Brazil survived a World Cup last-32 scare when they fought back to beat Japan 2-1 after Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in a shot at the far post deep in stoppage time on Monday. Brazil, who will next face Norway or Ivory Coast in New Jersey on 5 July, looked like they were headed to extra-time in a match in which the five-time world champions struggled to break down a resolute Japanese side.
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Daniel Munoz scored for the second successive game as Colombia booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Crystal Palace full-back finally beat the heroics of Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, leaving the Africans needing a victory against Ukbekistan in their final group game to keep their hopes alive.
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Cape Verde created fresh waves at the World Cup as they held two-time champions Uruguay to a 2-2 draw in a high-octane encounter in Miami. Kevin Pina hammered them ahead with a stunning free-kick before Uruguay hit back to lead at half-time. Substitute Helio Varela’s second-half goal after a defensive clanger was no less than Cape Verde deserved however.
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Maxi Araujo rescued a point for Uruguay to deny Saudi Arabia another famous World Cup win as the sides drew 1-1 in Miami. The Saudis, who shocked eventual winners Argentina in their opener at the last World Cup, went ahead through Abdulelah Al-Amri in the first half but came under sustained pressure late on and failed to hold out against the two-time winners.
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Ousmane Dembele scored twice as Paris St-Germain beat Liverpool to book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, where either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid await Luis Enrique’s side. PSG came into the second leg with a two-goal advantage but were made to work at a raucous Anfield until Dembele scored in the 72nd minute with a wonderful left-footed finish. In added time, the Ballon d’Or winner added a second.
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