United News of Bangladesh

The World Cup's knockout stage is already providing some premier matchups in the round of 32. It's part of a bracket that features an easier road for some teams than others. There are three games on Monday, starting with Brazil vs. Japan in Houston. The Brazilians — who won Group C — are five-time World Cup champions but face a tough opponent in Japan, which is ranked No. 17 in the world. The Japanese finished second in Group F with one win and two draws. Group E winner Germany faces Paraguay in the day's second game. Germany scored 10 goals in the group stage, which was tied for the most of any team. Paraguay bounced back from a 4-1 loss to the United States by beating Turkey and fighting to a draw with Australia to narrowly qualify for the knockout stage after finishing third in Group D. The nightcap is a matchup of top-10 teams when the Netherlands faces Morocco. The Dutch are often considered the best country to never win a World Cup, while Morocco has jumped into soccer's elite over the past few years after a surprise run to the 2022 World Cup semifinals in Qatar. What to watch on June 29 — Brazil vs. Japan, 1 p.m. EDT in Houston (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock) — Germany vs. Paraguay, 4:30 p.m. EDT in Foxborough, Massachusetts (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock) — Netherlands vs. Morocco, 9 p.m. EDT in Monterrey, Mexico (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock) Brazil-Japan matchup features countries with close relationship These countries have extremely strong ties with Brazil being home to about 2.7 million Japanese descendants, which is the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Those ties extend to soccer where Brazilian superstar Zico moved to Japan in 1991 to play for the Kashima Antlers and help build Japan’s professional soccer network. He managed the Japan national team from 2002-06, leading the team to the World Cup in 2006. It was in that World Cup where these teams had their first and only meeting in the tournament with Brazil notching a 4-1 victory. Brazil leads the overall series with 11 wins. The teams have played to two draws and Japan collected its first-ever win over Brazil in a friendly in Tokyo in October. Japan trailed 2-0 at halftime before rallying for the 3-2 victory. Coach Hajime Moriyasu thinks that win will impact how Brazil approaches his team Monday. “They will be so much more motivated to play against us,” he said. “They are intent on winning against us. Because of that we feel that the match will be very intense.” The winner will face the winner of Ivory Coast-Norway on July 5 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Germany returns to knockout rounds for first time since 2014 Germany is back in the knockout round for the first time since the 2014 final in Brazil when the Germans beat Argentina 1-0 to capture their fourth World Cup title. Leading those hopes will be coach Julian Naglesmann. At 38 years and 341 days old on Monday, he will be the youngest manager in the knockout round since France’s Henri Michel in the 1986. Paraguay has appeared in five knockout stage games, but has failed to score in each. It advanced only once in those games, winning on penalty kicks against Japan in the round of 16 in 2010. “They play very defensive football," Naglesmann said of Paraguay. "They are an uncomfortable opponent for us and it’s going to ask a lot of us.” Paraguay is expected to be without defender Omar Alderete, who is doubtful with a knee injury he suffered in the second half of its 0-0 draw against Australia. Jose Canale is expected to start in his place. “This will be a match all about details," Paraguay captain Gustavo Gómez said. "We need to be concentrated to compete to take advantage of all the opportunities we might have.” The winner will face the winner of France and Sweden on July 4 in Philadelphia. Netherlands vs. Morocco premier clash in round of 32 Monday night’s matchup between the Netherlands and Morocco will be the highest ranked match in the round of 32. The Netherlands — ranked No. 7 — topped Group F after a draw against Japan and big wins over Sweden and Tunisia. Sixth-ranked Morocco fought to a 1-1 draw against Brazil in its opener before beating Scotland and Haiti to finish second in Group C. The Netherlands have long held the moniker of the best never to have won the tournament, having lost all three finals it played. The Dutch’s most recent final loss was to Spain in extra time in 2010, which was also the last time the Netherlands lost a World Cup game in 120 minutes. The Dutch haven’t lost in six previous World Cup matches against African countries. In 2022, Morocco defeated Spain and Portugal to become the first African team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup before losing to France. The Atlas Lions were also declared winners of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025. “The team is of course very well prepared,” Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou said. “We will face whatever comes in the 90 (minutes), 120 (minutes) or penalty kicks. We have great football players and the experience to face these things.” The Netherlands beat Morocco 2-1 in 1994, which was the only other World Cup meeting between the two. The winner will face Canada in the round of 16 on Saturday in Houston.

Right after Canada finished its first knockout match victory in a World Cup, coach Jesse Marsch huddled his players on the grass of a stadium still in pandemonium and spoke from his heart — shouted, actually. “You guys are Canadian heroes today!" Marsch declared. "Canadian heroes for the future children of this country who play this sport. The sport has a big future because of you guys. You should be so proud of who you are. You should be so proud of this game. You never lost belief. You went after it, point after point, moment after moment. You are Canadian heroes!” Stephen Eustáquio's dramatic late goal had inspired Marsch to Ted Lasso levels of earnestness, and he didn't care who knew it. Soccer has never been the main event on Canada's busy sports calendar, and Les Rouges are playing in only their third World Cup this summer. But Marsch realized this landmark 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday is the type of achievement that can seize an entire nation's attention for a generation. “We could have made life a little easier on ourselves if we would have made a play earlier when we had some big chances,” Marsch said. “But obviously the timing of the goal means that the win is incredibly dramatic, and I think the effect that it will have in Canada, and the inspiring of people, will be immense.” After 90-plus minutes of frustration and failure to break down cagey South Africa at SoFi Stadium, Canada made history in an instant when Alistair Johnston’s long pass into the box was cleared directly into the path of Eustáquio. The midfielder who plays professionally at nearby Los Angeles FC coolly chested it down and blasted it off the bounce into the bottom corner of Ronwen Williams' net before sprinting away to celebrate with Canada's bench in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. “We worked for it," Eustáquio said. “We have a special group. We feel like we are brothers. When we fight for each other, when we play for each other, special things like this can happen. I am over the moon, but at the same time I don’t want to say that the job is finished.” Canada, which sits 30th in the most recent FIFA world rankings, advanced to face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday.  

South Korea's early exit from the World Cup has triggered widespread criticism and uncertainty over the future of the national team, with President Lee Jae Myung publicly condemning the team's performance and media reports suggesting that coach Hong Myung-bo has stepped down. South Korea began its campaign with a victory over the Czech Republic national football team but suffered defeats to the South Africa national football team and the Mexico national football team in their remaining Group A matches. The team had hoped to progress to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the expanded tournament. However, those hopes were dashed after the Congo national football team defeated the Uzbekistan national football team 3-1 on Saturday. The disappointing campaign prompted a strongly worded response from President Lee, who described the result as both surprising and deeply troubling. In a lengthy statement, the president criticised the structure and management of the national team and questioned the decision to appoint Hong as coach. "Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. If loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is predictable," Lee said. Hong, 57, was serving his second stint as South Korea's head coach. He also led the team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where South Korea similarly failed to advance beyond the group stage. South Korea are one of Asia's most consistent World Cup participants, having qualified for 11 consecutive tournaments since 1986. Their best performance came in 2002 when they reached the semifinals as co-hosts of the tournament. President Lee also called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review the national team's failures and reform the country's sports administration. "I sincerely apologise to the public for the deep disappointment caused by this situation. We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure this does not happen again," he said.

Giovani Lo Celso became the first Argentina player other than Lionel Messi to score in this World Cup as the defending champions finished the group stage with a three-game sweep after a 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday night. Lo Celso, in his first World Cup start, put Argentina ahead to stay when he scored on a direct free kick in the 19th minute. Messi added one of his own after entering the game in the second half, and the top scorer in World Cup history extended his mark to 19 goals. Messi, the leader in this tournament with six goals, was among nine Argentina starters changed from the previous game since Group J was already clinched before the match. He entered in the 60th minute, three days after his 39th birthday, and in the same stadium where he broke the scoring mark last Monday, and scored in the 80th minute. Their captain had scored all five of Argentina’s goals in wins over Algeria and Austria, including his first-ever World Cup hat trick and then two goals in his record-setting game on Monday. He has scored in seven consecutive World Cup games, breaking a tie with France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil great Jairzinho for the longest all-time streak. In the first half, Lautaro Martinez put Argentina up 2-0 when he scored on a penalty kick in the 31st minute, in the same sequence when his close-range shot ricocheted off the crossbar. Martinez, who was subbed out for Messi, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez were the only players to start all three of Argentina’s group matches. Argentina, which has seven wins and two draws in its last nine World Cup games, plays in the round of 32 on Friday against Cape Verde, the smallest country to earn a spot in the knockout round. That game is in Miami, the home of Messi’s Major League Soccer team. This is the fifth time Argentina has won all of its matches in group stage, and first since back-to-back tournaments in 2010 and 2014. Argentina has 14 wins, two losses and three draws in its last 19 group games. France and Mexico were the only other squads in this expanded 48-team World Cup to get the maximum nine points in the group stage.

Lionel Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches after netting in Argentina's final Group J game against Jordan on Saturday, extending his all-time tournament scoring record. The 39-year-old scored his 19th World Cup goal in the 80th minute with a precise free kick after being fouled just outside the penalty area. His low strike slipped through two Jordan defenders and found the left corner of the net. Messi to begin Argentina's final group match on bench, could feature as substitute

For 52 years, Congo secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time with a 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan on Saturday, setting up a Round of 32 clash against England. Making their first World Cup appearance since competing as Zaire in 1974, Congo recovered from an early setback after Eldor Shomurodov gave Uzbekistan the lead with a lobbed finish in the 10th minute. The African side dominated after the break and equalised in the 68th minute when Yoane Wissa converted a penalty after being fouled by Abdukodir Khusanov inside the box, sending goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way. Fiston Mayele completed the turnaround 10 minutes later, finishing at the near post after Meschack Elia's effort was deflected into his path. Wissa added his second goal in stoppage time with a curling strike into the bottom corner to seal the victory. The result marked Congo's first-ever World Cup win after earning their first point with a 1-1 draw against Portugal earlier in the tournament. They advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and became the eighth African nation to progress from the group stage. Congo's achievement erased memories of their difficult 1974 campaign, when they lost all three matches, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.

Colombia secured top spot in Group K after a 0-0 draw against Portugal on Saturday, with both teams already assured of places in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage before kickoff. The result means Colombia will face Ghana in the Round of 32 after the African side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia earlier in the day. Portugal, runners-up in the group, will meet Croatia. Both sides created several scoring opportunities in an entertaining contest. Portugal's Bruno Fernandes was denied by Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the first half, while Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced six saves—more than he managed in his previous two matches combined. Colombia thought it had claimed victory in stoppage time through Davinson Sanchez, but his header was ruled out for offside. Portugal endured an inconsistent group campaign, opening with a surprise 1-1 draw against DR Congo before Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups. Colombia, absent from the 2022 World Cup, advanced after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 and DR Congo 1-0. The match at the Miami Dolphins' stadium attracted a sellout crowd of 64,478, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, former Colombian star Carlos Valderrama, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, FBI Director Kash Patel, actor Matt Damon, NBA player Jimmy Butler and former NFL quarterback Jameis Winston.

Tiny Cape Verde continued its remarkable World Cup journey by becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament's knockout stage, thanks largely to the outstanding performances of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. "We are small," Vozinha said. "But we have big hearts and we are fighters." Cape Verde secured its place in the round of 32 after playing out a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia on Friday night, extending its unbeaten run with a third consecutive draw in the group stage. Making its World Cup debut, the island nation off Africa's west coast had already stunned football fans by holding 2010 champion Spain to a goalless draw before coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Uruguay. "The team was very eager to show this to the whole world," Cape Verde coach Bubista said while wrapped in his country's flag. "We are proud to have reached this stage. We have shown that we are a small country, but we fight for the things we want to achieve." Cape Verde finished second in the group with three points behind Spain, which defeated Uruguay on Friday to top the standings. The Blue Sharks will now face defending World Cup champion Argentina in Miami on July 3. Three draws do not always guarantee progress at a World Cup. Wales (1958), Ireland and the Netherlands (1990), and Chile (1998) all advanced after drawing all three group matches, while New Zealand failed to do so in 2010 despite the same record. On the eve of the match, Bubista said, "Everyone is entitled to dream and nothing is impossible." His players turned that belief into reality by taking the nation of just over 500,000 people into the knockout phase. Among the fans was a woman with her face painted in the colours of Cape Verde's flag, holding a sign that read: "Small Islands, Big Dreams." Vozinha once again played a decisive role, making several key saves to deny Saudi Arabia. He first stopped a header from Mohamed Kanno in first-half stoppage time before producing another fine save in the 66th minute to push away Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat's effort. He also denied Abdullah Al-Hamdan deep into stoppage time. "There is a lot of quality in our national team," Vozinha said. "Maybe many of you think the Cape Verdean player is not good enough. But we came here to show that we have a lot of quality. We are here to compete and our players can play anywhere, in the big competitions and big leagues." A group of shirtless supporters painted one letter each of Vozinha's name across their chests as they cheered him on. Watching proudly from a luxury suite was his mother, Ana Candida Evora, waving a small Cape Verde flag. It was her second match of the tournament after visa issues prevented her from attending her son's seven-save performance against Spain. Cape Verde also created chances of its own. Kevin Pina fired just over the crossbar in the 50th minute, while goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais denied Laros Duarte in the 74th. Nuno da Costa's late effort also went wide. The final whistle was followed by scenes of celebration after Spain completed its victory over Uruguay, confirming Cape Verde's place in the knockout stage. Many players and fans were seen celebrating emotionally, with some in tears. Reflecting on the achievement, Bubista said he had always believed his country would one day compete on football's biggest stage. "I've always said that sooner or later Cape Verde would be on such a stage," he said. "Of course it's hard to predict something like this, but I always believed." Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, was eliminated after finishing the group stage with two points. "We were very poor in terms of creating things, controlling the game and creating actions," Saudi coach Georgios Donis said. "One cannot win a game this way. It would be very difficult."

Egypt reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after securing a 1-1 draw against Iran on Friday, while Iran were left waiting to learn whether they will also advance. The result saw Egypt finish second in Group G behind Belgium, who sealed top spot with a 5-1 win over New Zealand in Vancouver. Belgium had earlier drawn 1-1 with Egypt in the group stage. Iran still have a chance of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since the tournament expanded to 48 teams, but their qualification now depends on other results. Egypt made a bright start, taking the lead in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber. Mohamed Salah, the former Liverpool forward, played a key role in the move before Saber fired the ball through the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran responded quickly, with Ramin Rezaeian equalising nine minutes later to level the match. The Iranians thought they had snatched a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time when Shoja Khalilzadeh found the net in the 93rd minute. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a video review, denying Iran all three points. A victory would have guaranteed Iran a place in the knockout stage. The match, promoted as a "Pride Match" in Seattle, ended with Egypt celebrating a historic qualification, while Iran's hopes of progressing remain uncertain.

Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium bounced back from a sluggish start to cruise past New Zealand 5-1 on Friday, securing a place in the knockout stage of the World Cup. The convincing victory lifted Belgium to the top of Group G. They will now face one of the third-placed teams in the round of 16 on Wednesday in Seattle. The group-stage finale was played at the same time as the other Group G match in Seattle, where Egypt and Iran played out a 1-1 draw. Belgium entered the match under pressure after managing only two draws in their opening games, sharing points 1-1 with Egypt before being held to a goalless draw by Iran. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net as Belgium completed an impressive turnaround. The team was eager to avoid another early exit after failing to get past the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, following a third-place finish at the 2018 tournament in Russia. Elijah Just scored New Zealand's lone goal. The All Whites needed a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive, but the defeat ended their campaign without a first-ever World Cup win.