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Lauren Hemp's early strike gave England yet another win over Spain on Tuesday night, the Lionesses emerging 1-0 victors in their first meeting with La Roja since last summer's European Championship final. England were winners on that occasion, on penalties, and they came out on top again here as their third victory in their last four encounters with the world champions gave them a notable advantage in a cut-throat World Cup qualifying group.

GOAL breaks down the sporting director's impact and what his exit means for the future

GOAL sat down to talk with the Mexico striker to discuss his journey, the challenges he's faced, and what's motivating him at this year's World Cup.

From an individual perspective, Kylian Mbappe's free transfer to Real Madrid in 2024 has been a roaring success. The insatiable French forward has hit a staggering 83 goals across his first 97 appearances for Los Blancos, including 39 across all competitions in the current campaign - a total bettered only by Bayern Munich's Harry Kane among all the players in Europe's top five leagues.

This is Legacy, GOAL’s podcast following the countdown to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. In this week's episode, we look at how Spain went from defining an era to questioning its very place in the global game. We revisit the brilliance of the golden generation, the abrupt collapse after Brazil 2014, and the struggle of the teams that followed. And we turn to the present: a new coach, new mindset, and a wave of young talent led by Lamine Yamal, the prodigy many believe could carry Spain towards redemption in 2026. This is the journey of a team trying to rediscover itself - and the uncertainty, promise and pressure that comes with chasing a second star.

Liverpool are still alive in this season's Champions League. Nobody quite knows how, of course. Arne Slot's side were played off the pitch by Paris Saint-Germain last week but managed to escape from the Parc des Princes with a 2-0 defeat that Jamie Carragher acknowledged actually felt like a "great result" for the visitors, given the chasm in cohesion and confidence between the two teams.

For much of the campaign, Arsenal were viewed as the team to beat in the race for silverware. Bayern Munich and Vincent Kompany discovered that fact the hard way. Even the quadruple appeared within Mikel Arteta’s reach. Now, though, the tide has turned, and the Gunners face the prospect of a humiliating collapse.

Manchester United sunk to their first home defeat under Michael Carrick as the Red Devils were beaten 2-1 at home by local rivals Leeds United on a dramatic and feisty evening at Old Trafford. Noah Okafor struck twice in the first half after defensive errors from Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez, who was then sent off early in the second period.

The USWNT defeated Japan 2-1 in the first game of the three-game series and will field a different squad in the next match as Emma Hayes continues testing the group ahead of qualifying.

Results were all over the place, and a few big-name managers turned in the kind of coaching performances that could make or break seasons.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are sure to put on a show, but there are plenty of other big matchups to watch in the second legs of the quarterfinals.

On the pitch, Didier Drogba was a firebrand; off it, a peacemaker. The long-serving Chelsea striker played a pivotal role in the peace process in the Ivory Coast. Part 12 of our Rebel United series.

GOAL takes a look at which American players are playing the best heading into the final weeks of the season.

The future of the French star remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Barcelona's frustration during and after Wednesday night's Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid was perfectly understandable. The Blaugrana had been the better side in the first leg of the quarter-final tie at Camp Nou - and that was in spite of the fact that they had played more than half the game with 10 men following Pau Cubarsi's straight red card just before the break.

Mbappé's presence does not suit Vinícius's style of play.

For decades, Glasgow Rangers FC did not sign any Catholic players, until a sensational transfer changed a great deal – but not everything.

A recent surge in racism at Spanish football stadiums has brought this sensitive issue back into the spotlight.

Since their meeting in the quarter-finals of the 2022 European Championships, England have faced no opponent more frequently than Spain - and yet, Lauren James has only featured as a fully fit starter in one of those encounters. Fittingly, given the form the Chelsea star is in and the prominent role she is likely to play when the pair meet again on Tuesday, that was last year at Wembley, the setting again for the next installment of this growing rivalry.

Manchester City's trip to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon came into a more intense spotlight than anticipated after Saturday's set of Premier League results. Table-topping Arsenal surprisingly lost at home to Bournemouth to open the door to Pep Guardiola's side in the title race, while fifth-placed Liverpool avoided another slip-up against Fulham to put pressure on the Blues, who are chasing Champions League qualification.

A secret recipe in Jeddah

Is the coveted title slipping from the grasp of those who long for its return?

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including big goals from the USMNT's top two strikers.

Manchester City are breathing down Arsenal's necks after a dominant second-half display propelled them to a 3-0 win at Chelsea to close the gap on the Gunners and leave the title race in their own hands. Nico O'Reilly broke the deadlock with another crucial header in London just three weeks after his match-winning double in the Carabao Cup final before Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku struck to clinch the win.

Chelsea are now four points adrift of the Premier League's fifth and final Champions League spot after losing 3-0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday. Liverpool's victory against Fulham on Saturday meant the Blues needed to win to keep pace with their top-five rivals, but Liam Rosenior's side fell apart in the second half at Stamford Bridge and are now only three points inside the top half of the table altogether.

The Portuguese coach is a familiar face at the World Cup... Will he lead the dreams of the Black Stars?

Historical data gives Barcelona a 6% chance of turning the tables on Atlético Madrid.

After BVB’s 0-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, players and staff are mostly concerned about the sporadic boos aimed at Nico Schlotterbeck. It is commendable that they are closing ranks to defend him, but this solidarity also masks a troubling drop in team morale.