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Leipzig Seal Champions League Berth in Bundesliga

Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK
Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK
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Leipzig Seal Champions League Berth in Bundesliga

Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK
Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK

RB Leipzig sealed Champions League qualification with a comfortable 2-1 win over St. Pauli on Saturday on a dramatic day in the Bundesliga's race for Europe.

Goals from Xaver Schlager and Willi Orban saw Leipzig secure third place with a game to spare and plunge St. Pauli deeper into the relegation mire.

"We were under a lot of pressure this season, but we are a great group and we rose to it," Leipzig's captain David Raum said in a speech in front of the fans.

"We have achieved our goal now, so let's all have a drink and party all night long," he added, according to AFP.

The Hamburg side had scored just four goals in their previous eight games, and they were left to rue missed chances yet again in Leipzig.

The visitors squandered several chances on the counter-attack before Schlager hooked the ball in at a corner to give Leipzig the lead just before half time.

Orban doubled the lead with a brilliant header after the break, before Abdoulie Ceesay grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Defeat keeps St. Pauli second from bottom, setting up a winner-takes-all clash with fellow strugglers Wolfsburg on the final day of the season next weekend.

"We have to go about the last game like it's a war," St. Pauli's Louis Oppie told DAZN.

While Leipzig are now certain to finish third behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart lead the race for the fourth and final Champions League spot after landing a crucial 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Stuttgart bounced back after a nightmare start, as Leverkusen took the lead with a smash-and-grab goal after just 34 seconds.

Centre-back Ramon Hendriks lost the ball on the halfway line, providing the visitors with a free run at goal and Aleix Garcia with an easy tap-in.

The hosts levelled the scores just five minutes later, however, Ermedin Demirovic smashing the ball in after a smart passing move in the box.

Demirovic was then tripped in the box on the stroke of half-time and Maximilian Mittelstädt put Stuttgart in front with a cool chipped penalty.

Stuttgart took control after the break, Deniz Undav sealing the win with an artistic finish after Demirovic had a goal ruled out for offside.

The result leaves Leverkusen three points adrift of the Champions League spots in sixth behind Stuttgart and Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim remain level on points with Stuttgart in fifth after they beat ten-man Werder Bremen 1-0.

Bremen's Yukinari Sugawara was sent off early on for a dangerous challenge on Bazoumana Toure, who scored Hoffenheim's winner 20 minutes later.

Elsewhere, Augsburg kept their hopes of European qualification alive with a 3-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.

A brace for Michael Gregoritsch and a rare goal for defender Robin Fellhauer saw Augsburg take a 3-0 lead before Rocco Reitz pulled one back for Gladbach late in the game.

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Messi Delivers Again for Argentina as Defending Champions Reach Another World Cup Final

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Enzo Fernandez scored their side's first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Enzo Fernandez scored their side's first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Messi Delivers Again for Argentina as Defending Champions Reach Another World Cup Final

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Enzo Fernandez scored their side's first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Enzo Fernandez scored their side's first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Lionel Messi delivered for his teammates.

With one more win, he'll be delivering another World Cup trophy to Argentina.

Messi didn't add to his tournament-leading goal total, but the 39-year-old assisted on two late strikes that carried La Albiceleste to another stunning comeback and a 2-1 victory over England in the semifinals Wednesday.

“Leo is still performing at the highest level,” The Associated Press quoted England captain Harry Kane as saying. “I felt like for large parts of the game, we dealt with him really well. But as always with the most dangerous players in the world, when they have the ball in the final third, they can be place-setters. And he did that again today. He's obviously one of the best players ever for a reason.”

Eight days after an improbable rally against Egypt in the round of 16, Messi returned to Atlanta to produce another stellar moment in a career that might already be the best of anyone to play the sport.

England was surely envisioning going for its first World Cup title since its only one six decades ago after a 55th-minute goal from Anthony Gordon.

But Messi and his blue-clad teammates, as they have shown over and over again, are never done. Now it's on to face Spain in the final on Sunday with a chance at becoming the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

In the 85th minute, with England hanging on for dear life, Messi pushed out a short corner, immediately got the return pass and spotted Enzo Fernández lurking in the middle of the field, 25 yards from the goal. Fernández ripped a curling shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to even the score.

At that point, it seemed inevitable that Argentina would pull out the victory.

And that's just what happened, with Messi again the orchestrator. Two minutes into stoppage time, he suddenly turned on the speed as he raced toward the end line, gaining enough space to send a pinpoint cross into the area at the back post. The ball cleared six English players, setting up Lautaro Martínez to effortlessly head home the winning goal after slipping between two defenders.

It was a poignant moment for Martínez, all of it made possible by his captain.

“This is really powerful,” he said in Spanish, fighting back tears. “The first time my old man bought me a pair of soccer boots, I always dreamed of scoring this goal.”

From there, it was just a matter of protecting the lead, which Argentina did easily.

When the final whistle blew, Messi dropped to his knees in the middle of the field, pumping his fists.

Messi played for years in the shadow of the late Diego Maradona, the pride of Argentina who led the country to a World Cup title in 1986 that included two memorable scores — the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century” -- in a quarterfinal win over England.

Now, it’s Messi who has stamped his legacy with a triumph over one of Argentina’s most bitter rivals.

“Seeing Messi playing football like this, at his age, it just leaves me speechless,” said Matías Adorno, who turned out in Messi's No. 10 jersey to celebrate with thousands or revelers in central Buenos Aires. “As Argentines, we’ve always put so much pressure on him. But he’s achieved everything I could imagine.”

Messi remains even with Kylian Mbappé of France in the goals race for the Golden Boot, with both stars having scored eight times. But with two assists, he moved ahead of Mbappé in that category, which is the first tiebreaker for the award. Mbappé has a chance to retake the lead in Saturday's third-place match against England.

Messi is also the World Cup career scoring leader with 21 goals.

But what he really wants is another title.
He's one win away.

Sports

Local ‘Hero’: Bellingham’s Hometown Buzzing Ahead of Semifinal Clash

England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham takes part in a training session on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football tournament semifinal match between England and Argentina, at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City on July 14, 2026. (AFP)
England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham takes part in a training session on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football tournament semifinal match between England and Argentina, at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City on July 14, 2026. (AFP)
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Local ‘Hero’: Bellingham’s Hometown Buzzing Ahead of Semifinal Clash

England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham takes part in a training session on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football tournament semifinal match between England and Argentina, at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City on July 14, 2026. (AFP)
England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham takes part in a training session on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football tournament semifinal match between England and Argentina, at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City on July 14, 2026. (AFP)

As England gears up for the World Cup semifinal Wednesday, there will be one name on everyone's lips: Jude Bellingham, the star midfielder who powered the Three Lions through to the marquee clash against Argentina.

In packed stadiums in North America and pubs back home, people belt out the Beatles' "Hey Jude" and don t-shirts with slogans like "Bend it like Bellingham" -- a play on the iconic 2000s film "Bend it like Beckham".

But nowhere is the 23-year-old midfielder more feted than his hometown of Stourbridge, a quiet market town in central England, west of Birmingham.

Wheeling his bike past the town's shopping center, retiree Keith Hall blows a kiss towards a superhero comic-style mural of Bellingham.

"He's a local lad," Hall told AFP, adding Bellingham "keeps in touch with his roots" despite now playing for Real Madrid.

Bellingham launched his football career playing for the Stourbridge Juniors, before joining Birmingham City's youth side and becoming the club's youngest first-team player.

"It doesn't surprise me that he's become an international sensation because he's the coolest man currently living," gushed grocery store worker Sam Holden, 21.

"Harry Kane obviously can kind of save us in our time of need, but Jude Bellingham can just take us to the heights that England absolutely are capable of reaching."

A regional railway company is offering passengers named "Jude" free travel in Stourbridge this week.

"We look forward to inviting Judes from across the region for a free ride on the Stourbridge Shuttle," said Jonny Wiseman from the West Midlands Railway.

The fever has spread beyond the area, known as Black Country, with a railway station in southeast London briefly renamed to "Jude Bellingham" station.

- 'King Jude' -

In the village of Hagley near Stourbridge, Vienna Letts recalls the incredible atmosphere when Bellingham and England take to the field.

"Hagley is quite a niche, quiet community normally, but it's like we've all come into one space to just support Jude," said Letts.

"No one would have thought that a boy from Stourbridge could be the top scorer and England could be in the semifinals."

After two stunning goals against Norway on Saturday that fired England into the semis, Bellingham is tied with team captain Kane on six goals in the tournament.

A local shop displays a portrait of Bellingham in its window, and during an interview, a man walks past yelling "hail king Jude!"

In Birmingham, a mural has popped up showing the 23-year-old and teammate and fellow local Morgan Rogers eating local delicacy battered chips -- dipped in an orange batter and deep-fried.

"He's like a hero for other local people, local children, knowing (if) you work hard, you can meet your dreams," said Harpreet Basin, a 40-year-old teacher, visiting the mural.

Back in Stourbridge, tanning salon manager Jessica said she'd been hearing chants of "Hey Jude" around town during the World Cup.

"My children, they've now learned what that song is from it being sung at the football matches," said Jessica. "They (go) round the house singing it as well."

Bellingham appeared moved to tears after the England versus Norway game, when even football legend David Beckham joined the huge crowds serenading him with "Hey Jude" on Saturday in the Miami Stadium.

Sports

Tuchel Unfazed by History Ahead of England vs Argentina World Cup Semi

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Press Conference - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 14, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Press Conference - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 14, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel during the press conference. (Reuters)
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Tuchel Unfazed by History Ahead of England vs Argentina World Cup Semi

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Press Conference - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 14, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Press Conference - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 14, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel during the press conference. (Reuters)

Thomas Tuchel said he did not feel burdened by the weight of history as he bids to lead England to a first World Cup final in 60 years by beating Argentina on Wednesday.

The Three Lions have been led at the 2026 tournament by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who have each scored six goals.

Remarkably, it will be the first time Lionel Messi has faced England at the grand old age of 39 despite the historical significance of the fixture.

Former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel said he did not feel extra pressure as he spoke to reporters in Atlanta on Tuesday.

"I don't feel a burden. We feel the tension and will be nervous but that is normal," he said.

"What I like is that I feel the players are really competitive, hungry and excited to play this match.

"The two shirts are just iconic. There are historic matches, iconic moments and everyone recognizes the shirts and players straight away."

The nations have previously clashed five times at World Cups, most notably the 1986 quarterfinal when Diego Maradona scored his infamous goal in a 2-1 win.

Twelve years later Argentina won on penalties after David Beckham was sent off.

"I think the players of both countries are very aware of what it means to them -- if a fixture provides so many iconic moments, then you cannot say it is just another football match, but as a coach we do exactly that, focus on what we can influence."

The German said he would not use the rivalry between the two teams as "fuel" to fire his men.

- 'Hungry' -

"We know why we are here, we know what we want, we were never shy of expecting that from ourselves, and of saying it or of dreaming it," he added. "We are in the semifinals, and we arrive very hungry."

The England boss said his whole squad trained on the eve of the game and that Declan Rice was fit to play following illness. Jarell Quansah is suspended.

Tuchel explained that he had "no words" to describe magical Messi, who has scored eight goals so far to take his team to the semifinals.

"You can see the cohesion, you can see that they are experienced in tournament football," he said.

"They have the same core group of players who have been together a long time, and they have a very experienced and very, very good head coach.

"We know how big the obstacle is but we are ready for it."

Argentina have labored to get to the last four, although England's path through the knockout rounds has not been smooth either, with tough matches against DR Congo, Mexico and Norway.

"It is just my first World Cup as a coach and it is very rare that you fly through a tournament and everything falls into place from match to match," Tuchel said.

"We will prepare for the best version of Argentina -- we expect and demand the best of ourselves.

"We have not peaked yet but tomorrow's match will bring the best out of us and we are excited."