Category: Football

Japan marked the 1,000th game in the history of the FIFA World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia on Saturday to close in on a place in the last 32 of the 2026 edition.

Ayase Ueda scored twice while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target as the Asian giants joined the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F.

Tunisia, who were thumped 5-1 by Sweden in their first game of the tournament, can no longer hope for a place in the knockout rounds.

The Blue Samurai, who held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their Group F opener, were always in control against Tunisia at the Monterrey Stadium.

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The result marked a losing start for new Tunisia manager Herve Renard, who was hastily appointed to take over the World Cup campaign after predecessor Sabri Lamouchi was sacked in the wake of the Sweden drubbing.

But Renard’s team never looked like threatening a technically superior Japanese side that were quickly into their trademark, smooth passing game.

Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after just four minutes, finishing from close range after deft interplay from Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura.

The Japanese almost scored again moments later, with only a desperate goalline clearance from Dylan Bronn denying the Asian giants a second goal.

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Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was also working overtime, and had to claw away a shot that just went agonisingly short of crossing the goal line.

Japan, though, finally added to their tally in the 31st minute, with striker Ueda taking advantage of some hesitant Tunisian defending to surge forward and thunder a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The rout continued in the second half, with Junya Ito latching onto a brilliant through ball to calmly finish on 69 minutes before Ueda scored again with a looping header in the 83rd minute.

READ: Germany come from behind against Ivory Coast to seal knockout place

TORONTO: Substitute Deniz Undav’s late magic inspired Germany comeback against a spirited Ivory Coast, securing their place in the Round of 32 stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Die Mannschaft secured a 2-1 victory, with Undav scoring a brace in the 68th and four minutes into stoppage time to guide his team home.

The result marks the first time since 2014 that Germany have reached the knockout rounds after back-to-back first-round eliminations in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Germany had not advanced from the group stage since winning the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and coach Julian Nagelsmann had been under huge pressure to make that breakthrough.

A first-half goal by Franck Kessie gave the Ivorians a 30th-minute lead.

Kessie turned in from close range following strong work by teenage Ivorian phenomenon Yan Diomande, who is in the sights of some of Europe’s top clubs, including Liverpool.

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The Germans thought they had found the net twice in the first half.

Nathaniel Brown’s corner in the 21st minute was knocked into the goal by Aleksandar Pavlovic, but Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benitez immediately called it back — charging Pavlovic with fouling Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Then, in the 38th minute, German forward and Arsenal star Kai Havertz had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed because of a foul by Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.

When the second half began, the Germans applied relentless pressure.

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The vaunted Ivorian defence held firm till the 68th minute, but ultimately the Germans broke through.

Undav, of VfB Stuttgart, volleyed in a cross by Nadiem Amiri in the 63rd minute.

His second sent Nagelsmann and the German crowd into a frenzy as the Germans snapped a string of disappointments at the last two World Cups.

READ: Netherlands’ Gakpo scores 100th goal of FIFA World Cup at record pace

HOUSTON: The Netherlands completed a resounding 5-1 victory over Sweden in the 33rd match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Houston Stadium on Saturday. 

The dominant victory has mathematically guaranteed them a place in the knockouts of the mega event.

Striker Brian Brobbey’s induction into the side paid dividends as he scored a brace, while winger Cody Gakpo stamped Dutch authority with a double later in the match. Memphis Depay netted the final goal of the night to cap off a fabulous performance.

Brobbey started the proceedings, giving his side an early lead in only the fifth minute of the game, running down the side of the field and sending it into the nets to score his second international goal.

He doubled the lead in the 17th minute, converting a low cross from Denzel Dumfries and sending it into the bottom corner.

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At halftime, the Oranje remained firmly in control, with Sweden on the receiving end.

The break did little to Sweden’s fortunes, who again came in the firing line, and this time from Codey Gakpo, who scored twice in a span of six minutes to make it 3-0.

The substitute Crysencio Summerville came on and made an immediate impact, using his quick footwork on the right side of the box and passing to Denzel Dumfries, who then sent a low cross into the area. Gakpp seized the oppurtunity and scored an easy goal in the 47th minute.

Summervile continued to impress, who glided forward and passed it to Gakpo, who rifled a low shot from an angle.  This was also the 100th goal of the World Cup.

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The only highlight for Blagult was the lone goal from substitute Anthony Elanga in the 59th minute, converting a through-ball from Alexander Isak to race away from the break through Dutch defense and register the first goal for his side.

The game was long done and dusted, but Summerville ensured that his side made it a statement win. The West Ham winger latched onto a pass, drove towards the box, made space, and sent a low shot inside the post for his second goal of this World Cup.

The Netherlands will face Tunisia on 26 June in the final Group F match, while Sweden will face Japan at the same time at Dallas Stadium in Texas.

READ: Brazil star Ronaldinho comes out of retirement

HOUSTON: The FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the Netherlands and Sweden has marked a historic milestone, with 100 goals scored in just the 33rd match of the tournament.

It is the first time since the 1958 FIFA World Cup that the same tally has been achieved in 32/33 games, with two matches kicking off at the same time. The record for fastest century of goals was set in the first 19/20 games of the 1954 edition.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was also a high-scoring affair, with 100 goals reached in 35 matches.

The Netherlands made a strong start in the match, with Brian Brobbey opening the scoring inside six minutes. The forward added a second before half-time to put the Dutch in control at the break.

Cody Gakpo extended the lead after the interval, with The Orange continuing to dominate proceedings.

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The 100-goal milestone of the tournament was reached in the 54th minute when Gakpo struck again, finishing a swift counter-attack after Sweden’s Alexander Isak was dispossessed in his own half.

Crysencio Summerville was involved in the build-up, driving forward before setting up Gakpo, who finished low at the near post. With this, Cody Gakpo also surpassed the Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff in terms of goal scoring.

In addition, the fixture made the Netherlands the eighth team to score 100 goals in the mega event’s history.

Most Goals by a team in FIFA World Cup history

1st) Brazil – 241
2nd) Germany – 239
3rd) Argentina – 155
4th) France – 139
5th) Italy – 128
6th) Spain – 108
7th) England – 108
8th) Netherlands – 100

READ: Brazil star Ronaldinho comes out of retirement

Former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner Ronaldinho is set to come out of retirement aged 46 to play for Ravenna in the Italian third tier, according to reports in Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

The sports daily said that Ronaldinho was scheduled to sign a deal in Miami on Tuesday and that he was already in the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Consulted by AFP, a source close to the deal confirmed the news.

“I can’t wait to get back dancing with the ball again and to write a new story with Ignazio Cipriani (the Italian-American owner of Ravenna) and his entire family,” Gazzetta quoted Ronaldinho as saying.

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“Football has always been a source of joy for me. I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna,” added the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star.

However, Ravenna vice-president Ariedo Braida, told Italian media that Ronaldinho’s signing was more a marketing ploy than a piece of squad-building and he may never actually play.

“He’s a magical player, who will have his registration, that’s a huge coup for us,” he said.

“Will he play at 46? That depends, but he’ll be registered.”

Ronaldinho has not played since a two-month stint at Fluminense in 2015.

READ: Paraguay’s Almiron sent off under new FIFA ‘mouth-covering’ rule

Ten-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, a result that kept their hopes alive and also guaranteed that co-hosts the USA win Group D.

Turkey’s defeat means they become the second team, after Haiti, to be eliminated from the ongoing mega-event.

Matias Galarza scored the only goal in a game that featured the first sending off in World Cup history for a player covering their mouth during an on-field confrontation, for Miguel Almiron.

Galarza’s low, long-range shot evaded Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir after just 63 seconds.

Former Newcastle forward Almiron was given his marching orders in first-half stoppage time after covering his mouth while he appeared to direct a comment at Turkey’s Mert Muldur.

In a scrappy match, Deniz Gul had a golden chance to equalize in the 88th minute when Paraguay’s keeper Orlando Gill could only parry a shot, but he stabbed his shot wide of the goal.

Merih Demiral glanced a header wide in the dying seconds and was almost in tears afterwards as the Turkey players slumped to the turf in bitter disappointment.

READ: Carlo Ancelotti provides positive Neymar update ahead of Scotland clash

Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong is a doubt for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against free-scoring Sweden on Saturday after colliding with a team-mate, coach Ronald Koeman said.

Speaking on the eve of the clash in Houston, Koeman said Barcelona star De Jong was hurt in a collision with fellow midfielder Quinten Timber.

Timber, who came on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw against Japan in Texas, is definitely out with mild concussion.

Koeman bristled when asked to give more details, particularly over the precise injury De Jong suffered.

De Jong played the whole of Sunday’s entertaining stalemate with Japan.

“There was a collision which caused a light concussion, so Quinten will not play this match. After this match, he might be ready,” former international defender Koeman said Friday.

“But Frenkie also had minor complaints about his physical condition… let’s see how he will be tomorrow.”

Asked where the injury was for De Jong, who has 67 caps for his country, Koeman would only say it was “below his abdomen”.

An irritated Koeman, who was criticised by sections of the Dutch media for his substitutions against Japan, added when pushed again: “Quinten tripped and this caused an injury for Frenkie.

“I have already explained quite a lot about his injury.”

Sweden started their campaign with a 5-1 hammering of Tunisia.

READ: Paraguay’s Almiron sent off under new FIFA ‘mouth-covering’ rule

Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron claimed an unwanted piece of football history on Friday after becoming the first player to get a red card for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation under new FIFA rules.

Former Newcastle player Almiron was given his marching orders in first-half stoppage time after covering his mouth while he appeared to direct a comment at Turkey’s Mert Muldur during the two teams’ World Cup Group D game in Santa Clara, California.

Paraguay were leading 1-0 when Almiron was dismissed following a VAR review.

FIFA announced in April that players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will be given a red card.

The initiative being rolled out at the World Cup is part of a broader effort to combat racism, FIFA has said.

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The new rule follows controversy earlier this year when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game in February.

Prestianni denied racially abusing Vinicius but was later banned for six matches — with three of those suspended — for “homophobic conduct”.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been a prominent supporter of the new law.

“If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something. That’s it, as simple as that,” Infantino said in March.

READ: Morocco set unique African record with World Cup win over Scotland

BOSTON: Morocco created history on Friday as their 1-0 victory over Scotland in the FIFA World Cup 2026 saw the Atlas Lions establish the longest unbeaten group-stage run by an African nation.

The North Africans secured all three points in their Group C encounter thanks to an early strike from Ismael Saibari, who found the net after just 71 seconds to score the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

Saibari’s effort gave Morocco the perfect start, and the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists controlled much of the contest before withstanding late pressure from Scotland, who pushed hard in the closing stages in search of an equaliser.

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The victory extended Morocco’s impressive record against European opposition in the World Cup group stage.

They had entered the match having lost just one of their previous six group-stage meetings with European sides, with that defeat coming against Portugal in 2018.

More significantly, the result saw Morocco rewrite African World Cup history.

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The Moroccan side is now unbeaten in their last six group-stage matches at the tournament, surpassing the previous African record jointly held by Cameroon and Senegal.

Cameroon had gone five consecutive group matches without defeat between 1982 and 1990, while Senegal matched the feat across the 2002 and 2018 editions.

READ: Matheus Cunha double fires Brazil past Haiti as Caribbean side crash out

PHILADELPHIA: Matheus Cunha scored twice, and Vinicius Junior added another as Brazil eased to a commanding 3-0 victory over Haiti in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C clash at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.

The win put Carlo Ancelotti’s side firmly in control of their group campaign, while Haiti became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament after suffering a second consecutive defeat.

Brazil dominated proceedings from the outset and opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Vinicius Junior’s initial effort was saved by the Haitian goalkeeper, but Cunha reacted quickest to turn home the rebound and register his first goal of the tournament.

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The Manchester United striker doubled Brazil’s advantage 13 minutes later following another contribution from Vinicius.

Receiving a precise pass from the Real Madrid forward, Cunha surged into the penalty area and, despite being forced wide and onto his weaker left foot, produced a brilliant finish into the roof of the net.

Vinicius then got on the scoresheet himself deep into first-half stoppage time, finishing off another swift Brazilian attack to make it 3-0 before the interval.

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Neither side managed to add to the score after the break, with Brazil comfortably seeing out the contest to claim all three points and strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.

However, the victory was slightly overshadowed by an injury scare involving winger Raphinha. The Barcelona star went down in the 39th minute and received immediate treatment from the medical staff as concerned teammates gathered around him.

Although the 29-year-old was able to walk off under his own power, he appeared uncomfortable as he made his way to the bench.

READ: Brazil suffer Raphinha injury scare during Haiti clash