HOUSTON — Since their World Cup debut in 1998, Japan have now made eight consecutive appearances at the tournament. There have been many milestones etched in their history books since. A first-ever win over Russia on home soil in 2002. Four appearances in the round of 16. Back in 2022, there were even stunning victories over global powerhouses Germany and Spain. But maybe not will be as monumental as their…
Scotland‘s wait for a place in the knockout rounds of a World Cup will go on after they were officially eliminated from the tournament on Saturday. Following a bruising 3-0 defeat against Brazil on Wednesday, Scotland’s fate was out of their hands as they were forced to endure an agonising wait to see if they would finish the group stages as one of the eight best third-placed teams. But results…
Harry Kane has become England‘s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup after scoring in the Three Lions’ final group stage game vs. Panama. Kane nodded home from a Jude Bellingham cross to make it 2-0 — taking him to 11 World Cup goals, one him beyond Gary Lineker’s previous national record of 10. It also took him to 18 goals in major international tournaments for England. The England captain…
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jarell Quansah was forced off injured in the second half of England’s match against Panama, with Thomas Tuchel facing a potential injury crisis at right-back. Quansah started at right-back after Reece James was ruled out of the Panama match with a hamstring injury. James is a doubt for their round of 32 match, and Quansah was set to deputise for him. But the Bayer Leverkusen man…
Spain winger Nico Williams said he had suffered “one of the worst days of my life” after an injury against Uruguay on Friday jeopardized his future participation in the World Cup. The defending European champions topped Group H after a 1-0 win over Uruguay but it came at a cost, with injury concerns over both Williams and fellow winger Yéremy Pino. Williams and Pino were both introduced as second-half substitutes…
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley wants to see the Kiwis taking part in tournaments such as the Gold Cup, as the All Whites start plotting their next move after their elimination from the World Cup. Entering the evening with their hopes of reaching the knockout stages still in play, Bazeley’s side were thumped 5-1 by Belgium and consigned to the bottom of Group G on Friday,…
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo‘s partner announced Saturday their unborn son had died during pregnancy. Gakpo and model Noa van der Bij already have a son together and the baby was due in October. Gakpo is with the team at the World Cup, where the Netherlands have advanced to the knockout stage. He will stay with the team at the tournament, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said. Van der Bij posted…
Chelsea are exploring a deal to sign Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, sources have told ESPN. Incoming manager Xabi Alonso — who doesn’t officially start work until July 1 — has a close relationship with the 33-year-old and views him as an experienced player capable of bringing leadership to a young dressing room. Currently, Tosin Adarabioyo is the club’s oldest player aged 28 as Chelsea’s owners have pursued a policy of…
Manchester City are monitoring Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi ahead of a possible move this summer, sources have told ESPN. City are continuing to look at midfielders despite committing £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Anderson is set to undergo his medical in New York after England‘s final World Cup group game against Panama on Saturday. Bouaddi, one of the break-out stars at the tournament, is on a…
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Bukayo Saka is set to start for England in their final World Cup group game against Panama on Saturday, while Declan Rice has been rested, sources have told ESPN. Saka, managing an Achilles injury off the back of a long campaign with Arsenal, came off the bench in England’s first two Group L games, a 4-2 win against Croatia and a 0-0 draw with Ghana. Club…