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Vinicius Junior is rapidly approaching a critical crossroads in his career, with the Brazilian superstar yet to agree an extension to his expiring contract at Real Madrid. Despite the ticking clock, any hopes of a blockbuster move to the Premier League with Chelsea have been completely extinguished due to a breakdown in relations with a key figure at Stamford Bridge.

Former striker Chris Sutton has strongly criticised Portugal manager Roberto Martinez ahead of their World Cup knockout match against Croatia, describing his continued reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo as completely embarrassing. Sutton believes Martinez is holding his talented squad back by pandering to Ronaldo and refusing to substitute him despite his declining impact on the pitch.

Barcelona have officially ruled out a move for Bayern Munich talisman Harry Kane as they ramp up their search for a new goalscorer. Despite initial contact, the Blaugrana have decided to shift their focus elsewhere to fill the void left by a high-profile departure at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Noni Madueke has expressed his absolute bewilderment at anyone doubting Jude Bellingham, labelling the England superstar as a world-class talent after a stellar World Cup. The winger insists that the Real Madrid midfielder always delivers on the biggest stages, and his unplayable display against Panama was just business as usual for the Three Lions.

It hasn't always been pretty, but England have achieved their aim of winning their World Cup group to set up a favourable last-32 tie. They will face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday after eventually seeing off Panama last time out, but form and fitness mean Thomas Tuchel's team selection is far from certain as the knockout stage gets underway.

Declan Rice has provided a positive update on his fitness as England prepare for their 2026 World Cup last-32 clash with DR Congo in Atlanta. The Arsenal midfielder was a notable absentee from the final group stage win over Panama, sparking fears that Thomas Tuchel could be without his midfield anchor for the start of the knockout rounds.

Lamine Yamal has confidently embraced the massive pressure of wearing the number 10 shirt for Barcelona and starring for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. The teenage sensation has also delivered a positive fitness update, confirming he is fully prepared to play 90 minutes in the upcoming knockout fixtures despite recent injury concerns and a cautious approach in the group stages.

Quite predictably, Erling Haaland was Norway's hero as his late goal secured a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast to send the Scandinavians through to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, setting up a showdown with Brazil. The Manchester City striker had been peripheral for long stretches but popped up to bobble home the winner with just four minutes left on the clock in Dallas, after Manchester United's Amad Diallo had hauled Les Elephants level.

UEFA has announced a fresh wave of financial sanctions targeting several major European clubs, with Premier League sides Chelsea, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa all receiving significant fines. The governing body’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) confirmed the disciplinary measures following a detailed assessment of financial sustainability requirements for the upcoming seasons.

Frank Lampard has officially committed his long-term future to Coventry City by signing a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2029. After guiding the Sky Blues to the Championship title and securing a sensational return to the Premier League, the manager has ended any speculation about his future ahead of their highly anticipated top-flight campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sign West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes in a deal worth a staggering £85 million ($113m). The north London side have moved decisively to secure one of the Premier League's most coveted young talents, effectively ending a high-stakes transfer battle with Manchester United.

Endrick has expressed his delight after helping Brazil reach the World Cup round of 16. Following early tournament frustration and viral memes about his lack of minutes, the forward thanked manager Carlo Ancelotti for his trust against Japan. After a successful loan at Lyon, Endrick is now eagerly anticipating a return to Real Madrid to start a fresh chapter.

England icon John Barnes has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo's attitude could derail Portugal in the World Cup knockout stages, describing the situation as an accident waiting to happen. In contrast, Barnes praised Lionel Messi, highlighting how the Argentina captain's humble nature unites his team-mates, unlike Ronaldo who creates tension when things do not go his way.

Michael Owen has sensationally labelled Harry Kane as England's greatest-ever striker, admitting he was wrong to previously doubt the forward's natural finishing ability. However, the former Three Lions star believes Kane made a significant tactical error by choosing to join Bayern Munich instead of chasing records in the Premier League.

Gabriel Magalhaes has praised the tactical setup at Arsenal for helping him provide a crucial assist for Casemiro during Brazil's dramatic World Cup round of 32 clash against Japan. The defender explained that his club's high defensive line gave him the confidence to push forward, setting up the vital equaliser before Gabriel Martinelli sealed their progression.

Jordan Pickford has sounded a defiant battle cry ahead of England's World Cup knockout campaign, claiming the squad is prepared to "go to war" for manager Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions are looking to build on their group stage momentum as they prepare for a high-stakes last-32 encounter against DR Congo in North America.

Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a sensational, world-record transfer bid for Bayern Munich star Michael Olise as Florentino Perez looks to assemble a new generation of Galacticos. The proposed deal would see the Spanish giants shatter the existing transfer record currently held by Paris Saint-Germain.

AS Monaco have officially completed the permanent signing of Ansu Fati from Barcelona. The Ligue 1 side have activated their €11 million (£9m/$13m) purchase option following the 23-year-old's impressive loan spell. Fati, who once took on Lionel Messi's iconic number 10 shirt in Catalonia, has signed a four-year contract to remain in the Principality until June 2030.

After mixing things up to close the group phase of this tournament, there's no room for error now. Here is who GOAL thinks should start.

The Netherlands are reeling from a historic World Cup disaster following their penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the round of 32. Now, former Oranje star Ronald de Boer has predicted a massive overhaul for the national team, suggesting both captain Virgil van Dijk and manager Ronald Koeman are nearing the end of their international careers.

France manager Didier Deschamps has insisted he is not concerned by William Saliba's ongoing back injury ahead of their World Cup round of 32 clash against Sweden. The Arsenal defender admitted he is not playing at 100 per cent and has been forced to skip training sessions to manage the issue, but Deschamps believes the centre-back remains fully prepared to anchor Les Bleus' defence in New York.

Lionel Messi has proven he is a superhero on the pitch for decades, but the legendary Argentine has now taken things a step further by appearing alongside Tom Holland in a viral crossover. The Inter Miami star features in a hilarious new teaser for the upcoming Marvel blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The Netherlands have been dumped out of the 2026 World Cup in brutal fashion after a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco following a 1-1 draw. Former Dutch international Pierre van Hooijdonk blasted Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville for their 'idiotic' penalty run-ups, admitting their high-stakes failures made him feel completely sick to his stomach.

Rafael van der Vaart has launched a blistering critique of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong following the Netherlands' dramatic World Cup exit against Morocco. The former Oranje midfielder was left utterly baffled by Ronald Koeman's tactical decisions in Monterrey, arguing that the manager's system completely isolated and nullified De Jong.

Jude Bellingham has revealed he would love to play James Bond once his football career comes to an end. The England star, who has impressed at the 2026 World Cup, admitted he is a huge fan of the iconic spy franchise and even joked that he could one day land the starring role.

Dietmar Hamann launched a fierce attack on Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's shock 2026 World Cup exit, accusing the head coach of failing to build team unity and neglecting player scouting. The former Germany international also questioned the coach's commitment as pressure continues to grow on the national team boss.

Wayne Rooney has publicly pleaded with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to reject a potential move to Barcelona in favour of a blockbuster return to England with Manchester United. The legendary forward believes his former international team-mate should focus on conquering the Premier League rather than pursuing another European domestic title.

Joshua Kimmich accepted full responsibility after Germany's World Cup campaign ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the last 32. The defender admitted his side never reached their best level during the tournament and insisted the players alone were to blame for another disappointing exit.

EXCLUSIVE: GOAL sat down with the American goalkeeper to discuss the memories he wants to make and why now isn't the time to think about making them