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Gary Neville has hit back at Thomas Tuchel's suggestions that English football's 'DNA' was to blame for their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.The Three Lions boss has come under intense scrutiny for his tactics and substitutions in Atlanta, especially after Anthony Gordon had given England the lead early in the second half.The Barcelona winger was taken off in the 72nd minute for Ezri Konsa as Tuchel's side continued to drop deeper under Argentine pressure. Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez eventually scored twice to send the World Cup holders into Sunday's final against Spain.Following the criticism, Tuchel suggested it was "not in our [English football] DNA like it is in Spanish DNA or in Argentinian-Brazilian DNA, to take the ball and control the game with the ball".Despite that, Neville took issue with the German's comments, referencing his decision to leave Kobbie Mainoo on the bench when the team needed a midfielder more composed on the ball and citing his decision to leave others more comfortable in possession out of his squad entirely."I have a big problem with that," Neville said on the Stick to Football Podcast.How Tuchel's changes spectacularly backfiredPundits and reporters criticise Tuchel's tactics in loss to ArgentinaTuchel vows to stay on as criticism of England's tactics mountsEngland player ratings: Spence shines but Bellingham, Rice and Kane fail to deliver"He didn't bring Kobbie Mainoo on, who could handle the ball better than most. He didn't bring Bukayo Saka on, who could probably handle the ball better than most. But he also left Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Morgan Gibbs-White and Trent Alexander-Arnold at home, technical players. He's left out what would be generational talents."I did think that he'll look back and think: 'Did I send the right message to the players after the goal went in?' Putting three defensive players on before he brings on an attacker."I'm saying this in a non-explosive manner, he [Tuchel] will regret that. He gave the players a message to hang on, and they were dropping deeper in the box, and he didn't really help them get out with the substitutes he put on."Neville's comments come within 24 hours of a more balanced approach than some to England's exit, refusing to lay the boot in on Tuchel and pointing to years of similar issues once again playing their part - including when he was a player.He told Sky Sports News: "A sobering night for England, but it's been a good tournament. Fans will be extremely disappointed but I never had us winning the tournament from the beginning."Maybe the optimists among us thought we were going to win but I never felt we were. I thought getting to the semi-final is an incredible achievement."The reality of it is some of the same patterns emerged that have happened with England in tournaments gone by over the last 20 to 30 years."Tuchel chose to try and win the game in the same way he did with 10 men against Mexico, where we were resolute, resilient, tight, compact and got over the line."He tried to do the same thing in seeing the game out, but there was an avalanche of pressure with great crosses and we just got done by quality and the second goal is magnificent from [Lionel] Messi with the quality that he has."It's something England teams have been guilty of so often. I don't know how you change it. I went to eight tournaments as a player or coach - five of them we were knocked out on penalties. Many of them ended up sitting back on our own box very deep, not on the front foot. The very opposite of what English football is."All I can put it down to - and I've experienced what a lot of those England players did last night - is your legs get heavy, you start to come under pressure, protecting your lead, you think you can get over the line by keeping a clean sheet and keeping the ball out of your net, rather than thinking more positively about how you can counter-attack and score the second goal."These are patterns that have emerged time and time again. All of us who have played for England are guilty of it, so the idea of me lumping in on Tuchel just isn't going to happen."I was just as big a part of the problem as the lads who played last night that sunk deep into our own box. It's something in our psyche, something we've done that puts pressure on ourselves and we've been knocked out of tournaments so many times in this way. It's not good enough."We haven't got enough technical ability to play through the middle third. The players at the other elite countries have the ability to keep the ball under possession in the highest pressure of matches. Then you add that little bit of stardust like Messi, you get over the line. We haven't been able to do that."It wasn't the greatest of nights for Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. They had quiet nights by their standards. That second goal could come from a little bit of magic, those difference makers. That's what you're looking for on a night like that."Gary Neville on Sky Sports News: "Once we started to get back into our own box, Messi spotted a little position out on that right side when we were quite narrow. Even at 5-4-1, we were so narrow. "It meant he pulled out on the right-hand side and took the game away from us on his own - that was the one frustration for me. It's easy to say 'go and mark Messi', but we should have flooded that area and never have tucked in. We should have left one or two players out on the pitch. "People talk about the negative substitutions and putting defenders on, but it was those defenders not attaching themselves to Messi that was a massive factor."While Sky Sports pundit Neville does not believe Tuchel should leave, he did point out some of the mistakes the German made and could reflect on ahead of the next major tournament in 2028.Neville added: "I don't think about his future. The pressure for his decision-making is legitimate, he tried to win it in a certain way."The majority will disagree with the way he approached that. He will get criticism because he was the big-ticket manager to be the difference maker and gamechanger in the tight moments - the fine lines of international football where it's on penalties, or a substitution or the last five minutes of a World Cup semi-final."He was brought in to be the person who was able to deal with that and he hasn't got over the line, so he will come under pressure."But I never expected England to win this tournament. I didn't think they were good enough. They've been slightly fortunate that they've played some teams along the way as well that were favourable. So the first time they came up against a team who had elite experience of keeping the ball, they've fallen at that first fence of playing against an elite team."Ultimately, I don't believe we keep the ball in the biggest matches in the most important moments. It's been a fault of England for many years."And the squad Tuchel picked was a counter-attacking squad. He took out the technical players like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton and he didn't play Kobbie Mainoo."Not to bring on Mainoo to try and get a grip of the game and not bring on Bukayo Saka or Marcus Rashford for some pace was a mistake. He'll regret that, but he'll know that and reflect on that himself."Neville caught the attention of Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero after Wednesday's game. He called the Sky Sports pundit "stupid" for criticising his centre-back pairing with Lisandro Martinez, with the Sky Sports pundit having called them the "best-worst centre-half pairing in the world".Romero told DSports: "The only thing that I hope for is that when I retire, I am not that stupid. Hopefully I won't criticise a player or anyone."It was only fair for the former Manchester United full-back to have his reply, and he told Sky Sports News: "Just to add extra words to what I said: they give goals away. They've conceded six goals in four knockout matches."Those two should hug Messi every single day because he's had to pull them out of the mire when they conceded two against Egypt, two against Cape Verde and one against England."But I did go onto say they are incredible, and their force of nature of how they go and win the game for their country - they go from the sublime to the ridiculous. They go and win every attacking header in the penalty box and sometimes in the defensive box."Romero played in a team last year who nearly got relegated in the Premier League and conceded 65 goals, so I think I know what I'm talking about when I watch a player."Romero is very talented, so is Lisandro Martinez, but they do make mistakes, lots of them and they have conceded goals."I just see a contradiction in games between them. He's relatively young, Romero, so he's not an experienced defender yet and he's had incredible achievements. He's won a World Cup. But without Lionel Messi last night and the last two tournaments... Argentina didn't win last night because of their centre-backs. They won because of arguably the greatest player of all time."

World Cup News

Whether through livestreams or in-person attendance, America’s mayors have taken a variety of approaches to integrating soccer into their comms strategyFrom the moment he entered office, New York City Zohran Mamdani hasn’t hesitated to make his love of soccer clear. The former New York state assembly member hosted a watch party for the Africa Cup of Nations final soon after moving in to City Hall, littered speeches with references to soccer stars past and present, and remained a fixture at a Brooklyn pub to watch his beloved Arsenal on their way to a Premier League title.The World Cup, though, is a different level. And as such, Mamdani has stood out over the last month-plus for being one of several municipal politicians in US host cities using the tournament – and soccer in general – as a way to connect with constituents, advance political goals, or in some cases, change the perception of their city among the public at large.Mayors pursuing these sorts of goals is nothing new. But in the United States, where American football, basketball and baseball hold much of the public’s attention, using soccer to get there is a novel concept.“Football holds a rare power,” Mamdani said in the latest of his Morning Pitch live streams, which have delivered traffic and weather information to New Yorkers on World Cup game days, in addition to soliloquies about the sport. The streams have been a hit; enough so that the final edition, due to arrive Sunday for the World Cup final in nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey, will have a special guest host: Gary Lineker, the famed presenter and former England striker.In Mamdani’s case, the football chat comes naturally. But for most mayors in the US, this year is their first exposure to a World Cup, and certainly to one on home soil.San Jose mayor Matt Mahan’s playing career ended in childhood; he stayed connected with the game by coaching during his time as a teacher and now by watching his young daughter, who plays in a local league. He saw the hosting of World Cup games in nearby Santa Clara as a prime opportunity to change the perception of the city he oversees.“One of the things that we were able to communicate and show off about our city is that San Jose is fun, that it’s cool and that it’s a destination,” said Mahan. “That may not sound like a big deal to somebody in, say, New York, but in our region, San Jose is kind of a workhorse city. We’re a bedroom community where a lot of the Silicon Valley workforce lives, but we’re not seen as a, generally seen as a cultural destination, the way that San Francisco is.”Mahan said that local organizers sought to communicate that feeling by hosting watch parties in downtown’s San Pedro Square – gatherings they estimated would draw about 350,000 people over the life of the tournament, but with a total attendance that now sits just north of 900,000 before the final match.Hosting big events is nothing new for the Bay Area or San Jose specifically, with the Super Bowl having just taken place at Levi’s Stadium earlier this year. But Mahan noted that the extended nature of the World Cup – and its international appeal – provides new opportunities to reach out to constituents.“You have a lot of time and so many matches that there are a lot of bites at the apple,” he said. “The Super Bowl is one game … there’s nothing like the World Cup where virtually every community can be activated.“I mean, I’ve been out to San Pedro every, every day or two throughout the tournament, done a lot of selfie videos, and walking around talking to people, and just trying to actually document what we’re doing and celebrate our cultural diversity and our cultural vibrancy, and the small businesses.”The approach has been similar around the country, with Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass announcing numerous watch party locations throughout the city. In Philadelphia, the World Cup coincided with the Fourth of July and America 250 festivities, with Mayor Cherelle Parker personally calling performers on Independence Day to continue a concert after thunderstorms had seemingly wiped it out.In Kansas City, Mayor Quinton Lucas had a slightly different goal: introducing the city to the world at large. He described the hosting efforts as a way to “brand the city” in an interview with KCUR, saying the World Cup was also an opportunity to advocate for the city’s ongoing streetcar project – a rare public transportation win in a city that is still majority car-based and faced numerous traffic issues on game days for fans getting to and from the stadium.In Mamdani’s case, the city he oversees hardly needs selling. Rather, he has used his daily livestreams as a way to further his own political philosophy, connecting it to the sport he has followed since he was a kid growing up in Uganda.These efforts are gaining him followers well outside the five boroughs. For his stream about Brazil v Morocco (his pick for World Cup winner) on 13 June, Mamdani used the moment to educate viewers about Sócrates, the Brazilian midfielder known for his political activism. The moment went viral in Brazil, even being reposted by Corinthians, Sócrates’ former team in São Paulo.The sport, Mamdani said on a recent stream, has “the power to give billions worldwide a glimpse into another world –one beyond jobs that don’t pay enough, bills that pile up and leaders who never meet their promises. The power to deliver joy to the people.”

Football News

The 25-year-old signed for Liverpool from RB Leipzig for £60m in 2023 and was the stand-out performer for the Reds last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists."There's always more to come. I'm never happy," said Szoboszlai. "I want to set the example. I want to be an example also for everyone, as much as I can."When I signed, I said I want to win everything. That didn't change for a little moment either. It stayed the same."I want to win everything that is possible in this country, also let's say the Champions League. I'm ready to go for it."The Hungary international, who had two years left on his previous deal, has ended speculation surrounding his future after months of negotiations between his camp and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes.Talks accelerated in recent weeks and a deal was agreed and signed this week. The new deal will see him commit his future to Liverpool to 2031, with both club and player believing that Szoboszlai's best years are still ahead of him.In February, Mohamed Salah, who left Liverpool at the end of the season, described Szoboszlai as "one of the best players in the world".With Andy Robertson leaving Anfield this summer, Liverpool need to appoint a new vice-captain and, now his future is resolved, Szoboszlai will be a strong contender to take up that role. He captains his national side.Szoboszlai returned to Merseyside on Tuesday for pre-season training and will be part of Liverpool's touring party when they travel to the United States for their pre-season tour next week.How Szoboszlai became Liverpool's key manSzoboszlai is a brilliant footballer and Liverpool see him as a future leader. Securing his services with his best years ahead of him is a much better look for the club after the way they lost Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid.With the dressing room losing the likes of Salah, Robertson and Konate this summer - and Alisson and Virgil van Dijk's contracts expiring in 12 months, Szoboszlai's long-term commitment is a massive boost for the club and underlines their commitment to retaining their best players.Liverpool had a forgettable 2025-26 campaign, but the Hungarian was named as their player of the season after a stellar individual campaign.At various times, his leadership qualities were praised by then head coach Arne Slot too.Asked if Szoboszlai has the attributes to be a future leader, Slot said: "Yes, but he is still young."There is still a step to make in terms of leadership, being vocal and a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil."Go back to 2023 when Szoboszlai signed for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp. Klopp's verdict then was that "this is a signing for our present and also for our future".Szoboszlai will now be at Anfield for the foreseeable future.Pre-match, post-match and topical Reds contentListen on SoundsSubscribe and listen for everything you love about LiverpoolLatest Liverpool news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Liverpool - what do you want to know?

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There is no sugar-coating a semi-final loss to footballing rivals in a World Cup. It hurts.Compound that with so many 'nearlies' in recent tournaments - back-to-back European final losses in 2021 and 2024, and another World Cup semi-final exit in 2018.Then if you add the manner in which England lost their grasp on a place in this final, it might seem difficult to find many reasons for positivity.But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom - we've found some reasons to be cheerful.To have a squad containing not one but two Golden Boot contenders is no mean feat in a World Cup.It's perhaps not surprising that Harry Kane - who came in to the 2026 World Cup after averaging a goal every 66 minutes for Bayern Munich this season - quickly put himself in contention to be the competition's top scorer. He picked up two goals in the opening game against Croatia, followed by four more as England progressed through the tournament.Jude Bellingham was possibly a less likely candidate, having had a relatively quiet season at Real Madrid compared to his previous two after recovering from a shoulder operation.However, Bellingham finds himself equal with Kane's tally of six goals ahead of the third-place play-off, during which either player could clinch the tournament's Golden Boot should they better or equal current joint-top leaders Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi's total of eight.Both players came to England's rescue when it was needed most - Kane's brace against DR Congo preventing a humiliating round of 32 exit, and Bellingham's double against Norway sealing their place in the semi-finals.While Kane has not committed to featuring at the 2030 World Cup, we should get at least one more outing for the goalscoring pair together at the 2028 Euros.While the aforementioned exits late in the World Cup and Euros may be painful to remember, they are still a sign of immense progress for England's tournament progression.Prior to the 2018 World Cup semi-final, England had not gone further than the tournament's quarter-finals since Italy 1990.And until their 2020 Euros final loss to Italy, they had only ever reached as far as the quarter-finals since their 1996 semi-final loss to Germany.The lack of silverware is still apparent - but to reach either a semi-final or final in four of the last five major tournaments is a huge upturn in form.Away from the football itself, one of the major stories out of the 2026 World Cup has been the conditions that players - and fans - have faced during matches.It wasn't just the heat - humidity, lightning, and rain have all impacted games.While England did benefit from some fixtures being played in air-conditioned stadiums with roofs, such as in Atlanta against DR Congo, other conditions were less forgiving. Those included the stifling humidity and soaring temperatures in Miami for their quarter-final against Norway.The much-discussed altitude of Mexico's Azteca stadium for England's round of 16 match against the co-host nation was perceived to be a major hurdle for the squad to overcome. That was before you took into account Mexico's fearsome home record and notoriously raucous atmosphere at the ground.Despite this, England adapted well and never seemed to be struggling due to the external factors imposed on them during games - or at least, managed to struggle less than their opponents.While pre-tournament training camps to adjust to the conditions will have helped with preparation, it is testament to the players' mental and physical strength that they managed to persevere in oppressive conditions better suited to opponents accustomed to playing in extreme weather. That could stand them in good stead for the more familiar conditions that will be present at Euro 2028.Manager Thomas Tuchel's squad selection in May raised a few eyebrows when he left out players who have featured regularly in tournament football for England - such as Harry Maguire.Also missing out were younger stars who many thought had proven themselves for the squad - like Cole Palmer - and high-profile names playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold.However, the decision to include players like Djed Spence - playing for relegation-threatened Tottenham - proved to be a fruitful one.Aside from the high-scoring names like Kane and Bellingham, Spence is one of the players who has come in for particular praise this tournament for his solid defensive displays.He came in for particular adulation from both fans and pundits following the semi-final loss to Argentina, making several key tackles as England attempted to hold back the attacking tide of their opponents.Defenders may not often come in for the same lavish praise as Golden Boot contenders. However, if England are to finally win another tournament, they will need players like Spence to add squad depth as well as their headline superstars.One of the biggest criticisms of this current England side is an over-reliance on individual players like Harry Kane, who at the age of 32 will not be around much longer to rescue his side from tight spots such as the one they found themselves in against DR Congo.With other veteran players likely to bow out from the international stage soon, there could be concerns their experience of tournament football will be a big loss to the squad.However, with so much young talent at Tuchel's disposal, it could also be seen as an exciting opportunity to rebuild.Many fans felt Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha was unlucky to not make the full squad after a few impressive showings in his debut Premier League season - followed by being named man of the match on his debut at the age of 17 in a tournament warm-up match against New Zealand.And Arsenal's Max Dowman - who became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at the age of 16 in March, as well as the youngest-ever Premier League winner in May - is another exciting prospect for future tournaments.It's also important to remember that tournament star player Jude Bellingham, along with Elliot Anderson, Jarell Quansah, Morgan Rogers and James Trafford are still all aged just 23 years old. They will be 27 at the next World Cup - statistically the perfect age to win the trophy.England will play France for the World Cup third place on Saturday in Miami, which will be live on the BBC.Attention will then turn to the Nations League beginning on 24 September, which will be another opportunity for Tuchel and his players to learn from what went wrong at the World Cup and build on the positives.Then it's on to the Euros in 2028 - on home soil, as it is being co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.Many fans will dare to dream of a third consecutive final based on what we've seen this summer - but this time with a different outcome.Effort, spirit and moments - but do England lack all-round quality?What next for England? How does Tuchel fix key problems for Euro 2028?60 years of hurt - England's World Cup wait in numbersWho are the World Cup's record holders?

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The International Football Association Board (Ifab) tweaked the VAR protocol effective from this summer.A VAR could now intervene to change a yellow or red card if a referee had incorrectly identified which team's player committed the offence.This was activated twice at the World Cup, firstly to overturn a yellow card given to United States defender Tim Ream for a foul and switch it to Paraguay's Miguel Almiron for a dive.Leandro Paredes was booked for a reckless challenge, but the Swiss striker was shown to have initiated the contact.As Embolo was already on a caution, the 29-year-old was given a second yellow card following the VAR review and subsequently dismissed.The decision came just five minutes after Switzerland had made it 1-1 in the last-eight tie, with Argentina going on to win 3-1 after extra time.Yet BBC Sport has spoken to a number of domestic leagues who said the use of mistaken identity for simulation had not previously been mentioned, and it came as a complete surprise.There was a great deal of concern about the potential impact at club level.One league in particular spoke about how it could cause "chaos", with every yellow card reviewable for potential simulation.There were other concerns, too, about the additional pressure it would place on officials for their initial decisions.It would create a two-tier system, whereby simulation could only be reviewed if a yellow card had been shown.If a team were to concede a goal from a free-kick, where the opponent embellished contact but there was no booking, there would undoubtedly be more controversy about the role of the VAR.As officials gathered at matches for the opening qualifying rounds of European competition this week, Uefa told its VARs they should only use the new law in true cases of mistaken identity.In briefings before the World Cup, Pierluigi Collina - Fifa's head of referees - had used an example from the Euro 2016 final.Referee Mark Clattenburg gave a free-kick to Portugal on the edge of the area, with France defender Laurent Koscielny booked for handball, although Portugal striker Eder had used his arm.In this case, Fifa said the VAR could intervene and give the free-kick to France.At no stage in the briefings or news conferences over several months had simulation been referenced - even though it would be the most obvious intended use.Changing from a foul to simulation is subjective and, in the cases of Almiron and Embolo the referee did have to visit the screen.Therefore, Uefa believes simulation is not mistaken identity.As the VAR can now intervene on incorrect second yellow cards, it would be possible to punish diving if the player who committed the foul is sent off for two bookings.Simulation can also be penalised if it results in an incorrect straight red card or a penalty.European football's governing body has already rejected the option to intervene to issue red cards if a player covers their mouth in a confrontation, with Almiron and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie sent off for doing so at the World Cup.The head referees from Uefa's 54 member nations are due to hold a summit next week to discuss all aspects of VAR use.Mistaken identity will be among the topics, and BBC Sport understands the domestic leagues are likely to follow Uefa and only use it as a factual review.The Ifab was not willing to discuss the interpretation of the law when contacted.When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC SportHow to watch the World Cup on the BBC and ITV

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The world is waiting. The World Cup final gets under way at 20:00 BST on Sunday.It will be the 23rd final in World Cup history. Can you name all of the teams who have ever played in the game's biggest showpiece?After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026Play more quizzesQuiz: Name every nation at the 2026 World CupWhich World Cup team are you? Take our quizWorld Cup quiz: Name every player in England's squadWorld Cup quiz: Name every player in Scotland's squad

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Donald Trump has largely steered clear of the Geopolitics World Cup: he is yet to attend a game and appear on screen with his good pal “Jonny” Infantino. Oh, though there was that time Trump rang Fifa to lobby for a review into Folarin Balogun’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the reversal of the USA USA USA forward’s last-16 suspension crushing the integrity of the competition. An impactful cameo off the bench, you could argue.But the GWC final between Spain and Argentina – the bigliest, winningest of occasions – demands a starting role for the US president. The White House has confirmed Trump’s attendance at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, potentially setting up a re-run of last year’s Copa Gianni final at the same venue. After Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea triumphed against Paris Saint-Germain (how time flies), Trump and Infantino handed over the trophy to Reece James. While Fifa’s president showed an understanding of social norms and tried to vacate the stage before the lift, Trump stayed superglued to his position as he celebrated between Robert Sánchez and a clearly bemused Cole Palmer. “I knew he was going to be here but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy,” Palmer sniffed. “I was a bit confused.”The boos rang out for Trump back then, as they did at Madison Square Garden when he watched the New York Knicks’ sole loss during the NBA finals in June. “It was, I think, mostly cheers,” Trump proclaimed. “It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic.” Any further hostility on Sunday will likely be twisted too. What, you wonder, would be a useful antidote to the presidential sideshow? We can only hope that, regardless of the result, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal come together for a few pics on the podium, 19 years on from their first photoshoot with one another.It is just ridiculous, isn’t it? Those pictures from 2007 are doing the rounds once again, of a 20-year-old Messi cradling a baby for a charity calendar raising funds for Unicef. That child has become the master’s spiritual successor at Barcelona, inheriting the No 10 shirt, and they will meet again in a World Cup final. The snappers will be all over them when they embrace at the close, and let us pray no one tries to photobomb. “Um, excuse me, President Trump … you’re in the shot.”The daily GWC news liveblog has a few more days left in it: here’s the latest edition. While you can also follow day two of the Open.Want a pick of Big Website’s essential sportswriting and highlights in the past seven days? Well, subscribe to the Recap then.“I’m going to keep watching all the games from Olivos. Since it’s cold and I don’t turn on the heat, I wear an oil company-branded jacket. The day of the Switzerland game, it made me really hot. I took it off, and they scored a goal against us. I put it back on and never took it off again” – at least one populist president won’t be at the GWC final, after Argentina’s Javier Milei’s admission that superstition convinced him to watch Sunday’s match with Spain from home in attire that probably won’t go down well with anyone who cares about the sizzling-hot climate.double quotation markRe: naming the 2030 World Cup (Football Daily letters passim). May I suggest ‘The Carbon Footprint WC’ or simply ‘El Carbonaro’” – Krishna Moorthy.double quotation markBrian Saffer’s suggestions for letting everyone join in the next World Cup and splitting into three divisions surely must lead to it being called the Swiss Model World Cup – SMWC” – George Paterson.double quotation markYou could always stop trying to be too clever by half and just refer to it as ‘the World Cup’” – Alan Burgess.double quotation markOh, you thought the STOP FOOTBALL campaign might last two days but, no, Major League Soccerball is back, baby! Four matches were played last night as the league announced, via its back-to-action campaign: ‘Thanks, World; We’ll Take It From Here’” – JJ Zucal.If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day goes to … JJ Zucal. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.

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Sunday's World Cup final will be a meeting of stars but the two managers overseeing Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and the rest do not share the high-profile status of many of their players.Lionel Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente haven't managed a top-level club game between them. One fell into the job as a caretaker. The other was promoted from the U21s. And yet they have already transformed the fortunes of Argentina and Spain respectively.Argentina hadn't won a major tournament in a quarter of a century when Scaloni took over from Jorge Sampaoli, for whom he was assistant, in 2018. He now has them on the brink of a fourth in a row having won the Copa America either side of the last World Cup.De la Fuente, meanwhile, is aiming to add a World Cup to Spain's European Championship triumph in 2024, having kicked off a winning era for the country by clinching the Nations League only six months after replacing Luis Enrique in 2023.Their success, as coaches with modest, or, in Scaloni's case, non-existent, club experience, differentiates them from most other managers to have won international tournaments in recent years.The 2020 European Championship-winning coach was former Manchester City and Inter boss Roberto Mancini with Italy. The 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps managed Monaco, Juventus and Marseille before taking the France job.Many nations went down the route of making big-name appointments ahead of this year's World Cup, in spite of Argentina and Spain's success under Scaloni and De la Fuente.Tuchel blames England DNA for World Cup exitThe big questions facing Tuchel and EnglandThomas Tuchel, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, was heralded as the elite tactician to finally get England over the line but instead finds himself being held responsible for their semi-final elimination.Former Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann brought pedigree to the Germany job but has left the role following their round of 32 exit to Paraguay, having only made the quarter-finals at the European Championship two years ago.Five-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti, hired at considerable expense by Brazil, did not get past the last 16 of the World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino's USA were eliminated at the same stage. And then there's Marcelo Bielsa, who said he "left nothing" to Uruguayan football after their group-stage exit.Their collective travails at the tournament raise questions. What actually makes a good international manager in the modern era? What do reputations forged at club level really count for when the conditions and nuances of international jobs are so vastly different?Tuchel, Ancelotti and Pochettino may yet bring the success England, Brazil and USA crave, of course. But Argentina and Spain have already cracked it with Scaloni and De la Fuente.Their appointments were met with scepticism. But they have built the success of their projects on togetherness, by fostering trust and nurturing strong relationships with and between their players."Some time ago, we began to emphasise a word that gave us a great deal of security, confidence and strength - family," said De la Fuente, who is helped by having known many of his players from his decade-long spell coaching Spain's U19s and U21s."That's where he began to build everything we see now," said Rodri, now their captain, who was part of De la Fuente's European Championship-winning U19 team in 2015.De la Fuente's players highlight the importance of his approach to building team spirit. "He's an amazing leader," said Dani Caravajal after their European Championship triumph two years ago. "He has managed to get us all pulling in the same direction."Scaloni, like De la Fuente, spent time working in his country's youth ranks, albeit more fleetingly, as U20s coach for a period of a few months in 2018. He even counted the Spain boss as one of his mentors when studying for his pro licence in Madrid.His remit differs from De la Fuente's in that his team has been built to platform one star player in Lionel Messi. His task will become harder once the great man calls time on his international career. But Argentina's collective spirit is similarly striking."The most important thing about Scaloni is that he treats us all equally," said Nicolas Otamendi. Emi Martinez has also talked up the importance of his man-management skills. "I think his biggest strength is that his players would give their lives for him."Tuchel has of course put unity at the heart of his England project, omitting any potentially disruptive influences from his squad and asking his players to form a brotherhood. But his confrontational nature came out with his comments after the Norway and Argentina games and now threatens to undermine his tenure.England, of course, appointed Tuchel having gone down the alternative route by promoting Gareth Southgate from the U21s. Getting everyone to pull together is not enough on its own. Crucially, Scaloni and De la Fuente have also demonstrated a level of tactical acumen Southgate was seen to lack.Scaloni is known for his tactical flexibility and his ability to read games and react accordingly. "He always knows what game we have to play," said Alexis Mac Allister. "He has a very clear idea but knows how to adapt to each opponent," said Javier Mascherano.Argentina have ridden their luck at different points in the tournament but their ability to adapt to different circumstances, to defend deep, dominate the ball or play on the break, has become a feature of they approach during Scaloni's reign.De la Fuente, meanwhile, provided ample evidence of his tactical expertise in Spain's semi-final. Spain are defined by their passing game but their passage to the final was secured by stifling France's attack thanks to the manager's out-of-possession set-up."The team played sensationally well, I'd say even better without the ball than with it," said Rodri. "We stopped them from playing with our pressing, our working. It was a very complete game by everyone."Only one of Scaloni and De la Fuente will lift the trophy on Sunday. But they have already outperformed Tuchel, Ancelotti and the rest, their success a reminder that club-level pedigree offers no guarantees when it comes to international management.

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When Spain and Argentina meet in Sunday's World Cup final, the thought of lifting the famous trophy will be the only thing on the players' minds.However, the result at New York New Jersey Stadium could prove significant beyond crowning the world champions - it could effectively decide who wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or.The era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo domination may be long gone, but in recent years there has still always been a clear favourite to scoop the prize.There are plenty of contenders, although history tells us it is difficult to take top spot without also winning the Champions League or a major international tournament in the same year.Could the World Cup final decide who will earn the award - perhaps swinging it the way of Lamine Yamal or Messi - or will the winner be someone else?In one of the tightest races in history, the decisive moment might not have happened yet.What next for England? How does Tuchel fix key problems for Euro 2028?Only four of the past 19 Ballon d'Or wins have gone to a player who did not triumph in the Uefa Champions League, World Cup, European Championship or Copa America in the same year.Messi accounts for three of those (2010, 2012, 2019) and Ronaldo the other (2013).Rightly or wrongly, that means the odds are stacked against Kane, Haaland, Mbappe, Michael Olise, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.Ousmane Dembele took the 2025 prize after winning the Champions League with Paris St-Germain. A successful defence this year means Dembele and team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are in the conversation.That takes us to the World Cup final, where two candidates go head to head.Messi, at 39, is looking win a record-extending ninth Ballon d'Or, while 19-year-old Lamine Yamal is hoping to better his second-place finish in 2025.We are now into what might be the fifth and surely final iteration of Messi, but somehow the Argentine genius is still producing extraordinary performances - almost as if it is 2011 and he is still conquering Europe with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.While the level of opposition in Major League Soccer has to be considered when contextualising his prolific club stats for Inter Miami, Messi's World Cup exploits leave little doubt he is still among the very best.With eight goals and four assists, he has guided Argentina to a second successive World Cup final, and he narrowly leads the Golden Boot race, with one more assist than fellow eight-goal man Mbappe.Victory on Sunday would make Messi the first player in history to captain his nation to back-to-back World Cup triumphs.But Lamine Yamal might have something to say about that.While the teenage winger has not dazzled like he did when Spain won Euro 2024 - he has one goal and no assists in seven games - he has been a key part of a Spanish collective who have reached their first World Cup final since winning the 2010 edition.Lamine Yamal enjoyed another impressive season for Barcelona - 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 games - despite missing the final month of the campaign through injury.Barcelona won La Liga but fell in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, so Spain probably need to win the World Cup if he is to be named the world's best.Kane had a remarkable 2025-26 - the Englishman scored 61 goals in 51 games in all club competitions as Bayern Munich won a league and cup double.However, defeats in the semi-finals of the Champions League with his club and the World Cup with England could cost him."I could score 100 goals this season, but if I don't win the Champions League or the World Cup, I'm probably not going to win the Ballon d'Or," Kane said in November. "It's the same with any player. You have to be winning those major trophies."Kane's Bayern team-mate Olise enjoyed a superb second season in Bavaria, scoring 22 goals and setting up 31 more in 52 games.The 24-year-old carried that form into the World Cup and has provided more assists (five) than anyone else at the tournament, but he and his team-mates severely underwhelmed in a 2-0 semi-final defeat by Spain.France striker Kylian Mbappe has scored eight goals this summer after topping the scoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League.He has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in world football for eight years now, but at 27, he has yet to win the Ballon d'Or.After a trophyless season with Real Madrid and World Cup heartache, that seems unlikely to change.Haaland won the Premier League Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons, but in terms of silverware he had to settle for an FA Cup and Carabao Cup double.Scoring seven goals in Norway's first World Cup in 28 years will only further cement his legendary status back home.Ballon d'Or holder Dembele won Ligue 1 and the Champions League for the second season in a row, but injuries limited his output.That said, an impressive World Cup showing - five goals and two assists - has given his chances a timely boost.PSG colleague Kvaratskhelia shone in the Champions League last season (10 goals and seven assists) but his nation, Georgia, did not qualify for the World Cup.Bellingham deserves a mention for dragging England to the World Cup semi-finals, but an injury-hit campaign and a lack of silverware realistically rules him out.Rice will be in the top-10 mix - the midfielder was key for an Arsenal team who won the Premier League and were a couple of penalty kicks away from becoming European champions.What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026More on this story'A true miracle of destiny' - Messi and Lamine Yamal's incredible first meetingSome England players disappointed at tactics as Tuchel questions team's DNAWhen the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

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Spain’s streak started after a defeat in 2024 but Argentina are no slouches – they are on an unbeaten run of 14 matchesSpain look unstoppable. Their 2-0 victory over France meant that they have not lost a game in normal or extra time for 37 games, which Opta revealed has equalled the best such stretch by a European team. However, Spain did lose the final of the 2025 Nations League to Portugal on penalties.Their “unbeaten run” matches the efforts of Italy between October 2018 and September 2021, a streak which included Roberto Mancini’s side winning Euro 2020. Unlike Spain, Italy were truly unbeaten.No team from South America has ever gone as long without defeat. Brazil went 36 matches unbeaten between December 1993 and January 1996, winning a World Cup along the way, while Argentina equalled their great rivals from July 2019 to November 2022. The latter’s run might have been ended by a stunning loss to Saudi Arabia in Qatar, but recovering from that to become world champions was an emphatic response.For Spain to have reached this point is no surprise when you consider their history. They are responsible for six of the 11 instances of a European nation going unbeaten for at least 25 games. Five of these periods have occurred within the past 22 years, emphasising how dominant Spain have been for the last two decades.They can call upon players with even better records. Fabián Ruiz has represented his country 49 times without losing (shootouts notwithstanding). Despite the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder proving his elite ability in recent years, Ruiz has not played the most minutes in Spain’s current unbeaten stretch. He’s not even in the top five.The leading man has been Marc Cucurella, with Unai Simón, Aymeric Laporte, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal completing the quintet upon which Luis de la Fuente has leant most heavily.The Spain manager has used 62 players in the 37 matches, which highlights the depth of talent his country has produced. Or perhaps it suggests a degree of indecisiveness on De la Fuente’s part. Hardly: of the 15 players who have made at least 20 appearances in the unbeaten run, 10 started the World Cup semi-final, four came on as substitutes and Martín Zubimendi was an option on the bench.It was a 1-0 loss to Colombia at the London Stadium in March 2024 that drew the start line for Spain’s current unbeaten run. The streak inevitably includes victories over Europe’s lesser lights in tournament qualifiers, but also 11 matches against Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal.Argentina are unbeaten for 14 matches and it’s worth noting they have won them all. They’ve also lost three times since Spain were last beaten, though. The weight of recent history remains firmly on the side of De la Fuente’s men.

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CommentsEvery World Cup final, by its very nature, is iconic. It is a rare treat we get to enjoy every four years and this summer is only the 23rd edition of a men's tournament that has spanned the best part of a century.So how do you quantify the 'best' - is it goals, drama, superstars at their peak?Well, I have tried to take into account all of those aspects, as well as the showpieces that provided the most compelling storylines and delivered the most enduring legacies.So below are my top 10 World Cup finals - you can rank your own at the bottom of this page, too.Not the most dramatic standalone final but one dripping with gripping narrative.It was a summer that evolved into Ronaldo's redemption arc after the trauma he went through before Brazil's defeat by France in the final four years earlier, and the career-threatening injuries sustained in between World Cups.Ronaldo only played a handful of games for Inter Milan before the tournament but was at his goalscoring best to fire Brazil to the final, the number nine supported by Rivaldo and Ronaldinho with the explosive Roberto Carlos and Cafu flying down the flanks.Ronaldo's second-half double proved decisive as Brazil saw off Germany in the Yokohama showpiece - no-one in the stadium would have banked on the Selecao not winning another World Cup since.The image of Zinedine Zidane trudging past the pitchside World Cup trophy is legendary. Just not for the manner the Frenchman would wish.Zizou was enjoying a stellar tournament and had already Panenka'd Gianluigi Buffon in the final with a spot-kick that kissed the bar and wriggled just over the goalline before he was later dismissed in extra time.Marco Materazzi would prove the main protagonist in Berlin. Having fouled Florent Malouda for France's opener, the towering defender levelled with a thundering header from Andrea Pirlo's corner inside 20 minutes.The Inter Milan centre-back's most memorable contribution, though, was to get a reaction out of Zidane, the balding French playmaker landing a headbutt on the Italian's sternum.It was Zidane's last act as a player, having announced his decision to retire after the World Cup.Zidane walked, and Italy won on penalties. Materazzi, of course, scored his.'A true miracle of destiny' - Messi and Lamine Yamal's incredible first meetingThis was supposed to be the Netherlands' time, as Johan Cruyff and co dazzled throughout the tournament with their revolutionary Total Football approach.By the final, the Oranje were supremely confident, despite complaining local media were trying to unsettle them, with a story about a party thrown in their hotel appearing in the Bild newspaper under the headline: Cruyff, champagne, naked girls and a refreshing dip.An early goal at Munich's Olympiastadion only added to their swagger, leading before West Germany even touched the ball. Cruyff went on a mazy run and was brought down by Uli Hoeness; Johan Neeskens converted from the spot.Yet the hosts had other ideas. Paul Breitner responded from the spot and by half-time West Germany led through Gerd Muller. The Dutch were unable to recover.Four years later, without Cruyff, they reached the final again, only to be beaten by Argentina in extra time under a sky of Buenos Aires ticker tape.In the summer of 1954, no team was more fancied than Hungary's Magical Magyars with their swashbuckling superstars Sandor Kocsis, Nandor Hidegkuti and, of course, Ferenc Puskas.Hungary recorded a famous victory over England at Wembley the previous year and beat them 7-1 before the tournament. They were the Olympic champions and had not lost in more than 30 games - a spell stretching back five years.Furthermore, they had scored an average of 6.25 goals per game on their way to the final and thrashed the same West Germany side they would meet in the showpiece 8-3 in the group stages.Come the final, the Hungarians even raced into a 2-0 lead inside eight minutes at Wankdorf Stadium - Pukas and Zoltan Czibor on target - but West Germany were level 10 minutes later and somehow survived as the Golden Team hit the post, crossbar and had a number of efforts scrambled off the line.Instead, with six minutes remaining, Helmut Rahn scored a shock winner in a victory that would become known as The Miracle of Bern.This was very much Diego Maradona's tournament, even if for most of the final Lothar Matthaus attempted to stick to the diminutive Argentine like a sweat-drenched polyester jersey in the Azteca heat.Argentina opened up a two-goal lead, Jose Luis Brown scoring the opener and Jorge Valdano finishing a swift counter attack in the second half.The South Americans should have added to their advantage before the green-jerseyed West Germans mounted a comeback.Captain Karl-Heinz Rummenigge poked home in the 74th minute and substitute Rudi Voller levelled soon after from another corner.But, with six minutes remaining, a moment of Maradona magic settled the final - the forward's superb first-time half-volleyed through ball sent Jorge Burruchaga racing away to nab the winner. El Diego had his crown.Given France's modern World Cup prestige, it is hard to imagine a time when Les Bleus had never won the game's biggest prize. In 1998, however, when they hosted the tournament for the first time in 60 years, that was the case.France boasted a multicultural squad that represented a diverse nation, with second-generation Algerian immigrant Zinedine Zidane at its heart.As defender Lilian Thuram told me: "That all of these players from these different backgrounds could represent France and go on and win, that was a very powerful message to send out to society."While France's superstars dazzled on the pitch, the final is, however, remembered for pre-match hysteria surrounding the world's best player, Brazil striker Ronaldo.Ronaldo suffered a convulsion earlier in the day but was given the green light to start for Mario Zagallo's side. Yet he was nowhere near his best.France ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, Zidane netting twice and Emmanuel Petit grabbing a late third.Pele who? The teenager was already a superstar in Brazil, netting goals at an incredible rate and becoming his country's youngest ever scorer, but the forward was not unleashed on the wider footballing world until the quarter-final stage at the 1958 World Cup after arriving in Sweden with a knee injury.He netted against Wales and then bagged a second-half hat-trick against France in the semi-finals, with his legend cemented in the final.Pele, the 17-year-old with number 10 etched on his makeshift blue shirt, scored twice in a 5-2 win - the highest-scoring World Cup final on record.His first remains one of the showpiece's all-time great goals, taking the ball on his chest and lofting it over a defender before volleying into the bottom corner.It was Brazil's first World Cup triumph, and Pele delivered on a promise he made to his father after the 'Maracanazo' in 1950, when Uruguay stunned Brazil in Rio."I remember seeing him sitting next to the radio, sobbing," Pele later told Fifa. "And he said to me, 'Brazil have lost the World Cup'."I remember jokingly saying to him, 'Don't cry, dad – I'll win the World Cup for you'."Sixty years of hurt later, this remains the Three Lions' crowning glory.Kenneth Wolstenholme's commentary lives on and Sir Geoff Hurst remains the only man to score a World Cup final hat-trick for the winning side.There was no lack of drama, either. England trailed to Helmut Haller's early opener yet then looked to have won it through goals from Hurst and Martin Peters - only for Wolfgang Weber to level in the 89th minute.Up stepped Hurst in extra time, crashing one in off the crossbar - to much controversy - before adding his third and England's fourth in the dying seconds."Some people are on the pitch..."How coach-on-pitch Messi undid England's tactics on the flyThe defining moment for arguably the game's greatest ever player.There was a narrative that Lionel Messi could not be considered in such terms without a World Cup to his name, both in the global consciousness but also in Argentina, where Diego Maradona's legacy loomed.But, four years ago, Messi and Argentina delivered in what must be the most dramatic final of all time.The South Americans were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising until Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a remarkable 90 seconds to take the final in Qatar to extra time.Messi grabbed his second goal, from the spot, to restore Argentina's lead, but Mbappe's third levelled things up with two minutes to go.Messi and Mbappe both converted from 12 yards in the shootout, but maverick stopper Emi Martinez - who also denied Randal Kolo Muani a last-gasp winner - proved the Argentine hero."We will never forget that game, I was so lucky to be here," beamed former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta on the BBC.The party in Buenos Aires and beyond lasted for days.The magic and mystique of the Azteca. Vibrant canary yellow and savoy blue jerseys that cut through even the grainiest television footage. The world's most dominant football nations meeting for a chance to keep the Jules Rimet trophy.Brazil 1970 are still held as the pinnacle of footballing brilliance, the bar by which every Selecao side since has been measured - with Pele, of course, alongside Jairzinho, Tostao and Rivellino.In the Mexican sunshine, this was a crowning performance for the ages as Mario Zagallo's outfit dismantled an Azzurri side packed with their own stars in Gigi Riva, Sandro Mazzola and Giacinto Facchetti.Pele rose to head the opener before some Brazilian midfield showboating was punished by the Italians. But in the second half Brazil blew their European counterparts away.Gerson fired beyond gloveless Italy goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi, Jairzinho pounced on Pele's nod down, and Carlos Alberto capped perhaps the World Cup final's most complete performance with arguably its greatest goal. Beautiful.What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026England Men's Football TeamBrazilFranceArgentinaNetherlandsHungaryMore on this storyPele's 1958 World Cup final shirt sells for $4.9mTuchel did not deliver, but his time with England is not up - ShearerWhy England's loss to Argentina felt like most painful in 60 years of hurt

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Rodri came in for some criticism in Spain after they were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their first game of the World Cup. There were accusations that he had moved the ball too slowly; that he was in some way responsible for the result.His manager made it clear he felt otherwise. "It seems incredibly insulting to me that people would say that about the best player in the world," said Luis de la Fuente. "Would people say that about others who are considered the best? I don't think they would dare."But because he's Spanish, we say things about our own that we wouldn't about others. Rodri is the best player in the world. Even at 50 per cent, he is better than most other midfielders. He brings clarity, vision, balance. Rodri is an inspiration for us."Five weeks and six straight wins later, it is easy to forget how this tournament began for Spain and their captain, whose performances on their run to the final have proved his manager right. If not the best in the world, then certainly the best in his position.He came into it on the back of a difficult season domestically following his return from the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the previous campaign as setbacks hindered his efforts to recapture his best form. But it has all played out exactly as Pep Guardiola predicted for the 30-year-old in October."I said to him, and he maybe struggled to understand, it's not about six, seven, eight months out, then playing and being the Rodri of before. No. Do you know when Rodri will be good? At the World Cup with Spain. At the World Cup he will be the best Rodri."Spain's strength lies in the collective. Their semi-final victory against star-studded France highlighted the value of teamwork over individuals. But it certainly helps to have this version of Rodri bringing it all together in the centre of the pitch.Will Pau Cubarsi be one of best centre-backs in history?He heads into Sunday's final against Argentina having completed the most passes by any player at a World Cup on record, with 655. He has helped Spain grind opponents down by circulating the ball, while also offering speed and incision when required.His total of 62 line-breaking passes in the final third is the most by any player at a World Cup since Toni Kroos hit the same number for Germany on their way to winning it in 2014. Only winger Alex Baena has created more chances among Spain players.At a tournament in which Spain have averaged 64 per cent possession, almost everything has travelled through him. Rodri has had roughly 20 per cent more touches and made roughly 20 per cent more passes than any player from any side."Every time you see him, he's always showing up for the ball," said the former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel on The Rest Is Football. "It doesn't matter whether he makes a mistake, he's always available."His willingness to take responsibility is part of his role as their leader and he has demonstrated his excellence off the ball as well as on it. His ability to read danger and put out fires has helped Spain restrict their opponents to a solitary goal in seven games.Rodri has made the second-most tackles at the tournament. He also ranks highly for possessions won in the middle and final thirds. France actually had a roughly even share of possession in Tuesday's semi-final but Rodri dominated all phases of play, winning 11 out of 15 duels, including four out of four aerials.All of it has been underpinned by a level of professionalism that has helped him navigate a challenging return from injury and play 627 minutes of a possible 630 at the tournament.Those who have worked with him say his unerring commitment to his preparation has been apparent since his youth."He stood out for his intelligence as a footballer, but also because he was also very clear about how a young player should behave," Paco Lopez, his coach in Villarreal's B team, told Sky Sports. "A lot of boys can get distracted, but he always understood what was required to become a professional."Rodri still has that knack for understanding what is required, on the pitch as well as off it. He effectively plays the role of a second coach, organising his team-mates in and out of possession and dictating the tempo as he has for Spain throughout the tournament.His return to top form comes at a time of some uncertainty around his future. Rodri only has a year remaining on his contract at Manchester City. In signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m, they appear to have secured a long-term successor.On the evidence of the last five weeks, though, and the performances that have put him and his country one more win away from lifting the World Cup, Rodri continues to set the standard.