Paraguay coach salutes extraordinary win over Germany

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Paraguay coach salutes extraordinary win over Germany

Foxborough: Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro praised his players for producing an "extraordinary" performance after beating Germany on penalties to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 on Monday. 

Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a first-half lead in Foxborough, but Kai Havertz equalised and it appeared four-time world champions Germany would eventually scrape through in extra time.

However, Jonathan Tah had a goal chalked off and Paraguay won 4-3 in a dramatic shootout as goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves, after a 1-1 draw.

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R32: France 3-0 Sweden

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

R32: France 3-0 Sweden

East Rutherford: Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Michael Olise was in scintillating form as France beat Sweden 3-0 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday and set up a last-16 clash with Paraguay.

Mbappe finished a superb move to break the deadlock just before half-time in the last-32 tie watched by 80,663 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, after France had already hit the woodwork twice - once through Mbappe and once through Olise.

The French were on top throughout against a limited Swedish side, utterly dominating in terms of possession and shots on goal. Olise set up Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola for the second on 53 minutes, and then delivered a delightful pass for Mbappe to complete a convincing victory.

R32: Cote d’Ivoire 1-2 Norway

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

R32: Cote d’Ivoire 1-2 Norway

Arlington: Erling Haaland scored a late winner as Norway set up a last-16 showdown with Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after taming the Ivory Coast 2-1 in Texas on Tuesday.

The Manchester City striker prodded in from close range, the ball dribbling in on 86 minutes for his fifth goal of the tournament. It was the first time that Norway had won a knockout game in the history of the competition.

After an even first half that was slow to get going, Antonio Nusa fired Norway into the lead six minutes before the break with one of the goals of the tournament. Manchester United's Amad Diallo was sent on for the Ivory Coast after an hour and was immediately in the thick of it, stopping a certain second Norway goal and then grabbing a terrific equaliser on 74 minutes.

With extra time looming, predator supreme Haaland got on the end of a cross by Patrick Berg to make some Norwegian history.

Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Houston: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan have proved they have what it takes to one day win the FIFA World Cup following a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday.

Japan lost in the last 32 after giving up a 1-0 half-time lead, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring an injury-time winner in Houston.

Some of the Japan players were in tears at the end as the East Asian side's wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout stage win continued.

Ancelotti never doubted 'suffering' Brazil would score

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Ancelotti never doubted 'suffering' Brazil would score

Houston: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said he knew his "suffering" side would eventually score and praised their patience in reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston for the five-time champions and sent Japan home.

Japan led 1-0 at the break after some sloppy Brazil play but the South Americans dominated the second half with goals from veteran Casemiro and Arsenal winger Martinelli at the death and will play Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Germany's Nagelsmann keen to stay on

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Germany's Nagelsmann keen to stay on

Foxborough: Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said he wanted to stay in his job despite the defeat on penalties to Paraguay that sent the four-time FIFA World Cup winners crashing out in the last 32 on Monday.

Nagelsmann has a contract up to the 2028 European Championships but Germany's premature exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 will put the 38-year-old under intense scrutiny.