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SEATTLE — For the second-straight game, Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has pulled a major surprise at the selection table, dropping Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe — the goal scorers from the side’s win over Türkiye — and replacing them with Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay to face the United States. Scoring the 27th-minute goal that put his side in the ascendancy in what became a 2-0 win over the Turks,…

United States star Christian Pulisic is out of their World Cup clash with Australia due to a calf injury, with Ricardo Pepi starting in his place. Pulisic’s status has been up in the air all week after coming off at halftime against Paraguay, and the AC Milan forward has been limited in training since. Just before the lineups were announced, manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed his absence — but that he…

Spain forward Lamine Yamal has said that he’s “ready” to play against Saudi Arabia but also acknowledged that now “isn’t the moment to play a full game.” Barcelona star Yamal was only able to come on the pitch for La Roja in the 71st minute in their shock, World Cup-opening goalless draw with Cape Verde, following his recent recovery from a hamstring injury. In an interview with Spanish television, Yamal…

Arsenal are planning to return with an improved offer for Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga after having an opening bid rejected, sources have told ESPN. The 16-year-old has emerged as a summer target for the Gunners after breaking into Leicester’s first-team last season, making 37 appearances in total. Leicester were relegated to League One and are under pressure to sell players to conform with English Football League financial regulations. Monga…

Portugal defender Rúben Dias on Friday branded criticism of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo “insignificant” and claimed it has not affected the team’s focus. TV pundits and media castigated Ronaldo, 41, for his performance in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Congo DR in their World Cup opener. Some critics have argued that Ronaldo should not be starting. “It’s not an issue for us,” Dias said when asked about Ronaldo’s criticism. “It’s insignificant —…

Former RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner is unhappy he wasn’t given the chance to say goodbye to staff after his surprise dismissal from the club. Leipzig fired Werner and his assistant coaches Tom Cichon and Patrick Kohlmann on Wednesday after what many would consider a successful debut season — third place in the Bundesliga for Champions League. “Ole did a great job, he led us to the Champions League, but…

Barcelona midfielder Gavi says the Spain squad were shocked to find out that defender Marc Cucurella had signed for Real Madrid. Former Barça academy graduate Cucurella joined Madrid from Chelsea in a deal worth an initial €55 million earlier this week. Cucurella, 27, is currently at the World Cup with Spain but had not given anything away to his international teammates. “We only found out in training the day before,…

New Liverpool signing Víctor Muñoz will have to wait to take part in the World Cup after Spain confirmed he has suffered a setback in his return from injury. Muñoz, 22, came into the finals with a calf problem but had returned to group training ahead of Sunday’s Group H fixture against Saudi Arabia. However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] have revealed he has been hit by a further…