World Cup | DD News

July 10, 2026 5:18 AM

Mbappe strikes again after missing penalty as France outclass Morocco to reach semi-finals

France captain Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but curled in a superb goal on the hour as France struck twice in six minutes to brush aside Morocco 2-0 on Thursday and book their spot in the World Cup semi-finals. Mbappe, who at 27 became the youngest player to rack up 20 World Cup appearances, also bagged his 20th World Cup goal with a curling shot from just inside the box before Ousmane Dembele added another six minutes later with a low drive to set up a last-four meeting with Belgium or Spain...

July 8, 2026 8:36 AM

Messi inspires Argentina in stunning late comeback to see off Egypt

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a remarkable World Cup comeback as they came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 game on Tuesday. The holders were 11 minutes from a shock defeat trailing 2-0, but goals from Cristian Romero, Messi and the winner two minutes into stoppage time from Enzo Fernandez kept them in the competition. Egypt had been on the brink of one of the great World Cup upsets after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. Messi had squandered an ea...

July 7, 2026 1:17 PM

Belgium rout US 4-1 behind Charles De Ketelaere’s brace

Charles De Ketelaere scored a brace and added an assist as Belgium eliminated the United States from the World Cup with a 4-1 win in their round of 16 match on Monday. It was a convincing performance against the co-hosts for the Red Devils, who advance to play Spain in a quarterfinal match in Inglewood, Calif., on Friday. After Belgium thoroughly dominated in taking a 2-1 halftime lead, the U.S. ratcheted up the pressure coming out of the break seeking the equalizer. Instead, Belgium was stake...

July 7, 2026 8:36 AM

UEFA accuses FIFA of compromising integrity after lifting Balogun ban following Trump intervention

European football’s governing body UEFA launched a scathing attack on FIFA on Monday after the world football governing body suspended the one-match World Cup ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun following intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the move a threat to the integrity of the sport. The decision allowed Balogun to play in the United States’ Round of 16 match against Belgium. It drew widespread criticism from UEFA, coaches, officials and former FIFA p...

July 7, 2026 8:01 AM

Portugal coach Martinez to leave after World Cup exit to Spain

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said he was leaving his role after Spain beat his side 1-0 in the World Cup last 16 on Monday, calling the defeat the end of a cycle for the team. The Spaniard said his contract expired on Monday and that Portugal’s football leadership should now choose a new manager. “I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I think that, without winning it, there’s no point in continuing,” Martinez told a press conference after the match. “The board and the pre...

July 7, 2026 6:24 AM

Substitute Merino hits late winner as Spain end Ronaldo’s World Cup career

Spain substitute Mikel Merino broke through a stubborn Portugal defence in the 91st minute to earn his side a 1-0 win on Monday to take the former champions into the quarter-finals and bring the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career. The midfielder scored six minutes after coming off the bench in the Iberian Derby at Dallas Stadium to move the European champions into the last eight, prevailing where his teammates had been frustrated by a determined Portuguese backline. “Mike...

July 3, 2026 11:38 AM

Embolo, Ndoye fire Switzerland past Algeria into World Cup last 16

Switzerland eased past Algeria 2-0 on Thursday to book their place in the World Cup round of 16, with Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye on target. The Swiss opener was crafted by 20-year-old talent Johan Manzambi, who surged down the left flank before drilling a low ball across the face of goal for Embolo to convert. The assist was Manzambi's second of the tournament. The youngster has also scored three goals in four World Cup appearances despite making only two starts. Switzerland doubled their adv...

July 3, 2026 9:34 AM

Mikel Oyarzabal nets 2 as Spain roll past Austria into round of 16

Mikel Oyarzabal scored his third and fourth goals of the World Cup and Spain eased into the last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Austria on Thursday afternoon in Inglewood, Calif. Pedro Porro added his first-ever goal for Spain after halftime, a header that made it 2-0 and, for all intents and purposes, ensured victory against an opponent that rarely threatened. Fullback Marc Cucurella assisted both of Oyarzabal's goals for La Roja, who outshot Das Team 23-5 overall and led 10-0 in efforts on targe...

July 3, 2026 9:20 AM

Croatia coach Dalic slams ‘bad refereeing’ in 2-1 loss to Portugal

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was unhappy with what he called the "bad refereeing" in his team's 2-1 loss to Portugal in their round of 32 clash on Thursday that eliminated them from the World Cup but said he did not want to use it as an excuse. Portugal were awarded a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee review, which Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home to tie the game before Goncalo Ramos fired them ahead in the 94th minute. Drama ensued late in stoppage time when Josko Gvardiol thought he had eq...

July 1, 2026 10:18 AM

Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to reach World Cup last 16 and end knockout hoodoo

Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory as first-half goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez secured a 2-0 win over Ecuador on Tuesday, sending the co-hosts into the last 16 amid euphoric scenes at a rocking Azteca Stadium. The victory was Mexico's first in the knockout stages of a World Cup since beating Bulgaria on home soil in 1986 and booked a meeting with either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 16, with the co-hosts returning to the Azteca f...