Japan come from behind twice to draw with Netherlands

Japan hit back twice to start their World Cup campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Netherlands. The Dutch were denied a victory in their the World Cup Group F opener when Koki Ogawa’s 88th-minute header took a deflection off Daichi Kamada before going in at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. After a drab first half where chances were few and far between, the came to life when an unmarked Virgil van Dijk headed home in the 51st minute from Liverpool team-mate Ryan Gravenberch’s cross.

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Merciless Germany put seven past debutants Curaçao

Four-time winners Germany overcame a brief scare from World Cup debutants Curacao before turning on the style to win their Group E opener in Houston. Die Mannschaft went ahead in the sixth minute with the tournament’s earliest goal so far coming from a powerful curling effort from Felix Nmecha. But they were stunned by a leveller from Livano Comenencia. That proved to be a wake up call with the Germans showing no mercy as they pushed on for an emphatic victory.

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Hamilton takes maiden win for Ferrari at Barcelona GP

An emotional Lewis Hamilton took his first victory for Ferrari in a compelling Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix as championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired from second place with four laps to go. Antonelli had just passed Russell for second place with five laps to go after a race-long battle when his car ground to a halt because of an electrical shutdown. Russell finished second and McLaren’s Lando Norris was third in the first all-British podium since the 1968 US Grand Prix.

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Young guns shine as Australia upset Turkey

Australia provided the surprise result so far of the 2026 World Cup as they began their Group D campaign with a 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver. It was a highly organised and clinical display from Tony Popovic’s side, who withstood their opponent’s dominance of the ball and struck with a goal in each half from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. The match turned on a moment in the 27th minute. Arda Guler’s header was saved low by goalkeeper Patrick Beach – making his competitive international debut – and in a flash Irankunda was released to race away from the defence and slot into the corner at the other end.

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McGinn fires Scotland to narrow win over Haiti

Scotland moved top of Group C in their long-awaited return to the World Cup with a nervy 1-0 win over Haiti in Foxborough. In the Scots’ first game on the big stage since 1998, midfielder John McGinn fired them ahead in Boston with a deflected strike after 28 minutes, although Steve Clarke’s side lived dangerously at times.

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