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Mbappé Faces Haaland in Champions League Appetizer for World Cup. Troubled Liverpool Goes to Inter

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe poses with the trophy after scoring four goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Real Madrid, in in Piraeus port, near Athens, Greece, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe poses with the trophy after scoring four goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Real Madrid, in in Piraeus port, near Athens, Greece, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
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Mbappé Faces Haaland in Champions League Appetizer for World Cup. Troubled Liverpool Goes to Inter

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe poses with the trophy after scoring four goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Real Madrid, in in Piraeus port, near Athens, Greece, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe poses with the trophy after scoring four goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Real Madrid, in in Piraeus port, near Athens, Greece, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

A Champions League clash between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland will surely happen in the final one day.

On Wednesday, it is a routine league-phase game when Real Madrid hosts Manchester City and the most feared forwards in soccer cross paths for the third time in the competition since Haaland debuted in 2019.

Also this week, Liverpool brings its season of turmoil to San Siro against Inter Milan on Tuesday, when Bayern Munich hosts Sporting Lisbon. Paris Saint-Germain is at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, The AP news reported.

In the sixth of the eight rounds, league-leading Arsenal can become the first team to reach the 16-point total that last season ensured advancing direct to the round of 16, The AP news reported.

Arsenal is the only team with five straight wins on 15 points and needs to avoid defeat Tuesday at Club Brugge to reach the potential cutoff between eighth and ninth place in January.

Mbappé vs. Haaland Tuesday at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium likely won’t be the last time they meet this season.

France will play Norway on June 26 at the New England Patriots’ stadium in Foxborough, Mass., in one of the most anticipated games from the World Cup draw made Friday.

There might also be more in the Champions League given that Real Madrid and Manchester City met in the knockout rounds in each of the past four seasons. They combined to win three titles in that time though Mbappé still seeks his first.

Mbappé vs. Haaland first happened in the round of 16 in February 2020. Newly arrived at Borussia Dortmund, Haaland scored two in the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain and revealed his “Zen” goal celebration, sitting down cross-legged as if meditating. Mbappé and PSG won in Paris to advance 3-2 on aggregate score.

Last season, in the knockout playoffs in February, Mbappé scored four times including a hat trick in the second leg as Madrid beat Man City in both games, despite Haaland’s two goals in the first leg.

Mbappé’s four goals at Olympiakos last month lifted him to be top scorer in the Champions League this season. He needs one more to reach 10 in a Champions League season for the first time during his decade in the competition.

Haaland has five so far, and already got into double figures in three Champions League campaigns.

Madrid starts the week in fifth place on 12 points, two ahead of City in ninth in the 36-team standings.

Equally prolific Kane Harry Kane is just as prolific for Bayern Munich this season. He has scored 28 in just 22 games for Bayern plus five in five World Cup qualifiers for England.

Kane has kept pace with Haaland’s goal-a-game ratio in the Champions League and kept Bayern third in the standings, despite losing at Arsenal two weeks ago.

Ahead of Kane and Haaland is six-goal Victor Osimhen, who is fit to return with Galatasaray at Monaco on Tuesday. Both teams are in contention for a top-24 finish and places in the knockout stage starting in February.

Frankfurt fans return Barcelona hosting Eintracht Frankfurt is a repeat of a remarkable show of force by visiting fans four seasons ago — and one the Spanish club has now worked to avoid.

Eintracht’s road to winning the Europa League in 2022 included what looked and sounded like a home game to win 3-2 at Camp Nou in the second leg of the quarterfinals.

About 30,000 German fans were there after most bought tickets from Barcelona fans, who last week were warned by their club not to do that again.

“If the traceability of ticket purchases and their final destination reveals fraudulent behavior, the case will be referred to the disciplinary committee,” Barcelona said last week in a statement.

Barcelona is certainly favored to win this time. The La Liga leader scored five in winning at the weekend while Eintracht was routed 6-0 at Leipzig.

Winter is coming It will be an unusually early Champions League kickoff at 4:30 p.m. Central Europe Time when Kairat Almaty hosts Olympiakos on Tuesday. That is 8:30 p.m. in eastern Kazakhstan where evening temperatures can plummet in December.

UEFA planned well to schedule the game Tuesday instead of Wednesday. Forecast temperature at kickoff is about 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) while it should be -12 C (10 F) at the same time one day later.

Bodo/Glimt’s European season continues at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday after its domestic season finished in Norway being edged for the title by Viking. The Norwegian league avoids the bitter winter and Glimt has two more Champions League games in January, and maybe more in the knockout phase, during the Norwegian offseason.

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Egypt’s Hassan Enjoying Spotlight After Journeyman Coaching Career

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan reacts after winning a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP)
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan reacts after winning a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP)
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Egypt’s Hassan Enjoying Spotlight After Journeyman Coaching Career

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan reacts after winning a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP)
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan reacts after winning a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP)

Hossam Hassan’s coaching career has not come close to emulating his record-breaking playing days, but the fiery Egyptian could well change that on Tuesday if his team upset Argentina at the World Cup.

Hassan was a prolific striker for Egypt, still holding the record for the most goals and at one stage being the world’s most capped international. He played at the 1990 World Cup, won the last of his three Africa Cup of Nations aged 39 and earned multiple medals in continental and Egyptian club football.

He has had a controversial coaching career, however, with ‌a high turnover ‌of jobs and a prickly relationship with supporters and the ‌press.

Famously ⁠quick to lose ⁠his temper, there have been many altercations, most recently at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco when the crowd were getting on his back and he responded with dismissive gestures. But guiding Egypt to their first World Cup win in their fourth tournament appearance since their first in 1934, when they beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver, and securing a last-32 win over Australia in Dallas has placed him now on a positive pedestal.

Hassan would have been ⁠forgiven a satisfied smirk when Egyptian journalists greeted his entry into ‌the post-match press conference with a hearty round of ‌applause and preceded their questions with congratulations and fawning praise.

Hassan, however, politely thanked them and responded in ‌depth to each enquiry, detailing his battle plans and unwavering belief that his team ‌would triumph.

FIERY OUTBURST

It contrasted with a fiery outburst after Senegal beat Egypt in the Cup of Nations semi-finals in January.

"Egypt is great. It is the mother of Arabs and Africa, with our history, number of championships and strength. Some are jealous of our winning seven Cup of Nations and ‌wanted us not to qualify for the final match," he asserted then, before being roundly told off on Egyptian television by ⁠pundits, who rejected any ⁠conspiracy theory.

Many felt Hassan, whose identical twin brother Ibrahim sits alongside him on the bench, was an odd choice for the Egypt job two years ago, given a journeyman coaching career without any highlights, plus numerous fiery incidents.

But while Hassan has proven surprisingly defensive in his tactics with the national team, there can be no arguing he has achieved results. Egypt were semi-finalists at the last Cup of Nations in Morocco and went through their World Cup qualifying campaign unbeaten.

“My genes do not accept defeat,” he declared on the eve of the World Cup.

At the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the US, Egypt held Belgium to a draw, finished runners-up in their group and after edging Australia, now have a chance for their greatest win, against holders Argentina.

Sports

England’s Adaptability Shines in Mexico, Now Haaland Threat Looms

(From L) England's forward #18 Anthony Gordon, midfielder #08 Elliot Anderson, defender #24 Reece James, midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham and forward #09 Harry Kane celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026. (AFP)
(From L) England's forward #18 Anthony Gordon, midfielder #08 Elliot Anderson, defender #24 Reece James, midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham and forward #09 Harry Kane celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026. (AFP)
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England’s Adaptability Shines in Mexico, Now Haaland Threat Looms

(From L) England's forward #18 Anthony Gordon, midfielder #08 Elliot Anderson, defender #24 Reece James, midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham and forward #09 Harry Kane celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026. (AFP)
(From L) England's forward #18 Anthony Gordon, midfielder #08 Elliot Anderson, defender #24 Reece James, midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham and forward #09 Harry Kane celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026. (AFP)

England left the Estadio Azteca with aching legs, frayed nerves and a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

They also left with something potentially more valuable: proof they can survive when matches stop following the script.

For all the talk before the tournament of talent, depth and Thomas Tuchel's tactical nous, England had not faced a truly defining moment. Mexico provided that on Sunday night.

In one of football's most intimidating arenas, at altitude and against co-hosts roared on by around 80,000 supporters, England were forced to play more than half an hour with 10 men after Jarell Quansah's red card. Yet they emerged with a 3-2 victory built on Jude Bellingham's brilliance, Harry Kane's leadership and a collective refusal to yield.

England's performance was not flawless. Mexico dominated for spells, twice cut the deficit to a single goal and bombarded the penalty area during a frantic finish. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had a standout game, and every England player spent the closing stages throwing themselves at crosses and ‌shots.

But World Cups ‌are rarely won through perfection. More often they are won by teams capable of surviving difficult ‌nights.

What ⁠should encourage Tuchel ⁠most is that the result was built on adaptability rather than dominance.

Recognizing the challenges posed by the conditions in Mexico City, England dialed back their usual aggressive pressing game and adopted a more measured approach.

"We are fully committed to our press. But it's not economical. We need to be smart and pick the right moments," Tuchel said.

For long periods they defended in a compact mid-block, content to protect space and conserve energy rather than chase the ball relentlessly. That tactical adjustment reflected a willingness to sacrifice style for substance.

The breakthrough came through the type of transition football that Tuchel had planned for. Declan Rice drove forward from midfield before finding Bukayo Saka, whose cross was met by the arriving Bellingham.

Barely 100 ⁠seconds later, Elliot Anderson won possession from the restart and England struck again.

Those moments illustrated England ‌at their most dangerous: compact without the ball, then direct and ruthless once possession ‌was recovered.

Bellingham once again underlined why he is emerging as one of the players of the tournament. His quickfire double transformed the atmosphere inside the ‌stadium and shifted the momentum decisively towards England.

Kane extended his scoring streak, while Anthony Gordon's pace and energy provided a crucial ‌outlet whenever Mexico threatened to overwhelm them. Yet if the victory answered questions about England's mentality, it also exposed issues Norway will have noted carefully.

Hit by injuries at the back, England have looked vulnerable throughout the tournament, and Mexico repeatedly found opportunities in the spaces around the full-backs.

Quansah red-card tackle came after England had been caught out with players committed forward

Norway possess different qualities to Mexico but potentially greater firepower. Having stunned Brazil to reach the ‌quarter-finals, the Scandinavians arrive in Miami for Saturday's quarter-final full of confidence and carrying perhaps the tournament's most dangerous striker.

Any defensive frailties England displayed against Mexico could be ruthlessly exposed by ⁠Erling Haaland, while Martin Odegaard's passing ⁠range gives Norway the creativity to find him.

At the same time, England may take confidence from the way they adapted after Quansah's dismissal.

Rather than retreat entirely, they continued to look for opportunities on the counterattack. Gordon stretched Mexico repeatedly and won the penalty that allowed Kane to restore England's two-goal cushion.

Later, Tuchel altered the shape again, introducing 6-foot-7 (1.98-meter) defender Dan Burn and switching to a back five as England repelled Mexico's aerial assault.

That tactical flexibility may prove one of England's greatest strengths as the tournament enters its decisive stage.

The challenge now is ensuring Sunday's victory does not come at too high a cost. Bellingham dropped to his knees at the final whistle, lungs heaving after battling the altitude, the conditions and relentless Mexican pressure.

Kane had lost his voice by the time the interviews began. The celebrations reflected the scale of the achievement, but veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson paid a price. He was taken to hospital with a wrist injury after falling over advertising boarding, and the injury may rule the 36-year-old out for the tournament, even if his influence has been more on the sidelines as one of the squad's senior voices.

The victory over Mexico will nevertheless rank among England's most memorable World Cup knockout performances of the modern era — the sort of result that can transform belief inside a squad.

Now England must show it was more than one extraordinary night. Mexico tested their resilience. Norway will test their ambitions.

Sports

Belgian Federation to Challenge FIFA Decision to Let Balogun Play in World Cup Match

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus. (Reuters)
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Belgian Federation to Challenge FIFA Decision to Let Balogun Play in World Cup Match

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus. (Reuters)

The Belgian soccer federation wants an explanation from FIFA about a decision to let US forward Folarin Balogun play at the World Cup despite getting a red card in his previous game.

Belgium takes on the United States later Monday for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The Belgian federation (RBFA) said it has still not received either “FIFA’s decision or any explanation regarding this matter. In these circumstances, it has no choice but to challenge the player’s eligibility for the upcoming match.”

It did not specify where it intends to appeal FIFA’s decision.

US President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allowed him to play against Belgium.

The Belgian federation said it learned through media reports about the FIFA's move and sent a letter to the governing body requesting a copy of the decision as well as an explanation of the process.

“As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal,” it said. “No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA.

The RBFA insisted that FIFA’s regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant.

“While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible,” it said. “All of this occurred while FIFA simultaneously refused to respond to the RBFA’s legitimate requests.”

Balogun, the star forward for the US with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension had been lifted for the round of 16 match, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium’s team. It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup didn’t result in a suspension.

“Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defense of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole,” the Belgian federation added.

The FIFA decision drew criticism from the European Commission, the powerful executive arm of the European Union, which is based in Brussels.

Glenn Micallef, the European Union’s commissioner for sport, said that decisions “on sporting rules and sporting matters belong to sporting bodies, not politicians.”

“Influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport,” he wrote in a message on X. “Our focus should instead be on the real governance challenges facing sport, including the weaponization of sport for political purposes.”