Match story
- Argentina fired more attempts (18 vs 10 shots).
- Paraguay was more accurate in front of goal (60% on target vs 50%).
- Argentina held more of the ball (69% possession).
Argentina and Paraguay drew 2-2 in Copa America. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 1 stage in the 2015 season. The match was played at La Portada in La Serena. Wilmar Roldan, Colombia officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Argentina vs Paraguay meeting in Copa America with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Argentina and Paraguay. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Copa AmericaRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Argentina and Paraguay drew 2-2 in Copa America. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 1 stage in the 2015 season. The match was played at La Portada in La Serena. Wilmar Roldan, Colombia officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Argentina vs Paraguay meeting in Copa America with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Argentina and Paraguay. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Copa AmericaSimeone keen on move for Spurs defenderVan de Ven expected to pen five-year extensionTottenham are in talks with Atlético Madrid over the sale of Cristian Romero after categorically rejecting Arsenal’s approach for the Argentina defender and are expected to agree a new five-year deal with Micky van de Ven.Romero has made no secret of his desire to leave Spurs despite signing a new four-year contract at the start of last season and had looked set to join Inter for a fee of around £35m. But Atlético are long-term suitors of the 28-year-old and are thought to be his preferred destination, with Diego Simeone’s side understood to be prepared to match Inter’s bid. Continue reading...
With the focus set on the 2028 Copa America, Argentina FA president casted doubts on the future of Lionel Messi in the national team: "It's his decision." Lionel Messi once again served as Argentina‘s undisputed leader on soccer’s biggest stage during the 2026 World Cup, but questions surrounding his future involvement with the national team remain unresolved. With the 2028 Copa América looming as the next major international tournament, Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia left the decision entirely up to the star forward, stating, “It’s his decision.” In an interview with TyC Sports, Tapia was asked about Messi’s future with the Albiceleste following another memorable World Cup run, delivering a candid response: “It is purely and personal to him, we have to leave him in peace. It was a great World Cup by Leo, we enjoyed it a lot. We have to feel proud, and I enjoyed every moment I could because I saw him on the pitch. Without a doubt, he was the flag bearer of the group in this World Cup, just as he was in every competition where he led this group.” Tapia went on to highlight Messi’s extraordinary track record since Lionel Scaloni assumed control of the bench. “Out of 5 finals, he won 4, and out of 103 matches, 76 won, 19 drawn, 8 lost. If you count from World Cup to World Cup, from 2022 to 2026, we lost two matches: the first one in Qatar against Saudi Arabia, and the last one against Spain. If you sit down and analyze the World Cup he had, for me, the best player in the World Cup final was him. And he was breaking records match after match,” he added. Since Scaloni’s managerial debut against Guatemala in 2018, Argentina has netted 190 total goals, with Messi directly involved in 79 of them, racking up 60 goals and 26 assists to remain the focal point of this golden era. Lautaro Martinez trails him with 40 goals, while Julian Alvarez sits third with 15, emphasizing how vital the Inter Miami superstar remains to his country. AFA president Claudio Tapia hugs Lionel Messi after losing to Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Looking ahead, the team’s primary focus shifts toward the 2028 Copa America, the next major competition on Argentina’s calendar. While Messi will still be under contract with Inter Miami through December of that year, the fact that he will turn 41 during the tournament casts uncertainty over his participation, let alone his availability for the 2030 World Cup. “It is his decision, pure and exclusive to him. He has to feel the desire like he felt (before)… In 2022, you didn’t know if he was going to be here in 2026. He said ‘this is match by match,’ and I think we saw a great version, if not the best version of Leo in this World Cup. I believe we have to leave him in peace, let him keep enjoying what he likes, which is playing football, and let us also keep enjoying, and let him make the decision he believes is right,” Tapia concluded. Comparing Messi’s timeline to Di Maria’s send-off Angel Di Maria established himself as arguably the second most influential player of the Scaloni era, delivering iconic goals in major finals before closing out his international career after the 2024 Copa America. While Messi has yet to announce a final decision, Tapia emphasized that the captain will evaluate his own physical state rather than rushing into retirement. Reflecting on the fitness of Di Maria, who currently plays for Rosario Central, Tapia noted. “Fideo scored important goals, and I saw him play in the local tournament, and he was easily fit to play (in the World Cup). I don’t get into the decisions of the coaching staff, but he also made clear that he was retired from the national team. So one has to be respectful of everything. He felt he was fulfilled.“ When asked whether Messi still possesses that unquenchable drive to keep competing for Argentina, Tapia referenced a shared moment between the two. “I was talking with him about that in a series, about never gi
The fallout from the abandoned World Cup investment proposal continues to divide the governing body, with major soccer powers questioning the direction of the organization. Gianni Infantino’s future at FIFA has become increasingly uncertain after England changed its position ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, adding further pressure to a leadership battle that has shaken world soccer. The fallout from the abandoned World Cup investment proposal continues to divide the governing body, with major soccer powers questioning the direction of the organization. The crisis has grown beyond the original controversy surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the proposed company that would have allowed private investors to purchase a stake in future World Cup commercial revenues. While the plan has been withdrawn, the damage to Infantino’s relationships with several important stakeholders appears far from resolved. FIFA crisis deepens after abandoned World Cup investment plan Infantino faced intense criticism after his proposal to create a new commercial entity and raise around $4.2 billion through private investment triggered opposition from multiple soccer organizations. The plan would have involved selling approximately 20 percent of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company designed to oversee commercial rights connected to competitions such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. The proposal quickly became one of the biggest political challenges of Infantino’s presidency since he took over FIFA in 2016. UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Soccer Confederation all expressed concerns about the lack of consultation, with UEFA describing the initiative as a “shabby, back room, opaque deal.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Although Infantino eventually abandoned the project, UEFA made it clear that the decision alone was not enough to repair the damage. “First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again. These conditions have not been met,” UEFA said in a statement. The European governing body has maintained that it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership and has even discussed possible future action, including a potential boycott of FIFA competitions. England FA reveals positon on Infantino’s re-election bid The biggest development came when the English Football Association formally withdrew its support for Infantino’s candidacy for another term as FIFA president. The decision means England will no longer back Infantino’s attempt to remain in charge from 2027 to 2031. The FA’s position followed similar moves from Wales, Serbia, Sweden and Finland, with several national associations distancing themselves from the FIFA president after the failed investment proposal. The English federation reportedly decided that Infantino’s apology and FIFA’s internal response did not change its concerns. “The FA has sent a letter withdrawing its support for Infantino in reaction to the plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors,” BBC Sport reported. Julian Alvarez #9 of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal. The decision represents a major setback for Infantino because England remains one of the most influential national associations in world soccer. While the number of federations publicly opposing him remains limited compared with FIFA’s 211 members, the growing criticism from established soccer nations has increased pressure ahead of the election. UEFA considers next steps as Infantino fights to stay in power UEFA now faces a difficult challenge in trying to remove Infantino before the 2027 election. A vote of no confidence would require support from a majority of FIFA’s 211 members, meaning European opposition alone would not be enough. Another possibility would be finding a rival candidate capable of challenging Infantino during the election. CONCACAF president Victor Mo
National Football Teams Day established for 15 JulyPost-match celebrations included Falklands bannerArgentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England last month is being commemorated by the country’s football association, the AFA, which has established 15 July as National Football Teams Day.“The date was chosen to commemorate Argentina’s historic victory over England in the World Cup semi-final,” an article on the AFA’s official website stated after a meeting of its executive board on Wednesday. “Lionel Scaloni’s team was trailing the English side by a single goal, but with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, they turned the game around, sending the entire nation into a frenzy of celebration. Continue reading...
Manchester City is close to reaching an agreement with Marseille for goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, according to VoetbalPrimeur. Personal terms have already been settled, leaving the two clubs to finalize the transfer fee. City initially offered €2 million, while Marseille requested around €3.5 million for the Argentina international. Negotiations have progressed since that opening proposal, and […] The post Manchester City nears €3.5 million agreement for Gerónimo Rulli appeared first on SoccerNews.
The USMNT confirmed their first friendlies since the 2026 World Cup, and Christian Pulisic now knows his rivals for the FIFA window. Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national team now know exactly who stands between them and their first response to a disappointing home World Cup. US Soccer confirmed that the USMNT will play four friendlies during the merged September-October FIFA window: Peru on September 26 at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Chile on September 29 at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and Canada on October 6 at Allianz Field in St. Paul. These will be the USMNT‘s first matches since their 2026 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16, where the U.S. fell 1-4 to Belgium. Much was expected of Pulisic, whose own tournament was hampered by injury throughout. He was electric in the opener against Paraguay, picking up an assist, before a calf knock forced him off at halftime, and while he returned for the following matches, his form dipped noticeably by the time the U.S. faced Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium — a drop-off later explained by a bone bruise and microfracture he was playing through. A FOUR-MATCH WINDOW IS SET FOR THIS FALL!🇺🇸🆚🇵🇪 – 9/26 in Orlando, FL🇺🇸🆚🇨🇱 – 9/29 in St. Louis, MO🇺🇸🆚🇲🇽 – 10/3 in Glendale, AZ🇺🇸🆚🇨🇦 – 10/6 in St. Paul, MN🔗 https://t.co/SVoF4Ixmch pic.twitter.com/RwqDMqC4O8— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) August 4, 2026 Pochettino locked in through 2030 These friendlies also double as the first fixtures of a newly extended era. Despite the underwhelming World Cup exit on home soil, Mauricio Pochettino agreed to a new USMNT contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup, a deal U.S. Soccer framed as a long-term bet on continuity rather than a reaction to a single tournament. “Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger,” Pochettino said. He also pointed to ambitions beyond results on the field, saying the goal is to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed him so warmly. US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone backed the extension, pointing to Pochettino’s experience as a boost not just for the senior team but for the broader player development pipeline, and citing the long tenures of coaches like Lionel Scaloni and Didier Deschamps as models for sustained success across multiple World Cup cycles.
After turning into Spain's hero in the 2026 World Cup final, Ferran Torres casted doubts on his future at FC Barcelona, while coach Hansi Flick weighed the possibility of playing Lamine Yamal in a false-nine role. Ferran Torres became a national hero this summer after scoring the winning goal for Spain in the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina, but his future at the club level remains far from settled. With the forward publicly questioning his continuity at Barcelona, head coach Hansi Flick is weighing the possibility of deploying teenage star Lamine Yamal in a false-nine role during the 2026–27 campaign. As Barcelona‘s preseason preparations continue, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski departed the club as a free agent to join Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, while transfer negotiations for River Plate standout Julián Álvarez have stalled. For now, Torres stands as the roster’s only proven central striker, making his potential departure an urgent dilemma for the front office. In an interview with sports business outlet Sportico, Torres addressed swirling transfer reports linking him to Paris Saint-Germain, refusing to rule out an exit: “It’s always good when these teams want you. It’s good, but in the end I have a contract with Barcelona. It’s true that in soccer you never know what’s going to happen, but the good part is the fact that, since I have a contract, I can wait and decide on my own account.“ When asked what the Blaugrana would need to do to secure his long-term commitment, Torres was direct. “Barca has to show that they want me. They can come to negotiate and, in the end, everything will be discussed,” the former Manchester City forward stated. 🔵🔴El medio Sportico pregunta a Ferran Torres sobre qué tiene que hacer el Barça para retenerle: "Mostrar que me quieren, que vengan a negociar y al final todo es hablar"‼️Sobre el PSG: "Que te quieran en estos equipos es bueno. Yo tengo contrato con el Barcelona. Es verdad… pic.twitter.com/h3y87rfxVH— Diario SPORT (@sport) August 3, 2026 Torres’ current contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the 2026–27 season in June, meaning the club must either agree to an extension or facilitate a transfer to avoid losing him as an uncompensated free agent. Following his World Cup heroics with Spain, the 26-year-old forward has yet to report to preseason camp, taking extended leave before rejoining the squad on Aug. 12. While PSG’s interest continues to build, a formal opening bid has yet to materialize. However, according to a report from Diario Sport, Barcelona is seeking at least €55 million (roughly $63 million USD) to sanction a transfer, a figure that would allow the club to recoup its initial investment when signing him from Manchester City. Yamal to cover the central striker role? With many international stars still away on mandatory post-World Cup leave, Flick finds himself severely short on options through the middle. While Barcelona boasts depth along the wings, the German manager addressed the squad’s tactical flexibility as preparations ramp up. Speaking to reporters outside St. James’ Park during the team’s English tour, Flick was asked whether utilizing Lamine Yamal as a central false nine was under consideration: “Lamine has already played (there) in one of two games with us. I think he’s a fantastic player, a world-class player so he can also adapt to this. But at the end, the focus is more as a seven (down the wing), but we’ll see what happens.“ During the 2025-26 season, Yamal earned two starts in a central false-nine capacity, featuring against CD Guadalajara and Real Betis in December. In both instances, the teenager operated out of the central channel while orchestrating play behind Marcus Rashford or Torres as the focal point up front. While noting that summer additions Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi “can both feature as a No. 9,” Flick acknowledged that tactical adjustments will depend heavily on transfer developments. “Ultimately, it comes down t
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Simeone keen on move for Spurs defenderVan de Ven expected to pen five-year extensionTottenham are in talks with Atlético Madrid over the sale of Cristian Romero after categorically rejecting Arsenal’s approach for the Argentina defender and are expected to agree a new five-year deal with Micky van de Ven.Romero has made no secret of his desire to leave Spurs despite signing a new four-year contract at the start of last season and had looked set to join Inter for a fee of around £35m. But Atlético are long-term suitors of the 28-year-old and are thought to be his preferred destination, with Diego Simeone’s side understood to be prepared to match Inter’s bid. Continue reading...
With the focus set on the 2028 Copa America, Argentina FA president casted doubts on the future of Lionel Messi in the national team: "It's his decision." Lionel Messi once again served as Argentina‘s undisputed leader on soccer’s biggest stage during the 2026 World Cup, but questions surrounding his future involvement with the national team remain unresolved. With the 2028 Copa América looming as the next major international tournament, Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia left the decision entirely up to the star forward, stating, “It’s his decision.” In an interview with TyC Sports, Tapia was asked about Messi’s future with the Albiceleste following another memorable World Cup run, delivering a candid response: “It is purely and personal to him, we have to leave him in peace. It was a great World Cup by Leo, we enjoyed it a lot. We have to feel proud, and I enjoyed every moment I could because I saw him on the pitch. Without a doubt, he was the flag bearer of the group in this World Cup, just as he was in every competition where he led this group.” Tapia went on to highlight Messi’s extraordinary track record since Lionel Scaloni assumed control of the bench. “Out of 5 finals, he won 4, and out of 103 matches, 76 won, 19 drawn, 8 lost. If you count from World Cup to World Cup, from 2022 to 2026, we lost two matches: the first one in Qatar against Saudi Arabia, and the last one against Spain. If you sit down and analyze the World Cup he had, for me, the best player in the World Cup final was him. And he was breaking records match after match,” he added. Since Scaloni’s managerial debut against Guatemala in 2018, Argentina has netted 190 total goals, with Messi directly involved in 79 of them, racking up 60 goals and 26 assists to remain the focal point of this golden era. Lautaro Martinez trails him with 40 goals, while Julian Alvarez sits third with 15, emphasizing how vital the Inter Miami superstar remains to his country. AFA president Claudio Tapia hugs Lionel Messi after losing to Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Looking ahead, the team’s primary focus shifts toward the 2028 Copa America, the next major competition on Argentina’s calendar. While Messi will still be under contract with Inter Miami through December of that year, the fact that he will turn 41 during the tournament casts uncertainty over his participation, let alone his availability for the 2030 World Cup. “It is his decision, pure and exclusive to him. He has to feel the desire like he felt (before)… In 2022, you didn’t know if he was going to be here in 2026. He said ‘this is match by match,’ and I think we saw a great version, if not the best version of Leo in this World Cup. I believe we have to leave him in peace, let him keep enjoying what he likes, which is playing football, and let us also keep enjoying, and let him make the decision he believes is right,” Tapia concluded. Comparing Messi’s timeline to Di Maria’s send-off Angel Di Maria established himself as arguably the second most influential player of the Scaloni era, delivering iconic goals in major finals before closing out his international career after the 2024 Copa America. While Messi has yet to announce a final decision, Tapia emphasized that the captain will evaluate his own physical state rather than rushing into retirement. Reflecting on the fitness of Di Maria, who currently plays for Rosario Central, Tapia noted. “Fideo scored important goals, and I saw him play in the local tournament, and he was easily fit to play (in the World Cup). I don’t get into the decisions of the coaching staff, but he also made clear that he was retired from the national team. So one has to be respectful of everything. He felt he was fulfilled.“ When asked whether Messi still possesses that unquenchable drive to keep competing for Argentina, Tapia referenced a shared moment between the two. “I was talking with him about that in a series, about never gi
The fallout from the abandoned World Cup investment proposal continues to divide the governing body, with major soccer powers questioning the direction of the organization. Gianni Infantino’s future at FIFA has become increasingly uncertain after England changed its position ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, adding further pressure to a leadership battle that has shaken world soccer. The fallout from the abandoned World Cup investment proposal continues to divide the governing body, with major soccer powers questioning the direction of the organization. The crisis has grown beyond the original controversy surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the proposed company that would have allowed private investors to purchase a stake in future World Cup commercial revenues. While the plan has been withdrawn, the damage to Infantino’s relationships with several important stakeholders appears far from resolved. FIFA crisis deepens after abandoned World Cup investment plan Infantino faced intense criticism after his proposal to create a new commercial entity and raise around $4.2 billion through private investment triggered opposition from multiple soccer organizations. The plan would have involved selling approximately 20 percent of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company designed to oversee commercial rights connected to competitions such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. The proposal quickly became one of the biggest political challenges of Infantino’s presidency since he took over FIFA in 2016. UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Soccer Confederation all expressed concerns about the lack of consultation, with UEFA describing the initiative as a “shabby, back room, opaque deal.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Although Infantino eventually abandoned the project, UEFA made it clear that the decision alone was not enough to repair the damage. “First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again. These conditions have not been met,” UEFA said in a statement. The European governing body has maintained that it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership and has even discussed possible future action, including a potential boycott of FIFA competitions. England FA reveals positon on Infantino’s re-election bid The biggest development came when the English Football Association formally withdrew its support for Infantino’s candidacy for another term as FIFA president. The decision means England will no longer back Infantino’s attempt to remain in charge from 2027 to 2031. The FA’s position followed similar moves from Wales, Serbia, Sweden and Finland, with several national associations distancing themselves from the FIFA president after the failed investment proposal. The English federation reportedly decided that Infantino’s apology and FIFA’s internal response did not change its concerns. “The FA has sent a letter withdrawing its support for Infantino in reaction to the plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors,” BBC Sport reported. Julian Alvarez #9 of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal. The decision represents a major setback for Infantino because England remains one of the most influential national associations in world soccer. While the number of federations publicly opposing him remains limited compared with FIFA’s 211 members, the growing criticism from established soccer nations has increased pressure ahead of the election. UEFA considers next steps as Infantino fights to stay in power UEFA now faces a difficult challenge in trying to remove Infantino before the 2027 election. A vote of no confidence would require support from a majority of FIFA’s 211 members, meaning European opposition alone would not be enough. Another possibility would be finding a rival candidate capable of challenging Infantino during the election. CONCACAF president Victor Mo
National Football Teams Day established for 15 JulyPost-match celebrations included Falklands bannerArgentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England last month is being commemorated by the country’s football association, the AFA, which has established 15 July as National Football Teams Day.“The date was chosen to commemorate Argentina’s historic victory over England in the World Cup semi-final,” an article on the AFA’s official website stated after a meeting of its executive board on Wednesday. “Lionel Scaloni’s team was trailing the English side by a single goal, but with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, they turned the game around, sending the entire nation into a frenzy of celebration. Continue reading...
Manchester City is close to reaching an agreement with Marseille for goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, according to VoetbalPrimeur. Personal terms have already been settled, leaving the two clubs to finalize the transfer fee. City initially offered €2 million, while Marseille requested around €3.5 million for the Argentina international. Negotiations have progressed since that opening proposal, and […] The post Manchester City nears €3.5 million agreement for Gerónimo Rulli appeared first on SoccerNews.
The USMNT confirmed their first friendlies since the 2026 World Cup, and Christian Pulisic now knows his rivals for the FIFA window. Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national team now know exactly who stands between them and their first response to a disappointing home World Cup. US Soccer confirmed that the USMNT will play four friendlies during the merged September-October FIFA window: Peru on September 26 at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Chile on September 29 at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and Canada on October 6 at Allianz Field in St. Paul. These will be the USMNT‘s first matches since their 2026 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16, where the U.S. fell 1-4 to Belgium. Much was expected of Pulisic, whose own tournament was hampered by injury throughout. He was electric in the opener against Paraguay, picking up an assist, before a calf knock forced him off at halftime, and while he returned for the following matches, his form dipped noticeably by the time the U.S. faced Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium — a drop-off later explained by a bone bruise and microfracture he was playing through. A FOUR-MATCH WINDOW IS SET FOR THIS FALL!🇺🇸🆚🇵🇪 – 9/26 in Orlando, FL🇺🇸🆚🇨🇱 – 9/29 in St. Louis, MO🇺🇸🆚🇲🇽 – 10/3 in Glendale, AZ🇺🇸🆚🇨🇦 – 10/6 in St. Paul, MN🔗 https://t.co/SVoF4Ixmch pic.twitter.com/RwqDMqC4O8— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) August 4, 2026 Pochettino locked in through 2030 These friendlies also double as the first fixtures of a newly extended era. Despite the underwhelming World Cup exit on home soil, Mauricio Pochettino agreed to a new USMNT contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup, a deal U.S. Soccer framed as a long-term bet on continuity rather than a reaction to a single tournament. “Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger,” Pochettino said. He also pointed to ambitions beyond results on the field, saying the goal is to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed him so warmly. US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone backed the extension, pointing to Pochettino’s experience as a boost not just for the senior team but for the broader player development pipeline, and citing the long tenures of coaches like Lionel Scaloni and Didier Deschamps as models for sustained success across multiple World Cup cycles.
After turning into Spain's hero in the 2026 World Cup final, Ferran Torres casted doubts on his future at FC Barcelona, while coach Hansi Flick weighed the possibility of playing Lamine Yamal in a false-nine role. Ferran Torres became a national hero this summer after scoring the winning goal for Spain in the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina, but his future at the club level remains far from settled. With the forward publicly questioning his continuity at Barcelona, head coach Hansi Flick is weighing the possibility of deploying teenage star Lamine Yamal in a false-nine role during the 2026–27 campaign. As Barcelona‘s preseason preparations continue, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski departed the club as a free agent to join Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, while transfer negotiations for River Plate standout Julián Álvarez have stalled. For now, Torres stands as the roster’s only proven central striker, making his potential departure an urgent dilemma for the front office. In an interview with sports business outlet Sportico, Torres addressed swirling transfer reports linking him to Paris Saint-Germain, refusing to rule out an exit: “It’s always good when these teams want you. It’s good, but in the end I have a contract with Barcelona. It’s true that in soccer you never know what’s going to happen, but the good part is the fact that, since I have a contract, I can wait and decide on my own account.“ When asked what the Blaugrana would need to do to secure his long-term commitment, Torres was direct. “Barca has to show that they want me. They can come to negotiate and, in the end, everything will be discussed,” the former Manchester City forward stated. 🔵🔴El medio Sportico pregunta a Ferran Torres sobre qué tiene que hacer el Barça para retenerle: "Mostrar que me quieren, que vengan a negociar y al final todo es hablar"‼️Sobre el PSG: "Que te quieran en estos equipos es bueno. Yo tengo contrato con el Barcelona. Es verdad… pic.twitter.com/h3y87rfxVH— Diario SPORT (@sport) August 3, 2026 Torres’ current contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the 2026–27 season in June, meaning the club must either agree to an extension or facilitate a transfer to avoid losing him as an uncompensated free agent. Following his World Cup heroics with Spain, the 26-year-old forward has yet to report to preseason camp, taking extended leave before rejoining the squad on Aug. 12. While PSG’s interest continues to build, a formal opening bid has yet to materialize. However, according to a report from Diario Sport, Barcelona is seeking at least €55 million (roughly $63 million USD) to sanction a transfer, a figure that would allow the club to recoup its initial investment when signing him from Manchester City. Yamal to cover the central striker role? With many international stars still away on mandatory post-World Cup leave, Flick finds himself severely short on options through the middle. While Barcelona boasts depth along the wings, the German manager addressed the squad’s tactical flexibility as preparations ramp up. Speaking to reporters outside St. James’ Park during the team’s English tour, Flick was asked whether utilizing Lamine Yamal as a central false nine was under consideration: “Lamine has already played (there) in one of two games with us. I think he’s a fantastic player, a world-class player so he can also adapt to this. But at the end, the focus is more as a seven (down the wing), but we’ll see what happens.“ During the 2025-26 season, Yamal earned two starts in a central false-nine capacity, featuring against CD Guadalajara and Real Betis in December. In both instances, the teenager operated out of the central channel while orchestrating play behind Marcus Rashford or Torres as the focal point up front. While noting that summer additions Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi “can both feature as a No. 9,” Flick acknowledged that tactical adjustments will depend heavily on transfer developments. “Ultimately, it comes down t
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
