Sam Kerr returns to NWSL with Gotham FC through 2030
Australia striker Sam Kerr has signed for Gotham FC on a contract running until 2030, returning to the American league where she remains the all-time leading scorer.
Ronaldo: Mbappé reminds me of myself at my peak
Brazilian legend Ronaldo has likened Kylian Mbappé to himself at his peak, hailing the France captain as a ‘natural heir’ to football’s greats as he closes in on the World Cup scoring record.
Bayern, Arsenal and Manchester clubs monitoring Morocco’s Bouaddi
Bayern Munich, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs are monitoring 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after his World Cup displays, though Lille’s €80-100 million valuation may prove prohibitive.
Bellingham-Kane Partnership Finally Clicks for England at World Cup
Jude Bellingham’s creative link with Harry Kane finally bore fruit against Panama, recording 0.57 expected assists and setting up England’s captain in open play for the first time at this World Cup.
South Africa 0-1 Canada Analysis: Eustáquio’s 92nd-Minute Strike Ended Bafana Bafana’s Historic Run
Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 through Stephen Eustáquio’s 92nd-minute strike, eliminating Bafana Bafana from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 and securing Canada’s first-ever place in the Last 16. The single-elimination format rendered South Africa’s four-point Group A recovery meaningless against one late defensive lapse, while Jesse Marsch’s aggressive substitutions and Alphonso Davies’ second-half return broke Hugo Broos’s compact defensive block. Canada now advance to face the winner of Netherlands vs Morocco.
Panama 0-2 England Analysis: Bellingham Broke the Block, Kane Made History and Tuchel Won the Group
England defeated Panama 2-0 on 28 June 2026 to win Group L and secure a round of 32 tie against DR Congo. Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute and assisted Harry Kane for his record-breaking 11th World Cup goal five minutes later. The victory confirms England as group winners with 7 points, though the performance highlighted ongoing struggles against compact defensive blocks that Thomas Tuchel must solve before knockout football begins.
Colombia 0-0 Portugal Analysis: Diogo Costa’s Six Saves Preserved a Point but Lost the Group
Colombia and Portugal played out a 0-0 draw that confirmed Colombia as Group K winners while Portugal settled for second place. Diogo Costa produced six crucial saves to maintain Portugal’s unbeaten record, but the result consigned Roberto Martínez’s side to a more difficult knockout path against Croatia rather than securing a favorable Round of 32 draw. Colombia finished with 7 points and a +3 goal difference, setting up a tie with Ghana, while Portugal’s 5 points and +5 goal difference means they must navigate a tougher bracket that could include Spain in later rounds.
Jordan 1-3 Argentina Analysis: Messi’s Seventh Straight World Cup Goal and Scaloni’s Rotation Test
Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 on June 28, 2026, to win Group J with a perfect nine points. Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his seventh consecutive World Cup goal, reaching 19 tournament goals total, while Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez scored earlier. Mousa Al-Tamari netted for already-eliminated Jordan. Argentina advance to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
Algeria 3-3 Austria Analysis: Mahrez’s 93rd-Minute Goal, Kalajdžić’s Reply and a Format Tested to the Limit
Algeria and Austria played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in their final Group J match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Riyad Mahrez scoring in the 93rd minute and Saša Kalajdžić equalizing three minutes later to send both teams through to the Round of 32 while eliminating Iran. Austria advanced as group runners-up with four points and a plus-one goal difference, setting up a knockout clash with Spain, while Algeria progressed as one of the best third-placed teams despite a minus-two goal difference and will face Switzerland.
Ugarte faces uncertain layoff after knee injury on World Cup duty
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee ligament injury during Uruguay’s World Cup defeat to Spain. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.