Arlington, July 15 (IANS) Kylian Mbappe lifted his shirt over his face and buried his head in his hands. Moments later he gazed into the middle distance while being consoled by France manager Didier Deschamps. This is not how the script was meant to go for France.Les Bleus, one of the title favourites, had entered the game unbeaten, having conceded just two goals in six matches. The tournament was supposed to provide a fitting farewell for Deschamps and a crowning moment in Mbappe’s career, conf…
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New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Former French defender Luis Fernandez has backed France to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 title but stressed that if Spain knocks the Les Blues out, “he’d be happy for them too.” Spain and France will lock horns in the semifinal at the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday. The two teams will face each other for the second time in the final stages of the World Cup after the round of 16 won by Les Bleus (3-1) in 2006.Born in southern Spain but raised in France, the 66-year-old still …
Arlington, July 14 (IANS) As familiar foes, France and Spain will renew acquaintances on the biggest of stages in a FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final showdown at Dallas Stadium, La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente said he knows Le Blues are a much better team than the one they defeated in the Euro 2024 semi-finals. The two teams will face each other for the second time in the final stages of the World Cup after the round of 16 matchup in 2006, which France won 3-1. Since then, the tide has turned,…
Los Angeles, July 11 (IANS) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised the depth, unity and selflessness of his squad after two of his key selection decisions proved decisive in a 2-1 victory over Belgium that sent the European champions into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals on Friday.Fabian Ruiz, who was handed a surprise start in place of Pedri, broke the deadlock before second-half substitute Mikel Merino came off the bench and fired home the winner just two minutes after his introduction after Belg…
New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman announced his resignation after the Dutch were knocked out in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Morocco, marking the end of his second spell with Oranje as manager. Koeman began his first tenure in early 2018, which lasted until mid-2020. He returned for a second term in early 2023 after the World Cup in Qatar, where the Netherlands had made the quarter-finals. “I made the decision to bring my time as national team coach of the…
London, May 29 (IANS) England forward Bukayo Saka believes the current Three Lions squad possesses the right mix of talent, competition, and togetherness as they continue their pursuit of a first FIFA World Cup title since 1966.Having featured in three major tournaments already, Saka said England’s recent near misses have only strengthened the squad’s determination to finally go all the way at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.“We know there’s an expectation, but what’s important is…
Madrid, May 18 (IANS) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has suffered a major setback ahead of naming his World Cup squad after FC Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez was ruled out of the tournament with a broken foot.Lopez fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during the 3-1 win against Real Betis on Sunday. The Spanish champions announced that Lopez will have surgery, but did not give a timeframe for his return.”Fermin Lopez suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his righ…
Manchester, April 30 (IANS) Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new long-term contract that will keep him at the club until 2031, ending months of speculation surrounding his future with the top English club.The 21-year-old England international had previously signed a deal in 2023, just before breaking into the first team. That contract was set to run until 2027, with an option to extend by another year. However, uncertainty emerged earlier this season when Mainoo struggled …