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Chelsea Agree Club-Record £117m Deal to Sign Morgan Rogers

Published

14 hours ago

19 July 2026

Chelsea have agreed a club-record £117 million deal to sign England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old is expected to sign a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the option of an extra year. He will undergo a medical on Monday after returning from England duty at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The transfer makes Rogers the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history, breaking the previous record of £107 million paid for Enzo Fernandez in 2023. It also becomes the biggest transfer fee ever paid for an English player.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is continuing to reshape his squad ahead of the new Premier League season, with Rogers becoming one of his major signings.

Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for an initial £8 million deal that could rise to £15 million. During his time at Villa, he scored 21 league goals in 85 appearances and helped the club win the UEFA Europa League last season.

Middlesbrough are also set to benefit from the transfer. A sell-on clause in Rogers’ contract means the Championship club will receive at least £20.4 million from the deal.

The England international has made 22 senior appearances for the Three Lions, scoring once, and featured in seven matches at the 2026 World Cup.

Rogers is the second Villa midfielder to leave this week after Youri Tielemans completed a move to Manchester United. Villa have already responded by signing Switzerland international Johan Manzambi from Freiburg and are also closing in on Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.

At Chelsea, Rogers is expected to compete for places with Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Geovany Quenda as Alonso prepares for the new campaign.

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Revealed: The eye-watering amount Spain players will earn for winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Football News

Published

7 minutes ago

20 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Revealed: The eye-watering amount Spain players will earn for winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Spain’s Rodri (16) lifts the trophy as Spain celebrates after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Spain’s triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup did not only bring the nation’s second world title. It also secured one of the biggest financial rewards ever distributed to a World Cup-winning squad after FIFA increased the tournament’s prize money to record levels.Luis de la Fuente’s side defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute. The victory earned the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) the tournament’s top prize of $51 million from FIFA.According to reports, Spain’s players will each receive a substantial share of that prize under a pre-agreed bonus arrangement negotiated between the squad captains and the RFEF.

How much each Spain player will receive

FIFA awards federations a single payment once their World Cup campaign concludes, with the amount determined by their final finishing position rather than after each knockout round.By merely reaching the World Cup final, Spain had already guaranteed the RFEF $34 million.Under the agreement reported by AS, 40 per cent of that guaranteed prize money would have been allocated to the players. That would have created a dressing-room bonus pool worth approximately $13.6 million, equating to just over $523,000 for each member of Spain’s 26-man squad before taxes.Winning the World Cup, however, significantly increased those figures.After lifting the trophy, Spain’s players became entitled to 45 per cent of FIFA’s winners’ prize.That means approximately $22.95 million will be shared between the 26 players, with each squad member expected to receive around $882,700 before taxes, according to AS.The remainder of FIFA’s prize money will stay with the RFEF, which will use part of the windfall to cover the costs of Spain’s World Cup campaign while also benefiting financially from one of the most lucrative tournaments in its history.

Argentina receive runners-up prize

Although Argentina fell short of retaining the World Cup after Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner, Lionel Scaloni’s side will still receive a substantial runners-up payment.FIFA will award the Argentine Football Association $34 million for finishing second.Unlike Spain, however, no official details have yet emerged regarding how that prize money will be distributed among Argentina’s 26-player squad.

Argentina walks on the pitch after their loss in the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Record prize money across the tournament

The 2026 World Cup featured the largest prize fund in the competition’s history, with FIFA increasing overall financial rewards by around 50 per cent compared with previous editions.Prize money based on final finishing positions is as follows:

Champions – Spain: $51 million
Runners-up – Argentina: $34 million
Third place – England: $30 million
Fourth place – France: $28 million
Quarter-finalists (5th-8th): Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, Morocco: $20 million each
Round of 16 (9th-16th): Colombia, Egypt, United States, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay and Canada: $16 million each
Last 32 (17th-32nd): Ghana, Algeria, Australia, Cape Verde, Austria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senegal, DR Congo, Ecuador, Sweden, Ivory Coast, Netherlands, Germany, Japan and South Africa: $12 million each
Group stage (33rd-48th): Uruguay, Scotland, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Qatar, Panama, Jordan, Tunisia, New Zealand, Haiti and Turkey: $10 million each

Those performance-based payments account for $703 million of FIFA’s total $871 million tournament prize fund.The remaining $168 million is distributed among participating national associations regardless of where they finish, ensuring every nation receives additional financial support for taking part in football’s biggest tournament.For Spain, however, victory delivered far more than just the World Cup trophy. Alongside a place in football history, every member of the squad is set to receive one of the largest bonuses ever awarded to a Spanish national team, reflecting both FIFA’s record prize fund and the agreement reached between the players and the RFEF.

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Eddie Hearn makes final prediction for Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: “He’s a big puncher”

Published

20 minutes ago

20 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Eddie Hearn has questioned the power and durability of one man as Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn is officially announced.

The pair will collide at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12, heading a co-promotion between Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy and Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.

Their welterweight showdown had, of course, been rumoured for quite some time, with an announcement earlier this week finally confirming Garcia’s WBC title defence.

The 27-year-old claimed his belt by dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory in February, which followed his largely unexpected points defeat to Rolando Romero in May 2025.

But despite his previous setbacks, Garcia is now widely considered to be a world-level fighter while Benn, on the other hand, is yet to prove his top-class credentials.

In fact, the 29-year-old’s most significant victories have all arrived against fighters on the brink of retirement, including Chris Eubank Jr and Regis Prograis.

Not only that, but Benn has fought above 147lbs since his second-round finish over Chris van Heerden – another carefully selected opponent – in 2022.

It is, therefore, partly for this reason that Matchroom promoter Hearn has expressed doubt over Benn’s chances in an interview with K.O. Artist Sports.

“It’s an exciting fight for boxing. I don’t like Conor at 147[lbs]; I don’t believe he should be fighting down there.
“He had those two fights with Eubank at 160[lbs]. I’m not saying he’s a middleweight, [but then] he fought Regis Prograis at 150[lbs]. He looked terrible in that fight.
“[Making 147lbs should be] brutal for him now. He trains so hard, but I don’t think he has power down there. I don’t think he’ll have the chin down there.
“And Ryan’s a world-class fighter. He’s very sharp and is a big puncher. But it’ll be fun because Conor’s got big balls – he’ll have a right go.”
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While Hearn is likely expressing his true belief, it is equally important to consider his public fallout with Benn, who left Matchroom for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing earlier this year.

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Winners and Losers from 2026 Open Championship Sunday

Published

33 minutes ago

20 July 2026

NewsAdmin

If you’re of the Ricky Bobby school of thought (if you’re not first, you’re last) you could come away from Royal Birkdale seeing just one winner and 155 losers.

But we’re slightly more charitable than that — so let’s review a smattering of winners, losers and in-betweeners from what was (gulp) the final men’s major of the year.

WINNER: Ryan Fox’s commitment

Open champ Ryan Fox said in his post-win presser that he “sees things fast.” He plays that way, too: Quick, relentless, committed. As he said it:

“It’s not that difficult to pick a shot and pick a club.”

Fox would have been something of an unexpected winner entering the week, but with the benefit of hindsight he’s the perfect fit: A tough international competitor with notable wins on links courses (the 2022 Dunhill Links) and English courses (the 2025 BMW PGA) and in big national opens (the 2025 RBC Canadian Open) and a life of worldwide golf. In a week defined by rulings, controversies and golf’s gray areas, there was something refreshing about Fox’s style — and his acceptance — as he handled everything the course gave him down the stretch.

The way Ryan Fox handled that brutal bunker break on 15 — no real reaction, wasted no time chopping out backwards, got up and down for bogey — set him up for that finish. Fun guy to watch play golf. Awesome attitude. Relentless game. Plays fast and committed. Hit some incredible… pic.twitter.com/g8t5QV51Q7
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) July 19, 2026

LOSER: Cameron Young’s pot-bunker collision

There was a stark contrast between what happened when Fox found the pot bunker just right of the 18th fairway on Saturday evening — a miraculous escape with a launched 8-iron to the front of the green — versus Cameron Young, who tried to pull off something similar on Sunday afternoon but banked it off the side wall instead and did well to escape with bogey. (He made bogey from a fairway bunker on Saturday, too.) Every shot counts the same, but Fox’s 18th-hole play was a glaring separator.

“It’s a really difficult golf hole,” Young said post-round, correctly.

“I mean, I hit two shots exactly how I wanted to hit them. I didn’t feel anything for the putt; everything was shaking that much. I was just happy to hit it somewhat near the hole, and to see it go in was incredible,” Fox said post-win.

WINNER: Cameron Young’s Sunday

With that said, Cameron Young’s Sunday charge was remarkable, it was a shot of life for the tournament and it was very nearly enough to win him his first major. His 64 was low round of the day by two and showed off an elite, well-rounded game; he gained strokes in all areas of his game and reminded us why he’s joined the game’s upper echelon. Young wraps up his major championship season with two podium finishes, which go well with his Players Championship. Young will be heartbroken. He should be proud, too.

“I was really just proud of the way I put it together, the way I did it more than the round itself,” Young said post-round. “[Saturday] was tough. It’s one of those nights where you’re kind of — I don’t want to say down, it’s still just kind of a bad day at work, and I’m fortunate to have a cool job, but yeah, it’s a frustrating night.

“To come out, and I feel like I was really clear-minded all day, I had a really clear intention what I was going to do. Yeah, just executed that really, really well, and it happened to add up to 64. It could have been 68; it could have been 60. I just played really well.”

LOSERS: The Best Golfers Without Majors

If you were making a list heading into the week of the best golfers without a major you wouldn’t have gotten far before you’d listed Cameron Young, Sam Burns and Tommy Fleetwood. Then those guys finished second, third and tied for fourth, reminding us why they’re at the top of that list but also why it’s so hard to get off that list.

Burns will have especially mixed emotions. To some extent, anything that happened this week was going to be a bonus — he didn’t even expect to play! But then he built a two-shot lead heading to Sunday’s final round, revving up expectations and putting a target on his back. Now he’s the owner of another close miss. His T7-T26-2-3 showing at this year’s majors is up there with anyone.

He was classy in congratulations on the 18th green, as his playing partner accomplished what he’d dreamt of. And he kept things matter-of-fact post-round.

“I played a lot of great golf this week. Unfortunately didn’t have my best stuff today. Got off to a bad start, made a couple of mistakes early,” he said. “Ryan played amazing. He’s a well-earned champion. Hat’s off to him. He did what he needed to do down the stretch. Ultimately just came up a couple short today.”

WINNER: Tommy Fleetwood’s finish

It was hard not to get emotional watching Tommy Fleetwood — the prince of Southport, who wielded layers of pressure all week long — roll in one of the only birdies of the day at No. 18 to a massive roar from the jam-packed grandstands. Fleetwood’s chances peaked when he reached three under par for the round through eight holes. They disappeared when he bogeyed 9-10-11. But there was plenty to be said for his resilience down the stretch. As always, his post-round remarks were admirable, even if they came with a heavy dose of heartbreak.

“Of course, there’s only one person that gets to win it, and like my dream of winning the Open will carry on and I’ll continue to chase it,” he said. “But stuff like that, walking down 18 and the atmosphere out there, that was beyond stuff that I’ve dreamt of. That was just stuff that I never imagined. The crowds were amazing, and they made it the most special week ever for me, and I can’t thank them enough.”

LOSER: Si Woo Kim’s finish

It feels like a very, very long time ago that Si Woo Kim held the outright lead in this golf tournament, but at one point on Sunday afternoon he was the heavy favorite to close out his first major championship. What followed was a strange limp to the finish filled with misfires off the tee and aggressive decisions that didn’t quite pay off. Kim finished T6, his 10th top-10 of the season and the best result of his major career. But his four-over 40 on the way in will sting.

WINNER: Casey Jarvis’ secret sixth

Did you watch Casey Jarvis play golf this week? Did you see him hit shots? Were you aware he finished in a share of sixth place? Because on Sunday he birdied No. 18 to post four-under 66 and six under for the tournament. On a day when leaders were leaking bogeys down the stretch, that left him T6 with Kim and Lucas Herbert — an incredible result for a young player with MC-MC-T65 as his career major record before this week.

He didn’t take the moment for granted.

“All the guys at the top of the leaderboard were my role models growing up with Scottie, Rory and a few other guys. I’ve been looking up to them, seeing how their game is, and to see my name on the leaderboard amongst the best players in the world, it truly means the world to me.”

LOSER: Bryson DeChambeau’s Sunday

Nobody had a stranger week than Bryson DeChambeau. His Friday triple-bogey stole more headlines than the rest of the tournament combined. His Sunday triple-bogey featured a shocking lost golf ball and officially eliminated him from contention. He played his final seven holes in two under to finish T14, which ultimately marked an anticlimactic close to a turbulent major season for DeChambeau.

WINNER: Xander Schauffele’s T18

I do not think Xander Schauffele himself will grade this as a “win” and I’m not saying that, like, Schauffele had a better week than DeChambeau. But this is a moment of appreciation for the never-give-up nature of Schauffele, who didn’t have his best stuff this week but played his way from the edge of the cut line inside the top 20, as he always seems to do. In the last 19 majors, Schauffele has finished T18 or better in 18 of those — and the lone outlier was a T28. It’s worth appreciating that run of excellence.

LOSER: Rory McIlroy’s momentum

Rory McIlroy had an opposite finish to Schauffele. He played well out of the gate on Sunday, getting to two under for his round (and four under for the tournament) through 10 holes — but he shot three over par the rest of the way to fade to T40, adding a disappointing final sentence to a major championship season that began with a Masters victory.

“I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey,” he said. “Yeah, just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.”

I’m excited for McIlroy’s next chapter, for his fall international tour, for his role in what’s next in the golf world. But as he wrapped things up on Sunday he sounded slightly melancholy.

“This season feels very similar to last season. Obviously won the first major of the year, fell off a little bit after that, but still any time you win a major in a year, you have to be pleased about that.”

WINNER: Firm, fast conditions

It’s just more fun when the ball lands and you don’t know quite where it’s going to end up. Links golf rules.

LOSER: The Rules of Golf

DeChambeau’s week was overshadowed by his controversial brush with, well, brush on Friday evening. Scottie Scheffler’s rollercoaster charge on Sunday included plenty of discussion on the strangeness around his lost-ball-slash-free-drop en route to birdie on the 71st hole. This seems to be the natural way of the world, where our next-day discussions of NFL games revolve around pass interference calls and our NBA game reviews are a lot of block-vs.-charge and where a major star of this World Cup has been VAR processes. It’s definitely not boring. Sometimes it’s fun. But I don’t want it to engulf everything else.

LOSER: Lousy finishers

Jon Rahm started and finished his Sunday round with double bogeys; there’s a world where he could have challenged for the win, as he did on Sunday at the PGA, but instead his four-over 74 left him even par and T46. Justin Thomas had a rough finish, too, making six Sunday bogeys plus a double en route to 76 and T65, turning a solid week sour. The ascendant Alex Fitzpatrick was well positioned for a reasonably high finish, too, before his putter abandoned him and a Sunday 77 plummeted him down to T71.

WINNERS: Sunday chargers

They say it’s not how you start but how you finish. That’s good news for Young, of course, and for Jarvis. They’re not the only pros who will leave feeling good about their Sunday moves, though: A handful of others never meaningfully contended for the win but moved way up with low rounds nonetheless. I’m looking at Adam Scott, whose 66 jumped him 29 places to T9, his highest major finish since 2019. I’m looking at Russell Henley, who actually bogeyed two of his last three but still shot 66 to finish T9, his fourth top 10 in his last six major starts. Corey Conners (67), Chris Gotterup (67) and Rickie Fowler (66) charged into the top 20. That’ll feel good for the nine long months before next year’s Masters.

We’ll see you then.

“>

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Ryan Fox wins The Open; Bryson vs. Rory heats up

Published

46 minutes ago

20 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Ryan Fox’s dramatic Open win, Rory and Bryson’s feud and everything else from Royal Birkdale.

Ryan Fox birdied four of his last six holes to shoot 68 and win the Open Championship by one over Cameron Young and claim his first major title. How did Fox, who shot 62 on Saturday, rule the weekend and win the Claret Jug?

Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): As in every Open, conditions mattered and Fox took advantage of some relatively benign ones on Saturday. More importantly, though, he stayed patient. The quirks of Royal Birkdale drove some guys crazy this week. Fox, by contrast, stayed cool even when he got a couple of terrible bunker breaks coming down the stretch. That was especially impressive, as was the way he stuck with his (wonderfully) brisk routine. A lot of guys get out of rhythm when they’re trying to close. Fox stayed in his rhythm.

Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): While others wilted under the pressure, Fox thrived in it. On a day when seemingly every contender struggled to hit the shots when the lights got the brightest, Fox did not. It may seem overly simplistic, but the best golfers are the ones who can perform under pressure. No one was better than Fox in that regard on Sunday.

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): Agree with the great points from my colleagues here. Fox hung in impressively on Sunday — and he suffered some adversity too. That chip shot from behind the green on 9 that came right back to his feet could have really derailed him. But he managed to get the next shot up and down for bogey. That kind of mental fortitude is everything on a major championship Sunday.

Any issue with three 62s at Royal Birkdale? (And before this week, Branden Grace had the first major 62 ever at the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale.)

Sens: It’s hard to take issue with scores when everyone’s playing the same course. But I do wish they had found a way to keep some of the juice in the rough, despite the dry conditions. Ideally, I think, there should be more punishment for driving it wildly in an Open than there was this week.

Melton: I don’t have an issue with it. Despite the flurry of 62s, the winner still took 270 strokes, one less than at Aronimink, which got rave reviews from fans. While low scores were out there, they had to be earned. Good shots were rewarded and bad shots were punished. That’s all you can ask for.

Marksbury: No issues with the low scores. Sometimes the overseas weather bestows some gifts. And, as we witnessed, the course was still capable of baring some teeth.

Before Fox lifted the Claret Jug on Sunday, Bryson DeChambeau was the talk of the tournament with his Friday penalty and the dramatics that followed it. Opinions of the penalty (and how Bryson handled the situation) flooded in from fans, players and analysts. How would you sum up Bryson’s week? Was it a net positive or negative?

Sens: I would think it was a huge net positive in social-media followers, which is all that counts these days, right?

Melton: Positive for his YouTube channel, that’s for sure. I’m sure he’ll give us a breakdown of his thoughts on his channel. Be sure to smash that like button and hit subscribe to hear more.

Marksbury: Probably a net positive in terms of the general public and support from his fans, but if Rory McIlroy’s sentiments about the situation are any indication, it could be a possible net negative with his pro golf peers.

Rory McIlroy didn’t hold back when asked for his opinion on DeChambeau’s Friday drama, saying, “I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention.” There’s an obvious history between these two, but was this fair from McIlroy? Or crossing the line?

Sens: Fair game for McIlroy to share his thoughts when asked for them. I think the forthrightness was refreshing. I’d quibble with Rory’s assertion that DeChambeau was holding the tournament hostage. The uncertainty around tee times was overblown, I thought. You’re playing the weekend in the Open Championship. Do you really have other plans? Go to bed early, get up early and be ready to go. A grizzly old-timer might be left to conclude that not knowing whether you’re teeing off at 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. is what qualifies as adversity for today’s pros.

Melton: Is it fair to call the content king Bryson “performative?” Absolutely. Everything he does is for the cameras. I don’t take any issue with his behavior being called out.

Marksbury: I do think it’s a bit ungentlemanly to publicly air your dislike for another player like that. And I don’t understand how DeChambeau’s situation delayed the release of tee times. But for Rory and Bryson, there’s some history fueling the bad blood here. As for Bryson’s “performative” antics, well, the whole situation was fairly dramatic. I’m not sure how much was driven by heat-of-the-moment passion for an alleged injustice, or Bryson’s desire to milk the moment for his personal brand. Maybe a little of both.

Who won the Open Championship without winning the Open Championship?

Sens: On the one hand, hometown favorite Tommy Fleetwood had to be disappointed not to make a Sunday run. But he also spoke of the memories he made, the experiences you can’t buy, and how much they meant to him. Coming from another player, a cynic might read that as a crushed soul trying to rationalize. But I get the sense that Fleetwood was being entirely sincere.

Melton: How about Casey Jarvis with his first-career major top 10? This was his first Open start, and he performed well enough to qualify for next year at St. Andrews. I’d say that’s a pretty great week.

Marksbury: Both great picks. I’ll second Tommy. The hometown hero was in the conversation throughout and birdied his last two holes on Sunday. Not a win, of course, but that had to feel pretty good.

And who’s the most upset wondering what could have been leaving the final major of the season?

Josh Sens: Scottie Scheffler, the defending champ. With even a halfway decent week with the putter, he could have won by several shots.

Melton: Absolutely Scottie. He hit the ball well enough to put on a repeat performance of last year, but his putter was ice cold. Tough way to end the major season for the world No. 1.

Marksbury: Cameron Young. He bogeyed 18, then held the clubhouse lead for more than two hours, with a playoff looking imminent, before finally being crushed by the tournament’s very last putt. That makes eight career top-10s in the majors — and the pursuit of his first major continues.

“>

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Terence Crawford says one man is ‘for sure’ the face of boxing now he’s retired

Published

59 minutes ago

20 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Terence Crawford has named a former world champion as the “face of boxing”, convinced that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis simply has more work to do.

While coming off a star-making performance, it is difficult to declare that Ennis, a two-weight unified champion, is now the bona fide “face of boxing”.

A selection of fans, meanwhile, have nonetheless attempted to make this argument following his sixth-round stoppage over Xander Zayas last month.

But while it was, indeed, a scintillating display that saw him claim the WBO and WBA titles, there is still a way to go before ‘Boots’ becomes a mainstream attraction.

Until then, most will continue to regard Canelo Alvarez as the sport’s biggest crossover star, even if he happens to be inching closer towards retirement.

Having consistently been involved in pay-per-view events for over a decade, the Mexican remains a widely supported figure in American and Hispanic communities.

And despite losing his undisputed super-middleweight crown to Crawford, who unanimously outpointed him in September, Canelo is still attempting to compete at world level.

As a result, ‘Bud’ named his last opponent after being asked by The Breakfast Club whether Ennis is now the face of boxing.

“Canelo’s still the face of boxing. For sure.”

Despite coming off a defeat, Alvarez has secured another world title fight against Christian Mbilli, who was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Crawford’s retirement announcement in December.

The pair will collide at 168lbs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, towards the end of October, with Canelo no longer fighting on his usual Mexican Independence Day weekend.

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At a time when sports needs better heroes, Spain delivered | Opinion

Published

1 hour ago

20 July 2026

NewsAdmin

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — At this level, any coach can find great players. Finding ones who are also good people and willing to put the team ahead of themselves, that is the challenge.

In this day and age, when so many people are only out for themselves, not caring who they trample over to get what they want, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and his team are a breath of fresh air.

They are World Cup champions because they were the best team in the tournament. They have so much joy in the title because they didn’t sacrifice their values to get it.

“I believe real success lies in looking for the right travel companions, people with principles,” de la Fuente said after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 for its second-ever World Cup title.

“It’s unbelievable I’m talking about this as something exceptional. I don’t think I’m an alien. I come from the earth,” de la Fuente added, drawing laughter.

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Spain star Lamine Yamal celebrates World Cup win with brother Keyne

Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal celebrates with his brother Keyne after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776447944 ORIG FILE ID: 2286230079

(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain celebrates with his little brother Keyne after the team’s victory following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776447944 ORIG FILE ID: 2286813714
(Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Keyne, the little brother of Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain, celebrates after the team’s victory following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776447944 ORIG FILE ID: 2286812059
(Carl Recine, Getty Images)

Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal’s brother Keyne walk towards a giant replica of the trophy following the trophy ceremony after Spain won the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776447944 ORIG FILE ID: 2286230422
(MAURO PIMENTEL, AFP via Getty Images)

Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal’s brother Keyne gestures next to a giant replica of the trophy following the trophy ceremony after Spain won the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776447944 ORIG FILE ID: 2286230359
(MAURO PIMENTEL, AFP via Getty Images)

Sports heroes too often anything but

It’s just so … refreshing. How many times have we had to root for teams and athletes while holding our noses, either because they have not thought twice about cutting corners on their way to success or because there is documented evidence that they’re not good people?

At this World Cup, for example, Cape Verde’s wonderful story was tainted by the revelation that captain Ryan Mendes is under investigation for sexual assault in New Zealand. There are several other players who are either currently facing similar allegations or have in the past.

Now, the outside world can never really “know” a team. We don’t see them day in and day out or spend time with them when their guards are down. But there is no evidence they are not who de la Fuente says they are.

And their World Cup title gives credence to what he says.

Spain’s players choose team over selves

Take Lamine Yamal. The 19-year-old is an otherworldly talent, the youngest to score a goal at the European championships and already a three-time La Liga champion with Barcelona. Yet he finished the World Cup with only one goal. If Yamal was selfish, you can bet he would have been hijacking runs and taking shots rather than passing to open teammates.

Or Rodri. If Spain’s captain didn’t think La Roja’s collective goal was more important than individual accomplishments, he would have spent the entire tournament hogging the spotlight to disabuse the world of the notion that he’s washed.

Neither of those things happened.

“In the past, people were surprised about footballers being very talented and skilled and also good people,” de la Fuente said. “This shows it is possible. good people, generous people, with values that have managed to create a great team.

“We’ve shown we are a united team. The most united team.”

A good team, in every sense of the word.

Argentina has been a chippy team all tournament, and they bordered on reckless as they got desperate. Enzo Fernandez picked up his second yellow card in stoppage time of regulation when his tackle sent Pau Cubarsi somersaulting before hitting the ground with a thud. Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was given a straight red for going for Eric Garcia’s throat at the end of the game.

Yet as Argentina went to collect its medals, Spain’s players all applauded. Nico Williams leaned over to make sure he high-fived or slapped hands with each member of Argentina’s team.

Told Argentina coach Lionel Scolari had broken down in tears during his news conference, de la Fuente looked pained.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank him publicly for everything that he’s taught me. All the football conversations we’ve had. He explained how difficult it is to be in this position (at the World Cup). His experience was very valuable to us,” de la Fuente said.

“I’m deeply sorry for what he’s going through,” de la Fuente added.

Spain sets example for all

It really shouldn’t be that hard to be a good human. Mind your manners, be nice to others, apologize when you’ve done wrong and try to leave everywhere you’ve been better than how you found it.

Yet too often now, it seems that’s simply too big of an ask. People are out only for themselves and the hell with everyone else.

Which makes Spain and de la Fuente easy champions to celebrate.

“Favor the common good before their individual good, that’s what we’re trying to do,” de la Fuente said. “We’re trying to surround ourselves with people who have that feeling that they want to be part of that group.”

And maybe, just maybe, this World Cup run will entice more people to try and win like Spain. To be kinder, gentler and more considerate of your fellow humans, on the soccer field and off.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: At a time when sports needs better heroes, Spain delivered | Opinion

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Tommy Fleetwood’s home Open had a different dream ending

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1 hour ago

20 July 2026

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Tommy Fleetwood has had a dream for his entire life. He has seen it when he’s closed his eyes, and he has envisioned it in quiet moments on and off the golf course.

There’s a term for the space in between sleep and awake. It’s called hypnopompia, the state of near-consciousness in which dreams and reality blur, producing momentary lucid visions. Put simply, it’s a brief moment when you are living your dreams.

Tommy Fleetwood never fell asleep this week at his home Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. But he didn’t need to feel like he was living out a dream he’d long conjured in his mind. He just wasn’t sure how his dream would end.

Fleetwood, who grew up in Southport and used to sneak onto Royal Birkdale as a kid, was the toast of this Open. Like Rory McIlroy at Royal Portrush, the Birkdale crowds flocked to Tommy Lad all week, trying to inject energy to push him toward the thing they all wanted. Fleetwood entered the weekend in the mix and vaulted into contention on Saturday. In the end, a few late dropped shots left Fleetwood five shots back entering the final round. He had spent all week soaking in the love and energy of his home crowd. He wanted Sunday to have the fairytale ending for them, as much as for himself.

But as Fleetwood explained 15 hours before he pegged it to start his Sunday Open quest, this week had already been all he needed.

“There’s no pressure on me at all really, except for my own expectations, and of course it’s a really beautiful thing that the town is so hopeful for me and they want me to do well,” Fleetwood said on Saturday. “I can’t ask for any more from thousands and thousands of people out there. No, I don’t feel pressure. I felt nerves this week and excitement and adrenaline, but that’s my own expectations. The crowd have been incredible. They’ve made a massive difference to me. I just said over there, whatever happens tomorrow — like yesterday evening, the first tee every day, today when I was in contention, that’s stuff that I’ll have for life. To be honest, how many people in the golfing world get to experience that with the crowd that much on your side? It’s been a very special week for me, no matter what. If I can get it tomorrow, I could make it even more special.

“You daydream and you dream about the biggest things possible and then you try and make it a reality,” Fleetwood said Saturday. “To be honest, I’ve been pretty close to it this week. Today was as close as you’re going to get. I was within one of the lead at The Open playing on the back nine. It’s been pretty close already, and then you’ve just got the ultimate at the end of it, which would be holding the Claret Jug. Life is all about experiences, and I think I’ve had some of the best experiences of my life so far this week.”

On Sunday, Fleetwood arrived one final time at the first tee and received a hero’s welcome, all of Southport trying to create a tidal wave of emotion and energy for him to ride to the dream finish. Fleetwood knew he would need a special round and some help. But he did his part by rolling in a 73-foot birdie putt at the first to send Royal Birkdale into a frenzy.

“That was a bonus, wasn’t it? That was a cool moment,” a smiling Fleetwood said after his round.

Fleetwood birdied Nos. 5 and 8 and stood in the ninth fairway just one back of the leaders, who were stuck in neutral. Standing in the ninth fairway, dreams and reality started to blur together for Fleetwood, but not all dreams end the way we think. Fleetwood’s approach shot at nine went long of the green, and he couldn’t get up and down for par. He dropped shots at 10 and 11 and his Open Championship hopes fizzled as he finished three shots back of eventual winner Ryan Fox.

But what Fleetwood found at Royal Birkdale this week — what he’d expected when he arrived — is that this dream Open was never about where he finished on the leaderboard. Winning was the ultimate goal, yes, but what Fleetwood wanted more than anything was to embrace an atmosphere and occasion few in golf get to enjoy. He wanted to make sure he lived and was present for the experience of a home Open with the town of Southport along for the ride. Whatever happened, happened.

Fleetwood parred his next five holes and then set out to give his home Open a proper send-off. He birdied the par-5 17th, split the fairway with his drive at 18 and hit his approach to 9 feet. Then, as he walked toward the green, the crowds rose as one to shower the local boy with the adoration reserved for someone who had given them something more valuable than a Southport Claret Jug — permission to dream.

As they did, Tommy Fleetwood’s emotions flowed.

“Eighteen was pretty emotional,” Fleetwood said. “Yeah, it was just very, very special. I’ve just said a couple times that, like — you know, this disappointment that I didn’t win today or I couldn’t get it done when I was in a really good position, of course there’s only one person that gets to win it, and like my dream of winning The Open will carry on and I’ll continue to chase it. But stuff like that, walking down 18 and the atmosphere out there, that was beyond stuff that I’ve dreamt of. That was just stuff that I never imagined. The crowds were amazing, and they made it the most special week ever for me, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Fleetwood soaked in the cheers and love as he reached the 18th green, and then he gave everyone one more moment to celebrate, as he rolled in the putt for a closing birdie. As the cheers continued, Tommy Lad, with tears welling in his eyes, doffed his cap, waved it and put his hand over his heart to thank his hometown.

“That was heavy stuff, like they were incredible,” Fleetwood said. “Like I just alluded to, as a kid when you’re dreaming of having a putt to win The Open or playing The Open or winning The Open, that’s one thing, but I could never imagine that scene on 18, getting the ovation and the support that I have this week. That’s incredibly special. I do know how incredibly lucky I am to have experienced that. I’m so grateful for everyone because that’s like stuff that my kids are watching that, and I think it’s so cool that they get to experience that. Yeah, I can’t ask for any more from everybody.”

Psychologist Carl Jung, who studied dreams, posited that dreams are not expressions of our repressed desires but rather offer a subconscious glimpse of ourselves to help us find balance.

“In each of us there is another whom we do not know,” Jung wrote. “He speaks to us in dreams and tells us how differently he sees us from the way we see ourselves.”

But perhaps Mr. Jung would have felt differently, or at least amended his theory that dreams are a sign of a fractured soul, had he witnessed the scene at Birkdale; had he seen what can happen when someone who knows exactly who they are and cherishes where they’re from combines with that place to create something normally reserved for the hours our eyes are shut. Because as Fleetwood’s dream week unfolded at Royal Birkdale, the vision couldn’t have been any clearer. There was nothing unknown. No part of Fleetwood we didn’t see. There was just a man from Southport in front of his family, friends and fans; in front of a place that is part of his DNA, trying to pay them back for everything they had given him.

There was just Tommy Fleetwood living a dream, eyes wide open, albeit a little red, in the place where it all began.

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Awkward scenes! Donald Trump remains on podium during Spain’s FIFA World Cup trophy celebrations; Gianni Infantino steps in – WATCH | Football News

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2 hours ago

20 July 2026

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Awkward scenes! Donald Trump remains on podium during Spain's FIFA World Cup trophy celebrations; Gianni Infantino steps in - WATCH

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump became one of the biggest talking points after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.Trump stood alongside the Spain players as they received the World Cup trophy and remained on the podium during the celebrations. Trump only stepped aside after FIFA president Gianni Infantino pulled him away, allowing captain Rodri to lift the trophy with his teammates. The moment quickly went viral on social media.The US President also handed the FIFA World Cup trophy to the Spanish players after the final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Boos greet Trump during trophy ceremony

Boos echoed around the stadium when Trump and Infantino walked onto the field for the trophy presentation after the match. Trump, who had arrived at the stadium by helicopter, congratulated players with handshakes as they walked across the stage before standing with Spain’s squad during the trophy presentation.

Torres fires Spain to second World Cup title

Spain beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time thanks to substitute Ferran Torres’ goal in the 106th minute.Spain dominated possession and created far more chances throughout the match, while Lionel Messi‘s Argentina managed to force extra time before finally conceding.Torres reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box and fired a left-footed shot under the crossbar to seal Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title, their first since 2010.

Trump’s earlier World Cup controversy

Trump had earlier found himself at the centre of controversy during the tournament after calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun in the group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.Balogun’s one-match suspension was later lifted, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 against Belgium, where the United States lost 4-1.

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The Onslaught on Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Draft Picks May Continue

Published

2 hours ago

20 July 2026

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Kwesi Adofo-Mensah standing on the sideline during a Vikings International Series game at Croke Park in Dublin. — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during the NFL International Series matchup on Sep. 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, monitoring player performance and roster depth as Minnesota competes abroad while balancing executive evaluation duties in a rare overseas regular-season setting. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

The great failure of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era mostly flows from the draft. The former GM has had some great picks but they’ve been too skimpy.

So, the Vikings decided it was time for change.

Nolan Teasley is now the man in charge. Despite some initial uncertainty, Teasley is going to be the decision maker who gets the final call on the 53-man roster. He’ll therefore be able to make a clear and immediate impact on the final team in less than two months as he looks to push Minnesota from being pretty good to being great. How many draftees of the former GM survive?

How Many Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Picks Remain by September 1st?

Generally speaking, analytics nerds insist that getting more draft picks is a better outcome. So, the 2022 NFL Draft should have yielded positive results for the Vikings since the franchise chose ten players. Check out the haul:

Lewis Cine
Andrew Booth
Ed Ingram
Brian Asamoah
Akayleb Evans
Esezi Otomewo
Ty Chandler
Vederian Lowe
Jalen Nailor
Nick Muse

None of those players remain with the Vikings. In a sense, Adofo-Mensah went 0/10, but that’s too bleak of an assessment. The reality is that he did nail one selection: opting for Nailor in the 6th. He’s now playing alongside Kirk Cousins in Sin City. Seeing the former WR3 walk for meaty money means that the Vikings are set to earn a compensatory selection for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks at his podium during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 27, 2024, in Indianapolis, offering early insight into the organization’s roster priorities and long-term vision as the offseason gained momentum. Speaking from the Indiana Convention Center, Adofo-Mensah outlined themes that would shape Minnesota’s approach to free agency and the draft, reinforcing his emphasis on calculated roster-building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Somehow, the drafting didn’t get too much better. He snagged a half dozen talents in the 2023 NFL Draft:

Jordan Addison
Mekhi Blackmon
Jay Ward
Jaquelin Roy
Jaren Hall
DeWayne McBride

Of those six, the prize is Addison. He’s among the Vikings’ best players. Staying out of trouble off the field will involve seeing the WR2 eventually break through for 1,000-yard seasons. Otherwise, only Jay Ward remains (he’s got potential).

The most pivotal Vikings draft of recent history rested in 2024. Seeing J.J. McCarthy become the team’s long-term QB1 would dramatically change how Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s time as GM is remembered. The kid has a ton to prove, especially with so much attention on his battle with Kyler Murray.

The entire draft:

J.J. McCarthy
Dallas Turner
Khyree Jackson
Walter Rouse
Will Reichard
Michael Jurgens
Levi Drake Rodriguez

First, a note on the corner: Mr. Jackson. He passed away not long after being drafted. Adofo-Mensah, and the Vikings more broadly, had nothing but excellent things to say of him.

Turner has yet to come close to justifying his draft slot. Rouse looks like a fringe roster candidate. Reichard is incredible, Jurgens a depth option, and Rodriguez appears ready for another step forward. A ton still hinges on McCarthy.

Vikings Should Pass on — Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Finally, the 2025 NFL Draft:

Donovan Jackson
Tai Felton
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Kobe King
Gavin Bartholomew

Nobody from this cluster of talent has become elite. Jackson, though, oozes ability. He’s a rugged, tough guy who looks likely to be an excellent player. Ingram-Dawkins, as well, looks like he’s got a shot to do something really impressive.

Do the final tally and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made 27 selections (Jackson’s selection is being excluded). Already, that total is down to just 12 players remaining. How many will be left standing after the next set of cuts?

Guys like Felton, Rouse, and Bartholomew aren’t locks to get onto the team. Maybe somebody gets moved in a trade. What would be a very poor outcome, though, is seeing 10 (or less) homegrown talents left on the Vikings’ roster after the four years of Adofo-Mensah’s drafting. Were that issue to occur, then the Vikings would be getting unusually low value out of the draft pipeline of recent seasons.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stands on the field before a Vikings game at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah surveys the field during pregame warmups Nov 24, 2022 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota before a matchup with the New England Patriots. Adofo-Mensah continues shaping Minnesota’s roster through measured draft decisions and targeted free-agent moves as the franchise builds toward long-term stability. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports..

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is now back with the 49ers.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Lamine Yamal completes football at 19 as Argentina betray Messi

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2 hours ago

20 July 2026

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When brilliant Spain teenager Lamine Yamal embraced a tearful Lionel Messi at the end of the World Cup final, it looked and felt symbolic. A passing of the torch.

Messi, at 39, gazed long and hard at Argentina‘s fans packed around the New York New Jersey Stadium as they sang his name after what may be the last time he graces the game’s biggest stage.

And, with the world watching, it was Lamine Yamal who offered the great Argentina icon consolation before they fell into each other’s arms.

Barcelona‘s number 10 embracing their most legendary number 10.

A different image to the amazing photo of a 20-old Messi bathing a six-month-old Lamine Yamal in September 2007 as part of a charity calendar raffle that went viral once more in the build-up to this game.

The baby boy is now a man, and Messi may be at the end of his World Cup journey.

Lamine Yamal – two decades younger and still in the infancy of his career – has effectively completed international football by lifting the World Cup two years after he came to wider prominence by winning the Euros when Spain beat England.

He, like Messi a product of Barcelona, came into the tournament troubled by a hamstring injury, but ended it as the youngest player – at 19 years and six days – to win both the World Cup and Euros.

And one of the key storylines contained within this disappointing World Cup final was how Lamine Yamal’s influence was assisted by the purist strategies of his Spain team-mates – while Messi was betrayed by Argentina’s provocative approach.

It yielded nothing, which was what it deserved.

Lamine Yamal is the youngest player to win the World Cup and European Championship at 19 years and six days. — Lamine Yamal is the youngest player to win the World Cup and European Championship at 19 years and six days [Getty Images]

Spain and Lamine Yamal have grown through the tournament to leave him with the world at his feet and football’s two greatest prizes in his pocket.

As well as having glorious natural gifts, he is also Spain’s lucky charm. They completed their domination of the international stage with Ferran Torres‘ decisive 106th-minute strike in extra time.

Lamine Yamal has yet to lose for his country in the 28 competitive matches he has played. He has started 13 games at major tournaments and won all of them – the longest 100% win rate of any European player across major tournaments when starting.

He also became – along with 19-year-old Spain team-mate Pau Cubarsi – just the fourth and fifth teenagers to start a World Cup final and win, after Pele for Brazil in 1958, Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi in 1982 and Kylian Mbappe with France in 2018.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente spoke afterwards of his “sincere gratitude” to Lamine Yamal.

“He has played great football that will help him to mature and be even a greater footballer than he already is,” he said.

“He really sacrificed for the collective good. This is very important in my squad. In my opinion he played a great World Cup.”

And this is not simply a special talent, it is a special talent with a special temperament.

He shrugged off Argentina’s obvious attempts to intimidate him as he regularly came into close contact with Nicolas Tagliafico in particular.

Former England goalkeeper and BBC Sport pundit Joe Hart summed it up well.

“Not only did Lamine Yamal not react,” he said. “He stood up to it. He was not rattled and he did not back down. He had the entire team trying to smash him.

“He just stayed real cool. It was real standout performance from him.

“Lamine Yamal is 19 years old. What a beautiful day for him. He’s 19 and has completed football.”

With virtually his whole career in front of him, and taking in the experience and influence of Spain team-mates such as his captain and player of the tournament Rodri, there is every chance Lamine Yamal will add more successes like this before he is done.

Argentina spoilers wreck Messi’s World Cup hopes

The joy of Lamine Yamal was the sharpest of contrasts to Messi, who looked heartbroken as he stared into those massed ranks of Argentina supporters, the realisation perhaps dawning that this would be the final time he would take such adoration at the World Cup.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, like Messi trying to win a second successive World Cup, became highly emotional when asked whether this was the legendary attacker’s final game in the tournament – while also reflecting on his own future with his contract due to expire in December.

Scaloni said he had not spoken to Messi, before bursting into tears himself then leaving the news conference.

Messi’s cause was not helped here by Argentina’s confrontational approach from virtually the first whistle, which left their inspiration and leader effectively a passenger for most of the game.

Spain’s victory was a victory for football because Argentina appeared to be focused on anything but that from early on, when Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic exercised the sort of leniency that has infuriated opponents throughout the World Cup.

Alexis Mac Allister‘s poor challenge on Dani Olmo received nothing more than a brief admonishment, prompting Spain fans to ironically chant the name of Fifa president Gianni Infantino. It was another nod to the conspiracy theorists who claim Argentina’s road to the final has been smoothed out by officialdom.

Argentina great Lionel Messi was left in tears after the failed to retain the World Cup after defeat to Spain in the final. — Argentina great Messi was left in tears once again at full-time [Getty Images]

It was 40 minutes before Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez received the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Mikel Oyarzabal – greeted with heavy sarcasm by many inside this vast bowl of a stadium.

To see Argentina’s obvious talent, which they displayed by overpowering England in the semi-final, reduced to such spoiling tactics was a dismal sight, hardly designed to aid Messi’s genius and influence.

Messi even got in the act by suggesting the referee should send off Spain’s Marc Cucurella for talking with his hand over his mouth – punishable by a red card if employed in a confrontational manner at this World Cup.

It came after the low point of Argentina’s performance, Enzo Fernandez‘s senseless charge at Cubarsi just before the game went into extra time. The Chelsea midfielder was not even looking at the ball when he flattened his opponent. A second yellow card was fully deserved.

Argentina were the first team in the tournament’s history not to have a shot in 90 minutes of a World Cup final. When it did come, in the 117th minute and with desperation mounting, Messi fired off target.

Spain had 12 shots on target, Argentina had none in the entire game.

In a shocking first half, Argentina committed more fouls than passes in the final third of the pitch. Nine as opposed to eight. It summed their approach.

King Felipe VI of Spain hugs Lamine Yamal after they beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final — King Felipe VI of Spain hugs Lamine Yamal after the World Cup win [Getty Images]

Argentina’s players joined Messi in shedding tears after the final whistle, though even that ended in an undignified scrum between players and officials from either side.

Leandro Paredes – as he was too often after coming on as substitute for the second half – was the aggressor, grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat. He was also involved as Spain’s Gavi was thrown to the ground.

This outstanding World Cup should not be remember for such an unsavoury finale.

Spain may not have been at their best in the final, but they have developed throughout the World Cup, from the shock of being held to a draw in their opening game by Cape Verde to ultimate glory.

The World Cup got the winners it deserved, and in Lamine Yamal it has a star of future tournaments.

Messi’s unforgettable World Cup era may be over – but the Lamine Yamal years could go on for a long time to come.

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