Mexican team dissolves after elimination in World Cup

The defeat of the United States against Belgium

The United States, the last host of the 2026 World Cup that was still in competition, was left out of the tournament after losing 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 32, played in Seattle.

The Stars and Stripes team did not show the same level of the group stage. Belgium took advantage of the spaces and defensive errors to clearly win.

Just in the 9th minute, Charles de Ketelaere opened the scoring by finishing alone in the six-yard box a pass that the local defense failed to cut. It seemed that the United States could not harm Thibaut Courtois’ goal, but in the 31st minute, Malik Tillman took a free kick that deflected off the barrier and sealed the tie.

However, two minutes later, De Ketelaere came back with a header to make it 2-1. In the second half, a mistake by goalkeeper Matt Freese when clearing outside his area left the ball to Hans Vanaken, who scored 3-1 in the 57th minute. Already in stoppage time, Romelu Lukaku sealed the score 4-1.

Belgium knew how to withstand the American push, which generated few dangerous arrivals. Now, the Belgian team will face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday in Los Angeles.

A farewell with unshed tears

With his gaze lost between the stands and the applause of the fans, Cristiano Ronaldo walked towards the locker room. He knew that he had just played his last game in a World Cup. Hours earlier he had assured that he would leave in peace, proud of his career.

The dream of qualifying Portugal among the eight best ended in agony. A solitary goal from Spain sealed the score at 1-0 and eliminated the Portuguese team in the round of 16.

Six World Cups and an indelible legacy

In his sixth World Cup participation, the Portuguese striker says goodbye with 11 goals and a place among the tournament’s greatest legends. His time at the World Cups left unforgettable moments:

• 2006: Portugal 2-0 Iran
• 2010: Portugal 7-0 North Korea
• 2014: Portugal 2-1 Ghana
• 2018: Portugal 3-3 Spain and 1-0 Morocco
• 2022: Portugal 3-2 Ghana
• 2026: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan and 2-1 Croatia

The images of his goodbye spread around the world in minutes. Thousands of fans mourned the farewell of a footballer who marked an era. Experts and followers expressed respect and admiration for a career full of achievements.

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves in peace, but the emotion of the moment could not hide the weight of a final farewell.

Mbappé’s complaint

French forward Kylian Mbappé used his social networks to denounce the comments of Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla. The sayings occurred after France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

“Madam, you are a despicable woman, unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, a country that demonstrated passion and honor throughout the tournament,” Mbappé wrote on his X account.

He added: “With your recklessness and blatant racism, the entire world has already forgotten the trajectory and historical effort of your players, leaving only an incompetent woman who projects the worst possible image of her country. I will never allow people like you to continue spreading your hatred and racism throughout the world.”

The senator’s messages

Amarilla had published expressions against the Real Madrid footballer on social networks. He described him as a “colonized Cameroonian, posing as French, nouveau riche, arrogant and ugly”, as well as a “brute who never learned to write”. He also wrote: “The only thing that many of us criticize about the Paraguayan team is that we don’t give them a good slap at the end of the game.”

The French Football Federation condemned the senator’s statements and described them as “abject and unacceptable.” He announced that “he will report the case to the prosecutor’s office so that the pertinent legal measures can be taken.”