France coach Didier Deschamps said he had experienced a “truly wonderful adventure” with his players as he bid farewell to the job on Saturday after 14 highly successful years in charge. Deschamps guided France to World Cup glory in Moscow in 2018, becoming one of only three men to have won it as both coach and […]
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World Cup moments: Viking row and minnows sparkle
The first 48-team World Cup has provided a thrilling spectacle and a string of compelling storylines. AFP Sport picks out some of the key talking points after more than five weeks of action in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Hotshots The race for the Golden Boot caught fire early and has remained absorbing until […]
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2026 World Cup final referees: Slovenian debut in the middle
Slavko Vinčić will become the first Slovenian to referee a World Cup final. Vinčić reffed the 2024 UEFA Champions League final (Borussia Dortmund-Real Madrid), the 2022 UEFA Europa League final (Eintracht Frankfurt-Rangers) and whistled at the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. He will be assisted by countrymen Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič. […]
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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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Spain captain Rodri preparing for ‘physical’ Argentina battle
Spain captain Rodri is bracing for a “physical” battle with reigning champions Argentina when the two sides collide in the World Cup final on Sunday. Rodri told a packed press conference in Manhattan that Spain will aim to ignore any possible “provocations” by their South American opponents and instead concentrate on imposing Spain’s gameplan. Rodri, […]
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Argentina World Cup success moves me to tears, says goalkeeper Martinez
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said Friday that thinking about his team’s success in recent years sometimes brings him to tears as they attempt to retain the World Cup trophy in the final against Spain. “I am focused only on winning. The whole team has improved so much and this is something we have spent years […]
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Latin America’s unlikely football unity: cheering against Argentina
While Latin Americans have traditionally rallied behind football teams from the region who advance deep into the World Cup tournament, a flood of memes, jokes and criticism has made it clear there is one exception: Argentina. In one photoshopped pic that went viral, Lamine Yamal — who leads Argentina’s opponent, Spain — is wearing a Brazilian […]
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England carry ‘scars’ of World Cup exit, says Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel said Friday that England’s players carry the “scars” of a painful World Cup exit, admitting there was still a gap to close to the top nations. The England boss has been heavily criticised for his defensive substitutions in a 2-1 semi-final defeat by Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday. Anthony Gordon put England on […]
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Friday AM: Spain vs. Argentina, master vs. apprentice
JT Batson would not address whether U.S. Soccer had regrets about U.S. President Donald Trump’s involvement in the effort to get FIFA to rescind Folarin Balogun’s suspension against Belgium
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Master and apprentice as Spain, Argentina coaches meet in World Cup final
Master will take on apprentice when Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lines up against his former student, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, in the World Cup final on Sunday. Nine years ago, Scaloni was just another former professional player pursuing a career in coaching, studying for his pro license at the Spanish football federation’s training center […]