Asked about how he viewed the last 35 minutes of the game having had time to reflect, Tuchel said he felt “the same way – that we were too passive”.

“If you’re asking if I regret my decision, if this is the question, then I don’t regret my decisions,” he added.

“I felt that the momentum switches in the match. And I tried to help my team…

“I took several decisions, trusting my instinct, my intuition, my experience, trusting my competitiveness, and I took the decision in order to help the team and get the result. We didn’t get the result.

“So I take, of course, the responsibility and for these decisions. I would regret if I didn’t help. I would regret if we didn’t react.”

Tuchel said he was not willing to engage “in this kind of game” over who is to blame.

“No problem,” he said. “This is the deal that you sign up for, but I will not engage.

“For me, there is no-one to blame.
If you need someone to blame, I take the responsibility. I’m the head coach.”

Asked why England’s record goalscorer Kane played so deep in the latter stages, he said: “What do you mean? Like in the last 30 minutes?

“Why we defended in a deep block. Well, that’s what you do if you defend in a block. We were not active enough.”

Tuchel said Argentina had “played with a lot of momentum after our goal”.

“They had a lot of offensive changes, and a lot of offensive positions,” the 52-year-old added.

“We could not stop the crosses, and we could not stop the runners into the box.

“So we decided to play a back five, to have more width in the field, to be closer to the guys who cross.

“We just became too passive, and Argentina, by the way, found another gear and they found the total flow.

“We played in the semi-final against the reigning world champions.

“We were 85 minutes 1-0 up. We played against the best player in the world, and we lost 2-1, which is painful.”

Tuchel was asked if he had studied data which showed England’s physical performance levels against Argentina were lower than the DR Congo game in the same stadium earlier in the tournament.

He said “even if we don’t want to admit it because it feels like an excuse”, the Mexico game with 10 men in the altitude of the Azteca Stadium and the heat against Norway in Miami “cost us more than we maybe thought”.

“The players literally gave everything physically [in] every single match. If you see this data drop, there must be a reason behind it, because the motivation was through the roof,” he said.

India’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (ANI Photo)

Amid growing speculation over the ODI futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, former India batter Mohammed Kaif has thrown his weight behind the veteran duo, insisting their experience will be crucial if India are to challenge for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.The debate over Rohit and Virat’s places in India’s World Cup plans has intensified in recent weeks, with social media abuzz over reports suggesting one or both senior batters could be phased out before the marquee tournament. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently dismissed rumours that the third ODI against England at Lord’s would be Rohit’s final appearance in the format.Speaking on Cricbuzz, Kaif said India cannot afford to overlook the experience of Rohit and Virat, especially considering the conditions expected in South Africa.

‘India will need Rohit and Virat in South Africa’

Kaif said the 2027 World Cup will present a completely different challenge compared to previous editions, making the presence of experienced campaigners invaluable.“The 2027 phase will be very important. People are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma because it won’t be an easy World Cup. The conditions will be different, there will be bouncy pitches, and India will need both these players there. We would definitely want them to play as many matches as possible from now on and remain in good form,” Mohammed Kaif said.

Draws Lionel Messi comparison

Kaif compared Rohit and Virat’s importance to that of football legend Lionel Messi, saying experienced players often contribute beyond just scoring runs or goals.“Lionel Messi is 39 years old and his team has reached the FIFA World Cup final. He didn’t score in the semifinal but provided an assist. That’s what experience brings. When you have younger players who can finish the job, experienced players know how to guide them and create opportunities, So just like Messi is for Argentina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is for India in World Cup” he added. The former India batter added that the value of experience remains the same across sports.“Whether it’s football or cricket, experience plays a huge role. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are considered among the greatest ODI players, so India will 100 percent need them, especially under captain Shubman Gill in South African conditions,” Kaif concluded.

Fanatics Fest is a viral moment waiting to happen considering the plethora of superstars under one Manhattan roof, and perhaps the first one came on Thursday’s opening day at the Javits Center in the Raising Cane’s activation.

It was a legendary combination of Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and 500 gallons of Raising Cane’s famous sauce filled in a dunk tank. Brady, whose accuracy with a football is still unmatched, didn’t miss his target.

Gronkowski went splashing into the sauce, as Brady and Raising Cane’s owner Todd Graves joined the masses in celebrating one of the coolest moments to kick off Fanatics Fest.

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Todd Graves, Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady attend Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center in New York City on July 16, 2026. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Fanatics)

Before Brady’s toss pulled the seat out from under his favorite tight end when they were both in the NFL, Fox News Digital caught up with Graves to find out how a dunk tank filled with his brand’s famous sauce came to be.

“I never thought of a Cane’s Sauce dunk tank, but partnering with Fanatics and Fanatics Fest, which is great,” Graves explained. “They’re amazing partners. One, Michael Rubin and I have been friends, and talk about business, help each other out in many different ways. A rising tide lifts all boats. Before we started partnering with Fanatics, I loved what he was doing, I loved the fanfare, I loved having sports and entertainment figure heads – everybody from Tom Brady to Kevin Hart , right? All that together, I was like, ‘Man, let’s partner. Let’s do this deal.’

TOM BRADY DRAWS INSPIRATION AFTER MEETING WITH MAKE-A-WISH TEAN HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT AT FANATICS FEST

“With Fanatics Fest, partnering with them wasn’t just like, ‘Here, come, do whatever you think of.’ No, it was, ‘Let’s put our minds together and do what we can.’ So, they came up with the idea. Actually [CEO of OBB Media] Michael Ratner was like, ‘Let’s do a Cane’s Sauce dunk tank.’ I was like, ‘Yes!’ And he was like, ‘Let’s do Brady dunking Gronk.’ Oh my God, I couldn’t think of two better people doing it.”

Graves believed the moment was going to be “legendary” and “going to be something in Cane’s lore” forever. And when the brand opened its first doors in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Aug. 28, 1996, Graves wasn’t thinking 30 years down the road two of the most recognizable athletes in the country would be making this happen.

“The crews are already so excited about it. The fans will love it. What better guy like Gronk, and to have Brady hit the target. It’s ideal,” Graves added.

Tom Brady throws football during Raising Cane’s dunk tank event, where Rob Gronkowski fell into 500 gallons of Cane’s Sauce. (Raising Cane’s)

Brady and Gronkowski got the crowd going with a little chicken Hail Mary moment, with the quarterback tossing some Cane’s chicken fingers into a cup of sauce the tight end was holding. But then, the moment of truth.

In classic Gronkowski fashion, he was chirping Brady from his seat, but the FOX Sports NFL colleagues knew what the end result was going to be with that. Brady toyed with Gronkowski at first, hitting a Cane’s logo just above the target on purpose, and did so again with a different one.

Then, on his third throw, Brady struck true, and all of the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Gronkowski caused a Cane’s Sauce explosion when he fell in. There was a splash zone if you were close enough, and it was a moment fans, media and everyone else who witnessed it couldn’t stop talking about.

As Gronkowski wiped the sauce from his eyes, and Brady calmed down from all the laughter he caused, Graves was right there to thank them both for the epic moment he’ll never forget.

Todd Graves, Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady attend the Cane’s Sauce Dunk Tank Showdown hosted by Graves at Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center in New York City on July 16, 2026. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s)

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“Through growth, I have 100,000 crew members now, and we have 1,000 locations and we’re about to turn 30. For me to walk in here and see our logos up here and see people that want to come and be a part of Cane’s, it’s a dream come true. To do a dunk tank, and Tom Brady and Gronk want to do that, I built a brand that’s special to my crew and customers. So, an absolute dream. I always have to pinch myself and part of my job is doing things like this, which is great,” Graves said.

“We love what we do. I love my company, I love my crew and customers. This is just something I think we can do some fun for them, because I know how much I’m going to enjoy it.”

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Sportsbooks predict the Minnesota Vikings will finish 8-9 or 9-8 in 2026, two records they’ve landed twice in the last five years (2021, 2025). And according to Bleacher Report, a website that described each NFL team with one word this week, Minnesota should be “praying.”

Yes, that’s the word to describe the 2026 Vikings — praying.

Vikings’ Ceiling Depends on Several Bets Paying Off

Brad Gagnon: ‘Praying’ Is the Appropriate Word for Vikings

Gagnon assigned one word to each NFL squad, and on the praying angle for Minnesota, he explained, “Hands clenched, knees on the floor, and an attempt to manifest success from either Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. Because if they can get strong quarterback play, the sky is the limit for this team.”

Gagnon also called the Green Bay Packers “stable,” while giving the Chicago Bears an “evolving” label.

The use of the term “praying” was one of Gagnon’s goofiest.

A Chance for It All to Click

Minnesota’s defense is an excellent starting point because it has solid evidence supporting its prowess.

Since Brian Flores took over in Minneapolis, the Vikings’ defense has transformed into one of the best in the NFL. They currently rank second in the league for EPA per play during his tenure. In fact, last season, the defense carried the team while the quarterback situation was uncertain.

The recent additions to the defense are particularly intriguing. Caleb Banks is a standout addition on the front line; Domonique Orange, too, brings power to the interior; Jake Golday provides depth at linebacker; and Jakobe Thomas is a promising young talent in the safety position.

The Vikings focused heavily on bolstering their defense in the draft, a departure from their usual offensive-oriented strategy. By prioritizing size, youth, and long-term solutions on defense, they made a strategic statement. Of note is Dallas Turner, whose story gained prominence after Jonathan Greenard’s trade to Philadelphia in April, creating an opportunity for Turner to shine. He must generate evil pressure on quarterbacks to make the Greenard trade worthwhile.

On the offensive side, the key figure is Murray. The Vikings are counting on him to replicate Sam Darnold’s success in 2024 under Kevin O’Connell’s guidance. With Murray’s natural talent, playmaking abilities, and a stronger supporting cast than his previous team in Arizona, he can reclaim his career in the Twin Cities.

Justin Jefferson remains the focal point of the offense, with Jordan Addison as a threat to defenses overly focused on Jefferson. Jauan Jennings, a free-agent newcomer, brings a gritty edge as WR3, while T.J. Hockenson offers a reliable target in the middle, crucial for O’Connell’s offensive schemes.

Murray has not had such a talented group of playmakers before, at least not all at the same time on the same roster.

J.J. McCarthy is also in contention. If Murray starts, McCarthy could serve as an insurance plan. However, if McCarthy earns the starting position this summer at training camp, it will mean he dethroned Murray — quite the feat — and be ready for his second season as the full-time starter.

The running back situation is straightforward but remains intriguing. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are expected to lead the charge, with Demond Claiborne, a 6th-Round pick, presenting sleeper potential. Claiborne could emerge as an unsung speedster, mainly because injuries usually derail Jones.

The main uncertainty surrounding the team is whether the defense can maintain its strength and if the offense can find its rhythm. That’s the problem with the Vikings as of late: when one side is cooking, the other isn’t following suit. Perhaps the worlds will merge in 2026.

A Built-In Restarts if Prayers Fail

And if the plan does not work, well, Minnesota has a safety valve ready — named Nolan Teasley.

The Vikings hired a new general manager at the end of May, who can either guide the ship as it sails successfully or take it off the water and repair it. Think of it this way: if the prayers don’t work, the franchise won’t start from square one. Instead, Teasley will already be established in his role for about eight months, and he’d begin implementing his vision for the short and long term.

When most clubs start over, firing the general manager and hiring a new one is a prerequisite. Minnesota did that this offseason.

Vikings Fans Are Pretty Damn Used to This

Speaking of praying and prayers, Vikings fans are used to this.

In the Super Bowl era (since 1966), the Vikings have a .563 win percentage, which ranks fourth in the NFL in those last sixty years. They are the only team in the Top 16 of win percentage during the timeframe without a Super Bowl triumph.

So when Gagnon says to pray for the Vikings, the team’s fanbase already does that — pretty frequently. It’s nothing new.

The Vikings’ first regular season game, home against the Green Bay Packers, is 58 days away.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Canelo Alvarez is set to challenge for Christian Mbilli’s WBC super-middleweight world title in October, hoping to return to the 168lb throne at the first time of asking, but there is now another contender who is eyeing up a Canelo fight, under one condition.

Alvarez’s reign as undisputed super-middleweight ruler came to an end when he was dethroned by Terence Crawford last September, but Crawford’s retirement saw the undisputed crown then become fragmented.

Mbilli became one of the beneficiaries of Crawford’s move as he was elevated to WBC world champion and subsequently targeted for a lucrative showdown with Canelo. Similarly, Jose Armando Resendiz was upgraded to WBA super-middleweight champion, only to then lose the belt to Jaime Munguia.

Speaking with K.O. Artist Sports, Matchroom Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that he had been targeting a bout between Munguia and his fighter Diego Pacheco, but admitted that the Tijuana-born champion’s world title win has made negotiations more difficult.

“The one that we really wanted [for Pacheco] was Jaime Munguia. I spoke to Fernando Beltran many times about that fight, it is a huge fight for Los Angeles. He went on and done brilliant and won a world title, so now we would be challenging for the belt, which sometimes makes it a bit more difficult to work out a deal.”

Hearn then went on to explain why he believes Pacheco could secure a world title shot against Canelo, if the four-division world champion is able to overcome Mbilli in three months’ time.

“I don’t think that Diego is going to struggle to get a shot, whether that is against Hamzah [Sheeraz], whether that is against Munguia, whether that is against Canelo Alvarez.

“You look at Canelo, if he beats Mbilli, and Diego is coming through and looking good; he will be 26 or 27-0, from Los Angeles, Mexican-American – he is a good contender for a Canelo Alvarez fight.” 

Pacheco is set to headline the Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, as he fights on home soil in California against the New York-born Immanuwel Aleem.

United States President Donald J. Trump will attend the World Cup final on Sunday between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the White House confirmed. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the expected decision on Thursday, saying that it would be “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.” Meanwhile, FIFA has also announced that it will present winners’ rings to the players of the team that wins the final, awarding the piece of jewelry that has become synonymous with the championship teams of leagues like the NFL and the NBA.

Here’s what to know: 

Trump to attend World Cup final 

Trump is expected to present the World Cup trophy to the winners of the tournament but has not attended any of the 102 World Cup game so far, missing the United States matches as well. However, his increasingly close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under intense media scrutiny, particularly after FIFA lifted Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension ahead of the round of 16 clash against Belgium. A decision that, according to Trump himself, was made following his personal request. Mauricio Pochettino’s side lost 4-1 against Belgium and were knocked out by the Red Devils. 

It’s common for the heads of state or government of host nations to attend the World Cup final. While Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has confirmed he will be in attendance, Argentine President Javier Milei will not, according to reports.

FIFA to present rings

FIFA have announced that on Sunday, the World Cup champions will be crowned not only with the trophy and prestigious gold medals but also with a “new symbol of triumph.” In fact, the tournament winners will also receive championship rings, “bringing one of the most recognizable American sporting traditions to the global game.” 

FIFA stated:

“Each ring will be part of a strictly limited edition of just 2,026 individually numbered pieces, a direct tribute to the tournament itself. Of these, 30 will be presented to the victorious team, while 1,996 will be made available to fans worldwide as an Official Licensed Product, allowing supporters to own a unique piece of FIFA World Cup 2026 history. One side of the ring proudly features the FIFA World Cup trophy, while the other will be customised to reflect the identity of the winning team. Each ring will be individually numbered, custom-fitted and delivered with its own certificate of authenticity.

“Immediately after the final, the captain and head coach of the winning team will receive temporary rings to commemorate the occasion. Each of the 30 rings for the winners will then be customised before being officially presented at a later date, ensuring the perfect lifelong fit for an achievement that will echo through eternity.”

“We’ve given the French a proper trashing.” In Dallas, Spanish fans were delighted, whilst French fans were disappointed, following Spain’s 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semi-final.