Haeran Ryu wins Evian Championship and adds his second consecutive major

End of the road for the Mexican referee

The World Cup lost the Mexican National Team in the round of 16 against England. Now, the Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos also says goodbye early.

According to information from David Medrano, the FIFA Referees Commission will no longer assign him any more matches in the final phase of the tournament. Thus, he leaves after having directed only two games.

Considered the best referee in Mexican soccer today, Ramos Palazuelos leaves the tournament with only two group stage games. The expectation was greater, since he has experience in other FIFA tournaments, including a previous World Cup, to direct matches in decisive stages.

Medrano reported that the whistler would already be back in Mexico, after being notified by FIFA that they would no longer have his services.

The Mexican was present in the Iran vs. matches. New Zealand and Brazil vs. Scotland. His performance was correct, without controversy, but he will not continue in the tournament.

Liverpool interest

Gilberto Mora took advantage of the 2026 World Cup to show his talent. The young soccer player from Xolos de Tijuana seeks to fulfill his dream of playing in Europe. Interest came quickly: Liverpool, from the Premier League, has it in its sights.

After the elimination of Mexico, the media reported the interest of the Reds. Alexis Mac Allister, world champion with Argentina and current Liverpool player, was consulted about this in the mixed zone of the duel between Argentina and Switzerland.

“Eh no, honestly I didn’t see anything about it. Obviously when these things happen you are always very careful when speaking, especially out of respect for the player and the club he belongs to. But hey, if they name him to go to Liverpool he will surely be a great player and they are naming him for a reason,” he declared for Claro Sports.

As of October 14, Mora remains a minor. Therefore, a transfer to Europe could not be finalized until the next transfer market. The Mexican youth hopes to follow in the footsteps of other national talents who have crossed the Atlantic.

Luxury semi-finals in the World Cup

The draw provided a dream table for the semifinals of the biggest soccer World Cup in history: Argentina against England and France against Spain. All four teams have been world champions at some point. Argentina holds the current title, with a 39-year-old Lionel Messi who continues to shine.

The semifinals bring together four of the top five in the FIFA ranking and five of the tournament’s six top scorers: Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé.

On Tuesday, in Dallas, Spain—the current European champion—faces France, owner of the most lethal lead in the last month in North America. The next day, Argentines and English will clash in Atlanta.

“We will go to compete once again as we always do, against a power, a great team,” Messi said after beating Switzerland 3-1.

It will be the first time that Messi plays against England in an official or friendly match. “It’s special because it’s a big team,” he added. The Argentine captain has eight goals, the same as Mbappé.

The last time the four semi-finalists wore stars on their shirts was in Italy 1990. Then, Maradona’s Argentina sought to retain its crown, but lost to West Germany in the final. The Qatar 2022 duel could be repeated if France and Argentina advance.

Historical rivalry

Argentina and England revive a rivalry marked by intense sporting duels and, off the field, by the tension of the Malvinas War. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni asked to focus only on football:

“It’s a football game,” he said.

On the field, the antecedents are memorable: 1966 (controversy at Wembley), 1986 (Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century”), 1998 (Beckham’s expulsion) and 2002 (England’s revenge penalty). England arrives with figures like Bellingham and Kane, although with physical problems. Argentina advances with difficulties, supported by Messi.

France-Spain, early finish

Two years after their duel in the Euro Cup, France and Spain meet again. Spain won that semifinal 2-1, with a goal from Lamine Yamal, then 16 years old. Mbappé played with a broken nose. Today, France is seen as the most feared team. Spain overcame injuries to Yamal and Nico Williams, and goals from Mikel Merino took them to the semi-finals.

“If anyone they should fear, it’s us,” declared Lamine Yamal.