FRA

Pogacar wins Tour de France 10th stage on Bastille Day

BY BARNABY CHESTERMAN

  • World champion Pogacar won his third stage at this year's Tour -- and for the third time on Bastille Day -- to extend his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than three and a half minutes.
  • Tadej Pogacar shrugged off the boo-boys and powered to victory on France's national holiday with another dominant display on Tuesday's mountainous 10th stage to extend his overall lead at the Tour de France.
  • World champion Pogacar won his third stage at this year's Tour -- and for the third time on Bastille Day -- to extend his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than three and a half minutes.
Tadej Pogacar shrugged off the boo-boys and powered to victory on France's national holiday with another dominant display on Tuesday's mountainous 10th stage to extend his overall lead at the Tour de France.
World champion Pogacar won his third stage at this year's Tour -- and for the third time on Bastille Day -- to extend his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than three and a half minutes.
It is the largest gap Pogacar has ever had over his rivals at this stage of the race.
It was also the four-time champion's 24th stage victory at the Tour, moving him to within one win of Frenchman Andre Leducq -- who twice won the Tour in the 1930s -- in fourth in that list.
And even some jeers from the side of the road did not detract from his enjoyment.
"Today was an incredible day. The team did a super good job," said the 27-year-old Slovenian.
"We targeted this stage since a long time ago and it also happens that two years ago Jonas beat me in the sprint fair and square."
That was two years ago, and the last time that Vingegaard beat Pogacar in a battle to win a stage.
"I didn't know I'm gonna win until the last kilometre and then I remember it's Bastille Day and I try to honour the yellow jersey," added Pogacar.
"And thanks to all the fans that they came today to the road and it was an amazing atmosphere, even though (there was) some booing.
"All the guys that were booing, they give us more power."

Vingegaard wilts

The reigning champion attacked 15.5km from the finish of the 166.6km stage in the Cantal mountains and quickly opened up a decisive lead.
Behind him, the battle was for the minor placings -- both on the day and in the overall standings.
Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel dug in to finish second on the day, 32sec behind Pogacar, with French teenage hope Paul Seixas pipping Florian Lipowitz to third place two seconds later.
Vingegaard wilted on the uphill drag to the finish line and came home seventh at 44sec.
He is now 3min 36sec behind Pogacar with Evenepoel climbing to third overall another 30sec back.
Pogacar's team-mate Isaac Del Toro was the biggest loser on the day, dropping from third to seventh overall after finishing the stage eighth at 1min 31sec.
It took about 50km for the day's breakaway to form as Mads Pedersen's Lidl-Trek team set a furious pace to set him up for the intermediate sprint, where he extended his lead in the green sprinters' jersey competition.
A 31-man group did get away but soon it was Spaniard Javier Romo who went solo for around 50km before Pogacar's UAE Emirates-XRG team reeled him in with 38km left.
That was also the signal for former Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz to launch his bid for victory on the 7.8km-long Puy Mary climb.
He stretched that out to around a minute and a quarter on the rapid descent to the key 4.4km-long and punishingly steep Col de Pertus but once Pogacar launched his blistering attack just over a kilometre from the summit of that climb, the final result was never in doubt.
He flew past Carapaz 250m from the summit and crested that with a lead of 20sec over a group including Vingegaard, Evenepoel, Seixas, Lipowitz and Spaniard Juan Ayuso.
By the foot of the descent, Pogacar had a lead of around 16sec on the chasers, but he was simply too strong for them to close that and even eked out more time to the finish.
bc/dmc

Sports

England won't be drawn into Argentina World Cup rivalry: Kane

  • Two giants in the semi-final of a World Cup.
  • Harry Kane said England will not be distracted by the emotional baggage surrounding their blockbuster World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday.
  • Two giants in the semi-final of a World Cup.
Harry Kane said England will not be distracted by the emotional baggage surrounding their blockbuster World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday.
The history of matches between the nations is peppered with incidents, set against a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The most storied encounter between the teams was a 2-1 victory for Argentina at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico featuring two goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the best ever.
Twelve years later David Beckham was sent off at France '98 as Argentina won on penalties.
England captain Kane was asked in an interview with ITV whether managing the emotion around the match in Atlanta would be challenging.
"Yes and no," he said. "I think it's not something you want to focus too much on, surrounding the history.
"That's all part of it and that's what you guys (in the media) will talk about, the fans will be involved in.
"But from a player's point of view it's us against a great team, who are smart, who are tactical, who know how to buy fouls, know how to slow the game down -- like many different teams you come up against throughout your whole career.
"So, it's England versus Argentina, it's two of the biggest nations going toe to toe. Two giants in the semi-final of a World Cup. The rest of it is just a small part for us."

Kane v Messi

The Bayern Munich forward comes up against Golden Boot rival Lionel Messi, who is facing England for the first time in his long career.
The Argentinian maestro, 39, has eight goals so far, two more than Kane, but the England forward said his team would be focused on Argentina as a team rather than on their star player.
"We know how good a player he is, we know what he's done in the game, how consistent he's been for so long," said Kane, who was top scorer at the 2018 World Cup.
"But the game is against Argentina, not against Lionel Messi. So yeah, we have a lot of preparation to do. We're coming up against a great unit, a great team with fantastic players."
Kane, 32, downplayed the disagreement between manager Thomas Tuchel and midfielder Jude Bellingham after the German criticised England's performance in the quarter-final against Norway.
"We know what we have, we know the togetherness we have, we all push each other, we all drive each other," said the skipper.
"It doesn't mean we have to agree on every situation, all the time. I think that's what makes the boss so unique and so great, because he wears his heart on his sleeve, he's emotional, he says it how it is.
"Sometimes in the moment it might be hard to take, but when you actually digest it and explain it, we're all professionals, we're all here because we've been pushed to a level that we can take. 
"We can take criticism. We can take it on the chin, it improves us, it makes us better."
bur-jw/gj

Sports

Swiss World Cup squad return home to heroes' welcome

BY ELODIE LE MAOU

  • "But of course it's also lovely to be able to return home to our own fans like this.
  • Cheering fans gave Switzerland's World Cup football squad a heroes' welcome as they returned home on Tuesday after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years.
  • "But of course it's also lovely to be able to return home to our own fans like this.
Cheering fans gave Switzerland's World Cup football squad a heroes' welcome as they returned home on Tuesday after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years.
Supporters gathered in the Turbinenplatz square in Zurich to greet the "Nati" following their exploits in the United States and Canada, full of pride at what a team from a small country, ranked 19th in the world, had achieved on the biggest stage.
Switzerland is on a hot streak, having also reached the last two European Championships quarter-finals.
The players and manager Murat Yakin, wearing red t-shirts that said "History", were welcomed onto a stage in in front of a backdrop reading "We are Switzerland", in the country's four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh.
"We would have loved to stay for another week," Yakin told the crowd.
"But of course it's also lovely to be able to return home to our own fans like this.
"We're extremely proud of what the entire staff and all the players have achieved."
Fans joined in with the players as they danced about on the stage, with many supporters dressed in red shirts and baseball caps with the Swiss cross.
"It's a bit hard to fully grasp what we've achieved," said captain Granit Xhaka.
"Overall, it was a good tournament. We can be really proud of what we accomplished.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough in the end. With a bit of luck, we might have gone even further. But that's part of the game, and we accept it."

Night of drama

Switzerland were beaten 3-1 by Argentina after extra time in Kansas City on Saturday, equalising in the second half shortly before striker Breel Embolo was sent off in tears after simulating a foul with a theatrical dive.
The Swiss had had Lionel Messi's defending champions on the back foot for much of the match -- then had to defend valiantly once reduced to 10 men.
For fans packed into bars and fan zones in Switzerland, the match finished shortly before 6:00am, with people streaming home in broad daylight after a long, long night.
There was plenty of support for Embolo at the Zurich homecoming party, with one youngster holding up a placard asking for his signature.
Another home-made sign read: "Dear Breel Embolo, you're innocent."
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel said the team's defining characteristic was "the resilience everyone showed" throughout the tournament.
"The way everyone gave it their all, the way everyone kept going right to the end," he said.
"That was huge for every single one of us."
Switzerland topped Group B, drawing 1-1 with Qatar before beating Bosnia-Hercegovina 4-1, and then co-hosts Canada 2-1 in Vancouver. 
In the knock-out stages, Switzerland downed Algeria 2-0, then beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw, before losing to Argentina.
"It was nice to celebrate here with all the fans, and to welcome the team, which was a joy to watch," said supporter Roman, who came from the Zurich suburbs.
"We know they should have gone through, but it was great that we were able to celebrate them."
Jernnine, who came from Basel with her family, said they had woken up early to watch the rollercoaster quarter-final.
"It was emotional; it was cool!" she told AFP.
elm-rjm/ag/bsp

FRA

Pogacar wins Tour de France 10th stage on Bastille Day

  • World champion Pogacar won his third stage at this year's Tour -- and for the third time on Bastille Day -- to extend his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than three and a half minutes.
  • Tadej Pogacar stormed to victory on France's national holiday with another dominant display on Tuesday's mountainous 10th stage to extend his overall lead at the Tour de France.
  • World champion Pogacar won his third stage at this year's Tour -- and for the third time on Bastille Day -- to extend his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than three and a half minutes.
Tadej Pogacar stormed to victory on France's national holiday with another dominant display on Tuesday's mountainous 10th stage to extend his overall lead at the Tour de France.
World champion Pogacar won his third stage at this year's Tour -- and for the third time on Bastille Day -- to extend his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than three and a half minutes.
It was also the four-time champion's 24th stage victory at the Tour, moving him to within one win of Frenchman Andre Leducq -- who twice won the Tour in the 1930s -- in fourth in that list.
The reigning champion attacked 15.5km from the finish of the 166.6km stage in the Cantal mountains and quickly opened up a decisive lead.
Behind him, the battle was for the minor placings -- both on the day and in the overall standings.
Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel dug in to finish second on the day, 32sec behind Pogacar, with French teenage hope Paul Seixas pipping Florian Lipowitz to third place two seconds later.
Vingegaard wilted on the uphill drag to the finish line and came home seventh at 44sec.
He is now 3min 36sec behind Pogacar with Evenepoel climbing to third overall another 30sec back.
Pogacar's team-mate Isaac Del Toro was the biggest loser on the day, dropping from third to seventh overall after finishing the stage eighth at 1min 31sec.
bc/dmc

Pr

Arsenal agree Trossard fee for Beskitas switch

  • He scored 36 goals in 174 appearances at Arsenal, helping Mikel Arteta's side win last season's Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
  • Belgium international Leandro Trossard is set to move to Turkish club Beskitas from Arsenal, the Premier League champions confirmed on Tuesday.
  • He scored 36 goals in 174 appearances at Arsenal, helping Mikel Arteta's side win last season's Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
Belgium international Leandro Trossard is set to move to Turkish club Beskitas from Arsenal, the Premier League champions confirmed on Tuesday.
"We have reached an agreement with Besiktas for the permanent transfer of Leandro Trossard," Arsenal said in a statement.
The 31-year-old forward been given permission to travel to Istanbul to undergo a medical.
Besiktas confirmed the club "have initiated transfer negotiations, (Trossard) will arrive in Istanbul this evening to undergo medical examinations and complete the transfer process".
Trossard joined Arsenal in January 2023 from Brighton on a deal until 2027 worth 21 million pounds ($28 million) plus add-ons.
He scored 36 goals in 174 appearances at Arsenal, helping Mikel Arteta's side win last season's Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain.
Belgium reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, with Trossard scoring twice.
Last crowned Turkish champions in 2021, the "Black Eagles" had strengthened their ranks in early June with the arrival of manager Vincenzo Italiano.
bur/ea

Pr

Brighton sign Croatia defender Veskovic for record fee

  • Vuskovic joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split in 2025 and spent last season on loan at German club Hamburg.
  • Brighton have signed Crotia defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported club record fee of £46 million ($62 million) that could yet increase.
  • Vuskovic joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split in 2025 and spent last season on loan at German club Hamburg.
Brighton have signed Crotia defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported club record fee of £46 million ($62 million) that could yet increase.
The 19-year-old, who played against England at the World Cup, has agreed a five-year contract with the Seagulls, with an option for a further 12 months.
The BBC reported Spurs could receive an additional £4 million in add-on fees, while the deal includes a 20 percent sell-on clause.
Vuskovic joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split in 2025 and spent last season on loan at German club Hamburg.
The centre-back did not make a single competitive appearance for Spurs but Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler told the Seagulls' website on Tuesday: "Luka has enjoyed a fantastic start to his career –- it's one we've followed closely. 
"Last season he demonstrated he can play at a very high level and we want to help him build on that within our environment.
"There's been a lot of external noise about Luka joining us, but he is still a young guy who will need time to adjust to the demands of playing for Brighton and the Premier League. We are confident that he will take this in his stride though."
jdg/dmc

IND

India spark collapse before Root leads England to 258 in 1st ODI

BY JULIAN GUYER

  • But it was Brar who sparked England's collapse when Bethell holed out to Washington Sundar, running in from deep square leg.
  • Joe Root made India pay for giving him an early reprieve with a run-a-ball 76 not out as England fought back from a top-order collapse to make 258 in the first one-day international at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
  • But it was Brar who sparked England's collapse when Bethell holed out to Washington Sundar, running in from deep square leg.
Joe Root made India pay for giving him an early reprieve with a run-a-ball 76 not out as England fought back from a top-order collapse to make 258 in the first one-day international at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
England lost three wickets for one run in six balls to be 64-3 after captain Harry Brook won the toss and later slumped to 80-5.
They were still in trouble at 107-6 in the first of this three-match series when Root was joined in the middle by Liam Dawson, best known at international level as a left-arm spinner.
But the Hampshire veteran responded with a maiden ODI fifty, making 68 as he shared a seventh-wicket stand of 121 with key batsman Root.
Former England captain Root was missed on seven, however, when Shivam Dube dropped a caught and bowled chance of a hard-hit drive.
After India's fast bowlers, including the returning Jasprit Bumrah, had done the initial damage, left-arm spinner Axar Patel followed up with 4-62 as England were bowled out with 13 balls of their innings remaining.
England came into this match after a 4-0 Twenty20 series whitewash of India, world champions in that format, that took them to No 1 in the T20 rankings.
But England are currently eighth in the ODI standings and in danger of not qualifying for next year's 50-over World Cup in southern Africa.
Jacob Bethell, opening in an ODI for the first time, took 13 balls to get off the mark on his Warwickshire home ground.
But Ben Duckett opened his account by cover-driving Bumrah, returning to India duty after being rested from T20 series losses to both Ireland and England, for four.
Duckett went on the attack with two sixes in three balls off Gurnoor Brar, a scoop over wicket-keeper KL Rahul's head followed by a top-edged pull.
But it was Brar who sparked England's collapse when Bethell holed out to Washington Sundar, running in from deep square leg.
Two balls later, fellow left-handed opener Duckett (43) also fell to Brar when a slash to deep third man was caught by Bumrah, who tossed the ball up before stepping over the boundary and regathering a catch.
Bumrah took the lone wicket of a typically miserly nine overs costing just 31 runs when he had Brook caught at slip for just one as the dynamic batsman attempted to steer the ball to third man. 
Jos Buttler fresh from a blistering century in the T20 series finale at Southampton, managed just five in his 200th ODI when he skyed Prasidh Krishna and Brar clung on despite colliding with India captain Shubman Gill.    
And England were 107-6 when Will Jacks  was superbly caught one-handed by a diving Rahul off Dube.
Dawson, whose previous highest ODI score was 20, helped repair the early damage with a 65-ball fifty including a slog-swept six off Patel before he holed out off the spinner.
Root also cleared the ropes off Patel with a huge straight six, his innings also featuring six fours.
jdg/ea

Open

Rose says there's still time to realise British Open dream

  • But 28 years on, Rose returns for his third appearance at Birkdale with a US Open title, an Olympic gold medal and 25 other professional wins to his credit. 
  • Justin Rose is confident time is still on his side as he bids to win a first British Open title, with this year's edition taking place on the Royal Birkdale course where he made his name.
  • But 28 years on, Rose returns for his third appearance at Birkdale with a US Open title, an Olympic gold medal and 25 other professional wins to his credit. 
Justin Rose is confident time is still on his side as he bids to win a first British Open title, with this year's edition taking place on the Royal Birkdale course where he made his name.
Back in 1998, as a 17-year-old amateur, Rose spectacularly holed a pitch shot on the last hole in the final round of the British Open at the northwest course to finish joint fourth.
He promptly turned professional only to experience 21 consecutive missed cuts.
But 28 years on, Rose returns for his third appearance at Birkdale with a US Open title, an Olympic gold medal and 25 other professional wins to his credit. 
And he is adamant the clock remains in his favour as he bids to become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1992 to win the British Open and lift the Claret Jug trophy.
"The Open Championship for a British player is the pinnacle of the game for sure," Rose told reporters on Tuesday, two days before the start of the tournament.
"It's the one that I would love to win the most, for sure," added the 45-year-old.
"To step through my career and not have a jug at the end of it, I'll always look back at it and go, 'yeah, that's a shame’.
"But I think the Open Championship offers you the longest runway of an opportunity to win one so there’s plenty of time left."
Rose's lone major success to date came at the 2013 US Open at Merion.
Asked if his career had turned out as he hoped, Rose replied: "It's almost an impossible answer...I've had a very good career and 28 years later I'm playing in the Open Championship. If I think about it is still an amazing achievement, just to have the will to keep wanting to be here.
"I'm very happy with where I'm at. Could I have done more? Could I have won more of what I've already won? Yes. Would I love to be a multiple major champion? Yes. Do I feel I could have pushed towards close to a grand slam? Yes."
Rose, however, added: "But ultimately, if I look at it, I got to world number one, I'm a major champion, Olympic gold medallist, FedEx Cup winner –- I've kind of achieved pretty much what there is to achieve in the game, albeit once only."
jdg/ea

Pr

Glasner warns 'no button to press' for Forest success

  • I really believe that us all together – the staff, the players, the fans, the leadership of the club –- we can be really competitive in the Premier League which makes me excited," Glasner told Forest TV. "There is no button to press that automatically makes it happen.
  • Oliver Glasner believes the foundations are in place for Nottingham Forest to make a sound start to the new Premier League season even though there is "no button to press" that will guarantee success.
  • I really believe that us all together – the staff, the players, the fans, the leadership of the club –- we can be really competitive in the Premier League which makes me excited," Glasner told Forest TV. "There is no button to press that automatically makes it happen.
Oliver Glasner believes the foundations are in place for Nottingham Forest to make a sound start to the new Premier League season even though there is "no button to press" that will guarantee success.
Glasner succeeded Vitor Pereira as Forest manager earlier this month following a successful stint in charge of Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.
The 51-year-old Austrian guided Palace to both the 2025 FA Cup and last season's European Conference League -- the first two major trophies won by the south London club.
But he left Selhurst Park following a dispute over transfer policy.
He has arrived at the City Ground with Forest looking to improve on a 16th-place finish in last season's Premier League and with the two-time European champions rebuilding after the sale of England midfielder Elliot Anderson to Manchester City.
"For me it is very important that it is exciting and challenging. I really believe that us all together – the staff, the players, the fans, the leadership of the club –- we can be really competitive in the Premier League which makes me excited," Glasner told Forest TV.
"There is no button to press that automatically makes it happen. It is a daily thing that will take progress over the coming weeks, which is what we have started.
"The people are what is most important and that is what gives me a lot of confidence for this project. I have met great people –- you can have the best stadium, the best training ground, but if you don’t have the right people, it doesn’t work."
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis got through four managers last season, with Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche all sacked before Pereira was hired in February.
But a diplomatic Glasner said: "This is a traditional club with a fantastic fanbase and a very ambitious owner that wants to take a step forward.
"The squad is very interesting as well, so those were the main reasons for me wanting to join Nottingham Forest."
He added: "The club is already on a good run since promotion a few years ago and playing in the semi-final of the Europa League (last season). It is important now to get some consistency and battle regularly for the top half of the league.
"We know how competitive the Premier League is -– it is one thing to talk about it, but it is something else to deliver but that is what we will start on now."
jdg/dmc

Sports

France and Spain clash in World Cup semi-final

  • France have reached the past two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 in Russia and losing on penalties to Lionel Messi's Argentina four years ago in Qatar in an epic final despite a hat-trick from Mbappe.
  • France and their deadly attack led by Kylian Mbappe will attempt to reach a third consecutive World Cup final on Tuesday as they take on a Spain team that combines flair with defensive steel.
  • France have reached the past two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 in Russia and losing on penalties to Lionel Messi's Argentina four years ago in Qatar in an epic final despite a hat-trick from Mbappe.
France and their deadly attack led by Kylian Mbappe will attempt to reach a third consecutive World Cup final on Tuesday as they take on a Spain team that combines flair with defensive steel.
More than a month since this mammoth World Cup kicked off, the first semi-final promises a mouthwatering spectacle at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
France coach Didier Deschamps insisted on Monday that Spain would be favourites.
"They attack well, they defend well, they don't concede goals. It could be a spectacular match," Deschamps said.
France have reached the past two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 in Russia and losing on penalties to Lionel Messi's Argentina four years ago in Qatar in an epic final despite a hat-trick from Mbappe.
Having won their first global title in 1998, Les Bleus are aiming to win the World Cup for a third time while La Roja -- despite Spain's rich footballing tradition -- have lifted the famous trophy just once, in South Africa in 2010.
Many observers believe this year's Spain squad have the quality to bring home a second title and they have built momentum since stumbling in a goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde -- but first they need to stop France's star-studded frontline.
Real Madrid forward Mbappe has scored eight goals to lead the Golden Boot race at this tournament alongside Messi.
Messi has an impressive supporting cast including Ballon D'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, the English-born forward whose pace and dribbling pull defences out of shape, allowing Mbappe the space to work his magic.
Even the defence, considered France's weak point before the tournament, has held up impressively.
Defeat to Argentina in the final in Doha four years ago was a bitter experience for France, and the desire for a rematch is strong -- if Messi can lead his team past England in their semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Adding to France's motivation, France coach Didier Deschamps is leaving after this tournament following 14 years in charge.
Already part of the elite club to have won the World Cup as a player and a coach, Deschamps would dearly love to collect a third title.

'Front foot'

In Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Monday by buying a jewel-encrusted necklace that he showed off to the media, Spain have the player who will likely succeed Messi and the far younger Mbappe as football's next superstar.
Yamal inspired Spain to glory at Euro 2024 but did not look sharp as he came into his first World Cup still recovering from a hamstring injury.
The Barcelona player has improved steadily and won the player-of-the-match award in the 2-1 quarter-final win against Belgium.
The teenager pointed out that Spain have the upper hand on France, having beaten them 2-1 in the semi-final of Euro 2024 and in a high-scoring Nations League semi-final in 2025 that finished 5-4.
Yamal raised eyebrows following Spain's 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Belgium last week after being quoted as saying that France, rather than Spain, ought to be "afraid" given those recent defeats against La Roja.
He addressed those comments at a press conference on Monday.
"I was asked if I was afraid of France, and I said no," Yamal explained. "We are European champions. It's simply football."
His ideal birthday present, he insisted, would be a place in Sunday's World Cup final.
"I haven't received many gifts yet. The best gift would be a win on Tuesday and a trip to New York," he said.
Along with the attacking guile of Yamal and the goalscoring of Mikel Merino -- he has scored late winners in their last two games -- Spain's run to the semi-final has been built on a solid defence marshalled by French-born Aymeric Laporte. Belgium's goal in the quarter-final was the first Spain have conceded in the entire tournament.
Coach Luis de la Fuente, whose team play a possession-based style that makes it hard for opponents to get the ball, said Spain would go on the "front foot" against the French.
"We'll have to think about their players. We'll try to win those duels and will try to be on the front foot during the game, imposing our style," he said on Monday.
gj/ea

IND

Knight wants England women to play more red-ball cricket after India loss

BY JULIAN GUYER

  • "I'd love to see some domestic red-ball cricket," said Knight, the first woman to score a hundred in all three international formats. 
  • England great Heather Knight bowed out of international cricket calling for more domestic red-ball games following her side's 270-run thrashing by India in the inaugural women's Test at Lord's.
  • "I'd love to see some domestic red-ball cricket," said Knight, the first woman to score a hundred in all three international formats. 
England great Heather Knight bowed out of international cricket calling for more domestic red-ball games following her side's 270-run thrashing by India in the inaugural women's Test at Lord's.
The hosts were outplayed in all departments in a match that started just five days after England's defeat by Australia in the T20 World Cup final at the 'Home of Cricket'.
India had a several days more preparation, with Australia knocking them out in the group stage of the World Cup, but, unlike England, they play domestic red-ball cricket as well.
And with a Test win worth four points in next year's multi-format series at home to Australia, Knight believes this an issue officials must address following England's 16-0 humiliation 'Down Under' in the last women's Ashes. 
"I'd love to see some domestic red-ball cricket," said Knight, the first woman to score a hundred in all three international formats. 
"It doesn't necessarily have to be a full part of the calendar, but I do think it would help us develop as better white-ball cricketers as well."

'Value your wicket'

The 35-year-old former England captain, who led her country to a 2017 50-over World Cup final victory over India at Lord's added: "When I was a kid, it was hammered into me to value your wicket.
"A lot of our younger cricketers coming through are a lot better at T20 than they are 50-over, and they have to learn that side of it… being able to build an innings or shape a spell."
England women's coach Charlotte Edwards, Knight's predecessor as skipper, said she hoped to improve the team's Test cricket with the kind of training that had led to an upturn in their T20 form. 
"A lot has been going on in my head over the last few days, and the one thing that I keep coming back to is, what we did so well last winter was we had this preparation phase of T20 cricket and we saw the benefits of that this summer," Edwards told Sky Sports.
"I'm now excited to see what we do in terms of our four-day approach to this winter's training."
India needed just 95 minutes' play on Monday's fourth day to wrap up victory.
The match was a personal triumph for India's Kranti Gaud and Yastika Bhatia, the first women to take five wickets and score a century respectively in a women's Test at Lord's.
"I think we were disciplined in our approach towards our batting and disciplined in our bowling as well, sticking to the basics of cricket," said India women's coach Amol Muzumdar.
The Test took place 142 years, and 150 matches, after Lord's staged its first men's Test and decades on from the first women's game of any kind at the London ground -- a 1976 one-day international between England and Australia.
"The amazing thing about this week is it's been a historic occasion, this first Test match at Lord's," said Knight. "But now hopefully there's not that many 'firsts' left to do and it can be all about the cricket."
jdg/dmc

IND

Bumrah returns for India as England bat in 1st ODI

  • Brook, explaining his decision to bat first, said: "We fancy our chances with the bat.
  • Jasprit Bumrah was thrust straight back into the action after returning to the India side for the first one-day international against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday after home skipper Harry Brook won the toss and decided to bat.
  • Brook, explaining his decision to bat first, said: "We fancy our chances with the bat.
Jasprit Bumrah was thrust straight back into the action after returning to the India side for the first one-day international against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday after home skipper Harry Brook won the toss and decided to bat.
Fast bowler Bumrah, one of the outstanding pacemen of his generation, was rested from India's recent 4-0 T20 series whitewash by England, with India team management looking to manage his workload in order to keep him fit for the Test and ODI cricket.
Virat Kohli, now retired from both Test and T20 international cricket, was included for the start of what could be the 37-year-old batsman's final series in England.
"We were looking to bowl first," said India captain Shubman Gill at the toss.
"It's an important series. The conditions we're going to get here are a little more similar to South Africa (for the 2027 ODI World Cup) than we get in India, so in that context what different combinations we can try and the players who haven't experienced this format will get game time," he added ahead of the first of a three-match campaign.
It was at Edgbaston last year that Gill made history by becoming the first batsman to make a double century in one innings of a Test and a score of 150 in the other.
"I have good memories of this ground, so hopefully we're going to add to that," said Gill.
Brook, explaining his decision to bat first, said: "We fancy our chances with the bat. Hopefully we can get something out of the surface later."
England had already named their side and, before play started, there was a special cap presentation to mark Jos Buttler's 200th ODI involving retired 2019 World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan.
Only Morgan, with 225 appearances, has played in more ODIs for England than Buttler. 
Teams
England: Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wkt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (capt), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wkt), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), Mike Burns (ENG)
TV umpire: Sam Nogajski (AUS)
Match referee: Richie Richardson (WIS)
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Sports

Messi meets England at last with World Cup final place on the line

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • It would be a third final in four World Cups, and Messi could follow in the footsteps of Brazil great Cafu.
  • Lionel Messi has done just about everything possible in a glorious career, but the 39-year-old Argentinian great has never taken on England -- he will finally get the chance in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.
  • It would be a third final in four World Cups, and Messi could follow in the footsteps of Brazil great Cafu.
Lionel Messi has done just about everything possible in a glorious career, but the 39-year-old Argentinian great has never taken on England -- he will finally get the chance in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.
Messi won his 200th cap for the Albiceleste in the group-stage victory against Algeria and dreams of leading his country to the final once again.
The diminutive playmaker is surely in the final days of a remarkable international career which began when he was a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 2005.
Having broken into the Barcelona team late the previous year, Messi had just starred for Argentina as they won the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.
He was handed his Argentina bow by Jose Pekerman in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest that August, replacing Lisandro Lopez in the 64th minute and joining Hernan Crespo up front.  
Ninety seconds later he was sent off for what the referee saw as an elbow. It was quite the ignominious way for his Argentina career to begin.
"An 18-year-old kid who is making his debut for the national team and has so much hope -- he can't be punished like that. The referee needed to be more understanding," said Crespo.
Messi might look back now and laugh at that incident, which led to him being suspended for a friendly against England in Geneva three months later.
The nations have not met since, and so Messi will play against the Three Lions for the very first time under the roof of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
"I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," said Messi after Argentina beat Switzerland in Kansas City in the last eight.

Emulating Maradona

The man who emulated Diego Maradona by inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago will now hope to leave a similar mark on England as his legendary predecessor.
Any meeting of these countries evokes memories of the 1986 quarter-final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, when Maradona punched in to score the 'Hand of God' opener and then ran past half the England defence for his team's second goal -– perhaps the greatest World Cup goal of all time.
Messi has not scored one quite like that, but ahead of the semi-finals of the current tournament he had scored more World Cup goals than any other player.
With 21 goals from a tournament record 32 appearances, he led France skipper Kylian Mbappe by one after the quarter-finals.
The Inter Miami player had found the net in nine consecutive World Cup matches before the Switzerland game, when he let others -- notably Julian Alvarez -- take over the goalscoring duties.
Argentina are now one game away from reaching another World Cup final, as they aim to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
It would be a third final in four World Cups, and Messi could follow in the footsteps of Brazil great Cafu. The full-back played in three in a row from 1994 to 2002 –- even Maradona only played in two.
"Getting to another semi-final is not a normal, mundane thing, so this is something we should really enjoy because we don't know if it will happen again," Messi said.
The England players will hope to enjoy it as well.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Nico O'Reilly, who is likely to come up against Messi if he starts at left-back, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"He's coming towards the end of his career. For me personally, he's the best player to ever touch a football pitch. And yeah, I can't wait for the challenge."
as/gj

ITA

Italy's Cannone gets four-match ban for red card against All Blacks

  • "The dangerous play, for which Cannone received a red card... merited a low-end entry point (ban) of six weeks/matches," the statement said.
  • Italy lock forward Niccolo Cannone was on Tuesday banned for four matches after receiving a red card against New Zealand last weekend, meaning he will miss the Nations Championship clash with Australia.
  • "The dangerous play, for which Cannone received a red card... merited a low-end entry point (ban) of six weeks/matches," the statement said.
Italy lock forward Niccolo Cannone was on Tuesday banned for four matches after receiving a red card against New Zealand last weekend, meaning he will miss the Nations Championship clash with Australia.
Cannone head-butted All Blacks scrum-half Cam Roigard in the second half of the Test in Wellington on Saturday.
He was given a yellow card which was upgraded to red on review and led to the Italians playing with 14 men for 20 minutes of the match which they lost 47-17.
The Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) found Cannone guilty of physical abuse, a Nations Championship statement said Tuesday.
"The dangerous play, for which Cannone received a red card... merited a low-end entry point (ban) of six weeks/matches," the statement said.
"In light of Cannone's acceptance that he committed an act of foul play worthy of ordering off, as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record, conduct, and remorse, the FPRC applied a two-week reduction to the sanction.
"Cannone has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks."
It means the second-row regular will miss Saturday's Nations Championship Test against Australia in Perth and three matches for his Italian club, Benetton Rugby, when the new season begins in September.
bur-dh/abs

Sports

England face might of Messi's Argentina in World Cup semi-final

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • Argentina, meanwhile, are looking to reach a third final in four World Cups, and in doing so remain on course to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
  • England are bidding to end Lionel Messi's dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they renew their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semi-final showdown.
  • Argentina, meanwhile, are looking to reach a third final in four World Cups, and in doing so remain on course to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
England are bidding to end Lionel Messi's dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they renew their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semi-final showdown.
An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham take on Messi's Argentina under the roof of the spectacular arena in Atlanta, already the scene of a memorable victory by the defending champions at this tournament.
It is the first competitive meeting of the sides since the 2002 World Cup and the fixture conjures so many memories, from Diego Maradona and the 'Hand of God' in 1986, to David Beckham's red card after tangling with Diego Simeone in 1998, while also thrusting the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands back into the spotlight.
"The message is this is a football game. That's what I can say," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after his team's 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland.
There is more than enough to focus on in purely footballing terms, with England one win from a first appearance in the World Cup final since they lifted the trophy in 1966.
Argentina, meanwhile, are looking to reach a third final in four World Cups, and in doing so remain on course to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
"This squad does not get tired of making history. They keep wanting more," said Messi after the Switzerland game.
"It is not easy to have been world champions, to have won all that we have won, and to once again keep competing at this level and be back in the semi-finals."
Remarkably, the semi-final is also the first time Messi has ever played against England.

Epic feel

Neither team has enjoyed a smooth passage to this stage.
Argentina cruised through the group phase, but the knockout rounds have been frenetic for the team coached by Scaloni, the one-time West Ham United full-back.
Twice they were pegged back before beating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time. Then they needed a late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, before requiring extra time to sink 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday.
That game ended Messi's streak of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup outings, but extended the Albiceleste's unbeaten run at the finals to 12 matches since losing to Saudi Arabia in 2022.
England began with a thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia but have struggled to hit the same heights since, even if their run in the knockout rounds has had an epic feel to it.
They needed a late comeback, and two Harry Kane goals, to beat DR Congo 2-1, then held on with 10 men to defeat Mexico 3-2 in the Estadio Azteca in a World Cup classic in which Bellingham notched a brace.
The Real Madrid star also scored twice, including an extra-time winner, as England fought back to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami at the weekend.
And so here they are, in a fourth semi-final in the last five major tournaments.
"We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are. We can't solely rely on (stopping) Messi," England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said Monday.
"We've got to focus on their other strengths and the weaknesses we can take advantage of."

Ageing lineup

Argentina are an ageing side, and perhaps their exertions to reach this point will catch up with them –- the average age of their starting line-up against Switzerland was over 30, while England's against Norway was 26.6.
England have a doubt over Declan Rice, who has been struggling with illness, as they prepare to face Messi at last, right at the end of his glorious career.
"I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," said 39-year-old Messi.
The last meeting of the teams was a 3-2 friendly win for England in November 2005, when Michael Owen scored twice.
Messi was 18 at the time and had made his international debut three months earlier, but he did not play in that game.
as/gj

Sports

Birthday boy Yamal stands by 'no fear' comment ahead of France clash

  • The real birthday present, though, would be a place in Sunday's World Cup final.
  • Lamine Yamal insisted on Monday he would take no fear into Spain's World Cup semi-final against France as he celebrated his 19th birthday.
  • The real birthday present, though, would be a place in Sunday's World Cup final.
Lamine Yamal insisted on Monday he would take no fear into Spain's World Cup semi-final against France as he celebrated his 19th birthday.
The Barcelona prodigy raised eyebrows following Spain's 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Belgium last week after being quoted as saying that France rather than Spain ought to be "afraid" given recent defeats against La Roja.
A relaxed-looking Yamal addressed those comments as he spoke to reporters on Monday at a press conference.
"I was asked if I was afraid of France, and I said no," Yamal explained. "We are European champions. It's simply football," the teenager explained.
Yamal said he had marked his 19th birthday by buying a chunky jewel-encrusted necklace he wore to his press conference. The real birthday present, though, would be a place in Sunday's World Cup final.
"I haven't received many gifts yet. The best gift would be a win on Tuesday and a trip to New York," he said.
While other stars at this World Cup have been in blistering goal-scoring form, Yamal so far has only found the net once during the tournament -- but is ready to add to his tally against France.
"I don't focus on goals, but it's always special to score in a match like this. I accept the challenge. That’s why I came here," Yamal said, promising a "beautiful match for the spectators."
"It’s the game everyone was waiting for," he added.
While acknowledging the momentous nature of Tuesday's game, Yamal remained laidback in his approach.
"There are far more difficult situations in life than a football match, so I’m calm," he said. "I don't feel any extra pressure; I’ll go out and play like always and give my all for the team."
rcw/gj

Sports

Spain to go on 'front foot' against France in World Cup semi: De la Fuente

BY ROB WOOLLARD

  • While France coach Didier Deschamps insists Spain remain favourites for the World Cup, betting markets overwhelmingly back France to clinch a second title in three attempts.
  • Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his team plan to go on the "front foot" against World Cup favourites France when they face off in a heavyweight semi-final showdown on Tuesday.
  • While France coach Didier Deschamps insists Spain remain favourites for the World Cup, betting markets overwhelmingly back France to clinch a second title in three attempts.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his team plan to go on the "front foot" against World Cup favourites France when they face off in a heavyweight semi-final showdown on Tuesday.
De la Fuente told a press conference on Monday that Spain will attempt to impose their possession-based game on France in what is shaping up as a gripping clash of styles.
While France coach Didier Deschamps insists Spain remain favourites for the World Cup, betting markets overwhelmingly back France to clinch a second title in three attempts.
Les Bleus have powered into the last four with a scintillating brand of attacking football based around such talents as Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele. 
But De la Fuente -- whose team have beaten France in their last two meetings -- is quietly plotting another ambush at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.
"We've already analyzed France in great detail, we've known each other for a while now," De la Fuente said. 
"We faced each other for a few years now and they have great players, but so do we. We have to put all of our virtues on the table and try to counteract the strengths of the opponent. 
"And that's what football is about - the team that strikes a better balance is usually closer to getting the victory.
"We'll have to think about their players. We'll try to win those duels and will try to be on the front foot during the game, imposing our style."

France 'far better'

De la Fuente though is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task facing his side. 
France, he said, have improved signficantly since Spain defeated them 5-4 in a hectic UEFA Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart last year, when the Spaniards led 5-1 before a late rally. That encounter would bear no resemblance to Tuesday's game, De la Fuente said.
"We're talking about two very different matches," he admitted.
"Tomorrow is another semi-final. I will just try to repeat the positive scenarios, but there were other details where things weren't that positive.
"We were winning 5-1, and in a few minutes they managed to make it 5-4. So we're trying to repeat what we did well and the opposite of what we didn't do well.
"We need to try and impose our game. We have completely antagonistic playing styles, so we'll try to be on the front foot and take the initiative."
De la Fuente also believes a maturing France squad will be a tougher proposition. 
"I think they are a better team, far better, because those players have grown, and what they are doing now, is better than what they were doing then," he said. 
"So they've improved their skills in the past two years, and that's the reality."
While controlling possession and tempo will be key, De la Fuente will also tell his players to savour the challenge. Asked what his final message to his team would be, he replied: "Let's get out there and enjoy it. 
"We are in a unique setting. Who knows whether we will come back? We must be the team that we know that we can be. We must be strong and try to counter the strength of the opponent."
rcw/as

Sports

Spain 'favourites' says Deschamps ahead of World Cup semi-final showdown

  • Deschamps is also not overly concerned by the threat posed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who scored in La Roja's victories over France in the European Championship semi-final in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year.
  • France coach Didier Deschamps insisted he still sees Spain as World Cup favourites on Monday ahead of Les Bleus' blockbuster semi-final against the European champions.
  • Deschamps is also not overly concerned by the threat posed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who scored in La Roja's victories over France in the European Championship semi-final in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year.
France coach Didier Deschamps insisted he still sees Spain as World Cup favourites on Monday ahead of Les Bleus' blockbuster semi-final against the European champions.
France take on Spain at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday in a match widely seen as a collision of the best two teams in the tournament.
While Deschamps' side have lit up the World Cup with a string of scintillating performances, Spain's campaign has built momentum gradually following a shock 0-0 draw against minnows Cape Verde in their opening game.
Deschamps, though, maintains that France -- beaten by Spain in their last two meetings -- will be the underdog on Tuesday. 
"Forget about the first game against Cape Verde," Deschamps said of Spain's campaign. "Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favourites. 
"I don't want to add extra pressure to (Spain coach) Luis (de la Fuente) and their team -- he knows very well that people are expecting great things of Spain.
"But Spain can attack well, and they can defend very well. They've only conceded one goal in the last six or seven matches."
Spain coach De la Fuente meanwhile smiled when asked for his response to Deschamps' comments at an eve-of-game press conference.
"Since the beginning, I've always said that the fact that people say we're favourites or not doesn't mean anything," De la Fuente told reporters. "It doesn't. It's not decisive." 
"We are two great national teams facing each other, just as there are two great national teams facing each other in the other semi-final," De la Fuente added, stressing that his team was comfortable living with the pressure to succeed.
"Regardless of whether we're favorites or not, it doesn't mean create additional pressure," he said. "We have that pressure anyway. We want to do well for our country."
Deschamps meanwhile believes Tuesday's game has all the makings of a classic.
"With the quality of the two teams offensively, I think we could think that is going to be a spectacular game," he said.
Deschamps is also not overly concerned by the threat posed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who scored in La Roja's victories over France in the European Championship semi-final in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year.
"We know the strength of the opposing team. We have our own strengths," Deschamps said.
"Have I studied Yamal and his assets? Yes, he's one of the players that can really make a difference on the pitch. 
"And all opponents should try to limit the strength of the other team, but we have many solutions. 
"When it comes to a one-on-ones it could be tough. But having a one-on-one against some of my players is not an easy task either."
Deschamps confirmed that France captain Kylian Mbappe, who left the quarter-final win over Morocco late in the second half after taking a knock, was "100 percent" fit for the semi-final.
rcw/as

Sports

Norway receive heroes' welcome in Oslo after World Cup exit

  • Broadcaster NRK said the Manchester City striker, who scored seven goals at the World Cup, was unable to attend as he had a plane to catch. ef/msh/iwd/gj
  • Around 90,000 people welcomed back Norway's players to Oslo on Monday after they returned home from making a historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
  • Broadcaster NRK said the Manchester City striker, who scored seven goals at the World Cup, was unable to attend as he had a plane to catch. ef/msh/iwd/gj
Around 90,000 people welcomed back Norway's players to Oslo on Monday after they returned home from making a historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Erling Haaland's side were knocked out of the tournament on Saturday after losing 2-1 to England in extra-time in the last eight in Miami, their best result in the competition.
The crowd packed the square in front of the royal palace in Norway's capital city as the squad arrived around, and performed the now famous "Viking Row",
Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, the heir apparent to the country of 5.6 million's throne, led the celebration with a drum -- he was also present at the defeat in Miami.
"It's simply incredible to see all the support we receive and to see how much the country is behind us," captain Martin Odegaard told public broadcasters NRK.
"It's really fantastic," the Arsenal playmaker added.
Haaland landed in Norway earlier in the day and was pictured on his social media walking from the plane holding a stuffed racoon with a glass bottle of alcohol in its claws.
Broadcaster NRK said the Manchester City striker, who scored seven goals at the World Cup, was unable to attend as he had a plane to catch.
ef/msh/iwd/gj

Sports

Pickford backs England to keep cool in tense Argentina World Cup semi

  • Lionel Messi will be the focus in the build-up to the semi-final in Atlanta but Everton goalkeeper Pickford talked up England's own stars.
  • England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is confident his team will keep their cool in the heat of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
  • Lionel Messi will be the focus in the build-up to the semi-final in Atlanta but Everton goalkeeper Pickford talked up England's own stars.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is confident his team will keep their cool in the heat of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
The rivalry between the two teams is one of the spiciest in world football, influenced by events on and off the pitch.
Pickford said England had largely avoided flashpoints during the 2026 tournament and can cope with the pressure.
"I think you've seen throughout the tournament our desire to win tackles. We've not got into any scuffles or anything," he said Monday at England's training base in Kansas City.
"We've been very well respected within the game. Decisions go our way, they don't go our way, we just reset, we go again and we let the football do the talking.
"I think that's what we've done throughout the tournament. Apart from Jarell (Quansah's red card in Mexico), we've not had any suspensions, no second yellow cards or anything like that."
Lionel Messi will be the focus in the build-up to the semi-final in Atlanta but Everton goalkeeper Pickford talked up England's own stars.
"Everyone will talk about Messi because he's one of the GOATs (greatest of all time) of the game," he said.
"But you can't look past the ability and the talent we've got in the squad –- going forward, defensively, togetherness. We've got it all there and that's what we need to put on a show on Wednesday."
The history of matches between England and Argentina is peppered with incidents, set against a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The most famous encounter between the teams was a 2-1 victory for Argentina at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico featuring two goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the best ever.
But the historical background is of little relevance to Pickford as England seek to get over the line in a major tournament for the first time since 1966.
"It's us against them to get a place in the final, and it's a game of football. 90 minutes, 120, penalties," he said.
"We're ready for anything, and it's us against them and it's about who comes out on top. We're fully prepared for that."
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