Four former FIFA World Cup champions—Argentina, England, France, and Spain—have reached the semifinals of the 2026 tournament. The quarterfinal matches showed key moments, including France defeating Morocco, Spain narrowly beating Belgium, and England winning against Norway.
Key Facts
Four former champions made it to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990: Argentina, England, France, and Spain.
France beat Morocco 2-0; Morocco used a striker-less lineup that did not work well.
Morocco’s goalkeeper saved a penalty from France’s Kylian Mbappe before France scored two goals.
Spain won 2-1 against Belgium with a late winning goal set up after a long-range shot by young defender Pau Cubarsi.
Pau Cubarsi, a 19-year-old from Barcelona, started as a center-back for Spain and played well defensively.
Substitute Mikel Merino scored quickly after entering the match for Spain.
England defeated Norway 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
Belgium was the first team to score against Spain in this tournament, but Spain focused on controlling the ball rather than just defending.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
England beat Norway in the World Cup quarter-final, but their manager Thomas Tuchel was unhappy with how the team played. He praised the players' effort and teamwork but said they made many mistakes and did not play as well as they could. Tuchel wants England to keep the ball longer with short passes to create better chances.
Key Facts
England won the World Cup quarter-final against Norway.
Manager Thomas Tuchel said the result was good but the team's performance was not.
Tuchel praised the players for their effort and belief despite difficulties.
He criticized the team for many technical errors and slower play.
Tuchel’s ideal style involves controlling the ball with short, repeated passes to make space.
England used a 3-2-5 attacking formation against Norway’s 4-5-1 defensive setup.
The team had less possession and struggled to keep control in the second half.
Tuchel wants England to improve their passing and use wider positions to create chances.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jayden Adams, a 25-year-old soccer player from South Africa, died shortly after playing in three World Cup games last month. His death was confirmed by the South African football players union on Saturday.
Key Facts
Jayden Adams was 25 years old.
He played in three World Cup matches for South Africa.
His death was confirmed by South Africa’s football players union.
The World Cup games took place last month.
Adams was an active player in international football before his death.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
England will play Argentina in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-final after extra time, with goals from Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Key Facts
England reached the World Cup semi-final for the fourth time.
Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-final match.
Mac Allister scored the first goal for Argentina.
Switzerland equalized through Dan Ndoye.
Switzerland’s player Embolo was sent off after a second yellow card for diving.
Julian Alvarez scored a goal during extra time to help Argentina win.
Argentina’s win sets up a semi-final match against England.
Switzerland was eliminated from the tournament after this loss.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Fans in London celebrated England’s win over Norway in the World Cup. England will face Argentina in the semi-finals, while France will play Spain in the other semi-final match.
Key Facts
England won their World Cup match against Norway.
Fans in London were very happy and excited after the win.
Supporters praised player Jude Bellingham as a world-class athlete.
England’s next opponent will be Argentina in the semi-finals.
The other semi-final game will be France versus Spain.
The match between England and Argentina is scheduled for Wednesday.
The win means England has qualified for the semi-final round.
Fans described the game as tense but were confident in their team.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
England’s manager Thomas Tuchel said Declan Rice was sick and spent most of three days in bed before their World Cup quarter-final win against Norway. Rice played but was substituted at half-time to avoid risking injury, helping England reach the semi-final against Argentina.
Key Facts
Declan Rice was ill and in bed for nearly three days before the game against Norway.
Rice started the match but was taken off at half-time due to illness and previous muscle problems.
England won 2-1 against Norway, with Jude Bellingham scoring the equalizer and extra-time winner.
The match was played in hot weather, which affected some players, including Ezri Konsa who had cramps.
Tuchel made tactical changes, including taking Rice off early to save substitutions for later.
Rice had missed only one of England’s six World Cup matches so far.
England will face Argentina in the semi-final on 15 July at 8 pm.
The match will be broadcast live on the BBC.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Argentina and England have a long-standing rivalry in the FIFA World Cup, dating back to 1962. Their matches have featured memorable moments, controversies, and political tensions, including references to the Falklands War. The article reviews key matches between the two teams, highlighting events like the 1966 quarter-final and the famous 1986 "Hand of God" goal.
Key Facts
Argentina and England first met in the World Cup in 1962 during the group stage.
England won their 1966 quarter-final match amid controversy and a player being sent off.
The 1966 match involved delays and disputes with the referee and led to the creation of red and yellow cards in later tournaments.
Political tensions between the countries, especially regarding the Falklands War, influence the rivalry.
Argentina's 1986 victory included the famous "Hand of God" goal by Diego Maradona.
England leads in overall World Cup matches played between the two, but Argentina has won recent important games.
Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in the current World Cup stage.
The rivalry is remembered for intense games, political undercurrents, and iconic football moments.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
ESPN analyst Matt Miller is taking an indefinite break to recover after a serious car crash in Missouri, which led to the amputation of his left arm. Meanwhile, he is under investigation for possible financial misconduct related to side projects he said were for charity.
Key Facts
Matt Miller is an ESPN NFL draft analyst injured in a car crash on June 18 in Missouri.
The crash forced doctors to amputate his left arm to save his life.
Miller announced he is stepping back from his ESPN role indefinitely to focus on recovery.
He had been involved in side activities like fantasy football leagues and paid scouting lessons claimed to benefit charity.
Complaints emerged that Miller did not deliver what was promised in these side projects.
A fundraiser for Miller's medical costs was paused after accusations of financial misconduct surfaced.
More than 40 people reported not receiving winnings or charitable proceeds related to Miller's side work.
Miller previously ran a charity that was forcibly closed in 2019 due to compliance issues.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Conor McGregor returned to UFC competition after nearly three years but had to stop fighting only 69 seconds into his match against Max Holloway due to a knee injury. This was McGregor’s third loss in a row, raising questions about the future of his fighting career.
Key Facts
McGregor broke his leg in 2021 and had not fought since then until this recent match.
He injured his knee early in the fight when it buckled after a missed kick.
McGregor retired from the fight and left the arena limping without using crutches.
He has now lost three fights in a row and has won only once since 2016.
UFC critic Michael Bisping suggested McGregor’s career could be over if the knee injury requires long-term surgery.
McGregor was involved in a civil case where he was found to have sexually assaulted a woman and ordered to pay damages.
Despite legal issues and recent losses, McGregor denies the allegations and claims innocence.
New fighters like Paddy Pimblett see McGregor’s injury as a chance to become the new face of UFC.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
England won their World Cup match against Norway and will play Argentina in the semifinal. The game was part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in North America.
Key Facts
England defeated Norway in a World Cup match.
This win allows England to advance to the semifinal round.
England’s next opponent in the semifinal is Argentina.
The event is the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The 2026 World Cup is hosted in North America.
The article includes match highlights, reactions, and previews.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
France and Spain will play the first semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, Texas. Both teams are strong European contenders, featuring star players like Kylian Mbappe for France and Lamine Yamal for Spain. The winner will advance to the World Cup final.
Key Facts
The semifinal match is scheduled at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which can hold 70,649 fans.
France has won the FIFA World Cup twice (1998, 2018) and Spain once (2010).
Spain has historically beaten France more often in their 38 meets: Spain won 18, France 13, with 7 draws.
Last year, Spain defeated France 5-4 in the UEFA Nations League semifinals.
Both teams have met only once in the World Cup before, in 2006, and France won 3-1.
Kylian Mbappe leads France with 8 goals and 3 assists in the tournament and is a top scorer candidate.
Lamine Yamal, a young Spanish forward, played key roles in Spain’s recent wins over France.
The match is seen as one of the most important and exciting fixtures of this World Cup.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jannik Sinner will face Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon men's singles final. Sinner aims to defend his title, while Zverev looks for his first Wimbledon win after recently winning his first Grand Slam at the French Open.
Key Facts
Jannik Sinner is the world number one and defending Wimbledon champion.
Sinner has won their past nine matches against Zverev, including six without losing a set.
Alexander Zverev won his first Grand Slam title at the recent French Open.
Zverev will move up to world number two in the rankings after Wimbledon.
Both players have won 40 or more matches in 2026, showing strong form.
Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the Wimbledon semi-final.
Zverev defeated British wildcard Arthur Fery to reach the Wimbledon final.
Zverev has never won a grass-court tournament before and aims to be only the fourth player to win his first title at Wimbledon in the Open era.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Conor McGregor returned to UFC fighting after more than five years but had to stop the match against Max Holloway after 69 seconds due to a knee injury. McGregor tried to continue but could not finish the fight, and doctors suspect he tore his ACL, a major knee ligament.
Key Facts
McGregor’s return fight took place at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
The fight ended 1 minute and 9 seconds into the first round because of McGregor’s knee injury.
McGregor landed awkwardly on his right knee after a flying kick at the start of the fight.
UFC President Dana White said doctors believe McGregor suffered a blown ACL.
McGregor was the underdog in the match, with betting odds of +240.
This fight was a rematch of their 2013 bout, which McGregor won.
McGregor’s last fight before this was over five years ago, when he broke his leg in 2021.
McGregor was the first UFC fighter to hold two titles at different weight classes at the same time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
England won a tough World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Norway with an extra-time goal by Jude Bellingham. Along with Argentina, France, and Spain, England advanced to the semi-finals, marking the first time the top four FIFA-ranked teams all reached this stage.
Key Facts
England defeated Norway 2-1 after extra time in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal during the extra time.
England joined Argentina, France, and Spain as semi-finalists in the tournament.
This is the first World Cup since 1992 where the top four ranked teams all made the semi-finals.
England's coach made several changes during the game, including switching midfield players.
Some players, like Kobbie Mainoo, were not used despite being available.
Argentina also advanced through extra time, beating Switzerland.
A player from Switzerland, Breel Embolo, was sent off during their quarter-final match.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Argentina and England are set to face each other in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. This will be Lionel Messi’s first time playing against England in his long international career.
Key Facts
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to reach the semi-final against England.
Lionel Messi has played over 200 games for Argentina and scored 125 goals but has never faced England before.
Messi is tied for most goals in this tournament with 8, sharing the Golden Boot lead with Kylian Mbappe.
Experts say Messi is very hard to mark because of his playing style, skill, and decision-making.
England and Argentina have a long and intense football rivalry, but haven’t met in almost 21 years.
Past matches between the two have included famous moments like Maradona’s "Hand of God" goal and Beckham’s red card.
The match will be shown live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 20:00 BST from Atlanta.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Conor McGregor returned to UFC after a long break but injured his knee just 69 seconds into his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329. The referee stopped the fight, giving Holloway the win. This was McGregor’s first fight since a leg injury in 2021, and Holloway was fighting in a higher weight class for the first time.
Key Facts
McGregor injured his knee early in the fight and could not continue.
The fight ended quickly, with Holloway winning by referee stoppage.
This was McGregor’s first UFC fight since breaking his leg in 2021.
Holloway was making his debut at welterweight, moving up from featherweight.
The fight took place at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
McGregor has lost four of his last five UFC fights and seven in his career.
Holloway aims to have a third fight with McGregor to settle their rivalry.
McGregor has faced controversies recently, including a legal case and a doping ban.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In the World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland, Swiss player Breel Embolo was wrongly given a second yellow card and sent off due to mistaken identity. The VAR team spotted the error, reversed the initial yellow card against Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, and gave the card to Embolo instead, reducing Switzerland to ten players and impacting the match outcome.
Key Facts
Breel Embolo received a second yellow card in the 72nd minute for an offense he did not commit.
The referee initially gave a yellow card to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes for a foul on Embolo.
VAR reviewed the incident and identified the mistake, leading to the reversal of the card from Paredes to Embolo.
Embolo was sent off after this mistaken identity decision, the first such instance due to VAR in the World Cup.
Switzerland’s players protested the decision but it was upheld by the referee.
Embolo was emotional and consoled by teammates as he left the field.
The score was tied 1-1 at the time of the red card in the 72nd minute.
Switzerland eventually lost in extra time after playing with one less player.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The World Cup 2026 semifinals will feature four teams: France, Spain, England, and Argentina. The matches are scheduled for July 14 and 15 in the United States, with top players expected to compete for a spot in the final.
Key Facts
Four teams remain in the World Cup 2026: France, Spain, England, and Argentina.
France beat Morocco 2-0; Spain defeated Belgium 2-1; England overcame Norway 2-1; Argentina won against Switzerland 3-1.
Semifinal matches: France vs Spain on July 14 at Dallas Stadium; England vs Argentina on July 15 at Atlanta Stadium.
Key players include Kylian Mbappe (France), Lamine Yamal (Spain), Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham (England), and Lionel Messi (Argentina).
Predictions from Opta’s computer model favor France to win the tournament, followed by Spain, Argentina, and England.
The final is set for July 19, where the two semifinal winners will compete for the World Cup trophy.
US viewers can watch games on FOX, FS1, and streaming services like Fox One, FOX Sports app, Peacock, and others.
Spanish-language coverage is available on Telemundo and Universo with streaming on Peacock.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jude Bellingham scored two goals again to help England beat Norway and reach the World Cup semi-final. He is the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score two or more goals in consecutive World Cup knockout games and is seen as a key player for England’s chance to win the tournament.
Key Facts
Jude Bellingham scored twice against Norway to help England reach the World Cup semi-finals.
England will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina team next in the semi-final.
Bellingham is the first player since Maradona in 1986 to score two or more goals in back-to-back World Cup knockout stage matches.
At 23 years old, Bellingham is the second youngest player to reach this milestone after Pele (17 years old in 1958).
Bellingham had 5 shots, most touches in the opposition box, won 8 duels, and earned 4 fouls against Norway.
He has scored 12 goals for England, with 9 of those coming in major tournaments.
Bellingham is known for scoring important goals when England need them most.
England has not won the World Cup since 1966.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
