Yamal aiming to steal Mbappe's thunder

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Yamal aiming to steal Mbappe's thunder

Arlington: Lamine Yamal is hoping to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the FIFA World Cup as a teenager, but first his Spain side will have to get the better of France and their superstar captain in Tuesday's semi-final.

When Mbappe scored in France's win over Croatia in the deciding match of the 2018 tournament, he was just 19 years and 207 days old. He therefore became only the second teenager to score in a FIFA World Cup final after a 17-year-old Pele in 1958.

Mbappe's love affair with the FIFA World Cup began then, while this is Yamal's first experience of the competition.

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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.

Alvarez hails resilient Argentina

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Alvarez hails resilient Argentina

Kansas City: Julian Alvarez said "you have to know how to suffer" after Argentina came through yet another gruelling FIFA World Cup 2026 test to beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals following extra-time on Saturday.

The Atletico Madrid forward scored Argentina's decisive second goal in the 112th minute in Kansas City to finally end the resistance of the European team.

The Swiss mounted a robust rearguard action after Breel Embolo was dismissed in the second half - shown a second yellow card for simulation.

But Alvarez eventually broke their hearts with a stunning curling effort into the top corner and Lautaro Martinez added a last-gasp third.

Tuchel says 'lucky' England must improve

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Tuchel says 'lucky' England must improve

Miami: England head coach Thomas Tuchel said his team were "lucky" to squeeze past Norway 2-1 after extra-time to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, but praised "world-class" Jude Bellingham after his two goals dragged the Three Lions to victory.

A furious Tuchel was in little mood to celebrate despite England reaching the last four for just the fourth time in history after Bellingham's double overturned Andreas Schjelderup's opener.

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.