Fotbolls-VM 2026

BBC Sport Football · 2026-06-17 23:15

'If we lose, we lose in our way' - how Tuchel inspired England at half-time

England players were on the receiving end of a half-time reproach from manager Thomas Tuchel as their World Cup campaign got off to a victorious start against Croatia.

Sportbladet · 2026-06-17 23:01

Skarp kritik mot fotbolls-VM:s finalarena

Riktar skarp kritik ✓ ”Deathlife Stadium”

The Guardian Football · 2026-06-17 22:56

Bellingham, England’s man for elite moments, kicks over the console table | Barney Ronay

Goal against Croatia in his side’s World Cup opener was an angry one with a rising sense of inevitability And breathe again. For the opening 45 minutes under the giant Victorian train station roof at the Dallas Stadium, England produced a performance that was a bit like watching one of those YouTube videos where an awkward and frightening Chinese robot has learned how to dance like Michael Jackson. Dogged and occasionally convincing, but the kind of spectacle that does generally end with the robot falling off the stage. England didn’t just play like machines in that first half. They played like faulty machines, scared machines, contributing almost zero free-form football to a 2-2 half-time score that included two Harry Kane set-piece goals; the first a set piece from a set piece, a penalty after a corner, set piece squared. Continue reading...

BBC Sport Football · 2026-06-17 22:56

England hit four in World Cup opener against Croatia

England make a winning start to their World Cup 2026 campaign, beating Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling match in Dallas.

BBC Sport Football · 2026-06-17 22:51

'Scared to take him off' - Ronaldo struggles after fellow superstars sparkle

Three superstars delivered for their countries at the World Cup on Tuesday. But Cristiano Ronaldo could not follow suit on Wednesday as Portugal were held to a surprise draw by DR Congo.

The Guardian Football · 2026-06-17 22:19

England 4-2 Croatia: World Cup 2026 Group L player ratings

Harry Kane was in fine form while Dominik Livakovic stopped the scoreline running away from Croatia Jordan Pickford Could have done better with Baturina’s goal. Made crucial late save to keep England ahead but looked shaky. 6 Continue reading...

The Guardian Football · 2026-06-17 22:01

England surge to thrilling opening win in World Cup cracker with Croatia

Thomas Tuchel made it plain that when the stress came with the serious business of World Cup matches, he believed his England team would thrive. What had gone before, especially in the friendlies, was little more than a distraction. Here in the Lone Star state, which tallies with what England have on their shirts, it was time to make a statement about that second star. There was a fair helping of stress against Croatia, the 11th best team in the world and the highest ranked pot two nation in the tournament – particularly in the first half. It was down to defending that was simply too open and generous. A seesaw opening 45 minutes ended 2-2, Harry Kane scoring England’s goals, the first from a retaken penalty. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa replied for Croatia. England were powerful on corners. The overall sense in open play was one of confusion. Continue reading...

The Guardian Football · 2026-06-17 21:28

All-time greatest: who is the highest goalscorer in World Cup history?

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are vying to become not just 2026 World Cup winners but also the greatest goalscorers in the history of the tournament. Here’s how they compare with others on the all-time list Golden Boot: World Cup 2026 top goalscorers Lionel Messi started his 2026 World Cup campaign with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. The trio of strikes gave him a career total of 16 World Cup goals, equalling the existing record held by Miroslav Klose. It’s reasonable to expect the Inter Miami player to set a new mark this summer but he is being chased hard by Kylian Mbappé. He scored twice in France’s opening match victory against Senegal, giving him a total of 14 goals since his competition debut eight years ago. Continue reading...

The Guardian Football · 2026-06-17 19:28

Yoane Wissa gives DR Congo first ever World Cup point in draw with Portugal

The clock was about to hit 83 minutes when Roberto Martínez rolled the dice one last time. His team certainly needed extra movement up front so it hardly confounded logic that Gonçalo Ramos was stripped and ready. What made less sense was that Vitinha departed while Cristiano Ronaldo, peripheral save for two earlier half-chances, remained on and slogged his way towards the end of a draw that could check Portugal’s summer ambitions. Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his No 7 shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately they had to settle for being under the same roof. Perhaps they expected a repeat of Lionel Messi’s staggering performance the previous night but Ronaldo did little to assuage concerns that his presence, once glorious, is nowadays a dead weight. The watching Gianni Infantino could have been forgiven for wondering whether Fifa’s contortions in freeing him from suspension for this game had been worthwhile. Continue reading...