Resolute Spain ‘deserve everything’ in hunt for glory

Doha, Qatar: Spain arrived in North America carrying the weight of expectation. As the reigning UEFA European champions and blessed with one of the most gifted generations in world football, La Roja were widely tipped to go all the way. Yet the road to Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final has featured its share of challenges.

An opening goalless draw against World Cup debutants Cape Verde briefly cast doubt over their credentials. Spain fired 27 attempts but could not beat goalkeeper Vozinha, raising early questions over whether the favourites would live up to expectations.

Those questions have long disappeared. Since that frustrating afternoon, Luis de la Fuente’s men have responded like champions, combining patience, control and defensive discipline to put together one of the tournament’s most complete campaigns. musojam.blog

الأخبارانفراد الصحيفة يشعل منصات التفاعل.. تميم الدوسري يشكر «العرب» ويواصل الحلمأعرب الموهبة القطرية الصاعدة تميم محمد الدوسري عن امتنانه لصحيفة «العرب»، بعد انفرادها بتسليط الضوء على تجربته الحالية داخل أكاديمية برشلونة، مؤكدًا تطلعه إلى مواصلة التطور والع...فتح →

They have conceded just one goal in six matches while finding different ways to win against every challenge placed before them.

Their semi-final victory over France showed why Spain now stand one win away from lifting a second World Cup trophy after their triumph in 2010.

France entered the last four as many experts’ favourites after scoring 16 goals and sweeping aside strong oppositions with one of the tournament’s most feared attacks. Instead, they ran into a Spanish side that controlled possession, dictated the tempo and denied Kylian Mbappe and company any meaningful rhythm.

Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first-half penalty before Pedro Porro added the second after the break, while Lamine Yamal even had a goal ruled out in a performance that rarely allowed France a route back into the contest.

“We started almost four years ago with an idea and we’ve been faithful to that idea and it’s brought us here,” De la Fuente said after the victory.

“The message was that we were up against one of the best teams in the world, but that they were up against the best team in the world.”

The coach’s confidence has been matched by the performances of his players. Spain recovered from the Cape Verde setback by thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 before edging Uruguay to top their group. The knockout rounds brought increasingly difficult tests, but they answered every one of them.

Austria were swept aside 3-0 before Spain survived a tense battle against Portugal thanks to substitute Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner. Merino again came off the bench to score the decisive goal against Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Equally impressive has been the back line. Goalkeeper Unai Simon and his defence built a remarkable sequence of clean sheets before Belgium finally ended their long run without conceding. Even then, Spain quickly regained control and continued to look the tournament’s most balanced side.

For De la Fuente, the achievements go beyond tactics.

“These players deserve everything,” he said.

“Day after day they’ve shown their commitment, their solidarity, their generosity, their talent. They make the difficult look easy.”

The coach believes the unity inside the squad has been the foundation of Spain’s success.

“We’ve recaptured the spirit of 2010,” he said.

“This team never ceases to amaze me. The scope for improvement is endless.”

Besiktas have reportedly made an offer to Mohamed Salah, as the Egyptian captain reduced his initial €15 million annual salary demand.

According to reports, Salah’s representatives arrived in Istanbul to continue talks with the Super Lig club.

Besiktas is said to have made its first formal approach to Salah’s camp. According to Turkish journalist Efecan Öztaş, the meeting between the two sides “went positively,” adding that the 34-year-old is “inclined to wearing a jersey in Turkey.”

Earlier reports placed Salah’s initial annual salary demand at €15 million. His wage request represented the main obstacle to a deal. Both sides continued talks to reduce the total cost.

The latest claims contradict comments from Besiktas president Serdal Adalı three days earlier. On July 14, Adalı dismissed the reports linking Salah with the club.

Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, provided an earlier update on Friday. He did not identify any potential destination.

الأخبارأمين عام مجلس التعاون يدين الاعتداءات الإيرانية المتكررة على ناقلات "أدنوك" الإماراتية في مضيق هرمزأعرب جاسم محمد البديوي، الأمين العام لمجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية، عن إدانته واستنكاره الشديدين لاستمرار الاعتداءات الإيرانية المتكررة على ناقلات شركة /أدنوك/ الإماراتية وا...فتح →

“We still do not know where Mohamed will play next season, but we may know very soon,” Abbas wrote.

Salah most recently represented Egypt at the 2026 World Cup. He recorded one goal and two assists across five appearances.

Egypt reached the round of 16 before losing 3-2 to Argentina. The Pharaohs had taken a two-goal lead against the defending champions.

The post Besiktas Reportedly Make Opening Offer for Mohamed Salah appeared first on KingFut.

تأهل منتخب البرتغال اليوم الخميس إلى دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 المقامة حاليا في كندا والولايات المتحدة والمكسيك بعد فوزه على كرواتيا (2-1) ضمن مباريات دور الـ32.

وأقيمت المباراة على ملعب (تورونتو) في مدينة (تورونتو) الكندية وافتتح إيفان بيريسيتش التسجيل لكرواتيا في الدقيقة الـ53 قبل أن يدرك كريستيانو رونالدو التعادل للبرتغال من ركلة جزاء في الدقيقة الـ68 ثم أضاف غونسالو راموس هدف الفوز في الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت بدل الضائع من الشوط الثاني.

وتعد هذه المشاركة السابعة تواليا لمنتخب البرتغال في نهائيات كأس العالم علما بأنه لم يتوج باللقب أبدا وكان أفضل إنجاز له احتلال المركز الثالث في أول مشاركة له.

ويقود منتخب البرتغال كريستيانو رونالدو الذي يخوض نهائياته العالمية السادسة بتشكيلة تضم أسماء بارزة من أكبر أندية العالم.

وفي المقابل شاركت كرواتيا في المونديال بعدما حلت ثالثة في نسخة قطر 2022 وبلغت نهائي روسيا 2018.

ومع وجود كريستيانو رونالدو (41 عاما و147 يوما) ولوكا مودريتش (40 عاما و296 يوما) على أرض الملعب تكون هذه المرة الأولى في تاريخ كأس العالم التي يتواجه فيها لاعبان تجاوزا سن الأربعين.

The post البرتغال تتأهل إلى دور الـ16 من مونديال 2026 بفوزها على كرواتيا 2-1 appeared first on كويت نيوز.