One police officer was injured and four people were arrested following the \u201cviolent disorder\u201d, London police said.<\/p>\n
Images shared on social media showed dozens of people stood in Edgware Road, near Hyde Park, and some throwing bottles and other objects at police. Police said the trouble started after people blocked traffic in the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe incident then escalated with the group throwing bottles and setting off fireworks,\u201d a spokesman said. \u201cOne officer was taken to hospital for head injuries, it is believed he had been hit by a glass bottle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Full story<\/a>:<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.29 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n That’s a wrap That\u2019ll do folks.<\/p>\n Thanks so much for joining us along the way.<\/p>\n A reminder that Spain v Belgium is the big match tonight at 8pm. Don\u2019t miss our live blog kicking off at 7.<\/p>\n Til next time, tarra!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.01 EDT<\/p>\n Ben Kippin has a head scratcher for you:<\/p>\n double quotation markHey Daniel, what do you make of the assertion that Norway have been getting used to the Miami heat this whole time, while England have been getting off lightly? Home away from home comforts for the Vikings, or does the triumph at the Azteca mean that the Three Lions can conquer anything?<\/p>\n Not sure, to be honest. What I do know is that if England lose, we won\u2019t hear the end of it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n And here\u2019s Philip Bj\u00f6rkman, who is, as he puts it, \u201ca first time caller, long time listener\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation markAll things withstanding, this has been a World Cup for the ages. Not for the sake of it being anything remotely special in terms of what has been on show as for actual athleticism, but rather for everything that has been done to shift the narrative elsewhere. One can\u2019t help to feel vibes of Mourinho emanating through the upper Echelon\u2019s of FIFA, where so much of the heat has been Moonraker-lazer focused onto the duo of Giannonald to make us briefly forget about the transmutation of the game to a state where not even Sean Dyche can bothered to call it nonsense anymore.<\/p>\n Even so! However much it stinks, there is no denying that the transformation of football from a game to a game show must be counted as a success if all the top four seeded nations DO make it to the semi-finals. I agree with Collina that there probably isn\u2019t an ongoing conspiracy at large here, but with the facts at hand, who can blame those who disagree?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s Peter Oh:<\/p>\n double quotation markHi Daniel, Jeremy Boyce\u2019s message got me thinking. \u2018It\u2019s Coming Home\u2019 definitely sounds better than \u2018It\u2019s Getting Deported Back To England\u2019.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I mentioned earlier that there were some transfers confirmed that wouldn\u2019t raise an eyebrow. Well, here one that should.<\/p>\n England defender Niamh Charles has joined Women\u2019s Super League champions Manchester City on a three-year deal.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old makes the move after a six-year spell at Chelsea, where she lifted 12 domestic trophies, and becomes Andree Jeglertz\u2019s second signing of the summer after England forward Beth Mead.<\/p>\n Charles has also won 34 caps for England and was part of the Lionesses\u2019 triumph at the 2025 Euros, where she scored a penalty in their shootout against Spain in the Switzerland final.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really happy to be here and I can\u2019t wait to get started,\u201d said Charles.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen from the outside and obviously played against City over the past few years, they\u2019ve had great success this year and I think what they\u2019re building as a team, the players and the staff, it\u2019s something I wanted to be a part of.<\/p>\n \u201cIt suits me and fits me, the culture we\u2019re building and the style of play. I just think it\u2019s the perfect fit and hopefully we can have some good times together.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ve got an email!<\/p>\n Thanks for checking in, Jeremy Boyce. Good to hear from you:<\/p>\n double quotation markHi Daniel<\/p>\n Should be a good game tonight, but not even I can see how free-scoring Belgium will find a way past this Spanish defence where so many others have failed. The mouthwatering prospect of a France – Spain, Irresistible Force v Immovable object, semi final has got my juices going<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the other half of the draw, can plucky England find their way to an eventual semi-final v Me$$i\/Infantino\/Donald ? Would they be allowed to win, even if they were 4 – 0 up ? Wouldn\u2019t Don get on the blower to GiGi right away and the match be awarded to Me$$i ? Need to keep those soccerball dollars close to home, Miami, Mar a Lago. Bellingham, Kane etc. carted away by ICE operatives for their deportation flight home.<\/p>\n Sorry, I think the heat got to me there. Anyway, stranger things have happened. It\u2019s a funny old game football<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019ve talked myself into wanting Belgium to win tonight.<\/p>\n Not because I have anything against Spain (I\u2019m South African and frankly I don\u2019t really care who wins the World Cup<\/a> now).<\/p>\n But I\u2019d like the Belgians to go far because I still have a crush on their golden generation.<\/p>\n And with a few of them in the mix. De Bruyne, Cortois, Witsel, Lukaku and Meunier are all over 33. Would be nice for them if they had a proper shot at reaching the final.<\/p>\n Now I don\u2019t think they will win, but that\u2019s a different story.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There have been a few transfers confirmed today.<\/p>\n None should compel you to tap your mate on their shoulder and have you shove your phone in their face.<\/p>\n Still, here they are:<\/p>\n In the Women\u2019s Super League, Ebony Salmon has gone to West Ham from Aston Villa on a free.<\/p>\n Queens Park Rangers have signed former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles on loan following his move to Manchester City.<\/p>\n While further down the pyramid, Ossama Ashley has moved from Salford City to Rotherham United, Isaac Hayden has gone to Leyton Orient from QPR and Kyle Joseph is now a Middlesbrough player, shifting over from Hull.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n ICYMI \u2013 here are a few of my favourite pieces from the day:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The second men\u2019s semi-final at Wimbledon is underway.<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic, chasing a record 25th grand slam, is up against the number one seed Jannik Sinner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What have you made of the way technology has been used at this World Cup<\/a>?<\/p>\n Sure, it\u2019s trite, but it\u2019s a Friday afternoon and it\u2019s cooking in my flat.<\/p>\n From Reuters: \u201cCriticism of technology has ranged from charges of over-reach and inconsistency of application, to full-blown conspiracy theories \u200cthat VAR was being used to determine the outcome of matches in favour of certain teams or players.\u201d<\/p>\n Egypt\u2019s coach, Hossam Hassan, raised all three issues after his team succumbed to an Argentina fightback and blew a 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n However, FIFA referees\u2019 chief Pierluigi Collina said in an interview on Wednesday that he was happy with how things were going and in particular defended the \u200bdecision to disallow the Egypt goal for a foul in the lead-up.<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, I believe that there have been some inconsistencies but I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a conspiracy at play.<\/p>\n Not exactly groundbreaking, I admit.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re of the opinion that something fishy is at play, please, take off your tinfoil hat and write in! I\u2019d love to hear your whackiest takes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n To get things going for this final two-hour stretch, I think it\u2019s worth visiting a piece from the always brilliant Sid Lowe.<\/p>\n Are Spain the baddies? They\u2019ve been hard to love this tournament. At least from my perspective. There have been more chaotic, more energetic, more fun teams, but none of them have been as disciplined and controlled as the Spaniards.<\/p>\n Ominous, I\u2019d say. It\u2019s glib to call the European champions \u2018dark horses\u2019 but they sort of are, if you feel me.<\/p>\n I really wouldn\u2019t be shocked at all if they don\u2019t concede a goal all the way to lifting the trophy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Thank you David.<\/p>\n What a shift from him as he leaves the pitch to a standing ovation.<\/p>\n My number is up on the board so I\u2019ll head on out and put in a shift to the close. Energy gel consumed, message from the gaffer received, tiny shin pads in place.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s do this!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.04 EDT<\/p>\n Time for me to hand over to Daniel Gallan, who is raring to go after a series of pitchside shuttle runs. A warm embrace as I hand over and slump to the bench with an ice pack.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n All over for Arthur Fery I\u2019m afraid. Zverev different class. Full updates here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n With 41 of the 48 teams eliminated, how do the bookmakers rate the final seven? France, already through to the last four, are clear favourites.<\/p>\n 6\/4 France A man walks past an \u2018It\u2019s Coming Home\u2019 sign in a shop window in central London. Is it? Photograph: Vuk Valcic\/ZUMA Press Wire\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Some weekends are better than others. Check out this lot and details of our coverage.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n K\u00e1ri Tulinius emails. It was an open goal and he\u2019s taken it. \u201cPortugal have hired Jesus? Makes sense, he\u2019s the one guy who\u2019s a bigger celebrity than Cristiano Ronaldo.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A reminder of how some of our writers are calling the World Cup<\/a> quarter-finals. All seven tipped France to go through so a good start. Is anyone picking Norway to knock England out?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Today\u2019s Football Daily has dropped. Plenty of stuff on that fella leading the Golden Boot race (he\u2019s in pole position due to having more assists than Messi).<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Jorge Jesus named new Portugal manager<\/p>\n Jorge Jesus has been appointed as the new manager of Portugal. Good or bad news for Cristiano Ronaldo? Very much the former. Jesus\u2019s last job was at Ronaldo\u2019s Saudi side, Al-Nassr, which he says he only took to try and win CR7 another title.<\/p>\n Jesus is only 30 years older than Ronaldo although that means he\u2019s 71. He succeeds Spaniard Roberto Martinez, who stepped down after Portugal\u2019s World Cup<\/a> exit.<\/p>\n \u201cToday we start down a new path. Welcome to the national team Mr. Jorge Jesus,\u201d the Portugal federation said in a statement.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I can vouch for this having watched Erling Haaland shopping for cowboy hats in Dallas on YouTube last night. Lots of forwarded content via my kids.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Back to England\u2019s opponents on Saturday. Has anyone watched the Netflix documentary, Norway: The Dark Horse? It\u2019s very\u2026 Norwegian. Understated (not much Erling Haaland), lots of fairness, frank honesty and solidarity. An appropriately solid watch (in two-parts), there\u2019s some excellent detail and reaction to St\u00e5le Solbakken\u2019s cardiac arrest as a player and, I won\u2019t spoil it, what a fascinating way of revealing a 26-man World Cup<\/a> squad.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s Andy Hunter\u2019s full story on Michael Edwards quitting as chief executive of football for Liverpool\u2019s owner, Fenway Sports Group.<\/p>\n \u201cEdwards\u2019 exit is not expected to affect Liverpool\u2019s summer transfer operations. Liverpool\u2019s transfer business is conducted by Richard Hughes, the sporting director, and plans for this window are well established.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.49 EDT<\/p>\n Fery has lost the first set to Zverev. He\u2019s held his serve at the start of the second.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I took my kids to Oslo a couple of summers ago. Absolutely lovely place.<\/p>\n I presumed Erling Haaland\u2019s face would be everywhere but not so. On the daily trip to the local supermarket (one of the great joys of being abroad), the two milk offerings featured Martin \u00d8degaard advertising 3.5% helmelk (whole milk), with 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm on the 1.5% lettmelk (semi-skimmed). I went with Martin.<\/p>\n Aren\u2019t we missing a trick here in the UK? Harry Kane whole milk? David Hemery semi-skimmed?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n ICYMI \u2013 here\u2019s Lars Sivertsen on the story behind Bj\u00f8rge Lillelien\u2019s famous rant after Norway shocked England in 1981. Great photo montage, especially Kevin Keegan.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Edwards quits Liverpool role<\/p>\n Michael Edwards has quit his role as chief executive of football for Liverpool\u2019s owners, Fenway Sports Group. The hugely influential Edwards informed FSG in autumn 2025 of his intentions to step down once he felt plans for Liverpool\u2019s future were in place.<\/p>\n FSG confirmed the executive\u2019s exit on Friday, having wanted him to stay. Edwards\u2019s decision is linked to FSG abandoning their plans to add a second club to their football portfolio.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.38 EDT<\/p>\n Today\u2019s Football Daily will be with you shortly. But if you haven\u2019t signed up yet, details here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Martin. I\u2019m just chuckling at Barney\u2019s description<\/a> of Thomas Tuchel\u2019s look.<\/p>\n \u201cHis World Cup<\/a> touchline optics have been meta-analysed across the internet, from high-end sports casual in Dallas \u2013 black shirt and slacks, white trainers, Nosferatu on a golf weekend \u2013 to a kind of shoplifter chic in New England; hood, cap and very expensive skinny jeans.\u201d<\/p>\n Shoplifter chic \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.19 EDT<\/p>\n I am now handing you back over to David Tindall. I will see you soon \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I was really puzzled as to why this Belgium fan appears to insist on dressing up as French comic character Obelix when TINTIN IS RIGHT THERE!<\/p>\n But it turns out \u201cObelgix\u201d \u2013 real name Nicolas Dardenne \u2013 did it first in 2015<\/a> when his nation were playing France as a joke, and it stuck. This was him outside the stadium for the round of 16 victory over the US. I hope he has managed to pick up a ticket for today.<\/p>\n Obelgix in Seattle. Photograph: Kevin Ng\/IMAGN IMAGES\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Andrew Beasley has run a tactical rule over tomorrow\u2019s Norway v England quarter-final tie.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There is the small matter of the men\u2019s semi-finals at Wimbledon happening today with Arthur Fery v Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner v Novak Djokovic. They are about to start thwacking the balls in SW19. Daniel Harris is on live blog duty for that over here<\/a> \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In non-World Cup news, Hearts have announced that Australia midfielder Cameron Devlin will not be extending his five-year stay at the club after the two parties failed to agree a new contract.<\/p>\n A profile of Cameron Devlin<\/a><\/p>\n New Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken had planned to speak with the Australian earlier this week after his involvement in the World Cup came to an end. However, Hearts revealed today that the player has not given them a definitive answer before their stated deadline. That is via PA.<\/p>\n Cameron Devlin of Australia during World Cup training. Photograph: Marcel van Dorst\/DeFodi Images\/ShutterstockShare<\/a> Pablo Iglesias Maurer is in Kansas City<\/p>\n No team in the World Cup have provided fans with a broader spectrum of emotions than the defending champions. Things started brightly \u2013 Argentina barrelled through the group stage<\/a> without breaking a sweat and Messi, at 39, is in the midst of his greatest World Cup. In the opening match, a hat-trick handed the captain the tournament joint-goalscoring record<\/a>, one he continues to add to.<\/p>\n Every one of Messi\u2019s appearances has been dotted with brilliance but Argentina have faltered in recent matches. The scare against Egypt was nothing compared with their last-32 encounter with Cape Verde in Miami, where only stoppage-time heroics averted what would have been arguably the greatest upset in the history of professional sport. These recent performances have raised fresh questions about this Argentina side.<\/p>\n Read more from Pablo Iglesias Maurer here: Argentina continue to show \u2018heart\u2019 but flaws are apparent before Swizerland clash<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Barney Ronay<\/a> offers his views on <\/a>Thomas Tuchel<\/a> ahead of England\u2019s clash with Norway on Saturday, suggesting along the way that his touchline outfit makes him look like \u201cNosferatu on a golf weekend\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Arsenal hail signing of \u2018winner\u2019 Ona Batlle after Barcelona summer exodus Arsenal have confirmed the signing of the Spain full-back Ona Batlle on a free after her departure from Barcelona, continuing the London club\u2019s busy start to the transfer window.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old is their fourth signing, after Georgia Stanway<\/a>, Selina Cerci<\/a> and Geraldine Reuteler, who arrived from Bundesliga teams on free transfers, and the club are understood to have been determined to complete lots of their business early.<\/p>\n Barcelona said at the end of May that Batlle would be leaving at the end of her contract. She is one of four members of the Spain squad to leave the Champions League winners on frees this summer. Batlle, Alexia Putellas, whose signing by London City Lionesses<\/a> was confirmed on Wednesday, Mapi Le\u00f3n, who is also expected to join London City, and Salma Paralluelo, whose next club is unknown, were in the Spain starting team that comprehensively beat England 4-0<\/a> in Mallorca in June.<\/p>\n You can read more on this story from Tom Garry here: Arsenal hail signing of \u2018winner\u2019 Ona Batlle after Barcelona summer exodus<\/a><\/p>\n Ona Batlle signs for Arsenal. Photograph: David Price\/Arsenal FC\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> Good afternoon\/evening\/morning. Spain v Belgium tonight, eh? Not sure either of those sides returning home after the quarter-finals will get quite the rapturous welcome back that Egypt have enjoyed following their round of 16 exit. Some great pictures of their homecoming are on the wires \u2026<\/p>\n Mohamed Salah smiles as he is greeted by fans. Photograph: APEgyptian fans celebrate and welcome the Egyptian national soccer team. Photograph: Mohamed Hossam\/EPAEgypt\u2019s squad enjoying their welcome. Photograph: Mohamed Hossam\/EPAFans waving flags greet their heroes. Photograph: Mohamed Abdel Ghany\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"‘Violent disorder’ in London after French win Police battled football fans in central London early on Friday after…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":791854,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[64,63,596,85],"class_list":["post-791853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-football","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/791853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=791853"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/791853\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/791854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=791853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=791853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=791853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Supporters](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2820.jpg\")
Supporters of Morocco gather on Edgware Road in London during the France v Morocco World Cup quarter-final. Photograph: Guy Corbishley\/Alamy Live News\/Alamy Live News.Share<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783706531_500_Daniel_Gallan.png\")
Daniel Gallan<\/p>\nDaniel Gallan<\/p>\n
9\/2 Argentina, Spain, England
16\/1 Norway
33\/1 Belgium, Switzerland<\/p>\n![\"Pablo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pablo_Mauerer.png\")
Pablo Iglesias Maurer<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Tom_Garry.png\")
Tom Garry<\/p>\n![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783706533_577_Martin_Belam.png\")
Martin Belam<\/p>\n