Meeting in the quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup, Spain took on Belgium and came away with a 2-1 win. Luis de la Fuente’s men will now face France in the semis.

The Spaniards took the lead in the first half when Fabian Ruiz finished from close range, but Charles De Ketelaere had things level before the break. The game then looked as though it was destined for extra time, but Senne Lammens – on for the injured Thibaut Courtois – spilt the ball right at Mikel Merino’s feet, and the Arsenal star could not miss.

English referee Michael Oliver was in charge of the game, but one moment has sparked a strong response online.

French Journalist Unhappy With Michael Oliver’s World Cup Incident

Michael Oliver via REUTERS/Valdrin Xhemaj

Oliver was overseeing his seventh World Cup game, the most of any English referee in history. At one point, Spain star talent Lamine Yamal was trying to win the ball back for his team but opted to instead cynically foul Jeremy Doku as the Belgium star looked to threaten on the break.

Oliver blew for the foul and looked as though he was going to hand out a yellow card to the Barcelona winger. However, he then opted against booking Yamal. French-based journalist Matt Spiro, who works for beIN Sports, was quick to call out the incident. Taking to social media, he wrote:

Journalist Spiro appeared to be referring to the idea that FIFA seem keen to protect some of the biggest names at the World Cup. This theory has been aided by Cristiano Ronaldo seeing his suspension for a red card against Ireland reduced from three games to just one, which meant he was available for Portugal’s first game this summer.

Adding to that, Folarin Balogun saw his one-game red card ban suspended for a year, allowing him to play for the United States against Belgium. Lionel Messi also controversially avoided a red card against Algeria for a similar foul to the one which earned Balogun a red card.

The issues have been so widely talked about that – after watching his side lose 3-2 with some key decisions going in favour of Lionel Scaloni’s team – Egypt manager Hossam Hassan even claimed that FIFA “want Argentina and Messi to stay in the World Cup for marketing.”

Fans Baffled by Michael Oliver’s Lamine Yamal Decision

Spiro wasn’t the only one to notice the incident, as fans online were also stunned by the lenient bit of refereeing from the English official. Criticising Oliver, one wrote:

One more wrote: “Michael Oliver about to produce a card for that tackle. Noticed it was Yamal and changed his mind.” Another baffled supporter asked: “Why didn’t he [Oliver] book Yamal for an obvious foul on Doku?”

A fourth said: “Oliver reached for the card for Yamal then changed his mind??” With someone else asking: “Why didn‘t Michael Oliver book Yamal for the foul on Doku he stopped a promising attack…”

One more summed up the mood, remarking: “I fail to understand why Michael Oliver hasn’t booked Yamal there.”

It’s already been an extremely busy summer for Tottenham Hotspur and it could get even more hectic should they step up their interest in Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

Spurs have already spent over £100 million, signing Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. After nearly suffering relegation last season, the club have made it their mission to back Roberto De Zerbi with a major squad overhaul.

A new forward is expected to arrive and the Lilywhites are interested in Bournemouth rising star Junior Kroupi. The French starlet has reportedly told the North Londoners that he’s open to joining.

Tottenham Make Concrete Move For Rashford

Kroupi isn’t the only attacker on Tottenham’s radar as they are also monitoring Rashford’s situation at United. The English forward spent last season on loan at Barcelona and impressed, scoring 14 goals and providing as many assists in 49 games.

Despite this, the Catalans have opted not to sign Rashford permanently, paving the way for the £325,000-a-week England international to move elsewhere. He has plenty of options and Spurs are reportedly pushing hardest for the 28-year-old.

According to Italian outlet Asromalive.it, the Lilywhites are the club that have made “the most concrete contact with the player.” The problem is that Rashford wants to play UEFA Champions League football next season, something De Zerbi’s side can’t offer.

Rashford has also been sounded out by Italian giants Roma and Napoli, but he isn’t giving priority to the Serie A clubs. A return to Aston Villa, where he spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan, is another option, while Newcastle United are keen.

Spurs could also face competition from Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, who are said to have “started real negotiations in recent days.” Barca could still come back in for the player, although they have signed Anthony Gordon and agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Karim Adeyemi.

Spurs Need to Prioritise Kroupi First

via Reuters

If De Zerbi believes Rashford, dubbed “world-class” can take his Tottenham team to another level, the club’s transfer chiefs need to do their best to secure his signature. He’s proven to be one of the most talented English forwards, and his drop in form at United came amid a lack of confidence with constant managerial changes.

Player’s preference aside, the main stumbling block for Spurs is his wages, as he currently sits on £300,000 per week (via Capology) at Old Trafford. That’s a ridiculously high salary, and it’s hard to imagine the club agreeing to pay him that amount.

A potential deal could cost a reported £34.5m, which is a reasonable price, but not if he remains on such a high salary. The best course of action is to focus on signing Kroupi, a generational talent who can lead the line for De Zerbi’s team for years to come.

The Ederson transfer saga has taken a fresh twist as Manchester United sources have reportedly responded to claims that the deal is off.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday evening that United had pulled the plug on a £38m package deal for Ederson. That decision came after the Brazilian underwent medical tests, and there are suggestions in Italy that the club were concerned about his fitness.

Atalanta were said to believe the 27-year-old was “fully fit” and prepared to welcome him back into their squad. The situation has left fans puzzled, as reports that the transfer has collapsed are now being refuted.

Man Utd Sources Deny Ederson Deal Off

Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston has reported on his X account that United sources “strongly deny” that the deal is off. The club feel that reports about the transfer collapsing are to put pressure on them to complete it.

United and Atalanta agreed on a deal for Ederson back in May before the player earned a last-minute call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad. He’s believed to have undergone a medical test in the USA, which led to talk of possible complications.

Ederson has already agreed on personal terms with the Reds on a contract set to run until 2031. If he were to join the club he’d be making around £4.2m (€5m per year).

Reports from Italy suggest United decided against completing the deal due to concerns about an underlying knee issue. That’s despite the player only suffering three significant injuries during his time at Atalanta, including a meniscus injury in 2025.

Man Utd Need to Make a Decision

via Reuters

United might well feel the Italian media are trying to force them to get the deal over the line. They have taken their time completing the transfer, but there is clearly a holdup for a reason.

Ederson is waiting to make a dream move to Old Trafford, but a lack of clarity has left everybody outside of the club puzzled. Several midfield alternatives have been linked, including AS Roma’s Manu Kone.

The decision to spend £50m on Andrey Santos raised questions about the progress of Ederson’s switch. Many assume that the Brazilian is arriving at the club from Chelsea, rather than his compatriot.