Also known as: Defending champions Argentina
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
Thomas Tuchel may have criticised his England stars for being too “passive” in their World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina, but it is the beleaguered German who has come under fire from the British media for his defensive tactics. …
‘Lost his Tuch?’ England boss hammered by media after World Cup exitThe Namibian
Wales head coach Steve Tandy made six changes to the starting XV which lost 35-21 to Argentina last weekend for the Nations Championship Test with world champions South Africa in Durban on Saturday. …
Wales change six for clash with world champions South AfricaThe Namibian
Harry Kane said he was “gutted” for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday. …
Kane ‘gutted’ after England crash out of World CupThe Namibian
Lautaro Martinez scored a 92nd minute winner as Lionel Messi inspired World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a final with European champions Spain. …
Argentina stun England in comeback to reach World Cup finalThe Namibian
… Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, will now face either Argentina or England in Sunday’s final in New Jersey. …
Majestic Spain stun France to reach World Cup finalThe Namibian
England and Argentina will meet on Wednesday in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final infused with decades of bitter rivalry after they battled past Norway and Switzerland respectively in the quarter-finals. …
England, Argentina to renew bitter rivalry in World Cup semi finalInformanté
… France will face Spain, while England have set up a blockbuster clash against defending champions Argentina. …
FIFA World Cup semi-finals set after dramatic quarter-finalsThe Namibian
Julian Alvarez scored a breathtaking goal as Argentina battled past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time on Saturday, setting up a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final against bitter rivals England. …
Argentina sink 10-man Swiss to set up blockbuster England World Cup semi-finalThe Namibian
… England will face Argentina or Switzerland on Wednesday for the chance to reach a first World Cup final in 60 years. …
Bellingham heroics edge England past Norway and into World Cup semisThe Namibian
… The teams are competing to face either reigning champions Argentina or surprise package Switzerland in the semi-finals. …
England battle Norway as Argentina face Swiss in World Cup last eightBayern Munich striker Harry Kane received his second European Golden Shoe after scoring the most goals in Europe's top divisions last season, with 36 in 31 Bundesliga games. Kane said his "best season ever" — during which he scored 73 goals for club and country — positions him to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane received his second European Golden Shoe after scoring the most goals in Europe's top divisions last season, with 36 in 31 Bundesliga games. Kane said his "best season ever" — during which he scored 73 goals for club and country — positions him to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Johannesburg, head coach Rassie Erasmus said Monday. Kolisi suffered a hamstring injury in Argentina this month, while Nche has not played since a knee injury in July.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
World champions South Africa withstood a late post-hooter attack from Argentina to win 17-10 in a Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday, extending their winning streak to 12 internationals. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said the game was tough preparation ahead of their upcoming series against New Zealand, though he suffered a hamstring injury that will require a scan.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah completed a transfer to Turkish club Trabzonspor on a two-year contract after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract. The 34-year-old Egyptian international will earn 17 million euros per season plus bonuses and a 20 percent share of jersey and merchandise revenue, described as a record for the Turkish league.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and New Zealand are undertaking an extended rugby tour that begins in Cape Town on Friday and concludes in the United States 12,700 kilometres away. From August 29 to September 12, the two world-ranked teams will play exclusive Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Baltimore, with the tour branded the 'Greatest Rivalry' and scheduled to occur every four years.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina's president Javier Milei called Brazil's president a "thief" and a "convict" at a campaign rally in São Paulo, prompting Brazil to recall its ambassador to Buenos Aires. Brazilian diplomats said Milei insulted Brazil's government, people, and democracy.
27 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina faced widespread criticism for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, with commentators describing their performance as "petty, petulant and distasteful." Argentines counter that they are passionate rather than arrogant, and say they are accustomed to being criticized.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain won the 48-team World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Spain's defensive strength—conceding only once in the tournament—and captain Rodri's play earned him player of the tournament honours over attacking superstars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and France top their respective tables after the southern hemisphere Tests in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere nations will visit the northern hemisphere in November to play three Tests apiece before a grand final at Twickenham on November 27-29.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday, with Ferran Torres scoring an extra-time winner in the 106th minute. The victory ended Lionel Messi's hopes for a triumphant farewell to international football.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa declares the expanded 48-team World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada a triumph, marked by thrilling football and strong performances from smaller nations including Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Egypt, who reached knockout rounds in record numbers.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England beat France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff as Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Both teams had reached the semi-finals but suffered exits — France were outplayed by Spain while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England rugby's No. 8 Ben Earl scored twice to guide England to a 31-24 victory over Argentina in the Nations Championship on Saturday, with a late Argentina try being ruled out after a television review. The match was marked by ill-discipline and tension stemming from Argentina's recent football World Cup victory over England.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France and England will play for the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze medal in Miami on Saturday, after both lost semi-final matches. France fell 2-0 to Spain, while England reached the third-place play-off after losing their semi-final.
18 July 2026 · Informanté →
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other in the World Cup final on Sunday, completing a remarkable two-decade arc: in 2007, a 20-year-old Messi posed with five-month-old Yamal for a Unicef calendar photo while both were at Barcelona, and both now appear in what is likely Messi's final World Cup.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina are one game away from becoming just the third team to successfully defend the World Cup, with European champions Spain standing in their way. The article examines how previous World Cup winners fared when they reached the final in the following tournament, including Italy (1938), Brazil (1962), and Argentina (1990).
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Debutant wing Jaco Williams scored a try and created another as South Africa beat Wales 43-0 in Durban to reclaim first place in the Nations Championship southern hemisphere standings on points difference, ahead of New Zealand.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina face off in a World Cup final on Sunday, with reigning champions Argentina seeking to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title, while Messi, aged 39, is likely playing his final World Cup match.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New Jersey Stadium, with Spain having defeated France 2-0 in the semi-finals and Argentina seeking to defend their 2022 title. The match will be the first time the two nations have met at a FIFA World Cup since 1966.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Spain and Argentina will face off in the FIFA World Cup final this weekend at New Jersey Stadium. The final will be the first meeting between the two nations at a World Cup since 1966, with Spain aiming to add to their World Cup titles and Argentina defending their 2022 triumph.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Thomas Tuchel came under fire from British media after England lost 2-1 to Argentina in their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, with criticism focused on his defensive substitutions that replaced attacking players with a five-man defence after England took a 1-0 lead.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Wales head coach Steve Tandy made six starting changes for the Nations Championship Test against world champions South Africa in Durban on Saturday, including a new centre partnership and alterations across the backline and forward pack. South Africa lead the table with 10 points from bonus-point victories over England and Scotland, while Wales have five points from two matches.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, with Lionel Messi setting up both Argentina goals in a second-half turnaround after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead. Captain Harry Kane said the team were "gutted" after working hard to reach the semi-finals.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Lautaro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute as Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi setting up both goals to send Argentina to the final against Spain.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain beat tournament favourites France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, to advance to Sunday's final where they will face either Argentina or England.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England and Argentina will meet in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the final on July 19. The match carries decades of rivalry, including a 1986 quarter-final encounter won by Argentina on goals from Diego Maradona, and takes place amid a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals are set: France will face Spain in Dallas on 14 July, while England play defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on 15 July, after dramatic quarter-final victories decided by 2-1 and 2-0 scores respectively.
13 July 2026 · Informanté →
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time in the World Cup quarter-final, with Julian Alvarez scoring a crucial goal in the 112th minute. The victory sets up a semi-final against England and keeps Argentina unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Jude Bellingham netted twice in extra-time to lead England past Norway 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final. England will face Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England play Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Friday with Kane and Haaland as their leading scorers; the winners will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →