All the teams left at this World Cup share one trait: a clear, coherent idea. International sides don’t have the time to build club-level complexity, so their principles must be simple and relentlessly reinforced. That’s where Spain hold an edge. Their football identity has been honed over decades. Players and coaches are chosen to fit...

Jordan Pickford: Smart first-half stop to deny Jose Luis Rodriguez soon after the first drinks break, though a few shaky clearances. 6 Jarell Quansah: First World Cup start at right-back. Lacked Reece James’ passing range but defended well; subbed off with an ankle issue after the break. 6 Ezri Konsa: Hit a fine diagonal to...

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Manchester United striker Melvine Malard for around £850,000. The 26-year-old France international will have a medical before completing her move to Stamford Bridge, where she will reunite with manager Sonia Bompastor. Malard is expected to be Chelsea’s third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Katie McCabe...

Here’s a rewritten version of your content: John Stones, 32, England (last club: Manchester City) After 10 years at City and 15 major trophies, Stones has moved on. Despite recent injuries, Thomas Tuchel called him up for England. He’s been linked with a return to Everton and a switch to AC Milan. Casemiro, 34, Brazil...

Portugal capped their dramatic 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia with an emotional salute to Diogo Jota. The match came a year after the Liverpool forward died in a car crash in Spain, just 11 days after marrying his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso. His brother, Andre Silva, was also killed in the 3 July 2025...

When the World Cup wraps up, no matter who lifts the trophy, we’ll keep delivering plenty of fresh content every day as we gear up for the new football season. Alongside all the reaction and analysis from the tournament, we’ll quickly pivot back to club football with pre-season coverage and the latest transfer news and...

There’s no question McInnes was good for Hearts, but the benefit ran both ways. Scouting through Jamestown helped him assemble a title-challenging squad and, in turn, burnished his reputation. With him gone, the key question is what comes next for Hearts. The club and its supporters may feel bruised, yet in a few weeks they’ll...

Harry Kane’s hoarse voice in his post-match interview captured the intensity of England’s dramatic World Cup win over Mexico at a thunderous Azteca Stadium. The Bayern Munich striker scored from the spot in a breathless last-16 thriller, and by the time he spoke to BBC Sport he sounded shattered after celebrating the 3-2 victory. He...

Teenage striker Felicia Schroeder has joined Real Madrid in a move her former club says sets a new all-time record for a women’s transfer. The 19-year-old Sweden international has signed a four-year contract after scoring 91 goals in 128 appearances for Swedish side BK Hacken. Last summer, Orlando Pride made Mexico winger Lizbeth Ovalle the...