Trossard double helps Belgium book place in knockouts

Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 to breeze into the knockout stage of the World Cup winning Group G to set up a last-32 clash with one of the eight best third-placed teams. After having a penalty award overturned following a VAR check, Belgium broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when De Bruyne’s corner bounced off New Zealand defender Tim Payne and dropped perfectly for Trossard to poke into the net from close range.

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Salah shines as Egypt fightback to down New Zealand

A Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt stormed back from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 and claim their first-ever World Cup win. After an end-to-end start by both teams, New Zealand opened the scoring in the 14th minute when an unmarked Finn Surman headed a corner home. With a wealth of possession and momentum behind them, Egypt finally levelled in the 58th minute as Mostafa Ziko capitalised on a superbly weighted cross.

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Iran and New Zealand share spoils in entertaining draw

Iran drew their World Cup opener with New Zealand but emphatically won the support of the Iranian community inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, having overcome unprecedented obstacles just to play at these finals. The Asian team hit back twice through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi to force a 2-2 draw, with Eli Just grabbing a brace for the All Whites.

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New Zealand sack head coach Scott Robertson

Scott Robertson has been sacked as head coach of New Zealand after two years in charge. Robertson, 51, replaced Ian Foster after the World Cup in 2023 and led the All Blacks to 10 wins out of 13 Tests in the 2025 season. But the former Canterbury Crusaders coach came under pressure following an away defeat by Argentina and a record 43-10 loss to South Africa in the Rugby Championship in Wellington.

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New Zealand turn on style to overcome Ireland

New Zealand’s All Blacks earned their Chicago revenge on Saturday with a 26-13 victory at Soldier Field after a highly controversial Tadhg Beirne 20-minute red card. Beirne was dismissed for a third-minute high tackle on Beauden Barrett, for which he was shown yellow on the field of play but saw it surprisingly upgraded to red after a bunker review. Andy Farrell’s side initially responded superbly but a second half fightback turned the game on its head.

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