Standings · Ninety XI

Results & fixtures

50'

Bosnia & Herzegovina1

Bosnia & Herzegovina1

ResultArgentina (pens)

ResultArgentina (pens)

Top Players

1L. MessiArgentina30 a
2F. BalogunUSA20 a
3E. HaalandNorway20 a
4Y. AyariSweden20 a
5Kylian MbappéFrance20 a
6E. JustNew Zealand20 a
7H. KaneEngland20 a
8K. HavertzGermany20 a
9D. UndavGermany12 a
10A. IsakSweden12 a
11N. BrownGermany11 a
12Hwang In-BeomSouth Korea11 a
13V. GyökeresSweden11 a
14R. RezaeianIran11 a
15L. DíazColombia11 a

Latest news

USA Seizes Control Against Australia in World Cup First Half

The United States Men's National Team delivered a commanding first-half performance against Australia in their FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage encounter, establishing a 2-0 lead despite the absence of star forward Christian Pulisic. Pulisic, sidelined with a calf injury, was replaced in the starting lineup by Ricardo Pepi, a change that did not disrupt the USA's attacking rhythm. Early Advantage and VAR Confirmation The USA opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Australia's Cameron Burgess inadvertently put the ball into his own net, granting the Americans an early 1-0 lead. This immediate breakthrough set the tone for a half characterized by USA dominance. Before the halftime whistle, Alex Freeman doubled the advantage. His goal, initially flagged for offside, was confirmed after a VAR review, pushing the score to 2-0 and solidifying the USA's strong position. Tactical Adjustments and Discipline Australia struggled to contain the USA's midfield and attacking movements, leading to disciplinary actions. Jordan Bos received a yellow card in the 16th minute for a challenge on Weston McKennie. Later, in the 32nd minute, Alessandro Circati was cautioned for a foul on Malik Tillman. These bookings highlighted Australia's challenges in disrupting the USA's flow without resorting to fouls. The collective effort from the USMNT in Pulisic's absence was notable. FOX Sports analyst Zlatan Ibrahimović endorsed the decision to manage Pulisic's fitness, stressing the importance of depth for a successful tournament run. The first 45 minutes demonstrated that the USA possessed the tactical flexibility and individual quality to perform at a high level, even without their talisman, enjoying what was widely described as a dream first half.

@nathan/5m ago

Pulisic Ruled Out of USMNT's World Cup Encounter with Australia Due to Calf Injury

Christian Pulisic will miss the United States Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match against Australia. The forward was officially ruled out approximately 90 minutes before kickoff by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, confirming earlier doubts surrounding his fitness. Pulisic sustained an aggravation to his left calf during the previous World Cup fixture against Paraguay, which led to his substitution at halftime. Since then, he had been training individually, unable to participate fully with the main squad in the lead-up to the crucial game in Seattle. In Pulisic's absence, Ricardo Pepi will step into the starting lineup for the USMNT. Coach Pochettino expressed optimism that Pulisic could recover in time for the team's final group stage match, scheduled for June 25 against Türkiye.

@nathan/2h ago

USMNT Faces Australia in Seattle Amid Pulisic Injury Doubt for Critical World Cup 2026 Group Stage Clash

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage brings the United States Men's National Team face-to-face with Australia on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET at Seattle's Lumen Field. This fixture carries significant weight for both nations. For the USA, playing on home soil brings an expectant atmosphere and the pressure of delivering a deep tournament run. This match, part of a tournament that commenced on June 11 and concludes on July 19, will be a crucial early test of their tactical cohesion and mental fortitude against a resilient Australian side. The Stakes for the Host Nation The USMNT enters the tournament with the unique advantage of familiar surroundings. Their preparation over the preceding years has undoubtedly focused on capitalizing on this home support. A strong start in the group stage is paramount, not just for points but to galvanize the fanbase and build momentum. Their tactical setup will likely aim for control in midfield and dynamic wide play, seeking to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities Australia might present. Pulisic's Status: A Critical Variable The USMNT's preparations for Australia have been complicated by the fitness of Christian Pulisic. The influential attacker is currently listed as day to day with a left calf injury, sustained during the opening 4-1 victory against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. Pulisic, who provided an assist in that match, was withdrawn at halftime after aggravating a pre-existing calf issue and taking a kick to the back of his calf, causing his muscles to seize. Since then, he has engaged in modified and individual training sessions, remaining separate from full team practices. His availability for the June 19 fixture in Seattle remains uncertain. Manager Mauricio Pochettino stated a final decision would follow a medical staff meeting on Thursday evening, with an announcement expected on Friday. Should Pulisic be unable to feature against Australia, Sebastian Berhalter, Brenden Aaronson, or Giovanni Reyna are potential options to fill his role. Pochettino anticipates Pulisic's return for the subsequent game against Turkey if he misses the Australia encounter. Australia's Approach Australia, traditionally known for their disciplined approach and physical intensity, will arrive with a clear game plan. They often thrive on disrupting opponents' rhythm and executing swift transitions. In a World Cup environment, these attributes can prove highly effective. Their challenge will be to manage the intensity of the home crowd and impose their style, preventing the USA from settling into a comfortable rhythm. Expect them to prioritize defensive solidity and look for opportunities to counter. A Pivotal Group Stage Encounter As a key group stage fixture, the outcome will significantly influence the trajectory of both teams' World Cup campaigns. For the USA, it is an opportunity to assert their intentions early. For Australia, it represents a chance to upset the hosts and lay down a marker of their own. Both sides understand the importance of securing points in their opening matches to ease the path to the knockout rounds.

@nathan/16h ago

Recap

Romo's Strike and Rangel's Late Heroics Seal Mexico's Gritty World Cup Win Over South Korea

Mexico secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against South Korea in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A encounter. A decisive goal from Luis Romo early in the second half, combined with a crucial late double save from goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, proved enough for Mexico to claim all three points. Tactical Contest and Decisive Moments The match saw Mexico line up in a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to leverage wide play and a compact midfield. South Korea countered with a 3-4-2-1, a setup designed to control the midfield through a double pivot and create overloads in advanced areas. South Korea dominated possession with 57 percent and recorded a higher expected goals (xG) tally of 0.63 compared to Mexico's 0.48, yet they struggled to convert this territorial and statistical advantage into goals. The opening half was a cautious affair, punctuated by early intensity. South Korea's Lee Kang-In received a yellow card in the fourth minute for a foul. Mexico's Edson Álvarez made a pivotal goal-line clearance in the 16th minute, denying a dangerous effort from Son Heung-min and keeping the score level. The deadlock broke five minutes into the second half. Luis Romo capitalized on a goalkeeping error from South Korea's Kim Seung-gyu, finding the net in the 50th minute to put Mexico ahead. This moment of individual error proved to be the game's turning point. Defensive Stand Secures the Win Following the goal, South Korea pushed for an equalizer, increasing their attacking pressure. Midfielder Paik Seung-Ho received a yellow card in the 58th minute. Despite South Korea's increased urgency and higher shot count, Mexico's defensive structure, anchored by their 4-3-3 shape, largely held firm. The most significant defensive contribution arrived in the 87th minute when Mexican goalkeeper Raúl Rangel made an incredible double save. This intervention preserved Mexico's clean sheet and extinguished South Korea's most promising late opportunity to salvage a point. Mexico's eight shots, four on target, ultimately yielded the solitary goal needed, while South Korea's seven shots, only two on target, highlighted their finishing struggles. Mexico's victory, forged by Romo's goal and Rangel's late heroics, demonstrated their ability to withstand pressure and secure a vital World Cup win, even when out-possessed.

@nathan/17h ago

Recap

Mexico, South Korea Locked 0-0 at Halftime in Group A Clash

Tense First Half in Guadalajara Leaves Group A Undecided The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A encounter between Mexico and South Korea reached halftime in Guadalajara with the score deadlocked at 0-0. Both sides entered the match having won their opening fixtures, making this contest a direct battle for first place and early progression to the knockout rounds. The opening minutes set a physical tone, with South Korea's midfielder Lee Kang-in receiving a yellow card just four minutes into the match for serious foul play. Despite the early caution, the game settled into a tactical struggle, reflecting the high stakes. Mexico, deploying a 4-3-3 formation, aimed to leverage wide areas and central overloads. South Korea countered with a 3-4-2-1 shape, attempting to stifle Mexico's build-up and launch quick transitions. The contest saw balanced possession, with Mexico holding 47% and South Korea 53%. Neither team managed to assert clear dominance in creating genuine scoring opportunities. Key moments in the first half saw South Korea's captain Son Heung-min have an attempt cleared off the line by Mexico's Edson Álvarez, though the play was subsequently flagged for offside. At the other end, South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a crucial save from a header by Julián Quiñones, denying Mexico a potential opener. Shots were at a premium, with Mexico registering three attempts to South Korea's two, and only one shot on target from Mexico. Mexico played without defender César Montes, who served a suspension for a red card received in their previous match against South Africa. The conditions in Guadalajara, with an 88% chance of performance-impairing heat, also presented an additional challenge for both sets of players, potentially contributing to the measured pace. The underlying expected goals (xG) further underlined the evenly matched nature of the half, with both Mexico and South Korea recording an xG of 0.11. This suggests a half where defensive solidity largely negated attacking ambition, leaving the second period open for either side to seize control of Group A.

@nathan/18h ago

Recap

Canada Annihilates Qatar 6-0 for Historic First World Cup Victory in Vancouver

Canada secured their first-ever men's FIFA World Cup victory with a commanding 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver on June 18, 2026. The atmosphere was charged with expectation, intensified by the presence of Prime Minister Mark Carney and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Early Dominance and a Midfield Blow From the outset, Canada established control. Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Jonathan David quickly followed suit, finding the net in the 29th minute to double Canada's advantage. David was not finished there, adding another goal before halftime, sending Canada into the break with a resounding 3-0 lead. However, the first half also brought a moment of concern for Canada. Midfielder Ismaël Koné sustained a horrific injury, a significant blow despite the team's on-field success. Star player Alphonso Davies was available, providing a steady presence. Qatar's Discipline Issues and Canada's Ruthless Finish Qatar's challenge became significantly more difficult due to disciplinary issues. Homam Ahmed received a direct red card after a VAR check for a possible penalty, reducing Qatar to ten men. This incident, combined with another red card later in the game, meant Qatar played much of the match with a numerical disadvantage, ultimately finishing with nine players. Canada capitalised on Qatar's structural collapse with ruthless efficiency. Jonathan David completed his hat-trick in the second half, showcasing his clinical finishing. The Canadian attack continued to press, eventually pushing the scoreline to a comprehensive 6-0. The result was a testament to Canada's tactical discipline and offensive prowess, marking a memorable chapter in their World Cup history.

@nathan/19h ago