World Cup News

MARCUS RASHFORD was upstaged by Atletico Madrid’s two Premier League ex-pats. Julian Alvarez, another who swapped Manchester for Spain, struck a first half free-kick to set Atletico on course for a Champions League upset. Alexander Sorloth, the former Crystal Palace flop, then made certain of the first leg advantage against 10-man Barcelona, who played the...

The English Premier League has officially guaranteed a minimum of five entrants for next season's UEFA Champions League following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Sporting CP.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior was heavily criticized by Rafael van der Vaart following the loss to Bayern Munich. The 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu left Real Madrid on the brink of elimination in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Vinicius Junior came under heavy criticism after the match from Rafael van der Vaart. “Vinicius is horrible,” the former Dutch midfielder said during an appearance on Ziggo Sport following Tuesday’s Champions League match in Spain. “He annoys me to no end when I see him.” Van der Vaart went on to explain the reasons behind his criticism of the Brazilian winger. “As soon as he gets a little push, he throws himself down, hoping to see a red card for the opponent, and then gets up as if nothing happened,” he said. However, the former Ajax and Real Madrid player did not hesitate to acknowledge Vinicius’ talent on the field. In fact, he emphasized how that behavior detracts from his ability: “That’s the part that I find sad about him. I find it incredibly sad because he’s a fantastic player.” Rafael Van der Vaart playing for Real Madrid in 2010. Vinicius’ performances this season Criticism of Vinicius is common, and in most cases it is not related to his performances on the field or his ability on the ball, but rather to his behavior. The 25-year-old winger has often drawn the frustration of opponents, who believe he does not always conduct himself with respect. However, Vinicius’ on-field production is beyond question, and that is reflected in his numbers. Even in a season in which Real Madrid have posted disappointing results and gone through a coaching change, the Brazilian has stood out: Vinicius has recorded 17 goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances. Van der Vaart knows what he’s talking about Criticism of Vinicius Junior coming from Rafael van der Vaart carries added weight compared to most opinions. The former Dutch international speaks from experience, having played for Real Madrid and understanding the club’s culture and its fanbase. Van der Vaart began his professional career at Ajax in 1999 before moving to Hamburger SV six years later, where his performances prompted Real Madrid to pay around $15 million for him. In Spain, he spent two seasons with the club between 2008 and 2010, making 73 appearances, scoring 12 goals, and winning one title.

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.

There is a concept in ancient Stoic philosophy called Amor Fati. Love of fate. The idea that a person of true character does not merely tolerate what the world throws at them. They do not grit their teeth and endure it. They embrace it. They walk toward the fire and find it warm. Marcus Aurelius… The post Lamine Yamal: The Boy Who Skipped the Development Curve first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

The tactical impact of Raphinha’s absence on Barcelona is profound, with the team looking weaker, slower, and far less aggressive. As a key component of Hansi Flick’s system, his absence does not just remove an attacker — it disrupts structure. Introduction Injuries are part of football, but timing defines their significance. With Barcelona… The post Raphinha’s Injury: Tactical Impact on Barcelona Ahead of the Champions League Quarterfinal first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Jimbo is joined by Art De Roché, Liam Twomey and Daniel Storey to discuss Tuesday night's Champions League action. Bayern beat Real Madrid 2-1 in an end to end encounter at the Bernabéu. It could have been more for Bayern and yet Mbappe could have got a hat-trick too, with both teams racking up 20 shots each. Are Bayern the team to beat? Is Harry Kane the best in the world? Meanwhile in Lisbon, Arsenal fought hard against an impressive Sporting Clube to earn a revitalising away win in the Estádio José Alvalade, via a stoppage time goal made by two substitutes Martinelli and Havertz. How big a difference did David Raya make? Plus an EFL roundup, Ramsey retires, Mudryk trains and a tribute to Mircea Lucescu. Produced by Charlie Jones and Jesse Howard. • PART 1: Rundown of the results (0.40) • PART 2: Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern (3.45) • PART 3a: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal (20.20) • PART 3b: Ramsey retires & where’s Mudryk? (27.40) • PART 4a: A tribute to Mircea Lucescu (40.15) • PART 4b: EFL roundup (41.30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can your kid really train in Barcelona, or are parents sometimes chasing the wrong thing? In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Hason is joined by Patrick Ouckama and Barcelona-based coach Nil Congost of EOS Football to unpack what U.S. soccer families often misunderstand about Spain, Catalonia, and elite player development. This is not a fantasy conversation about famous badges. It is a real discussion about what actually shapes players: culture, pressure, decision-making, training with purpose, and the difference between looking technical and actually helping the team in the game. Nil explains: • what makes Catalonia such a strong football environment • why promotion and relegation change standards • why many players train a lot but still do not transfer it to the game • what kind of American player can benefit from training in Spain • why purposeful training matters more than empty repetition If you are a soccer parent thinking about academies, Spain trips, elite environments, supplemental training, or long-term development, this episode gets underneath the image and into the reality. Chapters 0:00 Can Your Kid Really Train in Barcelona? 1:36 Nil Congost’s Path and EOS Football 4:36 What Catalonian Football Really Means 7:36 Why Barcelona Pulls American Families 9:51 How Relegation Changes the Standard 13:52 Why Every Drill Needs Real Challenge 18:28 The Missing Link in U.S. Development 22:52 Technical Training vs Real Game Transfer 28:42 If Training Has No Purpose, It Isn’t Football 33:54 How Nil Builds Sessions That Actually Teach 39:28 What American Players Gain From Catalonia 44:20 Which Players Benefit Most From Spain 52:52 When the System Becomes Bigger Than the Player 54:06 EOS Football, U.S. Camps, and Final Thoughts #SoccerParents #YouthSoccer #PlayerDevelopment #Barcelona #MLSNEXT Connect with coach: instagram @nilcongost @eosfootballgroup @eosfootball.california mail [email protected] [email protected] whatsapp +34 609 947 109

The Premier League has guaranteed itself a fifth Champions League slot for next season. English sides have been rewarded for their place in the UEFA Coefficient Table by being handed a European Per…

He wasn't having any of it...

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid is shaping up to be an absolute thriller 🔥 Lamine Yamal is already showing flashes of greatness— comparing his magic to Ronaldinho 👀 With both teams attacking from both ends, this Champions League clash could explode with goals. Expect high intensity, elite skill, and a serious chance for BOTH teams to score 💥 Could we see over 3.5 goals? This one might get crazy fast. 👇 Drop your prediction in the comments! #barcelona #atleticomadrid #championsleague #lamineyamal #footballshorts #soccerpredictionstoday

Bayern Munich and Freiburg's European ties against Spanish opposition in the 2025/26 quarter-finals will be extra important as the Bundesliga look to secure an extra UEFA Champions League qualifying spot for the following season.

SPANISH arch-rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid do battle at the Camp Nou tonight in the Champions League quarter-finals. SunSport’s betting experts have previewed the clash and picked out the best betting tips, odds and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading bookmaker partners. New customers can also claim some of the best football betting sign-up offers...

Steven Gerrard admits he would welcome Luis Diaz back at Liverpool and believes the club have no chance of signing Michael Olise this summer.

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.

Alvaro Arbeloa has urged anyone who does not believe Real Madrid can turn around their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich to “stay in Madrid” for the second leg. Los Blancos lost the quarter-final first leg 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe keeping Madrid’s hopes alive after earlier goals from Luis Diaz and […] The post Arbeloa: Anyone who doesn´t believe in Champions League comeback should stay in Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal have guaranteed the Premier League a fifth Champions League spot for next season by beating Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory in Portugal on Tuesday night. Kai Ha…

MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out of the Premier League International Cup after their Under-21s manager's sweeping subs backfired. Real Madrid stunned Old Trafford by overturning a two-goal deficit to eliminate United with a crushing 4-2 quarter-final victory. Adam Lawrence’s strong starting XI were in cruise control after early goals from Jack Moorhouse and Shea Lacey inside...

Lamine Yamal, the Spanish government, and the Spanish FA have all spoken out against the chanting

The refereeing committee in Spain (CTA) has ruled that Barcelona defender Gerard Martín should have been sent off in Saturday's 2-1 LaLiga win over Atlético Madrid.

Thibaut Courtois has missed Real Madrid's Champions League match against Bayern Munich due to a thigh injury.

Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish FA after "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants during a friendly between Spain and Egypt last month.

FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] after Islamophobic chants were heard during their friendly with Egypt last week.

The London Card Show is back and bigger than ever before as it prepares for its first event at Excel London. Once hosted in a sports hall, it’s now set to welcome thousands of trading card co…

The chants of 'Muslim he who does not jump' against Egypt will be investigated by FIFA in disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish FA Leer

Verdict: Home win Best odds: 27/50 Bookmaker: Olympusbet Barcelona host Atlético Madrid at Camp Nou on Wednesday night as the two Spanish heavyweights meet in the first leg of their Champions League quarter‑final. The encounter comes just days after their latest domestic clash, which saw Robert Lewandowski strike late to earn Barça a 2–1 La […] The post Prediction: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.

On Tuesday, Spain’s National Court said the players protest “did not constitute a strike” and was instead "freedom of expression".

Como are currently enjoying an incredibly good season in the Serie A, and much of that is obviously down to the quality of the work head coach Cesc Fabregas has done at the club. The words of the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder, a World Cup winner and a two-time European champion with Spain, […] The post First-team coach Cesc Fabregas speaks to Como academy players (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

Antony reignited his career at Real Betis after his Manchester United nightmare but the Brazilian is now struggling in Spain with the World Cup just around the corner

Spanish fans in Catalonia were warned about the chants during the game. The songs were condemned by Spain's Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim.

Join Ben Symes, David Wilson and roving reporter Matthew Brennan on this week’s episode of the Green Scene, your one-stop shop for all things Irish football. Matthew reports from Carton House where he was talking to some members of Manchester United, and what their friendly with Leeds United at Croke Park means for Irish football. After a big week for the Irish contingent in the EFL, the lads look back on the impact of Jack Moylan and ponder whether he could be involved in the camp in Spain in May. There is news of Jaden Umeh ripping it up in Portugal, whilst Mason Melia makes his first bow in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt. And with Owen Elding continuing his fine start to life at Hibernian, the lads chat about who else could come into the Irish senior team of a possible English persuasion. And as ever, we are looking for your inspiration to help us, fancy getting in touch? You can do so by emailing [email protected] Contact us on socials @offtheball across all our platforms. Or if you want to contact us directly message the @offtheball.football account on Instagram. And as ever, we are on WhatsApp on 087 9 180 180. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join The Green Scene on Off The Ball is brought to you by Cadbury, proud sponsor of the Republic of Ireland football teams.

Chelsea have been advised to sign a 'phenomenal' Real Madrid player to fix one of Liam Rosenior's biggest problems at Stamford Bridge.

The 2028 UEFA European Championship will be spread across four different nations for the first time as Spain aim to defend their title. With the World Cup not far away, it should be an automatic re…

Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals this week having made history in the round of 16. Their 7-2 second-leg win at home to Newcastle was the biggest by a Spanish side against an English opponent in 60 years.

Rio Ferdinand is pleased to see Marcus Rashford back in form and says Barcelona would be 'robbing' Man Utd by signing the forward for £26m.

David Raya admitted there was little he could do but accept Mikel Arteta's controversial decision to leave his first choice goalkeeper out of his starting line-up for the Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City.

The Euro Show is back with Jimbo joined by the usual team of Seb Stafford-Bloor, Pol Ballus, James Horncastle and Tom Williams to discuss what’s going on in the continent. A stoppage time winner for Mallorca against Real Madrid means Barcelona are seven points clear at the top of La Liga, after they came from behind to win 2-1 at Atletico. In Italy, there’s a statement win at the top for Inter as they beat Roma 5-2 and further reaction to the Azzurri failing to qualify for a third World Cup in a row. PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 stretches to four points after Lens lose 3-0 in Lille. And in Germany, Bayern Munich also grab a late winner and there’s a nine-goal thriller between Leverkusen and Wolfsburg. Plus the team look ahead to some mouth-watering Champions League Quarter Finals this week. Produced by Lucy Oliva and Xavi Bird. RUNNING ORDER: PART 1: Moments of the week (7mins) PART 2: La Liga review – Mallorca topple Real + Barca beat Atleti (20 mins) PART 3: Ligue 1 review – PSG go four clear (43 mins) PART 4: Serie A review – Azzurri misery + Inter’s big win (1:00:00) PART 5: Bundesliga review – Bayern win + Wolfsburg woe (1:17:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ideal solution for United this summer?

Barcelona star Yamal spoke out against the "intolerable" Islamophobic chanting heard during his side’s friendly with Egypt

HANSI FLICK has refused to be drawn on Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona future — even after the forward fired the Catalans SEVEN points clear at the top of La Liga. The Manchester United loanee, 28, drew Barca level against rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday night before Robert Lewandowski snatched a late winner. The 2-1 victory at...

Liverpool have yet to tie Ibrahima Konate down to a new contract amid interest from Spain but the defender wants to have his future sorted out by the time the World Cup kicks off

Sevilla are two points above Elche, who are 18th in the standings and occupy the final relegation spot with eight games to play. And their fans took it upon themselves to confront the players.

The duel at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona represented a collision of two distinct tactical universes that have begun to converge under the modern constraints of the 2026 season. Hans-Dieter Flick’s Barcelona arrived with a clear intent to impose a high-tempo positional game, while Diego Simeone’s Atlético, despite their evolving identity, […] The post Atlético Madrid Vs Barcelona [1–2] – La Liga 2025/2026: Pressure, Width & Control Seal The Title Statement – Tactical Analysis appeared first on Total Football Analysis.

Zinedine Zidane's return to management is imminent, with the France job supposedly his, but according to reports in Spain he has been heavily pursued by one Premier League club in the past.

Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere has made an impassioned plea for his former protege Max Dowman to make England’s World Cup squad. The Hatters’ head coach, who played Dowman as a 13-year-o…

Should he be included?

A young buck from Spain, schooled at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy before winning it all at club level, is rather underappreciated among the established order.

Sunday’s football schedule is headlined by the FA Cup quarter-final between West Ham and Leeds United, but there is also action in Scotland and some high-quality matches in the leading league…

Robert Lewandowski shouldered home a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid slipped up. Second-placed Real were beaten 2-1 at Mallorca earlier on and Barca capitalised at the Metropolitano stadium to take a big step […] The post Barca moves clear in LaLiga as Real Madrid stumbles appeared first on Soccer America.

Highlights of the LaLiga match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.