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Norway 1-2 England: Jude Bellingham drags Three Lions into semi-finals
Football
Sun July 12, 2026 · 10 min ago
Joe Townsend
Joe Townsend
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@JoesterT
Joe is our football editor, responsible for Sporting Life's output across multiple platforms, including This Week's Acca. As well as forming part of that team, he writes regular match previews across a variety of competitions.
England are through to the World Cup semi-finals after Jude Bellingham scored twice to inspire a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami.

Thomas Tuchel's side came from behind, recovering after Andreas Schjelderup's 36th-minute cross-come-shot beat Jordan Pickford, to book a meeting with Argentina after they beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time.

First, just before half-time Bellingham finished brilliantly after weaving into the box following an inside pass from Anthony Gordon.

Then England looked to have turned things around in a matter of moments when Harry Kane dinked home, only for the offside flag to be raised.

After the break Norway were then on the wrong side of a decision themselves, with Torbjorn Heggem's header ruled out by VAR for a foul by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson in the build-up.

Norway 1-2 England: Match centre
Norway continued to push, with Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer hitting the crossbar.

England stabilised in the latter part of normal time and needed only three minutes of extra time to strike, with Morgan Rogers' speculative effort causing Orjan Nyland to spill the ball into the path of Bellingham, who made no mistake on the rebound.

The Three Lions managed the remainder of the match comfortably, with VAR again intervening when substitute Djed Spence won a penalty, overruling the referee's decision.

England will take on Argentina on Wednesday at 20:00 BST in Atlanta and are now just one game from reaching a first World Cup final since 1966, and a first ever on foreign soil.

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multiple platforms, including This Week's Acca. As well as forming part of that team, he writes regular match previews across a variety of competitions.
Football betting tips: World Cup
1.5pts Draw after 90 mins in France vs Spain at 12/5 (Betfred)

1.5pts Draw after 90 mins in England vs Argentina at 21/10 (Betfred)

0.5pt Draws in both semi-finals at 19/2 (Betfred)

1pt France vs Spain to be decided after penalties at 9/2 (bet365, William Hill)

1pt England vs Argentina to be decided after penalties at 4/1 (bet365)

0.5pt Penalty shootouts in both semi-finals at 27/1 (bet365)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

Tuesday, 14 July

France 20:00 Spain
Wednesday, 15 July

England 20:00 Argentina
It was hard to watch Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens being consoled by his team-mates on Friday.

His error, just 17 minutes into a World Cup debut triggered by an injury to Thibaut Courtois on his 115th (and likely final) international appearance, gifted Spain's Mikel Merino an 88th-minute winner in a match destined to end 1-1.


Not only was it a gut punch to a Belgium team that had dealt manfully with the loss of captain Youri Tielemans in the warm-up, but to anyone who had backed the quarter-finals Draw Trixie at 54/1.

Shootouts and draws in quarter-finals?
Draws secure 50/1 and 185/1 acca wins
The remaining two last-eight ties went beyond the 90, with Argentina's extra-time win over Switzerland looking like a very good runner to go the distance and be settled by spot-kicks until a moment of madness from Swiss striker Breel Embolo saw him pick up a second yellow card for simulation.

Even then, the holders needed the brilliance of Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute when they appeared to be running out of ideas.


Having gone with this theory in the quarters, I'll stick with it again.

We can look at history for an indication of how likely it is these matches will need end in a DRAW AFTER 90 MINUTES, with seven of 20 (35%) doing so since 1982, and five of those DECIDED AFTER PENALTIES, but with FIFA introducing "tennis style" seeding for this World Cup, we are in uncharted territory.

It is the first time in history the top-four ranked teams in the world have all reached the semi-finals, surely increasing the possibility of it being difficult to split them.

Backing both FRANCE VS SPAIN and ENGLAND VS ARGENTINA in both markets as SINGLES and DOUBLES to appropriate stakes is advised.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates against Morocco
Kylian Mbappe celebrates his goal against Morocco
France are 13/10 favourites to win the first semi-final having breezed through the tournament to this point.

They are yet to be truly tested, though, and their much-heralded attack now face a Spain team who have conceded only one goal, allowing just 0.3 expected goals against (xGA) per game.

England and Argentina have both battled their way to this stage, needing to fight back and use extra time to keep their hopes alive. While the market favours the Three Lions, it's tough to oppose the holders - especially in 90 minutes.

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World Cup final tips: Spain vs Argentina predictions and best bets
Football
Sun July 19, 2026 · 5h ago
Sporting Life Football
Sporting Life Football
Football betting tips: World Cup
Joe Townsend

1.5pts Spain clean sheet after 90 minutes at 13/8 (General)

1pt Draw after 90 minutes at 11/5 (General)

0.5pt Under 0.5 goals in 90 minutes at 8/1 (Sky Bet)

Jimmy 'The Punt'

2pts Marc Cucurella 1+ shots at 6/4 (Coral, Ladbrokes)

0.5pt Marc Cucurella 2+ shots at 10/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes)

Tom Carnduff

1.75pts Alex Baena 1+ shots on target at 17/10 (Coral, Ladbrokes)

0.75pt Baena 2+ shots on target at 10/1 (Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair


TV: BBC One, ITV1
Live odds, form and stats
Joe Townsend

However much it stings as an England fan, it's hard to deny that Sunday's biggest game in football will be contested by the correct two teams.

For the first time in history the champions of Europe and South America meet in the World Cup final.

Between them, they have won all of the last four major tournaments that have taken place across those two continents.

Major tournament winners since 2021*
2021 - Euros: Italy / Copa America: ARGENTINA
2022 - World Cup: ARGENTINA
2024 - Euros: SPAIN / Copa America: ARGENTINA
2026 - World Cup: SPAIN/ARGENTINA
*Europe and South America only

Spain can join their nation's class of 2010 by holding both the European and world titles concurrently, an achievement only previously achieved by France (1998 and 2000) and West Germany (1972 and 1974).

Holders Argentina are on the edge of matching the legendary Brazil team of 1962 by winning back-to-back World Cups.

Victory would surely see them usurp that iconic side as the greatest international team of all time, with Lionel Scaloni already arguably the game's best ever manager at this level.

Remarkably, after a 28-year barren spell Argentina are one win from clinching four successive major tournaments across just five years.

argentina vs spain
The teams' routes to the final have been very different.

Spain may have started the tournament with a goalless draw against Cape Verde - who would go on to take Argentina to extra time - but across their seven matches they have never gone beyond the 90 or fallen behind, with the goal conceded in their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium the only time their defence has been breached.

Argentina, meanwhile, breezed through their group before being made to battle through every stage of the knockouts, with last-gasp fightbacks against Egypt and England, and extra-time wins over Cape Verde and Switzerland.

It's certainly been dramatic.

Last five World Cup finals
2006: Italy 1-1 (AET) France
Italy won 5-3 on pens
2010: Spain 1-0 (AET) Netherlands
2014: Germany 1-0 (AET) Argentina
2018: France 4-2 Croatia
2022: Argentina 3-3 (AET) France
Argentina won 4-2 on pens
This feels very much like a final that could go all the way.

Spain delivered the perfect performance against France in the semis, but their opponents simply didn't turn up. Given the body of evidence we have it's hard to see that being the case with Argentina.

While they seem to be a different team when falling behind, with Lionel Messi bursting into life in a completely different way, Scaloni's side shared an incredibly cagey first half with England, making history as the first game in World Cup history to have no shots in the opening 30 minutes.

Spain's matches have hardly been thrillers. Their last-16 meeting with Portugal was a terrible watch, with Mikel Merino's stoppage-time goal saving us all from what would have been a painful further 30 minutes.

They looked destined for extra time in the next round too, before an injury to Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois sent Senne Lammens on to make a terrible error in the closing moments and spill the ball to Merino (again) for a tap-in.

In the group stage, Uruguay were edged out 1-0 in an ill-tempered match that we could very well see replicated on Sunday, and they also had the aforementioned goalless draw with Cape Verde.

argentina vs spain - world cup finals stats
Four of the last five World Cup finals have ended in a DRAW AFTER 90 MINUTES with two of those seeing UNDER 0.5 GOALS.

At 11/5 and 8/1 they are both backed to appropriate stakes, with a SPAIN CLEAN SHEET also taken at 13/8.

Should they replicate their semi-final performance, Luis de la Fuente's men ought to be lifting the trophy. They have the midfield dominance through Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo to control the match in a way England simply could not.

They may well have to draw upon all of their patience, though, and be prepared to finish the job in extra time.

But this is Argentina. And they have Messi. I won't be backing Spain outright thank you.

Score prediction: Spain 1-0 (AET) Argentina

Spain celebrate victory over France
Spain celebrate victory over France
Tom Carnduff

France did perhaps boast the star power but Spain have shown they are the best team at the tournament. I expect that to continue in the final.

De la Fuente's side can control a game in terrifying fashion for any opponent. They can make them look ordinary. They could embarrass someone if they wanted to.

While I wouldn't expect the latter given the occasion they can still dictate how the 90 minutes go.

Ultimately, Argentina deserve credit for finding ways to win but they've been on the other end of the 'convincing' scale.

I'm therefore looking at pro-Spain angles and I don't mind the 17/10 for ALEX BAENA 1+ SHOTS ON TARGET here. While not the standout candidate in this attack he has still been contributing.

Alex Baena - shot map
The left winger has had at least one shot in each of his six starts with a goal coming in the win over Uruguay in the group stage. Against France, Baena had two shots although neither found the target.

I do feel Spain can enjoy some success down this side with plenty of defensive focus going into how Argentina will stop Lamine Yamal.

Only Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal have returned more shots on target at the tournament among Spanish players. Cutting in from that left side, Baena should cause Nahuel Molina plenty of problems.

I'll also have a smaller stakes play on the 2+ SHOTS ON TARGET.

Score prediction: Spain 2-0 Argentina

Lionel Messi
Jimmy 'The Punt'

Argentina’s attack is lethal, spearheaded by one of the all-time greats, Lionel Messi.

Before Kylian Mbappe's brace in the third-place play-off, Messi lead the race for the Golden Boot (8) and had set up the second most goals (4).

Is he doing enough defensively though?

Messi
Although it hasn’t proved to be fatal yet, the space Messi leaves when Argentina don’t have the ball is a bit of an issue.

He basically plays as a right winger and opposition who play in a similar area of the pitch have had some joy in the knockouts.

In the semi-final, England’s Anthony Gordon became the latest left-sided opponent to get amongst the goals.

Against Switzerland in the quarters, six of 11 shots came from Dan Ndoye (LM) and Granit Xhaka (LCM) with the former scoring the equaliser which was assisted by Swiss left back Ricardo Rodriguez.

In the round of 16, Mostafa Zico scored Egypt’s second from a fast break. Although he was playing up-front on paper, Zico’s heatmap shows he was more of a left winger.

Trezeguet came off the bench to play on the left and had two shots and the only other shot Egypt had came from their left-back Karim Hafez.

Against Cape Verde in the round of 16, Deroy Duarte (LCM) and Sidney Cabral (LB) both netted with that duo and left-sided midfielder Jovane Cabral combining to have five shots.

Marc Cucurella
Baena (LM), Fabian Ruiz (LCM) and MARC CUCURELLA (LB) will probably form Spain’s left side and it’s the latter's price in the SHOTS market which appeals.

Cucurella is 6/4 with Coral and Ladbrokes for 1+ SHOTS and I’d also gladly take the 5/4 with bet365 or the even money generally available.

He’s averaged 0.57 shots per 90 this summer. This bet only clicked in three of his seven appearances but the angle is based more on La Roja’s opponents.

The bigger prices available on Cucurella having 2+ SHOTS are also worth a punt. He did hit this line in Spain’s first game against Cape Verde.

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Newcastle and Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan dies aged 75
Football
Mon July 20, 2026 · 1h ago
Tom Carnduff
Tom Carnduff
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@TomCarnduff
Tom is a football journalist who is also key to our social media and AV content, and host of Sporting Life's This Week's Acca podcast. He produces regular football tips including a Friday Bundesliga column.
Former England manager Kevin Keegan has died aged 75, his family have announced.

Keegan enjoyed a successful playing career which included three First Division trophies with Liverpool, alongside lifting the UEFA Cup twice followed by the European Cup during his spell at Anfield.

His time in Hamburg delivered the Bundesliga title in 1979, leading to him landing a second successive Ballon d'Or crown in the same year.

A managerial career followed at Newcastle between 1992 and 1997 before securing the England job in 1999. He would also manage Fulham and Manchester City.

In June, Keegan revealed that he had stage four cancer after his family initially disclosed he was battling the disease in January.

Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan managed Fulham, England, Manchester City and Newcastle
"It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75," a statement from Keegan's family said.

"The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.

"Kevin, a double Ballon d'Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin's incredible medical team for all their support.

"This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy."

In their own statement, Newcastle, the club Keegan guided to the First Division title in 1993, said: "Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.

"As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St. James’ Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.

"As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world. He was so much more than an Entertainer.

"Above all that, Kevin forged an extraordinary bond with Newcastle, built on the roots of his father, Joe. He understood our people. He embraced the North East with a passion that was genuine and unwavering, and in return, he earned his rightful place in the hearts of millions.

"Kevin’s impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him."