World Cup - Soccer Wiretap

Lionel Scaloni said Friday that Lionel Messi will continue taking Argentina's penalty kicks unless he chooses otherwise, despite recent struggles from the spot. Scaloni addressed the topic ahead of Argentina's World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland.

"First of all, Leo will take penalties if he wants to," said Scaloni. "We have other players capable of taking them, but if he wants to take them, he'll take them."

Messi has missed both of his penalty attempts at this year's tournament and has converted just four of his last seven for Argentina dating back to the 2022 World Cup. Scaloni indicated Messi's legacy and current form have earned him the right to make that call himself.

Scaloni also addressed Messi's positional freedom, including his drift to the right flank late in Argentina's 3-2 win over Egypt.

"In truth, these days he usually plays much more centrally," said Scaloni. "But our entire team, and especially the players who move around him, play in relation to him. That's normal. It happened naturally within the flow of the game. The team realized that he was creating danger from that side, especially because he was able to find passes into the opposite side where teammates could arrive. I think that became very clear."

Messi assisted Argentina's opening goal against Egypt before scoring the equalizer himself, giving him eight goals and one assist from 15 chances created across 410 minutes this tournament. Scaloni said Messi's physical output has not changed significantly despite turning 39 in June.

"Leo runs pretty much the same amount he always has," said Scaloni. "It's not that he's running significantly more or less. The difference is that now everything he does is much more decisive. ... Maybe it surprises people who don't know him, who expected that at 39 he wouldn't still be at this level. I've said it many times: As long as he wants to keep playing, he'll be the best."

Scaloni also dismissed recent comments from Egypt coach Hossam Hassan alleging officiating favoritism toward Argentina.

"Honestly, people have been saying those kinds of things about Argentina for a very long time," said Scaloni. "Back in 1986 [when Diego Maradona won the tournament], people also said Argentina received favorable treatment."

Argentina faces Switzerland Saturday night in the tournament's final World Cup quarterfinal match.

Lionel Messi has spent 63 percent of his movement at this World Cup walking, according to FIFA tracking data. The figure far exceeds any other outfield player in the tournament.

Messi adds another 25 percent of match time simply standing still. He jogs just 8.6 percent of the time, well below the tournament average of 23 percent, and rarely breaks into a sprint.

Despite the limited movement, Messi ranks third in the tournament for touches in the attacking third and has created the third-most big chances with 15. He shares the Golden Boot lead with Kylian Mbappe at eight goals apiece.

FIFA's heatmap data shows Messi's walking concentrates in the inside-right pocket between the center circle and penalty area. He has received the ball 97 times between the opposition's midfield and defensive lines through the quarterfinals, the sixth-highest total in the competition.

Former France defender Raphael Varane, who faced Messi 21 times including the 2022 World Cup final, described the difficulty of marking him in these zones.

"You really have to communicate a lot with teammates to know who should do what," said Varane. "Messi's speciality was walking in areas where you don't know who should defend (him). Is it the midfielder? Is it the full-back? Is it the (central) defender?"

Former Arsenal defender William Gallas offered a similar assessment of the tactical bind Messi creates.

"Even if he was walking, what you wouldn't want as a defender is for him to receive the ball, so you would think about getting close to him," said Gallas. "But if you get close to him, he has already won that battle because if he doesn't get the ball, you've allowed space behind you to be created and that's exactly what he wants."

When Messi does accelerate, 71 percent of his runs in possession end in the final third and 21 percent in the box. Former Australia assistant coach Rene Meulensteen said Messi reserves his energy for those moments.

"He spent 80 percent of his time just wandering in our match and comes to life in the final third where he knows he can do something that matters," said Meulensteen.

South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has died at age 25, the South African Football Players Union confirmed Saturday. Adams recently featured in Bafana Bafana's historic run to the World Cup round of 32.

The cause of death has not been confirmed. Both the South African Football Players Union and the Ministry of Sport, Arts & Culture announced his passing.

"The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) is devastated by the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams," the union said in a statement. "Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction. His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Bafana Bafana and all those whose lives he touched. South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer. May his soul rest in eternal peace."

Adams started South Africa's group-stage matches against Mexico and Czechia, the latter coming just a day after the death of his grandmother, Marianna Adams. He also came off the bench in a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 24 that sent South Africa to the knockout rounds for the first time in program history. 

South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture, Gayton McKenzie, reflected on a personal exchange with Adams following his grandmother's death.

"When I reached out to Jayden to offer my condolences and encouragement, I shall carry forever the humble, appreciative response he gave me," said McKenzie. "That he chose to wear the national jersey and give his all for his country in that moment speaks to a depth of character and professionalism well beyond his years, and it reflects the calibre of young man South Africa has lost."

Adams was an unused substitute when South Africa was eliminated by Canada on June 28. He had won the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in May, dedicating his winners' medal to former Stellenbosch FC teammate Oshwin Andries, who died in 2023.

Adams came through Stellenbosch's youth ranks before joining Sundowns in January 2025. The club also lost another young player, Jeandre Gaffoor, earlier this year.

Lamine Yamal declared Spain has nothing to fear ahead of Tuesday's World Cup semifinal against France in Arlington, Texas. The winger spoke to reporters following Spain's 2-1 quarterfinal win over Belgium on Friday.

Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute to send Spain past Belgium and set up the semifinal matchup. France advanced Thursday with a 2-0 win over Morocco.

The meeting will mark the third match between Spain and France in three years. Spain won both previous games, defeating France in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and the 2025 UEFA Nations League.

"If France should fear anyone, it's us," said Yamal. "We have knocked them out [before]. We have beat them two times. Honestly, I think we're the two best teams at the World Cup, so we'll see what happens, but we do not have any fear."

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente echoed Yamal's confidence ahead of the matchup.

"The expectations are very, very high for the next game," said de la Fuente. "We're concentrated on this next game and very well aware of the potential of our opponent at the next game. But also we are very clear that we are able to beat France.

"We have the quality and it's a semifinal again. We've had a semifinal against them. We were successful. The game will be very demanding. It'll be energetic. We'll need to have the best version of ourselves."

Spain has needed late goals to advance through the knockout rounds, with Merino scoring the decisive winners against both Portugal and Belgium. Yamal said opponents sitting deep against Spain has masked the team's quality.

"It may seem as if we're not playing great, but every team we play sits back against us," said Yamal. "No one has gone toe-to-toe with us, but in the end we got the win again today. That is the most important thing.

"We are really happy to be in the semifinal. We've been here for a long time now and we want to stay until the final."

This will be Spain's second World Cup semifinal appearance and first since winning the tournament in 2010. France is aiming to reach its third consecutive World Cup final. Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, has scored one goal in six appearances at this tournament.

Mikel Merino scored an 88th-minute winner for the second time in three matches as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 Friday in the World Cup quarterfinals in Los Angeles, per ESPN. Spain held a 1.96 to 0.34 edge in xG (expected goals).

Fabian Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute after Thibaut Courtois parried a Dani Olmo shot, with the ball deflecting off Timothy Castagne and into the net. Charles De Ketelaere leveled for Belgium 11 minutes later, powering a header from Castagne's cross past Unai Simon. The goal ended Spain's World Cup shutout streak at 650 minutes, dating to the 2022 group stage.

Belgium's afternoon unraveled in the final 20 minutes. Courtois was forced off in the 71st minute with an apparent thigh injury, visibly emotional as he departed. Replacement Senne Lammens could only parry Pau Cubarsi's long-range drive, and Merino reacted fastest to lift the loose ball into the net.

Belgium had also lost Youri Tielemans to injury before kickoff, with Hans Vanaken stepping in as a late replacement.

Merino reflected on his remarkable run of decisive contributions.

"It seems like a coincidence but, if you go in prepared, it can happen again," said Merino. "I'm thrilled. I doubt it will happen again, but we'll see.

"Two matches to win a World Cup is a dream come true. Hopefully we can achieve it."

Luis de la Fuente embraced the semifinal challenge ahead.

"It's an honor to coach a team so committed and eager to improve," said de la Fuente. "It's fair to think we can beat France. We're going to work hard for it. A great team is going to face another great team."

Spain meet France in the semifinals in Dallas. France are -144 favorites to advance with an implied probability of 59 percent, according to the latest World Cup odds.

Kylian Mbappe scored and assisted after missing a first-half penalty as France defeated Morocco 2-0 Thursday in the World Cup quarterfinals. France held a commanding 3.69 to 0.14 edge in xG (expected goals) and a 21-4 advantage in total shots.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 60th minute before teeing up Ousmane Dembele six minutes later. Dembele's finish was his fifth goal of the tournament, coming after Mbappe drew defenders wide to create the opening.

The 60th-minute strike was Mbappe's 20th career World Cup goal in 20 appearances, pulling him within one of Lionel Messi's all-time record of 21 goals across 31 matches.

Mbappe had drawn a 25th-minute penalty when Noussair Mazraoui chopped him down in the box, but after a lengthy video review delay, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou guessed correctly and turned the attempt aside.

Morocco's best first-half chance came just before the break when Achraf Hakimi's free kick from outside the box drifted past the right post. The Atlas Lions registered just one shot on target throughout the match.

The result repeated France's 2-0 semifinal victory over Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when the Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach that stage.

France remain on course to become just the third nation to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals. Les Bleus face Spain or Belgium in the semifinals Tuesday in Dallas.

Jarell Quansah will sit out England's World Cup quarterfinal against Norway after receiving a two-match suspension for his red card against Mexico. The ban also rules him out of a potential semifinal if England advances.

Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute of England's 3-2 round-of-16 win over Mexico following a VAR review for a high challenge on defender Jesus Gallardo. England finished the match a man down but held on to advance to Saturday's quarterfinal in Miami.

The suspension leaves England thin at right back heading into the match. Manager Thomas Tuchel is already monitoring Reece James, who has been out with a hamstring injury since the scoreless draw with Ghana and trained separately from the squad Wednesday.

England has cycled through several options at the position this tournament. Djed Spence started after Quansah was injured against Panama, Declan Rice finished as an emergency right back against Congo DR, and Ezri Konsa filled in following Quansah's dismissal against Mexico.

Sources told ESPN the Football Association considered its options for Quansah's ban after FIFA suspended USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's one-game ban and extended it to 12 months following intervention from President Donald Trump.

Tuchel voiced frustration over the precedent set by FIFA's decision on Balogun.

"Where does this start and where does this end now?" said Tuchel. "Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What's going on?

"Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that. Where does this end now? Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card. Do we think it is not a red card or who thinks it? Where does this start and where does this end?"

England will face Erling Haaland and Norway on Saturday in Miami without Quansah available.

Christian Pulisic sustained a bone bruise and microfracture in his leg during the United States' 4-1 World Cup loss to Belgium, according to sources briefed on the diagnosis who spoke with The Athletic. The forward is expected to miss several weeks, though not months.

Pulisic appeared to suffer the injury in the 52nd minute after his shot attempt collided with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans' leg. He continued playing for several minutes before being substituted in the 59th minute.

"I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play," said Pulisic following the match.

Medical evaluations later confirmed the injury as a bone bruise and microfracture of the tibia and fibula, according to sources. Pulisic was seen using crutches at the team hotel the following day.

The recovery timeline suggests Pulisic could return to action in August, potentially in time for AC Milan's Serie A opener against Torino on August 23.

This marked Pulisic's second injury of the tournament. He previously left the Paraguay match at halftime with a calf injury that also sidelined him against Australia, before returning for the Turkey match and starting against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Pulisic drew criticism following his postgame comments to Fox regarding the injury.

"It's just frustrating to end like that, of course, but now I have time to rest, so hopefully it'll be OK," said Pulisic.

Former USWNT star Carli Lloyd criticized the remarks on social media.

"You rest when your playing career is over. Period," wrote Lloyd.

AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim addressed Pulisic's situation Wednesday, expressing confidence in the winger heading into next season.

"I know he had some criticism after the World Cup elimination, but I am here to say we believe a lot in him, and have a clear plan to use all the qualities that he has," said Amorim. "Pulisic is really important for us."

The World Cup match between England and Mexico has surpassed the United States' game against Belgium to become the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history, according to preliminary Nielsen figures.

More than 44 million viewers tuned into Sunday's matchup across both networks, with 23.2 million watching on Telemundo and 21.742 million on Fox. The combined total of 44.8 million exceeds the roughly 42 million who watched the U.S.-Belgium game one night later.

The Fox broadcast became the most-watched English-language World Cup telecast in U.S. history not involving the USMNT. Telemundo's audience set a new record for Spanish-language soccer coverage in the country.

Fox's viewership peaked at 25.715 million near the match's conclusion, as England held on with 10 men to secure a dramatic win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.

Nielsen's final figures are expected to rise further once complete data is compiled for both Sunday's and Monday's broadcasts.

The atmosphere inside Azteca Stadium matched the tournament's most intense environments. England's sizable American fanbase paired with Mexico's significantly larger following to produce the record viewership. The round of 16 matchup carried extra weight given Mexico's historic success at that venue.

Four quarterfinal matches remain on the schedule, though none are expected to match Sunday's viewership given their earlier broadcast windows. France faces Morocco on Thursday, followed by Spain against Belgium on Friday.

Saturday's doubleheader features Norway against England, followed by defending champion Argentina against Switzerland. That slate, featuring stars including Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi, holds the strongest chance of drawing the tournament's next major audience.

The two semifinals next week will air at 3:00 PM ET on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will mean lower viewership in the United States regardless of the matchups. The final will be played on Sunday, July 19th at 3:00 PM ET with a rematch of 2022 featuring France and Argentina likely the matchup that would generate the biggest possible audience in the United States.

France enters the World Cup quarterfinals as the tournament favorite with 33 percent odds to win the title, according to the latest Polymarket odds. Argentina ranks second at 21 percent.

France and Argentina, who met in the 2022 World Cup final, are on opposite sides of the bracket and would meet in the final again if they each win their next two matches. France holds a 54 percent chance of winning its next two matches to reach the final.

France will first face Morocco in the quarterfinals, with a potential semifinal matchup against the winner of Spain and Belgium. Argentina will take on Switzerland before a possible semifinal against the winner between England and Norway.

Spain entered the tournament as a slight World Cup favorite ahead of France before slipping following a scoreless draw with Cape Verde. Cape Verde nearly upset Argentina in the subsequent round of 32.

Spain holds the best xG expected goals mark among remaining teams at +1.70, having yet to concede a goal this tournament. Argentina and France rank second and third in that category, with England, Morocco, Belgium and Norway trailing behind.

2026 World Cup Title Odds:

1. France: 33%
2. Argentina: 21%
3. Spain: 19%
4. England: 16%
5. Norway: 6%
6. Morocco: 3%
7. Belgium: 2%
8. Switzerland: 2%

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