Japan's Ueda ready to fire against Sweden

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Japan's Ueda ready to fire against Sweden

Monterrey: Ayase Ueda warned Sweden his confidence was sky-high after the red-hot striker scored a classy FIFA World Cup brace to put Japan on the cusp of the knockout rounds.

Japan defeated Tunisia 4-0 on Saturday to join the Netherlands at the top of Group F and all but seal their place in the last 32 with a game to spare.

That game is against Sweden, who sit third after being beaten 5-1 by the Dutch in Houston.

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Nagelsmann: Advancing to knockout stage not enough for Germany

Sun, 21 Jun, 2026

Nagelsmann: Advancing to knockout stage not enough for Germany

Toronto: Head coach Julian Nagelsmann was thrilled by Germany's comeback victory against Ivory Coast on Saturday, but stopped short of celebrating his side advancing to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2014.

Germany failed to get out of the group stage both at Russia 2018 and four years ago in Qatar.

Saturday's dramatic win, secured in added time with a second goal from substitute Deniz Undav, guarantees the Germans will advance and snaps a streak of bitter FIFA World Cup disappointment for the four-time winners.

Group H: Uruguay 2-2 Cabo Verde

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Group H: Uruguay 2-2 Cabo Verde

Miami Gardens: FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde scored a second-half equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uruguay on Sunday in Miami, backing up their shock opening stalemate with Spain.

The debutants took the lead in Miami against the two-time former winners when Kevin Pina rifled in their first-ever World Cup goal before Uruguay hit back on the stroke of half-time to lead through Maximiliano Araujo and Agustin Canobbio, but Cabo Verdean Helio Varela netted just after the hour to ensure the spoils were shared in the tightly-contested pool.

Gakpo savours 'freedom' to fire Dutch in title bid

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Gakpo savours 'freedom' to fire Dutch in title bid

Houston: Cody Gakpo faced flak from Liverpool fans as their Premier League title defence imploded but at the FIFA World Cup 2026 he is proving to be the man for the big occasion with his country.

The forward set up Brian Brobbey for the opening goal and grabbed two himself in the second half as the Netherlands dismantled Sweden 5-1 in Houston on Saturday.

After being held 2-2 by Japan, it gave Ronald Koeman's side liftoff at the tournament in North America and put them on the brink of the last 32.

In a Group F encounter packed with top Premier League attacking talent, including Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres for Sweden, Gakpo topped the billing.

Mbappe ready for special 100th cap

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Mbappe ready for special 100th cap

Philadelphia: Kylian Mbappe has already reached one major landmark at this year's FIFA 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.

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.

Group G: Belgium 0-0 IR Iran

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Group G: Belgium 0-0 IR Iran

Inglewood: Belgium were held to a goalless draw by Islamic Republic of Iran in an absorbing encounter on Sunday that saw the European side reduced to 10 men and facing the possibility of group-stage elimination for a second straight FIFA World Cup.

A star-studded though ageing 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.