Hot football news on the morning of June 3: Thailand wins 9-0; Yamal receives great news

Popov escapes punishment, Thai U19 wins 9-0, Timor-Leste closes in on Vietnam's group, Zidane's son makes World Cup debut, Yamal brings good news for Spain, and Liverpool prepares for a major overhaul under Iraola.

Popov escapes penalty, continues to lead The Cong - Viettel

Despite controversial statements after round 25 of the 2025/26 V-League, Coach Popov will not face any disciplinary action from the VFF. In the latest list of sanctions, the Bulgarian strategist’s name is completely absent. This means he retains the right to directly manage The Cong - Viettel in their final match against CAHN.

Earlier, Coach Popov stirred controversy by claiming his team had been "robbed of points" multiple times, lacked fairness in the top-group race, and hinted at external influences. The 1976-born manager even left the possibility of leaving the V-League after this season open.

Thai U19 showcases strength

Thai U19 has a dream start at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship, crushing Brunei U19 with an incredible 9-0 scoreline. From the opening minutes, the Land of Smiles side completely dominated and took the lead early through Itthimon in the 7th minute. Pattaratron became the star of the match with a first-half hat-trick, giving Thailand a 5-0 lead before halftime.

In the second half, Thai U19's attacking power remained relentless as Siwakorn scored a brace, followed by goals from Kongnat and Natthakit. The devastating 9-0 victory not only secured three points but also put Thailand temporarily at the top of Group B thanks to a superior goal difference, sending a strong warning to their rivals in the title race.

Timor-Leste wins big, moves closer to Vietnam's group

Timor-Leste has one foot in the ASEAN Championship 2026 group stage after a convincing 3-0 away win over Brunei in the first leg of the qualifiers. Despite being ranked lower in FIFA, the team showed superior play and finishing ability.

Joao Rangel opened the scoring in the 25th minute, before Zenivio Mota doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Brunei received a straight red card for an off-the-ball hit. Playing with a man advantage for most of the match, Timor-Leste controlled the game completely and sealed the 3-0 win with Guterres' goal in stoppage time.

This result gives Timor-Leste a massive edge ahead of the second leg, bringing them very close to a spot in the ASEAN Championship 2026 group stage. If they succeed, they will join Group A alongside Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Cambodia.

Zidane's son makes World Cup debut, faces Argentina

Nearly two decades after Zidane last appeared at the World Cup, the Zidane family has a new representative at football's biggest stage. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane has been called up by Coach Petkovic to Algeria's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Having previously played for France's youth teams, Luca decided to switch to Algeria, his father's homeland. The 28-year-old quickly became the first-choice goalkeeper after impressive performances in World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON.

At the 2026 World Cup, Algeria is drawn in a challenging group with Argentina, Austria, and Jordan. Notably, the opening match against Argentina could see Luca Zidane facing top global stars, opening a new and special chapter for the Zidane family at World Cups.

Spain receives great news from Yamal ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Spanish fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Coach de la Fuente confirms that Yamal's recovery is progressing very positively. The 64-year-old manager stated that the young Barcelona talent will recover in time to participate in the 2026 World Cup, and may even be in good physical condition from the opening match.

Earlier, Yamal worried fans after suffering a hamstring injury late in the season. However, the "La Roja" coaching staff maintained full confidence in the 2007-born star by including him in the official World Cup squad. Speaking to the media, de la Fuente said the medical team is closely monitoring Yamal's condition, and all signs are very positive. This is seen as a major boost for Spain's World Cup ambitions, as Yamal is currently one of the team's most dynamic players.

After a breakout season with Barcelona, the 18-year-old is expected to be one of the most exciting players to watch at the 2026 World Cup. If at 100% fitness, Yamal can play a key role in attack and help Spain compete seriously for the title.

Liverpool begins major overhaul, Iraola demands 5 new signings

After a disappointing season and parting ways with Coach Slot, Liverpool is reportedly close to appointing Iraola. As he prepares to take the hot seat at Anfield, the Spanish strategist has laid out a strong squad restructuring plan to bring "the Reds" back into the title race.

Besides already bidding farewell to Salah, Robertson, and Konate, Liverpool may also let several other players leave this summer. On the incoming side, Iraola has proposed five transfer targets, notably young talent Diomande, seen as a long-term replacement for Salah.

Additionally, defenders Dumfries and midfielder Wharton are also on the priority list. If the plan is approved, Liverpool is likely to undergo one of the biggest overhauls in years, aiming to return to the top in the 2026/27 season.