Courtesy: Geo News

Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes

VANCOUVER: Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas stroked home the decisive penalty to beat Colombia 4-3 in a shootout after a goalless 120 minutes, sending the Swiss into their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954 and a clash with holders Argentina.

The shootout swung in Switzerland’s favour when their goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez’s penalty after Davinson Sanchez had earlier hit the crossbar for Colombia.

Although Manuel Akanji also missed for Switzerland, firing over the bar, Vargas made no mistake, stroking the winning penalty into the bottom corner.

“It is very difficult for me to realise what we achieved today,” Vargas said.

“I’m grateful for this moment. It was an amazing match for me. For 120 minutes we gave it all on the pitch. We faced a strong opponent, but now we made history… It was amazing that I could score the decisive penalty.”

It was heartbreak for Colombia, who were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for only the second time in their history, having previously done so at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The best opportunity of the first half arrived in the 21st minute when Colombia midfielder Gustavo Puerta curled a shot towards the far corner from around 18 yards, forcing Kobel into a superb diving save to his left.

Switzerland responded moments later, but Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was equal to Fabian Rieder’s effort from a tight angle.

Swiss winger Dan Ndoye nearly snatched a winner in the 91st minute, making a clever run before dragging a low shot across goal just wide of the far post.

In extra time, Colombia centre-back Jhon Lucumi came within inches of breaking the deadlock, rising unmarked to meet a corner only to see his header crash against the crossbar. The near miss sparked a frenetic spell as both sides pushed forward in search of a winner.

Colombia entered the game in Vancouver, the last to be hosted by Canada at the tournament, boasting one of the tournament’s stingiest defences, having conceded just once in their previous matches.

The Swiss were dealt a major setback before kick-off when 20-year-old attacker Johan Manzambi, their breakout star of the tournament with three goals and two assists, was ruled out after suffering a knee injury in training.

Pure joy

Competing at their sixth successive World Cup, Switzerland have become a model of consistency in qualification, but progress beyond the round of 16 had remained stubbornly out of reach in recent editions.

They were eliminated at that stage in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022, but finally overcame that hurdle despite the absence of key players to reach their fourth World Cup quarter-final in their history.

The result also erased some of the disappointment of Euro 2024, when Switzerland lost 5-3 on penalties to England in the quarter-finals.

It was pure joy after Vargas converted the winning penalty. The entire Swiss squad sprinted towards him as celebrations erupted in Vancouver.

BC Place provided a vibrant backdrop, with Colombia supporters vastly outnumbering their Swiss counterparts.

The sea of yellow shirts transformed the stadium into what felt like a home match for the South Americans, whose fans generated a relentless atmosphere, roaring on every Colombian attack and jeering Swiss players whenever they were on the ball.

The Swiss will face Argentina in the quarter-finals in Kansas City after Lionel Scaloni’s side produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 earlier on Tuesday.

1- Header image: Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas scores a penalty during the penalty shootout to win the match on July 7, 2026. — Reuters

Courtesy: Geo News

Enzo Fernandez heads Argentina’s winning goal three minutes into stoppage time

• Argentina through to World Cup quarter-finals.
• Yasser Ibrahim, Mostafa Zico score for Egypt.
• Argentina’s Messi, Romero among goal-scorers.
  

Defending champion Argentina scored three times after the 78th minute, fuelling a ferocious comeback in a 3-2 win over Egypt in the round of 16 World Cup match on Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta.

After La Albiceleste scored their first two goals in a four-minute span to rally from a 2-0 deficit, Enzo Fernandez delivered the game-winner on a header from the edge of the 6-yard box off a long cross from Lautaro Martinez.

Lionel Messi scored the tying goal in the 83rd minute, four minutes after Cristian Romero got Argentina on the board with a headed goal off an assist from Messi.

Messi ran onto a pass from Gonzalo Montiel after a chaotic sequence in the box and lasered a shot that eluded Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shoubir.

Messi’s record 21st all-time World Cup goal was his eighth of the tournament, moving him atop the Golden Boot leaderboard. He has scored in a record nine straight World Cup matches.

The comeback marked Argentina’s first in the World Cup knockout round since a 2-1 extra-time defeat of Mexico in 2006.

The win, Argentina’s 11th straight unbeaten World Cup match, sets them up to face the winner of Tuesday’s later contest between Colombia and Switzerland in a quarter-final on Saturday at Kansas City.

Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Mostafa Zico gave Egypt a 2-0 edge in the 67th minute. But after Shoubir made four saves to preserve the Egypt’s early advantage, he allowed goals on the final three shots on goal he faced.

After a back-and-forth opening, Egypt jumped ahead on a leaping header in the box by Ibrahim. That put Argentina behind in a World Cup match for the first time since their last World Cup loss in their 2022 opener against Saudi Arabia.

It seemed that lead was going to be short-lived when Nicolas Tagliafico drew a penalty four minutes later. But Messi failed to deliver when his penalty kick was stopped by Shoubir, who dove to his left to make the save.

Messi became the first player to ever miss multiple penalty kicks at the same World Cup. He hit the post on a free kick in the 31st minute.

After a foul well earlier in a play erased their second goal in the 59th minute, Egypt converted another counterattacking opportunity eight minutes later.

Haissem Hassan’s pass across the edge of the 6-yard box found Zico, who buried it past Emiliano Martinez to give Egypt a 2-0 lead in the 67th minute.

1- Header image: Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring their third goal with Lautaro Martinez in their Round of 16 match against Egypt at the Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US, July 7, 2026. — Reuters

Courtesy: Dawn News/AFP

England survived a spirited Mexico fightback to secure a 3-2 win on Sunday and book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, ending the co-hosts’ deepest run at the tournament in 40 years despite playing most of the second half with 10 men at the Azteca Stadium.

Jude Bellingham put England ahead, striking twice in the space of a minute, finishing a Bukayo Saka cross before tapping in Harry Kane’s pass to stun the home crowd.

Mexico’s Julian Quinones pulled one back before halftime, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box to fire into the roof of the net and revive the co-hosts’ hopes.

England were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Jarrell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, but Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal lead with a penalty after goalkeeper Raul Rangel fouled Anthony Gordon.

Mexico’s Raul Jimenez reduced the deficit with another penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul from Kane on Brian Gutierrez.

The match was delayed by one hour due to adverse weather conditions around the Azteca Stadium.

England will face Norway in the last eight in Miami on Saturday.

Courtesy: Dawn News/AFP

Erling Haaland scored two late goals to send Norway through to a first World Cup quarter-final with a stunning 2-1 win over Brazil that condemned the five-time champions to their earliest exit since 1990.

Norway goalkeeper Orlan Nyland produced a sensational display and saved a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes before Haaland struck twice in the last 11 minutes to stun Brazil at MetLife Stadium.

Neymar pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time with Brazil’s second spot-kick of the match.

Haaland’s brace took him level with Lionel Messi on seven goals for the tournament as Norway booked a showdown against either co-hosts Mexico or England in Miami on July 11.

For Brazil, who hired Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24-year World Cup drought, it is the sixth straight tournament where they have been knocked out by European opposition.

The last time Brazil failed to reach at least the quarter-finals came 36 years ago, when they lost 1-0 to arch-rivals Argentina in last 16.

Gabriel Martinelli was rewarded for scoring the stoppage-time winner against Japan in the previous round, as the Arsenal winger replaced the injured Lucas Paqueta in the lone change to Brazil’s line-up.

Norway were boosted by the return of Julian Ryerson, the Borussia Dortmund defender fit again after missing the past two games with a thigh injury.

Patrick Berg thought he had given Norway the lead inside three minutes, but his effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up.

After a rocky start, Brazil won a penalty when Kristoffer Ajer clattered into Matheus Cunha in the box.

The Brazilians were left furious as referee Ismail Elfath initially waved away their appeals, but VAR intervened and the decision was overturned.

Guimaraes stepped up, but Nyland guessed correctly, diving low to his left to push away the Newcastle midfielder’s tame penalty.

Nyland again came to Norway’s rescue, getting a crucial touch to Martinelli’s low drive as it flashed across goal, denying Guimaraes a simple tap-in.

When Martin Odegaard lost possession on the edge of his own box, Nyland once more saved Norway as he stuck out a leg to thwart Vinicius Junior.

Haaland had struggled to make a significant impact, but his strength created a glorious opening for Norway before half-time.

The striker caused problems for Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos in the Brazil defence before the ball broke kindly for Odegaard, whose effort was well saved by Alisson Becker.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken brought on Oscar Bobb and Andreas Schjelderup at the break for Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth, but it was the introduction of Endrick that almost changed the game immediately.

Vinicius slipped Endrick through on goal with a delightful outside-of-the-foot pass, only for the teenager to dink wide as Nyland came out to close him down.

Nyland continued to frustrate Brazil, producing a good save to claw away Rayan’s fierce strike before making another outstanding stop to deny Guimaraes, although the offside flag went up.

The arrival of Neymar in the 67th minute drew huge roars from the largely pro-Brazil crowd.

It was Norway who eventually broke the deadlock though, and it came through an inevtiable source.

Schjelderup whipped in a cross from the left and soared above Gabriel to power a header into the corner.

As Brazil desperately chased an equaliser, an incredible fingertip save from a backpedalling Nyland prevented Ajer from looping the ball into his own net.

Haaland gave Norway breathing space as he hammered low into the corner from the edge of the box in the 90th minute.

It proved vital when Neymar converted a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time, preceded by an unseemly spat with ’keeper Nyland, following an elbow on Casemiro.

1- Header image: Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Brazil at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersy on July 5, 2026.–AFP

Courtesy: Dawn News/Reuters

Brazilian star footballer Neymar Jr. suggested he may have played his final match for Brazil after scoring in their defeat by Norway in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday.

The forward converted a stoppage-time penalty in Brazil’s 2-1 loss, a result that eliminated the five-times champions and extended their wait for a sixth World Cup title.

Speaking briefly after the match to Bruno Formiga, a pundit for Brazilian channel GE TV, Neymar indicated that his tenure with Brazil had come to an end.

“I tried, I tried… Now it’s over! I started here, I finished here,” Neymar said, referring to the stadium in New Jersey, where he made his Brazil debut in a friendly against the United States in 2010.

The 34-year-old was moved to tears after the match. It was the national team’s worst World Cup performance since 1990.

Brazil are now heading towards their longest spell without a World Cup title since they first won the tournament. By 2030, they will have gone 28 years without lifting the trophy.

If Neymar Jr. confirms his international retirement, he will end his Brazil career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances.

Neymar has won multiple titles at club level but his only senior trophy with Brazil was the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Courtesy: Geo News

Defeat against India resulted in Pakistan’s relegation from FIH Pro League

• India climb to 13 points in FIH Pro League table.
• Pakistan suffer 13th consecutive defeat in tournament.
• Pakistan remain bottom of standings with zero points.

India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a closely contested FIH Pro League match at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Tuesday, with goals from Abhishek, Nilakanta Sharma, Sukhjeet Singh and Rajinder Singh securing the victory.

The enthralling fixture, however, got off to a contrasting start as Pakistan pulled ahead in just the eighth minute, with Ahmad Nadeem netting the opener after they were awarded a second consecutive penalty corner.

After conceding early, India regrouped and launched a spirited attack, which earned them five penalty corners, but Pakistan’s goalkeeper Ali Raza waved off the threat on each occasion, ensuring that the Green Shirts head into the break with a 1-0 lead in their favour.

India continued to press in the second quarter and eventually managed to net the equaliser in the 22nd minute, courtesy of a sensational field goal by Abhishek.

Nilakanta Sharma put India into the lead a minute later with a field goal, which remained intact until halftime.

The penultimate quarter followed the same pattern, with India dominating the possession and pressing Pakistan’s defence, which they eventually managed to breach in the 40th minute, and Sukhjeet buried the ball into the back of the net by dodging spirited Raza.

In the seventh minute of the final quarter, Rajinder Singh added to Pakistan’s woes by successfully converting the penalty corner and bolstering India’s lead to 4-1, only for the Green Shirts to pull one back the next minute in the same fashion through Abu Bakar Mahmood.

The remaining minutes of the enthralling fixture saw Pakistan make desperate efforts to score, with India committed to denying the Green Shirts any breakthrough by dominating possession with consistent passing.

But a foul in the final minute resulted in Pakistan receiving a penalty corner, which Moin Shakeel converted to reduce their margin of defeat to 3-4.

For the unversed, the 3-1 victory, which marked India’s third in the FIH Pro League, lifted them to the seventh position with 13 points, pushing down Spain, who have two less with a game in hand.

On the other hand, the outcome of the blockbuster fixture meant Pakistan succumbed to their 13th consecutive defeat in the nine-team tournament and thus remained at the bottom of the standings with zero points.

Furthermore, the defeat against India resulted in Pakistan’s relegation from the FIH Pro League.

1- Header image: Pakistan and India players in action during their FIH Pro League match at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on June 23, 2026. — Facebook/fihockey