Apollo Sports, Melbourne (2026)

05/07/2026

FRANCE EDGE PARAGUAY AS MOROCCO END CANADIAN RUN

The first day of round of 16 match-ups was a tense affair for favourites France against the very difficult Paraguay. Morocco had a challenging match against the improving Canada.

France were obviously heavy favourites going into this game against Paraguay but as the Germans found out, there was no way the Paraguayans would make it easy as the French really had to work for it. The whole game was a slog for France even though they created chances the Paraguayans dragged this game into what became a real South American fight, though it was strange that Paraguay were allowed to get away with as much as they did ending the game with no cards being dished out. But in the end it didn't matter as Mbappe was able to take the penalty France received in the 70th minute and slot it home for 1-0. That was how the game ended and safe to say France are happy they got out of that game and are through to the quarter finals where we will get another showdown between them and Morocco, in a sense, an old vs new guard coming through with these World Cup sides.

The other game on the day Canada took on World Cup hopefuls Morocco in a game where Canada had a very good run at the game and were on top for most of it. The first half Canada were taking it to the Moroccans and creating decent chances, but were not clinical enough to finish them off. Saibari early on went off with an injury, so we shall see how that affects this Morocco side going forward but didn't seem to phase them in the second half when they had a bit more going for them and it paid off just 5 minutes into the second half when Azzedine Ounahi struck well from the edge of the area from a Hakimi free kick. On another day, Canada may have scored and brought an equalizer but it seemingly just wasn't to be, even though they pushed for a leveler. But in the end Morocco's attacking forces were strong enough to score a second through Ounahi again, in the 82nd minute, and then deep into stoppage time Soufiane Rahimi brought a third with Brahim Diaz grabbing a second assist. This sends Morocco through to face France in the quarter finals in a rematch of their semi final in 2022. A huge game for them as they have a chance to stamp themselves on the World stage and prove they are a real contender to win this whole tournament, and the way they have been playing, you would not count them out of doing so. Canada should be relatively happy getting to this stage considering before this tournament, they had never won a World Cup game let alone a knockout fixture, but it was a good run from Canada and once again, on another day, they could have taken it as they played well in this game.

04/07/2026

ARGENTINA SURVIVE CAPE VERDE SCARE, EGYPT THROUGH ON PENALTIES, COLUMBIA COMFORTABLE OVER GHANA

The last day of the round of 32 was the inverse of the day before having two great very close games.
Argentina who were the overwhelming favourite in this match against Cape Verde were expected to win fairly comfortably, and in the first half Argentina scored first through Messi half an hour in. After that it seemed Argentina just pulled their foot off the gas. It took after half time for Cape Verde to work themselves into the game, but they were creating chances and through a very well worked play down the right side, Ryan Mendes and Steven Moreira linking up to find Deroy Duarte smashing it into the roof of the net for an equalizer. While Cape Verde created chances still, Argentina went looking for their second but never managed it within normal time and so it went on to extra time. Argentina scored quickly 2 minutes in through Lisandro Martinez getting on the end of a flick on from Mac Allister off a corner, which once more maybe they got a little complacent because in the 103rd minute Cape Verde draw level once more with an absolute screamer from Sidny Cabral, goal of the tournament contender, cutting inside from the left, and quite far out, hitting the top corner curling it in beautifully beating Martinez all the way. Tied up at 2-2 penalties were looming but once again off a set piece the delivery from Messi allowed Romero to get a header away, coming off Diney and recorded as an own goal, putting Argentina 3-2 up. They managed to keep the lead to end of the game this time around. With that calls time on a great tournament from Cape Verde who can hold their heads high from what they have done this World Cup, taking the game to such high quality opposition and proving they belong on the World Stage, it has been incredible. As for Argentina they march on, their quest to go back to back still alive as they go on to face Egypt in the round of 16.

Australia vs Egypt offered the chance for one of these nations to win their first knockout match at a World Cup and it could be said it was a fairly even game as Egypt scored first through Emam Ashour 13 minutes in. It put them on the front foot but Australia were pushing for a leveler even though it was still a fairly cagey half. Australian defender Jordan Bos was subbed off after sustaining an injury at half time, which shifted their play in the second half although it was 10 minutes into the second half where they managed to nab an equalizer, granted, through an own goal from Mohamed Hany who veered the ball into his own net after a great delivery from a free kick. There were some questions of Australia coach Tony Popovic taking off two attacking players for Australia. This gave Egypt plenty of play after the fact. However the fact was the game went to extra time as Egypt failed to grab a winner. Australia managed to survive extra time as Egypt piled on the pressure and in the final minute, Popvic made another strange decision, taking off Patrick Beach who had been playing very well in goal for experienced Mathew Ryan. A decision that ultimately did not pat off as they lost the penalty shoot out missing two of the four penalties, and Egypt who converted all four wins and advances to face Argentina. Now that Egypt are through and considering what happened later in the day from Argentina, the Pharoahs will feel they are in with a chance of causing an upset. Australia will feel they could have done more, but a series of very weird decisions by Popovic has possibly cost Australia the chance to progress, and will look towards the Asian Cup next year.

Columbia advances through with a win over Ghana and in the end a very comfortable win for the South Americans, tehy controlled the game from start to finish, to the point that Ghana did not file a shot on target. But the only goal to separate the two sides was from Jhon Arias getting on the end of a great cross over from Luis Suarez. Columbia should have had a couple more through Luis Diaz, who got himself in the positions to score but didn't finish. All in all a professional effort from Columbia who advance with relative ease to the round of 16. It will expected that against Switzerland they have a much tougher game. Ghana on the other hand, having a very solid group stage after being written off completely before the tournament, will surely be disappointed with the display they put on in this game, not even registering a shot on target, it just wasn't a good enough performance, however they will take positives out of their group stage performances, and as they should, and hopefully it allows them to grow over the next cycle so they will be more competitive next time around.

03/07/2026

SPAIN AND SWITZERLAND COMFORTABLY THROUGH, PORTUGAL VICTORS WITH CONTROVERSY

The Penultimate day of Round of 32 action at the FIFA World Cup delivered one particularly spicy affair between Portugal and Croatia alongside two games which went one way.

Spain vs Austria was a tie that could be interesting but Spain just had control of the match winning a comfortable 3-0 dominating the entire match to the point where Austria only managed 5 shots, none of which were on target, and the style of play allowed Spain to do what they do best, and hold the possession, and strike when there is an opening. Mikel Oyarzabal and Marc Cucurella combined twice, for the Spainish first and third goals which Pedro Porro scored the second just over an hour into the match. Austria really struggled to offer up anything of note and go out with a whimper as what maybe could have been for this Austrian team, which is a solid side but never really put it together in this tournament. Spain will go on to face Portugal in what will be an extremely interesting tie going head to head with their Iberian rivals.

Portugal and Croatia played out in some ways a game of two halves. The first half Portugal had the balance of play and the possession with Croatia not managing to do a whole lot. The second half everything shifted as Croatia managed to gain more of a foothold in the midfield and it didn't take long for the scoring to open as Ivan Perisic slotted home a goal for Croatia. Following the goal Croatia were looking for the second but things shifted once more when Vlasic brought down Veiga in the box for a Portugal penalty which Ronaldo then routinely dispatched. It was a bit of a battle back and forth but Portugal still looked more likely to score and they did so when Rafael Leao delivered a lovely cross for substitute Goncalo Ramos to nab the winner. Croatia pushed for a leveler and debates will rage on as they seemed to have found one deep into stoppage time, but Pasalic was ruled offside but VAR said that Matanovic got a touch on the header down which ruled the goal offside, and it will be greatly discussed as a point of contention but the fact remains here Portugal are through and play Spain in the next round. They will have to be better than they were here to beat their rivals and the possession battle will have a big say in the result of that match. As for Croatia, it is heartbreak late on but as always gave it everything and one would think that this is it for Modric, Kovacic and Perisic who have all been great contributors to their country for a long time now.

Similar to the early kick off, Switzerland were just too good for Algeria here, and with John Manzambi who has burst out for the Swiss as a key man they can count on to change games, he did so again, going on a direct run down the middle, gave it off to Embolo to score the opening goal. They then controlled the game really, and scored the second just after half time with Ndoye putting it in for two. From there much like the first half the Swiss were just too good for this Algerian side who similar to their group rivals Austria go out early in the round of 32 stage without much fuss. It does mean that Switzerland go on and play the winner of Columbia and Ghana, and either way should be a competitive affair, as Switzerland who looked a bit off in their first game, and maybe in the second to an extent, are fully in gear and go to the last 16 of the World Cup once more, adding to their great run of getting this far in World Cups in recent times.

02/07/2026

BELGIUM INSANE COMEBACK, ENGLAND SCRAPE THROUGH AND USA WIN

Another bunch of first round knockout matches and more drama. England and DR Congo went to battle in the first match of the day, and this match was a bit of a banana peel for England, and proved to be especially early. & minutes in they took the lead and looked comfortable enough in their first ever knockout match even though England held the momentum and the possession throughout the first half. In the second half Anthony Gordon was subbed on for the English an hour in, and only 15 minutes later, he assisted Harry Kane for the the equalizer and then grabbed the winner through the same combination in the 86th minute. Although Congo lost this game they can leave this tournament with positives, holding England this long in a knockout game, and having good showings throughout the groups stages too. But for England they go on and face Mexico in the round of 16 at the Azteca in a massive game, one that both sides will be very much up for.

Late heartbreak for Senegal as they gave up late goals in the second half to Belgium, and then a last minute extra time penalty, and they should have never given Belgium the chance to get back into this game, as Senegal had a solid control of this game, were 2-0 up and playing well, but something just broke when Lukaku scored in the 86th minute, because Tielemans nabbed an equalizer 3 minutes later to send it to extra time, and from there, Belgium managed to sn**ch it after extra time. This is going to be a massive missed chance for Senegal to show what they have on the World stage but just shifted away from what they were doing late on in this game and it cost them and sends them out. As for Belgium, who have not been that great at this World Cup, they need to find something else or else they may be threatened to be be eliminated by USA next time out in the round of 16.

The USA have finally managed a win over European opposition at a World Cup, and it comes in the knockout stages, in fairly comfortable fashion, beating Bosnia 2-0. Although Bosnia were in it during the first half, they stood tall and did well up until the half time whistle where Folarin Balogun scored the United States first goal. From there the second half was all USA until a red card for goal scorer Balogun in the 64th minute, gave Bosnia a hope of getting back into the game. They had tried for almost 20 minutes but after Malik Tillman scored from a free kick in the 82nd minute, that killed off the game and the US cruised to a win. It won't be as simple like that against Belgium in the round of 16 but the USA stand a very good chance at getting into the quarter finals, if they beat a not great at the moment Belgium side, which is very possible. Bosnia will disappointed by this performance, they weren't really at the races for most of the match and seemingly struggled to impose themselves on the game.

27/06/2026

CAPE VERDE QUALIFY FOR KNOCKOUTS, BELGIUM BACK ON TOP AND SENEGAL GIVE THEMSELVES A CHANCE

FIFA World Cup Matchday 17 Recap

Group G Egypt 1-1 Iran, Belgium 5-1 New Zealand

In a group where on the final day any side could go through everything mattered for all four of these nations. Egypt after gaining 4 points in the previous two games were looking for top spot while Iran needing a win to guarantee progress into the last 32. Both goals came early with Egypt scoring first 5 minutes in, and only a few minutes later Iran were awarded a penalty, which Taremi missed, did not matter too much for Iran as they found their equalizer through Ramin Rezaeian only 3 minutes later to tie things up. There were momentum swings back and forth throughout the rest of the match but it ultimately came down to a 96th minute goal for Iran that was then deemed to be disallowed for offside, breaking Iranian hearts, meaning they will have to wait for results to see if they go through as one of the best third placed teams.
If the first two matches were any indication of Belgium at their poorest, then this match against New Zealand was a better performance as the Belgians dominated from basically start to finish, even though the score was only 1-0 at half time, it could have been worse for the Kiwis, and it did get worse in the second half as they conceded 5 minutes after half time with Trossard getting his second, with De Bruyne striking from just on the area putting Belgium basically out of sight. They got a 4th and 5th late on when the game was done, and Elijah Just scored in the 84th minute for the Kiwis, getting a consolation while they were three goals down. But Belgium just got the job done and because of the goal difference swing, they have now topped the group, as they were expected to, just took the long way round. New Zealand will look at this group as a missed opportunity, as the games against Iran and Egypt were there to be taken, they just couldn't do it, but based upon the automatic qualifying spots out of Oceania they will be back.

Group H Uruguay 0-1 Spain, Cabo Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia

While Spain won this game against Uruguay to send Uruguay packing out of this World Cup with a measly 2 points, there was clearly a lot going on with them internally to have them crash out this badly. The Spanish goal resulted from a poor effort from Muslera to save a rather tame shot from Alejandro Baena which was just before half time and after that Spain did a professional job in closing it out. But it felt like all the frustration for Uruguay came out at the end of this game, players getting cards and wreckless challenges as well as Federico Valverde being subbed off with half an hour to play and he was clearly unhappy. This result is not just representative of Uruguay being eliminated but shows they have some serious issues to fix both in the dugout and possibly the FA.
The Uruguay implosion has given way for Cape Verde to qualify for the knockouts following another draw, this time with Saudi Arabia, and it is safe to say they could have won this match, as they were on the front foot for most of this game having eight more shots than Saudi. But a huge result for Cape Verde as they qualify to the knockouts, in second place, fully deserved, while not losing a game, albeit not winning a game either, but they have to now face Argentina in the Round of 32, talk about a baptism of fire.

Group I Norway 1-4 France, Senegal 5-0 Iraq
With both France an Norway qualified for the knockouts, it was a game everyone had marked on the World Cup calendar, but either side took a different approach, Norway rested 10 out of their 11 starters while France put out a full strength side. With this, it meant the game would be a little more one sided, and proved to be as France were up 3-1 at half time, and cruised home scoring a 4th in the 94th minute. It is worth noting Ousmane Dembele got himself a hat-trick in the first half, really stamping his name on this World Cup. For Norway they are looking ahead to their round of 32 match against Ivory Coast, where they will field their best 11 and prepare for a deep run, while France have more than enough depth to cover whatever happens in their squad and look favourites to win the whole thing.
The other match turned into a blowout as well and has given Senegal the chance to progress as a third placed team, they scored their first very early in the 4th minute, and Iraq managed to hold strong for a while as they went down a man in the 13th minute, having then to run out the rest of the game with 10 men. Sadly for Iraq, Senegal came out in the second half an obliterated them, scoring 4 goals in the second half with Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye having a serious hand in all four goals. The sheer number of goals has given Senegal the chance to go through as a third placed team, which means they will be a dangerous team in the round of 32 whoever faces them. Iraq were given probably the worst group to placed in, quite literally a group of death for them, but didn't do too badly all things considered and will hope to mount another World Cup voyage in 4 years time.

26/06/2026

ECUADOR THROUGH, NETHERLANDS LOCK TOP SPOT AS TURKEY SURPRISE WIN OVER USA

FIFA World Cup Matchday 15 Recap

GROUP D Australia 0-0 Paraguay, USA 2-3 Turkey

On one hand this group ended in fairly un-dramatic circumstances, with Australia and Paraguay playing out a 0-0 draw which while it had a few chances here and there, was not particularly exciting because both sides knew, all they needed to do was draw, and they would both get through, which resulted in neither side really wanting to take the initiative to try and score and force a goal through. The result means Australia finish second, and they will face off against whoever is second in group G, while Paraguay on 4 points in third have a potential matchup against Germany in the knockouts.
USA had already secured top spot in the group and played a Turkey side that was already out, and had not scored a goal in this tournament yet. The US had played a second string side resting their top players and 3 minutes in, Auston Trusty scored a from a corner, delivered in by Sebastian Berhalter, giving them the 1-0 lead. The Turks finally scored a goal 7 minutes later through Arda Guler, and then on the half hour mark, Baris Yilmaz grabs another, and amazingly, scored two goals in the first half, and were in front at the break. The Americans responded quickly after half time through Berhalter, going from provider to scorer evening things up. USA were generally having more of the play but it was the Turks who managed a third goal with virtually the last kick of the game, having Kaan Ayhan turn it in to win the game for Turkey. It means Turkey do not go home empty handed and the US will be a little annoyed at having lost the game going into the knockouts, where they will be taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

GROUP E ECUADOR 2-1 GERMANY, CURACAO 0-2 IVORY COAST

With Germany having already qualified in top spot it was always going to an interesting game against an Ecuador side who needed a win to qualify to the knockouts, and it didn't start brilliantly with Germany opening the scoring quickly through Leroy Sane. With a mountain to climb Ecuador were well solid at the back and equaled the scores at 1-1 only 7 minutes later through a lovely strike outside the box from Nilson Angulo. The Germans had a few good chances but didn't make them pay and eventually it caught up to them as late in the game 77th minute, a cross is whipped in from the corner for Kevin Rodriguez who heads it at the near post and with Neuer caught in no man's land, Gonzalo Plata got the crucial touch to give Ecuador the lead and in the end, the win. An incredible win from Ecuador lets them qualify as one of the best third placed teams, and will present a very tough outfit to face in the knockout rounds. For Germany, they will have to improve in order to satisfy a potential run at the trophy.
The other match in the group Ivory Coast got the job they needed to done, and will progress after a tricky match against a gallant Curacao side who have had a solid tournament, getting thier first World Cup point and goal, but in the end, the Ivorians were just too clinical and Nicolas Pepe scoring two goals in both halves to put themselves into the knockouts in second place in the group. Yan Diomande was once more important, as he got himself an assist. They will either face Norway or France out of group I, whichever of those sides finish in second place in the group.

GROUP F NETHERLANDS 3-1 TUNISIA, JAPAN 1-1 SWEDEN

If it was not clear that the Dutch wanted to get this win, they demonstrated that early in the game against Tunisia scoring two goals in the opening 7 minutes. Their first went down as an own goal as Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently hits Dumfries low cross in his own net. Brian Brobbey got the Dutch second from a Van Dijk header across goal from a free kick, and Brobbey finished it off. It was looking like a rout, but Tunisia managed to sort it out and steady. Tunisia had a couple of spells in the first half but Netherlands managed. The second half was much the same although the goal difference swing between Japan and Netherlands was a discussion when Tunisia turned home a goal of their own 10 minutes after the break where Hannibal found Hazem Mastouri unmarked in the box to head it in to make it interesting. But just beyond the hour mark Jan Paul van Hecke heads home a Reijnders corner giving the Dutch breathing room once more. As the game wore on, the Dutch knew they would top the group with the goal difference swing and while they still had the measure of the game, just were professional and closed the game out to top the group. Which now sets up a round of 32 game against Morocco, which is a very tasty affair for the neutral, but will be an extremely tough test for the Netherlands on their quest to win the big one.
In similar fashion to the Australia vs Paraguay game, both sides here knew a draw would get them through, and it showed in the first half, as chances were scarce and it was just a slow half of football. The second half had more to it as there were more chances, and while Sweden had more shots on target, Japan took the lead through Daizen Maeda just before the hour mark, and with that goal, the Swedes knew they needed an equalizer and they got one just after the hour mark, through Anthony Elanga with a great shot to fire into the back of the net. The rest of the match was somewhat similar to the first half, and ended with a draw, sending both teams through, setting up Japan for a massive match against Brazil, and Sweden possibly to face France.

25/06/2026

SOUTH AFRICA INTO KNOCKOUTS, BRAZIL TOP, SWISS WIN BATTLE FOR 1ST

FIFA World Cup Matchday 14 Recap

GROUP A Mexico vs Czechia 3-0, South Africa vs South Korea 1-0

With Mexico having already sewn up top spot the last three places in the group were yet to be decided, and Czechia had the toughest job of the lot, having to beat Mexico at the Azteca. This was a rotated Mexico side but still managed to get the job done comfortably as the Czechs never really offered up a whole lot. This gave Mexico the window they needed in the second half to win comfortably, as they pulled a two goal lead in 6 minutes after 10 minutes had gone in the second half, one being scrappy and the other being a lovely finish from Mateo Chaves with the second being pounced on by Julian Quinones. One more late goal gave Mexico the best ending they could have hoped for as it just looked a bit too easy for them, and they will march on into the round of 32. The other action simultaneously was South Africa pulling a surprise win on South Korea to book second place in the group, and possibly knock the Koreans out depending on the other groups. South Africa did much better in this game than in the previous two games and may have been the better side in the first half, and they got the goal they were searching for through a well worked build up to be finished off by Thapelo Maseko for the only goal of the game. They defended the Koreans from their goal till the end of the match and now marking South Africa's first ever knockout appearance at a World Cup. This sets up a tie against Canada, which will be winnable for both sides, especially being that the game will not be on Canadian soil.

GROUP B Switzerland vs Canada 2-1, Bosnia vs Qatar 3-1

For Canada it would have meant a lot to qualify top of the group and gain a home knockout match. The Swiss had other ideas though and showed up as the Swiss that we have come to expect in a lot of ways. In what was always going to be a tight affair the Swiss took the lead right after half time and then 11 minutes later doubled their lead. The two goalscorers being Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi, two players who played a bit role in their win over Bosnia. Canada had momentum from then on but only managed the one goal from Promise David in the 76th minute, as they tried getting that equalizer but it wasn't to be and Switzerland fight out a win that means they finish top while Canad have to settle for second, and crucially, miss out on a home knockout match against South Africa, who they will still fancy to beat.
As for the other match, Bosnia and Herzegovina ran out comfortable winners over Qatar, netting two goals in the first half, and while Qatar got one back on the stroke of half time, Bosnia's changes made a difference as Ermin Mahmic struck a third in the 80th minute to give Bosnia what was a solid win that should take them through to the knockouts as one of the best third placed teams.

GROUP C Brazil 3-0 Scotland, Morocco 4-2 Haiti

Plenty of goals in the last day for group C as Brazil got the job done they needed to over Scotland, not being as challenged as they maybe would have expected. With Vinicius Jr scoring two goals early and late in the first half. Brazil also had a goal disallowed midway through the first half. It was much of the same in the second when on the hour mark, Matheus Cunha got Brazil's third and then they really coasted from there as the Scots were not as threatening as maybe they could have been. Morocco on the other hand had a threat to deal with in Haiti. Haiti had lost their opening two games but they still wanted something out of the group, and they may not have gotten a point, but they got their goal, finally, 10 minutes in Lenny Joseph scored to give Haiti the lead and allowed them to dream a little. They held the lead for half an hour until Hakimi makes in 1-1, and benefits off Placide's save attempt. What followed is one of the goals of the tournament for Haiti as Wilson Isidor hits it perfectly from just outside the area and into the top corner to restore the advantage. Morocco would respond again three minutes later making it 2-2 courtesy of Ismael Saibiri getting on the end of a Hakimi cross. It took a while for Morocco to grab their third but they did it eventually in the 78th minute and then rounded it out with a fourth on the stroke of the 90 minutes. While Scotland will have to wait and see for results to go their way, Brazil and Morocco will prepare to face either Netherlands or Japan, depending on where those two sides finish up in Group F.

19/06/2026

GOALS GALORE IN GROUP B, MEXICO GRAB TOP AND SOUTH AFRICA FIND A LIFELINE
FIFA World Cup Matchday 8 Recap

Czechia vs South Africa 1-1
The second round of matches opened up with a big match for both these sides, having lost their opening games, it was a must get a result for both the Czechs and South Africa. It was an early goal that broke the deadlock from Czechia scoring in the 6th minute and within those minutes they did deserve it, with a nice team goal starting from a long throw and ends with a nice play from Alexandr Sojka and Michal Sadilek on the end of it, and Salidek puts it through for the opener. Both sides in the opening half after the goal were not really doing anything of note, apart from a Schick header that he should've tucked away. While the Czechs started strong in the second half South Africa finally grew into the game properly, fashioning out chances for themselves, but the meaningful one didn't come until the 82nd minute when Thapelo Maseko's shot struck the arm of Pavel Sulc inside the penalty area, and South Africa were awarded a penalty for handball. Teboho Mokoena then swiftly struck from the spot to give South Africa a chance of progressing by getting a point in this game. South Africa pushed for a winner late but it wasn't to be as it ended 1-1. While for South Africa they have a shot at progressing if they beat South Korea. The Czechs will have to face Mexico in their final group game and with how strong the Mexicans are at home, and how poor Czechia have been, it will be a struggle for them.

Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1
Now the scoreline suggests a completely different game to what actually occurred here between Switzerland and Bosnia, as for the first hour of this game, there was not a whole lot happening. The Swiss had the ball and didn't do much with it and Bosnia came probably closest to getting the all important goal. But suddenly after a substitution that made in the 72nd minutes, bringing on Johan Manzambi for Dan Ndoye, the Swiss got the breakthrough almost immediately, Ruben Vargas finds him at close range to get the goal to put them in front. Then more drama happened only 6 minutes later where Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, which then led to 10 man Bosnia conceding a second goal only 4 minutes later through Ruben Vargas as provider turns scorer, then on the 90 minute mark, Vargas provides once more as Manzambi makes it 3-0 in the space of 16 minutes. It seemed like it was done but there were more goals to come as Ermin Mahmic scored for Bosnia only 3 minutes later after coming on as a sub and scored a sublime effort through a horde of players netting his first international goal with virtually his first touch of the ball. Somehow there was one more goal, this time from the spot for Switzerland as Bosnia concede a very late penalty and Granit Xhaka left no doubt as he made it 4-1 with the last kick of the game. One of the more entertaining 4-1 games you might see, but it also means top spot is to play for on the Swiss end, while Bosnia will have to get 3 points against Qatar in their final match if they want any hope of going through.

Canada vs Qatar 6-0
It may not be a shock that Canada won, but they won convincingly here against Qatar. The opening chance of the game was a Qatari chance in the first minute of play too. But from that point on it was all Canada, and they took full advantage of it, as 16 minutes in, Cyle Larin finishes off a chance that spilled off the goalkeeper in a dangerous area and slotted it for 1-0. While Qatar showed fight against the Swiss, Canada were just too good on this particular day as they kept peppering the Qatari goal with chances, and rarely let go of the ball. It didn't take long for a second as Jonathan David hit a wonderful volley right past the Qatari keeper's near post on the half hour mark. Things went from bad to worse for Qatar as Homam Ahmed was sent off for bringing down Tajon Buchanan outside the box when he was through on goal, though initially thought to be a penalty and a yellow, it was deemed to be outside the box and a red card, with a free kick to follow. Canada scored their third goal in stoppage time of the first half through Jonathan David once more, this time an easy tap in after a good save from Abunada. It was only 5 minutes into the second half when Assim Madibo goes in late on Ismeal Kone, and found to have broke his leg, play stopped as the medical team attended to him, and then the yellow card for Madibo was upgraded to a red card leaving Qatar with 9 men on the field. After a fairly lengthy stoppage, it was all Canada once more and then got their 4th from a free kick, 20 yards out, off the post and in. The fifth and sixth goals followed in the 75th and 92nd minute with the latter allowing David to get his hat-trick. But just all around dominance from the Canadians as they go level on points with Switzerland who they will play to find out who goes top of the group, and Qatar will have to find a way to bounce back from this in a big way taking on Bosnia in their final group game.

Mexico vs South Korea 1-0
In what was always going to be the game of this group, was a rather nervy affair from both sides, clearly neither side wanting to give too much up, especially for Mexico, where winning this game meant top spot and a knockout round final at home. The only goal of the game turned up only 5 minutes after the break where Quinones managed to get a cross away towards the penalty spot where Jimenez was, and the contested header ends up in the air for Korean keeper Kim Seung-gyu tries to claim it but fails to do so allowing the spilled ball to find Luis Romo who just had to place it into the empty net, this was Mexico's goal they held onto for the rest of the match. While Korea had a couple of chances their best chance was late in the game where somehow Mexico managed to get a late 87th minute double header off the line to preserve the slim margin. Mexico will be thrilled with that win going into the final matchday knowing top spot is secured and more importantly a home knockout match, which knowing how good the Mexican's are at home, poses a threat to any opponent they face there in the knockouts. South Korea will need to get at least a draw against South Africa to go through in second place in the group.

Apollo Sports

05/07/2026

04/07/2026

03/07/2026

02/07/2026

27/06/2026

26/06/2026

25/06/2026

19/06/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category