Showing posts with label World Cup 2026. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Cup 2026. Show all posts
Monday, 20 July 2026
Thursday, 16 July 2026
"WE JUST TRIED TO HOLD ON": ENGLAND CAPTAIN HARRY KANE PUTS COACH THOMAS TUCHEL ON SPOTLIGHT
England captain Harry Kane admitted that they became too defensive after taking the lead in the first half and said it was not enough at the highest level.
 |
| Harry Kane questioned coach Thomas Tuchel's tactics against Argentina |
England captain Harry Kane expressed disappointment, saying that he is "gutted for the team, the staff, the fans" after defending champions Argentina staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Three Lions 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time), as per the FIFA website. The result sent Argentina into the World Cup 2026 final, where they will face Spain on Sunday, July 19 (local time), while England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 came to a heartbreaking end.
After the match, Kane expressed his disappointment, saying the team gave everything but were left heartbroken. He admitted that they became too defensive after taking the lead in the first half and said it was not enough at the highest level.
"I'm gutted for the team, the staff, the fans. We played a good game for the majority of it. When we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try to hold on, which at this level is not enough. We worked so hard to be here. The lads have given every bit of blood, sweat and tears. To fall short like we did is just gutting," he said while speaking to the broadcasters, according to the FIFA Website.
Kane said England had several positive moments in the tournament and are close to success, but need to find the missing piece to overcome the final hurdle.
"We had a lot of good moments in this tournament. A lot of good games, another semi-final. We talk about knocking on the door. We're close, we just need to find that missing piece in the final stage of the tournament," Harry Kane added.
Harry Kane reconocio la presion ejercida por Argentina pic.twitter.com/qLmgKKt43H
— Hugo Basilico (@hugobasilico) July 16, 2026
In the match, England took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, but Argentina responded with sustained pressure. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before Lionel Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez's stoppage-time winner to complete the turnaround.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating limited chances in the first half. Argentina's victory ended England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966. The Three Lions will face France in the third-place playoff, while Argentina will meet Spain in the final on July 19.
- ANI
Sunday, 12 July 2026
Thursday, 9 July 2026
NEW WORLD CUP CLIP SHOWS EGYPT COACH SCREAMING IN SCALONU'S FACE AS ARGENTINA BOSS REFUSES TO REACT AFTER VAR STORM
The footage adds another chapter to one of the tournament's most controversial matches.
The controversy surrounding Argentina's dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup continues to produce fresh flashpoints. A day after the VAR decisions in Atlanta sparked accusations of bias and prompted an official complaint from the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), a fresh video surfaced on social media showing just how heated emotions remained after the final whistle.
 |
| Egypt coach Hossam Hassan looks dejected after the match following their elimination from the World Cup (REUTERS) |
In the clip, which quickly went viral, furious members of Egypt's coaching staff are seen confronting match officials inside the tunnel after the game. Moments later, as Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni walked towards the dressing room at Atlanta Stadium, Egypt boss Hossam Hassan appeared to scream animatedly in his direction. Scaloni, however, simply walked past without engaging, barely acknowledging the confrontation.
The footage adds another chapter to 🕐 of the tournament's most controversial matches. Argentina recovered from 2-0 down to score three goals in the final 13 minutes and book their place in the quarterfinals, but the refereeing decisions have continued to dominate the post-match narrative.
What happened?
Egypt thought they had doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Mostafa Ziko finished off a brilliant counterattack after excellent work from Mohamed Salah. However, VAR intervened and ruled out the goal for a foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martínez nearly 100 yards from the Argentina goal during the attacking build-up.
While the decision left Egypt furious, what angered them even more was the perceived inconsistency in the use of VAR. Moments before Enzo Fernández scored Argentina's winner, Egypt appealed for a penalty after Salah went down inside the box following slight contact on his boot, but the incident was not reviewed.
After the match, Ziko vented his frustration while speaking to TSN through a translator.
"It was not fair from the referee. It was really not fair. That was very clear. He wasted all of our efforts with his decisions. We were leading 2-0 and we could do nothing. It's all up to God.
"We are so sorry. We wanted to make you all happy. It was not on the cards. It was the referee. Congratulations to Argentina on the second Cup."
Egypt's protests did not end there. On Wednesday, the Egyptian Football Association lodged an official complaint with FIFA against referee François Letexier and his officiating team, reportedly seeking explanations for the controversial decisions, calling for an investigation into the match, and requesting that the French referee be removed from the remainder of the World Cup.
- Aratrick Mondal
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
FIFA CONTINUED CRITICISM OF OFFICIATING HAS ONE MORE AS ALL ARGENTINA MATCH OFFICIALS SELECTED FOR FRANCE VS. MOROCCO
FIFA are facing a new storm with their match officials selection for France’s next match against Morocco causing a stir.
That’s because the referee Facundo Tello, and his three assistants, are all Argentinian.
France are arguably Argentina’s biggest rivals to win the World Cup and many believe it is an outrage that FIFA has selected Tello and co.
COLOMBIA STAR TAKE SWIPE AT FIFA AFTER A PAINFUL WORLD CUP EXIT
 |
| Colombia fell short against Switzerland but was it a level playing field? (Picture: Getty Images) |
Colombia’s Jhon Arias says teams were not ‘competing on equal terms’ after a painful penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland in the last 16 of the World Cup.
In one of the least memorable games of the tournament, Switzerland edged into the quarter-finals after a goalless draw.
Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez both missed from the spot for Colombia, allowing Ruben Vargas to score the winning penalty for the Swiss.
They will go on to face Argentina in the quarter-finals, while Colombia head home frustrated with the scheduling of their matches.
Tuesday’s match was in Vancouver after they had beaten Ghana in the last 32 in Kansas City.
Colombia’s group games were held in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Miami, meaning all five matches were in different cities.
In contrast, Switzerland played their first two matches of the World Cup in Santa Clara and Inglewood (both in California), before three games on the spin in Vancouver.
 |
| Jhon Arias says ‘that’s how this industry works’ (Picture: Getty Images) |
While not wishing to make excuses, Arias pointed out that it was hardly a level playing field.
‘It’s difficult to answer because I could be punished, but that’s how this industry works,’ the former Wolves midfielder said, via ESPN.
‘We don’t all compete on equal terms, but that’s not a new problem. It doesn’t end here, it continues and the trend is for it to get worse. That’s how football works, it’s nothing new. We have to compete wherever we are.
‘Obviously, traveling to three countries affected my physical condition, but that’s not an excuse.’
 |
| Colombia conceded just one goal at the World Cup (Picture: Getty Images) |
The 28-year-old, who now plays for Palmeiras, also looked at what his country could do differently, in what was a solid World Cup performance, but not what they had hoped for.
‘It’s inexplicable. Unfortunately, we were once again knocked out, and with this bitter taste,’ he said. ‘We had enormous hope and believed we could make it to the final day, but something was missing, because we’re leaving the World Cup prematurely, in the round of 16.
‘With a cool head, we had a good World Cup, but that’s not enough. That’s football. We leave with a bad taste in our mouths, but also with the certainty that there are things we need to adjust and correct. We are on a path that can bring us great achievements in the future, because we already deserve it.
‘We all want the same thing: to win and conquer important titles with the national team, because our people deserve it. They always support us, show confidence, create hope, and in the end we always leave empty-handed.
‘Hopefully this will serve to provoke a change in the national team, because it’s enough that we’ve been at the door and haven’t made it to the last day . I firmly believe that God has great things in store for us, but we still need to do everything humanly possible to get there.’
Switzerland progress to face Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City.
- Phil Haigh
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
BELGIUM THRASH HOST USA 4-1 TO REACH FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUARTER-FINALS
SEATTLE – Belgium secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after crushing the United States 4-1 in their Round of 16 clash, eliminating the host nation from the tournament.
Belgium took an early lead in the ninth minute through Charles De Ketelaere. The United States responded in the 31st minute when Tillman found the net to level the score at 1-1. However, Belgium restored their advantage just two minutes later as De Ketelaere scored his second goal of the match, giving his side a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Belgium extended their lead 12 minutes into the second half when Vina Ken capitalized on an error by the American goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Despite trailing by two goals, the United States continued to push forward in search of a comeback, but they were unable to break through Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who produced a series of important saves.
Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku sealed Belgium’s victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, confirming a convincing 4-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals.
The match followed controversy surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun. Reports said Balogun received a red card during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 and was handed a one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.
Ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 7, his suspension was lifted following a recommendation from US President Donald Trump, a decision that sparked controversy.
Despite Balogun’s availability, the United States was unable to avoid elimination.
- Muhammad Mahmood
Monday, 6 July 2026
Friday, 3 July 2026
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
PARAGUAY STUNS GERMANY IN THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT FOR THE BIGGEST UPSET OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP
José Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties to earn the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- José Canale wasn’t in the starting lineup in either of his previous two appearances for Paraguay in this World Cup.
He made his first start a memorable one.
Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties Monday to earn the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup.
It was a major triumph for the landlocked South American country of 7 million people that's surrounded by soccer giants like Argentina and Brazil. And it was the latest surprising exit by Germany, a four-time champion that has struggled at the World Cup since it last lifted the trophy in 2014.
“I think we deserved one more game and to be honest, considering everything that was said, everything we went through,” Canale said. “What I want to highlight from our team is how united we are. ... Today was a game we really needed to show our true colors.”
 |
| Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill celebrates after winning the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round-of-32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026 [AFP] |
Paraguayans celebrated in the streets of the capital, Asunción, screaming, jumping and hugging when the match ended. Some cried and dropped to their knees in disbelief, with the familiar beat of the team’s song “Soy Albirrojo” reverberating through the crowd.
Paraguay became the first team to defeat Germany in a penalty shootout at the World Cup. The Germans missed three of six penalty tries, the last by Jonathan Tah, who blasted his attempt high over the crossbar in the first sudden-death round, setting up Canale for the winner. Tah's miss followed a save by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Fabian Balbuena's attempt that would have won it for Paraguay.
Tah also thought he had the go-ahead goal in extra time. He headed in a corner kick by Nathaniel Brown in the 102nd minute, but officials concluded after a video review that Waldemar Anton has pushed Gill to the ground before the shot and the goal was disallowed.
The Round of 32 match ended 1-1 after extra time. Paraguay took the lead when Julio Enciso scored on a header late in the first half, but Kai Havertz equalized in the 52nd minute for Germany.
“We had to analyze every player, every detail. Thanks to that I was able to only miss two penalties,” Gill said. “This is for all the people of Paraguay.”
Paraguay, which entered the match ranked 41st by FIFA, became the deepest betting long shot to win a match in this World Cup. Germany came in as the 10th-ranked team in the world.
The Paraguayans will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between France and Sweden in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia. A win on the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding would send Paraguay back to Foxborough for the quarterfinals on July 9.
Germany had won six of seven penalty shootouts in major tournaments, including six straight since losing to Czechoslovakia in the 1976 European Championship final.
“It’s not enough for German football,” coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
In the only previous World Cup match between the teams, Germany beat Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16 at the 2002 tournament. Nearly a quarter-century later, Paraguay got its revenge.
Paraguay had appeared in five previous knockout games but failed to score in each. It had advanced only once, winning on penalty kicks against Japan in the round of 16 at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. It fell that year to eventual champion Spain in the quarterfinals.
Monday was Germany’s first knockout game since the 2014 final in Brazil, when the Germans beat Argentina 1-0. The Germans were eliminated in the group stage at the last two tournaments.
“We had very big plans for this World Cup. It’s very difficult to disappoint again,” Havertz said. “It was difficult to create chances and keep the pace.”
Paraguay broke the early stalemate in the 42nd minute Monday with some perfect ball movement to set up Enciso.
Miguel Almiron split Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlovic and Nathaniel Brown with a left-footed pass to Matias Galarza. Galarza sent a cross to Enciso, who was unmarked by Germany’s defenders and easily headed it past Neuer.
In the second half, Havertz took a cross from Florian Wirtz, which he got just enough head on to redirect it past Gill.
Germany, whose 10 goals in the group stage was tied for the most of any team, struggled to find a way through Paraguay’s 4-5-1 setup. The Germans had 78% of the possession in the first half.
Paraguay was without defender Omar Alderete, who left with an injury in the second half of its 0-0 draw against Australia. Canale started in his place.
Paraguay opened the World Cup with a 4-1 loss to the United States, then beat Turkey 1-0 while playing the entire second half with 10 men. A scoreless draw against Australia was good enough for Paraguay to reach the knockout stage as the third-place finisher from Group D.
- KYLE HIGHTOWER AP sports writer
Sunday, 28 June 2026
ARGENTINA MILESTONE AT THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
A new milestone for Argentina: 50 FIFA World Cup wins! 🇦🇷
They are the third team to have achieved this feat, after Brazil and Germany 👏
- FIFA
Friday, 26 June 2026
Thursday, 25 June 2026
JÜRGEN KLOPP' STORMS OUT OF INTERVIEW AS LIVERPOOL LEGEND REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
Jurgen Klopp stormed out of an interview after the Liverpool legend refused to answer a question following controversy regarding one of his fellow World Cup pundits
 |
| Jurgen Klopp stormed out of an interview(Image: DW Sports) |
Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp abruptly ended an interview when questioned about the racism row involving Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The World Cup champion has been accused of making racist comments while analysing Germany's victory over the Ivory Coast. The former Manchester United and Bayern Munich star works for German broadcaster ARD.
Schweinsteiger, 41, has faced criticism for his depiction of the Ivory Coast's playing style. While evaluating the west African team, he referred to their football as "African football" before characterising it as being "a bit unorthodox sometimes, a bit wild, not quite as tactical."
 |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger has been accused of making racially insensitive comments(Image: Getty Images) |
He also suggested that Julian Nagelsmann's squad must be "prepared for it to be unpredictable at times" prior to their 2-1 win. The ex-midfielder's comments have sparked backlash and become a significant talking point in Germany.
So much so that Klopp, who is currently working as a pundit for Magenta TV in the US, was pressed by another journalist to comment on the controversy. When confronted, he promptly cut off the interview and walked away.
In conversation with DW Sports, the former Liverpool boss said: "And now you want to carry on this subject. No, no, I have no chance, I have no chance to answer this question.
"Everybody likes it, so you bring me into this situation. It's not my job that everybody likes it, but this is a serious subject. I don't even know what is appropriate to say.
"For African people it's one thing, for other people it's another thing, and I'm not here. Thank god I thought nobody asked me about that. You found a moment and surprisingly you are German. That surprised me so much. Thank you very much."
Klopp then walked away from the gathered journalists, many of whom were heard calling out "no, no" as he departed.
Phillip Awounou, a sports journalist and author from Germany, slammed Schweinsteiger's comments in a recent article. Penning his column for Spiegel news magazine, he wrote: "Behind attributions like 'wild' and 'unpredictable' are stereotypes which are older than football and which have racist, colonial roots.
"In the past, Black people of African heritage were stigmatised as uncivilised ('wild'), different ('unorthodox') and potentially dangerous ('unpredictable').
"These are racist stereotypes," sports content creator Patrick Schnitzler told his 50,000 Instagram followers, referencing recent academic research which has demonstrated that commentators and supporters are more likely to emphasise Black footballers' physical attributes than those of non-Black players.
"We learn such stereotypes because we have grown up in a society with stereotypes. Schweinsteiger, too. You and me, too."
Awounou did make clear that he does not consider Schweinsteiger to be a racist, explaining: "That's simply wrong. Regardless of his problematic remarks, Schweinsteiger is absolutely not a racist and shouldn't be labelled as such."
After the match, Schweinsteiger took to social media, stating: "Ivory Coast were the difficult opponent we expected and showed their technical quality and physicality," shortly after Germany clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory.
- Cameron Winstanley and Cameron Winstanley
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
TARTAN ARMY TAKES OVER MIAMI AHEAD OF SCOTLAND VS. BRAZIL
Scotland fans have descended on Miami, Florida, for what could be a historic World Cup match against Brazil on Wednesday.
Steve Clarke's side currently sit third in Group C after a 1-0 win and defeat against Haiti and Morocco.
If all goes well, Scotland has a chance at qualifying for the knockout stage at the World Cup for the first time ever, following eight previous group-stage exits.
They could even qualify with a loss, but would need to wait until all the group games finish on June 27 to know their fate.
 |
| Tartan Army cheers on Scotland at a boat party in Miami Credit: ITV News |
Defender and captain Andy Robertson admitted that Brazil will be a tough game, but remained positive, telling reporters: "We are in control of our own destiny."
He's certainly got backing from fans, as thousands of Tartan Army members travelled to Miami for the game.
Fans from both teams were seen drinking, dancing on Ocean Drive, and wishing each other luck. Some even played five-a-sides and other street football games.
“Everywhere they go, people fall in love with them,” Robertson said.
 |
| Andy Robertson and his team have been training in preparation for their match against Brazil Credit: AP |
"Come tomorrow night. If we manage to beat Brazil ... I'm sure maybe a couple of beers will be drunk by the Tartan Army. That's for sure," he added.
The Tartan Army certainly won over the hearts of people in Boston, where their previous games were held, as they marched through the city playing bagpipes and chanting the new unofficial 'No Scotland, No Party' anthem.
Back on home turf, faithfuls will be watching at fan zones across Scotland including the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow and The Pitt in Edinburgh. The game will kick off at 11pm UK time.
First Minister John Swinney said he has faith that the team can make history and that they "have the chance to make themselves legends tonight".
Both teams kick off at 11pm UK time and the game will be available to watch on BBC 1.
- itvX
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)