Sports
Brazil Fight Back to Beat Japan 2-1 as Martinelli’s Late Winner Secures World Cup Last-16 Spot
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Brazil national football team staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Japan national football team 2-1, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a stoppage-time winner to send the five-time world champions into the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
Japan produced an impressive first-half display and stunned the Brazilians in the 29th minute through Kaishū Sano. The midfielder drove forward from the centre of the pitch before firing a low shot beyond goalkeeper Alisson Becker to hand his side a deserved lead.
Despite dominating possession before the break, Brazil struggled to break down Japan’s disciplined defence and went into half-time trailing 1-0.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti responded by introducing Endrick, whose arrival injected greater pace and urgency into Brazil’s attack.
Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced several outstanding saves to preserve his side’s advantage, but Brazil eventually found the equaliser shortly before the hour mark.
Veteran midfielder Casemiro rose above the defence to power home a header from a cross delivered by Gabriel Magalhães, bringing Brazil back into the contest.
The equaliser completely shifted the momentum in Brazil’s favour as they pushed relentlessly for a winner.
Vinícius Júnior came agonisingly close after seeing a superb effort tipped onto the woodwork, while Japan gradually retreated under sustained pressure.
Just when the match appeared destined for extra time, Bruno Guimarães delivered a pinpoint pass to Martinelli at the far post.
The Arsenal forward kept his composure and curled a precise finish in off the upright in the 96th minute, completing Brazil’s comeback and securing a place in the knockout stage.
The victory keeps Brazil on course for a potential meeting with Argentina national football team later in the tournament, while Japan’s search for a first competitive victory over Brazil continues.
The result also marked Brazil’s first World Cup victory after trailing at half-time since defeating Turkey national football team on June 3, 2002.
Brazil also dominated possession throughout the contest, completing 682 passes, with Gabriel Magalhães attempting 135 passes—the highest by any Brazilian player at this year’s World Cup.
The South American giants will now face either Norway national football team or Ivory Coast national football team in the Round of 16 as they continue their pursuit of a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup title.
Sports
Countries That Qualified For 2027 Women’s World Cup As Cameroon Beat Nigeria In Quarter- Final
Cameroon on Sunday secured their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after edging Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-0 in their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter.
The victory also sent the Indomitable Lionesses into the WAFCON semi-finals, securing their qualification for next year’s global tournament in Brazil.
The 2026 WAFCON doubles as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the four semi-finalists earning the continent’s automatic tickets to the tournament.
Cameroon join Algeria and Morocco, who had already sealed their places after reaching the semi-finals on Saturday.
Brazil will host the 2027 tournament, while the remaining qualifying places are being determined through continental competitions across the various confederations.
See full list of countries that qualified:
Host:
Brazil
AFC:
Australia
China PR
Japan
Korea DPR
Korea Republic
Philippines
CAF:
Algeria
Cameroon
Morocco
Concacaf:
None yet
CONMEBOL:
Argentina
Colombia
OFC:
New Zealand
UEFA:
Denmark
France
Germany
Spain
More teams are expected to secure qualification as the various continental qualification campaigns conclude.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams.
Sports
Just in: Unlucky Sunday for Nigeria as Super Falcons, Flying Eagles crumble, World Cup hopes dimmed
It is an unlucky Sunday for two National teams of Nigeria, the Super Falcons fell to Cameroon just as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been knocked out of the race for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.
The defeat at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, also ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The WAFU Zone B final carried added importance, as the winner was guaranteed a place at the 2027 U-20 AFCON, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
With Burkina Faso emerging victorious, the Young Stallions secured the region’s ticket, while Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the global youth tournament came to an end.
Burkina Faso took control of the final from the opening whistle, scoring three goals within the first 15 minutes and leaving the Flying Eagles with a huge deficit.
Nigeria struggled to contain the Young Stallings’ attacking pressure and could not recover from the early setback before the break.
Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side attempted to fight back after the interval but failed to produce the response required to turn the game around.
Burkina Faso eventually added another goal to complete a convincing 4-1 victory, while Nigeria’s consolation effort was not enough to change the outcome.
The result was particularly painful for the Flying Eagles after Burkina Faso had already defeated them 2-0 during the group stage.
Nigeria had hoped to avenge that earlier loss in the final but instead suffered another defeat to the Young Stallions when the stakes were highest.
The Flying Eagles had reached the final after overcoming Côte d’Ivoire in a dramatic semi-final.
Sports
WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons suffer shock defeat as Cameroon gets automatic ticket for World Cup
The defending champions Nigeria Super Falcons suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, ending their WAFCON title defense and missing an automatic spot for the World Cup.
A 20th-minute free-kick by Maeva Nyadjou sealed the historic win for the Indomitable Lionesses .
Breakthrough: Teenage defender Maeva Nyadjou scored from a powerful 20th-minute free-kick to put Cameroon ahead.Nigerian Pressure: Nigeria dominated possession and created numerous chances, racking up heavy pressure and shots on goal, but couldn’t break down a resolute Cameroonian defense.Goheroics: Cameroon’s goalkeeper put in a player-of-the-match performance, denying late attacks including a final-moments chance from Esther Okoronkwo.Consequences of the LossWorld Cup Qualification: Cameroon booked an automatic ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and advanced to the WAFCON semi-finals against Morocco.Play-off Path: Nigeria’s title defense is over, but they move into a Wednesday play-in match against South Africa to chase a remaining inter-confederation play-off spot.Watch the match highlights and key moments from the dramatic quarter-final encounter:
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