Rabat, Aug 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Portuguese coach Pedro Bobista has been appointed as the new head coach of Moroccan club Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, the club announced on Tuesday, following his remarkable campaign with Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 56-year-old is expected to step down as Cape Verde head coach in the coming days, bringing to an end a successful tenure with the national side that transformed the team into one of Africa’s emerging forces. Cape Verde were one of the dark horses of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, causing a few upsets that added to the intrigue of the football extravaganza.

Bobista’s appointment comes after weeks of negotiations between the Moroccan club and the Portuguese tactician. Discussions reportedly included the possibility of him managing both Renaissance Berkane and the Cape Verde national team simultaneously.

However, the final agreement will see him focus exclusively on his responsibilities with the Moroccan outfit. The club did not reveal the contract duration or financial details, according to Goal.com.

Bobista arrives in Morocco after guiding Cape Verde to the most successful FIFA World Cup campaign in the country’s history. Under his leadership, the island nation advanced to the Round of 32 for the first time at the 2026 tournament, marking a significant milestone for Cape Verdean football.

Their memorable run came to an end after a thrilling 3-2 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the knockout stage. Despite the loss, Cape Verde earned widespread praise for pushing the eventual finalists all the way and producing an impressive display against one of world football’s traditional powerhouses.

The team’s goalkeeper Vozinha became famous worldwide, with his social media followers jumping to 29.5 million after brilliant saves. The 40-year-old was also named the goalkeeper of the FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament.

Renaissance Berkane will now hope Bobista can replicate that success at club level as they aim to challenge for major honours in Morocco and Africa.

Source: IANS

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Madrid, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Correos, the state-owned postal service and courier for Spain, paid tribute to the men's national team for its triumph in the FIFA World Cup 2026 by releasing a special commemorative stamp dedicated to the world champions.

The stamp features the national team badge on a red background, matching the colour of its home jersey, with two stars representing the country's two World Cup titles, won in 2010 and 2026.

Sixteen years after Spain lifted the World Cup for the first time at South Africa 2010, La Roja added a second star to their crest after beating defending champions Argentina in a thrilling final. After being held goalless at the end of regulation time, Spain scored the lone goal of the match in extra time to win their second World Cup title.

"Correos aims to preserve this landmark moment in the nation’s collective memory through this philatelic issue. The commemorative stamp symbolises the pride of a nation once again celebrating a world title and creates a bridge between two historic generations: the team that conquered the world in 2010 and the one that has done so again in 2026. Two milestones separated by more than a decade, yet united by the same values of talent, dedication, commitment and team spirit," Correos said in a statement.

This initiative pays tribute to the players, coaching staff and fans who supported Spain throughout a journey that has now become part of world sporting history.

Spain's team returned to Madrid on Monday afternoon after the World Cup triumph. The World Cup champions met with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia, after arriving back home in Madrid.

The royal family paid tribute to the team's talent, determination and historic achievement.

The team capped off the celebrations with a raucous open-top bus victory parade through Madrid, where nearly two million fans lined the streets to welcome the world champions home.

Source: IANS

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Ezeiza, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) FIFA World Cup 2026 runners-up Argentina received a grand welcome at the airport with red carpet and a military band when they returned home following a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat against Spain in the final held at MetLife Stadium in New York.

Despite the team failing to defend the title, the fans show their support to the national, thousands gathered outside the Argentine Football Association (AFA) office near at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza.

After landing, the aircraft was moved to the private flight area FBO to facilitate the arrival of the delegation. Coach Lionel Scaloni and the rest of the team were welcomed on the tarmac with a red carpet by the Grenadier Regiment to the rhythm of " Muchachos " and then by a multitude of fans in the surroundings of the grounds.

Fans were holding white and blue umbrellas and wearing the number 10 jersey of their team captain, Lionel Messi; however, the 39-year-old, who might have played his last game for the national team, was not present with the squad. The AFA had earlier announced that several team members would not be travelling, and Messi was among them.

Among the members of the delegation who returned to the country are the players Emiliano Martinez, Juan Musso, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Marcos Senesi, Valentin Barco, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Cristian Medina, Nicolas Gonzalez and Jose Manuel Lopez.

The Argentine National Team delegation was escorted under heavy security and the players and members of the coaching staff travelled to the Lionel Andres Messi grounds in an open-top bus and greeted the fans, who gathered to offer a unified message of gratitude amidst flags and chants.

Along the route, hundreds of families, groups of friends, and fans gathered with jerseys, flags, and drums to greet the players. Many waited for several hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of the team and thank them for their efforts throughout the World Cup.

Upon arriving at the Lionel Andres Messi Training Center, the members of the delegation were greeted by officials from the Argentine Football Association and staff from the complex. There, the return operation officially concluded for a national team.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Lionel Messi has described his "immense" pain after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final, saying only time would help the team overcome the result.

Ferran Torres' extra-time goal in New Jersey ended Argentina's hopes of back-to-back titles on Sunday and denied Messi a chance to cap his decorated career with a second World Cup title.

The 39-year-old is not expected to play at the next World Cup in 2030, although he is yet to announce any retirement plans.

"The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things," Messi wrote on social media.

"The matches we turned around by giving it our all - moments that will remain in our memories forever - and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group's hard work and effort, brought us back among the world's elite once again."

Argentina cruised through the group stage before relying on late goals in its next four knockout games to progress to the final.

Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists and was considered unlucky by some not to win the Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star praised his teammates and expressed pride at the team's performance.

"It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals," he said. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine. I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship."

Source: IANS

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Madrid, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Celebrations continued in Spain on Monday following the country's second World Cup triumph, with Ferran Torres' injury-time winner against Argentina on Sunday earning him a place alongside Andres Iniesta, who scored the decisive goal in the 2010 final.

Beyond the honour of adding a second star to the national team shirt, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the 26 players in the squad also have significant financial reasons to celebrate.

Winning the 2026 World Cup earned the RFEF 50 million U.S. dollars in prize money from FIFA, while the federation also stands to benefit from increased sponsorship revenue. The Spanish national team is backed by 35 companies across sectors including travel, insurance, telecommunications, sportswear, energy, food and beverages, reports Xinhua.

Spain's status as world champion is also expected to boost the value of its television rights, while sales of replica shirts have already surged across the country. The team's off-white away shirt is now virtually sold out in Spain, with demand also likely to rise internationally.

The triumph also means a substantial payday for the players, each of whom is set to receive a bonus of 756,000 euros (about 863,000 dollars), in addition to a World Cup winner's medal and ring.

Spanish press celebrate World Cup success

Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday night has been widely celebrated in the Spanish press.

Ferran Torres scored the winner in extra time as Spain finally turned its dominance into victory against an opponent that only began to attack after falling behind and failed to register a shot on target in more than 120 minutes of football.

Sports daily Marca led with the headline "Superstars," while Barcelona sports dailies Mundo Deportivo and Sport kept things simple with the headlines "Champions" and "Two-Time Champions," respectively.

Among the general-interest newspapers, El Mundo proclaimed "Our boys are on top of the world", while El País simply ran with "Champions" and highlighted that Argentina "barely created any danger."

Spanish media also criticised Argentina for the post-match brawl. Marca reported that "a punch from (Argentina defender) Nahuel on Rodri was the cause of the fight between (Leandro) Paredes and (Spain duo) Eric Garcia and Gavi," which marred the scenes after the final whistle.

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Spain's FIFA World Cup-winning player Ferran Torres, whose decisive goal against Argentina secured his country's triumph in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, has a little-known connection with Assam.

Long before emerging as Spain's World Cup hero on football's biggest stage, Torres had showcased his talent at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sarusajai in Guwahati during the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by India in 2017.

The Spanish attacker was part of the Spain side that faced France in a Group D encounter at the Guwahati venue on October 17, 2017.

Spain defeated France 2-1 in a closely contested match then, with Torres among the standout young players who impressed thousands of football enthusiasts packed into the stadium.

At the time, Torres was regarded as one of Spain's brightest emerging prospects. Few could have predicted that the teenager who thrilled spectators in Guwahati would, nearly a decade later, score the goal that would hand Spain the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy.

Torres etched his name into football history after finding the net in the World Cup final against Argentina, helping Spain lift the prestigious title and capping an outstanding tournament with the defining moment of his international career.

His rise from a promising youth international to a World Cup-winning star has also rekindled memories of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Assam, an event widely regarded as a landmark moment for football in the state.

Guwahati was one of the host cities for the global age-group tournament and welcomed several future international stars who have since established themselves at the highest level of world football.

The matches at Sarusajai gave local fans a rare opportunity to watch many of the game's brightest young talents before they became household names.

With Torres now joining the elite list of World Cup final match-winners, football lovers in Assam can proudly recall that the Spanish forward's journey on the global stage had once passed through Guwahati, years before he delivered the goal that crowned Spain world champions.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) US President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino faced jeers from spectators upon taking the field to present the World Cup trophy, following Spain's victory in the final, before the US president attempted to gatecrash Spain’s victory party.

Trump arrived at the stadium on Marine One, with the president’s helicopter first flying over the stadium about 45 minutes before kick-off. He received "scattered boos" following the performance of the U.S. national anthem when Trump was briefly shown on the stadium's video boards, according to The Guardian.

Trump was seated in a suite behind thick glass with Infantino. Other dignitaries and former players sat nearby, including Spain’s king, Felipe VI, Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, and Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum.

However, when the US president and Infantino came on to the field for the presentation after Spain clinched victory, boos rang out around the stadium and ambient crowd noise rose to 84 decibels when Trump entered the field.

The situation grew more awkward following the trophy presentation when Trump attempted to remain on the stage to join the Spanish squad's celebrations.

In a video circulating all over social media, Spain player Rodri initially nudged the US President to step aside before Infantino stepped in to guide him toward the edge of the podium. Despite the intervention, Trump remained standing alongside the players during the team's victory festivities.

Earlier, the summit clash descended into chaos immediately after the final whistle, with players exchanging punches and Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat. Beyond the clash with Garcia, Paredes tackled Gavi to the ground, shoved him in the face, and seemed to kick a boot toward the 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder. At the same time, Molina appeared to swing a punch at Rodri, causing the Spanish captain to stop and angrily confront the Argentine defender.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Unai Simon has described Spain's FIFA World Cup glory as "madness" after the goalkeeper played a key role in La Roja’s march to the title for the first time in 16 years and stated that the sqaud will realise the "World Cup Madness" when they reach their home.

With seven clean sheets in eight matches, the 29-year-old shot-stopper was awarded the Golden Glove after maintaining a near-impenetrable wall at the back.

Spain have become world champions for the second time in their history, Luis de la Fuente’s men beating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final in New York, New Jersey. Spain are the first team to be reigning champions of both the men's and women's World Cups at the same time, having won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023.

"We're still processing it," Simon was quoted by Mundo Deportivo. "I didn't feel any emotion when the referee blew the final whistle; it was more like: we have achieved it, we have achieved it. When we arrive in Spain we will realise the madness we have done.

"In such a long training camp, 50 days, it's important to maintain the feeling and the balance between those who play more and those who play less, and in that respect, the manager is exceptional. He has managed all the players' emotions very well."

Simon's seven clean sheets are the most ever registered in a single World Cup. Seven goalkeepers had managed five: the Netherlands’ Jan Jongbloed in 1974, Italy’s Walter Zenga in 1990, Brazil’s Claudio Taffarel in 1994, France’s Fabien Barthez in 1998, Germany’s Oliver Kahn in 2002, Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon in 2006 and Spain’s Iker Casillas in 2010.

Although he finished the tournament with the Golden Glove, Simon refused to take the credit for Spain's defensive record. He added: "If my gloves during the World Cup could talk, they would say that they haven't had to work as much as those of other goalkeepers'. Leaving seven clean sheets are numbers that are going to cost a lot to overcome and I don't attribute the merit to myself but to my teammates. I am grateful to my teammates for the defensive level.

Spain are the first team to be reigning champions of both the men's and women's World Cups at the same time, having won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) This was a World Cup that looked different from the outset. FIFA had already committed to an expanded 48-team format before it even chose a host, and when the joint bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States won that vote in 2018, the 2026 World Cup became the first to be staged in three countries.

Football's governing body later confirmed three other changes: an automatic red card for players who cover their mouths, mandatory hydration breaks in every match, and the awarding of corners to attacking teams when goalkeepers hold the ball too long.

Style in contrast

The larger tournament showcased a wide array of footballing philosophies and cultures. Structured, possession-based sides built around positional discipline were pitted against bold, higher-pressing teams willing to gamble on pace and flamboyance.

Europe itself split into two visibly different schools. France leaned heavily on its phalanx of attackers led by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.

In contrast, Spain built its game plan on patience and containment. Its defense broke the World Cup record for consecutive clean sheets, reaching six in a row - a run that began in the 2022 World Cup - and goalkeeper Unai Simon's shutout streak extended to 609 minutes following the round of 16 win over Portugal, as per Xinhua.

Morocco headed Africa's hopes with its own model that combined positional awareness with speed and audacity, quicker to close down opponents than the deeper defensive block that characterized its run to the semifinals in 2022.

South American sides, meanwhile, showed moments of brilliance, even if several former winners from the region - namely Brazil and Uruguay - fell short of expectations.

New stars emerge, veterans bow out

The tournament served as a fertile testing ground for emerging players. A case in point was Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old, who plays for French Ligue 1 club Lille, represented France at youth level and only became available for the Atlas Lions in May when FIFA approved his allegiance switch.

He showed poise beyond his years with performances that have sparked the interest of Manchester City and Arsenal, among other clubs.

Cote d'Ivoire's Yan Diomande, 19, entered the tournament with big hopes and justified the hype as the African side reached the knockout rounds before falling to Norway via a late Erling Haaland goal.

Colombia's Gustavo Puerta was one of the quieter achievers. The Racing Santander midfielder's creativity and vast passing range proved crucial as Colombia progressed to the round of 16 before losing to Switzerland on penalties.

These arrivals were accompanied by some high-profile departures, with modern-day greats Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Neymar all bidding farewell to football's biggest stage.

Controvercy on and off the pitch

One of FIFA's newest laws made headlines in the group stage. Paraguay's Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off under a rule barring players from concealing their mouths during on-field confrontations.

The incident involving Türkiye defender Mert Muldur also earned the Atlanta United winger a one-match suspension that FIFA said was not subject to appeal, ruling him out of Paraguay's final group match against Australia.

An even more bizarre episode was the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun. The United States forward was sent off for stepping on the ankle of an opponent during his team's last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, an event that triggered an automatic one-match suspension.

Days later, FIFA's disciplinary committee provisionally lifted the ban, fining Balogun 40,000 U.S. dollars and clearing him to face Belgium.

The Belgium federation duly contested the decision, but FIFA's appeals committee dismissed the challenge less than eight hours before kickoff. UEFA said the move "crossed a red line," calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." Balogun himself later said he knew the reversal "would cause a lot of controversy.

The tournament crowned a golden generation of attacking players. Mbappe finished with 10 goals while eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, playing in his sixth and likely last World Cup, scored eight times. Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Mikel Oyarzabal also vied for the Golden Boot award. Between them, they redefined what fans should expect from a forward at a major tournament.

Spain achieved something even more transcendent. It denied Messi one last glorious chapter in an astonishing career and claimed the tournament's lasting story for itself.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Spain centre-back Pau Cubarsi has won the FIFA Young Player Award for his outstanding performances during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Cubarsi started all eight matches for La Roja, as they soared to a second world crown with a 1-0 extra-time triumph over Argentina in the final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Cubarsi never put a foot wrong as he helped Spain register seven clean sheets during the tournament, forging a fabulous partnership alongside Aymeric Laporte at the heart of a defence that conceded just a single goal, in their 2-1 quarter-final win against Belgium.

The 19-year-old, who has become one of only five teenagers in history to have won the World Cup, is also the first defender to win this award. He has now joined the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Michael Owen, Thomas Muller, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, who also won the Young Player award in previous editions of the tournament.

Cubarsí, who helped Spain keep seven clean sheets at the FIFA World Cup 2026, is also only the fifth defender after Franz Beckenbauer, Władysław Żmuda, Antonio Cabrini and Manuel Amoros to win the Young Player award.

Menawhile, Unai Simon’s superb performances in goal for Spain have earned him the Golden Glove Award for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

In helping La Roja to their second global crown with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, Simon registered an astounding seven clean sheets and conceded just one goal, which came in their 2-1 quarter-final victory against Belgium.

His seven clean sheets are the most ever registered in a single World Cup. Seven goalkeepers had managed five: the Netherlands’ Jan Jongbloed in 1974, Italy’s Walter Zenga in 1990, Brazil’s Claudio Taffarel in 1994, France’s Fabien Barthez in 1998, Germany’s Oliver Kahn in 2002, Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon in 2006 and Spain’s Iker Casillas in 2010.

Dating back to Qatar 2022, Simon had gone 649 minutes without conceding in a World Cup match until the Belgium match.

He becomes the second Spain shot-stopper to claim the award, following in the footsteps of South Africa 2010 winner Casillas.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 2026 FIFA World Cup final ended in ugly scenes as the summit clash descended into chaos immediately after the final whistle, with players exchanging punches and Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

Spain secured their second World Cup title with a tense 1-0 victory in extra time, but the historic win was quickly overshadowed by physical altercations on the pitch, leading to a post-match turmoil.

Argentina defender Nahuel Molina appeared to punch one of the Spanish players in the stomach. In an another altercation, midfielder Paredes was seen shoving Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat as Scaloni intervened.

Beyond the clash with Garcia, Paredes tackled Gavi to the ground, shoved him in the face, and seemed to kick a boot toward the 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder. At the same time, Molina appeared to swing a punch at Rodri, causing the Spanish captain to stop and angrily confront the Argentine defender.

“Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them. There is no place or space for that,” England legend Alan Shearer said on the BBC. “We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”

Argentina was also accused of one final classless act when they appeared to turn their backs on Spanish players as the world champions accepted their World Cup medals.

As reported by TalkSPORT, England legend Stuart Pearce was watching the Argentina players as Spain collected their trophies alongside US President Donald Trump

“When Spain were about to lift their trophy, the Argentinians, to a man, all stood with their back to the trophy lift,” Pearce said.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Spain defender Pedro Porro said he kept a promise to his grandfather by helping Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, setting up the extra-time winner that brought a second star home.

Substitute Ferran Torres swept the ball into the roof of the net in the 106th minute after Nico Williams had headed Porro's cross back across goal, giving Spain its first world title since 2010. But the moment carried a deeper personal meaning for the Tottenham right-back.

"A few days ago my grandfather told me, 'Bring the cup home, son,'" Porro said in the mixed zone, reports Xinhua. "Today I fulfilled those words. I can't wait to get out of here and call him, because he will be very happy, very emotional and so am I."

Porro, one of the revelations of the tournament, admitted he was still struggling to process the achievement.

"I don't believe it. I think the first days will pass and I still won't believe it. But I want to thank all the people who have supported us from the first minute. I don't even want to imagine what Spain is like right now."

The 26-year-old has spent much of his club career away from the Spanish spotlight, and said reaching the summit of international football felt like a reward for years of quiet work.

"I play in the Premier League, I'm outside of Spain, so a lot of people don't see me much. Since I debuted for the national team, it's never been easy to establish myself here. Now life has given this back to me."

Porro's message to the nation was one of shared pride, stressing the unity that carried the squad through the tournament together.

"This isn't just about the 11 on the pitch, it's about the 26 of us who lived together. I hope Spain feels proud that we have brought a second star home."

Source: IANS

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New York, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) France captain Kylian Mbappe has won the Golden Boot for FIFA World Cup 2026, retaining the title of tournament top scorer which he claimed at Qatar 2022.

The France forward took his tally to ten with a double in Les Bleus’ 6-4 defeat by England in an enthralling and end-to-end Bronze final in Miami on Saturday. Having struck eight times to finish top scorer at Qatar 2022, Mbappe became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice.

The 27-year-old was the first man to reach double figures for World Cup goals since Gerd Muller for West Germany in 1970. Only Just Fontaine, who hit 13 for France in 1958, and Hungary's Sandor Kocsis with 11 in 1954, have scored more individual goals in a single tournament.

Mbappe opened his scoring account in France's opener by netting a spectacular brace against Senegal, thus becoming the top scorer in his national team's history. He scored another two goals against Iraq and two more against Sweden in the round of 16. He then scored the winning goal against Paraguay in the round of 16 and found the net again against Morocco in the quarterfinals.

To cap off his outstanding tournament and secure the trophy, he scored 2 goals in the third-place match against England. Lionel Messi was the second-highest scorer with 8 goals, and Jude Bellingham finished third with 7.

Mbappe, who is now the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history, has been in electric form throughout June and July, leading France to the semi-finals, where they were beaten 2-0 by Spain.

The 27-year-old, who scored four times as his nation lifted the trophy at Russia 2018 and added eight more as they reached the final four years later, bagged braces in the group games against Senegal and Iraq and again in the Round of 32 success against Sweden.

His double-figure haul ensured he took the crown ahead of Lionel Messi, who he had traded places with at the top of the Golden Boot standings several times, as the Argentina legend ended his campaign with eight goals.

Mbappe, who also claimed the Bronze Ball for his performances, then fired home the crucial penalty to overcome Paraguay and hit the opener in France’s 2-0 quarter-final success against Morocco, drawing a blank against La Roja before adding two more in the defeat by England.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Substitute Ferran Torres scored in extra time as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win the 2026 World Cup final on Monday.

Following is the scoreline of each World Cup final, reports Xinhua:

1930 Uruguay 4-2 Argentina

1934 Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia

1938 Italy 4-2 Hungary

1950 Uruguay 2-1 Brazil

1954 West Germany 3-2 Hungary

1958 Brazil 5-2 Sweden

1962 Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia

1966 England 4-2 West Germany

1970 Brazil 4-1 Italy

1974 West Germany 2-1 Netherlands

1978 Argentina 3-1 Netherlands

1982 Italy 3-1 West Germany

1986 Argentina 3-2 West Germany

1990 West Germany 1-0 Argentina

1994 Brazil 0-0 Italy; 3-2 penalty shootout

1998 France 3-0 Brazil

2002 Brazil 2-0 Germany

2006 Italy 0-0 France; 5-3 penalty shootout

2010 Spain 1-0 Netherlands

2014 Germany 1-0 Argentina

2018 France 4-2 Croatia

2022 Argentina 3-3 France; 4-2 penalty shootout

2026 Spain 1-0 Argentina

Source: IANS

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New Jersey, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the decisive goal in extra time as La Roja edged defending champions Argentina 1-0 to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 title at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

After a tense and fiercely contested 90 minutes ended goalless, Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute. The forward latched onto Nico Williams’ headed knockdown before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike beyond Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to seal Spain’s second FIFA World Cup triumph, their first since winning the title in South Africa in 2010.

Spain dominated possession for long spells and carved out the better chances throughout the final but found Martinez in inspired form as the Argentine goalkeeper repeatedly denied the European side. Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with captain Lionel Messi largely contained by Spain’s disciplined defence.

The defending champions suffered a major setback deep into stoppage time of normal time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card, reducing Argentina to 10 men for extra time.

Spain continued to pile on the pressure and thought they had doubled their lead in extra time, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. However, Luis de la Fuente’s men remained composed and comfortably saw out the closing stages to bring Argentina’s reign as world champions to an end.

The triumph capped a remarkable tournament for Spain, who went unbeaten throughout the competition and added a second World Cup crown to their historic 2010 success. Argentina, champions in Qatar four years ago, fell agonisingly short in their bid to retain football’s biggest prize.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey got off to a spectacular start on Sunday as IShowSpeed, Post Malone and a host of global music stars headlined a star-studded closing ceremony before the biggest match in world football.

The ceremony took place before the kick-off at the venue officially known by FIFA as the New York New Jersey Stadium. It wrapped up the month-long tournament with a celebration of music, culture, and football. Jennifer Hudson started the event with a powerful performance of the United States national anthem. Post Malone then took the stage as the main performer. He was joined by Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and internet sensation IShowSpeed. Hollywood star Tom Cruise also made a special appearance.

FIFA World Cup Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi mentioned that the ceremony would reflect the excitement of the tournament's opening celebrations in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture, and football before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” Schirgi said.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the impressive line-up before the event.

“We are thrilled to have so many stars taking to the pitch from both the football and entertainment worlds,” Infantino said. “The closing ceremony will set the tone for a historic FIFA World Cup final, uniting the passion of 48 teams, 16 host cities, and millions of fans on one unforgettable stage.”

After the pre-match celebrations, the final was set to include the first-ever halftime show in the 96-year history of the FIFA World Cup. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, the show was expected to feature Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS as co-headliners, along with Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, and Coldplay.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former Germany striker and World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann believes handling emotions and staying true to a team's identity will be the key when Argentina and Spain battle for football's biggest prize in the FIFA World Cup final on Monday.

Defending champions Argentina take on Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with Lionel Messi's side aiming to retain the title while the Spaniards chase their second World Cup crown after an outstanding campaign.

Klinsmann, who won the 1990 FIFA World Cup with West Germany after defeating Argentina in the final, said playing in football's showpiece match is an experience unlike any other.

"It's a uniqueness of that game because everyone involved in a World Cup final understands it might only happen once in your lifetime. The magnitude is enormous; it's what everyone dreams about. Every player, coach, staff member and fan dreams about their country being in a World Cup final at one point in their life," Klinsmann told FIFA.

The former Germany international, who featured in three World Cups as a player and later coached at the tournament, said the biggest challenge on final day is mental rather than physical.

"You are prepared for it, you played the whole tournament, you are in a good run and in a positive moment because both teams who end up in a World Cup final are there for a reason. It's about finishing it off for your team, so it's about handling your nerves and staying balanced and staying calm and enjoying it to a certain extent. But all that is easier said than done," he said.

Klinsmann also advised players not to get overwhelmed by the occasion and instead focus on executing their roles.

"If it's possible, you have to stick to your game plan and your job that you need to get done for your team... and stay grounded and balanced. There is a lot that goes into it, and usually the quality comes through most likely," he added.

Reflecting on his own triumph with West Germany in Italy in 1990, Klinsmann said the true significance of lifting the World Cup becomes clearer only with time.

"It is something you don't realise when you do it... then it's party time, and you party for days and nights. It's something that comes to you after your career; it makes it more understandable when you stop playing because you do other jobs and things and you will always be remembered for that World Cup final with the people who saw it.

"Even football fans from other countries around the world will remind you where they were and what they did in that specific moment in time. It is something that will always stay with you, and that is the amazing thing about winning a World Cup. It changes your life, no matter what," he concluded.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Brazil legend Ronaldo has backed Spain to defeat defending champions Argentina comfortably in the FIFA World Cup final, saying the European side's style of play and tactical identity make them overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy.

Spain booked their place in Monday's title clash after a 2-0 victory over France in the semifinal, while Argentina fought back from a goal down to edge England 2-1 and reach a second successive World Cup final.

Speaking ahead of the decider, the two-time World Cup winner said Spain's football has been on another level throughout the tournament.

"I think Spain will win and the game will be easy. For me, France and Spain have always been the favourites, and I always remember the programme before the France-Spain game I said the champion would win that game," Ronaldo told ESPN.

Spain have been one of the standout teams of the tournament, recovering from an opening draw against Cabo Verde by winning six consecutive matches to reach the final while conceding only one goal.

Ronaldo believes Spain's success is built on a footballing philosophy that has been refined over many years.

"I think Spain wins easily with football played in an extraordinary way. Their DNA is not just the football played in this World Cup; they have been doing this for a long time, they grew up doing it like this, playing this way. I think there's a lot of Pep Guardiola in there to have started this philosophy...," he added.

While predicting a Spanish victory, Ronaldo also praised Argentina for their resilience during the tournament and reserved special praise for captain Lionel Messi, who has inspired the defending champions with a string of decisive performances.

"What is still an absolute success for Argentina for this World Cup is the way they turned games on several occasions. Messi, one more time, makes one more beautiful story at a World Cup. It's a team that demonstrates a character, a spirit of overcoming, it's very beautiful and admirable, we have to learn from it."

However, Ronaldo feels Argentina will struggle to cope with Spain's dominance on the ball.

"But I think the way Spain play... it's very automated, the way they play is very automated, it's what you have to do every time in every phase, no hurry, they play the ball with speed, they run the game, they cool the game with possession."

The final will also pit Messi against Spain's new generation led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, with Argentina chasing back-to-back World Cup titles and Spain aiming to lift the trophy for the second time in their history.

Source: IANS

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London, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former England midfielder Danny Murphy believes Thomas Tuchel should not continue as England head coach despite leading the Three Lions to their best FIFA World Cup finish in 60 years, arguing that the German's tactical approach in the semifinal defeat to Argentina cost the team a place in the final.

England bounced back from their heartbreaking semifinal loss by defeating France 6-4 in an entertaining third-place playoff, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick after not featuring in the defeat against Argentina.

However, Murphy insisted the bronze-medal finish could not mask what he described as a failed World Cup campaign.

"He will keep his job, but I don't think he should. He has failed. They are missing out on a World Cup final because of the tactics. They will be devastated," Murphy told BBC Sport.

The former Liverpool midfielder questioned Tuchel's conservative approach against Argentina, saying England had left too much attacking talent unused.

"There are so many incredibly, wonderfully gifted footballers in our squad and that was why it was so disappointing in that second half against Argentina, because most of them weren't on the pitch.

"The frustrating thing is this level of forward thinking and creativity just wasn't there against Argentina," he added.

Former England defender Stephen Warnock also criticised England's cautious display after taking the lead against the eventual finalists. He also questioned the benching of Bukayo Saka against Argentina.

"We all thought Thomas Tuchel was going to be the guy who took the handbrake off. Just disappointed that we retreated so quickly in that game," Warnock said.

"I think, where was the pace against Argentina? The performance from Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford and their ability to stretch the pitch... Pace kills anyone. It's a defender's worst nightmare, and it is so hard to defend against," he added.

Source: IANS

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Miami, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) England midfielder Jude Bellingham reflected on his side’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with an emotional message to supporters after the Three Lions defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place play-off, saying the team’s best World Cup finish since 1966 provides a platform for the future.

Sharing his thoughts on social media after the victory, Bellingham wrote, “This group deserved to finish on this high note. Obviously not what we came for, but the highest finish since ‘66 is something to build on. Thank you again, England fans; this summer has been unforgettable for so many reasons. It’s been a pleasure!”

England edged France in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament at Miami Stadium, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick as Thomas Tuchel’s side survived a spirited second-half comeback to secure bronze.

Declan Rice opened the scoring before Ezri Konsa doubled England’s lead. Saka struck twice before half-time to hand England a commanding 4-0 advantage.

France fought back after the break through Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and another Mbappe strike to reduce the deficit to 4-3. Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence, before Ousmane Dembele made it 5-4 deep into stoppage time.

Bellingham, introduced in the 79th minute, had the final say. The Real Madrid midfielder led a counter-attack from inside his own half, beat a defender with a powerful run and calmly slotted home with virtually the last kick of the match to seal England’s memorable 6-4 victory.

The goal also took Bellingham into the record books. His seventh strike of the tournament made him the first England player to score seven goals at a single FIFA World Cup, surpassing the previous national record of six shared by Gary Lineker at the 1986 World Cup and Harry Kane, who achieved the feat at Russia 2018 and matched it again at the 2026 edition.

Source: IANS

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Miami, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) France captain Kylian Mbappe believes Lionel Messi will reclaim the FIFA World Cup’s all-time scoring record in Monday's final against Spain, just hours after overtaking the Argentina legend on the competition’s overall scoring charts.

Mbappe moved to the top of the all-time World Cup scoring list after netting twice in France’s thrilling 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off on Saturday. The brace took the 27-year-old to 22 World Cup goals from just 22 matches, one ahead of Messi’s tally of 21.

However, with Argentina set to face Spain in the final, Mbappe is convinced the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will respond immediately.

“Leo, he scores all the time. Tomorrow he will score, for sure,” Mbappe told Fox Sports after the match.

Both Messi and Mbappe began the 2026 FIFA World Cup chasing former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record of 16 World Cup goals. Messi first equalled and then surpassed Klose during Argentina’s campaign before reaching 21 goals, only for Mbappe to leapfrog him with his double against England.

Mbappe has enjoyed a sensational tournament in North America, taking his tally to 10 goals in eight matches. His overall World Cup tally now stands at 22 goals, having scored 12 across the 2018 and 2022 editions before adding 10 more in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

His latest strikes also strengthened his grip on the Golden Boot race, leaving him two goals clear of Messi heading into Monday's final.

Despite the personal milestone, Mbappe admitted the record offered little consolation after France missed out on a podium finish.

“I just try to help my team every time. It’s certain that when you score so many goals in the World Cup, it elevates you to certain levels. But I would have preferred not to be the top scorer in history and play the match tomorrow,” he said.

France’s defeat to England ended Mbappe’s hopes of appearing in a second successive World Cup final, but the French captain will now watch with interest as Messi gets one last opportunity to reclaim the title of the tournament’s most prolific scorer. If the Argentina captain finds the net against Spain, as Mbappe expects, he will once again move ahead of the Frenchman atop the World Cup’s all-time scoring charts.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday appealed to football fans across Karnataka to maintain peace and exercise restraint while watching the FIFA World Cup final, for which the state government has granted special permission to hotels and restaurants to remain open until 3.30 am.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Defending champions Argentina will take on the European winners Spain in the final of the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup, with the 104th match to be played at the MetLife Stadium on Monday (IST).

Spain reached the final after outclassing favourites France in the semi-finals. Luis de la Fuente's side controlled the match from start to finish, suffocating the high-powered France attack through long spells of possession and precise finishing.

That semi-final match against Les Bleus was the high point of Spain's campaign so far. La Roja began their World Cup adventure by topping Group H, although it wasn't all smooth sailing. Surprise package Cabo Verde held them to a scoreless draw in their opening match before De la Fuente's men made up for their slow start by putting four past Saudi Arabia and then rounding off their group stage with a 1-0 victory over a feisty Uruguay.

Spain cruised through the Round of 32 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria. But in the following two rounds they needed late winning goals from Mikel Merino to overcome tough European opponents. The first of Merino's strikes, in the Round of 16, came against Portugal (1–0) . They followed that up with a second last-gasp victory against Belgium (2–1) in a match in which they conceded what has, so far, been their only goal against of the tournament.

The defending champions opened their campaign with three successive group stage victories, led by the extraordinary Lionel Messi, who now has eight goals in this tournament and 21 across his long World Cup career. In the knockout rounds, their road got much more difficult. Lionel Scaloni's men needed extra time to overcome a defiant Cabo Verde side in a 3-2 thriller. In the Round of 16, the score was the same and the match even more dramatic: Egypt held a 2-0 lead entering the 79th minute, but Argentina flipped the script, producing a historic comeback to win 3-2.

In the last eight, Argentina went blow for blow with Switzerland and needed extra time to eventually defeat opponents who, at 1-1, had gone down to ten men. Julian Alvarez eventually broke their resistance with a magnificent goal, and Lautaro Martinez added a third for good measure.

The drama did not stop in the semi-final against England, who took the lead early in the second half thanks to Anthony Gordon and looked set to run down the clock. However, the Albiceleste once again rallied thanks to a long-range strike from Enzo Fernandez and a back-post header from substitute Martinez. As a result, Argentina now return to the final four years on from Qatar 2022 triumph against France, and once again European opposition stand between them and the World Cup trophy.

How to watch Argentina vs Spain Final live in India

Live streaming and live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final will be available on the Zee5 platform and app in India. A subscription will be needed.

Live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels in India.

Key details

Date and kick-off time: Monday, July 20, 12:30 AM IST

Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York.

Referee: Slavko Vincic

Squads:

Spain -

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Marcos Llorente, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo

Midfielders: Rodrigo Hernandez, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri Gonzalez, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Pablo Paez 'Gavi', Alex Baena

Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Dani Olmo, Victor Munoz, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pin

Argentina-

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso

Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Facundo Medina

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Valentin Barco

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Nicolas Gonzalez, Giuliano Simeone, Jose Manuel Lopez

Source: IANS

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New York, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The biggest-ever FIFA World Cup is coming to a thrilling end with two of the best sides of the tournament, Argentina and Spain, both chasing a different record to face each other in the final showdown of football's biggest event at the MetLife Stadium on Monday.

While more than 22 players will play for glory among thousands of fans, the focus will again be on the Messiah of Argentina and one of the greatest ever to play the game, Lionel Messi, who is willing to give his all to repeat the magic he created four years ago when Argentina won the FIFA WC 2022 in Qatar against France.

After 1310 days, things have not changed, as the captain is again leading from the front with 8 goals and 4 crucial assists, guiding Argentina to reach the final remaining unbeaten. Currently aged 39, Messi will likely make this his last dance on the biggest stage of football, and he will look to give his career a happy ending and help Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their title.

Standing in his way is a 19-year-old boy, Lamine Yamal, with whom Messi clicked a photo in 2007, holding him in his arms while bathing him; little did he know at that time that the boy would be one of the obstacles standing between him and another World Cup glory.

Apart from Yamal, Spain's defensive wall also stands in the way. Rodri's side has given very few opportunities to the opponents throughout the tournament. The stats also prove their brilliance as the side has conceded only one goal so far, and their defensive technique and unity have played a big role in their unbeaten run to the Final.

While Mikel Oyarzabal has emerged as the team's leading scorer with five goals, teenage sensation Yamal has dazzled on the wings, and captain Rodri has controlled the midfield. Spain last won the World Cup in 2010, and they would look to end the 16-year wait and also become the seventh team to win two trophies in FIFA World Cup history.

Spain vs Argentina match is also a battle of two techniques, with Luis De Fluente's side opting for a tiki-taka style with some adaptations of attacking a bit more than before while maintaining possession to frustrate the opponent's strikers as they did against France. On the other hand, Lionel Scaloni's side is focused on playing ruthless football and creating continuous opportunities, and also disturbing the opposition's defence with tackles and creating spaces.

Key details

Date and kick-off time: Monday, July 20, 12:30 AM IST

Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York.

Referee: Slavko Vincic

Live Streaming: FIFA WC 2026 Final will be live-streamed on Zee5 app and website in different languages. While the live telecast will be on United8 Sports different channels.

Spain -

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Marcos Llorente, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo

Midfielders: Rodrigo Hernandez, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri Gonzalez, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Pablo Paez 'Gavi', Alex Baena

Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Dani Olmo, Victor Munoz, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pin

Argentina-

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso

Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Facundo Medina

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Valentin Barco

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Nicolas Gonzalez, Giuliano Simeone, Jose Manuel

Lopez

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Shaji Prabhakaran believes that India's failure to qualify for a FIFA World Cup is not because of a lack of talent, population or potential, but because the country's football ecosystem has not worked collectively and consistently enough towards that goal.

Speaking exclusively to IANS about the reasons behind India's prolonged absence from football's biggest stage, Prabhakaran called for greater unity, transparent planning, stronger grassroots structures and long-term investment to change the nation's fortunes.

“It's a very sad situation in terms of the world asking the question like why 1.4 billion people are not qualifying for the World Cup, but the reality is that we are not working hard to be there, simple as it is, yeah. We have everything to be there, but then it requires consistent hard work, honest hard work, bringing people together and working as one, which is very important because we definitely lack in every aspect, but then these are not difficult things,” Prabhakaran told IANS.

Rather than singling out one department, he said Indian football needs improvement across governance, grassroots development and elite competitions if it is to compete consistently on the world stage.

"In every aspect, we need to improve, whether it is the governance aspect, whether it is the grassroots aspect, whether it is about our competitive situation at the youth level or at the senior elite level. We have to improve but it is all about sincerely working towards a goal with very, very, what to say, having the drive to change,” he added.

According to Prabhakaran, India already has two of the most important ingredients required for success, a passionate football fan base and a government willing to support the sport. What is missing, he said, is the ability of football stakeholders to align behind a common vision.

"We have everything to be there... the government of India like is very serious to see sports grow in a bigger way and therefore they would like to support football as well and I know very well within the system that they are keen but now it is up to the football people who are in command of the situation, command of the organisation to take the right decision at the right time and bring people together,” he opined.

Despite the current shortcomings, Prabhakaran insisted that qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is an achievable target if Indian football commits to a structured long-term roadmap.

"Definitely, we can qualify for the World Cup. That's the hope we continue to believe in. One of my biggest goals in life, before we say goodbye to this universe, is to see India play at the FIFA World Cup. That would be the biggest joy for people like us who have devoted their lives to the game,” the Indian football administrator mentioned.

He dismissed the notion that India requires extraordinary solutions, arguing that the task is more about execution than innovation, saying, "It's not rocket science, as I said. If we want to see our team playing in the World Cup in maybe 10 years' time, or 15 years' time, it's very much possible.

“What we have to do is focus on developing our structure from the grassroots to the top, bringing people together, and having a real project plan where we say, 'Okay, this is what we will invest,' while following a complete and transparent blueprint. Any fan should be able to see what an organisation is doing to bring about that change—where the money is coming from and where it is going. That transparency is very much required.”

Prabhakaran also argued that sustained government backing could transform the sport, but only if football authorities build credibility through planning and accountability.

"Then we need to convince the government that this is a sport worth investing in, and that we will be able to deliver results and make India proud. If we can convince the government, it can put a lot of resources into the game. It will also bring people together because the government will see that football has the capability, football has the potential, and that the people working in the sport can really make it happen,” he expressed.

Looking further ahead, he proposed expanding India's elite talent pool through a structured youth pathway. "If you can convince the government and secure its support on a much bigger scale, there's no way we are going to fail. I'm convinced of that because we have everything. We have good human resources on the management side.

"On the technical side, we definitely need to hire good foreign professionals, and then focus on developing teams from the Under-17 level all the way to the senior team. We might need 10 to 12 teams in every age group, with around 2,000 elite players in each age group, and then stay focused on that for the next 10 years. If we do that, we might really get there," he concluded.

vi/bc

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran backed Lionel Messi's enduring influence on the reigning champions, describing the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as the team's "driving force" and "uniting force".

Speaking exclusively to IANS on Messi's legacy, Argentina's evolution and the criticism surrounding the South American giants during the tournament, Prabhakaran said the captain remains central to the team's success both on and off the pitch. While acknowledging Argentina's rich footballing history, Prabhakaran insisted that Messi's current World Cup campaign has further elevated his stature.

"With Messi, Argentina now only gets bigger in terms of what it is because, definitely, Argentina has a bigger football legacy, and they have won three World Cups, and only one with Messi; that was the last one, and (Diego) Maradona was one of the biggest legacies for them previously. Now, with Messi playing in his third final and a chance to win a second consecutive World Cup for Argentina, that legacy will be unmatched in many ways,” Prabhakaran told IANS.

Despite Argentina's history of producing footballing greats, Prabhakaran believes Messi remains the defining figure of the current side because of the influence he exerts throughout a match.

“Therefore, today if we see the performance of Argentina team, Messi is the dominating factor; he is one who is dictating the game and who is making the biggest influence on the game and all the games that we have seen so far. He has scored eight goals, but then more than eight goals, he has made an influential impact to make the difference in the game and the result, and that is what we have experienced against England even, his two assists that resulted in Argentina winning the semi-final and getting through to the final for the second consecutive time,” he added.

According to Prabhakaran, Messi's greatest contribution extends beyond goals and assists. He said the Argentine captain inspires those around him to raise their own standards.

"Messi is definitely the bigger aspect for Argentina but then he unites Argentina like never before and that is the spirit he kind of drives in the team which leads up to that performance because Messi alone cannot win the game but then what he brings together everyone with one energy, one goal, one vision, and he is the driving force and he is the uniting force, and that is where players are giving more than 100% seeing Messi and what he is capable of doing, and that every second it encourages; it motivates the teammates, and that is where they go all out to make Argentina win," Prabhakaran stated.

Argentina's run to the final has also been accompanied by criticism on social media, with some questioning their style of play and making allegations about the manner of their victories. Prabhakaran, however, dismissed such narratives as a by-product of the digital age.

"It's in the social media era; this is what happens. Everyone’s success is followed by people, and they get jealous of what it is. Therefore, I don't read much into it because it is a game which is a complete open book. Therefore, this is all rivalry that comes into play, namely the creation of social media, because that is where things that are not even facts get amplified,” he opined.

He argued that performances on the field ultimately determine success, not online speculation, saying, "And that's a fact because they are to score a goal. Nobody can put a chip to get the goal inside, right? You have to score; you have to work hard to score a goal. Therefore, it is not that somebody else is coming and throwing that ball into the goal and the opposition is being tied to something, right?"

Prabhakaran added that many of the allegations surrounding Argentina have little basis in reality and are driven more by personal loyalties than evidence. "So, that way it is unnecessary to create something out of nowhere, and those are all fiction rather than realities. That is what my experience suggests, and therefore nothing in it, but it is, again, that somebody wants Messi and Argentina to succeed, and somebody doesn't. Therefore, you have to come up with stories and certain aspects that have hardly any truth to them."

As Argentina prepare to defend the title, Prabhakaran believes the spotlight will once again fall on Messi, not only because of his footballing brilliance, but because of the leadership and belief he instils in the team around him.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is much more than a contest to crown the world's best football team, according to the former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), who believes the summit clash represents the sport's unparalleled ability to unite people, cultures and nations while creating an impact that extends far beyond the field.

Speaking exclusively to IANS ahead of the FIFA WC showdown, Prabhakaran said the tournament has once again demonstrated why football remains the world's most influential sport, with the expanded 48-team format delivering high-quality competition and unprecedented global reach.

Calling the final the pinnacle of the sport, Prabhakaran said football's greatest strength lies in its ability to connect people across geographical and cultural boundaries and described the FIFA World Cup final as a global celebration that transcends the game itself.

"This World Cup so far has been remarkable in terms of what we could witness with the expansion of 48 teams and the way the competition went, and there were real top-class performances, and the final between Spain and Argentina is huge.

"Football brings people together and nations together and where it is the biggest celebration and it is where the biggest assembly of culture happens and that way not only the economic benefit, sporting benefit, social benefit, it is the impact what it makes globally to the people, not only limited to those who are hardcore fans but those who are normal citizens as well because sport, particularly football, has the biggest reach,” Prabhakaran told IANS.

Prabhakaran also highlighted the tournament's economic footprint, saying the World Cup has generated enormous value for the host nation and beyond.

"Economically, it is a huge success, and there is a report in the US that it has contributed 20 billion within the US economy; that's huge, and 20 billion outside the US, there is more than 40 billion impact of this World Cup globally, that's huge,” he added.

Beyond the financial returns, he said football plays a much larger humanitarian role by inspiring hope and uplifting communities around the world, stating, "And then this value what football brings to the world, it also helps humanitarianly in many ways, and it also lifts the spirits of people who are kind of suffering because that gives a lot of joy and satisfaction in the life and then they try to look for hope and football gives them that hope."

With billions expected to tune in for the title clash, Prabhakaran said the scale of the audience itself reflects football's unmatched appeal across the globe.

"Tomorrow when the final will be, it will be watched by 2 billion people; that is huge, humongous, and that's what football does to the world."

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) France striker Kylian Mbappe penned an emotional note for coach Didier Deschamps, who is departing after 14 years of exceptional dedication to Les Bleus and French football.

France finished fourth in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after going down 4-6 to England. It marked Deschamps' farewell as France manager after 14 years in charge. The 57-year-old took over an underachieving side from Laurent Blanc in 2012 and led it to a second crown in 2018.

"You who gave us so much. We should have offered you a better ending, but we failed.

Putting words to what you brought over 14 years is very difficult, so major an actor were you in the revival of this team. People haven't always known how to appreciate your greatness, but time and history will take care of that… Thank you for giving me the chance and opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stage for so many years," Mbappe shared on X.

"I feel privileged to have been able to stand alongside one of the greatest legends of our country, and I hold only excellent memories of everything we lived through and accomplished together.

I wish you the best in your new adventure, and thank you again for everything you brought to this jersey that means so much to us, " he added.

Under Deschamps' leadership, for fourteen years, the French national team regained credibility, respect, and affection by remaining at the highest world level, winning the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 Nations League, and reaching several major finals, all while maintaining exceptional consistency.

Captain of the team that won the World Cup in 1998, the European Championship in 2000, and then the World Cup-winning coach twenty years later, Deschamps occupies a unique place in the history of French football.

He nurture the development of numerous international players, united several groups around strong values, and helped strengthen the unique bond between the French people and their national team.

Source: IANS

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Miami, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) England manager Thomas Tuchel hailed the "unbelievable" resilience of his squad after the Three Lions secured its best FIFA World Cup finish in 60 years, overcoming France 6-4 in a thrilling bronze medal match.

Tuchel's side won a 10-goal thriller at Miami Stadium against Les Bleus, following an eye-catching first-half performance, to end this summer's campaign on a high. And, in doing so, England recorded their highest World Cup finish since lifting the trophy at Wembley in 1966.

In 1990, Sir Bobby Robson’s side finished fourth after losing 2-1 to hosts Italy in the third-place play-off, and it was a similar story eight years ago in Russia when the team managed by Sir Gareth Southgate fell to a 2-0 defeat against Belgium.

“We had a brilliant first half and a turbulent second,” said Tuchel. “You could see the difference a day makes in the schedule, we were so tired and drained from the last weeks. Massive compliment and full respect to the mentality we showed after going through adversity.”

England surged to a 4-0 lead in the first half, and while France found its rhythm after the interval, it was ultimately unable to overturn the deficit. Bukayo Saka completed a hat-trick for England. The England boss gave his assessment of an entertaining ten-goal thriller in Miami in England’s last outing at this summer’s tournament.

“I was afraid of the physical demand of the match as we know the quality and speed of France,” he continued. “The schedule for them was less demanding, with one day more from the semi-final to digest and way less travel distances than us.

"We have played in the heat, altitude and whatever else. I was worried physically and you could see the cramps and tiredness in the second half. But I was never worried about the mentality. This team created something very special and they showed it again," he said.

England’s run to the last four also set a new milestone for the nation’s senior sides. Over the last four major tournaments for the men's and women's teams combined, dating back to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, England have reached at least the semi-final stage.

And although Tuchel and his players were disappointed to lose the semi-final against Argentina and miss out on a place in the final, he explained how tonight’s result has energised him.

“To see a team fight like this gives you energy,” he added. “The tiredness will come after. We will still feel the pain tomorrow during the final, this will take a while, but overall it gives me more energy than it takes from me.”

Source: IANS

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Miami, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) France's Kylian Mbappe broke Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record of 21 in the third-place play-off, though Les Bleus lost 6-4 to England.

Both Mbappe and Messi began World Cup 2026 adrift of former leader Miroslav Klose. Mbappe now has 22 World Cup goals in as many matches, scoring twice to move ahead of Messi and extend his lead in the Golden Boot race to 10 goals at this tournament, two ahead of Messi.

Prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026, Klose led the overall scoring charts, but he has now seen his previous mark of 16 obliterated not once, but twice, by Mbappe and Messi during the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

First of all, Messi moved level with the German after a hat-trick – his first in the World Cup – in Argentina's opening game against Algeria. The Argentina legend then became the outright leader with a brace in the win over Austria before further goals in their final group game with Jordan, the epic Round of 32 encounter against Cabo Verde and the enthralling Round of 16 win over Egypt.

But it is Mbappe who now tops the list, having continued his astonishing exploits at the global showpiece with ten more goals to add to the 12 he scored across Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

The France forward hit a trio of braces against Senegal, Iraq and Sweden, followed by a penalty against Paraguay, the opener against Morocco and then two more in the bronze final with England giving him an almost-incomprehensible 22 goals from a mere 22 games.

Moreover, the French captain has returned to the front of the pack in the Golden Boot standings after finding the net twice in the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze final defeat by England.

Mbappe has hit 10 goals in eight outings in North America. The only men with more in a World Cup are Sandor Kocsis with 11 for Hungary in 1954 and Just Fontaine with 13 for France in 1958.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says the only thing that makes him nervous about the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina is that his team will have to fly in a helicopter.

The comment says a lot about the calm radiated by the 65-year-old, who spent most of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao and most of his coaching career with youth teams, with five seasons in the Athletic Bilbao youth system and joining the Spanish Football Federation in 2013, with just 11 games with Deportivo Alaves virtually his only experience at club level.

Perhaps it is his progress from Spain Under-19 coach to Under-21 coach to the full team after the disappointment of Qatar 2022 that defines De la Fuente as a coach who prefers evolution over revolution - something that is clear in how Spain has adapted at this World Cup, reports Xinhua.

De la Fuente's team arrived with Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Víctor Munos injured and with Mikel Merino struggling for full fitness after suffering an ankle injury in February.

They struggled to create chances against a brave Cabo Verde, but with Yamal at risk for the first half against Saudi Arabia, they hit form and rediscovered confidence against Saudi Arabia, before showing grit to beat a physical Uruguay, in a game where the referee was very permissive with Uruguay's physical play.

With Nico Williams -- along with Yamal, one of the stars of the 2024 European Championships -- sidelined again by a Uruguayan kick, Alex Baena slotted in on the left and has had four excellent displays as Spain breezed past Austria, held their nerve against Portugal, and hit a late winner in the quarterfinal against Belgium.

Mikel Merino was the hero against Portugal, easing his way back to form as a substitute and scoring in the 91st minute to win a close game, before again coming off the bench to stun a dogged Belgium side with his goal-scoring instinct two minutes from time.

De la Fuente timed Merino's return to perfection, and against Belgium, he showed he can also be brave when he brought in Fabian Ruiz to replace Pedri. The Barcelona midfielder was thought to be virtually untouchable, but looked tired against Portugal, and the coach brought Ruiz in for the quarter-final, being proved right when the PSG midfielder opened the scoring.

Most also expected Marcos Llorente to start at right back, but it has been Pedro Porro who got the nod, and as well as defending well, Porro has scored two vital goals, netting the second against Austria and assuring a place in the final when he arrived unmarked to double the lead against France.

The fact that De la Fuente has worked with most of his players at either Under-19 or Under-21 means he has known them for a long time, and they know and trust each other.

His treatment of Yamal is a clear example, showing his trust and affection for a player who has only just turned 19 years old, while also helping to shield him from the pressure of being arguably the second most famous footballer on the planet, with only Leo Messi (who is 20 years older) ahead of him.

The hamstring injury he carried into the tournament means we haven't seen the very best of Yamal in this World Cup, but we have seen his coach ration the winger's efforts, while making incremental changes in his side, staying true to his footballing beliefs and taking Spain to the brink of glory.

And if Spain are leading Argentina with 20 minutes left to play, you can be certain De la Fuente won't pack his defense with central defenders; his side will defend by keeping the ball and looking to score another goal to assure the title - some things are not open to negotiation.

Source: IANS

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Madrid, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Spain legend Andres Iniesta believes stopping Lionel Messi completely will be almost impossible in Monday's FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, urging La Roja to focus instead on imposing their own style of play and maintaining the confidence that has taken them to the title clash.

Spain head into the final unbeaten after conceding just one goal in seven matches, while defending champions Argentina arrive as the tournament's highest-scoring side, led by Messi's eight goals and four assists.

Iniesta, who scored Spain's winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, feels Luis de la Fuente's side must concentrate on making life difficult for Argentina rather than trying to eliminate Messi from the game.

"Shutting him down completely is impossible. It will be more about how much Spain can hurt Argentina with their own game, creating chances, and being clinical when they come along," Iniesta said during an interview with El Partidazo de COPE as quoted by Goal.com.

The former Barcelona midfielder was full of praise for Messi, his long-time teammate at club level, saying the Argentine captain continues to perform at an extraordinary level despite being in the final World Cup of his career.

"There are no words, or I just don't know how to describe it. The determination, conviction, and everything he does in every single game is something you just have to take your hat off to," he added.

While acknowledging the challenge posed by the defending champions, Iniesta urged Spain's players to approach the biggest match in world football with belief rather than anxiety.

"No, no, never fear. You must never play with fear. I think it's down to the confidence the players give you, and their momentum throughout the World Cup has been on an upward trajectory. They head into the final with all the confidence in the world," he said.

"Everyone knows exactly what they need to do. No matter who plays, everyone knows their role, and they exude supreme confidence. It doesn't matter who is on the pitch or what position they play; they give you the feeling that everything is under control," he added.

Spain reached the final after defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals and have combined a disciplined defence with an attack led by Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, and Mikel Merino. They will now look to deny Argentina back-to-back World Cup titles and lift the trophy for the first time since 2010.

Asked whether it would matter who scored the winning goal if Spain edged Argentina, Iniesta made it clear that only one thing counts.

"It's not even a dilemma, because my answer is that I don't care who scores it. The important thing, just like back then, is that we walk away as champions. Who scores is secondary, as long as it's the goal that wins it."

Source: IANS

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New York, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) European champions Spain have combined attacking quality with one of the strongest defensive displays in FIFA World Cup history to reach their first final since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

Source: IANS

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New York, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Defending champions Argentina are just one win away from making history. A victory over European champions Spain in Monday's FIFA World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium would make Lionel Scaloni's side the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup crown.

Argentina's journey to the final has been anything but straightforward. It has featured dominant wins, dramatic comebacks, extra-time battles and, above all, another remarkable tournament from Lionel Messi.

The 39-year-old captain has scored eight goals to lead the tournament scoring charts and once again become the driving force behind Argentina's campaign. Along the way, he also broke Miroslav Klose's long-standing record to become the highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 21 career goals.

Argentina have also been the tournament's most attacking side, scoring 19 goals in seven matches, with Lautaro Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giovani Lo Celso all making important contributions alongside their captain.

The Albiceleste began their title defence in style by beating Algeria 3-0, with Messi scoring a hat-trick on his 200th international appearance. The victory saw him equal Klose's World Cup scoring record before he surpassed it in the next game.

Against Austria, Messi recovered from an early penalty miss to score twice in a 2-0 victory that secured Argentina's place in the knockout rounds and made him the outright leading scorer in World Cup history.

Scaloni's men completed a perfect group-stage campaign with a 3-1 win over Jordan. Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring from a free-kick before Lautaro Martinez converted from the penalty spot. Messi came off the bench to add another spectacular free-kick and finish the group stage with six goals.

The knockout rounds, however, tested Argentina's character. Their Round of 32 clash against tournament debutants Cabo Verde turned into a thriller. Messi gave Argentina the lead before the African side twice fought back to force extra time. With penalties looming, Messi's corner in the 111th minute forced an own goal that sealed a 3-2 victory.

The Round of 16 produced another dramatic comeback. Egypt led 2-0 with little over 20 minutes remaining before Cristian Romero started the fightback. Messi then levelled the contest after missing a penalty earlier in the match, and Enzo Fernandez headed home deep into stoppage time to complete a remarkable 3-2 turnaround.

Argentina needed extra time once again in the quarterfinal against Switzerland. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring before Dan Ndoye equalised. After Switzerland were reduced to ten men, Julian Alvarez struck a brilliant goal in extra time, and Lautaro Martinez wrapped up a 3-1 victory to send the defending champions into the last four.

The semifinal against England followed a familiar script. Anthony Gordon put England ahead before Argentina mounted another late comeback. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the closing stages before Lautaro Martinez headed home Messi's cross in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win and book a second successive World Cup final. Although Messi did not score, he provided assists for both goals and once again dictated the biggest moments of the match.

Now only Spain stand between Argentina and history. The final also promises a fascinating tactical contest. Argentina arrive as the tournament's highest-scoring team with 19 goals, while Spain boast the competition's best defence, having conceded only once in seven matches.

For Messi, who has already rewritten the World Cup record books, Monday offers the chance to end what is expected to be his final World Cup with another historic triumph. For Argentina, it is an opportunity to become only the third nation after Italy and Brazil to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) As Spain and Argentina prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, former England striker Robbie Fowler believes the title clash will be decided by a fascinating battle of styles.

While backing Spain to lift the trophy, Fowler explains why La Roja's purposeful possession, tactical discipline and game management give them the edge, while warning that Lionel Messi remains Argentina's biggest match-winner and could still change the game in an instant.

Fowler believes Spain's purposeful style of play has made them the standout side of the tournament, but expects Argentina's resilience and fighting spirit to ensure a closely fought final."I've been massively impressed with Spain. They play football with a purpose—it's not possession for possession's sake. They move the ball through the lines quickly and everything they do has intent. Technically and tactically, I'd say Spain have the edge, but Argentina have got the blood, guts and fight to make it a real game. It'll be a fascinating final because both teams have different strengths, and I think Argentina will definitely make a game out of it," Fowler told Zee5.

Fowler also highlighted Spain's ability to turn possession into attacking opportunities, insisting their dominance comes from playing with intent rather than simply controlling the ball."What makes Spain special is that there's always a purpose behind their possession. They don't keep the ball just to inflate possession numbers. They break the press, move the ball forward quickly and attack through the lines. They've got clever players who find pockets of space, dictate games and know exactly when to accelerate the tempo. That's what makes them such a dangerous team."

The former Liverpool striker feels Spain's biggest challenge will be denying Lionel Messi the space to influence the game, something England managed for large spells before eventually being punished in the semi-final."If you're playing against Messi, it's absolutely vital that you don't give him space. If he gets space, he creates chances and goals. We saw against England that once he found those pockets of space, he completely changed the game. Spain have to be sensible defensively, close those channels quickly and stop Argentina from playing the game they want."

Asked how Spain should approach defending against Messi, Fowler said there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution and stressed the importance of adapting throughout the game."You need both. There'll be moments to press high and moments to stay compact because you can't play one way for 90 minutes against a player like Messi. He'll always have moments where he finds space, so Spain need a clear plan to deal with the pockets he likes to operate in. If they can limit those moments, they'll go a long way towards stopping Argentina."

While Messi's influence on the biggest stage needs no introduction, Fowler also expects teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to have a major say after an encouraging semi-final display. "Messi is one of the greatest players the game has ever seen and you can never write him off in a World Cup final. But Lamine Yamal looked much sharper in the semi-final and seems to be peaking at exactly the right time. I wouldn't be surprised if one of those two ends up deciding the biggest game in football."

Despite Argentina's impressive run to another final, Fowler believes Spain have shown the consistency, game management and technical quality required to become world champions."Argentina have been brilliant throughout the tournament and they were actually my pick before it started because they're the reigning champions. But I've been massively impressed with Spain. They've shown the desire to win, excellent game management and outstanding technical ability. For me, Spain are the team to beat, and they're my pick to lift the FIFA World Cup."

Source: IANS

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