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
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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