In this weekend preview we summarise the best five games to follow on your match feed. And make a couple of suggestions for matches that you may otherwise miss.
- U21 Euros Final: England vs. Spain
The biggest international tournament taking place in Europe over the summer has, fittingly, seen both of the strongest competing sides reach Saturday’s showpiece final, being played in the Adjarabet Arena, in the Georgian city of Batumi.
On one side of the draw, England’s Young Lions have dominated, scoring 10 unanswered goals as they’ve topped their group, and then overcome Portugal and Israel in the knockout stages. Lee Carsley’s side have looked inspired, with standout performances coming from the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White (3 assists, one goal) and Cole Palmer, who was involved in all three goals in Wednesday’s semi-final against Israel.
England haven’t won this tournament since 1984 and they’ve not made a final since a 4-0 defeat to a Mesut Özil-inspired German side back in 2009.
In contrast, Spain have the best record in the history of the U21 Euros having lifted the trophy five times (most recently in 2019) and finished runners-up in a further three finals. And on the opposite side of the draw this time around they also topped their group – beating Romania and Croatia, but then drawing 2-2 with Ukraine. They did need extra-time to edge past Switzerland in the quarter-finals but then showed their mettle after going down 1-0 to Ukraine when they met them again in the final four – going on to score five goals in reply.
Their tournament stars to watch out for include Barcelona academy product Abel Ruiz, who now plays for Braga in Portugal, and Manchester City’s Sergio Gómez who both have five goal contributions.
- Gold Cup: United States vs. Canada
Over in the CONCACAF region, we’ve reached the quarter-finals in the 17th edition of the Gold Cup. And on Sunday night, there’s a massive clash between two of the favourites – defending champions, the USMNT, and Canada.
The US will be on home soil, with the game played in Cincinnati, and also have the recent form that suggests they’ll be favourites for this game. Despite beating their North American rivals in qualifying en route to their first World Cup Finals in a generation when the two met in early 2022, it’s been somewhat of a downwards spiral for Canada, since that trip to Qatar.
Amidst disputes with the federation, the Canadian squad at this tournament is also seriously depleted by injuries – missing star names including the likes of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, who were ruled out ahead of time, but also long-term goalkeeper, Milan Borjan, who dropped out after disappointing draws in their opening two games of the group. After failing to overcome non-FIFA nation Guadeloupe and Guatemala, Canada required a morale-boosting 4-2 win over Cuba in their final game to see themselves through to the knockout stages, and even then they were kept on their toes.
In contrast, the US came in to the tournament having beaten both Canada and Mexico in the finals of the CONCACAF Nations League a week beforehand but were then temporarily brought down to earth by Jamaica as their Gold Cup started with a 1-1 draw. Since then, though, the stars and stripes have done exactly what is expected of them – they’ve thrashed St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago, by matching 6-0 scorelines. FC Dallas forward, Jesus Ferreira has looked inspired, becoming the first player to score consecutive hat-tricks in the history of the competition.
- Gold Cup: Mexico vs. Costa Rica
Ahead of the big showdown between the North American rivals, there’s Saturday’s quarter-final between Mexico and Costa Rica, on the other side of the draw.
El Tri haven’t been setting the tournament alight, frustrating fans with their displays in wins over Honduras and Haiti, before going on to lose to Qatar in their final group game. The positives of scoring seven goals in those two wins has been outweighed by the perceived lack of a cutting edge, something that was compounded by the stats against Qatar. Mexico had 25 attempts on goal to Qatar’s one and bossed the possession with 77% of the ball but still succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
But, we should never rule out the tournament’s record winners.
For their part, Costa Rica looked to be going home after defeat to Panama and a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Honduras. But their campaign sparked into life during a crazy 6-4 win over Martinique, a result that ultimately decided second place in the group. They were 5-1 up and seemingly cruising in that game until an exciting last quarter that saw four goals exchanged. As always, Los Ticos could depend on former Arsenal man Joel Campbell, who was directly involved in three of the goals.
While the Gold Cup rages on for the men’s national team, the MLS season continues, business as usual. And after a lot of our focus in recent weeks has been on the Western Conference, where we’ve suggested watching out for games involving the likes of high-flying newcomers, St. Louis City, or the struggling LA Galaxy, this week we thought we’d turn our attention to the East.
Here, FC Cincinnati maintain pole position despite a recent slow down in results that has seen them win just one of their last four. Their current four point lead was built during a 14-game unbeaten run between April and June that has also seen them qualify for the semi-finals of the Open Cup.
On Saturday they visit Charlotte FC, who currently sit 10th and just outside the play-off positions by a point. The Conference is fairly tightly packed, with eight points separating 2nd down to 9th. The Crown have drawn each of their last four games and haven’t tasted victory since facing the Galaxy seven rounds ago.
- Women’s International Friendly: United States vs. Wales
As thoughts turn to the Women’s World Cup, which starts in just over a week’s time over in Australia and New Zealand, it’s probably worth checking in on the overwhelming favourites for the tournament, the USWNT.
Ranked no.1 in the world by FIFA and defending back-to-back World Cups won in 2015 and 2019, the US bid farewell to their home crowd on Sunday, with a last warm-up match to be played against Wales, in San Jose.
The US come in to this game having won their last eight, a run that includes friendly series against Ireland and New Zealand, as well as the triumph in the SheBelieves Cup where they conceded just once in three matches. Wales missed out on World Cup qualification but by being ranked no.30 in the world, they probably offer up one of the stiffest tests that the US could want before they depart for the main event.
Whilst we’re here, why not try your hand at our tournament predictor game for the Women’s World Cup. You can find this in the More tab in the app, or enter by clicking the link – here.
Plus two hidden gems from a little deeper in your match feed…
This week, it’s top of the table clashes in two of the leagues currently running around the world.
- Brazil: Grêmio vs. Botafogo
Heading in to the 14th round of games in the Brasileirão we have two surprise leaders at the top of the table. Botafogo already have a seven point cushion on Grêmio, their nearest chasers, and the two meet in Porto Alegre on Sunday evening.
The Rio-based club haven’t finished a season in the top 10 since 2016 and they finished 11th last term having been promoted back to the top flight as Serie B champions in 2021. In the recent past, the club has drawn attention with the signing of ageing international stars like Salomon Kalou and Keisuke Honda, but their success this season appears to be built on a Brazilian backbone, and the goals of Tiqunho Soares, who has returned to the country after notable spells with the likes of Porto and Olympiacos.
But Botafogo have, this week, been rocked by the departure of coach Luís Castro. The Portuguese-born manager has been lured away by the prospect of linking up with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi club Al Nassr.
Grêmio have only just returned to the top flight this year but have settled spectacularly well, spearheaded by the infatigable Luis Suárez, who has four goals and three assists in 11 appearances so far this season.
In comparison, the top of the J-League looks a lot more familiar. Current Japanese champions, Yokohama F. Marinos, coached by former Socceroo Kevin Muscat, are again leading the way. They have a four point advantage on Nagoya Grampus, their opponents on Saturday, having scored a whopping 42 goals in their 19 games to date.
Muscat was appointed as the successor to new Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou, when he left for Celtic, and Muscat led the side back to the championship in 2022 having finished runners-up the previous season. The Marinos also won the Super Cup back in February so are now well accustomed to starting games as the overwhelming favourites.
For anyone wondering, Nagoya Grampus are indeed the club formally known as Nagoya Grampus Eight, made famous by the fact that both Arsene Wenger and Dragan Stojković have managed them, and players such as Gary Lineker turned out for them in the 1990s. Their current showing is a big improvement on last season’s eighth placed finish.