World Cup News

The Croatian star recalled his debut against Argentina and highlighted one of his toughest opponents. Leer

Netflix unveiled its upcoming releases for 2026 and 2027 and confirmed the premiere of a film chronicling Martínez's career, from his early matches to becoming a hero of the Argentine national team. Leer

The performance of Manuel Neuer with Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League has sparked debate in Germany over whether he should be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was built, in part, on Manuel Neuer’s performance. That put the veteran goalkeeper back in the spotlight, fueling debate over whether he should return to the Germany national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “This version of Neuer is world-class; he belongs in the national team,” said legend Lothar Matthaus after the match, according to Marca. He also sent a message to the Germany head coach: “I hope Nagelsmann watched the match. I would love to see Neuer in this kind of form at the World Cup… but I also know that won’t happen. Nagelsmann won’t open that door.” That push comes nearly two years after Neuer’s retirement from international soccer. He chose to close that chapter of his career following Germany’s elimination from UEFA Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Spain. In that way, the goalkeeper said goodbye to Germany after 15 years, having first been called up in 2009. During that span, he played in four World Cups and four European Championships, and won the sport’s biggest prize at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. In total, he made 124 international appearances and recorded 54 clean sheets. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. “The best players have to go to the World Cup, and Manu is by far the best goalkeeper in the world,” said former star Benedikt Howedes, who was Neuer’s teammate at the 2014 World Cup. Even a current Germany and Bayern Munich player, Aleksandar Pavlovic, shared his view: “I would never say no to Manu, no matter his age. He is still an exceptional goalkeeper.” What did Neuer say about a possible return to Germany? Those calls for Manuel Neuer’s return to the Germany national team generated enough speculation that the 40-year-old goalkeeper addressed the topic himself after the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. “Everything has already been said about it,” Neuer replied when asked about a potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he chose to focus on his club objectives: “What matters now is finishing the rest of the season with Bayern. I’m enjoying my time with the team, at the club, with the coaching staff. It’s true that I’m 40 years old, but I’m still here.” How have Germany replaced Neuer? Since Manuel Neuer’s international retirement, Julian Nagelsmann has been forced to test different options in goal for Germany. Over the past two years, the coach has used three different goalkeepers in official matches and friendlies. The most-used has been Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, with a total of 11 appearances. Behind him is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has managed just four matches due to injury issues during his time with Barcelona, which have also kept him sidelined at Girona. The third goalkeeper selected by Nagelsmann is Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel, who has featured in three matches.

Maguire is suspended for the clash.

The 26-year-old Argentina forward looks set for a decisive few months, beginning with a Champions League quarter-final at Barcelona

2026 World Cup Leer

Ecuador se impuso ante Uruguay y sumó tres puntos importantes para mantenerse líder en la tabla. Colombia superó a Chile por la mínima y escaló posiciones en el Grupo A. La CONMEBOL Sub17 2026 disputó la primera jornada del Grupo A correspondiente a la Fecha 3, este martes 7 de abril, en el estadio CARFEM de Ypané – Paraguay. La selección ecuatoriana venció 2-1 a Uruguay y se mantiene como líder de la tabla. Por su parte, Colombia superó 1-0 a Chile en un duelo parejo, imponiéndose por la mínima diferencia para quedarse con tres puntos importantes en su camino hacia la clasificación. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) Próxima jornada – 8 de abril – Fecha 3 | Grupo B: Bolivia vs. Perú – Estadio Ameliano, Villeta. Venezuela vs. Argentina – Estadio Ameliano, Villeta. Ecuador 2-1 Uruguay - Grupo A Ecuador superó 2-1 a Uruguay en el duelo inaugural de la jornada y se mantiene como líder del grupo. Jhon Chica abrió el marcador para Ecuador a los 12’, mientras que Nicolás Scotti igualó a los 28’ para la ‘Celeste’. En la segunda mitad, Steven Guerrero anotó a los 67’ y selló el triunfo para la ‘Tri’. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) - Números del partido - Ecuador ganó cuatro de sus últimos seis partidos contra Uruguay en CONMEBOL Sub17 (2D), después de haber ganado solo uno de sus anteriores cinco duelos con la Celeste en el torneo (2E 2D). Desde 2009, Ecuador arranca un CONMEBOL Sub17 sin derrota en sus primeros tres partidos (2V 1E) por cuarta vez, tras 2011 (2V 1E), 2015 (3V) y 2019 (2V 1E). Hólger Quintero (1G 1A) es el primer jugador de Ecuador que marca y asiste en esta edición del CONMEBOL Sub17, mientras que Nicolás Scotti (1G 1A) es el primero que lo hace para Uruguay en el torneo en 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdtXlEVNX10 Colombia 1-0 Chile - Grupo A Colombia se impuso 1-0 a Chile y escaló posiciones en la tabla del Grupo A. José Escorcia anotó el único tanto del encuentro a los 49' de la primera etapa. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) - Números del partido - Colombia anotó su segundo gol de penal en las últimas dos ediciones del CONMEBOL Sub17, con la apertura del marcador hoy ante Chile. De hecho, solo el conjunto colombiano y el chileno tienen más de un gol por esta vía en este lapso, ambos con dos. Colombia realizó 25 remates ante Chile en este partido, la mayor cantidad de disparos en un encuentro de la actual CONMEBOL Sub17, junto a lo hecho por Paraguay ante Ecuador. Colombia extiende su invicto actual en CONMEBOL Sub17 a cinco partidos (3V 2E), su mejor racha en el torneo desde una similar en 2009 (3V 2E). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c60Vh-zLkU – Dónde ver – Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) CONMEBOL.com/OPTA

Italy legend Dino Baggio shared his opinion on why Diego Maradona is considered even better than Lionel Messi. Approaching the end of his professional career, Lionel Messi is regarded by many as the greatest player of all time. However, in that debate, other heavyweights come into play, such as Diego Maradona, whom Italy icon Dino Baggio considered the number one. During an interview with Diario AS, the former Juventus and Parma midfielder was asked about his view of modern soccer, particularly Serie A, comparing it with the 1980s and 1990s. Baggio acknowledged that it was more difficult to play in Italy back then: “Perhaps Messi could have had problems here in his day.” That led the conversation toward the differences in soccer over the years. Dino based his opinion on the fact that a few decades ago referees were more lenient when it came to physical contact, resulting in a harsher sport for talented players. “Today, fouls are called before contact, practically,” Baggio noted, before highlighting who he considered the best player in the world during those years. “Maradona, in modern times, would score a thousand goals per season. You can’t imagine what they would hit him with when he was at Napoli,” said the 1994 FIFA World Cup finalist. Dino Baggio playing for Italy vs England in a World Cup qualifier in 1997. Immediately, Dino Baggio compared the two Argentine superstars and pointed out the difference between them: “Messi, back then, would have been equally brilliant, but completely, absolutely crushed. That’s why I say Diego was the greatest. The God of world soccer.” Comparisons between Messi and Maradona Dino Baggio is not the first to highlight the contrast between the leniency of the past and the extreme caution of modern soccer. This is usually one of the arguments used to place stars from previous decades, like Diego Maradona, Pele, or Alfredo Di Stefano, above modern geniuses like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Some statistics support this view. FIFA shared an analysis on its official website a few years ago regarding the number of fouls committed in each edition of the World Cup (with records starting in Chile 1962) and the players who were most frequently fouled. There is an indisputable leader in the rankings. Diego Maradona is the player who received the most fouls in World Cup history, totaling 152 across his four tournaments (1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994). He doubles the second player on the list, Lionel Messi, who was fouled 75 times across his five tournaments from 2006 onwards. Further down are Brazil’s Jairzinho (64), Neymar (60), and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (58). The most astonishing fact is that Maradona ranks first, second, and third for the most fouls received in a single World Cup. In Mexico 1986, he was fouled 53 times; in Italy 1990, 50 times; and in Spain 1982, 36 times. Only in fourth place does another player appear—curiously also Argentine—Ariel Ortega, with 33 fouls in France 1998.

El estadio incorpora 148 proyectores LED de última generación, superando los 1900 lux y cumpliendo con estándares internacionales de TV. La nueva tecnología permite espectáculos de luces con sistema DMX, mejorando la experiencia en cada partido. La CONMEBOL completó este martes 06 de abril la última etapa del proceso de modernización del sistema de iluminación del Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera, en Santa Cruz de la Sierra - Bolivia, como parte de su plan de mejoras en infraestructura para competiciones de clubes. Durante la jornada se realizaron las mediciones finales de iluminancia en el campo de juego, tras el comisionamiento y la correcta focalización de los proyectores LED instalados en todo el estadio. La inauguración oficial del sistema se realizará este miércoles 08 de abril, en el partido entre Blooming (BOL) y River Plate (ARG) por la CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026. El sistema cuenta con 148 luminarias modulares de largo alcance, con 1500 W de potencia, alto índice de reproducción cromática (IRC superior a 80) y temperatura de color de 5700 K, en línea con los requerimientos para transmisiones en alta definición. Los resultados obtenidos reflejan niveles de iluminancia vertical superiores a los 1900 lux, garantizando una óptima captación de imágenes para televisión y cumpliendo con las exigencias establecidas por la CONMEBOL, para campos deportivas de primer nivel. Así también, la nueva infraestructura incorpora un sistema de control y automatización DMX, que permite la generación de espectáculos de iluminación mediante la activación individual o grupal de los proyectores, creando escenas dinámicas que pueden sincronizarse con el sistema de sonido del estadio. Estas mejoras se enmarcan en las inversiones realizadas por la CONMEBOL de cara a la Final de la CONMEBOL Sudamericana Santa Cruz 2027, reafirmando su compromiso con el desarrollo del fútbol sudamericano y el fortalecimiento de su infraestructura deportiva. CONMEBOL.com

Midfielder suspended by club for remarks on future Argentinian remains part of leadership group at club Chelsea are open to Enzo Fernández captaining the side again this season and hope to reintegrate the midfielder after his comments over his future. Fernández, who is on Real Madrid’s shortlist as they look to revamp their midfield, was dropped after whipping up a storm during last month’s international break. The Argentina international was not particularly subtle when he mentioned Madrid as the European city in which he would most like to live and praised the former Real Madrid midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. He also angered Chelsea by questioning the departure of Enzo Maresca, who was replaced by Liam Rosenior as head coach in January.

World Cup 2026 takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico in June and July. When will we know who's playing?

Losses to Belgium and Portugal in World Cup tuneups do not bode well for Mauricio Pochettino's plans to reach at least the World Cup semifinals.

Argentina international Lisandro Martinez is also in the squad after missing the last five league games with a calf injury, but both Diogo Dalot and Tom Heaton have not travelled due to illness.

Cristian Romero’s recent behaviour shows exactly why Tottenham are struggling, he is no different than Enzo Fernandez. That’s the view of talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex C…

Gary Lineker defended Enzo Fernandez after he fuelled speculation he wanted to leave Chelsea, suggesting he was keen on joining Real Madrid.

If rival clubs want Cristian Romero, he won’t come cheap. Speaking to Argentinian outlet Cadena 3, Romero’s father confirmed the amount of the Tottenham Hotspur captain’s release …

Talks are progressing at a pace.

ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami and Argentina.

The Argentine's team could not get past a draw in the debut of their new stadium Leer

La Albiceleste debutó con triunfo ante Perú y Brasil cerró la jornada con gran victoria ante la Verde. El 5 de abril continúa la acción con la Fecha 2 del Grupo A, en Ypané. La CONMEBOL Sub17 2026 disputó la segunda jornada, correspondiente a la Fecha 1 del Grupo B, en el estadio Ameliano de la ciudad de Villeta – Paraguay. En el primer encuentro Argentina superó a Perú por 4-1, y en el cierre, Brasil ganó 5-0 a Bolivia. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) Próxima jornada – 5 de abril – Fecha 2 | Grupo A: Ecuador vs. Colombia – Estadio Carfem, Ypané. Uruguay vs. Paraguay – Estadio Carfem, Ypané. Las entradas pueden ser adquiridas AQUÍ. – Perú 1-4 Argentina – Grupo B – Argentina abrió la Fecha 1 del Grupo B de la CONMEBOL Sub17 2026 con victoria 4-1 ante Perú. En el estadio Ameliano de Vileta, el argentino Alan Alcaraz abrió el marcador a los 31’. José Aranda de Perú igualó el encuentro a los 39’, para ir al descanso con paridad. La segunda mitad fue de la Albiceleste; nuevamente Alcaraz sumó un tanto a los 52’, seguidamente Tobías Goytia definió dos tantos más, a los 61’ y 63’. En la Fecha 2, Perú recibirá a Brasil y Argentina tendrá fecha libre. https://youtu.be/lcew_oKiZvM?si=wyRID5fUyLVjZ_Q7 – Números del partido – Tobias Goytia y Alan Alcaraz anotaron los cuatro tantos de Argentina en este partido, convirtiendo dos cada uno. Es la primera vez que en la Albiceleste hay dos futbolistas con 2+ goles en un mismo partido de CONMEBOL Sub17, contando las últimas cuatro ediciones incluyendo la actual. Esta es la séptima vez que Argentina anota cuatro o más goles en un partido de CONMEBOL Sub17. Tres de esas fueron ante Perú, incluyendo las dos últimas (hoy y el 5-0 en abril de 2025). Argentina extiende su invicto ante Perú en CONMEBOL Sub17 a siete partidos, con seis triunfos y un empate. Sin embargo, hoy fue la segunda vez que la Bicolor le logró anotar a la Albiceleste en el torneo (4-2 en marzo de 2011). – Brasil 5-0 Bolivia – Grupo B – Brasil superó a Bolivia en el cierre de la primera fecha de la CONMEBOL Sub17 2026, disputada en el estadio Ameliano de la ciudad de Villeta. Con un dominio de escena claro, los autores para la Canarinha fueron; Eduardo en el minuto 4’, Kauê Furquim con triplete a los 28', 40’ y 51’, y Eduardo Pape a los 32'. Próximamente Brasil se enfrentará a Perú y Bolivia a Venezuela. https://youtu.be/qbjuse4EyTA?si=5GU2JoDtCoKPQ-S1 – Números del partido – Kauê Furquim es el primer jugador de Brasil en anotar tres o más goles en un partido de CONMEBOL Sub17, contando las últimas cuatro ediciones del torneo, haciéndolo hoy ante Bolivia. Brasil corta una racha sin victoria en sus estrenos en CONMEBOL Sub17 de dos partidos (2E, 1-1 ante Uruguay en 2025 y 2-2 ante Ecuador en 2023). Con anterioridad a esta secuencia había ganado sus seis compromisos anteriores en un debut en el torneo. Este 5-0 es la victoria más amplia de Brasil ante Bolivia en CONMEBOL Sub17. Además, la Canarinha no marcaba cinco tantos en un juego del torneo desde 2017, cuando derrotó a Chile por 5-0. – Tabla de Posiciones – Grupos A y B – Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) – Dónde ver – Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) CONMEBOL.com / OPTA

The Three Lions go one better in hotel ratings than Argentina, who will be staying in a nearby hotel during this summer's tournament, which is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada

Enzo Fernandez has been dropped by Chelsea for two matches following his comments about a potential move to Real Madrid.

Now well into the Torneo Apertura, the Uruguayan Championship is beginning to reveal the frontrunners for the seasons first title. While the nation’s two heavyweights, Nacional and Peñarol, maintain their expected tug-of-war at the top, several underdogs are starting to make their presence felt. Chief among them is Deportivo Maldonado. After earning promotion to the […] The post Gabriel Di Noia Tactics At Deportivo Maldonado 2026: Breaking Positional Play With Relational Football – Tactical Analysis appeared first on Total Football Analysis.

Possible Chelsea starting XI against Port Vale, injury team news and how to watch the FA Cup quarter-final on TV and live stream today.

Fernandez’s agent slammed Chelsea’s ​decision, ⁠saying the Argentina midfielder does not understand the punishment

Ally McCoist believes an ex-Premier League player has a straightforward decision to make in the summer transfer window.

Moises Caicedo has become the latest Chelsea star to cast doubt over his long-term future after he was quizzed on a move to Real Madrid.

Chelsea are set to sign Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco

Enzo Fernandez has been dropped for Chelsea's next two games after repeated public comments casting doubt over his future at the club.

Joachim Low has shut down speculation over him taking the Ghana job for the World Cup. The German was linked with the Black Stars vacancy after they sacked Otto Addo, who guided them to the 2026 Wo…

La Comisión de Árbitros de la CONMEBOL informa la sustitución del árbitro principal para el partido entre Junior (COL) vs. Palmeiras (BRA), por la Fecha 1 de la Fase de Grupos de la CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: Facundo Tello (ARG) será reemplazado por Maximiliano Ramírez (ARG).

Gabby Agbonlahor has told Enzo Fernandez to ‘shut up’ and focus on helping Chelsea instead of discussing a potential summer switch. Fernandez has fuelled rumours he could leave Stamford…

The Argentina and Chelsea star revealed how therapy played a key role in his career success. Leer

The first open sale of tickets for the 2026 World Cup final show that FIFA are selling some for just shy of $11,000 – around £8,333. Reports suggest that is the most expensive ticket for gene…

Argentina won its last matches, but did not fully convince Leer

The young Boca Juniors star revealed what it was like to train with the Albiceleste players, especially with the team captain and his Xeneize teammate, Leandro Paredes. Leer

Lionel Messi hailed as 'role model' by Argentina teammate Enzo Fernández espn.in

‘After receiving the money, Argentine football team cheated us. We did not expect such a betrayal from them,’ says Minister

The full schedule of the 2026 World Cup is locked in as the world prepares for the United States, Canada and Mexico to host the tournament

El torneo juvenil se desarrollará del 03 al 19 de abril en las localidades de Ypané y Villeta - Paraguay. Esta competición dará siete cupos directos para el Mundial de la categoría, que se disputará este año en Catar. La CONMEBOL Sub-17 2026 comenzará este viernes 03 de abril en Paraguay, con partidos en el Estadio CARFEM (Ypané) y el Estadio Ameliano (Villeta), sedes de la Fase de Grupos y la Fase Final. En esta edición participarán las diez Asociaciones Miembro de la CONMEBOL: Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay (anfitrión), Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida por CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) A lo largo del torneo, los equipos buscarán no solo el título continental, sino también asegurar su clasificación mundialista. Esta competición otorgará siete cupos directos para la Copa del Mundo de la categoría, que se disputará este año en Catar, convirtiéndose en una instancia clave para las selecciones sudamericanas. Actualmente, Brasil – vigente campeón – es la selección que lidera el historial, al haber ganado catorce ediciones. En la tabla de campeones, Argentina se ubica en el segundo lugar con cuatro consagraciones, mientras que Colombia y Bolivia han conquistado un título en la competición. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) – Partidos de la Fecha 1 – Viernes, 3 de abril - Grupo A: Uruguay vs. Chile - 17:00h (hora local) - Estadio Carfem. Paraguay vs. Ecuador - 20:00h (hora local) - Estadio Carfem. Sábado, 4 de abril - Grupo B: Perú vs. Argentina - 17:00h (hora local) - Estadio Ameliano. Brasil vs. Bolivia - 20:00h (hora local) - Estadio Ameliano. – Formato de competencia – La CONMEBOL Sub17 2026 se disputará en dos fases: Fase Preliminar (Fase de Grupos) y Fase Final (disputas de los 7° y 5° puestos, semifinal, disputa del 3° puesto y final). Todas las fases se jugarán a una sola rueda de partidos. La fase preliminar la disputan los 10 equipos, distribuidos en 2 grupos de 5 equipos cada uno. Clasificarán para la semifinal, los equipos que ocupen las dos primeras posiciones en cada grupo. Los demás equipos de cada grupo disputarán las posiciones del 5° al 7° puesto (se enfrentarán en un cruce entre los 3° y 4° de cada grupo, para determinar los equipos que jugarán por el 5° y 7° puesto). – Clasificación al Mundial – Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) Clasificarán de manera directa a la Copa Mundial Sub17 de la FIFA 2026™, las siete Asociaciones Miembro participantes cuyas selecciones ocupen las siete primeras posiciones de la Fase Final de la CONMEBOL Sub17 2026. En caso de que alguna de las AMPs ubicadas entre las siete primeras posiciones de la Fase Final de la CONMEBOL Sub17 2026 sea el país anfitrión de la Copa Mundial Sub17 de la FIFA 2026™ y por esa razón tenga un cupo garantizado en la competición, la AMP ubicada subsecuente (octavo lugar) en la tabla de posiciones de la Fase Final, será quien ocupe su lugar en la clasificación a la Copa Mundial Sub 17de la FIFA 2026™. – Calendario de Partidos – Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) - Venta de entradas - https://twitter.com/CONMEBOLtorneos/status/2039100435684794872 CONMEBOL.com

Alexi Lalas, David Mosse and Rob Stone are back with a new LIVE episode of State of the Union! We break down another disappointing USA loss in the buildup to the World Cup, this time a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Portugal. The trio discuss the changes to the starting XI made by Mauricio Pochettino and whether we are too close to the World Cup to be tinkering with the team’s tactics. Additionally, with Christian Pulisic being in an extended scoring slump for both club and country, the guys ask what his role within the team is and how the squad and Pochettino can get the best out of him. Finally, we ask the question: has this window changed our minds about the U.S.’s prospects in the World Cup. Can they still make a deep run? After a thorough USA discussion, Alexi, Mosse, and Rob react to the full World Cup bracket and break down the final day of qualifying that saw Türkiye book their place in the USA’s group and Italy failing to qualify AGAIN. All of that and much more in the newest episode of State of the Union.Presented by Zillow #Zillow (0:00) Intro(3:10) U.S. falls to Portugal 2-0(9:41) The Great Keeper Debate: Freese vs Turner(17:32) Are we worried about Pulisic?(22:05) Too Late to Tinker for Pochettino?(37:18) UEFA World Cup Playoffs: Italy falls yet again(48:27) FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Sorry Jamaica(56:28) Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina Friendlies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The crowd gave Messi a standing ovation and pleaded with him to help Argentina win another World Cup

Could holders Argentina be a letdown? Does 41-year-old Ronaldo have a real shot at the Golden Boot? And who are our writers backing to win?

The ongoing international break is giving fans a taste of what is it come at the World Cup this summer and it is just over two months before a ball will be kicked at the iconic event. A whopping 48…

Revealed: How Zambia Beat Bafana To Argentina Friendly Soccer Laduma

It's knockout time! Michael Hamlen from the brilliant 80s&90sFootball is here to look at the first two rounds of Last 16 matches including the first classic of the competition between the USSR and Belgium, Brazil coming to life against Poland, the hosts progressing and Diego warming up for immortality. Mexico v Bulgaria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9JPDvqeMso&t=2s USSR v Belgium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K9R8BLHOXs Brazil v Poland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K726pfbVRW0 Argentina v Uruguay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KDJOIJ2r0&t=5s If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mac Millings makes his tournament debut as England's hopes hang by a thread. Bobby Robson is forced into some changes and, although familiar issues are still apparent early on against Poland, goals change games. And careers. There is also Morocco discovering what can be done when you cross the halfway line, progress for the hosts, Paraguay and Belgium fight to avoid the USSR, Italy remain unconvincing and some love for Jorge Valdano. South Korea v Italy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03ISodmB7jg Argentina v Bulgaria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyy0KjsS0os Mexico v Iraq - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G2xrWF-sIQ Paraguay v Belgium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8opR05tJ-E England v Poland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jcCQetmfAU & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBmpdKC1Ye8 Morocco v Portugal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkauTeF1NA8 If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this sneak peek to a bonus episode of It Was What It Was on Patreon, hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by Professor Matthew Brown (University of Bristol) to deepen the series on Andrés Escobar by tracing how Colombian history, political violence and the drug economy intersect with football. Brown rejects Gabriel García Márquez’s claim that three events defined 20th-century Colombia, while explaining why the 5–0 win over Argentina in 1993 became a tipping point for football as a national identity marker. The discussion covers football’s emergence alongside other sporting cultures, the role of sport after the 1948 Bogotazo and during La Violencia, and Colombia’s later shift into guerrilla conflict and cocaine trafficking. They explore cartel money’s social and sporting influence, the effects of Pablo Escobar’s death and subsequent violence, the symbolic damage of Colombia’s 1994 World Cup collapse, Copa América 2001, and how the 2014 team helped build trust during negotiations leading to the 2016 peace deal, while noting ongoing violence tied to the illegal drug trade. You can listen to the full episode on Patreon On Tuesday, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson return to round off the Colombia series and bring that story to a close. On Wednesday, on Patreon only, the co-hosts continue the World Cup countdown series with an episode on the 1962 World Cup in Chile, looking back at the tournament and some of its key moments. Then on Friday, also on Patreon only, we look back at when Northern Ireland faced Italy in the 1958 World Cup qualifiers. With Northern Ireland preparing for their 2026 World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy, Rob and Jonathan revisit the meeting where Northern Ireland qualified for their first World Cup and discuss the background to Ireland’s football split in the 1950s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this second part two of our three-part special on Colombian football and the tragedy of Andrés Escobar. Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper dissect one of the greatest World Cup qualifying matches ever played: Colombia's stunning 5-0 victory over Argentina at El Monumental in Buenos Aires. This episode explores the dramatic buildup to the match, the hostile reception faced by the Colombian team, and the extraordinary performance that shocked the football world. The discussion then examines the dangerous euphoria that followed, as Colombia began to believe that they could win the 1994 World Cup, and the dark realities of the narco state. You can listen to this episode ad-free over on our Patreon - Follow the link here - or go to Patreon.com and search for It Was What It Was. You will also get access to our World Cup countdown, magazine retrospectives and bonus episodes as well as a monthly Q&A with Rob and Jonathan. 01:39 Colombia's Mindset Before the Match & The Hostile Reception 04:07 The Lineup: Colombia vs Argentina at El Monumental 11:25 The Match Begins: Early Tension & Argentina's Miss 14:05 The Plane Incident: A Bizarre Moment at El Monumental 16:01 GOAL: Rincón Opens the Scoring 17:26 Maturana's Psychological Tactics at Half Time 18:05 GOAL: Asprilla Makes It 2-0 18:47 GOAL: Valencia Volleys In the Third 19:56 GOAL: Asprilla's Exquisite Curler Makes It 4-0 21:00 GOAL: Valencia Completes the Rout - 5-0 22:14 The Monumental Applauds Colombia Off the Pitch 24:32 The Celebrations: 100 Deaths & National Hysteria 30:55 "Now We're F***ed": The Burden of Expectation 33:19 World Champions Before the Tournament Begins 39:25 21 Friendlies & The Cash Grab 44:51 The Dark Side: Meeting With the Cali Cartel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Rank Squad! We thought that with less than 100 days to go now until the World Cup begins this summer, it was time to start to take a look at the tournament in earnest - and the storylines on the pitch that are set to dictate just how this tournament is remembered from a footballing perspective. We split that into three parts. Firstly, we take a look at three of the favourites to win the tournament - holders Argentina, as well as France and Spain - and the narrative threads behind each of their campaigns to come. We look at Argentina's attempt to be the first nation to go back-to-back since Brazil in the 1960's, France hoping to give Didier Deschamps the send-off his illustrious managerial tenure deserves, and Spain looking to begin a new dynasty by backing up their 2024 Euros with a World Cup two years later, just as their Golden Generation did in 2012 and 2014. Then in Part Two, we look at the managers who have traded their club loyalties for a shot at winning the most illustrious tournament of them all at international level - looking at England under Thomas Tuchel, Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti, the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino, and Germany under Julian Nagelsmann. And finally, in Part Three, we dive into the four teams who have qualified for the first time ever - Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan and Jordan - examining their stories, the background, and the manner in which we're expecting them to show up to the party. It's Ranks! And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? (http://patreon.com/ranksfc) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.