Football

DR Congo secured qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after staging a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their decisive Group K clash at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday morning.Needing a win to keep their World Cup hopes alive, Sebastien Desabre’s men recovered from an early setback after Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov fired his side ahead in the 10th minute from Aleksandr Mozgovoy’s assist.##NAJAVA_MECA_9823515##The Congolese dominated much of the contest but found Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov and the defence difficult to break down during the opening hour. Yoane Wissa missed a free header, while Nthanael Mbuku forced a fine save with a fierce long-range strike. Veteran striker Cedric Bakambu was also unable to make an impact before being replaced by Fiston Mayele midway through the second half.Desabre’s attacking substitutions proved decisive as DR Congo piled on the pressure. Their breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when Man..

Some signings simply strengthen a squad, and then there are transfers that quietly speak to ambition. Taddeo Lwanga’s imminent arrival at AFC Leopards feels firmly like the latter.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsNot because he arrives with fanfare alone, and not because his name guarantees headlines across East Africa, but because his career has been shaped by something Ingwe have spent nearly three decades chasing: the habit of winning titles when it matters most.For Leopards, a club that has spent years trying to bridge the gap between potential and silverware, the signing is more than a midfield reinforcement.It is a signal. A reminder that the final step in rebuilding a giant is often not about talent alone, but about experience under pressure, about players who know what it takes to cross the line.Six foreign players who impressed in the 2025-2026 FKFPL seasonAnd Taddeo Lwanga, a Software Engineer, for all his understated style, is exactly that kind of footballer.The w..

Young Africans SC (Yanga) are on the cusp of retaining the Tanzania Premier League title after cruising to a commanding 3-0 victory over Tabora United at KMC Stadium.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe defending champions produced another convincing display to maintain control of the title race, with Harambee Stars midfielder Duke Abuya playing a key role after earning a place in the starting line-up.Six foreign players who impressed in the 2025-2026 FKFPL seasonYanga, the record 31-time Tanzanian champions, broke the deadlock in the 28th minute through Uganda international Allan Okello, who calmly finished to hand his side a deserved lead.Despite falling behind, Tabora United responded positively and enjoyed sustained spells of possession, forcing Yanga to remain disciplined as they headed into the halftime break holding a slender 1-0 advantage.##NAJAVA_MECA_9820469##The hosts wasted little time after the restart, doubling their lead in the 51st minute. Okello converted co..

Senegal have squeezed through!Despite being drawn into the 2026 World Cup group of death alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, the expectations for the African giants were high. Anything less than a place in the knockout phase would have been a disappointment.And the Lions of Teranga delivered, though much harder than expected.Out-of-the-loop Elanga: Sweden qualified, he mourned their eliminationTheir internal problems cannot be neglected or overlooked, that’s for sure. Poor conditions and substandard food in camp, the fact that the players had to buy groceries and cook for themselves, that they are owed bonuses for their previous results, that their manager Pape Thiaw reportedly works without a contract and hasn’t received his salary for months – all of that must have played a major role.However, for two and a half decades, Senegal have been building their reputation in football. A reputation that could have easily been tarnished in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.Luckily for them, the Lion..

Belgium produced their most complete performance of the FIFA World Cup to thrash New Zealand 5-1 and secure top spot in Group G, setting up a Round of 32 clash against one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams.Leandro Trossard struck twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net as the Red Devils comfortably booked their place in the knockout rounds, extending their unbeaten run to 16 matches. The defeat ended New Zealand’s World Cup campaign, with the All Whites finishing bottom of the group and still searching for their first victory on football’s biggest stage.##NAJAVA_MECA_9820472##Knowing victory would guarantee qualification, Belgium wasted little time asserting themselves and almost grabbed the lead inside the opening minutes. Trossard met a dangerous delivery from close range and struck the inside of the post, only for Tyler Bindon to produce a superb goal-line clearance to deny the winger.Belgium believed they had another g..

Uruguay is out of the World Cup after another costly error by Fernando Muslera led to defeat by Spain, with head coach Marcelo Bielsa substituting the legendary goalkeeper at half-time.European champions Spain were already practically guaranteed a place in the last 32 before kick-off, but Alex Baena’s strike late in the first half meant they topped Group H and will face the runners-up of Group J.##NAJAVA_MECA_9820469##Uruguay’s miserable morning was completed when midfielder Agustin Canobbio was sent off in stoppage time for a high challenge on Pau Cubarsi.Bielsa’s side needed a positive result to secure progression, but defeat meant they suffered a second successive World Cup group stage exit with two points from three games.Spain took the lead in the 42nd minute after weathering a period of Uruguay pressure, when Baena swiveled and beat Muslera with a low shot despite the 40-year-old goalkeeper getting two hands on the ball.Dembele sprinkled magic before knockout stage, Senegal raise..

As the final round of Group I came to a close, France and Senegal recorded important victories ahead of the knockout stage. France did not face Norway at full strength, with the Scandinavians missing several of their biggest stars, but that did nothing to slow down Les Bleus. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembelee stole the show with a hat-trick, while Desire Doue put the finishing touch on the match by sealing the final 4-1 scoreline.In the other match, Senegal knew they had to beat Iraq—and do so by a convincing margin—to improve their chances of advancing. They delivered exactly that, cruising to a 5-0 victory that significantly boosted their goal difference. Now, all that remains is to see whether it will be enough to secure a place in the knockout stage.Table for Group I#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/JloaQh80Fk— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) June 26, 2026 The French nearly made the perfect start, coming within inches of opening the scoring just 20 seconds after kickoff. Kylian Mbappe burst ..

He became a national hero without even realizing it. A bizarre scene unfolded after the World Cup match between Japan and Sweden, as Anthony Elanga walked off the pitch disappointed despite his team securing a place in the Round of 16. You might be wondering why. The answer is surprisingly simple: he had no idea Sweden had qualified.In fact, they might not have if it weren’t for the Newcastle winger. Japan took the lead early in the first half through Daizen Maeda, leaving Sweden stuck on just three points – a tally that likely wouldn’t have been enough to reach the knockout stage.Japan and Sweden both reach World Cup last 32 after Elanga’s equaliser seals drawHowever, Elanga soon produced a stunning long-range strike that ultimately earned Sweden a priceless draw and, as it turned out, a spot in the last 16. The only problem was that Elanga didn’t realize just how important his goal was.The former Manchester United winger was convinced Sweden needed to win. In the closing stages, inst..

Things have erupted inside the Uruguay national football team camp. The dirty laundry is now out in the open, and it can no longer be hidden. Even before the start of the World Cup, it was widely known that Marcelo Bielsa would step down after the tournament. Now, it appears that part of the squad wishes he were already gone. According to Uruguayan media, a group of senior players attempted to convince Bielsa to change his tactical approach for the decisive match against Spain national football team, but the Argentine coach refused to compromise.No friendlies, Bielsa’s exhausting drills, and Araujo’s brother’s backlash: Is Uruguay ready for WC kick-off?The local press has described the situation for what it is: a mutiny. The reported leaders of the revolt were captain Federico Valverde and goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, backed by Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur. Following disappointing draws against Saudi Arabia national football team and Cape Verde national football team, they demanded..

Türkiye struck deep into stoppage time to hand the United States their first defeat of the FIFA World Cup, coming from behind to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory in Los Angeles and deny Mauricio Pochettino’s side a perfect Group D campaign.Although the result had no bearing on qualification, with the United States already assured of the top spot and Türkiye eliminated after defeats to Paraguay and Australia, the contest delivered five goals, end-to-end action, and a late twist that left the Americans heading into the knockout stage with questions to answer.##NAJAVA_MECA_9814301##Pochettino took the opportunity to rotate his squad heavily, making wholesale changes with an eye on the Round of 32 after four regular starters were rested to avoid suspension. Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, and Folarin Balogun all watched from the sidelines, while Weston McKennie dropped into a deeper midfield role alongside several players making their first appearances of the tournament.The chan..