Europe

Hugo Lloris denies Morocco (and us) of goal of the tournament

Trailing 1-0 to France shortly before halftime in Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semifinal, Morocco center back Jawad El Yamiq almost found an equalizer with an outrageous bicycle kick from 12 yards out.

Initially it looked like the overhead attempt had thumped directly off the base of the post, but it was counted as a shot on target and save for Hugo Lloris after replays showed the French goalkeeper getting his fingertips to it to help aid it onto the woodwork.

Without Lloris' touch, maybe the shot hits the inside of the post and goes in. 

Cristiano Ronaldo is training in Real Madrid sporting center Valdebebas ahead of uncertain future

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to turn the page on a more than disappointing World Cup exit with Portugal and is preparing his future in one of the places he can truly call home.

Meanwhile the whole Ronaldo camp prepares the Portuguese’s next move, the 37-year-old free agent decided — with the permission of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez — to train inside Real Madrid city Valdebebas on his days off prior to deciding his future this winter.

Europe's whiny cries against other nations at the World Cup are full of bullshit and casual racism

European teams have a high chance of winning the World Cup. And that likelihood is a reflection of how the Old Continent has established its dominion in the soccer world, spiriting away talent from other regions through money. And look, I get it; the strategy is valid in the market society we live in today.

What pisses me off, though, is how European soccer, having all the power in its hands, has the indecency to complain and play the victim in the way some of the national teams – and their surroundings – have done during the tournament. 

Lionel Messi gets the ball near midfield, BURNS Joško Gvardiol and provides a perfect assist

Lionel Messi showed the world once again that he’s in arguably the best form of his career. Aging like a fine wine, Messi got a goal and an assist vs. Croatia in Argentina’s 3-0 World Cup semifinal victory on Tuesday.

His goal came from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, but the assist. Oh, that glorious assist. That one came in the 69th minute.

Messi assist vs Croatia

Leading 2-0, Messi and Julián Álvarez put the nail in the coffin with about 20 minutes to go. The 35-year-old maestro looked like he was a young 20-something again with a dazzling run.

After his injury hell, Daryl Dike scores and creates in West Brom's comeback win

Men's club football is slowly returning with the World Cup ending Sunday, and the first signs of life are in the EFL Championship.

One man who's clearly benefited from the break is 22-year-old American Daryl Dike. The start of his 2022-23 campaign with West Brom was a 12-minute substitute appearance on opening day, and then he missed the next 19 matches with a thigh injury.

Carlo Ancelotti could postpone his retirement and take Brazil job ahead of 2026 World Cup

After a devastating loss against Croatia in the World Cup semifinals, Brazil has started their hunt to replace former coach Tite with perhaps the most successful European club manager ever reportedly in the mix.

Recent reports have placed current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as the one of the Brazilian Football Federation's (CBF) top candidates to lead their squad into the 2026 World Cup.

Croatia or Morocco World Cup triumph would represent tournament's ultimate fairy tale

DOHA - Croatia and Morocco are the surprise guests in the World Cup's final four but, as the Croatians discovered in 2018 and many other long-shot semifinalists have before them, the two remaining steps to become world champions can be the steepest.

In the 21 editions of the World Cup over 92 years featuring 79 nations, there have still been only eight winners and only 13 have made it to the final. Spain were the last to join the elite group of champions in 2010 after France in 1998 and Argentina in 1978.

World Cup semifinal ref assignments confirmed — every team feels cheated and wronged

After a controversial and emotionally charged quarterfinal round (who could've predicted that?), the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal referees have been announced before Tuesday and Wednesday's matches of Argentina vs. Croatia and France vs. Morocco, respectively.

World Cup semifinal referees

On Tuesday, the Argentina vs Croatia ref is Italian Daniele Orsato. You know he's legit because he took charge of Qatar's opener and Ecuador won it 2-0. He was also in charge of Argentina's victory over Mexico.  

¿Cristiano Ronaldo se retira de Portugal?: “Fue lindo mientras duró”

Con el dolor aún en las venas, Cristiano Ronaldo dejó el refugio del silencio y habló por primera vez desde la eliminación que sufrió Portugal a manos de Marruecos, en los cuartos de final del Mundial de Catar 2022.

El Bicho está triste y en un mensaje en Instagram vació todo lo que siente en el alma, dejando además un críptico mensaje sobre su futuro en la selección lusa. 

World Cup top scorers 2022: Who will win the Golden Boot?

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honors players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.

The number of assists by a player is considered in the case of a tie for goals scored. If players are tied on both counts, the winner is decided by who played the fewest minutes.

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