Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

World Cup Semifinals and Finals Drama

Spain secured their with a 2-0 victory over France, with coach Luis de la Fuente stating his team is. The Spanish side showcased a masterclass in their semifinal win, leaving France to unravel. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's Argentina edged out England in a dramatic semifinal, with Messi providing the decisive assist in stoppage time. The match, which attracted an audience of 24 million on the BBC, was considered England's biggest since 1966. Despite the loss, Prince William urged England to "hold heads high". The tightly contested semifinal saw Jude Bellingham involved in a post-match incident where he slapped the back of Argentina substitute Valentín Barco's head. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, before the match, emphasized that he would "not mix" football and politics in the.

England's World Cup Exit and Future Outlook

England's World Cup journey came to a dramatic end against Argentina in the semifinals, prompting widespread analysis of the team's performance and tactics under. Tuchel, despite the criticism, has vowed to stay on as England boss and lead them. Gary Neville stated he would not "lump in" on Tuchel, noting that England has had similar issues for years and he never expected them to win the tournament. England captain Harry Kane acknowledged the significance of the match against Argentina but stressed the need to move past historical context. Former England striker Wayne Rooney, however, lauded Jude Bellingham as the best player at the World Cup so far. The debate continues regarding what changes are needed to fix key problems for.

Player Movements and Transfer Rumors

In the transfer market, Celtic are reportedly struggling to compete with English Championship clubs for signings and agents. Arsenal are exploring a potential swap deal involving Viktor Gyökeres and Julián Álvarez. Manchester United are active in their summer rebuild, with Andrey Santos signed and Youri Tielemans having a medical, though they are still seeking. Nottingham Forest are preparing a £45m offer for Tottenham, while Bournemouth are in talks to sign Benfica and have also agreed to a deal worth up to £25.7m for striker Alvaro Rodriguez.

Club and International News

The Major League Soccer game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Fire. In a significant move, former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood signed for Fenerbahçe. Robert Lewandowski, a new Chicago Fire signing, stated he couldn't imagine playing for another European club after his time with Barcelona. New York City FC are interested in signing Christian Pulisic, but AC Milan is not looking to sell. In a nod to the past, the jersey Pelé wore during Brazil's 1958 World Cup final victory.

Other Sporting Headlines

The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale saw early leaders emerge, with fan favorite Dan Brown hoping his mid-round smoking is allowed to continue. Bryson DeChambeau has responded to claims of lacking strategy with an impressive start. In rugby, England is set to face Argentina in the Nations Championship, with Jamie George captaining an unchanged side. Carlos Alcaraz is targeting a return from a wrist injury at the Cincinnati Open in August. Lando Norris will take a 10-place grid penalty at the.