Category: Sports

Spain outclassed France 2-0 in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday night.

La Roja, who are the current European champions, are now on course to add the world title.

Luis de la Fuente’s men were control of the game from start to finish and went into the break with a goal advantage

Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal inside the area and Mikel Oyarzabal smashed home the penalty that was awarded.

Pedro Porro latched onto Dani Olmo’s flick to calmly slot in the second.

Spain will now wait for the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final between England and Argentina.

2026 World Cup: Spain beat France 2-0, qualify for final

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker, Michael Owen, has identified England as the country that won’t win the 2026 World Cup.

According to Owen, England will qualify for the final but will lose against France or Spain.

The former England international admitted that both France and Spain are better than the Three Lions.

Owen spoke ahead of England’s World Cup semi-final fixture with Argentina on Wednesday.

“I think as an English fan, we can definitely get to the final,” Owen told Metro UK.

“I think we’d have more chance against Spain than France. But both of those teams would be favourites against us.

“I’m thinking we are going to get to the final and we are going to lose in the final. That is how I sort of see it.

“Of course, my heart says England, but my head says France are better than us; Spain are probably better than us.”

World Cup 2026: ‘They’ll lose final’ – Owen identifies country that won’t win trophy

Former Chelsea midfielder, Claude Makelele, has picked France captain Kylian Mbappe as the player to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Makelele described Mbappe as a phenomenon, who is having an outstanding performance at the World Cup.

“I hope Mbappe wins the Ballon d’Or. He didn’t win many titles at Real Madrid this season, but his performance in the World Cup was outstanding,” Makelele told Marca.

“We called Ronaldo ‘the phenomenon’ for a reason, and Mbappe is the phenomenon of his generation.

“The scary thing is, he has more to prove. So yes, I am convinced he is the closest we have to a new R9.”

Mbappe is expected to rival the likes of Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele and, among others, for the Ballon d’Or.

Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘He’s a phenomenon’ – Makelele picks player to win award

Swedish club AIK, have invited Nigerian winger Emmanuel Oluwafemi Olawore to train with their senior team this week.

Olawore is currently on the books of another Swedish club Umeå FC.

“AIK Football has invited Umeå FC’s 19-year-old winger Emmanuel Oluwafemi Olawore to train with the men’s team at Karlberg during week 29,” the club wrote on their official website.

The 19-year-old made the move to Sweden in February 2026, penning his first professional contract with Umeå after a successful trial.

Olawore registered three goals, and one assist in 14 appearances for Umeå.

He will be hoping to secure a transfer to AIK.

Transfer: AIK invite Olawore  to train with first team

Former Paris Saint-Germain manager, Luis Fernandez, has backed France to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Fernandez insisted that the Les Bleus are a pleasure to watch, adding that they have done an exceptional job so far at the tournament.

“France are such a pleasure to watch. They’ve done an outstanding job and, in Kylian Mbappe, who’s giving everything and is leading by example,” Fernandez said via FIFA’s website.

“The likes of Dembele, Barcola and the rest of the attacking players are also producing some exceptional football.

“The midfield and the defence look strong as well. I believe France has what it takes to win the World Cup.”

France will battle Spain in the World Cup semi-final for a place in the final.

World Cup: ‘They’re a pleasure to watch’ – Fernandez names team to win trophy

New Manchester United signing, Karl Darlow’s shirt number at Old Trafford has been confirmed.

Man United on Tuesday confirmed the signing of Darlow from Leeds United.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper will join manager Michael Carrick’s first-team squad for the new season.

In a post via the Red Devils’ website, the Premier League club confirmed that Darlow will wear the number 12 shirt for the club.

Darlow’s arrival was confirmed, less than 24 hours after the announcement of Andrey Santos’s transfer from Chelsea.

The no.12 became vacant following Tyrell Malacia’s departure from United earlier this summer, upon the expiry of his contract.

Transfer: Karl Darlow’s shirt number at Man Utd confirmed

Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, has claimed that timing played a big role in his decision to join the Blues instead of Liverpool.

Alonso represented the Reds for five seasons between 2004 and 2009.

But Chelsea appointed him as their next permanent manager in May this year.

Two weeks after Alonso got the job, Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot and appointed Andoni Iraola.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Alonso opened up on why he joined Chelsea over Liverpool.

“Well, it is about timings,” Alonso said.

“I am here today on my first day at Stamford Bridge, talking to you.

“I am looking forward to this challenge, a big challenge, and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs and I am looking forward to having success here.”

EPL: Why I joined Chelsea instead of Liverpool – Xabi Alonso

Chibuike Nwaiwu has agreed on personal terms with Premier League club Fulham, DAILY POST reports.

Fulham are desperate to sign the Nigeria international this summer, and have reportedly had two bids rejected by Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor.

The Whites are, however, not relenting in their bid to bring Nwaiwu to England.

According to French outlet, Foot Mercato, Fulham have reached agreement with Nwaiwu on a four-year contract.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side will now have to reach an agreement with Trabzonspor, who want at least €30 million for the centre-back.

The 22-year-old arrived Trabzonspor from Austrian club Wolfsberger AC in January.

He scored three goals,and registered one assist in 21 matches across all competitions for the Black Sea Storm.

Transfer: Nwaiwu agrees personal terms with Fulham 

Karl Darlow has become Manchester United’s third signing of the summer.

Darlow joins the Red Devils as a free agent from Leeds.

The 32-year-old has now signed a contract until June 2028, with the option to extend it for another year.

Darlow’s arrival comes days after United brought in midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50 million.

United have also also activated Youri Tielemans’ £35m release clause at Aston Villa and he has undergone his medicals.

Darlow is expected to provide back-up and competition for first-choice goalkeeper, Senne Lammens.

Altay Bayindir, who has been the deputy to Lammens and Andre Onana, is now set to leave Old Trafford.

Onana has already agreed on a new loan deal at Trabzonspor, to play at the Turkish club for a second season.

Transfer: Man Utd confirms third summer signing after Santos, Tielemans

Former England forward, Jay Bothroyd, has suggested that Tottenham Hotspur, player Djed Spence could assist Thomas Tuchel in containing Lionel Messi during the Three Lions’ semi-final match against Argentina in 2026.

Spence has participated in all six of England’s matches at the current World Cup, including two starts, and has played in both right-back and left-back positions. Given Reece James’ injury and Jarell Quansah’s suspension, he is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming encounter against Argentina.

On the other hand, Messi has emerged as a strong candidate for the tournament’s Golden Ball award, having scored eight goals and provided two assists in six matches so far, making him a central figure in Tuchel’s defensive strategy.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Bothroyd asserted that Spence could do better than regular left-back Nico O’Reilly in terms of the battle with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Urging Tuchel to play the 25-year-old on the left, the former Arsenal academy graduate said via Metro, “Especially when he plays on the left-hand side. I feel like if you’ve got Spence in that position, I feel like as a one-on-one defender there’s none better than him out there. 

“Maybe Tuchel will be looking at that and thinking he’s someone who could get stuck into Messi.”

The eagerly awaited semi-final between England and Argentina is scheduled to take place at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15.

World Cup: ‘There’s none better than him’ – Bothroyd names England star to stop Messi