Spain are aiming to make World Cup history as the only team yet to concede a goal at the 2026 tournament prepare to face Portugal in the last 16.
Luis de la Fuente’s side have reached the knockout stages in imperious form following a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria.
That dominant performance ensured they became the first team not to face a single shot on target in a knockout match since Germany defeated Argentina in the 2014 final.
The Iberian nation are also the first European side to keep clean sheets in each of their opening four matches since Switzerland managed the feat in 2006.
Simon surpasses Zenga milestone
Goalkeeper Unai Simon has now gone 519 consecutive tournament minutes without being beaten.
The 28-year-old stopper has surpassed Walter Zenga’s long-standing tournament benchmark of 517 minutes and overhauled Iker Casillas’ national record.
His rapid ascent on the international stage has been underpinned by the unwavering faith of his manager.
De la Fuente has continued to select his preferred number one ahead of Premier League Golden Glove winner David Raya and Barcelona standout Joan Garcia.
I feel proud of him; I feel like he is a member of my family and I’m very happy for him.
Luis de la Fuente
Collective effort targets Swiss record
Despite heaping praise on his goalkeeper, the national team boss was quick to stress these achievements reflect a wider collective effort.
He played a very big role in the victory, but it’s not just about individuals as it is about the whole group coming together for that defensive effort.
Luis de la Fuente
Another significant piece of tournament history is now within touching distance for La Roja.
Switzerland’s run of 559 consecutive minutes without conceding between 1994 and 2010 remains the longest streak by any nation.
If the former world champions can keep their neighbours scoreless until the 41st minute of their upcoming knockout tie, they will set a brand new benchmark.
Recent statistical evidence suggests the formidable defensive unit have every chance of achieving that milestone.
No opponent has managed a single shot on target against the Spanish backline in the opening 75 minutes of a match during this entire campaign.
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is reportedly lining up a final retirement fight against Deontay Wilder after recently relinquishing his world titles.
The Ukrainian star vacated his three remaining world championship belts late last month to pursue one final lucrative appearance before leaving the sport.
Discussions are understood to be advancing with Zuffa Boxing, a newly formed promotional outfit backed by UFC president Dana White and influential Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh.
The final piece of the era
A matchup with the 40-year-old American would represent the last major un-fought champion from the southpaw’s dominant era.
The decorated former Olympian has already secured high-profile victories over leading heavyweights Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois in recent years.
He views the Alabama-born knockout artist as the only remaining elite opponent left to conquer from the division’s celebrated 2015 generation.
Wilder seeks career redemption
While the former undisputed king is preparing to exit at his absolute peak, his prospective opponent arrives following a turbulent period in the ring.
The American held the WBC heavyweight title for five years before suffering back-to-back defeats to Fury and subsequently losing momentum in the business.
Following a devastating stoppage loss to Zhilei Zhang earlier this year, the veteran did recently bounce back with a much-needed victory over Derek Chisora.
Despite returning to winning ways, the former world champion has still suffered defeat in four of his last seven professional outings.
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has received a formal reprimand for a yellow-flag infringement following his third-place finish at the British Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion secured a record-extending 15th podium at Silverstone on Sunday.
He crossed the finish line behind former team-mate George Russell and race winner Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton avoids sporting penalty
The 41-year-old was summoned to the stewards after the race for failing to slow down for an incident on lap 38.
The veteran racer escaped a grid drop or time addition after telemetry showed the dashboard warning lights illuminated too late.
FIA documents confirmed the warning only appeared once the driver was already in the heavy braking zone for Turn 10.
He had already served a separate five-second penalty during his first pit stop for jumping the race start.
“I went through a yellow flag. Jumped the start, yellow flag – when it rains, it pours,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.
Williams driver penalised
Further down the grid, Carlos Sainz suffered a frustrating afternoon after being handed a rare penalty lap.
The Spaniard illegally unlapped himself during a late Safety Car period caused by a crash involving Max Verstappen.
Race officials ruled the former Ferrari star breached Article B5.13.4c of the sporting regulations.
The infringement dropped him from 12th to 17th position, extending his point-less run to four consecutive races.
His team-mate Alex Albon was also forced to retire, capping a miserable home race for the Grove-based outfit.
Tottenham have completed the club-record signing of midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in an agreement that could ultimately reach £100m.
The 26-year-old makes the switch to north London after spending three highly eventful seasons on Tyneside.
Spurs initially saw an £80m approach rejected by the Magpies before eventually agreeing to pay a guaranteed £92.5m alongside a further £7.5m in performance-related add-ons.
Overcoming adversity to secure silverware
The Italy international originally arrived in the Premier League from AC Milan for £55m in July 2023.
His early career in England was severely disrupted when the Italian Football Federation handed him a 10-month suspension for breaching betting regulations.
However, the combative midfielder returned to become a pivotal figure for Newcastle, driving them to Carabao Cup glory in 2025 to end a 70-year major trophy drought.
De Zerbi drives ambitious summer rebuild
Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi has been a long-term admirer of his compatriot, having initially identified him as a target during his managerial tenure at Sassuolo.
This marquee acquisition continues an incredibly aggressive summer recruitment drive by the capital club.
The former Milan playmaker arrives shortly after Spurs secured Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for a staggering £85m fee.
Defensive reinforcements have also been a priority, with experienced duo Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi joining on free transfers.
Should a proposed move for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke materialise, Tottenham’s combined outlay on their new midfield and defensive core alone will reach £237m.
Nottingham Forest have appointed former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner as their new manager until 2029, following the abrupt dismissal of Vitor Pereira.
The Premier League club parted ways with Pereira via email just two minutes before a specific clause in his contract was due to expire.
The 57-year-old Portuguese coach had successfully guided the East Midlands side to top-flight safety last season after taking charge in February.
He also led the team to the Europa League semi-finals, where they were eventually eliminated by Aston Villa.
Glasner’s pedigree and vision
Owner Evangelos Marinakis has moved swiftly to secure the services of Glasner following the expiration of his contract at Selhurst Park.
During a highly successful three-year tenure in south London, the Austrian tactician secured both the FA Cup and the Europa Conference League.
“From my very first conversations with the owner and the leadership team, it was evident to me that they have a clear vision for this football club.”
Oliver Glasner
The 49-year-old added that his immediate priority is meeting the playing staff ahead of their pre-season schedule.
Marinakis targets major honours
Forest’s ownership group maintains lofty ambitions for the upcoming campaign under their new managerial appointment.
“Our ambition is not simply to compete – our ambition is to win, to challenge for major honours and to create a football club that our supporters can be proud of.”
Evangelos Marinakis
Marinakis praised his new head coach as a proven winner who possesses the necessary leadership and tactical style to elevate the squad.
The sudden managerial change leaves Pereira searching for a new role just as he was actively preparing the squad for the forthcoming season.
Ten-man England have secured one of their greatest World Cup victories by defeating host nation Mexico 3-2 at the iconic Estadio Azteca to reach the quarter-finals.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will now travel to Miami on Saturday to face Norway in the last eight of the tournament.
Two goals from Jude Bellingham inspired the monumental triumph in an incredibly hostile environment.
The historic win was achieved despite defender Jarell Quansah receiving a red card early in the second half.
Overcoming the elements and the odds
The dramatic knockout tie was initially delayed by an hour due to severe thunderstorms sweeping across the Mexican capital.
Facing an intimidating atmosphere at an altitude exceeding 7,000 feet, the visiting team breached a formidable fortress where El Tri had previously lost only two of 89 competitive matches.
The German head coach celebrated wildly at the final whistle, embracing his two-goal midfield talisman on the pitch after a physically draining encounter.
A victory for the ages
The Three Lions had faced significant criticism for their spluttering progress through the group stages, but this heroic display answered those doubts emphatically.
Former national team captain Alan Shearer praised the immense resilience shown by the squad under immense pressure.
“Those players have represented their country in magnificent form.”
Shearer told BBC Sport.
“Everything that could have gone against them, everything that was thrown at them – the energy, the altitude – they have got past all of that and they deserved it.”
Surviving 11 agonising minutes of stoppage time with a numerical disadvantage guarantees this phenomenal performance will be remembered alongside the legendary 1966 triumph.
Chelsea defender Reece James has eased England’s severe defensive crisis after he was seen sprinting during celebrations following their World Cup last-16 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.
The Three Lions advanced to the quarter-finals courtesy of a Jude Bellingham brace and a Harry Kane penalty.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will now face Norway in Miami on Saturday night, but they entered the knockout stages facing a critical shortage of fit full-backs.
Defensive headache worsens
Jarell Quansah was rushed back into the starting lineup against the tournament co-hosts but was sent off early in the second half.
The central defender’s subsequent suspension compounds the issue, especially as deputy Djed Spence has struggled to impress on the international stage.
However, the sight of the Chelsea captain moving freely and leaping in front of travelling supporters provides a significant and timely boost.
Hamstring concerns lifting
The dynamic right-back had been entirely sidelined with a hamstring problem during the group-stage victories over Panama and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He also missed full squad training sessions in the build-up to the Mexico clash, relying instead on a tailored individual fitness programme.
It remains unclear if the experienced defender will be fully cleared to participate against the Scandinavians this weekend.
Waiting on medical clearance
Prior to the dramatic knockout tie, the national team manager admitted he was unsure if his injured star could feature.
“Reece can maybe make it onto the bench, but we need the last assessment from the doctors and the medical opinion [as to] whether this makes sense.”
Thomas Tuchel
England medical staff will closely monitor the London-born defender over the coming days before making a final decision on his match fitness.
Fifa has suspended a red card ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun ahead of Monday’s World Cup last-16 match against Belgium following a direct telephone call from President Donald Trump.
The unprecedented decision by world football’s governing body means the punishment is suspended rather than formally rescinded.
It makes the 25-year-old forward available for the crucial knockout tie in Seattle.
The Brooklyn-born attacker was dismissed during Wednesday’s round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after a video review caught him planting his boot into Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle.
Pochettino welcomes ‘fair’ decision
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has warmly welcomed the ruling, despite acknowledging the controversial nature of political involvement.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager insisted his side had already suffered enough after playing with ten men for 35 minutes of their previous fixture.
I think everyone who really looked at the sport and trusts in ethics and integrity should celebrate that decision.
The Argentine tactician stated he was completely uninvolved in the appeal process, only discovering the outcome shortly before a team training session.
The 52-year-old manager was also quick to stress that political pressure should never dictate sporting regulations, despite benefiting from this exact scenario.
Belgium coach brands ruling an ‘April Fool’
The controversial reversal has not been well received in the Belgian camp ahead of their pivotal clash.
Belgium boss Rudi Garcia reportedly likened the unexpected ruling to a practical joke, describing it as feeling like “April Fool’s Day”.
While Pochettino expressed understanding for his opposite number’s frustration, he maintained that the outcome represented global sporting justice.
A crucial boost for American hopes
Having the former Arsenal youngster available provides a massive lift for a home side already dealing with high-profile injuries.
He has been his nation’s standout performer and top scorer at the tournament, stepping up brilliantly in the absence of injured talisman Christian Pulisic.
Despite the attacking reinforcement, Pochettino warned that their European opponents remain one of the finest sides in world football.
The Belgian heavyweights previously dismantled the North American outfit 5-2 in a warm-up fixture this past March.
However, backed by a famously vocal Seattle crowd acting as their 12th man, the hosts are determined to make history by advancing to the quarter-finals.