Messi magic masks familiar penalty frailty

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Messi magic masks familiar penalty frailty

Atlanta: Lionel Messi once retired from international football after blasting a penalty into the American sky to lose a Copa America final 10 years ago.

A decade on, Messi's problems from the spot persist on US soil, but his magic is more than masking that flaw as he continues to lead the Argentina quest for FIFA World Cup glory at the age of 39.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's latest penalty miss left the world champions staring at a shock exit to Egypt in the last 16 on Tuesday.

Either side of seeing his spot-kick saved by Mostafa Shobeir, goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko put Egypt into a 2-0 lead with just 11 minutes remaining.

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Rogers backs Kane to outshine Haaland in showdown

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Rogers backs Kane to outshine Haaland in showdown

Kansas City: England's Morgan Rogers backed Harry Kane to come out on top when he faces Norway's Erling Haaland in an enticing battle between the FIFA World Cup 2026 sharpshooters on Saturday.

The forwards, who will meet in the quarter-finals in Miami, are among the frontrunners in a thrilling race for the tournament's Golden Boot award, along with Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe.

Aston Villa forward Rogers admitted Manchester City's Haaland, who has scored seven goals so far, was almost impossible to stop.

Preview - Q-final: France v Morocco

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

Preview - Q-final: France v Morocco

Foxborough: France will aim to keep their perfect run at the FIFA World Cup 2026 going when they take on Morocco in the quarter-final on Thursday.

After a month of scintillating action that has dispelled pre-tournament anxieties, the biggest, boldest and most logistically complex FIFA World Cup ever staged has been whittled down to eight teams.

Q-finals: The Match-ups

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

Q-finals: The Match-ups

Kansas City: The FIFA World Cup 2026 is down to just eight teams, with a heavyweight line-up set to do battle in the quarter-finals from Thursday.

We take a look at the match-ups, all of which will be played in the United States.

England's Kane calls for calm

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

England's Kane calls for calm

Kansas City: Harry Kane said England need to "calm down" after the emotionally draining win over Mexico that took them through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.

Thomas Tuchel's 10-man team won 3-2 on Sunday after a memorable backs-to-the-wall performance against the co-hosts.

England, back at their training base in Kansas City, are enjoying some downtime ahead of Saturday's quarter-final against Erling Haaland's Norway in Miami.

Belgium's Onana ruled out with ACL injury

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

Belgium's Onana ruled out with ACL injury

Los Angeles: Belgium's Amadou Onana will miss the remainder of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during his country's last-16 win over co-hosts the United States, the Belgian Football Federation announced on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Aston Villa midfielder was forced off early in Belgium's 4-1 victory over the US in Seattle on Monday.