Only pride for Norway's Solbakken

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Only pride for Norway's Solbakken

Miami: Norway's amazing FIFA World Cup 2026 journey came to an end on Saturday but Stale Solbakken insisted his side had every reason to be proud.

Norway's fairytale run looked set to continue after Andreas Schjelderup gave them the lead but a Jude Bellingham brace - the second of which came in extra time - meant England advanced to a semi-final meeting with Argentina on Wednesday.

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Q-final: Norway 1-2 England (AET)

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Q-final: Norway 1-2 England (AET)

Miami Gardens: Jude Bellingham was England's hero once more by scoring twice as the Three Lions came from behind to end Norway's historic run and reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a 2-1 win after extra-time on Saturday.

In their first ever quarter-final, Andreas Schjelderup fired Norway into a shock lead in the searing Miami heat.

But Bellingham, who also netted a double in a memorable 3-2 over Mexico in the last 16, produced a moment of magic to equalise just before half-time.

Q-final: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET)

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Q-final: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET)

Kansas City: Julian Alvarez scored a breathtaking goal as Argentina battled past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time on Saturday, setting up a mouthwatering FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against England.

Alvarez's curling shot and Lautaro Martinez's tap-in settled a tense contest in second half extra-time after Alexis Mac Allister had opened the scoring and Dan Ndoye equalised for the Swiss, who had Breel Embolo sent off in the second half.

The hard-fought victory for Lionel Scaloni's men at the Kansas City Stadium means the top four teams in the FIFA World Ranking will contest the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament.

Courtois backs Lammens to bounce back

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Courtois backs Lammens to bounce back

Los Angeles: Thibaut Courtois rallied behind Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens on Friday after the Manchester United stopper's agonising late blunder gifted Spain a 2-1 victory in their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final.

Real Madrid star Courtois exited the game in the 71st minute after complaining of a muscular problem, making way for 24-year-old understudy Lammens at the Los Angeles Stadium.

But Lammens' appearance off the bench ended in calamity, when he failed to deal with a long-range strike from Pau Cubarsi, and Mikel Merino pounced to blast in an 88th-minute winner for Spain.

Deschamps leads France into familiar territory in final assignment

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Deschamps leads France into familiar territory in final assignment

New York: Didier Deschamps has had to cope with personal tragedy and the looming realisation that his long spell as head coach of France is about to end, but he looks more at ease than ever at this FIFA World Cup having led the favourites into the semi-finals.

On Thursday, France made light work of Morocco as goals by captain Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele gave them a 2-0 win in their last-eight clash in Boston.