Cardiff defend pest control policy after rat halts Wales match
Cardiff have defended their pest control policy after a rat halted play during the second half of Wales’ World Cup qualifier against Belgium.
Belgium Sport News
France held in Iceland as Germany and Belgium close on 2026 World Cup
PARIS: Injury-hit France were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Germany won in Northern Ireland with a Nick Woltemade goal and Belgium beat Wales to stand on the brink of a place at next year’s finals. France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, were without a host of players in Reykjavik including captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured. They fell behind to a Victor Palsson goal late in the first half, but Christopher Nkunku equalized just after the hour mark. Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave Les Bleus the lead midway through the second half, getting his first senior international goal on his first start. However, Iceland were back level almost from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran through unchallenged to make it 2-2. France could have clinched qualification for next year’s tournament in North America with a win in Reykjavik combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan at the same time. But while they were dropping points, Ukraine were beating Azerbaijan 2-1 in the Polish city of Krakow — Oleksiy Hutsuliak and Ruslan Malinovskiy scored for Ukraine either side of a Vitaliy Mykolenko own goal. France are nevertheless three points clear at the top of Group D with two games remaining next month, and a win at home to second-placed Ukraine in Paris will wrap up top spot. “We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored two goals,” France coach Didier Deschamps told TFI.
Belgium come from behind to beat Wales
CARDIFF :Kevin De Bruyne tucked away two penalties as Belgium came back after conceding an early goal to beat Wales 4-2 away in their World Cup qualifier on Monday, moving them closer to a place at next year's finals.
Wales 2-4 Belgium: De Bruyne nets penalty brace to dent hosts' qualifying hopes
The dream is still very much alive, but there's an inescapable feeling this was an opportunity missed for Wales.
Kevin De Bruyne double sinks Wales as Belgium take control of World Cup group
Wales’ hopes of automatic World Cup qualification were dealt a blow as Kevin De Bruyne converted two penalties in Belgium’s 4-2 win in Cardiff.
Wales v Belgium LIVE: TV channel, kick-off time, team news and score updates
Wales are back at the Cardiff City Stadium, where a huge World Cup qualifier awaits Craig Bellamy and his side.
Monaco hire Union SG coach Pocognoli to replace Hutter
AS Monaco have appointed Union Saint-Gilloise's Sebastien Pocognoli as new coach on a contract running until June 2027, following the departure of Austrian Adi Hutter, the Ligue 1 club said.
Pogacar makes it five in a row at Lombardia to cap 'best season' yet
World champion Tadej Pogacar delivered another masterclass in solo dominance on Saturday, winning the Giro di Lombardia for a record fifth consecutive year to mark the Slovenian's 10th career Monuments victory and third of 2025.