Lucas Herbert and Bryson DeChambeau picked up right where they left off at Royal Birkdale.

Herbert, who has been the hottest Ripper GC in recent weeks, fired an 11-under 61 in the opening round of LIV Golf United Kingdom Presented by JCB at JCB Golf & Country Club. The bogey-free effort broke the course record of 62, set four years ago at an event when the layout also played to a par of 72.

It’s the lowest score relative to par in his LIV Golf career and a continuation of a stretch that’s seen Herbert become one of the hottest players in the game, starting with a win at LIV Golf Virginia in May. He then held the 36-hole lead at The Open Championship, where he shot 62 in the second round to tie the all-time major scoring record.

Now he has shot 11 under in the first round at JCB.

Herbert made the turn in 5-under 31 and kept the foot down with a 6-under back nine, missing a chance at something even more special when a putt on 17 for a shot at 59 just missed.

“Of course it was,” Herbert said when asked if he was thinking about 59. “You could see in my reaction there on 17, when that didn’t go in, I was like, that was my chance. But if you were going to pick days you were going to shoot 59, I wouldn’t have thought today would have been the day. The golf course is a little firm, which makes it play a little tougher and a bit of breeze out there that kind of moved around. I’m pretty incredibly happy with 61 still.”

He credited his recent run of results for a new level of belief.

“I think once you’ve been there and done that a little bit, you have the confidence that you know you can do it,” he said. “I feel like I’m getting a new taste for being out there at the top of the leaderboard.”

Right behind him is DeChambeau, who continued his own hot streak with an 8-under 64, continuing the pace he carried through the first two rounds at Royal Birkdale before his T14 finish there last week.

The Crushers GC captain made the turn in 5-under 31, highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 fourth, and added a 3-under back nine despite a late bogey at the 16th that briefly cooled his momentum. DeChambeau sits alone in second and squarely in position to chase Herbert all week.

The two Ripper GC and Crushers GC stars also carried their teams to the top of the team leaderboard. Ripper GC leads at 19 under, with Marc Leishman (68) and Cameron Smith (69) providing solid support and Travis Smyth turning in a respectable 71. Crushers GC sits second at 15 under, with Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri both carding 68s alongside DeChambeau’s 64.

Behind the two co-leaders, Tyrrell Hatton and Harold Varner III shared third individually at 6-under 66, with Hatton also anchoring Legion XIII into a tie for third on the team leaderboard at 8 under.

It was a solid start for the home favorite, who will carry plenty of crowd support into the weekend. The Majesticks Golf Club contingent, playing in front of its home fans, were led by Ian Poulter who carded a 4-under 68 to sit inside the top 10 individually, while Lee Westwood added a 1-under 71. Laurie Canter and Sam Horsfield each posted 1-over 73s on a course that bit back in the afternoon breeze, leaving the Majesticks tied for sixth as a team at 3 under — plenty of ground to make up, but far from out of it with three rounds still to play.

Elsewhere, Caleb Surratt joined the group at 4-under 68, Peter Uihlein and Cameron Smith both sat at 3-under 69, and Thomas Detry opened with a 3-under 69 of his own.

With Herbert and DeChambeau setting a blistering pace up top, the rest of the LIV Golf UK field will need something special over the next three days to catch them.

LIV Golf UK Round 1 Leaderboard

1. Lucas Herbert (-11)

2. Bryson DeChambeau (-8)

T-3. Tyrrell Hatton (-6)

T-3. Harold Varner III (-6)

T-5. Byeong Hun An (-5)

T-5. Richard T. Lee (-5)

T-7. Abraham Ancer (-4)

T-7. Björn Hellgren (-4)

T-7. Charles Howell III (-4)

T-7. Anirban Lahiri (-4)

T-7. Marc Leishman (-4)

T-7. Luis Masaveu (-4)

T-7. Ian Poulter (-4)

T-7. Caleb Surratt (-4)

T-7. Scott Vincent (-4)

This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf.

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NEW YORK NEW JERSEY STADIUM – In Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, one of the biggest takeaways is how success needs to be determined even before you enter battle. In war, the key assets of preparation will always outdo any reactionary tactics, because knowing the entire blueprint doesn’t just make you better prepared, it makes you omnipotent. 

To win is to also know about timing. To be perfectly engaged in knowing when – and how – to engage so when the actual battle comes, you have already designed your own outcome. 

Victory, therefore, is not about perfection, but perfect planning. 

And this is how I see Luis de La Fuente’s Spain side, a team so perfect in its planning that to defeat it – even with the greatest player on your side – is almost an impossible task. In essence, Spain already knows what you want to do before you even do it.

And that’s what Sunday’s World Cup final and this entire tournament showed us with this magnificent team. A Spanish side that knows you better than you know yourself. It’s why La Roja came out victorious with a 1-0 result against Lionel Messi’s Argentina thanks to a 106th-minute winner from Barcelona’s Ferran Torres. 

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Spain stifled any hopes for Argentina and its chances of a title defense and claiming its second World Cup trophy since 2010. Spain also broke a record for 38 matches without losing a game, surpassing Italy. It was also Spain’s seventh clean sheet of this World Cup, becoming the first men’s team in World Cup history to win while only conceding one goal.

Sun Tzu also tells us about winning without the need for conflict. In Spain’s case, this is done by possession and recovery of. The victors had nearly 70% possession and 762 passes. Argentina didn’t break 400. It also failed to register a single shot on target. 

But the most impressive part of Spain’s game plan is that it suffocates you. It is the Darth Vader of football where you, the opponent, float in the air, lost and devoid of oxygen. Spain loses the ball and, like a piranha addicted to the scent of blood, rapidly swims to get it. It happened throughout the afternoon against Argentina. Lionel Scaloni didn’t have a solution and neither did his players as they continued to become more frustrated, hence Enzo Fernández’s red card and Leandro Paredes’s postgame antics.

And Messi? He was a mortal today. He barely mattered. 

And I want you to know this is a difficult thing for me to say – because I admire the man more than you’ll ever know. And to watch him weep at the end of the game, knowing this is his curtain call at the World Cup, pains me to my very core. 

But he had no chance today. Nobody on Argentina did. 

Spain is a monster. No, actually. I take it back. It is an android army, hidden inside a Picasso painting. Its spine is a wonderful dichotomy of youth and experience. From the magnificent Pau Cubarsí who, just like Lamine Yamal, is 19 years old, to the Golden Ball winner Rodri who simply rolled back the years in the tournament. The Manchester City midfielder, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, needed time to find his way after his ACL injury. And my goodness did he. 

Rodri didn’t score a goal at the World Cup, but that’s not what his game is about. He is the general who commands the midfield with grace, control and tenacity. He became the 11th man to win the World Cup, the Champions League and the aforementioned Ballon d’Or. 

I was at the final at New York New Jersey Stadium. I saw a very energetic Argentinian fanbase looking to do everything in its power to encourage its team to victory. But minute by minute, they realized what we were all seeing – a Spanish side breaking away their opponents’ spirit. 

And what about de la Fuente? A man who loves quotes and historical references just as much as me. Let me tell you about him. This is a man who comes from Spain’s proud Basque Country, who fully believes in grassroots football and needs his teams to represent the people, the community, the culture of the nation. 

He won the U-19 and U-20 Euros before taking over the senior side and once he took the helm, he brought this philosophy with him. It is a full belief in youth culture too, as most of these players who have just won the World Cup have been with him from the very beginning. 

“I come from a grassroots background,” he once said before winning the Euros in 2024. “Our commitment, to the people we trust in the youth system, is not a pose, it is a conviction.” 

And you see it in this team, which is just a representation of Spanish football. 

Again, watching them play live is a joy to behold. It passes the ball with ultimate accuracy, but what makes it different from any other side — and I would say Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona or Vicente Del Bosque’s 2010 World Cup winning team — is that this side does it with that word again: conviction. There is a sword behind every pass. A will and an intent.

Argentina, frustrated, angry and lost without an idea, could not handle it. Marc Cucurella, for example, was outstanding in this tournament, including Sunday. So was Pedro Porro. Yamal, who wasn’t even that strong today when comparing it to his own standards, was excellent off the ball. 

And this is Spain – an army of one who makes you look very weak and fully represents my final quote from Sun Tzu: “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” 

That’s España. A team who loses an option and immediately creates another. And with a thousand cuts, it turns you into confetti, including the one and only Lionel Messi. 

There was never a better team than Spain at this World Cup. It wasn’t even close. But just like Picasso’s Guernica – it requires a closer, deeper sense of understanding to fully appreciate its complete grandeur. 

Spain vs Argentina Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Final

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NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY (Nashville, Tenn.) — Persistent and heavy rain showers forced INDYCAR to postpone its race in Nashville from Sunday to Monday afternoon.

The 300-lap race, scheduled to begin shortly after Sunday’s World Cup Final on FOX, was put into a lightning delay and then rains came around 7 p.m. ET. The track was nearly dry around 8:30 p.m. when heavy rains returned and series officials opted to postpone the race to Monday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX.

The race is expected to be brutal for the drivers and teams as FOX Weather predicts the temperature to be 90 degrees with it feeling like 102 degrees. With that forecast, INDYCAR officials announced late Sunday night that the race distance would be reduced to 225 laps.

Kyle Kirkwood is on the pole for the race, which at 399.5 miles, is reguarily the second-longest on the INDYCAR calendar, behind only the Indianapolis 500.

“It’s going to be hot, it’s going to be physical — not only for me as a driver, but everyone on pit lane for two-plus hours,” Kirkwood said Saturday after winning the pole about the race in general.

Races postponed in INDYCAR are relatively rare because they have rain tires for the races on road and street courses that typically allow them to run unless there is a deluge. The last INDYCAR race to be postponed because of rain was the 2018 race at Barber (Ala.) Motorsports Park.

Running the race Monday at Nashville won’t be too much of a burden on the teams. They have the next two weekends off — and then they finish the year with six races over five weekends.

Maybe the only driver happy Sunday was Alex Palou, not because he wanted to race Monday but because the driver who grew up near Barcelona got to watch Spain win the World Cup.

“Just incredible just to be able to win the World Cup,” Palou said on the FOX telecast during the rain delay.

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NEW YORK NEW JERSEY STADIUM — After Spain’s support staff had laid out the game plan, explained the tactics, told the players how they would best position themselves to make this Sunday one they’d never want to forget as opposed to one they’d never be able to, coach Luis de la Fuente addressed his team.

“Gentlemen, we have an appointment with history,” the 65-year-old manager told his players before extra time began. “We want to be there first, and then in the extra time, I just said, ‘Look, we are doing a great job. The match is controlled, but this is a final, and we are up against Argentina. So, if we are not careful, we might concede a goal. And we kept our focus up until the last minute.’”

As a result, Spain is the World Cup champion.

(Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

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For 120 minutes under the midday sun, La Roja were the better team. In some ways, they were the only team, holding Argentina — the 2022 winners — without an attempt at goal for all of regular time and extra time, and then scoring on their 20th shot, when Ferran Torres finally beat Albiceleste keeper Emiliano Martínez.

Yet heading into the additional half-hour following a scoreless tie, and with the possibility of penalties looming, the game was still anyone’s to win. And the other side still had Lionel Messi, the architect of Argentina’s late two-goal comeback victory over England in last week’s semis.

“The first idea was to keep Messi at bay, but also the other players,” de la Fuente said. “We wanted to keep them away from our goal.” 

Did they ever. 

But they still had to finish the job. They needed a hero to do it. On a team full of bigger names — teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri — Torres stepped up and became immortal, joining 2010 icon Andrés Iniesta in Spanish lore as a World Cup-winning goalscorer.

“I didn’t think too much,” Torres said afterward. “I saw the ball coming to me, and I shot it with the power of all the Spanish people.”

“I’m so happy for him to have scored this goal,” de la Fuente added. “He will make it into history. He has already made history, and he deserves it.”

The breakout game many suspected Yamal might have in this final never materialized. The Barcelona ace, who turned 19 during the tournament, had a quiet World Cup, though he came close to scoring on a late free kick on Sunday, only for Martínez to snare it. No matter. 

(Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) –>

Yamal is still a world champion in his first appearance on soccer’s grandest stage. And while his efforts only resulted in one goal over La Roja’s eight games en route to glory, his contributions didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for his play,” the coach said of Yamal. “This [World Cup] will help him to mature and be even better in the future. He’s really sacrificed for the greater good, and this is very important in our sport.”

So is winning — especially at this level. De la Fuente, who began his post-game press conference by thanking God for Spain’s triumph, never wavered from his belief that his players would come out on top.

(Photo by Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) –>

“Today, we were convinced that this was our final,” he said. “I think it was a very complete game. If it wasn’t for the keeper, maybe we would have had a larger margin, a larger win.”

He’ll take it. All of Spain will. 

It’s just the second World Cup title for the country despite its dominance of Europe at club level, though La Roja has been doing lots of celebrating since de la Fuente took charge in 2022. They’ve now claimed three titles since then, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and the European Championship two years ago. Now they’ve capped it with the biggest prize of all.

“We’ve won everything, in all the categories, and we came to the conclusion [today],” de la Fuente said.

“Once we finished the game, one of the players who’s been here the longest, said, ‘Coach, now what else is there to win?’”

Spain’s Best Moments 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇪🇸

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Spain winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup puts this generation in the conversation with some of the greatest national teams in history.

No team had followed a European Championship title with a World Cup victory since Spain did it by winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. That legendary Spanish side then completed an unprecedented three-peat by winning Euro 2012.

Those Spain teams are widely recognized among the greatest national sides in football history. But this current generation is starting to make its own case and will enter Euro 2028 with an opportunity to match that historic run of three consecutive major tournament titles.

Let’s make a combined XI between Spain’s 2026 and 2010 World Cup-winning teams.

Goalkeeper: Unai Simón vs. Iker Casillas

(Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

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Both goalkeepers had incredible tournaments and earned the Golden Glove.

Simón made history with seven clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper at a single World Cup. He also conceded only one goal throughout Spain’s entire campaign, the fewest ever allowed by a World Cup-winning team.

Casillas gets the nod because of his overall pedigree and because he was simply the better goalkeeper at his peak. He conceded only two goals in 2010, kept five clean sheets and made one of the biggest saves in World Cup final history when he denied Arjen Robben with his outstretched foot.

Simón had the better statistical campaign, but Casillas remains Spain’s greatest goalkeeper.

Verdict: Iker Casillas

Left Back: Marc Cucurella vs. Joan Capdevila

(Photo by Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Cucurella came into this tournament as one of the best left backs in the world and continued to show it. He provided defensive stability while also being an important presence in attack, giving Spain energy up and down the left flank.

Capdevila was not one of the more glamorous names in Spain’s 2010 side, but he was an incredibly consistent player. He started every game during Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign and also started five of its six matches at Euro 2008, only sitting out the final group-stage match against Greece.

But Cucurella gets the nod as the better overall left back.

Verdict: Marc Cucurella

Center Back: Pau Cubarsí vs. Carles Puyol

(Photo by Dale Macmillan/Soccrates/Getty Images)

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Cubarsí winning the World Cup as a teenager while starting at center back is a remarkable story. His composure and ability to play out from the back were critical to a Spanish team that conceded only one goal.

But Puyol was the true leader of Spain’s 2010 side, anchoring the back line with his physicality, commitment and defensive awareness. He also scored the decisive header against Germany in the semifinal to send Spain to its first World Cup final.

Cubarsí may eventually build a legendary career of his own, but Puyol gets the clear nod here.

Verdict: Carles Puyol

Center Back: Aymeric Laporte vs. Gerard Piqué

(Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP via Getty Images)

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Laporte turned back the clock during this World Cup. The Saudi Pro League defender was pivotal for Spain, playing the experienced role next to the teenage Cubarsí and helping lead one of the greatest defensive campaigns in World Cup history.

Piqué gets the nod, though. Despite the 2010 World Cup being his first major international tournament for Spain, he immediately established himself as a key part of the starting lineup and formed an elite partnership with Puyol.

His composure on the ball, reading of the game and ability to defend in a high line made him the ideal center back for that Spanish side.

Verdict: Gerard Piqué

Right Back: Pedro Porro vs. Sergio Ramos

(Photo by Jamie Squire – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Porro had a strong World Cup, providing value on both sides of the ball and scoring Spain’s second goal in the 2-0 semifinal victory over France.

But Ramos gets the nod as one of the defensive cornerstones of Spain’s golden generation. He was defensively reliable while also offering tremendous value going forward.

Ramos remarkably completed 31 dribbles at the 2010 World Cup, more than any other player in the tournament, despite playing at right back.

Porro had a great campaign, but this one belongs to Ramos.

Verdict: Sergio Ramos

Defensive Midfield: Rodri vs. Xabi Alonso

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

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Rodri gets the nod after winning the Golden Ball at the 2026 World Cup, just two years after being named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024.

He served as the metronome for this Spanish side, dictating the tempo, controlling possession and constantly making the correct decision. After returning from a serious knee injury, Rodri once again showed why he is one of the best midfielders in the world.

Xabi Alonso was a fabulous midfielder for Spain and an important member of the Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012-winning teams. His passing range, positioning and ability to control matches from deep were crucial to that midfield.

But Rodri’s peak and importance to this 2026 side give him the edge.

Verdict: Rodri

Defensive Midfield: Fabián Ruiz vs. Sergio Busquets

(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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Fabián gave Spain a different profile after Luis de la Fuente introduced him into the starting lineup during the knockout stage. His ability to carry the ball forward and cover ground next to Rodri added more dynamism to the midfield.

But Busquets gets the clear nod.

Like Rodri for the 2026 side, Busquets served as the metronome for Spain in 2010. He dictated the tempo, protected the defense and played with composure far beyond his years during his first major international tournament.

Busquets allowed Xavi and Iniesta to play with more freedom and was one of the most important tactical pieces in Spain’s success.

Verdict: Sergio Busquets

Central Midfield: Dani Olmo vs. Xavi

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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Olmo was an incredibly tidy and important midfielder for Spain. He could operate in tight spaces, connect the attack and make dangerous late runs into the box.

His intelligence and movement were crucial to Spain’s front line, but Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders in football history.

Xavi controlled the rhythm of matches for both Spain and Barcelona. His awareness, passing and ability to dictate games helped define an entire era of football.

He gets the clear nod.

Verdict: Xavi

Left Wing: Álex Baena vs. Andrés Iniesta

(Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

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Baena had a solid tournament and played an important role on Spain’s left side, giving the team the ability to keep possession, drift into different pockets and connect play in the final third.

But Iniesta is a player you have to make room for in this team, even if he did not operate as a traditional left winger throughout the 2010 World Cup.

His technical ability, creativity and capacity to progress the ball made him one of the best players of his generation. He also scored the most important goal in Spanish football history, delivering the extra-time winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 final.

Iniesta makes any combined XI in which he is an option.

Verdict: Andrés Iniesta

Striker: Mikel Oyarzabal vs. David Villa

(Photo by Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Oyarzabal had an efficient tournament, scoring five goals and delivering in major moments. He was an unconventional but incredibly effective No. 9 for Spain, floating into different pockets while still being ruthless when chances came his way.

But Villa was instrumental in Spain’s 2010 campaign, scoring five of its eight goals during the tournament.

He came through in crucial moments, scoring against Honduras, Chile, Portugal and Paraguay. His goals carried Spain through difficult matches when the team’s attack was struggling to turn possession into opportunities.

Oyarzabal had a brilliant campaign, but Villa gets the nod because of just how important his goals were to the 2010 team’s success.

Verdict: David Villa

Right Wing: Lamine Yamal vs. Pedro

(Photo by Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Yamal gets the nod after winning a World Cup as a teenager.

He entered the tournament recovering from a hamstring injury and did not control every match in the way he might have wanted, scoring only one goal. But he steadily grew into the competition and remained one of Spain’s most dangerous creative players.

Pedro became an important part of the 2010 side late in the tournament, earning starts in the semifinal and final because of his energy, pressing and intelligent movement.

But Yamal’s ceiling, talent and importance to this 2026 team give him the edge.

At only 19, Yamal already has a European Championship, a World Cup and multiple club trophies. He has built the foundation for what could become a phenomenal career.

Verdict: Lamine Yamal

Final Combined XI: Spain 2026 And Spain 2010

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK: Iker Casillas
RB: Sergio Ramos
CB: Carles Puyol
CB: Gerard Piqué
LB: Marc Cucurella
CM: Rodri
CM: Sergio Busquets
CAM: Xavi
RW: Lamine Yamal
LW: Andrés Iniesta
ST: David Villa

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NEW YORK NEW JERSEY STADIUM – After what seemed like every player from Spain came over to shake his hand, Lionel Messi sat alone on the pitch.

Argentina’s superstar took off his cleats and shinguards and plopped his legs out in front of him, leaning back on his arms. As FIFA volunteers assembled the stage for the trophy presentation, one of them waved in his direction. Messi looked past him, instead scanning the stands for his family. 

Spain had just defeated defending champion Argentina 1-0 to win its second-ever World Cup behind a goal from Ferran Torres in the second half of extra time. Messi and his La Albiceleste had arrived in pursuit of history, hoping to become the first nation since Pelé’s Brazil to successfully win a second consecutive World Cup title.   

No such luck. Argentina finished with zero shots on goal. Spain had 12 and one went in. 

“We’re sad,” Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni said in his press conference after the match. “We feel extremely grateful to all our fans, all those people who just needed that energy that we were lacking. We managed to go all the way to the end when the match was so open, and it just couldn’t be. In the end, they deserved the victory. That’s reality. We need to accept it. 

“But these are the moments to bounce back stronger. We need to reset and start again.”

Argentina’s reign is officially over. It entered this summer on an unprecedented high as the two-time defending Copa América champion, having won the tournament in 2021 and 2024 with the 2022 World Cup sandwiched in between. It was also Argentina’s third World Cup final appearance in the last four editions. 

For Messi, there was an added layer of symbolism as he spent much of his life in Spain, where he became a global icon playing for Barcelona. 

So, will this be the last time the soccer world sees Messi on its biggest stage? Who knows. 

(Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Regardless of what he decides, the 39-year-old defied age over the past 39 days. He opened the tournament with a hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, scored a stunning equalizer in the round of 16 against Egypt and delivered two defense-splitting assists in the semifinal against England. He finished with eight goals and four assists, narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot after France’s Kylian Mbappé scored twice in Saturday’s third-place match to finish with 10.

Sunday was different. With Spain controlling possession for long stretches, Argentina was chasing rather than dictating and Messi didn’t have opportunities to influence things the way he had throughout the tournament. An already exhausted La Albiceleste was forced to play with 10 men for more than 30 minutes after Enzo Fernández was shown a red card just before extra time. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, the 2022 Golden Glove winner, had to make a World Cup final-record 11 saves with a broken finger just to keep La Roja at bay. 

“I do have to be thankful for this group because they were warriors and that is the truth,” Scaloni said. 

After the game, Scaloni was asked repeatedly about Messi’s future.

“It’s crystal clear to me that he will play up until he decides not to,” said Scaloni, who had not yet spoken with Messi before addressing the media. “I hope everyone is proud of what he’s achieved because he’s the best football player ever to step foot on a pitch. I have no doubts about this. What he did this World Cup is incredible.”

As the trophy presentation stage came together, Messi rose from the turf and led his teammates to the left side of the pitch where Spain’s players were celebrating. He didn’t appear to say a word. Instead, he stood quietly, taking it all in. His hands rested behind his back, the captain’s armband still wrapped tightly around his left biceps. Every so often, a photographer stepped in front of him, capturing another image that would soon be seen around the world.

(Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images) –>

There was criticism, mostly throughout the knockout stage, that FIFA wanted Argentina to keep advancing. In reality, no matter what Egypt or England fans might say, Argentina was a resilient team. Time and again, they’d find themselves trailing only to respond with remarkable late comebacks. They embraced the suffering and the chaos and just knew they’d find a way to win.

In the end, only Spain – the most complete squad in the entire 48-team field who only conceded one goal the entire tournament – could stop them. La Roja are now unbeaten in 38 consecutive matches. 

“It really hurt in our soul not being able to take the trophy with us,” Scaloni said. “But we feel so proud of having competed like this. We could have been in better shape towards the end. But still, even so, we were very close to competing and making it and we’re so proud of our players. And that’s all we can ask for is Argentina players to give it their all until the end and that’s what they did.”

Scaloni, whose contract as manager expires in December, said he “cried my heart out in the locker room” and grew visibly emotional again toward the end of his press conference while talking about the success he’s experienced in this job, a post he’s held since 2018. 

“I never in my life would have thought, bear with me,” Scaloni said, pausing to compose himself. “I never could have imagined that we would be in this place. In order to continue, you need a great deal of things, especially resetting your mind, rebooting, creating a group like this again. 

“That is very difficult. It’s really painful.”

Messi took a deep breath and guided his team through a tunnel of Spain players onto the presentation stage where FIFA president Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump placed silver medals around their necks. 

Argentina then walked past the World Cup trophy that they hoisted four years ago, across the stage and over to the south end of the stadium where thousands of devoted supporters draped in blue and white were still chanting and singing. 

The video board zoomed in on Messi’s face, tears welled in his eyes. 

After a while, he led the team off the field and through the tunnel. Perhaps for the last time.

Spain vs Argentina Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Final

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NEW YORK — Some rivalries don’t need October stakes to feel like the playoffs.

To open the second half of the season, the Dodgers returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since they walked away as the 2024 world champions. 

In a tense environment in the Bronx, Friday’s opener was a tight nail-biter until Max Muncy slammed his 18th home run of the year, a go-ahead shot off Gerrit Cole, and lifted the Dodgers to a 2-1 win. Saturday’s rematch was postponed due to heavy rain, pushing the finale into a Sunday doubleheader. Los Angeles took the afternoon matinée, 8-2, behind an impressive complete game from Yoshinobu Yamamoto. New York grabbed the series finale after Jazz Chisholm hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning for a 2-1 Yankees win.

For now, the Dodgers secured the edge. If these two powerhouses meet again this year, it will be in a rematch of the 2024 Fall Classic.

Here are my takeaways from a revealing weekend in the Bronx.

1. Yamamoto Goes The Distance In Marquee Matchup

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Cam Schlittler went toe-to-toe in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader representing two of the top starting pitchers in baseball. Though both arms had dazzling stuff, it was Yamamoto and his experience that came out on top. Schlittler showed why he’s elite in this league, but he also displayed how much he still has to learn. 

Yamamoto (10-6, 2.78 ERA) pitched the first complete game of his career — in the regular season. He notched a couple of those during the Dodgers’ special playoff run last year, helping Los Angeles win the World Series for the second consecutive year. Yamamoto was extremely efficient on Sunday. The 27-year-old right-hander threw just 28 pitches after three innings, and he needed 102 pitches to finish off the Yankees. Yamamoto allowed two earned runs and four hits with seven strikeouts over nine innings.

Schlittler (9-6, 2.20 ERA) and his three fastballs (four-seamer, cutter and sinker), though excellent, could only overpower Los Angeles for so long. Dodgers hitters fouled off pitch after pitch, spoiling his afternoon and forcing his pitch count to climb up to 98 after just 4.1 innings. Schlittler threw his only offspeed pitch, a curveball that averaged 87.5 mph, just 7% of the time. The 26-year-old right-hander, making his 35th career start in his second season in the big leagues, needed to mix in his curveball more to keep opposing hitters off balance. 

2. Yankees Offense Forgot To Show Up

(Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)

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Since Judge went on the injured list on June 2, the Yankees are scoring on average one run per game. Without him, the Yankees are batting .195 with runners in scoring position, which is the worst in the majors in that span. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has insisted that this season doesn’t compare to 2023, when Judge slammed into the right field wall at Dodger Stadium, tore a ligament in his right big toe, missed 56 games, and the Yankees collapsed and missed the postseason for the first time since 2016. This year’s club is more talented and capable of surviving Judge’s absence, Boone said. 

On paper, this year’s Yankee offense is better than 2023’s everyday lineup. But both units have shown similar patterns of prolonged slumps and an inability to hit against some of the league’s best pitchers. 

They struggled against Yamamoto on Sunday. In the series opener, they struggled against Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki, who came into his start with a 5.33 ERA in 81 innings pitched this season. To be sure, Sasaki was dealing on Friday, throwing his fastest pitch of the season at 102 mph in the first inning. But the Yankees will need to overpower elite pitchers if they want to end their 17-year championship drought, and particularly without Judge, this offense hasn’t looked capable of being up for the challenge. 

3. Boone’s Trust In Cole Backfires

(Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Yankees veteran ace Gerrit Cole looked terrific in the series opener against the Dodgers, his first time facing Los Angeles since his costly mental mistake led to five unearned runs in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. Through six scoreless innings on Friday, Cole held the Dodgers to just three hits and permitted no walks. Cole started the seventh inning with a 1-0 lead on 90 pitches, but things went sideways after he began the frame by walking Mookie Betts. 

Immediately, Boone walked to the mound to check whether Cole was gassed. He asked his ace if he could go and get the next batter, Max Muncy. Cole said, of course. Boone went back into the dugout. And on the seventh pitch of a tough at-bat, Muncy took Cole deep for a towering two-run home run to right that gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead they would never relinquish. After the loss, Boone took responsibility for leaving Cole in too long.

“That’s on me,” said Boone, who is in his ninth season managing the Yankees. “Obviously, in hindsight, I probably should grab him there.”

Cole is 3-5 with a 3.93 ERA in 10 starts and 55 innings pitched this season in his return to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2025. Friday was the first time he threw 100 or more pitches since he faced the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2024 Fall Classic. 

On one hand, the Yankees should be able to trust their ace in the seventh inning. On the other hand, Cole is still working his way back to a normal workload, and the Yankees had a fully-rested bullpen ready to be deployed coming out of the All-Star break.

“It’s nice to push the stamina, get back out there for an extra hitter and keep going for it, keep competing,” Cole said. “That’s a great opportunity physically, and getting deeper into the second half, a good learning opportunity as well.”

4. Reigning MVPs Get Disappointing News 

(Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)

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This weekend in the Bronx should’ve been a heavyweight battle between the reigning American League and National League MVPs. Instead, Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge, who has been sidelined since the end of May, and Dodgers four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani both received disappointing news during the three-game rivalry series. 

Ohtani (left knee inflammation) will be out of the Dodgers rotation for the foreseeable future, the team announced on Sunday. He will continue to hit as designated hitter. Ohtani was originally scheduled to start on Wednesday against the Phillies, but Los Angeles does not believe their star player pitching is worth the risk. The decision all but eliminates Ohtani from the race for the NL Cy Young award. As it was, he was struggling to rack up enough innings to qualify. Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts and 85.2 innings this year.

“I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of when to expect Ohtani back on the mound. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”

Judge (fractured rib) underwent further imaging over the All-Star break, but he learned on Friday that those images did not show enough healing to begin baseball activities. New York’s best player will remain restricted indefinitely from physical activity. The most Judge can handle right now is walking on an incline on a treadmill. Though Judge was adamant that he would play again this season, his slow healing progress would seem to indicate that he’s still several weeks away from being a factor at the plate. 

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For years, Argentina’s future was built around one name: Lionel Messi. But after Sunday’s World Cup defeat to Spain, the question facing La Albiceleste is no longer about extending Messi’s legacy, but who will be tasked with creating the next one.

Adding to the uncertainty, Argentina could also be facing a coaching change, with Lionel Scaloni hinting at his future plans as the World Cup reaches its conclusion.

“I will continue as Argentina coach until December… then probably I will stop,” Scaloni said.

For an Argentina team coming off a 2022 World Cup win, losing both Messi and Scaloni in such a short span would create quite a transition. The next chapter of La Albiceleste will likely bring massive change as the program searches for the next generation of leaders.

Scaloni provided an update on his future, Messi’s next steps and his evaluation of Argentina’s World Cup run.

“I will talk to the president [of the soccer federation],” Scaloni said. “I believe it’s only fair that I can take this time for myself to think this through. I never thought I ⁠would get ​to this place and it’s wonderful.”

While Scaloni hinted that he may step away from Argentina, no final decision has been made. He plans to take time to evaluate the situation, but the demands of the job and the possibility of leading the program through a major roster transition could make continuing a difficult decision.

“In order to continue, you need ​a great deal of things: resetting your mind, rebooting, creating a group like this again — that is very difficult.”

Messi’s international future remains unclear, but if this was his final World Cup, Scaloni’s departure would add another layer to Argentina’s transition. After the match, Scaloni praised Messi’s leadership and performance throughout the tournament.

“He’s 39 years old now,” Scaloni said. “It was crystal clear for me that he was going to play up until he decided not to.”

Scaloni made it clear that Messi is the greatest player in the history of the sport and will forever be remembered for his impact on the game.

“I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he’s achieved, because he’s the best football ​player ever to set foot ​on a pitch. I ⁠have no doubt about this, and what he did during this World Cup was incredible. But also what he did before this.”

Lionel Messi’s Best Moments at 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇦🇷

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The greatest of all time.

Lionel Messi came up one win short of another World Cup title, bringing an unforgettable tournament run to a heartbreaking finish.

After Argentina fell to Spain in extra-time of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Messi once again left his mark on the sport’s biggest stage.

Across six World Cup appearances, Messi has led Argentina to the quarterfinals or better five times and reached the final three times. His résumé now includes six World Cup appearances, 34 matches, 21 goals, 12 assists and countless records, many of which he extended during this historic tournament.

His legacy on the tournament’s biggest stage is unlike anything the sport has ever seen.

Here’s a detailed look back at Messi’s remarkable World Cup career, beginning with his all-time tournament records before revisiting each of his six appearances.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Messi’s Career World Cup Accomplishments

• Second-most goals of any man or woman in World Cup history with 21 (Mbappé has 22).
• 12 career assists, the most on record (since 1966).
• Second man to play in three World Cup finals (2014, 2022, 2026), joining Cafu (Brazil- 1994, 1998, 2002).
• Scored or assisted in 11 straight World Cup matches, the longest streak on record (since 1966); that streak ended vs. Spain in the final.
• 33 goal contributions (goals + assists), most of any player on record (since 1966); has done this in 34 matches.
• 10 assists in the knockout stage; the most on record at the World Cup (since 1966).

• 21 World Cup matches in which he has scored or assisted, the most of any player on record (since 1966).
• 17 goal contributions in the knockout rounds of the World Cup (seven goals, 10 assists), the most on record (since 1966).
• Has scored a goal against 15 different opponents at the World Cup, the most of any player in World Cup history.
• Scored 17 non-penalty goals at the World Cup, second-most in tournament history (Kylian Mbappé has 19).
• Scored and assisted in five matches in his World Cup career, the most of any player on record (1966); no other player has more than three such matches on record.

• 34 matches played, most in World Cup history.
• 23 matches won, most in World Cup history.
• 17 knockout stage matches played, most in World Cup history.
• Nine consecutive matches scored in, the longest streak in World Cup history.
• First player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive knockout stage matches.
• Only player to score in the World Cup in his teens, 20s and 30s.

• Six goals from outside the box, the most on record at the World Cup (since 1966).
• Most minutes played on record at the World Cup (3,054).
• Only player to register an assist in six different World Cups.
• One of two players ever to score at five different World Cups (Cristiano Ronaldo).
• One of two players ever to score seven goals in multiple World Cups (Kylian Mbappé).
• Has played in four quarterfinals, tied for the most of any player ever.
• First MLS player to record multiple assists in a World Cup match.

• Eight goals, four assists
• 25 chances created, 21 key passes
• 52 take-ons, 165 passes in the attacking third
• 43 touches in the opponent’s box
• Silver Boot and Silver Ball

• Seven goals, three assists
• 21 chances, 18 key passes
• 40 take-ons, 159 passes in the attacking third
• 45 touches in the opponent’s box
• Golden Ball and Silver Boot

• One goal, two assists
• 10 chances, eight key passes
• 30 take-ons, 105 passes in the attacking third
• 21 touches in the opponent’s box

• Four goals, one assist
• 24 chances, 23 key passes
• 73 take-ons, 132 passes in the attacking third
• Golden Ball

• No goals, one assist
• 15 chances, 14 key passes
• 51 take-ons, 108 passes in the attacking third
• 22 touches in the opponent’s box

• One goal, one assist 
• Four chances created, three key passes
• 24 take-ons, 24 passes in the attacking third
• Six touches in the opponent’s box

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The greatest rivalry soccer has ever witnessed may have reached its end on the international stage. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the books, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now face uncertain futures with their national teams after building legacies that will be debated for generations.

FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas shared on his “State of the Union Podcast” that Messi’s career was shaped in part by his rivalry with Ronaldo. The constant competition between the two pushed Messi to become the best version of himself, as they elevated each other.

“Ronaldo’s existence, as much as some might not like it, has made Messi better and made him what he is,” Lalas said. “The competition. The volley. The back and forth. The challenge. Obviously, the ego in completely different ways, but they are both fueled by being the best.”

Even without ever meeting on the World Cup stage, Messi and Ronaldo were constantly chasing one another through individual accomplishments. Ronaldo holds the edge in career goals, but Messi achieved the one milestone that had eluded his rival. 

That was ultimately winning a World Cup. 

Messi accomplished that with Argentina in 2022, completing a legacy-defining milestone that many once questioned whether he could achieve. The constant competition may also have fueled his fire and determination, pushing him to keep pushing himself toward greatness.

“I truly believe that the Messi we have is shaped and formed by not just the experiences that he has, but the relationships he has,” Lalas said. “I think we have a better Messi and we have the best version of Messi because of Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Lalas believes that regardless of what people say about Ronaldo, there is one thing that can never be taken away from him: he pushed Messi to become the best version of himself, helping fuel the journey that turned Messi into one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.

“You can boo him all you want, and many people do,” Lalas said. “I don’t think we have the same Messi if Cristiano Ronaldo is not part of his era and of his time and challenges him.”

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