England are not going to win the World Cup playing like this. They will not get very far in the knockout rounds unless they can sharpen up. But at least they have made it into them, the dream still alive, after they secured top spot in Group L on a...
Late drama sends Austria and Algeria into World Cup knockouts to break Iran hearts
Before a ball was kicked, this match already had nicknames. Some deemed it a telltale biscotto – an Italian classic implying something that has to be baked twice; one cooperating with the other. Or maybe you preferred the “Disgrace of Kansas City”, a new spin on the “Disgrace of Gijón”,...
Lionel Messi steps off bench and scores to cap Argentina’s World Cup win over Jordan
Give Lionel Messi half an hour and he will sprinkle some magic to remember for ever. Most of the crowd under this vast roof had been afflicted with their own strain of Messidependencia for two-thirds of this game, whose low stakes had been reflected in both tempo and ambience. Everything...
World Cup 2026: England win, Clarke quits Scotland and Iran denied at the last – live
⚽ All the latest news from as we reach the knockouts⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail us The pod squad is here from Los Angeles. Steve Clarke has resigned as Scotland’s head coach, with the decision announced within an hour of confirmation the country had been...
Uruguay slump to shock early World Cup exit after Baena strike sends Spain through
Uruguay are out of the World Cup again and for all that it ended in anger, a red card and a touchline row, it is nobody’s fault but their own. “3 million dreams,” the banner said high in the stand in Guadalajara but this was a recurring nightmare. Divided and...
‘This must never happen again’: Iran coach hits out at the US and tells Infantino to stand up against hosts
Iran waiting to see if they are through to last 32 Salah injury fears played down after 1-1 draw Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has said Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, must “stand up” to the US after reiterating his belief that the co-hosts have treated his team “very unfairly”. Iran...
‘I understand why some people think I’m a bitch’: world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka on screaming, stunt matches, and why she’s much nicer off court
Last month she had a post-defeat meltdown and insisted she was done with tennis. On the eve of Wimbledon, she talks about what really happened – and why her ‘aggressive’ face gives people the wrong impression It’s less than a month since Aryna Sabalenka told the world that she felt...
Cape Verde continue fairytale World Cup debut after Saudi Arabia draw books last-32 spot
After the full-time whistle Cape Verde’s players formed a huddle around their head coach, Bubista, eyes straining at the tiny moving images on a mobile phone. They sought the certainty that a dream had come true and, when the outcome nearly 1,000 miles away in Guadalajara was confirmed, erupted in...
World Cup 2026: England through, Scotland wait goes on and joy for Cape Verde – live
⚽ Latest news from the 16th and final day of the groups ⚽ Third-place table | Player guide | Golden Boot | Mail Taha What’s that? You want some #OnThisDay #WorldCup #Content? Well, it’s been eight years since South Korea knocked out Germany, the defending champions, in the group stage....
Wimbledon’s big talking points: Serena’s return, Sinner’s recovery and Sabalenka’s slump
All-time greats have questions to answer in SW19 while Raducanu and Draper have to show they can stay fit Serena Williams left it until the last minute to take the final available singles wildcard at Wimbledon and dramatically escalate her comeback from retirement. It is hard to imagine this was...