Messi is a win away from photo reunion with Lamine Yamal 19 years in the making
DUBAI: Lionel Messi is one victory away from one of the most remarkable reunions in World Cup history.
England Sport News
Argentina and England collide with World Cup final spot at stake
ATLANTA: Lionel Messi’s Argentina clash with England in a marquee World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, with Spain lying in wait after shattering French hopes of a third triumph. The fixture between two of the big beasts of global football is mouthwatering enough but is given added spice by long-standing political tensions. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina are seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, which would be a staggering send-off for the incomparable Messi. The 39-year-old, joint top of the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, inspired his team to victory in Qatar in 2022 in what was expected to be his final hurrah on football’s biggest stage. But he is back for more and has played a pivotal role in dragging his team to the semifinals, scoring in hard-fought 3-2 victories against Cape Verde and Egypt. Three-time champions Argentina will be taking on a different class of opponent in Atlanta compared with teams they have faced so far, even if England have only sparkled intermittently. Thomas Tuchel’s men have relied on the brilliance of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have scored 12 of England’s 13 goals. The sides will meet for the first time in a competitive match since the 2002 World Cup. Tuchel said he did not feel extra pressure despite the historic nature of the fixture as England target a first World Cup final since they won the tournament in 1966. “I don’t feel a burden,” he said.
Thomas Tuchel: England’s World Cup mastermind
ATLANTA: Thomas Tuchel was hired by England as head coach with a simple brief: win the 2026 World Cup. So far, so good as they prepare to take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the semifinals. The German has overseen a largely happy camp, dancing with his players in the dressing room in Mexico City after their battling win against the co-hosts. But his tone changed following Saturday’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Norway, when he described his team as “lucky.” “The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but I’m not happy with the performance,” he said. That downbeat assessment drew a stinging retort from midfielder Jude Bellingham, who scored twice as England came from behind. “Whatever, whatever,” said the Real Madrid midfielder after a gruelling 120 minutes in the searing Miami heat. The pair have a complicated history, but the exchange was a stark reminder that Tuchel will not shy away from speaking his mind. The 52-year-old will not care that he has riled Bellingham, who has scored six goals and once again proved himself to be England’s man for the big moment. The Football Association knew who it was getting when it hired the former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss to replace Gareth Southgate in 2024. Southgate had reshaped the team during his largely successful tenure, breaking down barriers between players from rival clubs and forging a cohesive unit. But his team never got over the line — defeated in the semifinals and quarter-finals at the World Cup and twice losing in the final of the Euros.
Bellingham scores twice to lift England past Haaland and Norway 2-1 and into World Cup semifinals
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Jude Bellingham scored in the third minute of extra time to lift England past Norway 2-1 and into the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 2018. Bellingham’s goal was his second of the game — he also had an equalizer late in the first half. The Real Madrid star is now tied with England teammate Harry Kane with six goals in this tournament, behind the eight of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
England rebounds from South Africa loss by crushing 14-man Fiji 73-8 in Nations Championship
LIVERPOOL: England mollified their critics for a week after smothering a dismal Fiji by a record 73-8 in Nations Championship rugby on Saturday. Relevant questions about England’s lineup, tactics and attitude after the hammering from world champion South Africa in Johannesburg last weekend were pacified somewhat by coming home and posting an equally unsurprising 11-try win against outclassed Fiji. Fiji struggled for possession and could not handle England’s scrum, maul and defense. Under pressure, Fiji conceded 12 penalties — nine by halftime — and a red card to scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli for lashing out with his boot into the stomach of Ellis Genge. That meant Fiji played the entire second half down a man and England could play wider and be ruthless.
England battle Norway as Argentina face Swiss in World Cup last eight
LOS ANGELES: England lock horns with Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Saturday that pits Harry Kane against Erling Haaland in a mouthwatering battle of elite strikers. The teams are competing to face either reigning champions Argentina or surprise package Switzerland in the semifinals. Kane has once again been England’s hero, dragging his teammates through an attritional last-16 meeting with Mexico at the Estadio Azteca that they won 3-2 despite having a man sent off. The Bayern Munich forward has scored six goals to fire the Three Lions to the quarter-finals. Haaland appears to have been enjoying himself ever since he touched down in the United States and began smashing in the seven goals that have carried Norway further than ever before. Their run, which included eliminating Brazil, has been accompanied by their fans’ joyous rowing celebration that has turned venues across the US into giant human Viking ships. “Every game has been the most important (in history) for Norwegian football, especially in the knockout rounds, so this is the third time it is the most important game,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said on Friday. Kane described 25-year-old Haaland as “a beast” but insisted he and the Manchester City striker had contrasting styles. “I see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals,” the England captain, 32, said on Friday. “I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved with the play a little bit more, but also can play as maybe the out-and-out number nine. “I don’t think it’s one to compare ourselves.
Haaland relishing ‘special’ World Cup showdown with England
MIAMI, USA: Erling Haaland said facing England, the land of his birth, in the World Cup quarter-finals was extra special as he aims to extend Norway’s historic run into the last four. In his first major international tournament the Manchester City striker has propelled his country to the last eight by scoring seven times in four appearances, including a memorable double to beat Brazil in the last 16. Haaland was born in England as his father Alfe Inge Haaland was playing for Leeds at the time and he has spent the last four seasons at City where he has become the poster boy of the Premier League. “It’s a special game, yeah, definitely. I think for me it’s super special, because I play in England and I was born in England, and you also play against team-mates and everything,” Haaland told reporters in Miami.
England and India ready for ground-breaking first women’s test at Lord’s
LONDON: Lord’s, the Home of Cricket since 1814, will mark another milestone on Friday when England and India step out for the first women’s test match at the sport’s most famous venue. The four-day test comes 50 years on from Rachael Heyhoe-Flint leading England out for the first women’s match at Lord’s. “It’s a huge honor and a privilege to be walking out there tomorrow,” said England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt on Thursday. “I think we are pretty deserved of being here and we’ll relish the opportunity. “We are looking forward to such a special week here at Lord’s, doing something that we dreamt of as kids growing up playing cricket.” Women were not allowed to join the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) or enter the Lord’s pavilion until 1999, when the club founded in 1787 announced its first 10 female honorary members.