Stories By Graham Ruthven
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Racing
Are Morocco poised to become Africa’s first World Cup winners?
Morocco’s 2022 World Cup team made history. They provided one of the stories of the tournament in Qatar by making an incredible run to the semi-finals, becoming the first African side to make the final four of a World Cup.
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Sport
Not for the first time, Jude Bellingham is dragging England through another tournament
When England needed someone to step up and take control of another World Cup group game drifting away from Thomas Tuchel’s team, Jude Bellingham obliged once again. It was the same in the opening fixture against Croatia when the Real Madrid midfielder was arguably the best player on the pitch.
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Sport
Michael Olise is the creative driving force behind France’s World Cup challenge
France are frightening. Two of the 2026 World Cup’s top five goalscorers play in Didier Deschamps with Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe both hitting the ground running at this summer’s tournament, netting four goals apiece after three games.
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Sport
Why Scotland Look More Dangerous Than Ever
Within just 30 minutes of Scotland’s final World Cup warm-up match, Steve Clarke’s side were out of sight. Goals from Lawrence Shankland, Scott McTominay and Che Adams put the Scots 3-0 up against Bolivia with a fourth goal from Adams before half time capping the scoring at 4-0.
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Sport
The Biggest World Cup Ever Has Arrived
48 teams. 104 games. Three host nations. The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history by almost every metric with the USA, Canada and Mexico set to welcome the great and good of international football this week.
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Sport
Which three teams are primed to be Dark Horses at this summer’s World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner with no fewer than 48 teams set to descend on the USA, Canada and Mexico over the coming days. The tournament gets under way on Thursday 11th June and anticipation is high.
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Sport
Arsenal can be even better next season
It wasn’t to be Arsenal’s night. Saturday’s Champions League final might have ended differently had Gabriel Magalhaes aimed his penalty kick a little lower to keep alive the Gunners’ penalty shootout hopes, but the final outcome was a reflection of Paris Saint-Germain’s superior quality.
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Sport
Are English teams too dominant in the Europa League and Conference League?
Last week, Aston Villa enjoyed their most glorious European night since 1982 when they won the Europa League. This week, Crystal Palace have the opportunity to create their own continental legacy as Oliver Glasner’s side prepare to face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final.
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Sport
Europa League Glory Would Define Emery’s Villa
Unai Emery is the master of the Europa League. No manager has won European football’s second tier competition more times than the Spaniard who has lifted the trophy four times. On Wednesday, Emery can add a fifth Europa League title with an Aston Villa victory over Freiburg in Istanbul.
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Sport
Why Alonso Is Taking a Risk at Chelsea
Xabi Alonso was always expected to re-enter football sooner rather than later. Despite being chewed up and spat out by Real Madrid in a matter of months, the Spaniard was linked with several big jobs in a sign that he had been given a free pass for how things unfolded for him at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Sport
David Raya’s save against West Ham could be Arsenal’s Sergio Aguero moment in this season’s title race
Every title race has one defining moment. Federico Macheda’s winner for Manchester United against Aston Villa. Vincent Kompany’s strike for Manchester City against Leicester City. And of course, Sergio Aguero’s iconic winner that gave City their first Premier League title and made Martin Tyler synonymous with the most dramatic title finale in English football history.
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