Tag: Soccer

Ronaldo Makes World Cup History, Portugal Beats Ghana 3–2

DOHA, Qatar—Cristiano Ronaldo closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and then made World Cup history. The Portugal striker became the first male player to score at five World Cups with his 65th-minute penalty in a 3–2 win over Ghana on Thursday. Andre Ayew equalized for Ghana eight minutes later, but Joao Felix regained…


South Korea Holds Uruguay to 0-0 Draw at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—South Korea and Uruguay started their World Cup campaigns with a 0–0 draw on Thursday, a result that probably favors the Asian team. The draw at Education City Stadium was yet another early World Cup match with the favored team stumbling. Argentina and Germany both lost their opening matches in major upsets. South…


Embolo Scores, Switzerland Beat Cameroon 1-0 at World Cup

AL WAKRAH, Qatar—Breel Embolo’s goal lifted Switzerland to a 1–0 win over Cameroon at the World Cup on Thursday and he kept his promise not to celebrate scoring against the country where he was born. The Swiss forward from Yaounde struck with a right-foot shot in the 48th minute, standing all alone eight meters (yards)…


Belgium Spoils Canada’s World Cup Return With 1–0 Win

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Thibaut Courtois saved an early penalty and Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal to give Belgium a 1–0 win over Canada at the World Cup on Wednesday, spoiling the North American team’s return to the tournament after 36 years. The Canadians have yet to collect a point or even score a goal in…


Young Spain Squad Routs Costa Rica 7–0 at World Cup

DOHA, Qatar—Spain’s young squad got off to a high-scoring start at the World Cup, routing Costa Rica 7–0 on Wednesday. Not long after Japan surprised Germany 2–1 in the other Group E match, Spain avoided any chance of an upset with Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, and Ferran Torres scoring a goal each in the first…


Japan Gets 2 Late Goals to Beat Germany 2-1 at World Cup

DOHA, Qatar—Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late goals Wednesday to give Japan a come-from-behind 2–1 victory over Germany at the World Cup. Ilkay Gündogan had given four-time champion Germany the lead with a first-half penalty. But Doan, who plays for German team Freiburg, pounced on a rebound to equalize in the 76th minute…


Ronaldo to Leave Manchester United After Criticism of Club

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with immediate effect, the Premier League team said on Tuesday, marking a bitter end to the Portugal captain’s second spell at Old Trafford after he said he felt betrayed by the club. An explosive interview with TalkTV this month—in which Ronaldo also said he did not respect manager…


Giroud, Mbappe Help France Beat Australia 4–1 at World Cup

AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — France showed it can cope without its star striker at the World Cup. Kylian Mbappe scored one and set up the second of Olivier Giroud’s two goals to help the defending champions beat Australia 4–1 Tuesday. Kylian Mbappe of France shoots the ball against Mathew Ryan of Australia during the…


Ochoa Saves Lewandowski’s Penalty as Poland and Mexico Draw 0–0

DOHA—Poland’s Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty—and his chance to finally claim a World Cup tournament goal—in a 0–0 draw with Mexico on Tuesday that left Saudi Arabia as the early leaders of Group C after their shock win over Argentina. Mexico played most of the attacking football in Stadium 974 but Poland won their penalty…


Canada Meets Belgium in 1st World Cup Match Since 1986

DOHA, Qatar—Many Canadian soccer fans have been waiting for this moment their entire lives. Long an afterthought behind hockey in their home country, Canada’s soccer team is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and it opens Wednesday against a daunting opponent: Belgium, a 2018 semifinalist and second in the FIFA…