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US goalkeeper Freese blunder gifts Belgium third goal in World Cup exit
The United States suffered a defensive collapse against Belgium in a last-16 tie at the 2026 World Cup, with a goalkeeping error handing the Belgians a decisive third goal. USA goalkeeper Matt Freese made a serious misjudgement, gifting possession to Belgium’s Hans Vanaken, who was left with a simple finish. The moment, described as a…
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Keir Starmer contacted FIFA over England match after Trump red card row
The OutKick opinion piece argues that FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card ban — allowing the US striker to play on at the 2026 World Cup — was legitimate rather than the scandal European critics claimed. It matters because the ruling drew furious reactions from Belgium’s football federation, UEFA and pundits, and because…
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Nolan Wells, 18, found dead after July 4 boating trip off Mississippi
Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old student athlete, has died after going missing during a July 4 boating trip off the coast of Mississippi. His mother, Christine Wonsley, shared photographs of her son celebrating on a boat with friends just hours before he disappeared, drawing wider attention to a story that has resonated as a sudden…
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Spain reach World Cup quarter-finals as late goal sinks Portugal
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Brailsford villagers fear encirclement by 132,000-panel Derbyshire solar farm
Residents of Brailsford, a Derbyshire village recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book and one of Britain’s oldest settlements, fear their community will be “imprisoned” by a large proposed solar farm. British Solar Renewables (BSR) has applied to install 132,000 panels across almost 300 acres of farmland immediately east of the village — an area likened…
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Spain reach World Cup quarter-finals as substitute Merino sinks Portugal late
Having battled back from injury to make the World Cup, the matchwinner’s goal was a deserved payoff for unsung sacrificesAnd then, suddenly, there was Mikel Merino circling the corner flag again, another marvellous moment to emulate his father Ángel Miguel and embrace his son Marco. To hold those who got him here and the whole…
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Balogun suspension overturned by FIFA after Trump claims intervention role
After 10 years as Fifa president, could the Folarin Balogun controversy tip the balance against Gianni Infantino? Don’t bet on it.
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Colonised Cameroonian: Mbappe condemns Paraguayan senator over racist slur
French footballer Kylian Mbappé has become embroiled in an international row after a Paraguayan senator posted racist remarks about him following France’s 1-0 World Cup win over Paraguay on 4 July in Philadelphia, where Mbappé scored a 70th-minute penalty. The episode matters because it saw a serving elected official direct openly racist abuse at one…
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US and Belgium meet in Seattle for World Cup last-16 knockout tie
The Guardian’s live blog covers the USA v Belgium last-16 tie at the 2026 World Cup, held in Seattle. It matters because it is a knockout game with a quarter-final place at stake, and because the co-hosting USA have unexpectedly captured public support with strong performances, making this one of the tournament’s marquee ties. Both…