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Better to qualify this way, says Ecuador hero Plata

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Better to qualify this way, says Ecuador hero Plata

East Rutherford: Ecuador's FIFA World Cup 2026 hero Gonzalo Plata said qualifying for the last 32 with a dramatic 2-1 win over Germany on Thursday made the achievement even sweeter.

Plata bagged the winning goal in the 77th minute in New Jersey as Ecuador snatched a place in the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed sides.

However, they did it the hard way after taking just one point from their opening two Group E games, including a frustrating 0-0 draw against rank outsiders Curacao.

Potter realistic about Sweden's chances

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Potter realistic about Sweden's chances

Arlington: Graham Potter said his Sweden team will be underdogs no matter who they face after sneaking into the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage on Thursday.

Sweden grabbed a place in the last 32 following a 1-1 draw with Japan in Group F to advance as one of the best third-placed finishers.

Sweden defeated Tunisia 5-1, then lost to the Netherlands by the same scoreline, before giving Japan a fright at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Japan's Moriyasu looking forward to Brazil challenge

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Japan's Moriyasu looking forward to Brazil challenge

Arlington: Japan will head into their FIFA World Cup 2026 clash against Brazil with confidence, head coach Hajime Moriyasu said on Thursday.

The Japanese tactician said he was relishing the chance of locking horns with the five-time world champions, with the sides to meet in the Round of 32 on Monday.

The last meeting between the sides - an international friendly last October - ended 3-2 in favour of Japan which halted a run of 13 consecutive matches without victory for the East Asian side against the South American giants.

Australia eye 'something special' after reaching knockout stage

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Australia eye 'something special' after reaching knockout stage

Santa Clara: Head coach Tony Popovic said Australia want to do "something special" after reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for only the third time in their history.

The Socceroos played out a 0-0 draw on Thursday with Paraguay in Santa Clara in a stalemate that suited both teams.

Australia, who stunned Turkey in their opening match before losing to co-hosts the United States, qualified for the last 32 as runners-up in Group D.

Next they play at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys on July 3 against the side that finishes second in Group G, which comprises Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Belgium and New Zealand.

Group I: Norway 1-4 France

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Group I: Norway 1-4 France

Foxborough: Ousmane Dembele scored one of the earliest hat-tricks in FIFA World Cup history on Friday as the Ballon d'Or winner starred in France's 4-1 win over a second-string Norway, while Erling Haaland watched on from the bench.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Dembele opened the scoring in the seventh minute at the Gillette Stadium near Boston, struck again on 20 minutes and, after Thelo Aasgaard had pulled one back, he made it 3-1 in the 32nd minute.

 

Desire Doue completed the scoring late on, and the victory allowed France to end the group stage with the maximum nine points – they have scored 10 goals in three games and advance as Group I winners.
 
Norway, who also saw Jorgen Strand Larsen have a penalty saved, go through in second place with six points, their progress already having been secured before this game thanks to wins over Iraq and Senegal.

Group I: Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Group I: Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Toronto: Iraq's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign came to an end following a 5-0 defeat against Senegal in Group I on Friday.

The loss meant Iraq concluded their return to the global stage for the first time in 40 years with three defeats while victory kept Senegal in the race to advance as one of the best eight third-placed sides.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-i-senegal-v-iraq

Naive Germany frustrate Nagelsmann

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Naive Germany frustrate Nagelsmann

East Rutherford: Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side, who had already qualified for the last 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, had committed "tactical suicide" after Ecuador came from behind to beat the Germans 2-1 on Thursday.

Leroy Sane gave Group E winners Germany a perfect start by netting after two minutes but Nilson Angulo equalised seven minutes later.

With Ecuador chasing a place in the knockout round, they were the hungrier side and Gonzalo Plata scored a priceless winner on 77 minutes in New Jersey that put them in third place, which was enough for a place in the next phase.

Preview - Group J: Jordan v Argentina

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group J: Jordan v Argentina

Arlington: Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami is confident his players have overcome their disappointment of the 2-1 defeat to Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and will go into their final Group J clash with defending champions Argentina in Dallas on Saturday in a positive frame of mind.

The loss to the North African side, which came after Nizar Al Rashdan had given the Jordanians a first-half lead, means Sellami's side have no chance of progressing to the knockout rounds in the country's debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Preview - Group K: Congo DR v Uzbekistan

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group K: Congo DR v Uzbekistan

Atlanta: Uzbekistan will be playing to stay in contention when they face Congo DR in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K tie on Friday.

Fabio Cannavaro’s side know victory isn't likely to be enough to seal qualification to the next stage but it will allow Uzbekistan to make a statement in their global stage debut.

Advocaat: Curacao exit with heads held high

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Advocaat: Curacao exit with heads held high

Philadelphia: Curacao head coach Dick Advocaat said on Thursday his team could go out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with their heads held high as the veteran Dutchman did not rule out remaining in charge of the Caribbean side.

After a 7-1 defeat by Germany on their FIFA World Cup debut, and a battling 0-0 draw with Ecuador for their first ever point at the tournament, Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Cote d'Ivoire saw them finishing bottom of Group E.

Group D: Turkiye 3-2 United States

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group D: Turkiye 3-2 United States

Inglewood: Turkiye beat a heavily changed United States 3-2 on Thursday with a late Kaan Ayhan winner in an action-packed dead-rubber clash that gave the FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts their sternest test so far ahead of the knockout rounds.

Already crowned Group D winners, the US arrived in Los Angeles seeking to extend a perfect start with a third win, but with more than an eye on next Wednesday's last-32 meeting against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
 
For Turkiye, already eliminated and without even a goal after disastrous losses to Paraguay and Australia, the only objective was to restore some pride.