Unforgettable Round of 32 reshapes World Cup

Doha, Qatar: The FIFA World Cup entered the knockout stage with 32 teams still dreaming of glory. Over 16 matches played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, football’s biggest names were forced to fight for survival, big nations were sent home, and several nations celebrated the greatest victories in their World Cup history.

The biggest shock came with Germany’s exit at the hands of Paraguay. The four-time world champions were held to a 1-1 draw before Paraguay prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout, eliminating one of the pre-tournament favourites and producing one of the biggest upsets of the competition. truewildslot.com

Morocco followed with another statement victory. After frustrating the Netherlands throughout 120 minutes, the Atlas Lions kept their composure in the penalty shootout to knock out the Dutch and book their place in the Round of 16 for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup.

History was also made as Egypt produced one of the defining moments of the Round of 32 by defeating Australia on penalties after a fiercely contested 1-1 draw. The victory secured the Pharaohs’ first-ever World Cup knockout win and booked a Round of 16 meeting with Argentina.Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha applauds fans after the defeat. (PICS AFP)

Norway continued their impressive campaign by defeating Ivory Coast to reach the Round of 16, while Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory with a 2-0 win over Algeria. Canada also made history, edging South Africa 1-0 to book their place in the Round of 16 for the first time.

While several emerging nations celebrated historic nights, the tournament’s biggest names discovered that progress would have to be earned.

Argentina survived one of the most entertaining matches of the knockout stage, overcoming a fearless Cape Verde side 3-2. Making their World Cup debut, Cape Verde once again refused to be overawed, pushing the defending champions until the closing stages before eventually falling short in a performance that further enhanced their reputation despite elimination.

Brazil were similarly tested by Japan before securing a 2-1 victory with a late winner, while Portugal also needed a goal in the closing stages of extra time to edge Croatia by the same scoreline. England, meanwhile, were pushed by a determined DR Congo side before captain Harry Kane inspired a second-half comeback, scoring twice to seal a 2-1 victory and book their place in the Round of 16.

France and Spain were among the few teams to enjoy relatively comfortable evenings. France swept aside Sweden 3-0, while Spain produced their most complete performance of the tournament in a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria. Belgium survived an entertaining five-goal thriller against Senegal, scoring twice in three minutes late in the game before converting a penalty deep into extra time to seal a 3-2 victory.

The United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, while Mexico continued their impressive campaign with a 2-0 win over Ecuador, maintaining their perfect record in the tournament. Colombia completed the Round of 16 lineup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ghana, extending their unbeaten run in the World Cup to four matches.

Six of the 16 ties went beyond 90 minutes, with three requiring penalty shootouts to separate the sides. Five other matches were settled by late goals in normal time, underlining just how little separated victory from elimination.

Goalkeepers emerged as heroes, experienced players delivered under pressure and fine margins, rather than outright domination, determined which teams kept their World Cup dreams alive.

The knockout stage also belonged to football’s biggest stars. From veterans Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the new generation led by Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, football’s biggest stars delivered when it mattered most, keeping their nations in contention and ensuring the race for both the World Cup trophy and the Golden Boot remains wide open.

The Round of 32 has left the competition with a fascinating mix of nations. World champions Argentina, France, Spain, Brazil and England remain firmly in contention, but they are now joined by teams that have already shown they can overcome the odds.

All three host nations the United States, Mexico and Canada have progressed to the Round of 16, alongside Belgium, Paraguay, Morocco, Colombia, Egypt, Norway and Switzerland, each earning their place through composed performances under pressure.

The World Cup now moves into the Round of 16 with the field reduced from 32 teams to 16. The opening knockout round delivered major upsets, historic firsts and unforgettable drama, leaving a tournament that has become increasingly difficult to predict and ensuring every remaining nation believes it still has a genuine chance of lifting football’s biggest prize.

London: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday a revamped format for the men's 2027 one-day international World Cup that could lead to an additional fixture between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

While next year's edition in southern Africa remains a 14-team competition, the three lowest-ranked qualifiers will now take part in a preliminary round with just one of them progressing to a 12-strong main group stage.

That will now feature just two pools of six, with a new 'super seven' stage replacing the previous 'super six' round-robin.

Significantly, there will be no quarter-finals with the tournament denied the further jeopardy and interest that comes with an extra round of clear-cut knockout matches.

An additional team in the round-robin phase, however, increases the prospects of an extra match between India and Pakistan.

The passion for cricket in the sub-continent, which in turn generates huge broadcast rights and commercial revenues for the ICC, makes a match between India and Pakistan the most lucrative in the sport.

But India and Pakistan no longer meet outside of ICC events, with political tensions between the bordering nations meaning they are effectively barred by their own governments from facing each other.

الأخباربرئاسة هاني بلان عبر الاتصال المرئي.. « الآسيوي» يعتمد خطة إعداد حكام كأس آسياعقدت لجنة الحكام في الاتحاد الآسيوي لكرة القدم اجتماعها الرابع، برئاسة هاني طالب بلان، عبر تقنية الاتصال المرئي، حيث اعتمدت خلاله خريطة الطريق الخاصة بإعداد وتجهيز حكام نهائيات ...فتح →

The last bilateral series India played in Pakistan was in 2006 (Test and ODI series).

In a statement, the ICC insisted the new World Cup structure "creates greater context, competitiveness and consequence during the event."

Another change approved at the ICC's recent board meeting in Edinburgh will see the next men's T20 World Cup in 2028 remain a 20-team competition, but with 10 sides qualifying from the group stage rather than eight.

The two best performing teams in the 'Super 10' will automatically secure a semi-final spot, with a new eliminator stage to decide their opponents.

Doha, Qatar: FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid an emotional tribute to the Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, describing him as a visionary leader, mentor and close friend whose influence would endure for generations.

In a message posted on social media following the passing of H H the Father Amir, Infantino said: “Today, a visionary has left us, but his vision will remain forever in the heart, soul, and the country he was born to, lived in, and cherished deeply. Today, the father has left us, but he is not gone.”

The FIFA President said he was deeply saddened by the loss of H H the Father Amir, whom he described as “a special person, a mentor, a visionary, and someone I was very close to.”

Infantino said the late Father Amir’s life should be celebrated for its many achievements, noting that during his 18 years as Qatar’s ruler he played a pivotal role in the nation’s development and helped shape it into the country it is today.

“I feel fortunate to have spent valuable time in his company. He was always inspiring, kind, and gracious in everything he did,” Infantino said.

Reflecting on their relationship, Infantino said H H the Father taught him that “vision is not only words; it is actions to be taken, a stand to be taken, a truth to be spoken.”

He also thanked H H the Father Amir for welcoming him to Qatar, saying the country had become “my home, my country” because of his “contagious love for this beautiful Qatar.”

Infantino recalled the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, saying millions celebrated the tournament in Qatar “thanks to his determination and a vision bigger than all of us.”

“Today, we mourn a visionary, but we also celebrate a vision that will stay in the memory and the hearts of everyone,” he said.

The FIFA President concluded by extending his condolences to the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Al-Thani family and the people of Qatar, saying his “heart, thoughts, and prayers” were with them during this difficult time.

تأهل منتخب سويسرا اليوم الجمعة إلى دور ال16 من بطولة كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 بعد فوزه على منتخب الجزائر بهدفين نظيفين في مباراة دور ال32 التي أقيمت على ملعب بي سي بليس في مدينة فانكوفر الكندية.

وشهد الشوط الأول بداية حذرة من الطرفين مع أفضلية نسبية للمنتخب السويسري الذي افتتح التسجيل عن طريق برييل إيمبولو في الدقيقة العاشرة بعد تسديدة داخل منطقة الجزاء وحاول فرض إيقاعه عبر الاستحواذ والضغط في منتصف الملعب.

وواصل المنتخب السويسري في الشوط الثاني سيطرته على مجريات اللقاء مع ارتفاع نسق اللعب ومحاولات متكررة لتعزيز التقدم حتى تمكن من تسجيل الهدف الثاني عبر دان ندوي في الدقيقة ال46 بعد هجمة مرتدة سريعة أنهاها بتسديدة قوية داخل الشباك.

وفي المقابل حاول المنتخب الجزائري العودة في النتيجة عبر ضغط هجومي في الدقائق الأخيرة لكن التنظيم الدفاعي السويسري حال من دون تقليص الفارق.

وبهذه النتيجة يودع المنتخب الجزائري البطولة في حين يواصل المنتخب السويسري مشواره إلى الدور ثمن النهائي حيث سيلاقي الفائز من مواجهة كولومبيا أمام غانا.

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أكد يورغن كلوب امس، أنه استعاد طاقته و»جاهز» لما وصفه بـ»محادثات مكثفة» بشأن توليه مسؤولية تدريب منتخب ألمانيا لكرة القدم.
وأبلغ كلوب الاتحاد الألماني لكرة القدم الجمعة، أنه «مستعد من حيث المبدأ» لتولي تدريب المنتخب بعد استقالة يوليان ناغلسمان.
وقال كلوب في حديثه لقناة «ماغنتا تي في» التي يعمل معها محللا خلال كأس العالم «التوقيت ليس مثاليا الآن»، مضيفا «ومع ذلك، فهو أفضل مما كان عليه في أي وقت مضى. استعدت طاقتي بالكامل وأكثر. لذا، فأنا جاهز».
وتابع «لدي عقد قائم مع ريد بول. وأنا حريص على احترام العقود. لكنني مهتم بإجراء محادثات. يجب أن تكون محادثات مكثفة. المشكلات التي نواجهها حاليا لا تتعلق فقط بيوليان ناغلسمان».
وأكمل «علينا إحداث تغييرات جذرية الآن. سواء انتهى الأمر بي أو بغيري، فهذا لا يغير حقيقة أن التغييرات ضرورية».
وأشار كلوب إلى أنه سيحتاج أيضا إلى التحدث مع المدير التنفيذي لريد بول أوليفر مينتسلاف.
وقال كلوب الذي قاد ليفربول لإحراز دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإنجليزي «كرة القدم الألمانية قريبة من قلبه. يجب أن تخرج ريد بول من هذا الوضع بطريقة سليمة. ليس من السهل الخروج منه».