Spain edge Argentina as Rodri takes Golden Ball
Raphinha, injured at the World Cup, will rejoin Barcelona on 27 July for the England camp, aiming to reset amid Saudi links. Barca also monitor Cancelo, Fermin, Adeyemi, Gordon, plus injuries to Araujo and De Jong.
Rudi Garcia will depart as Belgium manager following their World Cup campaign.
South Africa spent R31m on a World Cup programme: delegation travel, 2010 legends match, hospitality venues, 294 tickets and exhibitions in Mexico City, Atlanta and Monterrey, framed as nation building and promotion.
Spain’s World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri wants Real Madrid, rejecting Man City renewals with his deal up next summer. City risk a sale, while Madrid weigh a move despite mixed signals from the board.
Cristian Romero appears to ignore Donald Trump’s handshake during Argentina’s runners-up medal presentation after the World Cup final.
Argentina media hail Scaloni’s side after 1-0 AET loss to Spain, calling them ‘beyond reproach’. Headlines praise effort, note Spain’s control. Scaloni wept, future unclear, players lauded for bond with fans.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 AET via Ferran Torres to win a second title. Tournament had 104 games, 308 goals, 2.96 per game, 58 over 2.5, 57 BTTS, 55 clean sheets, 35 one-goal wins, 281 cards, knockout ties decided without pens. Livescore
World Cup form reshapes race: Messi starred despite defeat, Mbappe took the Golden Boot, Rodri won the Golden Ball as Spain triumphed, Yamal impressed, while Kane’s England fell short. Ceremony is on 26 October in London.
During Spain vs Argentina, FIFA’s extended half-time show drew Wayne Rooney’s criticism as ‘crap’, with the interval stretched to 27 minutes despite stars like Shakira and Bieber performing.
During Spain-Argentina coverage, Micah Richards jokes about the BBC working from Salford, prompting Gabby Logan’s on-air warning amid studio rivalry chatter with ITV.
Kylian Mbappe claims a second World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, now a record 22 overall. England’s Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland hit seven. Spain’s Unai Simón wins Golden Glove, Pau Cubarsí named young player.
Opinion piece demands FIFA sanctions after Spain’s win, citing Enzo Fernández’s red, Paredes’ post-match clashes, Molina punching Rodri and touchline fracas, accusing Argentina of disrespect during the ceremony.
Sunderland’s pre-season win at York features Enzo Le Fée and Chris Rigg, while the writer reflects on a cautious World Cup that ended with Spain beating Argentina.
Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute to beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey as Spain claimed their second World Cup, with Emiliano Martínez making 10 saves and La Roja keeping a seventh clean sheet.
After Argentina’s 1-0 final loss to Spain, president Javier Milei announces a national holiday, with the date set by Messi and teammates. Enzo Fernández saw red, post-match clashes marred the finale.
Thomas Tuchel hails England’s best World Cup since 1966 after a 6-4 win over France for third place, admits semifinal pain and explains resting Bukayo Saka due to Achilles concerns.
Stephanie wins Just Arsenal’s World Cup Predictions League after a 0-0 final and second tiebreak versus NT Gunnerz, advancing as an unseeded entrant and edging multiple knockout ties on exact-score tiebreaks.
Hundreds in Gaza watched Spain beat Argentina 1-0 AET on giant screens amid rubble, many backing Spain for its support. Screens were set up by aid workers, including Mohammed al-Wahidi, later killed in an airstrike.
Reflective piece on a bloated World Cup finale as Infantino and Trump fronted proceedings, Spain triumphed, and controversies like the Balogun affair overshadowed football’s spectacle.
Spain captain Rodri wins the Golden Ball after leading the 1-0 final win over Argentina, reflecting on comeback from ACL rupture and saying the team were ‘a bit shocked right now’.
Adidas launch ‘Greatest of All Time’ tribute, showcasing every Messi World Cup boot from 2006 to 2026, culminating with the F50 ‘El Último Tango’ after his final World Cup.
