Madueke ready to be England's game-changer

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Madueke ready to be England's game-changer

Kansas City: Noni Madueke believes he can be England's spark as Thomas Tuchel's men prepare to face Congo DR in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, with patience likely to be required against a stubborn defence.

England play the African nation in Atlanta in the last 32 on Wednesday, with criticism still ringing in their ears following their laboured efforts in the group stage, which included a dull 0-0 draw with Ghana.

Congo DR, playing at their first World Cup since 1974, held Portugal to a 1-1 draw earlier in the tournament and are expected to set up defensively against Tuchel's team.

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R32: Brazil 2-1 Japan

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

R32: Brazil 2-1 Japan

Houston: Japan's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion on Monday as Brazil struck late to seal a 2-1 win in their Round of 32 tie.

Kaishu Sano gave Japan the lead in the 29th minute with Casemiro heading home the equaliser in the 56th.

Brazil kept pushing and were rewarded with the winning goal through Gabriel Martinelli deep into added time as Japan's dream came to an end. The five-time champions will face either Cote d'Ivoire or Norway in in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

R32: Germany 1 (3)-(4) 1 Paraguay

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

R32: Germany 1 (3)-(4) 1 Paraguay

Foxborough: Germany crashed out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the hands of Paraguay in the last 32 after losing 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Foxborough on Monday.

It marks the first time that Germany have ever lost a penalty shootout at a FIFA World Cup.

Julio Enciso headed Paraguay into a shock lead before half-time, but Kai Havertz levelled for Germany on 54 minutes with his third goal of the tournament.

Jonathan Tah saw a goal disallowed after a VAR review in extra time, before Paraguay held on to shock Germany in a wild, nerve-jangling shootout as the momentum swung back and forth.

Marsch praises Canada's history-making heroes

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Marsch praises Canada's history-making heroes

Los Angeles: Jesse Marsch hailed his "Canadian heroes" for making history by reaching the FIFA World Cup last 16 on Sunday, describing their upcoming clash with either the Netherlands or Morocco as a "free hit."

Co-hosts Canada entered this tournament having lost all six games across two previous FIFA World Cup appearances, but are now the first team to reach the second knockout round thanks to a 1-0 win over South Africa.

Sellami: Jordan will put lessons learnt to good use

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Sellami: Jordan will put lessons learnt to good use

Arlington: Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami believes his players will benefit from their experience at the nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup after a 3-1 loss to defending champions Argentina saw the West Asian side bow out of the competition without a point in Group J.

Mousa Al Tamari came off the bench to score for the Jordanians 10 minutes into the second half, the France-based striker halving Argentina’s lead after Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez had given Lionel Scaloni’s side a two-goal half-time lead.

Lionel Messi then scored with an 80th minute free-kick to take the three-times winners into the next round while the Jordanians made their way to the exit door after losses against Argentina, Austria and Algeria.

Cannavaro calls for continued investment in Uzbekistan football

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Cannavaro calls for continued investment in Uzbekistan football

Atlanta: Fabio Cannavaro urged Uzbekistan to continue investing in football after their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey came to an end on Saturday.

A 3-1 defeat to Congo DR followed earlier losses against Colombia and Portugal as the tournament debutants learnt some harsh lessons on the global stage.