Chris Whelpdale News

World Cup round-up: Kylian Mbappe sparks brawl, Paraguay 'disgrace' and racism storm

Kylian Mbappe was the target of dirty tactics by Paraguay as the Real Madrid star overcame hostility to fire France into the quarter-finals. France edged past Paraguay 1-0 in a bad-tempered World Cup clash that was overshadowed by brutal tackles and a post-match melee. Emotions boiled over, and both benches emptied at the final whistle as the South American outfit reacted with fury to their exit. Kylian Mbappe endured a heated confrontation with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill during their fiery World Cup knockout encounter . The French superstar eventually overcame Gill by coolly slotting home a second-half spot-kick to clinch victory before subsequently refusing to shake his hand. Gill hurled the ball at him in retaliation before the French ace slammed their unsightly style of play. JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page Pundits Joe Hart and Thomas Hitzlsperger both branded Paraguay a 'disgrace' for their cynical approach throughout the encounter But France overcame the reaction to win and confirm the opening quarter-final matchup. They will meet Morocco at Boston Stadium at 9pm on Thursday after the African nation's 3-0 demolition of Canada on Saturday evening. Canada issued a heartfelt statement recognising that "the hurt is real" after their crushing defeat to Morocco. Despite the devastating exit, the squad thanked their supporters and voiced enormous pride in creating Canadian football history. Here, the Daily Star Sport rounds up the overnight action at the World Cup. The French Football Association (FFF) has issued a strong condemnation of former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert following accusations that he posted a 'racist' comment on social media. Chilavert ignited international fury ahead of the World Cup match by stating his country was gearing up to face a "squad from Africa." FFF chief Philippe Diallo responded on X: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by José Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in our football. “ Canada boss Jesse Marsch has been mocked by fans for a 'cringeworthy' comment after his team were eliminated from the World Cup. The former Leeds United boss said: "What a privilege our fans have had to root a team on like this. [A team] that goes after the game, that doesn't play defensive, that shows that they can be better. "Of course, we have to be in these situations more and more. And then we have to find ways to succeed and build on that. I'd rather be us than them! As good as Morocco is, I'd rather be us. "I'm really proud of our guys, we went after the game. They're hurting right now but I couldn't be prouder." England manager Thomas Tuchel has categorically dismissed ongoing concerns about his team's treatment while competing in Mexico. Instead, he voiced full trust in FIFA's management of the situation, supporting the governing body to guarantee a safe and fair environment for his squad. The England boss also confessed to suffering a "slight headache" as his squad adjusted to the extreme altitude of Mexico City. Despite the physical strain of the environment, the manager maintains confidence that his players are ready to cope with the challenging conditions on the field. Mexico manager Javier Aguirre, on the other hand, rejected suggestions that playing at high altitude in Mexico City will provide his team an unfair advantage over England. Tuchel offered a crucial defensive injury update ahead of his team's World Cup Round of 16 showdown against host nation Mexico. He confirmed that Jarell Quansah has recovered from an ankle twist and is fit to play, but Reece James remains a significant doubt. “Jarrell trained and is fully available,” Tuchel said. “Reece can maybe make it on the bench, but we need a last assessment from the doctors and a medical opinion.” Herve Renard has suddenly stepped down as Tunisia's manager following a turbulent 18-day spell during the 2026 World Cup. His swift exit comes after a catastrophic group-stage campaign that saw the African side prop up their group with three comprehensive losses. He had taken over from the dismissed Sabri Lamouchi following their opening 5-1 hammering by Sweden.

2026-07-05

Real Madrid coach reaches out to Cape Verde star after FIFA World Cup exploits

Cape Verde's breakout star Sidny Lopez Cabral has revealed that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho personally reached out to him during the FIFA World Cup, offering words of encouragement as the midfielder enjoyed the biggest tournament of his career.Sidny, who lit up the Round of 32 clash against Argentina with a sensational curling goal, said Mourinho had messaged him after Cape Verde's impressive performances against Spain and Uruguay, urging him to keep believing in himself. "Mourinho sent me a message after Spain and Uruguay: 'Bravo! Keep going, believe in yourself,'" Sidny revealed after Cape Verde's memorable World Cup campaign.The message has drawn attention after Sidny emerged as one of the surprise performers of the tournament. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, pushed defending champions Argentina to the limit before eventually losing 3-2 after extra time in one of the most dramatic matches of the competition.Sidny's stunning strike against Argentina is among the standout goals of the tournament. Exploiting space down Argentina's right flank, the Cape Verde midfielder curled a superb effort beyond the goalkeeper to level the scores and expose one of the few weaknesses in Lionel Scaloni's side.While the goal grabbed headlines, Sidny suggested Mourinho's faith in him had been building well before that moment.The 23-year-old has previously worked under Mourinho and spoke glowingly about the Portuguese coach's honesty, saying it was one of the qualities he admired the most."He's the one who tells you that you played shit. He's the one who tells you that you played great. I think he's the most honest person I ever met," Sidny said."I believe that if I worked longer with him I could reach my top level."Mourinho's message comes at a time when Sidny's stock has risen considerably after his performances on football's biggest stage. Cape Verde may have exited the tournament, but the midfielder's displays against some of the world's strongest teams have made him one of the breakout names of the World Cup.The player, who operates as a left-back for Cape Verde is ambi-petal in nature and can double up as a right back or a right mid-fielder as well. This should interest Real Madrid, who are hunting for both positions ahead of the new season.Against Argentina, Sidny was one of the few players who consistently troubled the defending champions. His direct running and willingness to attack created problems throughout the match, while his superb finish ensured Argentina were forced into extra time before eventually prevailing 3-2.Argentina ultimately progressed to the Round of 16, with Lionel Messi once again proving decisive, but Cape Verde left the tournament with widespread admiration after taking one of the favourites to the brink.FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News - EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Jul 4, 2026 15:18 IST

2026-07-04

Liverpool signed Jurgen Klopp favourite, Premier League winner and cult hero as free agents

Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah , Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate next season after the trio departed this week upon the expiration of their contracts. But the Reds have taken full advantage of free transfers in the past. The Andoni Iraola era at Anfield will soon begin and with it will come a plethora of changes. Notably, some of Liverpool's most loyal modern servants will have waved goodbye to the club . Robertson, a two-time Premier League winner in red, has joined Tottenham on a free transfer and Salah's nine-year, record-breaking tenure also ended after his contract was terminated a year early. Konate has joined Real Madrid . Whilst free agency has claimed a few casualties this year, in seasons gone by Liverpool have been proficient at securing bargains. The ECHO takes a look at some notable free arrivals on Merseyside in recent times. One of Jurgen Klopp's first signings at Liverpool was a free one, as Joel Matip touched down and signed a four-year deal after his Schalke contract had ended in the summer of 2016. He had struck a pre-contract agreement with the club in February. What a signing Matip turned out to be. Before his arrival, Liverpool's defence, featuring the likes of Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel , had come under fire. But Matip solidified the back line and when joined by Virgil van Dijk in 2018, he helped Liverpool win a Champions League trophy and Premier League title. However, he played a bit-part role in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, starring in just 25 games combined. Matip returned to fitness in the 2021/22 season as Van Dijk's regular partner when the Reds chased down a quadruple but fell narrowly short, claiming a domestic cup double. His last two seasons were injury-hit before he was released in the summer of 2024 and soon announced his retirement from football as a Liverpool cult hero . Another free acquisition, James Milner , also achieved hero status at Anfield. Having arrived from Manchester City in 2015, Milner spent eight seasons at Liverpool, acting as an example to all of his team-mates in fitness and discipline. Milner was beloved by Klopp, who, upon the player's departure in 2023, said: "[It has been] a pleasure and a challenge. In the same moment [it] means a pleasure because of his exceptional attitude, really. "I think for a lot of experienced players you use from time to time the word 'role model'. But Millie is the role model, how he puts himself pretty much in place to be every day 100 per cent ready. It's a pure example; absolutely outstanding." Milner was also a key piece of Liverpool's 2019 Champions League win and 2020 league title. He only retired from professional football in June, aged 40, after three years with Brighton. Kolo Toure brought Premier League-winning experience when he arrived at Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2013. He proved to be an invaluable acquisition for Brendan Rodgers. In his first season at the club, he played a significant role in Liverpool's breathless, unexpected charge for the Premier League title alongside Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard . He made 20 league appearances that year. He, too, would become somewhat of a fan favourite, with his infamous chant and impeccable work ethic. His final game for the Reds was the 2016 Europa League final, in which, despite the 3-1 defeat to Sevilla, he performed admirably. One year with Celtic followed before he hung up his boots. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

2026-07-04

World Cup: Ronaldo consoles Modric as Portugal knock Croatia out in late VAR drama

Cristiano Ronaldo embraced a tearful Luka Modric after Portugal ended Croatia's FIFA World Cup campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory in the Round of 32 on Thursday. Moments after a lengthy VAR review denied Croatia a stoppage-time equaliser, Ronaldo walked across to comfort his former Real Madrid teammate as Modric acknowledged the traveling fans in what could prove to be his final World Cup appearance."I played many years with Modric. It's great to see him still playing at the top level," Ronaldo said after the match. "I told him: Congrats, Luka. Good luck for the future of your career."The emotional scenes followed a dramatic finish in Toronto, where substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home Rafael Leao's cross in the fourth minute of added time to send Portugal into the Round of 16.Croatia believed they had forced extra time when Josko Gvardiol found the net deep into stoppage time, but VAR ruled the goal out after Mario Pasalic was adjudged offside when Igor Matanovic flicked the ball on.Portugal will now face Spain in the Round of 16 after the European champions beat Austria 3-0 earlier on Thursday.Croatia had taken the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic, who finished after Josip Stanisic's cross took a deflection off Ruben Dias. The goal saw Perisic move past Davor Suker as Croatia's highest scorer in World Cup history.Portugal dominated possession for long periods but struggled to find a breakthrough until VAR awarded a penalty for Nikola Vlasic's foul on Renato Veiga. Ronaldo stepped up in the 68th minute and calmly converted, becoming the oldest player to score in a men's World Cup knockout match at the age of 41. It was also the first knockout-stage goal of his World Cup career.Roberto Martinez introduced Ramos midway through the second half, and the striker made the decisive impact. Rising above the Croatian defence, he powered Leao's cross past Dominik Livakovic in stoppage time to put Portugal ahead.Croatia pushed desperately for one final chance and thought they had found it when Gvardiol turned the ball home in the 103rd minute. The celebrations were cut short after a prolonged VAR review detected an offside infringement in the build-up, confirming Portugal's place in the last 16.The result ended Croatia's campaign in heartbreaking fashion. As the players sank to the turf at the final whistle, Modric stood in front of the Croatian supporters, applauding them through tears before Ronaldo crossed the pitch to offer a hug and a few quiet words to his long-time friend, bringing an emotional end to one of the defining careers in World Cup history.FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News - EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Jul 3, 2026 08:18 IST

2026-07-03

Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo Moment Draws Attention After World Cup Match

Thursday night featured a scintillating World Cup Round of 32 match, with Cristiano Ronaldo helping Portugal win 2-1 against Luka Modric and Croatia, in what was setting up to be the final appearance for either star on this stage. One of the major stories throughout the matchup was that Modric and Ronaldo are highly likely to retire from World Cup appearances after this year's event. Modric is 40, while Ronaldo is 41, making it hard to imagine they'd continue playing another event like this in four years. In the crucial game, Croatia appeared to have tied things up late in the matchup, but their goal was disallowed after review, which frustrated fans and the Croatian players, including Modric. Extra time arrived in the game due to the controversial call, and players conversed with the referee or one another. Following the game, Ronaldo comforted his former Real Madrid teammate in what was likely his final World Cup match. Camera crews circled the two international superstars in the powerful moment as their shared a brief chat and hug. More news: Lamine Yamal Sends Clear Message After Spain’s Knockout Stage Win Modric and Ronaldo played at Real Madrid from 2012 to 2018. They appeared in 222 games and won four UEFA Champions League titles as teammates. "No matter the result on the pitch, the brotherhood stays forever. Modric and Ronaldo is a legendary duo," one fan commented on a post showing the moment between the two soccer stars. Another commented, "Legendary, what a matchup, what a game of football, what a masterful performance tonight, none of you deserve to be on the losing side, but then a winner jas to emerge after all. Thanks for the memories GOAT'S." "You can see it on Modric face he knows they were robbed, all the best legend," an X commenter wrote. "Croatia deserves to win this game but I’m sorry modric this is bigger than football better luck next time," someone wrote. This was Modric's fifth World Cup appearance for Croatia, who have never won the massive event. During his appearances, Modric has 19 goals, won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup, and the 2022 Bronze Ball. Croatia finished as the runner-up team in 2018, losing to Kylian Mbappe and France in the final. In 2022, they finished third-best in the tournament. With a controversial disallowed goal bringing a loss in Modric's potential final appearance, this seemed like a huge farewell moment for one of soccer's greats on the international stage. More news: Mauricio Pochettino Disputes Folarin Balogun Red Card in USMNT Win For more about the World Cup, head over to Newsweek Sports.

2026-07-03

Arsenal warned William Saliba will make Real Madrid transfer move - 'The door is open'

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly is adamant William Saliba will one day play for Real Madrid after declaring him the world's best centre-half. Saliba has flourished at the Emirates ever since becoming a regular in 2022, which came after several loan spells away. He now forms a centre-half partnership with Gabriel that has been regarded as the best in Europe. Arsenal claimed Premier League glory last season with their defensive solidity the foundation of their success. Desailly now believes that Saliba has marked himself out as the best in the world in his position, exceeding the likes of Virgil van Dijk, who had been the standard for so long. The Frenchman also suggested that Gabriel's plaudits come off the back of him playing alongside Saliba. The ex-Chelsea captain Desailly told Sportscasting : "Who do I think is the best centre-back in the world? It's not Virgil van Dijk. "He has his level, we know, there's no doubt he's a great defender. But on some occasions, he has shown a little bit of weakness. "I would put William Saliba there, even though he has some problems with his back, I think he's in the conversation for the world's best centre-back. Saliba is definitely one of the best ones. Gabriel is only there because of Saliba – so Gabriel, no, he's not in the conversation. "Who else can we say? At Manchester United , there's nothing. Chelsea , not at that level. Inter Milan, AC Milan, absolutely not. So I would say Saliba is part of the defensive elite who have that consistency and are capable of winning their one-v-ones no matter who comes across them." In September last year, Saliba signed a five-year deal to keep him at the north Londoners until the summer of 2030, but a move has still been talked up. Desailly foresees a day when Saliba is playing for Los Blancos. "Yes, yes. I do expect William Saliba to one day wear the colours of Real Madrid," he said. "He's committed to Arsenal for the next, I don’t know, four years. "But he's young, so why not? The door is open, and all the best players want to play for Real Madrid at some point in their careers. The door is open. But not now. Not now. He is the best central defender, so it is what it is today." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-07-02

‘Best in the world’ – Marcel Desailly backs Arsenal star for Real Madrid transfer

France World Cup winner Marcel Desailly (Picture: Getty) Marcel Desailly has revealed he ‘expects’ William Saliba to move to Real Madrid after developing into the ‘best defender in the world’ at Arsenal. Saliba has been one of the key figures in Arsenal’s stingy defence in recent years, helping the Gunners twice finish second in the Premier League before last season’s huge title win. The 25-year-old, who is currently at the World Cup with tournament favourites France, joined Arsenal in a £27m move from Saint-Etienne in 2019. Much was expected of Saliba following his arrival from Ligue 1 but he took a while to win over Mikel Arteta, who sent the defender back to France on loan before finally integrating him into his first-team squad. Saliba soon established himself as not only one of the best players at Arsenal but in the Premier League, however, and Desailly says he is now the ‘best centre-back’ in world football. ‘Who do I think is the best centre-back in the world? It’s not Virgil van Dijk,’ ex-Chelsea captain Desailly told Sportscasting. ‘He has his level, we know, there’s no doubt he’s a great defender. ‘But on some occasions, he has shown a little bit of weakness. It’s also probably due to his past injury; in 1v1 situations, he is no longer exceptional like he was before, though he’s still a great player. Arsenal star William Saliba at the World Cup with France (Picture: Getty) ‘I would put William Saliba there, even though he has some problems with his back, I think he’s in the conversation for the world’s best centre back. ‘Saliba is definitely one of the best ones. Gabriel is only there because of Saliba – so Gabriel, no, he’s not in the conversation. ‘Who else can we say? At Manchester United, there’s nothing. Chelsea, not at that level. Inter Milan, AC Milan, absolutely not. Saliba celebrating Arsenal’s title win (Picture: Getty) ‘So I would say Saliba is part of the defensive elite who have that consistency and are capable of winning their 1v1s no matter who comes across them.’ Saliba was heavily linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid before signing a new long-term deal with Arsenal in the summer of 2025. The Frenchman is contracted to the Gunners until 2030 but Desailly still believes he is destined to play for Madrid. Asked whether he expects Saliba to move to the Bernabeu at some point in his career, Desailly added: ‘Yes, yes. I do expect William Saliba to one day wear the colours of Real Madrid. ‘He’s committed to Arsenal for the next, I don’t know, four years. But he’s young, so why not? The door is open, and all the best players want to play for Real Madrid at some point in their careers. ‘The door is open. But not now. Not now. He is the best central defender, so it is what it is today.’ Saliba’s current focus is on France’s World Cup campaign with Didier Deschamps’ side preparing to face Paraguay for a place in the quarter-finals. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2026-07-02

5 free agents Man Utd can now sign with Michael Carrick's transfer priority clear

The beginning of July marks an important moment in the football calendar as out-of-contract players officially become available. A number of high-profile names are now free agents. Most, it has to be acknowledged, are players nearing the twilight of their careers, but that doesn't mean they should be dismissed out of hand. Manchester United have embarked on a pivotal summer as they seek to build on the momentum generated under Michael Carrick during the latter half of last season. Having been given the role on a permanent basis, Carrick is eager to stamp his authority on the squad. With Champions League football on the horizon, he is expected to receive financial backing in the transfer market, though there are also some shrewd deals to be struck too. Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! Midfield is an obvious area following Casemiro's exit and the team's broader struggles in the middle of the park in recent campaigns. Ederson is arriving from Atalanta, while other positions will be reinforced as well... Following more than 450 appearances and six Champions League medals, the Real Madrid legend is seeking a new club. At 34, his peak years are behind him, but the right-back's determination and professionalism remain clear. Following confirmation of his Bernabeu exit, he said: "I'll keep playing, that's sure for me. We'll see what the best options are for me and my family, and based on that, I'll make the decision." The three-time Champions League winner is now available on a free transfer following his departure from Real Madrid, the club he signed for nearly a decade ago. The 29-year-old midfielder knows the Premier League well, having enjoyed two loan spells at Arsenal between 2019 and 2021, meaning he'd require minimal adaptation time. The adaptable 32-year-old, comfortable at both full-back and in midfield, has just departed Bayern Munich following a three-year stint in Bavaria. There have been hints he might hang up his boots. Yet should he choose to continue playing, any side would gain from his wealth of experience and Champions League pedigree. Having secured seven Bundesliga crowns in eight campaigns with Bayern, the 31-year-old is unattached and open to offers. Following his involvement in Germany's World Cup shambles, where they were shockingly eliminated on penalties by Paraguay , a move overseas would be understandable. With Arsenal already reportedly showing interest, might the Premier League come calling? The Serbian forward may seem like a veteran presence but is just 26 and has yet to fulfil his immense promise. He is now leaving Juventus after netting 68 goals across four-and-a-half seasons in Turin. He enjoyed a comparable record at former club Fiorentina. A move away from Italy now awaits and he has been linked with several clubs, including Barcelona and Besiktas. Premier League sides are certain to be circling as well. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-07-02

Kylian Mbappe discusses World Cup Golden Boot race with Lionel Messi

Skip to content Sky Sports Homepage Rugby Union Rugby League More Sports Rugby Union Rugby League Upcoming on Sky Get Sky Sports Sky Sports App Sky Sports with no contract Kick It Out British South Asians in Football Watch Sky Sports Scores & Fixtures Premier League Aston Villa Bournemouth Brighton And Hove Albion Coventry City Crystal Palace Ipswich Town Leeds United Manchester City Manchester United Newcastle United Nottingham Forest Tottenham Hotspur Women's Super League Arsenal Women Aston Villa Women Birmingham City Women Brighton And Hove Albion Women Charlton Athletic Women Chelsea Women Crystal Palace Women Everton Women Liverpool Women London City Lionesses Manchester City Women Manchester United Women Tottenham Hotspur Women West Ham United Women Championship Birmingham City Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Bristol City Cardiff City Charlton Athletic Derby County Lincoln City Middlesbrough Norwich City Preston North End Queens Park Rangers Sheffield United Southampton Swansea City West Bromwich Albion West Ham United Wolverhampton Wanderers AFC Wimbledon Bradford City Burton Albion Cambridge United Doncaster Rovers Huddersfield Town Leicester City Leyton Orient Mansfield Town Milton Keynes Dons Notts County Oxford United Peterborough United Plymouth Argyle Sheffield Wednesday Stockport County Wigan Athletic Wycombe Wanderers Accrington Stanley Bristol Rovers Cheltenham Town Chesterfield Colchester United Crawley Town Crewe Alexandra Exeter City Fleetwood Town Grimsby Town Newport County AFC Northampton Town Oldham Athletic Rotherham United Salford City Shrewsbury Town Swindon Town Tranmere Rovers Scottish Premiership Dundee United St Johnstone Athletic Club Atletico Madrid Deportivo Alaves Deportivo La Coruna Racing Santander Rayo Vallecano Real Madrid Real Sociedad Inter Milan 1. FC Union Berlin Bayer Leverkusen Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund Eintracht Frankfurt FC Augsburg Hamburger SV SC Freiburg SV 07 Elversberg Werder Bremen Paris Saint-Germain ADO Den Haag Fortuna Sittard Go Ahead Eagles NEC Nijmegen PSV Eindhoven Sparta Rotterdam Internationals Bosnia-Herzegovina Czech Republic Football Union of Russia Ivory Coast Korea Republic Netherlands New Zealand Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Saudi Arabia South Africa Switzerland Competitions Domestic Leagues Premier League Carabao Cup Barclays Women's Super League Sky Bet Championship Sky Bet League One Sky Bet League Two Scottish Premiership Scottish Women's Premier League Scottish Championship Scottish League 1 Scottish League 2 Barclays Women's Super League 2 UEFA Champions League Women's Champions League UEFA Europa League UEFA Conference League Internationals Women's European Championships Women's World Cup UEFA Nations League FIFA World Cup European Championships Africa Cup of Nations Domestic Cups Vertu Trophy National League National Leagues German Bundesliga Spanish La Liga Italian Serie A French Ligue 1 Kylian Mbappe discusses World Cup Golden Boot race with Lionel Messi Wednesday 1 July 2026 08:19, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Kylian Mbappe says he is focused on winning the World Cup, not chasing Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot France breeze past Sweden as Mbappe matches Messi Neville: France 'a level above' and Mbappe 'on verge of greatness' Key moments and rate the players as France dismiss Sweden The only way to stop Mbappe? Star struggles with flies as France await Sweden Dembele's first-half hat-trick sees France beat Norway's reserves All the key moments & rate the players in France vs Norway & Senegal vs Iraq Mbappe double sends France into last 32 after weather-hit win over Iraq Mbappe vs Haaland - new Messi-Ronaldo rivalry graces World Cup All the key moments from France vs Iraq and rate the players after another Mbappe double Brilliant Mbappe becomes France's top scorer in win over Senegal 'Superstar' Mbappe shows why he is so special France vs Senegal: All the big moments and rate the players TEAMtalk.com Football365.com Sky Sports Channels Sky Sports Main Event Sky Sports Premier League Sky Sports Football Sky Sports Cricket Sky Sports Golf Sky Sports F1 Sky Sports Tennis Sky Sports Action Sky Sports News Sky Sports+ Sky Sports Racing Sky Sports Mix More Sky Sites Sky For Businesses Sky Partnerships Store Locator Advertise With Us Terms & Conditions Privacy & Cookies Notice Privacy Options Accessibility Information © 2026 Sky UK Rugby Union Rugby League More Sports Rugby Union Rugby League Upcoming on Sky Get Sky Sports Sky Sports App Sky Sports with no contract Kick It Out British South Asians in Football Watch Sky Sports

2026-07-01

Ronaldo and Modric struggle to defy Father Time at World Cup

AgenciesCristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić Atlanta: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will make history when two outfield players aged over 40 face off for the first time in a World Cup as Portugal take on Croatia in Friday's last-32 clash.But both men are facing questions over whether their status as national heroes is now more of a burden than a boost to their countries' hopes of progressing far in the competition.Prior to this tournament, only Cameroon's Roger Milla had played in a World Cup as an outfield player after turning 40.Ronaldo and Modric, who won four Champions Leagues in six seasons together at Real Madrid, have long defied Father Time but have shown their age in what will almost certainly be their final flourish on the global stage.At 41, Ronaldo defiantly screamed "I'm back" after netting twice against Uzbekistan as he became the first player to ever score at six World Cups.Live EventsYet either side of a 5-0 romp over a team ranked 60th in the world, Portugal failed to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia and fell into a tougher section of the draw as a result."It's already 23 years I've been a professional and whenever things don't go well it's 'Cristiano, he's finished, he's old'," Ronaldo said earlier in the tournament.The forward played every minute of the group stages and outgoing Portugal boss Roberto Martinez shows no sign of taking the bold call to sit the five-time Ballon d'Or winner on the bench."There is not an issue physically or mentally for Cristiano in today's game to play the 90 minutes," Martinez said after Ronaldo managed just two touches in the Colombia box.Protecting Ronaldo's ego After a slow start to the World Cup four years ago, Ronaldo was eventually dropped by Fernando Santos in favour of Goncalo Ramos.The AC Milan striker immediately scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 demolition of Switzerland, but a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarter-finals meant Ronaldo's time out of the side was short-lived and Santos was removed as coach.The impression that Martinez is wasting a richly talented generation just to protect Ronaldo's ego grows with every pedestrian performance.Portugal's depth of midfield talent meant Paris Saint-Germain's Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva, now of Real Madrid, started on the bench against Colombia.Yet even with one of the World Cup's strongest midfields behind him, Ronaldo's strikes against Uzbekistan are his only non-penalty goals in his past 14 games at major tournaments.Modric, 40, similarly showed his age in Croatia's tournament opener, which ended in a 4-2 defeat to England in Dallas.Caught on his heels, Modric conceded a penalty when chopping down Noni Madueke for England's opening goal and was sacrificed by Zlatko Dalic before the hour mark.Croatia bounced back to celebrate Modric's 200th cap, edging past Panama 1-0.In doing so, Modric became the fourth man to reach a double century of international appearances, joining Ronaldo.The AC Milan midfielder then provided the assist for Nikola Vlasic's winner as Croatia beat Ghana 2-1.Finalists in 2018, Croatia also reached the semi-finals four years ago.Modric was the driving force behind those incredible runs for a country of less than four million people.A likely last-16 meeting with Spain and one final shot at glory awaits the winners in Toronto.But for one of football's all-time greats, the World Cup curtain will come down in Canada.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onCristiano Ronaldo World CupLuka Modric World CupPortugal vs CroatiaFootball legends 40 yearsRonaldo Modric last World Cup (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onCristiano Ronaldo World CupLuka Modric World CupPortugal vs CroatiaFootball legends 40 yearsRonaldo Modric last World Cup Prime ExclusivesInvestment IdeasStock Report PlusePaperWealth Edition123View all Stories

2026-07-01