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Saliba limps off with back injury as France fall behind Spain in World Cup semi-final
William Saliba was forced off in the 29th minute of France's World Cup semi-final against Spain on Wednesday, pointing to his back after going down. His exit came with France already trailing 1-0 to a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty.
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Lamine Yamal awarded controversial penalty as Spain takes lead against France
On a disputed action where Lamine Yamal appeared to control the ball with his arm, Spain opened the scoring through Oyarzabal from the penalty spot (22nd minute) in the World Cup semi-final against France. VAR did not intervene despite French protests.
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Yamal wins controversial penalty as Spain take lead against France in World Cup semi-final
Lamine Yamal earned a penalty after Lucas Digne's foul in Spain's World Cup 2026 semi-final against France in Dallas, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting — though France argued Yamal had handled the ball beforehand. Rules analyst Christina Unkel backed the on-field decision.
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Referee Barton forgets vanishing spray and halts Spain vs France World Cup semi-final
Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton caused a one-minute delay in the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France after arriving at a free-kick without his vanishing spray, forcing the fourth official to hand one over from the touchline.
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Referee Barton forgets vanishing spray as France vs Spain semi-final briefly halted
Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton was forced to pause the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain on eight minutes after realising he had left his vanishing spray off the pitch, with fourth official Glenn Nyberg rushing on to rescue him.
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Christina Unkel: the former FIFA referee bringing VAR expertise to ITV's World Cup 2026 coverage
Christina Unkel, a 39-year-old former FIFA referee and qualified litigation lawyer, joins ITV as a rules analyst for World Cup 2026, having impressed UK viewers during her debut at Euro 2024. She is also president of Tampa Bay Sun FC.
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FIFA moves VAR officials on-site for England vs Argentina semi-final after quarter-final controversy
FIFA has relocated VAR officials from a central Dallas hub to inside each host stadium for the World Cup semi-finals, following disputed decisions in the quarter-finals that included England's overturned penalty against Norway.
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Mbappé starts France's World Cup semifinal against Spain despite ankle scare
Kylian Mbappé is fit to lead France's attack against Spain in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal, having left the quarterfinal win over Morocco in the 77th minute with a right ankle injury. The 27-year-old is level with Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
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FIFA set to extend World Cup final half-time to 30 minutes for Shakira and Bieber show
FIFA looks set to override IFAB's 15-minute half-time rule for the World Cup final, stretching the interval to around 30 minutes to accommodate a halftime show headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS at MetLife Stadium.
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Leeds refuse to name Man Utd as Karl Darlow makes first direct move between clubs in 22 years
Leeds United pointedly omitted any mention of Manchester United from their farewell statement after Karl Darlow, 35, joined the Red Devils on a free transfer — the first player to move directly between the two clubs since Alan Smith in 2004.
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Argentina fans burn Union Jack as Scaloni urges calm before England World Cup semi-final
A group of Argentina supporters filmed themselves burning a Union Jack in Escobar ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against England, while Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called for his players to treat the fixture as "just a football game".
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Ferdinand jokingly demanded Williams leave BBC studio for ignoring England at 2022 World Cup
A resurfaced clip from the 2022 Qatar World Cup shows Rio Ferdinand calling for fellow pundit Ashley Williams to be removed from the BBC studio after the former Wales defender left England out of his semi-final predictions entirely.
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France or Spain face England or Argentina in the World Cup 2026 final on 19 July
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final takes place on Sunday 19 July at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with France or Spain set to meet England or Argentina after 103 matches across five weeks. The showpiece will also feature the first official half-time show in World Cup history.
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FIFA confirms it deliberately puts Infantino and celebrities on screen at World Cup matches
FIFA has acknowledged it instructs broadcasters to show president Gianni Infantino, officials, and celebrities during World Cup matches as part of a standard running order — a policy that has drawn fan criticism ahead of the semi-finals and final.
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Mbappé passes fitness test to start France's World Cup semifinal against Spain
Kylian Mbappé has been named in France's starting lineup for Tuesday's World Cup semifinal against Spain, clearing concerns over the 'slight' right ankle injury that forced him off in the 77th minute of the quarterfinal win over Morocco.
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Burn texts Norway defender to apologise after viral step-over fuels England's World Cup semi-final run
Dan Burn has revealed he messaged former Brighton team-mate Leo Ostigard to apologise for stepping over him after a dominant aerial duel in England's World Cup win over Norway. The Newcastle defender has since gone viral and is closing in on 500,000 Instagram followers.
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Manchester United sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa in midfield overhaul
Manchester United have completed the signing of Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. The 29-year-old, who scored the winning goal in Leicester's 2021 FA Cup final, arrives at Old Trafford after three years under Unai Emery in Birmingham.
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Manchester United sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m to bolster midfield
Manchester United have completed the signing of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m after activating his release clause. The midfielder has signed a four-year contract at Old Trafford and becomes United's third summer arrival.
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Manchester United sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa in £35m deal
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35million. The 28-year-old, who won the Europa League with Villa last season, has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
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Tielemans joins Manchester United in £35m deal after Europa League triumph with Villa
Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million, with the Belgium international penning a five-year contract and vowing to chase the 'biggest trophies' at Old Trafford.
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