Lionel Messi said he was “very angry” when he missed an early penalty in Argentina‘s 2-0 win over Austria, before scoring a superb brace to become the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history . After being sent to the spot by VAR in Dallas, Messi fluffed a poor effort which rolled wide — which was his third non-shootout miss in the competition since his debut in 2006. The 38-year-old…
IRVINE, Calif. — Antonio Freeman has had his own incredible Seattle moments. But the former Green Bay Packers receiver said watching his son, Alex, score for the United States in a World Cup game on Friday was “10,000 times better” and kicked off “the best Father’s Day weekend ever.” Speaking to ESPN at the U.S. team’s training site, the elder Freeman said his phone overheated on Friday afternoon and that…
The match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia has been delayed by at least 15 minutes due to thunderstorms in the area. Fans in the stadium were being told to take shelter at halftime while a message on the big screen read: “A severe thunderstorm is approaching.” The restart of the second half was then delayed by at least 15 minutes due to the inclement weather. While heavy rain has…
NEW YORK CITY — Tunisia head coach Herve Renard has confirmed speculation that his contract to oversee the Carthage Eagles only runs until the end of the FIFA World Cup, with no current plans to extend beyond the tournament. The Frenchman was drafted in as a replacement for Sabri Lamouchi after Tunisia’s opener, but was unable to prevent the defeat by Japan on Saturday that condemned them to elimination after…
Thomas Partey has said he is “ready to play” against England on Tuesday after being denied entry to Canada for Ghana‘s World Cup opener. Partey was unable to enter Canada last week due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK, having been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London between 2020 and 2022. Partey has denied all the charges and will attempt to…
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Monday that he won’t know the extent of the knee injury to center-back Cristian “Cuti” Romero until after team doctors complete tests. Romero left the game in the 57th minute after going down with an apparent knee injury and was replaced by Nicolás Otamendi in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in World Cup Group J play. Argentina advanced to the knockout round by…
RENTON, Wash. — The Belgian soccer federation congratulated Jérémy Doku on the birth of his son, Praise, on Monday, with a statement from the team adding the Manchester City winger would be back with the team in Seattle on Tuesday. Doku missed the team’s 0-0 Group G draw against Iran on Sunday because of a respiratory illness, but was cleared to fly back to London so he could be with…
Lawrence Shankland insists Scotland will ignore multiple permutations around possible qualification to go for the World Cup win against Brazil on Wednesday. A 1-0 Group C victory over Haiti followed by a 1-0 defeat by Morocco has guaranteed Steve Clarke’s side a third-place finish but with a first appearance in the knockout stage of the competition subject to several variables. Scotland are one point behind Morocco and Brazil but could…
Manchester City are close to announcing Enzo Maresca as their new manager after agreeing the framework of a compensation package with Chelsea, sources have told ESPN. Maresca could be unveiled as Pep Guardiola’s successor at the Etihad Stadium as early as this week with negotiations with Chelsea close to being concluded. City have been forced to delay their announcement after Chelsea demanded compensation despite sacking the Italian in January. Club…
Lionel Messi became the highest goalscorer in men’s World Cup history on Monday, moving up to 17 and breaking a tie with Germany legend Miroslav Klose in Argentina‘s Group J match against Austria. The Argentina captain has now scored in six consecutive World Cup games since 2022. Messi, after missing a penalty early on against Austria that briefly denied him the all-time record, struck home in the 39th minute to…