World Soccer news

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest World Cup failure leaves one predictable regret

  07-07-2026 00:29 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  So this was how it ended for Cristiano Ronaldo. Not with the ultimate glory but a certain predictability. Portugal’s World Cup was curtailed in a manner that was all too foreseeable: with Ronaldo failing to score, with younger men being removed as he stayed on the pitch, with the sense their most famous player had been put before the team, perhaps for one last time.His sixth World Cup will be his last, he had said. In a career as long as his, history can repeat itself. Portugal went out 1-
  
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• ‘It had no impact’: USMNT insist Balogun political circus did not affect World Cup exit

  07-07-2026 07:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Folarin Balogun shakes hands with Mauricio Pochettino after he is subbed off in the second half of Monday’s defeat.Photograph: John Dorton/USSF/Getty ImagesFor a while, it seemed the only story in the lead-up to the US men’s national team last-16 matchup against Belgium was the presence of Folarin Balogun. In the end, Balogun’s presence didn’t really matter at all. Not on the field, at least.The forward was serviceable in the USMNT’s 4-1 loss and even earned the fou
  
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• A shambolic end for the American dream - did Balogun saga play a part?

  07-07-2026 07:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  It all started with the usual razzmatazz that has come to be seen at United States' World Cup games - a boisterous and patriotic fanbase, fireworks and smoke flares and a military fly over. But the American dream of winning the tournament for the first time fizzled out in shambolic fashion in the early hours of Tuesday morning with a hugely disappointing defeat by Belgium.The US lost 4-1 - their heaviest defeat since 1990 - while the lively atmosphere that had been a feature of their previous ga
  
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• 🎙️ Scaloni on the World Cup final: If it's Spain, I'd take it

  07-07-2026 06:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎙️ Scaloni on the World Cup final: If it's Spain, I'd take itLionel Scaloni spoke to the press ahead of Argentina vs. Egypt in the Round of 16. And there, the Argentine tactician looked ahead to a possible World Cup final. 
  "If it's Spain, I'd take it," the Argentine said, while adding that there is still a long way to go in the knockout stage: "both of us still have a long way to go." The leader of the Scaloneta also spoke about Spain's progress in the tournament, sayin
  
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• 🚨 Official: Roberto Martínez is no longer Portugal manager

  07-07-2026 06:23 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🚨 Official: Roberto Martínez is no longer Portugal managerIt’s over.After Portugal’s crushing failure, having been eliminated as early as the round of 16 of this World Cup, Roberto Martinez announced his resignation to reporters."I hope Portuguese supporters will remember that we gave everything for three and a half years. This is my last match with Portugal. I thank the Portuguese people and the players," he said at the press conference.At the time of his departure, R
  
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• World Cup Day What to Watch: Lionel Messi, Argentina take on Egypt; Switzerland faces Colombia

  07-07-2026 06:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The 2026 World Cup continues on Tuesday with two more games to close out the Round of 16.Here's what you need to know for Day 27 of the World Cup.Argentina vs. EgyptTuesday, July 7 | 12 p.m. ET | Atlanta | TV: FoxOdds: Argentina -435, Egypt +700Argentina and Lionel Messi continue their quest to become the first country to successfully defend a World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. However, La Albiceleste got a scare against Cape Verde in its Round of 32 matchup before prevailing in extra time, 3
  
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• TNS look to home comforts in Champions League bid

  07-07-2026 06:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Craig Harrison is in his second spell in charge at The New Saints [FAW]The New Saints head coach Craig Harrison says his side will be looking to make the most of being at home in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.Welsh champions Saints face Sabah of Azerbaijan in the first qualifying round with the first leg in Baku on 7 July.The return leg is at Park Hall a week later on 14 July."It's really important that we're in the game when it comes back to the second leg," Harrison told B
  
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• 🎙️ Ancelotti fronts up, sends message after Brazil exit

  07-07-2026 06:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎙️ Ancelotti fronts up, sends message after Brazil exitCarlo Ancelotti reappeared on his social media to send a message to Brazilian fans after the National Team’s elimination in the World Cup round of 16. "Today the pain is great. But the confidence in what we are building remains intact. We will keep working for our National Team. Always together. Always Brazil!" the manager wrote on his social media. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Carletto was c
  
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• Red cards, mass brawls and magic memories

  07-07-2026 05:56 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Wales have toured Argentina on five previous occasions [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Wales have arrived in Argentina to continue almost 60 years of history oftravelling to face the Pumas in their own backyard.It has been eight years since Wales previously toured South America, although this will just be a passing visit with one Nations Championship game in San Juan before Steve Tandy's side move on to face South Africa in Durban.Wales have never before made the 7,000 miles trip to play just one game
  
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• Belgium trolls USA, FIFA, Donald Trump after dominant World Cup win: 'Overturn this'

  07-07-2026 05:37 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  After a 4-1World Cup win over USA on Monday in which it dominated from the game's opening minute, Belgium couldn't resist. The Belgians trolled U.S. Soccer, FIFA and U.S. President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the overturned red-card kerfuffle that led up to the game. After the final whistle blew, Belgium soccer's official X account published a post with an image of their players celebrating alongside a two-word caption: "Overturn this."Overturn this. 🧏‍♂️ #USABELpic
  
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• Christian Pulisic in tears after latest injury in USA’s World Cup exit

  07-07-2026 05:24 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Christian Pulisic was visibly emotional after being withdrawn with a new injury as the USAcrashed out of the World Cup at the hands of Belgium.Pulisic’s tournament has been plagued by fitness problems after sustaining a calf problem the USA’s opener against Paraguay, which forced him to come off at half-time in Los Angeles.The American talisman was able to make a return to the starting XI against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 after being limited for the rest of the group
  
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• ‘Overturn this’: victorious Belgium throw barb after Balogun red-card controversy

  07-07-2026 05:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Romelu Lukaku celebrates his team’s fourth goal against the US. Photograph: Lindsey Wasson/APFor Belgium, Monday’s 4-1 victory over the United States was doubly sweet. They advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals, as well as overcoming what they saw as injustice off the field.The buildup to the match had been tinged with controversy after Fifa had suspended the red card US striker Folarin Balogun was given in the last 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That meant Balogun was free to
  
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• What we learned, big and small picture, from the USMNT's awful World Cup exit

  07-07-2026 04:53 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The United States men's national team slipped up for the first time this World Cup and looked like they'd never conceived failure as a possibility, playing a baffled 90 minutes where their stars didn't shine and their wizard lost his magic touch.In short, Mauricio Pochettino's Yanks picked a bad time to play their worst game in a long time... or at least since the last time they played Belgium.MORE — USMNT 1-4 Belgium recap | Player ratingsIndividual errors and legacy-challenging performan
  
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• What we learned, big and small picture, from the USMNT's awful exit from the 2026 World Cup

  07-07-2026 04:53 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The United States men's national team slipped up for the first time this World Cup and looked like they'd never conceived failure as a possibility, playing a baffled 90 minutes where their stars didn't shine and their wizard lost his magic touch.In short, Mauricio Pochettino's Yanks picked a bad time to play their worst game in a long time.MORE — USMNT 1-4 Belgium recap | Player ratingsIndividual errors and legacy-challenging performances abounded through a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round
  
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• That’s bad karma for you, Mr President, as United States crash out of World Cup to defiant Belgium

  07-07-2026 04:33 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  After all the controversy and commander-in-chief-led skullduggery, here came the great American fall from grace. Following the whackiest of all lead-ups to a World Cup knockout match, one statement outdoing the next, an aggrieved Belgium outfit firmly made their statement on the pitch to knock the United States out of the World Cup on Monday evening. That’s what you call bad karma, Mr President.And it felt fitting that Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who took Trump’s call to arms, w
  
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• USA player ratings: Where did it all go wrong in USMNT's 2026 World Cup exit?

  07-07-2026 04:22 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The USMNT reached its glass ceiling once again on Monday, bowing out of the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16 at the hands of familiar foes Belgium.USA 1-4 BELGIUM — Video highlights & recap | Mauricio Pochettino reactionThat's four straight runs to the round of 16 for the Americans, having twice been bounced by the Belgians in that span. The 4-1 scoreline will have some USMNT fans longing for the days of only losing 2-1 in extra-time, but the gulf in class between the sides was actual
  
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• Nice of him not to play: Balogun appearance mocked online

  07-07-2026 04:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Nice of him not to play: Balogun appearance mocked onlineActually, he should not have been playing at all: After his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, US forward Folarin Balogun was suspended for the round-of-16 match against Belgium.But at the initiative of US President Donald Trump, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to revise the ruling to a suspended ban and allow Balogun to play against the Belgians.This decision was met with great disbelief around the world and drew heavy criti
  
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• Mauricio Pochettino reaction: What did USA boss say after exiting World Cup vs Belgium?

  07-07-2026 04:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The USMNT is out of the 2026 World Cup after, to put it bluntly, failing to show up for their round of 16 clash with Belgium on Monday.USA 1-4 BELGIUM — Video highlights & recapBelow is the latest Mauricio Pochettino reaction, speaking after his side was beaten from first to last whistle, and the 4-1 scoreline might have still flattered them by full-time. Christian Pulisic came off injured, Sergiño Dest was as poor as he's even been in a USMNT shirt, Matt Freese lost his head on
  
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• Ragged USA crash out of World Cup with last-16 defeat to Belgium

  07-07-2026 03:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Folarin Balogun reflects as the US make their way to defeat against Belgium.Photograph: Sarah Stier/FIFA/Getty ImagesThe United States are out of the World Cup as Belgium eliminated the co-hosts in the last 16 at Seattle Stadium on Monday night.The US were looking to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002 but they looked nervy and unsettled from the start of the match, and quickly fell behind when Charles De Ketelaere poked home in the ninth minute.The Americans fought
  
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• Fifa backs referee called ‘suspect’ by Trump after Folarin Balogun ban wiped

  07-07-2026 03:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Fifa have backed the referee branded as “suspect” by Donald Trump after the US president intervened to get Folarin Balogun’s red card suspended.Balogun was shown a straight red card by referee Raphael Claus during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in which he appeared to scrape his studs down the calf of the defender before landing on, and twisting, his ankle.However, Fifa made the surprising and highly con
  
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• World Cup: Disastrous U.S. sequence with goalie Matt Freese out of box allows Belgium to double lead in 4-1 win

  07-07-2026 03:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  After a rough first half against Belgium, USA remained a goal away in the second from equalizing while trailing, 2-1.But a disastrous sequence shortly out of the break allowed Belgium to double its lead to 3-1 en route to a dominant 4-1 win in Seattle. In the 57th minute, Belgium booted a deep ball from its own territory toward the U.S. goal. Three U.S. players gave chase alongside Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere with a chance to take control of the ball. But U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese stepped s
  
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• Christian Pulisic exits USMNT's World Cup loss to Belgium with potential leg injury

  07-07-2026 03:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Right after the United States men's national team conceded a truly terrible goal against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16, things got worse. Star midfielder Christian Pulisic, who had gone down near the Belgium box shortly before, exited Monday's game in the 59th minute. He was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter.Shortly after subbing off, Pulisic was seen getting treatment on the U.S. bench, visibly upset. The trainers appeared to be working on his lower right leg.Christian Pulisic is visibly u
  
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• Real Madrid receive €82m bid for midfielder – offer expected to be turned down

  07-07-2026 03:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid receive €82m bid for midfielder – offer expected to be turned downReal Madrid are reportedly set to focus their efforts in the coming weeks on making sales following their fast start to the transfer window. After four signings, exits are expected to follow, but there is some doubt over whether they will consider a major sale.One of the names in doubt is Aurelien Tchouameni, who has attracted the interest of Premier League giants Manchester United. The Red Devils have been
  
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• 📸 Freese-framed: US keeper gifts Belgium a howler!

  07-07-2026 03:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📸 Freese-framed: US keeper gifts Belgium a howler!The World Cup hosts, the United States, handed out plenty of gifts to Belgium in the round of 16. The defense already looked pretty disastrous on Charles De Ketelaere’s first two goals.
  Belgium’s 3-1, however, was the bittersweet cherry on top for the Americans: after a simple long ball, goalkeeper Matthew Freese rushed out of his box in complete disarray, but still got to the ball first.But instead of clearing
  
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• Rate the players in USA v Belgium

  07-07-2026 03:11 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]The World Cup last-16 tie between United States and Belgium - which you can follow here - is under way.You can rate both sets of players out of 10 below and come back 30 minutes after full-time to see the final ratings.World Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup
  
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• Cristiano Ronaldo plays down career World Cup failure: ‘Euros just as significant’

  07-07-2026 03:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Cristiano Ronaldo has played down his failure to win a World Cup` in his career, insisting that his Euro 2016 triumph with Portugal is “just as significant”.Ronaldo confirmed he had played his final minutes at the World Cup after Portugal’s last-16 exit to Spain on Monday, in which they succumbed to a stoppage-time Mikel Merino winner.The World Cup is the only major competition Ronaldo has not won but now, at the sixth time of trying, the 41-year-old Portuguese captain is havin
  
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• 📞 Will Trump ring Infantino? Belgian striker stuns USA twice!

  07-07-2026 02:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📞 Will Trump ring Infantino? Belgian striker stuns USA twice!Rarely has a World Cup match been so heavily overshadowed beforehand by off-field controversy: the discussions surrounding the suspended red-card ban of USA striker Folarin Balogun dominated all the headlines ahead of the Round of 16 clash against Belgium.US President Donald Trump personally confirmed that he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to inquire about the decision. “I merely asked for a review because I don&r
  
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• 📞 Trump to ring Infantino? Belgium striker stuns USA with brace!

  07-07-2026 02:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📞 Trump to ring Infantino? Belgium striker stuns USA with brace!Rarely has a World Cup match been so heavily overshadowed in advance by off-field controversy: the debate surrounding the suspended red-card ban of USA striker Folarin Balogun dominated all the headlines ahead of the Round of 16 clash against Belgium.US President Donald Trump personally confirmed that he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to inquire about the decision. “I merely asked for a review because I don&rsq
  
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• Ronaldo's World Cup career ends in tears as 'pandering' Martinez departs

  07-07-2026 02:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  One of football's great careers will finish without the biggest prize after Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup match for Portugal ended with a 1-0 last-16 defeat by Spain.He was in tears as his World Cup story ended in Dallas with Mikel Merino's injury-time sending their neighbours through.The 41-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner, five-time Champions League winner and Euro 2016 champion has scored a world-record 976 goals for his clubs and country.He has scored at a record six World Cups. B
  
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• Spain's World Cup challenge built on record-breaking historic defence

  07-07-2026 02:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  In 2010, Spain dazzled the football world with their tiki-taka on their way to World Cup glory in South Africa. Powered by the midfield brilliance of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, and the goals of David Villa, they became one of the most iconic sides to have played in the tournament's storied history.With their strong Barcelona core and the tactical acumen of Vicente del Bosque, they secured their first-ever title with short, intricate passes and relentless movement, defeating the Netherlan
  
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