Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
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Spain’s record scorer, Villa put Spain 1-0 ahead with his 59th goal in 97 internationals. He flicked home in the 36th minute with a clever backheel after a fine pass from Iniesta had sent defender Juanfran clear.
Fellow striker Fernando Torres finished neatly in the 69th minute when he found space in the penalty box. Substitute Juan Mata rolled a third goal between the legs of goalkeeper Mat Ryan in the 82nd minute as Australia ran out of steam.
“In my opinion we played with dignity, we fought, we worked well apart from the first 15 minutes of the first half,” Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque said.
“The rest of the game we controlled well.”
The goals silenced Brazilians fans in the crowd in Curitiba who had jeered Spain and wanted to see Australia cause them more pain.
The damage had been done for the Spain when they lost 5-1 to the Dutch and 2-0 to Chile in their first two games, ending the reign of a team who have dominated European and world soccer since 2008.
“This time it was our turn to lose and I think we go out with our heads held high,” Del Bosque added, saying he will make a decision on his future once he gets home.
Steely Dutch down ChileREUTERS: A powerful and pacey Netherlands side beat Chile 2-0 on Monday in a game that only burst into life late on, securing them top spot in World Cup Group B and ensuring they avoid a tricky meeting with hosts Brazil in the last 16.
Substitute Leroy Fer scored with his first touch of the tournament, thumping home a close-range header in the 77th minute.
Another replacement, Memphis Depay, made it two in stoppage- time after a marauding Arjen Robben broke down the left, turning what had been a scrappy match short of goal-mouth action into a comfortable win for the Dutch.
The Netherlands, who will play Mexico in the next round, ended the group stage on a perfect nine points with Chile second on six. Outgoing champions Spain finished third on three points after beating Australia 3-0.
Chile, who next face Brazil, complained the Dutch team were unnecessarily negative, knowing a draw was enough to win the group.
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Substitute Hernandez inspires Mexico to reach last 16REUTERS: Mexico reached the World Cup last 16 with a near-perfect display of counter-attacking football as Javier Hernandez provided the spark for a 3-1 win over Croatia on Monday that left them as Group A runners-up.
Mexico, who will face the Netherlands in the last 16, had looked happy to hold out for the draw that would have put them into the knockout stages before the Manchester United forward came off the bench to turn the match on its head.
Within 10 minutes of Hernandez entering the fray in the second half, Rafael Marquez put Mexico ahead with a powerful header, Andres Guardado rounded off a swift counter-attack and Hernandez himself struck with a close-range header.
It was the striker’s first international goal since last year’s Confederations Cup and capped an all-round performance in which his energy, clever movement and precise hold-up play proved the difference in a previously cagey clash. “We needed someone who would revolutionize (our game),” Mexico’s jubilant coach Miguel Herrera told reporters.
“Javier did a very good job, he came in held the ball and did very well and even got a goal which was great.
“We know he gives everything and we are very happy with his attitude today and all the time.”
Mexico, securing a sixth successive appearance in the second round, finished second in the group with seven points, behind Brazil on goal difference after the hosts beat Cameroon 4-1. They briefly flirted with top spot, needing one more goal to depose Brazil before the tournament hosts got a fourth against their African opponents. |
