… The European champions shaded possession at the MetLife Stadium in a game of few clear-cut chances.Teenager Lamine Yamal had an early effort while Mikel Oyarzabal shot straight at Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez later in the opening period. …
… Lautaro Martinez added gloss with a late third.The hard-fought victory for Lionel Scaloni's men at the Arrowhead Stadium means the top four teams in the FIFA rankings will contest the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament. …
… Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time for Argentina, who had been on the ropes after a second-half equaliser from Switzerland's Dan Ndoye cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister's early opener for the holders.The two results mean that England and Argentina will renew …
… By AFP July 10, 2026 08:31 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates next to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between …
Messi World Cup magic masks familiar penalty frailty By AFP July 08, 2026 03:55 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates next to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after winning t …
World Cup: Eight teams remain in the hunt for glory By AFP July 08, 2026 07:54 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates next to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after winning th …
… ntina produce epic World Cup fightback to beat Egypt, reach quarters By AFP July 07, 2026 09:20 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates next to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez …
Messi returns 'home' to lead Argentina World Cup charge in Miami By AFP July 02, 2026 07:14 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Argentina's goalkeeper #23 Emiliano Martinez, forward #10 Lionel Messi and goalkee …
… At this moment, Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez remains the favourite to win the award he won last year, followed by other top shot-stoppers including Spain’s Unai Simon, France’s Mike Maignan, and Alisson Becker of Brazil.In four of the last five World Cups, the winner of thi …
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he would welcome a "boring game" after Chelsea conceded twice to draw 2-2 with Hull City on Saturday. Chelsea have conceded nine goals in their four Premier League matches this season, with Alonso's side struggling defensively despite taking an early lead through Morgan Rogers.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he would welcome a "boring game" after Chelsea conceded twice to draw 2-2 with Hull City on Saturday. Chelsea have conceded nine goals in their four Premier League matches this season, with Alonso's side struggling defensively despite taking an early lead through Morgan Rogers.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in a London derby at the Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz equalizing Morgan Rogers' early goal and Martin Odegaard scoring the winner. The victory ended Chelsea's unbeaten run and demonstrated Arsenal's title credentials as they sit second in the league with three wins from three matches.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 at home in a London Premier League derby on Sunday, with Kai Havertz equalising and Martin Odegaard scoring the winner after Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead. The victory reinforced Arsenal's title credentials as second-placed contenders and ended Chelsea's three-game winning streak under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, ending a 21-year career with Argentina during which the team won three major titles including the 2022 World Cup. Argentina now faces a transition period with questions surrounding coach Lionel Scaloni and other ageing players.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the team remains a work in progress after a 4-3 win against Brighton extended his perfect start to three successive wins across the Premier League and League Cup, cautioning that fine form does not mean all problems have been solved.
Chelsea won 4-3 against Brighton on Sunday to extend manager Xabi Alonso's perfect start, which now includes two successive Premier League wins and one League Cup victory. Romeo Lavia scored Chelsea's opening goal, with Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro also finding the net, while Cole Palmer and an own goal contributed to the high-scoring result.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he wants players who "feel a desire" to play for the club after leaving midfielder Enzo Fernandez out of Thursday's League Cup win over Luton. Fernandez has been linked with Manchester City but no club has met Chelsea's £120 million valuation.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is closing in on a £50 million move to Saudi side Al Hilal and will be replaced by Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson. Manager Unai Emery said Watkins's legacy should remain untarnished despite not playing in last weekend's 4-0 loss to Brighton, citing a disagreement over his availability.
Aston Villa announced the signing of Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, 23, from Parma for up to 35 million euros, and Italian defender Matteo Ruggeri. Suzuki's arrival, following an impressive World Cup showing, may prompt Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to leave the Premier League club.
Zion Suzuki, 23, will become the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the Premier League, joining Aston Villa from Parma for up to 35 million euros. He is the most expensive Japanese goalkeeper in history and will sign a five-year contract.
Defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain were locked at 0-0 at half-time in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, with few clear-cut chances created in an opening period dominated by Spain's possession.
England beat Norway 2-1 in extra time with two goals from Jude Bellingham, and defending champions Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1, setting up a semi-final matchup between the two nations.
Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time in a World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with Lionel Messi setting up an early opener and Julian Alvarez scoring a decisive goal in the 112th minute. The victory sets up a semi-final against England and keeps Argentina unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches.
England defeated Norway 2-1 in extra time with two goals from Jude Bellingham, while defending champions Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 at the quarter-finals. The rivals will meet in the semi-finals in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi has scored in every World Cup match so far as defending champion Argentina advances to the quarter-final against Switzerland, with the team winning all five of their games despite gruelling knockout matches against Cape Verde and Egypt.
Lionel Messi, 39, has missed two penalties at the 2026 World Cup on US soil—one saved by Egypt's Mostafa Shobeir in the last 16 and one wide against Austria in group play—making him the only player to miss more than one penalty in any World Cup, though his overall play continues to lead Argentina's title quest.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage with eight teams remaining. France, Morocco, and other heavyweight sides are set to compete in matches taking place across the United States.
Argentina recovered from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the round of 32, with Lionel Messi scoring the equaliser and Enzo Fernandez securing victory in stoppage time, allowing the holders to reach the quarter-finals.
Lionel Messi, 39, is leading Argentina's defense of the World Cup title in his sixth tournament, having scored six times in the group stages to become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 19 goals and extend a record seven-game scoring streak. Argentina faces Cape Verde in a last 32 clash on Friday in Miami, where Messi now lives after moving to Major League Soccer.
Gaming firm Mozzart Bet is offering odds on 2026 FIFA World Cup top scorers, goalkeepers, and best players. The betting firm lists Lionel Messi as the favourite for the Golden Boot, followed by Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his sixth tournament goal as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1, finishing Group J with maximum points ahead of their last-32 match against Cape Verde on July 3 in Miami.
Lionel Messi's 68-year-old father Jorge is recovering from an unspecified "health issue" under medical supervision, the family said Thursday. The announcement follows Messi's emotional display after scoring three goals in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria on Tuesday.
Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the World Cup finals in a 1-1 draw with Portugal in Group K, with Yoane Wissa's header canceling out Joao Neves's early goal. The African side, appearing in their first World Cup since 1974, more than held their own despite disrupted preparations due to an Ebola outbreak, while Cristiano Ronaldo was largely peripheral throughout the match.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria, Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway against Iraq, and Kylian Mbappe scored twice for France against Senegal in Tuesday's World Cup Group J matches, giving their teams winning starts despite recent dips in form.
Lionel Messi scored all three goals in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria, equaling the all-time men's World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. The 38-year-old also earned his 200th cap and became the first man to compete in six World Cups and the oldest to score a hat-trick in tournament history.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina in a 3-0 victory over Algeria, equaling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goalscoring record of 16 goals. The 38-year-old also became the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments.
Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the 2026 World Cup, continues as Argentina's talisman as they attempt to retain the trophy in North America after his 2022 Qatar triumph.
Tottenham climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Sunday, with goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison, moving them one point above West Ham in the fight for survival.