From around the league
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
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England’s big calls pay off in 4-2 Croatia win
England beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener, with Harry Kane scoring twice, Jude Bellingham striking after the restart and the bench adding more.
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Thomas Tuchel wanted England to stop protecting the result against Croatia
Thomas Tuchel said England were too focused on protecting the result before their second-half surge against Croatia.
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Harry Kane breaks World Cup penalty record after retake drama against Croatia
Harry Kane is the first player to score five World Cup penalties after a retake against Croatia, moving past Lionel Messi's previous mark of four.
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USA vs Australia preview: Balogun and Beach headline the Group D battle
Folarin Balogun scored 2 against Paraguay and Patrick Beach made 8 saves on debut as USA vs Australia heads to Seattle in World Cup 2026 Group D.
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Canada's first-goal imperative against Qatar
Canada are 7-0-3 scoring first but never recover after conceding first (0-31). Jonathan David chases his first goal since September.
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At 40, Vozinha makes World Cup history—but almost without his mother watching
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, earns man of the match with clean sheet against Spain while his mother races to secure a U.S. visa to watch him.
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Van der Vaart's remarks overshadow Netherlands' World Cup draw with Japan
Van der Vaart's offensive remark overshadowed Netherlands' 2-2 World Cup draw, along with Van Dijk criticism and shin pad safety concerns raised.
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Cristiano Ronaldo makes World Cup history, but Portugal held to disappointing draw
Portugal held 1-1 by DR Congo as Ronaldo becomes oldest World Cup outfield player. Wissa's stoppage-time header gives Leopards historic draw.
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Elye Wahi arrested on match-fixing suspicion before World Cup
Ivory Coast star Elye Wahi arrested on suspicion of match-fixing for allegedly earning an intentional yellow card in Ligue 1—investigation ongoing as he
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João Neves shines as Portugal held by Congo DR
João Neves scored in the opening six minutes with an 8.0 rating, but Portugal drew 1-1 with Congo DR. Cristiano Ronaldo extended his nine-game major
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Djed Spence selected for England's World Cup opener against Croatia
Djed Spence selected for England's World Cup squad for today's Croatia opener, sporting distinctive protective headgear as the Three Lions begin their campaign.
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Tuchel's system-first philosophy: tournament readiness over reputation
Tuchel's England squad drops star players for system fit. Chalobah's selection restructures the defense; Foden, Palmer, Maguire, Shaw pay the price.
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Scotland's possession lesson: how Clarke plans to test Morocco
Steve Clarke demands improved possession from Scotland against Morocco, but plans to strike on the break.
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Portugal vs DR Congo: Leao and Conceicao on the bench
Portugal open their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo with Rafael Leao and Francisco Conceicao on the bench, while Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto start.
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England World Cup: Micah Richards backs England but warns on heat and Foden
Micah Richards says England have a real chance at the 2026 World Cup, but heat, strong opposition and Phil Foden's omission complicate things.
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Thomas Tuchel explains why Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out again
Tuchel explains why Chalobah replaced injured Livramento and why Trent Alexander-Arnold still was not recalled for England’s opener against Croatia.
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Croatia’s experienced core still makes England’s opener awkward
Croatia's World Cup opener against England looks awkward for one reason: Modric, Gvardiol, Kramaric and a proven core still carry real weight.
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Australia vs Türkiye: Beach and Irankunda drive a shock opener
Australia beat Türkiye 2-0 at World Cup 2026 as Patrick Beach made 8 saves and Nestory Irankunda scored on a compact 5-4-1.
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Adrien Rabiot pitch concerns overshadow France's win over Senegal
Adrien Rabiot criticised the New York New Jersey Stadium pitch after France's 3-1 win over Senegal, with Vinicius Junior backing the complaint.