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I think Tuchel will stick very closely to the team that beat Croatia when selecting his lineup versus Ghana tonight. But if England get a favourable result, don’t be surprised to see him rotate against Panama. Kobbie Mainoo for Rice in midfield seems one obvious change Tuchel would make, as well as switching in the likes of Djed Spence and Marc Guéhi at the back. Maybe he would even wrap Harry Kane in cotton wool if England can assure themselves of top spot in Group L.
Rice says he is ‘conditioned’ to last through World Cup
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been managing a hamstring injury for a while and has been talking about how he’s got the mental and physical resilience to deal with a World Cup campaign with England.
Rice was taken off by Thomas Tuchel during England’s 4-2 win over Croatia and his game-time may have to be managed throughout the tournament.
I’ve been lucky enough to play in Europe for the last six years, my last three years at West Ham, my first three with Arsenal, so my body’s been conditioned and built for these moments for playing long seasons.
I’ll probably say this season has been mentally tougher than physically, just because the emotions of a football player is crazy, the feelings and emotions we go through in a season is up and down, you need to find that balance.
I think at this moment in time, [I’m] in a mentally very good space, physically I feel really good as well. So I want to keep taking this into the end of the end of tournament.
Hmm… I know Ronaldo-bashing is becoming a ‘thing’ at this tournament, but I wouldn’t be betting against the Al-Nassr man today. Portugal face World Cup first-timers Uzbekistan in Houston later.
I got 6-1 on Ronaldo not to score this tournament, so long as they don’t get any penalties I reckon those are good odds.
US agencies have seized more than 300 drones near World Cup sites since the start of the tournament on 11 June, the Transportation Security Administration has told Reuters.
During match days, all aircraft operations, including drones, are prohibited within a radius of three nautical miles and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around the stadiums unless specifically authorised by air traffic controllers.
Sorry to drone on …
I wrote today’s Football Daily newsletter so I implore you all, shamelessly, to read and sign up. Cheers.
Gattuso named new Lazio manager
Former Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso, who left the national team after they failed to qualify for the World Cup, has joined Lazio as manager, the Serie A club has confirmed.
Lazio parted ways with manager Maurizio Sarri in May after finishing ninth in the Italian top flight and losing the Coppa Italia final to Inter. Gattuso has now managed AC Milan, Napoli, Fiorentina, the Italian team and now Lazio, plus Valencia, Marseille and Hadjuk Split among others.
“The club warmly welcomes its new manager and is confident that his experience, professionalism and determination will help the club achieve its sporting objectives,” Lazio said in a statement.
“I really enjoyed David Hytner’s recent article about England’s ‘finishers’ (Rashford, Rogers, Saka…),” emails Jeremy Boyce. “And was struck by how he didn’t draw a parallel with rugby, where ‘finishers’ have been part of the plan for years, and there are no questions raised about them not being starters. A great example is the England rugby hooker position, currently occupied by Jamie George (starter) and Luke Cowan-Dickie (finisher). Last year in the Six Nations they gave Cowan-Dickie a chance to be a starter with catastrophic results.
“We should look at our footie finishers in the same way. Rashford seems more relaxed as a sub and scorer than as a starter. Sake needs protection till he’s back to full fitness. Rogers is an explosive talent who can pull surprises. They’re as valuable a part of the team as the starters and put the fear of whatever into opposing teams when they appear.”
England versus Ghana tonight will be a full circle moment for the Black Stars’ key player, Antoine Semenyo.
The London-born winger is a very familiar face to Premier League-watching audiences these days but his journey to facing the country of his birth at the World Cup has been an unorthodox one. From being rejected by a host of professional academies in London, to being persuaded by former Forest Green and Leeds boss Dave Hockaday to join an academy program at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, which led to him being signed by Bristol City.
After a stint at Hellenic League side Highworth Town, a loan to Newport County and then a breakout spell in Bristol City’s first team, Semenyo is now one of the Premier League’s top players at Manchester City, via Bournemouth, and someone England will be worrying about before their clash with Ghana in Boston later.
Ghana’s 2010 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Uruguay is, by all accounts, a key footballing memory of Semenyo, whose parents are Ghanaian. Even a point for Ghana tonight would give them a great chance of reaching the knockout stages.
Some people are taking issue with Lionel Messi’s rate of scoring when it comes to World Cup goals. Which is fair(ish). You’ve still gotta score ‘em.
Pelé 0.86 goals per game.
Muller 1.1
Mbappé 1
Messi… 0.64
Fair play to the chap for keeping fit enough for longevity but let’s remember he has scored two more goals that Mbappe in twelve more matches.
Now, can we talk about the teams rather than the individuals please.
Krishna adds on email: “The stunning aspect of the WC leading scorers is Mbappé. He has scored in one World Cup as much as CR7’s total, and he is now level with Klose. I will not be surprised if he ends this edition as the leading scorer with 28 goals . He has another two World Cups in him, bare minimum. His WC goals tally will remain forever like Bradman’s 99.94 [cricket average].
Wild overnight celebrations erupted across Norway as the men’s national team secured qualification to the World Cup knockout stages – and a tide of elated supporters headed to the palace of 89-year-old King Harald V to see if he would join their party. Despite the match ending at around 4am local time on Tuesday, Norwegian supporters took to the streets to party after seeing their team qualify for the last 32 after a thrilling 3-2 win against Senegal in Group I.
World Cup fever engulfed Oslo, with the capital full of people celebrating the win, even though Tuesday is a regular working day. A large crowd marched up Oslo’s main thoroughfare towards the royal residence chanting: “We’re going to wake up the king.” Upon reaching the palace square, hundreds of fans sat on the ground to perform the “Viking rowing” celebration.
The Norwegian Royal House declined to comment on whether the King and Queen Sonja had been awoken by the festivities, or if the monarch had stayed up to watch the match.
It said: “The Royal House rejoices with the rest of the country over the men’s national team’s victory last night.”
After Lionel Messi’s heroics last night, I’ve been looking quite intently at the list of all-time World Cup top goalscorers today.
It’s hard to believe Cristiano Ronaldo fails to make the top 20, having only scored eight across his six World Cups so far. French legend Just Fontaine managed 13 in a single tournament back in 1958 – and he only played six games.
England’s Harry Kane and Gary Lineker are on a respectable 10 each.
Thanks Martin. C’or it’s warm in the UK right now. Is this why England players ‘wilt’ in the heat of a summer World Cup so often?
That is my stint done – I will be back on Monday as I’m going away for a few days. I’ll leave you in the very capable hands of Dominic Booth.
Barcelona have signed Egypt forward Hamza Abdelkarim
Barcelona have signed Egypt forward Hamza Abdelkarim on a three-year deal, the LaLiga club said in a statement on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
The 18-year-old international joined Barcelona on loan from Al Ahly in the winter transfer window, with a purchase option at the end of the season. Abdelkarim scored six goals in 11 appearances for the club’s under-19 side.
Due to our historic rivalry I was quietly narrowing my eyes slightly at people cheering on Argentina in a pub in England yesterday, but that is nothing to the strength of support for La Albiceleste in Bangladesh, where these incredible pictures come from.
Predictably, I was very much against the expansion of the tournament and consider 48 teams and approximately one gazillion group stage matches too much football. Also predictably, once it started, I have been absolutely lapping it up, and very much enjoyed the moments when the likes of Qatar, Curaçao and Cape Verde have snatched points against more fancied opposition.
However, the third-place qualifiers thing is still grinding my gears. This chart purports to show your possibilities of qualifying with various combinations of points and goal difference.
The picture will shakedown considerably after tomorrow. One of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Qatar could end up on four points, and one of Czechia or South Africa could end on four points by the close of matchday 3 in Group A and B. Sweden, Scotland, Algeria and Paraguay all have three points already in third place, and Scotland’s group concludes tomorrow as well. At that point it should be clear which of Group A, B or C are likely sending teams through to the Round of 32, which will then eliminate various of the *counts on fingers* 495 possible combinations of fixtures, and start to sort out who can and can’t play each other as the bracket develops. What a palaver.
England fans have taken to Boston like a Mexican mascot duck to water, it seems.
One dead, eight injured in crowd crush in Jordan as fans watched World Cup
One person died and eight others were injured after a crowd crush during a crowded gathering of fans in central Amman to watch Jordan’s World Cup match against Algeria early on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
The incident occurred at Hashemite Square, where large numbers of fans had gathered in the capital to watch Jordan’s 2-1 defeat to Algeria, according to the Jordan News Agency.
Emergency teams transported nine injured people to hospital after heavy congestion and crowd movement at the venue led to the crush. One of those injured later died, while the others sustained minor to moderate injuries, it reported citing the PSD.
Today so far …
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Yesterday’s results: Group I – France 3-0 Iraq, Norway 3-2 Senegal and Group J – Argentina 2-0 Austria, Jordan 1-2 Algeria
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Today’s matches: Group K –Portugal v Uzbekistan (1pm ET, 6pm BST), Colombia v the Democratic Republic of the Congo (10pm ET, 3am BST) and Group L – England v Ghana (4pm ET, 9pm BST), Croatia v Panama (7pm ET, midnight BST)
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Thomas Tuchel believes England were given a wake-up call by Croatia and must focus on improving their defensive structure as the World Cup progresses. David Hytner in Boston says Tuchel’s brash Britpop football is music to England ears.
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Roberto Martínez has said criticism of Portugal and Ronaldo is “unfair”.
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Colombia’s final training session before their match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo was suspended because of a storm yesterday.
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The former Yugoslavia and Atlético Madrid striker Rade Bogdanovic has sparked controversy on Serbian TV after making a racist comment during Belgium’s game.
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Socceroos defender Jason Geria insists there will be no “truce” made with Paraguay in their final World Cup group match – both the South Americans and Australia would likely progress with a draw.
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Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos and Mark Langdon for today’s World Cup Daily.
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Arsenal are expected to make an approach to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa after identifying the England forward as their primary transfer target this summer.
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Julián Alvarez has said he wants to leave Atlético Madrid to “fulfil his dream” following reported interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Martin Belam
Hi everybody. I said that on Sunday I had tapped out of Uruguay v Cape Verde at half-time to go to bed on the assumption that was done and dusted. This was an error. I did the same at half-time of France v Iraq last night, and I cannot describe what an amazing feeling it was to wake up and read the phrase “two-hour storm break”.
That’s my stint on the blog done. Martin Belam is here to take you through the next couple of hours. Enjoy!
Martínez says criticism of Portugal and Ronaldo is ‘unfair’
The Portugal camp is a nervous one right now after the side’s disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their opening match.
There has been lots of chatter about whether Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 years young, is still the man to lead the line for one of the tournament favourites, including by the Guardian’s Miguel Dantas.
Here is what Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has had to say in the build-up to the 6pm BST kick-off against Uzbekistan.
I can’t inform you about the starting 11 because I haven’t informed my players. We are playing a World Cup so of course we have a lot of noise and tension, but it’s part of the game. The focus is on the team and we want to show a positive attitude … to be ready for the match. We are very much focused. We are strong. The team is even more united than before.
While not specifically referring to Ronaldo, Martínez added that some of the criticism is “unfair, it’s unjust.”
You’ll notice that hidden in Ed Aarons’ story about Arsenal chasing a deal for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is the following paragraph.
The Gunners are also likely to make an approach to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. The 18-year-old Morocco midfielder is being monitored by Liverpool and could cost around £70m.
The World Cup must be incredibly embarrassing for elite clubs’ scouting departments. Their sole job is to identify the best players – as well as hidden gems – and make their recommendations to the head coach/board/sporting director in good time so that the club doesn’t have to either overpay or compete against competitors for a player’s signature. I’m not saying £70m is too much for Bouaddi – he has looked insane for Morocco – but that figure might have been £20m cheaper a month ago.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Christ Inao Oulaï also looks like he is going to get a huge move this summer. Trabzonspor, his club, will be watching his performances at this tournament and licking their lips, waiting for the bids to roll in.
David Squires’ new cartoon is live, and it’s a banger.
Colombia training suspended due to storm
Colombia’s final training session before their match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo was suspended because of a storm on Monday. Colombia players were practicing at a training centre in Guadalajara when they were told to take shelter.
They had practiced for less than 30 minutes when the session had to be suspended. The players finished the session in a gym, whereas the Democratic Republic of the Congo practised in the morning in the US before traveling to Guadalajara later Monday.
It will be the second Group K game for both teams. Colombia opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo played to a 1-1 draw with Portugal. AP
Can we say that the Messi v Ronaldo debate is over now? It’s been a tough tournament for those diehard CR7 fans, who will be desperate to see their hero start in Portugal’s 6pm BST kick-off against Uzbekistan. After Messi’s heroics, it’s not great for the brand if Ronaldo doesn’t start for his country, especially in a match which they are expected to comfortably win by a large margin.
Some really risky comments from Julián Alvarez, who is hoping to use this World Cup as a springboard to get a big-money move. Following Argentina’s World Cup Group J win over Austria, The Argentinian revealed that he wants to leave Atlético Madrid, just two seasons after joining from Manchester City in a deal worth up to €95m (£81.5m). Shades of Antoine Griezmann a few years ago.
“I spoke with people at the club [Atlético], with those I had to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream. It’s not the time to talk about this, but I also can’t hide it. I try to be an honest person.”
The thing is, Atlético have already rejected a €150m (£129.4m) offer from Real Madrid for the forward, according to media reports. Alvarez is an elite forward but not a generational talent, and I’m not sure there are many teams – maybe PSG? – that would pay more than that sum for a player that turns 27 in January, with little or no re-sell value. And imagine Alvarez’s reception at Atlético if someone doesn’t stump up the cash and he is forced to return to the club.
Let’s have a look at the current standings for the all-time World Cup men’s scorers. Miroslav Klose started yesterday as the all-time leader … but now has Kylian Mbappé for company on 16 goals and Lionel Messi in front on 18 goals. The Frenchman, of course, has time on his side to eclipse both Messi and Klose. All in good time.
Have to admit I missed this headline from last week but it was not widely reported, so here goes:
Argentinian officials have supplied US authorities with a list of 13,000 parents, requesting that they be prevented from attending World Cup matches as they have not paid child support.
“Those who fail to meet a responsibility as fundamental as feeding their children must face the consequences,” said Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri. “If they do not provide for their children, they will not be allowed into the stadium.”
There were some overnight quotes from England manager Thomas Tuchel regarding the 9pm BST kick-off against Ghana. You can read them here.
Tuchel has also been talking about Jude Bellingham, who will become England’s youngest player to hit 50 caps if he features against Ghana.
There is no doubt that a game and competition like this brings out the best in him but it needed improvement, the connection between Jude and Harry, the connection between Jude and Declan (Rice) and Elliot (Anderson). It needs improvement and needed improvement and it’s a big step.
Jude played fully into our idea and was fully committed to the team idea and team spirit and to play in full cohesion with everyone else. He was very important, super reliable.
Hello everyone! Very much channeling the energy of this man today. Don’t try and bring me down. It’s England Day. Alexa, play Tubthumping.
And that’s it from me. Thanks all and allow Michael Butler to guide you onward into day 13 of the World Cup.
All this Messi talk and not a single word yet on his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Well, here we go. After a disappointing draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and even more disappointing showing from CR7, Portugal have the chance to get back on track and flex their muscles against Uzbekistan.
But should the statuesque and oldest outfield player ever at a World Cup be starting? Probably not if this seriously talented team have designs on going all the way. But he will likely fancy his chances and start himself against Uzbekistan.
Miguel Dantas shared his passionate take on Ronaldo’s future with the national team last week.
How much?!
I have just received a PR email in my spam folder suggesting a beer at Boston Stadium, hosting England v Ghana later, is £13.45 ($18). Can this be confirmed? Have Scotland fans caused dynamic pricing on a pint? 1-0 if true.
Guardian columnist and 2014 World Cup winner Philipp Lahm weighs in with his thoughts on the tournament so far. Big love for the Tartan Army (naturally), less big love for the affect the expanded event will have on players and a strong take on what the future of the World Cup should be.
World Cup Daily dig in on Messi
Wrap your earphones around the World Cup Daily podcast as Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos and Mark Langdon to chop up Leo’s heroics, France’s barnstorming win and there may also be a look ahead to England v Ghana. Enjoy!
Our man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.
Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.”
Moving seamlessly to today’s action, England are back to it later in Boston. Thomas Tuchel is calling for his defenders to be a little stronger after keeping Croatia in the game last week. Can they do it against Ghana? This England supporter has some faith as the Black Stars failed to have a single shot in the first half of their opener against Panama. But there I go tempting fate. Sorry, everyone.
Outside of Argentina running away with Group J, only a few hours ago Algeria came alive with a second-half comeback to hand Jordan an early exit from proceedings. Ahmed Benbouali and Amine Gouiri bagged the goals to put Algeria level with Austria on three points after a 2-1 win in Santa Clara.
Kudos to this French supporter weathering the storm in Philadelphia. That is some seriously heavy rain!
To round out the striking sensations there is of course Erling Haaland. The Norwegian bulldozer came alive in the second half with two superbly taken efforts that left Senegal with just a little too much to do. They gave it a good go though. Ismaïla Sarr grabbed a double of his own in a 3-2 humdinger.
PS: Martin Ødegaard’s delicate through ball for Haaland’s first goal was also rather nice.
Kylian Mbappé was equally impressive as France picked Iraq apart amid a two-hour storm break in Philadelphia. Two more goals from Mbappé puts him joint-second with Miroslav Klose with 16 at World Cups at the age of 27. I reckon he might score a fair few more you know. Sorry, Miroslav!
The Guardian’s Pablo Iglesias Maurer dives into everything Messi with boots on the ground as history was made at Dallas Stadium (aka Jerry World) last night.
The great one on his exploits: “It feels special, but like I’ve always said it does. Like I’ve said other times, I enjoy playing, having a good time on the pitch. I wasn’t necessarily having one on the penalty, but with luck we were able to work through that situation, take the advantage and leave with three points.”
And Argentina head coach and fellow Lionel … Scaloni: “I have no words to talk about Leo, it makes us all a bit tired. I’m so happy with his performance. He scored again. The team suffered and at times we created difficulties today. When Leo becomes active everyone activates.
“When the team was having a tough time without possession of the ball he worked, he managed to steal the ball, you could see his level of commitment and there is a reason for that. He has commitment, this is what he generates.”
There is only one place to start. Lionel Messi. Still completely unstoppable at 38 years old and one imagines still completely unstoppable at 39 years old when he celebrates his birthday tomorrow. What a treat to strike out alone at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring table before your big day.
“He’s the best,” said teammate Julián Alvarez after Argentina’s talisman ran rings around Austria with both goals in their 2-0 win in Group J. Hard to argue really.
Preamble
Hi and hello football fans! Hm, turns out these guys Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland aren’t a flash in the pan after all. Each of them put in another iconic shift yesterday to lift Argentina, France and Norway into the last 32 after two games. Messi is now the leading all-time World Cup goalscorer with 18 while he also leads the tournament’s Golden Boot chart with five and Mbappé and Haaland sit right behind on four. Entirely believable, Jeff!
Now what’s going on today then. Hmmm. Ooh a classic will he, won’t he when Portugal take on Uzbekistan later. Then a midnight special between Panama and Croatia. And the return of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the late game when they take on Colombia.
Wait, what’s this? Eng-ger-land v Ghana at 9pm BST. Thomas Tuchel’s charges are back in action in Group L. Oh my gaawwwd!
Welcome to World Cup 2026 – day 13!
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