England have been dealt a major blow just hours ahead of their World Cup Last 16 clash with Mexico after a player was ruled out with injury.

The Three Lions are undefeated at the tournament having claimed wins over Croatia, Panama, and then DR Congo, while they drew with Ghana, but will take on co-hosts Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium in the early hours of Monday morning.

Thomas Tuchel has already admitted his team face a major disadvantage playing away from home in the altitude at such short notice, but they have now been handed another issue to deal with in the build-up to the huge clash.

Djed Spence Out of Mexico vs England

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

According to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett, England will be without defender Djed Spence for the game due to injury.

The Tottenham Hotspur star has started two of England’s four games, playing at left-back against Ghana before starting at right-back against DR Congo. But with Reece James still unavailable due to a hamstring injury picked up against Ghana, and Jarrel Quansah nursing an injury of his own, the team now face a huge dilemma at right-back.

According to Dorsett, Quansah has been passed fit to play and is likely to start at right-back for the game, although there is also a chance that Arsenal star Declan Rice gets the nod following his performance in the latter stages against DR Congo in that position.

Tuchel has previously ruled out Rice playing there from the start at Mexico, but he may be left without any option if Quansah’s fitness means he is unable to play too.

The England lineup had previously been ‘leaked’ online hours before, and Spence was expected to start in defence alongside Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, and Nico O’Reilly.

England Face Major Full-Back Issue

Thomas Tuchel via Reuters/Jim Rassol

Tuchel’s full-back options when he selected his squad were an immediate talking point, with many fans and media questioning his decisions.

Tino Livramento was sent home before the tournament with an injury, while James had barely featured in the second half of the season due to fitness problems, but was selected anyway. At left-back, Nico O’Reilly is naturally a midfielder, while Spence is naturally a right-back.

Now he has very limited choices to pick from, and Ezri Konsa or Trevoh Chalobah are likely to be called upon at some point to play out of position should England be able to progress past Mexico into the quarter-finals.

Tottenham will likely shift their transfer focus onto their forward line now, having completed a number of deals at the back and in midfield already in this summer transfer window.

Spurs have completed five new signings this summer, with a sixth done bar official confirmation in a real statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League.

Having finished in 17th place in each of the last two seasons, new head coach Roberto De Zerbi has got to work in transforming the squad he inherited and Spurs are now bucking their trend when it comes to both transfer fees and wages.

Spurs to break club record twice in a week

via Reuters

The Lilywhites broke their club transfer record this week by completing the £85million signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. But that record will stand for only a matter of days. An agreement has been reached for the transfer of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and when that is confirmed he will become the club’s new record signing at £92.5million, increasing to £100million in add-ons.

Those two midfield signings followed the defensive additions of Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, with Martin Dubravka also coming in as back-up goalkeeper.

Attacking changes are likely to be made, with question marks over the future of last season’s top scorer Richarlison and a number of players still missing through long-term injury.

Tottenham are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi this summer after his breakout season in the Premier League.

The now 20-year-old broke the record for the most goals scored in a season by a teenager, beating the record which had been held by both Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane.

The Cherries have slapped an £80million price tag on his shoulders, but despite that valuation, reports have surfaced that Spurs chiefs are ‘confident’ of getting a deal done. There have also been suggestions that Kroupi, described as ‘world-class’ by analytical site Squawka, would be open to the move to north London this summer.

Tottenham would face strong competition for his signature this summer, with a number of other Premier League clubs weighing up a move for the frontman, as well as Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain showing an interest.

football.london’s Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold delivered an update on his future on the Talking Tottenham podcast.

Tottenham interest in Junior Kroupi confirmed

via Reuters

He said: “There’s interest, of course, but everyone’s interested, he’s one of the young stars of the Premier League, everyone wants him.

“This new version of Tottenham, they have certainly gone at deals this summer where there was opposition and they’ve come out of the other side.

“I’m hearing Bournemouth have got no intention of selling, but we’ll see if that’s tested as the summer goes on.

“I’m fascinated to see if Spurs are going after bigger targets, proper targets, not targets that might be good, but targets we know are already good, I’m fascinated to see how they approach that situation.

“You’re probably not taking on one or two clubs, you’re taking on half of Europe.”

Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill has accused Kylian Mbappe of ignoring his attempt to shake hands after France‘s last-32 win, sparking a brief flashpoint as both sides left the pitch.

Paraguay’s exit from the World Cup was overshadowed by a post-match flare-up between goalkeeper Orlando Gill and Mbappe, following what was a tense second-half full of frustrations, fouls and a questionable refereeing performance.

Gill offered his hand to the French forward after the final whistle in Philadelphia, only for the Real Madrid striker to walk past, still celebrating with the crowd. The San Lorenzo ‘keeper responded by throwing the match ball at Mbappe’s back, triggering a brief confrontation near the centre circle.

Gill Hits Out at Mbappe’s Reaction

Dylan Martinez via Reuters

Speaking afterwards (per The Sun), Gill made no attempt to hide his frustration, saying: “Kylian Mbappe has p***ed me off. I stretched my hand to congratulate him, but he ignored me.” He said he’d stretched out his hand to congratulate the France striker but was snubbed, framing the snub as typical of how bigger nations react to Paraguay’s combative style.

Gill doubled down on that approach, making clear his side had set out from the first whistle to make their physical presence felt whenever the ball came near.

The incident capped a bruising night for Paraguay, who committed a flurry of fouls without picking up a single yellow card — a decision that’s already drawn separate criticism of the referee.

What made matters worse is that France were awarded three yellow cards in total despite all the aggressive play coming from the likes of Juan Jose Caceres, Andres Cubas and Matias Galarza. With the latter honing in on Mbappe in the dying minutes of the game.

Mbappe Says France Were Braced for a Physical Battle

Kyle Rodden/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Mbappe, who scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, said France had gone in fully expecting a tough, combative test rather than an open game.

He suggested Paraguay had misjudged France as a side that would only try to play through neat combinations, insisting Les Bleus showed they could match the physicality when required.

It’s a notion that Rayan Cherki shared in his post-match interview, noting France’s resilience in the face of Paraguay’s aggression.

France progressed to the quarter-finals, where they’ll face Morocco in a repeat of their 2022 semi-final clash, while Paraguay head home after the last-32 defeat.

Morocco and France will lock horns for the second World Cup in a row, with Les Bleus enjoying a 2-0 victory over the African nation in Qatar in 2022.