The USA, which opened with a 2-1 loss to Italy, kept alive its hopes of reaching the U-20 Women’s World Cup knockout stage with a 2-2 tie against Japan. The USA enters its final Group D against New Zealand on Saturday in third place in Group D. The post UNDER-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: USA ties Japan after leading twice appeared first on Soccer America.
Lionel Scaloni could end up following Lionel Messi's decision to leave Argentina national team as reports claim that his contract renewal has taken a U-turn. Securing Lionel Scaloni‘s long-term future as Argentina‘s head coach has emerged as the primary mandate for the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as preparations begin for the 2030 World Cup cycle. However, the manager could follow Lionel Messi out the door, as reports indicate extension talks have hit an unexpected impasse. Lionel Messi’s announcement of his retirement from the national team caught football executives off guard, concluding a 21-year international tenure with the Albiceleste. Scaloni remains under contract through December 2026 and intends to honor that agreement, but his willingness to commit beyond that date remains in question. According to reporting from Argentine insider Veronica Brunatti, Scaloni signaled to AFA president Claudio Tapia that he is experiencing fatigue from the demands of managing the national team. While federation executives remain eager to lock him into a long-term agreement, negotiations regarding his future remain on hold. The manager’s uncertainty aligns with two pivotal shifts: Messi’s international exit and Argentina‘s recent loss in the 2026 World Cup final. Navigating the departure of the program’s defining icon while phasing out veterans to initiate a new cycle toward 2030 presents a daunting mental workload for Scaloni, whose deep emotional bond with his core group has been well-documented throughout his tenure. #SelecciónMayor Se cumplen ocho años desde la llegada de Lionel Scaloni a la Selección Argentina.🚍 Ocho años de #Scaloneta y de siempre pelear arriba.🏆 Cuatro títulos, entre ellos la máxima gesta en Qatar 2022 🌎🙌 Ocho años de trabajo, pasión y gloria. pic.twitter.com/8AavEHhPvz— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) September 7, 2026 On Monday, September 7, Scaloni completed eight full years in charge of the national team, a milestone acknowledged across AFA’s official media channels. Reporting from TyC Sports and journalist Gaston Edul confirms that while formal contract extension negotiations have not officially opened, Scaloni is fully aware of AFA’s intent to keep him at the helm. Argentina coaching staff member on the brink of leaving While serving as the public face of Argentina’s tactical renaissance, Scaloni has frequently credited his supporting staff, comprising former national team icons Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala, and Walter Samuel, with shaping the culture behind the country’s recent championship run. Now, one of those key pillars is preparing to depart. According to Brunatti, assistant coach Walter Samuel has made the decision to pursue a head coaching career. The former Inter Milan central defender sees his contract expire alongside Scaloni’s in December 2026, and he intends to seek his first senior managerial role in Europe following eight years on Argentina’s bench. As a respected defensive strategist, Samuel oversaw set-piece preparation and defensive organization for the national team. With Scaloni set to lose a key pillar of his brain trust, questions surrounding his own willingness to lead Argentina into the 2030 cycle continue to intensify.
At 22-years-old, Mohamed-Ali Cho has had quite the journey to the Premier League. The young forward has already played senior football in Ligue 1, La Liga and now the top flight of English football is in his sights. After joining the Humberside-based club this summer for an undisclosed fee from Nice, the France under-21s international made his first start under boss Sergej Jakirovic in the 1-0 loss to Sunderland.
Liverpool and Atletico Madrid clash in one of the most compelling fixtures of Matchday 1 in the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League, and here is all the information you need to watch the match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid on US television and via legal streaming: WHO: Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid WHAT: UEFA Champions League WHEN: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT • Wednesday, September 9, 2026 WHERE:Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, ViX STREAM: WATCH NOW Match Overview Liverpool kicks off its 2026/27 Champions League campaign at Anfield, aiming to set a dominant tone under new head coach Andoni Iraola. After an unbeaten but inconsistent start to the Premier League season, the Reds are looking to translate their domestic scoring form, which has seen them net six goals in three games, into European success. A recent 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town has spirits high, and the famous Anfield atmosphere on a European night adds an undeniable sense of urgency for a statement win. Atletico Madrid arrives on Merseyside looking to rebound from a stinging 3-0 defeat to Athletic Club in La Liga. For manager Diego Simeone, this match is a crucial test of his squad’s resilience and tactical discipline. Known for their grit in Europe, Los Rojiblancos will be determined to frustrate Liverpool and avenge their dramatic 3-2 loss at this same venue in last season’s competition. The stakes are high for both clubs in this compelling Group Stage opener. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The two clubs enter this fixture on different trajectories. Liverpool is still adapting to Iraola’s system, having secured two draws and a win in the Premier League. While the attack has been potent, defensive questions remain, though a first clean sheet of the season against Ipswich was a positive step. In contrast, Atletico Madrid started their La Liga season with seven points from three games before their momentum was abruptly halted by a comprehensive loss, raising concerns about their consistency. The tactical battle will likely pit Liverpool’s high-possession, pressing style against Atletico’s trademark defensive organization. The Reds average over 61% possession and will aim to control the tempo, using quick transitions to break down a compact Atletico shape. Simeone’s side will look to absorb pressure, remain disciplined in a low block, and exploit any space left behind Liverpool’s advancing full-backs with swift counter-attacks, making the midfield contest for control absolutely critical. For Liverpool, the motivation is to make a strong start in Europe’s elite competition and prove their credentials under new leadership. For Atletico, this is an opportunity to prove their mettle after a demoralizing domestic result. A positive result at Anfield would reaffirm their status as a formidable European force, while a loss could compound recent doubts surrounding a squad navigating key defensive and offensive personnel changes. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, this has been a closely contested fixture, but recent trends favor the English side. In ten competitive meetings, Liverpool holds a slight edge with five wins to Atletico Madrid’s three, with two matches ending in a draw. This record underscores the competitive nature of their encounters over the years, though Liverpool has seized control of the rivalry lately. Liverpool enters this match on a four-game winning streak against Atletico. This dominant run includes a thrilling 3-2 victory at Anfield in September 2025, a 2-0 home win in November 2021, and a 3-2 victory in Madrid just weeks earlier. This psychological advantage could play a significant role, as the Reds have consistently found ways to overcome Simeone’s tactical setups in recent seasons. Data from their recent clashes points towards an entertaining match. The last five meetings have produced an average of 3.6 goals per game, indicating a
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