From around the league
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
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Thomas Tuchel on Messi and England's semi-final mood
Thomas Tuchel said England are hungry and ready for Argentina, while warning that Lionel Messi cannot be stopped all the time.
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Spain's defensive fortress dismantles France to reach World Cup final
Spain crushed France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final with their record sixth clean sheet in seven matches, reaching their second final since 2010.
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Enrique Macaya Marquez at 91: measuring seven decades without a hierarchy
At 91, Macaya covers his 18th World Cup. His philosophy on why Pele, Maradona, and Messi can't be ranked as the greatest.
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Ismail Elfath to referee England v Argentina World Cup semi-final
Ismail Elfath referees England v Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, his fourth 2026 match after sending off Uruguay's Cannobio in the group stage.
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It's just a football game: how Scaloni is framing Argentina's test
Messi's eye injury and squad fatigue shadow Argentina's World Cup semi-final against England. Scaloni strips away the hype with a pragmatic message: just
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We let them control: Mbappé's confession on France's World Cup exit
Mbappé's admission that France 'let the midfield too much time to play' reveals Spain's World Cup semifinal victory came from tactical mastery, not the penalty.
Tuesday, 14 July 2026
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Spain's midfield stranglehold breaks France's World Cup campaign
Spain's 2-0 World Cup semifinal victory over France was decided in midfield, where Rodri and Fabián Ruiz neutralized the tournament's most dangerous attack.
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Tuchel's fullback blueprint against Argentina
England target Argentina's fullback weakness in World Cup semifinal. Kane and Bellingham on 12 combined goals with Tuchel's tactical plan.
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Spain's ratings paint a masterclass in dominance
Spain dominate France 2-0 in World Cup semi-final; player ratings (Rodri 7.13, Mbappé 5.89) show complete superiority.
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Spain's defensive masterclass shuts down Mbappé and France's tournament favorites
Spain defeated France 2-0, completely neutralizing Mbappé (5.89 rating) and Olise (0 created chances). Spain's 37-match unbeaten run extends into the
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William Saliba forced out of World Cup semifinal after 30 minutes with back injury
William Saliba limps out of World Cup semifinal after 30 min with back injury. France loses defensive anchor; Arsenal faces deepening injury crisis for 2026-27.
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Barcelona's midfield battle defines Spain's World Cup semifinal
Spain vs France World Cup semifinal: Barcelona's midfield face Mbappé's 8 goals and France's 16-3 perfect record. Dallas determines who reaches the final.
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Mac Allister backtracks on England before World Cup semi-final
Mac Allister backtracks on England dismissal as they face Argentina in World Cup semi-final. Messi on 8 tournament goals.
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Declan Rice ready for England's Argentina semi-final despite illness battle
Rice has recovered from illness and injuries to be available for England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium.
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From Liverpool disappointment to World Cup essential: Mac Allister's redemption
Mac Allister faces England in the World Cup semi-final after a disappointing Liverpool season. How the midfielder became Argentina's tournament essential.
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Bellingham has already won the England captaincy race, experts say
Bellingham's World Cup dominance — 9.2 knockout rating, six goals — has convinced experts he, not Rice, will succeed Kane as England captain.
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Messi's long-awaited test: England, finally, after 205 caps
England vs Argentina World Cup semi-final: Messi faces England for the first time in 205 international appearances, with England chasing their first final
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Diego Forlan named as Uruguay interim coach after World Cup failure
Diego Forlan becomes Uruguay interim coach after World Cup failure. Like Scaloni in Argentina, he has until March 2027 to earn a permanent role.
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France v Spain: the semi-final that feels like the final
Chris Sutton says France v Spain should be the final, backing France on firepower despite Spain's control and one-goal defensive record.
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Lionel Messi's new Argentina role is England's biggest semi-final problem
Lionel Messi has 8 goals and 2 assists for Argentina, but his lower-running, high-impact role is the real problem for England.