Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

World Cup Knockout Drama and Upsets

The World Cup knockout stages are underway with a dramatic comeback from Belgium, who rallied from two goals down to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time, thanks to a controversial late penalty from Youri Tielemans. Senegal's exit was marked by a repeat of their chaotic Afcon final collapse. Meanwhile, the USMNT secured its first knockout win since 2002, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0. However, their victory was marred by Folarin Balogun's red card, with sources confirming there is no route to appeal the decision, potentially impacting future games. England, after a nervy 2-1 victory over DR Congo where Harry Kane surpassed Pelé's World Cup goal tally with two strikes, 128, now faces Mexico in a challenging last-16 tie. The match will be played at the high-altitude Estadio Azteca, a venue where Mexico secured its first knockout win in 40 years, raising concerns about the impact on England's performance. Manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture and urged parents to allow children to stay up for the late kickoff.

Player Transfers and Club Spending

Tottenham Hotspur is making significant waves in the transfer market, agreeing to a club-record deal worth up to £100 million for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, 64. This move follows their acquisition of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a reported £85 million. The club's aggressive spending spree, which has reached £824 million over three years with the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a British-record £116 million, is raising questions about their financial strategy. Elsewhere, Manchester City has confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson, a deal that reportedly makes him the third-most expensive signing in Premier League history. Brighton has bolstered their defense by signing Austrian defender Michael Svoboda Venezia, while Everton has completed the signing of midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for a fee rising to £24 million. In women's football, Germany forward Nicole Anyomi has joined London City Lionesses, and Lucy Bronze has extended her contract with Chelsea until 2027 57. Club and League Developments

The appeal of Scottish Premiership talent is reportedly growing, with BBC Scotland examining the factors contributing to this trend. In contrast, the closure of the Forest Green Rovers women's team has led to concerns that female football is not being valued. Rangers manager Derek McInnes is actively pursuing further summer signings, having already added five players, with Ross McCrorie citing McInnes as the primary reason for his return to Ibrox. Hull City has signed goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers on a two-year deal. Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to depart the club next summer, while AC Milan is reportedly tracking Liverpool center back Virgil van Dijk.

Other Football News

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has retired from playing at the age of 41. Uefa will no longer issue red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations. Amidst the World Cup, a Kansas City nonprofit called Pete's Garden is working to minimize food waste and assist families in need. England fans face exorbitant resale prices, with tickets for the World Cup match against Mexico on the Fifa resale site costing a minimum of £2,600. The government may relax licensing laws to allow pubs to extend hours for England's 1 am World Cup clash with Mexico. Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced a break from playing for his country until the coaching staff is replaced.