World Cup 2026: Cape Verde’s story continues; L’Équipe apologises to Doku over ‘disgusting’ comments – live

Day 11 of the 2026 World Cup delivered another twist in the tournament’s most improbable run, as Cape Verde edged closer to a last-16 berth with a performance that has defied pre-tournament expectations. The island nation’s disciplined displays—built on resilient defending and a refusal to be intimidated by higher-ranked opponents—have transformed them into the competition’s most unlikely darlings. Their campaign has captivated audiences from Praia to Paris, with their blend of tactical organisation and fearless attacking football offering a stark contrast to the cautious pragmatism often associated with African sides at major tournaments.

Cape Verde’s fairytale inches forward

Cape Verde’s progress remains the tournament’s most compelling subplot. After securing a 1-1 draw against a strong Uruguay side in their opening match—a result that included a 94th-minute equaliser from substitute striker Ryan Mendes—the island nation has kept their hopes alive with performances that have exceeded the sum of their parts. Their 2-0 victory over South Korea in their second game, built on a defensive masterclass from centre-backs Ryan Semedo and Jamiro Monteiro, demonstrated that their organisation can suffocate even technically gifted opponents. While the group stage still holds uncertainties—particularly their final match against Portugal—their campaign has captured imaginations far beyond the archipelago, with fans and neutrals alike drawn to a team playing with freedom and joy. The contrast with pre-tournament predictions, which had them as potential whipping boys in Group H, could not be more pronounced.

L’Équipe faces reckoning over Doku remarks

L’Équipe issued a formal apology to Belgium’s Jérémy Doku on Sunday night after a presenter on its talk show L’Équipe de Choc dismissed the birth of his child as a “disgusting moment, excuse me, where the dad is useless.” France Pierron’s comments, made during a discussion about Doku’s request to leave the tournament for the birth of his son in early July, sparked immediate outrage across social media platforms. Doku, a Manchester City winger and key figure in Roberto Martínez’s Belgium squad, had stated plainly that “no one wants to miss a birth,” even as his team eyes a place in the knockout rounds. The apology from L’Équipe, issued through a statement late Sunday, acknowledged that Pierron’s remarks did not reflect the publication’s values, but the damage to its reputation had already been done. The incident has reignited debates about gendered assumptions in football media, particularly regarding the role of fathers in childbirth.

Portugal’s squad depth tested again

Portugal arrived in North America with a squad brimming with attacking talent, yet the question lingers: can Roberto Martínez coax the best out of his firepower when it matters most? The manager’s challenge is not just tactical but psychological—convincing a golden generation that a bench role need not be an admission of irrelevance. With a potential last-16 clash against Cape Verde looming, Martínez may need to deploy his forwards with surgical precision, knowing that even Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence demands careful management. The margin for error grows slimmer with each passing match, particularly after Portugal’s sluggish 1-1 draw with Ghana in their second fixture, a result that exposed vulnerabilities in their midfield transition. The squad’s collective ego, while a strength in attack, risks becoming a liability if not properly channelled.

As the knockout picture begins to clarify, one certainty emerges: Lionel Messi remains within striking distance of becoming the outright leading scorer in World Cup history. With Argentina’s talisman still on the pitch and his team pushing for a top-two finish in their group, the chase for immortality continues apace. Whether he adds to his tally today—against a Costa Rica side that has conceded six goals in two matches—or in the days ahead, the milestone is no longer a distant prospect but an imminent reality. Messi currently sits on 13 World Cup goals, just three behind the record held by Miroslav Klose, and his team’s attacking fluidity suggests further opportunities will arise.

Elsewhere, the tournament’s logistical and narrative threads weave tighter. From on-field drama to off-field missteps, the World Cup’s dual role as a spectacle and a mirror to broader societal debates has rarely felt more pronounced. Cape Verde’s journey, Doku’s personal milestone, and Portugal’s tactical tightrope all underscore a tournament where the human stories often eclipse the scorelines. The next 48 hours promise more of the same—unpredictable, emotional, and unforgettable—as the competition hurtles toward its knockout phase with all the unpredictability that defines football’s greatest stage.