…forcing Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón into action in the first half. But Spain national football team held firm, with Rodri anchoring a disciplined defensive structure that blunted Portugal's attack for long periods. The match remained tightly contested throughout, with few clear chances. Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano…
…front three. The winners will advance to the World Cup semi-finals as two of Europe’s football heavyweights renew one of international football’s biggest rivalries. Confirmed line-ups Portugal: Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes; Pedro Neto, Cristiano…
Brazil’s football federation on Monday defended the integrity of a referee who US President Donald Trump said was “a little bit suspect”, amid a furore over FIFA’s reversal of a red card given to US striker Folarin Balogun. Trump took a swipe at Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who showed Balogun the red card, in the l…
…in the last eight. Ronaldo, the leading scorer in the history of international men’s football, has three goals in four matches so far in North America. AFP
…acted in bad faith by seeking the spotlight," he said, as per SPORT. The Brazil national football team forward also came to the defence of Guimaraes, urging fans not to define his international career by the missed penalty. "I hope that Bruno Guimaraes's career with the Brazilian national team isn't marred by this mist…
…were absolutely right. So what changed? While President Donald Trump on Sunday thanked football's world governing body FIFA for suspending the red card issued to USA's Folarin Balogun, paving the way for the striker to play in a last-16 World Cup showdown against Belgium. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, an…
…calls everything into question… “These two individuals, neither of whom has a clue about football, shouldn’t have anything to do with it,” the 59-year-old added. Balogun, 25, was shown straight a red card after a VAR review showed him stepping on the foot of a Bosnia defender in the US’s 2-0 last-32 win. FIFA’s regulat…
…The five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he would eventually step away from international football with no regrets, insisting he had given everything to the game. "The day will come [when I retire from international football]. But I'll be honest: whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience-100%…
…the next FIFA World Cup, saying it would be exciting to see the Super Eagles return to football's biggest stage. "Would be exciting if Nigeria makes it through to the next World Cup," she wrote.
…injustice!" the president wrote on his Truth Social platform. But the Royal Belgian Football Association reacted furiously, adding that it was "astonished" by the decision and "investigating all potential options". Balogun, who has scored three goals at this World Cup, had been set to miss Monday's match after being se…
…25, who has now scored 62 goals in 54 appearances for Norway. "It's a bit surreal. As a footballer, you want to play in the World Cup and perform well, but to score seven goals for Norway at the World Cup is quite special. "It's unreal, and I don't have the words. It's difficult to describe what I'm feeling because it…
…the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana's extraordinary football talent." Quieroz was only appointed in April when Otto Addo was dismissed. AFP
Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he will retire from international football on his own terms, dismissing persistent questions about the end of his career ahead of Portugal’s FIFA World Cup last-16 clash with Spain. The 41-year-old captain addressed reporters on Sunday before what is expected to be his final World Cup cam…
…at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in what will be his last World Cup. One of the finest footballers in history, the former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid superstar refused to say when he will end his international career. But to numerous questions about what lies ahead and the flak that has come his way in…
Ballon d’Or organisers have responded to the long-running debate over whether footballers must play for European clubs to stand a realistic chance of winning the prestigious award, insisting that while history favours Europe-based players, the prize is open to footballers from any league in the world. With the race for…
…performance, saying the victory had once again raised Africa's profile on the global football stage. His reaction read, "Congratulations to Morocco on a deserved 3-0 victory over Canada and on becoming the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "You have once again lifted the hopes o…
…countries currently missing from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a trend that has forced football-mad supporters in several of the affected nations to throw their support behind other countries at the ongoing tournament in North America. According to a BBC World Service report, of the ten most populous nations globally, only…
Paraguay 0 France 1 K Mbappe (70'70th minute pen)
…Ounahi fired the opener on 50 minutes. Canada - playing the biggest game in their footballing history - pushed for an equaliser, but Ounahi scored his second to finally see off the resistance of Jesse Marsch's men. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi slipped in the third with the last kick of the match. It was tough on Canada,…
…for Egypt and told his team-mates to enjoy it, after the great underachievers of African football finally made their mark on the biggest stage. Salah could well be at his last World Cup, and said: “I always try to enjoy every moment because it does not come back. “So I always tell the boys, ‘just enjoy the moment’, and…
…World Cup continues to produce record-breaking performances, with several stars making football history in the knockout stage. Following the conclusion of the Round of 32 and the commencement of the Round of 16 on Saturday, PUNCH Online highlights the players with the most goals in the knockout phase of World Cup. Acco…
…on by a partisan crowd in Kansas City, continued to dominate, playing fluid, inventive football as they searched for a second goal. Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz had a wonderful chance to double Colombia’s lead in the 39th minute but scuffed his shot wide. Early in first-half stoppage time Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence A…
Colombia 1 J Arias (14'14th minute) Ghana 0
…sweating for over 120 minutes. On his return to the city where he now plays his club football for Inter Miami, Messi’s every move was greeted like a god by the nearly 65,000 crowd that was awash of sky blue and white jerseys. Moments of magic The 39-year-old produced a moment of magic with a feather-like touch from Lis…
…Albion, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028. Like Arthur, Brian began his football career at Arsenal's Hale End Academy, featuring for the Gunners in League Cup and Premier League 2 fixtures before joining West Brom on a one-year deal last summer, following a trial period with the club's Under-21 side. The…