This Wednesday marks the beginning of the Women`s Euro knockout stage, highlighted by a highly anticipated quarter-final match between England and Sweden on Thursday. Concurrently, the transfer market is buzzing following the conclusion of the Club World Cup. Here`s an update on the latest football news.
📺 Upcoming Football Fixtures
All times U.S./Eastern
- Wednesday, July 16
- Women`s Euro: Norway vs. Italy, 3 p.m.
- Copa America Feminina: Bolivia vs. Brazil, 5 p.m.
- Copa America Feminina: Venezuela vs. Colombia, 8 p.m.
- MLS: Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids, 10 p.m.
- Thursday, July 17
- Women`s Euro: Sweden vs. England, 3 p.m.
⚽ Key Football Updates
🇪🇺 Women`s Euro Enters Knockout Phase
The Women`s Euro championship in Switzerland has officially entered its crucial win-or-go-home knockout phase, with the quarterfinals commencing on Wednesday. The opening match features Norway against Italy at the Stade de Geneve, marking a significant return to the Euro quarterfinals for both teams since 2013. However, a major spotlight will quickly turn to Zurich on Thursday for the highly anticipated clash between England and Sweden, widely considered the marquee fixture of this round.
England`s second-place finish in a very competitive Group D set the stage for their encounter with Sweden, who impressively secured the top spot in Group C by surpassing Germany. Although England, the reigning champions, are technically favored by oddsmakers, their earlier defeat to France raises questions about their ability to respond to a more physical approach from opponents. Conversely, Sweden`s dominant 4-1 victory over a 10-player Germany in the group stage finale means they may no longer be flying under the radar. Both teams earned high praise in Sandra Herrera`s Women`s Euro Power Rankings, validating their strong group stage performances.
- Herrera observed that England`s initial poor performance against France served as a crucial wake-up call, leading to a strong recovery throughout the group stage, spearheaded by impactful play from Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, and Georgia Stanway. She also highlighted Sweden`s strategic gameplay and clinical finishing, particularly their decisive win against Germany, which has positioned them as a significant threat heading into the knockout rounds.
The quarterfinals will continue through Friday and Saturday. Spain is heavily favored in their matchup against hosts Switzerland. The final quarter-final sees France take on Germany, a match that promises to be compelling. Germany arrived in Switzerland with a sense of resurgence, having achieved a bronze medal at last year`s Olympics after their 2023 World Cup group stage exit. However, their Euro performance has been somewhat subdued, partly due to a tournament-ending injury to captain Giulia Gwinn in their opening match. Germany will need to prove their capabilities against France, who are determined to shed their reputation as underachievers at major competitions. France`s attack has been effective, and their ability to defeat England demonstrates a strong capacity to rise to the occasion in big moments.
🔗 Midfield Transfer News
🔴 Liverpool Targets Star Striker Amidst Transfer Buzz
As Europe`s most prominent clubs continue to refresh their squads ahead of the new season, attackers are heavily in focus this week, with Premier League champions Liverpool notably stealing the spotlight.
Liverpool has been busy loading their roster with new top-notch talent this summer, most notably with the acquisition of standout attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz several weeks ago. It appears Liverpool is not yet done targeting players for what could be a new-look attack next season, with reports indicating they have set their sights on Newcastle United`s Alexander Isak. The Reds have reportedly made contact with the Magpies, but a formal bid is not yet in place, and the price could be substantial – Newcastle is reportedly seeking a transfer fee of around $160 million for the Swedish international, who boasts 62 goals in 109 appearances for the club.
A transfer of this magnitude often triggers a chain reaction in the market. Newcastle, for instance, is reportedly looking at Eintracht Frankfurt`s Hugo Ekitike, a player Liverpool is also rumored to be interested in. This situation also raises questions about potential departures from Anfield, even as the Reds aim to accumulate as many attack-minded players as possible. Despite building a seemingly crowded squad, reports suggest that Liverpool recently turned down Bayern Munich`s $78.6 million bid for Luis Diaz, indicating their strong intent to retain him.
Elsewhere in Europe, a couple of U.S. men`s national team players have made significant moves. Midfielder Johnny Cardoso officially transferred from Real Betis to Atletico Madrid, representing a major upward move with just a year remaining until the World Cup. Forward Patrick Agyemang has switched from MLS` Charlotte FC to Derby County in the Championship. This is also a notable move for Agyemang, who, despite not having a breakout performance at the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer, remains a strong contender for a World Cup roster spot, especially with the No. 9 position still contested. Chuck Booth provided insight on the move, noting that while Agyemang`s movement helped create space for others in the Gold Cup, he also missed easy chances. Booth emphasized that in the physical Championship, defenders will close down space more quickly, requiring quicker decisions and accurate finishing. Despite Derby`s struggles to score last season, Booth gave Agyemang`s transfer an “A” grade, highlighting his profile and the opportunity to hit the ground running given his current match fitness from MLS.
Adding to all the transfer excitement, Lionel Messi may soon be joined by a former teammate at Inter Miami, and notably, this player is not past their prime.
🔗 Top Football Headlines
- World Cup Tickets: FIFA will commence its ticketing process for the 2026 World Cup with its first draw in September, less than a year before the competition begins.
- Most Expensive Transfers: A look at the most expensive transfers of the summer so far, with Liverpool and Arsenal leading the way in acquisitions.
- Chelsea`s CWC Victory: Chelsea`s recent Club World Cup triumph has put them back in the mix as a serious contender, but whether they are consistent enough to win England`s top flight remains a different story.
- CWC Takeaways: The Club World Cup featured surprising moments, hot conditions, empty seats, and unpleasant pitches, prompting questions about the tournament`s actual significance.
- De Bruyne`s New Number: Kevin de Bruyne might wear the No. 10 jersey at Napoli, becoming the first player to do so for the team since the legendary Diego Maradona.
💰 The Betting Line
💵 Best Bets
- Women`s Euro: Champions
- THE PICK: England to win the Women`s Euro – For betting enthusiasts, a compelling pick is for England to win the Women`s Euro. While Spain might still be the heavy favorites in this competition, and England faces a tough quarterfinal matchup against Sweden, the Lionesses still possess the qualities to win the entire tournament, challenging as their path may be. There`s a strong argument that they were unlucky to lose to France in the group stage and finish second in their group, but England has been a dominant force since, making them a genuine contender against Sweden. If they can successfully navigate that test, it will be hard to ignore their credentials to win the whole thing.
