Football

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..

South Africa finally made it – they have qualified for the Round of 32 for the first time in their World Cup participations. Whoever watched the first two games had a clear idea that Bafana Bafana are on their way out of the tournament as they looked terrible. The first game against Mexico was bad and the second one against Czech Republic was not better either, but the Czechs gave them a point after missing many chances and conceding a late penalty. South Korea was the favorite and they were better during the game, but it wasn’t good enough for the win. Maseko snatched an unexpected winner for South Africa, taking a touch to bring the ball to his left foot inside the box before stroking an effort through the legs of Jens Castrop and inside the near post. And now, after making it through, the Bafana Bafana players are in for a financial reward, apart from being written into the history books of South African football.Bafana Bafana make history by storming into World Cup knockouts as Mex..

Gor Mahia’s 2025/26 season will go down in history as one of redemption, resilience, and mixed emotions after recapturing the FKF Premier League by pipping eternal rivals AFC Leopards in one of the most fiercely contested title races, losing their beloved club patron, Raila Odinga and suffering humiliation at the hands of non-league side BB Bread in the Mozzart Bet Cup.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThroughout the campaign, K’Ogalo displayed the consistency and winning mentality that has defined the club for generations. They navigated difficult fixtures, weathered periods of pressure, and produced crucial results when it mattered most.While AFC Leopards pushed them all the way, Gor Mahia’s experience proved decisive in the closing stages of the season.Government begins construction of two more pitches at Talanta Stadium [PHOTOS]The pressure on Gor Mahia heading into the season was immense. Losing the title to Kenya Police FC had raised questions about the club’s ability t..

There is a tendency in football to measure departures through numbers. Goals scored, assists registered, minutes accumulated, and trophies won. But some exits cannot be quantified so neatly.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsGor Mahia lost more than the reigning FKF Premier League Most Valuable Player (MVP) with Enock Morrison’s recent departure to Al Merreikh of Sudan.They lost a footballer who held the rhythm of their game close to heart, the connective tissue between defence and attack, and the man around whom much of their title-winning campaign revolved.Harambee Stars forward joins South African outfit after sensational season in ZambiaFor Morrison, the move represents the next chapter in an impressive rise that has taken him from Ghana to the pinnacle of Kenyan football and now to one of Africa’s most decorated clubs.For Gor Mahia, however, his departure raises uncomfortable questions at a time when the club should be preparing for its biggest challenge yet.The league ho..

gaAFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has opened up on how former vice-captain Lewis Bandi completed his controversial move to arch-rivals Gor Mahia, revealing that the transfer caught him completely by surprise.Bandi swapped Ingwe for K’Ogalo in August 2025 in a move that intensified the rivalry between Kenya’s two most successful clubs. The versatile defender sealed the transfer after meeting Gor Mahia patron Eliud Owalo while away with the Harambee Stars squad at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).##NAJAVA_MECA_9814303##Nearly a year after the switch, Ambani has disclosed that he had been in talks with the player and expected to meet him before learning that the move had already been finalized.“He is my boy. He is a player I raised and nurtured, but he decided to leave. Actually, he sneaked,” Ambani told Buzz Sports.AFC Leopards break silence on Humphrey Katasi’s imminent transfer to Gor Mahia“He was with the national team and we had talked on about three occasions and a..