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Senegal delegation members still awaiting flight home five days after World Cup elimination – sources

Members of the Senegal delegation to the World Cup are still stranded in Seattle awaiting a flight back home, five days after the team were eliminated by Belgium, sources within the camp have told ESPN. While the players and members of the technical team finally boarded a flight home on Sunday morning — two days after originally planned — federation members and support staff are yet to have confirmation on…

Carlo Ancelotti vows to start ‘new cycle’ after Brazil’s World Cup exit

NEW JERSEY — Carlo Ancelotti said he and his backroom team would “continue to do our jobs” after Brazil crashed out of the World Cup in a 2-1 round of 16 defeat against Norway in New Jersey. Two late goals by Erling Haaland sent Norway through to a quarterfinal against England or Mexico in Miami, with a stoppage time Neymar penalty proving no more than a consolation goal for the…

Erling Haaland says Brazil win ‘greatest game’ in Norway history

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Erling Haaland said his two-goal match-winning performance in Norway‘s 2-1 World Cup round-of-16 victory against Brazil capped an “insane” day in his country’s history — and its greatest game. Manchester City forward Haaland moved level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé on seven goals in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot with his brace at MetLife Stadium and the win secured a quarterfinal clash…

Tearful Neymar retires from Brazil after World Cup exit to Norway

Neymar said he is retiring from playing for Brazil after his team’s World Cup exit at the hands of Norway in the round of 16 on Sunday. The 34-year-old scored a late consolation goal via a penalty as Brazil lost 2-1 to two Erling Haaland goals to mark their earliest World Cup exit since 1990. An emotional Neymar slumped to the ground in tears following the final whistle at MetLife…

Pochettino says U.S. ‘punished enough’ for Balogun red card

SEATTLE — United States manager Mauricio Pochettino praised FIFA’s decision to lift the suspension on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, saying the USMNT was “punished enough” by having to play shorthanded against Bosnia-Herzegovina for 35 minutes. Balogun scored the opener for the U.S., but was shown a red card in the 64th minute after a lengthy VAR review for a hard challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic. The U.S. held on…

Carlos Queiroz confirms Ghana exit after World Cup elimination

Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz has confirmed that he is stepping down from his position as head coach of the Black Stars in the aftermath of their World Cup elimination. The 73-year-old Portuguese coach was appointed on a short-term deal in April to oversee the West Africans’ World Cup campaign after the Ghanaian Federation opted to part ways with Otto Addo following the March international break. The Black Stars advanced from Group…

Haaland, Norway condemn Brazil to earliest World Cup exit since 1990

Erling Haaland scored two late goals to send Norway to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, with a 2-1 victory that condemned Brazil to their earliest exit in the competition since 1990. Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute off a left-wing cross Andreas Schjelderup and then added a decisive second with a powerful low shot into the corner of the net in the final minute of…

Weather warning called before Mexico vs. England World Cup game at Azteca

MEXICO CITY — Severe weather at the Azteca Stadium saw a shelter-in-place order called just a few hours before kick-off in the round-of-16 World Cup match between Mexico and England. The order was issued around three hours before kick-off, with spectators taking shelter underneath the roof of the Azteca, while security and other personnel were huddled under gazebos and any other shelter they could find. Thunder was heard over the…

Rodri says Spain’s midfield tops Portugal’s ‘best generation’ ahead of World Cup clash

DALLAS — Captain Rodri has insisted that Spain‘s midfield is superior to Portugal‘s ahead of their World Cup round of 16 clash — while admitting that their opponents’ squad boasts “one of the best generations they’ve ever had.” The two teams meet in Dallas on Monday, with Spain’s all-star midfield of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo facing off against Portugal’s Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes. Spain…

Belgium furious at Balogun ban being suspended: It’s April Fools

SEATTLE — Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he thought it was a joke when he first heard news that suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun was cleared to play in the round of 16 match here Monday, while the Belgian federation announced it was “investigating all potential options” in opposition of FIFA’s stunning decision. “I didn’t know that at the World Cup, the 5th of July is actually the first…