Mexico defeated New Zealand 2-4 in the World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs. The fixture is part of the Finals stage in the 2014 season. The match was played at Westpac Stadium (Wellington). The full-time result capped a New Zealand vs Mexico meeting in World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs 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 New Zealand and Mexico. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Recorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
New ZealandMexico defeated New Zealand 2-4 in the World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs. The fixture is part of the Finals stage in the 2014 season. The match was played at Westpac Stadium (Wellington). The full-time result capped a New Zealand vs Mexico meeting in World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs 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 New Zealand and Mexico. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Recorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
New Zealand
Atalanta has reached a basic agreement to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese for approximately €22 million plus bonuses, according to reports summarized by Football Italia. The deal is expected to be structured as an initial loan with an obligation to buy. That arrangement will allow Atalanta to spread the cost across separate accounting periods while […] The post Atalanta agrees €22 million Thomas Kristensen transfer appeared first on SoccerNews.
After joining LA Galaxy in look for minutes, Hirving "Chucky" Lozano has used Lionel Messi's success in the 2026 World Cup as an inspiration to eventually return to the Mexico national team. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano completed his transfer to the LA Galaxy seeking the consistent minutes he was unable to secure at San Diego FC, aiming to relaunch his career on the international stage. Looking for a blueprint to return to the Mexico national team, Lozano cited Lionel Messi‘s success during the 2026 World Cup while competing in MLS as a primary source of inspiration. Since Messi arrived at Inter Miami in 2023, critics questioned his physical conditioning and competitive edge playing outside the European spotlight. However, the forward defied expectations by delivering a standout performance at 39 years old following his preparation in MLS. Speaking to reporters during his introductory press conference, Lozano was asked by Bolavip‘s Martin O’Donnell about a potential return to the Mexico squad after witnessing Messi’s longevity: “Well, Lionel Messi is a great player. He was named the world’s best many times, so I think that with him it’s a whole different story. I admire and respect him a lot.” The forward made his intentions clear that earning a spot back with El Tri remains a primary goal at his new club. “Of course, as long as I continue playing, I will be available for Mexico. If they believe it’s the best for the national team for me to be there supporting and helping the team, of course I will be there. I will never say no (to Mexico). But well, this is a process,” Lozano added. Welcome to Los Ángeles, @HirvingLozano70 💫 pic.twitter.com/Ggc7WkHRhI— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 7, 2026 Lack of match fitness cost Lozano a World Cup roster spot While injuries proved to be an obstacle in recent years, Lozano earned a recall to the Mexico national team in late 2025 while featuring for San Diego FC. However, internal friction with former head coach Mikey Varas and club executives left the forward sidelined, training individually throughout 2026 without making a single competitive appearance. Lozano’s last appearance for San Diego FC came during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, and going months without game action led head coach Javier Aguirre to exclude him from Mexico’s 2026 World Cup roster. Now settled with the Galaxy, Lozano expects regular playing time to revive his international candidacy. “Now that I’ll have the opportunity to play, I believe that they’ll see what I can do, how I find myself, and that way they’ll decide if it’s good having me on the national team or not. I will work a lot to be there, I love to be with the national team, I’m passionate about it, but only time will tell,” he added, noting that final squad selection rests with team management. Extended fall window presents immediate opportunity for El Tri comeback Lozano joined the LA Galaxy as a Designated Player on loan through December 2026, with an option to make the transfer permanent. During that stretch, he will have an immediate platform to prove his form to Mexico’s new manager, legendary defender Rafael Marquez. El Tri‘s upcoming fixture list and Marquez’s touchline debut will take place during an expanded international window between September and October. Playing across a four-game tour in the United States, Mexico are scheduled to face Colombia (Sept. 26), Peru (Sept. 29), the USMNT (Oct. 3), and Chile (Oct. 6). Amid a demanding schedule with minimal recovery time between matches, the autumn fixtures offer a natural environment for Lozano to regain match sharpness and rejoin the national team setup. His last appearance for El Tri came in November 2025 during a friendly against Uruguay, where he played the opening 45 minutes before exiting with an injury.
President Donald Trump showed his support for Gianni Infantino, following the joint letter from UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF criticizing the FIFA president. Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Gianni Infantino as the FIFA president faces mounting pressure to step down, warning that removing him would be a costly mistake for the organization. The U.S. president made his position clear in a post on Truth Social, defending Infantino’s leadership amid the growing revolt from some of football’s most powerful governing bodies. In his post, Trump wrote: “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino. He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!” The backing comes in the middle of a crisis triggered by Infantino’s now-scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold private investors a 20% stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights for a reported $4.2 billion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump. (Getty Images) The proposal sparked accusations that Infantino was attempting to privatize a central pillar of the sport, and although FIFA has since abandoned the plan and admitted it mishandled the rollout, the fallout has only deepened divisions within soccer governing structure. UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF jointly released a letter in response, stating that “trust” had been “broken through deception” and calling for new leadership at FIFA that serves football rather than commands it. Argentina, Mexico and Africa’s CAF rally behind embattled Infantino Not everyone within soccer governing bodies has turned against Infantino. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued a letter backing him directly, pointing to FIFA’s work over the past decade as having “centred on the development of soccer worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model”. Mexico’s federation broke ranks with its own regional confederation, CONCACAF, to back Infantino as well, saying it “supports President Infantino’s leadership in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening”. That backing was reinforced by the African Football Confederation (CAF), which unanimously endorsed Infantino across its 54 member nations — a significant show of support led by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, long considered a close ally of the FIFA chief.
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini strongly supports the club's endeavours to "keep hold of their key players" ahead of the 2026-27 season, after Regis le Bris highlighted the need to be "really precise" in the transfer window. Belgium international Thomas Meunier is the only player to arrive on a permanent deal so far, having joined on a free transfer from Lille. "Like most Sunderland fans, I'm checking the BBC Sport website regularly just to make sure I haven't missed anything," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
Inter Milan are on the verge of signing Djed Spence from Tottenham (Picture: Getty) Djed Spence is edging closer to leaving Tottenham for Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy. Spence struggled to live up to expectations after joining Tottenham from Middlesbrough back in 2022, having helped Nottingham Forest win promotion to the Premier League during an outstanding loan spell at the City Ground. After three separate loans with Rennes, Leeds and Genoa, though, Spence enjoyed something of a resurgence at Spurs last season, earning himself a place in England’s World Cup squad. Spence emerged from the tournament as one of the Three Lions’ unlikely stars after working his way into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI in the midst of an injury crisis at full-back. 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. But Tottenham’s hierarchy were unmoved and made it clear they were open to offers for Spence at the start of the summer transfer window, meaning the versatile 26-year-old returned to north London with his club future up in the air. Reports last week indicated both Manchester United and Liverpool had been offered the chance to sign Spence before the transfer deadline. However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have muscled themselves into pole position for Spence and the England international is said to be ‘on his way’ to the San Siro. Spurs are ready to sell Spence for a fee of £25.6m (Picture: Getty) The versatile full-back was one of England’s breakout stars at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) It’s claimed the relevant parties have come close to reaching an agreement ‘in the last few hours’ over a move expected to be worth in the region of €30million (£25.6m) plus bonuses. The report adds that Spence will be brought in as Denzel Dumphries’ long-term successor in Milan ‘barring any unexpected developments’. Spence is set to follow in the footsteps of international colleague John Stones, who departed Manchester City to join the Serie A giants on a free transfer last month. Given their grueling summer with England, neither player is expected to be ready in time for Inter’s opening match of the Italian top-flight season at home to Monza on August 22. De Zerbi’s side begin the Premier League season away to Brentford (Picture: Getty) Tottenham had initially slapped a £35m price tag on Spence but ultimately decided to relax their demands in order to remove the defender from their wage bill. Spence is likely to put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Inter and the impending move could pave the way for Luis Enrique to complete a switch to Roma. Inter have been forced to drop their pursuit of Tottenham defender Cristian Romero but remain interested in a deal for Liverpool and England midfielder Curtis Jones. As one of Tottenham’s many World Cup participants, Spence was not included in Roberto De Zerbi’s touring party to New Zealand and Australia for the club’s pre-season matches against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea. Spurs continue their busy pre-season schedule with a friendly against Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend before kicking off their Premier League campaign away to London rivals Brentford on August 22. 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
Kasper Hogh's impressive first-half hat-trick against Kilmarnock drew comparisons to a litany of Celtic's most prestigious forwards. BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter, Tom English, said the Denmark striker, who was making just his second appearance for Martin O'Neill's side, represented "the most proven goalscorer Celtic have signed since Chris Sutton". Current manager O'Neill signed Sutton from Chelsea in what was then the club's record outlay, with Hogh their current biggest fee.
The 23 players of Afghanistan's women's football team who now live abroad, have travelled to New Zealand for a training camp and to play two unofficial friendly games against the Cook Islands. Banned from playing at home, this is the first time they have been together since football governing body FIFA ruled in April 2026 that they could represent their country in official matches in the future.
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Atalanta has reached a basic agreement to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese for approximately €22 million plus bonuses, according to reports summarized by Football Italia. The deal is expected to be structured as an initial loan with an obligation to buy. That arrangement will allow Atalanta to spread the cost across separate accounting periods while […] The post Atalanta agrees €22 million Thomas Kristensen transfer appeared first on SoccerNews.
After joining LA Galaxy in look for minutes, Hirving "Chucky" Lozano has used Lionel Messi's success in the 2026 World Cup as an inspiration to eventually return to the Mexico national team. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano completed his transfer to the LA Galaxy seeking the consistent minutes he was unable to secure at San Diego FC, aiming to relaunch his career on the international stage. Looking for a blueprint to return to the Mexico national team, Lozano cited Lionel Messi‘s success during the 2026 World Cup while competing in MLS as a primary source of inspiration. Since Messi arrived at Inter Miami in 2023, critics questioned his physical conditioning and competitive edge playing outside the European spotlight. However, the forward defied expectations by delivering a standout performance at 39 years old following his preparation in MLS. Speaking to reporters during his introductory press conference, Lozano was asked by Bolavip‘s Martin O’Donnell about a potential return to the Mexico squad after witnessing Messi’s longevity: “Well, Lionel Messi is a great player. He was named the world’s best many times, so I think that with him it’s a whole different story. I admire and respect him a lot.” The forward made his intentions clear that earning a spot back with El Tri remains a primary goal at his new club. “Of course, as long as I continue playing, I will be available for Mexico. If they believe it’s the best for the national team for me to be there supporting and helping the team, of course I will be there. I will never say no (to Mexico). But well, this is a process,” Lozano added. Welcome to Los Ángeles, @HirvingLozano70 💫 pic.twitter.com/Ggc7WkHRhI— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 7, 2026 Lack of match fitness cost Lozano a World Cup roster spot While injuries proved to be an obstacle in recent years, Lozano earned a recall to the Mexico national team in late 2025 while featuring for San Diego FC. However, internal friction with former head coach Mikey Varas and club executives left the forward sidelined, training individually throughout 2026 without making a single competitive appearance. Lozano’s last appearance for San Diego FC came during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, and going months without game action led head coach Javier Aguirre to exclude him from Mexico’s 2026 World Cup roster. Now settled with the Galaxy, Lozano expects regular playing time to revive his international candidacy. “Now that I’ll have the opportunity to play, I believe that they’ll see what I can do, how I find myself, and that way they’ll decide if it’s good having me on the national team or not. I will work a lot to be there, I love to be with the national team, I’m passionate about it, but only time will tell,” he added, noting that final squad selection rests with team management. Extended fall window presents immediate opportunity for El Tri comeback Lozano joined the LA Galaxy as a Designated Player on loan through December 2026, with an option to make the transfer permanent. During that stretch, he will have an immediate platform to prove his form to Mexico’s new manager, legendary defender Rafael Marquez. El Tri‘s upcoming fixture list and Marquez’s touchline debut will take place during an expanded international window between September and October. Playing across a four-game tour in the United States, Mexico are scheduled to face Colombia (Sept. 26), Peru (Sept. 29), the USMNT (Oct. 3), and Chile (Oct. 6). Amid a demanding schedule with minimal recovery time between matches, the autumn fixtures offer a natural environment for Lozano to regain match sharpness and rejoin the national team setup. His last appearance for El Tri came in November 2025 during a friendly against Uruguay, where he played the opening 45 minutes before exiting with an injury.
President Donald Trump showed his support for Gianni Infantino, following the joint letter from UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF criticizing the FIFA president. Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Gianni Infantino as the FIFA president faces mounting pressure to step down, warning that removing him would be a costly mistake for the organization. The U.S. president made his position clear in a post on Truth Social, defending Infantino’s leadership amid the growing revolt from some of football’s most powerful governing bodies. In his post, Trump wrote: “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino. He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!” The backing comes in the middle of a crisis triggered by Infantino’s now-scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold private investors a 20% stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights for a reported $4.2 billion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump. (Getty Images) The proposal sparked accusations that Infantino was attempting to privatize a central pillar of the sport, and although FIFA has since abandoned the plan and admitted it mishandled the rollout, the fallout has only deepened divisions within soccer governing structure. UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF jointly released a letter in response, stating that “trust” had been “broken through deception” and calling for new leadership at FIFA that serves football rather than commands it. Argentina, Mexico and Africa’s CAF rally behind embattled Infantino Not everyone within soccer governing bodies has turned against Infantino. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued a letter backing him directly, pointing to FIFA’s work over the past decade as having “centred on the development of soccer worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model”. Mexico’s federation broke ranks with its own regional confederation, CONCACAF, to back Infantino as well, saying it “supports President Infantino’s leadership in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening”. That backing was reinforced by the African Football Confederation (CAF), which unanimously endorsed Infantino across its 54 member nations — a significant show of support led by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, long considered a close ally of the FIFA chief.
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini strongly supports the club's endeavours to "keep hold of their key players" ahead of the 2026-27 season, after Regis le Bris highlighted the need to be "really precise" in the transfer window. Belgium international Thomas Meunier is the only player to arrive on a permanent deal so far, having joined on a free transfer from Lille. "Like most Sunderland fans, I'm checking the BBC Sport website regularly just to make sure I haven't missed anything," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
Inter Milan are on the verge of signing Djed Spence from Tottenham (Picture: Getty) Djed Spence is edging closer to leaving Tottenham for Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy. Spence struggled to live up to expectations after joining Tottenham from Middlesbrough back in 2022, having helped Nottingham Forest win promotion to the Premier League during an outstanding loan spell at the City Ground. After three separate loans with Rennes, Leeds and Genoa, though, Spence enjoyed something of a resurgence at Spurs last season, earning himself a place in England’s World Cup squad. Spence emerged from the tournament as one of the Three Lions’ unlikely stars after working his way into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI in the midst of an injury crisis at full-back. 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. But Tottenham’s hierarchy were unmoved and made it clear they were open to offers for Spence at the start of the summer transfer window, meaning the versatile 26-year-old returned to north London with his club future up in the air. Reports last week indicated both Manchester United and Liverpool had been offered the chance to sign Spence before the transfer deadline. However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have muscled themselves into pole position for Spence and the England international is said to be ‘on his way’ to the San Siro. Spurs are ready to sell Spence for a fee of £25.6m (Picture: Getty) The versatile full-back was one of England’s breakout stars at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) It’s claimed the relevant parties have come close to reaching an agreement ‘in the last few hours’ over a move expected to be worth in the region of €30million (£25.6m) plus bonuses. The report adds that Spence will be brought in as Denzel Dumphries’ long-term successor in Milan ‘barring any unexpected developments’. Spence is set to follow in the footsteps of international colleague John Stones, who departed Manchester City to join the Serie A giants on a free transfer last month. Given their grueling summer with England, neither player is expected to be ready in time for Inter’s opening match of the Italian top-flight season at home to Monza on August 22. De Zerbi’s side begin the Premier League season away to Brentford (Picture: Getty) Tottenham had initially slapped a £35m price tag on Spence but ultimately decided to relax their demands in order to remove the defender from their wage bill. Spence is likely to put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Inter and the impending move could pave the way for Luis Enrique to complete a switch to Roma. Inter have been forced to drop their pursuit of Tottenham defender Cristian Romero but remain interested in a deal for Liverpool and England midfielder Curtis Jones. As one of Tottenham’s many World Cup participants, Spence was not included in Roberto De Zerbi’s touring party to New Zealand and Australia for the club’s pre-season matches against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea. Spurs continue their busy pre-season schedule with a friendly against Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend before kicking off their Premier League campaign away to London rivals Brentford on August 22. 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
Kasper Hogh's impressive first-half hat-trick against Kilmarnock drew comparisons to a litany of Celtic's most prestigious forwards. BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter, Tom English, said the Denmark striker, who was making just his second appearance for Martin O'Neill's side, represented "the most proven goalscorer Celtic have signed since Chris Sutton". Current manager O'Neill signed Sutton from Chelsea in what was then the club's record outlay, with Hogh their current biggest fee.
The 23 players of Afghanistan's women's football team who now live abroad, have travelled to New Zealand for a training camp and to play two unofficial friendly games against the Cook Islands. Banned from playing at home, this is the first time they have been together since football governing body FIFA ruled in April 2026 that they could represent their country in official matches in the future.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
