H&W Welders defeated Armagh City 3-0 in the League Cup. The fixture is part of the 1st Round stage in the 2017 season. The match was played at Blanchflower Stadium in Belfast. The full-time result capped a H&W Welders vs Armagh City meeting in League 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 H&W Welders and Armagh City. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
League Cup
Armagh City ARMRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
H&W Welders defeated Armagh City 3-0 in the League Cup. The fixture is part of the 1st Round stage in the 2017 season. The match was played at Blanchflower Stadium in Belfast. The full-time result capped a H&W Welders vs Armagh City meeting in League 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 H&W Welders and Armagh City. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
League CupArmagh City ARMRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Reiss Nelson has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer. West Ham United are interested in signing the 26-year-old, and the two clubs are currently locked in talks over a potential move, according to Evening Standard. The 26-year-old was on loan at Brentford and Fulham in the last couple of seasons. He […] The post Arsenal attacker in talks to leave the club as London rivals push for deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Nuno Espirito Santo is building a new team at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images) West Ham are are putting together their squad for the upcoming Championship season and are looking at some recognisable names. The Hammers were relegated from the top flight last season but have stuck with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, after finishing the campaign on 39 points. There have been some significant departures, with Mateus Fernandes going to Spurs for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville heading to Al Hilal for £55m and Freddie Potts joining Club Brugge in a £10.2m deal. Callum Wilson also departed on a free transfer and gets another crack at the Premier League by joining Brentford. 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. Experienced defender Joel Veltman has arrived from Brighton on a free transfer, while Venezuela international loan signing Keiber Lamadrid has made his move permanent. Espirito Santo will need more numbers, though, and West Ham are making moves for Troy Parrott and Reiss Nelson. Former Tottenham striker Parrott has been excelling at AZ since moving there permanently in 2024, scoring 30 goals in 59 Eredivisie games and 51 in 97 appearances across all competitions. Troy Parrott has been a big hit at AZ (Picture: Getty Images) He has been linked with a string of European clubs this summer, including Porto, but West Ham are hopeful of securing a deal and have made a bid of around £15m, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old has hinted that he is in no rush to return to England, having enjoyed his time with AZ so far. ‘Before I went to the Netherlands, I was completely focused on England,’ he told De Telegraaf. ‘I dreamed of the Premier League. ‘But once in the Netherlands, I discovered that the football world is a lot bigger than England.’ Reiss Nelson has featured for Arsenal in pre-season (Picture: Getty Images) Nelson is also on the Hammers’ radar as he appears to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal. The 26-year-old came through the Gunners academy and has made 90 first team appearances, but has played just once for Arsenal in the last two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Fulham and last season on loan at Brentford. The winger is back at his parent club and has featured in pre-season, but is unlikely to get much chance to shine in the first team in the coming campaign. West Ham are reportedly exploring a deal, but Fulham and Benfica are also credited with interest. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
During his presentation, new Inter Miami star Casemiro filled Lionel Messi with praise: "Messi is one of the gods, if not the god of football." Casemiro has emerged as Inter Miami’s marquee addition of the 2026 summer transfer window, instantly filling the high-profile defensive midfield void the club struggled to replace. Set to share the pitch with Lionel Messi, the Brazilian superstar offered glowing praise during his official introduction: “Messi is one of the gods, if not the god of football.“ Following his starting run with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, Casemiro opted to join Inter Miami in free agency, providing the Herons with a proven defensive anchor in the wake of Sergio Busquets’ retirement. Although the 34-year-old made his club debut last Saturday, logging a full 90 minutes in a 1-0 road victory over CF Montreal, his formal unveiling took place Thursday at Nu Stadium. During Thursday’s press conference, as reported by journalist José Armando, Casemiro spoke passionately about teaming up with Messi: “I am living a dream to play with one of the greatest of all time. I want to enjoy it, I want to help him continue winning because he is a winner. He teams up with another player who wants to win, who wants to compete. In the end, the margin between winning and losing is always very close, we know that, but we want to compete, and we want to compete.“ Casemiro expressed gratitude to managing owner Jorge Mas and co-owner David Beckham, noting that despite lucrative interest from European suitors, South Florida was his top priority. “I had many options—I had offers in Italy, I had many teams reaching out—but I am exactly where I want to be,” he stated. Casemiro sobre la oportunidad de jugar con Messi: "Quiero ayudarle a seguir ganando; es el Dios del fútbol"#InterMiamiCF #Messi pic.twitter.com/9Lxx6yGgPI— José Armando (@Jarm21) July 30, 2026 He concluded by placing Messi among the most influential figures in sports history: “I want to enjoy that, being with him, making him win, making him greater; he is one of the gods, if not the god of football. So I want to enjoy it with him and keep winning with him.“ Since Busquets hung up his boots, Inter Miami struggled to replicate the midfield balance that drove their previous championship runs, a vulnerability Casemiro’s presence is expected to resolve. The five-time Champions League winner inked a deal through June 2027 that includes a club option through 2029. Casemiro joins exclusive club to play alongside Messi and Ronaldo During their prime years in Europe, Messi and Casemiro shared an intense rivalry on opposite sides of El Clasico, featuring in epic Barcelona–Real Madrid clashes alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as heated international battles between Argentina and Brazil. Now in the twilight of his career, the decorated midfielder finds himself partnering with the player he once spent years trying to suppress. With the move, Casemiro becomes just the 28th player in soccer history to play alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He is also the eighth former Real Madrid player to subsequently share a locker room with Messi, joining Angel Di Maria, Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuain, Achraf Hakimi, Keylor Navas, Pablo Sarabia, Fernando Gago, and Ezequiel Garay. Complete List of Players to Play with Both Messi and Ronaldo Angel Di MariaGerard PiqueSergio RamosPaulo DybalaGonzalo HiguainCarlos TevezAchraf Hakimi Keylor NavasDecoVitinhaHenrik LarssonMartin CaceresMiralem PjanicArthur MeloNelson SemedoAndre GomesDanilo PereiraNuno MendesRenato SanchesFrancisco TrincaoPablo SarabiaAlejandro GarnachoLisandro Martinez Gabriel HeinzeFernando GagoEzequiel GarayGonzalo MartinezCasemiro
Brentford striker Callum Wilson says the club's pre-season training camp in Portugal has allowed him to get to know his new team-mates "on a more personal level", as head coach Keith Andrews steps up his preparations for the new campaign. Wilson signed a 12-month contract to join the Bees in July, after leaving West Ham United as a free agent following the club's relegation to the Championship. The forward will provide competition for Brazil international Igor Thiago, who scored 25 goals across 40 appearances in all competitions last season.
For the 2026 World CUp final against Spain, Lautaro Martinez has been left out from Argentina's starting lineup. Argentina takes the pitch today, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, chasing a historic back-to-back World Cup championship against Spain. However, as soon as the official lineups were released ahead of kickoff, Lautaro Martinez emerged as the most glaring omission from the starting eleven. Lautaro Martinez will begin the match against Spain on the bench due to a strategic tactical decision by head coach Lionel Scaloni. The Argentine boss has opted to adjust his tactical shape from Wednesday’s semifinal victory over England, leaving the highly lethal center forward out of the opening lineup despite his heroics against the Three Lions. Instead, Scaloni has tapped Julian Alvarez to partner Lionel Messi leading Argentina’s frontline attack. By starting the Atletico Madrid forward, the manager is prioritizing a high-energy profile capable of executing a relentless high-press to disrupt a Spanish side that thrives on controlling possession. On the other side of the pitch, Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez is also expected to make a major impact off the bench. Over the last few rounds, the striker has proven to be vital in front of the net, providing a reliable spark that manager Lionel Scaloni will likely utilize in the second half of the match. Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina scores against England. Lautaro Martinez’s 2026 World Cup journey With Julian Alvarez nursing an ankle injury early in the tournament, Martinez initially served as Argentina’s starting center forward alongside Lionel Messi. The Inter Milan captain started the team’s first four matches, covering the entire World Cup group stage and a Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde, though his lone goal during that opening stretch came from the penalty spot against Jordan. Once Alvarez returned to full fitness for the Round of 16, Martinez was moved to the bench. However, the lineup change did not diminish his impact on the tournament, as he quickly adapted to his role as a highly effective late-game option for the Albiceleste. He set up the winning goal to complete a late comeback against Egypt before scoring in consecutive knockout matches. He added the late insurance goal in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland and then headed home the decisive winner to cap a 2-1 comeback against England, providing a clear redemption arc after going scoreless during the 2022 World Cup.
Manchester City welcomed clubs to their training ground on Tuesday to showcase the talent on offer during the summer transfer window. City have held such days for a number of years, where a short training session is put on in front of watching scouts, heads of recruitment and agents from Championship and other Football League clubs. All three have made first-team debuts for City, while 20-year-old centre-back Alleyne and left-back Wilson-Esbrand, 23, have both spent time away on loan.
While the fixture carries decades of history, its immediate importance lies in how the result will decide the final two matches of the tournament. Argentina and England are set to renew one of soccer’s greatest rivalries in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, with the final result set to determine far more than just bragging rights. While the fixture carries decades of history, its immediate importance lies in how the result will decide the final two matches of the tournament. La Albiceleste’s road to the semifinal has been anything but straightforward. After cruising through the group stage, Lionel Scaloni’s side survived an extra-time battle against Cape Verde, produced a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2, and eventually overcame Switzerland 3-1 after extra time thanks to Julian Alvarez’s decisive strike. England has also been forced to overcome difficult moments throughout the knockout stage. Thomas Tuchel’s squad eliminated DR Congo before edging Mexico 3-2 and then defeating Norway 3-2 after extra time, with Jude Bellingham once again proving decisive. The semifinal also renews one of soccer’s most famous rivalries. The nations have not met since a 3-2 England victory in a 2005 friendly, while this will be their first World Cup encounter since the 2002 group stage, when David Beckham’s penalty separated the teams. DateArgentina’s OpponentStageResultJuly 11, 2026SwitzerlandQuarter-finalsWin (3-1 AET)July 7, 2026EgyptRound of 16Win (3-2)July 3, 2026Cabo VerdeRound of 32Win (3-2 AET)June 27, 2026JordanGroup StageWin (3-1)June 22, 2026AustriaGroup StageWin (2-0)June 16, 2026AlgeriaGroup StageWin (3-0) Both sides enter the contest with superstar forwards leading their attacks. Lionel Messi has scored eight goals during the tournament, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have each found the net six times, keeping the Golden Boot race alive heading into the final four. DateEngland’s OpponentStageResultJuly 11, 2026NorwayQuarter-finalsWin (2-1 AET)July 5, 2026MexicoRound of 16Win (3-2)July 1, 2026DR CongoRound of 32Win (2-1)June 27, 2026PanamaGroup StageWin (2-0)June 23, 2026GhanaGroup StageTie (0-0)June 17, 2026CroatiaGroup StageWin (4-2) What happens if Argentina wins and England loses? Should Argentina defeat England, regardless of whether the victory comes in regulation time, extra time, or penalties, the reigning world champion would advance to the 2026 World Cup Final. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates with Julian Alvarez #9 after scoring against Egypt. Their reward would be a showdown against Spain, which booked its place by defeating France in the first semifinal. Victory over England would also keep alive Argentina’s dream of becoming the first nation in more than six decades to successfully defend the World Cup title. England, meanwhile, would see its championship hopes end and instead prepare for the third-place playoff against France. The Albiceleste enters the semifinal having survived several demanding knockout matches, including extra-time victories over Cape Verde and Switzerland, while also recovering from a two-goal deficit against Egypt. What happens if the match is tied after 90 minutes? Unlike league competitions, a draw cannot be the final result in a World Cup semifinal. If the score remains level after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time will immediately follow. Should neither team break the deadlock after 120 minutes, the semifinal would be settled by a penalty shootout. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina take a penalty kick This scenario would significantly increase the physical demands on both squads, especially considering each side has already endured exhausting knockout encounters during the tournament. The eventual winner of the shootout would advance to face Spain, while the defeated side would move into the third-place match against France. DateCompetitionH2H ResultNovember 12, 2005International FriendlyArgentina 2-3 EnglandJune 7, 2002FIFA World Cup (Group Stage)Argen
Johnny Kenny is at the centre of a proper summer tug-of-war. According to reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, relayed by @eflpublished on X, two Championship clubs are actively trying to pry ...
England heads to the Norway game in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals with the possibility of reaching its best mark in the FIFA Rankings. England entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup widely regarded as one of the strongest national teams of the tournament, and now, sitting just three wins away from glory, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as the Three Lions prepare to battle Norway in the quarterfinal round. Yet, despite putting together a highly impressive run in North America, their official positioning in the global FIFA world rankings has remained relatively stagnant. England currently occupies the No. 4 spot in the official FIFA rankings, boasting 1,871.39 total points. The squad, led by manager Thomas Tuchel, actually entered the tournament already locked into that fourth-place position with 1,828.02 points, meaning their recent success has allowed them to comfortably maintain their distance from the chasing pack while failing to quite close the gap on the world’s top three nations. As the historic birthplace of modern soccer and home to the pioneering Football Association, England is currently in an ideal position to rewrite its own international record books regarding the global leaderboard. The Three Lions have climbed into the top three of the FIFA rankings on exactly three occasions in program history, achieving the feat in 2012, 2021, and most recently in 2023. Despite reaching those lofty heights, England has never managed to crack the top two spots, an institutional drought they will be incredibly eager to finally break by lifting the trophy this July. Declan Rice #4, Harry Kane #9 and Elliot Anderson #8 of England celebrate the team’s 3-2 victory. While Erling Haaland remains the top menace of a dangerous Norway squad, England still holds a definitive historical edge over their Scandinavian counterparts. Across 12 all-time meetings between the two European nations, England has claimed victory seven times, paired with three draws and just two losses, though this highly anticipated clash will mark their first-ever World Cup meeting. England looking to end its legendary championship drought England is firmly established as one of international soccer’s most historic brands, currently ranking fifth all-time for the most total matches played in World Cup history. However, during this year’s showcase, the primary objective for the Three Lions is simply putting an end to decades of tournament heartbreak. In their lone World Cup final appearance, England delivered a clinical performance to secure a legendary 4-2 extra-time victory over West Germany back in 1966, but the program has famously failed to return to the grandest stage ever since. The Three Lions came agonizingly close to snapping their broader trophy drought recently, but consecutive, heartbreaking defeats in the 2021 and 2024 Euro finals against Italy and Spain have only prolonged the nation’s wait for a major honor.
Haji Wright's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign has come to an end following the United States defeat to Belgium in the last 16. Wright featured in two of USA's five matches and played for a combined total of just two minutes, coming on as a last-minute substitute against Australia and Belgium. Following a Championship title winning campaign - in which Wright scored 17 times - he touched the ball just twice at the World Cup.
Zach Mitchell feels he has "unfinished business" at St Johnstone after returning for a second spell on loan from Charlton Athletic. The 21-year-old defender started last season on loan at Hibernian but was recalled by the Championship club in January after having made only two appearances. Mitchell had joined St Johnstone the previous February and played 10 times, seven of them starts, as the Perth side suffered relegation from the Scottish Premiership.
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Reiss Nelson has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer. West Ham United are interested in signing the 26-year-old, and the two clubs are currently locked in talks over a potential move, according to Evening Standard. The 26-year-old was on loan at Brentford and Fulham in the last couple of seasons. He […] The post Arsenal attacker in talks to leave the club as London rivals push for deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Nuno Espirito Santo is building a new team at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images) West Ham are are putting together their squad for the upcoming Championship season and are looking at some recognisable names. The Hammers were relegated from the top flight last season but have stuck with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, after finishing the campaign on 39 points. There have been some significant departures, with Mateus Fernandes going to Spurs for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville heading to Al Hilal for £55m and Freddie Potts joining Club Brugge in a £10.2m deal. Callum Wilson also departed on a free transfer and gets another crack at the Premier League by joining Brentford. 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. Experienced defender Joel Veltman has arrived from Brighton on a free transfer, while Venezuela international loan signing Keiber Lamadrid has made his move permanent. Espirito Santo will need more numbers, though, and West Ham are making moves for Troy Parrott and Reiss Nelson. Former Tottenham striker Parrott has been excelling at AZ since moving there permanently in 2024, scoring 30 goals in 59 Eredivisie games and 51 in 97 appearances across all competitions. Troy Parrott has been a big hit at AZ (Picture: Getty Images) He has been linked with a string of European clubs this summer, including Porto, but West Ham are hopeful of securing a deal and have made a bid of around £15m, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old has hinted that he is in no rush to return to England, having enjoyed his time with AZ so far. ‘Before I went to the Netherlands, I was completely focused on England,’ he told De Telegraaf. ‘I dreamed of the Premier League. ‘But once in the Netherlands, I discovered that the football world is a lot bigger than England.’ Reiss Nelson has featured for Arsenal in pre-season (Picture: Getty Images) Nelson is also on the Hammers’ radar as he appears to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal. The 26-year-old came through the Gunners academy and has made 90 first team appearances, but has played just once for Arsenal in the last two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Fulham and last season on loan at Brentford. The winger is back at his parent club and has featured in pre-season, but is unlikely to get much chance to shine in the first team in the coming campaign. West Ham are reportedly exploring a deal, but Fulham and Benfica are also credited with interest. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
During his presentation, new Inter Miami star Casemiro filled Lionel Messi with praise: "Messi is one of the gods, if not the god of football." Casemiro has emerged as Inter Miami’s marquee addition of the 2026 summer transfer window, instantly filling the high-profile defensive midfield void the club struggled to replace. Set to share the pitch with Lionel Messi, the Brazilian superstar offered glowing praise during his official introduction: “Messi is one of the gods, if not the god of football.“ Following his starting run with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, Casemiro opted to join Inter Miami in free agency, providing the Herons with a proven defensive anchor in the wake of Sergio Busquets’ retirement. Although the 34-year-old made his club debut last Saturday, logging a full 90 minutes in a 1-0 road victory over CF Montreal, his formal unveiling took place Thursday at Nu Stadium. During Thursday’s press conference, as reported by journalist José Armando, Casemiro spoke passionately about teaming up with Messi: “I am living a dream to play with one of the greatest of all time. I want to enjoy it, I want to help him continue winning because he is a winner. He teams up with another player who wants to win, who wants to compete. In the end, the margin between winning and losing is always very close, we know that, but we want to compete, and we want to compete.“ Casemiro expressed gratitude to managing owner Jorge Mas and co-owner David Beckham, noting that despite lucrative interest from European suitors, South Florida was his top priority. “I had many options—I had offers in Italy, I had many teams reaching out—but I am exactly where I want to be,” he stated. Casemiro sobre la oportunidad de jugar con Messi: "Quiero ayudarle a seguir ganando; es el Dios del fútbol"#InterMiamiCF #Messi pic.twitter.com/9Lxx6yGgPI— José Armando (@Jarm21) July 30, 2026 He concluded by placing Messi among the most influential figures in sports history: “I want to enjoy that, being with him, making him win, making him greater; he is one of the gods, if not the god of football. So I want to enjoy it with him and keep winning with him.“ Since Busquets hung up his boots, Inter Miami struggled to replicate the midfield balance that drove their previous championship runs, a vulnerability Casemiro’s presence is expected to resolve. The five-time Champions League winner inked a deal through June 2027 that includes a club option through 2029. Casemiro joins exclusive club to play alongside Messi and Ronaldo During their prime years in Europe, Messi and Casemiro shared an intense rivalry on opposite sides of El Clasico, featuring in epic Barcelona–Real Madrid clashes alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as heated international battles between Argentina and Brazil. Now in the twilight of his career, the decorated midfielder finds himself partnering with the player he once spent years trying to suppress. With the move, Casemiro becomes just the 28th player in soccer history to play alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He is also the eighth former Real Madrid player to subsequently share a locker room with Messi, joining Angel Di Maria, Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuain, Achraf Hakimi, Keylor Navas, Pablo Sarabia, Fernando Gago, and Ezequiel Garay. Complete List of Players to Play with Both Messi and Ronaldo Angel Di MariaGerard PiqueSergio RamosPaulo DybalaGonzalo HiguainCarlos TevezAchraf Hakimi Keylor NavasDecoVitinhaHenrik LarssonMartin CaceresMiralem PjanicArthur MeloNelson SemedoAndre GomesDanilo PereiraNuno MendesRenato SanchesFrancisco TrincaoPablo SarabiaAlejandro GarnachoLisandro Martinez Gabriel HeinzeFernando GagoEzequiel GarayGonzalo MartinezCasemiro
Brentford striker Callum Wilson says the club's pre-season training camp in Portugal has allowed him to get to know his new team-mates "on a more personal level", as head coach Keith Andrews steps up his preparations for the new campaign. Wilson signed a 12-month contract to join the Bees in July, after leaving West Ham United as a free agent following the club's relegation to the Championship. The forward will provide competition for Brazil international Igor Thiago, who scored 25 goals across 40 appearances in all competitions last season.
For the 2026 World CUp final against Spain, Lautaro Martinez has been left out from Argentina's starting lineup. Argentina takes the pitch today, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, chasing a historic back-to-back World Cup championship against Spain. However, as soon as the official lineups were released ahead of kickoff, Lautaro Martinez emerged as the most glaring omission from the starting eleven. Lautaro Martinez will begin the match against Spain on the bench due to a strategic tactical decision by head coach Lionel Scaloni. The Argentine boss has opted to adjust his tactical shape from Wednesday’s semifinal victory over England, leaving the highly lethal center forward out of the opening lineup despite his heroics against the Three Lions. Instead, Scaloni has tapped Julian Alvarez to partner Lionel Messi leading Argentina’s frontline attack. By starting the Atletico Madrid forward, the manager is prioritizing a high-energy profile capable of executing a relentless high-press to disrupt a Spanish side that thrives on controlling possession. On the other side of the pitch, Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez is also expected to make a major impact off the bench. Over the last few rounds, the striker has proven to be vital in front of the net, providing a reliable spark that manager Lionel Scaloni will likely utilize in the second half of the match. Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina scores against England. Lautaro Martinez’s 2026 World Cup journey With Julian Alvarez nursing an ankle injury early in the tournament, Martinez initially served as Argentina’s starting center forward alongside Lionel Messi. The Inter Milan captain started the team’s first four matches, covering the entire World Cup group stage and a Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde, though his lone goal during that opening stretch came from the penalty spot against Jordan. Once Alvarez returned to full fitness for the Round of 16, Martinez was moved to the bench. However, the lineup change did not diminish his impact on the tournament, as he quickly adapted to his role as a highly effective late-game option for the Albiceleste. He set up the winning goal to complete a late comeback against Egypt before scoring in consecutive knockout matches. He added the late insurance goal in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland and then headed home the decisive winner to cap a 2-1 comeback against England, providing a clear redemption arc after going scoreless during the 2022 World Cup.
Manchester City welcomed clubs to their training ground on Tuesday to showcase the talent on offer during the summer transfer window. City have held such days for a number of years, where a short training session is put on in front of watching scouts, heads of recruitment and agents from Championship and other Football League clubs. All three have made first-team debuts for City, while 20-year-old centre-back Alleyne and left-back Wilson-Esbrand, 23, have both spent time away on loan.
While the fixture carries decades of history, its immediate importance lies in how the result will decide the final two matches of the tournament. Argentina and England are set to renew one of soccer’s greatest rivalries in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, with the final result set to determine far more than just bragging rights. While the fixture carries decades of history, its immediate importance lies in how the result will decide the final two matches of the tournament. La Albiceleste’s road to the semifinal has been anything but straightforward. After cruising through the group stage, Lionel Scaloni’s side survived an extra-time battle against Cape Verde, produced a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2, and eventually overcame Switzerland 3-1 after extra time thanks to Julian Alvarez’s decisive strike. England has also been forced to overcome difficult moments throughout the knockout stage. Thomas Tuchel’s squad eliminated DR Congo before edging Mexico 3-2 and then defeating Norway 3-2 after extra time, with Jude Bellingham once again proving decisive. The semifinal also renews one of soccer’s most famous rivalries. The nations have not met since a 3-2 England victory in a 2005 friendly, while this will be their first World Cup encounter since the 2002 group stage, when David Beckham’s penalty separated the teams. DateArgentina’s OpponentStageResultJuly 11, 2026SwitzerlandQuarter-finalsWin (3-1 AET)July 7, 2026EgyptRound of 16Win (3-2)July 3, 2026Cabo VerdeRound of 32Win (3-2 AET)June 27, 2026JordanGroup StageWin (3-1)June 22, 2026AustriaGroup StageWin (2-0)June 16, 2026AlgeriaGroup StageWin (3-0) Both sides enter the contest with superstar forwards leading their attacks. Lionel Messi has scored eight goals during the tournament, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have each found the net six times, keeping the Golden Boot race alive heading into the final four. DateEngland’s OpponentStageResultJuly 11, 2026NorwayQuarter-finalsWin (2-1 AET)July 5, 2026MexicoRound of 16Win (3-2)July 1, 2026DR CongoRound of 32Win (2-1)June 27, 2026PanamaGroup StageWin (2-0)June 23, 2026GhanaGroup StageTie (0-0)June 17, 2026CroatiaGroup StageWin (4-2) What happens if Argentina wins and England loses? Should Argentina defeat England, regardless of whether the victory comes in regulation time, extra time, or penalties, the reigning world champion would advance to the 2026 World Cup Final. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates with Julian Alvarez #9 after scoring against Egypt. Their reward would be a showdown against Spain, which booked its place by defeating France in the first semifinal. Victory over England would also keep alive Argentina’s dream of becoming the first nation in more than six decades to successfully defend the World Cup title. England, meanwhile, would see its championship hopes end and instead prepare for the third-place playoff against France. The Albiceleste enters the semifinal having survived several demanding knockout matches, including extra-time victories over Cape Verde and Switzerland, while also recovering from a two-goal deficit against Egypt. What happens if the match is tied after 90 minutes? Unlike league competitions, a draw cannot be the final result in a World Cup semifinal. If the score remains level after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time will immediately follow. Should neither team break the deadlock after 120 minutes, the semifinal would be settled by a penalty shootout. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina take a penalty kick This scenario would significantly increase the physical demands on both squads, especially considering each side has already endured exhausting knockout encounters during the tournament. The eventual winner of the shootout would advance to face Spain, while the defeated side would move into the third-place match against France. DateCompetitionH2H ResultNovember 12, 2005International FriendlyArgentina 2-3 EnglandJune 7, 2002FIFA World Cup (Group Stage)Argen
Johnny Kenny is at the centre of a proper summer tug-of-war. According to reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, relayed by @eflpublished on X, two Championship clubs are actively trying to pry ...
England heads to the Norway game in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals with the possibility of reaching its best mark in the FIFA Rankings. England entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup widely regarded as one of the strongest national teams of the tournament, and now, sitting just three wins away from glory, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as the Three Lions prepare to battle Norway in the quarterfinal round. Yet, despite putting together a highly impressive run in North America, their official positioning in the global FIFA world rankings has remained relatively stagnant. England currently occupies the No. 4 spot in the official FIFA rankings, boasting 1,871.39 total points. The squad, led by manager Thomas Tuchel, actually entered the tournament already locked into that fourth-place position with 1,828.02 points, meaning their recent success has allowed them to comfortably maintain their distance from the chasing pack while failing to quite close the gap on the world’s top three nations. As the historic birthplace of modern soccer and home to the pioneering Football Association, England is currently in an ideal position to rewrite its own international record books regarding the global leaderboard. The Three Lions have climbed into the top three of the FIFA rankings on exactly three occasions in program history, achieving the feat in 2012, 2021, and most recently in 2023. Despite reaching those lofty heights, England has never managed to crack the top two spots, an institutional drought they will be incredibly eager to finally break by lifting the trophy this July. Declan Rice #4, Harry Kane #9 and Elliot Anderson #8 of England celebrate the team’s 3-2 victory. While Erling Haaland remains the top menace of a dangerous Norway squad, England still holds a definitive historical edge over their Scandinavian counterparts. Across 12 all-time meetings between the two European nations, England has claimed victory seven times, paired with three draws and just two losses, though this highly anticipated clash will mark their first-ever World Cup meeting. England looking to end its legendary championship drought England is firmly established as one of international soccer’s most historic brands, currently ranking fifth all-time for the most total matches played in World Cup history. However, during this year’s showcase, the primary objective for the Three Lions is simply putting an end to decades of tournament heartbreak. In their lone World Cup final appearance, England delivered a clinical performance to secure a legendary 4-2 extra-time victory over West Germany back in 1966, but the program has famously failed to return to the grandest stage ever since. The Three Lions came agonizingly close to snapping their broader trophy drought recently, but consecutive, heartbreaking defeats in the 2021 and 2024 Euro finals against Italy and Spain have only prolonged the nation’s wait for a major honor.
Haji Wright's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign has come to an end following the United States defeat to Belgium in the last 16. Wright featured in two of USA's five matches and played for a combined total of just two minutes, coming on as a last-minute substitute against Australia and Belgium. Following a Championship title winning campaign - in which Wright scored 17 times - he touched the ball just twice at the World Cup.
Zach Mitchell feels he has "unfinished business" at St Johnstone after returning for a second spell on loan from Charlton Athletic. The 21-year-old defender started last season on loan at Hibernian but was recalled by the Championship club in January after having made only two appearances. Mitchell had joined St Johnstone the previous February and played 10 times, seven of them starts, as the Perth side suffered relegation from the Scottish Premiership.
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