A View from the Mountains

It's all happening! New things! Spain won the FIFA World Cup last night and became the new world champions of football.

And Andy Burnham enters No 10 Downing Street today to become the new prime minister of the UK.

    [© The Guardian]

Yes, Spain deservedly became the best football side in the world after beating the holders Argentina in a dull match lasting 120 minutes. Apart from niggling fouls and violent tackles during the match, the Argentina players brought shame on themselves by their violent behaviour after the final whistle. Only their captain Lionel Messi kept apart from it all silently weeping for what might have been.

[©  ABC News]    

This morning Andy Burnham moved into No 10 to replace Sir Keir Starmer in a bloodless coup. Andy is now prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

At around 10.30 the retiring prime minister Sir Keir Starmer emerged from No 10 for the last time to give his valedictory speech, before heading off to Buckingham Palace to inform the king officially that he was stepping down. Among other things he pledged his full support for his successor. His last words lasted three-and-a-half minutes.

Shortly afterwards the incoming pm Andy Burnham visited Charles III who, according to protocol, invited him to form a government.

[©  Facebook]    

Then at around 11.50 GMT the new prime minister addressed the waiting press, media and the TV and radio audience at home.

In his speech to the nation and the watching world, Burnham promised change, hoped for collaborative working, and confirmed that policy announcements would be made tomorrow. He also gave notice of his immediate priorities, namely to help families economically, to increase construction of affordable housing and to eradicate rough sleeping. Speaking without notes or autocue, his address was fluent and clear with no stumbles. It lasted six minutes.

Stop Press:

1. Prime minister Andy Burnham has announced the following cabinet positions:

Chancellor of the Exchequer   - John Healey

Home Secretary                       - Shabana Mahmood (no change)

Foreign Secretary                    - Ed Milliband

Health Secretary                     - Yvette Cooper

Defence                                    - Wes Streeting

Education                                - Lucy Powell

Culture, Media & Sport            - Lisa Nandy (no change)

Environment                            - Angela Eagle

Transport                                 - Heidi Alexander

Chief Whip                               - Annaliese Midgley

Work & Pensions Secretary      - Pat McFadden (no change)

Cabinet Secretary                    - Louise Haigh

Housing                                    - Angela Rayner

Business                                   - Jonathan Reynolds

Women & Equalities                 - Bridget Phillipson

2. VAT on domestic electricity bills will be abolished from October.

Links:

That's my boy!

© Paul Whitelock MMXXVI

Pictures:

Facebook, The Guardian

Thanks:

BBC News, ITV News, Paul Whitelock, Sky News

Tags:

Andy Burnham, Angela Eagle, Angela Rayner, Annaliese Midgley, Argentina, Bridget Phillipson, BBC News, Buckingham Palace, Charles IV, Downing St, Ed Milliband, Facebook, ITV News, John Healey, Jonathan Reynolds, Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy,  Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell, Messi, no 10, Pat McFadden, Paul Whitelock, prime minister, Shabanna Mahmood, Sky News, Spain, Sporty Sam, The Guardian, Wes Streeting, Yvette Cooper

Andy Burnham, the incoming UK prime minister, who takes over tomorrow, Monday, is not my son.

But he was a former pupil of mine back when I was a young teacher.

I started teaching Andy Spanish in 1980 when he was 11. He was a pupil at St Aelred's Catholic High School in Newton-le-Willows (Merseyside). I taught him all the way through to A-level where he gained a grade A before going off to Cambridge to read English.

Andy Burnham as a student [© The Guardian]    

Andy was a good student, very bright and single-minded. He was also a very good footballer. When he became an MP after a period as a parliamentary adviser, it was clear that he was ambitious.

He quickly rose through the ranks to become a cabinet minister in the Blair/Brown governments. And he kept on playing football where he was a leading player in the House of Commons team.

He tried twice previously to become Labour leader, failing on both times. Then he left parliament to become Mayor of Greater Manchester, a post to which he was elected three times. And he kept on running to keep fit.

    [© Agenda Publica]

Following a series of crises for incumbent prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, Andy resigned as Manchester mayor and found a parliamentary seat to contest, Makerfield, next door to the area where he lives and was formerly the MP.

Elected with a strong majority, Andy declared his wish to become the next leader of the Labour party and therefore prime minister.

[© Bloomberg]    

So, it's been third time lucky. This time he has stepped into the role unopposed, which has upset many people, including fellow Labour MPs.

I say, give the boy a chance!

© Paul Whitelock MMXXVI

Pictures:

Agenda Publica, Bloomberg, The Guardian

Tags:

Agenda Publica, Andy Burnham, Bloomberg, Makerfield, Newton-le-Willows, Paul Whitelock, St Aelred's Catholic High School, Spanish A-level, The Guardian

The England football team fell to its nemesis Argentina in last night's World Cup semi-final. The two countries have history dating back to before and after The Falklands War.

    [BBC]

Despite going 1-0 up early in the second half courtesy of an excellent goal by Anthony Gordon, the Three Lions were eventually outclassed and outplayed by a superior Pumas team which was relentless in its pursuit of an equaliser and a winner.

Aided and abetted by poor decisions on the part of their head coach Thomas Tuchel, England again fell to their betes-noirs.

    [The Guardian]

Tuchel's substitutions did not work. Bringing on defenders in place of attack-minded players like Gordon and Declan Rice unbalanced the shape of the team causing them to surrender most of the possession. Between England's goal and Argentina's second England only had 12% possession. Small wonder that they could not hold out against the Argentine onslaught.

An unmarked Lionel Messi on the right controlled the game in the latter stages. Why did England stop man-marking him?

[The Guardian]    

Oh well, the inquest has already begun into whose fault it all was. By the next World Cup Harry Kane will be 36 so may not play - he is no Messi.

And will Tuchel still be in the job? As it stands he has a contract up to and including the Euros in 2028.

© Sporty Sam MMXXVI

Pictures:

BBC, Google Images, The Guardian

Thanks:

BBC, Paul Whitelock

Tags:

Anthony Gordon, Argentina, BBC, Declan Rice, England, Falklands War, Google Images, Harry Kane, Messi, Paul Whitelock, Pumas,  Sporty Sam, The Guardian, Thomas Tuchel, Three Lions

Spain, one of the hot favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026, took on Austria last night.

From a political point of view it was very much left v right.

[YouTube]    

First half

Nothing much happened up to the hydration break, then immediately afterwards a "goal" from Marc Cucurella was disallowed for a foul on the keeper by another player.

3 minutes later the goallie saved from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Then in the 36th minute Oyarzabal scored.

During time added on Alex Baena hit the crossbar, the ball fell to Lamine Yamal but his shot was saved.

[Getty Images]    

Second half

Spain were pressing hard now for a second goal. There were 2 or 3 near misses. A rare attack by Austria came to nothing.

A header from Oyarzabal went over the bar.

In the 66th minute Pedro Porro scored his first ever international goal with a powerful header.

With 10 minutes left Austria became a bit more lively, but there was no way through.

    [MARCA]

In the 85th minute at the other end a shot by Yamal was cleared off the line. 4 minutes later Oyarzabal logged his 2nd to seal a fine 3-0 victory.

Spain's best game so far.

Other matches:

1.00 am  Portugal 2-1 Croatia

5.00 am  Switzerland 2-0 Algeria

© Sporty Sam

Pictures:

Getty Images, MARCA, YouTube

Sources:

El Confidencial. Google, La 1, MSN, Paul Whitelock

Tags:

Algeria, Austria, Baena, Croatia, Cucurella, El Confidencial, Getty Images, Google, La 1, MARCA, MSN, Oyarzabal, Paul Whitelock, Porro, Portugal, Spain, Sporty Sam, Switzerland, Yamal, YouTube

Those of us "who know our football" were predicting scores like 4-0 or 4-1 in favour of England in their Round of 16 match against DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One of us said 2-1. "Pessimist," we thought.

[TNT Sports]    

England v Democratic Republic of Congo

It was a cagey start with much lateral passing, then all of a sudden, in the 7th minute, Congo scored out of the blue through their no 9 Cipenga.

England keeper Pickford failed to cover his near post properly and England were 1-0 down.

England seemed rattled, committing niggling and unnecessary fouls. Bellingham was booked.

After the hydration break England pressed for an equaliser. Bellingham had a good header saved by Congo's acrobatic keeper.

[Instagram]    

Meanwhile, at the other end, Pickford was having a bit of a nightmare. There was a goalline clearance and Congo hit the post.

The Congo goalkeeper made another great save and there was another goal-line clearance via a defender's knees in the last minute of time added on at the end of the first half.

2nd half

England were really pressing with some urgency. There was a great chance for Rashford, a Bellingham shot was cleared off the line and Rashford headed over the bar.

In the 60th minute England manaager Thomas Tuchel substituted Gordon and Saka for Rashford and Madueki with little discernible improvement.

Congo had another near miss.

Then, finally, Kane equalised with a header in the 75th minute.

11 minutes later Kane added to his tally with a superb curving strike from the right of the penalty area into the left corner.

Kane now has 5 goals in the race for the "Golden Boot".

4 minutes to go plus an amazing 6 minutes added time!

[Reuters]    

We did it! But at what cost to my nerves!

Our pessimistic friend got it right: 2-1.

Other matches

Belgium 3 - 2 Senegal

USA 2 - 0 Boznia Herzegovina

©  Sporty Sam MMXXVI

Pictures:

Instagram, Reuters, TNT Sports

Thanks:

DAZN, Paul Whitelock, TNT Sports,

Tags:

Belgium, Bellingham, Boznia Herzegovina, Cipenga, Congo, DAZN, England, Golden Boot, Gordon, Instagram, Kane, Madueki, Paul Whitelock, Pickford, Rashford, Reuters, Saka, Sporty Sam, Thomas Tuchel, TNT Sports, USA

Last night was the chance for Scandinavia to strut its stuff.

First Norway took on Ivory Coast in Dallas, Texas, and later Sweden played France in New York/New Jersey.

[Wikipedia]    

Ivory Coast v Norway

In the Ivory Coast v Norway clash it was even-Stevens for a while until Nusa scored a golazo from distance to give Norway the lead.

Their talisman, Erling Haaland, fluffed his lines a couple of times, but there were no further goals before the break.

    [TNT Sports]

In the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half both teams had great chances to score but each was saved,

After the hydration break in the 74th minute Ivory Coast scored a wonder goal through their no. 15 Amed Diallo, only for Haaland to score a tap-in in the 86th minute, restoring the Scandinavians' lead with 4 minutes left on the clock. In the 90th minute Haaland fluffed another chance.

In the 7 minutes of added time Ivory Coast tried hard but failed to score.

While I was waiting .....

After a long wait during which I watched Wimbledon, where a 20-year-old Australian, defeated 7-times champion Serena Williams in 3 sets, the France v Sweden match got underway.

[TennisWorldUSA.org]    

France v Sweden

After 20 minutes to and fro Kylian Mbappe scored but "the goal" was disallowed for off-side.

Following the hydration break France continued to threaten the Swedish goal. In the 32nd minute Mbappe hit the left-hand upright, then 3 minutes later a similar thing happened when a spectacular scissor-kick by Olise struck the right-hand post.

Finally, in the 45th minute Mbappe scored, his 5th goal in this World Cup.

Two more goals for France followed including one by Barcola and a second from Mbappe.

[Wikipedia]    

During the night .....

Overnight Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in Mexico City rounding off an exciting 2nd day of the Round of 16.

Tonight it's England v DR Congo and Belgium v Senegal. In the early hours here in Europe USA take on Boznia and Herzegovina.

© Sporty Sam MMXXVI

Pictures:

TennisWorldUSA.org, TNT Sports, Wikipedia

Thanks:

BBC, DAZN, Paul Whitelock, Wimbledon

Tags:

BBC, DAZN, Diallo, France, Haaland, Ivory Coast, Maya Joint, Mbappe, Norway, Nusa, Paul Whitelock, Serena Williams, Sporty Sam, Sweden, TennisWorldUSA.org, TNT Sports, Wikipedia, Wimbledon

Four times champions Germany are out of the 2026 Football World Cup! Beaten in a penalty shoot-out for the first time ever in a World Cup by minnows Paraguay, one of the fancied teams is on its way home.

[YouTube]    

The Netherlands were also among the favourites and they too were beaten on penalties in the early hours of Tuesday morning by lowly Morocco.

Earlier on Monday night five time winners Brazil scraped through against Japan by scoring the winner in the 96th minute of extra time.

What is going on?

Of the teams I fancied as possible winners of the tournament only England, Spain, Belgium and Brazil are left. Are England, Spain and Belgium going to have problems in their Round of 16 matches? Well, we shall see over the next two days as the dieciseisavos are completed.

Monday 29 June

I sat through the match between Brazil and Japan in my favourite sports bar, Bar Alegria in Ronda, before going home for the late match between Germany and Paraguay. This was pretty dour stuff as I dozed through parts of the match, only to revive for the penalty shoot-out. Well, the German penalty takers proved their vulnerability against the giant Paraguay goalkeeper Gill.

    [Trip Advisor]

I had no stamina left, so didn't stay up for the Netherlands v Morocco match. When I woke this morning I discovered that the Dutch had also crashed out on penalties.

Links:

El Mundial - Round of 16

South Africa v Canada

©  Sporty Sam MMXXVI

Pictures:

Trip Advisor, YouTube

Thanks:

DAZN, Paul Whitelock, ZDF

Tags:

Belgium, Brazil, DAZN, England, Germany, Japan, Morocco, Netherlands, Paraguay, Paul Whitelock, penalty shoot-out, Spain, Sporty Sam, Trip Advisor, World Cup, YouTube, ZDF

Two former colonies, one British, one Dutch, met last night in the heat of Los Angeles, California, in the Football World Cup.

Both RSA and Canada were second in their groups, A and B respectively.

[Eurosport]    

My instinct was to be on the side of Canada. They have never beaten England at either rugby union or cricket, unlike the Springboks who do so regularly!

The 1st half was fairly even in terms of possession, but Canada were more threatening in front of goal. A dramatic goal-line clearance kept the scores level at half-time.

The 2nd half was more of the same; innacurate passing and lots of niggling fouls.

Canada finally scored in the 91st minute through their captain Eustaquio with a shot from distance.

The Canada goal [MARCA]    

On balance a deserved win for Canada.

© Sporty Sam MMXXVI

Pictures:

Eurosport, MARCA

Thanks:

AS, DAZN, Eurosport, MARCA, Paul Whitelock

Tags:

AS, Canada, DAZN, Eustaquio, Paul Whitelock, RSA, South Africa, Sporty Sam, Springboks, World Cup

My three teams are through to the dieciseisavos, the knockout stages, of the Football World Cup: namely England (I was born there); Germany (my wife is German); and Spain (because I live here in Andalucia).

[Yahoo Sports]    

Each of my teams had one poor match where they drew and dropped points. Nevertheless, all three topped their groups, so in theory have an easier passage into the last 16, in that they are paired with a 2nd or 3rd placed team.

I've watched the important games. Among the favourites, France, Brazil and Argentina have looked impressive in all their matches so far, while Belgium and Portugal have faltered a little.

As for me, I'm tipping France to win the Jules Rimet Trophy for the 3rd time, although don't discount Messi (Argentina).

Leo wants to go out on a high in his last World Cup, so Argentina must be in the frame too.

One team not mentioned so far is The Netherlands.

And what about Germany? They know how to win, even win ugly.

    [Wikipedia]

© Paul Whitelock MMXXVI

Photos:

Wikipedia, Yahoo Sports

Thanks:

AS, Malaga Hoy

Tags:

Argentina, AS, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Jules Rimet Trophy, Malaga Hoy, Messi, Mundial, Netherlands, Paul Whitelock, Portugal, Spain, Wikipedia, World Cup, Yahoo Sports

Trying to watch two matches simultaneously on adjacent TV screens is quite a challenge.

Bar Alegria was full to bursting, mainly with Malaga fans. I didn't spot any supporters of Germany nor of Ivory Coast nor of Almeria.

    Bar Alegria, Ronda [Trip Advisor]

Malaga CF v UD Almeria

These two teams were playing for the final promotion spot from Liga 2 to Liga 1.

It had finished 0 - 0 in the first leg at La Rosaleda, Malaga's home ground.

Last night in Almeria it was still 0 - 0 after 90 minutes.

Then in extra time Malaga scored twice and Almeria once.

[ABC]    

Although they had been reduced to 10 men following a red card, Almeria still dominated through the 10 minutes added time.

Finally the whistle went, the game was over and Malaga were promoted back into the top division after a gap of nine years.

Germany v Ivory Coast

Germany struggled against a lively, energetic and tenacious Ivory Coast in this World Cup group match.

Germany even fell behind in the first half, before equalising in the second half through Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav.

Indeed it was Undav who scored the winner in time added on.

Deniz Undav [FOX Deportes]    

So, Malaga went up and Germany scored two, to lead their World Cup group on six points.

© Paul Whitelock

Pictures:

ABC, FOX Deportes, Trip Advisor,

Thanks:

AS, Bar Alegria, DAZN, La Liga,

Tags:

ABC, AS, Bar Alegria, DAZN, Deniz Undav, FOX Deportes, Germany, Ivory Coast, La Liga, Malaga CF, Paul Whitelock, Trip Advisor, UD Almeria