Category: Football

Japan look poised to reach the final stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup without kicking a ball after FIFA said their match at North Korea will not be rescheduled.

North Korea were supposed to stage the qualifier on Tuesday in the capital Pyongyang but five days before the game officials abruptly said the isolated country could not play host without giving a reason.

On Friday the Asian Football Confederation said the match was off and at the weekend FIFA said it “shall neither be played nor rescheduled”, citing lack of space in the international football calendar.

“The matter and match outcome will be referred to the FIFA disciplinary committee,” football’s world governing body added.

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North Korea could suffer a 3-0 forfeit as a result, which would send Japan into the third stage of qualifying for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Japan beat North Korea 1-0 in Tokyo on Thursday to make it three wins from three in Asian qualifying Group B.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu, who took Japan to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup after wins over Spain and Germany, had been eyeing the North Korea game as an opportunity to make improvements following an unconvincing display in the home leg.

“It’s unfortunate that we lost the opportunity to correct areas of concern and potential areas for improvement that came to light,” he said on Friday.

“We will aim to improve as a team based on what we have built so far.”

Japan were dumped out of the Asian Cup quarter-finals 2-1 by Iran last month after entering the tournament as favourites.

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The absence of captain Lionel Messi didn’t slow Argentina on Friday as the world champions warmed up for their Copa America title defence with a 3-0 friendly victory over El Salvador in Philadelphia.

Defender Cristian Romero opened the scoring in the 16th minute with Enzo Fernández in the 42nd and Giovani Lo Celso in the 52nd completing the victory at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner now starring for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, was ruled out of Friday’s match and Argentina’s friendly against Costa Rica in Los Angeles next week after tweaking a hamstring in Miami’s 3-1 victory over Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup this month.

On a chilly night in Philadelphia, Argentina didn’t need him to comfortably win their first friendly of the year against a team that has now gone 21 matches without a win.

Romero was the first to break through against the team coached by Spain’s David Doniga, rising to head home a corner kick taken by Angel Di Maria.

Minutes before halftime, Di Maria received the ball on the right flank and set up Rodrigo de Paul, whose back pass was headed by Lo Celso to Fernandez who slotted home from in front of the goal.

After the break. it was Lo Celso’s turn as he finished off another brilliant connection between Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez with a left-footed shot.

The match saw Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni take the opportunity to give minutes to youngsters Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Barco — the 19-year-old left-back signed by Brighton in January who stood out for the U-23 team in qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

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North Korea’s home World Cup Qualifier against Japan was called off on Friday, the Asian Football Confederation said, hours after announcing it would be moved to a neutral venue.

“The fixture between DPR Korea and Japan, scheduled to be played on March 26, will not take place as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances,” the AFC said in a statement.

It said the decision was taken after talks with the world football governing body FIFA and came a day after North Korea said it would not be able to stage the game in the capital Pyongyang.

North Korean officials did not say why.

The AFC said the matter would now be referred to “the relevant committees” in FIFA with further updates expected.

It did not confirm if the fixture would be played at a future time or place.

Earlier Friday, AFC general secretary Windsor John told AFP the game would proceed, but at a neutral venue.

The match in Pyongyang would have been the first game in North Korea for Japan’s men’s team since 2011 and a rare international football match in isolated North Korea.

Japan and North Korea’s women’s playoff for the Paris Olympics was switched from Pyongyang to neutral ground in Saudi Arabia last month.

Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Thursday that North Korea didn’t want to host the match over fears of bacterial infections in Japan.

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North Korean officials the same day told their Japanese counterparts that they could not play host, without saying why.

“They asked us during half-time if we can organise (it) in Japan,” Japan football association chief Kozo Tashima said after the teams met in a first qualifier in Tokyo, which the hosts won 1-0.

“I told them it was so sudden and that I cannot give them an immediate yes,” Japanese media quoted Tashima as saying.

“I told them it will take us at least two or three days (to answer). I told them it’s difficult,” he said.

Earlier this week Japan’s foreign ministry warned football fans not to attempt to travel to the country for the match.

“As you know, North Korea takes a hostile view of Japan and travel is not recommended for the general public,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

Fourteen government officials had been set to accompany the Japan team for the match as well as a small number of media outlets, broadcaster NHK reported.

Relations have long been dogged by issues including compensation for Japan’s brutal occupation of the Korean peninsula between 1910 and 1945 and more recently by Pyongyang’s firing of missiles over Japanese territory.

The abduction by North Korean agents of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s — forced to train spies in Japanese language and customs — has also long been a major point of contention.

Despite being isolated and poor, North Korea qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

But they were knocked out at the group stage following three defeats, including a 7-0 thumping by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

They also qualified in 1966 when they famously beat Italy 1-0 and made it to the quarter-finals.

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Roberto Martinez’s Portugal dismantled Sweden 5-2 in a friendly ahead of this summer’s European Championships without talisman striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

39-year-old Ronaldo was rested by Martinez but his team strolled to an easy victory regardless in Guimaraes.

Rafael Leao, Matheus Nunes and Bruno Fernandes all struck for the rampant hosts in the first half.

Bruma and Goncalo Ramos added to Portugal’s tally after the break, while Sweden attackers Viktor Gyokeres and Gustaf Nilsson netted at the other end.

“I really liked the commitment and very good spirit,” said Martinez, who has 11 wins from 11 matches at the helm.

However, the Spanish coach was not impressed with conceding twice.

“It’s a friendly, but I didn’t like giving two goals away in the way we did,” he added.

Sweden, who failed to reach Euro 2024, were largely woeful in new coach Jon Dahl Tomasson’s first match in charge — the former Denmark international became the country’s first foreign-born coach when he was appointed in February.

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Euro 2016 champions Portugal showed why they are among the favourites again this year.

AC Milan winger Leao smashed home the opener into the top corner after Bernardo Silva hit the post after 24 minutes.

Manchester City midfielder Nunes netted an excellent second soon after, slicing open the defence and tucking home at the near post.

Nelson Semedo set up the third goal, putting the ball on a plate for Bruno Fernandes to finish from close range for his 20th international goal.

The Manchester United playmaker turned provider for the fourth goal, teeing up Bruma to roll home.

Gyokeres, the top scorer in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon, pulled one back for Sweden soon afterwards, but Goncalo Ramos quickly pounced at the other end, with Portugal razor sharp on the counter-attack.

Debutant Jota Silva should have added a sixth in his home stadium but Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen denied him from point-blank range.

Sweden pulled one back in stoppage time with towering striker Nilsson heading home Dejan Kulusevski’s cross.

Portugal, who won all 10 of their qualifying matches for Euro 2024, face Slovenia in another friendly on Tuesday.

READ: Japan earn scrappy win over North Korea in World Cup Qualifier

Ao Tanaka’s goal after two minutes gave Japan a nervy 1-0 win over a spirited North Korea in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Tokyo on Thursday.

Unmarked in the centre of the box, Tanaka beat exposed goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok and put Japan a step closer to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Japan have three wins from three in their group and are firmly on course to reach the next stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

Japan and North Korea are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday in Pyongyang.

Japanese news agency Kyodo reported however that North Korea may not host the qualifier after all over fears of bacterial infections in Japan.

Thursday’s victory was an unconvincing but welcome return to winning ways for Japan after a disappointing Asian Cup, where they went out 2-1 in the quarter-finals to Iran.

“It was a difficult match and I kind of feel we made it difficult for ourselves. But winning is what matters the most in the end,” Tanaka said.

Soon after taking the lead Daizen Maeda shot wide as Japan threatened to run riot. Hidemasa Morita and Ritsu Doan also had chances for the hosts.

North Korea were much livelier in the second half.

They were cheered on by a contingent of supporters from Japan’s 300,000-strong ethnic Korean community, waving flags and with their faces painted.

Han Kwang Song’s left-footed shot hit the post before Jong Il Gwan slotted the ricochet into the net, but he was ruled offside.

The visitors also had chances through Ri Il Song’s header and soon afterwards a long-distance shot by Kang Kuk Chol.

Japan had late opportunities through Ayase Ueda, Tanaka and others to put the game to bed.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu defended Japan’s patchy performance, saying the players showed “persistence till the very end despite difficult circumstances”.

“We were able to win today because our players did their best to live up to the expectations of supporters here and behind the TV screen,” Moriyasu said.

North Korean coach Sin Yong Nam, whose side has three points from three matches in the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier, apologised to their fans.

“We wanted to bring good results for our compatriots but we couldn’t, and for that, we’re very sorry,” he said.

“I know our compatriots cheered for us as if they were running together with us, and their heartful screams really lifted our spirits.

“It was a disappointing result, but we want them to remain hopeful for our next match.”

READ: Pakistan humbled by Jordan in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan men’s football team on Thursday, succumbed to a 3-0 defeat against Jordan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers here at the Jinnah Stadium.

Jordan’s star player Musa Al-Taamari struck twice while Ali Olwan chipped in with a goal during the important match against Pakistan.

The Asian Cup finalists had a flying start to the game as their key player Al-Taamari scored a brace within the first 10 minutes.

It appeared that Jordan would keep on piling the goals against the hosts but Pakistan’s defence displayed character and remained steady to avoid a thrashing.

Notably, it was the straight third defeat of Pakistan in the ongoing second round of the Asian qualifiers.

Pakistan, who are yet to taste a triumph in the second round, remained at the bottom in the Group G of the Asian Qualifiers while Jordan are in third place with four points.

Pakistan will now travel to Jordan for the away fixture on March 26 this month.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan now need to win all their remaining three games, which includes two matches against Saudi Arabia and one against Tajikistan, in order to remain in the hunt for the FIFA World Cup.

Pakistan squad for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers:

Goalkeepers: Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit and Hassan Ali.

Defenders: Easah Suliman, Abdullah Iqbal, Mamoon Musa, Haseeb Khan, Mohammad Saddam, Mohammad Sohail, Omer Rao, Mohammad Fazal and Mohammad Adeel.

Midfielders: Rahis Nabi, Harun Hamid, Alamgir Ghazi, Rajab Ali, Ali Uzair, Shayek Dost and Abdul Samad.

Forwards: FareedUllah, Waleed Khan, Imran Kayani and Adeel Younis.

READ: Pakistan hammered by Tajikistan in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

MADRID: Joao Felix opened the scoring for Barcelona and guided them to a 3-0 victory against his parent club Atletico Madrid at Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday during the ongoing La Liga 2023-24.

Barcelona became the first team to defeat Atletico Madrid at their home stadium this season, breaking their 25-game undefeated streak at Metropolitano Stadium.

Notably, Atletico’s last home defeat also came against the Catalans in January 2023.

With this victory, the defending champions displaced Girona at the second position in the La Liga standings only behind Real Madrid.

Watch La Liga 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

Felix, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid, gave the visitors an early advantage with a 38th-minute goal after he found Robert Lewandowski’s cross and hit from the centre of the box.

Lewandowski himself also got his name on the scoring sheet and doubled the advantage in the early minutes of the second half with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box.

The Polish striker provided another assist as Fermin Lopez powered a header in the 65th minute to make it 3-0.

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Barcelona are unbeaten in the last 10 matches since their coach Xavi announced that he would leave at the end of the season.

“I’ll push the (players) more than ever,” Xavi told DAZN, refusing to throw in the towel on Barcelona’s title defence.

“And now that I’m leaving, even more so — we will try to improve and compete for La Liga and the Champions League, the two most important trophies.”

Meanwhile, in another La Liga clash Rayo Vallecano edged Real Betis 2-0, while Villarreal and Almeria Almeria registered 1-0 victories over Valencia and Las Palmas respectively.

READ: Kylian Mbappe bags hat-trick as PSG hit six against Montpellier

An unstoppable Kylian Mbappe hit a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) romped to a 6-2 win away to Montpellier on Sunday that allowed them to open up a huge 12-point lead at the top of Ligue 1.

Vitinha put PSG ahead at the Stade de la Mosson and Kylian Mbappe doubled their advantage midway through the first half, only for an Arnaud Nordin header and a Teji Savanier penalty to bring Montpellier back level at the interval.

However, a marvellous Mbappe goal restored PSG’s lead shortly after the break and Lee Kang-in made it 4-2 before the France captain completed his hat-trick.

Nuno Mendes put the seal on the victory late on, as Luis Enrique’s side ended a run of three successive draws in Ligue 1 and extended an unbeaten domestic record stretching back to September.

A 1-1 draw for nearest challengers Brest against Lille means the Parisians are 12 points ahead at the Ligue 1 summit with only eight games left, and a 10th title in 12 seasons is an inevitability.

Mbappe completed the whole 90 minutes of a Ligue 1 game for the first time since informing the club in mid-February that he intended to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires.

His hat-trick, his third of the campaign, took him to 24 goals in Ligue 1 this season, and 38 in all competitions.

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Mbappe’s second of the evening, PSG’s third, was the pick of the bunch, as he found the net with a superb shot from range which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

The downside of their performance came with the way in which they surrendered their 2-0 lead in the first half, conceding the penalty when Tanguy Coulibaly pounced on Danilo Pereira’s short back-pass and was then clattered by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The defeat for Montpellier leaves them just a point above third-bottom Nantes, who are in the relegation play-off place and on Sunday sacked coach Jocelyn Gourvennec.

Canadian striker Jonathan David continued his superb form in front of goal by scoring for Lille in their draw away to fellow Champions League contenders Brest.

David gave Lille the lead midway through the second half in Brittany with his 22nd goal of the season in all competitions, and his 15th since the turn of the calendar year.

The 24-year-old has netted 10 times in his team’s last nine Ligue 1 outings. His total of 15 in Ligue 1 this season is bettered only by Mbappe.

However, that goal was not enough to win the game, as Uruguayan striker Martin Satriano poked in a late equaliser for Brest, who remain second.

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WASHINGTON: Luis Suarez came off the bench and scored twice as Inter Miami, without the injured Lionel Messi, won 3-1 at D.C. United at Audi Field in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday.

Suarez continued his prolific start to life in MLS with his sixth goal in seven games in all competitions for the South Florida club.

Miami had failed to win their last seven games without Lionel Messi, a run dating to September, but despite that record, coach Gerardo Martino left Suarez and Jordi Alba on the bench.

Jared Stroud put for D.C. United ahead, latching onto a Mateusz Kilch pass and firing a first-time shot past Drake Callender.

The lead lasted only for 10 minutes, however, with Leonardo Campana leading the Inter Miami attack in place of Suarez, seeing a header saved by Alex Bono but then, after D.C. failed to clear, turning in after the ball was scooped to him by Federico Redondo.

Busquets delivered a superb cross-field pass to set Robert Taylor in down the left but his low drive clipped the outside of the post on the stroke of half-time.

Uruguayan Suarez was brought on in the 62nd minute and the 37-year-old was to settle the contest.

Just 10 minutes after coming on Suarez finished off a fine move, turning in a low cross from Campana at the back post.

Then Diego Gomez, Miami’s powerful Paraguayan midfielder, won the ball in the centre of the field and broke forward, finding Suarez, whose route to goal was initially blocked.

But Suarez was able to find space for a chip that Bono clawed at but was unable to stop crossing the line.

D.C United had Pedro Santos sent off after he brought down substitute Shanyder Borgelin in the final minute.

Martino said Suarez’s performance had gone perfectly according to his plan.

Martino said Messi’s rear leg injury was being dealt with “week to week” and he refused to be drawn on his potential involvement in Argentina’s upcoming friendlies.

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Inter Miami will play Mexican club Monterrey in the regional competition on April 3.

At Chicago, Kellyn Acosta scored a remarkable wind-assisted stoppage time winner from inside his own half as the home side defeated Montreal 4-3.

The Canadian side led 3-2 at the end of normal time but Belgian Hugo Cuypers poked in an equalizer for the Fire in the fifth minute of added time.

Then, in the last of nine minutes of stoppage time, Acosta got possession just inside his own half and launched a long ball towards the box which caught a freakish, strong gust of wind and sailed over stranded Montreal keeper Jonathan Sirois.

Defending champions Columbus Crew continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls with goals from Colombian Cucho Hernandez, Jacen Russell-Rowe and Aiden Morris.

Los Angeles FC, the 2022 MLS champions, are without a win since the opening day of the season after falling 2-0 to improving Minnesota United.

New Minnesota manager Eric Ramsay enjoyed the perfect debut after joining the club from Manchester United as goals from Robin Lod and South African Bongokuhle Hlongwane secured the win.

Minnesota are unbeaten so far this season with three wins and a draw from their opening four games.

Phil Neville’s positive start to his new role as head coach of the Portland Timbers ended with a 1-0 loss at the Houston Dynamo.

After losing the first three games, New York City FC bounced back by inflicting the season’s first defeat on John Herdman’s Toronto FC 2-1, despite having Keaton Parks sent off in the 68th minute.

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Spanish club Real Madrid announced Friday that it had filed a complaint regarding the racist insults made against Vinicius Jr before Atletico Madrid and Barcelona’s midweek Champions League matches.

“Real Madrid C. F. has filed a complaint with the Official State Prosecutor over hate and discrimination offences pertaining to the racist and hateful abuse aimed at our player Vinicius Junior,” said the club in an official announcement.

“Real Madrid condemns these violent attacks of racism, discrimination and hate… which have sadly been a recurrent and ongoing concern for some time.”

The complaint comes in the wake of videos on social media showing racist chants aimed at Vinicius Jr by Atletico Madrid fans outside the Metropolitano Stadium before Wednesday’s Champions League match against Inter Milan.

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On Thursday, the 23-year-old called on the Champions League and European football’s governing body UEFA to take action against the supporters.

“It’s a sad reality that happens even during matches where I am not present,” Vinicius added in the message posted on X.

Real Madrid allege that similar abuse could also be heard “in the areas surrounding the Montjuic Olympic Stadium” ahead of Barcelona’s home Champions League tie with Napoli on Tuesday.

The club said that it had requested security footage from the two locations be assessed in order to identify the perpetrators.

Vinicius Jr has faced racial abuse since he joined Real in 2018, with the latest incident coming shortly after a different video appeared to show a fan making racist insults towards Vinicius during a match against Valencia on March 3.

READ: Vinicius Jr condemns racist chants before Atletico Madrid Champions League game