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England receive hostile welcome at Mexico City hotel ahead of World Cup clash

England received a hostile welcome as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel ahead of Sunday night’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico. England had been hoping to keep their location undisclosed after Mexico supporters used loud speakers, horns and motorcycles to try to disturb the sleep of Ecuador’s players before their last-32 tie, which the co-hosts won 2-0 on Wednesday night. But when England’s coach arrived at their hotel,…

Declan Rice welcomes Mexico challenge

Declan Rice says England are ready to cope with whatever Mexico throw at them in Sunday’s World Cup encounter at the electric Estadio Azteca. From unabated hostility to playing at high altitude, Thomas Tuchel’s side expect to face a variety of obstacles as they seek to keep alive their quest to join Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 heroes in immortality. England dealt with an additional headache just before flying to Mexico…

Chicago Fire ‘open’ to offers for Mbekezeli Mbokazi after stellar World Cup – Agent Basia Michaels

Chicago Fire FC centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi is understood to be attracting interest from Premier League club Nottingham Forest, as well as teams in Belgium and Italy, but ESPN sources have said that no serious offers have been tabled. The Fire paid around $3 million to sign him from Orlando Pirates in December. Mbokazi’s agent — Basia Michaels of QT Sports — told ESPN that the centre-back’s camp is appreciative of…

‘Proud’ Cape Verde exit World Cup after pushing Argentina to brink

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Cape Verde coach Bubista praised the “heart, bravery and character” of his team after their World Cup journey was ended in heartbreaking fashion by Argentina. The reigning world champions needed extra time to eventually win 3-2 as they were pushed to the brink of possibly the biggest World Cup upset ever. – How Messi, Argentina saved themselves from humiliation of biggest upset in World Cup history…

Colombia see off Ghana to head back to World Cup round of 16

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jhon Arias scored off a sharp cross from Luis Suárez in the opening minutes, and Colombia controlled Ghana on a sweltering night at Arrowhead Stadium, allowing Los Cafeteros to advance to the round of 16 at the World Cup with a 1-0 victory Friday night. Colombia will play Switzerland on Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a spot in the quarterfinals. The game was just minutes…

Mexico City ups security, caps crowds for England after fan deaths

MEXICO CITY — Mexico will double security and limit capacity at the monument known as the “Angel of Independence” and at the fan festival in Mexico City’s main square for Sunday’s Mexico-England FIFA World Cup match after four people died during celebrations following Mexico’s win over Ecuador earlier this week. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada on Friday announced the measures as she presented the pre- and post-match security plan following…

Lionel Messi says Argentina have ‘many’ bad things to correct

Lionel Messi said the Argentina have “many” things to improve after a nail-biting 3-2 win over Cape Verde in extra time on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium Miami, pointing out his team’s shortcomings in the round-of-32 victory. “Today, we put in a huge effort, as always, playing well and playing badly, just like we always say,” Messi said after the game. “But I think the important thing now is…

Lionel Messi nets in 8th straight to retake Golden Boot lead

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Lionel Messi scored again, making Friday’s contest against Cape Verde the record-extending eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup match in which Argentina’s captain delivered at least one goal. Messi’s goal in the 29th minute was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé on the all-time list. It was the opener of what became a wild…

Argentina break Cape Verde hearts in extra time at World Cup, Lionel Messi scores

Argentina were taken into extra time by Cape Verde but eventually prevailed 3-2, with Lionel Messi on the scoresheet, in the round of 32 on Friday in Miami. The decisive goal was an own goal by Diney Borges as he challenged Cristian Romero in the air from a Messi set-piece after 111 minutes. Messi’s opener was cancelled out by Deroy Duarte, then in extra time Lisandro Martínez struck before an…

Australia keepers kept in dark about shootout switch in Egypt loss

ARLINGTON, Texas — Australia goalkeepers Patrick Beach and Mathew Ryan were both taken by surprise by the late substitution that introduced Ryan for Australia’s 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to Egypt, eliminating the Socceroos from the FIFA World Cup. In a reversal from qualification for the 2022 World Cup, when he was replaced by Andrew Redmayne for a crucial, and eventually victorious, penalty shootout with Peru, Ryan was brought on as…