A. Hernandez
Magpies · UEFA Nations League · Midfielder · #6 · Gibraltar · 26 yrs
A. Hernandez news
Robert Lewandowski explains the reason behind Lamine Yamal’s 2026 World Cup inconsistent performances
Despite becoming a 2026 World Cup winner, Lamine Yamal has received a lot of criticism for his performances. In response, Robert Lewandowski has explained the reasons behind the inconsistent performances of the 19-year-old prodigy. After establishing as one of Barcelona’s best players, Lamine Yamal seemed to arrive at the 2026 World Cup ready to compete to be the tournament’s top scorer. While he shined collectively, he did not have his best tournament in front of goal. In response, Robert Lewandowski explained the reason behind the inconsistent performances of the 19-year-old star, highlighting a key aspect that has not been taken into account. “Honestly, no, we didn’t [see his best this tournament]. The best performance, the best Lamine for me, of course, wasn’t the last season, but two seasons ago… He came to the World Cup after injury and he didn’t play for like eight weeks so it’s tough if you don’t play eight weeks and you have to start playing in the World Cup, then you don’t have time for the training just from game to game,” Lewandowski said, via ESPN. After suffering a muscle tear, Lamine Yamal arrived at the 2026 World Cup far from fully fit. In fact, head coach Luis de la Fuente did not use him in the opening match, as he missed the game against Cape Verde. As the tournament progressed, he gradually regained his fluency in play. However, he was unable to impose his goalscoring ability. Robert Lewandowski’s words are not a direct criticism of Lamine. Instead, the veteran striker points to the lack of continuity after the injury as the main cause. Amid the criticism, the 19-year-old star remained irreplaceable at the 2026 World Cup, playing a key role in the team’s collective play. In addition, teammates such as Unai Simón and Rodri Hernández praised his work on the field. Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain celebrates scoring a goal. Lamine Yamal’s impact goes beyond the scoring side Throughout his career, Lamine Yamal has surprised the soccer world with his goalscoring ability. As a fast, skillful winger, he has been the centerpiece of Barcelona over the last two seasons. By failing to translate that impact to Spain, he is being heavily criticized by the fans. However, the 19-year-old star has shown that his impact goes far beyond the goalscoring aspect. As the team’s most decisive player on the ball, both Spain and Barcelona build their play around him. Therefore, he often attracts defenders and creates space for his teammates. In addition, he has excelled in the creative aspect, delivering key passes that allow his teammates to shine. Whether he scores or not, he always contributes collectively, making him the most dangerous player with or without the ball. At just 19 years old, Lamine Yamal still has many things to improve in his professional career. Not only will enhancing his goalscoring ability be key, but also managing his runs to preserve his physical condition. As a key player for both Spain and Barcelona, he is expected to be the focal point of UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, silencing the critics of his performances at the international level.
Report: Former Inter Miami star Sergio Busquets nears a return to Barcelona in a coaching role
After announcing his retirement in January 2026, former Inter Miami star Sergio Busquets had been absent from any public activity. However, he has reportedly decided to take a step toward his future, bringing him closer to a return to Barcelona in a coaching role. Despite arriving as a veteran, Sergio Busquets established as one of Inter Miami‘s pillars for several seasons. Leading the Herons to multiple titles, he decided to announce his retirement in January 2026, pathing a legendary career. After several months away from the public eye, Busquets has reportedly decided to return to Barcelona, looking to take on a coaching role in the near future. According to Carlos Monfort, via Diario Sport, Sergio Busquets has decided to return to Barcelona after attending the 2026 World Cup. He has decided to take steps forward to become a coach in the near future. Instead of joining Hansi Flick’s coaching staff, he is negotiating to join Juliano Belletti’s staff, who coaches Barça Atlètic. With this move, he is looking to learn from the day-to-day work before taking a bigger step. As he has not yet obtained the required coaching license to work as a head coach, Busquets has decided not to waste any time, joining La Masia as an apprentice, the same place where he began his career as a professional soccer player. As a result, he could begin his coaching career in FC Barcelona’s youth ranks before making the jump to any first-division team. Barcelona highly values Sergio Busquets’ influence in the youth ranks, reveals Carlos Monfort, via Diario Sport. Becoming one of the best players in the club’s history, he is an ideal ambassador for the possession-based style of play and his experience makes him a role model. However, he appears to be focused exclusively on learning from Belletti, seeking a slower transition toward becoming a head coach. Sergio Busquets #5 of Inter Miami controls the ball during an MLS Cup Conference Semifinal match. Sergio Busquets may eye different coaching route than Xavi Hernandez With Sergio Busquets’ reported return to Barcelona, many already compare him to Xavi Hernández, anticipating a possible failure. However, the story of both legends is totally different. Unlike the previous years, the Blaugranas already have a very stable sporting project, something that Xavi did not get to experience. In addition, his training was very different. Xavi Hernández trained as a coach, completing his internships and taking his first professional steps at Al Sadd SC in Qatar. Without having gone through La Masia, he had a quite mixed spell, as he won titles but ended up being dismissed. This is very different from the path that Sergio Busquets reportedly wants to take, as he first wants to learn the day-to-day work in Barcelona’s youth ranks before taking a bigger professional step. Sergio Busquets seems to have a clear path to becoming a coach: Taking slow steps to learn the fundamentals properly. Although this does not guarantee success, it does allow him to better measure his professional decisions before becoming Barcelona’s head coach. However, he appears destined to replace Hansi Flick in the future if he shines in the youth ranks.
A big red speaker, Louis Vuitton trophy trunks and a tattoo bet – how Spain celebrated World Cup win
Luis de la Fuente’s team was the best at the tournament by some margin but are not satisfied yet with focus now on ‘the next game in September’On the night that Spain won their first World Cup in 2010, Rodrigo Hernández was on camp somewhere lost in the woods of Connecticut. He had been canoeing when the selección beat Germany in the semi-final, upset to have missed it, and for the final he convinced one of the supervisors to let him watch, alone, on a mini-laptop in the hut where the staff slept. When Andrés Iniesta scored the winning goal in the 116th minute, he ran off screaming, doing laps of the lake. He was 14.On the night that Spain won their second World Cup 16 years later, Rodrigo Hernández was back in the US, not so far from there. When Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute, he ran off screaming in a straighter line and accompanied this time: towards the corner where his other family were. And then, when it ended, when the fighting finished too, he collected the trophy, pausing just long enough for Donald Trump to leave centre stage before lifting it, his timing perfect even here. Continue reading...
Lamine Yamal’s iconic baby photo with Messi in 2007: Which campaign was it for?
Lamine Yamal’s iconic 2007 photo in a plastic bathtub being bathed by Lionel Messi has gone viral once again, a legendary image originally produced for a joint charity campaign. The highly anticipated showdown in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi has once again brought a viral, decades-old photo back to the surface, showing the Argentine legend bathing a baby-sized Yamal. With nearly 19 years having passed since that fateful photo shoot, and with the two superstars now set to share the pitch on soccer’s grandest stage, the true origin story behind the legendary snapshot has captivated fans worldwide. At the time of the shoot in late 2007, a 20-year-old, long-haired Lionel Messi was just beginning his historic ascent toward global soccer dominance. Cradling a six-month-old Lamine Yamal in a plastic tub, the image serves as an almost mystical premonition bridging two distinct generations of FC Barcelona excellence, a narrative made even more poetic now that they are set to clash in a World Cup final. In reality, the photo was born from a joint charity campaign organized by UNICEF, Spanish sports outlet Diario Sport, and FC Barcelona. Beginning in 2004, the Spanish publication released an annual calendar to raise vital funds for the global non-governmental organization and support the FC Barcelona Foundation’s local community outreach. For the 2008 edition, the charitable initiative was supported by various prominent members of Barcelona’s senior squad. The foundation and its associated partners handpicked the players who would participate in the shoots, featuring a star-studded lineup that included Portuguese Deco, a young Bojan Krkic, Mexican icon Rafa Marquez, midfield legend Xavi Hernandez, and, of course, a young Lionel Messi. Magical photo by the @FundacioFCB 💙❤️The story behind this photo 👉 https://t.co/Nzm1L6Ou3h📸 Joan Monfort (Diari Sport) pic.twitter.com/ukT4XgyNph— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 16, 2026 As explained by Oriol Canals, who helped coordinate the promotion for Diario Sport, the project worked with local charities to organize the participants, which is how Yamal’s family entered the picture. Through a sudden twist of fate, the future Barcelona talisman’s family won a charity raffle, granting the infant Yamal a spot in the Camp Nou locker room for a photo shoot with Messi. Yamal on the iconic picture with Messi Nearly two decades after that fateful day, Lionel Messi has cemented his legacy as Barcelona’s ultimate icon, while Lamine Yamal is widely hailed as the club’s next generational superstar. As they prepare to face off on Sunday in New Jersey for the World Cup final, the mutual respect between the master and his successor remains stronger than ever. Reflecting on the picture following Spain’s semifinal triumph, Yamal smiled when asked about the viral sensation during an interview with DAZN: “Well, I’ve grown a little bit, and Leo has too. I hope I can face Lionel Messi in the final, since we couldn’t in the Finalissima.”
Spain’s Rodri warns Lamine Yamal to ‘calm down a bit’ before 2026 World Cup semifinal against France
While Spain have been one of the most solid teams at the 2026 World Cup, Lamine Yamal has failed to make an impact in front of goal. Nevertheless, Rodri Hernandez has advised the 19-year-old star to calm down a bit just before Spain's match against France. Spain have remained one of the best teams at the 2026 World Cup, shining through their collective performances. Although Lamine Yamal has been key to the team’s overall play, he has failed to make an impact in front of goal, drawing heavy criticism. In response, Rodri Hernandez decided to praise the 19-year-old star for his collective impact ahead of their clash with France, but also asked him to calm down a bit. “I think he needs to calm down a bit, that anxiety that sometimes he has to prove himself. He’s a very important player for us because of what he does with and without the ball, and he’s a very intelligent guy. It’s true that he’s 19 years old and that we have to calm him down at certain moments of the game,” reveals Rodrigo Hernandez in the latest mixed zone. Far from trying to publicly criticize Lamine, Rodri is looking to take him away from the pressure of having to score or “meet expectations.” As he is not a center forward, Yamal does not base his game on producing goals, but on creating imbalance and breaking defensive lines. Therefore, focusing only on proving his goalscoring ability causes him to lose his greatest strength: Enhancing the team’s collective play. Lamine Yamal addresses criticism of his low scoring average After his outstanding season with Barcelona, Lamine Yamal arrived at the 2026 World Cup as one of the favorites to finish as the tournament’s top scorer. However, he has managed to score just one goal and has not recorded any assists in six matches. Amid criticism from the fans, the 19-year-old star has decided to respond to his lack of goals, echoing the opinion of Rodri Hernandez. Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain “If we win the World Cup, I think nobody will remember how many goals I scored or how many I didn’t. If we win, we’ll all be happy, that’s all I want. I know that with my movement I draw a lot of opponents away; I can create space for a teammate. Anything I can do to help, even if I don’t touch the ball in a play, will be a positive. I think everyone’s obsessed with scoring goals,” says Lamine Yamal, via COPE. Lamine Yamal’s biggest World Cup opportunity arrives vs. France For the first time in several years, Spain have reached the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. However, they will not have it easy, as they are set to face France, a top contender that have played two consecutive finals. While securing victory will be a major challenge, Lamine Yamal has to see it as the best opportunity to silence the criticism surrounding his name. If he manages to score and/or provide an assist against France, Lamine Yamal could silence the doubts surrounding his name by leading Spain to victory. Facing a team that usually dominates possession, the 19-year-old star needs to shine on the counterattack, finding spaces in the opposition’s solid defense. In addition, he could have the chance to play in the 2026 World Cup final, leading Spain to victory after a 16-year drought.
Rodri: ‘France are one of the best teams here, in great form, but so are Spain. We can beat them’
The Spain captain on his team’s chances in the World Cup semi-final, analysing every game so far and how to get the best out of Lamine Yamal“I’m not that bad,” Rodrigo Hernández says. It is the morning after the 2026 World Cup’s 100th game and in a conference room at the Cotton Bowl where old posters line the walls and Spain are about to start their penultimate training session before the 101st match, their captain is doing the calculations. Even with the six in which he has played and all the travel, from Atlanta to Guadalajara and Dallas to Los Angeles and back, 9,000 miles so far, he reckons he has watched the “immense majority”. More than anyone else here, anyway. “Some as a fan, teams we can’t face; others I analyse. But it’s not like I’m there with pen and paper,” he says. Then he cracks up and concedes: “But, yeah, I probably am the worst.”They wouldn’t have it another way; he couldn’t have it any other way. This is who Rodri is: Ballon d’Or winner and business graduate from Castellón University. The kid who was on camp in the Connecticut woods, aged 14, when Spain last won the World Cup and the captain who aspires to lift the trophy again, back in the US 16 years on. The midfielder who sometimes seems like a de facto coach, analysing everything. The adult in the room, a leader aware of his responsibility. When Rodri talks, they listen. Sometimes they have to. And, oh, Rodri talks, a calm authority about him. Continue reading...
Kylian Mbappe and Didier Deschamps explain why the France star asked to be substituted in France’s win over Morocco
Kylian Mbappe and head coach Didier Deschamps shared some insights on why the France star asked to be substituted in the World Cup win over Morocco. Kylian Mbappe made headlines for two reasons in France‘s 2026 World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco: his goal that helped send Les Bleus through, and his early exit after suffering discomfort in the second half. With a semifinal berth secured, both Mbappe and head coach Didier Deschamps shed light on the decision to bring him off. After missing a first-half penalty and joining Karim Benzema in an unwanted chapter of France World Cup history, Mbappe responded in the best way possible. He broke the deadlock in the 60th minute before turning provider six minutes later, assisting Ousmane Dembele’s goal to make it 2-0. The relief was short-lived, however, as Mbappe went down on the pitch in the 76th minute, visibly signaling to the bench to be replaced. He walked off under his own power in the 77th minute, making way for Jean-Philippe Mateta, but the sight of France’s talisman leaving the field raised immediate concern heading into the final stages of the tournament. Speaking to beIN Sports and M6 after the game, Mbappe played down any serious concern while explaining the substitution: “I’m okay, I took a blow to the ankle but I’m fine. At that moment, JP (Jean-Philipe Mateta) was better suited than I was to play the final 15 minutes, so I came off and he came on. It’s good, plus he almost scored.“ Kylian Mbappe #10 of France is attended to by teammates. Deschamps echoed that assessment and also addressed the condition of Manu Kone. “With Kylian, it was a bit of his ankle, he was feeling a bit of pain. Manu took a blow to the knee—it’s normal, the matches are coming thick and fast. It’s good for Warren, though I can’t please everyone,” the France boss told beIN Sports and M6. Third consecutive World Cup semifinal for France The victory over Morocco sends France to their third straight World Cup semifinal, having also reached the last four in 2018 and 2022. Les Bleus now stand as the third most frequent semifinalists in World Cup history with eight appearances, level with Italy, behind only Brazil with 11 and Germany with 13, and ahead of Argentina with six. Mbappe reflected on the achievement of reaching the top four once again: “We are aware that there is only one way to relax, and that is to win. We are in the semi-finals, we are very happy, but there is still a long way to go. We are aware that what lies ahead of us is even tougher than what we’ve been through, but we are ready to face anything; we are going to quietly recover and watch tomorrow’s (Friday) match to see who we will be facing.“ Alongside teammates Dembele and Lucas Hernandez, Mbappe is now appearing in his third consecutive World Cup semifinal. The benchmark in that regard belongs to Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who featured in four straight between 2002 and 2014. With the semifinal scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th at Dallas Stadium, Mbappe will have four days to recover from the ankle knock before France’s bid for a place in the final.
How to watch France vs Morocco in USA: 2026 World Cup Quarter-Finals, Live Stream, TV & Preview
France and Morocco are slated to meet in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. Here's everything you need to know to watch the match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch France vs Morocco on US television and via legal streaming: WHO France vs Morocco WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT • Thursday, July 9, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview France, the tournament favorite, enters this quarter-final clash on a formidable 12-match competitive unbeaten run, having won their last seven straight. Les Bleus have been a scoring machine, netting 14 goals in five games, and are now just one victory away from becoming only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup semifinals. Their path has been dominant, and they look to continue their march toward the final against a familiar foe. Morocco, however, is no longer a surprise package. The Atlas Lions are aiming to become just the second African nation to reach multiple semifinals after their historic 2022 run. Unbeaten in their last 10 matches, they have evolved from a purely defensive side into a potent attacking force, scoring 10 goals so far. This rematch of the 2022 semifinal promises a high-stakes battle between two of the world’s elite international teams. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The trajectories of these two nations set the stage for a compelling encounter. France has looked every bit the part of a champion, winning all five of its matches with an offensive power that has overwhelmed opponents. In contrast, Morocco has proven its 2022 performance was no fluke, navigating a tough group and knockout stage to extend a long unbeaten streak. Their progress past the Netherlands and Canada has been a statement of their quality and resilience on the world stage. The tactical battle will be fascinating. In 2022, Morocco ceded possession and relied on counter-attacks. Now, their style has completely transformed, with the Atlas Lions averaging 60% possession, matching France‘s own metrics. This shift promises a more open, fluid game, but it could also play directly into France‘s hands. If Morocco pushes forward, they risk leaving space for the blistering pace of Kylian Mbappé and France‘s other attackers to exploit on the break. For France, the motivation is clear: to solidify their legacy by reaching a third straight semifinal and taking another step toward lifting the trophy. For Morocco, this match is about more than just revenge for 2022. It’s an opportunity to make history once again and prove they belong among the world’s best, capable of going toe-to-toe with any opponent and winning. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends History favors the French in this fixture. France remains unbeaten in all six previous meetings with Morocco, recording four wins and two draws. Their most significant encounter was the 2-0 victory in the 2022 World Cup semi-final, which stands as their only competitive matchup to date. That 2022 clash in Qatar was a tense affair. An early goal from Theo Hernandez gave France the lead, but Morocco dominated possession for large spells of the game without finding a breakthrough. A late goal from Randal Kolo Muani ultimately sealed the win for Les Bleus and ended the Atlas Lions‘ dream run. France has a strong historical record against African opposition at the tournament, with five wins and three losses in eight matches. Morocco, meanwhile, has a more balanced record against European teams, with five wins, eight draws, and seven defeats. This quarter-final is a true test of whether Morocco‘s new, progressive style can finally overcome a historically dominant French side. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both teams enter this crucial quarter-final with significant injury concerns that could impact their starting lineups and tactical approaches. France is monitoring the fitness of key holding midfielder Aurélien Tchou
Switzerland knock out Colombia on penalties to reach World Cup quarter-finals
Davinson Sánchez looked to the heavens. Cucho Hernández trudged back to his teammates. By the end, the pair’s penalty misses sent the Colombian team to the grass in anguish as Switzerland danced in front of their supporters, nearly alone in a sea of yellow.Switzerland had prevailed on penalties, 4-3, Ruben Vargas’s decider bringing an emotional end to more than two hours of tense, tentative, and ludicrously goal-free football. Continue reading...
Why isn’t Raul Jimenez starting for Mexico against Czechia at the 2026 World Cup?
For the last World Cup group phase game against Czechia, Raul Jimenez will have to wait to perform for the Mexico national team on the subs bench. Raul Jimenez has been a fundamental piece in Mexico‘s path through the group phase at the 2026 World Cup, serving as the primary striker leading El Tri’s frontline. However, for this Matchday 3 clash in Group A against Czechia, Jimenez has been left out of the starting lineup. Jimenez will start on the bench for Mexico due to a tactical decision by head coach Javier Aguirre. With six points already secured and the top spot in Group A firmly locked up, the Mexican manager has chosen to rotate his squad and give some much-needed rest to several of his key starters. At the moment, Mexico sits at the top of the standings with six points after a 2-0 win against South Africa and a thrilling 1-0 victory over South Korea. With the Asian side in second with three points and Czechia in third with only one, El Tri is now mathematically out of reach from any other team in Group A. Instead, for Wednesday’s matchup against Czechia, Aguirre has opted for a lineup featuring Julian Quinones on the left wing, Roberto Alvarado on the right wing, and Guillermo Martinez as the starting striker. Consequently, the brand-new Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward will have to wait for his chance to make an impact from the substitution bench later in the match. Raul Jimenez of Mexico celebrates scoring against South Africa. Thus far, Raul Jimenez started Mexico’s first two games against South Africa, where he scored a crucial header, and the match against South Korea. With 46 career international goals, he has officially tied Jared Borgetti as El Tri‘s second-highest all-time goalscorer and now trails the record of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who leads with 52. Mexico still waiting for its next opponent With the top spot untouchable, Aguirre made the choice to field a heavily rotated lineup against Czechia while the team awaits its next World Cup opponent in the Round of 32. Returning to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City as the host venue, the next high-stakes game for El Tri is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30th. According to the tournament bracket, Mexico will face a third-place team advancing from Group C, E, F, H, or I. As the tables currently stand, that opponent would be Scotland, who finished third in Group C with three points, though their ticket to the knockout stage is not yet officially guaranteed due to a minus-three goal difference.
How to watch Colombia vs DR Congo in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
Colombia will face off against DR Congo in Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup group stage. Here’s everything you need to know to watch this exciting clash live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Colombia vs DR Congo on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Colombia vs DR Congo WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 10:00pm ET / 7:00pm PT • Tuesday, June 23, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FS1, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Colombia enters its second group stage match aiming to secure a spot in the knockout rounds after a convincing 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan. With just two losses in their last 14 matches—both against powerhouse sides France and Croatia—the South American team carries significant momentum and will look to impose its attacking style early on. DR Congo, meanwhile, is riding high after securing a historic 1-1 draw against Portugal. That result marked the nation’s first-ever point in the global tournament, coming 52 years after their last appearance. Now filled with confidence, the Leopards are no longer just happy to be here; they have a tangible opportunity to advance and will be determined to disrupt Colombia‘s plans. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This match presents a classic clash of styles, pitting Colombia‘s proactive, possession-based football against DR Congo‘s disciplined and resilient defensive setup. Colombia demonstrated its offensive firepower against Uzbekistan, controlling the game and creating numerous chances. Their strategy relies on fluid movement and committing players forward to break down defensive lines. In contrast, DR Congo proved its tactical acumen against Portugal by absorbing immense pressure while remaining a threat on the counter-attack. Despite holding only 25% of possession, they generated a higher Expected Goals (xG) total than their European opponents. The key to this game will be whether DR Congo‘s organized defense can neutralize Colombia‘s creative attackers, particularly the influential Luis Diaz. The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. A victory for Colombia would guarantee their passage to the knockout stage ahead of a challenging final group match against Portugal. For DR Congo, a win would be a monumental achievement, securing their own unlikely spot in the next round and continuing one of the tournament’s most compelling stories. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends This will be the first-ever meeting between Colombia and DR Congo, adding an element of unpredictability to the encounter. With no historical data to draw from, both teams will be entering uncharted territory as they face off on the world’s biggest stage for the first time. While they haven’t faced each other, their records against teams from the opposing confederations offer some insight. Colombia has an excellent record against African nations in this competition, remaining undefeated in four matches with three wins and one draw. Their last such encounter was a 1-0 victory over Senegal in 2018. DR Congo‘s only previous match against a South American opponent at the tournament came in 1974 (as Zaire), when they lost 3-0 to Brazil. Statistically, DR Congo‘s recent games have been low-scoring affairs, with seven of their last ten matches seeing one or fewer teams score. This contrasts sharply with Colombia, who have averaged an impressive 2.21 goals per game over their last 14 outings. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both squads enter this crucial second group stage match with full-strength rosters, giving their managers a wealth of tactical options. Colombia has no new injury or suspension concerns. However, manager Nestor Lorenzo faces a positive selection headache after substitutes Jaminton Campaz and Cucho Hernandez made a decisive impact against Uzbekistan, combining for a goal and an assist. While the starting lineup is expected to remain similar, their performance puts pressure on the starters to deliver. Simil
Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo and Pervis Estupiñán power Ecuador extend unbeaten run to 19 matches with 3-0 Guatemala win
In their final friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Ecuador dominated and defeated Guatemala. Led by Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo, and Pervis Estupiñán, they beat their opponents 3–0, extending their 19-game unbeaten streak. Ecuador defeated Guatemala in their final friendly before the 2026 World Cup begins. While Sebastián Beccacece’s team shined at a collective level, Luis Tena’s team stood out defensively, proposing a very difficult match for both sides. However, Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo and Pervis Estupiñán lead the scoring side of the Tri, reaching 19-match unbeaten run ahead the 2026 World Cup. Guatemala never managed to find their footing at any point in the game, proving clearly outclassed. Head coach Luis Tena opted for a defensive approach, deploying a back five with the midfielders dropping deep into defense. This strategy kept the game deadlocked at times, but individual mistakes ultimately exposed them. Furthermore, their only offensive strategy was the counterattack, as they lacked creativity. Although Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo, and Pervis Estupiñán managed to score, La Tri showed a major weakness in finishing. As the more dominant team on the field, they created many scoring opportunities, thanks to their decisive players. However, they were unable to finish clearly, exposing their major weakness. After the controversial penalty, they went many minutes without scoring, relying entirely on their opponent’s individual mistakes to find the net. After securing a victory over Guatemala, Ecuador have extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games, a major achievement ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Their last defeat came in September 2024 against Brazil, so head coach Sebastián Beccacece has succeeded in bringing stability to the national team. However, the team’s struggles to finish have remained its biggest headache in recent years. Jeremy Arevalo #24 of Ecuador shoots the ball past Nicolas Samayoa #3 of Guatemala. Caicedo, Angulo and Estupiñán head Ecuador’s goal threat After Marcelo Hernandez gave Allan Minda a slight shove, the referee awarded a penalty, even though the contact was minimal. Although the Guatemalan players protested the call, Jordy Caicedo scored the goal with a powerful shot on goal, beating Nicholas Hagen. Following several minutes with the match remaining quite balanced due to Guatemala’s defense, head coach Sebastián Beccacece decided to bring on Angelo Preciado, who clearly stood out. Just a few minutes after coming on, he sprinted down the flank and delivered a precise cross into the box. Beating the tough opposing defenders, Nilson Angulo scored with a header to give La Tri some breathing room. Far from easing their high press and strong intensity, La Tri managed to score an incredible long-range goal. Following a through ball and a poor clearance from Nicholas Hagen, the ball fell to Pervis Estupiñán. Taking advantage of the opposing goalkeeper’s poor positioning, the left back decided to unleash a powerful shot on goal, scoring a stunning long-range strike to put the game to bed.