The World Cup used to let us micro-dose politics. Now it is engulfed by it
Whether it is our ‘identity maths’, naked nostalgia or diaspora experience. All seem scarred by the political contexts bearing down on this tournament
How are London City Lionesses able to embark on such a transfer spree?
Many are in awe of the investment that Michele Kang is making into the women’s game. Others, though, are baffled
Thomas Tuchel trusts England’s ‘special breed’ to find a way past Messi’s Argentina | David Hytner
Head coach praises his players’ ability to rise to the occasion and ‘put on a fight’ against the defending champions in the semi-final on Wednesday
‘Collective failure’: French press digests World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain
French media wrote of the disappointing World Cup semi-final, praising Spain’s performance while struggling to comprehend their team’s fall
Thomas Meunier ‘hugely excited’ about joining Sunderland on a free transfer
Sunderland have completed the signing of the experienced Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier
Lethal Spain execute plan to perfection against France on way to World Cup final | Jeff Rueter
Brilliant buildup play has often withered but control and flawless execution overcame France’s more variable chaos
The World Cup of Calvinball: Fifa’s hasty changes turn refereeing into a free-for-all | Beau Dure
Match officials are enforcing tweaks to the laws of the game that have hardly been tested. The results? Drama, ‘mistaken identities’ and lots of confusion
‘I root for underdogs’: football fans who don’t support their home country
Not everyone supports the country where they were born or grew up. Sometimes fans are won over by a player, place, population or style of play
Love and hate collide: England v Argentina is not simply a grudge match | Jonathan Liew
Look beyond the flashpoints and flare-ups and perhaps this is the greatest and most romantic of footballing rivalries
Even at 39, Lionel Messi can still hurt England with his sprinting ability
The Argentina captain conserves his energy for bursts in key moments and his top speed compares favourably with his contemporaries