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Spanish media dream of Argentina final after Spain's semi-final win over France
Spain beat France to reach the World Cup final and will face either England or Argentina on Sunday. Spanish media figures and Lamine Yamal have made their preference clear: they want Argentina — and a showdown with Lionel Messi.
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Cherki slams France after defeat: "We beat ourselves"
Brought on in the final quarter-hour against Spain, Rayan Cherki made no attempt to hide his frustration in the mixed zone, criticizing both his playing time and the collective level displayed by the France team.
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Eliminated by Spain, France records its worst World Cup semi-final since 1966
Beaten 2-0 by Spain in the World Cup semi-final, the Blues generated just 0.3 expected goals — their lowest total in the competition since at least 1966, according to Opta.
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Argentina's VP brands England 'usurping pirates' on eve of World Cup semi-final
Victoria Villaruel, Argentina's vice president and daughter of a Falklands veteran, posted a fiery social media message calling England 'usurping pirates' ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final in Georgia — directly contradicting manager Lionel Scaloni's plea to keep politics out of the match.
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13 new FIFA rules shaping England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina
FIFA introduced 13 rule changes for World Cup 2026, covering everything from hydration breaks and time-wasting measures to goalkeeper restrictions. England face Argentina in Wednesday's semi-final under the new regulations.
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Tuchel faces post-tournament FIFA sanctions over referee criticism ahead of England's World Cup semi-final
Thomas Tuchel risks FIFA sanctions after publicly lambasting referee Alireza Faghani following England's 3-2 round-of-16 win over Mexico. Sources say the governing body is devising a plan to act on referee criticism, with any punishment dependent on official match reports.
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Kai Asakura targets back-to-back UFC wins against Qileng Aori at Shanghai on Aug. 29
Former Rizin bantamweight champion Kai Asakura, fresh from his first UFC victory at UFC Macau in May, will face Chinese 135-pounder Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai on August 29 in a bid to build his first win streak in the promotion.
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Morientes credits Spain's academy system as La Roja reach 2026 World Cup final
Fernando Morientes says Spain's run to a second World Cup final in 16 years is built on deep investment in youth coaching and club academies, as Luis de la Fuente's side await England or Argentina on 19 July.
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Mbappe swears on live TV as France's World Cup dream ends in 2-0 defeat to Spain
Kylian Mbappe was visibly distraught after France's 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain at the World Cup, swearing during a post-match interview that had to be censored on air. Spain advance to Sunday's final, ending France's run at the tournament for the first time since 2014.
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Argentine and English referees both sent home as World Cup semi-finals loom
FIFA's strict neutrality rules have ended the World Cup for all Argentine and English officiating delegations. With Argentina facing England in the semi-finals, Facundo Tello, Yael Falcon Perez, Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor are among those dismissed from the tournament.
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Deschamps questions referee's level after France's World Cup semi-final exit to Spain
Didier Deschamps stopped short of blaming the referee for France's World Cup elimination but publicly questioned whether the official was equipped to handle a semi-final. Kylian Mbappé separately criticised the team's tactical display in the defeat to Spain.
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VAR confusion reigns as referee overturns free-kick call in Spain's 2-0 semi-final win over France
Referee Ivan Barton reversed a free-kick decision during Spain's 2-0 World Cup semi-final victory over France in Dallas, sparking widespread confusion among fans who mistakenly believed VAR had intervened — a move the laws of the game do not permit in such circumstances.
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Bellingham defends England's grit as Tuchel public spat looms over World Cup semi-final
Jude Bellingham has pushed back against Thomas Tuchel's criticism of England's 'sloppy' win over Norway, insisting the team had to 'win dirty' — just days before their World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
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McGregor injures knee at UFC 329 as Chandler emerges as favourite for his next fight
Conor McGregor's long-awaited UFC comeback ended on the first kick of his rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329, when a knee injury forced a stoppage and handed Holloway the win. Michael Chandler is now the 2/1 betting favourite to face McGregor in what would be the final bout of his current UFC contract.
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England fans in the Falklands gear up for charged World Cup semi-final against Argentina
The Falkland Islands will grind to a halt as residents pack into Stanley's pubs for England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina — a fixture carrying unique historical weight on the remote British territory still claimed by Buenos Aires.
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Ronaldo's dream of a Messi World Cup final stays fantasy as Portugal crash out in round of 16
Cristiano Ronaldo's 2022 vision of a Portugal v Argentina World Cup final, shared in a Piers Morgan interview, has come to nothing after Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the round of 16, while Messi's Argentina advance to the semi-finals against England.
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Injury-free Maya Stewart headlines Waratahs side for Super Rugby Women's semi-final
Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart returns from an ankle injury to start for the NSW Waratahs against the Western Force in Saturday's Super Rugby Women's semi-final at Perth's HBF Park, joined by Australia Sevens playmaker Tia Hinds on debut at scrum-half.
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Dana White's Contender Series returns for a 10th season on August 11
Dana White's Contender Series launches its 10th season on August 11, with 10 Tuesday night episodes each featuring five bouts. The talent showcase has produced over 300 UFC contracts and four champions since its 2017 debut.
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Queensland Reds name unchanged side to face Drua in Super Rugby Women's semi-final
Buoyed by a first-ever win over the NSW Waratahs, the Queensland Reds will take an unchanged starting XV to Lautoka for a Super Rugby Women's semi-final against ladder-leaders the Fijian Drua.
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Rabiot substituted at half-time on yellow card: Deschamps heavily criticized after France's elimination
France lost 2-0 to Spain in the World Cup semi-final, and Didier Deschamps' decision to substitute Adrien Rabiot at half-time—the only standout French player—to prevent a potential red card is now drawing heavy criticism.
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