Spain Brush Aside Croatia in Nations League, England Down Czechs

Football - UEFA Nations League - Group A3 - Spain v Croatia - Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville, Spain - September 29, 2026 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Nations League - Group A3 - Spain v Croatia - Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville, Spain - September 29, 2026 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
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Spain Brush Aside Croatia in Nations League, England Down Czechs

Football - UEFA Nations League - Group A3 - Spain v Croatia - Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville, Spain - September 29, 2026 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Nations League - Group A3 - Spain v Croatia - Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville, Spain - September 29, 2026 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)

Lamine Yamal netted a brace as world champions Spain continued their winning start to the UEFA Nations League with a 4-1 success in Seville against Croatia on Tuesday, while Harry Kane scored as England won in the Czech Republic.

The match at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan was Spain's first home outing since lifting the World Cup in New York in July.

La Roja captain Rodri was handed the trophy by 2010 winner and Sevilla legend Jesus Navas, before presenting it to the ecstatic crowd.

"We were very excited to bring the trophy here," Yamal said.

"To be able to win the game and bring it home is great."

Spain's supporters did not have long to wait before their side provided further excitement in Andalusia as Yamal fired them into the lead inside 75 seconds.

Dion Beljo nodded in Ivan Perisic's cross to briefly level the scores shortly before the half-hour, but Atletico defender Marc Pubill popped up at the other end three minutes later to head in a Yamal center and restore the hosts' lead.

After also scoring early in Spain's 3-2 win at Wembley against England last week to kickstart their Nations League campaign, Yamal brought his tally in the 2026/27 edition of the tournament to three as he put Spain two clear of Croatia in the 63rd minute with a precise finish at Dominik Livakovic's near post.

"Lamine is keen to keep developing and show the world the sort of footballer he is," Luis de la Fuente said of the 19-year-old star.

"We've enjoyed his magic in the service of the team. In the future, he'll be much more recognized for what he does and for his contribution to the team's play," the coach added of Yamal, who is among the frontrunners for the Ballon d'Or.

Nico Williams then put gloss on the result for Spain with a crisp step-over and finish with one minute remaining on the clock.

With two wins from two, Spain lead Group A3 on six points, while Croatia sit third on three points, behind second-placed England on goal difference.

Harry Kane (L) of England celebrates with teammate Anthony Gordon after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League match between Czechia and England in Prague, Czechia, 29 September 2026. (EPA)

- 'Deserved victory' -

In Prague, Thomas Tuchel's England got their first win of the group with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Czech Republic thanks to second-half goals from Anthony Gordon and Kane.

The home team kept England at bay in the first half at the Fortuna Arena despite being a man down after Pavel Sulc was sent off for a high challenge on Elliot Anderson in the 23rd minute.

"We played very professional, second half we stepped up... Deserved victory," Tuchel told ITV.

"Strange to get an early red card, not the best for the team and spectators. It's an awkward one but we kept going, got a win and that's what counts."

Barcelona winger Gordon broke the deadlock shortly after the break with a header from a cross served by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made his first England start in almost two years.

It was Gordon's third goal in three games for England, including one against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final defeat and another against Spain.

Kane, who also scored against Spain, gave England breathing space in the 69th minute, smashing the ball past Czech 'keeper Matej Kovar after it fell to him inside the box.

England will travel to Rijeka to take on Croatia on Saturday, while Spain welcome the Czechs to Oviedo.

"The next match is important for us against a direct opponent and we want to win," Tuchel said to the BBC.

Elsewhere, Scotland paid for an early red card at Hampden Park against Switzerland as the visitors ran out 3-0 winners in Group B1.

Slovenia sit second in that pool after downing North Macedonia 2-0 in Ljubljana.



Man United Hires Mauricio Pochettino, Who Tearfully Leaves US Job to Revive Former Power

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States Men's National Soccer Team speaks to the media during a press conference after announcing his resignation at Arthur M. Blank US Soccer National Training Center on November 13, 2026 in Fayetteville, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States Men's National Soccer Team speaks to the media during a press conference after announcing his resignation at Arthur M. Blank US Soccer National Training Center on November 13, 2026 in Fayetteville, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Man United Hires Mauricio Pochettino, Who Tearfully Leaves US Job to Revive Former Power

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States Men's National Soccer Team speaks to the media during a press conference after announcing his resignation at Arthur M. Blank US Soccer National Training Center on November 13, 2026 in Fayetteville, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States Men's National Soccer Team speaks to the media during a press conference after announcing his resignation at Arthur M. Blank US Soccer National Training Center on November 13, 2026 in Fayetteville, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)

Mauricio Pochettino was hired as Manchester United's head coach on Friday, agreeing to leave his job with the US national team to take on the challenge of reviving the fortunes of English football's once dominant force.

Just three months after announcing a contract to lead the Americans through the 2030 World Cup, the US Soccer Federation said Pochettino will depart next week for Old Trafford. The 20-time English champion is in the relegation zone after 10 games of the Premier League season.

“They know that there’s not too many opportunities (that) can happen in your career like a side of Manchester United and, of course, when that arrives, it’s difficult to turn down,” Pochettino said during an emotional news conference at the US team training camp.

He signed a 2 1/2-year contract and will take over on Nov. 18 ahead of the match at Liverpool four days later, becoming United's eighth permanent coach or manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Pochettino choked up at a news conference while sitting between USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone and CEO JT Batson.

“One of the most difficult decision in our career,” he said, crying and rubbing his hands as Cone put a supportive hand on his back.

“A decision that in some part is a very sad decision,” Pochettino added, “in another part is that we are professional and we need also trying to find the next step to try to make your dreams come true.”

United said the 54-year-old Argentine was “renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players," and had “consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues.”

Pochettino's appointment comes one day after Michael Carrick was fired for overseeing United's worst league start in 40 years, with one of the biggest teams in world football languishing 18th in the Premier League.

Pochettino and his assistants will remain with the US team for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.

“We recovered our motivation,” Pochettino said. “We recovered our capacity to dream big, the capacity to train players that really want to improve and really want to share good moments and players that really care about the federation and this country.”

Pochettino took over the US team in the fall of 2024 and led the co-host Americans to the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup. The USSF is likely to sound out Pep Guardiola’s interest and could also consider elevating Under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo, a former national team defender. Cherundolo will lead a senior national team training camp next month with players mostly from Major League Soccer.

Going into his final two games, Pochettino led the US to 21 wins, 12 losses and two draws, counting a penalty-kicks win over Costa Rica as a draw. He was the first long-term US coach not to win any titles since Steve Sampson from 1995-98.

After coaching Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League, Espanyol in Spain and winning the French title with Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino takes a job that has proved to be too big for a succession of managers since Ferguson led the team to a record 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns during a near 27-year tenure.

United has not won the league since Ferguson’s last season in 2013 and has been overtaken by rivals Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Champions League-winning coaches Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho failed to meet United’s expectations, while David Moyes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Carrick also came up short.

Despite winning the French league with PSG in 2022, arguably Pochettino’s greatest achievement was turning Tottenham into a serial title contender in the Premier League and also leading the club to the Champions League final in 2019.

He has never won a major trophy in England, most recently losing the final of the English League Cup with Chelsea in 2024.


Rogers Says ‘It’s a Lie’ That Palmer Does Not Want to Play for England

Premier League - Sunderland v Chelsea - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - November 8, 2026 Chelsea's Cole Palmer looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - Sunderland v Chelsea - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - November 8, 2026 Chelsea's Cole Palmer looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
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Rogers Says ‘It’s a Lie’ That Palmer Does Not Want to Play for England

Premier League - Sunderland v Chelsea - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - November 8, 2026 Chelsea's Cole Palmer looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - Sunderland v Chelsea - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - November 8, 2026 Chelsea's Cole Palmer looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)

Morgan Rogers defended Cole Palmer's ‌commitment to England on Thursday, saying any suggestion that his Chelsea teammate does not want to play for the national team "is a lie" and "nonsense".

Palmer, left out of England's World Cup squad this year after a persistent groin injury affected his form, was called up by coach Thomas Tuchel for Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia in September and October.

However, he was forced to pull out due to a recurrence of the issue, with ‌Tuchel saying the ‌24-year-old "misses too many opportunities" and then leaving ‌him ⁠out of the ⁠squad for this month's games.

Asked about Palmer's exclusion after England's 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley, goalscorer Rogers told the BBC: "He wants to be here. He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done.

"He was in quite ⁠a low place with his injuries last ‌year and didn't feel 100% ‌himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and ‌he wants to be the best version of himself.

"But ‌he also has to look at his body. He wants to play for 10 or 15 years, he also has to manage himself. If he has to manage himself in the short ‌term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have ⁠to fully ⁠support it.

"It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It's a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England. It's a lie."

In his post-match press conference, Tuchel told reporters it was "totally fine" for Rogers to defend Palmer.

"It's his teammate and friend," the German manager added.

"I was very happy with the emotional commitment and physical commitment of Morgan. He was our standout player today."

England next travel to Madrid to face world champions Spain on Sunday in their final Nations League group stage game.


Spain’s Yamal and Oyarzabal to Return for England Showdown, Says Manager

Real Sociedad's Spanish forward #10 Mikel Oyarzabal warms up prior the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 4 football match between Real Sociedad and Olympique Lyonnais at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
Real Sociedad's Spanish forward #10 Mikel Oyarzabal warms up prior the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 4 football match between Real Sociedad and Olympique Lyonnais at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
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Spain’s Yamal and Oyarzabal to Return for England Showdown, Says Manager

Real Sociedad's Spanish forward #10 Mikel Oyarzabal warms up prior the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 4 football match between Real Sociedad and Olympique Lyonnais at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
Real Sociedad's Spanish forward #10 Mikel Oyarzabal warms up prior the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 4 football match between Real Sociedad and Olympique Lyonnais at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian on November 5, 2026. (AFP)

Spain are set to welcome back forwards Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal for Sunday's Nations League match against England after the duo missed Thursday's 2-0 win over the Czech Republic, manager Luis de la Fuente ‌said.

Lamine had ‌stayed back in ‌Barcelona to ⁠nurse a knee ⁠injury.

"Lamine feels very good now and is really looking forward to joining the squad tomorrow," de la Fuente told Spanish ⁠television channel La 1.

Oyarzabal ‌stayed in ‌San Sebastian to be present ‌at the birth of his ‌second child. De la Fuente confirmed that he would also be part of Spain's Friday ‌evening training session.

"Mikel too. One will arrive at ⁠midday ⁠and the other a little later, but both will be with us tomorrow."

Spain have a three-point advantage over England in League A Group 3 and they will top the standings with a draw or a win.

Both sides have already qualified for the quarter-finals.