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Spain were deserved winners of a desperately disappointing World Cup final Ferran Torres' extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina. Author | James Y Stadium | New York New Jersey Stadium The European champions created the clearer chances against the defending world champions, who spent much of the contest disrupting Spain's rhythm and were reduced to 10 players when Enzo Fernandez was sent off moments before extra time. Torres proved the match winner in the 106th minute, collecting substitute Nico Williams' headed pass before firing powerfully past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from close range. A final that promised so much rarely delivered. It became an attritional contest, despite the wider spectacle surrounding the occasion. Watch | Highlights from the BBC US President Donald Trump arrived in New Jersey by helicopter before kick-off, while Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber headlined the first World Cup half-time show, extending the in...

Spain outclass France to book place in World Cup final Spain are through to the World Cup final after producing an assured display to beat favourites France convincingly. Author | James Y Stadium | Dallas Stadium   Luis de la Fuente's side nullified a France team packed with attacking quality, controlled a contest that offered few clear-cut chances and deservedly secured their place in Sunday's final thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. Oyarzabal gave Spain the lead from the penalty spot midway through the first half after France left-back Lucas Digne clumsily caught Lamine Yamal while attempting to clear the ball. The Spain forward calmly dispatched the penalty into the corner and, once ahead, his side tightened their grip on proceedings. Watch | Highlights from BBC Sport France were expected to respond after an underwhelming first half, but it was Spain who continued to dictate the game. Porro exchanged a neat one-two with Dani Olmo before finishing confident...

Merino strikes late again  Spain edged Belgium to reach World Cup semi-finals Author | Peter Grainger Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium Mikel Merino proved Spain's match winner once more as the substitute struck two minutes from time to break Belgium's resistance and send the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals. The Arsenal midfielder had already rescued Spain in the last 16 with a 91st-minute winner against Portugal and repeated the feat in Los Angeles, settling a finely balanced quarter-final with another decisive late contribution. With the contest level at 1-1 and seemingly drifting towards extra time, Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois, could only spill Pau Cubarsi's fierce 25-yard effort. Merino reacted quickest, turning the rebound into the roof of the net from close range after spending just 117 seconds on the pitch following his introduction for Dani Olmo. Watch | Highlights from BBC Sport Fabián ...

Lamine Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first World Cup start This helped Spain secure their first win of the tournament with a convincing victory over Saudi Arabia. Author | James Y Stadium | Atlanta Stadium The Barcelona teenager had come off the bench in Spain's opening Group H match against Cape Verde, but could not inspire the 2010 champions to victory as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw. A closer analysis as Spain get off the mark As expected, the 18-year-old returned to Luis de la Fuente's starting line-up against Saudi Arabia and wasted little time in making an impact. Mikel Oyarzabal's low cross from the left slipped past Saudi Arabia defender Hassan Al Tambakti and was turned in at the far post by Lamine Yamal, who became only the second player aged 18 or younger after Pele in 1958 to score the opening goal in a World Cup match. Spain showed little desire to ease off and doubled their lead through Oyarzabal, who swept a low finish beyond goalkeeper Mo...

No goals but a remarkable 90 minutes in Atlanta. Debutants Cape Verde produced one of the biggest World Cup shocks in recent memory by holding Spain.  Author | Ed Stadium | Atlanta Stadium Cape Verde, the third-smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a World Cup, arrived ranked 67th in the latest FIFA standings and were widely expected to be overwhelmed by second-ranked Spain in their opening Group H fixture. Instead, the reigning European champions struggled to find fluency in attack for long periods and, when they did threaten, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha stood firm with a series of outstanding saves. Spain tried to change things from the bench The introduction of Lamine Yamal as a second-half substitute injected fresh energy into both his side and the Spain supporters inside the stadium. However, the Barcelona teenager, making his first appearance in almost eight weeks after recovering from a hamstring injury, was unable to provide a decisive moment on his World Cup...

The first in a series of articles where our writers explore who might win the World Cup First up, we exmaine the chances of the 2010 winners Spain Author | Jack L Among fans around the world, Spain remain the favourites to win the tournament. There have been a few concerns, most notably the hamstring injury suffered by teenage winger Lamine Yamal, the player many are most eager to see. While the Barcelona star is expected to recover in time to be included in Spain’s squad, any setback could leave them facing a difficult campaign. Spain still possess an abundance of quality and should be capable of easing their way through the World Cup, particularly with a kinder group than some of their rivals. Watch | Spain in qualifying action | Footage from GOALTIME on YouTube  Despite that easy group and some fantastic performances in qualifying, nothing is taken for granted at this level, and shocks remain part of the enduring appeal and mystique of the competition. Can the European champions...

England secured a significant victory over Spain  This means they have seized early control of their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying group. Author | George B Stadium | Wembley Stadium In a meeting that echoed both the Euro 2025 final and the 2023 World Cup decider, two of Europe’s leading sides went head to head for top spot in Group 3. Lauren Hemp set the tone inside three minutes at Wembley, poking home from close range to hand Sarina Wiegman’s side an ideal start. The Manchester City Women winger nearly doubled her tally soon after when a clever backheel from Lucy Bronze created space in the area, only for Hemp to slice her effort narrowly wide. England’s early breakthrough shaped a composed first-half display With the hosts defending with discipline and limiting Spain’s attacking threat. The reigning world champions dominated possession and threatened through Irene Paredes and Ona Batlle, but Hannah Hampton was rarely called into serious action. Watch | Highlights of the mat...

Borussia Dortmund climbed to fourth in the league phase of the Champions League. Serhou Guirassy struck twice in what was a comfortable win over 10-man Villarreal. Author | Michael Haldsworth Stadium | SIGNAL IDUNA PARK The Guinea striker opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time with a close-range header, though Villarreal protested for a handball by Waldemar Anton in the build-up. After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was allowed to stand. The match tilted further Dortmund’s way early in the second half when Villarreal were reduced to 10. Former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth was dismissed for handling on the goalline as he attempted to block Karim Adeyemi’s shot with his chest. Guirassy saw his penalty saved by Luiz Junior, but the rebound sat kindly and he tucked it away. READ MORE | Champions League news and stories from the network Dortmund made it 3-0 six minutes later when a defensive clearance ricocheted off Adeyemi and bounced into the net. They had another oppo...

A very controversial announcement from La Liga  Villarreal’s league match against Barcelona in December could become the first European league fixture to be played abroad. Author | Jack L A classic La Liga match between the sides  Spain’s football federation approved plans to move the game to the United States. The RFEF will now seek permission from Fifa and Uefa to stage the match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which is due to host seven games at the 2026 World Cup. The fixture is currently scheduled for 21 December at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica. The proposal has met strong resistance from supporters. Spain’s football fans’ association, FASFE, has joined with Barcelona and Villarreal fan groups to express “absolute, total and firm opposition” to the move. They have urged the federation and the national sports council to “stop this madness” and warned they would take legal action if the plan is approved. READ MORE | News and stories from European Super Football ...

Chelsea v Real Betis Preview Former Premier League winner Manuel Pellegrini has guided Betis to the 2024-25 final, having overseen the renaissances of Isco and Antony over the past several months, and the former was the star of the semi-finals. Author | Peter Grainger A closer look at that semi-final Real Betis traveled to Italy with a 2-1 lead from the first leg against Fiorentina. They found themselves 2-1 down and facing the possibility of penalties. However, Antony, who had scored with a free kick earlier, provided a crucial assist to Abde Ezzalzouli in the 97th minute, allowing Betis to progress under dramatic circumstances with a 2-2 draw. There are plenty of other familiar names in the Betis squad, this includes goalkeeper Adrian, former Barcelona defender Marc Barta and Switzerland stalwart Ricardo Rodriguez. Who can forget their legend Isco.  READ MORE |  Chelsea's Conference League final preview Unfortunately, that draw marked the beginning of a challenging perio...

Xabi Alonso announced as Real Madrid manager The announcement follows Alonso’s decision earlier this month to step down from his role at Bayer Leverkusen, having guided the German club to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and a domestic cup double in his first full season.  Author - Ajay The former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder returns to the Bernabeu on a three-year contract, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti. It brings to a close Ancelotti’s second spell in charge. Though expected, the departure of the club’s most successful manager is still tinged with melancholy. The transition is complete. Ancelotti, one of the game's most respected figures, now turns his attention to Brazil, while Alonso, the heir apparent, steps into one of football’s most demanding roles. This is more than a change in personnel. It marks the end of one era and the start of another, a quiet passing of the baton from the seasoned elder to the ambitious newcomer. That it happened so seamlessly owes much to Leve...

Mbappé brace keeps Madrid in title hunt ahead of El Clásico The French striker struck twice as Real Madrid edged a nervy 3-2 win over Celta Vigo, ensuring they remain within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona ahead of next weekend’s El Clásico. Author - Ed Carlo Ancelotti’s side went ahead in the 33rd minute, with a short corner routine culminating in Arda Güler curling a deflected effort into the top corner.  The lead was then doubled shortly after, when Mbappé finished emphatically at the end of a swift Madrid counterattack. The Frenchman added a second early in the second half, coolly slotting left-footed past Vicente Guaita after being picked out by an incisive Güler through ball. READ MORE | News from across Spain Madrid appeared to be cruising, but Celta rallied. Javi Rodríguez halved the deficit with just over 20 minutes remaining, pouncing after the hosts failed to deal with a corner. Iago Aspas then rolled back the years with a superb assist, threading a pinpoint...

Jules Koundé struck a sensational extra-time winner as Barcelona edged past Real Madrid to lift the Copa del Rey. This brought an enthralling Clásico in Seville to a dramatic conclusion. Author - Peter Grainger With the match finely poised at 2-2 after 120 minutes and the prospect of penalties looming, the French defender collected the ball 22 yards from goal and rifled a low drive into the bottom corner. The calm before the storm... Barcelona had dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Pedri, who swept in a superb first-time effort from outside the area after a clever cut-back by Lamine Yamal. Real Madrid, however, were transformed following the introduction of Kylian Mbappé. The France international, brought on from the bench, won a free-kick and bent it into the bottom corner via the inside of the post. Aurélien Tchouaméni then put Madrid ahead, rising highest to nod in from Arda Güler’s corner. Barcelona responded with composure. Ferran Torres latched onto a l...

Athletic Club had to settle for a point against a very defensive CA Osasuna. The goalless draw means Athletic are no closer to third-placed Atletico, but keeps them firmly in fourth place, six points clear of Villarreal CF, who they visit next Sunday. Author - Peter Grainger The Rojillos' three-centre-back system made life difficult for the Lions, who were also hampered by goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez who made several fine saves. Osasuna barely threatened, only having a couple of chances between their attacking players. They would have almost certainly taken a point before the match.  The rest of the attacking play was done by Ernesto Valverde's men. Nico Williams went close when he collected a long ball from Unai Núñez before Aitor Fernández turned his low drive behind for a corner. This was proving to be a frustrating afternoon. READ MORE:  Barcelona restore three point lead at top of La Liga That save and a Yuri Berchiche effort were Athletic's only major opportunities...