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Vinicius Júnior's Late Goal Seals Brazil's 2-1 Win over Colombia in South American Qualifying

Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Brazil v Colombia - Estadio Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil - March 20, 2025 Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Brazil v Colombia - Estadio Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil - March 20, 2025 Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
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Vinicius Júnior's Late Goal Seals Brazil's 2-1 Win over Colombia in South American Qualifying

Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Brazil v Colombia - Estadio Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil - March 20, 2025 Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Brazil v Colombia - Estadio Mane Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil - March 20, 2025 Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

A last-minute goal by Vinicius Júnior secured Brazil’s 2-1 win over Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday, helping his team and millions of fans avoid more disappointment.
A draw would have seen Brazil slump to sixth in the South American standings. Instead, Brazil moved to second spot behind Argentina after Vinicius Júnior’s long-range goal.
The top six teams in South America are guaranteed spots at next year’s World Cup in Canada, the US and Mexico, and so the victory released some pressure on Brazil coach Dorival Júnior ahead of next week's game against Argentina. The five-time champions have never missed a World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad has 25 points after 12 games — four points clear of Brazil (21 points from 13 games) — and is close to securing its place in the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina will be without Lionel Messi when it plays at Uruguay on Friday, four days before its scheduled showdown with Brazil. The last time the two South American powerhouses met, Argentina won 1-0 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 2023.
Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães and defender Gabriel Magalhães were booked against Colombia and will miss the match in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Alisson and Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez were substituted in the concussion protocol, and will also miss the next match in World Cup qualifying.
Colombia will play host to Paraguay next week.
VINICIUS SAVES BRAZIL Brazil appeared more energized than in previous games, with speed, high skill and an early goal from the spot suggesting that coach Dorival Júnior had found a starting lineup to get the job done.
But then a defensive mistake put it all at risk for the hosts in Brasilia until a moment of brilliance by Vinicius Júnior, The Associated Press reported.
Raphinha scored in the 6th minute after Vinicius Júnior was fouled in the penalty box. After that, Brazil kept possession, but didn't put on real pressure to add a second in front of 70,000 fans.
Colombia equalized with a crossed shot by Luis Diaz in the 41st, assisted by James Rodríguez. The visitors got the ball at the edge of Brazil's box from substitute Joeliton, who replaced injured Gerson.
Both teams struggled with accuracy in the second half until Vinicius Júnior took a shot from long distance which deflected off Jefferson Lerma and beat goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
“This was very important, we deserved to win. I deserved this goal too for all I have worked for,” Vinicius Júnior said of his first goal in this qualifying tournament. “It was a bit of relief, a bit of happiness.”
Brazil coach Dorival Júnior said the win was key “because of our moment, our situation and for our process.”
“We're feeling now that we are on a path. It's not all ideal, but we will be improving every round."
Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo was upset with the result.
“We had a great match again and we leave with nothing,” Lorenzo said. “We deserved more, once again.” Colombia is in 6th place with 19 points.
PARAGUAY EDGES CLOSER Paraguay remained unbeaten under coach Gustavo Alfaro with a tense 1-0 win over Chile in front of raucous fans in Asuncion. The hosts dominated most of the match and maintained pressure on their rivals, who could barely create scoring opportunities.
Omar Alderete scored the winner on the hour with a classic Paraguayan strategy: a set piece led to two headers that enabled Alderete to shoot from close range. It boosted Paraguay's chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
Paraguay has 20 points and is fourth in the standings. Chile, with nine points, is last in the round-robin competition.
Also on Thursday, Peru beat Bolivia 3-1. Andy Polo scored in the 37th minute, Paolo Guerrero added a second in the 45th and Edison Flores finished it off in 82nd. Miguel Terceros netted Bolivia's goal from the spot in the 58th minute.
Bolivia remains in seventh place with 13 points, which keeps the team in contention for inter-continental playoffs for World Cup spots. Peru has 10 points and is in ninth place.

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Canadian Official Backs Up Report that Iran’s Soccer Chief Denied Entry for FIFA Event

The FIFA Congress gathering comes weeks before the start of a World Cup that is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico (Reuters)
The FIFA Congress gathering comes weeks before the start of a World Cup that is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico (Reuters)
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Canadian Official Backs Up Report that Iran’s Soccer Chief Denied Entry for FIFA Event

The FIFA Congress gathering comes weeks before the start of a World Cup that is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico (Reuters)
The FIFA Congress gathering comes weeks before the start of a World Cup that is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico (Reuters)

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Wednesday it was her “understanding” that Iranian soccer officials were denied entry into her country ahead of the FIFA Congress meeting in Vancouver just weeks before the start of the World Cup.

Anand appeared to confirm a report from Tasnim, an Iranian news agency associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but she said the denial was “unintentional.”

Tasnim reported that Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj and two other Iranian officials were denied entry due to “inappropriate behavior of immigration officials” at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

“It’s not my personal lead, but my understanding is that there is a revocation of the permission. It was unintentional, but I’ll leave it to the minister to indicate,” Anand said, apparently referring to Immigration Minister Lena Diab.

The online news outlet Iran International first reported that Taj had been granted a visa Monday and had been removed from Canada late Tuesday evening due to his connections to the IRGC, a listed terrorist entity in Canada.

An emailed response from Diab’s office said all visa applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by trained officials, Reuters reported.

“While we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country,” said Taous Ait, Diab’s press secretary.

The FIFA Congress gathering comes weeks before the start of a World Cup that is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. Representatives from each of the 211 federations in soccer’s governing body were expected to attend the event that begins Thursday.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Iran's status for the event.

Sports

Sinner Beats Rising Star Jódar in Madrid and Declares 'What a Player'

Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 29, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates winning his quarter final match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Ana Beltran
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 29, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates winning his quarter final match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Ana Beltran
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Sinner Beats Rising Star Jódar in Madrid and Declares 'What a Player'

Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 29, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates winning his quarter final match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Ana Beltran
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 29, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates winning his quarter final match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Ana Beltran

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner proved too much for Rafael Jódar, the latest tennis sensation from Spain.

Jódar's run was halted by a 6-2, 7-6 (0) loss to Sinner in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Jódar has been quickly rising up the rankings and had impressed in Madrid with victories against better-ranked opponents.

“What a player,” Sinner wrote on the lens of the on-court camera after the match at the Caja Magica center court.

“In the beginning he was maybe a little bit, felt a bit of tension, which is normal,” The Associated Press quoted Sinner as saying. “But after, it came out as a good match. I had a little bit of experience, you know, a little bit more of experience than him in crucial moments, but it was a good match.”

Sinner had praised the Spaniard a few other times before and was courtside to see Jódar defeat fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur in the round of 64.

“That’s also one of the reasons why I went to watch him, you know, him and João Fonseca,” Sinner said. “I like to watch because I know that they are going to be potentially the future opponents most of the time. Everyone is a very different player, and you need to adjust yourself.”

The 24-year-old Sinner said Jódar has “everything what’s needed” to be among the top players.

“At the end of the day, you know, the player has to make the step forward, and then we see. But what he’s doing, it’s incredible,” Sinner said. “But in the same time, don’t push him too much, you know. Because sometimes it’s getting into your head and it’s very tough to get out.

He’s a very, very good kid, he has a great family behind him. The father seems very, very humble. He has a small bubble, which is great for him. I think he’s going to make some incredible results in the future.”

Spain's Rafael Jodar returns a ball to Italy's Jannik Sinner during their 2026 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament quarterfinal singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 29, 2026. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)

The 42nd-ranked Jódar was playing in the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time. He had already become just the third Spaniard — after Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz — to earn a main-draw win in Madrid before turning 20.

Jódar earlier this month won in Marrakech for his first ATP Tour title, then reached the semifinals in Barcelona. He was outside the top 600 in the rankings just a year ago and entered the top 100 in March.

“Jannik played very well during the whole match,” Jódar said. “I take many positive things, and I’m trying to learn from this match and for the future. I’ll try to re-watch it again and try to learn from this match.”

It was the 21st straight win for Sinner, who saved all seven break points he faced. He will be playing in the Madrid semifinals for the first time. The Italian has completed the set of semifinal appearances across all nine ATP Masters 1000 events.

Sinner, trying to become the first player to win five consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments, will next face Barcelona champion Arthur Fils, the 21-year-old who extended his winning streak to nine matches with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka.

Sports

Marathon Brothers Run Ireland in Race to Find Dementia Cure

(FILES) British runner Jordan Adams carries a fridge at the start of the 2026 London Marathon at Blackheath in south-east London on April 26, 2026. (Photo by Toby Shepheard / AFP)
(FILES) British runner Jordan Adams carries a fridge at the start of the 2026 London Marathon at Blackheath in south-east London on April 26, 2026. (Photo by Toby Shepheard / AFP)
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Marathon Brothers Run Ireland in Race to Find Dementia Cure

(FILES) British runner Jordan Adams carries a fridge at the start of the 2026 London Marathon at Blackheath in south-east London on April 26, 2026. (Photo by Toby Shepheard / AFP)
(FILES) British runner Jordan Adams carries a fridge at the start of the 2026 London Marathon at Blackheath in south-east London on April 26, 2026. (Photo by Toby Shepheard / AFP)

Jordan Adams, who ran the London marathon with a 25-kilogram fridge on his back last weekend, is now running around Ireland in a race to find a cure for a form of dementia both he and his brother are near certain to contract.

"This mission is ongoing, as is our family's devastation with dementia, one step at a time," Adams told a crowd who gathered to see him off on Wednesday in County Donegal, their latest stop.

The 30-year-old is running consecutive daily marathons for 32 days in each of Ireland's 32 counties -- north and south of the Irish border -- with the finish in Dublin on May 28. Without the fridge, though.

Assisted by his younger brother Cian, 25, who will mostly cycle the routes, the pair started in County Antrim in Northern Ireland on Monday, just a day after completing the 26.2-mile-long (42 kilometers) course in London.

Nicknamed the FTD brothers, their mother Geraldine was diagnosed in 2010 aged 47 with a rare form of familial Frontal Temporal Dementia, AFP reported.

Overnight, Cian, then aged just 9, Jordan as a 15-year-old, their older sister and father became primary carers of their mum who died at 52 in 2016.

Two years later, Jordan learned he carries the MAT-T gene mutation which gives him a 99.9 percent chance of developing the same early-onset dementia.

Soon after Cian tested positively for the same gene.

With terminal symptoms expected to aggressively emerge in their 40s, the brothers face a stark race against time.

"What makes this disease even more cruel is that we've lost twelve Irish relatives, including my mum and Nan," Jordan, from the English Midlands, told AFP.

"We wanted to come to Ireland where all the devastation started, to honour our Irish relatives," he said.

Running with a fridge on board in London was "surreal", said Jordan, who did the stunt to bring attention to the disease.

But with Cian alongside to douse him with water, they reached the finish line together.

"We both share the same diagnosis and the same future, so I know our mum was shining down with a lot of pride," Jordan told AFP.

The brothers are not new to extreme challenges.

They ran around the United Kingdom two years ago, while Jordan has a seven-in-seven-days marathon challenge under his belt.

Undaunted by the Irish 32-in-32 test, Cian said it "comes in handy that he works as a physiotherapist.

"We've put together a good plan over the last six months, strength and conditioning, plyometrics, running training to get Jordan in the best nick possible for this challenge," Cian told AFP.

"Touch wood, at the moment his legs feel good for it," he said.

The brothers have set themselves the goal of raising one million pounds in their mother's honor, and for research into an Alzheimer's cure that could save them.

After London, they are almost halfway there.

Carol Molloy, who helps run the local branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), told AFP that around 64,000 people are living with dementia in the EU member.

An estimated one in 10 of those have a young-onset diagnosis, with that number expected to grow to around 150,000 by 2050, according to Molloy.

Some 50 percent of the proceeds of the brothers' marathon challenge will go to the ASI.

"What Jordan and Cian are doing is amazing, we are so grateful," said Molloy.

Dozens of local people joined the pair on their run, at least part of the way.

One participant Sean McFadden, a runner from Letterkenny who recently lost his father to dementia, said he would complete the full marathon route alongside the brothers in solidarity.

"We have to hold our hearts out to the two lads and hope everything goes well," said the 50-year-old.

"It's a hard disease. For me today to be able to join in with the boys, it's quite special," he told AFP before setting off.