Match story
- Ecuador fired more attempts (21 vs 5 shots).
- Ecuador held more of the ball (55% possession).
Ecuador and Paraguay drew 2-2 in the World Cup - Qualification South America. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 5 stage in the 2018 season. The match was played at Olimpico Atahualpa in Quito. Daniel Fedorczuk, Brazil officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Ecuador vs Paraguay meeting in World Cup - Qualification South America with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Ecuador and Paraguay. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
World Cup - Qualification South AmericaRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
According to reports, Mauricio Pochettino is close to renewing his contract with the USMNT ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly nearing a new deal with the USMNT, a four-year extension that would keep him in charge of the national team through the 2030 World Cup. His original contract only covered the buildup to this summer’s tournament, leaving his future as a subject of speculation even as talks with the federation had reportedly already begun before the World Cup kicked off. According to Telemundo’s Andres Cantor, the extension is close to being finalized, a report subsequently confirmed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein. The deal is said to be in its final stages, though it still requires formal approval from US Soccer’s board of directors before it can be made official. Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone has spoken publicly about the progress of the negotiations, describing conversations with Pochettino as “going well” and suggesting an announcement could come in the near future. Mauricio Pochettino celebrates USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Getty Images) The push to keep Pochettino in place comes despite a tournament that ended in some disappointment on the pitch, with the U.S. eliminated in the Round of 16 by Belgium in a lopsided 4-1 defeat. That result, however, doesn’t appear to have shaken the federation’s confidence in the Argentine coach, whose overall body of work with the program has been used to justify locking him in for another cycle. Pochettino’s numbers as USMNT manager Since taking over, Pochettino has posted a 18-1-12 record across 31 matches in charge of the USMNT. His World Cup campaign specifically produced a string of historic results: the U.S. topped Group D with wins over Paraguay and Australia, racking up six points, the most in a group stage in program history, and the first time the U.S. had won two group-stage matches since 1930. That form carried into the knockout rounds, where a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 marked the team’s first knockout-stage victory since 2002. Between those results, Pochettino became the winningest head coach in USMNT history at a single World Cup, with three victories in the tournament, while the team also set a new U.S. scoring record with 11 goals across five matches before finishing 12th overall.
Despite its implementation in the 2026 World Cup, La Liga won't apply the "Vinicius rule" during the 2026-27 season, reportedly opting to target time-wasting methods. Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior found himself at the center of one of the 2025–26 season’s most controversial moments, prompting FIFA to test a new rule in response. However, despite its trial during the 2026 World Cup, La Liga will not adopt the regulation for the upcoming campaign, choosing instead to prioritize measures aimed at curbing time-wasting tactics. The controversy stems from a Feb. 17 Champions League fixture between Real Madrid and Benfica, when Vinicius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of uttering a racial slur. Because the Argentine midfielder covered his mouth while speaking, officials lacked definitive proof, spurring soccer governing bodies to consider mandatory discipline for players who cover their mouths during altercations. Under the trial guidelines, any player who covered their mouth while confronting an opponent faced an automatic ejection. The policy made its global debut at the 2026 World Cup, where Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie became the first players sent off under the criteria, though the trial failed to convince Spanish officiating leadership. During pre-season meetings ahead of the 2026–27 La Liga campaign, Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) elected to align with UEFA guidelines rather than implement the “Vinicius Rule.” As a result, players in Spain will not face match sanctions simply for covering their mouths during on-field confrontations. Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica speaks towards Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid covering his mouth. In an interview with Diario AS, CTA president Fran Soto explained the committee’s reluctance: “Leaving a team with ten players without having clear proof of whether he said it or not… We have to see if we can fight against such behavior this way or through other measures.“ La Liga targets delay-of-game tactics The 2026 World Cup served as a testing ground for several rule adjustments, most of which focused on eliminating delay-of-game tactics and preserving match flow. Looking ahead to the new domestic season, Spanish refereeing officials plan to follow the Premier League’s lead by targeting specific time-wasting techniques. According to Diario AS, the CTA has formally petitioned the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to trial new penalties for goalkeepers who feign or exaggerate injuries to stall play. To curb these prolonged stoppages, Spanish officials aim to mirror English soccer’s approach by requiring an outfield teammate to temporarily step off the pitch for one minute while the goalkeeper receives medical attention. The initiative builds on similar pace-of-play enforcement introduced in the Premier League. In addition to the goalkeeper protocol, La Liga plans to adopt strict countdown timers on throw-ins and goal kicks, a 10-second limit for substituted players exiting the pitch, and a mandatory one-minute sideline wait for outfield players evaluated by medical staff.
After referring the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the Football Association of Slovenia announced the retirement of Slavko Vincic. Slavko Vincic took center stage as the head referee for the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. One week after officiating soccer’s biggest event, the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) announced the veteran official’s retirement in an official statement. In a release on its official website, the NZS confirmed the end of the 46-year-old referee’s storied career on the pitch: “A week after the World Cup final in the USA, Slavko Vincic has officially concluded his historic refereeing career at the very top of the world.“ The Slovenian FA emphasized that calling the World Cup final solidified “his status as one of the greatest match officials in history.” The praise coincided with major honors, as the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named him the best referee of the 2026 World Cup, while Italy’s Referee Association (AIA) awarded him the prestigious Giulio Campanati Award. An international referee since 2010, Vincic built a distinguished résumé overseeing high-stakes fixtures, including 50 UEFA Champions League matches. In European club competition, he was selected to handle the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers, followed by the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium. Introducing your referee for the @FIFAWorldCup 2026 Final….🥁Congratulations, Slavko Vinčić! 👏 pic.twitter.com/OMLJ3oA31p— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 17, 2026 When FIFA officially assigned Vincic to the final, the moment proved overwhelming for the Slovenian, who was visibly moved upon receiving the news. Officiating the World Cup final served as the absolute zenith of his career, the exact high point at which he chose to hang up his whistle. Vincic at the 2026 World Cup The 2022 World Cup in Qatar marked Vincic’s debut on international soccer’s grandest stage, where he refereed two group-stage fixtures: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia and Wales vs. England. For the 2026 edition, however, his assignments extended well beyond the group stage, placing him in control of crucial knockout moments. His first two games of the tournament came in the group stage, starting with a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco. He followed that with a group-stage clash between Jordan and Algeria, which saw the North African side capture a 2-1 victory. His knockout duties began in the Round of 32 at Estadio Azteca, overseeing a match between co-host Mexico and Ecuador. In a 2-0 win for Mexico, Vincic made headlines late in stoppage time by issuing a straight red card to Piero Hincapié under FIFA’s new rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during confrontational exchanges. Referee Slavko Vincic shows a red card to Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina. His defining career assignment came on July 19 in the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. During La Roja’s 1-0 victory, Vincic showed a second yellow card to Enzo Fernandez following a foul on Pau Cubarsi, an ejection that sealed Albiceleste’s fate against a dominant Spanish squad.
As the top two in the Fifa rankings prepare to meet in New Jersey on Sunday we look at the pointers that may help decide the gameSlavko Vincic becomes the first Slovene to referee a World Cup final. He oversaw the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley (Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0) as well as Spain’s 2-1 win over France at the 2024 Euros semi-final. The 46-year-old’s first World Cup match was Argentina’s opening loss to Saudi Arabia in 2022. At this tournament, Vincic showed Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié a red card for covering his mouth in the 95th minute against Mexico. He has averaged 2.33 yellow cards per game. Continue reading...
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé is embroiled in a scandal over racist remarks made by a Paraguayan senator that the United Nations Human Rights Office has called "dehumanizing" and "despicable" and have led to an investigation by French prosecutors.
As the USMNT forward left Seattle following the team's Round of 16 defeat to Belgium, attention quickly turned to his physical condition and his emotional reaction after another painful exit from the tournament. The United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak, and Christian Pulisic was once again at the center of the story. As the USMNT forward left Seattle following the team’s Round of 16 defeat to Belgium, attention quickly turned to his physical condition and his emotional reaction after another painful exit from the tournament. Pulisic’s injury update and his biggest regret after the World Cup have now emerged, offering fresh insight into what the Milan star was feeling after the final whistle. His comments came after another difficult night for the USMNT, whose dream of a historic run on home soil ended with a heavy defeat. Mauricio Pochettino and his players suffered a 4-1 loss to Belgium in Seattle, bringing an end to a tournament that had begun with genuine optimism. After impressive victories earlier in the competition, the national team struggled to reproduce its best football against one of Europe’s strongest sides. Belgium built a commanding lead before Pulisic was forced off through injury in the second half. The defeat denied the United States a place in the World Cup quarterfinals and left players visibly devastated after the final whistle. La sequenza che ha portato all’infortunio di Pulisic la scorsa notte contro il Belgio #Milan pic.twitter.com/LBFtIgtu8J— Francesco Nasato (@FraNasato) July 7, 2026 The result also extended a frustrating trend for the American national team, which has now fallen in the Round of 16 in several consecutive World Cup appearances despite entering tournaments with increasing expectations. Pulisic offers injury update after Belgium clash The biggest concern immediately after the match centered on Pulisic’s condition after he limped off in the 59th minute following a challenge involving Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans. According to ESPN, the American forward confirmed exactly what happened after the collision. “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” Pulisic explained. “I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It’s just unfortunate way to finish.” Mauricio Pochettino also addressed the situation after the match, explaining that the injury appeared to involve Pulisic’s ankle while expressing hope that the forward would recover in time for preseason with the Rossoneri. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium The major regret Pulisic leaves the World Cup with While discussing his injury, Pulisic admitted his biggest disappointment had little to do with the physical pain. Instead, he regretted not being able to produce the decisive moments he believed the United States needed against elite opposition. Speaking after the defeat, the 27-year-old said: “I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high. Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team. I’m disappointed with myself, of course, but I’m going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well.” Those remarks summed up the frustration surrounding his tournament. Pulisic finished the World Cup without scoring a goal, despite arriving as the nation’s biggest star and primary attacking threat. Injuries disrupted Pulisic throughout the tournament The Belgium match was not the first physical setback Pulisic experienced during the competition. He suffered a left calf injury in the opening match against Paraguay, forcing him to miss part of the group stage before returning later in the tournament. After nearly completing the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, another injury struck during the biggest match of the campaign. The latest setback involved both his a
What happens next carries consequences that stretch far beyond 90 minutes, especially for the 2026 World Cup bracket itself. The Round of 16 clash between USMNT and Belgium in Seattle arrives with everything still on the line, and the final result between the two national teams remains undecided as kickoff approaches. One outcome could redefine how far the United States men’s national team can go in this tournament, while Belgium enters with its own ambitions of another deep World Cup run. What happens next carries consequences that stretch far beyond 90 minutes, especially for the 2026 World Cup bracket itself. There is a growing sense that this matchup is one of the defining moments of the tournament so far, even before a ball is kicked. The stakes are simple on the surface, yet complicated in their impact. As the USMNT prepares to face Belgium in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 fixture in Seattle, tactical discussions have been overshadowed by a major disciplinary controversy. Following his expulsion in the previous round, Folarin Balogun was widely expected to miss this crucial knockout tie. Instead, a dramatic, eleventh-hour decision to suspend his red-card ban has cleared the striker to play, entirely shifting Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking outlook and dominating the narrative just hours before kickoff. “The Belgian federation released a statement saying it was ‘astonished’ by the decision,” highlighting the tension surrounding FIFA’s ruling. Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia also pushed back, saying, “We’re not defending the national team or federation, we are defending football.” These reactions have added an emotional edge to an already high-pressure knockout fixture. DateUSMNT’s OpponentStageResultJune 12, 2026ParaguayGroup StageWin (4-1)June 19, 2026AustraliaGroup StageWin (2-0)June 25, 2026TürkiyeGroup StageLoss (2-3)July 1, 2026Bosnia and HerzegovinaRound of 32Win (2-0) The USMNT and Belgium also carry historical weight into the match, having met in memorable past tournaments. Their most famous encounter came in 2014, when Belgium eliminated the USMNT in extra time after a record-breaking performance from goalkeeper Tim Howard. Now, both national teams enter a new era with entirely different squads looking to write their own story. DateBelgium’s OpponentStageResultJune 15, 2026EgyptGroup StageDraw (1-1)June 21, 2026IranGroup StageDraw (0-0)June 26, 2026New ZealandGroup StageWin (5-1)July 1, 2026SenegalRound of 32Win (3-2, AET) What happens if the USMNT wins and Belgium loses? A victory for the United States would mark its deepest World Cup progression in more than two decades, instantly rewriting expectations for the program. The USMNT would advance to face the Spain in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles, a stage it has not reached since 2002. Tim Ream #13 and Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States. The presence of Folarin Balogun adds another layer of importance to this scenario, with his availability shifting attacking dynamics. His movement, pressing, and finishing ability could be decisive in a tight knockout contest. A win would also validate the team’s aggressive identity under pressure, with its high-intensity structure finally translating into elite results. It would also reinforce the belief that this generation can compete with Europe’s top sides on home soil. What happens if the match goes to a draw? A draw after regulation time does not preserve any safety net, as the knockout format forces a conclusion. In this scenario, both teams would enter extra time, where fatigue and small tactical margins often decide entire tournaments. The psychological tension would increase significantly, especially for a USMNT side playing in front of a home crowd. Belgium, meanwhile, would rely heavily on experience and individual quality in moments of chaos. Christian Pulisic #8 of the United States applauds fans after the team’s 2-0 victory If penalties are required, the outcome becomes even more unpredictabl
Kylian Mbappe's critics have suggested he wields too much power at Real Madrid and in the France team, but Didier Deschamps says otherwise. The post ‘Mbappe is not a dictator’ – Deschamps defends France captain against online criticism appeared first on SoccerNews.
France were held goalless for 70 minutes by Paraguay in Saturday's World Cup last-16 tie, as their opponents drew on the dark arts. The post Deschamps feared Mbappe would be ‘chopped down’ in ill-tempered Paraguay clash appeared first on SoccerNews.
Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal of the game from a second-half penalty as France beat Paraguay in a cagey Round of 16 tie in Philadelphia on Saturday. Les Bleus will take on Morocco in the quarter-finals on Thursday in Boston.
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