MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Two staff members of the United States soccer team were suspended by FIFA from Monday’s round of 16 game against Belgium. FIFA did not explain why it imposed the discipline on team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell. – U.S. loss sets mark for most-watched soccer game – Belgium say beating U.S. ‘justice’ after ban U-turn – USMNT shrugs…
Ed Sheeran has said England are on their way to World Cup glory having played a secret gig at their Kansas City base. Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 victory against adversity at the Estadio Azteca gave fans shivers and set-up Saturday’s quarterfinal clash between Thomas Tuchel’s side and Norway in Miami. England were buoyed heading into the knockout phase by a visit from Sheeran, who performed for a group he has helped…
ATLANTA —Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said his team were the victim of an “injustice” in their 3-2 World Cup round of 16 defeat against Argentina, suggesting FIFA wanted “Lionel Messi to stay in the running” at the competition. Reigning world champions Argentina fought back from 2-0 down to win the game in Atlanta following a stunning late intervention by Messi who created one goal and scored another. But Egypt were…
The United States game against Belgium in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup set another record as the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history, Fox said after preliminary ratings came out Tuesday. Fox said 30 million people watched the game, a 4-1 victory for Belgium on Monday in Seattle that moved them into the quarterfinals and eliminated the last of the tournament’s three co-hosts. Fox said audience…
Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the Red Devils have confirmed. Onana sustained the injury in the first half of Belgium’s 4-1 victory over the United States in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday. Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said: “Unfortunately, the medical examinations have confirmed that Amadou has suffered a rupture of the anterior…
Lionel Messi scored in a record sixth-straight World Cup knockout match to help Argentina reach the quarterfinals after a stunning late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta. Egypt were leading the defending champions 2-0 heading into the closing stages before Messi provided an assist for Cristian Romero in the 79th minute and then a goal of his own four minutes later to tie the game. Just when it seemed…
SEATTLE — Shortly after Romelu Lukaku scored the goal that capped a commanding 4-1 win over the United States, Belgium‘s all-time leading goal scorer held his right hand to his ear. On American soil, and in the aftermath of star U.S. forward Folarin Balogun being permitted to play after a one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, Lukaku egged on the crowd of 66,925 at Lumen Field. The Red…
Gary Lineker believes the United States should have left Folarin Balogun out of their team to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 even after the controversial decision to suspend his one-match ban. Balogun was initially banned for Monday’s match because of his red card in the round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last Wednesday, but FIFA’s disciplinary committee announced on Sunday that the ban had been suspended.…
The Paraguayan senator embroiled in a racism row with Kylian Mbappé has demanded an apology from the France forward and threatened legal action against him for “gender-based violence.” In a remarkable open letter posted on social media, Celeste Amarilla retracted the racial slurs she made about Mbappé’s origins and education but doubled down on her criticism of the Real Madrid man. Amarilla, of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, called on Mbappé…
The match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina. Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on Sunday, allowing him to play in the Americans’ round-of-16 tie against Belgium — which they…