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Neymar to return against Scotland: Ancelotti confirms availability for Brazil
Absent through injury during Brazil's first two matches at the 2026 World Cup, Neymar will be available for the decisive group stage match against Scotland on June 25, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced at a press conference.
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Galarza's 64-second strike sends Türkiye home as 10-man Paraguay survive
Matías Galarza scored the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup after just 64 seconds to give Paraguay a 1-0 win over Türkiye at San Francisco Bay Stadium, eliminating the Turks despite Paraguay playing the entire second half with 10 men following Miguel Almiron's red card.
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Almiron sent off for covering his mouth as World Cup referees face wave of protests
Miguel Almiron became the first player dismissed under football's new covered-mouth rule during Paraguay's 1-0 win over Turkey, while Algeria wrote to FIFA over Argentina's match officials and Scotland were left aggrieved after two penalty appeals were rejected in their 1-0 defeat to Morocco.
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Newcastle target five right-backs as Livramento injury exposes squad gap
Tino Livramento's calf injury and withdrawal from England's World Cup squad has forced Newcastle to accelerate their search for a right-back, with targets ranging from free agent Oscar Mingueza to £25m-rated Guela Doue.
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Premier League grant Man Utd request to open 2026-27 season away as Old Trafford gets new pitch
Manchester United will begin the 2026-27 Premier League season away at Hull City on August 22, after the league approved their request to delay a home opener while Old Trafford's pitch is relaid for the first time in 14 years.
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Man Utd go all in for Fernandes as West Ham demand £80m for relegated midfielder
Manchester United are pushing hard to sign West Ham's Mateus Fernandes this summer, with the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder reportedly keen on the move. West Ham's £80m asking price remains the key obstacle, with Arsenal, Real Madrid and PSG also in the running.
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Messi's Hat-Trick at 38 Equals Klose Record; Lizarazu Still Amazed
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria (3-0) in Argentina's opening match of the 2026 World Cup, joining Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup goalscorers list with 16 goals. At 38 years old, the Inter Miami forward continues to impress, with former France left-back Bixente Lizarazu expressing his ongoing astonishment at the Argentine's longevity.
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USA clinch Group D as Morocco and Brazil secure first wins on World Cup Day 9
The United States sealed top spot in Group D with a win over Australia, helped by Turkey's loss to Paraguay, while Morocco dismantled Scotland and Brazil beat Haiti 3-0 to end their winless start at the 2026 World Cup.
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1966 World Cup winner Ray Wilson swapped football for life as an undertaker
Ray Wilson, England's left-back in the iconic 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley, retired from football in 1971 and built a second career as a mortician in Huddersfield, running his father-in-law's firm until 1997.
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Echeverri faces another loan exit after struggling at Leverkusen and Girona
Claudio Echeverri, who made his Manchester City debut in last year's FA Cup final, is likely heading for a third loan spell after failing to nail down a starting role at Bayer Leverkusen or Girona and missing out on Argentina's World Cup squad.
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How Liverpool signed Gakpo, Shaqiri and Origi off the back of World Cup brilliance
Liverpool have a proven track record of targeting World Cup standouts, landing Cody Gakpo for £35m after Qatar 2022, Xherdan Shaqiri for £13.75m after Russia 2018, and Divock Origi following Belgium's run at Brazil 2014.
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BBC apologises for graphics blunder and stands by Giroud despite World Cup pundit backlash
The BBC has issued an apology after incorrectly matching player images during France's win over Senegal, while facing separate calls to drop Olivier Giroud from its World Cup pundit panel. The corporation is expected to retain the former France striker, citing precedent from the 2014 tournament.
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Van Hecke breaks silence on £52m Tottenham move after Brighton exit
Jan Paul van Hecke has spoken publicly for the first time since completing his £52m transfer from Brighton to Tottenham, crediting manager Roberto De Zerbi as the decisive factor in his decision to join the club.
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Luca Zidane Benched Against Jordan, Benbot Called to Replace Him
After Algeria's heavy 3-0 defeat to Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, former international Omar Hamenad backs a goalkeeper change and names Oussama Benbot as a credible alternative to Luca Zidane.
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Otamendi suspended but started: why Algeria's complaint doesn't hold up
Beaten 3-0 by Argentina, with Messi scoring a hat-trick, Algeria sees some supporters demanding a walkover victory after Nicolas Otamendi took the field, despite being covered by a FIFA rule change adopted before the World Cup.
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Dembélé dropped after poor display: 2018 scenario repeats itself
Like after France's failed match against Australia in 2018, Ousmane Dembélé is paying the price for his disappointing performance against Senegal and loses his starting place in the France squad.
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Belgian fan Axelle Despiegelaere lost her L'Oreal deal weeks after going viral at the 2014 World Cup
Axelle Despiegelaere was just 17 when photographs of her cheering Belgium at the 2014 World Cup went viral, earning her a L'Oreal modelling contract — one that collapsed within weeks after a controversial hunting post on social media.
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Lineker set to appear as ITV pundit at World Cup after 26-year BBC career ends
Gary Lineker will make a surprise punditry appearance for ITV during the 2026 World Cup, months after ending his 26-year association with the BBC following a social media controversy.
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Man City face losing Under-21 coach Wilkinson as senior clubs circle after Guardiola exodus
Manchester City risk losing academy coach Ben Wilkinson this summer, with League One clubs pursuing him as a head coach and Championship sides keen on him as an assistant — the latest potential departure in a sweeping overhaul of the Etihad's coaching staff.
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Age ban lifted: Man United's 15-year-old JJ Gabriel can now target club debut records
JJ Gabriel's Premier League age restriction expires at the start of the 2026/27 season, giving the Manchester United academy starlet a window to become the club's youngest-ever senior appearance-maker and youngest Premier League debutant.
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