Dutch footballer; right-back for Real Madrid and the Netherlands
The World Cup opener slate shows Morocco, Brazil, and Germany launching campaigns with competitive results. Messi leads Argentina to a commanding win in Group; Portugal, DR Congo draw; Ivory Coast beats Ecuador; Japan draws with the Netherlands; Germany crush Curacao; Brazil and Morocco draw in a tactically fraught encounter.
Netherlands dominates Sweden with five goals as Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey lead the attack; Germany secures a late win over Côte d’Ivoire to top Group E, setting up a knockout-round clash as 48-team World Cup format continues.
Netherlands edge to a dramatic exit at the World Cup as Morocco advances after a 1-1 draw, with a decisive penalty by Soufiane Rahimi. The Dutch are under pressure over coach Ronald Koeman after unconventional defensive changes.
A wave of high-profile transfers has reshaped several top European teams, with Madrid, Leverkusen, Strasbourg, Dortmund and Atletico snapping up new forwards and defenders. Transfers span a range of fees and destinations as clubs bolster rosters ahead of the new season.
Real Madrid has reached a seven-year deal to sign 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Diomande from RB Leipzig, beating PSG and Liverpool. The transfer fee is undisclosed, with reports suggesting a world-record African transfer. Diomande has been named Bundesliga Young Player of the Season after scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists last season.