Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

World Cup Knockout Stage Heats Up

Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo watching from the bench for parts of the match, survived a late scare to defeat Croatia 2-1. Gonçalo Ramos scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, a header from a Rafael Leão pass, after Ronaldo had converted a penalty earlier in the contest. The Portuguese squad paid an emotional tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota, honoring his memory on the anniversary of his passing as they navigate the 2026 World Cup. Spain also cruised into the last 16 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Austria, featuring a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal. Lamine Yamal was instrumental in the Spanish win, earning MVP honors and declaring, "World Cup starts now" for his team. Spain's performance signals a return to form after a period of tournament struggles, having failed to win a knockout match in three previous World Cups since their 2010 triumph regaining their World Cup mojo.

England, led by Harry Kane, secured a vital 2-1 victory against DR Congo, with Kane surpassing Pelé's World Cup goal tally by scoring twice. This win sets up a last-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico. The match, which drew an audience of 16.3 million on the BBC, has pubs allowed to stay open until 5 am to accommodate the 1 am UK kick-off time. England manager Thomas Tuchel is facing pressure to address team issues ahead of this critical juncture, particularly after a performance that was 15 minutes humiliation. The USMNT achieved its first knockout win since 2002 by defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0. Despite Folarin Balogun's red card, which the USMNT cannot appeal, the team demonstrated its ability to adapt, proving it can play "ugly" when necessary against opponents like Belgium.

Belgium orchestrated a stunning comeback to eliminate Senegal with a 3-2 victory in extra time. Youri Tielemans converted a late penalty to cap the rally, reminiscent of their dramatic Afcon final collapse. The team, showing "incredible character", is now faced with the question of whether this comeback represents a lasting resurgence or a final flourish from their golden generation. France, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice to set a new knockout stage record and match Lionel Messi's overall tournament goal count, comfortably defeated Sweden 3-0. Didier Deschamps' tactical adjustments are being credited for propelling France, the 2022 runners-up, toward another potential title run. Norway also advanced to the round of 16 thanks to an 86th-minute winner from Erling Haaland against Ivory Coast, setting up a clash with Brazil.

Transfer Market Buzzes with Record Deals and Player Movements

Manchester City has agreed a British-record £116 million deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, making him the third-most expensive signing in Premier League history. This move is part of City's significant investment, with their total spending over three years now reaching £824 million. Tottenham Hotspur is also making waves, agreeing to a club-record £100 million deal for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, with manager Roberto De Zerbi playing a "huge role" in the transfer. Spurs are reportedly not done, with further spending expected as they also agreed to a deal worth up to £85 million for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.

Enzo Fernández's agent has confirmed the midfielder is exploring exit options from Chelsea this summer, while Gotham FC forward Sam Kerr stated that a return to the NWSL was her only consideration after leaving Chelsea. In other NWSL news, USWNT winger Emma Sears has requested a trade from Racing Louisville, attracting interest from multiple league teams. Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has retired from playing at. Meanwhile, Monaco has completed the signing of Barcelona forward Ansu Fati on a permanent deal for approximately £9.5 million.

Other Football News and Developments

UEFA has confirmed that players will not face red cards for covering their mouths when speaking to an opponent in its competitions, a clarification following incidents involving Ecuador's Piero Hincapie and others at the World Cup. The Football Association of Ireland has warned that any boycott of Nations League games against Israel would cause "significant lasting harm". Former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack's mother told an inquest that her daughter would still be alive if the coach of the women's team had not been employed by the club. In managerial news, Vitor Pereira has left Nottingham Forest, with Oliver Glasner poised to take over.