Joao Pedro hat-trick seals chaotic 6-4 Chelsea win in Xabi Alonso's debut
Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with an entertaining victory after beating Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 in a remarkable pre-season friendly in Sydney on Tuesday, July 2.
Joao Pedro was the star of the show, coming off the bench to score a nine-minute hat-trick as the Blues recovered after falling behind three separate times.
Roberto Mancini's return feels right - but can he restore Italy to its former glory?
The Italian Football Federation has had a week of drama worthy of EastEnders, with Andrea Pirlo blocked from becoming head coach, Pep Guardiola declining the opportunity, Paolo Maldini’s resignation, and finally Roberto Mancini's reappointment as the next head coach of the Azzurri.
Former Manchester City manager Mancini has brought success to Italy before at Euro 2020, but is he truly the right person to get Italy’s national team back on track and give the country something to be truly proud of?
Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi delves into this particular move and whether the FIGC have made the right move to revive Italian football.
Premier League news: Five fixtures for Man Utd fans to get excited about in 2026/27 season
The 2026/27 Premier League campaign is set to kick off on August 21, and the fans of every club have plenty to look forward to.
However, Manchester United fans have the most reasons to feel excited about the upcoming season. And although every game is important, these five fixtures could make or break the Red Devils’ season, writes Sports News Blitz’s Anurag Tyagi.
Newcastle Utd lead tributes as club legend Kevin Keegan dies aged 75 after cancer battle
Newcastle United have led tributes following the death of club legend Kevin Keegan, who has passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer.
The Magpies described Keegan as "one of the most iconic, influential and deeply-loved figures in our club's history" after the former England forward and manager's family announced he had died surrounded by his wife and daughters.
In a statement, Newcastle United said: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply-loved figures in our club's history.”
The Law of Goals in Halves: Why the Second Half Always Delivers More Action
It’s practically a ritual at this point. The whistle goes for halftime, the scoreboard reads 0-0, and you can bet your house someone’s going to state the obvious: “Second half will be better, it’ll open right up.”
The thing is, they're usually bang on. Across every competition you can think of, the second half outdoes the first for goals. And it's not guesswork - it's a proper statistical trend, backed by years and years of evidence.
Let’s break down the fascinating "law" of goals in halves and see why the final 45 minutes of a match are almost always more thrilling than the opening.
Liverpool news: New beginnings, high expectations after Andoni Iraola’s first Reds press conference
Andoni Iraola has made his first press appearance in Liverpool red as the Spaniard begins a two-year contract at Anfield. Iraola spoke to the media on Monday, 13 July for the first time since being announced as Liverpool’s new head coach in late May.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Juliette White takes a look at what Iraola had to say.
Soccer news: Paolo Maldini to lead revamp of Italian national team set-up alongside Leonardo
Paolo Maldini has officially been appointed as the new technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and will be joined by former AC Milan team-mate Leonardo as special advisor.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi takes a closer look at Maldini’s appointment and what it means for the FIGC and national set-up moving forward.
World Cup 2026 betting tips: Spain to win World Cup final, Mbappe to score first vs England
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the World Cup final and the third-place playoff nobody wanted to see - courtesy of Sports News Blitz’s heartbroken punting laureate - The Bookie Basher.
Slow starts at the World Cup: Are they a real concern?
Spain arrived at the 2026 World Cup as one of the favourites, so a goalless draw with debutants Cape Verde in their opening game came as a surprise.
It was a result that set off alarm bells, but Spain have now reached the World Cup final for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 2010.
A slow start can quickly change how a team is viewed, but history suggests an early stumble is not always the warning sign it appears to be.
England player ratings as Argentina end World Cup dream with semi-final comeback
England's World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end as Argentina came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals.
Thomas Tuchel's side looked on course for the final after leading until the closing minutes of normal time, but the holders produced a late turnaround to book their place in another World Cup final.
England impressed for long spells, pressing aggressively and limiting Argentina's attacking threat before the momentum swung in Argentina's favour late in the game.
Football Games To Play Before The World Cup Is Out
With the World Cup only coming around once every four years, it’s a period in time to savour. Once the group games are over, the wait between fixtures in the knockout stages can feel painfully long. Thankfully, there’s a raft of ways to keep that football buzz going, with one of them being to play some football-themed games.
Video games remain the obvious go-to, but plenty of football fans are also exploring football-themed casino games to fill the gaps between matches. With many football and World Cup-themed titles out there, it won’t take long for a player to settle on their favourite online slots game to play throughout the tournament.
Manchester United missing out on Mateus Fernandes is a bigger warning sign than it looks
Manchester United’s failure to land Mateus Fernandes has sparked frustration among supporters who feel the club is repeating old mistakes.
Tottenham Hotspur have stepped in and agreed a deal, leaving United once again empty-handed in a key midfield chase.
The situation has quickly become about more than one transfer. It is now being seen as a wider reflection of how the club is being run.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo delves into why this particular miss could carry more weight than it first appears.
World Cup 2026, Wimbledon, UFC 329, Tour de France – Your guide to the ultimate sports weekend
This weekend, fans will be glued to their screens as numerous sports collide, from World Cup 2026 and Wimbledon to the UFC and Tour de France.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Stan Cheeseman offers a guide to the ultimate sporting extravaganza.
World Cup 2026 quarter-finals betting tips: Jude Bellingham to shine for England again and more
After conquering Mexico’s Azteca fortress, all eyes are now on Miami and England’s quarter-final date with Norway.
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the quarter-finals - including the big one on Saturday, July 11 - courtesy of Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate, The Bookie Basher.
From Portugal to Belgium: Spain World Cup Odds in the Quarter-finals
The World Cup quarter-finals are rarely one-dimensional, and Spain vs Belgium is no different.
Spain has seen its way to the quarters through discipline and, more recently, a certain amount of luck, while Belgium has found its attacking edge at just the right time.
It's these contrasting themes that make this particular tie so compelling, as one of the most disciplined teams in the world meets an opponent seemingly primed to strike when the game opens up.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Looking at England’s magnificent Mexico win and five of England’s most iconic World Cup victories
Thomas Tuchel’s England reached new heights as they beat Mexico 3-2 on Monday to set up a quarter-final tie against Norway.
Despite being the far better team on paper, many had suggested England would struggle to win against a Mexico side co-hosting the World Cup and playing in their iconic Azteca Stadium, with its extreme conditions and unrelenting atmosphere.
Jude Bellingham put England 2-0 up after a brace in two minutes, but Julian Quinones pulled one back before half-time to give the Mexicans hope.
Despite Jarell Quansah’s red card, when Harry Kane scored a penalty in the second half to make it 3-1 England looked safe, until Raul Jimenez converted from the penalty spot.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Five talking points from England vs Mexico
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane dragged England through to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 once more as Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated the daunting Mexico 3-2 in a display of total grit and determination.
The Three Lions have earned themselves a quarter-final match-up against a confident Norway, led by Erling Haaland in his debut World Cup.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Stanley Cheeseman looks at five talking points from the Round of 16 clash at the infamous Azteca Stadium that saw England advance through the tournament when the odds were, arguably, against them.
Soccer opinion: What's next for West Ham? Ownership changes, transfers and more
Following the disastrous season of 2025/26, which saw West Ham get relegated in 18th place, lasting change is desperately needed.
Relegation from the Premier League means the Hammers will play in the EFL Championship next season, for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
The relegation came as a huge disappointment, especially as West Ham had won the UEFA Conference League only three years ago.
Sports News Blitz writer and West Ham fan Jack George dissects what the future holds for West Ham United.
Is the World Cup helping to drive a new era for sports games?
When the World Cup is on, it does something remarkable: it turns the entire planet into football fans. But in 2026, the tournament’s influence stretches far beyond the terraces and TV screens.
From console titles to mobile apps and slots, sports games of all kinds are experiencing a surge in popularity, and the World Cup is driving the charge.
Real-Time Chaos: The 2026 World Cup North American Bracket Explodes
The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 has delivered total chaos. Germany is out, Cristiano Ronaldo made history, and the Round of 16 bracket is officially locked.