Mexico fans we want to hear from YOU! Get involved and share your thoughts on facing the Three Lions by clicking the link. One imagines you might be feeling pretty, pretty good about it after four games, four wins and zero goals conceded and a home tie coming up at the wondrous Azteca. El Tri sailing into the quarter-finals \u2026 ?<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Pubs to stay open until 5am for England v Mexico<\/p>\n Keir Starmer is signing off with an absolute belter as he gives the green light for an extension to licensing hours for Sunday\/Monday morning\u2019s big game between England and Mexico at 1am. The prime minister said:<\/p>\n double quotation markFootball might be coming home but we\u2019re making sure fans don\u2019t have to. Pubs staying open til the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together. The whole country will be backing the team. Come on England!\u201d<\/p>\n You do have to go home eventually though, who\u2019s going to walk the dog?!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.47 EDT<\/p>\n Ahoy! Only a few hours until Spain v Austria. Who\u2019s excited? Possibly Austria supporters considering a nugget I heard on the radio this morning courtesy of Guillem Balagu\u00e9. The Spanish football genius pointed out that Spain have not won a knockout game at a World Cup<\/a> since winning the whole enchilada in 2010. Will their poor run continue? We shall see.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Right, time for Graham Searles to steer things.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Following Senegal\u2019s dramatic exit, their midfielder Pape Gueye has said he will not play for the side under the current coaching staff.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come back later to say \u200ca few words about our elimination,\u201d Gueye wrote on social media, Reuters reports. \u201cBut today I announce that, as long as this coaching staff remains in charge, I \u200cwill take a break from the national team.\u201d<\/p>\n Gueye, who plays for Villarreal, started in Senegal\u2019s last-32 tie with Belgium, and was taken off in the 66th minute with his side 2-0 up. Romelu Lukaku\u2019s 86th-minute strike set up a dramatic comeback win.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> If you want to know how Egyptian-Australians are feeling ahead of Saturday\u2019s Pharaohs v Socceroos showdown, watch Joseph Tawadros\u2019s social media videos.<\/p>\n In one, the multi-instrumentalist plays his oud, a Middle Eastern stringed instrument, while wearing a fez with an Australian flag on it, complete with dangling corks.<\/p>\n He\u2019s singing a mashup of Waltzing Matilda and the Egyptian folk song Teleat Ya Mahla Nourha. Despite coming from vastly different ends of the musical spectrum, the two melodies somehow align.<\/p>\n It reflects the conflicted emotions that many members of the 45,000 strong Egyptian-Australian diaspora are grappling with ahead of Saturday\u2019s World Cup<\/a> knockout game. They will be faced with a difficult burden.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I look forward to seeing everyone else at work on Monday morning. <\/p>\n Share<\/a>Klopp linked with Germany head coach role<\/p>\n Story below from AFP:<\/p>\n Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly set to be sacked as Germany coach, tabloid Bild reported on Thursday, with former Liverpool manager J\u00fcrgen Klopp the favourite to take over in the dugout.<\/p>\n Nagelsmann, 38, has been under fire since Germany\u2019s last-32 exit from the World Cup<\/a> after a shock loss to Paraguay.<\/p>\n Showing pictures of Nagelsmann at German FA (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Bild reported on Thursday the coach had been offered a severance package of \u20ac7m to leave the position in a three-hour meeting. Last renewed in January 2025, Nagelsmann\u2019s contract is set to run until 2028.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, the DFB president, Bernd Neuendorf, announced an immediate investigation into the World Cup failure. A decision on Nagelsmann is expected \u201cby the beginning of next week at the latest\u201d, AFP sports subsidiary SID reported Thursday.<\/p>\n Several German media outlets, including Sky and Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, have said Klopp is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Nagelsmann.<\/p>\n J\u00fcrgen Klopp with Julian Nagelsmann on media duty earlier in the tournament. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.45 EDT<\/p>\n Remarkably, Spain are going to play Austria for the first time since a friendly in November 2009. Just months away from their World Cup<\/a> triumph, Spain won 5-1 thanks to goals from Cesc F\u00e0bregas, David Villa, Dani G\u00fciza and Pablo Hern\u00e1ndez. David Alaba, just 17, came off the bench for Austria.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Time for some #OnThisDay content. It\u2019s been 16 years since Luis Su\u00e1rez pulled off his famous save.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hello, hello, hello. This is a lovely piece by Andy Bull on watching the football at the tennis.<\/p>\n double quotation markWimbledon is a \u00a3500m championship, one of the largest annual sports events, and yet there is nothing like a World Cup to remind you where you sit in the pecking order of English sporting obsessions.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That is all from me, folks. Taha Hashim is primed for his stint.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Eric Berger<\/p>\n double quotation markThe midwestern city has about 70,000 Bosnians, most of whom fled the country during its war in the 90s, making it the largest such community outside the Balkan country.<\/p>\n Before a World Cup warmup match in St Louis between Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Panama, thousands in the community paraded<\/a> through the city with their native country\u2019s blue, white and yellow regalia.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople have been here for a long time, so they can afford a lot more things now,\u201d said Smajic, who has been in St Louis since 1997. \u201cThey can go to different games and travel and spend money\u201d and \u201csupport our team\u201d.<\/p>\n Fans gather for a watch party for the Bosnia and Herzegovina at Bevo Caffe Lounge in St. Louis. Photograph: Whitney Curtis\/The GuardianShare<\/a> Barney Ronay on Donald Trump.<\/p>\n double quotation markAt 4.38pm on 28 June Donald Trump<\/a> dropped a Truth. Nothing unusual in that. Trump\u2019s Truth Social feed is relentless and ever-giving.<\/p>\n That same afternoon he also Truthed at 3.58pm, 3.59pm, and twice at 7.42pm, all in the same instantly recognisable, weirdly cartoonish tone, as if a giant maize-based salted snack from a jaunty 1970s TV advert has been pumped full of voodoo and vitamins and propped up behind a lectern to explain geopolitics to the world, but only in the kind of words you might use while arguing with your nine-year-old sister.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Quansah to be fit for Mexico clash Jarell Quansah is expected to recover from a twisted ankle in time for England\u2019s last-16 tie against Mexico, boosting Thomas Tuchel\u2019s options at right-back. Reece James also said last night he\u2019s feeling good – he\u2019s missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I do have some DR Congo related transfer news to bring you \u2026 Kinshasa-born Jonathan Leko is currently on trial with Notts County after leaving MK Dons.<\/p>\n I can also confirm Aden Flint is training with the club too.<\/p>\n (I assume this is the sort of news you\u2019re reading the blog for)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I would like Borja Iglesias to get a chance for Spain at some point. He seems a very good egg.<\/p>\n Borja Iglesias<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Brighton have signed Austria defender Michael Svoboda on a four-year deal from Serie B champions Venezia.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old will link up with his new team-mates when he returns from the World Cup<\/a>, where Austria are set to face Spain in the round of 32 on Thursday night.<\/p>\n Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler said: \u201cHe has a number of attributes that we believe will see him adapt well to how we play, both in and out of possession.<\/p>\n \u201cHe also adds competition to an area we are looking to strengthen and with a number of clubs pursuing him this summer, I am very happy that he\u2019s decided to come to Brighton.\u201d<\/p>\n Brighton also confirmed defender Joel Veltman has left the club after six years upon the expiration of his contract. PA Media<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Some England fans went to Truist Park to watch the Atlanta Braves and new cult hero Michael Harris.<\/p>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.26 EDT<\/p>\n Has no one told them that the serious exams are almost certainly done everyone in primary school gave up on learning weeks ago?<\/p>\n Admittedly, I did offer to watch the England match yesterday with my daughter but she elected to view Topsy and Tim instead.<\/p>\n Topsy (left) and Tim (right). Photograph: Linda Nylind\/The GuardianShare<\/a>Starmer rejects Tuchel’s suggestion to give children day off<\/p>\n Keir Starmer wants children up and ready for school on Monday morning regardless of the England game being played at 1am UK time.<\/p>\n When asked if children should stay up to watch the game, Starmer\u2019s spokesperson said: \u201cIt is up to parents to make their own decisions. We want everyone to enjoy the game but children should be at school on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n Someone call Burnham.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.12 EDT<\/p>\n double quotation markTillman has worked hard to forge a place in Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s team. After making his debut midway through 2022, Tillman was among the toughest cuts from Gregg Berhalter\u2019s squad for that year\u2019s World Cup<\/a>. The next few years saw him often called into camp, but seldom given starts with Berhalter\u2019s A-team.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Where is our money on today\u2019s games? Spain to beat Austria, Portugal to down Croatia and Switzerland to edge out Algeria in one that goes the distance?<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Taha Hashim was on Football Daily duty today. What a treat.<\/p>\n double quotation mark\u201cFor us now, it\u2019s absolutely not a time to panic,\u201d Anthony Barry urged in his now customary half-time debrief, with England 1-0 down to a Democratic Republic of Congo side playing with serious confidence. Thomas Tuchel\u2019s No 2 coldly broke down what was required in the second half \u2013 \u201cnot a time to play gung-ho football\u201d \u2013 but was done dirty by the stat that flashed up on the BBC\u2019s coverage as he spoke. The last time England went on to win a World Cup match in which they conceded first? West Germany in the 1966 final. Yes, you may panic.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anthony T emails: \u201cWe used to watch the final round of The Masters each year, me and my Dad. Basically cos at the time European golfers were killing it. Always trying to spot the same guy in a red polo and white hair behind the tee on 16 or 17! There, every year he was, even after I moved out. I\u2019d call my dad and be like, did you see him?? Yep.<\/p>\n \u201cI also got a TV in my room to play Spectrum games and I definitely was NOT allowed to stay up and watch England group games in 1986 (I was 8?). Must\u2019ve watched with the sound off. Guess it was good practice for teenage years? Still gave the game away next morning. Terrible liar then, terrible liar now. Not the worst trait, surely.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the latest staying up was having a sleepover at my best mates house as a kid and watching the 1986 Adelaide GP where Mansell, our Nige, our local Brummie hero, surely win the F1 championship. I remember it clear as day\/middle of the night. I remember the bed, the room, the colour, the AT-AT in the corner I was jealous of. BUT that would\u2019ve been a Sat into Sun\u2026. \u201cand that\u2019s Mansell! That is Nigel Mansell\u2026.\u201d We didn\u2019t even watch the rest of the race.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anthony Gordon says Harry Kane is an \u201cinspiration to all of us\u201d after the England captain kept World Cup<\/a> hopes alive with a two-goal intervention against the Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/p>\n Thomas Tuchel\u2019s men were heading for one of the most embarrassing results in the country\u2019s history when they trailed 1-0 with less than 15 minutes remaining in the last-32 tie.<\/p>\n But winger Gordon climbed off the bench to twice set up Kane, who first headed home and then thrashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner to earn a last-16 clash with Mexico.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what? As soon as he hit (the second goal), I knew it was going in,\u201d Gordon said. \u201cI was already celebrating. \u201cIt\u2019s more the consistency that he surprised me with. Anyone can score a good goal, anyone at this level can put the ball in the top corner. This is the consistency that he does it. Every day in training. Every game. He is phenomenal. He plays at such a high, high level.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing to be around him every day, because when you\u2019re around someone at the elite level \u2013 he\u2019s at the very, very top of football, he\u2019s having a season that\u2019s only ever been beaten by Lionel Messi, the greatest footballer of all time. So that speaks to the level he\u2019s playing at. When you\u2019re around someone like that, you want to pick up as many habits and watch everything he does to see why he\u2019s at that level. It\u2019s no accident, like I said, there\u2019s consistency every day, how hard he works, every finishing drill.<\/p>\n \u201cHe does it with passion, he does it with seriousness. He never ever messes about. So it\u2019s amazing to be around him. He\u2019s definitely an inspiration to all of us.\u201d PA Media<\/p>\n Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon embrace. Photograph: Brett Davis\/IMAGN IMAGES\/ReutersShare<\/a> double quotation markI\u2019ve found another way of ruining sport for myself. I thought I\u2019d explored every means of turning the stress dial up to 11, but now I\u2019ve chanced on a new method. I must need the anxiety to feel alive.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I can also offer some stuff on Elliot Anderson and what he will bring to City.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n How are the Power Rankings holding up?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Jacob Steinberg \u2026 and he\u2019s live!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Manchester City confirm Anderson deal Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, the club have confirmed. Elliot Anderson<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Right, Will Unwin is about to pick up the reins again. I will see you tomorrow. Bye-eeeee!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In non-World Cup news: Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper have left their coaching positions at Bournemouth to join former boss Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, PA reports.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Head coach of the Japan men\u2019s soccer team, Hajime Moriyasu, has said he needs some time to decide about his future.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll take a bit of a break now and then I\u2019ll need to properly reflect on the tournament,\u201d AP reports Moriyasu told a press conference, with Japan Football Association officials also attending. \u201cThat\u2019s all that\u2019s been decided so far.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJapanese soccer, built up over history, is more than capable of holding its own on the world stage,\u201d Moriyasu said. \u201cI am convinced that if we continue this growth we will certainly be able to become world champions.\u201d<\/p>\n Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu reacts to a reporter’s question as he speaks during a news conference in Tokyo. Photograph: Hiro Komae\/AP<\/p>\n Moriyasu also guided Japan to the knockout stage in 2022 in Qatar, losing to Croatia on penalties.<\/p>\n Japan FA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto told the news conference that the association needed time for a debrief, having previously suggested to local media that the JFA wanted Moriyasu to stay on.<\/p>\n Japan face Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia in the group stage of the 24-team AFC Asian Cup being hosted in Saudi Arabia in January and February next year.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That is enough about England for now, let me turn my attention to Spain. The main El Pa\u00eds story<\/a> leading up to their match with Austria tonight is pointing out that the nation has not won a single World Cup knock-out match since 2010. David Alvarez writes \u201cthe last time Spain won a knockout match in a World Cup, Lamine Yamal was two days shy of his third birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n Alvarez goes on to say \u201cThe team as a whole isn\u2019t firing on all cylinders like it did during the glory days of the European Championship in Germany two summers ago. In the World Cup<\/a>, you play a bit against your opponent and a bit, even quite a bit, against old ghosts. Spain doesn\u2019t want to dwell too much on the 16 years since their last knockout victory. They\u2019ve come for something else.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Everyone and their aunt appears to have an opinion about what playing at altitude will mean for England\u2019s game against Mexico, and so PA have actually spoken to an expert about it.<\/p>\n James Barber, the lead performance specialist at The Altitude Centre, told PA:<\/p>\n double quotation markThere\u2019s less oxygen available to you when you go to altitude, so you\u2019ve got less oxygen going to your muscles, less oxygen going to the brain, and so across the course of 90 minutes you\u2019re going to fatigue much more quickly, and that ability to sprint, having already sprinted, is going to be massively impaired.<\/p>\n The first thing you\u2019re going to feel is a massive sense of breathlessness, because your body\u2019s just trying to hyperventilate to get more oxygen in, and to make space in your lungs for that oxygen. Your heart rate is going to be significantly elevated, even quite early into the game. If I was a player, I would certainly want a three-minute break halfway through the half.<\/p>\n Barber also highlighted the different behaviour of the ball at that height, saying \u201cIf you were to kick the ball as hard as sea level at altitude, it is going to fly further when you\u2019re at altitude because there\u2019s less air resistance to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>16.3m people watched England v DR Congo on BBC in UK<\/p>\n The BBC has issued audience figures for last night\u2019s round of 32 match between England and DR Congo, saying that it achieved a peak audience of 16.3 million viewers on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.<\/p>\n The corporation said the match averaged 14 million viewers, making it \u201cthe most-watched moment on the BBC this year\u201d, which presumably has ticked off the people who make The Traitors.<\/p>\n The BBC said a third of all streams served on iPlayer in the final week of group matches was for World Cup<\/a> content.<\/p>\n BBC Director of Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski said: \u201cThese are extraordinary audience figures that show the BBC is the place the nation comes together for the biggest sporting moments. England\u2019s dramatic victory captured millions across TV, iPlayer, BBC Sport digital platforms and social media. We\u2019re proud to be delivering the moments that matter to audiences wherever and however they choose to follow the tournament, as England\u2019s World Cup journey continues.\u201d<\/p>\n England fans watching the match against DR Congo at Boxpark Wembley. Photograph: Cat Goryn\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a>England’s Anthony Gordon: Harry Kane is ‘an inspiration to all of us’<\/p>\n Some quotes from Anthony Gordon have just dropped on the wires via PA, and he is being effusive in his praise for teammate Harry Kane, as well as saying he is relishing the prospect of facing Mexico at the Azteca.<\/p>\n PA quotes him saying of England\u2019s second goal \u201cAs soon as he hit, I knew it was going in. I was already celebrating\u201d. Gordon then want on to venture his own Messi v Ronaldo opinion while talking about Kane\u2019s career, saying:<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s more the consistency that he surprised me with. Anyone can score a good goal, anyone at this level can put the ball in the top corner. This is the consistency that he does it. Every day in training. Every game. He is phenomenal. He plays at such a high, high level.<\/p>\n It\u2019s amazing to be around him every day, because when you\u2019re around someone at the elite level \u2013 he\u2019s at the very, very top of football, he\u2019s having a season that\u2019s only ever been beaten by Lionel Messi, the greatest footballer of all time. So that speaks to the level he\u2019s playing at.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re around someone like that, you want to pick up as many habits and watch everything he does to see why he\u2019s at that level. It\u2019s no accident, like I said, there\u2019s consistency every day, how hard he works, every finishing drill. He does it with passion, he does it with seriousness. He never ever messes about. So it\u2019s amazing to be around him. He\u2019s definitely an inspiration to all of us.<\/p>\n Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon last night. Photograph: Bradley Collyer\/PA<\/p>\n On the prospect of playing Mexico, Gordon said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019m really excited. It\u2019s an amazing game of football, probably a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere and environment, so I\u2019m really looking forward to it. It\u2019s great to see who you can become in those moments, but I think we\u2019re ready.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve got a great team, we faced adversity, we hold each other accountable so we\u2019re in a great place, we have good momentum. I think momentum is massive with football. I knew we could face this type of adversity from the start of camp.<\/p>\n Honestly, you get a feeling. Every squad you\u2019re in, you know if they\u2019re willing to go over the line when it comes to it. I know this team\u2019s ready for that, because we train so hard every day, every session is serious, there\u2019s no waste of time, and that\u2019s a sign of a top team.<\/p>\n You can have as many good players as you want but if a team\u2019s not willing to do that in the toughest moments, they are not a top team.\u201d<\/p>\n England will be facing Mexico in front of their home fans. Photograph: Ian Robles\/Eyepix Group\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n I just got an email from the FA inviting me to shell out \u00a320 to join England+ and get priority access to men and women\u2019s home matches in the Nations League and Women\u2019s World Cup<\/a> play-offs, and I\u2019m just saying, that is a ballsy move by the marketing department after last night\u2019s display.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Hi everybody, good afternoon\/lunchtime\/evening\/morning etc. This tournament is playing havoc with my body clock. And I suspect if I had some kind of heart-tracking fitness watch it would automatically have dialled 999 at points while I was watching Fulchester United England v DR Congo yesterday. That was 100% a penalty on Harry Kane, though, right? Especially when you saw the one VAR awarded Belgium late on.<\/p>\n Harry Kane\u2019s body language says it all. Photograph: Rob Newell\/CameraSport\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The first bit of news I have for you today is some non-World Cup news: Former Arsenal and Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla is hanging up his boots at the ripe old age of 41.<\/p>\n He helped his local team Oviedo reach La Liga in 2025 and played his final season with them in the Spanish top flight. AFP reports he posted to social media \u201cNow that everything is ending, when the boots are being hung up, and the noise is turning into silence, everything fits together, because the ending wasn\u2019t just anywhere \u2013 I was at home.\u201d<\/p>\n Santi Cazorla of Real Oviedo Being honoured by Villarreal in August 2025. Photograph: Quality Sport Images\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Right, that\u2019s me done for now. Here\u2019s Martin Belam to guide you through the next couple of hours.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Into the inbox, and Jack Gordon Brown reckons there\u2019s a bit too much English pessimism about the challenge posed by Mexico:<\/p>\n double quotation markObviously playing Mexico at altitude in a home World Cup for them (for now) in which they have won four games in a row is a tough game, but is a bit much being made of their record in the Azteca?<\/p>\n A quick wiki search shows since 2020 they have drawn with Jamaica, USA, Costa Rica and Canada at this ground. These teams are all weaker than England and don\u2019t play their home games at this level of altitude.<\/p>\n Prior to this World Cup Mexico hadn\u2019t played a WC game here since 1986 and they don\u2019t play the likes of Argentina and Brazil in qualifying — they play pretty middling teams. England are a better team, maybe Mexico\u2019s form and home advantage makes it a pretty even match-up. Feel like Tuchel might be trying to dampen expectations a bit?<\/p>\n Well, England did their talking on the pitch yesterday, in terms of expectation-dampening, but in theory yes, they have deeper gears than Mexico (or any of the opponents you list). Yet momentum and spirit matter in tournament football and Mexico currently have more of those than England.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Need something to do while waiting for the next games to start, or during a pointless \u201chydration\u201d break? Well tuck into some World Cup<\/a> puzzling \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Talking of Uruguay, as we briefly were, Edinson Cavani has announced his departure from Boca Juniors after three years, AFP reports. The 39-year-old striker, who frankly Uruguay could have done with this year, joined the Argentinian side in July 2023 from Valencia. He leaves Boca without having won a title there and acknowledged he had \u201cdifficult moments\u201d that prevented him from \u201cleaving a mark\u201d on the club. Hampered by recurring injuries, he played 81 matches, completing the full 90 minutes in only 27 of them, scoring 28 goals.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There are suddenly only four African teams remaining in this World Cup<\/a>, though the DRC and Senegal can consider themselves mightily unlucky that they\u2019re not among them. Still there for now though are Cape Verde, who face Argentina on Friday. Sid Lowe sat down for a chinwag with their full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral, about their extraordinary run, dealing with racism, Cape Verde\u2019s party people and taking on Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s about our game. The coach\u2019s message is that we\u2019re a family. It\u2019s 11 men, not this man or that man \u2026 I need to focus on myself. If I think \u2018I\u2019m playing Messi\u2019, I\u2019m going to blow my mind. Afterwards I can enjoy that I played against him. I hope I get some nice pictures with him.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On this day in World Cup<\/a> history, 2010: Look away, Ghana fans \u2026<\/p>\n Luis Su\u00e1rez breaks Ghanaian hearts. Photograph: Dylan Martinez\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Anyway, Spain v Austria approaches, an intriguing one. Austria haven\u2019t pulled up any trees thus far, but their steady improvement over the past five or six years makes Ralf Rangnick\u2019s side worthy of respect. Spain haven\u2019t dazzled yet the way they did at Euro 2024 (apart from in the first half-hour against a limp Saudi Arabia); can they turn it on tonight? To get you in the mood, here\u2019s Sid Lowe\u2019s interview with F\u00e1bian Ruiz, who\u2019s had a lively old time of it<\/a> in international tournaments this year.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Will, and hello all. Well after all yesterday\u2019s drama and angst I didn\u2019t think today\u2019s liveblog would generate hot South Korea v Bolivia in 94 chat. Did I ever tell you I was there<\/a>? My own recollection was that it was quite enjoyable, though I might just have been starstruck over being at an actual World Cup finals game for the first time. All of which invites the question: was that American World Cup better than this one? The former took place at hotter times of the day and in mostly unroofed stadiums and without ad breaks, which alone clinches it for me. Thoughts?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.12 EDT<\/p>\n Tom Davies is moving his way into the hotseat for a power hour. See you all later.<\/p>\n![\"Caitlin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Caitlin_Cassidy.png\")
Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n![\"Barney](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Barney_Ronay.png\")
Barney Ronay<\/p>\n![\"Jacob](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jacob-Steinberg,-L.png\")
Jacob Steinberg<\/p>\n![\"Jeff](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jeff_Rueter,_L.png\")
Jeff Rueter<\/p>\n![\"Taha](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aha_Hashim,_L.png\")
Taha Hashim<\/p>\n![\"Adrian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian_Chiles,_L.png\")
Adrian Chiles<\/p>\n![\"Will](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Will_Unwin.png\")
Will Unwin<\/p>\n
City will pay \u00a3116m for the England international, who has passed a medical in America, where he is currently playing at the World Cup<\/a>. The formalities will be completed once Anderson returns to England following the conclusion of his participation in the tournament.<\/p>\n![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Martin_Belam.png\")
Martin Belam<\/p>\n