Author: James Brooks

Egypt’s World Cup campaign ended in devastating fashion as Argentina completed a stunning 3-2 comeback victory in Atlanta Stadium to send the Pharaohs home furious. With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Egypt led the reigning world champions 2-0 and were within touching distance of a first-ever World Cup quarter-final. Cristian Romero reduced the deficit in the 79th minute before captain Lionel Messi equalised four minutes later to level the scores at 2-2. Enzo Fernandez then completed a remarkable Argentina turnaround with a header in the second minute of stoppage time to send Argentina’s fans wild with delight. In an…

Argentina produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Cup history, scoring three goals in 14 minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Egypt in Atlanta. Lionel Messi stood in floods of tears at the final whistle, sobbing on the shoulders of his team-mates after yet another extraordinary chapter in his World Cup story. The 39-year-old had been captured on the giant screens looking up in despair as Argentina trailed Egypt with less than 20 minutes remaining. Egypt had led through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, with keeper Mostafa Shobeir producing an inspired performance to frustrate the…

Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene has confirmed that Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The 24-year-old suffered the injury while playing for Belgium in their 4-1 last-16 victory over the United States at the World Cup. Onana went down clutching his right knee after attempting to reach the ball before United States forward Christian Pulisic. He was substituted just 21 minutes into the match, limping off following treatment on the pitch before later being seen on crutches and wearing a knee brace. Hacene described the diagnosis as devastating, confirming the extent…

Scotland fans watched with a mixture of admiration and envy as Norway dismantled record World Cup winners Brazil 2-0 in their round of 16 match in New Jersey. ITV commentator Sam Matterface described the Scandinavians as “a force to be reckoned with” as the clock ticked past 92 minutes against Carlo Ancelotti’s much-fancied Brazilian side. Erling Haaland, described by Matterface as an “absolute monster” of a world-class forward, scored both goals to take his tournament tally to seven and book Norway’s place in the quarter-finals. Norway’s return to the World Cup ends a 28-year absence from the tournament, a detail…

La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched a fierce attack on what he calls the “complicit silence” protecting Fifa following the Folarin Balogun suspension saga. Balogun, the United States striker, was controversially allowed to play in America’s 4-1 last-16 defeat to Belgium at the 2026 World Cup despite holding a one-game ban. Fifa’s disciplinary committee opted to suspend that ban for 12 months, allowing Balogun to feature in the knockout fixture rather than sit it out. The ban had originally been triggered after referee Raphael Claus showed Balogun a red card during the United States match against Bosnia-Herzegovina following a…

Liam Rosenior has been appointed as the new manager of Paris FC, returning to French football just months after his sacking by Chelsea. The 41-year-old spent less than four months at Stamford Bridge before being relieved of his duties in April, and has now signed a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 club. His deal is understood to include an option for a further season, giving Paris FC the flexibility to extend the arrangement if results go well. Rosenior replaces Antoine Kombouare, who oversaw a disappointing campaign that saw Paris FC finish 11th in Ligue 1 last season. The club,…

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin has revealed his squad felt a deep “sense of injustice” after Fifa suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash. Balogun, 25, had received a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic and appeared certain to miss the tie in Seattle. Fifa controversially suspended the automatic ban for 12 months on Sunday, drawing fierce criticism from multiple high-profile figures across European football. Uefa, Belgium and England head coach Thomas Tuchel were among those to publicly condemn the ruling as a dangerous and troubling precedent for the sport. US…

Belgium secured a comfortable victory over the United States to advance to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where they will face Spain. The result brings an end to the co-hosts’ tournament, with the Americans exiting in disappointing fashion after a series of defensive errors proved costly. Belgium were clinical throughout, taking full advantage of a United States backline that struggled to maintain its shape and concentration during the contest. The match was not without controversy, however, with significant debate surrounding the delayed suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun hanging over proceedings. Balogun’s availability for the fixture drew widespread scrutiny,…

Portugal’s extraordinary Cristiano Ronaldo has played his final World Cup match, ending in a 1-0 last-16 defeat against Spain in Dallas. Mikel Merino’s injury-time goal sent Spain through, leaving the 41-year-old in tears as his tournament dream finally came to an end. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and five-time Champions League winner, holds a world-record 976 goals for club and country. He has scored at a record six World Cups, though the closest he came to winning it was Portugal’s semi-final appearance in 2006. The forward had already confirmed this would be his last World Cup, but when asked…

France forward Kylian Mbappe has hit back at a Paraguayan senator who made a series of racist remarks mocking his origins and education following their World Cup exit. Senator Celeste Amarilla, a member of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, posted the comments on X after her country’s last-16 defeat by France at the 2026 World Cup. Mbappe responded directly and forcefully, addressing the senator by name in a public statement that quickly drew widespread attention across social media. “Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,” Mbappe wrote in his response to the senator’s remarks. “You…