The Netherlands Showed Everyone How to Play the World Cup, Spain Already Under Pressure

The Netherlands showed everyone how to play the World Cup, Spain already under pressure

While half the world stares at the group-stage brackets, the Netherlands poured five goals past Sweden and finished 5:1 - a statement to remember. Brian Brobbey struck a brace in the first half, and the second was the Netherlands' hundredth goal in World Cup history. After the break, the same rhythm: Cody Gakpo added two more in ten minutes. With this the Netherlands extended their run to 14 World Cup matches unbeaten (penalties aside). On the other side, Spain is still shaking after an opening stumble - when the favourite trips early, every next match becomes a final before the final.

Barcelona wants Sesko from Manchester United

Barcelona is after a new centre-forward since Robert Lewandowski leaves at the end of his contract, and according to the Spanish press, Benjamin Sesko is on the list - the Slovenian whom United paid up to 74 million pounds for last year from RB Leipzig. The Catalans' main target remains Julian Alvarez, but Atletico Madrid has turned down even a 129-million-pound offer from Real and is asking for more. The problem for Barca is simple: United is happy with Sesko and won't hear of a sale. When the purse only opens for a player nobody will give up, the story usually ends where it began - on paper.

Casemiro heads to Miami, Old Trafford behind him

Another name is leaving the Manchester United gallery: Casemiro has reached a verbal agreement with Inter Miami, the reigning MLS champions, as a free agent since his contract expires on 30 June. The Brazilian was also in talks with LA Galaxy and clubs from Saudi Arabia, but chose Florida. At 34, he is to fill the hole left by Sergio Busquets after retirement. For now Casemiro is at the World Cup with Brazil - playing a key role in the group stage - and the move to Miami is finalised afterwards. A classic summer arithmetic: a big name, zero euros in fee, and the question of how much fuel is left in the engine.

Ronaldo from hero to "burden": is his time running out?

After Portugal's pale 1:1 against DR Congo, the criticism aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo grew louder than ever - especially because the same day Lionel Messi finished with a hat-trick. Former striker Michael Owen stepped in to defend him, but the question already hangs over the national team: does the 41-year-old captain still carry the team or hold it back? For a Balkan viewer this is a familiar drama - the legend who won't leave the stage, and the team that doesn't dare say out loud that he's in the way. Ronaldo reacted briefly on Instagram: "Focus on what you can control."

No Macedonian jersey at the World Cup - the fans share their loyalties

Macedonia isn't at the World Cup in North America, so local fans are once again watching other people's battles - some root for the Netherlands for the football, some for Brazil for tradition, some just wait to see where Messi ends up. That's the reality of a small footballing nation at a big tournament: you watch, you comment, you cheer other people's goals. Meanwhile the focus at home shifts to the summer market and to the Macedonian talents looking for a way out through foreign clubs, where the real local story this summer is being written on other pitches, not on the World Cup turf.