Two days before the biggest World Cup Final of our lifetime, Trevor Noah pulls up to The Late Run. He tells the story behind the photo of Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal nearly two decades before they meet in a World Cup Final, explains why the whole world is rooting for Spain on Sunday, and calls out England for playing scared.

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.

Landon Donovan joins Ocho and Raheem on The Late Run to revisit a career built far from the spotlight. He reflects on leaving home for Bayer Leverkusen at 16, grinding to sell MLS tickets, his 2012 mental-health sabbatical, the Klinsmann World Cup snub, facing Messi and Ronaldo, Beckham’s impact on MLS, the pay-to-play problem threatening U.S. soccer and why a home World Cup could change everything.

MUNDIAL release No Era Penal, a film celebrating the magic and passion of Mexican football fandom. Taking the infamous 'No Era Penal' (It wasn't a penalty) saying from the 2014 World Cup as a starting point, the film delves deep into Mexico's love for the game, the World Cup, and its elusive mission to reach La Quinto Partido, the fifth game of the World Cup. Featuring Raúl Jiménez, Miguel Herrera, Rey Mysterio and more, it's a wild, wild ride!

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly identified Michael Olise as his top priority for the summer transfer window, viewing the France international as the next potential 'Galactico' at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the Spanish giants are proceeding with extreme caution to avoid a diplomatic fallout with Bayern Munich.

Harry Kane faces a defining summer following England's disappointing exit from the World Cup, but his club future at Bayern Munich is becoming increasingly clear. Despite persistent rumors linking the Three Lions captain with a romantic return to Tottenham or a blockbuster move to Real Madrid, the goal-scoring machine appears settled in Bavaria.

Ipswich Town have taken a major step forward in their summer recruitment drive by securing a deal for Dutch goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen. The Premier League newcomers have finalised terms with both the player and Volendam to bring the highly rated shot-stopper to Portman Road.

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign Morgan Rogers in a deal worth a staggering £117 million. The 23-year-old playmaker has opted for Stamford Bridge over Premier League rivals Arsenal after being enticed by the project under new head coach Xabi Alonso.

Manchester may be about to turn red again, following the departure of Pep Guardiola from the Etihad Stadium, with ex-United star Gary Pallister telling GOAL why a “huge shift” could be on the cards. Sleeping giants at Old Trafford have been shaken from their slumber by Michael Carrick, with Premier League title dreams beginning to form again ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel is now eligible to make his Premier League debut after turning 15, but the club is reportedly taking a cautious approach to his development. The highly-rated academy forward is expected to feature during pre-season before United decide whether he is ready to step up to the Under-21s or move closer to the senior squad.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo missed England’s World Cup third-place play-off against France after picking up an injury. The 21-year-old will depart the Three Lions camp without having seen a single minute of competitive action during the tournament in North America.

Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign highly rated Colombian teenager Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional. The Premier League giants have moved quickly to secure one of South America's most promising young talents for a bargain fee.

The 2026 World Cup is over, and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. With the expanded 48-nation tournament coming to a close, following a month of thrilling action in North America, which star has taken home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL lists the tournament's most prolific performers.

The World Cup final is finally upon us, and Sunday's showdown between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey promises to be an absolutely enthralling encounter between the two best teams in the tournament - with the emphasis very much on 'teams'.

Lamine Yamal has always looked up to Lionel Messi. The Barcelona legend was - and remains - his one and only idol. "I never had another," Yamal admitted to Tuttosport. "I once took a photo with him. I was unknown." He wasn't just unknown, though; he was still only a baby, just a few weeks old when he and his mother partook in a 2007 photoshoot organised by SPORT for a charity calendar.

And so the wait goes on. England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday means their quest for a first international trophy since 1966 will stretch into a seventh decade. The hope is that drought will come to an end in two years' time when the Three Lions co-host the 2028 European Championship, but will England ever again reach a World Cup final, never mind lift the most famous trophy in the sport?

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La Roja stopped France from registering a single shot on target until the 64th minute of their semi-final victory. Do defences win World Cups?