Vinicius Junior welcomes Neymar on his long-awaited Brazil return. Photo: AFP MIAMI: Vinicius Junior made it four goals in three games at the World Cup as Brazil cruised to a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, sealing progress to the last 32 as Group C winners and leaving their opponents in danger of another first-round exit….
Brought on for the last 12 minutes with his team 2-0 up against the Czech Republic Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa poses with family members after the match. Photo: REUTERS MEXICO CITY: If Wednesday’s World Cup match marked the last time Guillermo Ochoa appears in Mexico colours, the 40-year-old goalkeeper could not have wished for a better send-off….
EAST RUTHERFORD: Ecuador squeezed into the last 32 of the World Cup with an upset 2-1 victory over Germany on Thursday as Ivory Coast ended Curacao’s fairytale campaign to seal their passage to the knockout rounds. A nailbiting Group E game between Ecuador and group winners Germany at the MetLife Stadium was settled 13 minutes…
Former multi-weight world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather’s planned exhibition against Greek kickboxing star Mike Zambidis in Athens on Saturday is off, according to federal court filings obtained by ESPN. The pay-per-view event was to be held at the Telekon Center at the OAKA Olympic Complex in Athens. Events company CSI, which is suing Mayweather in…
South African players celebrate their stunning victory over South Korea. Photo: AFP MONTEREY: South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history — an astonishing turnaround after a dismal opening defeat. The Bafana Bafana, playing in a World Cup for the first time since…
Johan Manzambi celebrates scoring the decisive second goal for Switzerland against Canada. Photo: AFP VANCOUVER: Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi fired Switzerland to top spot in World Cup Group B on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over Canada as the co-hosts also ensured a historic spot in the knockout rounds. With the top two teams in the…
Iraqi striker Ali al-Hamadi’s tough character was forged on the streets of edgy Liverpool neighbourhoodToxteth. Photo: AFP PARIS: From being shepherded out of Iraq as a baby to growing up on the mean streets of Toxteth in Liverpool, Iraqi striker Ali al-Hamadi’s journey to the World Cup has been challenging. The 24-year-old will draw on all the qualities…
Colombia’s Daniel Munoz scores a goal that was later disallowed. Photo: REUTERS MEXICO: Daniel Munoz fired Colombia into the World Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday, sealing a 1-0 win over DR Congo in Group K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match into a night of frustration. Munoz struck the winner from the…
England captain Ben Stokes missed the second Test after breaking a midnight curfew. Photo: AFP LONDON: Brendon McCullum has challenged England captain Ben Stokes to use the controversy over his curfew breach as fuel to inspire a series-clinching victory in the third Test against New Zealand. Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped from…
Harry Kane and England endured a frustrating afternoon in a goalless World Cup draw with Ghana on Tuesday. Photo: AFP FOXBOROUGH: England suffered a World Cup setback on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana, leaving them with work still do as they bid to progress to the knockout stage…