Having started the 2026 World Cup with a bang – thumping Paraguay 4-1 – the US then took on Australia in their second Group D game. Playing in Seattle, they came away with a 2-0 win, built upon an excellent first-half display.

Despite missing star man Christian Pulisic through injury, the home team looked to be full of confidence as they started with great intensity. This helped Mauricio Pochettino’s men take a lead when Folarin Balogun forced an own goal in off Cameron Burgess after just 11 minutes.

Before the break, the USMNT had doubled their lead, with Alex Freeman surviving an initial offside call, with VAR allowing the goal to stand, with the American clearly onside. In the second half, Australia settled and looked a little more threatening. But they didn’t do enough to mount a comeback, with the home team hanging on to claim a 2-0 victory.

BBC Pundits Impressed by One USMNT Star

US players via Reuters/Troy Wayrynen

In particular, Balogun really caught the eye. Having scored a brace in that opening win against Paraguay, he once again looked lively in this game. Former France World Cup winner Olivier Giroud was blown away by Balogun’s efforts. He said on the BBC Sport coverage:

Theo Walcott also said he ‘loves’ the fact that the US striker is ‘so positive’, while adding that the player is great at ‘exposing centre-halves’ with his pace. That speed was apparent for the opening goal, while Balogun’s electric movement caused more problems in the second half as he won multiple corners.

Speaking to the press after the game, Balogun said, ‘It means everything’ to hear the US fans chanting his name in the stadium. He added: “To be able to replay the fans on the biggest stage means the world to me.”

US Fans Blown Away by Balogun vs Australia

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio

The BBC pundits weren’t the only ones to be impressed by the Monaco star either. Indeed, it’s fair to say the US fans were more than happy with Balogun’s efforts on the day. One said:

Another added: “Balogun really is incredible.” While a third word: “Balogun might be the best to ever put on a USMNT kit.” One more simply said: “Balogun is brilliant.”

With Balogun leading the way, many US fans are starting to believe that they are going to win the World Cup. One said:

Another added: “We are actually going to win the World Cup.” With a third adding: “The USA really are going to win the World Cup.”

With six points from their opening two games, the US have confirmed their place in the next round of the competition. If they can make it three wins from three in their final group game (against Turkey), confidence will be sky high.

When you are quite probably the greatest footballer of all time, everything you do will attract attention. Some of it will be good, but some of it will be unwanted. It’s the latter for Lionel Messi, despite his recent hat-trick to kick off Argentina’s World Cup campaign.

The 38-year-old was on fire as he smashed in three goals against Algeria to give his nation a 3-0 win in their Group J opener. Messi’s display in ​Kansas City left fans and pundits purring, as he took his tally of World Cup goals to 16 in total, now level with record holder Miroslav Klose.

In the aftermath of that game, however, one nation has now lodged an official complaint to FIFA.

Algeria Make Complaint Over Two Issues After Argentina Loss

Siphiwe Sibeko via Reuters

According to Reuters, Algeria have lodged a complaint about ‘alleged poor refereeing’ during their 3-0 loss to Argentina in their opening World Cup fixture. The report adds that ‘a source with direct knowledge of the matter’ has revealed that a letter was sent to FIFA’s refereeing commission, with particular reference to the first-half incident when Messi stood on the calf of ​Algeria captain Aissa Mandi.

While the team from Africa immediately argued that it should have been a red card, the iconic forward ⁠was not punished. Adding insult to injury, he then went on to score a hat-trick.

Beyond the Messi incident, Algeria also claim that an elbow from Liverpool midfielder Alexis ​Mac Allister in the face of Ibrahim Maza should have been punished. They question why it went unpunished by Szymon Marciniak. The experienced Polish referee, who was in charge of the 2022 World Cup final (won by Argentina on penalties against France), was within a meter of the incident when Mac Allister ​appeared to body-check Maza with a raised elbow.

Algeria’s complaint raises questions about Marciniak’s performance and that ​of his VAR team, led by compatriot Tomasz Kwiatkowski.

Pundits Offer Clear Verdict on Messi Incident vs Algeria

The general consensus was that Messi probably should have been sent off for the foul. ESPN pundit Nedum Onuoha said: think it should have been a red card, in my opinion. It feels like the moment was missed.” He added: “The referee’s probably missed it – and I understand why he’s missed it – but for the video assistant referee [VAR] to look at that and say ‘no, that’s all fine, there’s nothing more to it’… I personally think that’s worthy of a red.”

Onuoha’s co-pundit, the former Venezuela international Ale Moreno, went even further by claiming it was “100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should have been.”

Piers Morgan was a little more forthright with his criticism of the challenge, noting:

Argentina will ace Austria in Dallas next, while Algeria take on Jordan in San ​Francisco.

Tottenham Hotspur are working to complete seven signings this summer as ENIC go into overdrive in the transfer window.

Tottenham know that they got away with one after only avoiding relegation to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season, and club chiefs know they now need to back manager Roberto De Zerbi in the market to ensure it never happens again.

One of Spurs’ big weakness in recent seasons has been their defence, with the club conceding 183 Premier League goals across the previous three seasons.

The North Londoners have already moved decisively to try and fix their defensive issues, bringing in the experienced Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, while they have also reached a full agreement to sign another centre-back in Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion in a deal worth £52m.

Tottenham are not done there though, with top sources reporting talks for Manchester City’s Savinho, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, as well as trying to sort a permanent deal for Joao Palhinha following his successful season-long loan spell from Bayern Munich.

Spurs have spent just over £50m so far, and that number could soon go up significantly.

Tottenham Working to Complete Seven Signings

via Reuters

According to renowned Tottenham source Paul O’Keefe on X, Spurs are far from done with their summer business after already completing three agreements.

O’Keefe believes that the club will look to bring in four more signings in the remainder of the window, with four key positions identified.

Those include central midfield, where Spurs are already said to be holding talks over Palhinha, Tonali and Fernandes, with the suggestion that perhaps only one of those will join unless there is another major player exit from the engine room.

Then, De Zerbi also wants to strengthen his frontline, with a new left-winger, right-winger and a centre-forward wanted.

Who Could Still Leave Tottenham?

via Reuters

Tottenham will surely need to make some more room in their squad if further new players are to arrive, with major doubts over the future of captain Cristian Romero.

The Spurs skipper has been linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for months now, and the arrival of two new centre-backs only hints more that he could be on his way, at a time when the club really wants to keep Micky van de Ven.

In midfield, it has been claimed by David Ornstein that De Zerbi wants to sign both Tonali and Fernandes for his midfield, and if that was to happen then surely there would be one or two exits in midfield as well.

There could be doubts raised over the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall, who has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs in the past.

In attack, Mathys Tel has been linked with a move away from the club but De Zerbi is said to have blocked any transfer for the Frenchman, while Richarlison is linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in most transfer windows.