The 2026 FIFA World Cup continued to deliver seismic results and sobering reminders of the passions the sport ignites.
Erling Haaland wrote himself into Norwegian football history, scoring twice — in the 79th and 90th minutes — to lead Norway to a stunning 2-1 victory over five-time champions Brazil, sending the Scandinavian nation to its first-ever World Cup quarterfinal. In a charmingly grounded post-match moment, the Manchester City striker reiterated his post-retirement dream: becoming a farmer in his hometown of Bryne, a small agricultural community in southwestern Norway.
Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16, meanwhile, sparked both celebration and controversy. Egypt lodged fierce complaints about the refereeing of Frenchman François Letexier, while France coach Didier Deschamps publicly backed the referee’s performance. “I hope tomorrow’s referee will be at the same level,” Deschamps said pointedly, adding: “My opponent is Morocco, not the referee.”
The Argentine celebrations, however, turned fatal. In the Buenos Aires suburb of Cañuelas, 46-year-old Franco Depauli was struck in the head by a thrown rock while retrieving something from his car trunk during street festivities. He was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors confirmed his death. It was a grim reminder that celebratory chaos can turn deadly in an instant.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey came to a quiet end. The Portuguese captain returned to Lisbon with the national team but exited the airport through a private access point, boarding his personal jet away from cameras — though Portuguese broadcaster SIC captured the moment.
