France defeated Belgium 1-0 in the World Cup. The fixture is part of the Semi-finals stage in the 2018 season. A. Cunha officiated the match. The full-time result capped a France vs Belgium 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 France and Belgium. 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: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Manchester United defender Leny Yoro is aiming high. United improved dramatically under Michael Carrick over the second half of last season to seal a third-place finish and a return to the Champions League. While many fans are concerned about a relative lack of signings given only Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos and Belgium World Cup star Youri Tielemans have arrived at the club so far, inside Old Trafford there is optimism about what lies ahead.
Benjamin Mendy has sold the replica 2018 World Cup trophy FIFA awarded him at auction. In 2018, Benjamin Mendy lifted the World Cup at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium as part of the France squad that beat Croatia 4-2 in the final. Seven years later, that gold-plated memory has a price tag: the left-back has sold the official replica trophy FIFA gave him as a champion for roughly $62,200 at auction. The sale went through American collectibles house Goldin as part of its “Global Football Auction Part 2,” a sale that also featured memorabilia tied to names like Lamine Yamal, Pelé, and Lionel Messi, and closed on July 25. The piece up for grabs wasn’t the actual World Cup trophy, which stays in FIFA’s possession, but the identical replica FIFA and the French federation hand every world champion as a personal keepsake, standing roughly 38 centimeters tall. It was listed with a crack at its base and visible wear, and the winning bidder received a certificate signed by Mendy to authenticate it. Mendy had a brief participation at the 2018 World Cup Mendy, now 32, played a bit-part role in that Russia 2018 run under Didier Deschamps, coming on for 40 minutes in a 0-0 group-stage draw with Denmark while Lucas Hernandez started every other match at left-back. Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy. (Getty Images) France‘s path to the title included wins over Argentina in the round of 16, Uruguay in the quarterfinals, and Belgium in the semifinals before the final against Croatia. Mendy’s career: a fall from the top Mendy’s path to that World Cup medal ran through Le Havre, where he broke into the first team in 2011 after coming up through the reserves, before a move to Olympique de Marseille in 2013 for three seasons. He then joined Monaco, where he won the 2016-17 Ligue 1 title as part of the young squad that also produced Kylian Mbappé, and that breakout campaign earned him a move to Manchester City in 2017 for a then-world-record fee for a defender. His six years at City were repeatedly derailed by injuries and, later, a major legal setback that kept him out of football entirely for two years before he was cleared in 2023. City released him following that ordeal, and his career never recovered its old level: a brief, appearance-less spell at Lorient came next, followed by a short stint at Swiss side FC Zürich, before he signed with Poland’s Pogoń Szczecin in September 2025, where he currently plays.
The possibility of Bradley Barcola becoming a Liverpool player is a genuine one, with the Reds set to make a bid for the PSG winger. Liverpool are long-standing admirers of the France international and engaged in discussions last summer about his availability but eventually decided they didn't want to block the pathway of Rio Ngumoha. With Mohamed Salah gone, the situation has changed.
Manchester City is reportedly targeting the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who could return to the club to finally make his debut. Geronimo Rulli has emerged as a surprise target in the 2026 summer transfer window, with Manchester City reportedly eyeing the Argentina goalkeeper on a permanent transfer. Nine years after his initial exit, the shot-stopper could finally return to the Citizens to make his long-awaited club debut. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City is targeting Rulli from Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille. The plan calls for the veteran Argentine to serve as the primary backup under manager Enzo Maresca while Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma holds down the starting job. City’s interest in Rulli comes as secondary goalkeeper James Trafford nears a permanent transfer to Leeds United. As reported by The Athletic, the prospective deal carries a £40 million ($53 million USD) fee plus add-ons, a figure that would make Trafford the fifth-most expensive goalkeeper in history behind Kepa Arrizabalaga ($91M), Alisson Becker ($71M), Gianluigi Buffon ($60M), and André Onana ($60M). Rulli, who currently serves as the primary backup for the Argentina national team, remains under contract with Marseille through June 2027. According to Argentine transfer expert Uriel Iugt, Manchester City has already agreed to personal terms on a two-year contract with the keeper, leaving Trafford’s formal departure and club-to-club negotiations as the final hurdles. Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool battles for possession with Geronimo Rulli of Marseille. Rulli positioned for long-awaited City debut Rulli built his European career through consistent stints in Spain, France, and the Netherlands. However, his history with Manchester City remains a notable curiosity: despite formally belonging to the club nearly a decade ago, he never played a single minute for the Sky Blues. A product of Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata academy, Rulli completed a €3.5 million move to Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado in 2014, a club frequently utilized as a transactional bridge for player rights. That same window, he joined Real Sociedad on a two-year loan before Manchester City purchased his rights for €4.7 million in 2016, immediately loaning him back to the Spanish club. During the January 2017 transfer window, Real Sociedad triggered a €7 million buy option to sign Rulli permanently, ending his first stint at Manchester City before he ever put on the shirt. The Argentine keeper came close to returning to the Etihad Stadium later that year, but a personal decision kept him in Spain. Ahead of the 2017-18 campaign, Mundo Deportivo reported that Manchester City considered activating a €14 million buyback clause. Manager Pep Guardiola envisioned Rulli sharing goalkeeping duties with Claudio Bravo, but Rulli opted to remain at Real Sociedad to secure guaranteed playing time ahead of the 2018 World Cup, a tournament he ultimately missed following an untimely injury.
Liverpool have been linked with Bradley Barcola, as they look to rebuild their frontline following the departure of Mohamed Salah. The post Signing Barcola would not replace Salah, says Liverpool legend Carragher appeared first on SoccerNews.
France centre-back moves to Blues in £52m transferStones signs two-year contract with Serie A club Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace to become the club’s fifth signing of the summer. The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, was the Blues’ main defensive target of the window.Lacroix, 26, signs a six-year deal with Xabi Alonso’s side. “I am really happy to be part of this beautiful club,” said Lacroix, who played three times for France at the World Cup, including in their 6-4 bronze medal match defeat by England. Continue reading...
While his teammates continue preparations abroad, the American star is staying in Italy as the club carefully manages his recovery from the injury he suffered during the United States' World Cup campaign. Christian Pulisic has officially returned to Milanello following his extended post-2026 World Cup break, marking the beginning of an important phase ahead of the new Serie A season. While his teammates continue preparations abroad, the American star is staying in Italy as the club carefully manages his recovery from the injury he suffered during the United States’ World Cup campaign. The winger’s return comes with optimism despite the physical setback that ended his tournament. Milan remains confident that one of its most influential attacking players will be ready to make an impact early in the new campaign, although the club is taking every precaution before clearing him for competitive action. Pulisic arrived at Milanello on Thursday morning, one day later than originally scheduled after being granted additional time by the club for logistical reasons. He underwent the customary medical examinations before beginning individual work aimed at rebuilding his fitness after the injury sustained during the World Cup. The American international is not traveling with the Rossoneri on their preseason tour of Australia, instead remaining at the club’s training center to focus entirely on rehabilitation. Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez also returned to Milanello as he continues recovering from his own ankle injury suffered while representing Mexico. View this post on Instagram Pulisic suffered leg fracture in World Cup defeat to Belgium The recovery program follows an injury Pulisic suffered during the United States’ Round of 16 defeat to Belgium at the 2026 World Cup. According to The Athletic, the injury occurred when the American attempted a shot before colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. Although Pulisic initially tried to continue playing, he was eventually forced off the field after struggling with the pain. “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” the 27-year-old explained after the match. Subsequent medical examinations revealed a bone bruise and a microfracture in his right leg, specifically around the tibia-fibula junction, with earlier Italian reports also describing a microfracture to his right fibula. Doctors reportedly believe the injury requires weeks rather than months of recovery, offering encouragement ahead of the domestic season. Meanwhile at Milanello…First day back for Puli & Santi 🎞️ pic.twitter.com/Pfm8qyFDbs— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 30, 2026 Milan’s cautious recovery plan revealed Rather than accelerating his return, Milan has opted for a carefully managed rehabilitation program designed to maximize Pulisic’s long-term fitness. Italian outlets including La Gazzetta dello Sport and MilanNews report that the initial phase focuses on rest before gradually introducing rehabilitation exercises and individual training sessions. The winger is currently working separately from the main squad while recovering from bone edema around the tibia-fibula junction. The club has deliberately avoided placing unnecessary pressure on one of its most important attacking players. Instead of rushing him back into full training, Milan intends to increase his workload only when medical staff are fully satisfied with his progress. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan. Despite the cautious approach, there is growing confidence that Pulisic could be available for Milan’s opening Serie A fixture against Torino on August 23. Reports suggest new head coach Ruben Amorim expects the American to remain one of the team’s key attacking figures this season. However, neither the coaching staff nor the medical department is willing to compromise his long-term condition simply to accelerate his preseason preparations. Italian media indicate the club is even prepared to delay his return beyond the opening weekend if addit
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