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Barcelona Back in Champions League Quarterfinals After 3-1 Win over Napoli 

Barcelona players celebrate their win at the end of the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 12, 2024. (AFP)
Barcelona players celebrate their win at the end of the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 12, 2024. (AFP)
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Barcelona Back in Champions League Quarterfinals After 3-1 Win over Napoli 

Barcelona players celebrate their win at the end of the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 12, 2024. (AFP)
Barcelona players celebrate their win at the end of the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 12, 2024. (AFP)

Four years later, Barcelona is again celebrating a triumph in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

The five-time European champions returned to the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Napoli on Tuesday.

Fermín López, João Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski scored for Barcelona as it advanced 4-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Italy three weeks ago.

Amir Rrahmani scored for Napoli, which couldn’t repeat its last-eight appearance from last season, when it won a knockout round for the first time.

Barcelona had been eliminated in the group stage the last two years and hadn’t reached the quarterfinals since 2019-20, when it lost to Bayern Munich.

“It was an incredible night,” Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto said. “It had been four years since this club was where it deserves to be. We have to enjoy this moment.”

In the other Champions League match on Tuesday, Arsenal eliminated Porto in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 aggregate draw.

The Champions League could be Barcelona’s last realistic chance for a title this season. It was eliminated in the Copa del Rey and trails Spanish league leader Real Madrid by seven points. Coach Xavi Hernández already announced he will leave at the end of the season.

“It was a great match, very complete,” Xavi said. “We have been criticized unfairly, and today we showed that this team is prepared to compete in Europe. We are among the best eight teams in Europe. We have to enjoy it.”

The victory also means extra income for Barcelona, which has been struggling financially recently.

The Catalan club is unbeaten in six meetings with Napoli in all competitions.

It struggled to keep the Italian side from threatening after taking the early lead at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, making his 100th UEFA appearance, was tested often by Napoli’s attack.

Barcelona had a few chances to increase its lead on counterattacks before Lewandowski sealed the win from close range in the 83rd after an assist by substitute Roberto. Lewandowski has scored 13 goals in his last 13 knockout stage games in the Champions League.

López put the hosts ahead with a shot from the middle of the area in the 15th minute after a low cross by Raphinha, who also set up Cancelo’s goal two minutes later. The Brazil forward hit the post from inside the area and the ball bounced back for an easy strike by Cancelo.

Napoli got on the board in the 30th with Rrahmani finding the net with a low left-footed shot for his first European goal.

“We gave them too much space, we lost possession often, we started with the wrong attitude and didn’t defend well,” Napoli coach Francesco Calzona said.

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal had a goal disallowed for offside in the 68th.

The last time Barcelona played in the quarterfinals it had also eliminated Napoli 4-2 on aggregate in the round of 16.

Xavi still couldn’t count on several players because of injuries, including Pedri, Frenkie De Jong and Ferran Torres. He played with 17-year-old Pau Cubarsí as a central defender, and the teenager was named the man of the match as he helped contain Napoli’s attack in his European debut.

The other teams that have advanced to the last eight include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

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Sports

Mexico, Korea Eye World Cup Knockout Berths

The build-up to co-hosts Mexico's clash with South Korea has seen shrouded with intrigue, with a mystery drone spotted over Korea's training ground. CARL DE SOUZA / AFP
The build-up to co-hosts Mexico's clash with South Korea has seen shrouded with intrigue, with a mystery drone spotted over Korea's training ground. CARL DE SOUZA / AFP
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Mexico, Korea Eye World Cup Knockout Berths

The build-up to co-hosts Mexico's clash with South Korea has seen shrouded with intrigue, with a mystery drone spotted over Korea's training ground. CARL DE SOUZA / AFP
The build-up to co-hosts Mexico's clash with South Korea has seen shrouded with intrigue, with a mystery drone spotted over Korea's training ground. CARL DE SOUZA / AFP

Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing a win would guarantee a last 32 berth.

The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from respective victories over South Africa and the Czech Republic in their opening games last week, said AFP.

The expanded 48-team format for this year's World Cup -- and the fact that the eight best-ranked third-placed teams will advance from the group stage -- means that a win for either Mexico or South Korea would see them advance.

Co-hosts Mexico eased past a poor South Africa in their opening game last week but are bracing for a significantly tougher test against a South Korean side studded with quality.

"We have to be very wary of the opponents' attacking transitions," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.

"When we are attacking, we can't let our guard down; if there are two Koreans up front, there need to be three Mexicans."

The build-up to Thursday's game has seen shrouded with intrigue, with a mystery drone spotted over South Korea's training ground on Tuesday.

Yonhap news agency reported that a South Korea team security officer spotted the device, and a Mexican military drone-interdiction specialist stationed at the training camp brought it down by emitting radio signals.

Two men who were suspected to be the drone operators retrieved the crashed device and fled the scene in an incident which South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo described as "unfortunate" but insisted "did not impact us significantly."

Hostile atmosphere

Hong meanwhile is preparing his team for an intimidating atmosphere against the hosts on Thursday.

"We fully understand that it's going to be a match with the home team, and we know that that's going to give benefits to the home team," Hong said.

"But my players have experienced such matches before, so it will be different tomorrow, and we need to control the rhythm and the flow of the match."

In other games on Thursday, Switzerland will look to bounce back from their disappointing opening Group B draw with Qatar when they take on Bosnia-Herzegovina, while co-hosts Canada face the Qataris in Vancouver.

Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez is eyeing another upset, urging his team to summon the spirit of their qualifying campaign, when they knocked out Italy during the playoffs.

Barbarez brushed off suggestions that Switzerland would expect to beat a team ranked 44 places below them by FIFA.

"Everyone has the right to their own opinion and show their confidence," the coach said.

"When we were playing against Italy in the playoffs, we had a similar sort of sentiment publicly, but we stayed focused on ourselves," he added.

Thursday's games kick off the second round of group fixtures.

On Wednesday, England lit up the tournament with a roller coaster 4-2 win over Croatia in Group L which included two goals from captain Harry Kane and one from Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.

But while England got off the mark in style, there was disappointment for Portugal, who were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The result once again renewed scrutiny of Portugal coach Roberto Martinez's support for Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old icon who is playing in his sixth World Cup.

The veteran striker gave an ineffective performance, managing just 25 touches in the whole match, but Martinez defended the decision not to replace him.

"It makes no sense to take off the best goal scorer in world football in a game that you need goals," Martinez said.

Ronaldo has now failed to score in 10 consecutive matches in major tournaments and his country's press turned against him on Thursday.

Sports newspaper A Bola said that Ronaldo appeared "crushed by the pressure" and had become "himself a problem", while Publico said the team "remains hostage to its faith in Ronaldo".

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Bosnia Ready to Shed Underdog Reputation, Face Switzerland as Equals

Bosnia-Herzegovina's defender Nikola Katic (R) gives a press conference in Los Angeles, California on June 17, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Bosnia-Herzegovina's defender Nikola Katic (R) gives a press conference in Los Angeles, California on June 17, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
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Bosnia Ready to Shed Underdog Reputation, Face Switzerland as Equals

Bosnia-Herzegovina's defender Nikola Katic (R) gives a press conference in Los Angeles, California on June 17, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Bosnia-Herzegovina's defender Nikola Katic (R) gives a press conference in Los Angeles, California on June 17, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Bosnia and Herzegovina ‌are fighting to dispel the notion that they are underdogs at the World Cup, key player Nikola Katic told reporters on the eve of their match with Switzerland.

Despite dispatching four-times world champions Italy and favored side Wales in the qualification playoffs, then battling co-hosts Canada to a 1-1 draw in their opening match, Bosnia are still underestimated, Katic said on Wednesday.

"After that (defeating Italy) we didn't get the respect we deserved, because it was more bad-Italy than good-Bosnia" in post-match commentary, said central defender Katic.

Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez said his team won't be seeking a draw against ‌the Swiss, despite ‌their emphasis on compact defending and quick counter-attacks, Reuters said.

"Tomorrow ‌we ⁠are coming to ⁠play for the three points," said Barbarez, who was a top player for his country and in the Bundesliga in the 1990s and 2000s.

He became national team manager in 2024 and overhauled the squad, with more than a dozen new players being brought in since, allowing the side to have seasoned talent and leadership while enjoying the resilience of young players.

Barbarez ⁠said his team's opening Group B draw with ‌Canada gave confidence to the squad because ‌facing a host nation in the first match can be an emotional challenge ‌for young players.

"Of course there was a certain anxiety, but I ‌would say it was more of an excitement," said Barbarez.

The draw against Canada showed Bosnia-Herzegovina to be a tough side who are not intimidated by a fast-attacking team.

Barbarez and Katic said they will focus on their style of play ‌on Thursday rather than worrying about what opponents Switzerland will throw at them.

Bosnia's 40-year-old captain, Edin Dzeko, will ⁠be a ⁠towering presence in front of goal, with the country's all-time-leading scorer expected to be playing at his last World Cup.

With a robust defensive shell looking to force quick breaks, Dzeko's scoring precision will be vital to his side's hopes of success on Thursday.

Katic paid tribute to Dzeko, saying there were not enough words to explain how important his presence is on the field, in training and off the pitch.

Barbarez declined to say whether he would put Dzeko in the starting 11.

Reporters repeatedly raised the win over Italy, which Barbarez and Katic enjoyed recalling. Bosnia won 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

"It is one of the games that will stay in our memories for always," said Barbarez.

Sports

Caleb Yirenki's Late Goal Gives Ghana a 1-0 Victory over Panama in the World Cup

Semenyo celebrates Ghana's sole goal in the match (Reuters)
Semenyo celebrates Ghana's sole goal in the match (Reuters)
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Caleb Yirenki's Late Goal Gives Ghana a 1-0 Victory over Panama in the World Cup

Semenyo celebrates Ghana's sole goal in the match (Reuters)
Semenyo celebrates Ghana's sole goal in the match (Reuters)

It was a play Ghana has been practicing throughout its World Cup preparation.

And after a night of missed chances, it worked.

Caleb Yirenkyi tapped in a cross from Brandon Thomas-Asante in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, and Ghana beat Panama 1-0 on Wednesday night in the teams’ World Cup opener.

Thomas-Asante got loose on the left side and fired the ball across the goal mouth. Yirenkyi knocked it in, sending his teammates streaming onto the field to embrace both players.

“Get the ball to the wings, and then put it in the box, and we get runs — people in the box to finish,” said the 20-year-old Yirenkyi, who scored his first international goal earlier this month in a friendly against Wales. “I tried (to) just play forward and run forward, and then hope to see what comes in, and yeah, I got the ball in the box and finished.”

Ghana played without midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada while he awaits trial on rape charges in England, The Associated Press said.

The late goal denied Panama its first World Cup point.

The only shot on goal in the first half came two minutes in, when Panama forward Cecilio Waterman latched onto a low cross from Amir Murillo and clipped a ball from the center of the box toward the net. Lawrence Ati-Zigi dove to his right and palmed the ball away.

The goalkeeper left the game at halftime after a couple of hard collisions. He was replaced by Benjamin Asare. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said Ati-Zigi would be evaluated further on Thursday.

The result puts Ghana at the top of Group L with England, which beat Croatia 4-2 earlier in the day.

After the first hour, when chances came at a premium at rainy BMO Field, the match opened up and both teams started smashing shots toward the net.

In the 65th minute, Thomas-Asante broke through Panama’s back line and played a ball along the 6-yard box toward Jordan Ayew, but Jiovany Ramos ran up from behind with a tackle to prevent the tap-in.

“Panama, they had a great first half. They kept the ball really well and we struggled with the press,” said Antoine Semenyo, who started the scoring play with a pass to Thomas-Asante. But “slowly into the second half we had that energy to go up and press and cause problems, and that led to the winner.”