Australia scored a stunning 2-0 upset over Turkey in their World Cup Group D opener on Saturday as coach Tony Popovic's bold selection gamble paid off.

In a physically exhausting tournament, a single accurate cross toward a dominant striker may become more valuable than a beautifully constructed twenty-pass sequence.

In 1994, the USA needed fortune to announce themselves. This time, they delivered a definitive statement of intent.

It is Scotland's first win at a World Cup since a 2-1 defeat of Sweden in Italy in 1990, and a first victory at any major tournament in 30 years, since Euro 96.

The flashpoint arrived early in the match, when Switzerland were awarded a penalty in the 13th minute following a collision between Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada and Remo Freuler inside the box. Breel Embolo converted from the spot to give the Swiss a 1–0 lead.

Lionel Scaloni's side will open their Group J campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on June 17 at 7:00am Bangladesh time. Austria and Jordan complete the group.

"This was the result we had. It wasn't bad, but we'll keep picking up from the second match on. You don't win a World Cup based on your first match."

The result leaves the group finely balanced ahead of Haiti's meeting with Scotland later on Saturday in the other group fixture.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior lashed in a superbly taken equaliser in the 32nd minute after a brilliant counter-attacking goal by Ismael Saibari had given Morocco an early le

"We achieved one dream when we arrived here, to be here, and now today is another little dream," the Spaniard told reporters.

Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi stunned Switzerland with a late equaliser as the sides played out a 1-1 draw in their opening match at the World Cup on Saturday.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has appointed 36-year-old British coach Gerard Jones as its new youth development coach on a two-year contract, with the responsibility of overseeing all age-group national teams.

Scotland's raucous Tartan Army of supporters massed in downtown Boston on Friday, with fans saying they had no qualms about the thousands of dollars they are spending to see their team return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.

For generations, Brazil have entered World Cups as favourites. This time, however, there is an unusual sense of vulnerability surrounding the five-time champions.

On the night Argentina defeated France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, parts of Dhaka barely slept. Blue-and-white flags hung like tapestries from rooftops and balconies. Fireworks shattered the midnight, and dense crowds erupted in celebrations that perfectly mirrored the euphoric scenes at the Plaza de la Republica in Buenos Aires.

In the inaugural tournament in 1930, Brazil arrived with great expectations, but political tensions within their own federation meant their squad was composed mostly of Rio de Janeiro-based players.

“It’s a new experience for me,” Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference. “It carries a lot of responsibility. It’s an honour to represent the country of football and the most decorated national team in the world.”

The incident began early in the second half during a physical duel between veteran U.S. defender Tim Ream and Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron. Referee Danny Makkelie judged Ream to have committed a heavy foul and immediately issued a yellow card. Play continued without interruption, and Paraguay restarted quickly with a free kick, believing the decision had been fully settled.

"This is the most important time in my life and in my career," the 25-year-old Real Madrid star said on Friday.

"They've been very unfair to him," the Paris Saint-Germain winger said. "They go a bit overboard with the criticism of Kylian because he's an incredible player. A great person off the field. I've known him for a long time."