Pickford backs England to keep cool

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

Pickford backs England to keep cool

Kansas City: England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is confident his team will keep their cool in the heat of Wednesday's FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against Argentina.

The rivalry between the two teams is one of the spiciest in world football, influenced by events on and off the pitch.

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Preview - S-final: England v Argentina

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Preview - S-final: England v Argentina

Atlanta: England are bidding to end Lionel Messi's dream of winning back-to-back FIFA World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they renew their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semi-final showdown.

An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham take on Messi's Argentina under the roof of the spectacular arena in Atlanta, already the scene of a memorable victory by the defending champions at this tournament.

De la Fuente salutes Spain masterclass

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

De la Fuente salutes Spain masterclass

Arlington: Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente saluted his players as the "best team in the world" on Tuesday after a stunning 2-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final upset of France.

De la Fuente, who had repeatedly said Spain were the best side in the tournament, was left beaming with pride as La Roja outplayed France to reach Sunday's final.

It was another tactical masterpiece by the Spanish tactician, who oversaw his side's European Championship victory in 2024 and has now beaten France in three straight competitive matches.

Deschamp says France 'devastated' by defeat

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Deschamp says France 'devastated' by defeat

Arlington: France head coach Didier Deschamps said his players were left "devastated" by their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat to Spain on Tuesday.

Deschamps' free-flowing French team had dazzled the competition enroute to the last four, rattling in 16 goals in six games to earn comparisons to some of the greatest teams in FIFA World Cup history.

But France's dreams of a third FIFA World Cup title were left in tatters after a dominant Spanish performance that left Deschamps, who is stepping down after the tournament, struggling for answers.

S-final: Spain power past France

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

S-final: Spain power past France

Arlington: Spain stunned tournament favourites France 2-0 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Tuesday, producing a tactical masterpiece to shatter Les Bleus' dreams of winning the title for the third time.

A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a 58th-minute Pedro Porro goal sealed an utterly clinical victory for the European champions at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Spain, FIFA World Cup winners in 2010, will now face either Argentina or England in Sunday's final in New Jersey.

Haaland: We put Norway on the map

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Haaland: We put Norway on the map

Miami: Erling Haaland said Norway's FIFA World Cup 2026 performances had inspired a new generation despite the disappointment of a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to England after extra-time on Saturday.

Haaland failed to score for the first time in 15 competitive games for his country in Miami as Jude Bellingham's double fired England into the last four.

The Manchester City striker had scored seven times in his four games at a major international tournament to carry Norway to the quarter-finals in their first FIFA World Cup for 28 years.