Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will face a tough challenge as they go up against the United States in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, with the first leg set for November 14. This highly anticipated showdown comes after Jamaica topped Group B of League A, setting up a clash with the third-ranked USA, who are one of the pre-seeded teams based on the Concacaf Rankings.

 Jamaica, coming off an unbeaten group stage campaign, will be looking to build on their strong performances, which included victories over Nicaragua and Honduras, as well as draws against 10-man Cuba and Honduras. The Reggae Boyz will face the USA in a home-and-away series, with the second leg scheduled for November 18. The winner on aggregate will not only advance to the Concacaf Nations League Finals, set for March 2025 at Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, but also secure a spot in next summer’s Gold Cup.

In another exciting quarterfinal, Honduras will take on top-seeded Mexico. Honduras, who finished as runners-up in Group B behind Jamaica, will be aiming to upset a formidable Mexican side that is ranked first in the region. The two-legged tie begins on November 15, with the return leg on November 19.

The third quarterfinal features second-ranked Canada going up against Suriname. Canada, who pre-qualified based on their Concacaf ranking, will face a determined Suriname team that finished second in Group A behind Costa Rica. The first leg of their matchup will be played on November 15, with the second leg scheduled for November 19.

Quarterfinal Matchups:

United States vs Jamaica (November 14, November 18)

Mexico vs Honduras (November 15, November 19)

Canada vs Suriname (November 15, November 19)

Panama vs Costa Rica (November 14, November 18)

The quarterfinal winners will move on to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals, where they will compete for the championship. Additionally, the victors will automatically qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup, while the quarterfinal losers will have a second chance through the Gold Cup Prelims.

Fabian Hurzeler failed to put a ceiling on Brighton’s potential after watching his side roar back from two goals down to beat Tottenham 2-0 ahead of the international break.

The 31-year-old, appointed at the start of the season, was facing criticism after the Seagulls had gone four Premier League games without a victory, though he silenced those doubters, with Brighton now sixth in the standings ahead of facing Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

And despite only being in the infancy of his tenure on the south coast, Hurzeler is confident his side can continue to build on their impressive start to the campaign.  

“I don't judge the performances by the results because in the end I'm completely convinced that if you focus on the process the results will come,” Hurzeler said.

“It’s normal to have ups and downs, and we had a small down against Chelsea. But we learnt from it and if you improve individually and as a group will always get better.

“The league is so competitive, you must work hard for momentum and use it when you have it. But, of course, I have a lot of trust in the potential of my team.”

For Newcastle, a goalless draw at Everton last time out made it four Premier League games without a win, but the Magpies sit level on points with this weekend’s opponents, separated only by goal difference in the standings.

After starting the campaign with three wins from their first four games, Eddie Howe acknowledged his side’s drop-off, but knows his side have room for improvement, which he hopes will start on home soil against Brighton.

“So far, we have seen that the group is together. We have seen that the group is motivated to do well, and we know we can play better, and we know we can do more so that is the challenge that I have to set to the players,” Howe said.

Howe was also hopeful that both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson would be available for the visit of the Seagulls, with an attacking edge needed having scored just three goals in their last four matches in all competitions.

"We hope so. They are two huge players for us. When you take any focal point out of a team it has an impact. Would it have made the difference today,” Howe said. “I'm not sure but we are looking forward to having them back."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Newcastle – Anthony Gordon

Gordon has enjoyed games against Brighton in recent years, scoring two goals in four appearances against them, only finding the net more against Manchester United (three) in the Premier League.

The England international has created more chances (15) for the Magpies than any other player, while he also has the joint-most completed dribbles (11) in Howe’s ranks, alongside Bruno Guimaraes.

Brighton – Kaoru Mitoma

Mitoma has carried the ball further than any other winger in the Premier League this season (1568 metres), though his assist against Tottenham last time out was his first goal contribution in four matches.

Meanwhile, only Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen (eight each) have created more chances following a ball carry than Mitoma (seven).

MATCH PREDICTION: BRIGHTON WIN

Brighton have lost just two of their 14 Premier League meetings with Newcastle (W5 D7), though both defeats have come across their last three visits to St James’ Park.

However, the Seagulls have impressed in front of goal this year. They have scored two or more goals in each of their last three Premier League games, last having a longer such run in January 2023 (five). Indeed, they’ve netted multiple goals in five of their seven league games so far this season, having failed to do so in any of their final 13 games in 2023-24.

No team has conceded fewer second half goals than Brighton in the Premier League this season (two), with their latest goal against them coming in the 70th minute (vs Nottingham Forest). However, opponents Newcastle have also shipped a joint-low two goals after half-time.

Although this weekend’s hosts have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games (W4 D3), Newcastle are winless in their last three (D2 L1). However, at home, the Magpies are unbeaten in their last 11 (W6 D5).

They are also unbeaten in their last three Premier League games against Brighton at St. James’ Park (W2 D1), having failed to win any of their first four against them without scoring a single goal (D2 L2).

However, only Nottingham Forest (four) have had fewer shots than Newcastle following a high turnover in the Premier League this season (five), while the Magpies have also faced the most such efforts in the competition this term (18).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Newcastle – 50.4%

Draw – 24.3%

Brighton – 23.3%

Thomas Tuchel wants "to put the second star on this shirt", as the new England head coach set his sights on World Cup glory in 2026.

The 51-year-old was announced as Gareth Southgate's successor on Wednesday, agreeing an 18-month contract that will begin on January 1.

Former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel is the first German to manage the Three Lions, and only the third non-English coach in history after the late Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

Southgate came within whiskers of ending England's wait for major international silverware, suffering successive European Championship final defeats against Italy and Spain.

Tuchel, who has also managed Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, is excited to be working with such a talented group of players, and hopes he can help get the group over the winning line.

"I want to put the second star [for a World Cup win] on this shirt," he told reporters during his press conference at Wembley. "We will work hard for the biggest target in football, making our dream come true at the World Cup [in] 2026.

"I understood very quickly that it is a big job. I always think the job you are in is the biggest job, and it makes no sense to compare, but it feels big and feels like a privilege.

"I think it is pretty obvious I am very emotional. I love what I am doing and am passionate about football. This role just brought the young me alive and brought back my teenage days, to get excited for such a big task.

"Once I made a time frame up in my mind from January [2025] to the World Cup, I already felt excited.

"It suited my passion to push this group of players, and to be part of this federation with such a strong record in the last tournaments - to push it over the line and to try to put a second star on the shirt."

Lee Carsley will continue in his role as England's interim head coach for the remainder of the ongoing Nations League campaign, before Tuchel takes over the reins.

The German also addressed critics believing an Englishman should oversee the national team, believing his previous stint at Chelsea between January 2021 and September 2022 - during which he won the Champions League and Club World Cup - stands him in good stead.

"All of those supporters maybe felt my passion for the English Premier League and the country, and how I love to live and work here," he added.

"Hopefully, I can convince them and show them and prove to them that I am proud to be an English manager, and do everything to show respect to this role and this country and the target for the next 18 months.

"Everyone can be assured we will do it with passion and emotion. We will try to install values and principles and rules as quickly as possible to make the dream come true."

Precisely 20 years ago, the player many consider to be the greatest of all time made his senior debut.

At the age of 17, Lionel Messi made his first appearance in LaLiga on October 16, 2004, replacing goalscorer Deco from the bench in Barcelona's 1-0 win at Espanyol. He was, at the time, the club's youngest player to feature in an official game.

The rest, as they say, is history – 846 goals, eight Ballons d'Or and 43 senior team honours later, Messi has certainly cemented his place among the all-time greats.

On the 20th anniversary of his first professional outing, we celebrate the Argentine maestro by delving into the best facts and figures of his glittering career.

From prodigy to club legend

Messi's crowning achievement may have come on the international stage, but it was at Barcelona where he became a great, after joining their famed academy aged 13.

By the time of his 2021 departure, Messi had cemented himself as Barca's all-time leader for appearances (766) and starts (687) in all competitions, scoring an incredible 664 goals for the Blaugrana – comfortably ahead of Cesar Rodriguez's 232, previously recognised as the club record.

Messi averaged a goal every 94 minutes during his 17-year stint in the club's senior team, while his 260 assists were some 123 more than Xavi (137), who boasts the second-best figure since Opta records began.

All in all, Messi directly contributed to a staggering 924 goals while at Barca. The next-best figure by a single player in that time belongs to Luis Suarez, who managed 295 (198 goals, 97 assists).

The Argentine lifted 35 trophies – including LaLiga 10 times and the Champions League on four occasions – during his time at Camp Nou, also a record tally for any Barca player.

No love in Paris

When financial troubles left Barca unable to renew Messi's contract ahead of the 2021-22 season, he bid a tearful farewell to his adopted home and joined French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi did contribute to two Ligue 1 title wins in as many seasons with the club, yet his time in Paris was not altogether happy, with early Champions League exits at the hands of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich giving way to fan protests.

Messi did win his seventh Ballon d'Or during his debut campaign in France, though, partly as a result of Argentina's 2021 Copa America triumph.

His 26 league appearances in 2021-22 were his fewest in any league campaign since 2006-07, when he was still a teenager, and he was limited to just six goals and nine assists in the French top flight.

Sixteen goals and as many assists followed in 2022-23, and through his two years in Ligue 1, only Kylian Mbappe (79) and Wissam Ben Yedder (55) bettered his overall tally of 55 goal involvements in the competition.

To the Sunshine State

A fractious relationship with PSG's fans and a lack of continental success made Messi's stay in France unhappy, and in 2023 he went Stateside, joining David Beckham-owned MLS franchise Inter Miami.

Success was immediate as Messi fired the Herons to Leagues Cup glory in August 2023. By the end of that particular campaign, Messi's 10 goals in seven matches put him third in Inter Miami's all-time goalscoring charts without even appearing in a league game.

The 2024 Supporters' Shield followed last month, and Messi is the hot favourite to be named MLS MVP after a brilliant individual campaign, the highlights of which include a 10-match run with a goal involvement to start the season and five assists in May's 6-2 rout of the New York Red Bulls, a game in which he also scored.

No player had previously had six goal involvements in an MLS game, or teed up five goals for team-mates in a single match, nor had Messi previously achieved either feat for club and country.

Only Luciano Acosta (30), Evander (29), Cucho Hernandez, Denis Bouanga and Christian Benteke (all 28) have bettered his 27 direct goal involvements in regular-season play this year. The most impressive part? Messi has only started 15 games. 

International glory

It now seems unthinkable to imagine Messi being maligned by Argentina fans, but that was the case for the majority of his career as he struggled to live up to Diego Maradona's achievements in the Albiceleste shirt.

However, back-to-back Copa America successes in 2021 and 2024, coming either side of a remarkable run to World Cup glory in 2022, have altered that perception for good.

Messi was named Player of the Tournament and scooped the Golden Boot as Argentina ended their 18-year wait for silverware at the 2021 Copa, but it was Qatar 2022 that saw him really cement his legacy.

Only Poland – in Argentina's third group game – prevented Messi from scoring as he ended the tournament with seven goals and three assists, including two strikes and a successful spot-kick in the shoot-out win over France in the final.

Only Gerd Muller (10 goals, three assists in 1970), Just Fontaine (13 goals in 1958) and Sandor Kocsis (11 goals in 1954) have ever bettered that figure at a single World Cup.

His 21 overall goal contributions at the World Cup are the most in tournament history, while he is the only player to win the Golden Ball award at two separate editions – doing so in 2014 and 2022.

This year's Copa America gave Messi a chance to further underline his international legacy, and though he was withdrawn due to injury in the final, Argentina got the job done against Colombia. 

Messi opted against calling it quits there, though, and Tuesday's hat-trick against Bolivia saw him equal Cristiano Ronaldo's record for the most trebles in international football, with 10. 

His tally of 112 Argentina goals puts him some way adrift of Ronaldo's tally of 133 for Portugal, though his recent run of international trophies more than makes up for it. 

Mikel Arteta believes Kai Havertz still has a further level to reach after enjoying an excellent start to the season with Arsenal, who go to Bournemouth when the Premier League resumes on Saturday.

Arsenal emerge from the second international break of 2024-25 one point adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with 17 points from seven matches. 

With four goals and an assist, Havertz has been a key factor in their positive start, excelling in his new false nine role and scoring a crucial equaliser as they fought back to beat Southampton 3-1 before the hiatus.

Asked if Havertz was now playing with greater confidence, Arteta said: "You can tell. He takes the ball and he runs with the ball. 

"He's on the high press, he goes full gas, the way he holds the ball, the positions he takes in the box. When he plays as a nine, you don't know where he is, that's his football brain. 

"His focus now is, 'I'm going to win the game, I'm going to do it', and that's a different thing.

"He wants more and he's not satisfied with what he's doing because there is still, I think, another level from him."

Opponents Bournemouth are 14th with eight points, having suffered a demoralising 1-0 defeat to previously winless Leicester City two weeks ago.

After that game, boss Andoni Iraola told BBC Sport: "It's difficult to explain, you need to score. We had a disallowed goal, hit the post, the crossbar, we had enough chances to win.

"We have to give merit to their offensive side but on the other side we are missing very clear chances. There are chances that you cannot miss altogether. 

"We have to be more clinical and it is hurting us. All the games apart from Liverpool we have created more chances, but we are not getting the points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo

Bournemouth have had more shot-ending high turnovers than any other side in the Premier League this season (18), while only three sides have faced fewer such shots than the Cherries (six).

Semenyo, who leads all Bournemouth players for goal involvements (four – three goals, one assist) and successful dribbles (12) this term could have a key role to play on the counter.

Arsenal – Kai Havertz

Havertz has been involved in 20 goals in his last 21 Premier League appearances (13 goals, seven assists). 

His first goal for Arsenal came in this exact fixture last season, as he converted a penalty in a 4-0 victory for the Gunners. Could he be in for more joy on the south coast?

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN

Arsenal are unbeaten in all 10 of their games in all competitions so far this season (seven wins, three draws) – they last had a longer unbeaten run from the start of a campaign in 2007-08 (first 21).

They are chasing a landmark victory, as their 3-1 win over Southampton last time out was their 1,999th top-flight triumph. Victory here would see them become the second English side to reach 2,000, after Liverpool (2,065).

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have lost 11 of their 14 Premier League games against Arsenal, though all three exceptions have been at home (3-3 in January 2017, 2-1 in January 2018, 1-1 in December 2019).

But a repeat should not be expected here. Each of Bournemouth's last 10 Premier League wins have been against sides in the bottom half of the table. 

Andoni Iraola's men are winless in their last 11 matches against sides in the top half since beating Manchester United 3-0 in December last year (four draws, seven losses).

Arsenal boast a tremendous record against the Cherries lately, too. Since Bournemouth returned to the Premier League in 2022, the Gunners have won all four of their meetings with the Cherries by an aggregate score 13-2, netting three or more goals each time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bournemouth – 16.1%

Arsenal – 65.2%

Draw – 18.7%

Marco Silva is hoping Fulham’s 3-2 defeat to champions Manchester City will give his players “courage” against Aston Villa upon their return to Premier League action.

The Cottagers went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s side before the international break but were made to rue missed opportunities during the contest, with Adama Traore the most notable for squandering some gilt-edged chances at the Etihad.

However, Silva is confident his team can take encouragement from their display as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record at Craven Cottage this season.

“To see City finish with three central defenders with five at the back shows that we were creating problems for them, not just in transition,” Silva said.

“It gives us courage. We know what we are capable of doing, and it gives us the confidence to keep going in the direction that we want to go in, and to stick with our philosophy as a team.

“Looking at the chances that we did create throughout the game and comparing with City, we deserved more. But that’s football.”

Unai Emery, meanwhile, insisted his Aston Villa side will be raring to go when they return to domestic action after their stalemate with Manchester United last time out.

It was the Villans’ first goalless draw at Villa Park in the Premier League since May 2021, while the expected goals (xG) total between the two sides was just 1.05 – the lowest in a top-flight match so far this season.

With the international break allowing Villa to recuperate after a busy September schedule that saw them start their Champions League campaign with two wins, returning players will be a welcome addition, the Spaniard believes.

“It’s a nice moment to rest. This week we are going to work and recover some players. We are going to add [Boubacar] Kamara and [Tyrone] Mings, which is very good news. Hopefully some injured players can come back for the next match against Fulham,” Emery said.

“We will need players. Today we were more or less with some players out and we needed fresh players with good legs in the second half to help get our objective in this match.

“The players were really focusing on this match and gave their best. I’m happy because we are feeling strong here with our supporters and keeping a good position in the league and Champions League targeting our objectives. We are going to try to get there.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham – Andreas Pereira

No player has played more passes (including crosses) into the opposition box than Fulham’s Pereira in the Premier League this season (64), with the Brazilian also creating the most chances from set plays (16).

Pereira has also created 23 chances overall this term (level with Cole Palmer and Dwight McNeil), a total only bettered by Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (27) in the Premier League so far.

Aston Villa – Jhon Duran

After netting in midweek while on international duty with Colombia, Duran will be hoping to continue his remarkable scoring streak at Craven Cottage.

Duran has four goals in just 184 minutes of action in the Premier League this season, averaging a goal every 46 minutes so far. This is the best minutes-per-goal ratio of anyone to feature for at least 90 minutes this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: FULHAM WIN

Fulham are unbeaten in their three Premier League home games so far this season (W2 D1). They last had a longer run without defeat at Craven Cottage from the start of a campaign in 2011-12 (four).

The Cottagers lost this exact fixture 2-1 in February last season, though they have never lost consecutive home league games against Aston Villa before.

However, they face an uphill task against Emery’s men, who are unbeaten in their last five league games (W3 D2), though their 0-0 draw with United last time out was their first clean sheet in 12 Premier League matches.

Visits to London have proven fruitful for the Villans in recent years. They have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games in the capital (W8 D3). Their eight wins in this time (all under Emery) are as many as they’d managed in their previous 48 top-flight games in London.

Villa have also won five of their last six Premier League games against Fulham (L1), including the last three in a row. It’s more wins than they’d managed in their previous 19 against the Cottagers in the top-flight (W4 D10 L5), while they’ve never won four in a row against them in their league history.

No team has scored more goals from crosses than Aston Villa in the Premier League this season (five). No player has scored more such goals than Ollie Watkins (two), while Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans have two such assists each – only Saka (four) has more.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Fulham – 40.5%

Draw – 25.5%

Aston Villa – 34%

St. Kitts and Nevis have secured their place at the top of Group C in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League, following a 1-1 draw against the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night at Warner Park in Basseterre. This result allowed the Sugar Boyz to finish their campaign unbeaten and claim promotion to League B.

The match saw both teams fighting hard for their positions, with Zachary Scott of the Cayman Islands opening the scoring in the 61st minute. Scott found the net with a powerful left-footed shot, assisted by Wesley Robinson, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. However, St. Kitts and Nevis responded dramatically in the dying moments of the match when an own goal by Cayman Islands defender Joshwa Campbell in the 99th minute leveled the score, allowing the home side to remain undefeated in the group.

With the draw, St. Kitts and Nevis finished the group stage with three wins and one draw (3-1-0), cementing their first-place finish and promotion to League B.

The Cayman Islands also earned a reward for their impressive campaign, despite the draw. With a 2-1-1 record, the Cayman Islands finished as the best second-placed team across all groups in League C, securing their promotion to League B and a spot in the Concacaf Nations League Play-In.

In Group A, Barbados completed a flawless campaign with a resounding 6-2 victory over the Bahamas at the Wildey Astro Turf Stadium in Bridgetown. Despite an early scare when Brandon Adderley put the Bahamas in front in the 6th minute, Barbados quickly responded through Andre Applewhaite, who equalized just two minutes later.

The Bajans took control of the match soon after, with Niall Reid-Stephen converting a penalty in the 14th minute to give Barbados the lead. Further goals from Sheran Hoyte (26'), Omani Leacock (47'), and Applewhaite again in the 52nd minute secured a commanding lead. Hoyte added his second of the night in the 64th minute to cap off the scoring for Barbados, ensuring they finished top of Group A with a perfect 4-0-0 record and promotion to League B.

The Bahamas managed a second goal through an own goal by Nicoli Brathwaite just before halftime, but it was not enough to prevent a comprehensive defeat. The Bahamas finished the group stage with a 1-1-2 record, falling short of the CNL Play-In.

Belize also wrapped up a successful group stage campaign in Group B, defeating Turks and Caicos Islands 3-0 at FFB Stadium in Belmopan. Jordy Polanco headed in a corner in the 28th minute to open the scoring, followed by a volley from Moisés Hernández in the 40th minute to double Belize’s lead.

Krisean López completed the scoring in the 57th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box to secure Belize’s fourth consecutive win, sealing first place in Group B and earning promotion to League B. Belize’s defense was impenetrable throughout the group stage, with goalkeeper Charles Tillett recording four clean sheets as his side went undefeated without conceding a goal.

The Turks and Caicos Islands finished third in Group B, narrowly missing out on second place due to goal difference, while Anguilla claimed the runner-up spot in the group.

With these results, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Belize join the list of teams promoted to League B for the next edition of the Concacaf Nations League, highlighting the region's competitive and exciting football scene.

Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City if the club lied to him over their alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, says football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

City's legal battle with the Premier League is anticipated to last approximately another two months, with the verdict made public next year, after an independent hearing started in September.

The English champions have been charged with 115 alleged breaches of competition rules over an extended period of time, including breaking financial rules, and failing to comply or provide accurate information to the investigation.

Points deductions and fines are on the cards as possible penalties if City are found guilty, though Maguire believes the most significant impact could be breaking trust with manager Guardiola.

"Txiki Begiristain [City's director of football] is leaving, that's more likely to have an impact than anything else, because I think Pep's the type of guy for whom relationships are a very important thing," Maguire told Stats Perform.

"He has also said that every time he's spoken to the club in relation to these charges, they've said they're completely innocent.

"If they've been proven to have lied to him, he'll be off, because I think on a principal point of view, where's the incentive to stay?"

Any theoretical penalty would depend on the severity of City's breaches, but Nottingham Forest and Everton were both punished with points deductions last season for financial misdemeanours.

Guardiola has continually spoken out in defence of his club, insisting innocence until proven guilty, though Maguire believes the former Barcelona boss may have already decided on his future regardless.

"I suspect in his own mind, he's probably 99% certain as to what he's going to do next summer," Maguire said of Guardiola, who had been linked to the England job before Thomas Tuchel was appointed on Wednesday.

"He's a very intense individual. His commitment to Manchester City is 24/7 and, as we saw with Jurgen Klopp, that has an impact on the rest of his life. He's got a family, he's got his own health to consider, and much broader issues."

Relegation has also been mooted as the most severe punishment if proven guilty, although Maguire questioned whether this would inspire Guardiola to silence his doubters.

"If Manchester City lose the case and they're subject to a 100-point deduction, part of him would fancy Swansea on a Tuesday night, just to prove [a point]," he added.

"One of the criticisms of Pep Guardiola, which I think is completely lacking in validity, is that he's only managed to be successful because he's had clubs with big budgets in big divisions.

"Look at the number of Manchester United managers over the course of the last decade who have had big budgets in a big division, who have not been successful.

"If you take a look at Chelsea's managers, they've spent 1.3 to 1.4 billion pounds on players in the last two years, they've not won anything.  So, I think you have to be careful."

Mauricio Pochettino has called for calm following his first defeat as the United States boss, insisting he needs more time to get the best out of his players. 

Pochettino watched on as the Stars and Stripes fell to a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the Estadio AKRON, with Raul Jimenez and Cesar Huerta on target for the hosts. 

The United States struggled for large parts of the contest, managing just one shot on target from the five they attempted, ending with an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.27. 

An even bigger cause for concern was that the USMNT's xG came from Brandon Vazquez (0.12), Kristoffer Lund (0.11) and Haji Wright (0.04), all of whom started on the bench.

"We all feel disappointed because I think we didn't have all the players that we wanted to have when we started," Pochettino told reporters.

"We lost some players for different reasons, and we arrived a little bit short here.

"I say thank you to the players (who were here) because they were amazing, professional and the behaviour was amazing. 

"We wanted to win. I think we need to be positive about this type of game.

"We need to play more games like this to improve the knowledge that we have.

"Give us time, let us evaluate all the players, have them, know them, and from there I will give you a better opinion about what is much more fundamental than what I see."

Pochettino understands the task at hand, with his side's win in his first game in charge against Panama the only triumph in their last six games. 

The Argentine has been tasked with leading the U.S. at the 2026 World Cup on home soil, and the latest defeat will leave him plenty to ponder ahead of the November international break. 

Ange Postecoglou is ready to “explode” when his Tottenham players return from the international break, using his side as “therapy” after their loss to Brighton last time out.

Spurs were on the end of a dismal defeat at the Amex Stadium against the Seagulls, squandering a two-goal lead to halt their five-match winning streak in all competitions.

Postecoglou faced criticism for the manner in which his side capitulated on the south coast, but wanted to make his feelings known ahead of their London derby with West Ham that will kick off the latest round of Premier League fixtures this weekend.

“You never know with the international [break] whether it will be good or bad, maybe for the players it was good, but I don’t like sitting on a loss. You want to get it out of your system and move on to the next challenge,” Postecoglou told Optus Sport.

“There can be a tendency to overanalyse, but it wasn’t a good one. That first half we played against Brighton was unbelievable – the best we have played all year – but I just didn’t like the second half and what we looked like.

“You know what international football, the game finishes and everyone goes, so the dressing room after the game is not the time to analyse. I have been sitting on it for 10 days now and I am ready to explode once they get back in the building and they will be my therapy.”

West Ham, meanwhile, come into the contest off the back of a first win in five games against Ipswich, relieving the pressure on new boss Julen Lopetegui.

Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta were all on target against the Tractor Boys and are aiming to produce back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since March 2023.

Lopetegui showered praise on Bowen, who missed out in England’s Nations League squad for their October fixtures. The Spaniard is expecting his star man to continue his form, with the aim of impressing incoming Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel.

“The best way to show your disappointment as a player is this,” Lopetegui said.

“When you don’t play in one lineup, when you don’t go away with England, it’s this. I think he knows that. He is always ready to help the team.

“He is always ready to work hard, to play well and that’s why he is a very good player.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham – James Maddison

Including crosses, no player has played more passes into the opposition box in the Premier League this season than Tottenham’s Maddison (64).

The 27-year-old’s next goal will be his 50th in the competition, with the midfielder netting in two of his last three league games.

West Ham – Jarrod Bowen

Bowen has been involved in 34 shots this season (15 shots, 19 chances created), more than any other West Ham player.

Indeed, last time out against Ipswich, he became the first Hammers player to have five or more shots and create five or more chances in a single Premier League match since Michail Antonio against Arsenal in March 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN

This will be the eighth time Tottenham and West Ham have faced each other in the first Premier League matchday back after an international break, with Spurs so far unbeaten in the previous seven (W4 D3).

Tottenham have also only won more Premier League games against Everton (31) and Manchester City (28) than they have vs West Ham (26).

But Postecoglou’s men have lost four of their last six Premier League London derbies (W1 D1), as many as they had in their previous 16 (W9 D3). They did beat Brentford 3-1 in their last such match, however.

In contrast, the Hammers are unbeaten in their last three Premier League London derbies on the road (W1 D2), with those accounting for all three of their away games so far this season. They last had a longer such run without defeat between January and December 1999 (six).

David Moyes’ West Ham side came from behind to win this exact fixture 2-1 last season, but they have not won consecutive league visits to Spurs since doing so in April and November 1966.

They will have to be wary of the threat of Brennan Johnson, who has scored in each of his last six games in all competitions for Tottenham. His six goals in run are more than he’d netted in his first 38 appearances for the club (five).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Tottenham – 56.6%

Draw – 22.4%

West Ham – 20.9%

Macarthur FC has been handed a significant blow after FIFA imposed a recruitment ban on the club, barring them from signing new players until the middle of 2026 unless they pay compensation owed to former coach Dwight Yorke. The ban, which applies to both domestic and international player signings, stems from the club’s failure to comply with a ruling that requires them to compensate Yorke for wrongful dismissal.

According to a recent report in Australia's Sunday Morning Herald, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recently upheld a decision made by FIFA's Players' Status Chamber (PSC) that Macarthur FC must pay Yorke AU$212,500, a sum that has now risen to AU$290,000 with interest. Yorke was sacked from his position as head coach after a post-match dressing room outburst in January 2023. The court found that the club breached his contract and terminated him without just cause.

Macarthur, who recently claimed the 2024 Australia Cup with a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory, will be unable to sign new talent during the A-League’s upcoming January 2024 transfer window, as well as future windows, if they fail to resolve the outstanding payment. The ban will be in place until the payment is made in full, along with any accrued interest.

In a letter addressed to Macarthur FC, FIFA's head of disciplinary, Américo Espallargas, emphasized the seriousness of the club’s failure to meet its financial obligations to Yorke. The letter also stated that if the full amount is not paid by the end of the current penalty, further disciplinary measures could be enforced at Yorke’s request.

Macarthur FC had previously appealed the original PSC ruling, arguing that Yorke had damaged the club’s reputation following his explosive remarks during the January 2023 incident, but the appeal was rejected. Yorke had also lodged a counterclaim to seek additional compensation for the remainder of his contract, which would have exceeded AU$800,000 if successful, but this was dismissed due to a CAS rule change in 2010 making counterclaims inadmissible.

With the ban now in place, Macarthur FC's ability to compete at the highest level could be severely impacted as they miss out on crucial transfer windows until the matter is resolved. For now, the club remains in a precarious position, awaiting the resolution of a dispute that has reverberated across Australian football.

Brazil have won back-to-back competitive matches for the first time in over a year, having followed their 2-1 win in Chile last week with a 4-1 victory over Peru on Tuesday.

The hosts did have an initial scare though, with Edison Flores breaking clear to slot the ball past Ederson after 12 minutes, though the flag was immediately raised for offside.

Raphinha then hammered against the crossbar in the 24th minute, before putting his team a goal ahead from the penalty spot in the 38th minute - six minutes after the kick was initially awarded for handball against Carlos Zambrano, following a lengthy VAR review.

The Barcelona man then killed the game as a contest by scoring a second penalty nine minutes into the second half, also conceded by Zambrano.

Brazil continued to dominate before a spectacular 71st-minute volley from Andreas Pereira made their lead more comfortable. Luiz Henrique then added another three minutes later with a neat curling effort from the edge of the box.

Data Debrief: Brazil on the way back

Brazil have won back-to-back competitive matches for the first time since September 2023.

While they trail CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying leaders Argentina by six points, they have opened five-point gap to eighth-placed Venezuela in the first elimination spot.

But with another eight matches to come, including fixtures against Venezuela and Uruguay in November's international break, they will need to maintain their improved form.

Mauricio Pochettino suffered his first defeat in charge of the United States, losing 2-0 away to Mexico in a friendly on Tuesday.

For Mexico, it was their third match without defeat or even conceding a goal as they celebrated the international swansong of veteran midfielder Andres Guardado in style.

Mexico opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Raul Jimenez whipped a powerful free-kick past Matt Turner from distance.

The in-form Fulham man hit his shot with the perfect amount of power and height to lift it up and over the wall and find the top corner.

Jimenez continued to threaten in the first half, with long-range shots and audacious flicks, but there was little else to get excited about in the opening period.

The home side doubled their lead early in the second half after star man Jimenez won the ball back in the box and slipped in team-mate Cesar Huerta for a close-range finish. That was a lead they comfortably saw out for their first victory over the USA since 2019.

Data debrief: Pochettino with plenty of work to do

The chief worry for Pochettino will be how his side were bossed out of what was a low-margin game in terms of expected goals (xG), with the USA generating 0.27 compared to Mexico's 0.95.

The United States managed just one shot on target, with Brandon Vazquez's effort coming in the 79th minute when the result seemed academic.

There is a big job here for Pochettino given his side's 2-0 victory against Panama in his opening match remains their only win in six, while they have lost four of those contests.

Thomas Tuchel has been confirmed as the new England boss, the Football Association announced on Wednesday.

Tuchel had been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season but will now become the 16th permanent manager to take charge of England.

The German becomes the first non-English boss to lead the Three Lions since Fabio Capello in 2012, and only the third overall, following the Italian and Sven-Goran Eriksson.

In a statement released by the Football Association, Tuchel said: "I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team. 

"I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already. 

"To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting. 

"Working closely with Anthony [Barry] as my assistant coach, we will do everything we can to make England successful and the supporters proud. I want to thank the FA for their trust and I am looking forward to starting our journey together."

Lee Carsley had taken interim charge of England following Gareth Southgate's resignation after the 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Carsley has won three of his four games in charge and will remain in place for England's final two Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland in November, with Tuchel taking the reins from January 1, assisted by his former Chelsea and Bayern number two Anthony Barry.

Carsley did, however, come under scrutiny after a dismal performance against Greece on October 10, with the Three Lions losing 2-1 at Wembley.

Carsley acknowledged England needed a "world-class coach" who had won silverware, and that is what Tuchel brings to the table.

Tuchel has managed 578 games across his club career, winning 331 (D114 L133), registering a win percentage of 57.3%.

After replacing Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, Tuchel enjoyed a hugely successful spell with Paris Saint-Germain between 2018 and 2020, winning two Ligue 1 titles among his six major honours, and overseeing a win ratio of 74.8% in all competitions.

He subsequently joined Chelsea, leading the Blues to Champions League glory in 2021.

In doing so, he became the first coach to reach consecutive European finals with two different clubs, having guided PSG to their first Champions League showpiece the previous campaign.

He departed Stamford Bridge in 2022, having won 60 of his 100 games in charge (D24 L16), with his win percentage (60%) the fourth-highest of any Chelsea boss who managed at least 100 games.

Tuchel then joined Bayern midway through the 2022-23 season, helping them to their 11th consecutive Bundesliga crown before being replaced by Vincent Kompany after finishing third last term.

But Tuchel's next assignment could be his most difficult yet, with England looking to end their long wait for an international trophy, having last succeeded at the 1966 World Cup.

The 51-year-old also faces a tough act to follow in Southgate, who won 61 of his 102 matches in charge with the Three Lions.

Southgate's 14 wins at major tournaments are the most of any manager in England's history, while they reached more finals (two) in four attempts than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup and Euros.

Only Walter Winterbottom (78) and Alf Ramsey (69) managed more wins than Southgate, while he became only the third England manager to reach 100 games in charge.

Lionel Messi is determined to enjoy what could be his final few games with Argentina, having recorded five goal involvements in Tuesday's 6-0 rout of Bolivia. 

Messi scored a hat-trick and provided assists for fellow forwards Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez as the world champions bounced back from a 1-1 draw with Venezuela in style.

The treble – his 10th in international football – took him level with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the all-time charts, while he is the first player to register at least four goal involvements in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier since Luis Suarez in 2011 (four goals versus Chile).

Messi has refused to give any indication of whether he plans to play at the 2026 World Cup in the past, and for now, he is just enjoying his role in Lionel Scaloni's team.

"It is very nice to play here feeling the affection of the Argentina fans," Messi said after the win. 

"It makes me emotional to listen to how they shout my name. We all enjoy this connection with the fans and we love playing at home."

Asked if he would continue for the remainder of this World Cup cycle, he said: "I didn't set any date or deadline about my future. 

"I'm just enjoying all this. I am more emotional than ever and taking all the love from the people because I know these could be my last games.

"It's a joy to be present and appreciate this moment. Being surrounded by younger team-mates, given my age, makes me feel like a kid again. 

"I find myself doing silly things because I feel so comfortable. As long as I maintain that feeling and can continue contributing to the team, I plan to be here enjoying it."

Argentina face Paraguay and Peru in their next set of qualifiers in November and already have a 10-point cushion to those outside the automatic qualification places.