Canada coach Jesse Marsch became the first manager at this summer’s World Cup to win a knockout match, as his side edged South Africa 1-0 thanks to a 92nd-minute strike from former Porto midfielder, Stephen Eustaquio.

It marks a historic moment for Canadian football, with the co-hosts never having previously advanced from the group stage or even won a World Cup match before this summer.

Canada will now face the winner of the Netherlands and Morocco for a place in the quarter-finals, but the build-up to their breakthrough run has been just as eventful as the football itself.

Marsch Refuses to Take the Bait on USA Question

Canada coach Jesse Marsch via REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

A range of Marsch’s comments have come in for criticism from a host of pundits and former players. The 52-year-old was born and raised in the United States and even spent time as an assistant for the USMNT, but has been in charge of Canada since 2024, which is controversial enough in itself.

True to form, Marsch couldn’t resist having some input when asked about the USA’s upcoming round of 32 clash with Bosnia, who they drew 1-1 with in the group stage, despite previously vowing to steer clear of commenting on his home nation and vowing to never manage them.

Given Marsch was passed over for the USA job himself back in 2023, when Gregg Berhalter was reappointed ahead of him, it’s hard not to wonder if there’s a touch of sour grapes behind the comments.

Clint Dempsey Hits Back at Marsch’s National Anthem Claim

Marsch’s comments on the eve of the tournament, revealing he and former USMNT manager Bob Bradley once had to plead with players to sing the national anthem, also continue to draw reaction.

Clint Dempsey wasn’t impressed with Marsch’s words, saying:

Despite the ongoing back-and-forth, Marsch insists he remains “proud to be American,” even if his outspoken style and current role continue to split opinion on both sides of the border.

Lewis Hamilton had a rather blunt response for Max Verstappen after the Dutchman had called for him to be penalised during the Austrian Grand Prix this past weekend.

The Ferrari and Red Bull drivers went wheel-to-wheel on lap 11 of yesterday’s Austrian GP in a battle for second place, before Verstappen opted to back out of the attack, claiming the Brit had made an illegal manoeuvre.

Calls for a penalty from the four-time world champion were waved away by stewards, however, and after the race had finished, Hamilton delivered a rebuttal when questioned by the media post-race.

Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen’s Austrian GP Battle

Two drivers on the grid with 11 Drivers’ Championships between them became locked in battle once again at the Red Bull Ring, for yesterday’s Austrian Grand Prix.

While George Russell began to pull ahead in front, the battle for second ensued, with lap 11 sparking the first major flashpoint.

Verstappen dived past Hamilton into turn 3, but the latter refused to yield, drawing back alongside through the sweepers. The pair then went wheel-to-wheel before the Dutchman ran out of road on the outside line of turn 6, and was forced onto the gravel.

After being forced towards the gravel, the 28-year-old was not impressed by his rival’s antics, exclaiming over the team radio: “That’s a penalty, a clear penalty.”

Verstappen went on to finish in P2, sharing the podium with the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, while Hamilton could only manage fifth, two spots ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc after Ferrari struggled with tyre degradation.

Lewis Hamilton’s Response to Max Verstappen’s Penalty Cry

When asked about his battle with Verstappen after the race, Hamilton told reporters: “It was great. Good fun.

The 41-year-old racing veteran was coming off the back of his first win in Ferrari colours at the Barcelona Grand Prix, which had put him second in the Drivers’ Championship standings. He now sits third, but seems to have rediscovered his mojo, with F1 fans excited to see what he can produce heading into his home race at Silverstone, and whether he could even mount a challenge for world title number eight.

The British driver maintains that the gap to Mercedes is still sizeable, with the Scuderia needing a power upgrade as soon as possible to try to close the gap.

Hamilton said: “We are going to have to push really hard to see when we can get the next power upgrade. We have to look at why and how we can improve that, but it’s not going to come for a while.

“It’s not necessarily power as when you come out of the corner you feel you have the grunt. It’s deployment at the end. Ours tails off. Mercedes, particularly, keep going.”

The British Grand Prix kicks off next week at Silverstone, with a Sprint Race followed by the main race at 15:00 BST on Sunday.

Liverpool have to react quickly after missing out on Yan Diomande after learning that the RB Leipzig star has chosen Paris Saint-Germain as his preferred next club.

The RB Leipzig winger had been the Reds’ top choice to replace Mohamed Salah, and the Ivorian ticks plenty of boxes. At only 19, he is one of the most exciting teenagers in European football, but he won’t be arriving at Anfield.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Liverpool have ended their pursuit of Diomande due to the player wanting to join PSG. The club’s decision-makers are now exploring alternatives to add a new winger to Andoni Iraola’s attack.

Liverpool Should Turn to Barcola

Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

There are four players who are on Liverpool’s radar, including PSG’s Bradley Barcola. With Diomande potentially heading to the Parc des Princes, the French attacker could make way.

Barcola is on the Merseysiders’ shortlist and might become available if the Parisians decide to swoop for Diomande. The 23-year-old has been an important player for Luis Enrique and registered 13 goals and seven assists in 49 games across competitions last season.

PSG’s interest in Diomande is somewhat surprising given the pool of attacking options they possess. Barcola is one of them, and he will surely be pondering his future if another winger with a similar profile arrives.

Praised as “one of the world’s best wingers”, the former Lyon man’s exploits tend to go under the radar in Paris. His teammates Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia often get all the plaudits in the dominant European champions’ team.

Liverpool have an opportunity to swoop for Barcola and propose that he becomes their marquee signing to fill the void left by Salah. He has enormous talent and could relish the chance to play a lead role at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Barcola has two years left on his contract and has been with the French capital club since August 2023. He seems a perfect fit for Iraola’s system and his versatility could see him used on either flank.

Barcola is the Best of the Lot

via Reuters

There are four wingers on Liverpool’s wishlist who they are considering turning to after conceding defeat in the race for Diomande. They also admire Koln’s Said El Mala, Lille’s Matias Fernandes-Pardo and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh.

Barcola is undoubtedly the best option of the four, as he has been part of a team that has dominated Europe and French football. He’s even earning game time for France at the World Cup and is arguably outperforming PSG teammate Doue.

A move for Barcola will, of course, be dependent on whether the Parisian giants decide to sign Diomande. Some reports claim the Ligue 1 club will be demanding around €80 million (£69m).