Argentina produced a stunning late comeback to defeat England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, booking a place in Sunday’s final against Spain and keeping alive their hopes of winning back to back world titles. Lionel Scaloni’s side appeared headed for defeat after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the second half. However, Argentina launched a relentless late assault as Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before substitute Lautaro Martinez headed home a dramatic winner in stoppage time. Read More:Β Why a 64 Team World Cup Could Become Reality in 2030 Lionel Messi played a decisive role in both goals. The 39 year old captain provided the pass for Fernandez’s equaliser before recovering the ball moments later and delivering a perfect cross for Martinez to complete the comeback. The result sends the defending champions into another World Cup final, where they will meet Spain, who defeated France 2-0 in the other semi-final. England fall after Gordon opener as Argentina finish strongly The highly anticipated semi-final between two of football’s fiercest rivals lived up to expectations, with both teams battling intensely throughout a tense contest at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. England looked on course for their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966 after Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 55th minute. Cβest toujours Γ la 86ieme minute. England vs Argentina pic.twitter.com/VI7I9K7ImM— π¨π©βοΈ#ππππ_πΓππππππ #Wazalendoπ₯ (@tout_devoiler) July 15, 2026 The move started when Nicolas Tagliafico’s attempted clearance fell to Declan Rice. The midfielder released Morgan Rogers, whose cross found Gordon at the back post. Gordon calmly guided the ball past Emiliano Martinez to spark celebrations among England supporters. Argentina, however, refused to surrender. They dominated possession during the closing stages and repeatedly threatened Jordan Pickford’s goal. Their persistence paid off in the 85th minute when Messi found Fernandez on the edge of the penalty area. The Chelsea midfielder fired a powerful 20 metre strike into the corner to level the match. Read More:Β ICC Unveils New World Cup Formats. Here’s What Will Change Just seven minutes later, Alexis Mac Allister struck the post after another flowing attack. Messi reacted first to the rebound, surged down the right flank and produced an inviting cross that Lautaro Martinez headed home to complete a memorable comeback. “We are truly unique, and that’s not arrogance,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “From the bottom of my heart, these players led us to victory. I’m lost for words. A joy for our country, for our people.” Messi moves one step closer to another World Cup title The victory carried extra significance for Messi, who is widely expected to retire from international football after what many believe will be his final World Cup. Argentina’s captain has now guided his country into consecutive World Cup finals after lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022. England captain Harry Kane struggled to hide his disappointment after watching his team’s dream disappear late in the match. “Just gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone, the team, the staff, the fans,” Kane said. LIONEL MESSI STUNNING ASSIST TO WIN THE GAME FOR ARGENTINA π€―π https://t.co/4i3txSqcFP— MC (@CrewsMat10) July 15, 2026 “We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on. At this level, it’s not enough.” England manager Thomas Tuchel defended his players despite the heartbreaking defeat. “The team gave everything and we were very, very close,” he said. Read More:Β Meet the Brothers Divided by National Teams at the FIFA World Cup “The team was top, we couldn’t bring it over the line, no, but at the moment no regrets.” Lautaro Martinez described the winning goal as a dream come true. “This is really emotional,” he said. “The first time my dad bought me a pair of boots, I always dreamed of scoring this goal.” Argentina’s supporters created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the evening, turning Atlanta into a sea of sky blue and white as the reigning champions earned another chance to lift football’s biggest prize on Sunday.
Spain Are One Win Away From Making World Cup History
Spain booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with an impressive 2 to 0 victory over France on Tuesday, ending Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final and moving within one win of football history. The European champions delivered a disciplined display at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, combining defensive solidity with clinical finishing to outclass a France side that entered the semi final as one of the tournament favourites. Spain will now face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s final as they chase their second World Cup title after lifting the trophy in 2010. Oyarzabal and Porro seal dominant Spanish win The match turned in Spain’s favour midway through the first half when Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton awarded a penalty after France left back Lucas Digne brought down teenage winger Lamine Yamal inside the box. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly fired the penalty past goalkeeper Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the tournament, giving Spain a deserved lead after controlling possession and limiting France’s attacking threats. France’s problems deepened moments later when defender William Saliba left the pitch with a recurrence of his lower back injury. Maxence Lacroix replaced the Arsenal centre back, forcing coach Didier Deschamps into an early defensive reshuffle. Spain continued to dominate through Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo, who repeatedly found space in midfield. France failed to register a single shot on target in the opening half and managed only two attempts before the break. Deschamps introduced Desire Doue in the 57th minute to inject pace into the attack, but Spain struck again just a minute later. Pedro Porro exchanged a quick pass with Dani Olmo before calmly finishing past Maignan to double Spain’s advantage. The French coach responded by bringing on Theo Hernandez and Rayan Cherki after the second hydration break, but Spain’s organised defence refused to give France a route back into the contest. Spain have now conceded only one goal throughout the tournament while keeping six clean sheets in seven matches. Their unbeaten run has stretched to 37 games under coach Luis de la Fuente, equalling Italy’s long standing European record. France left to fight for third place The defeat ended France’s pursuit of a third World Cup title and another appearance in the final after winning the 2018 tournament in Russia and finishing runners up to Argentina in Qatar four years later. Despite boasting stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, France struggled to create clear chances against Spain’s disciplined defence. After the match, France captain Mbappe admitted his side fell short. He said, “We didn’t play the match we wanted to, neither tactically, nor technically, nor in terms of our overall performance.” France will now play in the third place playoff, the final match in charge for Didier Deschamps before he steps down after 14 years as head coach. Attention now shifts to Wednesday’s second semi final in Atlanta, where England and Argentina will battle for the remaining place in the final. England captain Harry Kane dismissed suggestions that history would influence the clash. He said, “From a player’s point of view it’s us against a great team, who are smart, who are tactical, who know how to buy fouls, know how to slow the game down, like many different teams you come up against throughout your whole career.” The winner will meet an in form Spain side that now stands just 90 minutes away from becoming the first champions of the expanded 48 team FIFA World Cup.
Brazil Knocked Out Early After Haaland’s Heroics Shock the Football World
Erling Haaland scored twice in the closing stages to fire Norway into their first ever FIFA World Cup quarterfinal with a stunning 2 to 1 victory over Brazil on Sunday, ending the South American giants’ campaign at the round of 16 stage for the first time since 1990. Playing at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, Norway survived relentless Brazilian pressure before Haaland struck in the 79th and 90th minutes to complete one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Neymar scored a penalty deep into stoppage time, but Brazil ran out of time to complete a comeback. The result also extended Brazil’s painful record against Norway. The five time world champions have still never beaten the Scandinavian side in a World Cup match. Norway will now face either co hosts Mexico or England in the quarterfinals in Miami on July 11. Haaland’s brace lifted his tournament tally to seven goals, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Nyland’s heroics keep Brazil at bay before Haaland delivers Brazil dominated much of the opening hour but repeatedly found Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland standing in their way. The biggest moment of the first half came when referee Ismail Elfath awarded Brazil a penalty after a VAR review overturned his original decision. Bruno Guimaraes stepped up, but Nyland guessed correctly and pushed away the spot kick with a superb diving save. Nyland continued his outstanding performance by denying Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Junior and Bruno Guimaraes on several occasions. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti handed Gabriel Martinelli a starting place after his winning goal against Japan in the previous round. Norway, meanwhile, welcomed back defender Julian Ryerson after he recovered from a thigh injury. Norway coach Stale Solbakken changed the match after halftime by introducing Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup. The tactical switch gave Norway greater attacking width and helped create both decisive goals. Brazil’s World Cup dream ends as Norway celebrates history Schjelderup delivered a precise cross in the 79th minute, allowing Haaland to power a header beyond Alisson and give Norway the lead. Brazil pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Haaland struck again in the 90th minute. The Manchester City striker drilled a powerful low shot into the corner from outside the penalty area to double Norway’s advantage. Neymar entered the match in the 67th minute to a huge ovation and converted Brazil’s second penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time after Casemiro suffered an elbow inside the box. The goal arrived too late to rescue the Selecao. The defeat marked Brazil’s sixth consecutive World Cup elimination by European opposition despite appointing Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24 year wait for another world title. Norway’s victory sparked huge celebrations back home, where more than 90,000 supporters filled central Oslo to celebrate the country’s greatest football achievement. Haaland described it as “one of the sickest days ever in Norwegian history.”
Paraguay Make World Cup History as Germany Crash Out in Stunning Upset
Paraguay produced the biggest upset of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage on Monday, eliminating four time champions Germany 4 to 3 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1 to 1 draw following extra time at Boston Stadium in Foxborough. Ranked 37th in the latest FIFA rankings, Paraguay defied the odds against 12th ranked Germany in front of 63,945 spectators to book their place in the Round of 16. It was the tournament’s first penalty shootout and one of the biggest knockout upsets in World Cup history. Paraguay make history! π΅πΎAfter scoring their first-ever @FIFAWorldCup knockout goal, they went on to defeat Germany on penalties and secure a spot in the Round of 16 π pic.twitter.com/4L8MNH5qLt— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 29, 2026 Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a surprise lead late in the first half with the country’s first ever goal in a men’s World Cup knockout match. Germany responded in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz equalised, but neither side could find a winner during the additional 30 minutes. Germany thought they had completed the comeback in extra time when Jonathan Tah found the net. However, the goal was ruled out after a controversial foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, a decision that sparked debate among broadcasters and fans alike. Gill and Canale become Paraguay’s heroes The shootout delivered more drama. Paraguay appeared on course to seal victory before veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved their fifth penalty, forcing sudden death. Germany’s Jonathan Tah then blasted his team’s sixth penalty over the crossbar, leaving JosΓ© Canale with the chance to complete one of Paraguay’s greatest footballing achievements. He calmly converted the decisive kick to send the South American side into the Round of 16. Reuters reported that Gill had already denied penalties from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade before Tah’s miss handed Paraguay the advantage. The defeat also marked Germany’s first ever loss in a World Cup penalty shootout. Speaking after the famous victory, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill said, “It’s difficult to describe in words. It was a very challenging game. We were under attack from all sides but we resisted.” A historic @FIFAWorldCup win as Paraguay become the first-ever team to win a @FIFAWorldCup Round of 32 fixture on penalties! ππ΅πΎ pic.twitter.com/sRfpbj8Qkh— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 30, 2026 Captain Gustavo GΓ³mez praised his teammates’ determination, calling the result a proud moment for the nation after one of the most disciplined defensive displays of the tournament. Germany’s World Cup struggles continue Germany entered the match as clear favourites after topping their group and enjoying more possession throughout the contest. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side once again failed to convert dominance into victory. The four time world champions have now suffered group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups before crashing out in the first knockout round in 2026. The latest disappointment is expected to increase scrutiny on Nagelsmann and his squad after another underwhelming campaign. Paraguay will face the winner of France versus Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4. By reaching the Round of 16, the South Americans have secured at least $15 million in FIFA prize money, while Germany leave the tournament with $11 million. The match also drew attention off the pitch. Although Boston Stadium fell just 201 spectators short of capacity, the atmosphere remained vibrant throughout. Ticket prices had dropped sharply before kickoff as resale demand softened, while viral German supporter “Freddy” reacted to the disallowed extra time goal with a series of question marks before posting a broken heart emoji after Germany’s elimination.
World Cup Debutants Cape Verde Make History, Reach Last 32
Cape Verde continued their remarkable FIFA World Cup debut by reaching the Round of 32 after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston. The result secured second place in the group and set up a blockbuster meeting with defending champions Argentina. The African nation completed one of the tournament’s biggest surprises despite failing to score. Cape Verde finished with three points after drawing all three group matches. Spain topped the group with seven points after beating Uruguay 1-0, while Uruguay and Saudi Arabia both exited with two points. The final whistle sparked emotional celebrations among Cape Verde’s players, coaches and supporters. Players gathered around their phones to monitor the outcome of Spain’s victory over Uruguay before celebrating qualification together. Historic Night for Cape Verde The celebrations continued long after the match ended. Supporters beat drums inside Houston Stadium as players wrapped themselves in national flags and posed for photographs on the pitch. The achievement marked another milestone for the island nation of around 500,000 people, which is making its first appearance at a men’s FIFA World Cup. Cape Verde celebrate history. π¨π» Fans and players together after sealing a historic knockout qualification on their World Cup debut. Pure emotion. β€οΈ#WorldCupwithMicky#CapeVerde pic.twitter.com/lHSmGwh9eC β Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) June 27, 2026 Cape Verde looked the more dangerous side throughout the match. However, the team failed to convert several clear chances despite dominating large periods of play. Laros Duarte missed the best opportunity when he found himself one on one with Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais but failed to finish. Both teams started with urgency because qualification remained within reach. However, misplaced passes and mistimed tackles disrupted the game’s rhythm during the opening half. Willy Semedo produced Cape Verde’s first notable effort after cutting inside from the left before firing from a tight angle. The Africans gradually increased the pressure and controlled possession. Saudi Arabia Exit After Disappointing Campaign Saudi Arabia produced their first shot on target only in first half stoppage time. Mohamed Kanno directed a header straight at Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. The match also carried an emotional moment for Vozinha. His mother watched him from the stands after arriving late in the United States because of delays linked to the cost of obtaining a US visa. Cape Verde dominated the second half and finished with 15 attempts on goal. Yet the team lacked composure in the final third and could not find the breakthrough. Saudi Arabia struggled to threaten throughout the match. The Green Falcons rarely tested Cape Verde’s defence and finished the tournament with just one goal from three group matches. The draw proved enough for Cape Verde to extend its fairytale run. The debutants now face defending champions Argentina in the knockout stage, where they will attempt to produce another historic upset. Spain advanced as group winners with seven points following their victory over Uruguay. Cape Verde claimed second place with three draws. Uruguay and Saudi Arabia bowed out after collecting two points each.
South Korea Eliminated as South Africa Makes World Cup History
South Africa produced one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, defeating South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey to reach the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history. Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the second half as Bafana Bafana completed a remarkable turnaround after opening their campaign with a disappointing defeat. The victory secured second place in Group A and set up a last 32 clash against co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28. South Africa entered the tournament for the first time since hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Many observers wrote off their chances after a 2-0 defeat to group winners Mexico in the opening match. However, a hard-fought draw against the Czech Republic kept their hopes alive before Tuesday’s winner-takes-all encounter with South Korea. Maseko Delivers Historic Victory South Korea coach Myung-Bo Hong made a surprise decision by leaving captain Son Heungmin out of the starting lineup. The move shocked fans, with Son widely regarded as one of Asia’s greatest footballers. South Korea started brightly and nearly took the lead early in the match. Stand-in captain Kim Minjae powered a header toward goal, but Aubrey Modiba cleared the effort off the line. Lee Kangin also came close after firing narrowly wide. South Africa gradually settled into the contest and began creating chances of their own. Evidence Makgopa missed a golden opportunity in the 30th minute after goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu parried Thalente Mbatha’s shot into his path. The striker could only direct his close-range effort straight at the goalkeeper. Coach Hong introduced Son Heungmin at the start of the second half as part of a triple substitution. The Tottenham forward immediately injected urgency into South Korea’s attack. Maseko initially wasted another promising chance, while South Korea striker Oh Hyeongyu forced a save from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. As news arrived that Mexico had taken the lead against the Czech Republic in the other Group A match, both teams knew only victory would guarantee progression. South Africa Makes History South Africa seized the decisive moment in the 63rd minute. Tshepang Moremi delivered a low cross into the penalty area, where Maseko kept his composure and fired inside the near post to spark celebrations among the South African supporters. South Korea pushed forward desperately during the closing stages. Despite sustained pressure, they failed to find an equaliser as South Africa defended resolutely to secure a famous victory. The result sends Bafana Bafana into the knockout rounds for the first time since making their World Cup debut. Mexico finished top of Group A with nine points after winning all three matches, including victory over the Czech Republic. South Africa will now face tournament co-host Canada in Los Angeles, while South Korea exits the competition despite entering the tournament as one of Asia’s leading contenders. For South Africa, the historic win marks another milestone in the country’s football journey and offers renewed hope of extending their memorable World Cup campaign.
World Cup Last 32 Battle: Who’s In, Who’s Out and What’s Next
The race for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is gathering pace, with co-hosts Mexico and the United States becoming the first two teams to secure places in the round of 32 as the expanded tournament begins to take shape. The tournament’s new 48-team format has added a fresh layer of complexity to qualification scenarios. For the first time, eight of the 12 third-placed teams will also advance, making projections more difficult and keeping hopes alive for many nations heading into the final group-stage matches. According to FIFA regulations, teams level on points are first separated by head-to-head results before overall goal difference and goals scored come into play. The revised format has already created a series of high-stakes battles across multiple groups. Mexico became the first nation to book its place in the knockout rounds after defeating South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara. The victory also secured top spot in Group A with one game remaining. The Mexicans will now face a third-placed team in the round of 32. The United States followed shortly afterwards. The Americans sealed qualification with a 2-0 victory over Australia after opening their campaign with a historic win against Paraguay. TΓΌrkiye’s defeat to Paraguay confirmed the United States as Group D winners and simultaneously eliminated TΓΌrkiye from the competition. At the other end of the standings, Haiti and TΓΌrkiye became the first teams officially eliminated from the tournament. Haiti’s defeat to Brazil ended its hopes of progression, while TΓΌrkiye’s results left no mathematical path to the knockout stage. Heavyweights Close In on Qualification Several traditional football powers now stand on the brink of qualification. Brazil tops Group C after defeating Haiti and can secure first place with a victory over Scotland. Morocco also sits in a strong position and can guarantee a top-two finish with a win or draw in its final group match. Germany strengthened its position in Group E with a dominant 7-1 victory over CuraΓ§ao. A win against Ivory Coast could send the four-time champions into the knockout rounds. Ivory Coast also remains well placed after defeating Ecuador. France and Norway have similarly placed themselves in commanding positions in Group I. Wins in their upcoming matches would secure progression and set up a final group-stage showdown for first place. Kylian MbappΓ© and Erling Haaland have already played key roles in their teams’ strong starts. Argentina and Austria could also qualify during the next round of fixtures. The two teams meet in a crucial Group J clash where victory would likely secure passage to the last 32. Expanded Format Keeps More Teams Alive The introduction of the round of 32 has ensured that many teams remain in contention despite mixed starts. Paraguay, Scotland and several other nations still hold realistic hopes of advancing as some of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. Goal difference could prove decisive in many groups. Groups G and H remain completely open after both opening matches in each group ended in draws. None of the teams in those groups can qualify or be eliminated after Matchweek Two, ensuring a dramatic finish. In Group K, Colombia could secure qualification with a win over Congo DR. Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, remains under pressure after a surprise draw against Congo DR in its opening match. England and Ghana also have an opportunity to qualify when they meet in Group L. The winner of that contest will secure a place in the knockout rounds, adding further significance to one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures. With several groups still finely balanced, the final round of matches is expected to determine not only the remaining automatic qualifiers but also the eight third-placed teams that will advance under FIFA’s expanded World Cup format.
Mexico Fans Erupt as Hosts Secure Historic World Cup Milestone
Co-hosts Mexico became the first nation to secure a place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea at a packed Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal early in the second half as Mexico maintained their perfect start to the tournament and booked a place in the last 32 with one group match still to play. The victory also guaranteed Mexico top spot in Group A. Javier Aguirre’s side now has six points from two matches after opening their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Finishing first means Mexico will remain on home soil for the next round and will face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in Mexico City. South Korea remain second in the group with three points, while South Africa and the Czech Republic each have one point following their 1-1 draw earlier on Thursday. Both teams entered the contest knowing that a win would secure qualification, creating a tense atmosphere inside one of the tournament’s most vibrant venues. Goalkeeping Error Decides Tight Contest South Korea created the first major moment of the match after 15 minutes. Captain Son Heung-min lifted the ball over goalkeeper Raul Rangel, only for Edson Alvarez to clear spectacularly off the goal line with an overhead kick. Although the assistant referee later raised the flag for offside, television replays suggested the decision was extremely close. Mexico gradually grew into the game. Julian Quinones, who scored the opening goal of the World Cup against South Africa, forced goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu into an impressive save with a powerful header. Despite enjoying more possession during the first half, South Korea struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. The lack of attacking threat frustrated neither side more than the Mexican supporters, who responded with jeers at the halftime whistle. The breakthrough arrived five minutes after the restart. Kim rushed out to claim a high ball but collided with one of his own defenders. The ball spilled loose inside the penalty area and Romo reacted quickest, calmly poking it into an empty net. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the home crowd and shifted the momentum firmly in Mexico’s favour. Rangel Preserves Historic Victory South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo responded by introducing Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan and surprisingly withdrawing veteran star Son before the hour mark. The change failed to produce an immediate impact. However, South Korea pushed hard in the closing stages and nearly rescued a point. Guadalajara-born goalkeeper Raul Rangel emerged as Mexico’s hero. He produced a superb double save in the dying minutes to preserve the lead and send the home fans into celebration. Mexico have now reached the knockout rounds of every World Cup they have hosted, reinforcing their reputation as one of the tournament’s most consistent performers on home soil. They will conclude their group campaign against the Czech Republic, while South Korea face South Africa in a crucial match that could determine the second qualification spot from Group A.
