1. Germany win Group E, but Ecuador expose defensive flaws in loss

    EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Germany were full of attacking intent but badly lacking in defensive quality in a poor final World Cup group stage fixture, falling to a dogged Ecuador, 2-1. Julian Nagelsmann's side got an early goal from Leroy Sane, but conceded twice, and never had a coherent response. They still top the group, but go into the knockouts on a dreary note.

  2. Trust in Tuchel! Ghana draw didn't prove Palmer call was wrong

    England fans have seen Cole Palmer produce the goods for the national team before. Indeed, he almost saved an otherwise poor performance in the Euro 2024 final, scoring an equalising goal and providing a spark when the Three Lions looked dead in the water against Spain. They did, of course, still go on to lose that game, as they have done at countless tournaments over the years.

  3. World Cup's unfair format plays right into Infantino's hands

    June 25, 1982 was, according to The Times, "the day that sportsmanship died". What was expected to be a fiercely competitive fixture between West Germany and Austria became a 'non-aggression pact' between two teams who effectively stopped playing during the second half of their World Cup group game in Gijon to ensure that both progressed to the second round.

  4. Why Mbappe vs Haaland hasn't reached Messi-Ronaldo levels

    Kylian Mbappe versus Erling Haaland was billed as the next great footballing rivalry to follow Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's two decades of dominance, but as the France and Norway superstars prepare to go head to head at the 2026 World Cup, it's fair to say that their individual tussle has yet to really take off in the way many people expected.

  5. How Brighton flop Undav became Germany's prime goal-getter

    There was still more than half an hour to play in Toronto, but Germany's fans had seen enough. With their team trailing 1-0 to Ivory Coast, and struggling terribly to break down The Elephants, they began chanting Deniz Undav's name. In their eyes, it was clearly time for Germany's super-sub - and Julian Nagelsmann agreed. In the 60th minute of an absorbing World Cup Group E encounter, the coach threw on Undav, Nadiem Amiri and Jamie Leweling. Less than eight minutes later, Amiri whipped over a delightful cross from the right wing that Undav volleyed home emphatically.

  6. Jose Mourinho Beast Mode On Podcast

    🎥 | EXCLUSIVE: José Mourinho on Madrid return, Messi & more

    New Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast as he exclusively discusses his sensational return to the Liga giants, the World Cup and whether England can finally end 60 years of hurt, and some of the joyous, and panful, experiences he's had in management to date. Mourinho also chats openly about his time at Tottenham, and the controversial nature of his sacking just days before the League Cup final, among many other intriguing topics in a must-see episode of the award-winning podcast.

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Videos

  1. 🎥 | Anton Ferdinand on John Terry incident, West Ham & more

    Former West Ham and Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast. The 41-year-old discusses his journey through professional football and the experiences that shaped him both on and off the pitch. From coming through the ranks with the Hammers and establishing himself in the Premier League, Ferdinand reflects on the highs and challenges of life at the highest level of the game.

  2. 🎥 | EXCLUSIVE: Saka on all things Arsenal & trophy 'dream'

    Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast as the England forward opens up on his journey from the Gunners' Hale End academy all the way to the first team and captaining the Premier League leaders. The 24-year-old also reveals his burning desire to win trophies with the north Londoners and discusses his close relationship with Mikel Arteta among many other topics in a truly unmissable episode of the show.

FIFA WORLD CUP

  1. 'What he does at his age, only he can do' - Pedri hails Messi

    Lionel Messi is continuing to defy the laws of physics and time at the 2026 World Cup, leaving even his former team-mates in awe of his longevity. As the veteran superstar leads Argentina's charge for a second consecutive global crown, Spain sensation Pedri has opened up on why his former Barcelona colleague remains the most effective player on the planet at 39.

Transfers

  1. Juventus set to battle Roma for Greenwood

    Mason Greenwood's future has become the latest flashpoint in the Serie A transfer market as Juventus have reportedly entered the race to sign the Marseille forward. The Bianconeri are ready to challenge rivals Roma for the 24-year-old following his latest prolific campaign in Ligue 1.

  2. Man Utd in talks to sign Dortmund's Nmecha

    Manchester United are reportedly in talks to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha as the battle for the Germany international's signature intensifies. The Red Devils are working hard to steal a march on Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, who are also keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old following his impressive displays at the World Cup.

  3. Arsenal hold talks with Guimaraes over shock transfer

    Premier League champions Arsenal have reportedly initiated surprise exploratory talks with the camp of Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes as they plot a blockbuster summer midfield reinforcement. Mikel Arteta’s recruitment team is actively gauging the market for the 28-year-old Brazil international, forcing Newcastle to brace for a formal offer.

Premier League

  1. Mourinho took pain-killing injection to prove point to player

    Newly-appointed Real Madrid boss José Mourinho has revealed, while speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode On Podcast, that he once took a pain-killing injection in a bid to prove a point to one of his own injured players. That resulted in the mystery player telling the ex-Chelsea head coach that he was "crazy" as he still refused to go ahead with the jab.

  2. Mourinho on shock Spurs sacking & how Son threat sealed fate

    José Mourinho has opened up on his shock sacking by Tottenham a matter of days before the 2021 League Cup final, with the Portuguese revealing in an exclusive interview on the Beast Mode On Podcast that his threat to bench Heung-min Son immediately prior to a showpiece occasion at Wembley may have played some part in the decision to let him go.

Must-read opinion and expert analysis

  1. World Cup Golden Ball Power Rankings: Messi in at No.1

    The 2026 World Cup is underway as those still in contention fight it out for the universally coveted trophy. While the collective prize is the main objective for all competitors, some are already making their claim as the best player of the entire tournament. Lionel Messi is the current top candidate with all five of Argentina's goals, but Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are breathing down his neck.

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