Spain captain Rodri crowned MVP

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Spain captain Rodri crowned MVP

East Rutherford: Spain captain Rodri won the Golden Ball award for the best player at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday after leading his team to a 1-0 victory against Argentina.

The 30-year-old Manchester City midfielder, who won the Ballon d'Or for the world's best player in 2024, said the team were "a bit shocked right now".

Rodri ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament while playing for City against Arsenal in September 2024, making his competitive return the following May.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3184736

Title belongs to all of Spain, says match-winner Torres

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Title belongs to all of Spain, says match-winner Torres

East Rutherford: Ferran Torres said his FIFA World Cup 2026-winning goal for Spain on Sunday belonged to "47 million people, not just me or the 26 players".

The Barcelona forward scored in the second period of extra-time as Spain finally broke down 10-man Argentina to win 1-0 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

The better team won, admits Argentina's Scaloni

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

The better team won, admits Argentina's Scaloni

East Rutherford: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain were the better team following his team's 1-0 extra-time defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday.

Substitute Ferran Torres scored in the second period of extra-time as Spain finally broke down 10-man Argentina to win 1-0 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

The South American champions, featuring star player Lionel Messi, had been seeking to become the first team since 1962 to win back-to-back FIFA World Cups.

Torres fires Spain to glory

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Torres fires Spain to glory

East Rutherford: Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi's dreams of a triumphant farewell to football's greatest stage.

Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team who failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.

Mbappe wins Golden Boot

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Mbappe wins Golden Boot

East Rutherford: Kylian Mbappe won the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot on Sunday after Lionel Messi failed to add to his tally in the final against Spain.

The France captain scored 10 goals to top the charts ahead of Argentina great Messi, who finished with eight.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Norway striker Erling Haaland each scored seven times.

Tuchel: England closing gap with elite teams

Sun, 19 Jul, 2026

Tuchel: England closing gap with elite teams

Miami: Thomas Tuchel said England had taken their first step in closing the gap on the top football nations after edging a 10-goal thriller against France to finish third at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in an entertaining 6-4 win in the heat of Miami while France's Kylian Mbappe became the leading scorer in tournament history by netting twice.

Tuchel spoke on the eve of the match about the pain of England's 2-1 semi-final defeat by Argentina on Wednesday, stressing the need to close the gap to the defending champions as well as France and Spain.