Every World Cup cycle creates a familiar debate. Fans, analysts, former players, and coaches begin searching for the nation most likely to dominate football's biggest stage. Some teams arrive carrying the weight of history, while others enter tournaments fueled by momentum and emerging talent. As attention increasingly turns toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, three European giants consistently appear at the center of every conversation: Spain, France, and England. Each nation possesses elite talent, world-class coaching structures, and realistic ambitions of lifting football's most prestigious trophy. Yet among these contenders, Spain appears to be developing an increasingly compelling case as the team with the most balanced profile heading into the tournament. To understand why Spain may currently possess an edge, it is important to look beyond recent results and examine the broader historical context. World Cups are rarely won solely because a team has the best players. Success ...
Tonight, the Blues might trail Liverpool by seven points.
After losing to Fulham at home in the west London derby, Chelsea lost the opportunity to get closer to the top of the Premier League standings.Cole Palmer's incredible strike in the first fifteen minutes of Boxing Day appeared to be the difference for a long time, but Enzo Maresca's team lost by giving up two goals in the last ten minutes, leaving them four points behind Liverpool.
The Italian strategist made only one change to the team that began the goalless draw away at Everton before Christmas, instantly recalling Marc Cucurella after his suspension to take Axel Disasi's spot in the Blues' defense.
Palmer delivered the only truly outstanding moment of the first half when he calmly stroked the ball into the back of the net after receiving it from Levi Colwill and squirming past a few defenders.
Cucurella should have extended the lead before halftime, but Bernd Leno saved his header. Palmer was then denied a goal by Calvin Bassey's outstanding block in the last action of the half.
Speaking of the Fulham goalie, he made a fantastic stop to block Enzo Fernandez's attempt at the start of the second half, and a few seconds later, Colwill's score was rightfully disallowed for offside.
The visitors gained confidence after that. Before Robert Sanchez hurried off his line to deny Antonee Robinson from close range, Alex Iwobi sent a warning shot that whistled just beyond the post.
Harry Wilson was able to redirect the ball into the net, so when Fulham did equalize, it was no more than they deserved.
And with seconds left, Rodrigo Muniz, another replacement, made a difference by remaining composed to finish the comeback and give Fulham their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1979.
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