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Cape Verde coach Bubista said his team are targeting a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds after battling to a 2-2 draw with Uruguay in the latest stop of their fairytale campaign on Sunday.

The World Cup debutants from the tiny Atlantic archipelago are now within touching distance of the last 32 after following up their improbable opening draw with Spain by taking a point from Uruguay.

Cape Verde, ranked 63rd in the world, will head into their final Group H game against Saudi Arabia knowing that victory will secure passage into the next round.

“Since the beginning, what we’ve been saying is that we would like to compete at the highest possible level, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Bubista said.

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“That’s what we’ve been doing in these two matches, and more important than the result is to be able to show our identity as a team, our strength, our unity, and also our resilience.

“We’re here to compete to try to achieve a new dream, which is to qualify for the second round, and I think it’s legitimate to think that way.

“We have the utmost respect for all of our opponents…but we’re now at a point of saying yes, we will definitely fight for qualification.”

Bubista had promised before Sunday’s game that his team would play “without fear” against Uruguay.

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They proved as good as their word, taking the lead with a superb Kevin Pina free-kick and then recovering from 2-1 down to level through Helio Varela before holding on for a draw.

“We want to show the entire world that we are in the condition to fight for qualification, and I think that’s what we showed today in today’s match,” Bubista said.

“At this point, all we are thinking about is to qualify for the next round.”

READ: Mohamed Salah reaches landmark as Egypt make World Cup history

VANCOUVER: Mohamed Salah delivered a landmark performance as Egypt secured their first-ever victory in FIFA World Cup history, defeating New Zealand 3-1 in a dramatic Group G encounter on Sunday.

While Egypt’s result ended a 92-year wait for a World Cup win since their debut in 1934, the night belonged to Salah, who rewrote multiple records with yet another defining performance on football’s biggest stage.

The Egyptian captain found the net in the 67th minute, a goal that carried significance far beyond the scoreline. It took Salah to three FIFA World Cup goals, making him Egypt’s outright all-time top scorer in the competition, surpassing Abdelrahman Fawzi in the record charts.

The strike also extended his remarkable consistency at the tournament, with Salah now recording at least one goal contribution in four consecutive World Cup matches.

On the international front, Salah is now closing in on another historic milestone. With 68 goals for Egypt, he is just one away from equalling the all-time national record held by Hossam Hassan, the current Egypt head coach.

Top Egypt men’s international scorers

• Hossam Hassan – 69
• Mohamed Salah – 68
• Hassan El-Shazly – 42
• Mohamed Aboutrika – 38
• Ahmed Hassan – 33
• Amr Zaki – 30
• Emad Moteab – 28
• Ahmed El-Kass – 25
• Gamal Abdelhamid / Mahmoud El Khatib – 24

Salah’s latest milestone adds to a growing legacy that already places him among Egypt’s greatest ever players, with each appearance on the world stage continuing to push him deeper into the record books.

The victory lifted Egypt to the top of Group G on four points, leaving them needing just a draw against Iran in Seattle on Friday to secure qualification for the last 32.

READ: Lamine Yamal enters World Cup history books with maiden goal

VANCOUVER: Egypt earned their first FIFA World Cup win in their history by beating New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday, putting them on track to reach the knockout round for the first time.

Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Zico and Trezeguet were Egypt’s scorers after Finn Surman had given New Zealand the lead after 15 minutes of the Group G match in Vancouver.

The victory puts Egypt top of Group G on four points and needing just a draw against Iran in Seattle on Friday to move into the last 32.

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Salah’s goal came after he exchanged passes with Zico, named after the Brazilian legend, and then curled in a shot with his left foot in the 67th minute.

Salah then provided the assist for substitute Trezeguet, who himself is named after former France forward David Trezeguet, to make the game safe with a low header.

“In years to come, we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history,” Salah said.

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He praised the large Egyptian contingent in the crowd, saying, “It feels like we are playing in Egypt. It’s a great win and great vibe.”

Egypt had trailed the Kiwis, who opened the scoring through Surman’s towering header after 15 minutes. But Zico equalized when he headed in a cross from Mohamed Hany.

Belgium and Iran drew 0-0 earlier in the other Group G game. The Belgians face New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday.

READ: Kylian Mbappe ready for ‘special’ 100th cap for France at FIFA World Cup

Kylian Mbappe has already reached one major landmark at this year’s World Cup by becoming his country’s all-time top scorer, and on Monday, he will hit another when the France skipper wins his 100th international cap against Iraq.

“It is always a pleasure to have the chance to play for your country. There is nothing bigger. One hundred is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me,” Mbappe told reporters Sunday in Philadelphia, where the teams will clash in Group I.

He will become the 10th French player to reach a century of caps, but is still a long way away from the record of 145 appearances held by his former teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

“The importance and the stakes of the match are what really matter, and we need a win to go through,” insisted Mbappe.

He made his debut for France as an 18-year-old in 2017, and on Monday, he became his country’s leading marksman of all time with a brace in the 3-1 win over Senegal in New Jersey. That took him past Olivier Giroud’s previous record of 57 goals to set a new mark, with 58.

It is fitting that these landmarks have come at the World Cup, a tournament which has defined his career since he revealed himself on the global stage in the France team that won the trophy in Russia in 2018.

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He scored four goals in that tournament, and eight in Qatar four years ago, including a stunning hat-trick in the final, which Les Bleus lost on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

“I am aware of what it means to be at a World Cup here and representing over 67 million French people,” said the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward.

“I just want to go down in history for my country. I think a lot of players, given the stakes of a World Cup, don’t fully enjoy it, but I just try to enjoy it. I know how lucky I am.

“I know I have the quality, but you still need to go out and show it on the biggest stage at a World Cup, and I don’t think a double in the first game is enough to show the full extent of my talent.”

Mbappe has 14 World Cup goals from just 15 appearances, and he is just two away from matching the overall tournament goals record, which was held before this year by Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16, and equalled by Messi when he scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria last Tuesday.

“I knew Leo Messi would score goals; he always does. He has the record, I am just behind, and I will keep trying to score goals,” Mbappe said.

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“That will bring me closer to the record, but the most important thing is going as far as possible with my team.”

Mbappe seems to be especially loving being one of the star names at a World Cup in the United States, and he suggested that he might eventually like to play in Major League Soccer later in his career.

“Of course, the culture is different to ours in Europe, and I have always liked that, the fact that people have ambitions with no limits, and are not afraid to say it,” he admitted.

“Will I come here at the end of my career? I don’t know. David Beckham often asks me. We will see, but it is a country I like, and I am happy to be here.”

However, he did indicate that he might not still be playing at World Cups into his forties, like Cristiano Ronaldo at this year’s edition.

“I won’t be doing this at 40, you will have got rid of me by then,” he joked.

READ: Messi one goal away from breaking Klose’s World Cup record

DALLAS: Lionel Messi will have another opportunity to etch his name deeper into football history when Argentina take on Austria in their second FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture on Monday.

The Argentine captain heads into the match level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.

Messi reached the landmark after producing a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group L encounter, putting himself within touching distance of becoming the outright record holder.

Most goals in FIFA World Cup history

• Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 16
• Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16
• Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15
• Kylian Mbappe (France) – 14
• Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 14
• Just Fontaine (France) – 13

With Argentina set to play at the climate-controlled home of the Dallas Cowboys, the stage is set for Messi to add another chapter to his remarkable World Cup story.

A victory over Austria would also put the defending champions on the brink of sealing top spot in Group L and securing an early passage to the last 32.

Austria, however, are expected to provide a stern challenge after opening their campaign with a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Jordan under the guidance of Ralf Rangnick.

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Messi, who celebrates his 39th birthday on Wednesday, continues to command admiration from teammates and coaching staff alike. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner remains the heartbeat of the side.

“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” Mac Allister said after Argentina’s opening victory.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni, who shared a dressing room with Messi during the 2006 World Cup, believes the squad has built a special environment around their captain.

“He’s playing with a group of friends, with people that are going to play with their heart for him,” Scaloni said. “Whenever they need to have a conversation with him they can just approach him and it’s really hard to explain whatever he conveys. You need to understand the atmosphere and the ambience.”

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Forward Julian Alvarez admitted Messi has been his idol since childhood and said the team is eager to repay everything the captain has given to Argentine football.

“He’s been my idol since I was a kid. Naturally, you want to repay that,” Alvarez told DAZN.

While Messi may no longer possess the explosive pace of his younger years, Argentina have adapted their game around the veteran playmaker, allowing him to conserve energy and deliver moments of brilliance when it matters most.

Now, with history within reach once again, all eyes will be on Dallas to see whether the Argentine icon can finally move past Klose and become the outright leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history.

READ: Lamine Yamal enters World Cup history books with maiden goal

ATLANTA: Lamine Yamal etched his name into FIFA World Cup history on Sunday after becoming one of the youngest goalscorers ever as Spain cruised to a dominant 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in their Group H clash at Atlanta Stadium.

The 18-year-old Barcelona sensation, who had featured for only 25 minutes in Spain’s goalless draw against Cape Verde earlier in the week, was handed a place in Luis de la Fuente’s starting XI and repaid his coach’s faith almost immediately.

Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute, finishing off a flowing counterattack initiated after a Saudi goal kick.

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Mikel Oyarzabal found space on the left side of the penalty area before squaring the ball across goal, where Yamal slid in to squeeze his effort past goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais for his maiden World Cup goal.

The strike saw Yamal enter the list of the youngest scorers in World Cup history and move ahead of Lionel Messi, becoming the eighth-youngest player to score at the tournament at the age of 18 years and 343 days.

Youngest World Cup goalscorers

• Pelé – 17 years, 239 days
• Manuel Rosas – 18 years, 93 days
• Gavi – 18 years, 110 days
• Ibrahim Mbaye – 18 years, 142 days
• Michael Owen – 18 years, 190 days
• Nicolae Kovacs – 18 years, 197 days
• Dmitri Sychev – 18 years, 231 days
• Lamine Yamal – 18 years, 343 days
• Lionel Messi – 18 years, 357 days
• Julian Green – 19 years, 25 days

Spain doubled their advantage just 10 minutes later, with Oyarzabal getting on the scoresheet. Aymeric Laporte’s pass found the Real Sociedad forward lurking inside the area, and he calmly poked the ball beyond Al-Owais.

Oyarzabal completed his brace three minutes later after another Spanish attack from the right flank ended with the ball being played back into his path, allowing him to finish from close range and give La Roja a commanding 3-0 lead before halftime.

Having virtually sealed the contest in the opening period, De la Fuente withdrew both Yamal and Oyarzabal after the break, but Spain’s relentless pressure continued.

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Their fourth goal arrived early in the second half. Al-Owais denied Marc Cucurella’s powerful effort, but the rebound ricocheted off Saudi defender Hassan Al Tambakti and into the net for an unfortunate own goal.

The result leaves Saudi Arabia needing a victory over Cape Verde in their final group match to keep alive hopes of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since 1994.

Spain, meanwhile, will head to Guadalajara for a heavyweight clash against two-time champions Uruguay, with top spot in Group H potentially at stake.

READ: Cape Verde hold Uruguay to shock 2-2 draw at FIFA World Cup 2026

Debutants Cape Verde scored a second-half equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uruguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 clash on Sunday in Miami, backing up their shock opening stalemate with Spain.

Cape Verde took a surprise 21st-minute lead as Kevin Pina scored their first World Cup goal from a free-kick, only for Uruguay to strike twice shortly before half-time through Maximiliano Araujo and Agustin Canobbio.

But 40-year-old Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s mistake allowed Helio Varela to grab Cape Verde’s second just after the hour mark, and neither side could find a winner.

Cape Verde boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout phase with their second point in Group H.

The African island nation face Saudi Arabia, thumped 4-0 by Spain earlier Sunday, in their final group game next Saturday, knowing victory would secure a last-32 berth.

Two-time world champions Uruguay’s hopes of progressing are in serious danger, though, after again being held by lower-ranked opposition after their 1-1 draw with the Saudis.

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The South Americans may need to beat European champions Spain next weekend to avoid a second consecutive World Cup group-stage exit.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa made two changes to the team which were held by Saudi Arabia, with Al Hilal striker Darwin Nunez dropping to the bench.

Bubista opted for three alterations to his Cape Verde team, all in attacking positions.

Cape Verde started with more intent going forward than they were able to show against Spain, but it was still Uruguay who created the first real opening when Federico Valverde drilled a left-footed shot wide.

But the tournament debutants forged ahead when Pina crashed a long-range free-kick through a poor Uruguay wall and past Muslera.

Uruguay were in desperate need of their equaliser when it arrived in the 44th minute.

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Sidney Lopes Cabral headed the ball against his own post under pressure from Rodrigo Bentancur, and Araujo stooped to nod in the rebound with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha stranded.

They completed the turnaround in the sixth minute of first-half added time, as Canobbio turned in Araujo’s header across the goal on the volley.

Uruguay appeared in control early in the second half until Muslera inexplicably raced out of his goal in the 61st minute and Cape Verde substitute Varela took full advantage to roll the ball into an empty net after an excellent first touch.

Vozinha, the hero of Cape Verde’s draw with Spain, fumbled to allow Araujo to tap in, but his blushes were spared by an offside flag.

Real Madrid midfielder Valverde blazed a late free-kick over the bar from just outside the box, leaving Uruguay on the brink of a hugely disappointing exit.

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: 10-man Belgium held to goalless draw by Iran

Belgium were held to a scoreless draw by Iran in a frustrating encounter Sunday that saw the Red Devils reduced to 10 men and facing the possibility of group-stage elimination for a second straight World Cup.

A star-studded though aging lineup, including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, was, if anything, fortunate to leave Los Angeles with a point, controlling possession yet ceding the game’s best chances to a resolute Iran team.

Iran’s Mehdi Taremi had the ball in the net from a well-worked first-half free kick that was overturned for offside by VAR, while Nathan Ngoy was sent off after the break for hauling down the striker after a badly mis-hit backpass.

The result means all three games in Group G so far have ended in draws. Stuck on two points, Belgium at least have the comfort of playing the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, New Zealand, in their final group game.

Iran will also need at least a point against Egypt next Friday. Having been frustrated by visa issues while traveling from their base camp in Mexico to games in the US, Team Melli will hope to focus on the football as travel restrictions are reportedly easing for their crucial trip to Seattle.

For the second Iran game running, protesters from Los Angeles’ large Persian exile community gathered at the stadium to chant against the country’s hardline regime.

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Inside the stadium, Iran’s anthem again drew a chorus of boos and whistles — a reception at odds with the response to the players themselves, who were loudly cheered.

Having switched to a back five, Iran sat deep in the first half, allowing Belgium to dominate possession and to play hundreds of passes around their penalty area without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

Target man Lukaku, back in the starting lineup after making an impact from the bench in Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egpyt, managed a solitary headed effort in the 36th minute, which sailed over the bar.

Iran had the first half’s two best chances, entirely against the run of play. Hossein Kanani’s low shot after a long throw was well saved by an outstretched Thibaut Courtois.

And Iran’s star striker Taremi had the ball in the net midway through the half after a cleverly worked free kick, but it was ruled offside.

The former Inter Milan man span away from Belgium’s wall, swiveled and buried the ball, before VAR overruled the effort, to the dismay of a vocally pro-Iran crowd.

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After the break, Belgium continued to huff and puff while Taremi again nearly scored at the other end. Courtois did well to save after Kanani had flicked on a long throw to the Iran forward.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia made a triple substitution around the hour mark and his side immediately came close, Maxim De Cuyper’s point-blank effort from De Bruyne’s cut-back well saved.

Substitute Hans Vanaken blasted a shot from a rebound well over the bar moments later, as the Red Devils finally began to knock on Iran’s door in earnest.

But disaster struck for Belgium as Ngoy was sent off. The center-back had badly underhit a pass back to Courtois, and raised his arm into Taremi as the striker raced through on goal.

The game settled into a nervous, scrappy stalemate, though De Cuyper again came close with a low effort from just outside the box.

READ: FIFA World Cup: Lamine Yamal inspires Spain rout of Saudi Arabia

DALLAS: Former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard has replaced compatriot Chris Gayle as the leading scorer in T20 cricket. 

The 39-year-old moved ahead of Gayle’s tally of 14,562 runs with a century for MI New York in Major League Cricket  (MLC).

Pollard now has 14,583 runs in a record 736 matches — the most in the limited-overs format.

The record, which had stood for a long time, could be changed quickly, with former England opener Alex Hales sitting 134 runs behind, followed by Jos Buttler, who is in fourth place, trailing by 212 runs.

Most runs in T20 cricket

Player	Runs
Kieron Pollard	14,583
Chris Gayle	14,562
Alex Hales	14,449
Jos Buttler	14,371
David Warner	14,284
Virat Kohli	14,218

Chris Gayle, who last played a competitive T20 match in 2022, remained the leading run scorer since 2014.

Kieron Pollard’s milestone came in a 30-run against Washington Freedom. His knock was overshadowed by Australia all-rounder Mitchell Owen’s unbeaten 155.*

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It is worth mentioning that Pollard is the only middle-order batter in the top six of the standings, with the other five openers or top-order batters.

After breaking the record, Pollard shared his thoughts on the achievement during he post match presentation.

“Surpassing Chris Gayle, someone we looked up to in the West Indies over a period of time, is special,” he said.

He praised the talismanic batter for his performances in all formats of the game while admitting that batting lower down the order comes with many challenges.

“He has done great things in all formats of cricket, so again, sorry Universe Boss, but we are both at the top there,” he added.

“Having said that, batting at No. 6 or 7 is very difficult. Somebody needs to do the dirty work, though, and while everyone rushes to bat at the top of the order, a cricket match involves 11 people, and everyone has a role to play,” he admitted.

“I guess my role over time was to finish matches, and I embraced that. Once you embrace the challenge and practice for it, good things come,” Pollard concluded.

READ: Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson included in squad after ECB warning

ATLANTA: Lamine Yamal starred on his return as Spain bounced back from a goalless draw against Cape Verde to thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

On his return after two months from a groin injury, Yamal made an immediate impact, ending La Roja’s goal drought.

Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Mikel Oyarzabal’s brace put the Spaniards way ahead in the competition in the first 24 minutes.

Luis de la Fuente’s men now sit at the top of the table in Group H.

Yamal brilliantly slotted a low pass from Oyarzabal into the net to give his side an early lead. The second goal of the evening came off a corner, picked by Olmo from the right side of the box. Oyarzabal found the oppurtunity and found the right side of the goal.

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The Real Sociedad forward scored again in just three minutes. He converted a volley from Dani Olmo’s header to score his 14th goal for his country in his last 13 appearances.

After a dominant first half, Luis de la Fuente substituted both Yamal and Oyarzabal.

The changes did not disrupt the waves of Spanish attack towards the Saudi goal, but the fourth also came via a corner.

Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Al-Owais saved a strong shot from Marc Cucurella right after the second half started. But the ball bounced off defender Al Tambakti and went into the net, making it 4-0 for Spain.

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Notably, Saudi Arabia had only one shot on target throughout the match, coming in the last 10 minutes from Abdullah Al Hamdan.

Saudi Arabia will play their final group game against Cape Verde in a bid to advance through to the knockouts for the first time in 32 years.

Meanwhile, Spain will travel to Guadalajara next for the final group game against two-time winners Uruguay on Friday.

READ: Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson included in squad after ECB warning