Ollie Watkins in passionate defence of Jeremy Doku’s World Cup paternity leave
Ollie Watkins has defended Belgium winger Jeremy Doku for planning to return home from the World Cup to attend the birth of his first child.
France Sport News
Ageless Messi has World Cup scoring record in his sights
LOS ANGELES: Lionel Messi and World Cup holders Argentina face Austria in Dallas on Monday with the Argentine great needing one more goal to rewrite the record books. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals when scoring a hat-trick in the 3-0 opening win over Algeria. The Argentina captain was tearful after his first goal, and it later emerged that his father is recovering from an unspecified health issue. Despite his personal travails and a troubled build-up because of a hamstring injury, Messi’s mere presence appears to inspire his teammates. “If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” said midfielder Alexis Mac Allister after the win against Algeria. Argentina can qualify for the next round with a victory and would be assured of finishing top of Group J if Jordan fail to beat Algeria later on Monday. Mbappe’s century Another player chasing the all-time World Cup scoring record, Kylian Mbappe, will play his 100th game for France when they meet Iraq in Philadelphia. “There is nothing bigger — one hundred is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me,” Mbappe told reporters on Sunday. Mbappe, 27, is tied with West Germany legend Gerd Mueller on 14 goals after he netted twice in France’s opening 3-1 win against Senegal in Group I. France, who were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the last final in 2022, will expect to brush aside the Iraqis to guarantee a ticket to the knockout phase. Norway and their marksman Erling Haaland, who scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 opening win, will also be guaranteed of
Arab teams at 2026 World Cup: Egypt makes history as Saudi Arabia, Tunisia falter
Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for their first World Cup win in history
Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for their first World Cup win in history
VANCOUVER: Egypt earned the first World Cup win in their history by beating New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday, putting them on track to reach the knockout round for the first time. Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Zico and Trezeguet were Egypt’s scorers after Finn Surman had given New Zealand the lead after 15 minutes of the Group G match in Vancouver. The victory puts Egypt top of Group G on four points and needing just a draw against Iran in Seattle on Friday to move into the last 32. Salah’s goal came after he exchanged passes with Zico — named after the Brazilian legend — and then curled in a shot with his left foot in the 67th minute. Salah then provided the assist for substitute Trezeguet — who himself is named after former France forward David Trezeguet — to make the game safe with a low header. “In years to come we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history,” Salah said. He praised the large Egyptian contingent in the crowd, saying: “It feels like we are playing in Egypt.
'Every team does it': How World Cup sides thwart opponents' spy efforts - ESPN
When they first found it, the U.S. men's national team loved everything about its FIFA World Cup training base.
Savea to captain New Zealand in Nations Championship tests
June 22 : New Zealand rugby coach Dave Rennie named Ardie Savea as captain of his first squad which features four uncapped players for the inaugural Nations Championship tests against France, Italy and Ireland.
Solbakken wary of Senegal threat as Norway look to build on flying start
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey: Norway's World Cup return began with a roar, but manager Stale Solbakken said their next task is to show the same identity and discipline against a Senegal side with the pace and quality to punish any drop in standards.
Tadej Pogacar wins the Tour de Suisse in style by taking the final stage
VILLARS-SUR-OLLON, Switzerland: Tadej Pogacar warmed up for next month’s Tour de France with a dominant victory in the Tour de Suisse on Sunday, and the cycling star did so in flamboyant style by winning the fifth and final stage. The 27-year-old Slovenian is in ominous form heading into the July 4-26 Tour, where he’ll try to win the showcase race for the fifth time. Pogacar won the opening stage of the Tour de Suisse, secured a 1-second victory over rival Mathieu van der Poel in the time trial on Saturday and won stage 5 on Sunday. Pogacar caught Frenchman Lenny Martinez about 800 meters near the end of the final climb of the 151.1-kilometer (94-mile) trek to Villars-sur-Ollon. “It was a super hard day,” Pogacar said. “The parcours (route) was really tough, and with the team we did a super good job.” In the overall standings, Pogacar finished 6 minutes, 32 seconds ahead of Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz and 6:53 clear of Czech rider Mathias Vacek. Stellar season Pogacar secured a dominant win at the six-day Tour de Romandie last month, after strong performances in the one-day classics.