Brazil fightback to share spoils with impressive Morocco

Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw in the first ⁠heavyweight clash of the World Cup on Saturday, with the African side confirming their potential while exposing familiar weaknesses in their opponents at a sold out New York/New Jersey stadium. Ismael Saibari gave Morocco a deserved first-half lead before Vinicius Jr produced a moment of brilliance to restore parity, ensuring the points were shared in the opening Group C match.

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Qatar stun Switzerland with late equaliser to earn first World Cup point

Qatar scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser as they fought back to draw against Switzerland to claim their first-ever point at a World Cup finals.
Boualem Khoukhi headed home Homam El Amin’s cross in the 94th minute to spark wild celebrations among Julen Lopetegui’s squad. It delivered a remarkable conclusion to a one-sided affair that Switzerland had dominated and had looked likely to be settled by Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty.

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Russell beats Hamilton to pole in Barcelona

George Russell bounced back from the disappointments of the past few races to take pole position for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Russell edged out Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari by just 0.064 seconds as runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli could manage only third place in the other Mercedes. McLaren’s Lando Norris took fourth from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, while Hamilton’s team-mate Charles Leclerc crashed on his first lap in the final session and will start 10th.

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USA put four past Paraguay in World Cup opener

The United States pulverised Paraguay as they opened their home World Cup campaign with a statement victory in front of a galaxy of Los Angeles stars, including former England captain David Beckham. Monaco forward Folarin Balogun, a former England Under-21 international, scored two well-taken first-half goals as Mauricio Pochettino’s side served early notice of their capabilities in a convincing 4-1 win.

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Canada battle back to earn late draw with Bosnia

Substitute Cyle Larin helped co-hosts Canada make history with a first World Cup point after his deflected 78th-minute strike rescued a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. Jovo Lukic threatened to spoil the party occasion for Jesse Marsch’s men when he scored in the 21st-minute before ex-Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac produced an incredible second-half clearance to preserve Bosnia’s one-goal lead.

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