Manuel Neuer (Germany, 40) His World Cup journey began in 2010, culminating in a championship victory four years later. Germany’s fortunes have since dwindled, and a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay brought the goalkeeper’s international tenure to a close. He had stepped away after Euro 2024 but chose to return shortly before this competition. “Despite […]
Continue ReadingPast attempts to cultivate football in Nauru have not gained much traction. The nearest the nation has gotten to competing internationally was a pair of exhibition games—against a Solomon Islands diaspora squad in 1994 and a team of refugees in 2014. The country’s turbulent history partly accounts for why the globe’s favorite sport has had […]
Continue ReadingFootball’s global governing body has launched a disciplinary inquiry into the altercations that erupted after Sunday’s championship match, with multiple Argentine players potentially facing suspensions. Nahuel Molina was seen striking Spain’s captain Rodri in the midsection as he entered the field following the final whistle, while a significant confrontation unfolded at midfield, where Leandro Paredes […]
Continue ReadingWhen the final whistle sounded in New Jersey, several Argentina players – Lionel Messi among them – dropped to the ground in exhaustion and disappointment. The rest stood frozen while Spain’s players dashed across the pitch in wild celebration. Rodri, replaced during extra time, sprinted from the bench to celebrate with his fellow squad members. […]
Continue ReadingOn the evening when Spain claimed their maiden World Cup in 2010, Rodrigo Hernández was away at a camp, deep in the Connecticut woods. He had been out canoeing when the national side defeated Germany in the semifinal, disappointed to have missed that match, so for the final he persuaded a supervisor to let him […]
Continue ReadingRodri has recaptured his finest form following a series of injury setbacks. The recent Ballon d’Or recipient has featured in only 22 starting lineups since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in September 2024, yet his displays at the World Cup gave no hint of the physical troubles that had hampered him over the previous two […]
Continue ReadingIt might be premature, with confetti still drifting across the New Jersey evening, to deliver a definitive verdict. That clarity will only emerge once the dust has truly settled, when recollections have had time to crystallize, and when the ripple effects of pivotal decisions become apparent. Still, let us attempt to gauge where this tournament, […]
Continue ReadingAvailable for over a year The expanded 2026 men’s World Cup, staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico with a record 48 teams, wrapped up after six weeks. Spain became champions for the second time, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time during the final at the New York-New Jersey stadium. More than the Score’s Mike […]
Continue ReadingThe World Cup final grew contentious after extra time as Spain claimed the title. Here is a frame-by-frame account of what unfolded. The match is over… or is it? When referee Slavko Vincic sounds the final whistle, Spain’s substitutes rush onto the field to celebrate winning the World Cup with their teammates. Molina throws the […]
Continue ReadingAn expanded 64-team competition offers two key advantages: a more logical structure and greater chances for developing football nations. It is the latter point that the governing body’s president is highlighting, particularly following Cape Verde’s impressive performances. The organization faced scrutiny ahead of the event, with doubts raised about whether the extra participants would be […]
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