Ronaldo 'won't make rash decisions'

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Ronaldo 'won't make rash decisions'

Arlington: Cristiano Ronaldo said that he won't rush into a decision about his future following Portugal's exit to Spain in his last FIFA World Cup match on Monday.

The 41-year-old Portugal great said on the eve of the last-16 encounter, which his team lost 1-0, that this was his final FIFA World Cup.

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R16: Portugal 0-1 Spain

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

R16: Portugal 0-1 Spain

Arlington: Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup career on Monday.

The European champions will face Belgium - who defeated the United States 4-1 later on Monday - in the quarter-finals.

In front of an expectant crowd of 70,649 at the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium, a match that on paper promised so much failed to really deliver.

Extra time looked certain, before fellow substitute Ferran Torres slipped in Merino to settle the contest in the first minute of injury time.

It meant a sour final FIFA World Cup match for the 41-year-old Ronaldo, having confirmed on the eve of the encounter that this would be his last dance on football's biggest stage.

R16: USA 1-4 Belgium

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

R16: USA 1-4 Belgium

Seattle: Belgium brought the United States' FIFA World Cup 2026 party to a shattering halt on Monday, thrashing the tournament co-hosts 4-1 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Spain.

Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken punished a goalkeeping howler, and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a fourth to settle a last-16 clash that had been overshadowed by the pre-match uproar surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun.

Kane, Bellingham applaud England's resolve

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

Kane, Bellingham applaud England's resolve

Ciudad de Mexico: Captain Harry Kane said he was proud that England had found a way to win a nerve-jangling FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 match against Mexico on Sunday.

The Three Lions were on the back foot for a third of the match after defender Jarell Quansah was sent off for a high challenge. 

Norway's win over Brazil beyond Haaland's dreams

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

Norway's win over Brazil beyond Haaland's dreams

East Rutherford: Norway striker Erling Haaland said the 2-1 win over Brazil in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday was something he'd "never dreamed of".

Haaland scored both goals as Norway reached the quarter-finals for the first time, taking his haul for the tournament to seven – level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.

Ancelotti promises Brazil will bounce back

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

Ancelotti promises Brazil will bounce back

East Rutherford: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Sunday's painful FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 exit at the hands of Norway should be used as "fuel" for the future as he insisted their disappointing tournament is "the start of a new cycle".

Erling Haaland scored two late goals for Norway in a match which hinged on an early penalty by Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes which was saved. Neymar's successful spot-kick in injury time was scant consolation.