World Cup - Soccer Wiretap

Mexico secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday, clinching first place in Group A and a spot in the knockout round despite trailing in expected goals for the match.

Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute, capitalizing on a fumbled catch by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to tap the ball home at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. South Korea finished with a 0.69-to-0.48 edge in xG (expected goals), reflecting a tightly contested match despite the scoreline.

Mexico's performance drew boos from the home crowd at halftime, with the team struggling to find rhythm in possession during the opening 30 minutes. Coach Javier Aguirre left attacking options Gilberto Mora and Alvaro Fidalgo on the bench, opting instead for a more physical lineup.

Raul Jimenez forced a smart save from Kim in the 75th minute, while goalkeeper Raul Rangel denied Cho Gue-sung with a late stop to preserve the result. South Korea did not register a shot on target until the 88th minute.

"No, it's not like we don't care, but we're not 100 per cent like 'Ay, we have to win, we have to win!'" Romo had said before the match. "We have to live the game, we have to prepare ourselves well, we need to improve our performance. Of course we want victory but we can't oblige ourselves or put pressure on ourselves."

The win made Mexico the first team to qualify from the group stage. Their round-of-32 match will take place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. South Korea can still secure second place in the group with a win or draw against South Africa next Wednesday.

Canada claimed its first World Cup victory in dominant fashion, defeating a nine-man Qatar side 6-0 on Thursday in Vancouver, though the result was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Ismael Kone.

Canada took the lead in the 15th minute through Cyle Larin before Juventus forward Jonathan David doubled the advantage moments later with a volley past goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada. Canada generated a 4.75-to-0.18 advantage in xG (expected goals) over the course of the match.

Qatar's defender Homam al Amin was sent off just after the half-hour mark when VAR upgraded an initial yellow card on a challenge against Tajon Buchanan. David capitalized on the numerical advantage just before halftime, converting a rebound for his second goal.

The second half opened with further misfortune for both sides. Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was dismissed for an aggressive challenge on Kone, who was stretchered off appearing to have suffered a broken leg.

Substitute Nathan Saliba scored from a free kick in the 65th minute, immediately running to the bench to lift a jersey bearing Kone's name and number in tribute. Jacob Shaffelburg added a goal before David completed a hat trick late to close out the scoring.

Canada can clinch first place in Group B with one more point. The co-hosts face Switzerland in their final group match Wednesday.

Canada entered the tournament with the 26th-most valuable roster among all 48 nations at $226.15 million, per Transfermarkt, compared to Qatar's 48th-ranked squad at $22.92 million.

Substitute Johan Manzambi scored twice in a late surge that carried Switzerland to a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday at SoFi Stadium, putting the Swiss tied for first in their group alongside Canada at four point apiece. 

Switzerland dominated possession for much of the match but could not break through until Manzambi's 74th-minute volley, struck just three minutes after he entered as a substitute for winger Dan Ndoye. The 20-year-old Geneva native, who plays for Freiburg in Germany, connected perfectly on a clearing header from Amar Memic. Switzerland finished with a commanding 2.06-to-0.23 edge in xG (expected goals).

Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for a dangerous tackle shortly before Ruben Vargas scored in the 84th minute to make it 2-0. Manzambi added his second in the 90th minute off a Vargas assist, and captain Granit Xhaka converted a stoppage-time penalty with the final kick of the match.

Ermin Mahmic had given Bosnia a brief response, scoring in the fourth minute of second-half injury time to keep the Dragons within reach before Switzerland's late goals settled the result.

Bosnia entered the match unbeaten in nine consecutive competitive fixtures and remains in contention to reach the knockout stage in just its second World Cup appearance. A crowd of 70,026 included a large, vocal Bosnian contingent that roared throughout despite the team managing fewer chances and less possession.

The result followed a disappointing 1-1 draw for Switzerland against Qatar in their tournament opener.

Switzerland entered the tournament with the 20th-most valuable roster among all 48 nations at $382.49 million, per Transfermarkt, compared to Bosnia-Herzegovina's 31st-ranked squad at $174.34 million.

Teboho Mokoena converted a second-half penalty to secure South Africa a 1-1 draw with Czechia on Thursday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with both sides looking to bounce back from opening defeats.

Michal Sadilek gave Czechia the lead in the sixth minute, sliding a shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after a pass from Alexandr Sojka. South Africa controlled much of the play afterward, finishing with a 1.39-to-1.02 edge in xG (expected goals).

The equalizer came in the 83rd minute after Thapelo Maseko's long-range effort struck the hand of Czech midfielder Pavel Sulc inside the area. Mokoena stepped up and sent his penalty low past goalkeeper Matej Kovar.

Mokoena had been shown on camera with tears during the pre-game anthem, and he later explained the emotion was tied to thoughts of his late grandfather.

"I know, wherever he is, he would be proud of me," said Mokoena. "I just felt his presence in that moment. I thought if he was here, he would be proud of me because I know he believed in me when nobody believed in me."

Both teams entered the match having lost their tournament openers. South Africa fell 2-0 to co-host Mexico, a result that renewed scrutiny on the country's history of never advancing past the group stage, even as 2010 hosts. Czechia lost 2-1 to South Korea in their opener.

"If we go on like that and if we can make another performance like today I think we have a chance to go in the second round," said South Africa coach Hugo Broos.

South Africa next face South Korea on Wednesday without Mokoena, who is suspended after picking up a second yellow card. Czechia will likely need a win over Mexico in their final group match to advance.

South Africa entered the tournament with the 40th-most valuable roster among all 48 nations at $56.64 million, per Transfermarkt, compared to Czechia's 28th-ranked squad at $216.41 million.

Colombia defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on Wednesday at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with second-half goals from Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz pulling the South Americans clear after Uzbekistan briefly leveled the score.

Daniel Munoz opened the scoring for Colombia six minutes before halftime, steering home a cross from Diaz after timing his run from the fullback position. Abbosbek Fayzullaev equalized for Uzbekistan on the hour mark, heading in a rebound after goalkeeper Camilo Vargas initially saved Eldor Shomurodov's volley.

Colombia regained the lead just five minutes later when Diaz converted after the team won back possession in midfield, beating goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov. Substitute Campaz sealed the result nine minutes into stoppage time, heading in a cross from Cucho Hernandez. Colombia finished with a 1.62-to-1.16 advantage in xG (expected goals).

The match featured an early physical exchange, with Colombia's Johan Mojica booked after seven minutes. Diaz struck the post earlier in the half and was later fouled by Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who also picked up a yellow card.

Uzbekistan, making their World Cup debut, pushed forward with greater urgency after halftime and created several chances, including a stoppage-time effort from teenager Bekhruz Karimov that crashed off the crossbar.

Colombia entered the tournament with the 21st-most valuable roster among all 48 nations at $350.46 million, per Transfermarkt, compared to Uzbekistan's 35th-ranked squad at $98.13 million.

Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to give Ghana a 1-0 victory over Panama on Wednesday at a rainy BMO Field in their World Cup Group L opener.

Brandon Thomas-Asante broke loose down the left flank late and drove a low ball across the goal mouth, which Yirenkyi tapped in to spark a celebration among his teammates. The result denied Panama its first point of the tournament. Ghana finished with a 1.31-to-0.75 edge in expected goals over Panama.

Chances were scarce for much of the match. Panama forward Cecilio Waterman produced the only shot on target in the first half, latching onto a cross from Amir Murillo before goalkeeper Ati-Zigi palmed the effort away. Ati-Zigi departed at halftime after absorbing several hard collisions and was replaced by Benjamin Asare.

Ghana played the match without midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada while awaiting trial in England on rape charges.

The game opened up after the hour mark, with both sides generating more shots. In the 65th minute, Thomas-Asante slipped through Panama's defense and squared a pass toward Jordan Ayew, but Jiovany Ramos recovered to make a tackle and deny the tap-in.

The victory moves Ghana level with England atop Group L, after England defeated Croatia 4-2 earlier Wednesday. Ghana entered the tournament with the 25th-most valuable roster among all 48 nations at $269.50 million, per Transfermarkt, compared to Panama's 42nd-ranked squad at $39.73 million.

Harry Kane revealed that a halftime address from England manager Thomas Tuchel drove the team's second-half turnaround in a 2026 FIFA World Cup opening 4-2 victory over Croatia, with the manager urging his players to shed their nerves and show the world what they were capable of.

Kane scored twice in the first half, equaling Gary Lineker's record for goals scored by an England player at the World Cup finals, but Croatia equalized twice before the break to level the match.

"He told us to take the shackles off, calm down and let's go," said Kane. "He said what's the worst that can happen? Show the world who we can be.

"We came out in the second half full gas and they couldn't live with it, and that's the level we have to set in every game. The way we controlled the game once we went ahead, we never really looked like we were in danger and then scored on the counterattack. We had a spell where we could have scored three or four."

Jude Bellingham restored England's lead in the second half before Marcus Rashford sealed the win as a substitute. Bellingham described the halftime intervention as measured rather than dramatic.

"It wasn't one of those where it was a big drama or standing up and shouting; it was what the team needed," said Bellingham. "We have a mature group with great leaders in there; everyone knew the level we had to get to."

Tuchel acknowledged his players had overthought the occasion in the opening half but was encouraged by their response.

"I told them to calm down," said Tuchel. "I want them to be brave, courageous and tenacious on the front foot. And just go for it."

Midfielder Declan Rice was substituted as a precaution after feeling discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring, with Tuchel expressing hope the issue is not serious.

Harry Kane scored twice to tie the English record for men's World Cup goals, Jude Bellingham added another early in the second half, and England defeated Croatia 4-2 on Wednesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

England dominated in xG (expected goals), finishing with a 2.80-to-0.71 advantage.

Martin Baturina and Petar Musa each answered a first-half Kane goal in a rematch of the 2018 semifinal, with Musa scoring on the final play before halftime to level the score. Bellingham broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half, running onto a long pass and finishing past Dominik Livakovic off the far post. Marcus Rashford added a fourth goal in the 85th minute.

Kane converted a retaken penalty for his first goal after a video review nullified an initial save by Livakovic. He then headed in a Declan Rice corner to reach 10 World Cup goals, matching Gary Lineker's English record set across the 1986 and 1990 tournaments. Kane, 32, became just the second Englishman after David Beckham to score in three separate World Cups.

The penalty stemmed from a foul by Luka Modric, 40, who extended his own Croatian record by featuring in his fifth World Cup. Livakovic made roughly half a dozen saves during a frantic England attack late in the first half.

The defeat ended a six-game unbeaten run for Croatia in World Cup group stage matches dating to 2014.

England carried the second-most valuable roster among all 48 World Cup nations entering the tournament at $1.507 billion, per Transfermarkt, compared to Croatia's 17th-ranked squad at $448.16 million. 

England face Ghana next in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Croatia meet Panama in Toronto, with both matches on Tuesday.

England have the third best probability to win the tournament, according to the latest World Cup odds.

United States Men's National Team attacker Christian Pulisic trained separately from the main group Wednesday, raising doubt about his availability for Friday's 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match against Australia in Seattle.

Pulisic, who sustained a calf injury last week and aggravated it during the United States' 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday, worked out with a member of the training staff after beginning the session in the team's field-side gym. A U.S. Soccer spokesperson confirmed Wednesday marked an improvement over Tuesday, when Pulisic did not take the field at all.

With roughly 48 hours until kickoff, concern is growing within the camp over his fitness. As a point of comparison, defender Chris Richards had returned to full training at this stage last week while managing an ankle injury.

Defender Antonee Robinson expressed confidence the squad has sufficient depth to cope without Pulisic if needed.

"He's not been training fully with the group yet. We've still got a couple of days to see where he is at," said Robinson. "And you know, thankfully, we've got a lot of boys on the bench eager and ready to get involved and helping the team and with a lot of quality.

"So it's a long tournament. If we don't have him back for the game, then you know, we're gonna make sure we have him back for the rest of the way, because we're gonna need him cause we're gonna need everyone, but hopefully we have everyone fit."

Giovanni Reyna, Alejandro Zendejas, Timothy Weah and Brenden Aaronson are among the options available to step in should Pulisic be ruled out.

"If that opportunity comes, I'll always be ready," said Aaronson. "I'm always ready to start games, play games, give my best and give my all."

Congo DR secured the first point in program history Wednesday, holding pre-tournament favorite Portugal to a 1-1 draw in Houston in front of 68,777 fans at NRG Stadium.

Portugal entered the tournament with the fourth-most valuable roster among all 48 nations at $1.173 billion, per Transfermarkt, compared to Congo DR's 32nd-ranked squad at $165.49 million. Congo DR outperformed Portugal in expected goals, finishing with a 0.82-to-0.64 edge.

Joao Neves headed Portugal in front in the sixth minute, converting a cross from Pedro Neto. Congo DR equalized in first-half stoppage time through Yoane Wissa, who headed home a cross from Arthur Masuaku for the country's first-ever World Cup goal. Joao Cancelo had a bicycle-kick effort ruled offside in the 55th minute, while Cedric Bakambu rattled the post for Congo DR shortly after.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi as the only players to appear in six World Cups, becoming, at 41 years and 132 days old, the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match. He missed two clear chances wide right in the 68th and 73rd minutes and finished without a shot on target, extending his scoreless run in the competition to five matches. Bruno Fernandes also sent a 90th-minute attempt wide for Portugal.

Congo DR is competing in just its second World Cup, returning for the first time since 1974, when the nation played under the name Zaire. That tournament ended in three defeats without scoring a goal, against Scotland, Yugoslavia and Brazil.

The draw made Congo DR the second African nation to earn an unexpected result against European opposition this week, following Cape Verde's scoreless draw with Spain on Monday.