Author: James Brooks

Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored his seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup as the holders edged past Cape Verde in a dramatic 3-2 victory in Miami. The win secured Argentina’s place in the last 16 and extended Messi’s status as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, with his 20th finals goal coming in the round of 32. Messi timed his run perfectly onto Lisandro Martinez’s pass, taking the ball in his stride before lifting it over the Cape Verde keeper with his first touch. Former Scotland forward James McFadden, commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, described the finish as “just…

Cape Verde arrived in the United States as 67th-ranked outsiders, but they depart as one of the most celebrated stories in World Cup history. In a tournament featuring Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, it was the Blue Sharks who captured the imagination of fans across the globe. Their journey had everything — a heroic goalless draw against European champions Spain, their first World Cup goals against Uruguay, and a stunning near-upset against reigning world champions Argentina. When extra time ended in Miami, Cape Verde’s players slumped to the turf following a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat by Argentina,…

Egypt have made history at the 2026 World Cup by defeating Australia on penalties to record their first ever victory in the knockout stage of the tournament. The North African side edged a tense shootout by four goals to two after the two sides could not be separated during 90 minutes of football. The match had finished level at 1-1 after normal time, sending the tie to a shootout that Egypt ultimately controlled with composure and precision. It is a landmark result for Egyptian football, with the nation never previously having won a match at this stage of a World…

After a difficult debut campaign at St James’ Park, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa offered encouraging signs during their performances at the World Cup. The pair combined for five goals at the tournament, matching their entire goal tally from their first season together at Newcastle United. Head coach Eddie Howe had already expressed faith in the club’s summer recruits, saying: “I believe in all those signings. I think they will come good.” Newcastle spent over £100m net last summer, but aside from defender Malick Thiaw, the club did not see enough immediate return on that investment. The club are already…

Tickets originally purchased by England fans for Monday’s World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico are appearing on Fifa’s official resale portal at staggering prices. The Football Association has confirmed the tickets were purchased through the England Supporters’ Travel Club ballot after the draw was made in December. The most expensive tickets currently listed are four grouped together, each carrying a face value of $605 (£460) but now priced at $30,000 (£22,800) apiece. A 15% Fifa buyer fee takes the total cost to $34,500 (£26,220), representing 57 times the original face value of the tickets. Sellers must also pay Fifa a…

One year ago, the football world was left devastated by the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash. Jota, who was 28 at the time of his passing, had lifted the Premier League title with Liverpool just weeks before, capping a remarkable final chapter to his career. He had also married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, just 11 days before the tragic accident claimed his life. Across 182 appearances for Liverpool, Jota scored 65 goals and contributed to FA Cup and League Cup glory in 2022,…

Celtic have had an opening bid rejected for Qarabag centre-forward Camilo Duran as the Scottish champions look to bolster their attacking options this summer. The Azerbaijani club are holding firm over their valuation of the Colombian marksman, who has attracted widespread attention following an impressive 2025/26 campaign. Manager Martin O’Neill is understood to want two new number nines added to his squad during the off-season transfer window. Duran, who is 24 years old, is contracted at Qarabag until the summer of 2028, giving the club significant leverage in any negotiations over his future. Celtic were working towards a deal in…

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a goal disallowed for offside during Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 clash against Croatia in Toronto. The decision proved a significant moment in the match, denying Portugal what would have been an equalising strike from their talismanic forward. Ronaldo, who has been one of the most talked-about figures at this summer’s tournament, saw his effort correctly flagged as the officials applied the offside rule. The match in Toronto is one of several World Cup fixtures being played across North American host cities as the 2026 tournament continues to gather momentum. Portugal entered the…

Portugal survived the most dramatic of finishes to eliminate Croatia from the 2026 World Cup in Toronto, with a VAR decision of enormous consequence settling the tie. Croatia thought they had equalised in the 13th minute of stoppage time when Josko Gvardiol tapped home from close range, sparking wild celebrations among the Croatian players and supporters. BBC commentator Steve Wilson described it as “one of the biggest VAR decisions there has ever been” as officials moved to review the goal for offside. The key question centred on whether Croatia’s Igor Matanovic had flicked the ball on during the build-up, with…

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has equalised from the penalty spot in his side’s FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 clash against Croatia in Toronto. The veteran forward stepped up to convert the spot kick and pull Portugal back into what has been a tightly contested encounter at the tournament in North America. Ronaldo remains one of the most reliable penalty takers in world football, and he showed his composure once again by dispatching the kick with characteristic confidence. Portugal and Croatia are two of European football’s most established international sides, making this a highly anticipated last 32 fixture at…