Luis de la Fuente said Spain planned to pay "special attention" to Lionel Messi in Sunday's World Cup final but ruled out trying to man-mark the Argentina captain.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States and Tehran continued to trade drone and missile strikes.
Spain captain Rodri is bracing for a "physical" battle with reigning champions Argentina when the two sides collide in the World Cup final on Sunday.
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Sports
The late Garry Sobers "stood out" even among cricket's greats but remained humble despite his standing in the game, former West Indies bowler Michael Holding told AFP on Friday.
July 17, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Firefighters battling a huge wildfire in northeastern Spain prepared for another challenging night on Friday as "crazy" winds were expected to fan flames that have razed almost 14,000 hectares (34,600 acres).
July 17, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Senegal's ex-president Macky Sall, who is campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general, held a meeting in Dakar Friday with his successor, a visit criticised by the former leader's detractors.
July 17, 2026
US officials on Friday pinned the source of a diarrhea-causing foodborne parasite as shredded iceberg lettuce used by the fast food chain Taco Bell.
July 17, 2026
Alpine's Franco Colapinto wound up seventh fastest for Alpine in Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix and then said he will be more nervous watching Argentina in the World Cup final than driving in Sunday's race.
July 17, 2026
Boulevard
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico and parts of Central America on Friday, seismologists said, with a tsunami alert briefly issued for a stretch of the Pacific coast.
July 17, 2026
RECENT NEWS
The British Museum on Friday revealed some sections of the Bayeux Tapestry a week after its arrival, as the curator of the forthcoming exhibition told AFP he was "relieved" the fragile embroidery appeared to have "travelled well".
Didier Deschamps brings the curtain down on a remarkable 14-year reign as France coach on Saturday when Les Bleus face England in the World Cup third-place play-off.
The United States and Iran traded drone and missile strikes on Friday, as Tehran announced it had targeted American assets across the region, in the biggest escalation since the two foes resumed their conflict.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc escaped any grid position penalties on Friday when instead Ferrari were fined for a breach of sporting regulations at the Belgian Grand Prix.
July 17, 2026
Politics
A prominent member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right party came under fire on Friday for having a child through a surrogate pregnancy in the United States, despite the practice being illegal in Germany.
July 17, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Spanish super-sub Mikel Merino said Friday that neutralising the threat of Lionel Messi will be a "huge challenge" as La Roja prepare for their World Cup final showdown against Argentina.
Southern Mexico and parts of Central America were hit by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake on Friday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), with a tsunami alert issued for a stretch of the Pacific coast.
Argentine football players know how to suffer, experts and fans believe, as the South American nation sets its sights on a second consecutive World Cup title.
Germany defender Robin Gosens signed with Schalke on Friday, joining from Fiorentina on a season-long loan which will become permanent if the freshly promoted club stay up this season.
July 17, 2026
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