With 19 goals in 19 World Cup appearances, Mbappe now trails Messi by just one on the tournament’s all-time scorers list. Remarkably, since 2018 Mbappe has scored 11 World Cup knockout goals—more than Brazil (10), England (10), Portugal (9) and Spain (4). Despite netting 13 times across their previous four matches in the United States,...

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Harry Kane needed four matches and 269 minutes before he even registered a shot on target. He looked fatigued early on, and I thought he could have used a rest after England’s first two games. This time it’s completely different—after scoring twice in the 4-2 win over Croatia,...

Crystal Palace have signed England Under-23 forward Lexi Lloyd-Smith on a three-year contract. The 23-year-old topped the WSL2 scoring charts last season, netting 23 goals in 48 matches for Bristol City. She is set to make her top-flight debut with the Eagles, who earned a return to the Women’s Super League by finishing second in...

The lineup barely changed, but Brazil looked like a different team after the break. They played with greater purpose and intensity, aided by several tactical tweaks—most notably a readiness to deliver more balls into the box. Brazil sent in 12 crosses in the first half, yet largely tried to unlock Japan’s stubborn defense with the...

Announcing the appointments of Maldini and Leonardo, Malago called it a four-year plan designed to carry Italy through to the 2030 World Cup, with a European Championship along the way. Yet the arrangement fell apart in little more than two weeks as tensions mounted over a series of failed hires. They first approached former Manchester...

York City have parted ways with manager Stuart Maynard, just three months after he led the club back to the English Football League following a 10-year absence. In a social media statement, the board said the decision was difficult but stemmed from a difference in direction and vision for the club. York secured the National...

England manager Thomas Tuchel retains the FA’s support and is expected to remain in charge through Euro 2028. A 2-1 loss to Argentina on Wednesday denied England’s men a first World Cup final since 1966. Tuchel came under fire for his substitutions after England let a 1-0 lead slip late on, but he intends to...

With Egypt 1-0 up in the second half against Argentina, VAR cancelled out a strike by Mostafa Zico after ruling that midfielder Marwan Attia had stepped on Lisandro Martinez’s foot in the buildup. An appeal for a foul on Mohamed Salah in Argentina’s penalty area was also dismissed, seconds before the defending champions countered to...

Manchester United and Arsenal are vying for France international Manu Kone, Nico Williams is being linked with a move to the Premier League champions, and West Ham have turned down the latest bid for Crysencio Summerville. – Manchester United are leading the pursuit of Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone, 25, though Arsenal are also...

Birmingham City have secured the signing of French centre-back Jade Rastocle from Montpellier for an undisclosed amount. The 22-year-old moved to the French top-flight club in 2024, making 42 appearances and scoring once. Birmingham clinched the WSL 2 title last season, returning to the top division after five years away. Rastocle said she was delighted...

Harry Kane is poised to begin formal negotiations with Bayern Munich over a new contract with the German champions. The England captain’s current deal runs out at the end of the upcoming season, but Bayern are eager to keep him beyond that. The 32-year-old is understood to be aware of the Bundesliga club’s plan to...

Newcastle United fans will soon vote on a redesigned club crest, marking the first badge change since 1988. While the current emblem is well liked, the club says its intricate, irregular details don’t translate well across modern uses, making consistent, high-quality reproduction difficult on digital platforms, broadcasts, and merchandise. The idea to refresh the crest...