TORONTO — Croatian legend Luka Modric saw his potential World Cup “last dance” come to a dramatic and emotional end on Thursday following a down-to-the-wire 2-1 loss to Portugal in the Round of 32. At 40 years old, Modric was still a heavy contributor in the losing effort, leading his team with 66 touches, completing three tackles, and delivering a pair of dangerous crosses in the second half. However, Croatia…
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal paid an emotional tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota after their 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia in Toronto on Thursday. Ronaldo, who scored Portugal’s opening goal of the round-of-32 matchup with a penalty, put on Jota’s No. 21 Portugal jersey following the final whistle and with tears in his eyes pointed to the sky as he gathered with his teammates. Friday will mark exactly one…
ARLINGTON, Texas — Australian coach Tony Popovic has warned his side against getting caught up in the occasion as they chase a first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout win, but that, no matter what “this group’s already made history.” After making the knockout stage for the third time in their history, the Socceroos will take on Egypt at Dallas Stadium this Friday (Saturday morning, AEST), in a clash in which both…
TORONTO — Goncalo Ramos headed in a pass from Rafael Leao in stoppage time as Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier converted a penalty kick, watched from the bench while Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, ending Luka Modrić’s fifth bid for a World Cup. Ronaldo initially tied things up in the 68th minute on a penalty kick to equalize and give the megastar his first knockout stage goal at the…
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón has the longest shutout streak in World Cup history, breaking a 36-year-old record while blanking Austria in a 3-0 victory Thursday for his fourth consecutive clean sheet in this World Cup. Simón hasn’t allowed a goal in 519 consecutive minutes across the past two World Cups. He broke the record set in 1990 by famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga, who recorded 517 straight…
The United States has World Cup fever. The U.S.‘ victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night was the most-watched soccer telecast in English language history with more than 24.4 million viewers, according to Fox Sports. The peak audience was 31.8 million. The United States won the game 2-0 in Santa Clara, California, to advance to the round of 16, marking its first knockout win since 2002. The match topped the 2015…
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Lamine Yamal said “the World Cup starts now” after shining in Spain‘s 3-0 win over Austria at SoFi Stadium, with the Barcelona star being named the game’s MVP. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice — making it four goals and an assist at this World Cup — either side of a Pedro Porro header, as Spain progressed comfortably to the round of 16. European champions Spain had struggled…
DALLAS — Mohamed Salah looks set to feature for Egypt in their round of 32 clash with Australia on Friday after recovering from a hamstring strain, but coach Hossam Hassan would not commit to starting the superstar attacker. Salah, 34, suffered an injury 57 minutes into Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran last Friday that put them into the knockout rounds, with the severity of the injury reiterated when he requested…
Players will not be sent off for covering their mouths when speaking to an opponent in UEFA competitions, the governing body confirmed. UEFA have decided against taking up an option to use this law in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League next season. A UEFA statement issued on Thursday confirmed that referees may see covering the mouth to conceal communication as unsportsmanlike conduct punishable by a yellow card.…
INGLWOOD, Calif. — Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain cruised into the World Cup round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria at SoFi Stadium on Thursday to extend their unbeaten streak to 34 games. After an underwhelming group stage, which included a surprise draw with Cape Verde, Spain now head with fresh momentum toward a last-16 meeting with either Portugal or Croatia on Monday in Arlington, Texas. It…