Sports
Deniz Undav’s Stoppage-Time Brace Sends Germany Into World Cup Round of 32 After 2–1 Win Over Ivory Coast
Deniz Undav’s Stoppage-Time Brace Sends Germany Into World Cup Round of 32 After 2–1 Win Over Ivory Coast
Germany came from a goal down to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E encounter at Toronto Stadium, thanks to Deniz Undav’s dramatic winner deep in added time. In the first-ever competitive meeting between both sides, the Germans overcame a determined Ivory Coast side that matched them for long stretches of the match. The African nation went ahead through captain Franck Kessie in the first half before a second-half collapse to the Europeans. However, substitute Deniz Undav turned the game on its head with two clinical finishes in a match where Ivory Coast failed to take their chances before Die Mannschaft scored the late winner.
Ivory Coast took control of the match in the first half when captain Franck Kessie blasted in a rebound in the 30th minute, giving the African side a deserved lead following a lively start. The goal came after Yan Diomande sent in a cross to forward Amad Diallo, whose shot was blocked by Germany’s Nathaniel Brown, but the ball bounced back to Kessie, who slotted it into the wide-open left corner of the net. Germany had two goals disallowed in a frustrating first half. The first came in the 21st minute when Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana batted the ball into his own net, but Germany midfielder Aleksander Pavlovic made illegal contact with Fofana on the play. The second came in the 38th minute when Jamal Musiala was called for a foul in the buildup to what would have been a Kai Havertz goal.
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With Germany trailing and struggling to break down Ivory Coast’s resolute defense, coach Julian Nagelsmann made a triple substitution around the hour mark, bringing on Deniz Undav, Nadiem Amiri, and Jamie Leweling. The decision proved inspired. Just eight minutes after coming on, Undav leveled the score in the 68th minute. Amiri delivered a precise long ball that Kai Havertz cleverly let run through to Undav, who slammed home the equalizer from close range. Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana produced multiple saves in the latter stages to keep the Elephants in the encounter, but could not do anything about the winner four minutes into added time. Undav received a pass from Felix Nmecha in front of the net, controlled expertly, and rifled it past Fofana to complete his brace and break Ivorian hearts.
“You can see that the players who come off the bench can decide games. Now we have a really important signal to the team. I think that’s very important in a game like this,” Undav said after the match. Nagelsmann added: “Deniz is someone who doesn’t need to be prepared, he can jump in right away”. Germany collected six points from two Group E matches, secured sole possession of first place, and clinched a spot in the World Cup knockout stage. The Germans advanced from the group stage for the first time since 2014, when they went on to win their fourth World Cup title. They had suffered disappointing group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022. The victory extended Germany’s winning streak to 11 matches, dating back to September 2025. Ivory Coast, who beat Ecuador 1-0 in their opener, now have three points from two matches and face a must-win final group match against Curacao to keep their hopes of a first-ever knockout-stage appearance alive. Curacao’s hard-fought draw against Ecuador brought about its first point in the World Cup, setting up a dramatic final matchday in Group E.
Deniz Undav’s Stoppage-Time Brace Sends Germany Into World Cup Round of 32 After 2–1 Win Over Ivory Coast
Sports
BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his remarkable 23-year career with the Portugal national team.
The 41-year-old forward announced his decision on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in a video message shared on his social media accounts, saying he was ready to hand over Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo, who made his senior international debut in August 2003, leaves the national team as the highest-scoring player in men’s international football and its most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.
In his announcement, Ronaldo reflected on the privilege and responsibility of representing Portugal for more than two decades.
He said: “To the Portuguese people. The time has come to hang our national team’s number 7 shirt. I never felt that it belonged exclusively to me, but for 23 years I have had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it.”
He added that representing Portugal had given him some of the most memorable moments of his football career and that the country would always remain part of him.
A career filled with records and trophies
Ronaldo’s international career began in August 2003 when he made his debut for Portugal at the age of 18.
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Over the next 23 years, he established himself as one of the most successful players in international football, setting records for appearances and goals.
His major achievements with Portugal include winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.
He also represented Portugal at six World Cups, from 2006 to 2026, becoming the first player to score at six different editions of the men’s tournament.
His 146 international goals and 234 appearances leave him at the top of the men’s international football records.
November matches expected to mark farewell
Ronaldo’s announcement comes after a difficult period with Portugal, including a disagreement with national team coach Jorge Jesus.
The Al-Nassr forward walked out of Portugal’s training camp in September following disagreements over his playing time and his exclusion from the starting line-up.
He subsequently apologised to his teammates and Portuguese supporters, while accepting a disciplinary punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation.
The federation handed him a 30-day suspension and a fine of €255 following the incident. The suspension was backdated to October 1.
Ronaldo is expected to bring his international career to a close after Portugal’s November international engagements, with the team scheduled to face Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17.
His departure will mark the end of an era for Portuguese football, as the country prepares to move forward without the player who has captained its national team and broken numerous international records.
Portugal will, however, continue to have the legacy of a footballer whose name has become synonymous with the country’s achievements on the international stage.
BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal
Sports
Nigeria Flamingos Make History, Stun Brazil 3-1 to Reach U-17 Women’s World Cup Final
Nigeria Flamingos Make History, Stun Brazil 3-1 to Reach U-17 Women’s World Cup Final
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have made history by becoming the first African country to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Brazil 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final encounter on Wednesday night.
Inspired by a brilliant brace from Awawu Bashiru and an early strike from Queen Joseph, the Nigerian girls produced an impressive performance to overcome their South American opponents and book a historic place in Saturday’s final in Morocco.
Joseph opened the scoring with a close-range finish from four yards to give Akeem Busari’s side an early advantage.
Bashiru then doubled Nigeria’s lead with a moment of brilliance, sending a lofted cross over the Brazilian goalkeeper and into the net in the 71st minute.
The forward completed her brace 10 minutes later, calmly firing home a well-placed effort at the near post to extend Nigeria’s advantage and send the Nigerian bench, supporters and officials into wild celebrations.
Brazil managed to pull one back through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but it was too little, too late as the Flamingos held on for a memorable victory.
The triumph represents Nigeria’s first-ever victory over Brazil at this level and marks a significant milestone for African women’s football, with the Flamingos becoming the first team from the continent to qualify for the tournament’s final.
Nigeria will now have the opportunity to surpass their previous best achievement of winning the bronze medal in 2022 as they prepare for a showdown with Japan, who defeated tournament favourites Korea DPR in the other semi-final.
The eagerly anticipated final is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, in Morocco, with the Flamingos aiming to crown their historic campaign with Nigeria’s first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
Sports
Tragedy: Spanish Footballer Jesús de Miguel Dies at 30 After On-Field Collision
Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has died at the age of 30 after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a league match involving his club, CD Tenerife.
The striker died on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at a hospital in Tenerife, Spain, a day after he collapsed during his team’s encounter against FC Andorra in the Spanish second division.
The incident occurred in the closing stages of Monday’s match at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium, with both teams level at 2-2.
De Miguel was chasing a long ball towards the middle of the pitch when FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out of his penalty area to intercept it. The goalkeeper collided with the forward, striking him in the chest with his knee.
De Miguel immediately fell to the ground, prompting players from both teams to call for urgent medical assistance. Owono was shown a straight red card following the collision.
Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch and administered emergency treatment to the injured footballer before he was transported to hospital by ambulance.
During the journey, De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest, but medical personnel reportedly managed to restore his pulse through emergency resuscitation.
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He was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit of Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
CD Tenerife initially described his condition as stable despite the seriousness of his injuries. However, a subsequent medical update indicated that his neurological condition had deteriorated.
He died at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
Announcing his death, CD Tenerife expressed profound sorrow over the loss of the striker and extended condolences to his family, friends, teammates and supporters.
The club also appealed for respect for the privacy of his family during the difficult period.
The tragedy has prompted a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the footballer’s death, including possible involuntary manslaughter under Spanish law.
Authorities explained that such proceedings are routinely initiated when a death is considered non-natural. The investigation does not, in itself, establish criminal responsibility on the part of anyone involved in the collision.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered an outpouring of condolences across the football community.
Spanish football giants, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, expressed sympathy to Tenerife and De Miguel’s family.
FC Andorra also paid tribute to the deceased player, while the club’s president and former Barcelona defender, Gerard Piqué, expressed his condolences.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) postponed matches scheduled for Tuesday in the Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina as a mark of respect.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) also announced that matches across its competitions would observe a minute of silence in memory of the late footballer.
De Miguel joined Tenerife from Castellón ahead of the 2025–2026 season.
Born in Madrid in 1996, he built his career across several Spanish clubs, including Leganés B, Fuenlabrada, Unionistas de Salamanca and Castellón.
He scored 11 goals during the previous season and helped Castellón secure promotion to Spain’s second division.
His death has left teammates, supporters and members of the Spanish football community mourning the loss of a player whose career was cut short by the tragic incident.
Tragedy: Spanish Footballer Jesús de Miguel Dies at 30 After On-Field Collision
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