Kane: Tuchel team talk transformed 'nervy' England

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

Kane: Tuchel team talk transformed 'nervy' England

Arlington: Captain Harry Kane credited Thomas Tuchel with delivering a half-time team talk that propelled England to a 4-2 win over Croatia to launch their FIFA World Cup 2026 title bid on Wednesday.

Kane scored twice in the first half of a chaotic encounter in Texas, one a retaken penalty, only for 2018 runners-up Croatia to fight back to go in 2-2 at the break.

England started the second half with a bang, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham galloping down the wing before pinging the ball into the bottom corner.

One of the favourites to win the tournament in North America, England conjured up numerous chances after that through Kane, Bellingham and Nico O'Reilly, before substitute Marcus Rashford wrapped up the three points.

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MD1: The Asian goals

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

MD1: The Asian goals

Los Angeles: Matchday One of the FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded with all nine Asian teams having done their best to shine on the global stage.

While there were highs and lows for the continent's representatives, all nine sides found the back of the net in matches against top-quality opponents.

The-AFC.com rewinds the Asian goals and invites you - the fans - to tell us which is your favourite.

Group A: Mexico 1-0 Korea Republic

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Group A: Mexico 1-0 Korea Republic

Zapopan: Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 1-0 win over Korea Republic at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.

Luis Romo's goal just after half-time put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go following a goalkeeping mistake by Kim Seung-gyu. In contrast, Mexico stopper Raul Rangel made a superb double save in the dying minutes to preserve their lead.

Finishing top keeps Mexico at home in the last 32 with a game against a third-placed team in Mexico City. Korea Republic are second on three points, with Czechia and South Africa also still alive on one.

Group A: Czechia 1-1 South Africa

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Group A: Czechia 1-1 South Africa

Atlanta: Teboho Mokoena's penalty kept South Africa's dream of reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czechia on Thursday.

Michal Sadilek's early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation.

 

But Mokoena's late spot-kick kept both teams in the hunt for the last 32, although they will almost certainly have to win their final Group A fixture to advance.

Group B: Canada 6-0 Qatar

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Group B: Canada 6-0 Qatar

Vancouver: Canada defeated nine-man Qatar 6-0 to clinch their first ever FIFA World Cup victory on Thursday in a Group B match marred by a serious injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.

A Jonathan David hat-trick, one apiece form Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba as well as a Qatar own goal sealed a momentous victory for the Canadians, who now need only a draw against Switzerland in their final match to finish top of the group.

Group B: Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Group B: Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Los Angeles: Super subs Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas fired Switzerland to a 4-1 win over 10-man Bosnia-Herzegovina in a late rush of goals in their FIFA World Cup 2026 tie on Thursday.

The result gave the Swiss a strong chance of reaching the knockout round as one of the top two teams in Group B.

 

They had been controlling a largely tepid stalemate at the SoFi Stadium until coach Murat Yakin rang the changes in the 72nd minute, bringing on the pair of forwards who immediately transformed the game.