Paraguay defeated Nicaragua 4-0 in Friendlies. The fixture is part of the Friendly International stage in the 2026 season. The match was played at Estadio Defensores del Chaco. The full-time result capped a Paraguay vs Nicaragua meeting in Friendlies 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 Paraguay and Nicaragua. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
FriendliesRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
NicaraguaParaguay defeated Nicaragua 4-0 in Friendlies. The fixture is part of the Friendly International stage in the 2026 season. The match was played at Estadio Defensores del Chaco. The full-time result capped a Paraguay vs Nicaragua meeting in Friendlies 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 Paraguay and Nicaragua. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
FriendliesRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Nicaragua
Today’s fluff preferred Bonnie Tyler’s versionCurtis Jones’s future has been the subject of much gossipmongering this summer, especially with Inter plonking him in the middle of their radar. The Italians have sniffed around the midfielder for quite a while and may ramp up their interest very soon with a bid of £30m to test Liverpool’s resolve.Ipswich are not willing to stop their summer spending and a return for Julio Enciso looks nailed on. The Paraguay international had an injury-plagued loan spell at Portman Road in 2025 but is back to lead their battle for Premier League survival after a permanent deal was agreed with Strasbourg. Also making the move from the French club is right-back Abdoul Ouattara. Continue reading...
This time around, chairman Mark Ashton says Ipswich have to be "a bit braver" in their approach to the Premier League, and the type of players the club are pursuing reflects that increased ambition. Japanese attacker Daizen Maeda and Morocco centre-back Issa Diop were both on target at the World Cup this summer, and a third goalscorer from that tournament could follow. The Tractor Boys have been linked with a move for Paraguayan forward Julio Enciso, who played under O'Neil at Strasbourg last season and had an injury-blighted loan spell at Portman Road during the second half of 2024-25.
The USMNT confirmed their first friendlies since the 2026 World Cup, and Christian Pulisic now knows his rivals for the FIFA window. Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national team now know exactly who stands between them and their first response to a disappointing home World Cup. US Soccer confirmed that the USMNT will play four friendlies during the merged September-October FIFA window: Peru on September 26 at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Chile on September 29 at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and Canada on October 6 at Allianz Field in St. Paul. These will be the USMNT‘s first matches since their 2026 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16, where the U.S. fell 1-4 to Belgium. Much was expected of Pulisic, whose own tournament was hampered by injury throughout. He was electric in the opener against Paraguay, picking up an assist, before a calf knock forced him off at halftime, and while he returned for the following matches, his form dipped noticeably by the time the U.S. faced Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium — a drop-off later explained by a bone bruise and microfracture he was playing through. A FOUR-MATCH WINDOW IS SET FOR THIS FALL!🇺🇸🆚🇵🇪 – 9/26 in Orlando, FL🇺🇸🆚🇨🇱 – 9/29 in St. Louis, MO🇺🇸🆚🇲🇽 – 10/3 in Glendale, AZ🇺🇸🆚🇨🇦 – 10/6 in St. Paul, MN🔗 https://t.co/SVoF4Ixmch pic.twitter.com/RwqDMqC4O8— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) August 4, 2026 Pochettino locked in through 2030 These friendlies also double as the first fixtures of a newly extended era. Despite the underwhelming World Cup exit on home soil, Mauricio Pochettino agreed to a new USMNT contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup, a deal U.S. Soccer framed as a long-term bet on continuity rather than a reaction to a single tournament. “Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger,” Pochettino said. He also pointed to ambitions beyond results on the field, saying the goal is to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed him so warmly. US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone backed the extension, pointing to Pochettino’s experience as a boost not just for the senior team but for the broader player development pipeline, and citing the long tenures of coaches like Lionel Scaloni and Didier Deschamps as models for sustained success across multiple World Cup cycles.
According to reports, Mauricio Pochettino is close to renewing his contract with the USMNT ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly nearing a new deal with the USMNT, a four-year extension that would keep him in charge of the national team through the 2030 World Cup. His original contract only covered the buildup to this summer’s tournament, leaving his future as a subject of speculation even as talks with the federation had reportedly already begun before the World Cup kicked off. According to Telemundo’s Andres Cantor, the extension is close to being finalized, a report subsequently confirmed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein. The deal is said to be in its final stages, though it still requires formal approval from US Soccer’s board of directors before it can be made official. Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone has spoken publicly about the progress of the negotiations, describing conversations with Pochettino as “going well” and suggesting an announcement could come in the near future. Mauricio Pochettino celebrates USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Getty Images) The push to keep Pochettino in place comes despite a tournament that ended in some disappointment on the pitch, with the U.S. eliminated in the Round of 16 by Belgium in a lopsided 4-1 defeat. That result, however, doesn’t appear to have shaken the federation’s confidence in the Argentine coach, whose overall body of work with the program has been used to justify locking him in for another cycle. Pochettino’s numbers as USMNT manager Since taking over, Pochettino has posted a 18-1-12 record across 31 matches in charge of the USMNT. His World Cup campaign specifically produced a string of historic results: the U.S. topped Group D with wins over Paraguay and Australia, racking up six points, the most in a group stage in program history, and the first time the U.S. had won two group-stage matches since 1930. That form carried into the knockout rounds, where a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 marked the team’s first knockout-stage victory since 2002. Between those results, Pochettino became the winningest head coach in USMNT history at a single World Cup, with three victories in the tournament, while the team also set a new U.S. scoring record with 11 goals across five matches before finishing 12th overall.
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé is embroiled in a scandal over racist remarks made by a Paraguayan senator that the United Nations Human Rights Office has called "dehumanizing" and "despicable" and have led to an investigation by French prosecutors.
As the USMNT forward left Seattle following the team's Round of 16 defeat to Belgium, attention quickly turned to his physical condition and his emotional reaction after another painful exit from the tournament. The United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak, and Christian Pulisic was once again at the center of the story. As the USMNT forward left Seattle following the team’s Round of 16 defeat to Belgium, attention quickly turned to his physical condition and his emotional reaction after another painful exit from the tournament. Pulisic’s injury update and his biggest regret after the World Cup have now emerged, offering fresh insight into what the Milan star was feeling after the final whistle. His comments came after another difficult night for the USMNT, whose dream of a historic run on home soil ended with a heavy defeat. Mauricio Pochettino and his players suffered a 4-1 loss to Belgium in Seattle, bringing an end to a tournament that had begun with genuine optimism. After impressive victories earlier in the competition, the national team struggled to reproduce its best football against one of Europe’s strongest sides. Belgium built a commanding lead before Pulisic was forced off through injury in the second half. The defeat denied the United States a place in the World Cup quarterfinals and left players visibly devastated after the final whistle. La sequenza che ha portato all’infortunio di Pulisic la scorsa notte contro il Belgio #Milan pic.twitter.com/LBFtIgtu8J— Francesco Nasato (@FraNasato) July 7, 2026 The result also extended a frustrating trend for the American national team, which has now fallen in the Round of 16 in several consecutive World Cup appearances despite entering tournaments with increasing expectations. Pulisic offers injury update after Belgium clash The biggest concern immediately after the match centered on Pulisic’s condition after he limped off in the 59th minute following a challenge involving Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans. According to ESPN, the American forward confirmed exactly what happened after the collision. “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” Pulisic explained. “I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It’s just unfortunate way to finish.” Mauricio Pochettino also addressed the situation after the match, explaining that the injury appeared to involve Pulisic’s ankle while expressing hope that the forward would recover in time for preseason with the Rossoneri. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium The major regret Pulisic leaves the World Cup with While discussing his injury, Pulisic admitted his biggest disappointment had little to do with the physical pain. Instead, he regretted not being able to produce the decisive moments he believed the United States needed against elite opposition. Speaking after the defeat, the 27-year-old said: “I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high. Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team. I’m disappointed with myself, of course, but I’m going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well.” Those remarks summed up the frustration surrounding his tournament. Pulisic finished the World Cup without scoring a goal, despite arriving as the nation’s biggest star and primary attacking threat. Injuries disrupted Pulisic throughout the tournament The Belgium match was not the first physical setback Pulisic experienced during the competition. He suffered a left calf injury in the opening match against Paraguay, forcing him to miss part of the group stage before returning later in the tournament. After nearly completing the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, another injury struck during the biggest match of the campaign. The latest setback involved both his a
What happens next carries consequences that stretch far beyond 90 minutes, especially for the 2026 World Cup bracket itself. The Round of 16 clash between USMNT and Belgium in Seattle arrives with everything still on the line, and the final result between the two national teams remains undecided as kickoff approaches. One outcome could redefine how far the United States men’s national team can go in this tournament, while Belgium enters with its own ambitions of another deep World Cup run. What happens next carries consequences that stretch far beyond 90 minutes, especially for the 2026 World Cup bracket itself. There is a growing sense that this matchup is one of the defining moments of the tournament so far, even before a ball is kicked. The stakes are simple on the surface, yet complicated in their impact. As the USMNT prepares to face Belgium in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 fixture in Seattle, tactical discussions have been overshadowed by a major disciplinary controversy. Following his expulsion in the previous round, Folarin Balogun was widely expected to miss this crucial knockout tie. Instead, a dramatic, eleventh-hour decision to suspend his red-card ban has cleared the striker to play, entirely shifting Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking outlook and dominating the narrative just hours before kickoff. “The Belgian federation released a statement saying it was ‘astonished’ by the decision,” highlighting the tension surrounding FIFA’s ruling. Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia also pushed back, saying, “We’re not defending the national team or federation, we are defending football.” These reactions have added an emotional edge to an already high-pressure knockout fixture. DateUSMNT’s OpponentStageResultJune 12, 2026ParaguayGroup StageWin (4-1)June 19, 2026AustraliaGroup StageWin (2-0)June 25, 2026TürkiyeGroup StageLoss (2-3)July 1, 2026Bosnia and HerzegovinaRound of 32Win (2-0) The USMNT and Belgium also carry historical weight into the match, having met in memorable past tournaments. Their most famous encounter came in 2014, when Belgium eliminated the USMNT in extra time after a record-breaking performance from goalkeeper Tim Howard. Now, both national teams enter a new era with entirely different squads looking to write their own story. DateBelgium’s OpponentStageResultJune 15, 2026EgyptGroup StageDraw (1-1)June 21, 2026IranGroup StageDraw (0-0)June 26, 2026New ZealandGroup StageWin (5-1)July 1, 2026SenegalRound of 32Win (3-2, AET) What happens if the USMNT wins and Belgium loses? A victory for the United States would mark its deepest World Cup progression in more than two decades, instantly rewriting expectations for the program. The USMNT would advance to face the Spain in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles, a stage it has not reached since 2002. Tim Ream #13 and Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States. The presence of Folarin Balogun adds another layer of importance to this scenario, with his availability shifting attacking dynamics. His movement, pressing, and finishing ability could be decisive in a tight knockout contest. A win would also validate the team’s aggressive identity under pressure, with its high-intensity structure finally translating into elite results. It would also reinforce the belief that this generation can compete with Europe’s top sides on home soil. What happens if the match goes to a draw? A draw after regulation time does not preserve any safety net, as the knockout format forces a conclusion. In this scenario, both teams would enter extra time, where fatigue and small tactical margins often decide entire tournaments. The psychological tension would increase significantly, especially for a USMNT side playing in front of a home crowd. Belgium, meanwhile, would rely heavily on experience and individual quality in moments of chaos. Christian Pulisic #8 of the United States applauds fans after the team’s 2-0 victory If penalties are required, the outcome becomes even more unpredictabl
Kylian Mbappe's critics have suggested he wields too much power at Real Madrid and in the France team, but Didier Deschamps says otherwise. The post ‘Mbappe is not a dictator’ – Deschamps defends France captain against online criticism appeared first on SoccerNews.
France were held goalless for 70 minutes by Paraguay in Saturday's World Cup last-16 tie, as their opponents drew on the dark arts. The post Deschamps feared Mbappe would be ‘chopped down’ in ill-tempered Paraguay clash appeared first on SoccerNews.
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Today’s fluff preferred Bonnie Tyler’s versionCurtis Jones’s future has been the subject of much gossipmongering this summer, especially with Inter plonking him in the middle of their radar. The Italians have sniffed around the midfielder for quite a while and may ramp up their interest very soon with a bid of £30m to test Liverpool’s resolve.Ipswich are not willing to stop their summer spending and a return for Julio Enciso looks nailed on. The Paraguay international had an injury-plagued loan spell at Portman Road in 2025 but is back to lead their battle for Premier League survival after a permanent deal was agreed with Strasbourg. Also making the move from the French club is right-back Abdoul Ouattara. Continue reading...
This time around, chairman Mark Ashton says Ipswich have to be "a bit braver" in their approach to the Premier League, and the type of players the club are pursuing reflects that increased ambition. Japanese attacker Daizen Maeda and Morocco centre-back Issa Diop were both on target at the World Cup this summer, and a third goalscorer from that tournament could follow. The Tractor Boys have been linked with a move for Paraguayan forward Julio Enciso, who played under O'Neil at Strasbourg last season and had an injury-blighted loan spell at Portman Road during the second half of 2024-25.
The USMNT confirmed their first friendlies since the 2026 World Cup, and Christian Pulisic now knows his rivals for the FIFA window. Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national team now know exactly who stands between them and their first response to a disappointing home World Cup. US Soccer confirmed that the USMNT will play four friendlies during the merged September-October FIFA window: Peru on September 26 at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Chile on September 29 at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and Canada on October 6 at Allianz Field in St. Paul. These will be the USMNT‘s first matches since their 2026 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16, where the U.S. fell 1-4 to Belgium. Much was expected of Pulisic, whose own tournament was hampered by injury throughout. He was electric in the opener against Paraguay, picking up an assist, before a calf knock forced him off at halftime, and while he returned for the following matches, his form dipped noticeably by the time the U.S. faced Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium — a drop-off later explained by a bone bruise and microfracture he was playing through. A FOUR-MATCH WINDOW IS SET FOR THIS FALL!🇺🇸🆚🇵🇪 – 9/26 in Orlando, FL🇺🇸🆚🇨🇱 – 9/29 in St. Louis, MO🇺🇸🆚🇲🇽 – 10/3 in Glendale, AZ🇺🇸🆚🇨🇦 – 10/6 in St. Paul, MN🔗 https://t.co/SVoF4Ixmch pic.twitter.com/RwqDMqC4O8— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) August 4, 2026 Pochettino locked in through 2030 These friendlies also double as the first fixtures of a newly extended era. Despite the underwhelming World Cup exit on home soil, Mauricio Pochettino agreed to a new USMNT contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup, a deal U.S. Soccer framed as a long-term bet on continuity rather than a reaction to a single tournament. “Working together with U.S. Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the Men’s National Team program even stronger,” Pochettino said. He also pointed to ambitions beyond results on the field, saying the goal is to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed him so warmly. US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone backed the extension, pointing to Pochettino’s experience as a boost not just for the senior team but for the broader player development pipeline, and citing the long tenures of coaches like Lionel Scaloni and Didier Deschamps as models for sustained success across multiple World Cup cycles.
According to reports, Mauricio Pochettino is close to renewing his contract with the USMNT ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly nearing a new deal with the USMNT, a four-year extension that would keep him in charge of the national team through the 2030 World Cup. His original contract only covered the buildup to this summer’s tournament, leaving his future as a subject of speculation even as talks with the federation had reportedly already begun before the World Cup kicked off. According to Telemundo’s Andres Cantor, the extension is close to being finalized, a report subsequently confirmed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein. The deal is said to be in its final stages, though it still requires formal approval from US Soccer’s board of directors before it can be made official. Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone has spoken publicly about the progress of the negotiations, describing conversations with Pochettino as “going well” and suggesting an announcement could come in the near future. Mauricio Pochettino celebrates USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Getty Images) The push to keep Pochettino in place comes despite a tournament that ended in some disappointment on the pitch, with the U.S. eliminated in the Round of 16 by Belgium in a lopsided 4-1 defeat. That result, however, doesn’t appear to have shaken the federation’s confidence in the Argentine coach, whose overall body of work with the program has been used to justify locking him in for another cycle. Pochettino’s numbers as USMNT manager Since taking over, Pochettino has posted a 18-1-12 record across 31 matches in charge of the USMNT. His World Cup campaign specifically produced a string of historic results: the U.S. topped Group D with wins over Paraguay and Australia, racking up six points, the most in a group stage in program history, and the first time the U.S. had won two group-stage matches since 1930. That form carried into the knockout rounds, where a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 marked the team’s first knockout-stage victory since 2002. Between those results, Pochettino became the winningest head coach in USMNT history at a single World Cup, with three victories in the tournament, while the team also set a new U.S. scoring record with 11 goals across five matches before finishing 12th overall.
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé is embroiled in a scandal over racist remarks made by a Paraguayan senator that the United Nations Human Rights Office has called "dehumanizing" and "despicable" and have led to an investigation by French prosecutors.
As the USMNT forward left Seattle following the team's Round of 16 defeat to Belgium, attention quickly turned to his physical condition and his emotional reaction after another painful exit from the tournament. The United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak, and Christian Pulisic was once again at the center of the story. As the USMNT forward left Seattle following the team’s Round of 16 defeat to Belgium, attention quickly turned to his physical condition and his emotional reaction after another painful exit from the tournament. Pulisic’s injury update and his biggest regret after the World Cup have now emerged, offering fresh insight into what the Milan star was feeling after the final whistle. His comments came after another difficult night for the USMNT, whose dream of a historic run on home soil ended with a heavy defeat. Mauricio Pochettino and his players suffered a 4-1 loss to Belgium in Seattle, bringing an end to a tournament that had begun with genuine optimism. After impressive victories earlier in the competition, the national team struggled to reproduce its best football against one of Europe’s strongest sides. Belgium built a commanding lead before Pulisic was forced off through injury in the second half. The defeat denied the United States a place in the World Cup quarterfinals and left players visibly devastated after the final whistle. La sequenza che ha portato all’infortunio di Pulisic la scorsa notte contro il Belgio #Milan pic.twitter.com/LBFtIgtu8J— Francesco Nasato (@FraNasato) July 7, 2026 The result also extended a frustrating trend for the American national team, which has now fallen in the Round of 16 in several consecutive World Cup appearances despite entering tournaments with increasing expectations. Pulisic offers injury update after Belgium clash The biggest concern immediately after the match centered on Pulisic’s condition after he limped off in the 59th minute following a challenge involving Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans. According to ESPN, the American forward confirmed exactly what happened after the collision. “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” Pulisic explained. “I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It’s just unfortunate way to finish.” Mauricio Pochettino also addressed the situation after the match, explaining that the injury appeared to involve Pulisic’s ankle while expressing hope that the forward would recover in time for preseason with the Rossoneri. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium The major regret Pulisic leaves the World Cup with While discussing his injury, Pulisic admitted his biggest disappointment had little to do with the physical pain. Instead, he regretted not being able to produce the decisive moments he believed the United States needed against elite opposition. Speaking after the defeat, the 27-year-old said: “I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high. Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team. I’m disappointed with myself, of course, but I’m going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well.” Those remarks summed up the frustration surrounding his tournament. Pulisic finished the World Cup without scoring a goal, despite arriving as the nation’s biggest star and primary attacking threat. Injuries disrupted Pulisic throughout the tournament The Belgium match was not the first physical setback Pulisic experienced during the competition. He suffered a left calf injury in the opening match against Paraguay, forcing him to miss part of the group stage before returning later in the tournament. After nearly completing the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, another injury struck during the biggest match of the campaign. The latest setback involved both his a
What happens next carries consequences that stretch far beyond 90 minutes, especially for the 2026 World Cup bracket itself. The Round of 16 clash between USMNT and Belgium in Seattle arrives with everything still on the line, and the final result between the two national teams remains undecided as kickoff approaches. One outcome could redefine how far the United States men’s national team can go in this tournament, while Belgium enters with its own ambitions of another deep World Cup run. What happens next carries consequences that stretch far beyond 90 minutes, especially for the 2026 World Cup bracket itself. There is a growing sense that this matchup is one of the defining moments of the tournament so far, even before a ball is kicked. The stakes are simple on the surface, yet complicated in their impact. As the USMNT prepares to face Belgium in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 fixture in Seattle, tactical discussions have been overshadowed by a major disciplinary controversy. Following his expulsion in the previous round, Folarin Balogun was widely expected to miss this crucial knockout tie. Instead, a dramatic, eleventh-hour decision to suspend his red-card ban has cleared the striker to play, entirely shifting Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking outlook and dominating the narrative just hours before kickoff. “The Belgian federation released a statement saying it was ‘astonished’ by the decision,” highlighting the tension surrounding FIFA’s ruling. Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia also pushed back, saying, “We’re not defending the national team or federation, we are defending football.” These reactions have added an emotional edge to an already high-pressure knockout fixture. DateUSMNT’s OpponentStageResultJune 12, 2026ParaguayGroup StageWin (4-1)June 19, 2026AustraliaGroup StageWin (2-0)June 25, 2026TürkiyeGroup StageLoss (2-3)July 1, 2026Bosnia and HerzegovinaRound of 32Win (2-0) The USMNT and Belgium also carry historical weight into the match, having met in memorable past tournaments. Their most famous encounter came in 2014, when Belgium eliminated the USMNT in extra time after a record-breaking performance from goalkeeper Tim Howard. Now, both national teams enter a new era with entirely different squads looking to write their own story. DateBelgium’s OpponentStageResultJune 15, 2026EgyptGroup StageDraw (1-1)June 21, 2026IranGroup StageDraw (0-0)June 26, 2026New ZealandGroup StageWin (5-1)July 1, 2026SenegalRound of 32Win (3-2, AET) What happens if the USMNT wins and Belgium loses? A victory for the United States would mark its deepest World Cup progression in more than two decades, instantly rewriting expectations for the program. The USMNT would advance to face the Spain in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles, a stage it has not reached since 2002. Tim Ream #13 and Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States. The presence of Folarin Balogun adds another layer of importance to this scenario, with his availability shifting attacking dynamics. His movement, pressing, and finishing ability could be decisive in a tight knockout contest. A win would also validate the team’s aggressive identity under pressure, with its high-intensity structure finally translating into elite results. It would also reinforce the belief that this generation can compete with Europe’s top sides on home soil. What happens if the match goes to a draw? A draw after regulation time does not preserve any safety net, as the knockout format forces a conclusion. In this scenario, both teams would enter extra time, where fatigue and small tactical margins often decide entire tournaments. The psychological tension would increase significantly, especially for a USMNT side playing in front of a home crowd. Belgium, meanwhile, would rely heavily on experience and individual quality in moments of chaos. Christian Pulisic #8 of the United States applauds fans after the team’s 2-0 victory If penalties are required, the outcome becomes even more unpredictabl
Kylian Mbappe's critics have suggested he wields too much power at Real Madrid and in the France team, but Didier Deschamps says otherwise. The post ‘Mbappe is not a dictator’ – Deschamps defends France captain against online criticism appeared first on SoccerNews.
France were held goalless for 70 minutes by Paraguay in Saturday's World Cup last-16 tie, as their opponents drew on the dark arts. The post Deschamps feared Mbappe would be ‘chopped down’ in ill-tempered Paraguay clash appeared first on SoccerNews.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
