Rob is senior football editor at GiveMeSport, with over 15 years experience covering sport in various capacities since graduating from the University of Gloucestershire in 2008 with a degree in journalism. A childhood obsession for all things football developed into a career writing about the beautiful game, initially producing content for clients including Luton Town Football Club and the PGMOL. His first big interviews were with Premier League referees Howard Webb and Michael Oliver in 2009. He then spent four years producing written content for a betting website, mainly focusing on football, and was there to cover various games and tournaments including the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. Rob joined GiveMeSport in 2013 (initially as a sub-editor before becoming a senior writer and then senior editor in 2020) and has covered countless football matches and other sporting events, interviewed various high-profile figures including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch and Theo Walcott, and written well over 10,000 articles during that time. Rob has played a key role in GiveMeSport's coverage of the World Cups in 2014, 2018 and 2022, plus Euro 2016, Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, along with many Champions League finals. While football is Rob's area of expertise, he has also covered a wide range of other sports during his time at GiveMeSport including boxing, tennis and darts, as well as the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic couldn’t resist burning Alexi Lalas once again shortly before France and Morocco went head-to-head in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.
France booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over the Moroccans at the Boston Stadium. Kylian Mbappe netted his eighth goal of the tournament despite missing a first-half penalty earlier in the match.
Ousmane Dembele then doubled France’s advantage with 25 minutes remaining. An explanation has since emerged after substitute Brice Samba curiously prevented Michael Olise from joining the celebrations after Les Bleus’ second goal.
Zlatan Mocks Lalas Before France vs Morocco
Prior to kick-off, viewers in the United States were treated to another amusing interaction between Zlatan and Lalas.
The pair have had beef all tournament, resulting in several moments going viral on social media. While Lalas has often found himself as the butt of Zlatan’s jokes, the former USMNT star did manage to get some revenge last month with a quick-witted jibe at the legendary Swedish striker’s outfit .
Thierry Henry, another pundit working for FOX Sports this summer, has also had his fair share of awkward interactions with Lalas over recent weeks. The pair were involved in a tense exchange over FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban earlier this week.
All three pundits were reunited for the first quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup - and Zlatan immediately took the opportunity to mock Lalas.
The former Barcelona and Manchester United star said: “We’re going to see France enjoy today, they’e going to do their thing against a difficult opponent, and this is the best eight teams in the tournament so far.
“So, let’s see how it plays out, we’re excited, the sun is shining, we are burning from behind, but if you’re as hot as me, you can handle it.”
He then added: “And if you’re as white as Alexi, you cannot handle it, but I’m going to cover you.”
Presenter Rebecca Lowe burst out laughing, while Lalas responded: “I appreciate it, thank you.” Watch the funny clip below:
Viewers enjoyed Ibrahimovic’s latest jibe. One wrote on X (Twitter): “Zlatan roasting Alexi Lalas every chance he gets on live TV will be one of the things I miss the most when this is all over.”
Another person said: “I will never get tired of Lalas being dumped on this entire World Cup. Arrogance being humbled by greatness this entire time.”
A third viewer commented: “Zlatan has had Rebecca laughing all month LMAO,” while a fourth added:
“Zlatan is amazing and a true gift to TV.”
A fifth simply wrote: “Never change Zlatan.”
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Transfer News & Rumours
Transfer News & Rumours