Southampton U23 Overview

Messi Mbappe Haaland World Cup Golden boot 16:9

World Cup Golden Boot standings: Messi trails Mbappe

The 2026 World Cup is in its final stages and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. With only three of the original 48 nations left in the tournament, which star will take home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL tracks the tournament's most prolific stars.

France v Spain: Semi Final - FIFA World Cup 2026

Rodri slams referee over handling of Yamal in World Cup win

Spain midfielder Rodri has hit out at the officiating standards during La Roja's World Cup semi-final victory over France, claiming teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is not being afforded enough protection. Despite securing a place in the final, the Manchester City star expressed his frustration at the rough treatment handed out to the Barcelona wonderkid.

'Is the referee up to the task?' - Deschamps slams ref after World Cup exit

Didier Deschamps was left fuming with the officiating as France saw their dreams of a third consecutive World Cup final crushed by a clinical Spain side in Texas. The Les Bleus boss pointed the finger at referee Ivan Barton following a controversial first-half penalty that set the tone for a miserable night.

Spain are going to take some stopping after France fall flat

Against all the odds and pre-match conjecture, it is Spain who progressed to the final of the 2026 World Cup after overcoming France and their fabled forward line with alarming ease in Dallas on Tuesday. It was quite incredible just how routine the 2-0 victory was, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele all failing to show up as the tournament favourites bowed out with a whimper.

De la Fuente admits Spain 'feeling unbeatable' after dominant France win

Luis de la Fuente has issued a chilling warning to Spain's potential World Cup final opponents, declaring that his side currently feel "unbeatable" following their dominant semi-final triumph over France. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured a 2-0 victory in Arlington, booking La Roja's place in the showpiece event in New York this Sunday.

Mbappe publicly slams Deschamps' tactics after Spain beat 'sloppy' France

Kylian Mbappe has taken a public swipe at Didier Deschamps' tactical approach following France's disappointing 2-0 World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Spain. The Les Bleus captain did not hold back in his post-match assessment, suggests that a lack of communication and a failed pressing triggers allowed La Roja’s midfield to dominate the contest in Arlington.