It was a World Cup in which football’s biggest names sprinkled stardust over the tournament, yet in the end the trophy deservingly went to a formidable if unspectacular Spain side who were simply too strong, even without Lamine Yamal being at his thrilling best. The 19-year-old winger was the focus of so much attention, but […]
Andy Scott
Agence France-Presse
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Messi denied dream farewell as abject Argentina lose World Cup final
Lionel Messi could have ended all debate over who is the greatest player of all time by winning another World Cup with Argentina on Sunday, but he was left in tears following Spain’s 1-0 win. Messi, now 39, dragged the holders to another final, scoring eight goals and also providing two assists in the dramatic […]
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Wenger accepts World Cup hydration breaks split opinion
Arsene Wenger said Saturday he accepted that the hydration breaks used at this year’s World Cup were not universally popular and said FIFA will assess whether to implement them in the same way in the future. Wenger, FIFA’s head of global football development, told a briefing on the eve of the World Cup final between […]
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Argentina coach Scaloni hails ‘legend’ Messi before World Cup final
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Lionel Messi lead his team out in another World Cup final at the age of 39 as the holders aim to retain the trophy when they take on Spain this weekend. “He has made history. He is a legend,” Scaloni said of the […]
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Messi not done yet after inspiring Argentina to World Cup final
Lionel Messi has already won the World Cup, but the Argentina captain added another chapter to his astonishing career on Wednesday, inspiring his team to victory in their semi-final against England. The defending champions were up against it, trailing to Anthony Gordon’s goal until the 85th minute in Atlanta before Messi worked his magic. This […]
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Messi’s Argentina stuns England in comeback to reach World Cup final
Lautaro Martinez scored a 92nd minute winner as Lionel Messi inspired World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a final with European champions Spain. England had been on course to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the […]
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England face might of Messi’s Argentina in World Cup semi-final
England are bidding to end Lionel Messi’s dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they renew their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semi-final showdown. An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham take on […]
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Five classic France vs. Spain clashes before 2026 World Cup semifinal
France and Spain will meet in a heavyweight World Cup semifinal showdown on Tuesday, with Les Bleus bidding to reach a third straight final and La Roja still in contention to follow their triumph at Euro 2024 by claiming the biggest prize of all. Ahead of that game AFP Sports looks at five of the […]
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Morocco’s Ismael Saibari out of France World Cup quarterfinal
Morocco star Ismael Saibari will miss his team’s World Cup quarterfinal showdown with France, coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed on Wednesday. “Everyone is 100 percent fit except Saibari. This game comes too soon for him but I hope he is not out for the rest of the competition,” Ouahbi told reporters ahead of Thursday’s showdown at […]
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Ancelotti promises Brazil will bounce back after World Cup exit
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Sunday’s painful World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of Norway should be used as “fuel” for the future as he insisted their disappointing tournament is “the start of a new cycle”. “Obviously everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened. I don’t think we have had a spectacular World Cup […]