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France's forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup third-place match between against England at the Miami Stadium in Miami on July 18, 2026. (AFP) France's head coach Didier
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Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi's dreams of a triumphant farewell to football's greatest stage.Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team who failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.A star-studded crowd of 80,663 that included US President Donald Trump packed East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium to see if Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup victory.But the 39-year-old maestro -- almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game -- was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team who committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout.The South Americans' skullduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in injury time.For long periods though it looked as if Argentina may somehow hold on for a penalty shoot-out as Spain struggled to make the breakthrough.But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra-time, Spain struck.A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams who nodded into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that would clinch Spain's second World Cup title after their maiden 2010 triumph.Earlier, a clear sign of Argentina's frustration came in the 15th minute when Alexis Mac Allister went flying in with a studs-up challenge that struck Dani Olmo's ankle.Mac Allister escaped an early yellow card although after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic only awarded a foul.Spain made their presence felt moments later though, with Alex Baena poleaxing Messi with an elbow to the back that again escaped sanction.Argentina continued to test referee Vincic's patience with a series of niggly challenges, and Nicolas Tagliafico was lucky not to be cautioned after raking Lamine Yamal's calf in a clumsy challenge.LOPSIDED FINALSpain meanwhile continued to probe for openings but Mikel Oyarzabal failed to seriously test Emi Martinez with a low shot that the Argentina goalkeeper gathered easily in the 39th minute.Eventually though Vincic did reach for a yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez booked for a cynical challenge on Oyarzabal.Martinez was substituted shortly afterwards with an apparent injury, veteran Nicolas Otamendi coming on in his place.The final's controversial extended half-time show featuring the likes of Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber stretched to 27 minutes but did little to upset Spain's rhythm.The Spanish piled on the pressure in a lopsided second half as Argentina hung on grimly.Spain coach de la Fuente sent on Pedri and Ferran Torres for Fabian Ruiz and Oyarzabal and the chances continued with Argentina in full siege mode.Yamal twisted away and chipped a cross for Torres, whose downward header was saved by Martinez.Pedri and Cubarsi both lashed long-range shots that Martinez failed to grasp at the first attempt but somehow Argentina continued to hold on.But the arrival of substitutes Williams and Mikel Merino gave fresh life to Spain's attacking momentum, and the onslaught continued.Fernandez was booked for dissent in the 82nd minute before Torres and Rodri both fired long-range shots from Martinez.Fernandez's dismissal left Spain down to 10 men heading into extra-time.Martinez had one last save deep in stoppage time when Yamal's superb whipped free-kick was clawed wide.The Spanish dominance continued in extra-time, with Williams almost opening the scoring with a glancing header that Martinez got down well to save one-handed.Moments later it looked as if Spain had made the breakthrough when Williams slid a low finish into the net but referee Vincic blew for a marginal foul on Nicolas Otamendi.But the breakthrough came with Torres's winner on 106 minutes. Argentina made a desperate last raid on Spain's goal but La Roja held firm to seal victory. Related Story
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Spain's Ferran Torres celebrates scoring their goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina in New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. on July 19, 2026. (Reuters) Spain needed an extra-time goal by substitute Ferran Torres to edge past 10-man defending champions Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday. Torres broke the deadlock early in the second half of extra time, firing home on the rebound to give the European champions their second World Cup title. Argentina were down to 10 men when Enzo Fernandez was dismissed with a second booking in second-half stoppage time. The Argentines were toothless in attack and did not have a shot on or off target for 115 minutes. At 65 years old, Spain's Luis de la Fuente became the oldest World Cup-winning coach. Argentina's 39-year-old captain Lionel Messi became only the second player to feature in three World Cup finals and also the oldest outfield player to feature in a final. Related Story
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England's Jofra Archer (left) celebrates with England's Harry Brook (second left) after the dismissal of India's KL Rahul (not pictured) during the third one-day international at Lord's cricket ground in London on July 19, 2026.
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Former England star Kevin Keegan has died after battling cancer, his family announced on July 20, 2026. (AFP) Former Liverpool and England star Kevin Keegan has died aged 75 after battling cancer, his family announced on Monday.Keegan, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, was diagnosed with stage four cancer and underwent treatment in January."It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75," a statement from Keegan's family said."The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments."Keegan, a dynamic striker nicknamed "mighty mouse", won the English top-flight title three times with Liverpool after starting his legendary career with lowly Scunthorpe.He also won the European Cup in 1977 and the FA Cup in 1974 during an iconic six-year spell at Anfield before joining German club Hamburg in 1977.Keegan, who scored 21 goals in 63 games for England, won the Bundesliga title with Hamburg in 1979 and helped them reach the European Cup final the following year.He was voted the European Player of the Year in 1978 and 1979.Keegan returned to England to play for Southampton and Newcastle, retiring in 1984 after starring in the Magpies' promotion to the top tier."We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply-loved figures in our club's history," Newcastle said in a statement."Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters."As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St James' Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be."As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world. He was so much more than an entertainer." Keegan's 'entertainers'Southampton added: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan. Kevin signed for the club in 1980 as the holder of the Ballon d'Or and brought great joy to fans at The Dell and across the football world."Turning to management in 1992, he led Newcastle to promotion to the Premier League in 1993.Keegan established them as a force in the top-flight, dubbed "the entertainers" as they finished runners-up to Manchester United after blowing a big lead in 1995-96 title race.His clashes with United manager Alex Ferguson - including his famous "I'd love it if we beat them" rant - took a toll on Keegan, who eventually resigned in 1997.He went on to manage Fulham before taking charge of England in a turbulent spell from 1999 to 2000, quitting the role of national team boss just hours after a 1-0 defeat against Germany at Wembley.England had failed to make it out of the group stage at Euro 2000 during Keegan's reign.Keegan also spent four years as Manchester City manager before finishing his managerial career with a brief return to Newcastle in 2008."Kevin, a double Ballon d'Or winner, was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin's incredible medical team for all their support," his family's statement added."This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy." Related Story
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Belgium's head coach Rudi Garcia gestures on the touchline during the World Cup quarter-final against Spain at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on July 10, 2026. (AFP) Rudi Garcia has left his role as Belgium coach after his side were knocked out of the World Cup quarter-finals, the Royal Belgian Football Federation (RBFA) said on Monday.Garcia, 62, took over the Red Devils in January 2025 before guiding them to a last-eight loss to eventual tournament winners Spain.The Frenchman replaced Domenico Tedesco and also helped Belgium secure their place in Nations League A with an ageing generation of big names players such as midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, forward Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois."We sincerely thank Rudi Garcia and his staff for their dedication, professionalism and commitment over the past 18 months," the RBFA said."And wish them every success in the future," it added.Garcia's spell in charge was his first job in international football having had notable stints with Lille, Roma and Marseille.In 2023, he lasted just five months at Napoli before being sacked after only 16 games.At the World Cup, he was unable to take Belgium further than the last eight. Their third-place finish in 2018 remains their best performance at the competition.'Revival'Tedesco had only managed to take the squad to the last 16 of Euro 2024. His predecessor Roberto Martinez lost his job after a group stage exit at the World Cup four years ago."Rudi Garcia has undoubtedly contributed to the revival of the Red Devils," RBFA sporting director Vincent Mannaert said,"He was appointed national coach in a difficult sporting and financial context."Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and an excellent result was achieved at the last World Cup, Lannaert added.Belgium finished top of their group and hammered co-hosts the US 4-1 in the last 16 in a game overshadowed by President Donald Trump asking FIFA to suspend Folarin Balogun's red card ban."I leave Belgium in League A of the Nations League and among the 8 best teams in the world," Garcia said on Instagram."Only Spain, the new world champions, against whom we were the only team to score a goal in eight matches, prevented us from going even further in the most prestigious of competitions," the former Lille midfielder added.Garcia kept faith with the likes of de Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois, all 33 or older for the competition, from their fabled "Golden Generation" which also included Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany.He also placed faith in a younger generation of players such as attackers Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere and defender Nathan Ngoy."I'm ready once again, to pursue new ambitions with a national team or at club level," Garcia said."I wish Belgium all the best as they continue the generational change that I took pleasure in helping to start," he added. Related Story
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Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup yesterday and shatter Lionel Messi’s dreams of a triumphant farewell to football’s greatest stage.Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team who failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.A star-studded crowd of 80,663 that included US President Donald Trump packed East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium to see if Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup victory.But the 39-year-old maestro — almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game — was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team who committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout.The South Americans’ skullduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in injury time.For long periods though it looked as if Argentina may somehow hold on for a penalty shoot-out as Spain struggled to make the breakthrough.But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra-time, Spain struck.A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams who nodded into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that would clinch Spain’s second World Cup title after their maiden 2010 triumph.Earlier, a clear sign of Argentina’s frustration came in the 15th minute when Alexis Mac Allister went flying in with a studs-up challenge that struck Dani Olmo’s ankle.Mac Allister escaped an early yellow card although after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic only awarded a foul. Sport Pages 1, 4Spain made their presence felt moments later though, with Alex Baena poleaxing Messi with an elbow to the back that again escaped sanction.Argentina continued to test referee Vincic’s patience with a series of niggly challenges, and Nicolas Tagliafico was lucky not to be cautioned after raking Lamine Yamal’s calf in a clumsy challenge.Spain meanwhile continued to probe for openings but Mikel Oyarzabal failed to seriously test Emi Martinez with a low shot that the Argentina goalkeeper gathered easily in the 39th minute.Eventually though Vincic did reach for a yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez booked for a cynical challenge on Oyarzabal.Martinez was substituted shortly afterwards with an apparent injury, veteran Nicolas Otamendi coming on in his place.The final’s controversial extended half-time show featuring the likes of Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber stretched to 27 minutes but did little to upset Spain’s rhythm.The Spanish piled on the pressure in a lopsided second half as Argentina hung on grimly.Spain coach de la Fuente sent on Pedri and Ferran Torres for Fabian Ruiz and Oyarzabal and the chances continued with Argentina in full siege mode.Yamal twisted away and chipped a cross for Torres, whose downward header was saved by Martinez.Pedri and Cubarsi both lashed long-range shots that Martinez failed to grasp at the first attempt but somehow Argentina continued to hold on.But the arrival of substitutes Williams and Mikel Merino gave fresh life to Spain’s attacking momentum, and the onslaught continued.Fernandez was booked for dissent in the 82nd minute before Torres and Rodri both fired long-range shots from Martinez.Fernandez’s dismissal left Spain down to 10 men heading into extra-time.Martinez had one last save deep in stoppage time when Yamal’s superb whipped free-kick was clawed wide.The Spanish dominance continued in extra-time, with Williams almost opening the scoring with a glancing header that Martinez got down well to save one-handed.Moments later it looked as if Spain had made the breakthrough when Williams slid a low finish into the net but referee Vincic blew for a marginal foul on Nicolas Otamendi.But the breakthrough came with Torres’s winner on 106 minutes. Argentina made a desperate last raid on Spain’s goal but La Roja held firm to seal victory.
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UAE Team Emirates - XRG's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey attacks to take the lead in a lone breakaway ahead of Team Visma | Lease a Bike team's Danish rider
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American golfer Scottie Scheffler watches his iron shot from the 12th tee on day four of the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 19, 2026. (AFP) For the first time since 2023, the men's major championship season has come and gone without Scottie Scheffler lifting a trophy.The World No. 1 posted a 3-under-par 67 in one last push Sunday at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, but he was already out of the running at the Open Championship when he finished the week at 7 under, ultimately tying Englishman Tommy Fleetwood for fourth.Cameron Young had already posted the clubhouse lead at 9 under before New Zealand's Ryan Fox made a late charge to win the Claret Jug with a 10-under 270."Going into today, I had some experience in comebacks in stuff like this," Scheffler said, "and I told myself if I could go out and shoot 4 under on the front nine, I'd be right in it because the leaders wouldn't have barely teed off yet, and that would have put me at 8, and (54-hole leader Sam Burns) would have been at 10."I definitely don't regret any of the decisions that I made, either off the tee or going into greens today. I did a good job of staying aggressive and was committed to what I'm doing, and I was very proud of kind of how I played this week when I felt like things weren't going necessarily my way. It was mentally, for me, I think, a really, really good week."Scheffler made the turn at 3 under par for the round and 7 under for the championship. When he holed a birdie putt from 14 1/2 feet away at the par-3 12th, he touched 8 under for the first time and knew he was in the mix. But his hopes took a major hit at No. 13, where Scheffler missed the fairway right and could not advance his second shot more than a yard, as it stayed up on the hill in front of him. That led to a bogey, and a poor chip at the par-3 15th set him up for another. A POOR PUTTING WEEKAmid a poor putting week for Scheffler overall, he got a stroke back with an 11-foot birdie at No. 16 before a roller-coaster par-5 17th hole.After a missed fairway, Scheffler had a blind second shot behind a large mound. He whacked a 3-wood that had the length to reach the green but missed badly to the left, near some tournament infrastructure.As volunteers searched for his ball, Scheffler stopped them. He was awarded relief from the rules official walking with his group."The rules official said it landed just barely left of the grandstand thing," Scheffler said. "I don't know what you call that, like a sponsor area or something. And (caddie Ted Scott) had a bead right on where it was coming down."... We tried to figure it out. I said, ‘If I find it, does that help me; can I drop it?' -- since that would be about 50 yards closer to the hole. He said, ‘Yes, you can then use that spot, but you might have to go to the other side of the TIO (temporary immovable obstruction),' which I didn't know exactly where that would be, and that's not a great angle coming across there."So decided to stop the search and go back and drop it doing point-of-entry TIO relief." 11 FEET FROM THE HOLEThe decision paid off. He was able to drop his ball short of the grandstand but got a clear line to the pin. He stuck his third shot 11 feet from the hole and converted an improbable birdie to get back to 8 under.However, needing a birdie to tie Young for the clubhouse lead, Scheffler missed another fairway and watched his second shot settle next to a bunker below the green. He couldn't get up and down for par and slid back to 7 under.Scheffler, 30, hasn't won a tournament of any kind since The American Express in January, his 20th on the PGA Tour. He also came to England on the heels of his first missed cut in four years at last week's Scottish Open. But he did not express concern over the drought."Just those little kind of bounces," Scheffler said. "My ball on 14 I think is in the fairway, I come up there, it's in the pot bunker. Little stuff like that over the course of the week tends to add up."I competed really well this week. I did a good job of staying patient and hit the ball really nice over the course of four days. Maybe yesterday was the only day I didn't strike it as well as I would have liked to."
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New Zealand's Ryan Fox speaks as he holds a press conference beside the Claret Jug, the trophy for the champion, after his victory in the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in
