In a thrilling World Cup round of 32 match, Gabriel Martinelli’s late heroics led Brazil to a sensational 2-1 win over Japan. (AP Photo) Super-sub Gabriel Martinelli emerged as Brazil’s saviour, scoring a breathtaking winner deep into stoppage time to script a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over a resilient Japan FIFA World Cup 32 matchup…
A Germany fan reacts at the end of the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and, in the end, the Germans always win.” Gary Lineker’s…
Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez celebrates after winning the 32nd World Cup soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Germany’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign came to a stunning end after Paraguay produced one of the biggest knockout upsets in the tournament’s history, defeating the four-time…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi practices for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Lionel Messi may lead the Golden Boot race and continue to rewrite FIFA World Cup history, but the Argentina captain is not the tournament’s top attacking player after the group stage.In contrast, The…
Hello and welcome to Offside: your daily summary and wait for the World Cup. The strangest thing about Day 18 was that it only had one game and it was one that would have made cricket fans feel like they were watching the first round of an ICC tournament if Cricket Canada hadn’t been busted…
Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes under police investigation (Image: X) Cape Verde’s extraordinary FIFA World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by a serious development off the pitch, with captain Ryan Mendes currently under investigation by New Zealand Police following an allegation of rape made by a Brazilian woman.The allegation was first reported by Brazilian outlet…
France’s Kylian Mbappe, left, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, center, and Norway’s Erling Haaland. (AP Photo) The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially moved into its knockout stage following the conclusion of a record-setting group stage, with Canada setting the tone by winning the opening round of 32 match in dramatic fashion on Sunday.Stephen Eustáquio’s winner inspired…
Carlo Ancelotti describes Brazil’s KO mantra (Image: X) Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil booked their place in the Round of 32 as Group winners with seven points and now face Japan in Houston. Ahead of the knockout tie, coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted his side must rely on “mind, heart and a clear idea” to…
Canada secured a historic 1-0 win over South Africa at SoFi Stadium, with Stephen Eustaquio scoring a stunning 92nd-minute volley to seal their first World Cup knockout stage victory. (AP Photo) A stunning 92nd-minute volley from midfielder Stephen Eustaquio propelled co-hosts Canada to a historic 1-0 win over South Africa at SoFi Stadium on Sunday…
A giant FIFA World Cup balloon (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered the Round of 32. With Canada and South Africa starting the knockout stage, fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the next phase of the tournament.So, who will be the favorites?BrazilThe most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history…
Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo by Getty Images) Cristiano Ronaldo achieved another great FIFA World Cup milestone on Saturday, as Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw by Colombia in their final Group K match. The result was enough for both teams to qualify for the Round of 32, with Colombia finishing top of the group and…
Lionel Messi added another FIFA World Cup career record after becoming the player with the most goals scored from outside the penalty area in the tournament’s history during Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan in their Group J final in Arlington.The Argentina captain scored with a free-kick in the 80th minute at AT&T Stadium on Saturday…
NEW DELHI: Africa achieved its best ever performance in a FIFA World Cupwith nine of its 10 teams reaching the Round of 32 at the 2026 tournament. It is the first time that so many African nations have qualified for the knockout phase. The previous record was just two teams, set at the 2014 World…
Michel Kuka Mboladinga (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: The most famous football fan of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Michel Kuka Mboladinga, could not attend the crucial one for his country. FIFA World Cup match against Uzbekistan after being denied a US visa.Known to fans around the world as “Lumumba Vea”, Mboladinga has become one…
Colombia’s James Rodriguez (10) walks off the field after being substituted during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) James Rodríguez added another landmark to his remarkable international career on June 27, 2026, becoming the Colombian footballer with the most…
Lionel Messi (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Defending champions Argentina ended the group stage with three wins from three after beating Jordan 3-1 on Saturday.Giovani Lo Celso, Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi scored for Argentina, who had already secured top spot in Group J before the match. Jordan, playing in his first World Cup, ended…
Lionel Messi made history once again after becoming the first player to score in seven straight FIFA World Cup matches during Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan on Saturday.The Argentina captain came off the bench in the second half and scored from a free kick in the 80th minute. After being fouled just outside the penalty…
Players embrace after the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Colombia’s 0-0 draw against Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered for much more than deciding the classification of Group K. While the result secured Colombia first…
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) waves after the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Colombia secured top spot in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Portugal in an entertaining 0-0 draw at the Miami Stadium in Florida,…
Shubman Gill and Ronaldinho (Agency Image) Indian captain Shubman Gill shared a memorable moment away from the cricket field as he met Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho Gaúcho during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Gill meets Ronaldinho Gill, who currently leads India in both Tests and ODIs, has had a remarkable rise…
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start for Portugal in their decisive Group K final against Colombia as the two nations prepare to meet for the first time in senior…
Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij mourn the loss of their newborn son during the 2026 FIFA World Cup / X, AP Liverpool and Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo has asked for privacy after he and partner Noa van der Bij announced the devastating loss of their newborn son during pregnancy. The couple,…
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (9) heads the ball into the goal for his team’s fourth goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Belgium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo) Romelu Lukaku became Belgium’s top scorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring in his side’s 5-1…
Legendary manager Marcelo Bielsa screams (Screengrabs) Marcelo Bielsa’s future as Uruguay coach has come under fresh scrutiny following the team’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Uruguay failed to win a single game in Group H, defeats against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Spain that ended their…
NEW DELHI: Iran’s football team has again won praise for a heartwarming gesture off the field after their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Egypt in Seattle.After the 1-1 draw, which helped Egypt qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history, Iranian players left a handwritten message in the…
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) warms up before the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) France secured top spot in Group I with an emphatic 4-1 win over Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but preparations for the match…
Cape Verde’s players celebrate their 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia after the World Cup Group H soccer match in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Cape Verde’s remarkable debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reached another historic milestone on Friday as the Blue Sharks secured qualification for the Round of 32…
Spain players react after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 as Group H winners after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay at the Guadalajara Stadium,…
In an electrifying first half, Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick, leading France to a decisive 4-1 victory over Norway. (AP Photo) Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele He put on a breathtaking first-half masterclass, bagging a sensational hat-trick to power France to a 4-1 victory over Norway at Gillette Stadium on Friday. With this dominant…
a breakthrough achievement, Yuto Nagatomo made history as the first Asian footballer to play in five FIFA World Cups. At 39, the Japanese defender’s extraordinary career began in 2010, culminating in his appearance at the 2026 tournament. (Photo/ANI) Japanese soccer legend Yuto Nagatomo etched his name into the halls of absolute immortality, becoming the first…