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Rodri slams Cape Verde's defensive tactics after Spain held to World Cup opener stalemate
Spain were frustrated to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their World Cup opener, with Rodri criticising the minnows' deep defensive approach while admitting his side failed to convert 27 attempts on goal.
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Klopp apologises to Nagelsmann after 'still' remark sparks controversy at World Cup
Jurgen Klopp publicly apologised to Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann after a single word — 'still' — during his punditry debut cast doubt over the coach's future, even as Germany thrashed Curacao 7-1 in their World Cup opener.
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Egypt stun Belgium with Ashour's thunderbolt as Cape Verde hold Spain to 0-0 at World Cup 2026
Emam Ashour's ferocious first-half strike gave Egypt a historic lead against Belgium in Group G, hours after Cape Verde stunned Spain with a goalless draw in their World Cup 2026 opener in Seattle.
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Rod Stewart faces fan backlash after attending Scotland's World Cup win days after cancelling concert
Rod Stewart drew criticism from fans after appearing at Gillette Stadium to watch Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in their World Cup opener, having cancelled a California concert hours earlier citing an acute respiratory infection and laryngitis.
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Vozinha: The 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper who stunned Spain at the World Cup
Josimar 'Vozinha' Dias made seven saves as Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup Group H opener, becoming the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut.
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Spain trains at a Tennessee boarding school as World Cup base camps transform small-town America
With the 2026 World Cup underway across North America, host cities are embracing their unlikely guests: Spain has settled into a private academy on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Iraq is based in a West Virginia mountain resort of fewer than 3,000 people, and Germany has taken over Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
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Doku faces World Cup dilemma as wife due to give birth during knockout rounds
Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku has revealed his wife is expected to give birth to their first child in early July, potentially forcing him to leave Belgium's World Cup campaign during the knockout phase.
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Pierre Sage joins Crystal Palace on three-year deal, Lens to receive up to €5m
After leading RC Lens to the Coupe de France and second place in Ligue 1, Pierre Sage has officially signed with Crystal Palace for three seasons, accompanied by his three assistants.
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Gvardiol signs five-year deal to commit future to Manchester City despite Real Madrid interest
Josko Gvardiol will extend his stay at Manchester City on a new five-year contract, ending speculation linking the Croatia international with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
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FIFA's pre-revolutionary Iran flag ban upheld by US judge hours before World Cup opener
A Los Angeles federal judge ruled Monday that FIFA's ban on the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag — featuring a lion and sun motif associated with the regime overthrown in 1979 — will stand at the World Cup, after an Iran fan filed a last-minute lawsuit ahead of the nation's Group G opener against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium.
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Viral fame finds Tim Payne: how a social media stunt gave New Zealand's veteran defender 5.6 million followers overnight
Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini set out to find the World Cup's least-known player and landed on New Zealand defender Tim Payne, whose Instagram following leapt from 4,715 to over 5.6 million in days ahead of the 2026 tournament.
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10,000 England fans descend on Dallas as Gordon and Rice embrace World Cup opener against Croatia
Around 10,000 England supporters are set to fill AT&T Stadium in Dallas for the Three Lions' World Cup group-stage opener against Croatia on Wednesday, with Anthony Gordon and Declan Rice among those expressing their excitement ahead of kick-off.
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FIFA confirm gold sleeve patches for past World Cup winners, including England, at 2026 tournament
England will wear a special gold sleeve patch commemorating their 1966 World Cup triumph when they face Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday. FIFA have confirmed the tweak applies to all previous winners during designated home games.
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Cucurella seals £51.7m Real Madrid move as Chelsea eye five left-back replacements
Marc Cucurella has completed a £51.7 million transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid, signing a six-year deal with the Spanish giants. Head coach Xabi Alonso is now weighing up replacements, with Valentin Barco and Lewis Hall among the options being considered.
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Man United refuse West Ham's £80m valuation as Fernandes pushes for Old Trafford move
Manchester United have identified Mateus Fernandes as their top midfield target this summer but will not meet West Ham's £80m asking price. The 21-year-old Portuguese international has made clear his desire to join United, who plan to open with a bid well below that figure.
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Lee Dixon nearly breaks down on commentary as Cape Verde hold Spain to historic World Cup draw
Former Arsenal defender and ITV co-commentator Lee Dixon admitted he was close to tears after Cape Verde, in their first-ever World Cup appearance, held European champions Spain to a goalless draw — with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha producing a heroic display.
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Oyarzabal goes 30 minutes without a touch to break 60-year World Cup record against Cape Verde
Mikel Oyarzabal did not touch the ball in the first 30 minutes of Spain's Group H opener against Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup — the first time a player has gone that long without a touch at the tournament since 1966. Spain were held to a 0-0 draw despite 13 first-half shots.
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Cape Verde hold reigning champions Spain to goalless draw in World Cup Group H opener
Cape Verde produced one of the World Cup's biggest shocks so far, holding European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta. Goalkeeper Vozinha was outstanding, denying Ferran Torres twice as the Blue Sharks earned a famous point on their World Cup debut.
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Trafford admits he must leave Man City to chase England No.1 spot as Newcastle weigh £40m move
James Trafford has acknowledged that playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City is incompatible with his England ambitions, with Newcastle United understood to have made contact over a £40m deal.
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England face Croatia in World Cup 2026 Group L opener at Dallas's AT&T Stadium on June 17
Thomas Tuchel's England begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday June 17 — a rematch of the 2018 semi-final that ended England's tournament hopes in Russia.
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