Introduction Every major upset at this World Cup has traced back to a specific, identifiable decision — a substitution, a shootout order, a choice over who takes a penalty. With the tournament now into the quarter-finals, the pattern across the…
Introduction On paper, Brazil’s front line for this World Cup was arguably the most talent-dense in the entire tournament — Vinícius Júnior, Neymar, Rodrygo, Raphinha and teenage sensation Endrick all available to Carlo Ancelotti at various points. And yet Brazil…
Introduction Before he was breaking Bundesliga appearance records as a teenager, Jude Bellingham was a six-year-old playing for a small West Midlands club most England supporters have never heard of. His path from Stourbridge to Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund…
Introduction Four years after France ended Morocco’s fairytale run in the Qatar semi-finals, the two sides meet again — this time in the quarter-finals, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with a place in the last four once again on the line. Neither…
Introduction Nobody wrote this quarter-final into their pre-tournament bracket. Norway hadn’t reached a World Cup since 1998, and Brazil were supposed to be the team standing between England and a semi-final. Instead, Erling Haaland’s brace sent five-time champions Brazil home…
