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MEXICO CITY — Severe weather at the Azteca Stadium saw a shelter-in-place order called just a few hours before kick-off in the round-of-16 World Cup match between Mexico and England. The order was issued around three hours before kick-off, with spectators taking shelter underneath the roof of the Azteca, while security and other personnel were huddled under gazebos and any other shelter they could find. Thunder was heard over the…

DALLAS — Captain Rodri has insisted that Spain‘s midfield is superior to Portugal‘s ahead of their World Cup round of 16 clash — while admitting that their opponents’ squad boasts “one of the best generations they’ve ever had.” The two teams meet in Dallas on Monday, with Spain’s all-star midfield of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo facing off against Portugal’s Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes. Spain…

SEATTLE — Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he thought it was a joke when he first heard news that suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun was cleared to play in the round of 16 match here Monday, while the Belgian federation announced it was “investigating all potential options” in opposition of FIFA’s stunning decision. “I didn’t know that at the World Cup, the 5th of July is actually the first…

Jarell Quansah will start for England against Mexico on Sunday night in the World Cup round of 16, sources have told ESPN. Right-back has become a problem position for Thomas Tuchel’s side at the World Cup this summer. Reece James started England’s first two games against Croatia and Ghana, but an injury opened the door to Quansah who played at right-back against Panama in the final group stage game. Quansah…

Newcastle have completed the signing of Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Touré from Hoffenheim. The Magpies will reportedly pay £42 million ($56m) for the left-sided 20-year-old, who arrives as a replacement for Anthony Gordon after Newcastle lost out to Liverpool in their pursuit of Víctor Muñoz. “I’m very, very happy to be here. It was my dream since I was young to play in the Premier League for a big team…

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that this will be his last World Cup, as he prepares to face Spain with Portugal in Monday’s round-of-16 clash in Dallas. Ronaldo, 41, has played in six editions of the tournament — in 2006, 2020, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now in 2026 — and became the first player to score in six World Cups when he netted against Uzbekistan in the group stage. The 2030…

SEATTLE — U.S. men’s national team attacker Christian Pulisic said that FIFA’s lifting of Folarin Balogun’s suspension “feels right.” Balogun was initially looking at a one-game suspension due to the red card he received in the round-of-32 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina. That would have kept Balogun out of Monday’s round-of-16 match against Belgium. But FIFA announced Sunday morning that Balogun’s ban “is suspended for a probationary period of one…

FIFA have suspended the red card USMNT striker Folarin Balogun received in the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, meaning he is available to face Belgium in the round-of-16. In a statement on their website, FIFA said: “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one [1] year.”

Despite police blockades, dozens of Mexican fans gathered outside the England national team’s hotel until the early hours of Sunday morning, hoping to disrupt players’ sleep ahead of their World Cup round-of-16 match against co-host Mexico. Armed with loudspeakers, horns and fireworks, the crowd gathered outside the JW Marriott hotel in Santa Fe, in the western part of Mexico City and did its best to disturb the guests. Earlier in…

Mexico have been forced to return luxury watches that were gifted to them by the YouTuber Stevewilldoit. The content creator — whose real name is Stephen Deleonardis — said on Instagram that he had given every player in the Mexico squad and member of staff on the team an “expensive” watch ahead of their round-of-32 clash with Ecuador. Mexico won that game 2-0 to set up a blockbuster showdown with…