Source : the age
Steve Clarke has stepped down as Scotland head coach after the team were officially eliminated from the World Cup.
“The country’s most successful national coach has called time on his seven years in charge following confirmation of Scotland’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the Scottish FA said in a statement.
Scotland, back at the World Cup after a 28-year absence, ended up third in Group C but are not among the top eight third-placed finishers who progress to the knockout rounds.
Reuters
It’s all early action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. What the hell was I saying about the DR Congo being unable to keep up? That aged well, because the Africans have equalised in fine fashion seven minutes after going behind.
It’s a worlie from Mbuku, who’s at the top of the box and takes a touch before lashing home his finish. He’s celebrating when the referee calls it back and determines he’s committed a foul in the lead-up. Heart in chest, I tell you. Heart in chest.
DR Congo 0-1 Uzbekistan, 17 minutes
Well, isn’t that just out of nowhere! And what a finish from Shomurodov. The captain is slipped the ball in the box by Fayzullaev and chips a finish that is just so lovely to watch.
Needless to say that is unexpected for the DR Congo camp in Atlanta, and not good news for their bid to make the round of 32. The Uzbeks have set off at a pace that the Africans can’t seem to keep up with. It’s still early days, but they are clearly going for that gigantic win they need.
DR Congo 0-1 Uzbekistan, 10 minutes
Berkeley: The Socceroos will invoke years of lessons from facing Middle Eastern opponents – and the pioneering spirit of the legendary Johnny Warren – as coach Tony Popovic devises a plan to get past Egypt and prevail in what appears to be, on paper, Australia’s most winnable World Cup knockout game yet.
Popovic and his staff gathered on Friday night (local time) in front of two televisions at the team’s hotel in Berkeley, California, to watch Iran v Egypt and Belgium v New Zealand, the concurrent matches that would determine who they would face next week in the round of 32.
The pending outcome changed eight times in 90 minutes but ultimately, it landed in line with most pre-tournament projections.
The match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys – will be just the third time the Socceroos will have faced the Pharaohs, who have made it out of their World Cup group for the first time.
This’ll be quite the test for Cristiano Ronaldo. Colombia are undefeated in the tournament and will pose a headache for him. Can he get on the scoresheet?
Portugal can go top of Group K with a win over Colombia.
DR Congo: M’Pasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mbuku, Cipenga; Wissa, Bakambu Subs Fayulu, Epolo, Kapuadi, Batubinsika, Mukau, Bongonda, Kakuta, Joris Kayembe, Elia, Tshibola, Pickel, Mayele, Banza, Kalulu, Edo Kayembe.
Uzbekistan: Nematov; Nasrullaye, Ashurmatov, Urozov, Khusanov, Alizhonov; Fayzullaev, Shukurov, Mozgovoy, Khamdamov; Shomurodov Subs Yusupov, Ergashev, Sayfiev, Iskanderov, Hamrobekov, Jiyanov, Urunov, Eshmurodov, Abdullayev, Ganiev, Amonov, Sergeev, Esanov, Karimov, Ulmasaliev.
Uzbekistan, coming off a 5-0 loss to Portugal, have made a quartet of changes while DR Congo have injected the pacey Brian Cipenga on the wing in place of defender Steve Kapuadi following their 1-0 loss to Colombia.
These two are fighting it out to try to qualify for the round of 32 as a third-placed team behind Colombia and Portugal, with the latter on a mission to unseat the Colombians from top spot of Group K.
A result is a must: a draw would mean both nations exit. DR Congo can secure progression with a win, while the going is a lot tougher for Uzbekistan, who start this match with zero points and a goal difference of -7.
These results also confirm Scotland are out of the World Cup.
There are heads in hands from the Ghana supporters in the crowd as late chances come and go, but really, their team are not trying to win. They just aren’t. Are we surprised? No. A draw gets them through in third place. Croatia, meanwhile, have done what they needed with a win that allows them to advance in second spot behind England.
Croatia 2-1 Ghana
England finish top of Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama thanks to second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
It’s a nice confidence-booster after their 0-0 draw against Ghana.
England’s next opponent is still to be determined depending on results today, but it’ll be a third-placed team and is certainly a better run than if they’d botched the game today
Panama had a goal taken away in extra-time. Offside. It means they finish the tournament as the only team without a goal.
Panama 0-2 England
