Martinez Ends Tenure After Portugal's World Cup Exit
Roberto Martinez has resigned as Portugal head coach following their 1-0 World Cup last-16 defeat to Spain, ending his three-and-a-half-year spell in charge. The 53-year-old confirmed the loss marked his final game, stating his goal of winning the World Cup remained unfulfilled.
"I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I think that, without winning it, there's no point in continuing," Martinez said after the defeat. He added: "Yes, this is my last game with the national team. It's the end of a cycle."
Martinez noted that it was "important to have a new voice now," with his contract expiring after the tournament, allowing the Portuguese Football Federation to appoint a successor. He defended his team's performances despite the early exit, insisting: "We didn't fail. We lost a game against one of the favourites. You fail when you don't try to win, and we tried to win until the last minute."
The Spaniard also paid tribute to captain Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the veteran forward as "an incredible example of a captain" whose influence on the squad would remain long after the tournament. Martinez took charge of Portugal in 2023 after leaving Belgium and guided the national team to the UEFA Nations League title in 2025, but their hopes of World Cup glory ended with defeat to Spain.
FA Considers Appeal Over Quansah Red Card
The Football Association is considering challenging Jarell Quansah's red card following England's 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico. The defender was sent off in the 54th minute after a high challenge on Mexico's Jesus Gallardo. With the dismissal deemed serious foul play, Quansah could face a two-match suspension.
While World Cup regulations normally do not allow appeals against red cards, the FA is understood to be weighing up its options after FIFA took the unprecedented step of overturning a suspension handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun had been sent off during the USA's last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina and was due to miss the round-of-16 clash with Belgium. However, FIFA used Article 27 of its disciplinary regulations to suspend the automatic one-match ban for 12 months following a request from US President Donald Trump.
Controversy Over FIFA's Use of Article 27
The move sparked widespread criticism across football, with England manager Thomas Tuchel, Belgium and UEFA among those questioning the decision. It marked the first time Article 27 had been used at a World Cup, effectively allowing FIFA to intervene outside the usual disciplinary process. The decision could open the door to further challenges during the tournament, with reports suggesting France are also seeking a review of Michael Olise's yellow card from their win over Paraguay. England will now decide whether to pursue the same route in an attempt to make Quansah available for their next World Cup fixture.
Balogun Seeks Out Belgium Squad After Defeat
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia revealed that Folarin Balogun sought him out after their World Cup clash, with the former Arsenal striker eager to speak following his side's defeat. Balogun, who was unable to prevent the United States from crashing out against Belgium, approached Garcia after the final whistle, prompting the Belgian boss to offer words of reassurance. Garcia insisted the striker should not shoulder any responsibility for the result.
"He came to talk after the game and I really liked that," Garcia said. "It's not his fault. He's not the one to blame and that's what I told him." Garcia also stressed that Belgium's focus throughout the contest had been on executing their own game plan rather than worrying about the opposition or who started for the United States. "Regardless of the US starting line-up, what really mattered to us is our game plan," he added. "The group is very mature. I told them what matters the most is us." Belgium's victory secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, with Garcia praising his players for maintaining their focus and carrying out the tactical approach that ultimately proved decisive.
