Lionel Messi has redefined how to influence matches at the World Cup, staggering fans by walking for almost half of his time on the pitch. As Argentina prepare to face England in a highly anticipated semi-final, staggering statistics show exactly how the forward is adapting his game to dominate opponents and preserve his energy for the most crucial, game-changing moments.
Football fans are in for an unforgettable spectacle as the 2026 World Cup reaches its grand conclusion. An incredible lineup featuring Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, pop superstar Nicole Scherzinger, and renowned internet personality IShowSpeed will headline the closing ceremony ahead of the final match in New Jersey, promising an unprecedented blend of music, culture, and sporting drama.
FIFA has officially announced that American referee Ismail Elfath will officiate England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The 44-year-old experienced MLS official, widely regarded as a lucky charm for Lionel Messi, will oversee the blockbuster clash in Atlanta on Wednesday night as Thomas Tuchel aims to guide the Three Lions past the defending world champions.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has urged new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to sign free agent John Stones, arguing the England defender would bring experience and leadership to a young squad. The former Blues striker believes Chelsea's lighter schedule next season could also help minimise concerns over Stones' injury record.
FIFA has been forced to make a rare exception to its strict tournament branding rules ahead of the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. The governing body could not conceal the iconic Mercedes-Benz logo at Atlanta Stadium after engineering concerns made covering the landmark impossible.
Nico O'Reilly is relishing the prospect of facing Lionel Messi when England meet Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals. The Manchester City youngster described the opportunity as "once-in-a-lifetime", while Jordan Pickford warned England must not become overly focused on stopping the Albiceleste captain alone.
England captain Harry Kane has accused the media of attempting to manufacture internal camp unrest ahead of their World Cup semi-final showdown against Argentina. The striker firmly maintained the squad remains entirely united despite Jude Bellingham's dismissive response to criticism from Thomas Tuchel about England's display in their quarter-final win over Norway.
And so we get to the real bit. England have had, in truth, quite a favourable run in the World Cup thus far. Mexico at the Azteca was a real test, but they are yet to face a team that is, objectively, better than them. Enter Argentina, the reigning champions and led by a certain Lionel Messi.
Before the start of Lionel Messi's sixth World Cup, the common consensus was that he'd seen and done it all. After effectively completing football four years ago in Qatar, there was even a fear that there was no way he could, at 39 years of age, add to his legacy - only slightly sully it. Messi, though, has spent his entire career making a mockery out of conventional wisdom and has actually managed to solidify his status as the greatest player of all time by becoming the World Cup's all-time leading goal-scorer and assist-maker during Argentina's run to the semi-finals.
John Terry has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of England's monumental World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina, claiming the Three Lions possess a superior squad to the reigning world champions. The former Chelsea captain believes Thomas Tuchel's side should have no reason to fear the South American giants despite the presence of an evergreen Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi is “more mortal now”, former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL, with the Three Lions considered to be capable of ending Argentina’s World Cup title defence. Thomas Tuchel’s side are due to lock horns with the reigning champions on Wednesday, with questions already being asked of how best to contain an evergreen all-time great.
Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel have “history” and continue to butt heads occasionally, but former England international Gary Pallister has told GOAL why the pair’s latest exchange of words is nothing more than a “storm in a teacup”. The Three Lions’ class of 2026 are chasing down immortality at the World Cup in North America, with it important that no cracks are allowed to form in that camp.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed his immense admiration for Lionel Messi’s continued brilliance, describing the forward's 2026 World Cup campaign as "extraordinary". Speaking from Dallas ahead of the tournament's semi-finals, Laporta also took the opportunity to evaluate the performances of Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon.
From his early life and rise through the game to becoming Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper, representing England on the international stage, and lifting the FA Cup with Portsmouth, David James reflects on the highs, the challenges and everything he learned along the way in the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast.
Cristo Fernandez, the actor who continues to bring the infectious joy of Dani Rojas to life in the hit series Ted Lasso, has officially fulfilled his dream of stepping onto the professional pitch. Two months after signing with El Paso Locomotive, the Mexican forward made his long-awaited debut in the USL Championship.
Watch the video again and you can almost see Jude Bellingham loading his answer as the interviewer navigates the question. The Real Madrid superstar had just been informed that his manager, Thomas Tuchel, was "disappointed" with England's performance following a gusty 2-1 win over Norway in Miami on Saturday night. Bellingham's remarkably clippable response? "Whatever."
Former England international Joe Cole has sensationally claimed that the Three Lions will "put Lionel Messi to bed" when they meet Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals. Despite the daunting task of facing the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cole is adamant that England's superior pace will prove too much for the Albiceleste.
Morgan Rogers has hit back at the "ridiculous" pre-World Cup narrative that suggested Jude Bellingham should be dropped from the England starting XI. The Real Madrid superstar has been the standout performer for the Three Lions in North America, silencing critics with a series of match-winning displays under Thomas Tuchel.
Erling Haaland’s uncharacteristically quiet performance in Norway’s World Cup quarter-final exit to England has been attributed to a sickness bug that swept through the camp. The Manchester City superstar appeared a shadow of his usual self before being hauled off in extra time as the Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory.
Gary Lineker has made a bold claim regarding Jude Bellingham's legacy, suggesting the Real Madrid midfielder is on a path to becoming England’s greatest ever player. The 23-year-old’s starring role for the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup has seen him draw comparisons to legendary figures of the game.
England’s dramatic World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway has sparked a war of words off the pitch, with Alf-Inge Haaland left fuming at the officiating in Miami. The father of Manchester City superstar Erling took to social media to suggest the Three Lions were "saved" by the referee, prompting a blunt response from pundits Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Gary Neville.
Harry Kane has leaped to the defence of Thomas Tuchel after the England head coach delivered a scathing assessment of the Three Lions' quarter-final victory over Norway. Despite securing a place in the World Cup semi-finals, the German tactician was far from satisfied with the laboured performance in Miami.
Alexander Sorloth has opened up on his failure to deliver a pass to a wide-open Erling Haaland during Norway's heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to England. Haaland was clearly in a good position to double his team's lead before half-time, but Sorloth opted to go for goal himself, a moment that proved to be a major turning point in the match.
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