Earlier this week, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added the new title of World Cup Goals King to his CV.

By the end of the tournament, it could be Kylian Mbappe holding that honor. Down the line, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are young enough to get in the mix. And if everything goes right, the teenage Lamine Yamal has the time and talent to obliterate them all.

This is an amazing era for elite international goal-scorers. But maybe even more exciting, the convergence of those talents could be symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.

Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.

For sure, it’s not the aesthetic preference of every soccer critic.

Listen closely enough, and you’ll hear the cries of someone in Brazil whining that Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao rejected the Jogo Bonito in favor of a modern devotion to backpressing that proved critical in their emphatic 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday night.

But for the average neutral, it’s hard to deny how much more compelling the club game has become as a result of data that shows the benefits of a higher octane approach.

You can see this in the UEFA Champions League, where goals per game have risen from 2.65 in 2015-16 to 3.45 in 2025-26.

Or you can see it in which teams are and aren’t succeeding at the international level.

Arguably, no side has fallen further than Italy, a nation whose footballing identity is most irrationally opposed to the ongoing tactical revolution.

Similarly, teams like Ecuador and Paraguay, who rode cynical tactics to success in South American qualifying, have so far been exposed by teams with more time to build attacking chemistry.

Yes, some teams have still succeeded out of a low block. But the Ghanas and Cape Verdes of the world have only done so when they could muster at least some threat of a vertical counterattack.

And now, with many of the same managers who orchestrated that rise in attacking play now coaching at this World Cup, goals are up here as well. If the rate of roughly 3.0 goals per game continues, it would be the highest scoring edition since 17-year-old Pele and Brazil dazzled their way to their first championship in Sweden in 1958.

The greatest attacking players are also staying great longer.

At 41, Ronaldo may come with baggage, but he’s still the best finisher on his Portugal team. At 32, Harry Kane’s career is only middle-aged when it would’ve been considered in its twilight era a generation ago.

And the engrossing all-time scoring chase is only possible because Messi is still playing at age 39, and arguably better at a World Cup than he ever has before.

There’s still a lot of time for this World Cup to go sideways. The knockout stages have a way of bringing out the worst conservative instincts in coaches. Oppressive summer weather could become more of a factor as June turns to July, and as more of the kickoffs fall before sunset to appease European TV audiences.

And there’s always the danger for off-the-field controversies to grow louder once the competitive field shrinks.

But on the evidence so far, this tournament has shown that the future of the game on the field is arguably the brightest it’s ever been. And whether it’s Messi or Mbappe who finishes on top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart this summer, you get the sense neither one will stay there for all that long.

The dates for the 2027 NFL Draft have been set.

The NFL announced that the first round of the draft will be held on Thursday, April 29. The second and third rounds will be held the next day and the final four rounds of the draft will be conducted on May 1.

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Washington D.C. will be serving as the host city for the draft for the first time. Events are set to be held around the city with the main draft stage on the National Mall.

The NFL has awarded the 2028 Draft to Minneapolis and the Bengals have engaged in conversations with the league about Cincinnati hosting the 2029 edition.

4 Pines Park will play host to Saturday’s
Round 17 NRL game between Manly Sea Eagles and
Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Manly Sea Eagles heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Manly Sea Eagles vs.
Melbourne Storm
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday June 27, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: 4 Pines Park

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm Odds

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm Preview

Manly returns to 4 Pines Park on Saturday night for a crucial clash against a Melbourne side beginning to find its rhythm.

The Storm’s improvement has been built on defence, with Craig Bellamy’s side showing far greater resilience and composure than it did earlier in the season. That defensive steel has helped Melbourne remain firmly in the finals hunt despite periods of inconsistency.

Manly enters the contest as favourite but faces questions around personnel changes in the backline. The Sea Eagles remain one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking teams at home, though Melbourne’s ability to apply pressure could force errors.

These clubs have developed a fierce rivalry over the years and little is expected to separate them again. With both sides chasing top-eight security, the result could have major implications later in the season.

GIO Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 17 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and
St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs.
St. George Illawarra Dragons
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday June 28, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Where: GIO Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Canberra Raiders vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds

Canberra Raiders vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview

Canberra will look to strengthen its finals credentials when it hosts St George Illawarra at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Raiders remain one of the competition’s success stories this season, but there have been signs the demands of a long campaign are beginning to test some of the club’s younger players. The return of Ethan Strange to his preferred side of the field provided a boost to the attack last week.

The Dragons continue to rely on effort and defensive resolve. While points have been difficult to come by at times, Shane Flanagan’s side has regularly remained competitive through strong field position and disciplined football.

Canberra has won four of its past five meetings against St George Illawarra, but the Dragons have consistently shown an ability to keep contests tighter than many expect.

On Saturday, Jaron Ennis attempts to become a unified world champion in a second division as he collides with Puerto Rico’s WBA and WBO ruler Xander Zayas.

Ennis was elevated to IBF welterweight champion in late 2023 and defended that belt against both David Avanesyan and Karen Chukhadzhian, before a brutal beatdown of then WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis saw him add another strap to his collection.

The Philadelphian then decided to move up to 154lbs and made a statement upon his divisional debut, when he dispatched of Portugal’s Uisma Lima in the opening round of their October clash to claim the WBA Interim title.

Since then, Ennis was once again been linked to a long-awaited scrap with fellow super-welterweight knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr, but he instead signed to challenge for Zayas’ throne because of Ortiz’s ongoing dispute with Golden Boy Promotions.

In an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Ennis revealed that, if he overcomes Zayas, Ortiz is not necessarily his next target, with his attention purely on whoever is in possession of the belts.

“We are not looking past Xander Zayas at all, but if I am victorious on Saturday and I bring home these two belts, it [my next goal] is undisputed. If we can get the next champion in the ring, whether that is [Sebastian] Fundora or [Josh] Kelly, it could be Ortiz.

“My goal right now is just to clean out this whole division one by one.”

It is believed that Fundora may soon be ordered to face Ortiz, who holds the WBC Interim title, whilst Josh Kelly is expected to defend his IBF super-welterweight world title against Caoimhin Agyarko on Anthony Joshua’s undercard next month.

One of the hottest names in the NBA is on the move to a contender.

The Charlotte Hornets reportedly traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, teaming the third overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft with the first overall pick that year in Anthony Edwards.

Ball, the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year, has become one of the best guards in the league, averaging 20.8 points and 7.3 assists per game, although injuries have hampered him. He played in just 105 games from the start of the 2022-23 season through the 2024-25 campaign.

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Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves interacts with LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 22, 2024. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 128-125. (David Berding/Getty Images)

The Hornets have not been able to break their playoff drought, which has been in place since the 2015-16 season, and opted to trade Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks.

The T-Wolves have made the playoffs for five straight seasons, including appearances in the Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025, so it makes sense to bring in Ball to help out Edwards, who dropped a career-high 28.8 points per game this past season.

LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets passes the ball during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Feb. 24, 2023. (David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)

KNICKS FAN’S TRASH CAN GRAB ENDS WITH FINES, FIRING AND WALK OF SHAME RETURN TRIP FOR JPMORGAN CHASE EXEC

And perhaps because of Ball’s durability concerns, Charlotte added to an already rich collection of draft assets that includes six first-round picks and eight second-rounders over the next three offseasons. They just selected Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson with the 14th and 18th selections earlier this week and took former Duke star Kon Knueppel with the fourth selection last year.

In 2023, Ball signed a five-year, $260 million contract extension and said he felt the team was on the path to success.

“I think it’s just a great position and I think we are all going the right way now,” he said at the time.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball dribbles the ball upcourt against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 19, 2026. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)

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That evidently was not the case, but on a personal note, Ball is now back on that path.

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England suffered a World Cup setback on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana, leaving them with work still to do as they bid to progress to the knockout stage as Group L winners.

Nico O’Reilly came closest to scoring with a late header that hit the bar, but after the promise of their opening 4-2 win over Croatia, this was a performance that will raise doubts about their chances of going all the way and winning the tournament.

They dominated possession and had 19 shots to their opponents’ two, yet rarely looked like scoring past Ghana‘s stand-in goalkeeper Benjamin Asare in a match watched by 63,983 fans at Gillette Stadium near Boston.

Both teams have four points with one game still to play in Group L, with progression to the next round all but assured but their final positions still in the balance.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Kane, Bellingham and Rashford fire England past Croatia

In damp, cool conditions, England delivered a stodgy performance that echoed some of their faltering displays during Euro 2024.

However, there are no dramatic consequences, as England take a step closer to the last 32. All they need to do now is safely negotiate their final group fixture against Panama at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, and they will be able to turn their attention to the knockout rounds.

England have still never lost to African opposition at the World Cup, and that record was rarely at risk of ending here.

Ghana nevertheless battled brilliantly, as the nation ranked 73rd in the world – 69 places behind England – put up a determined defensive display.

Partey plays, Kane quiet

The late decision by the Black Stars to appoint Carlos Queiroz as coach is looking increasingly justified, with this result following their opening 1-0 win over Panama. The 2010 quarter-finalists face Croatia next in Philadelphia.

Thomas Partey returned for Ghana after missing the Panama match in Toronto because Canadian authorities denied him a visa – the former Arsenal midfielder is facing trial on rape charges in the UK.

Asare of local side Hearts of Oak started in goal for the Ghanaians after coming on for the injured Lawrence Ati Zigi against Panama.

England’s inability to regularly test him will be a source of concern, as Harry Kane was kept quiet and failed to add to his 10 World Cup goals – he remains level with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time top scorer at the tournament.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Ghana’s Partey loses bid to overturn Canadian visa refusal over rape charges

Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon were unable to make the difference on the wings and their substitutes could not, this time, have a decisive impact.

Jude Bellingham won his 50th cap as Marc Guehi and Djed Spence replaced John Stones and O’Reilly in defence.

A Declan Rice free-kick that sailed just over was about as close as England came in the opening half. In fact, it took almost an hour for Asare to make a notable save, but it was a comfortable one to deny Gordon.

Ghana may feel Jordan Pickford should have been punished for charging out of his box and crashing into Prince Adu without touching the ball – but instead the goalkeeper was awarded a free-kick.

There was also panic for England when substitute Adu ran through into the area but could not get a shot away.

Then the pressure was turned up a notch in the closing minutes, as Asare denied Bukayo Saka with a good stop low to his left before O’Reilly headed against the woodwork from close range and Kane blazed over.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Good afternoon and welcome to the Manchester Evening News’ live blog coverage of the Carabao Cup first round draw.

Manchester City won’t start their defence of the competition until later this year, with Manchester United also not involved in this afternoon’s draw.

However, there’s plenty of interest from EFL clubs. Newly promoted Rochdale and York City will have to contest a preliminary round against Tranmere Rovers and Crawley Town respectively.

Stay with us throughout the afternoon for all the key information from the draw.