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Argentina ‘Make Special Request to FIFA’ Before England World Cup Clash

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Argentina have reportedly made a special request to FIFA ahead of their 2026 World Cup semi-final clash against England on Wednesday.

The reigning world champions secured their place in the semi-finals courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Switzerland at the Kansas City Stadium. Lionel Scaloni’s side took an early lead when Alexis Mac Allister headed home Lionel Messi’s corner in the 10th minute.

However, Switzerland began to dominate the match in the second half and Dan Ndoye’s 67th-minute equaliser was no less than the European nation deserved.

The game’s turning point occurred five minutes later when Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card, following a mistaken identity VAR review, for a cynical dive.

Argentina went on to win the quarter-final 3-1, with Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both scoring in the second half of extra-time.

England and Argentina: Old Rivals

The South Americans now prepare to take on their old rivals England at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday night.

The two nations haven’t faced each other since the 2002 World Cup group stages, when England secured a 1-0 win thanks to a David Beckham penalty. Four years earlier, Beckham was famously sent off for kicking Diego Simeone as Argentina advanced to the quarter-finals.

But the most famous clash between the two countries happened at the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico. Legendary forward Diego Maradona netted the most infamous goal in football history – his ‘Hand of God’ goal where he punched the ball into the net after out-jumping Peter Shilton – before scoring the ‘Goal of the Century’ four minutes later.

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Argentina’s Request to FIFA

Lionel Messi (Argentina) REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final, Argentina have made a special request to FIFA in the hope that it may work in their favour.

Journalist Gaston Edul, per The Mirror, claims that Argentina have asked world football’s governing body if they can wear their all-blue kit as opposed to their iconic blue and white strip.

La Albiceleste have worn their traditional blue and white striped kit in all but one of their six 2026 World Cup matches. The exception was their 3-1 win over Jordan in the group stages.

Argentina wore navy blue during their two most famous wins over England at the 1986 and 1998 World Cup finals.

It seems the South American nation believe wearing navy blue once again could prove to be a lucky omen.

On this occasion, Argentina will be led by talismanic captain Messi, who has never faced England during his long career so far.

“Playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse, and matches against powerhouses are always special,” the 39-year-old, who is a contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award, told ESPN Argentina.

“It’s the first time I’m going to play against them. I’ve played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason too.

“We’ll experience it for what it is: a World Cup semi-final against a great team, and we’ll try to arrive in the best possible shape to compete again.”

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Man Utd Considering Fresh Move for Carlos Baleba

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Manchester United are considering a fresh move to bolster their midfield with a £100m star this summer, according to Football Insider’s Wayne Veysey.

The Red Devils have made midfield upgrades their priority for this window, and have already completed a £50m deal for Brazil international Andrey Santos from Chelsea. A deal for Atalanta’s Ederson had also been agreed before the club pulled out, while they have seen moves for Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, and Aurelien Tchouameni all fall to the wayside.

That has seen the club begin to look at potential alternatives, and that has taken them back to a familiar face in the market.

Man Utd Considering Fresh Baleba Move

Carlos Baleba during a Brighton & Hove Albion pre-match warm-up via Reuters

According to FI, Man Utd are considering a fresh move to try and sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba this summer.

Baleba was targeted by United last summer and agreed personal terms over a move, but the Seagulls put a £100m price tag on his head, which meant it never progressed. But with the Cameroon international keen on a move, and Brighton more open to a sale this time around, United are now looking at him once again.

“I still think there’s midfielders on the radar for Man United,” Veysey said.

“They’ll be obviously delighted to get a deal for Andrey Santos over the line. They might revisit a potential deal for Carlos Baleba at Brighton who they were interested in signing last summer and is still very much on their radar.

“And if they get an indication that Brighton could maybe drop their asking price for Baleba, then they might step up their interest in him.

“Man United ideally were looking to bring in three midfielders this summer with Casemiro leaving, and now Ugarte is out for a long-term injury as well, so they’re a bit short in that department.”

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

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Baleba Would Be Perfect Addition

brighton carlos baleba

Man Utd already have Kobbie Mainoo and Santos who are young midfielders looking to develop into top stars in the future, and ideally they need top-flight experience alongside them to help that.

Baleba may be young, but he has shown that he is more than capable of playing at the highest level, despite a difficult campaign in 2025/26, and United would be very smart to bring him in and secure his prime years at Old Trafford.

Should the Seagulls drop their price, as is expected, then it could be the ideal solution to their midfield problems.

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Alfie Haaland’s 6-Word Insult to Roy Keane After England vs Norway

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Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland have renewed their long-term rivalry by exchanging insults in the aftermath of the latter’s son being knocked out of the 2026 World Cup.

England beat Erling Haaland and Norway in the quarter-final in controversial circumstances as referee and VAR decisions dominated the fallout. First, Jude Bellingham’s first goal allegedly hit a camera cable in the build-up, although FIFA have since denied that claim.

Then Haaland was judged to have pushed Elliot Anderson inside the England box, leading to Norway having a goal disallowed. His father, who was seen in the stands, instantly took to social media to make his feelings clear.

Erling Haaland’s Dad Unhappy After England 2-1 Norway

Erling Haaland and Harry Kane after Norway 1-2 England REUTERS/Mike Segar

Alf-Inge responded to a Fabrizio Romano tweet by sarcastically congratulating Bellingham and referee Clement Turpin. “Well done Bellingham and referee,” the ex-Man City and Leeds United man posted.

He then responded to a post about Bellingham’s game-changing performance, claiming Norway had been ‘robbed’. Haaland said: “Really? Saved by the referee. Hope you win the WC now. But feel we got robbed today.”

Those posts were brought up on The Overlap, with Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Roy Keane giving their honest thoughts. Wright, an England legend, was dismissive of the idea that the referee decided the game.

“Is that sour grapes from Alf-Inge Haaland, saying well done to Bellingham and the referee? I think that was just a bit of a low blow from him,” the ex-Arsenal striker said.

Roy Keane

Keane, while holding no allegiance to the Three Lions, was quick to have a slight jab at the Norwegian. The two men have a well-documented history, both having been involved in serious injuries to the other.

The Irishman quickly remarked: “If you’re having a drink, then you’re seeing the game differently.” He claimed Haaland was seeing things in a different light ‘because he always seems to be drinking alcohol at the matches’.

Keane did go on to give a more balanced view, explaining he thought the referee had favoured England in 50/50 decisions. However, he doesn’t believe the big decisions were wrong.

“Listen, I’ll always be trying to go the other way (against England) a little bit, if it’s 50-50, but the push is a push and then he heads it, so there you go

“Families and fans after games, we saw the interviews with the England manager, Bellingham, family members, they’re all a bit emotional so you try and give them the benefit of the doubt.”

He still concluded that the referee can’t be an excuse: “But when people wake up tomorrow morning, you won’t be sitting there going, ‘The referee’s cost us’. You can’t. You can argue a couple of decisions but you can’t say, ‘He’s cost us’. No.”

Haaland obviously wasn’t too impressed, as the Daily Mail reports that he took aim at Keane by commenting under a post: “Once a p***k always a p***k.” It has since been deleted.

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What Conor McGregor Screamed at Max Holloway After Suffering Serious Knee Injury

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The eyes of the UFC world were on Conor McGregor on Saturday as he made his return to the cage when he faced off against Max Holloway. But what should have been a memorable night for its drama and action, became memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Ending his five-year absence from the UFC, McGregor flew out the gates quickly as he attempted to land a flying kick on his opponent. Unfortunately, however, he landed awkwardly on his right knee, leading him to sustain a bad injury.

The Irishman was evidently suffering from the injury and the Las Vegas bout had to be called off by referee Mike Beltran after just 69 seconds.

In the aftermath of the fight, Holloway revealed that, despite suffering the early injury, which could possibly be a torn ACL, McGregor was briefly insistent on fighting on one leg.

Conor McGregor’s Yell After Suffering Knee Injury

Conor McGregor Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

Speaking to Paramount +, Holloway said: “The referee said thanks for pushing him (to end the fight) because it is a hard spot. And Conor is crazy.

“Conor is like, ‘fight! fight!’, and I was like, ‘you’re f****** crazy, bro.’ For the first one, when he first fell down, he was like, ‘fight! fight! We’re good!’ And then he went down a second time, I could just tell. His whole demeanour changed.

“I had him weak in the knees, what can I say? I’m just praying for the guy, you know? All jokes aside, as a human being, even when I was in there I was saying to the referee, ‘Yo, this guy is done.'”

Later on at his post-fight press conference, Holloway added: “He brought his kids to the fight, come on. I’m not trying to beat up a wounded dog.”

Conor McGregor Reacts to Knee Injury

Conor McGregor after UFC 329 Credit: Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

The Irishman, meanwhile, has taken to social media to vent his frustrations, describing himself as being in a ‘dark’ place after the humiliation.

“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” McGregor wrote on his X account. “I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”

With recovery time for ACL’s ranging from six to 12 months, there is a long road to recovery ahead of ‘The Notorious’, and at 37, it is not clear whether the Irishman will travel down that road. However, you can never rule McGregor out, and he has already taken to social media to vow a return, writing: “I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”

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