European Super Football

Vinicius Jr is expected to resume contract talks with Real Madrid this week Premier League champions Arsenal continuing to monitor the Brazil forward's situation closely. Author |  Jack L The Gunners have identified Vinicius as their preferred option on the left wing if uncertainty over his future at the Bernabeu continues. The prospect of one of world football's leading attackers moving to north London has inevitably fuelled speculation, but there remains significant doubt over whether he will be available this summer. Real Madrid and the player's representatives have been discussing a new deal for the past 18 months, with his current contract due to expire in 2027. Real Madrid aim to reach agreement Vinicius returned to Madrid on Monday for his first pre-season training session and medical assessment after representing Brazil at the World Cup. The winger is working under Jose Mourinho for the first time this week, and sources close to the Portuguese coach say he is eager ...

Eddie Howe has stepped down as head coach of Newcastle United. The 48-year-old has left the club after almost five years in charge, following a disappointing 2025/2026 campaign. Author | Lewis Whatley Howe guided Newcastle to Champions League qualification on two occasions and ended the club’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by winning the Carabao Cup in 2024/25. Newcastle said the process of appointing a new head coach is already at an advanced stage, with German coach Matthias Jaissle understood to be the leading candidate for the role. Howe's coaches Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone will also leave St James' Park, along with head of performance Dan Hodges. Newcastle United fan responds to Eddie Howe's departure on Super Local Sports News superlocalnews.blogspot.com/2026/07/edin... [image or embed] — Super News Affiliate ( @supernews1.bsky.social ) 31 July 2026 at 21:01 A statement from Eddie Howe "After nearly five years of ...

Hibernian 4 - 1 Malisheva (Hibernian won 4-3 on aggregate) Hibernian swept aside Kosovan side Malisheva to overturn last week’s first-leg defeat in and book a Conference League third qualifying round tie against North Macedonia’s Shkendija. Author | Sean M Stadium | Easter Road After the disappointing performance and result in Pristina, head coach David Gray had demanded a response and got one from the outset on a warm summer evening in the Scottish capital. Three first-half goals from Owen Elding, Felix Passlack and Nathan Lowe put Hibs ahead on aggregate, with the hosts threatening to add more during a dominant 45 minutes in which Josh Mulligan and Martin Boyle both struck the woodwork. Hibs fans created a fantastic atmosphere Boyle added a fourth after the interval and, although Omer Bajraktari pulled one back to leave Malisheva within a goal of forcing extra time, the visitors could not create another clear opportunity. A closer analysis of what happened Elding opened the scoring i...

Hearts 0 - 2 Sturm Graz (Sturm Graz won 6-0 on aggregate) Hearts endured another painful night against Sturm Graz as their first Champions League campaign in two decades came to a swift and sobering end. Author | Peter Grainger  Stadium | Tynecastle Two second-half goals condemned Wouter Vrancken’s side to a 6-0 aggregate defeat against the slick Austrians in the second qualifying round, their heaviest loss over two legs in European competition. Hearts now drop into the Europa League third qualifying round, where they will face either St Gallen or Benfica. The two sides meet in the second leg on Thursday, with St Gallen holding a 2-1 advantage. It was a comfortable night for the Austrian side With Sturm already four goals ahead from the first meeting, Seedy Jatta appeared to extinguish any lingering hopes of a Hearts revival after 25 minutes in Edinburgh. The forward was left unmarked in the six-yard box and tapped beyond Alexander Schwolow, only for the effort to be ruled out for ...

A new era starts for the French national side Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of France. Author | Jack L Didier Deschamps, France’s longest-serving manager, brought his 14-year spell in charge to an end following the country’s semi-final defeat by Spain at the 2026 World Cup. Zidane, who helped France win the World Cup as a player in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old, widely regarded as one of France’s greatest-ever players, will sign a contract taking him through the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign. Zidane said his appointment was “a great source of pride” as he prepares to take charge of a France side that finished fourth at the World Cup. France v Senegal at 2026 FIFA World Cup A closer look at Zidane's managerial career so far After retiring from playing following the 2006 World Cup, Zidane did not move into management until 2014, when he took charge of R...

A potential rule change incoming? English football is set to trial measures aimed at eradicating the goalkeeper tactical timeout this season. Author | Josh T Interesting video from Sky Sports explaining the need to eradicate 'tactical timeouts' youtu.be/CDOmO9_SGf0?... [image or embed] — SuperNews ( @supernews12.bsky.social ) 29 July 2026 at 17:09 The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women’s Super League have agreed to the proposal, which is subject to approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Earlier this year, IFAB decided against changing the laws of the game and instead invited leagues to volunteer for trials. Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, has since held discussions with the leagues over how best to address the issue. The agreed solution will require a team to remove an outfield player from the pitch whenever its goalkeeper receives treatment. If a referee signals ...

A legendary footballer and a legendary man This is our tribute  Author | Anthony Gates Kevin Keegan, who has died at the age of 75, was one of football's most charismatic and influential figures, enjoying a remarkable career that took him from global playing star to one of the game's leading managers. Although some will remember him for his difficult spell as England manager, he will be far more fondly recalled as a world-class footballer with Liverpool and Hamburg, as England captain, and for his later playing years at Southampton and Newcastle United. It was on Tyneside, however, where he became one of the club's most adored figures. Watch | A wholesome video posted by Newcastle United   Keegan helped revive Newcastle's fortunes as a player before inspiring the club again from the dugout. He guided them back to the top flight and built a thrilling side that challenged for the biggest prizes, even if the ultimate success proved just beyond their reach. His time at Newc...

Sturm Graz 4 - 0 Hearts Wouter Vrancken's reign as Hearts head coach began in the worst fashion as his side slumped to a damaging defeat in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. Author | Ben A Stadium | Stadion Graz-Liebenau After missing out on the Scottish title in the closing moments of last season, the Edinburgh club were making their first appearance in the competition since 2006, but the occasion quickly unravelled. Sturm Graz took the lead after just four minutes when Jon Gorenc Stankovic rose highest to head home from a long throw. Hearts responded positively for a spell, however. Pierre Landry Kabore and Alexandros Kyziridis both squandered excellent opportunities, moments that proved increasingly costly as the match wore on. Watch | Highlights from Premier Sports Early in the second half, Sturm doubled their advantage from a corner as defender Jeyland Mitchell was left unmarked to tap home after poor defending at the set-piece. Three soon became four as Heart...

After his 187th and final match in charge, a record-extending 27th at the World Cup finals... Didier Deschamps brought an end to his long and successful spell as France manager. Author | Jack L The man who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 looked set on finishing in style, naming both Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise from the start. The pair arrived as the tournament's leading scorer and top assist provider respectively, and the match certainly lived up to expectations. Instead, Deschamps' reign ended with France's first competitive defeat against England since 1982, despite a vastly improved display after the interval following a first half that threatened to become a humiliation. France created chances almost at will during spells of the contest, but England goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced a series of impressive saves to deny Rayan Cherki, Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. Olise also squandered two clear opportunities, ending the tournament without finding the net. Aft...

Thomas Tuchel previously said England's mentality was something you could bottle and sell.  What remains beyond their reach, however, is the ability to deliver in the biggest moments. Author | Ben A The England head coach made the above remarks after the World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway, despite being openly critical of his side's display in the 2-1 win. He later went further, suggesting that "it's maybe not in our DNA... to control the game and ball". The dramatic late collapse that saw England surrender their lead against Argentina in the semi-final, denying them a first men's World Cup final since lifting the trophy at Wembley in 1966, inevitably revived familiar questions about their ability to get over the line. This latest setback joins a growing list of painful near misses Successive defeats in European Championship finals and the 2018 World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia have reinforced the perception that England continue to fall just short...

It was billed as a meeting between the World Cup's most potent attack and the tournament's most resilient defence. By the final whistle, there was little doubt which side had come out on top. Author | Jack L France have lit up the competition with their attacking flair, while Spain have attracted less attention, their patient control perhaps proving less eye-catching. Any lingering doubts about their credentials, however, should now have been firmly put to rest. Spain's Euro 2024 triumph was built around the exhilarating wing play of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Injuries have restricted both players' influence during this tournament, with just one goal between them, although Yamal's impact has steadily increased as the competition has gone on. Now Spain are into only their second World Cup final and have the chance to follow in the footsteps of the celebrated 2010 side that lifted the trophy in South Africa. Against France, Rodri produced a commanding display in ...

Potentially important news for England... They will make a late decision on Declan Rice's fitness ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina. Author | George B There is growing confidence the Arsenal midfielder will recover in time to start after battling illness in recent days. Rice was affected by a sickness bug in the build-up to Saturday's quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami and was substituted at half-time. Declan Rice playing against Arsenal team-mate Head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed afterwards that Rice had spent three days confined to bed before the match, which England eventually won 2-1 after extra time. Rice is understood to have not yet fully recovered from the illness, which he picked up during England's last-16 victory over co-hosts Mexico, but his condition has improved significantly over the past 48 hours. The midfielder is expected to make himself available given the magnitude of the occasion, although England's medical staf...

England fans celebrated across England and United States as the Three Lions beat Norway in extra time in a tense World Cup quarter-final. Midfielder Jude Bellingham scored twice to set up a semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday. Author | Ben A George B who was at the match said: "We have set it up for a fantastic game against Argentina. We are in a semi-final and that's what matters." Liam C told us: ""We have had to work very hard for it and the conditions really told on both teams. We had that little bit of luck as the goalkeeper made a little bit of an error." Jamie P added: “That was a really tough game. However, Norway tired in extra time, and there seemed to be only one winner for me. I thought we were in control for that last 30 minutes.” England fans sing Wonderwall with players at the Miami Stadium Perhaps the most captured moment came at the stadium itself. Players embraced and sung the iconic Oasis class 'Wonderwall' alongside their a...

Just how good are the 2018 winners? France look increasingly like a side that will take something extraordinary to prevent them reaching a third consecutive World Cup final. Author | Jack L Les Bleus have negotiated a two-hour storm delay in Philadelphia, Didier Deschamps' absence for one match after he returned to France following the death of his mother, and Paraguay's disruptive tactics to book their place in the last eight. They have been one of the outstanding teams of the tournament, none more so than in their last 32 victory over Sweden, when they produced 25 attempts on goal. The ominous prospect for the rest of the field is that they still appear capable of raising their level even further. It is not simply about Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, who have combined for 20 goal involvements. France have not trailed at any stage of the competition. They have conceded only twice in five matches, once after opening up a 3-0 lead against Senegal and again whe...

The Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed the departure of Roberto Martinez following Portugal's last-16 loss to Spain. Martinez had already announced that he would be leaving the role he had held since January 2023. Author | Ed Portugal finished second in their World Cup group, drawing with Colombia and DR Congo and beating Uzbekistan 5-0, and defeated Croatia in the last-32 before Monday's tournament exit. The last moments of the Portugal/Martinez era Martinez, 52, led Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title in 2025, but his side departed Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage with a penalty shootout defeat to France. His decision to consistently start Cristiano Ronaldo has come under considerable scrutiny in the past two global tournaments, with a TV pundit saying the Spaniard was "pandering" to the 41-year-old forward. Speaking after the 1-0 loss to Spain, Martinez said: "I came to Portugal with the objective of winning the World Cup, and because I hav...

If you're an England fan, this was one of the most iconic wins since 1966 Did you stay up and watch it? Author | Ben A England's players sank to their knees in a mixture of elation and exhaustion after producing a performance worthy of the occasion as they became one of the few visiting sides to conquer Mexico's formidable Azteca Stadium. On a night filled with drama, emotion and sporting theatre in one of football's most iconic arenas, England secured one of the finest World Cup victories in their history. Indeed, it ranks among their greatest wins of any kind. Arguably their finest since lifting the World Cup at Wembley in 1966. Head coach Thomas Tuchel, who embraced two-goal hero Jude Bellingham with unrestrained delight after the final whistle before the pair collapsed into each other's arms, had delivered precisely the type of victory the Football Association envisioned when appointing him. England's 3-2 victory set up a quarter-final against Norway in Miam...

France v Paraguay further analysis This last-16 tie brought together two sides at opposite ends of the footballing spectrum. Author | Jack L France's attack, which has been at its fluent best throughout this tournament, came up against a Paraguay side intent on disrupting their rhythm through physicality, aggression and disciplined defending. Breaking them down proved far from straightforward for Didier Deschamps' side in a contest that became only the third World Cup knockout match since 1966 not to produce a shot on target in the first half. But once again it was Mbappe who provided the defining moment, this time sending Les Bleus into the quarter-finals while ending Paraguay's impressive run. The France captain kept his composure from the penalty spot after some superb footwork from Doue tempted the foul, in a match where France found themselves frustrated not only by Paraguay's resilience but also by a series of refereeing decisions that went against them. Alfaro...

All change for Germany following World Cup exit The German football association is seeking talks with Jurgen Klopp about becoming the men's national team coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned. Author | Ed Nagelsmann requested to be relieved of his duties on Thursday following the team's early exit from the World Cup. The German FA (DFB) has now accepted that request and immediately terminated its contractual relationship with the 38-year-old former Bayern Munich manager. Germany's World Cup campaign came to an end on Monday when the four-time champions were beaten on penalties by Paraguay in the last 32. The defeat sparked widespread debate in the German media over the changes needed to restore the national side's ability to compete at the highest level once again. Initially Nagelsmann, who was appointed in 2023, was determined to remain in charge, saying after the game: "I'm not someone who runs away." Some immediate reaction to Germany's exit earlie...

England's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico will kick off as scheduled at 01:00 BST on Monday  This announcement comes after Fifa reversed plans to bring the match forward. Author | George B Football's world governing body held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after proposing the fixture be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time). Weather forecasts indicated there could be thunderstorms at that time, although Fifa did not provide an explanation for the proposed change. Sources told different media outlets that Fifa had been preparing to reschedule the match and confirm the decision in a statement, but the proposal prompted a strong reaction from officials representing both England and Mexico. The Football Association requested additional time to examine the weather forecast in greater detail. As discussions continued, concerns were raised over the impact on player preparation, supporter travel and the logistical challenges of rearran...

Four games from immortality As Harry Kane raced towards the corner of Atlanta's futuristic stadium, England head coach Thomas Tuchel followed him on to the pitch in celebration. Author | Ben A Kane, the captain, leader and undisputed world-class striker, had rescued a World Cup campaign that had been drifting towards one of the darkest moments in England's history. Harry Kane leads the post match team talk after dramatic win over DR Congo. youtube.com/shorts/bu7BD... [image or embed] — SuperNews ( @supernews12.bsky.social ) 2 July 2026 at 10:05 Beneath the closed roof, away from Atlanta's searing heat and suffocating humidity, England and perhaps Tuchel's reign were fading fast as they trailed DR Congo until one of the country's greatest-ever players came to their rescue. There is no doubt England were heading for an embarrassment to rival the Euro 2016 last-16 defeat by Iceland and the shock World Cup loss to the United States in 1950 until Kane, as he has do...