Freiburg's Höler Scores Another Bundesliga Stunner to Deny 10-man Dortmund

Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
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Freiburg's Höler Scores Another Bundesliga Stunner to Deny 10-man Dortmund

Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Freiburg forward Lucas Höler scored with a spectacular bicycle kick to hold 10-man Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Höler stopped Christian Günter´s cross with his left boot, then turned and struck the ball with his right to send the ball in off the right post in the 75th minute, denying Dortmund the chance to move second, The Associated Press reported.

The goal came a day after Bayer Leverkusen´s Martin Terrier scored a contender for goal of the season on Saturday.

Dortmund had Jobe Bellingham sent off in the 53rd for a foul on Philipp Treu, who would have been through alone on goal after cutting out a poor pass from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Ramy Bensebaini had opened the scoring in the 31st after Freiburg´s defense failed to deal with Yan Couto´s free kick.

It´s Dortmund´s second consecutive draw after the disappointing 2-2 draw at Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League on Wednesday.

League leader Bayern Munich was hosting bottom side Mainz later, with Stuttgart visiting Werder Bremen after that.



Neymar Available for Scotland Clash but Not Certain to Play, Brazil Coach Says

 Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
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Neymar Available for Scotland Clash but Not Certain to Play, Brazil Coach Says

 Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)

Neymar is available for Brazil's third World Cup group match against Scotland but coach Carlo Ancelotti declined to say if he would play a role in the Miami Stadium clash.

The 34-year-old forward was recalled by the Italian for the World Cup after almost three years away from the national team but has yet to play at the tournament because of a calf injury.

"Neymar is available," Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday. "He worked this week and can be available for the match. We are very happy that he is back because, obviously, with his quality, he can help the team.

"I've really got to know him well. He ‌has worked very ‌seriously, trying to recover as quickly as possible.

"I'm very happy ‌with ⁠him. Even if ⁠he doesn't play, he brings experience, he brings knowledge of the game, he helps the younger players. He is doing very well."

Asked how much of the match Neymar could play, Ancelotti joked: "He can play 90 minutes -- walking. No, he's fine, he worked very well, he trained very well."

Brazil, who drew 1-1 with Morocco and beat Haiti 3-0 in their first two Group C matches, will reach the Round of 32 with a victory over the Scots and Ancelotti ⁠said he felt a decent performance was brewing.

"Obviously we have a ‌very big commitment, representing this shirt in the ‌World Cup," he said.

"I think the first match wasn't the best, the second match was better, and ‌we are confident that the third match will be the best."

RAPHINHA REPLACEMENT NEEDED

Ancelotti also ‌needs to find a replacement for Raphinha, who has been sidelined by a hamstring problem, but again declined to share who would take the winger's place in the starting lineup.

Scotland, with a win and a loss, are more than likely competing to be one of the eight teams who ‌will go through to the next round from third place in their groups, but Ancelotti was expecting a tough game.

"Scotland has quality," ⁠the 67-year-old added. "They ⁠are fighters, they are very well-organized.

"(Scott) McTominay and (John) McGinn are experienced players who are used to this kind of game.

"So it will be a difficult game, as usual. I think easy games in the World Cup finished a long time ago. So we are ready to play a difficult match."

Brazil's flight to Miami from their New Jersey base was delayed on Tuesday, pushing back Ancelotti's press conference, but the Italian said he was not going to let it spoil his enjoyment of his first World Cup as a coach.

"Before today everything was perfect. Today we had a small problem, but that can happen," he said.

"I think we have the quality and the confidence for this to be a good World Cup for us. In football, anything can happen but in any case, it will be a very beautiful experience -- even if I had to do a press conference at nine o'clock at night."


Qatar’s Sports Minister, Madibo Visit Canada’s Injured Kone

Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)
Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)
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Qatar’s Sports Minister, Madibo Visit Canada’s Injured Kone

Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)
Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)

Qatar's sports ‌minister and national team player Assim Madibo visited Canada midfielder Ismael Kone to check on his health after he was injured during their World Cup game, the Qatar Football Association said on Wednesday.

Qatar suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat ‌by Canada in ‌their Group B ‌clash, ⁠during which Kone ⁠sustained a broken leg following a clumsy second-half tackle from Madibo. Kone has since undergone surgery.

"They were received by the President of the ⁠Canadian Soccer Association," the Gulf ‌country's soccer ‌governing body said on Facebook.

Madibo and Kone embrace during the visit. (Qatar Football Association)

"This ‌visit reflects the spirit of ‌sportsmanship and the strong relationships on and off the field. We wish the player a speedy recovery ‌and a quick return to the pitch," it ⁠added.

The ⁠Qatar Football Association posted photos of the visit, with one showing the two players hugging each other. Kone was sitting in a wheelchair.

Qatar are set to play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final group match, while tournament co-hosts Canada take on Switzerland.


Croatia Scorer Budimir Hails Win Over Panama That Keeps Hopes Alive

 Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Croatia Scorer Budimir Hails Win Over Panama That Keeps Hopes Alive

 Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Croatia's match-winner Ante Budimir rejoiced in their 1-0 victory against Panama at the World Cup and hoped they would learn the right lessons as they stayed in contention to progress.

Croatia beat a battling Panama side at the Toronto stadium on Tuesday in a game neither side could afford to lose after both teams started their ‌campaigns with a ‌defeat.

Croatia's win courtesy of a ‌second-half ⁠goal from substitute ⁠Budimir kept alive their hopes of reaching the Round of 32.

"... so there we have started in this tournament and hope we draw the right lessons and continue to build on this victory," Budimir ⁠told reporters.

Croatia, who lost 4-2 ‌to England in their ‌World Cup opener, are third in Group L ‌on three points before facing a ‌stubborn Ghana side on Saturday in Philadelphia.

England lead on four points above Ghana on goal difference.

"I am happy that I secured my first ‌goal at the World Cup, it is important for us to ⁠start winning ⁠and get back to the team we were before," Budimir said.

Croatia's Luka Modric, 40, played his 200th international and was thrown in the air by his teammates after the match.

Budimir explained that it was nice to enjoy such milestones with a celebration, especially when the team win.

"We are grateful to have a captain like Luka - a great player and a great person," Budimir added.