Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 19, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

World Cup Final Set for Blockbuster Showdown

The FIFA World Cup final is set to be a clash of titans as Lionel Messi's Argentina face Lamine Yamal's Spain on Sunday. Last-minute tickets for the highly anticipated match range from a staggering $10,000 to $60,000 as fans scramble to witness the potential crowning moment for either superstar. Messi, on the brink of history, will play his 32nd World Cup match, raising questions about whether this will be his final appearance on the global stage as he eyes a historic title. Spain, known for their possession-based style, have arrived at the final through an elite defense that has propelled them to within 90 minutes of victory. The final's half-time interval is also slated to be the longest in the tournament's history as organizers prepare for an unprecedented event. Despite thunderstorms in New Jersey, Spain's final training session before the championship match was cancelled due to the weather. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Kylian Mbappé has surpassed Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup goal-scoring chart, netting his 21st and 22nd career tournament goals as he chases the Golden Boot. Mbappé currently leads the Golden Boot race with 10 goals, two ahead of Messi, who will play in the final before the awards are finalized.

England Secures Third Place with Saka's Brilliance

Bukayo Saka was the undisputed star of England's World Cup campaign, scoring a hat-trick in their third-place playoff victory against France to earn the bronze medal. Saka's outstanding performance reignited debate surrounding his omission from the semi-final, with manager Thomas Tuchel's decision being questioned after the dominant display. Player ratings reflected Saka's impact, with the winger receiving a 9/10 for his stellar performance that secured England's best finish in recent years. Midfielder Declan Rice declared that "this is the best England group for a very long time" following their third-place finish as they celebrated a successful tournament. Despite the positive end, England's World Cup journey is officially over, and while history was made, it wasn't the ultimate history the Three Lions had aimed for as they reflected on their campaign. Jude Bellingham also etched his name in the record books, becoming the first Englishman to score seven goals in a single World Cup with a late strike against France in the dramatic third-place match.

Transfer Buzz and Club News

In transfer news, Barcelona has set a July 31 deadline for Atlético Madrid to accept their offer for Argentine striker Julián Álvarez as they look to secure his signature. Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly confident in signing Savinho from Manchester City, while Real Madrid has cooled its interest in Rodri as clubs finalize their summer recruitment. Chelsea has agreed to a record £117 million deal with Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers making it one of the biggest transfers of the window. Motherwell has announced the sale of midfielder Elliot Watt to Turkish Super Lig club Samsunspor for an undisclosed fee as the transfer window continues to heat up. New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola faces significant decisions in his first week on the job as he prepares the squad for the upcoming season with the Premier League season fast approaching.

Other Sporting Headlines

In cricket, the series-deciding third one-day international between England and India is underway at Lord's, with England batting first after India opted to bowl. Northamptonshire claimed their first Vitality Blast title in a decade, defeating Hampshire by 14 runs in a thrilling final as they celebrated a significant victory. In golf, the 154th Open Championship continues at Royal Birkdale, with Ryan Fox joining an exclusive club by shooting a '62 round' in the third round. Rory McIlroy has criticized Bryson DeChambeau's behavior during The Open, calling it "performative" and accusing him of "holding the tournament hostage" amidst the ongoing competition. In athletics, Josh Kerr broke the world record for the mile at a Diamond League event in London, though Keely Hodgkinson fell short in her attempt to break an older world record as athletes push the boundaries of performance.