Argentina survived a significant scare, defeating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time to advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

• Lionel Messi scored Argentina's opening goal, his 7th of the tournament.
• Cape Verde, in their first World Cup, fought back twice, forcing extra time and even scoring spectacular goals.
• The match was decided by an own goal from Cape Verde's Diney Borges following a corner from Messi.

Colombia has secured their spot in the World Cup last-16 after a narrow 1-0 victory over a lacklustre Ghana on Friday.

• Colombia dominated possession and created numerous chances but only managed to score one goal.
• Key goalscorer was Jhon Arias, assisted by substitute Luis Suarez.
• The match was marked by **Ghana's** inability to register a single shot on target, showcasing a toothless attack.

The article explores the persistent struggles of African teams at the FIFA World Cup, examining the underlying reasons behind their limited success on the global stage.

• The core issue revolves around the lack of consistent investment and development in football infrastructure across the continent.
• Key organizations like CAF (Confederation of African Football) and national football federations are implicated in shaping the trajectory of African football.
• A notable detail is the recurring pattern of promising early performances giving way to eventual elimination, often attributed to tactical shortcomings and insufficient experience against top-tier international teams.

The Junior Starlets have taken a significant step towards qualifying for the 2026 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup after securing a decisive 2-0 victory against South Africa's Bantwana in Pretoria.

• The Junior Starlets won 2-0 in the first leg match played on July 4, 2026.
• The Kenyan Junior Starlets, coached by Mildred Cheche, achieved this crucial away win.
• Key goals were scored by Faith Boke in the 25th minute and Brenda Achieng in the 70th minute.