'Let's be Realistic': Haaland Cools Norway's World Cup Expectations

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar
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'Let's be Realistic': Haaland Cools Norway's World Cup Expectations

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - Norway v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 22, 2026 Norway coach Stale Solbakken, Erling Haaland and teammates perform the traditional Viking rowing celebration for their fans after the match REUTERS/Mike Segar

Erling Haaland said Norway must be realistic about what they can achieve at the World Cup after qualifying for the last 32 on Monday with a 3-2 win over Senegal.

Haaland followed up his brace in the opening 4-1 victory over Iran with two more goals as Norway won consecutive games at the World Cup for the first time.

Norway have lost just one of their past 18 matches and will take on 2022 runners-up France in Boston on Friday to determine the winners of Group I.

However, Haaland cautioned against getting carried away after the team's strong start to their first World Cup since 1998.

"To qualify for the first time in 28 years and going through the group stage I would say, yes. To win the World Cup, absolutely not," said Haaland.

"We've won 12 competitive games in a row now. I'm part of something special, making history, and I'm extremely proud to be Norwegian."

Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match between Senegal and Norway, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, 22 June 2026. EPA/OLGA FEDOROVA

In this tournament, the Manchester City striker is level with Kylian Mbappe on four goals and one behind Lionel Messi, who has netted all five of Argentina's goals at the tournament so far and in the process has become the World Cup's highest scorer in history with 18 goals.

Haaland meanwhile took his international tally to a remarkable 59 goals in 52 games.

"I think it's my specialty, to score goals," said Haaland.

"It's like many others things, I'm just really good at scoring goals and I'm quite lucky. I don't know what I'm doing. It's just how it is."

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw must hold out hope his team can beat Iraq in their final game to have a chance of reaching the knockout phase.

"A tough match against a team that caused us problems; they were very clinical and scored two goals at the worst possible times," said Thiaw.

"After the first goal we regrouped, but we conceded a second. We have to encourage the players because it's not easy.

"We need to focus on this last match and give everything to get the three points and keep hoping. It's difficult, but we're not dead yet."



England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
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England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP

England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday as Portugal attempt to kickstart their campaign after a lackluster opening draw.

A day after Argentina and France sailed into the last 32, England face Ghana in Group L knowing that victory will see them safely into the next phase of the tournament, said AFP.

England launched their campaign last week with a stylish 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that has given the Three Lions camp fresh belief as they chase a first major championship win in 60 years.

With captain Harry Kane scoring twice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham netting, England midfielder Declan Rice believes Thomas Tuchel's squad should be a match for any team in the tournament.

Rice said Monday the challenge for England will be reproducing the swashbuckling attacking display that marked their second-half performance against Croatia.

"We know as players the level, we know what's required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level," Rice said.

"We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world.

"We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch."

England's German manager Tuchel meanwhile says his team are already embracing the pressure that comes with a World Cup campaign.

"There are emotions involved and you can at some point feel the tension and feel the pressure. I hope we can cope with it, accept it and turn it around," Tuchel said.

"I heard also a lot about it and I feel of course the excitement and the pressure, but I feel that we have so many winners and so many players who are experienced to cope with the pressure."

England though will be wary of the threat posed by Ghana's Antoine Semenyo, the London-born Manchester City winger who is the focal point of the Black Stars attack.

Ghana, 1-0 winners over Panama in their opener last week, can also qualify for the knockout rounds on Tuesday with a victory at Foxborough, just outside Boston.

- Portugal chase response -

Elsewhere, Portugal will attempt to draw a line under a turbulent first week of the tournament when they take on Uzbekistan in Houston.

Portugal arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament favorites, boasting a team studded with flair players and spearheaded by veteran Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.

But Ronaldo's leaden performance in a faltering 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo renewed debate about the captain's place in the starting line-up.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has continued to offer staunch support of his 41-year-old captain, despite his failure to score in his last 10 matches at major tournaments.

"He's a good example for us, for all of us," Martinez said of Ronaldo.

"So he really wants to keep on improving, to contribute to the team, and he's really a role model for our team."

Martinez though stopped short of confirming Ronaldo will start against Uzbekistan when asked by reporters on Monday, saying he had not informed his players of the lineup.

Martinez said the disappointment Portugal felt after drawing with the DRC will be motivation against Uzbekistan, who are playing at a World Cup for the first time and will be heavy underdogs.

"The feeling of frustration that we all had as a team, the feeling of disappointment after the game, probably that's the best starting point to prepare for the next game," said the Spaniard.


Marquez Extends with Ducati Until 2028

Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)
Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)
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Marquez Extends with Ducati Until 2028

Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)
Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)

Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has extended his contract with Ducati until 2028, the Italian manufacturer said on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Spaniard joined Ducati in 2024 and made a remarkable comeback the next year, winning his seventh MotoGP championship at the Japanese Grand Prix — his first since 2019.

This season began with a series of injuries, but Marquez soon returned to top form. ⁠He secured his 100th ⁠career victory across all classes with a commanding win at the Hungarian Grand Prix at Balaton Park earlier this month, less than a month after undergoing shoulder and foot surgery. He followed ⁠it up with victory at the Czech Grand Prix on Sunday.

"I'm red. I'm super happy with this new agreement with the Ducati Lenovo Team and to continue being part of this family," Reuters quoted Marquez as saying in a statement.

"With this renewal, they have once again reaffirmed this commitment, respecting my times and giving me the peace of ⁠mind ⁠I needed to make the right decision."

Marquez heads into this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix trailing championship leader Marco Bezzecchi by 40 points.

"I continue to compete because I love this sport and I want to achieve even more ambitious goals. I'm convinced this is the right place to do it. As long as I'm here, I'll give my all to paint the future red," he said.


Jordan Coach Proud of Players Despite Early World Cup Exit

 Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
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Jordan Coach Proud of Players Despite Early World Cup Exit

 Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

‌Jordan coach Jamal Sellami said his players' inexperience may have cost them in a 2-1 defeat by Algeria at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Monday, but he was proud of their World Cup campaign despite their early exit.

Jordan bowed out of their first World Cup after consecutive defeats in Group ‌J. They ‌lost 3-1 to Austria in ‌their ⁠opener.

"The Algerian team ⁠did some substitutions that might have made a difference. They had a very tall offensive player ... I think our lack of experience allowed them to score from two corner kicks when ⁠we were waiting to make our ‌own substitutions with ‌the cooling break," Sellami said.

"Generally speaking, we had a ‌great match, and we should be proud ‌of our performance. Very first experience in the World Cup, we were better than the first match," he added.

"Now for us facing Argentina ‌is an opportunity. It's an opportunity for us to perform well ⁠and ⁠leave a great mark worthy of Jordanian football," he remarked.

Sellami, who is Moroccan, said Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein had visited the players' dressing room after the match and offered them congratulations. "Whenever you lose, there is always a negative feeling you're not in the best state of mind as the players that they have shown, but his words were a tonic for their spirit."