Brazil held in Ancelotti debut, Paraguay move closer to qualifying
MONTEVIDEO: Carlo Ancelotti’s debut as coach of Brazil ended in a goalless draw in Ecuador in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
Iraq Sport News
Aaron Rodgers ends months-long dance with Steelers by agreeing to a 1-year deal
PITTSBURGH: Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin are taking their long-simmering bromance to the next level. The four-time NFL MVP ended months of “Will he? Or won’t he?” speculation by agreeing to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, pending the 41-year-old passing a physical. The Steelers and Rodgers had been circling each other for months. Rodgers even visited the team’s facility in late March, driving in undercover in a nondescript sedan wearing a hat and sunglasses. While there were plenty of nice words from both sides in the aftermath, Rodgers didn’t rush to put pen to paper, telling “The Pat McAfee Show” in April that his attention was focused on helping people in his inner circle who were “battling some difficult stuff” and that he didn’t want to decide until he knew he could fully commit. With mandatory minicamp coming next week, Rodgers apparently finds himself in a place where he can give the Steelers his full attention. Rodgers joins a team that has been stuck in a transitional period at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season.
Sabalenka downs Swiatek as Gauff ends Boisson’s French Open run
PARIS: Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek’s French Open reign with a devastating third-set performance on Thursday to tee up a Roland Garros final against Coco Gauff after the American knocked out French hero Lois Boisson. The Belarusian snapped Swiatek’s French Open winning streak at 26 matches with a 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-0 success to reach her first final in the clay-court Grand Slam. “Iga is the toughest opponent, especially on the clay and at Roland Garros,” said Sabalenka after becoming the first player to defeat Swiatek in a deciding set at the French Open. “I’m proud that I was able to get this win.” World number two Gauff ended the dream run of 361st-ranked wildcard Boisson with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in the second semifinal on Court Philippe Chatrier. Gauff and Sabalenka are level at 5-5 in their head-to-head record and have won one each of their two meetings at major tournaments. Sabalenka edged a topsy-turvy first set that featured eight breaks of serve in a tie-break, before Swiatek hit back to level the match. The finale turned out to be a complete anti-climax, as Swiatek made 12 unforced errors in the third set and won only six points. “I’m glad that I found my serve. It was a bit easier with the serve,” added the 27-year-old Sabalenka.
Yamal, Williams dazzle as Spain beat France in nine-goal thriller
STUTTGART, Germany: Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart on Thursday, to set up a Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France’s makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the scoresheet for the Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France’s three late goals — a Rayan Cherki screamer, a Spain own goal and a stoppage time strike from Randal Kolo Muani — were not enough. Spain held on to book an all-Iberian Nations League final against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Sunday in Munich, while France will face hosts Germany in Stuttgart for the bronze medal, earlier in the day. Returning to Germany where they won the European Championship in dominant fashion a year ago, Spain seem a more complete team, despite their late fadeout. France were more dangerous in the opening stages, with Didier Deschamps electing to channel his attack through Ousmane Dembele rather than Mbappe. Dembele, fresh from Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph, created an early chance for Mbappe, but the Real Madrid superstar wasted it, electing to pass rather than shoot when one-on-one with the ‘keeper. Minutes later, Spain escaped again as Theo Hernandez’s long-range effort shaved the top of the crossbar. Spain made France pay soon after, when Williams and Oyarzabal, La Roja’s two goalscorers in the Euro 2024 final, linked up with 22 minutes played. After a tear down the right, Yamal threaded it to Oyarzabal, who held
World Cup 2026: Jordan, Uzbekistan clinch first ever spots; South Korea in, too
Three teams – Jordan, South Korea, and Uzbekistan – have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, booking their respective spots for next year's 48-team tournament held in North America.For Jordan and Uzbekistan, it will be the first time those teams have reached the World Cup. It will be South Korea's 11th consecutive appearance.
Jordan qualify for World Cup for first time
AMMAN: Jordan have qualified for the World Cup for the first time at the 11th attempt after South Korea's 2-0 win over Iraq confirmed the west Asian nation's progress to the finals.
South Korea beat Iraq to qualify for 11th successive World Cup
BASRA, Iraq : South Korea beat Iraq 2-0 in Basra on Thursday to qualify for their 11th successive World Cup with a trip to North America in 2026.
Uzbekistan earn first World Cup qualification, Australia, Jordan close in
HONG KONG: Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup for the first time on Thursday as a 0-0 draw with the UAE confirmed the nation’s progress to next year’s finals as Australia and Jordan moved to the verge of booking berths in North America.