Greetings! This weekend has been buzzing with significant football events from England, ranging from the jubilant Women`s Euro celebrations following the Lionesses` victory to a flurry of intense transfer activities. Here’s a rundown of the latest developments to kickstart your week.
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- Tuesday, July 29
- Copa America Femenina: Brazil vs. Uruguay, 8 p.m.
- Leagues Cup: Pachuca vs. San Diego, 11 p.m.
The Forward Line
England Beat Spain to Win Women`s Euro
England has once again asserted its dominance in European football, securing the Women`s Euro title in Basel on Sunday by defeating Spain. This victory makes them only the second country to achieve consecutive championship wins.
Mirroring their journey through the knockout rounds, where they typically trailed for extended periods, the reigning champions once again demonstrated their resilience by staging a comeback in Sunday`s final. Despite a strong start from Spain, who took the lead with Mariona Caldentey`s 25th-minute goal, the Lionesses fought back, with Alessia Russo netting the equalizer in the 57th minute. England effectively neutralized Spain`s intricate passing game, limiting La Roja to just five shots on target from a total of 22 attempts over 120 minutes. The match culminated in a penalty shootout, where England triumphed 3-1. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was instrumental, saving two penalties, including one from the acclaimed Aitana Bonmati, before Chloe Kelly sealed the victory, remarkably three years after scoring England`s decisive goal in the Euro final at Wembley.
Sarina Wiegman, England`s head coach, has solidified her reputation as a tournament expert, having now secured three consecutive European titles, including her 2017 win with the Netherlands. Throughout the Lionesses` victorious campaign in Switzerland this summer, Wiegman`s strategy prioritized determination and resilience over pure elegance, consistently guiding her team through challenging moments. While England’s formidable attack was a key asset, their defensive vulnerabilities were apparent at times, though they significantly improved for a robust performance against Spain. Some might argue that luck played a part in their path to the trophy, but as captain Leah Williamson highlighted after the match, their exceptional mental fortitude in overcoming adversity stands as the most enduring aspect of their triumph.
Williamson: `We have ridden our luck, but I don`t think we were lucky. Total disbelief, but at the same time I knew it was going to happen. There`s always a moment when I think `right girls, let`s turn it on`. The way we defended as a team, nothing came through us. It felt like it was going to be our day.`
The Women`s Euro tournament was characterized by compelling imperfections, from Spain`s struggle to break down resilient defenses like England`s and Germany`s, to the general inconsistency of teams in penalty shootouts. The competition also marked a subtle shift in the balance of power within women`s football. Not only did England manage to overcome a formidable Spanish side, but rising teams like Italy unexpectedly advanced to the semifinals, surpassing traditional giants such as Norway. With the next World Cup in Brazil two years away, this sets the stage for a fiercely competitive and unpredictable journey towards the global championship.
This Weekend
Midfield Link Play
Comings and Goings Out of England
This past weekend saw several English football clubs blend their preseason fixtures with significant transfer market activity, securing deals that brought in new talent and saw others depart.
Arsenal formally confirmed the acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon on Saturday, introducing him to supporters at Singapore`s National Stadium during their match against Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Morgan Gibbs-White concluded his transfer speculation by extending his contract with Nottingham Forest, opting against a move to Tottenham Hotspur. However, the most prominent development of the weekend was the imminent transfer of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich. The German champions re-engaged in discussions with Liverpool, ultimately increasing their offer to $88.1 million from an initial $78.8 million. Diaz subsequently left Liverpool`s preseason tour in Hong Kong to finalize his medical and complete the transfer. While the Colombian international was vital in Arne Slot`s inaugural season at Liverpool, the arrival of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, coupled with potential interest in Alexander Isak, suggests a shift in the club`s attacking lineup, reducing space for existing forwards.
Across England, a well-known figure is nearing a return to the Premier League. Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is reportedly on the verge of joining Sunderland, who were recently promoted. His arrival marks a significant moment in what has been an intriguing summer for the Black Cats. Sunderland`s commitment to remaining in the top flight is evident, as they are prepared to invest up to $22.8 million for Xhaka, a record transfer fee for an English club for a player aged 32 or above. This considerable investment reflects Xhaka`s proven reliability and experience, as highlighted by James Benge.
Benge: `For that price Sunderland are getting a player who offers plenty of qualities that Regis Le Bris` side is missing. With over 200 Premier League games to his name over seven seasons at Arsenal, he knows the competition inside out. Indeed a quick glance would suggest he might have more games in England`s top flight than the rest of his soon to be team mates combined.It helps that Xhaka, who turned down a big money move to Saudi Arabia`s NEOM SC for a return to England, is also extremely available, playing 66 of a possible 68 Bundesliga games during his time at the Bay Arena, and has not suffered a major injury since 2021.`
Top Stories
- 🏆 Unpredictable Women`s Euro Concludes: England`s unexpected triumph at the Women`s Euro signals a new era of competitive uncertainty in elite football, providing a compelling glimpse into the forthcoming 2027 Women`s World Cup.
- 🔴 Liverpool`s Evolving Attack: With the Reds acquiring exciting new attacking players, a key question arises for Arne Slot: how will he integrate Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike into the team`s offensive strategy?
- 🆕 Gyokeres Joins Arsenal: Viktor Gyokeres addresses a crucial attacking requirement for an ambitious Arsenal side, prompting speculation on his goal contribution as he transitions from Portuguese to English football.
- ❌ Messi, Alba Suspended by MLS: Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba received one-game suspensions from MLS for declining to participate in the All-Star Game, a decision based on a long-standing league rule now under review.
- ⭐ Evander`s MVP Pursuit: FC Cincinnati`s Evander is building a compelling case for the MLS MVP award this season, showcasing a remarkable journey from Brazil to North American football.
- 🔵🔴 Barcelona`s Understated Transfer Strategy: While the performances of Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford are set to define Barcelona`s season, the reigning La Liga champions have pursued a reserved transfer approach, which could prove beneficial.
- 🇮🇹 Serie A Managers Ranked: This season`s Serie A will feature an impressive cohort of managers, with Napoli`s Antonio Conte at the forefront following his title win, and Gian Piero Gasperini also highly rated as he assumes leadership at Roma.
The Back Line
Best Bets
- Premier League: 2025-26 Champions Prediction
- 💰 THE PICK: Liverpool to win the Premier League title (+175) – Our pick is Liverpool to clinch the Premier League title (+175). While Arsenal and Manchester City have undeniably strengthened their prospects with recent high-profile signings, the championship remains Liverpool`s to lose. Even with Luis Diaz`s departure, the Reds now boast some of football`s most promising young attacking talent in Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, alongside the continued brilliance of Mohamed Salah. Although some might argue Liverpool`s summer focus has leaned heavily towards offense, especially with their pursuit of Alexander Isak, their bold rebuilding strategy positions them as the natural frontrunners to secure England`s top-flight title for another consecutive year.
What We`re Watching
What`s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
- ☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Tune into Golazo Network`s primary morning program, `Morning Footy,` designed to kickstart your day with key highlights, exclusive interviews, and the most compelling soccer narratives. This show is also accessible as a podcast, ensuring you never miss an update.
- 3️⃣ Attacking Third (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday): What began as a prominent women`s soccer podcast and social media presence has now evolved into a live studio show. With the NWSL season underway, our comprehensive coverage of women`s football is more robust than ever. Our expert analysts provide ongoing breakdowns of the USWNT, NWSL, and European domestic leagues throughout the year. Additionally, catch our live streams on YouTube every Sunday, immediately following the final NWSL match of the weekend.
- ⚽ Call it What You Want: This bi-weekly podcast features Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola, offering in-depth discussions on the USMNT and the broader landscape of soccer in the United States.
- 🥅 Scoreline (Daily): `Scoreline` is the latest destination for football enthusiasts to stay updated on major news and results from global football, featuring match highlights from top competitions and essential goals from daily action. This show airs seven days a week, beginning on Thursday.
- 📺 How to Watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network provides a free 24/7 channel offering extensive coverage of premier soccer competitions globally. Viewers can stream content without charge via the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+ platforms.
