Latest from Sam Whitfield
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Netherlands vs Sweden player ratings: Gakpo leads a 5-1 win in Houston
Cody Gakpo’s 9.6-rated display, Brian Brobbey’s early brace and Denzel Dumfries’ two assists powered Netherlands past Sweden 5-1 in Houston.
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Scotland penalty anger takes centre stage after Morocco defeat
Ryan Christie, Neil McCann and Christina Unkel all argued Scotland were denied key penalties in a 1-0 World Cup defeat to Morocco.
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World Cup siblings: the Doué brothers are the knockout subplot to watch
Seven pairs of brothers are at the World Cup, and Désiré and Guéla Doué could meet in the last 32 in Arlington, Texas on 30 June.
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Ronaldinho’s Ravenna move comes with a catch
Ronaldinho has signed for Ravenna, but the story is the mixed messaging over whether the 46-year-old will actually play in Serie C ahead of his Miami
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World Cup 2026's late-goal surge is becoming the tournament's defining trend
World Cup 2026 late goals now account for 28 of 96 goals, with five subs, longer stoppages and hydration breaks shaping matches.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns a FOX Sports debate into the night's sharpest line
Zlatan Ibrahimovic said ‘it’s not arrogance, it’s confidence’ on FOX Sports, with Thierry Henry’s reaction and Alexi Lalas’ pushback driving the debate.
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Brazil vs Haiti: Cunha makes his case with two goals
Matheus Cunha scored twice in Brazil's 3-0 win over Haiti, while Raphinha's 40th-minute hamstring scare and Neymar's return shaped the wider picture.
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Scotland vs Morocco: Saibari punishes Clarke's gamble
Ismael Saibari scored after 70 seconds as Scotland lost 1-0 to Morocco. Clarke's reshuffle and missed penalty appeals shaped the night.
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Brazil vs Haiti: Cunha shines, but Ancelotti keeps Brazil open
Matheus Cunha scored twice as Brazil beat Haiti 3-0, but Ancelotti said he does not want a clear identity and Neymar is available for Scotland.
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Miguel Almiron red card for mouth covering becomes World Cup first
Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off at a World Cup for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent, with Paraguay under pressure.
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Brazil player ratings vs Haiti show Cunha and Vinícius drove the win
Brazil player ratings vs Haiti: Matheus Cunha scored twice and earned 9.3, while Vinícius Júnior posted 8.2 in a controlled 3-0 win.
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Achraf Hakimi backed by Morocco after trial confirmation and boos
Achraf Hakimi was booed by Scotland fans after a court confirmed he should stand trial, but Morocco backed him and he played 96 minutes in a 1-0 win.
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Scotland vs Morocco: Clarke plays down Tierney worry and points to penalty calls
Steve Clarke said Kieran Tierney's withdrawal was only cramp after Scotland's 1-0 loss to Morocco, while arguing the penalty calls were live.
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Ecuador vs Curaçao preview
Ecuador need a response after a late loss to Ivory Coast, while Curaçao are trying to recover from a 7-1 debut defeat to Germany.
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Scotland Morocco penalty controversy defined Boston defeat
Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco turned into a refereeing row, with penalty claims for Scott McTominay and John McGinn, plus a red-card debate.
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Scotland vs Morocco was settled early, but the penalty debate will linger
Scotland vs Morocco turned on Ismael Saibari's 71-second goal and two denied Scotland penalty appeals in a 0-1 World Cup defeat.
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Belgium vs Iran preview: Belgium need a cleaner display in Group G
Belgium need a sharper display after a flat World Cup opener, while Iran arrive after a comeback draw. Group G is level on one point.
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Alex Freeman leads USA past Australia and into the knockout stages
USA vs Australia ended 2-0 as Alex Freeman scored and USA reached the World Cup knockout stages after another controlled display in Seattle.
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Frank Lampard close to new Coventry deal after promotion push
Frank Lampard is close to a new Coventry City contract after positive talks. Coventry want to keep the manager who won promotion and the title.
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Canada vs Qatar: David’s hat-trick and Koné’s injury define a 6-0 night
Jonathan David scored three in Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar, but Ismael Koné’s broken leg and the reaction around it defined the night.
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Scotland's World Cup knockout path is open after Haiti win
Scotland are top of Group C after a 1-0 win over Haiti, with realistic World Cup knockout routes now in play ahead of Morocco and Brazil.
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Ayyoub Bouaddi's Morocco debut shows why Lille's teen star is built for the biggest stage
Ayyoub Bouaddi's Morocco debut against Brazil ended with 87 touches, 60 passes and nine duels won, backing Olivier Giroud's praise.
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Tommy Widdrington says Aldershot's Wembley win should have been his exit
Tommy Widdrington says Aldershot failed to cash in on Wembley and warns the budget was set to fall after the 3-0 FA Trophy win.
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Scotland vs Morocco simulation puts Angus Gunn at the heart of World Cup drama
EA FC 26's Scotland vs Morocco simulation ends 0-0, with Angus Gunn making the decisive last-touch save after late Morocco pressure.
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Bristol supplies England's World Cup midfield again
Bristol City and Bristol Rovers have supplied England's World Cup players for six decades, from Norman Hunter's 1966 squad to Elliot Anderson's stellar
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Canada crushes Qatar with David hat-trick, but injury clouds triumph
Canada crushes Qatar 6-0 with Jonathan David's hat-trick, but Ismael Kone's serious leg injury overshadows the Group B victory.
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Derek McInnes: character over coaching at Rangers
Derek McInnes appointed Rangers manager. Expert analysis on character, resilience, and ending nine years of managerial instability at Ibrox.
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Mexico top Group A as Romo and Rangel punish South Korea at both ends
Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 to top Group A as Luis Romo scored after a Kim error and Raul Rangel's late double save kept the lead.
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Jonathan David's hat-trick and Ismael Koné's injury split Canada's historic night
Jonathan David scored a hat-trick as Canada beat Qatar 6-0, but Ismael Koné's serious injury changed the mood on a historic night.
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Canada’s first World Cup win was huge, but Ismael Koné’s injury changed the night
Canada beat Qatar 6-0 for their first World Cup win, but Jonathan David's hat-trick was overshadowed by a serious leg injury to Ismael Koné.
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John McGinn's goggles celebration carries a wider message
John McGinn says his goggles celebration began with nephew Jack's eyesight and now helps children feel more comfortable wearing glasses.
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Johan Manzambi's cameo has left Switzerland with a real selection call
Johan Manzambi scored twice in 24 minutes as Switzerland beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 4-1, leaving Murat Yakin with a real selection call.
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Netherlands vs Sweden preview: Depay, Isak and Gyökeres are the real story
Netherlands v Sweden preview: Memphis Depay has 24 World Cup minutes, while Sweden may keep the Isak-Gyokeres pairing after a 5-1 opener.
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Hearts lose Derek McInnes after coming so close to the title
Derek McInnes has left Hearts for Rangers after a 2nd-place, 80-point season. Tony Bloom and Jamestown now face another fast reset.
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Czech Republic vs South Africa: Mokoena rescues a draw after early Czech lead
Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty earned South Africa a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic after Michal Sadílek’s sixth-minute opener.
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Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina line-ups show a tight Group B contest
Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina meet in Group B at the 2026 World Cup, with five Serie A stars starting and both sides level after opening 1-1 draws.
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Celtic opener Monday night after SPFL fixture row
Celtic's opener against Dundee is on Monday August 3 at 7.30pm after SPFL scheduling pressure from the Commonwealth Games and Police Scotland.
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Ayyoub Bouaddi backed for Real Madrid move by Giroud
Olivier Giroud says Ayyoub Bouaddi could join Real Madrid next season, praising the Lille midfielder’s calmness, maturity and finishing potential.
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Brazil vs Haiti preview: Ancelotti plans changes as Brazil chase a first win
Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco and need a response against Haiti. Carlo Ancelotti is expected to reshape the XI, with Neymar and Casemiro in focus.
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Motherwell turn to Alfred Johansson as data-led succession plan continues
Alfred Johansson has been appointed by Motherwell after a data-led process, with the club pushing continuity after Jens Berthel Askou's exit.