Arias sends Colombia into Round of 16 as Ghana’s World Cup ends

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Miami [US], July 4 (ANI): After his side’s valiant showing in a losing cause to defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup round of 32, Cabo Verde’s talismanic goalkeeper Vozinha expressed his gratitude at his team being able to make an impact at the biggest stage and added that all the good things are going to happen now for them. biznow.biz

Cabo Verde might not have registered a win during this entire tournament. Still, their determination, resilience, and hard work to reach an expanded 48-team tournament, while playing against the big boys, have won the hearts of many football fans and sports lovers worldwide. Even though Argentina secured a 3-2 win courtesy of an own goal from Diney Borges, the defending champions were taken to extra time and were made to sweat for this win.

Speaking during the post-match, Vozinha said during the post-match presentation that his side played on “equal terms" with Argentina and had a chance to win the game. He also thanked everyone who was involved in the team’s journey to the grandest stage in football.

“We played against the current world champion, and today we played on equal terms and had the opportunity to win the game. For us, we have to be very, very satisfied and proud," he said.

“Obviously, we are sad, we do not want to stay here, but I am very grateful for everything. I also want to thank all my colleagues, all the technical team, the Federation, and all the fans who, even with a great effort, came here to support us."

On a concluding note, he expressed hope that maybe the players and the coming generation of players will get to play in some of the best leagues in the world.

“And now it is time to look to the future and see that good things are going to happen here. We have a fantastic group, players with a lot of quality, and who knows, maybe we will see these kids, these players, playing in the best leagues in the world," he signed off.

Coming to the match, Cabo Verde, making their first appearance in the World Cup knockout stages, started brightly and tested Argentina early through Ryan Mendes before the South American giants gradually asserted control.

The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute when Messi produced a moment of quality, expertly controlling Lisandro Martinez’s diagonal pass before firing into the roof of the net. The strike was his seventh goal of the tournament, taking him to the top of the Golden Boot standings.

Argentina looked comfortable before halftime, but Cabo Verde returned with renewed intensity after the break. Their persistence paid off just before the hour mark when Mendes released Deroy Duarte, who finished confidently from a tight angle to score his country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout-stage goal and level the contest.

Despite creating several chances, Argentina were repeatedly denied by veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose outstanding saves from Messi kept the scores level and forced the match into extra time.

Argentina restored their advantage almost immediately after extra time began as Lisandro Martinez converted from close range following a corner in the 92nd minute. Yet Cabo Verde refused to back down, with Sidny Lopes Cabral producing a stunning curling effort in the 103rd minute from a tight angle to make it 2-2 once again.

The decisive moment came in the second half of extra time when Messi’s corner was met by Romero, whose powerful header took a slight deflection off Diney Borges before finding the back of the net in the 111th minute.

Cabo Verde nearly forced penalties late on, but Emiliano Martinez produced a vital save to deny Lopes Cabral’s powerful free-kick and secure Argentina’s progress.

Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16, while Cabo Verde exit the tournament with widespread admiration after an impressive World Cup debut that saw them push the reigning champions to extra time. (ANI)

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Just as India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is set to return to the Men in Blue’s squad for the three-match ODI series against England (begins on July 14), his wife Sanjana Ganesan has also returned to the studio as a presenter for the very same series.

Sanjana posted this picture, donning a lovely pink dress, to her 2.2mn Instagram followers. She captioned the post: “Back in the studio.”

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Luka Modric's World Cup journey concluded dramatically, a poignant end to a legendary career. Despite a heartbreaking exit, his impact on Croatian football is undeniable, bridging the nation's past struggles with its present powerhouse status. Modric's elegant play, reminiscent of sporting greats, brought joy and order to the game, leaving an indelible legacy beyond mere medals. His fifth World Cup bid may be over, but his influence endures.

Dallas [US], July 4 (ANI): Following Egypt’s FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash win over Australia, former Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny hailed the team’s skipper Mohamed Salah, expressing that the “joy is so sweet" after clinching the round of 16 berth.

Egypt created history by winning a FIFA World Cup knockout match for the first time, defeating Australia 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash in Dallas on Friday to book a place in the last 16. The Pharaohs, who had never progressed from a World Cup knockout tie, held their nerve from the spot after 120 minutes failed to separate the sides. Egypt will now face defending champions Argentina in the Round of 16.

After the match, Elneny, who played for Egypt from 2011-25 and is well known for his stint with English football giants Arsenal from 2016-2024, posted a picture with Salah in the dressing room.

“Proud of you, the joy is so sweet @MoSalah," said the caption.

فخور بيك الفرحة حلوة اوى @MoSalah pic.twitter.com/OXtOmZhb8p

— Mohamed ELNeny (@ElNennY) July 3, 2026

Salah was one of the architects of the win, creating five scoring chances in the match and scoring in the penalty shootout as well.

Australia had started brightly against Egypt and nearly took the lead inside five minutes when Cristian Volpato’s long-range effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Jordan Bos also threatened before Rami Rabia produced a crucial last-ditch challenge to deny the winger.

Despite the strong opening, Egypt struck with their first effort on target in the 13th minute. Karim Hafez delivered a precise cross from the left, and Emam Ashour headed beyond goalkeeper Patrick Beach to give the Pharaohs the lead.

The Socceroos found an equaliser shortly after halftime when Mohamed Hany diverted a dangerous Australian free-kick into his own net, setting up a tense finish.

Australia had to rely on Beach to stay in the contest as the goalkeeper produced an excellent one-handed save to deny Rabia’s header, while Harry Souttar made a crucial block to keep out Haisem Hassan as the match went into extra time.

Neither side could find a winner in the additional 30 minutes. Veteran goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was introduced late in anticipation of a penalty shootout, but Egypt ultimately held their nerve from the spot.

Souttar blasted Australia’s opening penalty over the crossbar before Mohamed Salah converted with a Panenka for Egypt. After 18-year-old Lucas Herrington missed Australia’s fourth penalty, Hossam Abdelmaguid calmly slotted home the decisive spot-kick to seal a 4-2 shootout victory. (ANI)

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