Sports
2026 World Cup: Morocco defeats Netherlands enters round of 16
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Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out to advance to the last 16 of the World cup on Monday after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands’ fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning spot-kick that sealed a 3-2 shootout win.
The victory sends Morocco into a last-16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.
An enthralling match had gone to extra time after Issa Diop had glanced in a dramatic equaliser for Morocco in the first minute of stoppage time as the Netherlands closed in on victory.
The Dutch had taken the lead midway through the second half with a goal from Cody Gakpo, playing just days after his partner had confirmed the death of the couple’s unborn son.
Liverpool forward Gakpo sank to the turf and appeared overcome with emotion as he was surrounded by team-mates in a prolonged group embrace.
But Morocco forced extra time when an unmarked Diop headed home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in injury time.
Morocco had created the better chances of a fractious encounter, which saw players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.
The Atlas Lions almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Neil al-Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner goalwards only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Verbruggen was pressed into action moments later, this time doing well to tip a vicious strike from Hakimi over the bar.
The fierce nature of the contest was on full display midway through the half when Saibari was lucky to escape sanction after elbowing Jan Paul van Hecke in the face.
The Dutch continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to convert it into goalscoring chances.
Their best effort came on 44 minutes when Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven uncorked a ferocious shot from the edge of the area that was tipped over by Bounou.
Van Hecke continued to find himself in the thick of the action, and after bloodying his head in a collision in the penalty area, made his presence felt with a crunching tackle that upended el-Aynaoui just before half-time.
As the half ended, Saibari just failed to connect with a cross that flashed across the Dutch goal before going behind.
The drama continued into an end-to-end second half, but appeared to have tilted in the Netherlands’ favour when coach Ronald Koeman brought on forward Wout Weghorst in a flurry of substitutions after the hydration break.
Weghorst made an immediate impact, flicking on a long ball to send Summerville bearing in on goal. Summerville crossed to Gakpo, who hurled himself at the ball to score.
The Netherlands, superbly marshalled by Gakpo’s Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk, appeared to be heading for victory but Diop’s late header sent it to extra-time.
Morocco looked to have made the breakthrough when Soufiane Rahimi went through on goal in the 96th minute, only to be denied by a jaw-dropping save from Verbruggen.
The Netherlands held on for penalties, but despite Morocco missing their first when El-Aynaoui hit the bar, the North Africans recovered to win.
Sports
2026 World Cup: FIFA begins to probe Argentina V Spain final over malpractices
FIFA has began a disciplinary investigation into the aftermath of the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.
Recall there were ugly scenes at the end of the game, involving players and coaches from both teams.
The game was ultimately decided by Ferran Torres’ goal in the 106th minute.
Before Torres’ goal, Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for a 90th minute foul on Pau Cubarsí.
At the end of the game, footage has emerged of Argentina’s Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina hitting Spain’s Eric García and Rodri, while Argentina coach Roberto Ayala was also seen to strike Dani Olmo.
A FIFA statement said, “Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents.
“Further details will be communicated by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee once the prosecutor’s report has been completed.”
Sports
Rodri wins Golden Ball as Spain dominate World Cup awards
Spain midfielder Rodri was crowned the Player of the Tournament after inspiring his country to the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, capping a remarkable campaign with another prestigious individual honour.
The Manchester City star received the Golden Ball following Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, where Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal to hand La Roja their second world title.
Rodri, widely regarded as the heartbeat of the Spanish team, controlled matches throughout the tournament with his composure, vision and leadership, playing a pivotal role in Spain’s unbeaten run to the trophy.
The award adds to an already glittering career for the 30-year-old, who has won the Ballon d’Or, the UEFA Champions League, four Premier League titles, the European Championship and now the FIFA World Cup, further cementing his place among the finest midfielders of his generation.
Spain also swept two other major individual awards at the tournament.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón claimed the Golden Glove after an outstanding campaign between the posts. The Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper kept seven clean sheets and conceded just one goal throughout the tournament, producing a series of crucial saves that underpinned Spain’s march to the title.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Pau Cubarsí was named the Young Player of the Tournament following a series of composed and commanding performances in defence. The Barcelona centre-back emerged as one of the breakout stars of the competition, earning widespread praise for his maturity, confidence and consistency despite his age.
Spain’s clean sweep of the tournament’s top individual honours underlined the country’s dominance at the 2026 World Cup, where Luis de la Fuente’s side combined defensive solidity with attacking quality to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
The triumph marked Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title, 16 years after their historic success in South Africa in 2010, while Rodri’s Golden Ball served as fitting recognition of a tournament in which he was the driving force behind the new world champions.
Sports
W’Cup: Messi in tears, hails Spain as better after losing back-to-back dream
Even with his magical performance through which he pulled Argentina at of the deeps in virtually all their encounters, Lionel Messi, appeared inconsolable with his inability to create the most enduring piece of history he apparently desired – winning the World Cup – back-to-back.
For this, he went to the podium soaked in his own tears to receive his medal as the defending champions fell to Spain in the just ended football tournament, which ended this Sunday, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, the United States.
Failing to reach the first back-to-back men’s World Cup winner since Brazil in 1962, no thanks to Ferran Torres, who scored 37 seconds into the second extra-time period, to seal the spectacular performance of the La Furia Roja (The Red Fury) with a 1-0 victory and handed them their second World Cup title, the Argentine prodigy, was all full of praises for the champions.
Fighting back tears, the 39-year-old Argentine captain said of the La Furia Roja who posted a 20-1 advantage in shots, and 845-433, showing total dominance: “I feel sad, but I am aware that we played our hearts out.
“They were better, to be honest. We lost the game, and we accept that. That doesn’t mean that we will forget everything we’ve done so far, so I’d like to thank my people, my players and the country.”
Even with a year short of 40, by which time virtually all footballers would have retired from the game, Messi’s performance in the three-nation, 2026 World Cup, leaves many believing that he could even show up at the next edition in 2030 to be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. opening matches holding in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, mark the centenary of the tournament.
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