Top games to watch this week
Friday, June 21
Slovakia vs. Ukraine
Poland vs. Austria
Netherlands vs. France
Peru vs. Chile
Saturday, June 22
Georgia vs. Czech Republic
Turkey vs. Portugal
Belgium vs. Romania
Ecuador vs. Venezuela
Mexico vs. Jamaica
Cincinnati vs. New England
Columbus Crew vs. Sporting KC
Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy
Los Angeles FC vs. SJ Earthquakes
Criciuma vs. Botafogo
Gremio vs. Internacional
Vasco da Gama vs. Sao Paulo
Sunday, June 23
Switzerland vs. Germany
Scotland vs. Hungary
USA vs. Bolivia
Uruguay vs. Panama
Fluminense vs. Flamengo
Athletico-PR vs. Corinthians
Palmeiras vs. Juventude
RB Bragantino vs. Vitoria
Monday, June 24
Croatia vs. Italy
Albania vs. Spain
Colombia vs. Paraguay
Brazil vs. Costa Rica
Tuesday, June 25
Netherlands vs. Austria
France vs. Poland
England vs. Slovenia
Denmark vs. Serbia
Peru vs. Canada
Chile vs. Argentina
Wednesday, June 26
Slovakia vs. Romania
Ukraine vs. Belgium
Czech Republic vs. Turkey
Georgia vs. Portugal
Ecuador vs .Jamaica
Venezuela vs. Mexico
Cruzeiro vs. Athletico-PR
Botafogo vs. RB Bragantino
Corinthians vs. Cuiaba
Juventude vs. Flamengo
Internacional vs. Atlético Mineiro
Fortaleza vs. Palmeiras
Thursday, June 27
Panama vs. USA
Uruguay vs. Bolivia
Fluminense vs. Vitoria
Sao Paulo vs. Criciuma
What are this week's must-watch games?
Netherlands vs. France live this Friday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX Network, ViX, and fuboTV
Another two continental powerhouses prepare to face off in Euro 2024 a day after Spain and Italy locked horns in one of the most highly-anticipated group-stage matches. They are the Netherlands and France, with these two heavyweights battling it out for the top spot in Group D. Both sides are level on three points but Les Bleus have been rocked with an injury to Kylian Mbappe, with the Real Madrid sensation breaking his nose in their opening match. Can Deschamps' men triumph without their talisman? Tune in to find out.
Turkey vs. Portugal live this Saturday at 12 p.m. ET on FOX Network, ViX, and fuboTV
Both Turkey and Portugal sealed dramatic victories in their Euro 2024 openers, with Cristiano and Co. grabbing the decisive goal in stoppage time. The Crescent-Stars, on the flip side, beat Georgia 3-1 in a roller-coaster fixture, with many hailing it as the match of the tournament. Can Arda Guler make it back-to-back wins or will Portugal prove to be a hill too steep? Don't miss this clash.
Mexico vs. Jamaica live this Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on Univisión, TUDN USA, and Fox Deportes
Mexico kick off their 2024 Copa America campaign this Saturday, with El Tri facing Jamaica in what promises to be an intriguing match-up. The CONCACAF Gold Cup champions enter this tie on a two-game losing streak, having suffered defeats against Uruguay and Brazil, two of the favorites, in the build-up to this tournament. The Reggae Boyz, on the other hand, have won their last three matches but lost 3-0 the last time they met Mexico, thus leaving Heimir Hallgrímsson's side hungry for revenge.
Switzerland vs. Germany live this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX Network, ViX, and fuboTV
Another exciting Euro 2024 match is on the horizon as Switzerland face Germany this weekend. The hosts are already through to the round of 16 after beating Scotland and Austria but will want to top their group. Xhaka and Co. are on four points following their 1-1 draw with Scotland but can leapfrog Nagelsmann's side in the standings with a win, thus making this an interesting battle.
USA vs. Bolivia live this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on Univisión, TUDN USA, and Fox Deportes
All eyes will be on the USMNT as they kick off their 2024 Copa America campaign live this Sunday against Bolivia. This will be their first participation since 2016 when they finished fourth on home soil. With the tournament being held in the USA again, the Stars and Stripes will hope to repeat that feat or even surpass it. However, Pulisic and Co. must first overcome their first hurdle when they face Bolivia in Group C.
Croatia vs. Italy live this Monday at 10 p.m ET on FOX Network, ViX, and fuboTV
Will Italy condemn Croatia to an unexpected Euro 2024 group-stage exit? This is the question on everyone's mind ahead of the Group B finale, with Modric and Co. needing a win. Croatia boast only one point following their draw with Albania and will have to overcome the Italians. The Azzurri, on the flip side, have three points but will want to secure progression as well. This means one thing: one heavyweight could bow out of the competition earlier than expected.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica live this Monday at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, UniMás, and TUDN USA
Brazil have been in poor form since their 2022 FIFA World Cup exit but could turn things around at this year's Copa America. The Selecao get their campaign underway on Monday, locking horns with Costa Rica in a must-win tie. Vinicius Junior will be crucial for the five-time FIFA World Cup champions as he looks to step up to the mantle in Neymar's absence. Can Los Ticos stop the Brazilians or will the South American powerhouses triumph on Matchday 1? Don't miss this tie.
Chile vs. Argentina live this Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, Univisión, and TUDN USA
And finally, we have Argentina, who kicked off the 2024 Copa America on Friday but return to action on Tuesday in a highly-anticipated showdown with Chile. Messi and Co. beat Canada 2-0 in their opener, with Lautaro Martinez securing the win with a late goal after La Pulga missed several opportunities. La Roja, on the other hand, face Peru in their opener on Friday before locking horns with the world champions.
What to stream live on ESPN+ from June 19 to June 24, 2024
Those who want to satisfy their need for good soccer games and are not into watching national team matches can turn to ESPN+ this week, as the streaming platform will offer some interesting matches to stream in coming days.
The platform will feature a variety of tournaments that include U.S.-based teams. Fans will be able to enjoy matches from the USL League One, the USL Championship, and even a NWSL clash.
This will not be the only games featuring an U.S.-based club, as Liga MX side Juárez will be playing a friendly against New Mexico United to start preparing for the upcoming season in Mexico's top flight.
To top it all, the service will feature the return leg of the Spanish Segunda División playoffs, with the winner earning a spot in next year's edition of La Liga. As things stand, Espanyol hold a narrow lead over Real Oviedo in the promotion tie, and fans will be able to enjoy the game that will complete La Liga's lineup for the 2024-25 campaign.
For a full breakdown of ESPN's schedule, click here
What to stream on Paramount+ this week: June 19-24, 2024
If you are interested in watching top-caliber soccer, then Paramount+ should become your one-stop streaming service.
The platform will bring fans closer to some of the best club fixtures being held this week, all of them coming from leagues within the United States. All activity on this platform will begin with NWSL games, which will be held on Wednesday and once again on Sunday. Paramount+ will be carrying four matches from this league for all fans to enjoy.
Things will not stop there, as the service will also give fans a chance to follow men's club soccer from the U.S., with games for the USL Championship and USL League One. There will be five more matches everyone who has subscribed to the service will be able to enjoy.
Click here for more details
Biggest stories
Lukaku controversially denied late equalizer as Belgium lose Euro 2024 opener vs. Slovakia
Belgium's Euro 2024 opener versus Slovakia will likely go down as one of the most controversial games of the tournament after Romelu Lukaku was denied two goals by VAR.
Domenico Tedesco's men — and Lukaku, in particular — were profligate in front of goal in the first half but hit the back of the net twice in the second half. Unfortunately, both attempts were ruled out by VAR, with the latter sparking tremendous controversy.
Both overruled goals were from Lukaku, with the first being a straightforward offside call. However, the Roma striker thought he had equalized again in the final five minutes of regular time following tremendous work by substitute Luis Openda on the left wing. Unfortunately, VAR intervened due to a "handball" incident involving Openda in the build-up.
The RB Leipzig attacker brushed the ball with his hand during a battle with his marker. VAR deemed the contact worthy of an intervention and called the referee over to the screen to review this incident. The match official canceled the equalizer after watching the replay but this decision did not go down well with fans. Read more…
Euro 2024: Kylian Mbappe update revealed as France star looks set to miss Netherlands clash due to broken nose
Kylian Mbappe has been the talk of the town after the French superstar suffered a broken nose during his team's Euro 2024 opening game against Austria.
The two-time FIFA World Cup winners won that match 1-0, with the newly-signed Real Madrid ace delivering the cross that led to Maximilian Wöber's 38th-minute own goal.
However, the former PSG sensation was sadly forced off the pitch after colliding with Austrian center-back Kevin Danso, with Les Bleus later revealing that the 25-year-old suffered a nose break.
Initial fears that his tournament would be over were quickly dispelled but according to the latest reports, the attacker does not need surgery yet is set to miss France's crucial showdown with the Netherlands this Friday.
According to L'Equipe, France's medical team is working around the clock to prepare a protective mask for their talisman. Unfortunately, Les Bleus' clash with the Dutch comes too soon. Read more…
Premier League's 2024-25 fixtures list revealed as Arsenal and Man Utd face tough start to the season
The 2024-25 Premier League schedule has officially been revealed, with Manchester United kicking off the new season on Friday, August 16 with a home clash against Fulham.
Eight out of the 10 Matchweek 1 fixtures are scheduled for the weekend of August 17-18, with reigning champions Manchester City kicking off their title defense on Sunday away to Big Six rival Chelsea in what should be a tricky debut for Blues head coach Enzo Maresca.
Newly-appointed Liverpool manager Arne Slot will also make his English top-flight debut over the weekend, with his team visiting newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday, August 17 for their opening game.
Meanwhile, Arsenal get their campaign underway later that same day at home to Wolves as Mikel Arteta launches another attempt to bring the Premier League title to North London for the first time since 2004.
However, the Gunners will be in for a rough start, with Saka and Co. facing Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Manchester City in their first three away matches. Arsenal's first 2024-25 UEFA Champions League game is also sandwiched between the North London Derby trip and their Etihad Stadium visit. Read more…
Lionel Messi reveals the Argentina defeat that hurt him the most ahead of 2024 Copa America kick-off
Argentina are preparing for the 2024 Copa America, with La Albiceleste kicking off their title defense with an interesting clash with Alphonso Davies' Canada.
Ahead of this highly-anticipated game, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner sat down for a handful of interviews to discuss his career and personal life, including a talk on his nephew's YouTube channel 'Dispuestos a Todo'.
However, the Barcelona icon raised a few eyebrows when discussing the Argentina defeat that hurt him the most. La Albiceleste lost the FIFA World Cup and back-to-back Copa America finals in the span of three years between 2014 and 2016. However, Messi did not choose those fixtures.
Instead, La Albiceleste's all-time leading goalscorer named his nation's 2011 Copa America quarterfinal defeat to Uruguay as the elimination that pains him the most. That tournament was held in Argentina but the hosts bowed out in the last eight on penalties as fans from across the stadium booed La Pulga. Read more…
Messi becomes most capped player in Copa America history
Argentina star Lionel Messi became the most-capped player in Copa America history on Thursday as he reached 35 appearances in the opening match of the tournament against Canada.
The 36-year-old had shared the record with Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone (34 caps) since appearing in the final of the 2021 Copa America in Brazil, where Argentina triumphed.
Messi's appearances have been spread across seven editions of the Copa, starting with the 2007 tournament in Venezuela. Read more…
England are feeling Euro pressure after drab Denmark draw: Southgate
Gareth Southgate admitted England's lacklustre 1-1 draw against Denmark showed they are struggling to cope with the pressure of being one of the Euro 2024 favourites.
Southgate's side arrived in Germany as the bookmakers' leading contenders to win the tournament.
But they have failed to match those lofty expectations in their first two Group C matches.
England were fortunate to escape with a 1-0 win against Serbia after a spluttering display in the second half of their opener.
And they produced an even more limp performance in Frankfurt on Thursday as Harry Kane's 18th-minute strike was canceled out by Morten Hjulmand's brilliant long-range blast before the interval. Read more….
Portugal's Pepe to set Euros age record against Czech Republic
Pepe will set a new record as the oldest player to ever play at a European Championship after the 41-year-old was selected for Portugal's opening game at Euro 2024 against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
The Porto centre-back will pass the mark set by Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who was 40 years and 86 days when he played against Belgium in the round of 16 at Euro 2016.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, will also beat the previous record of an outfield player that had been held by Lothar Matthaeus after his 150th and final appearance for Germany at Euro 2000. Read more…
Other key headlines from world soccer
Steve Cooper named manager of Premier League Leicester City
Leicester City have appointed former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper as their new manager, the newly promoted Premier League club said on Thursday.
Cooper fills the vacuum left by Enzo Maresca, who left for the vacant post at Chelsea earlier this month. Continue reading…
New Liverpool boss Slot amused by lunchtime kick-off after Klopp criticism
Liverpool boss Arne Slot joked Thursday that TNT Sports selected the Reds' opening match of the new Premier League season at Ipswich for a lunchtime kick-off because Jurgen Klopp was no longer in charge.
Former Reds manager Klopp, who stood down at the end of the last campaign, was a repeated critic of early kick-off games, particularly after midweek games and international breaks. Continue reading…