Messi breaks England again: Argentina in the World Cup final

We have seen it so many times it is no longer a surprise - just a confirmation. England went ahead through Anthony Gordon in the 54th minute and clung to that lead like a lifebelt, which is exactly the mistake anyone playing Argentina pays for. Enzo Fernandez levelled it at 1:1 in the 85th, and in extra time Lautaro Martinez headed the job home - off a cross from who else but Messi. It was Messi's 12th assist at World Cups, the most by anyone since the statistic has been kept at all. On Sunday in New Jersey, Spain await. The 38-year-old does not need to win that final to be the greatest - but when a final is a bonus, you have already won.

Saliba out for five months: a blow to Arsenal before the season even starts

It is rare for an injury picked up in a national shirt to hurt a club more than the country itself. William Saliba came off in the 30th minute of France's semi-final against Spain (lost 0:2) after telling Upamecano he could not continue. The diagnosis: a serious back injury, a lay-off of four to five months. The 25-year-old defender already had chronic back trouble, so the worry in London is not overblown. Without him, Arteta's Arsenal defence is left with a gaping hole just as the season kicks off. International breaks carry glory, but the bill often arrives at the club's address.

Greenwood brought United 13 million - without playing for them

Sometimes a club's best transfers are the ones it makes through other people's deals. Manchester United earned around 13 million euros from Mason Greenwood's move from Marseille to Fenerbahce, who paid 39 million euros plus bonuses. The money came via a sell-on clause agreed back when United sold the player to Marseille for 31.6 million in 2024. The 24-year-old forward, who came through the club's academy, dazzled at Marseille with 48 goals and 17 assists in 81 appearances. United did not want him back in the squad - but they were not too proud to cash in on his goals somewhere else.

Two European ties in Skopje: Shkendija at 5:0, Sileks with only one goal

On the same night two Macedonian clubs played for survival in Europe, but with wildly different comfort. Shkendija are defending a commanding 5:0 from the first leg at the „Todor Proeski" National Arena, so the return is almost a formality - next up is Slovenia's Bravo. Sileks have a thinner cushion: only a 1:0 lead ahead of the return with Dinamo Minsk at the „Petar Miloshevski" training centre, and a win means a duel with Azerbaijan's Neftchi Baku. Two Skopje European nights in a single day - a rare scene for our football, where we usually count the defeats, not the rounds we get past.

Cowardice or just a game? Bellingham under fire after Atlanta

When you lose, every detail becomes evidence - and that is exactly why the drama in Atlanta did not end with the final whistle. After the elimination by Argentina, Jude Bellingham found himself under fire: footage showed a contentious move, and the English public immediately started handing down verdicts. Part of the media claim he struck an Argentine player while the opponent celebrated. Manager Tuchel admitted England had been „too passive" after going ahead, and in a match like this that is paid for dearly. For a generation that promised so much, this is yet another tournament that ended in questions instead of a trophy.