Sports
Argentina luckily escape as they manageably survive tiny Cape Verde scare after extra time
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Lionel Messi’s Argentina beat rank outsiders Cape Verde 3-2 after extra-time in an epic contest to reach the World Cup last 16 on Friday.
Lionel Scaloni’s side looked set for a comfortable evening when captain Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, latching onto an exquisite lofted pass from Lisandro Martínez before firing emphatically into the roof of the net.
Despite Argentina dominating possession and creating the better chances, Cape Verde refused to be overawed and produced a resilient second-half display that stunned the South American giants.
The Africans drew level in the 59th minute when Ryan Mendes picked out Deroy Duarte, who calmly slotted beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to ignite hopes of one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Messi twice came close to restoring Argentina’s advantage, only to be denied by Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose string of outstanding saves kept his side in the contest.
With neither team able to find a winner in regulation time, the match headed into extra time.
Argentina regained the lead almost immediately after the restart when defender Lisandro Martínez reacted quickest inside the six-yard box in the 92nd minute, converting from close range after Alexis Mac Allister had nodded a Messi corner into his path.
But Cape Verde responded once again in remarkable fashion.
In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral unleashed a stunning strike from distance that flew into the top corner, leaving Emiliano Martínez rooted and forcing another dramatic twist in an already pulsating encounter.
Just as the tie appeared destined for a penalty shootout, Argentina found the decisive breakthrough.
A dangerous corner delivered by Messi in the 111th minute caused panic inside the Cape Verde penalty area, with defender Diney Borges inadvertently turning the ball into his own net under intense pressure to hand the two-time world champions a 3-2 lead.
Cape Verde refused to surrender and launched a relentless late assault.
Emiliano Martínez produced two outstanding saves in the closing minutes, first denying Steven Moreira’s close-range header before brilliantly pushing away a dangerous free-kick from Sidny Lopes Cabral to preserve Argentina’s slender advantage.
The final whistle confirmed Argentina’s passage after one of the most dramatic matches of the knockout stage.
While Messi once again inspired his side with a goal, an assist and constant attacking menace, Cape Verde emerged with enormous credit after pushing one of football’s traditional powerhouses to the limit in a fearless performance that won admiration despite the heartbreaking defeat.
France secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in their Round of 16 encounter in Philadelphia on Saturday.
The tightly contested match remained goalless until the 70th minute when France were awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Désiré Doué inside the area. Captain Kylian Mbappé stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to hand Les Bleus the decisive breakthrough.
Paraguay defended resolutely for much of the contest and frustrated the French attack with disciplined organisation, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances at the other end. France controlled possession and continued to press for a second goal, only to be denied on several occasions by Paraguay’s resilient defence and goalkeeper.
Mbappé’s 70th-minute penalty proved enough to separate the sides, extending France’s impressive run in the tournament and keeping alive their bid for a second World Cup title in eight years. The goal also moved the French forward level with the tournament’s leading scorers.
The victory sends France into the quarter-finals, where Didier Deschamps’ side will face Morocco national football team for a place in the last four, while Paraguay bow out after an admirable campaign that included a memorable knockout victory over Germany.
Sports
World Cup 2026: Your larger than life ego is weighing Portugal down- Zlatan Ibrahimovic tells CR7
Former Sweden striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has hit out at Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo amid the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
The former Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain star claimed that Ronaldo’s ego is holding Roberto Martinez’s side hostage.
According to Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo’s role in Portugal’s starting lineup isn’t legendary leadership, adding that the 41-year-old has lost his touch and mobility.
He also reckons Goncalo Ramos should lead Portugal’s attack after he came off the bench to score the winner during their 2-1 win over Croatia in the Round of 32.
“Portugal fans could have expected what’s happening. You can’t expect to win anything in 2026 with a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack,” Ibrahimovic told Fox Sports.
“Especially since Ramos is on the bench, having come on and scored. This isn’t ‘legendary leadership.’ It’s the ego that’s holding the team hostage.
“Ronaldo has lost his touch and mobility. Continuing to start him is pure nostalgia-driven madness.”
Ronaldo has scored three goals so far for Portugal at the World Cup and he will hope to lead his nation to victory when they face Spain be back in action in the Round of 16 on Monday.
Atlas Lions rule in Houston as second-half blitz ends co-hosts’ dream as
Morocco delivered a commanding second-half performance to hammer co-hosts Canada 3-0 on Saturday night, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions remained patient throughout the opening 45 minutes as Canada stood firm, with the home crowd creating an electric atmosphere and believing their dream run could continue.
However, Morocco returned from the break with renewed purpose and completely took control of the contest.
The breakthrough goal opened the floodgates before a second strike put the result beyond doubt. A third goal sealed an emphatic victory, leaving Canada with no way back.
By the final whistle, Morocco had dominated possession, controlled the tempo, and capitalised on every mistake made by the Canadians. What started as a competitive encounter ended as a convincing statement of intent from the African side.
The victory sends Morocco into the last eight of the tournament, keeping Africa’s hopes alive on North American soil, while Canada’s World Cup campaign comes to an end on home ground.
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