Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win for Ghana over Panama as World Cup action delivered a mix of late drama and key results. Colombia and England also began their campaigns with victories, while DR Congo held Portugal in a historic 1-1 draw and Austria beat Jordan 3-1.
Colombia winger Luis Diaz dazzled at a raucous Azteca Stadium as his side marked their return to the World Cup with a 3-1 Group K win over tournament debutants Uzbekistan on Wednesday.
Colombia, who missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar, struggled in the early stages but broke through in the 41st minute when a brilliant ball lifted into the area by Diaz was hooked in on the turn by Daniel Munoz, who had ghosted in behind the defence.
Uzbekistan equalised on the hour mark after a shot from striker Eldor Shomurodov was spilled by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas and Abbosbek Fayzullaev was on the line to head in. However, Diaz restored Colombia's lead five minutes later by slotting the ball in from the left of the area.
Harry Kane scored a first-half brace, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added goals after halftime and England kicked off its World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday in an entertaining Group L clash at Arlington, Texas.
The Three Lions earned their third victory in four major international tournaments against Croatia despite twice giving back their lead. Manager Thomas Tuchel's squad also grabbed a measure of revenge for the lone defeat among those games, a 2-1 loss in extra time in the 2018 World Cup semifinals.
Martin Baturina and Petar Musa scored before halftime for Croatia, which is trying to reach the semifinals or better for a third World Cup after finishing second in 2018 and third in 2022.
Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stoppage-time winner to earn Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama in a chilly and lively World Cup game on Wednesday in which the African side were forced to play the second half without starting goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.
After a lightning-quick counter-attack, Brandon Thomas-Asante charged forward before playing a precise pass into the area for Yirenkyi, who tapped home in the fifth minute of extra time for his first competitive international goal.
Panama, bolstered by a vociferous red-clad contingent of supporters, were energetic, purposeful and threatening in the final third while Ghana were unable to find their rhythm until the second half when the tables turned.
Portugal were frustrated in a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, who marked their return to the World Cup after 52 years with a disciplined and determined performance.
Portugal took an early lead when João Neves headed home Pedro Neto’s cross inside six minutes, setting expectations of a comfortable evening for Roberto Martínez’s side.
However, DR Congo gradually grew into the match and struck a historic equaliser in first-half stoppage time, as Yoane Wissa headed in from Arthur Masuaku’s cross to register the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in a record-extending sixth World Cup appearance, struggled to make an impact as Portugal dominated possession without creating clear chances. Cedric Bakambu came closest to winning it for DR Congo, hitting the post in the second half.
Portugal coach Martínez admitted his side lacked attacking sharpness, while DR Congo boss Sébastien Desabre praised his team’s resilience in securing a landmark point.
Austria began their World Cup campaign with a dramatic 3-1 win over debutants Jordan in San Francisco, ending a 36-year wait for an opening match victory.
Ralf Rangnick’s side were pushed all the way by a spirited Jordan team who came close early through Ehsan Haddad and Ali Olwan, before Romano Schmid gave Austria the lead with a superb curling finish.
Jordan responded strongly after the break, with Olwan striking a deserved equaliser off the post in the 50th minute.
Austria thought they had regained the lead through Marko Arnautović, but the goal was ruled out for handball following a VAR review. They eventually went ahead when Yazan Al Arab turned the ball into his own net from a corner.
Arnautović sealed the result in stoppage time from the penalty spot after a late handball decision confirmed by VAR, ensuring Austria’s winning start.
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Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must meet other conditions.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage, adding a new demand to peace talks as Tehran seeks compensation and sanctions relief before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Ukraine has agreed to refrain from targeting certain tankers using Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk following a request from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Financial Times reported, although Kyiv has continued strikes on Russian targets at the port.
Taiwan has criticised a planned joint naval exercise involving China and Indonesia near its eastern waters, describing it as a politically charged move designed to strengthen Beijing's claims over areas surrounding the island.
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk killed an eight-year-old child, injured others and damaged residential buildings, port infrastructure and grain facilities, Russian officials and industry sources said on Wednesday.
Romanian military divers have destroyed two Gerbera-type drones found drifting near the Neptun Deep offshore gas development in the country’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone.
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