Van der Poel conquers Paris-Roubaix for the third time before the fall of Pogacar

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France demonstrated its power by beating Sweden 3-0 in the 2026 World Cup, with a double from Kylian Mbappé that places it at the all-time top for goals in World Cup qualifiers.

Mbappé scored in the 45th and 74th minutes, reaching nine goals in direct elimination phases of World Cups. He thus surpassed the Brazilians Leonidas and Ronaldo, who had eight. In addition, he reached 18 goals in his World Cup career, one less than Lionel Messi’s record.

The first goal came after a corner kick play. Mbappé received from Ousmane Dembélé, cut back Viktor Gyökeres and shot cross to beat Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström.

“We are aware of the situation, where we are and what we must do,” declared Mbappé.

Bradley Barcola extended the lead in the 53rd minute. Coach Didier Deschamps, back after his mother’s funeral, replaced Mbappé in the 85th minute to applause.

“We have a mission, and I am part of it, side by side with them,” said Deschamps. “Before our match there were complicated matches in the round of 32. We have to appreciate the moment.”

France has 13 goals in the tournament, six from Mbappé, who equaled Messi in the World Cup scoring chart. The French team will now face Paraguay in the round of 16.

With this performance, France confirms its status as a candidate for the title, backed by the punch of its star and collective work.

Morocco advances on penalties

Ismael Saibari converted the decisive penalty and Morocco knocked out the Netherlands in the round of 32 of the World Cup. The Atlas Lions will face Canada in the round of 16.

Cody Gakpo put the Oranje ahead in the 72nd minute, but Issa Diop equalized with a header in the first minute of stoppage time. The game went to overtime and then to penalties, where both teams missed half of their shots.

Yassine Buonou saved Crysencio Summerville’s penalty in the penultimate turn. Saibari did not fail and sealed the pass for Morocco, which in Qatar 2022 was the first African team to reach the semifinals.

“It was a team effort, we executed the plan very well,” said Saibari, chosen player of the match.

Coach Ronald Koeman regretted the elimination:

“It’s hard, but that’s how it is. Morocco had the best opportunities.”

The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams raised doubts due to possible unequal crossings, but this duel between the sixth and seventh in the FIFA ranking demonstrated parity. Hours earlier, Paraguay had also eliminated Germany on penalties.

The match was played in Monterrey, with the sun illuminating Cerro de la Silla at the beginning and the moon over the BBVA Stadium at the end. Up to 20,000 Dutch fans were expected, but the stands showed a large Moroccan presence.

The Netherlands has four more years without a world title, while Morocco continues its path to repeat the feat in 2022.

Milestone Victory

The Mexican team secured its place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup by defeating Ecuador 2-0 at the Azteca Stadium. With this result, they have four consecutive victories in World Cups, an unprecedented achievement in the history of national football.

The team led by Javier Aguirre imposed its rhythm from the beginning. A constant offensive proposal nullified the South American approach.

The advantage came in the first half. Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, and Raúl Jiménez sealed the victory in the 31st minute.

Mexico remains undefeated at the Coloso de Santa Úrsula in World Cups: eight wins and two draws in ten games played.

The Tricolor will play again this Sunday on the same stage. They will face the winner of the tie between England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for a place in the quarterfinals.