04/07/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 4, 2026 28 ENDRICK has had to be patient at his first World Cup, picking up minutes from the bench rather than commanding the spotlight, but the 19-year-old Brazil striker said yesterday he was “at peace” with coach Carlo Ancelotti’s decisions. The Real Madrid forward did not feature in Brazil’s opening match against Morocco, played 26 minutes against Haiti, came on in the closing stages against Scotland and featured for 45 minutes against Japan. Fans have been calling for Endrick to be given a bigger role since the start of the tour nament but, ahead of tomor row’s (4am) last-16 clash against

2026 WORLD CUP

Endrick places trust in Ancelotti

riences I’ve had in my career,” Endrick said. “In my first season with (Ancelotti) at Real, I played a lot. It was a few minutes here and there, but I was coming on in practically every game. He’d tell me to stay calm, that my time would come.” Endrick pointed to Gabriel Martinelli’s goal off the bench in Brazil’s last match as evidence that Ancelotti’s squad manage ment could pay off. “The manager is one of the best coaches in the world; he knows exactly what to do,” he said. “I feel very at ease with him and always follow his advice.” – Reuters Paraguay’s Gill eyes return of sold jersey WHEN Paraguay face France in the World Cup round of 16 tomorrow (5am), goalkeeper Orlando Gill will have more than victory on his mind. Alongside a place in the quarterfinals, he hopes to be reunited with a cherished jer sey from his youth international career, one he was forced to sell years ago as he struggled to make ends meet. Following Gill’s senior Paraguay debut in September 2025, his partner Melissa Avalos revealed the sacrifices behind his rise, saying he had sold his sports gear to support the family while their newborn son fought serious health issues. Months later, the goal keeper would become Paraguay’s hero in a dramatic penalty-shootout win over Germany. “Our son fought for his life, and his father was always by his side,” Avalos wrote on Instagram after Gill made his Paraguay debut against Peru in a World Cup qualifier. “He sold everything, his U-20 national team jersey, which he couldn’t even keep as a souve nir, as well as his clothes and football boots. He literally sold everything.” It was revealed that his old U-20 jersey had been bought by his friend Pedro Suarez. Suarez, who purchased the jersey for 200,000 guarani (RM132), said he had messaged Gill to tell him he would return it free of charge. “I told him, ‘Don’t worry about the shirt, I’ll keep it safe for you,’” Suarez told NPY . “’But you have to beat France.’” – Reuters

for me, just being part of this squad and playing in a World Cup is a victory in itself,” he said. “I’m very well prepared for this moment, but there are 26 of us players and we’re all waiting for our chance. The important thing is to be ready when that chance comes along.” Endrick said his previous work with Ancelotti at Real Madrid had helped him under stand the Italian’s methods. “He was my first manager when I arrived in Europe. For me, having him as my first man ager was one of the best expe

Asked whether uncertainty over his playing time would affect him, Endrick said he remained calm. “I reckon I’ll sleep like a baby,” he said. “I’ll be really at peace because, before I go to sleep, I think the most important thing is what I do: saying my prayers, talking to God, and being confident that things will happen at the right time.” Endrick said that, at 19, simply being part of Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad was already a significant milestone. “I’m very grateful to be here;

Norway, the teenager praised Ancelotti, who also managed him at Real Madrid, for putting the team above individuals. “He won’t do what’s best for me, he’ll do what’s best for the team,” Endrick said. “He’s not afraid of making the hard deci sions. “He does what he thinks is right, and things happen. It’s as if God is watching over him. Because whatever Carlo does, things just work out. “When the manager tells me to do something, I won’t look back; I’ll just do what he asks.”

Patience is key: Barcola France’s fluent attack can unlock Paraguay’s defence, says Bradley F RANCE’S free-flowing attack has lit up the World Cup so far, but forward Bradley Barcola expects Les Bleus to face a very different challenge when they take on Paraguay in tomorrow’s (5am Malaysian time) Round of 16 clash.

France have won all four of their matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding just twice to underline their credentials as one of the favour ites for the title. Their front three of captain Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Barcola have been cen tral to that success, combining for 12 of France’s 13 goals. Barcola said the understanding between the attacking trio has been built on teamwork rather than individual brilliance. “I enjoy immensely playing like that,” he told reporters yesterday. “We pass, attack and defend together. These are great players and that is why it works so well. It is a joy to play together.” France’s latest display, a comfortable 3-0 vic tory over Sweden in the Round of 32, further highlighted their attacking quality, with Mbappe and Dembele again leading the way as Didier Deschamps’ side barely looked troubled. Paraguay, however, are expected to present a much sterner defensive test. The South Americans reached the last 16 after producing one of the biggest shocks of the tour nament, eliminating four-time champions Germany in a penalty shootout following a thrill ing 2-2 draw. Gustavo Alfaro’s side have built their cam paign on defensive discipline, organisation and resilience, frustrating technically stronger oppo nents before striking on the counterattack. Barcola expects France to dominate posses sion but knows patience will be essential. “We know it will be complicated,” he said. “We have to find alternatives and we will do that. I hope it keeps working well for us until the end.” France’s attacking depth remains one of their biggest strengths. Even with Mbappe, Dembele and Barcola in outstanding form, coach Didier Deschamps can still call on the likes of Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram and Jean Philippe Mateta from the bench. CANADA’S remarkable World Cup adven ture has already secured their team a place in the country’s sporting folklore and tomorrow (1am) they face Morocco, semifinalists in 2022, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake. Making only their third World Cup appearance, Canada have captured the imagination of a country more accus tomed to celebrating ice hockey heroes than soccer stars. Their talisman Alphonso Davies played his first minutes at the tournament in the round of 32 victory over South Africa as a 75th-minute substitute and could start in Houston tomorrow.

France’s Bradley Barcola 2nd right) and teammates during a warm up recently at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in Philadelphia. – REUTERSPIC

to these conditions. It won’t change the way we want to play.” France are aiming to reach the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive World Cup and extend an unbeaten run in knockout matches stretching back to the 2022 final defeat by Argentina on penalties. With confidence high and their attack in scin tillating form, Les Bleus will back themselves to find a way through another stubborn defence as they continue their pursuit of a third World Cup crown. – Reuters

The French have scored at least three goals in each of their last three matches and boast the tournament’s second-best attack behind Argentina. Another factor both teams will have to con tend with is the heat. Temperatures in Philadelphia are forecast to exceed 36°C for the afternoon kickoff, although Barcola believes France have already adapted after several weeks competing across North America. “Of course it’s harder physically,” he said. “But we’ve been here for a while now and we’re used The pressure that may have burdened Canada before the tournament has largely evaporated and no matter what result they get against Morocco, they have broken numerous records – includ ing earning their first World Cup point and winning their first game. That sense of freedom may be one of their greatest assets. “Preparing for Morocco is like a gory, horrible nightmare,” coach Jesse Marsch said. “(But) we want to be here and we expect to be here. So we know that eve rybody’s going to write us off, and in that is an opportunity.” Morocco, however, are unlikely to be

Canada look to extend dream World Cup run

Organised, athletic and technically gifted, they have progressed through the competition with the confidence of a team who believe another deep run is possi ble. Canada are playing in entirely new territory, fuelled by momentum and enthusiasm. Morocco’s squad still contains many of the leaders from their run to the 2022 semifinals, and that experience could prove decisive. “If we get things wrong, we’ll go home,” Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbie said. “We need to ensure that we have all the tools and we’re using the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can.” – Reuters

swayed by sentiment. If Canada have emerged as one of the tournament’s feelgood stories, Morocco arrived with much loftier ambitions. Four years ago in Qatar they became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal, defeating heavyweights Spain and Portugal in their dream run to finish fourth. Far from being satisfied with that groundbreaking achievement, the Atlas Lions have proved four years later that Qatar was no anomaly, drawing with Brazil to top their group before eliminat ing European heavyweights the Netherlands in the round of 32.