Cabo Verde hero Vozinha sheds 'tears of resilience' after stopping Spain

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Cabo Verde hero Vozinha sheds 'tears of resilience' after stopping Spain

Atlanta: Spain failed to find a way past inspired Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha as the 40-year-old secured a stunning 0-0 draw for the FIFA World Cup debutants and was reduced to tears at his heroics.

La Roja rolled into Atlanta as one of the pre-tournament favourites with head coach Luis de la Fuente boasting that he has the best squad in the competition.

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Mixed feelings for Japan's Moriyasu

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Mixed feelings for Japan's Moriyasu

Arlington: Hajime Moriyasu admitted he had mixed feelings following Japan's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F tie on Sunday.

While pleased with the resolve shown by his players to salvage a point after twice going behind, the Japanese tactician the target going into the tie was achieving victory.

Group G: IR Iran 2-2 New Zealand

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Group G: IR Iran 2-2 New Zealand

Inglewood: Islamic Republic of Iran twice battled back for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match on Monday.

Striker Elijah Just scored both New Zealand goals but the Oceania side were denied their first FIFA World Cup win by strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.

Group H: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Group H: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Miami Gardens: Saudi Arabia displayed immense defensive resilience to hold Uruguay to a 1-1 draw in Group H of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday.

Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais produced an outstanding performance as three-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners Saudi Arabia absorbed intense pressure in the second half to deny the South American side full points and leave the group wide open following Spain's goalless draw with Cape Verde in their match.

Defender Abdulelah al-Amri gave the Saudis a surprise lead near the end of the first half only for Uruguay's second-half pressure to pay off with 10 minutes left through Maxi Araujo.

Group H: Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Group H: Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde

Atlanta: Spain's ghosts of recent FIFA World Cup horror shows reappeared in Atlanta as the European champions were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in their Group H opener on Monday.

Lamine Yamal was left on the bench as the Barcelona superstar is eased back to fitness after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury and even his appearance as a second-half substitute failed to break down Cape Verde's dogged defence.

 

Since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.

Solbakken expects 'big impact' from Haaland

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Solbakken expects 'big impact' from Haaland

Boston: Norway head coach Stale Solbakken says star striker Erling Haaland is poised to make a "very big impact" as his country returns to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

Haaland scored 16 times as Norway powered through qualifying with a perfect record, twice beating Italy, to secure a first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998.