Sports

Cape Verde have captured the imagination and secured a World Cup showdown with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, but they are just part of a success story for African football as the group stages come to a close.

Senegal became the first African side to score five goals in a World Cup match, a stunning double…

Ousmane Dembele scored one of the earliest hat-tricks in World Cup history on Friday as the Ballon d’Or winner starred in France’s 4-1 win over a second-string Norway, while Erling Haaland watched on from the bench.

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.

Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into football history on Tuesday after becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute and added another nine minutes into the second half, with last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele getting the other goal for the tournament favourites in Philadelphia.

Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer on Monday, scoring twice as holders Argentina powered into the last 32 with a 2-0 victory over Austria.

Belgium’s hopes of kick-starting their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign suffered another setback on Sunday after they were held to a goalless draw by Iran in Group G, despite dominating large spells of the contest in Los Angeles.

Spain put aside their draw against Cabo Verde in their first match of the 2026 World Cup, producing…

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero on Saturday as the tiny Caribbean island claimed their first-ever World Cup point in a goalless draw against toothless Ecuador.