Author: Sadiq, Peter, Gbaega And Gloria

ENGLAND boss Thomas Tuchel said the tournament starts again with the conclusion of the group stage. If that’s the case, then England’s 2026 World Cup campaign will begin soon in Atlanta. Tuchel selected Djed Spence at right back in the absence of injured pair Reece James and Jarell Quansah. Elsewhere, Declan Rice came back into the starting XI after recovering from a calf issue, while Noni Madueke replaced Bukayo Saka on the right wing. Marcus Rashford kept his place on the left side of attack. England have the quality to compete and make the final. If you look at the…

KYLIAN Mbappe became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches as France cruised past Sweden 3-0 to set up a last 16 tie with Paraguay. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that a strike in each half took Mbappe to 10 knockout stage goals, while he now shares the lead in the Golden Boot race at this tournament with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, with both on six goals. Both sides had to content with scorching temperatures in New Jersey, but Les Bleus wasted little time in bombarding their opponents. An offside flag denied Mbappe a 20th-minute opener before he struck…

MEXICO cruised into the last 16 of the World Cup with a comfortable victory over Ecuador in a weather-delayed contest at the Azteca Stadium. Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez gave the co-hosts a healthy advantage in a breathless first half and they produced a controlled display after the break to win their first knockout game since 1986. It means manager Javier Aguirre’s side will again have the advantage of playing in Mexico City, when they meet either England or DR Congo in the next round on Sunday evening (01:00 BST on Monday). A thunderstorm in Mexico’s capital had…

THIS all-European fixture pits one of the tournament favourites against a side that have been no stranger to World Cup runs, but are now a heavy underdog. Still, it has been a turbulent tournament so far, and potentially the greatest World Cup knockout stage upset was recorded on Monday with Germany’s elimination. France were one of only three teams – alongside cohosts Mexico and reigning champions Argentina, to maintain a 100 percent record in the group stage. Les Blues won all of their group matches at a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup, when they…

PLAYING in the World Cup knockouts for the first time, the Ivory Coast start their title challenge against a strong Norway side, powered by superstar striker Erling Haaland, who has dazzled on his tournament debut. The Ivory Coast are one of a record nine African teams that made the cut to the round of 32, and with talented teen Yan Diomande in their ranks, they will hope to extend the continent’s stunning run in the 2026 edition. The odds, however, heavily favour Norway, who will be out to match their best-ever performance by proceeding to the round of 16. After…

MOROCCO defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to advance to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 after extra-time. News Point Nigeria Sport reMorocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands’ fourth penalty from Crysencio Summerville before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning spot-kick that sealed a 3-2 shootout win. Morocco dominated much of the game but were thwarted by inspired goalkeeping from Bart Verbruggen and the woodwork before Gakpo, who had announced the loss of his unborn son on Saturday,…

FOUR-TIME winners Germany have been knocked out of the 2026 World Cup, losing to Paraguay in a thrilling penalty shootout after it finished 1-1 after extra time. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Orlando Gill. But Paraguay twice missed chances to go through as Antonio Sanabria shot wide and Fabian Balbuena’s effort was stopped by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer. However, in sudden death, Jonathan Tah blazed over for Germany before defender Jose Canale scored the decisive kick to send Paraguay through 4-3 on penalties. Earlier, Julio Enciso, who previously played in the…

GABRIEL Martinelli scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner as Brazil came from behind to beat Japan and set up a World Cup last-16 tie against Norway or Ivory Coast. With just seconds left, Brazil won possession back on the edge of the Japan box and Bruno Guimaraes slipped the ball into Martinelli, who took a touch before slotting in off the post. It was a heartbreaking end for Japan, who had more than matched Brazil in the first half and battled valiantly in the second, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side kept pushing and got their reward in final moments. Japan were comfortable…

BRAZIL’s quest to win a record sixth World Cup heads into the knockout stages on Monday as Carlo Ancelotti’s team face Japan in the last 32, before four-time champions Germany play Paraguay and Morocco take on the Netherlands in perhaps the tie of the round. The Brazilians are desperate to win the World Cup again, 24 years after they last lifted the trophy, and they eased through the group stage in first place above Morocco, with Vinicius Junior playing a starring role by scoring four goals. The South Americans may be the favourites to progress to the last 16, but…

STEPHEN Eustaquio scored a dramatic winner in the second minute of injury time as co-hosts Canada defeated South Africa to move into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time. In a scrappy game short of clear-cut chances, and with extra time looming, Eustaquio provided a rare moment of quality with a superb low strike from the edge of the penalty area to give Canada the victory. Canada had lost all six of their World Cup matches before this tournament, but this victory continued a superb competition for them. They defeated Qatar 6-0 on 18 June for…

CO-HOSTS Canada and South Africa will both make World Cup history when they meet in the opening game of the knockout round tonight. Neither nation has ever reached this stage of international football’s showpiece event, and they could not have asked for a grander stage than the spectacular SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. South Africa are one of nine African sides to have reached the last 32, making the continent the major beneficiary of the expanded 48-team format. The Bafana Bafana looked dead and buried in a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the tournament opener but a spirited 1-0 win…

CAPE Verde’s remarkable journey to a dream World Cup showdown against Lionel Messi’s Argentina has become one of the defining stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the Blue Sharks are only one chapter in what has emerged as a historic triumph for African football. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that as the group stage of the expanded 48-team tournament comes to a close, Africa has delivered its strongest-ever collective performance at the FIFA World Cup. A record 10 African nations qualified for the competition, with only Tunisia failing to reach the knockout rounds as nine teams booked places…

LIONEL Messi continued his remarkable love affair with the FIFA World Cup by coming off the bench to score yet another record-breaking goal as Argentina maintained their perfect Group J campaign with a comfortable victory over Jordan, while Algeria and Austria produced one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes to secure places in the knockout rounds. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Messi’s latest milestone ensured Argentina completed the group stage with maximum points and will now face tournament debutants Cape Verde in the Round of 32, while an extraordinary six-goal thriller between Algeria and Austria ended with both teams…

COLOMBIA finished top of Group K despite having a dramatic stoppage-time winner controversially ruled out for offside against Portugal, while DR Congo completed a spirited comeback victory over Uzbekistan to secure a historic first-ever place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Colombia’s goalless draw with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal was enough to secure first place in the group, while DR Congo rallied from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 and qualify for the Round of 32, where they will face England in Atlanta. Although qualification for both Colombia and Portugal had already been secured before…

HARRY Kane became England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer as the Three Lions overcame a stubborn Panama side to finish top of Group L, while Croatia booked their place in the last 32 with a dramatic late victory over already-qualified Ghana in a thrilling conclusion to the group stage. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that England secured a 2-0 victory over Panama to seal top spot in the group, setting up a Round of 32 clash with DR Congo in Atlanta. Croatia, meanwhile, defeated Ghana 2-1 in Philadelphia to qualify as runners-up, although the Black Stars also progressed as one…

ENGLAND’s place in the round of 32 was confirmed last night without even kicking a ball after Uruguay were beaten by Spain. The Three Lions sit on four points after two games – meaning they are at least guaranteed one of the eight third-placed qualification spots if it all goes wrong tonight. Panama aren’t enjoying the greatest of times at this World Cup. If they don’t score tonight, they’ll become the first side to not score at the tournament in 20 years. Also, only six sides have gone through their World Cup campaign without scoring. Ghana go into their final…

FRANCE secured top spot in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over a heavily rotated Norway side, while Senegal kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive after thrashing 10-man Iraq 5-0 in the group’s final round of matches. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Ousmane Dembele stole the headlines with a sensational first-half hat-trick as France finished the group stage in style, while Senegal’s emphatic victory lifted the Lions of Teranga to third place in Group I and fifth among the tournament’s third-placed teams, leaving their qualification hopes dependent on results…

CAPE Verde wrote a new chapter in their football history after reaching the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time on their tournament debut with a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, while Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 to finish top of Group H and condemn the South Americans to another early exit. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Cape Verde finished runners-up in Group H with three points, one ahead of two-time world champions Uruguay and 2034 FIFA World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia. Spain, meanwhile, secured top spot in the group after edging Uruguay through Alex Baena’s…

BELGIUM booked their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Group G winners with an emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand, while Egypt secured second place despite being held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Iran, whose hopes of reaching the last 32 remain alive. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Belgium’s dominant victory, coupled with Egypt’s draw, saw the Red Devils finish top of Group G on goal difference. Egypt progressed automatically as runners-up, while Iran must now wait on results in other groups to determine whether they qualify as one of the tournament’s…

ELIMINATED Turkey ended the United States’ unbeaten run at the World Cup with a dramatic stoppage-time victory, while Australia booked their place in the last 32 and Paraguay moved to the brink of qualification after the final round of Group D matches. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that already-eliminated Turkey stunned group winners the United States 3-2 in Los Angeles courtesy of a last-gasp winner from Kaan Ayhan, while Australia and Paraguay played out a goalless draw in San Francisco, a result that secured Australia’s progression and left Paraguay almost certain of advancing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed…