Cape Verde push Argentina to the limit
Cape Verde, a nation of just over 500,000 people, came within minutes of knocking out the holders in Miami. They fell short, but a fan’s banner summed up the campaign: “Small Island. Big Dreams. Refuse to Lose.”
Haaland embraces Texas
Erling Haaland scored Norway’s winner against Ivory Coast in Dallas and celebrated the win in a white stetson. The striker has clearly settled into life in the United States, with Brazil next up in the last 16.
The USA finds its anthem
John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” rang around Levi’s Stadium after the hosts beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in Santa Clara. It is fast becoming the soundtrack of the American campaign.
Ronaldo’s tribute to Jota
After Portugal beat Croatia in Toronto, Cristiano Ronaldo held up Diogo Jota’s number 21 jersey, almost exactly a year after the forward’s death. Ronaldo called the timing “a coincidence of life.”
Lukaku silences the doubters
Questioned over his fitness coming into the tournament, Romelu Lukaku came off the bench against Senegal and scored Belgium’s first as they recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Seattle.
– AFP
Photo: Reuters/Blake Dahlin
