Players who scored in both the semi-final and final of the same World Cup
Few achievements in international football are as rare as scoring in both a World Cup semi-final and the final itself. To do so requires not only individual brilliance but the consistency to deliver it across the two biggest occasions in the sport, with a country's hopes resting on every touch.
Browsing the current World Cup winner odds ahead of the 2026 tournament, it is a reminder of just how much weight is attached to performances at this level. Across the entire history of the tournament, only a handful of players have managed to score in both knockout rounds in the same year. Here are the players who achieved it.
Champions League final: PSG vs Arsenal betting tips - Can Mikel Arteta achieve what Arsene Wenger never could?
Mikel Arteta is already an 18-karat Arsenal legend after leading Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
But this weekend, he gets the opportunity to do something even Arsene Wenger was unable to do during his legendary spell in north London - win the Champions League.
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the Champions League final on Saturday, May 30, from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher.
Unai Emery's Unique Achievement: How the Spanish Coach Managed to Win the Europa League Five Times
Discover how Unai Emery became the most successful Europa League coach in history, winning the tournament five times through tactical discipline and elite match management
Manchester United's Long-Awaited Return to the Champions League After a Brilliant Season
Manchester United secured a Champions League return after finishing third in the Premier League. Discover how the team transformed under Michael Carrick and what awaits the Red Devils next season.
Premier League news: Five key factors that helped Daniel Farke and Leeds United avoid relegation
As the 2025/26 season comes to a close, Leeds United can look back on it as one of their most successful campaigns this side of the millennium.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Fawcett examines how a phenomenal season was masterminded.
Premier League analysis: Five players who enjoyed a breakout season in 2025/26
While plenty is made of the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland, and Declan Rice, which players really kicked into gear this season to become proven Premier League assets?
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Gabriel Mills highlights five players who have gone above and beyond in the league, from teenagers bursting onto the scene to reliable players finally hitting their peak.
Premier League betting tips: Bruno Fernandes to break assists record, a tense Tottenham vs Everton fixture, and more Gameweek 38 betting tips
The title race has been run, but the final relegation place is still up for grabs, so read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the final round of Premier League games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including huge fixtures for Tottenham and West Ham.
Premier League news: Five talking points ahead of the final day of the season
With the title wrapped up in Arsenal’s favour following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night, there remains plenty to sort out as the Premier League concludes on Sunday.
From European battles to relegation scraps, the final day still offers immense drama with plenty at stake, writes Sports News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
European football news: Aston Villa triumph in Europa League final as English teams dominate the continent
With Unai Emery’s side making light work of Freiburg in a 3-0 win on Wednesday, May 20, Arsenal and Crystal Palace will look to follow suit with European finals of their own in the coming weeks.
Arsenal will face PSG in the Champions League final where a famous Double could be secured for Mikel Arteta and his team, writes Sports News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
Palace have navigated their way through to the final stage of the Europa Conference League and will face top-half La Liga side, Rayo Vallecano.
Europa League news: Aston Villa end 44-year wait for European glory with dominant final victory
Aston Villa were crowned UEFA Europa League champions on Wednesday night after a commanding 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in Istanbul.
This victory ends the club’s 44-year wait for European silverware and secures their first major trophy since 1996.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce explores how Unai Emery’s side have pulled off this incredible achievement.
Premier League analysis: Key takeaways for Chelsea after defeating Tottenham again
In a London derby that had huge implications at the bottom of the table, Chelsea managed to defeat Spurs 2-1 in the final game of the season at Stamford Bridge.
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal reviews the key takeaways from the match from a Chelsea perspective.
EFL Championship news: Southampton expelled from Championship play-off final after multiple breaches
Following a review by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL have announced that Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs after admitting to multiple rule breaches regarding observation of opposition training.
Man Utd analysis: Old Trafford celebrates 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest, but Roy Keane still had something to say
On a remarkable afternoon at Old Trafford, Roy Keane found a way to cast a shadow over one of the most joyous days of Manchester United's 2025/26 season, writes Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
Soccer analysis: The key parts of Xabi Alonso’s appointment
After the disappointment of the FA Cup final defeat to Man City, there was at least something for Chelsea fans to smile about.
Less than 24 hours later, it was announced that Spaniard Xabi Alonso would be the club’s next manager.
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal reviews this appointment and looks ahead to what might be in store for Chelsea fans with Alonso at the helm.
Premier League news: Man Utd overcome Nottingham Forest as Bruno Fernandes equals assist record
Manchester United overcame a spirited Nottingham Forest side 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to secure third spot on the Premier League table. Goals from Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo got the job done for Michael Carrick’s charges while Morato and Morgan Gibbs-White struck for the Tricky Trees.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore reviews the final home game of the season for the Red Devils.
Premier League news: Aston Villa thrash Liverpool at Villa Park to seal Champions League return
Aston Villa produced one of their finest performances of the season in defeating Liverpool 4-2 at Villa Park to secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
In front of a packed and electric home crowd, Unai Emery’s side delivered a ruthless second-half display that exposed Liverpool’s defensive frailties and underlined Villa’s remarkable rise under the Spanish manager. Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce reviews Friday’s clash.
Premier League news: Five takeaways from Newcastle Utd’s win over relegation-bound West Ham
William Osula scored twice as Newcastle United beat West Ham 3-1 at St James’ Park to leave the Hammers on the brink of relegation from the Premier League.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses five key takeaways from the Magpies’ final home game of the season.
Bundesliga news: Newly promoted SV Elversberg are German football’s latest fairytale story
SV Elversberg are one of the smallest professional football teams in Germany, and on the last weekend of the season, they did what many clubs dream of and reached the Bundesliga for the first time in the club’s history.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi takes a closer look at SV Elversberg’s story and the latest addition to Germany’s top flight.
La Liga analysis: Boos, bust-ups and backlash – Real Madrid drama deepens
This season has proved a difficult period for Real Madrid and it only seems to be getting worse, with Madrid fans recently booing star player Kylian Mbappé. That comes after a training ground bust-up between two other players left the club in a crisis.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at a traumatic last few months for Madrid and considers what the future may hold.
Football news: How social media fuels reactionary fan culture within the beautiful game
Social media allows people to communicate more quickly, enabling football fans to share reactions, commentary, and controversial opinions instantaneously.
But does it have an overall positive influence on football? Here, Sports News Blitz writer Uchenna Haq explores the various effects of social media on the sport’s fandom.