Football/Soccer 3 Days

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

Spain Crowned World Champions After Extra-Time Thriller

Spain captured their second World Cup title on Sunday, defeating Argentina 1-0 in a tense final that went into extra time at MetLife Stadium. Rodri was instrumental in Spain's triumph, earning the Golden Ball award for his outstanding performances throughout the tournament. While Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal for Spain, Real Madrid's players contributed the most goals for the victorious nation. Argentina's Lionel Messi had a limited impact in the final, earning a rating of 3/10 from ESPN's player ratings. Despite the on-field drama, Europe's top human rights body has called on FIFA to strengthen the framework for future World Cups, raising questions about the integrity of the tournament.

England Secures Third Place, Individual Accolades Earned

England clinched third place at the World Cup with a victory over France in the bronze medal match. Bukayo Saka was a standout performer for England, scoring a hat-trick in the 3-2 win against France and receiving a player rating of 9/10. Saka expressed his desire to have played more throughout the tournament, feeling fit and ready to contribute. Jude Bellingham also made history for England, becoming the first Englishman to score seven goals in a single World Cup campaign. Midfielder Declan Rice lauded the current England squad, stating it is "the best England group for a very long time".

Player Milestones and Transfer Buzz

Kylian Mbappé continued to etch his name in World Cup history, surpassing Lionel Messi on the all-time goal-scoring chart with his 21st and 22nd career tournament goals. Mbappé also leads the Golden Boot race with 10 goals, two ahead of Lionel Messi heading into the final. In transfer news, Swansea City is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Elijah Just of Motherwell, who impressed at the World Cup for New Zealand. Barcelona has set a July 31 deadline for Atlético Madrid to accept their offer for Argentine striker Julián Álvarez, though Atlético Madrid's president has stated Álvarez will remain at the club.

Golf and Motorsport Updates

Ryan Fox claimed his first major title at The 154th Open, securing a dramatic one-shot victory over Cameron Young with a final-hole birdie. Fox also joined an exclusive club by shooting a '62 round' at the major. Meanwhile, in Formula, Kimi Antonelli admitted that starting alongside Max Verstappen on the front row for the Belgian Grand Prix would not be straightforward, despite topping practice sessions. Lewis Hamilton expressed hope that Ferrari could close the performance gap, though he acknowledged the deficit was larger than anticipated.

Other Football News and Notes

The World Cup final garnered significant global attention, with an estimated 1.5 billion viewers tuning in. Ticket prices for last-minute seats ranged from $10,000 to $60,000. Amidst the tournament, there has been a substantial increase in harmful social media posts, 14 times more than in 2022. Former Spain defender Joan Capdevila was able to attend the final after previously being denied authorization to travel to the U.S. gets into. Security was heightened for the final due to the presence of notable figures, including former President Donald Trump. The World Cup has also been a boon for beer sales in the U.S., with a 14% increase reported in host cities. In other football news, Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós is taking a five-week paternity leave.