Sports
FIFA Make Decision on Investigating 2026 World Cup ‘Match-Fixing’
FIFA seem to have sided with Ralf Rangnick and will not be investigating claims that Austria and Algeria’s thrilling 3-3 draw at the World Cup was fixed.
With both sides advancing through to the Round of 32, there have been allegations made about the circumstances of their result. Some critics have suggested that the teams agreed on a draw to ensure both nations progressed to the knockout rounds.
Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser courtesy of Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sasa Kalajdzic. Tempers flared after Algeria’s third goal when Marko Arnautovic rowed with the Algerian bench before the last-gasp equaliser came.
FIFA Decide Not To Investigate Austria 3-3 Algeria
Austria finished second in Group J, level on points with Algeria but with a superior goal difference. Rangnick’s side nearly suffered defeat when Riyad Mahrez scored his side’s third in the 90+3rd minute.
Mahrez added fuel to the flames by calling the game’s finish ‘awkward.’ His goal to make it 3-2 came during a five-minute build-up and 110 consecutive passes, threatening to send the Austrians home.
Since then, claims have been made that Algeria allowed the European nation to score the equaliser with one of the final kicks of the game. Those accusations haven’t convinced FIFA to conduct an investigation.
Mirror reports that FIFA “are not expected” to investigate the match and have no concerns about the result, which some are comparing to the ‘Disgrace of Gijon.’ That game saw West Germany beat Austria 1-0 at the 1982 World Cup, and Algeria were sent packing in controversial fashion due to the relaxed approach from both teams.
Austria may well have preferred a third-place finish in their group as they have been handed a nightmare clash against European champions Spain in the next round. Algeria will take on Switzerland, and should they beat the Swiss, they could face world champions Argentina in the last eight.
‘Completely Mad’ – Rangnick on Match-Fixing Claims
Rangnick strongly refuted claims that match-fixing had occurred between Austria and Algeria. The former Manchester United interim manager pointed out the drama that ensued late on:
“Three minutes to play, if somebody had said this would happen, you would have told them they were mad. I’ve been a coach for about 40 years and I don’t even remember a match that had such a dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory.”
Rangnick added: “Most anticipated 0-0 or 1-1, and now it’s 3-3. It’s incredible. The locker-room is madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I probably would have said he was completely mad.”
Arnautovic gave Austria the lead in the 28th minute before Rafik Belghali equalised for Algeria in the 45th minute. Marcel Sabitzer put the European nation back in front in the 55th minute before the African country levelled again through Mahrez.
The former Manchester City winger looked to have won the game late on with his second, much to Arnautovic’s anger. Rangnick had to calm the former Stoke City striker down before frustration turned to elation when Kalajdzic drew his side level three minutes later.
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has caused quite a stir with what he said to the Japan player who claimed that “Brazil used to be a powerhouse” ahead of his side’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup victory on Monday evening. Carlo Ancelotti and co. left it late to complete the comeback in Houston and book their place in the Round of 16.
Kaishu Sano gave Japan a shock lead just before the 30-minute mark, but a series of second-half changes helped the five-time world champions wrestle back control and put their stamp on the contest. Casemiro powered home the equaliser in the 56th minute before Gabriel Martinelli emerged as the hero off the bench, poking in a dramatic 96th-minute winner after the ball trickled beyond the goalkeeper, kissed the post and crossed the line.
While Japan are renowned for their sportsmanship, there was no shortage of needle between the two sides. Before the showdown, Kento Shiogai had talked the talk by questioning Brazil’s standing among the game’s elite. But after failing to walk the walk, Cunha wasted little time in giving him a taste of his own medicine, firing back with a pointed response of his own after the final whistle.
World Cup: Fans Want Ancelotti to Axe Brazil Player Who Was ‘Embarrassing’ vs Japan
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What Cunha Said to Shiogai in Heated Exchange After Brazil 2-1 Japan
In what Ancelotti later branded ‘mind games’, Shiogai had said: “I don’t hear much about Brazil these days,” after claiming: “Brazil used to be a powerhouse, but now only France and Argentina are strong.” He only played six minutes at this World Cup, and Cunha wasn’t prepared to let his comments slide as he could be seen saying after the final whistle (while holding up five fingers):
“Five World Cups… you small!”
Also asked about the statement from Shiogai, captain Marquinhos said he saw a bit of arrogance in the Japanese player’s attitude, but Brazil eventually found a way to get themselves over the line.
His Gesture has Caused a Stir
While many Brazilians applauded the five-word message, with one X user remarking: “He put him in his place” and another saying: “Pride and arrogance is back! That’s what we wanted!” neutrals have offered a different perspective on things.
Indeed, it seems the rest of the football world find the Man United winger’s comments a little bizarre, considering he hasn’t contributed to any of their success. In some ways, Cunha’s gesture proves his opponent right until he has something more recent to shout about, as one critic wrote: “Just setting himself up to be a meme.” Another also added:
“Cunha saying ‘5 World Cups’ as if he was part of it. Bro needs to understand that he plays for Man United, a club that hasn’t won the league in about 14 years. He needs to calm down.”
FIFA Make Decision on Investigating World Cup ‘Match-Fixing’ After Manager’s Comments
Allegations of match-fixing have been made since the two nations’ draw.
Elsewhere, one last comment concluded: “Players bragging with trophies they didn’t win should be abolished.” Brazil will face Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at 21:00 GMT on Sunday night.
Football fans are in agreement over which player needs to be axed from Brazil’s starting lineup following their narrow 2-1 World Cup win vs Japan on Monday evening. Despite winning it late on with Gabriel Martinelli squeezing in a 95th minute goal, Carlo Ancelotti will not have been happy with everything he saw in Houston.
For decades, Brazil have carried a certain kind of ‘aura’ into tournaments that made them a feared opposition, despite being a shell of their glorified past. Now, it feels like their rivals are finally taking advantage of the reality of which the South American giants aren’t as good as their five stars would suggest, even if they got away with it this time.
And one player, more than any, showed that some deadwood still lingers in squad selections, despite calls from fans for years for him to replaced. It is unlikely he gets to start again in the Round of 16.
Brazil Ace is Being Begged to Retire Despite Round of 16 Qualification
Reacting to Danilo’s performance, which saw him produce the lowest Sofascore rating of everyone at the Houston Stadium, one X user wrote: “How Daniel is still playing professional football is unreal to me,” as a second added about the Flamengo defender (see the full post below):
“It’s unacceptable for this guy to be a starter for Brazil. No, I’m not being opportunistic. We’ve been saying the same thing about Danilo since 2022.
“He’s an excellent leader, but he no longer has what it takes to be a starter for the Brazilian National Team. Unacceptable pass. How reckless.”
A third remarked: “The age is really showing in this Brazil team. You’re not gonna get away with playing Danilo in 2026, be for real,” as a fourth continued: “Danilo minutes is malpractice.” Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Danilo mistake. It was embarrassing to call him up in 2022 why is he still around in 2026??”
Danilo’s Performance in Numbers
Winners always find a way, but while the attackers put on a resilient showing in the second-half, it always felt like Brazil were one Danilo misstep away from gifting their opponents a way back into things as pressure built. Across 99 minutes, the right-back was responsible for an error that led to the goal, a foul, and general moments of disarray.
2026 World Cup: Brazil 2-1Japan Player Ratings and Match Highlights
A last-gasp Gabriel Martinelli winner breaks Japanese hearts.
He didn’t commit to any tackles, he won just two of his five duels, and his two defensive contributions are cause for serious concern given he had ample time to get involved with protecting Alisson between the sticks but chose to sit further forward.
Maybe he would have been forgiven had he done well in attack, but zero successful dribbles, losing possession 12 times, completing just two out of four long ball attempts and cross attempts shows he was ineffective from back to front.
Football fans are in agreement over which player needs to be axed from Brazil’s starting lineup following their narrow 2-1 World Cup win vs Japan on Monday evening. Despite winning it late on with Gabriel Martinelli squeezing in a 95th minute goal, Carlo Ancelotti will not have been happy with everything he saw in Houston.
For decades, Brazil have carried a certain kind of ‘aura’ into tournaments that made them a feared opposition, despite being a shell of their glorified past. Now, it feels like their rivals are finally taking advantage of the reality of which the South American giants aren’t as good as their five stars would suggest, even if they got away with it this time.
And one player, more than any, showed that some deadwood still lingers in squad selections, despite calls from fans for years for him to replaced. It is unlikely he gets to start again in the Round of 16.
Brazil Ace is Being Begged to Retire Despite Round of 16 Qualification
Reacting to Danilo’s performance, which saw him produce the lowest Sofascore rating of everyone at the Houston Stadium, one X user wrote: “How Daniel is still playing professional football is unreal to me,” as a second added about the Flamengo defender (see the full post below):
“It’s unacceptable for this guy to be a starter for Brazil. No, I’m not being opportunistic. We’ve been saying the same thing about Danilo since 2022.
“He’s an excellent leader, but he no longer has what it takes to be a starter for the Brazilian National Team. Unacceptable pass. How reckless.”
A third remarked: “The age is really showing in this Brazil team. You’re not gonna get away with playing Danilo in 2026, be for real,” as a fourth continued: “Danilo minutes is malpractice.” Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Danilo mistake. It was embarrassing to call him up in 2022 why is he still around in 2026??”
Danilo’s Performance in Numbers
Winners always find a way, but while the attackers put on a resilient showing in the second-half, it always felt like Brazil were one Danilo misstep away from gifting their opponents a way back into things as pressure built. Across 99 minutes, the right-back was responsible for an error that led to the goal, a foul, and general moments of disarray.
2026 World Cup: Brazil 2-1Japan Player Ratings and Match Highlights
A last-gasp Gabriel Martinelli winner breaks Japanese hearts.
He didn’t commit to any tackles, he won just two of his five duels, and his two defensive contributions are cause for serious concern given he had ample time to get involved with protecting Alisson between the sticks but chose to sit further forward.
Maybe he would have been forgiven had he done well in attack, but zero successful dribbles, losing possession 12 times, completing just two out of four long ball attempts and cross attempts shows he was ineffective from back to front.
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