Latin America Sports Daily for Monday, July 13, 2026

Argentina v England in Atlanta — Messi’s holders one win from back-to-back finals

Preview

The reigning world champions are 90 minutes — or more — from a second straight final. Argentina became the final team to punch a semi-final ticket by beating Switzerland in extra time on Saturday, and take on England on Wednesday, with kick-off at 3pm ET at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Saturday in Kansas City was another slog for La Albiceleste — Argentina’s famous sky-blue-and-white national side. Alexis Mac Allister opened after 10 minutes, Dan Ndoye levelled on 67, and it took extra-time goals from Julián Álvarez (112′) and Lautaro Martínez (120+1′) to settle it 3-1.

It has been a torturous route: Argentina needed extra time to see off Cape Verde in the round of 32, then trailed Egypt by two goals with just over ten minutes left before one of the most improbable comebacks in tournament history. Captain Lionel Messi, 39, remains the heartbeat — he has eight goals in six matches, and though he did not score in the quarter-final, he is chasing a second consecutive final.

England are formidable opposition. They have reached a fourth World Cup semi-final and, after another comeback win over Norway, matched their record of five wins at a single World Cup, set in 1966 — and they and France are the only teams with two players on five or more goals each (Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham).

France v Spain in Texas on Tuesday — the heavyweight semi-final

World Cup

First up in the last four, France and Spain meet on Tuesday, July 14 at 3pm ET in the Dallas stadium — the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is the first time the top four teams in the FIFA rankings have all reached the World Cup semi-finals.

The numbers are frightening: France have outscored opponents 16-2 in this tournament, Spain 11-1, and the French are favourites to win the trophy with Spain second. Kylian Mbappé is favoured for both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, Michael Olise leads the tournament in assists, while Spain’s Unai Simón is tipped for the Golden Glove and Lamine Yamal for Young Player.

Spain keep winning late — they outlasted Belgium 2-1 in Friday’s quarter-final, Mikel Merino scoring the 88th-minute winner after his stoppage-time goal had beaten Portugal in the previous round. France beat Morocco 2-0 with goals from Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.

The prize is enormous: the losers drop into the third-place match in Miami Gardens (July 18, 5pm ET), while the winners go to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Demand is wild — FIFA had nearly 1,200 category two tickets priced at 7,380 dollars each on sale for the July 19 final.

Brazil’s reckoning — Neymar walks away as the Seleção plan for 2030

Feature

For half of South America this World Cup is already a post-mortem. Brazil were eliminated after losing 2-1 to Norway in the round of 16 — their first exit at that stage since Italy 1990, with Erling Haaland scoring a header on 78 minutes and a stunning long-range strike on 89.

There was a poignant coda. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer, announced his international retirement after the defeat — fittingly at the MetLife Stadium, since he closed his Seleção career in the same stadium where he debuted for Brazil in August 2010. He departs as the national team’s record scorer with 80 goals, three more than Pelé, from 130 caps, second only to Cafú’s 142.

The inquest now falls on coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose arrival had raised huge expectations. The rebuild starts quickly: the Italian begins the 2030 World Cup cycle in just two months, with Brazil facing Australia away on September 25 and 29 in Townsville and Brisbane.

The horizon at least is friendly: the 2030 World Cup, the tournament’s centenary edition, will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco with matches also in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

Club football returns: Liga MX kicks off Thursday, CONMEBOL knockouts next

Football

Mexico’s top flight refuses to wait for the World Cup’s final whistle. The Apertura 2026 opens on Thursday, July 16 with Necaxa v Atlante and Tijuana v Tigres, and Jornada 1 runs through Saturday with no Sunday games — leaving the Sunday free for the World Cup final. Atlante’s opener marks the club’s return to the first division after 12 years away.

The continental calendar tightens too. The Copa Sudamericana playoffs run from July 21-23, with return legs between July 28 and 30 — headline ties include Boca v O’Higgins at La Bombonera and Nacional de Uruguay v Tigre at the Estadio Centenario.

In the Copa Libertadores — South America’s Champions League — the draw has produced blockbusters: Cruzeiro v Flamengo, Palmeiras v Cerro Porteño and Rosario Central v Corinthians. The round of 16 is set for August 11-20, quarter-finals September 8-17, and the single-match final on November 28 at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.

One more date for Mexican fans: the Campeón de Campeones between Cruz Azul and Toluca is on Saturday, July 25, with the Liga MX-MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 29.

Sunday’s other champion: Sinner retains Wimbledon as Latin motorsport builds momentum

Result

Away from the football, Sunday crowned a tennis champion. Jannik Sinner defended his Wimbledon title, coming from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 46 minutes — with Carlos Alcaraz absent, ruled out as his recovery from a wrist injury continued.

There was quiet cheer for the region in Formula 1’s most recent round. Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto finished eighth at Silverstone to score Audi’s first points since the season opener in Melbourne, and Argentina’s Franco Colapinto took ninth for Alpine in a race won by Charles Leclerc.

The result gives Audi encouragement ahead of the next round at Spa-Francorchamps — and keeps two young South Americans firmly in the points conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

When and where do Argentina play England, and how can I watch?

England and Argentina meet on Wednesday, July 15 at 3pm ET at the Atlanta stadium — the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. France v Spain precedes it on Tuesday, July 14 at 3pm ET in Dallas.

In the United States, every match is on FOX and FS1 in English, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and Universo and streaming via Peacock.

Why are Brazil already out of the World Cup?

The Seleção lost 2-1 to Norway in the round of 16, undone by a brutal brace from Erling Haaland; Brazil had not fallen at this stage since Italy 1990.

The defeat also closed an era — Neymar, the national team’s record scorer, announced his retirement from the Canarinha after the match.

What is next for Latin American club football after the World Cup?

Plenty, and quickly: Liga MX’s Apertura 2026 starts Thursday, July 16, days before the World Cup final, and the Copa Sudamericana playoffs run July 21-30.

The Libertadores round of 16 is played between August 11 and 20, building to a final on November 28 at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.