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Messi Mbappe Haaland World Cup Golden boot 16:9

World Cup Golden Boot standings: Messi moves ahead of Mbappe

The 2026 World Cup is well underway and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. There's a long and winding road to be navigated as 48 nations battle for the top prize, but which star will take home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL tracks the tournament's most prolific stars.

Bielsa bids 'painful' goodbye to Uruguay in 100-minute press conference

Marcelo Bielsa has delivered a characteristically intense and philosophical farewell to the Uruguay national team following their shock group-stage exit from the World Cup. The Argentine tactician used a marathon 100-minute press conference to reflect on a "very painful" exit, arriving armed with a dossier of data to defend his side's tactical output.

Man Utd confirm knee ligament injury for Ugarte

Manchester United have confirmed that midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury during Uruguay's World Cup clash against Spain on Friday. Ugarte was stretchered off the pitch in distress, raising serious concerns over an extended absence ahead of the new season as the club conduct ongoing assessments to determine his rehabilitation timescale.

Spain v Cabo Verde: Group H - FIFA World Cup 2026

How have debutant teams performed at the FIFA World Cup?

Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It is the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde have achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, with the African nation to face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday.

De la Fuente slams Uruguay's 'extreme roughness' and VAR decisions

Luis de la Fuente criticised Uruguay's physical approach and questioned the use of VAR after Spain secured top spot in their World Cup group. The La Roja boss hopes for better officiating in the knockout rounds after a bruising contest left his side with fresh injury concerns.

Uruguay v Spain: Group H - FIFA World Cup 2026

Muslera to 'face music' after Bielsa sub confirmation

Fernando Muslera has accepted responsibility for Uruguay's World Cup exit after requesting to be substituted at half-time against Spain. Marcelo Bielsa confirmed the veteran goalkeeper made the decision himself following the error that led to Alex Baena's winning goal in Uruguay's 1-0 defeat.