Every World Cup needs its fairytale, and Cape Verde have already written one. Making their tournament debut, the island nation of just over half a million people has captured the imagination of football fans by reaching the knockout…

The world cups I have been a witness to have all had a curious and eminently poignant sort of figure. The figure of a no.10. The figure of a tragic no.10. In 2010 there was Forlan, with his flowing golden locks and kisses on his wrist after…

The knockout stage rarely offers second chances, and few Round of 32 ties carry as much intrigue as Portugal against Croatia. Two of Europe's most accomplished footballing nations meet at Seattle Stadium with a place in the last 16 on…

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 continued with three captivating knockout fixtures as England, Belgium, and the United States secured their places in the Round of 16. Each contest unfolded differently, offering moments of quality,…