Rudi Garcia faced intense criticism for substituting his injured first-choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, during Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain on Friday, intensifying doubts about the coach’s future. Courtois believed he could carry on despite a minor leg twinge, but Garcia insisted he come off because he was not fully fit. Senne Lammens entered […]
Continue ReadingUS Soccer confirmed that Christian Pulisic sustained a small fracture and bone contusion in his leg during the United States’ 4-1 defeat by Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday. The injury occurred in the second half in Seattle, and he was substituted shortly afterward. He underwent X-ray and MRI examinations on […]
Continue ReadingIf Michael Olise lifts the World Cup, a small corner of a Hayes housing estate will belong eternally to France. It’s Olise’s own patch, a modest strip of park grass tucked among the west London suburban streets where, as a seven-year-old, he would train with his brother, Richard. “Playing football in that kind of setting […]
Continue Reading“Neymar’s consolation penalty against Norway at the World Cup means his first international goal, scored on his first cap, was in the same stadium (MetLife) as his last international goal on his final cap,” writes Griffin Cant. “Are there any other players who have bookended their international career in a similar way?” More than 77,000 […]
Continue ReadingOur illustrator examines the key events from the World Cup as England advance to the quarter-finals while the United States are eliminated Purchase David’s illustrations | A selection of his most popular pieces And his newest title, Chaos in the Box: order your copy Continue reading…
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