Key events double quotation markWhen I became a teenager, foosball made way for girlfriends, wine, cigarettes and a job in a casino. Then I met a British woman and we got married. In 1986, with the war ongoing, we left Lebanon to set up home in Manchester. We had a son, a daughter and a … Read more
Argentine President Javier Miley said on Thursday that he would not attend the World Cup final due to superstition, instead choosing to watch Sunday’s match between Spain and Argentina from home – where he has watched the defending champions’ previous seven matches, all victories, in the tournament. Miley added that in a bid to help … Read more
Time to get quizzing. One of the joys of the World Cup is seeing a debutant upset the odds. At World Cup 2026, it was all about Cape Verde and their 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, as they battled their way to the last 32 and took reigning champions Argentina to extra-time. However, some teams don’t quite … Read more
The 2026 World Cup final is set as Argentina looks to defend its title against Spain. But after four wild comebacks, what was it about Argentina’s seminal performance that sealed its championship spot? Their X-factor, Lionel Messi. Although Messi has not scored since Argentina’s round-of-16 win over Egypt, he’s still managed to set up some … Read more
By now you’ve probably seen the clip on repeat. The moment Kylian Mbappé realized his World Cup dream was slipping away. It was the 58th minute when Pedro Porro drove a right-footed shot into the back of the net, giving Spain the second goal in what became a 2-0 semifinal victory over France on Tuesday. … Read more
Officials in New York and New Jersey have issued an air quality health alert because of wildfire smoke just days before the World Cup final. Haze caused by Canadian wildfires has blanketed the New York region, prompting officials to urge residents to reduce outdoor exertion and stay indoors if possible. New York New Jersey Stadium … Read more
Players saw their families and loved ones immediately after the defeat in Atlanta and it is understood there was a definite sense in those moments that the way the team was set-up after going ahead was a contributing factor in their downfall. BBC Sport is aware of at least three senior players who have complained … Read more
Historically, English football-supporting culture has had a well-known darker side. But in recent decades, as the England men’s team’s trophy drought has continued, some of its unofficial anthems have acquired an endearingly melancholy quality. “It was nearly complete, it was nearly so sweet”, as the Three Lions song had it in the 1990s, when England exited … Read more
Did no one at The FA think to flag how much Thomas Tuchel’s head resembles a certain vegetable? A bad omen if ever there was. However, with the inquest in full swing, I feel it’s important not to rest the blame solely at the feet of the German while others choose to set pitchforks alight. … Read more
Key events Oh man, imagine what a vibe this was. Argentina fans flood the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate win over England – video Share “We have to give some credit to Argentina,” reckons Chris Holmes. “A lot of the criticism for Tuchel and the England players suggests that it was a conscious decision … Read more