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While you were sleeping

While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping is the Post's slightly irreverent take on what happened overnight in some of the biggest tournaments and regional and domestic competitions in the world of sport.
Spain’s Borja Iglesias (right) celebrates with Rodri (centre) and goalkeeper David Raya at he end of the semi-final. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

While you were sleeping: Rodri powers Spain to final, Mbappe goes missing

Spain prove the adage that defence wins championships, while a Super Bowl-style show could stretch half-time at the final to almost 30 minutes.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: VAR robs Egypt, Messi magic saves Argentina

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Ronaldo tears, Spain cheers, Balogun fined

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Haaland stuns Brazil, Fifa stuns everyone

Norway’s Erling Haaland scores twice in shock result that sends South Americans home. Fifa buckle to US political pressure, rescind Balogun red.

Brazil’s Neymar sinks to his knees after his side was knocked out of the World Cup by Norway. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

While you were sleeping: Mbappe strikes again, ‘surprise side’ Morocco down Canada

Kylian Mbappe finally breaks through Paraguay resistance to set up a quarter-final against Morocco.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Spain cruising, Tuchel eyes ‘Hand of God’ payback

Mikel Oyarzabal double seals a comfortable 3-0 win against Austria for the European champions, who face either Portugal or Croatia next.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: captains fantastic save England, Belgium

Harry Kane and Youri Tielemans both score twice to drag their sides into the last 16 against all the odds.

England’s Harry Kane (left) celebrates with teammate Jude Bellingham after scoring his side’s winner. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Haaland’s inevitable, Mbappe unstoppable

Erling Haaland powers Norway into the last 16, Kylian Mbappe double eases France past Sweden, and Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman resigns.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Paraguay stun Germany, Brazil too good for Japan

Germany had never lost a penalty shoot-out at a World Cup, and then they came up against Paraguay. Gabriel Martinelli ends Japan’s run.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Marsch hails ‘Canadian heroes’, Hong quits

Stephen Eustaquio strike sends co-hosts into the last 16 where Morocco or the Netherlands await. South Korea boss Hong Myung-bo resigns.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch (centre), celebrates with his players after beating South Africa. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: England, Ronaldo v Messi, Scotland boss quits

England top Group L with victory over Panama, while Croatia finish second. Later, Portugal take on Colombia and DR Congo face Uzbekistan.

Jude Bellingham gets a hug from Morgan Rogers after scoring England’s first against Panama. Photo: Reuters
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Ecuador stun Germany after 7 minutes of torment

South Americans reach last 32 after dramatic encounter in New Jersey, while Ivory Coast beat Curacao to seal runners-up spot in Group F.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Vinicius Jnr leaves Scotland dream in tatters

Brazil star scores twice, Neymar enters World Cup fray as Scotland near exit. Switzerland win Group B, Canada, Bosnia make history,.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Ronaldo’s historic double, England get lucky

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as first player to score in six World Cups as Portugal put five past Uzbekistan. Toothless England goalless.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring Portugal’s first against Uzbekistan. Photo: dpa
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Messi sets goal record, Mbappe hits double

Lionel Messi scores twice to become the tournament’s greatest-ever scorer, but Kylian Mbappe brace narrows the gap.

Lionel Messi became the greatest goalscorer in World Cup history when he scored against Austria. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Cabo Verde stay unbeaten, Spain simply four-some

Cabo Verde grab stunning draw against Uruguay to keep hopes of reaching last 32 alive. Spain thrash Saudi Arabia, and Iran hold Belgium.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Dutch hammer Sweden, Undav saves Germany

A five-star performance from the Netherlands consigns Sweden to a historic defeat, and Deniz Undav joins the race for the Golden Boot.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: ‘selfish’ Ronaldo told to quit, US win, Scots lose

Partner of Portugal’s Joao Neves triggers social media backlash after Ronaldo comments, USA down Australia, Scotland beaten by Morocco.

United States’ Alex Freeman (centre) celebrates after scoring his side’s second in Seattle. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: super subs, 3 red cards, joy of 6 for Canada

Canada make history with thrashing of Qatar, triple substitution fires Swiss to victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa stay alive.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: England win and Ronaldo ends Messi debate

Harry Kane equals Gary Lineker’s goals tally for England, DR Congo score first ever World Cup goal as Portugal labour to draw.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Mbappe closes on scoring record, Haaland at double

Kylian Mbappe double gets France off to the perfect start, while Erling Haaland scores twice on his World Cup debut.

France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his side’s first goal against Senegal. Photo: Reuters
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Spain stunned, Belgium draw, Tunisia sack coach

World Cup minnows Cabo Verde produce one of the shocks of any tournament, Sabri ⁠Lamouchi pays price for loss, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay draw.

Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha celebrates his side’s goalless draw with Spain in Atlanta. Photo: Getty Images
Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Japan survive, Germany thrive, Uefa boss’ gaffe

Daichi Kamada rescues draw for Japan against Netherlands, Germany crush Curacao, and ‘completely uninteresting’ matches quote sparks backlash.

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: VAR mess, Qatar joy, Vinicius Jnr to rescue

Brazil need some Vinicius Jnr magic to escape with a draw, and Qatar earn their first point ever at a World Cup.

Fifa

While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Canada make history, but ban Partey

Cyle Larin becomes just second Canadian to ever score at a World Cup. Fifa say fans on concourse reason for empty seats in Guadalajara.

Canada’s Cyle Larin takes a moment and shuts out the noise after scoring his side’s equaliser. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Shakira struts, Mexico score, 3 see red

The 2026 World Cup is under way, and for those of you who didn’t get up at 3am, here’s what happened overnight.

Global superstar Shakira performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Fifa World Cup at the Azteca Stadium. Photo: dpa

Chelsea beat Tottenham, Barcelona receive boost, tennis stars’ grand slam appeal

It’s looking bleak for Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou after yet another defeat in the English Premier League.

Liverpool win derby, Mourinho the nose pincher, Clasico cup final

It’s night of derbies with both the Merseyside and Milan rivals in action and Atletico Madrid aiming to set up another.

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