Sports
Portugal qualify for 2026 World Cup by thrashing Armenia 9-1
We always want to win in the same way — to be convincing and control the game. It’s not always possible, but today we were effective and achieved a good victory,” said Fernandes.
Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1 despite the absence of suspended talisman Cristiano Ronaldo on Sunday to clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves both scored a hat-trick as Roberto Martinez’s side racked up a huge win in Porto to top Group F.Renato Veiga got the ball rolling for Portugal, with Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao also on the scoresheet.
After a draw in Hungary in October and a surprise defeat in Ireland on Thursday, in which Ronaldo was sent off, Portugal wrapped up qualification at the third attempt in their final group match.
They will compete in a seventh consecutive edition of the World Cup, a tournament which the Euro 2016 champions are yet to win.
“We always want to win in the same way — to be convincing and control the game. It’s not always possible, but today we were effective and achieved a good victory,” said Fernandes.
With midfielder Fernandes playing a key role throughout, Portugal made a quick start by scoring in the seventh minute.
Fernandes’s vicious inswinging free-kick from just outside the left side of the box was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Henri Avagyan but Veiga was on hand to head home the rebound.
Sports
World Cup 2026 kicks off today June 11
Who will end Matchday 1 with the upper hand in Group A?
• Image credit: FIFA
The FIFA World Cup 2026, kicked off today 11 June in Mexico city stadium by 20.00 local time.
Mexico and South Africa in Group A are opening the match, the team they faced at the same stage of the tournament in 2010.
The focus will then shift to Guadalajara, where Asia and Europe are represented as Korea Republic do battle with a Czechia side still on a high from their success in the UEFA play-offs.
Who will end Matchday 1 with the upper hand in Group A?
Details later.
Sports
Davido uses W’Cup stage to demand action for abducted Nigerian pupils
Using his platform as a global cultural ambassador, the artiste drew international attention to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
•Photo: 5iveAliveWT/X
Afrobeats superstar Davido transformed his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert into a powerful plea for justice.
Taking the stage in the United States on Wednesday, the singer wore a custom outfit designed to honour the students and teachers recently abducted in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area.
Using his platform as a global cultural ambassador, the artiste drew international attention to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
The Vanguard reported that a viral backstage video revealed the striking details of his attire. Davido wore a white T-shirt reading “NIGERIA” beneath a black leather jacket.
The jacket featured the message “BRING THEM HOME” boldly printed across the back and was decorated with green circular buttons on the front.
Each button bore the name of a kidnapped victim. To differentiate their faces, the names of those still in captivity were written in white, while the names of those who lost their lives were inscribed in red.
Sports
Olympic qualifier: Comoros to face Super Falcons following 30-0 victory over Sudan
They progressed 30–0 on aggregate and will now face a significantly tougher challenge against Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, in the next round.
Comoros have booked a date with African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, after a 30–0 aggregate victory over Sudan in the first round of the qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The Coelacanths won the first leg 17–0 on June 3 before following it up with a 13–0 triumph five days later to complete a dominant aggregate win.
In the first leg, Comoros opened the scoring after eight minutes before producing a relentless attacking display that overwhelmed Sudan throughout the encounter.
Nine different players got on the scoresheet in a performance that highlighted the depth and attacking quality of the Comorian side.
In the second leg on Monday, Comoros scored three goals in the first half and added 10 more after the break to seal a 13–0 victory.
They progressed 30–0 on aggregate and will now face a significantly tougher challenge against Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, in the next round.
The Super Falcons are expected to go into the tie as strong favourites.
Credit: PUNCH
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