Haaland enhances incredible debut record at FIFA World Cup

It took just 28 minutes for Erling Haaland to score his first FIFA World Cup goal. He added his second before half time as Norway claimed a 4-1 victory over Iraq to get their 2026 campaign off to a winning start.

The Manchester City striker has made a habit of scoring on his debut for both club and country.

Indeed, he has now scored on his first appearance on nine separate occasions, including a hat-trick on his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund, a hat-trick on his UEFA Champions League bow for Salzburg, and a brace in a 2-0 win over West Ham United on his Premier League debut with Man City. 

Haaland's debut goals by competition

Team	Competition	Goals
Molde	Norwegian NM Cup	1
Salzburg	UEFA Champions League	3
Borussia Dortmund	German Bundesliga	3
Borussia Dortmund	German DFB-Pokal	1
Norway	UEFA Nations League	1
Borussia Dortmund	German Super Cup	1
Man City	Premier League	2
Man City	EFL Cup	1
Norway	FIFA World Cup	2

The 2025/26 Premier League Golden Boot winner, though, reserved praise for rival strikers despite a fine 27-goal campaign with Man City following his two-goal tally against Iraq. 

“I would say I’m up there,” Haaland said when asked if he is one of the best strikers in the world. “I don’t think I scored the most goals this season. 

“So, statistically, no I’m not, because I think Harry Kane and [Kylian] Mbappe scored more goals than me and that’s reality.”

Haaland’s comments came after Mbappe scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, a match in which the Real Madrid star became his nation’s all-time record goalscorer.

Later that evening, Lionel Messi registered a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria to move level with Miroslav Klose for most FIFA World Cup final goals, with 16. The 38-year-old’s performance wasn’t lost on Haaland.

“Messi is a madman” Haaland posted on Snapchat with the City and Norway forward more than willing to share the praise despite his own standout showing.

Latest on Spurs' pursuit of Van Hecke... and the Dutchman's loyal fanbase

It appears that Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke is moving closer.  

The Athletic’s David Ornstein and others have said that Spurs’ third bid for the 26-year-old has been accepted by Brighton.  

If it does get confirmed Spurs can expect an influx of new fans next season as relatives and strangers often go the extra mile to support Van Hecke. Hailing from Arnemuiden, up to 100 residents of the tiny town and surrounding areas have previously travelled by coach and boat to watch the 26-year-old in action for Brighton.

“In our town, everybody likes football, and then JP is a hero to us,” Leo Dingemanse, one of Van Hecke’s early coaches and still a neighbour, told The Athletic. 

“We are singing on the boat about Jan Paul van Hecke. When I go to work in the city, in Vlissingen [about 12 miles away], they say, ‘We have JP’. Everybody in our town is proud of him and he is a good guy.” 

Reports suggest Spurs’ move for Van Hecke is not linked with Brighton’s bid for their teenage centre-back Luka Vuskovic. The 19-year-old, who is expected to start for Croatia against England in the World Cup, has had a standout Bundesliga campaign on loan at Hamburg. 

Spurs have, according to reports, rejected Brighton’s second offer for Vuskovic.

Carrick ‘optimistic’ for next season after Man Utd's impressive form

Michael Carrick has admitted he is “optimistic” for his debut full season as Manchester United head coach after earning more points than any other manager following his appointment in January.

Carrick initially took over the reins from Ruben Amorim on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The 44-year-old guided United to a top-three finish and, as a result, was handed a two-year contract at Old Trafford.

Most points won since Carrick's appointment at Man Utd

Team	Points earned since Carrick took over as Man Utd head coach (13 January 2026)
Man Utd	39
Arsenal	36
Man City	35
Bournemouth	31
Liverpool	25
West Ham	25
Leeds	25

The United head coach was asked whether he was optimistic for the new campaign by the United We Stand fanzine.

“Yes, big time,” Carrick replied. The United boss then outlined the type of football he wants his side to play. “Winning, exciting football is what comes to mind,” he continued. “There are all sorts of different ways to get there but a version of winning and exciting football. There's a responsibility to try and produce both.” 

Carrick’s comments come after former Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba claimed that the Manchester giants can win the Premier League title sooner rather than later. “I think Manchester United will win in the next few years,” the Frenchman said. “They're going to be champions of the Premier League.” 

Brighton signing Costinha selects 'perfect' Portuguese player

New Brighton signing Costinha was asked to build his perfect Portuguese player following his move to the south coast this week. The 26-year-old defender joined from Greek side Olympiacos on Monday.

The caveat, though, was that Costinha wasn’t allowed to say Cristiano Ronaldo for all of them. “Why not!?” he replied.   

Watch: Costinha's first Brighton interview

“Let’s build your perfect Portuguese Premier League player, starting with speed…” the official Brighton & Hove Albion account asked Costinha. “Maybe in this moment, [Chelsea winger] Pedro Neto,” the defender replied. 

“Finishing?” Costinha was asked. “[Man Utd midfielder] Bruno [Fernandes],” was his reply. “But, in general… Cristiano Ronaldo. Sorry.” Brighton’s new signing was then told that was his one use of Ronaldo. For heading, Costinha plumped for Manchester City’s Ruben Dias. 

Ex-Chelsea man Ricardo Carvalho was chosen for defending, Fernandes, again, selected for passing, while Bernardo Silva and Raul Meireles were also picked for football IQ and work-rate, respectively. 

A familiar face in the Portugal dugout 

Eagle-eyed Premier League fans may spot a familiar face when Portugal take on DR Congo in the World Cup. Aston Villa's set-piece coach Austin MacPhee is also assistant head coach of the Portugal national team, a role he has held since February last year after the head coach Roberto Martinez asked him to join them.

MacPhee was a key man in Villa’s UEFA Europa League success last month, with head coach Unai Emery praising the Scot after the 3-0 win at Freiburg, in which Youri Tielemans scored the opener in Istanbul fron a short corner. “Congratulations to Austin too, he's very good at his job and we work very closely,” Emery said. “He has so much experience and we know exactly what we are doing.”

MacPhee, 46, has previously worked with the Northern Ireland and his native Scotland national teams, while also scouting for Mexico for the 2014 World Cup, according to a BBC Sport report.