Match story
- England created the clearer chances on xG (3.20 vs 0.70, Δ 2.50).
- England fired more attempts (22 vs 10 shots).
England defeated Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 1 stage in the 2026 season. The match was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Clement Turpin, France officiated the match. The full-time result capped a England vs Croatia meeting in World Cup 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 England and Croatia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
World CupRecorded meetings: 4 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
England defeated Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 1 stage in the 2026 season. The match was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Clement Turpin, France officiated the match. The full-time result capped a England vs Croatia meeting in World Cup 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 England and Croatia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
World CupRecorded meetings: 4 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Ferran Torres appears close to becoming a new PSG player, which could open the door for Julian Alvarez to become Barcelona's new striker. Ferran Torres is on the verge of leaving Barcelona for PSG, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed the Spanish forward has already been authorized to travel for his medical in Paris. The deal is worth a guaranteed €50 million, with Barcelona and PSG now exchanging documents to finalize the move within the next 24 hours. Torres will not train with Barcelona in the interim, a clear sign the transfer is considered all but done on both ends. His departure leaves an opening in Barcelona’s forward line, one the club could look to fill with Julian Alvarez. The Argentine has been strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou for months, and Torres’ exit could accelerate those plans. With Alvarez as their main target, Barcelona are looking to reshape their attack for the new season, having already added Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Bisiwu. 🚨🔴🔵 BREAKING: Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain, HERE WE GO! 💥Deal confirmed for World Cup final hero as Barça receive a fee worth €50m from PSG.Ferran only wanted Paris and the agreement has been sealed after being at final stages for several days. All done. pic.twitter.com/4siCHz3yIc— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2026 Julian Alvarez’s situation at Atlético Madrid Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid has become an increasingly tense storyline. The club has set his release clause at €500 million, with CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin insisting there’s no scenario in which he leaves for less, despite Álvarez’s contract running through June 2030. Atletico have flatly rejected the idea of a sale, rejecting offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, framing him as a non-negotiable piece of the squad heading into the new season. Things came to a head this week. After returning from preseason medical evaluations, Alvarez reportedly told the club not to count on him going forward, prioritizing a move to Barcelona above all else. Simeone, for his part, maintained that the decision rests with club executives — though Alvarez’s camp reportedly views the coach as the one person with enough influence to push the front office toward approving a deal. Whether that influence materializes remains to be seen, but with Ferran Torres’ exit freeing up both space and resources in Barcelona’s attack, the pieces around Alvarez’s potential move are shifting in a way that could eventually put pressure on Atletico’s hardline stance.
Brian Madjo needed only 17 minutes to change Aston Villa's outlook for the forthcoming season. In that time he bullied Willian Pacho, one of the best markers in the world, and gave Marquinhos a fright.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back training with Al Nassr, leaving fans wondering when he'll be back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the training pitch with Al Nassr, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see him make his season debut. According to The Al Nassr Tribune, the Portuguese forward is expected to make his first appearance of the 2026-27 campaign on August 21 against Al Riyadh in the Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League. That means Ronaldo will sit out the club’s first two matches of the new season: the league opener against Al Fateh, and the King Cup Round of 32 clash with Al Diriyah just days later. Both absences trace back to the same reason — his recent wedding to Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, which prompted manager Ange Postecoglou to grant him extended leave. Ronaldo hadn’t taken part in a single Al Nassr training session until today, meaning he now needs time on the training pitch to build up match fitness before he can be considered for selection. Look who just arrived at Nassr 🤩💛 pic.twitter.com/ToSL2uOmB3— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 13, 2026 For now, Postecoglou will have to navigate the opening rounds of the season without his star forward, leaning on the rest of the squad to get points on the board before Ronaldo is expected to slot back into the starting lineup for the trip to face Al Riyadh later this month. Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals Beyond the return-to-fitness storyline, this season carries extra significance for Ronaldo as he closes in on one of football’s most extraordinary milestones. At 41 years old, the forward sits on 976 career goals — 830 for club and 146 for Portugal — meaning he needs just 24 more to become the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals. The timeline suggests it’s well within reach. Ronaldo scored 28 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr last season, and if he maintains anything close to that rate once he’s back up to speed, the 1,000-goal mark could realistically fall before the 2026-27 campaign is over.
INTERVIEW BY NATHAN SALT IN DUBLIN: It's why United were comfortable throwing open the doors to Amazon filmmakers for this season's 'All or Nothing' behind-the-scenes documentary.
England's most senior referee says fans, the media, players and former referees need to "look at themselves" and stop the ritualistic abuse of match officials which is too often "unacceptable", warning it could cause the trickle of talent for the future to dry up.
Hull City clinched a deal for teenage centre-back Lucas Herrington on Wednesday, leaving his former head coach Matt Wells proud. The post Herrington’s Premier League transfer an example for other MLS stars, says Colorado boss Wells appeared first on SoccerNews.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick wants to keep getting the best out of skipper Bruno Fernandes. The 31-year-old has entered the final year of his contract, although United do have the option to extend it by another year. Ideally, Fernandes would stay at Old Trafford but so far there has been no progress on a new deal.
Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit (Picture: Getty) Ruud Gullit believes that Marcus Rashford’s return to Manchester United could prove to be the ‘best Premier League signing of the summer’. Rashford’s time in Manchester appeared to be up when he joined Barcelona on loan last summer, a deal that was expected to be made permanent in a £26million deal. The 28-year-old had made no bones about his desire to extend his stay at the club, but the Catalan giants instead decided to pursue a deal for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. After a break following the World Cup, Rashford has now joined up with United’s pre-season training, watching from the sidelines as the Red Devils drew 1-1 against Leeds United on Wednesday. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. And while an exit from Old Trafford appeared far more likely earlier in the summer, a lack of serious suitors prepared to meet United’s £40m asking price means the Englishman now looks set to return to his boyhood club. But former Chelsea manager Gullit expects Rashford to come back to the Premier League with a point to prove, and believes keeping the winger could prove United’s best piece of business this summer. ‘Marcus Rashford could end up being the best signing,’ he told Sport Witness. Marcus Rashford has joined pre-season training with Manchester United (Picture: Getty) ‘He learned a lot at Barcelona and played much better, with far more freedom, than he ever did at Manchester United. ‘Was that his fault, or was it down to the environment at the club? It’s very easy to point fingers at the player. But if he performs well elsewhere, it suggests something was wrong in his previous environment. ‘So that could prove to be a fantastic move, for Manchester United if he stays, and performs like he did at Barcelona.’ Rashford’s return to United has also been endorsed by former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand, who recently said: ‘Rashford is back at Manchester United at the training ground and guys, he’s like a purring Ferrari man. Michael Carrick has hinted that Rashford is in his plans for the new season (Picture: Getty) ‘He looks fit, he looks ready. And you know what, there’s a smile on his face and there’s a little spring in his step. ‘We don’t know which way this is going to go and how it’s going to pan out by the end of this transfer window. But you know what, I hope he stays and he will be like a new signing at the football club. ‘And could this be the motivated Marcus Rashford to come out and prove all the doubters and all the people wrong? And all the naysayers.I hope it is. Let’s watch this space.’ Speaking after United’s draw with Leeds, Michael Carrick hinted that Rashford was in his plans ahead of the new season. ‘He’s our player, you know, and he’s come back great. He’s just like any other player,’ Carrick told ITV1. ‘I’ve known Marcus a long time and, you know, he gives us something a little bit different. And he’s been in great spirits since he’s been back. ‘He’s been back two or three days training and it’s just pretty normal, to be honest. And we’re looking forward to the start of the season.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Aston Villa supporters could have been forgiven for approaching the new season with feelings of great anxiety, nagging angst and face-twitching trepidation. Youri Tielemans has gone: such an elegant player with an eye [and nose? – Football Daily Ed] for the spectacular. Morgan Rogers has also departed: so energetic and skilful, always carrying that goal threat. And goodbye to Lucas Digne. But Villa fans who have been keeping their eye trained behind the curtain may not have been quite so concerned. Earlier this month, their 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo – 6ft4in, body of iron ore – was cleared by the court of arbitration for sport to play competitive fixtures for the club. Born in London but already capped for Luxembourg, Villa and Fifa were in diagreed over whether Madjo, signed from Metz in January for £10m, qualified as a home purchase or an international transfer. If it was the latter, as a minor, he wouldn’t have been eligible until turning 18 next January. While waiting for the verdict, Madjo banged in four goals in pre-season friendlies, against Walsall, Real Sociedad and Indonesia All Stars, and upon finally being cleared for the big boys, could have scored as many again in 45 minutes against the best team in the world, Paris Saint-Germain.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
Ferran Torres appears close to becoming a new PSG player, which could open the door for Julian Alvarez to become Barcelona's new striker. Ferran Torres is on the verge of leaving Barcelona for PSG, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed the Spanish forward has already been authorized to travel for his medical in Paris. The deal is worth a guaranteed €50 million, with Barcelona and PSG now exchanging documents to finalize the move within the next 24 hours. Torres will not train with Barcelona in the interim, a clear sign the transfer is considered all but done on both ends. His departure leaves an opening in Barcelona’s forward line, one the club could look to fill with Julian Alvarez. The Argentine has been strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou for months, and Torres’ exit could accelerate those plans. With Alvarez as their main target, Barcelona are looking to reshape their attack for the new season, having already added Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Bisiwu. 🚨🔴🔵 BREAKING: Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain, HERE WE GO! 💥Deal confirmed for World Cup final hero as Barça receive a fee worth €50m from PSG.Ferran only wanted Paris and the agreement has been sealed after being at final stages for several days. All done. pic.twitter.com/4siCHz3yIc— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 13, 2026 Julian Alvarez’s situation at Atlético Madrid Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid has become an increasingly tense storyline. The club has set his release clause at €500 million, with CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin insisting there’s no scenario in which he leaves for less, despite Álvarez’s contract running through June 2030. Atletico have flatly rejected the idea of a sale, rejecting offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, framing him as a non-negotiable piece of the squad heading into the new season. Things came to a head this week. After returning from preseason medical evaluations, Alvarez reportedly told the club not to count on him going forward, prioritizing a move to Barcelona above all else. Simeone, for his part, maintained that the decision rests with club executives — though Alvarez’s camp reportedly views the coach as the one person with enough influence to push the front office toward approving a deal. Whether that influence materializes remains to be seen, but with Ferran Torres’ exit freeing up both space and resources in Barcelona’s attack, the pieces around Alvarez’s potential move are shifting in a way that could eventually put pressure on Atletico’s hardline stance.
Brian Madjo needed only 17 minutes to change Aston Villa's outlook for the forthcoming season. In that time he bullied Willian Pacho, one of the best markers in the world, and gave Marquinhos a fright.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back training with Al Nassr, leaving fans wondering when he'll be back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the training pitch with Al Nassr, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see him make his season debut. According to The Al Nassr Tribune, the Portuguese forward is expected to make his first appearance of the 2026-27 campaign on August 21 against Al Riyadh in the Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League. That means Ronaldo will sit out the club’s first two matches of the new season: the league opener against Al Fateh, and the King Cup Round of 32 clash with Al Diriyah just days later. Both absences trace back to the same reason — his recent wedding to Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, which prompted manager Ange Postecoglou to grant him extended leave. Ronaldo hadn’t taken part in a single Al Nassr training session until today, meaning he now needs time on the training pitch to build up match fitness before he can be considered for selection. Look who just arrived at Nassr 🤩💛 pic.twitter.com/ToSL2uOmB3— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 13, 2026 For now, Postecoglou will have to navigate the opening rounds of the season without his star forward, leaning on the rest of the squad to get points on the board before Ronaldo is expected to slot back into the starting lineup for the trip to face Al Riyadh later this month. Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals Beyond the return-to-fitness storyline, this season carries extra significance for Ronaldo as he closes in on one of football’s most extraordinary milestones. At 41 years old, the forward sits on 976 career goals — 830 for club and 146 for Portugal — meaning he needs just 24 more to become the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals. The timeline suggests it’s well within reach. Ronaldo scored 28 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr last season, and if he maintains anything close to that rate once he’s back up to speed, the 1,000-goal mark could realistically fall before the 2026-27 campaign is over.
INTERVIEW BY NATHAN SALT IN DUBLIN: It's why United were comfortable throwing open the doors to Amazon filmmakers for this season's 'All or Nothing' behind-the-scenes documentary.
England's most senior referee says fans, the media, players and former referees need to "look at themselves" and stop the ritualistic abuse of match officials which is too often "unacceptable", warning it could cause the trickle of talent for the future to dry up.
Hull City clinched a deal for teenage centre-back Lucas Herrington on Wednesday, leaving his former head coach Matt Wells proud. The post Herrington’s Premier League transfer an example for other MLS stars, says Colorado boss Wells appeared first on SoccerNews.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick wants to keep getting the best out of skipper Bruno Fernandes. The 31-year-old has entered the final year of his contract, although United do have the option to extend it by another year. Ideally, Fernandes would stay at Old Trafford but so far there has been no progress on a new deal.
Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit (Picture: Getty) Ruud Gullit believes that Marcus Rashford’s return to Manchester United could prove to be the ‘best Premier League signing of the summer’. Rashford’s time in Manchester appeared to be up when he joined Barcelona on loan last summer, a deal that was expected to be made permanent in a £26million deal. The 28-year-old had made no bones about his desire to extend his stay at the club, but the Catalan giants instead decided to pursue a deal for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. After a break following the World Cup, Rashford has now joined up with United’s pre-season training, watching from the sidelines as the Red Devils drew 1-1 against Leeds United on Wednesday. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. And while an exit from Old Trafford appeared far more likely earlier in the summer, a lack of serious suitors prepared to meet United’s £40m asking price means the Englishman now looks set to return to his boyhood club. But former Chelsea manager Gullit expects Rashford to come back to the Premier League with a point to prove, and believes keeping the winger could prove United’s best piece of business this summer. ‘Marcus Rashford could end up being the best signing,’ he told Sport Witness. Marcus Rashford has joined pre-season training with Manchester United (Picture: Getty) ‘He learned a lot at Barcelona and played much better, with far more freedom, than he ever did at Manchester United. ‘Was that his fault, or was it down to the environment at the club? It’s very easy to point fingers at the player. But if he performs well elsewhere, it suggests something was wrong in his previous environment. ‘So that could prove to be a fantastic move, for Manchester United if he stays, and performs like he did at Barcelona.’ Rashford’s return to United has also been endorsed by former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand, who recently said: ‘Rashford is back at Manchester United at the training ground and guys, he’s like a purring Ferrari man. Michael Carrick has hinted that Rashford is in his plans for the new season (Picture: Getty) ‘He looks fit, he looks ready. And you know what, there’s a smile on his face and there’s a little spring in his step. ‘We don’t know which way this is going to go and how it’s going to pan out by the end of this transfer window. But you know what, I hope he stays and he will be like a new signing at the football club. ‘And could this be the motivated Marcus Rashford to come out and prove all the doubters and all the people wrong? And all the naysayers.I hope it is. Let’s watch this space.’ Speaking after United’s draw with Leeds, Michael Carrick hinted that Rashford was in his plans ahead of the new season. ‘He’s our player, you know, and he’s come back great. He’s just like any other player,’ Carrick told ITV1. ‘I’ve known Marcus a long time and, you know, he gives us something a little bit different. And he’s been in great spirits since he’s been back. ‘He’s been back two or three days training and it’s just pretty normal, to be honest. And we’re looking forward to the start of the season.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Aston Villa supporters could have been forgiven for approaching the new season with feelings of great anxiety, nagging angst and face-twitching trepidation. Youri Tielemans has gone: such an elegant player with an eye [and nose? – Football Daily Ed] for the spectacular. Morgan Rogers has also departed: so energetic and skilful, always carrying that goal threat. And goodbye to Lucas Digne. But Villa fans who have been keeping their eye trained behind the curtain may not have been quite so concerned. Earlier this month, their 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo – 6ft4in, body of iron ore – was cleared by the court of arbitration for sport to play competitive fixtures for the club. Born in London but already capped for Luxembourg, Villa and Fifa were in diagreed over whether Madjo, signed from Metz in January for £10m, qualified as a home purchase or an international transfer. If it was the latter, as a minor, he wouldn’t have been eligible until turning 18 next January. While waiting for the verdict, Madjo banged in four goals in pre-season friendlies, against Walsall, Real Sociedad and Indonesia All Stars, and upon finally being cleared for the big boys, could have scored as many again in 45 minutes against the best team in the world, Paris Saint-Germain.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
