Spain will navigate their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America without a crucial piece as Barcelona's Fermín López has been ruled out of the tournament. Spain enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the heavy favorites to lift the trophy and capture the second world title in their history, looking to replicate the magic of their historic 2010 run in South Africa. However, La Roja will have to mount their championship charge without the services of Barcelona’s standout midfielder, Fermín López, who was forced off the roster just weeks before the tournament. The 23-year-old offensive midfielder is missing the World Cup after suffering a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the final stretch of the La Liga season. While initial on-site evaluations raised hopes that the issue was a minor fissure requiring just two weeks of rest, an MRI scan later revealed a complete fracture of the little toe metatarsal. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de Fermín López Marín (@fermin) López underwent a successful corrective surgical procedure to repair the bone. However, with an estimated recovery window of at least two months, his dreams of making his World Cup debut in North America were instantly shattered. Fermin Lopez’s impressive season at Barcelona Fermin Lopez emerged as one of the driving forces behind the Blaugrana’s successful push for the La Liga title. Throughout the season, the 23-year-old featured in 48 matches across all competitions, racking up a stellar 13 goals and 17 assists. López was equally lethal on the European stage, serving as a pillar during Barcelona’s run to the Champions League quarterfinals. He matched Lamine Yamal as the team’s top scorer in the tournament with six goals. Additionally, the duo stood alone as the only Barcelona players to achieve double-digit goal contributions in both domestic and European play this year. His plane ticket to North America was locked in, but this untimely foot fracture means his grand introduction to soccer’s biggest stage will have to wait.
Spanish great moving to England after 14 years at Barça She has been impressed by vision of Michele Kang’s clubAlexia Putellas has agreed personal terms with London City Lionesses. Widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, Putellas would be one of the biggest signings in the history of the Women’s Super League.Her arrival also represents an extraordinary moment for London City, an independently run club with only one season in the top flight. Continue reading...
England were outclassed in Mallorca and would have been better served by trying to contain the world championsAs the game ticked into second-half stoppage time, Spain were almost showboating, Aitana Bonmatí flicking the ball around the pitch with grace, style and a swagger that sent out an emphatic message: Spain are significantly better than England.On a balmy evening in Palma, the world champions taught the European champions a painful lesson. The scoreline was one thing but, more alarmingly, the undeniable gulf in technical ability between the teams gave the Lionesses a brutal reality check, a year out from the Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Continue reading...
Spain 4-0 EnglandGuijarro 19, Putellas 37 55, Pina 78Only a minor miracle will save European champions England from having to come through World Cup qualifying playoffs after they suffered an utterly humiliating 4-0 defeat to the World Cup holders Spain in Mallorca.A loss by only a one-goal deficit would have been enough to keep their hopes of topping their qualifying group alive after an immaculate campaign prior to this. However, because the head-to-head record between the top two sides will come into play if they finish level on points, Spain’s emphatic win, with talismanic Alexia Putellas scoring twice, means they need only beat Iceland on Tuesday to secure top spot at England’s expense. Continue reading...
⚽️ Crucial qualifier kicks off at 8pm BST in Mallorca⚽️ Tom Garry’s preview | Sign up for Moving the GoalpostsOn the ground: What an atmosphere inside this stadium, with almost every single Spain fan waving their national flag in their air as the anthems are played. They respectfully applauded after ‘God save the King’ and then really upped their noise levels. High up here in the top tier of the stands, we have a view of the mountains to our left and the sea to our right. The sun is setting and the scene is very picturesque.2 min: López and Imade try to combine but James is all the way back and wins the ball back. Caldentey then plays a good ball in but Bronze deals with it eventually with an awkward header away. Continue reading...
