Daily Archives: July 6, 2026

Belgium are looking for a new beginning at the World Cup against USA

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“The whiff of unfulfilment lingers around Belgium. The Golden Generation – and the fact it never quite achieved what it might have done – has dominated coverage of their last three tournaments. This perhaps isn’t quite fair – either on those who were part of that group or those who have followed. Beating Brazil in the quarter-final to reach the semi-final in Russia 2018 was a fine achievement, but that side featuring Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne then lost 1-0 to France in the semi. The squad was good enough to win a tournament, but that was as close as they came. Courtois, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Axel Witsel and the right-back Thomas Meunier have all endured since 2018. The 2026 Belgium squad is not, as 2022 felt, the Golden Generation redux, just a little bit older and a little bit more tired. …”
Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career ends in tears as Portugal suffer late defeat to Spain

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Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected at the final whistle
“Spain ended Portugal’s World Cup adventure and Cristiano Ronaldo’s career on the most gilded stage in football. A precise finish from Mikel Merino in the first minute of stoppage time sealed a 1-0 victory after a game of few chances looked certain to be heading for extra time. Spain will face the winners of today’s game between the United States and Belgium. Ronaldo, 41, said before this game that this would be his final World Cupand, if that is the case, it was a muted farewell for one of football’s greatest of all time. There were tears from Ronaldo as he left the field at the end of the game. …”
NYT/ATH (Video)
YouTube: Portugal vs Spain Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16

Cristiano Ronaldo: Kathryn Mayorga demands £56m in damages over rape allegation
“… Ronaldo and another man were investigated by the British Crown Prosecution Service after a 2005 rape allegation was brought forward by two women. Within days, the two women withdrew their allegation, and Scotland Yard later issued a statement declaring there was not enough evidence for a prosecution. In April 2017, it was reported that Ronaldo was being investigated by the Las Vegas Police Department for an allegation by a woman that he had raped her in 2009. Documents, confirmed by Ronaldo’s lawyers, state that Ronaldo paid a woman US$375,000 in a non-disclosure settlement. Ronaldo and his lawyers issued a lengthy statement denying all accusations, describing them as an ‘intentional defamation campaign’ with parts significantly ‘altered and/or completely fabricated’, a claim which Der Spiegel categorically denied. In July 2019, Las Vegas prosecutors said they would not charge Ronaldo over allegations of rape; the statement added: ‘Based upon a review of information at this time, the allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.’ …”
Wikipedia
Independent – (Video)
CNN: Rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo ‘not fake news,’ says accuser’s lawyer (Video)
AP: Court says Ronaldo rape lawsuit in Vegas should be dismissed
DW: US judge dismisses Cristiano Ronaldo rape lawsuit
France24: US judge dismisses rape suit against football star Ronaldo
BBC: Cristiano Ronaldo rape allegation: Las Vegas police reopen case

Kylian Mbappe calls out ‘blatant racism’ of Paraguayan senator for ‘colonised Cameroonian’ remark

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Mbappe described Celeste Amarilla as “despicable” after her multiple social media posts following France’s World Cup win over Paraguay on Saturday.
“Kylian Mbappe has described Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla as ‘despicable’ and ‘racist’ after she called the France captain a ‘colonised Cameroonian’ following the World Cup round-of-16 game between the two nations on Saturday. The French Football Federation has said it has reported Amarilla’s comments to the public prosecutor’s office ‘with a view to legal proceedings.’ The Athletic has sought to clarify where such proceedings would take place. Later on Monday, the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry posted a statement on behalf of the country’s government on X criticizing and distancing itself from Amarilla’s comments. …”
NYT/ATH

Ten-man England survive siege of the Azteca to reach quarter-finals in World Cup classic

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“England held on with 10 men to withstand a late bombardment by Mexico in the Estadio Azteca and triumph 3-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The game exploded in six mad first-half minutes. First Jude Bellingham headed in the opener after a brilliant run by Bukayo Saka down the right on 36 minutes, then he exchanged passes with Harry Kane to add his second on 38 minutes. At that point England looked to have one foot in the next round but Mexico pulled one back when Julian Quinones smashed in from a corner after Ezri Konsa had cleared the initial delivery. The co-hosts then laid siege to the England goal, with Jordan Pickford, who had already saved superbly low down from Raul Jimenez earlier in the game, having to be at his best to tip another header over, while Bellingham made a vital interception to hook the ball over the bar as Cesar Montes looked certain to equalise. …”
NYT/ATH
NYT/ATH: Farewell to Mexico, the maddest and most beautiful part of this World Cup
YouTube: Mexico vs England Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16