0 - Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal is the first player on record since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a FIFA World Cup match without touching the ball once.
Peripheral.
Curacao, ranked 82nd in the world, have Germany, ranked 10th, on the ropes... but let's stop for a "hydration break" in an air-conditioned stadium.
What an absolute farce.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Marc Cucurella deal is signed and sealed after surprising exclusive story earlier today.
Real Madrid to pay €55m fixed fee plus €5m add-ons as Chelsea allowed medical tests.
Cucurella, new Real Madrid player. 🇪🇸
Here we go, confirmed. ✅🇪🇸
🚨 Joint-statement from Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire expressing their “profound disappointment” following the recent comments made by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin arguing the expanded World Cup will create “uninteresting” games.
“We respectfully but firmly reject these comments.
“For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match.
“For Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan, qualification for the FIFA World Cup represents a historic achievement and the realization of a dream shared by generations.
“For nations such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football’s biggest stage after a long absence carries a special meaning for millions of supporters who have waited years, and in some cases decades, for this moment.
“To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognize the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world.
“Behind every qualification stand years of work and investment. Behind every national team stand entire communities and millions of people who see football as a source of pride, hope and unity.
“Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality. The FIFA World Cup is the world’s greatest football competition precisely because it brings together different cultures, different histories and different football journeys.
“For many countries, participation in the FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting achievement. It is a moment that inspires a generation, accelerates football development and creates memories that last a lifetime.
“We believe that every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team has earned its place on merit. Every supporter has the right to dream. Every match carries meaning for millions of people around the world.
“We therefore reject the UEFA President’s comments and reaffirm our belief that the growth of football must continue to create opportunities, inspire new generations and strengthen the truly global nature of our game.
“Every team qualified on merit.
“Every match matters.”
FIFA's World Cup 'hydration breaks' are a money-grabbing disgrace: Gianni Infantino is selling football's soul to broadcasters - and fans are paying the price, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI https://t.co/9J6MmXngMh
🚨 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
• Vinícius Júnior 🇧🇷 reportedly refused to give a halftime interview to FIFA’s broadcast team.
🎙️ Journalist: “You’ll be fined for that.”
🗣️ Vinícius: “We’ll pay the fine. Nobody is doing halftime interviews.” 🤯🔥
Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland and Michael Olise were all born in England but are representing different nations at the World Cup.
Imagine this front three 😮🔥
🚨 Real Madrid reach agreement with Chelsea to sign Marc Cucurella. 27yo left-back joins #RMFC from #CFC for €60m - €55m fixed + €5m bonuses. Spain international’s deal done at rapid speed & now on to paperwork stage @TheAthleticFC after @FabrizioRomano https://t.co/Otq9CUKH6q
FIFA just quietly changed football from two 45minute halves to four 22.5minute quarters to accommodate Commercial interests! Gianni Infantino is a criminal @FOXSports@FIFAWorldCup
🚨JUST IN: Jurgen Klopp on cooling breaks:
"Football is being held hostage by executives in air-conditioned offices. These so-called 'cooling breaks' were sold to us as a shield for the players' well-being. It's nothing more than a gilded cage built for sponsors."
Well done to that airline official who wouldn’t let Folarin Balogun’s mum fly back to England while pregnant with her future #USMNT star son.
His US citizenship came by accident but he got the co-hosts off to a flyer here in Los Angeles
https://t.co/ZYa2EH99Li
TRIGGER WARNING for USA Republicans cheering for Folarin Balogun:
Born in Brooklyn.
To Nigerian parents.
Grew up in England.
Plays for #USMNT.
That's a lot of diversity, and that's what makes America great. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
A reminder that Flo Balogun would not be on the US Men's National Team if Trump's birthright citizenship order was in place when he was born in NY. The first US man to score more than one goal in a World Cup match since the very first World Cup in 1930.