… In sweltering Miami, two goals from Jude Bellingham gave England a nervy 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway to send the Three Lions into the semi-finals for only the fourth time in history.Defending champions Argentina later sealed their place in the last four after a nail-biting …
Bellingham heroics edge England past Norway and into World Cup semis By AFP July 12, 2026 02:55 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter England midfielder Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the 2026 World Cup …
… Neither Alonso nor Arbeloa could find a way to get star players Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior all playing together effectively without the team losing balance. …
… n the last game, the impact from the bench to go in the back line and be so solid with 10 men - it's not an issue." Arsenal forward Saka said England posed a "unique threat", with players across the pitch capable of scoring and creating, even though Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham …
… After overcoming high altitude and a fervent home crowd in Mexico City to progress to the last eight in an all-time World Cup classic, an England side boasting the in-form Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are favourites to reach the semis in south Florida. …
… Neither Alonso nor Arbeloa could find a way to get star players Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior all playing together effectively without the team losing balance. …
… He's playing at probably the highest level that he's ever played at, which is madness to say, because of what he's been doing for so many years." - No limit for Bellingham - Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, 23, has been England's other outstanding player at the 2026 World …
… Captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been the standout players so far, scoring 10 of the team's 11 goals, including all three in a gripping 3-2 win against Mexico. …
Bellingham tells England to believe after Mexico masterclass By AFP July 06, 2026 11:20 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Jude Bellingham told his England teammates they can be world champio …
Bellingham tells England to believe after Mexico masterclass By AFP July 06, 2026 11:20 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Jude Bellingham told his England teammates they can be world champio …
Real Madrid substitute Carlos Espi scored in the 91st minute to secure a 3-2 comeback win at Elche, pulling his team level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The striker, signed from Levante in the summer, has now scored vital late goals in two of Madrid's six matches.
Real Madrid substitute Carlos Espi scored in the 91st minute to secure a 3-2 comeback win at Elche, pulling his team level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The striker, signed from Levante in the summer, has now scored vital late goals in two of Madrid's six matches.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho praised Turkish midfielder Arda Guler's vision and playmaking after the 21-year-old came on as a substitute in Madrid's 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, though Guler is competing with other players including Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz for midfield minutes.
Real Madrid face Rayo with manager Mourinho seeking a sharper attacking performance from Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, who was at the centre of summer contract speculation amid rumours of an Arsenal move but remains a key player after scoring in Champions League finals in 2022 and 2024.
Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe scored as Real Madrid cruised to a 4-0 win against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu, extending their perfect start to La Liga under Jose Mourinho. Arda Guler added a fourth goal late on, while Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero conceded an own goal.
Jose Mourinho held his first Real Madrid press conference, speaking for over 40 minutes in a measured tone before Saturday's LaLiga opener against Espanyol. He stressed that commitment is non-negotiable and rejected the idea the club was gripped by anxiety, instead characterizing the mood as one of anticipation after two trophyless campaigns.
New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insisted his team's star players—Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham—could fit together, acknowledging that his predecessors struggled to balance attack and defence with the trio, though he noted the tactical challenge of accommodating all three.
José Mourinho begins his second spell at Real Madrid, tasked with restoring the intensity of his 2010–2013 reign and deposing Barcelona as Spain's leading club. The Portuguese coach takes charge after Real Madrid went two seasons without a major trophy, with recent managerial instability leaving the club unable to balance its attacking stars Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham.
Valentin Barco, a 22-year-old Argentine who reached the World Cup final, joined Chelsea on a seven-year deal from sister club Strasbourg on Sunday, becoming the second player to move between the two clubs this transfer window.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha and Norway striker Erling Haaland were named in the fan-voted FIFA World Cup dream team after standout performances during their teams' unexpected runs. Vozinha topped the goalkeeper vote with 39.6% despite Spain's Unai Simon winning the Golden Glove.
Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals in the tournament, ahead of Lionel Messi who finished with eight. Mbappe also became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals across three tournaments, one ahead of Messi.
England defeated France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place match in Miami on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring his 22nd goal of the tournament to become the all-time leading scorer. Argentina and Spain advance to the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday.
England defeated France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick and Jude Bellingham becoming the first English player to score seven goals at a single World Cup. Kylian Mbappe became the leading scorer in World Cup history during the match.
France and England will play for third place in the 2026 World Cup in Miami on July 18, 2026, after losing their semi-finals—France to Spain 2-0 and England to Argentina 2-1.
France and England meet in the World Cup third-place play-off in Miami on July 18, 2026, after both lost their semi-finals: France fell 2-0 to Spain and England lost 2-1 to Argentina.
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in a World Cup semi-final, with Enzo Fernandez equalizing in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez scoring the winner in stoppage time. Argentina will face European champions Spain in the final.
France and England will compete in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami, after both suffered semi-final defeats—France losing 2-0 to Spain and England losing 2-1 to Argentina. England manager Thomas Tuchel said neither team's players wanted to play the match, preferring to have reached the final.
As England prepares for a World Cup semi-final against Argentina, hometown fans in Stourbridge, England celebrate midfielder Jude Bellingham, who powered the team through to the semi-final clash. The 23-year-old has become a local hero, with murals and merchandise bearing his name adorning the quiet market town.
Lionel Messi's Argentina will meet England in a 2026 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, with Spain advancing to the final after eliminating France. Argentina is seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
Harry Kane said England will not be distracted by the historical tensions and incidents surrounding their World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, which is set against a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
Lionel Messi's Argentina will play England in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with European champions Spain awaiting the winner. Argentina, three-time champions, seek to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while England aim for their biggest match since winning their sole World Cup in 1966.
With France, Spain, England and Argentina—the four highest-ranked sides—as the last teams standing in the World Cup, an African observer reflects that Morocco's exit marks the continent's failure to bridge the gap between African talent and global excellence, and that African teams must develop sustainable depth rather than relying on flashes of brilliance.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he was not concerned about fatigue or his team's performances as they prepare to face England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the holders seeking to reach consecutive finals.
England and Argentina will meet in a 2026 World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026, renewing their old rivalry as England bids to reach their first final in six decades while Messi's Argentina seeks to win back-to-back World Cups.
Erling Haaland scored seven goals across four matches for Norway in the World Cup before England defeated the team 2–1 in the quarter-finals, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals. Haaland said the World Cup experience has changed him and grown his profile.
England and Argentina will meet in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta after defeating Norway and Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Messi and Argentina seek to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, while England pursue their first major trophy in 60 years.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said his team were "lucky" to advance past Norway 2-1 after extra-time to reach the World Cup semi-finals, with Jude Bellingham's two goals overturning Andreas Schjelderup's opener. Tuchel praised Bellingham as "world-class" but expressed dissatisfaction with England's overall performance, saying they "made life very, very difficult" for themselves.
Erling Haaland said Norway's World Cup performances had inspired a new generation despite a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to England after extra-time. Haaland scored seven times in four games at the tournament, including two goals to eliminate Brazil in the last 16, before failing to score for the first time in 15 competitive games in the quarter-final loss.
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.
Jude Bellingham scored twice, including in extra-time, to help England overcome Norway 2-1 in their first World Cup quarter-final and reach the semi-finals. England will face Argentina or Switzerland on Wednesday for a chance to reach their first World Cup final in 60 years.