For decades, England fans have sung “It’s Coming Home” as they hope to will the Three Lions to their first major tournament title since 1966. Those chants have come to no avail, though, as evidenced by England’s World Cup semifinal loss to Argentina on Wednesday. 

England blew a 1-0 lead late in Wednesday’s semifinal match against Argentina, giving up the game-tying goal in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez scored the game-winner in extra time. 

The loss marked just the latest heartbreak for England at a major tournament since its World Cup win in 1966. While the Three Lions haven’t made it back to the World Cup final since their last win, they’ve reached the final of the Euros twice since then. 

So, as England went through another heartbreaking loss on Wednesday, here’s a look back at some of its other dramatic losses since its last World Cup victory. 

WORLD CUP

  ‘Hand Of God’ In 1986

Diego Maradona scored two iconic goals in a span of four minutes to eliminate England from the 1986 quarterfinals. Maradona later claimed that this goal was scored by ‘The Hand Of God’. (Photo by Archivo El Grafico/Getty Images) –>

England was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 1986 World Cup, thanks to one of the most controversial goals in the history of the sport. In the 51st minute, Argentina star Diego Maradona leveled the match against England with the infamous “Hand of God” goal. Four minutes later, Maradona scored another infamous goal, swerving by England’s defense to score the game-winner in what would later become known as the “Goal of the Century.” 

  Tearful End In 1990

England was on the doorstep of reaching the World Cup final in 1990, before things unraveled against West Germany. After scoring the 80th-minute equalizer, England suffered some heartbreak in extra time and penalty kicks. Paul Gascoigne received a yellow card that would’ve disqualified him from playing in the final, leading to a memorable image of him crying.

Gascoigne’s yellow card didn’t play into the final result against West Germany. However, it became the moment of England’s loss, as the Three Lions missed their final two penalty kicks and fell, 4-3. 

  Beckham’s Red Card In 1998

A second-half red card for David Beckham left England with ten men before a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in 1998. (Photo by Arnold Slater /Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images) –>

Argentina was on the right side of an England heartbreak again in 1998. In the round of 16, David Beckham received a red card for a foul he committed early in the second half. Somehow, England was not only able to keep the match level with just 10 men, but it also scored a goal in extra time that would’ve given it the lead. However, Sol Campbell’s potential go-ahead goal was called back due to a foul on the goalkeeper.

Argentina was able to prevail in penalty kicks.

  Losing To Croatia In 2018

In 2018, the door opened for England to reach the final. England took an early 1-0 lead in the semifinal against Croatia, but allowed a 68th-minute equalizer that forced extra time. Croatia’s Mario Mandžukić scored the game-winning goal in the 109th minute, and England wasn’t able to pull through to force penalty kicks. 

  Kane’s Missed PK In 2022

England got the opportunity to potentially knock out defending World Cup champion France in 2022, and it put up a strong fight. Harry Kane scored a penalty kick in the second half to level the match, before France took a 2-1 lead in the 78th minute. Yet, England had a golden opportunity to even the match when it was awarded a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. However, Kane was able to score on a penalty kick again, completely missing the net. 

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  Blown Lead To Argentina

For the third time since its last World Cup win, England suffered another heartbreaking loss to Argentina at the World Cup on Wednesday. Anthony Gordon gave the Three Lions a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute, giving his side the advantage in a tight match. 

But some questionable tactical changes by England coach Thomas Tuchel allowed Argentina to make a comeback. Lionel Messi dished out two assists in the final minutes, including one that set up Lautaro Martínez to score the game-winner on a header in extra time. 

England vs Argentina Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

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EUROS

  PK Heartbreak Begins In 1996

England’s penalty kick nightmares in the World Cup have also carried into its exits at the Euros. In the semis of the 1996 tournament, England and Germany exchanged early goals that set up the match to go into penalties. Both sides made their first five penalty kicks, before Germany scored on its sixth try and England’s Gareth Southgate was unable to score on the sixth try. 

  More PK Heartbreak in 2004

Darius Vassell missed a penalty kick in England’s loss to Portugal in 2004. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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England’s loss to Portugal in the quarters of the 2004 Euros was pretty wicked. It blew a 2-1 lead in the 83rd minute, but forced penalty kicks with a goal in the 115th minute. However, Portugal edged out England in penalties, winning 6-5 in seven rounds as David Beckham and Darius Vassell didn’t score on their tries. 

  First PK Heartbreak vs. Italy

If Argentina has been the biggest thorn in England’s side at the World Cup, then Italy has been the biggest thorn in its side at the Euros. It battled Italy to a scoreless draw through 120 minutes in the semis at the 2012 Euros, forcing another dramatic session of penalty kicks. But as Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney scored for England in penalties, Ashley Young and Ashley Cole didn’t score, allowing Italy to win the penalties, 4-2. 

  Falling To Italy In The Final

England’s loss to Italy in the final of the 2020 Euros might be its most painful on this list. It took an early 1-0 lead in the second minute, but Italy equalized in the 67th minute. While England wasn’t able to score again, it was in control during penalties. The Three Lions took a 2-1 lead through the first two rounds, but Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all failed to score on their tries. Italy scored on two of its final three penalty kicks, and England came up short at Wembley. 

  Losing In Final Minutes

Once again, England was on the precipice of winning the Euros in 2024. Cole Palmer scored the equalizer against Spain in the 73rd minute, as it appeared the match would go into extra time. Right before stoppage time, though, Spain star Mikel Oyarzabal scored an impressive goal that gave his side a 2-1 lead en route to victory. 

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It all comes down to this: Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium in the world’s most important game. It is a clash between two elite national teams who both put on remarkable performances in their respective semifinal wins. 

It pits the reigning European champion who is undefeated in its last 14 games in major tournaments (13 wins and one draw) against a team whose success is unparalleled, like the two-time reigning Copa América holders and the defending World Cup champion.

Here is everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup final:

Spain vs. Argentina: How To Watch

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• Time: Sunday, July 19, 3 p.m. ET 
• Where: New York New Jersey Stadium
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One

Winning any major international tournament is exceptionally hard as it takes world-class talent, top coaching, no off days, and even a little bit of luck. On Sunday, Argentina will attempt to win its fourth consecutive major tournament in what would be an unprecedented feat. 

Of course, the accomplishment was made possible by Lionel Messi, who is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.

What is striking about Messi’s career is that most of his international success began at the age of 34 with the 2021 Copa América, when he was named the tournament’s best player in leading Argentina to its first title since 1993. Then he won the World Cup in 2022 at the age of 35, where he was again named the best player. Argentina repeated the Copa América title in 2024 in the United States despite Messi scoring just one goal and leaving the final injured. 

Now at the 2026 World Cup, Messi has once again continued to dominate the tournament at the age of 39. He scored Argentina’s first five goals of the tournament and only three of the team’s 14 goals in the last five games. What is so impressive, is that in the last five games he has actually played his best because he has been elevating his teammates. 

Against England, Messi took advantage of England’s defensive shift after the Three Lions took a 1-0 lead. He then assisted on Enzo Fernández’s equalizer in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage time winner. Messi has instead helped to balance the team’s attack and give it more versatility. 

Argentina has an incredible amount of talent and Messi has helped to bring it all to its potential. Lionel Scaloni also has this team playing with raw intensity and a desire to win that has not been matched. Argentina has been vulnerable at times in this tournament, such as trailing Egypt by two goals late, or trailing England 1-0 into the 85h minute. But Argentina has excelled when its back has been against the wall.

If there is any team that can match Argentina’s intensity, it is Spain. La Roja played a near perfect game in its 2-0 win over France in the semifinal. What makes Spain so great is that all the players are so deeply committed to the system implemented by head coach Luis de la Fuente. 

No team in this tournament can pass and move as well as Spain. Once Spain has possession, it is extremely difficult to win it back. Then on the defensive side, Spain knows how to shut down spaces and force turnovers. 

Everyone in Spain plays a role in its system, but Rodri is the glue that makes the team move. Against France, the Manchester City central midfielder put on a world-class shift in terms of connecting the ball from the midfield and into the attack. Then defensively, he forced France into turnovers. He also won a significant percentage of his duels to keep Spain in possession. 

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Spain’s attack is led by teenager Lamine Yamal and veteran forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who spent his entire career at Real Sociedad as opposed to the top clubs where elite center forwards play. Oyarzabal has been a perfect center forward for Spain’s system, and he typically finds ways to score big goals. Yamal, on the other hand, is a teenage superstar at Barcelona who is on the verge of becoming the next global superstar. Of course, if the winger can now in the World Cup, he will be on a path reserved for only the greatest players.

The architect of Spain’s rise is de la Fuente. The team has become completely dedicated to his vision. During his tenure, Spain won all seven of its games at Euro 2024 and now has won six of seven at this World Cup. The only blemish he has in a major tournament leading Spain is a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. 

But de la Fuente has created a team that is extremely difficult to break down. Through seven games, La Roja conceded just one goal. In the semifinal, world-class attackers Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé never looked dangerous. De la Fuente’s team is as prepared as any team this decade to contain Messi.

This game has no clear favorites. Just two great teams led by global stars. It will be an extremely hard-fought game and the winner will be a worthy champion. 

Players To Watch

Forward · Argentina

Everyone needs to watch Lionel Messi in this game because this might be the last chance to see the greatest player of all time play in an important game for his country. He is looking to win his fourth straight major title for La Albiceleste and add to his record 21 career World Cup goals. At age 39, Messi is only continuing to get better. With his two assists against England, he now has eight goals and two assists in this tournament. He became the first player ever to have over 10 goal involvements in consecutive World Cups after scoring seven and assisting on three goals in 2022. 

Midfielder · Argentina

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández has a critical assignment on Sunday. As a central midfielder, he will be tasked with going against the heart of Spain’s system in the middle of the field where Rodri and Fabian Ruiz typically dictate the game on their terms. Fernandez had a great performance against England. Even beyond his goal, Fernandez was very effective in his passing where he made few mistakes, switched the point of attack, and regularly got the ball into dangerous positions. He needs to be just as effective against Spain for Argentina to have a good chance. 

The 19-year-old central defender might be the best centerback in the world after what he has shown in this tournament. Already a regular starter for Barcelona, Cubarsí has been even more impressive with Spain as he is a major reason why his team has conceded just one goal across its seven games at the World Cup. Handling Argentina will require another big effort, but if he is successful, he will widely be considered a global superstar and the most valuable player in the world at his position. 

The Manchester City central midfielder is the engine of Spain’s system. He is a tireless worker who is so effective on both sides of the ball. He will present Argentina with the toughest test it has faced at this World Cup. If he can control the midfield and force Argentina into chasing the game the way France did, Spain has an excellent chance of winning. For La Roja, it starts with him. 

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The NFC East has been a premier division in the NFL since the start of this century: Four Super Bowl champions, double-digit NFC title game appearances and a 20-year stretch where the division saw no back-to-back champions. 

That run ended with the Eagles repeating last season after winning the division in 2024. 

However, I do not predict a third straight division title for the Eagles.

Let’s get into my best bets for the NFC East next season.

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NFC East Winner

The race for the NFC East is between the Cowboys and Eagles, although I could see either the Commanders or Giants pushing to be in the conversation. 

The Eagles have all the pieces in place to win the division again, but I’m concerned about the offense. My concern starts with coaching. The Eagles have another offensive coordinator for quarterback Jalen Hurts, and it’s a first-time play-caller in Sean Mannion. 

Mannion is only in his third year of coaching, after spending nearly a decade in the NFL as a backup quarterback. Mannion brings the Shanahan offense to Philly, and it’s a complete change to what the Eagles have done in the past. The Shanahan offense will move Hurts more under center and will turn the run game into more outside zone. This offense has produced recent MVP winners and Super Bowl champions, but that is with experience at either of those positions. 

How does an offense that might not fit the strengths of the quarterback pair with a first-time play-caller? The Eagles lost A.J. Brown, and the offensive line is beat up and aging. 

I just don’t like the feel of this offense heading into next season.

The Cowboys roster is far better than it’s given credit. Dak Prescott is in the second tier of NFL quarterbacks, but he might be near the top of that list. He’s been fantastic when healthy, and in Year 1 under Brian Schottenheimer he threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. 

Dallas has a star duo of receivers with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. It also has a good tight end and running back, as well as an above-average offensive line.

The Cowboys’ issue last season was the defense, or lack thereof. They couldn’t rush the passer after they traded away Micah Parsons, so they hit rushers hard to improve the defense this spring. They traded for Rashan Gary, drafted Malachi Lawrence in the first round and drafted LT Overton in the fourth round. Those guys join Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, whom the Cowboys added via the Parsons trade last season. 

To improve the secondary, Dallas drafted Caleb Downs, and also added Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson in free agency. At linebacker, DeMarvion Overshown will start this season healthy after only playing five games last season. The defense was better with him in the lineup.

In short, the ‘Boys have elite offensive personnel with a healthy Prescott and a much improved defense. Their coaching staff is into Year 2, and I’d expect growth from it as well. 

Schwartz’s Pick: Cowboys to Win NFC East (+235)

Jalen Hurts Rushing Over/Under

Jalen Hurts’ rushing attempts have continually decreased since 2022. He went from 165 attempts in 2024 down to 105 last season. He rushed for over 600 yards in both 2023 and 2024, before rushing for only 421 last season. 

As quarterbacks get older, they tend to slow down on their rushing attempts. They become less mobile and less willing to take hits. Injuries start to pile up, so they avoid punishment as much as possible. 

On top of that, Hurts will now play in an offense that won’t look to use his legs as much. He’ll be under center more than in the gun. There will be fewer zone reads and more running back carries. 

I think Hurts is Under rushing this season

Schwartz’s Pick: Jalen Hurts Under 400.5 Rushing Yards (-110)

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ATLANTA STADIUM — Watching Argentina’s coach speak the day before his team produced one of the most epic semifinal comebacks in World Cup history, it was impossible not to think that Lionel Scaloni was trying to soften the potential blow for the soccer-crazy nation’s almost 47 million citizens.

La Albiceleste has been so successful under the unassuming 48-year-old — winning a World Cup and two Copa América crowns in the last five years — that the prospect of losing has become almost incomprehensible to most fans. Maybe even to Argentina’s players, who never seem to know when they’re beaten.

Scaloni, the thinking went, had to be the realist among the dreamers.

And then, midway through the press conference that followed Wednesday’s win — a victory that will see Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final just outside New York City — he revealed that he and his staff had begun scouting La Roja before actually advancing to the championship match.

“We’ve analyzed the game a little bit,” Scaloni said of Spain’s 2-0 win over France in the other semi, which was played in Dallas on Tuesday. “It’s a great team. I would say they deserved to win that semifinal. They played very well. They beat a team that I thought was very difficult to beat, and they beat them squarely.

“We also saw them at that point as a potential rival,” he continued. “And now we’ve analyzed them a bit more.”

(Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

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It was a low-key astonishing admission. Every half-decent coach, in any sport at any level, implores their players never to look ahead as a matter of course. Control what you can. Focus on only the task in front of you, or risk getting sidetracked.

Yet there was Scaloni, already preparing for a title bout that might never come. It’s as if he knew, having watched his players grind their way to victory at every turn since being hired to lead his country in 2018 — not least in the 2022 World Cup final, when they squandered two leads against a more talented Les Bleus squad and yet still found a way to prevail — that such prep work was necessary.

“I think that this team plays the best when we are facing a difficult situation with adversity,” Scaloni said after defeating England, which led 1-0 with just five minutes of the regular 90 remaining. “We had a challenging game, a challenging situation. We smelled blood in the water, and we went for it.”

Now comes the ultimate test.

(Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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It’s a special match for Scaloni and many of his players. Lionel Messi is a Spanish citizen who moved to Barcelona as a child to follow his dreams of becoming an elite professional. Although Messi left Europe for South Florida three years ago to join Inter Miami of MLS, he remains immensely popular everywhere in Spain with the possible exception of Madrid, the home of Barça’s chief rival.

“Not all Spaniards love him, but the majority do,” Scaloni said of Messi. “He’s very special for them as well, [as] the best player in history.”

(Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

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Seven of the 26 men on Argentina’s roster play for Spanish clubs. Scaloni himself lives in Mallorca with his Spanish wife and children; he once played for the La Liga club there and represented Deportivo La Coruña and Racing de Santander, too. He’s become friends with La Roja coach Luis de la Fuente.

“Everybody knows that I’m in Spain, have a Spanish family, and on Sunday — though I’m very, very sorry — I’m going to try to beat Mr. De la Fuente,” he said.

After Wednesday, how can anyone not like Argentina’s chances of becoming the first repeat World Cup champ since Brazil in 1962?

Nobody is more sure of his team than its coach. 

“We’re going to win the final,” Scaloni said, before seeming to catch himself. “We’re going try to win the final,” he clarified. 

“I know how special this team is,” he added. “We’ve got to prepare for the game, but everybody has to celebrate as well. There are very few moments that we have where we can just be truly joyful. Tomorrow, we have to think about what’s next.”

England vs Argentina Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

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SMU has launched a Heisman Trophy campaign for senior quarterback Kevin Jennings, and also is putting his name on a new recovery center in the school’s football complex.

The third-year hometown starting quarterback, who led the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff two seasons ago, is believed to be the first player to have an area on any campus named for him while still active in his college career.

“When you started looking at a legacy that’s going to be left, every player that comes through SMU is going to see Kevin’s name up there and be reminded of the impact he had, but also what his accomplishments allow us to do to leave something that’s going to help make their experience here better,” Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee said Wednesday.

The announcement of the Kevin Jennings Recovery Center came two days after SMU officially launched its “K7NG OF DALLAS” campaign That title is a nod to the city where the school is located and where Jennings was born and grew up, plus the two-time captain’s jersey number.

SMU’s only Heisman Trophy winner was halfback Doak Walker in 1948. Walker is the namesake of the annual award for the nation’s top college running back.

Jennings is 19-7 as SMU’s starter with 7,709 yards and 55 touchdowns passing, well within reach of the school’s career records of 9,081 yards and 72 TDs. He completed 300 of 454 passes (66.1%) for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, the Mustangs’ second in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“That was a no-brainer,” Lashlee said of the organized Heisman push. “He’s more than deserving of it. We’ve got to win games, we’ve got to play well. I think we’ve got a good team around him, but he’s earned it.”

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the Heisman Trophy winner last season, the fourth QB in five years to win the award. The only non-quarterback in that span was Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter in 2024.

SMU’s recovery center will include two dedicated spaces with state-of-the-art equipment for physical and mental recovery such as light infrared saunas, dry plunge and sleep pods. They will be in areas that will be renovated inside SMU’s endzone facility that opened two years ago, and could be ready early in the upcoming season.

“It means a lot. I’m just super-excited for it,” Jennings said. “It’s honestly just a blessing being in this situation I’m in right now.”

SMU said the center inspired by Jennings’ vision was made possible by financial support from alumni Ann and Malcolm Holland.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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The Miami Hurricanes are back on the national scene in college football in large part due to the acquisition of two high-profile transfer quarterbacks the past two years.

They’re counting on a third, Darian Mensah from Duke, to keep them in the conversation.

The junior redshirt quarterback said Wednesday he made the move to Miami largely because of the success Cam Ward and Carson Beck experienced after joining the Hurricanes through the transfer portal. Ward became the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and Beck took Miami to the College Football Playoff championship game last season and was selected in Round 3.

Mensah said after watching Ward and Beck perform he believes Miami gives him a chance to win a national title, while simultaneously best utilizing his skill set to improve his NFL draft stock.

“Seeing what the last two quarterbacks did at Miami was a huge factor,” Mensah said at the ACC Kickoff. “Seeing the freedom that (offensive coordinator Shannon) Dawson lets the quarterback play with within his offense was also something that was attractive to me.”

Mensah’s arrival in Miami followed a tension-filled offseason legal fight between Duke and its elite QB, who had signed a two-year contract in 2025 that included name, image and likeness money. The end result was a settlement that allowed Mensah to move on after the school had attempted to block his departure.

Mensah brings a proven track record to Miami.

He threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns for Tulane in 2024, then led the Atlantic Coast Conference last season with 3,973 yards passing and 34 touchdowns. The Blue Devils won a five-way tiebreaker to reach the ACC championship and beat No. 20 Virginia in Charlotte for their first outright title since 1962.

With Beck out of college eligibility, Miami coach Mario Cristobal felt his team desperately needed an experienced QB to go with a talented returning core.

“We were in the market for a quarterback,” Cristobal said. “We felt the team was really set in so many areas. When Darian hit the portal, we felt this is a guy we would love to pursue. … His levels of leadership, care factor, time invested in his craft, football IQ, just natural human IQ, just an elite person.”

Mensah said the transition to Miami has been “seamless” and that his new teammates have been welcoming even while talk swirls around his reported $10 million NIL deal.

“I feel like I’m at home here in Miami and you couldn’t ask for more,” he said.

Mensah said he remains friends with his former Duke teammates but that “business is business.”

However, there likely will be plenty of emotions on both sides when the Hurricanes host Duke on Nov. 14.

Mensah said he briefly considered joining the NFL draft but decided he needed to show more to scouts.

“I feel like I lost my team some games last year with just having the ball loose,” Mensah said. “And so I think that was a big thing for me and then just taking what the defense gives me and just being better with that, and not pressing.”

The Hurricanes are coming off a memorable season.

After catching a few breaks to get into the CFP, including Duke’s Mensah-led win over Virginia, they beat No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Mississippi before losing to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and No. 1 Indiana in the CFP final.

Linebacker Mohamed Toure, Miami’s leading tackler last season, said the “The U” is getting closer to the high level where it once was. He said he gets chills when former Hurricanes players return to campus and talk with the team.

He said the loss to the Hoosiers will only continue to drive the Hurricanes.

“We ended with a bitter taste in our mouth, so it’s like we’re hungry to get to this 2026 season,” Toure said. “But we understand that we only could take it one day at a time. So taking that energy, that hunger that we have and just applying it to every single day. It’s a stepping stone.”

Miami hopes Mensah can help it take that final step and win its first national title since 2001.

“I always felt like I could play at this level, and a lot of people didn’t when I was in high school, so, carry that chip around me everywhere I go,” Mensah said. “There’s a lot more left in my college career that I’m, I can showcase and I’m excited for the season.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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It is rare for a starting quarterback to hit the free-agent market, but the ongoing impasse between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield could make the former No. 1 overall pick a hot commodity when the free-agent carousel starts spinning in 2027.

After earning consecutive Pro Bowl selections with Tampa Bay, while producing a pair of 4,000-yard seasons and guiding the club to back-to-back division titles in 2023-24, Mayfield has been unable to secure the long-term deal he covets as a franchise quarterback.

Although the Bucs are likely slow-playing the negotiations to gauge the quarterback market, with Lamar Jackson and others also awaiting contract extensions, the financial tug-of-war between Tampa Bay and Mayfield is a different discussion. 

Baker Mayfield is entering the last year of his deal. Will he and the Bucs agree to an extension before the season? (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

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What Is Mayfield Worth?

Unlike Jackson, who should command a contract that averages $60 million-plus annually as a two-time MVP who has consistently ranked as a top-five quarterback, the veteran should target a deal that puts him in the “$50 Million Club” based on his résumé compared to Dak Prescott (four-year, $240 million), Trevor Lawrence (five-year, $275 million), Jordan Love (four-year, $220 million), Brock Purdy (five-year, $265 million), Tua Tagovailoa (four-year, $212.4 million) and Jared Goff (four-year, $212 million). 

Considering each of those quarterbacks signed their deals within the past two years, while posting numbers that are in Mayfield’s range, the 31-year-old gunslinger has enough leverage to stand firm on a contract extension that pays him like a top-10 QB. As a late-blooming star who played on a “prove-it” deal in 2023 valued at $8.5 million before signing a three-year, $100 million contract in 2024, Mayfield has far outproduced his contract. 

He has started every regular-season and postseason game for the Bucs since 2023, while posting a 66.3% completion rate with 95 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. Additionally, he has compiled a 97.4 passer rating, a 27-24 record, and a pair of division titles during that span. Given that his success has come with a revolving door of offensive coordinators (Dave Canales, 2023; Liam Coen, 2024; and Josh Grizzard, 2025), Mayfield has shown the football world that he is more than a game manager propped up by a creative playcaller. 

Mayfield played through a laundry list of injuries in 2025, which eventually caught up to him and the Bucs in the back half of the season. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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From his significant improvement in completion rate (64.3% to 71.4%), touchdowns (28 to 41), and passer rating (94.6 to 106.8) from his first to second year in Tampa Bay, to his ability to survive with injuries to his playmakers and protectors around him, Mayfield oozes franchise quarterback vibes when he is in a Buccaneers’ uniform. He has orchestrated eight game-winning drives during his tenure, including four in 2025 with a banged-up offensive lineup. 

Considering Mayfield played through an assortment of injuries last season that compromised his ability to play to his standard, the Buccaneers shouldn’t downplay his talent, toughness and winning pedigree. Mayfield was on the team’s injury report for 10 of 18 weeks — he recently revealed he suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in his right knee in Week 2 — yet did not miss a single game. For the first half of the season, in fact, Mayfield was thriving in spite of his many ailments. He led the Bucs to a series of come-from-behind wins before the club’s many injuries hampered the entire operation. 

But for three years, Mayfield has exuded everything you’d expect from a franchise quarterback, from his leadership to his courage to his commitment, while often performing at a top-10 level. That’s not a pedigree you often find on the open market, which should make the Bucs more than willing to extend him on a deal commensurate with his peers after initially acquiring him on a discounted deal. 

With the franchise tag for quarterbacks inching toward the $50 million mark ($43.8 million in 2026), the Buccaneers must be prepared to pay Mayfield “elite” quarterback money ($55 million-plus) to make it sensible for the nine-year veteran. If the Buccaneers simply follow the blueprint established by Goff and the Detroit Lions, both sides should be able to close a deal that rewards Mayfield for his play while providing enough room for Tampa Bay to continue building around him. 

How The Bucs Must Build Around Baker

Credit general manager Jason Licht for proactively upgrading the roster in anticipation of a quarterback deal that will change the team-building process. The decision to draft Emeka Egbuka with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 draft put a WR1/WR2 in the rotation to replace Mike Evans and complement Chris Godwin on the perimeter. The team added another big-bodied pass catcher in Ted Hurst (third round, 2026) to join Jalen McMillan as a designated playmaker with big-play potential. 

The offensive line has undergone a makeover, with Tristan Wirfs moving to the blindside while continuing to play at a Pro Bowl level. With the team committed to investing top picks on the front line (Graham Barton, first round, 2024; Cody Mauch, second round, 2023; and Luke Goedeke, second round, 2022), the unit’s chemistry and continuity should help Mayfield continue to play at a high level. After watching the veteran take hits on 700-plus offensive snaps in 2025, it is imperative for the offensive line to stay healthy and loaded with top-notch talent. 

In addition to extending Mayfield, Tampa Bay needs to level up its offensive line and running game to take the next step. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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The Buccaneers must address the running game if they want Mayfield to be at his best as a playmaker. Despite adding Kenneth Gainwell to pair with Bucky Irving, the team needs a star in the backfield to command the defense’s attention and alleviate some of the burden on the QB to carry the offense. Adding a dynamic ballcarrier will be crucial to forcing opponents to abandon the two-high coverages that limit explosive plays in the passing game. Moreover, the Buccaneers can run a more balanced attack, allowing Mayfield to seamlessly transition from game manager to playmaker as the situation warrants. 

If the Buccaneers’ defense regains its swagger amid a young collection of bullies joining the squad (Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter and Keionte Scott), the club could be a contender for the foreseeable future with Mayfield at the helm.

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Before the season began, many expected reigning Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes and reigning MVPs Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani to defend their crowns as the top players in their respective leagues. 

A few months later, a lot has changed, and a path has opened for some new contenders.  

Tigers ace Skubal missed more than a month of action (but returned remarkably quickly) after undergoing an innovative elbow procedure. Skenes was one of Pittsburgh’s two All-Star representatives, but he entered the break with a 3.57 ERA. Yankees superstar Judge hasn’t played in more than a month after suffering a stress fracture in his rib. 

And Ohtani … well, sorry to the other National League MVP hopefuls, but he’s still Shohei Ohtani. 

Ahead of the second half, here are my midseason picks for the major awards. 

NL MVP

As long as Ohtani holds up physically, you can lock this in now. Despite dealing with knee and biceps issues this year, Ohtani is cruising toward his fifth MVP award and third straight since joining the Dodgers. At the plate, he has the fifth-highest OPS in Major League Baseball. On the mound, he has the second-lowest ERA among all pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings. 

Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong is providing value all over the field and Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber leads MLB in home runs, but there’s just not much anyone can do when one player is both one of the best hitters and one of the best pitchers in the sport. 

In the mix: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs; James Wood, Nationals; Kyle Schwarber, Phillies 

Shohei Ohtani recently hit his 300th career home run in the majors and is on pace for another milestone — his fifth MVP award. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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AL MVP

The MVP door is open in the American League with Aaron Judge injured, and Alvarez is seizing his opportunity.

The Astros slugger leads all qualified MLB players in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS and has a chance to win the Triple Crown. Alvarez leads the AL in home runs and RBIs and is just four points behind Rays All-Star Yandy Díaz in batting average.

In the mix: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals; Junior Caminero, Rays; Ben Rice, Yankees 

NL Cy Young Award

Like the MVP race above, as long as “The Miz” holds up physically, this is his award to win. He leads all qualified MLB pitchers in ERA, strikeouts, WHIP and opponents’ batting average by a commanding number. 

In fact, no qualified starter has ever held opponents to a lower batting average than what Misiorowski is doing now (.148). 

Not including the shortened 2020 season, the only qualified starter in MLB history with a strikeout rate as high as Misiorowski’s over the course of a full season is Gerrit Cole in 2019.  

In the mix: Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies; Zack Wheeler, Phillies; Chris Sale, Braves; Chase Burns, Reds 

AL Cy Young Award

This is the closest battle in the American League. Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease has the most strikeouts and highest strikeout rate in the American League, and if by season’s end he starts to close the gap on Schlittler in innings pitched, then this conversation will be different. 

But Schlittler sports an ERA that’s a half-run better — his 2.05 ERA and 0.94 WHIP are both the best marks among all qualified AL starters — and the 25-year-old has done it while making three more starts than Cease. 

In the mix: Dylan Cease, Blue Jays; Joe Ryan, Twins; Parker Messick, Guardians

NL Rookie of the Year

Finally, we get to a closer race. Reds All-Star Sal Stewart, who has two more hits than Wetherholt and leads all qualified rookies in RBIs, has started to close the gap. Also keep an eye on Colorado’s TJ Rumfield, who leads all NL rookies in hits and OPS. 

But the overall value Wetherholt is providing — he leads all NL rookies in WAR by a significant margin, in large part due to his exceptional defense — still has him ahead of the field. 

In the mix: Sal Stewart, Reds; TJ Rumfield, Rockies; Foster Griffin, Nationals

Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt enters the second half of the season leading all of baseball in assists. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

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AL Rookie of the Year

Through his first 93 big-league games, McGonigle has more walks than strikeouts. That is a remarkable feat for any player, let alone a 21-year-old in his first big-league season. Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. is the only American League player worth more bWAR than McGonigle, who has the fifth-highest on-base percentage in the AL.

If White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami comes back swinging the way he was prior to his hamstring strain, that could at least make this race a little more interesting. 

In the mix: Munetaka Murakami, White Sox; Parker Messick, Guardians; Kazuma Okamoto, Blue Jays 

NL Reliever of the Year

Miller has struck out nearly half of the batters he has faced, is a perfect 25-for-25 in save chances, and still hasn’t allowed an extra-base hit this season. He’s one of just six relievers all time with a strikeout rate over 48% in at least 30 innings of work, and he has the lowest ERA of that crop (0.91). 

Don’t be surprised when he gets Cy Young votes. 

In the mix: Jhoan Duran, Phillies; Raisel Iglesias, Braves; Dylan Lee, Braves

Mason Miller pitched to one hitter in the 2026 All-Star Game and, not surprisingly, struck him out. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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AL Reliever of the Year 

When Jeff Hoffman stumbled out of the gates this year in Toronto, Varland ended the ninth-inning uncertainty.

Varland, a 15th-round pick by the Twins in 2019 who was named an All-Star for the first time this season, is a perfect 19-for-19 in save opportunities. He has a 1.10 ERA — the lowest mark of any AL closer — and has the highest strikeout rate among all qualified AL relievers. 

In the mix: Cade Smith, Guardians; Bryan Baker, Rays; Jacob Latz, Rangers

NL Manager of the Year

The Phillies were 9-19, tied for the worst record in MLB and already 10.5 games back in the NL East, when Don Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson on April 28. They’re 45-24 under Mattingly and are now just two games back of the first-place Braves at the break. 

Of course, if the Marlins do the unthinkable — they’re only four games back of first place — this award belongs to Miami manager Clayton McCullough. 

In the mix: Clayton McCullough, Marlins; Walt Weiss, Braves; Oli Marmol, Cardinals

Since Don Mattingly took over as interim manager in late April, the Phillies have turned their season around. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

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AL Manager of the Year

What a time on the South Side of Chicago. Just a year ago, the White Sox lost 102 games. Now, they enter the second half in first place in the AL Central, they have the second-best run differential in the American League, and the vibes couldn’t be better for this franchise on the rise.

In the mix: Kevin Cash, Rays; Skip Schumaker, Rangers; Stephen Vogt, Guardians

MLB Related Stories

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The World Cup Final is almost here. Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m. ET from New York New Jersey Stadium.

How to Watch World Cup Final

• When: Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET
• Where: New York New Jersey Stadium, New York New Jersey
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One, FOX Sports

Spain’s Road to the World Cup Final

Spain opened the group stage with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde, then won six straight to reach the final. It routed Austria, 3-0, in the round of 32, then beat Portugal, 1-0, in the round of 16 to send Cristiano Ronaldo home. Spain finally conceded in the quarterfinals, but Mikel Merino scored his second straight winning goal in a 2-1 win over Belgium, the only goal Spain has allowed all tournament.

World Cup Related Stories

Argentina’s Road to the World Cup Final

Argentina carried a perfect record into the final, though nothing about the defending champions’ run has been easy. It opened Group J with routs of Algeria and Austria before capping the group stage with a 3-1 win over Jordan. From there, Argentina needed extra time three straight times: a 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the round of 32, a 3-2 win over Egypt in the round of 16, and a 3-1 win over Switzerland in the quarterfinals. It punched its ticket to the final by beating England, 2-1, in Wednesday’s semifinal.

Spain vs Argentina World Cup Final: The bet you CANNOT miss

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Spain vs. Argentina bets, Messi vs. Yamal, plus MLB, NFL & CFB picks with The Bear & crew.

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The World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina on Wednesday proved to be an all-timer that featured tons of tough physical play. 

And it also produced what surely will be one of the most iconic images in the tournament’s history. 

With England up a goal against Argentina thanks to Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal, Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham then traded words after a stoppage in play due to a foul. As Bellingham walked away smirking, the Argentina icon shrugged off the England star and went to work on rallying his team to victory.

Enzo Fernández then leveled up the score at 1-all for Argentina in the 85th minute, knocking through a score off an assist from Messi, who then assisted on the eventual game-winning goal from Lautaro Martínez in the second minute of stoppage time.

After the final whistle, several England players got in the faces of a handful of Argentina players, a scene that included Bellingham slapping Argentina midfielder Valentín Barco in the back of the head.

But the scuffle and the background noise didn’t stop the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner from taking in the moment as his teammates lifted their talismanic captain into the air and sang along with the supporters in the stands.

After the match, Bellingham explained what caused the exchange with Messi. 

“We were discussing a foul actually,” Bellingham later said. “It was nothing bad. I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal [out of it]. But it was nothing big really.

“I thought there was a foul earlier and he said: ‘What about the one on me?’ I said: ‘You’re strong enough to take it.’ You know what I mean?

After a first half with 19 combined fouls (Argentina had 12, while England had seven), England drew first blood when Gordon found the back of the net in the 55th minute before Argentina’s late rally. 

Concurrently, both Messi and Bellingham have been among the standout performers of the tournament.

“It was a privilege to play against him, it was nothing like that against him. I’m obviously on the losing side which hurts a lot. But a privilege to line up against one of the best,” Bellingham said. 

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Messi has totaled eight goals — which is tied with France superstar striker Kylian Mbappé for the most in the tournament — and four assists, highlighted by a hat trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria (both feats came in the group stage). Meanwhile, Bellingham has scored six goals, highlighted by braces against Mexico in the round of 16 and Norway in the quarterfinals.

Argentina’s quest to repeat as World Cup champions comes to a head on Sunday afternoon when it plays Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final (3 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One). Meanwhile, England will play France in the third-place match on Saturday afternoon (5 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One).

England vs Argentina Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

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