During the 37-minute stretch where England first seized the lead against Argentina and then surrendered it, they managed to hold the ball for just 12 percent of the time. It’s safe to say the World Cup final will present an entirely different kind of test against Spain. The Spanish don’t share that deep-seated English impulse […]
Continue ReadingGianni Infantino appears likely to avoid any repercussions after allegations surfaced that he violated political neutrality rules through his interactions with Donald Trump regarding the Folarin Balogun case. The International Olympic Committee received a formal grievance this week from the human rights group FairSquare concerning Infantino’s actions. This follows Trump’s revelation that he contacted the […]
Continue ReadingHow we conversed. On late-night broadcasts, floating faces above a scrolling ticker. On flights and rail journeys, at bus shelters and florists and children’s parties, frantically attempting to bridge the dullness of the present with the excitement of what was to come, trying in some way to pre-experience the emotions, the adrenaline spike, the pounding […]
Continue ReadingThomas Tuchel stressed he has no desire to participate in assigning fault for England’s tournament exit and pledged to narrow the distance to the top teams. Even Donald Trump weighed in on the tactics Tuchel used during the semi-final loss to Argentina, the US president wondering why Harry Kane was turned into “a defensive player” […]
Continue ReadingOver recent days, heavy smoke blanketing New York and large parts of the eastern coast has prompted amused reactions in Dallas and Los Angeles. Residents there will observe with a touch of schadenfreude as the World Cup final unfolds at the New York New Jersey Stadium—commonly called MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—this Sunday. The venues […]
Continue ReadingIn her work Hope in the Dark, writer Rebecca Solnit explores whether one can sustain hope in the face of widespread human misery. She cites Bulgarian thinker Maria Popova: “Reason without hope becomes cynicism, yet hope without reason is mere naivety.” By most measures, this presents a persuasive case for hope as a driving force […]
Continue ReadingSpain appear invincible. Their 2-0 win over France extended their run without a defeat in regular or extra time to 37 games, a streak that Opta noted equals the longest ever by a European side. That said, Spain were beaten in the 2025 Nations League final by Portugal in a penalty shootout. This undefeated sequence […]
Continue ReadingThe final might feature Argentina against Spain, but devoted media observers in the UK know that when it comes to broadcasting, a World Cup is always a domestic contest between the public broadcaster and the commercial network. So who came out on top based on these key measures? The studios Ahead of the tournament, much […]
Continue ReadingMore than 200 nations have officially thrown their support behind Gianni Infantino’s re-election as Fifa president, even amid the turmoil triggered by the controversy over Folarin Balogun’s suspension being overturned. It is understood that just a few of Fifa’s 211 member associations have yet to submit letters of support for Infantino, who is set to […]
Continue ReadingThe top Lithuanian club might have to compete in a landmark Champions League qualification match later this month away from home, having leased their home ground for a performance by American musician Pitbull. On Tuesday evening, FK Kauno Zalgiris, winners of the Toplyga, defeated Kosovo’s title-holders Dritam 3-2, advancing 4-3 on aggregate to earn a […]
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