ALAMEDA, California – Multiple changes to the Socceroos XI to take on Paraguay have been flagged by assistant coach Paul Okon, with one to be enforced after Mathew Leckie was ruled out through injury. With a 2-0 win over Türkiye and a 2-0 defeat against the United States to their names so far, Australia will face Paraguay in Santa Clara this Thursday [Friday AEST], knowing that a win or a…
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Congo DR‘s famous living statue finally made his FIFA World Cup debut on Tuesday. Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who gained fame during the Africa Cup of Nations for posing as a statue of Congo’s assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba for the entirety of games, attended Congo’s match against Colombia after missing their opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements. Lumumba Vea, as the sharply dressed supporter is…
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti warned his players to beware of Scotland’s high-quality team of “fighters” ahead of Wednesday’s crunch World Cup Group C clash in Miami. A draw would almost certainly seal Scotland’s first passage beyond the group stage of a major finals and even a defeat could be enough, depending on the outcome of results in other groups. Standing in their way are five-time champions Brazil, coached by Ancelotti,…
UNITED STATES — Senegal have confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper Édouard Mendy will miss the Teranga Lions World Cup Group I decider against Iraq on Friday, after sustaining injury in the African champions defeat by Norway on Monday. Senegal were defeated 3-2 in their second group game at the MetLife Stadium, with a second-half injury to Mendy adding insult to injury. The goalkeeper was replaced by Mory Diaw in the 63rd…
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Andy Robertson and his Scotland teammates have watched their fans march through the streets of Miami and Boston, celebrating baseball games with beers and bagpipes as if they were attending a football match. Scotland want to give the Tartan Army much more to celebrate on Wednesday, when they face Brazil in a World Cup match at the home stadium of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The team…
England midfielder Jude Bellingham said that he “didn’t deserve” the Player of the Match award in England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana. Thomas Tuchel’s side were left frustrated by a stubborn Ghana defence, operating in a typical Carlos Quieroz low block. It was the fourth consecutive draw for England in the second game of a major tournament, dating back to a goalless draw with Scotland in the 2020 Euros. Bellingham, who…
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Thomas Tuchel has urged England fans not to lose belief in his team after being held to a 0-0 stalemate by Ghana at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday. England registered 79% possession and 19 shots but were unable to find a way through against Carlos Quieroz’s well-organised side as substitute Nico O’Reilly hit the crossbar and captain Harry Kane blazed over rebound in a late flurry. – England…
IRVINE, Calif. – Tyler Adams understands the logic. He gets it. But even knowing that earning a yellow card in Thursday’s match against Türkiye would see him suspended for the knockout round match the United States has already clinched, he still isn’t convinced that sitting out is the right decision. “I want to be on the field,” he told ESPN during a sit-down interview following U.S. training on Wednesday. “I…
Harry Kane missed a golden late chance as England‘s World Cup campaign was brought back to earth with a goalless draw against Ghana at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday. England had only enhanced their credentials as one of the pre-tournament favorites in an opening 4-2 win over Croatia. But they couldn’t find a way past a Ghana side ranked 65th by FIFA — the lowest ranked team that England has faced…
MONTERREY, Mexico — Approximately 7,120 miles separate the Mexican city of Monterrey and the South Korean capital of Seoul. There is only one commercially available direct flight from Monterrey to Incheon International Airport, taking almost 15 hours. Everything else involves a transit of some sort. And yet, thousands of miles away, South Korea have not only been feeling the love in Mexico at the FIFA World Cup, it could even…