against Portugal. It was a historic night for DR Congo, but it almost slipped away before it truly…
The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in earnest this Sunday, and the pressure could not be higher as co-hosts Canada face South Africa in a must-win Round of 32 clash at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. With kickoff set for 8 p.m. Nigeria time, it is the only fixture on Day 18 of the tournament, putting the full spotlight on two sides determined to keep their World Cup dreams alive. For Canada, the journey into the knockout rounds comes with an unusual twist. Despite being one of the tournament’s co-hosts, Jesse Marsch’s side is the only…
Give Lionel Messi just 30 minutes, and he’ll still leave behind a moment fans will talk about for years. For most of this low-stakes World Cup clash, the atmosphere inside the massive stadium felt flat, almost like everyone was simply waiting for one thing — Messi. Argentina had already secured top spot in Group J, and with little on the line, the game moved at a relaxed pace. But the crowd’s anticipation never faded. They knew the real show was still to come. It was classic Messidependencia — that feeling that everything revolves around Messi. As agreed with coach Lionel…
It was a night of chaos, patience, and brilliance in Philadelphia — and when the storm finally passed, Kylian Mbappé made sure his football did the talking. In a World Cup clash delayed for more than two hours due to thunder and lightning, France’s superstar forward delivered another masterclass, scoring twice in a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iraq. The weather may have stopped play, but it couldn’t stop Mbappé. The French captain opened the scoring before halftime with a powerful strike from outside the box, using his “weaker” left foot to beat Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. It was his third…
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has refused to confirm whether Cristiano Ronaldo will start in Tuesday’s crucial World Cup showdown against Uzbekistan, following the veteran forward’s disappointing outing in the team’s opening match. Ronaldo, now 41, endured a frustrating night in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Congo, failing to find the back of the net and missing two big chances in the second half. His performance quickly became a hot topic among football pundits and fans, with many questioning whether Martínez should have taken him off as Portugal struggled to break through. But speaking ahead of the next game, Martínez kept…
If you checked your phone on Monday morning in the UK and saw the scoreline “Uruguay 2–2 Cape Verde,” you probably blinked twice. Not because draws are unusual — but because of who Cape Verde are, and what they keep doing at this World Cup. Most people would have seen an 11pm kick-off and thought the same thing: work in the morning, sleep is safer. But those who stayed up didn’t just watch a match — they witnessed one of the standout games of the tournament. Cape Verde refuse to be “just a story” Cape Verde have already made headlines…
Mohamed Salah proved on Sunday that class never fades. At 34, with many of football’s biggest stars approaching the final chapters of their careers, Salah reminded the world that he still has plenty left in the tank. While questions continue to surround aging icons at this World Cup, Egypt’s captain delivered when it mattered most — producing a goal and an assist in a crucial 3-1 victory over New Zealand national football team. It wasn’t just another win. It was historic. For the first time in their World Cup history, Egypt finally tasted victory on the grandest stage after seven…