European Super Football

England's first two group matches have presented very different challenges. A thriller against Croatia and a battle against Ghana. Author | Liam C Croatia pressed high, while Ghana defended deep and were content to concede possession, as reflected in England's 78.2% share of the ball. Ghana's experienced coach Carlos Queiroz appeared to take particular satisfaction in pointing out, on several occasions, that England had "no solutions". Tuchel said: "It is difficult to find a way through when someone plays a 4-5-1, sits completely deep and is committed to it, and they celebrated a 0-0 like a win. "So you could see the different approaches, which is fair enough and credit to them. You cannot lose your head about it." A closer look at two very different matches Against Croatia, England's runners in wide areas and through the middle posed a genuine threat. With Ghana sitting back, however, the Three Lions needed a moment of individual brilliance and...

Scotland's attacking questions and defensive resilience leave Group C hopes finely poised. They have three points from a 1-0 win over Haiti and a 1-0 defeat by Morocco. Author | Sean M That tally of points could yet prove enough if they avoid a heavy loss to Brazil on Wednesday, while a draw would leave them on the brink of reaching the last 32. But what have the two matches in Boston revealed before the Tartan Army descends on Miami? In the build-up to the tournament, head coach Steve Clarke switched to a 4-4-2 formation for friendlies against Curacao and Bolivia with encouraging results. Against modest opposition, Scotland scored eight goals across those two games and arrived at the World Cup in confident mood. Clarke persisted with the same shape for the opening match against Haiti, but Scotland managed fewer shots than their opponents and posted a lower expected goals figure (1.05 compared with 1.21). John McGinn's winner arrived via a deflection, while starting forwards La...

It was a remarkable first match for England at the 2026 World Cup Can they keep this brave and attacking style up throughout the tournament? Author | Liam C England supporters spilled out of the magnificent Dallas Stadium into the warm night air buoyed by a sense of exhilaration after Thomas Tuchel's side delivered a powerful statement of intent. Harry Kane had earlier urged his England team-mates to be "free in the mind" and embrace the pressure that comes with a World Cup, and they took him at his word, for better and worse. England's opening 4-2 win over Croatia combined exhilarating attacking football with moments of alarming defensive vulnerability, but the smiles on the faces of supporters leaving this vast arena painted their own picture. This was, whisper it, fun. England have often been difficult to watch in recent years, even when reaching the Euro 2024 final and the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar four years ago. Those campaigns brought progress, but rare...

The Premier League fixtures are out this Friday! The World Cup may be in full swing but minds will turn temporarily back towards the Premier League on Friday morning when the league announces the fixtures for all 20 teams Author | Macca When are the Premier League fixtures announced? The countdown to the new season begins on Friday 19 June, when the schedules for all 20 clubs will be unveiled at 10am. Where can you find the 2026/27 Premier League fixtures? The official websites of all 20 Premier League clubs will publish details of their respective fixture lists, while updates will also be shared across their social media channels. The Premier League's official app allows supporters to download their club's fixtures directly to their devices, with further information available via the league's official website. Fan blogs such as Manchester United's  The View from K Stand   will have the perspective of individual clubs and trying to examine if it's 'good or bad...

It was a hard-fought win for France against Senegal Senegal famously beat Les Bleus in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, with the late Papa Bouba Diop scoring the only goal in one of the greatest upsets in the tournament's history. Author | Jack L For long periods, the Lions of Teranga looked capable of producing another memorable result against the two-time champions, whose star-studded attacking quartet of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Michael Olise struggled to find their rhythm before the interval. France managed only three touches inside the Senegal penalty area in the first half, while Mbappe found it difficult to influence proceedings. Didier Deschamps' side emerged with far greater intensity after the break. Doue dragged a shot wide within moments of the restart, while Olise and Mbappe were both denied by Edouard Mendy when sent clean through on goal. However, the former Chelsea goalkeeper could do little to stop Mbappe, 27, from taking centre s...

How hot is too hot? When Belgium were held by Egypt on Monday, they became the seventh of the 10 European teams to fail to win their opening match of the World Cup. Author | Liam C Only Germany, Scotland and Sweden have begun their campaigns with victories, overcoming Curacao, Haiti and Tunisia respectively. England, Croatia, France, Norway, Austria and Portugal are still to play their opening fixtures. With European nations ranked higher than their opponents in eight of those 10 matches, more wins would have been expected. That has prompted questions over whether the hot conditions across North America are having an impact. The fans are having fun though. The heat was always likely to be a significant factor at this World Cup, with matches being staged in high temperatures across the tournament's three host nations. Belgium's draw with Egypt in Seattle took place on what had been forecast as one of the city's hottest days of the year, with temperatures rising above 30C...

The last few days have been unlike anything Boston has experienced before.  A Scotland invasion has swept across the city for this World Cup, a pilgrimage many Scots never believed they would have the chance to make.  Author | Sean M There are families here with several generations who have never witnessed anything quite like it. The Tartan Army has been warmly welcomed wherever it has gone, embraced almost like a long-lost relative returning to a family gathering. Unsurprisingly, spirits were high after Scotland's World Cup victory over Haiti as supporters made their way to Fenway Park in the summer sunshine for a 'Scottish Celebration' night during the Red Sox's game against the Rangers. No, not that one. The Texas version. The evening is the brainchild of Travis Pollio, the Red Sox's director of ticket strategy and promotions. Standing on the corner of Jersey Street and Van Ness Street, he predicts around 4,000 Scots will attend, his voice barely carrying above t...