Lionel Messi retires from Argentina international duty: ‘A decision that hurts my soul’
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football.The 39-year-old’s last appearance for Argentina was the World Cup…
Argentina players, staff banned for combined 21 games after World Cup final brawl
Argentina’s staff and players have been given bans totalling a combined 21 games following the mass altercation that unfolded after…
FIFA opens proceedings against Argentina FA, players over Falklands banner and World Cup final scrap
The Argentine Football Association, three of its players and a coach are being investigated by FIFA for altercations at the…
Spain vs Argentina: Your ultimate tactical guide to the 2026 World Cup final
Finals do not get more mouthwatering than this.On one side, you have the most complete, cohesive team in the tournament,…
Has Lionel Messi ended GOAT debate? Why have star coaches been outshone? Day 35 recap
Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic appArgentina are through to their second World…
Thomas Tuchel is guilty of orchestrating England’s craven World Cup demise
Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic appThe logic of the Football Association appointing…
England vs. Argentina mega-preview: Predictions, form guide, key players and more
The Athletic has live coverage of England vs Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals.Can England stop Lionel Messi…
Lionel Messi and Argentina march into World Cup semi-finals but what about ‘mistaken identity’ red card?
Lionel Messi and Argentina are in the World Cup semi-finals — but, once again, not without controversy.A breathtaking goal from…
Lionel Messi has spent 63% of this World Cup walking — but he is always ready to pounce
The best players make soccer look like a walk in the park. For Lionel Messi, it often is.Argentina’s 3-2 comeback…
World Cup quarterfinals bracket predictions: Best games, players and who makes the semifinals
There are only eight teams left in the World Cup and each is only two wins a way from a…
Lionel Messi inspires Argentina to all-time great World Cup comeback against Egypt
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to one of the great World Cup comebacks as they came back from two goals down…
With 32 World Cup teams left, who has best route to the final and can Messi beat goals record? Day 17 recap
It’s day 17 of the World Cup, and the group stage has come to an end.Many of the biggest decisions…
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi accuses FIFA of staging ‘disaster World Cup’: ‘No one helps us’
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino for their handling of his country’s World Cup…
Can Dembele retain Ballon d’Or at World Cup of stars? U.S. coach’s big offer: Day 16 recap
We are down to the final day of the marathon 72-game World Cup group stage.The penultimate set of six games…
Are World Cup stars stat-padding? Is England’s problem its defence? Day 13 recap
We are nearly two weeks into the World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo belatedly showed up. The 41-year-old became Portugal’s most…
Colombia beat DR Congo at World Cup to seal knockout spot — can they top Group K ahead of Portugal?
For so much of this game, it seemed as if Colombia would be frustrated by DR Congo — but they…
Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goals record as Argentina beat Austria. This is how he did it
Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic app.Is Lionel Messi the greatest of all…
Lionel Messi — improbably, still as good as ever
Lionel Scaloni did not know where to look. In the dugout at Arrowhead, Argentina’s coach was caught in the emotion…
Iran holds Belgium to a 0-0 draw: Has the USA’s World Cup pathway just got easier?
Belgium stumbled to a 0-0 draw with Iran at SoFi Stadium on Sunday in a game that featured both a…
The World Cup so far? Surprisingly excellent
There’s a long-standing World Cup tradition that by the end of the tournament, when the television montages provide glorious two-minute…
