Midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25

The South African footballer who played in the 2026 World Cup died during his rest period.

An unexpected loss

Jayden Adams, a 25-year-old South African midfielder, died during his rest period after participating in the World Cup. The news was confirmed by authorities in your country, although until now the causes have not been revealed.

Adams had fulfilled one of the biggest dreams of his career: representing South Africa in a World Cup. He played three games in the tournament held in Mexico, the United States and Canada. Much of the competition remained in Pachuca, the city that served as the headquarters of the Bafana Bafana team.

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Reactions and legacy

“Death has cruelly stolen one of our own. It has deprived us as a nation of an extraordinary footballer, but it can never take away the legacy that Jayden Adams leaves behind. We will forever remember his humility, his talent and the pride with which he represented South Africa,” said the South African Footballers’ Union.

Adams belonged to the Mamelodi Sundowns club. His name had gained notoriety among fans after stepping into the Mexico City Stadium at the start of the tournament organized by FIFA. His career promised more success, but destiny had another plan.

The news has shocked South African football. Colleagues and followers have expressed their regret on social networks. The authorities and the club have not given more details about what happened so far.

Mikel Merino gives Spain the pass to the World Cup semi-finals

Mikel Merino scored the winning goal against Belgium and Spain returns to the semifinals after 16 years.

Mikel Merino was once again the hero of Spain. The Arsenal player came on in the 86th minute and, two minutes later, took advantage of a rebound from goalkeeper Senne Lammens to score the final 2-1 win over Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinals.

“I still don’t believe it. Doing it once… I thought I wasn’t going to play for a long time and it happens again,” said Merino, who had already scored the winning goal against Portugal in the round of 16.

A high-tension duel

Spain opened the scoring in the 30th minute: Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro combined from the right, Dani Olmo shot, Thibaut Courtois rejected and Fabián Ruiz took advantage of the rebound for his first goal in the tournament.

Belgium responded in the 41st minute. Charles De Ketelaere physically imposed himself on Pau Cubarsí and headed in a cross from Timothy Castagne. That goal broke goalkeeper Unai Simón’s goalless streak of 650 minutes, a World Cup record.

Courtois was injured in the 71st minute and his replacement Lammens could not avoid defeat. Mikel Merino, again from the bench, decided the game.

Heading to the semi-finals against France

Spain will face France next Tuesday in Dallas. It is the first time that La Roja has reached the semifinals since winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“A one-on-one match with France. In the semifinals you couldn’t expect anything else,” Merino said.

Coach Luis de la Fuente explained Pedri’s surprising absence from the eleven: “We needed Fabián’s freshness, and then Pedri could benefit.”

Belgium tried to equalize in stoppage time with Romelu Lukaku, but Aymeric Laporte cleared from a bicycle kick. “We knew how to hurt them,” Belgian defender Brandon Mechele said. “We are proud of the tournament we have given.”

Spain remains undefeated since March 2023. Now, France will be the toughest test.

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Haaland, England’s obsession in the World Cup

Norway and England are measured in quarters; The English challenge is to stop Haaland.

England’s plan for the World Cup quarterfinals is clear: stop Erling Haaland. The Norwegian forward has seven goals in the tournament, only surpassed by Mbappé and Messi. On Saturday, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, they face an English team that knows that the task is titanic.

“Has anyone ever stopped Erling Haaland?” asked midfielder Morgan Rogers. “I’m not sure, but let’s try.”

Not even his Manchester City teammate, Nico O’Reilly, has a magic formula. His proposal is simple: prevent him from receiving the ball in dangerous areas. “He is dangerous in the area, a real threat. First they have to give him the ball there,” he explained.

Two elite forwards

The conversation cannot ignore Harry Kane. The Englishman has six goals in the tournament. His coach, Thomas Tuchel, described him as “in the best shape of his life.” The Haaland-Kane duel will be a chapter apart: both are the main offensive weapons of their teams.

The Norwegian coach, Ståle Solbakken, recognized the magnitude of the match: “Kane is England’s asset; Haaland is ours.” The match defines a ticket to the semifinals against Argentina or Switzerland.

Haaland, born in England when his father played for Leeds, feels the emotional burden. “It’s super special because I play in England, I was born there and I will face City teammates,” he said. Nine Norwegians play for English clubs, so familiarity will be high.

Haaland’s goals in the tournament have come in spurts: two in 14 minutes against Iraq, two in 10 against Senegal, two in 11 against Brazil. His ability to finish in key moments is what worries England the most.

“Everything is at stake,” O’Reilly summarized. On Saturday it will be known if the English plan works.

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Argentina seeks a place in the semifinals against a solid Switzerland

Argentina advances to the quarterfinals after coming back against Egypt. Switzerland will be the next rival.

The Argentine team breathes a sigh of relief after an agonizing comeback against Egypt (3-2) in the round of 16. Lionel Scaloni’s team overturned a 2-0 deficit in 13 minutes, but defensive doubts persist.

The numbers that worry

“They scored four goals against us in the last two games. It bothers us,” admitted defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero. Argentina is unable to maintain the level shown in Qatar 2022. The defensive solidity, key to winning the title, has suffered.

The next obstacle is Switzerland, a team that has never reached the World Cup semifinals. The duel will be on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Swiss captain Granit Xhaka declared: “We know that Argentina has virtues, but so do we. Tomorrow it will be talked about on the pitch.”

Messi and the headline doubts

Lionel Messi missed two penalties in this World Cup, accumulating four misses in his World Cup career. It will be the 10 himself who decides if he continues kicking. Argentina has other performers: Lautaro Martínez, Gonzalo Montiel and Leandro Paredes.

Scaloni still defines the right side between Nahuel Molina and Montiel, and the center forward between Julián Álvarez and Lautaro. Against Egypt, Montiel improved the attack on the right and assisted Messi to make it 2-2. Lautaro entered the complement and scored the winning goal.

Switzerland has only conceded three goals in five games. The defense, led by Manuel Akanji and Gregor Kobel, will be the main challenge. Argentina does not report injuries; Switzerland will miss Johan Mazambi due to knee problems.

The winner will face the winner of Norway-England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Albiceleste seeks to become the first two-time champion since 1962.

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