ATLANTA — England have a plan in place if their round of 32 match against Congo DR goes to a dreaded penalty shootout, and Jordan Pickford says England are ready for any scenario on Wednesday. Two of the World Cup knockout matches have gone to penalties so far, with the Netherlands and Germany both losing to Morocco and Paraguay respectively. England have a varied history of penalties, and of the…
Mexico won their first World Cup knockout stage match in 40 years after dispatching Ecuador 2-0 in front an electric crowd at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday. A one-hour delay to kickoff due to lightning around the stadium did nothing to dampen the atmosphere inside. And fueled by the roars of the home support, Mexico came out dominating their South American opponents and scored twice in nine first-half minutes, courtesy…
OAKLAND, California — Australia great respect for Mohamed Salah and Egypt, but Socceroos flyer Jordan Bos says that the team is under no illusions that Friday’s FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash is anything other than “eat or be eaten.” All eyes in the buildup have been on the fitness of Salah after the Pharaohs talisman was forced from the field in the second half of their 1-1 draw…
ATLANTA — FIFA explained Tuesday the tighter regulations that resulted in Germany having a potentially game-winning goal disallowed in their shock elimination from the World Cup. Defender Jonathan Tah‘s headed goal in extra time against Paraguay on Monday was ruled out after a video review because of a foul on goalkeeper Orlando Gill. – VAR review: Why Germany were wrongly denied extra-time goal vs. Paraguay – Dawson: It’s official: Germany…
Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo said his side gave Manchester City striker Erling Haaland “too much space” after the Norway forward scored the late winner in Tuesday’s 2-1 World Cup round-of-32 clash in Dallas. World Cup Golden Boot hopeful Haaland finished from close range in the 86th minute to send Norway through to a last 16 meeting with Brazil in New Jersey on July 5, while the Ivorians head home…
Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessié has acknowledged that he’s considering his international future following his country’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. The West African side were defeated 2-1 by Norway in Dallas to end their World Cup journey in the round of 32, with Erling Haaland netting a late winner after Amad Diallo had cancelled out Antonio Nusa’s curling opener. The match brings to a premature end…
Marcelo Bielsa took full responsibility for the Uruguay national team’s group-stage elimination from the 2026 World Cup, calling the experience frustrating and painful. Bielsa’s three-year contract with the federation expired with Uruguay’s exit from the World Cup. “My responsibility for what happened is very clear. I cannot justify the position we finished in. In short, my management of the players I had was insufficient. We did our best, both my…
ATLANTA — Thomas Tuchel has said surprise early World Cup exits for Germany and Netherlands will “calm our minds” and help England not to “over-expect” when facing Congo DR on Wednesday. England are strong favourites in Atlanta to progress to the last 16 but the game comes just two days after Germany were beaten by Paraguay and Netherlands lost to Morocco at the same stage. Congo DR have never reached…
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Reece James and Jarell Quansah will miss England’s round of 32 clash with Congo DR on Wednesday. James has a tight hamstring while Quansah twisted his ankle in England’s final Group L game against Panama last weekend. Both players missed the final training session in Kansas City before the team flew to Atlanta on Tuesday. Asked about their availability, Tuchel said: “They are getting close. They…
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said Wednesday’s round-of-32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina will be like “the final of the World Cup,” and that if the U.S. is to progress to the round of 16, “we need to perform at our best.” The USMNT looked sharp in its first two group stage matches against Paraguay and Australia, before falling to Turkiye while playing a heavily rotated…