Davinson Sánchez lifted his eyes skyward. Cucho Hernández shuffled slowly back to rejoin his colleagues. As the final whistle approached, the Colombian squad lay scattered across the turf while Switzerland celebrated, virtually isolated amid a vast ocean of yellow. A penalty shootout victory, 4-3, sent the Swiss through, concluding more than two hours of cautious, […]
Continue ReadingSpend enough time with Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the US men’s national team, and you’ll almost certainly spot a charm dangling from a chain on his right wrist. It bears the image of Saint Christopher, the guardian spirit of travelers. It’s a fitting symbol for Pochettino, or any elite manager, given the inherently […]
Continue ReadingOne of football’s eternal truths? You can never, ever rule out Lionel Messi. Precisely when it seemed his ambition of steering Argentina to a second straight world title lay in ruins, the 39-year-old once again delivered a breathtaking rescue act for his nation. With just 11 minutes remaining and still shell‑shocked by Yasser Ibrahim’s early […]
Continue ReadingA noticeable tremble ran through Christian Pulisic’s voice as he responded to the last question put to him at the 2026 World Cup. On the surface, the query was simple: how did the tournament as a whole measure up against his expectations? But the weight came from what lay beneath. For eight years, this World […]
Continue ReadingEnglish football has never produced a talent quite like Jude Bellingham. He possesses the swagger and explosive energy of a young Wayne Rooney paired with the creative intelligence of Paul Scholes, yet that description barely scratches the surface. Bellingham is a multifaceted player who seems to have every gift. He can operate as a box-to-box […]
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…
Continue ReadingFifa has retaliated against Uefa in their escalating dispute over the cancellation of USA forward Folarin Balogun’s suspension, accusing the European body of hypocrisy for condemning the ruling. In a statement credited to Mohammad al-Kamali, head of Fifa’s disciplinary panel, released before the USA’s last-16 defeat by Belgium, Fifa maintained that “reversing red cards is […]
Continue ReadingThe Colombian team’s campaign has gradually moved northward through Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami, and Kansas City over the past three weeks. A massive wave of supporters is now pouring into Vancouver, eager to see Néstor Lorenzo’s side try to reach their first quarter-final in twelve years when they face Switzerland on Tuesday. After Mexico and […]
Continue ReadingBeyond the final result, there was a distinct shift in the team’s display. Pochettino had moved them past a timid outlook, instilling a confident, almost brash approach earlier in the competition. Their attacking play was so compelling that supporters genuinely began to feel their side could defy expectations and win the entire tournament. “We’re going […]
Continue ReadingA persistent point of discussion in recent international competitions has centered on whether the legendary forward should remain in the starting lineup. He holds the men’s international scoring record with 146 goals for his nation, though detractors have increasingly argued that his overall contribution beyond finding the net has diminished. Given his colossal reputation and […]
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