Author: Rowan Clarke

England’s last-16 World Cup clash with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium carries the weight of history as well as the fierce intensity of an entire nation. The atmosphere in Mexico City was already reaching fever pitch more than 24 hours before the game, with giant screens erected along Paseo de la Reforma and car horns blaring along the historic avenue. Mexico have not conceded a single goal in the tournament and have lost only two competitive games out of 88 played at their spiritual home ground. England arrived in Mexico on Friday evening, giving them little time to adjust to…

Brazil face Norway in the World Cup last 16 on Sunday, and one of football’s most compelling personal rivalries takes centre stage at New York New Jersey Stadium. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel have been at the heart of a bitter feud throughout the Premier League’s most fiercely contested seasons in recent memory. Their meeting on the world stage adds an extraordinary subplot to a knockout tie that will determine who advances to the quarter-finals to meet either England or Mexico. Former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: “For all the battling for the Golden…

Everton have agreed a deal worth up to £24m, including add-ons, to bring Chelsea winger Tyrique George to Goodison Park on a permanent basis. The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on Merseyside after joining on loan, with an option to buy included in the original agreement for £25m. Everton have successfully renegotiated the upfront fee down to around £18m, with the remainder structured as add-ons linked to European qualification and appearances. Chelsea have also secured a 15% sell-on clause as part of the renegotiated agreement, giving them a future financial interest in the young winger’s development. George…

After 28 long years away from football’s biggest stage, Norway have finally returned to the World Cup and are dreaming of making history. Their last appearance came at France 98, a tournament that still holds a special place in Norwegian football folklore for more than one reason. It was at that World Cup where Norway produced one of the tournament’s great upsets, beating eventual runners-up Brazil in the group stage. Now, in a remarkable twist of fate, Norway face Brazil once again in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, reigniting that famous rivalry from nearly three decades ago.…

France have secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after edging past a determined Paraguay side in Philadelphia. Kylian Mbappe proved the difference between the two teams, converting a second-half penalty to give France a narrow but ultimately deserved victory. The 1-0 scoreline reflects just how stubborn Paraguay were throughout the contest, refusing to be overwhelmed by one of the tournament’s standout sides. France came into the match as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup, and they showed the resilience expected of a team with genuine aspirations of going all the way. Paraguay, however, made life…

Morocco’s World Cup campaign continues to gather momentum, even if their latest performance against Canada was far from a classic display of attacking football. The north African side beat the 2026 co-hosts 3-0 in their round of 16 tie in Houston, booking their place in the quarter-finals with a controlled if unspectacular victory. Morocco managed just five efforts on goal, the fewest recorded by any team winning a World Cup knockout match, and the first half produced more yellow cards than shots for the first time in World Cup history. Yet the Atlas Lions came through comfortably enough, and the…

England will not be intimidated by the Azteca Stadium or Mexico’s remarkable home record, according to Alan Shearer, who believes the players will embrace every challenge thrown at them. Shearer argues that once the players cross that famous white line, all the external noise surrounding the occasion will fade away completely. “All the talk stops when they run out anyway, and if they play the game rather than the occasion then I think they will win,” the former striker said. He acknowledges the fixture presents unique difficulties, including the altitude, the electric atmosphere, and a crowd expected to be around…

Morocco’s remarkable footballing rise continues at the 2026 World Cup, driven significantly by the stunning emergence of 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The teenager became an instant talking point across social media after a commanding performance in Morocco’s opening group stage match against Brazil. Bouaddi outshone established midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes, completing more accurate passes and registering more touches than any of his team-mates. Former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul told BBC Sport: “Anyone who has watched him at Lille knows his level. He is regarded as a top prospect.” Kachloul added: “Against players like Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno…

England were greeted by booing crowds as their team coach pulled up to their hotel ahead of Sunday’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico. Hundreds of locals gathered outside the hotel as England arrived on Friday, with some chanting “Mexico” and others making their feelings clearly known. Members of Mexico’s National Guard lined the hotel entrance, while police officers in riot gear stood beside barriers on the road outside. The hostile welcome, however, is just one of several significant challenges Thomas Tuchel’s side must navigate before kick-off at 01:00 BST on Monday. Ecuador lodged a noise complaint with Fifa after…

Only 16 teams remain in the 2026 World Cup, with the race to reach the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July now firmly underway. BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton had a strong round of predictions for the last 32, finishing with 13 correct results from 16 matches attempted. Paraguay’s shock victory over Germany caught Sutton out, along with the vast majority of readers, as just 2% of over 60,000 user predictions backed Paraguay to win. Morocco’s win over the Netherlands was the only other result that caught readers off guard, with most other outcomes correctly anticipated. Across the…