Football/Soccer 8 Hours

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

Spain Crowned World Champions After Extra-Time Thriller

Spain claimed their on Sunday, defeating Argentina 1-0 in a hard-fought final at Met Life Stadium. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time to secure the victory for Spain. Lionel Messi had a minimal impact in the final, with player ratings reflecting his struggles against a dominant Spanish side that barely approached their goal. Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, capping off a successful campaign for Spain that saw them also win the Golden Glove and Young Player awards. Real Madrid players contributed the most goals for the victorious Spanish squad throughout the tournament, with Barcelona's Ferran Torres netting the crucial strike in the final.

Mbappé Reaches World Cup Milestone, England Secures Third Place

Kylian Mbappé in the tournament, scoring his 21st and 22nd career goals to surpass Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup goal-scoring chart. Meanwhile, England secured third place at the World Cup with a victory over France. Bukayo Saka delivered a standout performance in that match, earning a 9/10 rating for his efforts that made him the star of the show.

World Cup Fallout and Domestic Focus

As Spain celebrates their World Cup triumph, attention is already shifting back to domestic leagues, with the Premier League season set to commence soon. In transfer news, Arsenal is reportedly planning a short-term swoop for John Stones. Swansea City is also close to finalizing a deal for Elijah Just, who impressed for New Zealand at the World Cup and is nearing a move.

Human Rights Concerns and High-Profile Final

Europe's top human rights body has and is urging FIFA to establish a stronger framework for future tournaments. The World Cup final itself was a spectacle, with a star-studded half-time show featuring performances from Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and BTS. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were also in attendance. Security was notably tight for the final in New Jersey, with supporters facing long queues. Last-minute tickets for the final ranged from $10,000 to $60,000, highlighting the event's immense global appeal, with an estimated 1.5 billion viewers worldwide tuning in to the most-watched sporting event.

Golf and Formula 1 News

In golf, Ryan Fox at The 154th Open, securing a dramatic one-shot victory over Cameron Young with a final-hole birdie. Scottie Scheffler has defended Bryson DeChambeau amid rules controversy at The Open, stating that DeChambeau is "not a cheater". key dates for the 2027 golf season, including the majors and the Ryder Cup, have been outlined as part of the schedule release. In Formula, Kimi Antonelli admitted he has reached an unexpected dominant position in the championship, a stark contrast to his struggles 12 months ago when he felt he had "reached rock bottom". Lewis Hamilton expressed relief after a mechanic involved in a pit-stop incident at the Belgian Grand Prix was unhurt, though the team was fined heavily.

Cricket Update

England clinched their in a high-scoring third ODI at Lord's. Ben Duckett's century and a late spell of wickets from Sam Curran inspired England to a 27-run victory to seal the series.