24 articles
Arsenal made it four wins from four with a mature 2-0 victory at Sunderland, while Xabi Alonso lamented Chelsea's soft spine after a chaotic 2-2 home draw against promoted Hull City.
Argentina are heavy favourites and unbeaten in seven meetings, but Switzerland arrive without a single deficit all tournament and a defence Colombia could not crack. Here is where the last-eight tie will be decided, and why the goals market is tempting.
Norway have never been this far, and England have never fielded a defence this unsettled. Opta calls it the tightest quarter-final of the eight, and it may come down to whether anyone can handle Erling Haaland.
Deschamps' side beat Morocco to reach the last four, and a win over Spain in Dallas on Tuesday would send France into a third final running. Only two nations in the tournament's history have ever managed it.
France and Spain meet in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas on Tuesday, only the second time they have crossed paths at a World Cup. Their recent knockout history, from Zinedine Zidane's 2006 masterclass to Lamine Yamal's rise, points firmly one way.
Spain won it 2-1, but Opta had them at 17 shots to five and 2.08 expected goals to 0.37. This is the tactical story of a quarter-final the scoreboard kept insisting was close, and never really was.
Norway's Round of 16 win over Brazil, sealed by an Erling Haaland brace, hands the five-time champions their earliest World Cup elimination in 36 years and puts Carlo Ancelotti's reign under scrutiny.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are locked together on seven goals apiece as the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race turns into the tournament's defining storyline.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are tied on seven goals apiece for the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot, with Mbappe holding the tiebreaker edge as Erling Haaland and Harry Kane push from two behind.
The USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina became the most-watched English-language soccer telecast ever, and now Folarin Balogun will miss the Round of 16 test against Belgium after his red card.
Kylian Mbappe surpasses Lionel Messi's record, Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first knockout goal at 39, and Switzerland's Johan Manzambi becomes the youngest player with five goal involvements since Pele.
Folarin Balogun scored then received a contentious red card in USA's 2-0 World Cup win over Bosnia. The USMNT cannot appeal and will face Belgium without their most in-form striker.
The Houston Rockets are central to NBA offseason talk as a young roster with upside and flexibility enters a crowded Western Conference arms race.
Three games in and England have lost all three named right-backs to injury. Harry Kane's goals are carrying the campaign, but the knockouts just got harder.
Tobias Harris has re-entered NBA offseason chatter as the 76ers weigh flexibility, fit, and whether to move a versatile veteran forward.
Jaylen Brown remains one of the NBA's most searched names as Boston's offseason plans, roster math, and championship expectations collide.
Florida Gators recruiting momentum is back in the conversation as the SEC arms race heats up ahead of the next college football cycle.
Nigeria's Super Eagles carry continental expectations into their next fixtures as fans demand results that match the talent in the squad.
Maxx Crosby remains the cornerstone of the Las Vegas Raiders defense as extension talks and roster moves shape the franchise's win-now posture.
Rui Hachimura's future with the Los Angeles Lakers is under scrutiny as the franchise reshapes its roster around a new competitive timeline.
Luke Kennard's shooting skill has put him back on the NBA rumor wire as cap teams and contenders hunt efficient offense off the bench.
Quentin Grimes has entered trade and free agency chatter as contenders look for a young guard who can space the floor and defend multiple positions.
The NBA free agency period has opened with stars still unsigned and contenders holding their breath as the market sorts winners from pretenders.
Walker Kessler's defensive impact has put Utah Jazz trade chatter on the front burner as playoff teams hunt a low-cost anchor at center.
