Los Angeles, July 2 (IANS) Head coach Luis de la Fuente described Spain’s 3-0 win over Austria as nearly faultless but warned tougher challenges await as La Roja seeks a second World Cup title. Mikel Oyarzabal scored either side of Pedro Porro’s first international goal as Spain cruised into the round of 16 at Los Angeles Stadium.”The big teams turn up when their presence is needed,” De la Fuente was quoted as saying by Xinhua. “I think today we’ve seen a great game. I’m happy because in all asp…
Latest Croatia News & Updates
Toronto, July 3 (IANS) Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. paid an emotional tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota after Portugal’s 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia in Toronto on Friday, a day that marked exactly one year since Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in western Spain. Ronaldo, who scored Portugal’s opening goal of the round-of-32 matchup with a penalty, put on Jota’s No. 21 Portugal jersey following the final whistle and pointed to the sky with tears in his eyes. “We knew it…
Toronto, July 3 (IANS) Goncalo Ramos scored a late winner as Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in a match decided only in stoppage time here at Toronto Stadium on Friday.After Ivan Perisic gave Croatia the lead shortly after the break, Portugal responded with a penalty converted by Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos then rose highest to send a Rafael Leao cross home in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure the win.Ronaldo’s goal was first in the knockout stages of the FIFA Wo…
Toronto, July 2 (IANS) Emotions will take centre stage when Portugal take on Croatia in a Round of 32 clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Toronto Stadium on Friday, as two legends of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, could be representing their country on the global stage for the last time.Portugal reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group K, drawing with Congo DR and Colombia, either side of a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. Croatia, runners-up at the 2018 FIFA Worl…
New Delhi, July 2 (IANS) Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes Portugal remain genuine contenders for the FIFA World Cup 2026 title despite an inconsistent group-stage campaign and backed Roberto Martinez’s side to overcome Croatia in their blockbuster Round of 32 clash. Portugal and Croatia will meet in Toronto in a heavyweight knockout fixture that could mark the final FIFA World Cup appearance for two of football’s greatest modern icons, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. Both ar…
London, July 1 (IANS) Seventh seed Coco Gauff of the United States staged a remarkable comeback, winning six straight points in the final-set tiebreak to secure a hard-fought three-set victory over Sloana Sierra in a gripping battle in the Ladies’ Singles second round at Wimbledon on Wednesday.Argentina’s Sierra pushed Gauff to the limit, nearly pulling off an upset before the 22-year-old American fought back to win the match 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 in a victory after 2 hours and 8 minutes and reached the…
Miami, June 28 (IANS) Colombia earned top spot in Group K as they played out a goalless draw with Portugal here at Miami Stadium, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s team having to settle for second. In the round of 32, the Portuguese will play Croatia in Toronto on Friday, while Colombia will take on Ghana in Kansas City one day later.The tone was set in the very first minute, as Luis Diaz’s deflected shot was headed just over the bar by Jhon Cordoba. He had the game’s next chance as well, brushing off Br…
Philadelphia, June 28 (IANS) Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic were the goalscoring heroes as Croatia beat Ghana here at Philadelphia Stadium to leapfrog the already-qualified Black Stars into second spot in Group L. Croatia finished as runners-up and now meet the Group K runners-up in the Round of 32 in Toronto on July 3 (IST). Ghana have finished third and progressed as one of the best third-placed sides.Croatia could have qualified as one of the best third-placed teams by playing out a draw, but …
Philadelphia, June 27 (IANS) Croatia and Ghana head into their final Group L fixture on Saturday with qualification for the Round of 32 firmly within reach, making Philadelphia the stage for one of the group’s most important encounters.After beginning their campaign with a defeat to England, Croatia responded in ideal fashion by edging Panama 1-0. The victory revived Zlatko Dalić’s side’s hopes, and another three points would guarantee their place in the knockout rounds. Even a draw could prove…
New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Cristiano Ronaldo made a strong comeback from the poor start in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and scored two crucial goals against Uzbekistan. The Portugal captain made history by becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups when he found the net against Uzbekistan at the 2026 tournament.While many celebrated the remarkable milestone, others were quick to dismiss it, arguing that the goal came against a lower-ranked opponent.But does that ‘weak oppositi…