Messi Writes History, Norway Returns, and Barça and Atlético Brawl Over Álvarez

Messi Shapes History Again - the First Player in the Knockouts of Six World Cups

Lionel Messi has become the first footballer in history to pass the group stage of all six World Cups he has played in. Argentina advanced after wins over Algeria (3:0) and Austria (2:0), and against Austria Messi scored two goals and became the top scorer in World Cup history. The Guinness Book confirmed four new records in his name. At 38, the man everyone writes off every summer is once again doing something no one before him has done. How many times do we have to "send him to retirement" before we accept that we ourselves don't know when he'll finish?

Norway and Haaland in the Knockouts - the Vikings Return to the Big Stage

Norway, after two decades away from major tournaments, are in the knockout phase, after a dramatic 3:2 win over Senegal in Group I. Erling Haaland was a double scorer, and Markus Pedersen opened in the 43rd minute. In the same group France coolly sorted things out 3:0, and both sides secured their spots early. Haaland piled up goals at his clubs for years, but the national team was an open wound for him - now that wound is closing on the very biggest stage. For a striker who measured up to everyone, only this was missing.

Algeria Knock Out Jordan After a Comeback - Africa Surprises Again

In Group J, Algeria beat Jordan 2:1 and kept their chances of advancing, while Jordan, one of the surprise stories of the qualifiers, went home. World Cups with an expanded format were supposed to give space to the "small ones," and for a moment they do - until the traditional powers coolly bring them back down to earth. Does a bigger tournament really mean greater justice for the weaker, or just more matches in which the same teams win in the end? For now, Algeria is the one rejoicing, and on African soil that always counts.

Álvarez Wants to Leave Atlético - and the Story Turned Ugly at Once

Julián Álvarez openly admitted, after Argentina's win over Austria, that it would be best for everyone if he left Atlético Madrid this summer. The Argentine didn't name a club, but all fingers point to Barcelona. Atlético responded with the gloves off: either someone activates the 500-million-euro clause, or there's no deal. How easily a "dream for the player" turns into a war between two clubs over money no normal person can imagine.

Atlético Called Barcelona a "Club That Cheats" - Old Wounds Reopen

The tone between Atlético and Barcelona sharpened to the point where the Spanish giant threatened an official complaint to football's governing bodies, claiming Barcelona had negotiated with a player under contract without permission. Atlético went further - it called its rival a "club that cheats," recalling the Negreira affair and old transfer disputes. Behind the fine words about "respecting the rules," Spanish football is still a bazaar where everyone accuses everyone, and the player is goods haggled over loudest when no one wants to pay.