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Last updated: July 1, 2026, 11:35 PM ET

World Cup Knockout Stage Drama

The United States Men's National Team secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night, marking their first World Cup knockout win since 2002 and advancing them to the round of. Midfielder Malik Tillman was a standout performer, earning high marks for his contribution. However, the match was not without controversy, as Folarin Balogun was shown a red card, though VAR protocols suggest the expulsion may have been incorrectly applied. Christian Pulisic also returned to the USMNT lineup after recovering from a calf injury, confirming his readiness to play a full match.

England edged past DR Congo 2-1 to book their place in the round of, with captain Harry Kane delivering a vital performance by scoring twice. Kane's brace allowed him to surpass Pelé's World Cup goal tally, bringing his own tournament total to. Despite the win, questions linger about England's defensive frailties, particularly at right-back, where Djed Spence struggled in Atlanta. Coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged that the exits of other major nations like Germany and the Netherlands could help England manage expectations as they navigate the knockout stages.

Belgium completed a stunning comeback to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time, advancing to the last. Youri Tielemans scored a dramatic late penalty to seal the victory after Belgium had trailed by two goals. The match was filled with late drama and controversy, marking a remarkable exit for Senegal. Meanwhile, France continued their dominant run with a 3-0 victory over Sweden, propelled by Kylian Mbappé who set a knockout stage record.

Mexico secured their first World Cup knockout stage win in 40 years, defeating Ecuador 2-0 in front of a fervent home crowd at Estadio Azteca. Their formidable home record, winning all four matches without conceding, presents a significant challenge for their upcoming opponent, England, who could be next in line. Ecuador's exit saw manager Sebastian Beccacece confirm his departure, while defender Piero Hincapie became the second player to be sent off for covering his mouth.

Transfer Market Buzz

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly on the verge of smashing their transfer record for the second time in short order, having agreed a deal worth up to £100 million for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. This move follows closely on the heels of other significant spending, with another deal around £100m also agreed. Elsewhere, Chelsea have announced the signing of 21-year-old Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47 million, marking Xabi Alonso's first acquisition as the club's new manager as reported.

Player and Club News

Bayern Munich has officially signed Ismael Saibari, the Morocco World Cup goalscorer, with the player citing head coach Vincent Kompany's influence as a key factor in his decision to join from PSV Eindhoven as he admitted. In other club news, Nottingham Forest is reportedly set to replace head coach Vitor Pereira, who expressed surprise at his departure, with former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner reportedly in talks to take over as the successor. Meanwhile, Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is reportedly under investigation for alleged involvement in an escort ring.