Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Vancouver: Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw on Tuesday to set up a quarter-final with defending champions Argentina.

The two teams cancelled each other out in the final game of the last 16 -- the last match to be played at the 2026 tournament outside the United States.

Both teams missed spot-kicks before Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel brilliantly saved Cucho Hernandez's effort and Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty. forestarrow.rest

Colombia, once again backed by thousands of passionate fans in Vancouver, had conceded just once in their four games before Tuesday's match and the Swiss had also proved difficult to break down.

The first action of note came in the 21st minute when Kobel was forced into a flying save to keep out Gustavo Puerta's curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.

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The Swiss stepped up a gear immediately after the first hydration break, with Camilo Vargas beating away a shot from Fabian Rieder before denying Dan Ndoye.

But the match was goalless at half-time, with two well-matched teams struggling for inspiration.

Switzerland started the second half on the front foot but Colombia also had their moments, with Luis Suarez lashing wastefully wide.

Both coaches made multiple changes in the second half but again struggled to create meaningful openings, with Colombia's star winger Luis Diaz kept quiet.

Ndoye flashed a shot across goal in stoppage time but nobody was able to get on the end of it and the match was 0-0 at the end of normal time.

The game belatedly burst into life in the first period of extra time.

Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi headed against the bar from a corner in the ninth minute and Kobel kept out a fierce effort from Jaminton Campaz as the South Americans upped the tempo.

At the other end, Vargas dived to his left to beat away an effort from substitute Zeki Amdouni.

Campaz missed a glorious chance to win the game with five minutes of time left on the clock.

With nothing to separate the teams, the game went to penalties.

Switzerland will face Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday after Lionel Messi's team earlier beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta.

Switzerland last reached the quarter-finals when they hosted the World Cup in 1954.

U.S. authorities delayed Iran captain Mehdi Taremi and the assistant coach’s flight before the squad travelled to Seattle to face Egypt.

Iran’s football federation said that U.S. airport procedures delayed the national team’s travel to Seattle before their final Group G match against Egypt at the FIFA World Cup.

The federation said captain Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei were held up by what it described as interference by U.S. authorities, forcing the rest of the squad to wait before departure.

In a statement titled “Harassment of Taremi and Alhoei at the Airport Again; Iran National Team Delayed,” the federation said the incident happened as the team prepared to travel to face Egypt.

“The rest of the squad is currently waiting for their coach and teammate to join them before departing for Seattle for the match against Egypt,” the federation said.

The White House World Cup task force rejected the claim that Iran’s travel had been disrupted. A spokesperson said everything related to the Iranian flight was “on time” and that the team arrived “a few minutes ahead of schedule.”

The incident came after the U.S. eased earlier restrictions on Iran’s World Cup delegation. The Department of Homeland Security previously said that Iran would be allowed to enter the United States two days before the match, rather than one day before, as in their previous group games.

Team Melli have been based in Tijuana, Mexico, during the tournament and have travelled to the United States for matches.

The Pharaohs currently lead Group G with four points before the final round. Iran and Belgium have two points each, while New Zealand have one. Iran need to beat Egypt to guarantee qualification for the knockout stage.

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DOHA: The International Padel Federation and the Qatar Padel Federation yesterday announced Doha as the host city for the 2026 and 2028 editions of the FIP World Cup, the most prestigious international competition for national teams.

Both editions will be held at the iconic Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, a venue that has hosted some of the world’s most important international Padel events in recent years – including the Qatar Major Premier Padel four times, and the last World Team Championships – and has established itself as one of the sport’s leading destinations.

FIP’s flagship biennial event will see 16 men’s national teams and 16 women’s national teams compete for the world title in the two editions awarded to Qatar. As confirmed in the official FIP calendar, the 2026 edition will take place from November 2 to 7.

The decision to award the hosting rights for the 2026 and 2028 FIP World Cups to Doha was based on a series of key criteria, including the high quality of sporting infrastructure, the conditions offered to athletes and national delegations, proven experience in staging major international events, high safety standards, financial guarantees, and the strong sporting legacy developed by Qatar in recent years.

A further element reflecting the growth and ambition of the FIP World Cup is the prize money, which will reach unprecedented levels in the history of Padel and will be distributed equally between the men’s and women’s competitions.

The 2026 edition will offer a record prize fund of €1.2m, rising further to €1.35m in 2028. This represents the highest prize money ever awarded in an official Padel competition and underlines the commitment of FIP and the Qatar Padel Federation to further enhance the prestige of the event and showcase the highest level of competition among national teams.

“The awarding of the 2026 and 2028 editions of the FIP World Cup to Doha is a decision that looks to the future of our sport” said FIP President Luigi Carraro.

“Qatar has consistently demonstrated that it possesses all the necessary qualities to host world-class events, and awarding two consecutive editions of the World Cup to the country will provide continuity for the tournament’s growth, ensuring an outstanding experience for players, federations and fans”.

“Doha is one of the global homes of Padel. On more than one occasion it has demonstrated its ability to deliver exceptional standards of organisation and hospitality, and it holds a special place in the history of international Padel. We are confident it will once again help write new and historic chapters in the story of our sport, with the invaluable contribution of the Qatar Padel Federation, whom I thank for its commitment and passion in supporting the growth of Padel worldwide”.

Tareq Zainal, Secretary General of the Qatar Padel Federation, said: “We are honoured by the International Padel Federation’s decision to award Doha the hosting rights for both the 2026 and 2028 FIP World Cup. Having previously hosted the championship on two occasions, we are proud that Qatar continues to be entrusted with one of the sport’s most watched events”.

“This confidence reflects the dedication of the Qatar Padel Federation and all our partners to delivering world-class tournaments that meet the highest international standards. Hosting two consecutive editions presents a unique opportunity to build on our experience, further enhance the event, and create an exceptional experience for players, teams and fans from around the world. We look forward to welcoming the global Padel community back to Doha and contributing to the continued growth and success of our sport”.

تأهل منتخب الأرجنتين فجر اليوم السبت إلى دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 المقامة حاليا في كندا والولايات المتحدة والمكسيك بفوز صعب على منافسه منتخب الرأس الأخضر بنتيجة (3 – 2).

وأقيمت المباراة على ملعب (ميامي) في مدينة (ميامي) بولاية (فلوريدا) الأمريكية وافتتح ليونيل ميسي التسجيل للأرجنتين في الدقيقة الـ29 ثم أدرك ديروي دوارتي التعادل للرأس الأخضر في الدقيقة الـ59 لينتهي الشوطين الأصليين للمباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي.

وفي الشوط الإضافي الأول تقدمت الأرجنتين مجددا عبر ليساندرو مارتينيز في الدقيقة الـ92 ثم عادل سيدني لوبيز كابرال للرأس الأخضر في الدقيقة الـ103.

وفي الشوط الإضافي الثاني حسم ديني بورغيس المباراة بهدف عكسي سجله في مرمى منتخب بلاده في الدقيقة الـ111 ليهدي الفوز للأرجنتين التي تأهلت لمواجهة مصر في الدور الـ16.

وتشارك الأرجنتين في كأس العالم للمرة الـ19 في تاريخها والـ14 تواليا علما أنها خاضت أول نسخة في أوروغواي عام 1930.

وتوج المنتخب الأرجنتيني بلقب كأس العالم ثلاث مرات في 1978 و1986 ثم عام 2022 في قطر.

في المقابل شارك منتخب الرأس الأخضر الملقب بـ (القروش الزرقاء) في كأس العالم للمرة الأولى في تاريخه ويقوده المنتخب المدرب بوبيستا منذ عام 2020 ويعتمد على التنظيم الدفاعي والانضباط التكتيكي والهجمات المرتدة.

وتأهلت جمهورية الرأس الأخضر إلى كأس العالم 2026 بتصدر مجموعة صعبة في تصفيات إفريقيا أمام الكاميرون وأنغولا محققة خمسة انتصارات في خمس مباريات على أرضها دون أن تهتز شباكها وحسمت التأهل بفوزها (3 – 0) على إسواتيني في العاصمة برايا.

ويبلغ عدد سكان هذه الدولة الواقعة في غرب إفريقيا نحو نصف مليون نسمة وبدأ منتخبها الوطني مسيرته عام 1978 بعد استقلالها عن البرتغال عام 1975.

The post الأرجنتين تتأهل إلى دور الـ16 لكأس العالم بفوز صعب على الرأس الأخضر 3 – 2 appeared first on كويت نيوز.

Santa Clara, United States: Australia qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday after battling to a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Santa Clara to claim second place in Group D.

The Socceroos, who defeated Turkiye in their opening match before losing to the United States, were never seriously threatened on their way to securing a point to reach the last 32 at the Levi's Stadium in northern California.

It marks only the third time that Australia have advanced beyond the group stage in seven appearances at the World Cup.

The draw also left Paraguay firmly on course for the knockout rounds as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the group stage.

The United States had already secured top spot in Group D despite their 3-2 defeat to Turkiye in Los Angeles on Thursday.