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Youri Tielemans has played down talks of a rift with teammate Leandro Trossard following their on-field scuffle during Belgium‘s round-of-32 World Cup win against Senegal. Tielemans and Trossard clashed during the second-half hydration break with Belgium down 2-0. The two angrily yelled at each other and had to be kept apart by teammates Romelu Lukaku and Nicolas Raskin. At one point, Trossard was even seen shoving Tielemans. The tension, however,…

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. Sources have told ESPN that Spurs beat off competition from Manchester United to sign the 21-year-old in an £85 million ($112m) deal that has smashed the north London club’s previous transfer record of £65m paid to Bournemouth for Dominic Solanke in 2024. Despite being relegated to the Championship, West Ham always stood firm on their valuation and…

Argentina have received a boost ahead of Friday’s World Cup round-of-32 encounter against Cape Verde in Miami with Cristian Romero available, sources have told ESPN. The Tottenham centre-back completed Wednesday’s training session in Kansas City alongside his teammates and is expected to feature against Cape Verde. Romero, 28, had missed his team’s 3-1 win over Jordan on Saturday after picking up a knock on his knee in their 2-0 win…

Vitinha has urged Portugal fans to keep believing in the team ahead of tonight’s round-of-32 World Cup clash with Croatia in Toronto. Portugal faced criticism for their lacklustre showing in the group stage. A pre-tournament favorite to win Group K, Portugal instead finished second after disappointing draws against Congo DR and group winners Colombia. “I fully understand the doubts and criticism,” the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder said on Wednesday. “We welcome…

Thomas Tuchel saw spirit, rather than any hint of the England shirt weighing heavy, as Harry Kane‘s brace secured a memorable World Cup comeback win against Congo DR. A decade on from the excruciating Euros exit to Iceland, it looked like Atlanta would witness a loss every bit as humiliating following Brian Cipenga‘s early strike. Congo DR goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced the performance of his life as England toiled, but…

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — First, the good news: The United States men’s national team beat Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2-0, in the World Cup round of 32 here on Wednesday night. Now, the bad: If they’re going to go any farther, they may have to do it without their top goal scorer. Folarin Balogun scored what proved to be the decisive goal for the U.S. just before halftime — his third of the…

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — One of the greatest penalty takers of all time and now a Socceroos assistant coach, Mile Jedinak is confident that Australia will be ready should their FIFA World Cup clash with Egypt go to a shootout. With Australia set to face off with the African powerhouses in Dallas this Friday (Saturday 4 a.m. AEST) in the round of 32, the assistant coach has already watched as two…

DALLAS, Texas — After being unexpectedly tapped to captain the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup, Harry Souttar has been praised by Australian staff and players alike, with assistant coach Mile Jedinak noting the defender’s authenticity. Entrusted with the armband after Mathew Ryan and Jackson Irvine were surprisingly benched for the Socceroos’ opening fixture against Türkiye, Souttar has proven a pillar of defensive strength and leadership since, putting in close…

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Folarin Balogun‘s star-turn at this World Cup went sideways early in the second half on Wednesday night, as the American forward was sent off — after a VAR review — for dragging his cleats down the back of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic‘s leg and onto his foot. Balogun had put the United States in front, 1-0, just before halftime with his third goal of the tournament.…