‘Hand of God’ Season Two? Explaining rising anticipation for World Cup match between Argentina and England
Antonio Rattin refusing to leave the pitch in 1966. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986. David Beckham’s red card in 1998. Few World Cup rivalries have produced so many moments that transcend sport, becoming part of the political and cultural history of two nations. As England and Argentina...
Spain’s unheralded aces end Deschamps’ France romance with World Cup dream of success
Spain edged its opponent for completed passes, but had only two shots on target compared to France’s three. Both attempts counted, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting an early penalty after Lamine Yamal was fouled by Lucas Digne, before Porro added a second following a one-two with Dani Olmo.
African football switches to Cup of Nation in East Africa with nightmares of 86th hoodoos when they costing to World Cup victory
Letting vital leads slip also cost the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, who were 2-0 up with five minutes to go against Belgium but lost in extra time.
Official ‘Trionda’ World Cup ball brews controversy after cancelling Croatia’s equaliser in round of 32 match against Portugal
FIFA is relying on a high-tech soccer ball fitted with “advanced sensors” and insisted it got it right when determining Croatia’s Igor Mantanovic got the slightest of glances with his head, meaning Mario Palasic was in an offside position during the build-up to the goal.
Tiny African island nation Cape Verde puts Messi and Argentina to stern test in a nerve-wracking 120-minute World Cup thriller
Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra-time. The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after...
Still going strong: ‘It doesn’t matter, because it’s been 23 years on the job and when things go well, ‘Cristiano is good…’
Former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney said the display followed a familiar pattern. “He didn’t have the best game, but this is what he does,” Rooney told BBC Sport. “He’s taken a bit of criticism and this is how he responds. He has done that his whole career.”
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah’s trophy jinx persists as Pharaohs exit African Cup of Nations in Morocco
In truth, Morocco 2025 was a better tournament than many Egyptians thought was possible. It was a decent one for Salah, who should return to Liverpool with confidence. Yet for a footballer of his standing, it is imaginable that when he reflects about what has happened over the last four weeks, he will not consider decent as being quite good enough.
Papa stop the war: How African sports icon Didier Drogba scored more goals against conflict than in football to end Ivory Coast civil war
The origins of the first Ivorian civil war can be traced back to the death of Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993. Houphoeut-Boigny was the country’s first president after gaining independence from France in 1960 and he remained in power until his death. Houphouet-Boigny helped Ivory Coast’s economy grow significantly.
Pundits agree Arsenal are ready to be EPL kings, but must score more goals from open play
Factor in that Arsenal have already visited Old Trafford, Anfield and St James’ Park and their start to the season becomes all the more impressive. This was yet another fixture in which Arsenal improved on their points tally last season. In 2024-25, Arsenal were twice pegged back in a game which ended as a 2-2 draw.
Why Liverpool’s Mo Salah is prolific: He spends time on meditating and visualising matches, then studies goalkeepers
Mohamed Salah’s performances last season were an accumulation of many factors, both on and off the pitch. The thread that connects them all is his willingness and desire to do everything he can to perform at his best, no matter what his age.
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