Remember the name ‘Cabo Verde’: Ashwin hails FIFA World Cup debutants…

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 4 (ANI): Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed the FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde for their impressive performances on their tournament debut, which saw them push defending champions Argentina to the limit before eventually going down 3-2 after extra time.

Cabo Verde’s FIFA World Cup campaign may not have ended with a victory, but their spirited run earned widespread admiration. The debutants held European champions Spain to a goalless draw, shared points with Saudi Arabia, and also drew against former champions Uruguay, results that helped them secure a Round of 32 berth in their maiden appearance at the global event.

Against Lionel Messi-led Argentina in the knockout stage, the Vozinha-powered side showed that their success had more to do with resilience, determination and hard work than sheer luck, taking the match to extra time, untill an own goal from Diney Borges handed the defending champions a ticket to the round of 16. amunra-online.pl

In a post shared on X, Ashwin praised the team’s remarkable performance in the tournament, which saw them clinch the berth to the round of 32 in the tournament.

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“Whatever happens from here on in. Remember the name “CAPE VERDE" What a team and what a show they have put on so far this World Cup. #FIFAworldcup," posted the Indian cricket legend.

Coming to the match, Cabo Verde, making their first appearance in the World Cup knockout stages, started brightly and tested Argentina early through Ryan Mendes before the South American giants gradually asserted control.

The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Lionel Messi produced a moment of brilliance, controlling Lisandro Martinez’s diagonal pass before firing into the roof of the net. The strike marked his seventh goal of the tournament, taking him to the top of the Golden Boot standings.

Argentina looked comfortable before halftime, but Cabo Verde returned with renewed intensity after the break. Their persistence paid off just before the hour mark when Mendes released Deroy Duarte, who finished confidently from a tight angle to score his country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout-stage goal and level the contest.

Despite creating several chances, Argentina were repeatedly denied by veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose outstanding saves from Messi kept the scores level and forced the match into extra time.

Argentina restored their advantage almost immediately after extra time began as Lisandro Martinez converted from close range following a corner in the 92nd minute. Yet Cabo Verde refused to back down, with Sidny Lopes Cabral producing a stunning curling effort in the 103rd minute from a tight angle to make it 2-2 once again.

The decisive moment came in the second half of extra time when Messi’s corner was met by Romero, whose powerful header took a slight deflection off Diney Borges before finding the back of the net in the 111th minute.

Cabo Verde nearly forced penalties late on, but Emiliano Martinez produced a vital save to deny Lopes Cabral’s powerful free-kick and secure Argentina’s progress.

Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16, while Cabo Verde exit the tournament after earning widespread praise for their debut World Cup campaign

(ANI)

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Dallas [US], July 4 (ANI): Following Egypt’s FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash win over Australia, former Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny hailed the team’s skipper Mohamed Salah, expressing that the “joy is so sweet" after clinching the round of 16 berth.

Egypt created history by winning a FIFA World Cup knockout match for the first time, defeating Australia 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash in Dallas on Friday to book a place in the last 16. The Pharaohs, who had never progressed from a World Cup knockout tie, held their nerve from the spot after 120 minutes failed to separate the sides. Egypt will now face defending champions Argentina in the Round of 16.

After the match, Elneny, who played for Egypt from 2011-25 and is well known for his stint with English football giants Arsenal from 2016-2024, posted a picture with Salah in the dressing room.

“Proud of you, the joy is so sweet @MoSalah," said the caption.

فخور بيك الفرحة حلوة اوى @MoSalah pic.twitter.com/OXtOmZhb8p

— Mohamed ELNeny (@ElNennY) July 3, 2026

Salah was one of the architects of the win, creating five scoring chances in the match and scoring in the penalty shootout as well.

Australia had started brightly against Egypt and nearly took the lead inside five minutes when Cristian Volpato’s long-range effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Jordan Bos also threatened before Rami Rabia produced a crucial last-ditch challenge to deny the winger.

Despite the strong opening, Egypt struck with their first effort on target in the 13th minute. Karim Hafez delivered a precise cross from the left, and Emam Ashour headed beyond goalkeeper Patrick Beach to give the Pharaohs the lead.

The Socceroos found an equaliser shortly after halftime when Mohamed Hany diverted a dangerous Australian free-kick into his own net, setting up a tense finish.

Australia had to rely on Beach to stay in the contest as the goalkeeper produced an excellent one-handed save to deny Rabia’s header, while Harry Souttar made a crucial block to keep out Haisem Hassan as the match went into extra time.

Neither side could find a winner in the additional 30 minutes. Veteran goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was introduced late in anticipation of a penalty shootout, but Egypt ultimately held their nerve from the spot.

Souttar blasted Australia’s opening penalty over the crossbar before Mohamed Salah converted with a Panenka for Egypt. After 18-year-old Lucas Herrington missed Australia’s fourth penalty, Hossam Abdelmaguid calmly slotted home the decisive spot-kick to seal a 4-2 shootout victory. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

The Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially done and dusted with South American outfit Colombia becoming the last nation to confirm its berth in the next stage of the tournament, which is the Round of 16. The Colombians picked up a narrow 1-0 victory over Ghana at the Kansas City Stadium as Jhon Arias’ goal in the 14th minute proved enough.

Colombia entered the first knockout round as winners of Group K with 2 wins and a draw, while Ghana qualified to the Round of 32 as one of the eight best 3rd placed teams from the group stages. The Black Stars had finished with 4 points in Group L which was topped by England and Croatia.

Ghana’s loss to Colombia means that 6 out of the 9 African nations that qualified for the Round of 32, have now been eliminated. The Black Stars join the likes of South Africa, DR Congo, Algeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Cape Verde – who exited the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the second round. Morocco and Egypt are now the only teams from Africa to reach the last 16.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Egypt secure dramatic 4-2 win on penalties to beat Australia in Round of 32

What happened in the match?

The match began with early disruptions for both teams due to forced injury substitutions. Colombia suffered a major setback just six minutes in when forward Jhon Córdoba picked up a muscle injury and had to be replaced by Luis Suarez.

Moments later, Ghana faced their own blow as defender Marvin Senaya was forced off, with Alidu Seidu coming on to take his place.

Despite the early chaos, Colombia adjusted quickly and broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. The substitute Luis Suarez made an instant impact, breaking down the right flank before delivering a low, pinpoint cross into the box.

Jhon Arias timed his run perfectly to drill a first-time right-footed shot into the bottom corner, sending the Colombian fans into raptures.

Colombia dominated possession and created several chances to double their lead before the break. Luis Díaz fired wide from inside the box, and Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi made an outstanding reaction save to keep out Johan Mojica’s downward header. Díaz had the ball in the net again in the 56th minute, but it was ruled out for a close offside call.

Ghana tried to push forward in the final stages, making multiple attacking changes by bringing on Ernest Nuamah and Prince Adu. However, Colombia’s defense remained completely resolute, preventing the Black Stars from registering a single shot on target. Nestor Lorenzo’s side held firm through seven minutes of stoppage time to setup a last-16 match against Switzerland in Vancouver.

Who will Colombia face in the Round of 16?

Colombia will square off against Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, July 8 at the BC Place Vancouver Stadium in Canada.