SuperNewsAffiliate

Co-hosts Canada beat South Africa to reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time. Stephen Eustaquio struck a dramatic winner in the second minute of stoppage time. Author | Josh T Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium In a scrappy contest lacking clear-cut chances, and with extra time appearing inevitable, Eustaquio produced a rare moment of quality, drilling a superb low effort in from the edge of the penalty area to seal victory for Canada. Canada had lost all six of their previous World Cup matches before this tournament, but this latest triumph continued an outstanding campaign. They claimed their first ever World Cup finals victory with a 6-0 win over Qatar on 18 June, and this was another landmark occasion for Jesse Marsch's side as they became the first team to book their place in the last 16. The co-hosts will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday, 4 July. Reaction after a pivotal moment in the history of Canadian soccer/football Watch | Highlights...

Haaland double sends Norway into last 32 after victory over Senegal Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway secured their place in the World Cup last 32 with a victory over Senegal in New Jersey. Author | Josh T Stadium | New York New Jersey Stadium  After only two matches at the tournament, the Manchester City striker Haaland has already scored twice as many World Cup goals (four) as any other Norwegian player in history. A closer look at what happened Full-back Marcus Pedersen, introduced early as a substitute, took advantage of a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly to give Norway the lead late in the first half. Haaland then took centre stage after the break. He raced on to Martin Odegaard's incisive through ball to make it 2-0 in the 48th minute, becoming Norway's all-time leading scorer at World Cups in the process, before Ismaila Sarr reduced the deficit to revive Senegal's hopes. Haaland quickly restored Norway's two-goal advantage five minutes la...

Salah inspires Egypt comeback to claim historic first World Cup victory Mohamed Salah scored once and set up another as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand and claim the first World Cup victory in their history. Author | Josh T Stadium | BC Place Vancouver The 3-1 win leaves the Pharaohs on the verge of reaching the knockout stages for the first time. New Zealand made the brighter start and went ahead in the 15th minute when Finn Surman rose to head in Tim Payne's inviting corner, raising hopes of a first victory at the tournament for the All Whites. Watch | Egypt celebrate first World Cup win A closer analysis of what happened  Having surrendered the lead twice in their opening draw with Iran, the Kiwis suffered a similar fate here. Egypt struck three times in a 24-minute spell after the interval as manager Hossam Hassan's tactical adjustments transformed the contest and sent his side to the top of Group G. Mostafa Zico, named after the legendary Brazilian playmaker, he...

The other game in England’s group wasn’t quite as exciting Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi scored a 95th-minute winner to deny Panama a first-ever World Cup point in Toronto, Canada. Author | Josh T Stadium | Toronto Stadium With six minutes of added time played in a match short on clear chances, Brandon Thomas-Asante surged down the left, beat his marker and squared for Yirenkyi, who applied a simple finish. The outcome was cruel on Panama, who had matched the four-time African champions in only their fourth World Cup appearance since making their debut in 2018. Ghana's next assignment is against Group L leaders England in Boston on Tuesday, while Panama will hope to end their losing World Cup record when they face Croatia in Toronto on Wednesday. A closer analysis of what happened Panama almost went ahead inside two minutes when Cecilio Waterman's effort was pushed over the bar by Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi. After the break, Panama's Cristian Martinez fired into the si...

New Zealand still searching for their first win at a World Cup Iran twice came from behind in Los Angeles to deny them that elusive victory. Author  | Josh T Stadium  | Los Angeles Stadium Motherwell forward Elijah Just gave New Zealand a dream start, thumping home a half-volley after Chris Wood held the ball up and played it into his path. New Zealand continued to show promise but, as has often been the case at this World Cup, the first hydration break midway through the opening half proved costly. The momentum shifted and Iran found a route back into the contest when Ramin Rezaeian flicked the ball beyond Max Crocombe. Before drawing level, Iran's star forward Mehdi Taremi had gone close when he struck the post with a powerful effort from outside the area. After making it 1-1, Iran also had a goal ruled out for offside. New Zealand took time to regain their rhythm after the break However, Just struck again to restore their lead. The forward combined cleverly with Wood b...

Australia upset Turkey in their World Cup opener Nestory Irankunda became Australia's youngest World Cup goalscorer as a youthful Socceroos side stunned Turkey. Author | Josh T Stadium | BC Place Vancouver The Watford forward struck a superb first-half goal before Connor Metcalfe added a second to hand Tony Popovic's team the ideal start to their Group D campaign in Vancouver. At 20 years and 125 days old, Irankunda eclipsed the record previously held by Brett Holman, who scored against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup aged 26 years and 84 days. The former Bayern Munich player was one of 10 World Cup debutants named by Popovic in Australia's starting XI, making it the country's youngest side at a World Cup since their meeting with France in 2018. Irankunda's finish was of the highest quality. A deft touch after collecting a pass from Paul Okon-Engstler created the space he needed before he drove a low effort beyond the goalkeeper. Turkey are appearing at a World Cup for ...

This month sees Neighbourhood Weekender return to Warrington for the start of the festival season. The event features three stages and the familiar challenge of studying the clash finder and deciding which acts take priority Author | Josh T The festival has become a defining fixture of the northern festival calendar. Over the years, it has become know for its raucous yet family-friendly celebration of British music. Let's explore which bands and acts you should watch ahead of this year's fun and games. The place for the indie rockers As always, the Main Stage will shine the spotlight on the big names and repeat offenders. No one can really be a stranger to the main headliners, Richard Ashcroft and Blossoms (new album imminent, so maybe a new tune or two), and to a chance to admire Tom Ogden’s latest fashions.  Both Richard and Cast continue to trade well off the oasis support slots of last Summer. The Royston Club will be stopping off as part of their touring schedule, and we’v...

Jamaica v Democratic Republic of Congo preview A potentially historic night awaits in the intercontinental qualification play-off final  Author | Josh T Football supporters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have spent decades waiting for a chance to make amends for their only appearance at a World Cup, which came back in 1974. It was a year marked by global upheaval and cultural milestones, as Richard Nixon stepped down over the Watergate scandal, the Rubik's Cube was created, and Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle, staged in Kinshasa. Does a special night await then? A victory for the Leopards against Jamaica in Tuesday’s intercontinental play-off final would bring that 52-year wait to an end and secure Africa a 10th place at this year’s World Cup, to be held across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Should DR Congo win, around q0p million people back home, as well as a massive global diaspora, will pray things go better than they did in...

Indie icons returned to Reading Festival and put on an amazing show Bloc Party lit up Reading Festival’s first-ever ‘icons’ slot, entertaining an all-ages audience that embraced their indie staples and frontman Kele Okereke’s upbeat humour. Author | Josh T Described as a “special set from festival icons”, the early afternoon appearance underlined the band’s cross-generational appeal, with much of the crowd too young to remember their 2005 breakthrough album Silent Alarm. The newly created ‘icons’ slot seems destined to become a regular part of the festival, echoing Glastonbury’s established ‘Legends’ tradition. Okereke, once known in the mid-2000s for a more reserved on-stage persona, looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself. “We’re gonna have some fun, OK?” he told the crowd. He delivered on the promise, launching from the jagged guitars of She’s Hearing Voices straight into the more electronic, dance-influenced Mercury from 2007. Before long he had taken off his top to reveal a...

A memorable night in Cardiff After their heyday in the 1990s and a post-millennium period often written off as creatively stagnant, this is Oasis repackaged for the 21st century. Author | Josh T Few bands have benefited more from the rise of streaming. Curated playlists trim the fat from the discography (and in Oasis's later years, there was plenty of it) while streaming strips away context, distancing the music from the accompanying baggage of critical scorn and tabloid drama.  The much-discussed Oasis fans that are too young to remember the band first-hand are real enough (you can see them dotted throughout the crowd ) and many of them are loving it.  This show leans into a convenient myth that Oasis essentially went on hiatus in 1998. It’s a setlist that resembles a greatest hits playlist, heavy on the early albums and B-sides from the years when Noel Gallagher’s songwriting was so prolific he could casually relegate songs as strong as Acquiesce or The Masterplan to CD s...

Shed Seven took to Woodsies to take everyone back to the mid 90s The band last played here in 1995, the same year Oasis, Pulp and Elastica were riding high. They may have missed out on the very top rung when Britpop ruled the charts, but they have proved impressively resilient.  Author |  Josh T They have recently landed two number-one albums with A Matter Of Time and Liquid Gold. Frontman Rick Witter, still wiry and full of swagger in a sheer black glittery top, summed it up with a knowing smile. “It appears we have become big time charlies,” he joked to the crowd. These days, Shed Seven are much more than an indie band. Five backing vocalists and a three-piece horn section add weight to their sound. There are hints of Oasis throughout, helped by guitarist Paul Banks, who manages to channel both Noel and Liam Gallagher at once. But there is also the unmistakable influence of an earlier Manchester band.  Songs like Chasing Rainbows, On Standby and Speakeasy, the latter ...

Britpop nostalgia in Birmingham Pulp’s live return to Birmingham's Utilita Arena was nothing short of a triumph.  Author | Josh T Far from trading solely on nostalgia, the Sheffield band proved they remain a vital, creative force with something urgent to say.  Touring in support of their first new album in 27 years, More, they delivered a show that was sharp, theatrical and surprisingly poignant. The evening opened with the pounding intensity of "Spike Island", a new track that set the tone for a set that was both musically tight and emotionally charged. There was a wonderful atmosphere by the point. Everyone was there to enjoy themselves. READ MORE |  Music news and gig reviews Jarvis Cocker remains a magnetic presence on stage, his wiry frame constantly in motion, his voice rich with wry charm and understated emotion. Beside him, Candida Doyle, Mark Webber and Nick Banks brought depth and texture to a sound that felt anything but retro. What stood out was h...

A recap of the Saturday of Neighbourhood Weekender Festival season is here Author | Josh T The start of the festival Starting the summer festival season in the right way Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in Warrington’s Victoria Park  Becoming increasingly popular, masses of people travel to the park to hear their favourite alternative and indie rock artists. With several  different stages across the park, there’s something for everyone and this hits you straight away as you queue to have your ticket scanned.  Let's explore some of the best moments. If you were in attendance, let us know what you thought of a slightly rainy Saturday. James were a worthy headliner  Who doesn't love James? They're a fantastic live band who have fans across the generations. This environment at Neighbourhood is perfect for them and they proved this once again. Sally told us: "There was some great bands throughout the day but James were just special. A fantastic day and evening." ...