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Ireland secured a landmark series win over T20 world champions India in Belfast on Sunday with a tense one-run win after the tourists again denied teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a a debut.The 15-year-old batting prodigy
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Jannik Sinner starts his bid for a second successive Wimbledon title on Monday, while Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka also take centre stage as the grass-court Grand Slam swings into action.Twelve months after Sinner and
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George Russell showed he can stand the heat in more ways than one as he won the Austrian Grand Prix to revive his Formula 1 title chances.Racing in a heatwave with a broken drinks system,
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France coach Didier Deschamps has warned his team to be wary of a Sweden side with 'nothing to lose' when the nations meet in the last 32 of the World Cup on Tuesday.'Sweden not are playing for their survival. Obviously they will do everything to win the game, but they have nothing to lose,' Deschamps told reporters at the MetLife Stadium outside New York City, where the tie will be played.'We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration. In the group stage winning the first game gave us some margin for error, but now we have no second chances.'Deschamps returned to the France team's base in Boston on Saturday after missing the 4-1 win against Norway to fly home to attend his mother's funeral. France came into the World Cup as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final.They were impressive in the group stage, at least after a shaky first half in their opening game against Senegal. After winning that match 3-1 in New Jersey, they eased to a 3-0 victory over Iraq in a storm-interrupted contest in Philadelphia, and then hammered a second-string Norway in Boston.Les Bleus were one of only three teams to take the maximum nine points in the group stage, along with reigning champions Argentina and co-hosts Mexico. Their tally of 10 goals scored was also the joint-highest in the first round along with Germany and the Netherlands.'We just need to stay confident, but now we wipe the slate clean,' said Deschamps about the start of the knockout phase. 'We are confident but we know that the quality of the opposition will go up as well.'Sweden made it to the World Cup via the backdoor, finishing bottom of their qualifying group but parachuting into the play-offs thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League. A comprehensive 5-1 win over Tunisia and a draw with Japan, either side of a 5-1 loss to the Dutch, took them through to this stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase.'They are a good team, very athletic, but also with (Viktor) Gyokeres, (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Elanga, they have lots of quality in attack,' said Deschamps.The only previous meeting of the teams at a major tournament came at Euro 2012, just before Deschamps took charge of France. Sweden won that group-stage encounter 2-0 in Ukraine with Zlatan Ibrahimovic among the scorers. He is now working as a World Cup pundit.Deschamps revealed that Marcus Thuram is unlikely to be an option in attack for the game due to a minor muscle injury, while veteran midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt.William Saliba is expected to return in central defence after resting against Norway due to back pain. Meanwhile, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot said the squad were relieved to have Deschamps back again after his quick return trip home.'It was quite difficult when he announced to us the death of his Mum and said he had to leave. It was a shock,' admitted Rabiot. 'We are pleased to have him back. It is not easy to be mourning someone in these circumstances, but I think he has come back with a real desire to do well and go as far as possible in the competition.'The winners will advance to a last-16 showdown in Philadelphia on Saturday against the winners of match between Germany and Paraguay.
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Stephen Eustaquio of Canada celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup match against South Africa at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 28, 2026. (AFP) Stephen Eustaquio's stoppage-time winner fired Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in the first match of the World Cup knockout rounds, as the co-hosts advance to the last 16 for the first time in their history.With both sides making their first-ever appearance in the knockout phase, the game appeared to be heading for extra time, before Eustaquio broke South African hearts with a clinical hit from just outside the area.Canada – playing in Los Angeles despite being co-hosts, after failing to win their group – will now face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston in the last 16 on July 4, as South Africa's World Cup adventure comes to an end.Before the game, coach Jesse Marsch had talked up the "X-factor" of Canada's star Alphonso Davies, available again after a hamstring injury.But the Bayern Munich wing-back, who was yet to appear at this World Cup, remained glaringly absent from the starting line-up.Still, Canada began on the front foot, racking up chances against South Africa's low block.In the 22nd minute, a pinpoint Eustaquio free-kick found Derek Cornelius wide open on the six-yard line. The Canada center-back utterly mistimed his headed effort.South Africa threatened sporadically on the counter. But in a frenetic period just before half-time Canada came agonisingly close.From a corner, Moise Bombito's header was cleared off the line, before Tajon Buchanan's follow-up shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.Moments later Khuliso Mudau crashed into the dangerous Richie Laryea, but his penalty appeals were waved away.That enraged a heavily Canadian crowd, and the jeers grew louder after half-time as South Africa were content to exchange deep passes under little pressure while the clock ticked down.Just past the hour mark, Canada came close again.Substitute Niko Sigur slid a through ball to Tani Oluwaseyi whose shot was well-saved by the goalkeeper and looped up toward Jonathan David -- but defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi just got there first and cleared brilliantly.In the 75th minute Davies finally appeared, to a huge roar, and made an immediate impact.From the left wing, Davies found Jonathan David who laid the ball to fellow striker – and no relation – Promise David, but his shot went wide.Moments later Davies found Jonathan David again. This time he shot from a tight angle, but was denied by Williams.In the second minute of stoppage time, Canada finally broke through, from the other flank.Jacob Shaffelburg raced down the right wing and pinged in a cross which was headed clear to Eustaquio.The Porto midfielder – on loan at Los Angeles FC – chested the ball down and slammed it first-time into the bottom-left corner.Canada's bench streamed onto the pitch as the stadium erupted, celebrating a historic victory. Related Story
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Iran leave the World Cup unbeaten after draws with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in a challenging campaign due to issues off the pitch. (Reuters) Iran's hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout phase for the first time came to an agonising end on Saturday after Austria's last-gasp equaliser against Algeria left them outside the tournament's eight best third-placed teams. Amir Ghalenoei's side completed their Group G campaign on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, leaving them waiting to discover whether three points would be enough to earn a spot in the round of 32. Iran had already endured one major setback when a stoppage-time winner against Egypt was ruled out for offside. That left them needing other results in group-stage matches to go their way, and for a few minutes on Saturday it looked as if Iran were going to squeeze through when Algeria struck in stoppage time to lead Austria 3-2. However, the Austrians equalised with almost the final kick of the game, salvaging a 3-3 draw that sent both teams through and denied Iran a place in the knockouts in their seventh World Cup appearance. Iran leave the tournament unbeaten after draws with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in a challenging campaign due to issues off the pitch. Uncertainty over visas and Iran's conflict with the U.S. meant the team had to commute from their tournament base in co-hosts Mexico for their three group games in the United States. US authorities required them to enter within 24 hours of a match and leave the same day, though the restrictions were eased slightly for their final game in Seattle, where they were allowed to arrive two days ahead of the game. US President Donald Trump had said in March that Iran were welcome to participate in the World Cup but he did not believe it was appropriate for them to be in the United States "for their own life and safety". After the draw with Egypt, captain Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a logistical "disaster" and questioned whether his team were truly welcome at the tournament. "Who wants to help us?" Taremi told reporters. "If they want us to be out - OK, let's be out. But that's not fair." Key members of the delegation had been unable to join the squad in the US, and Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team were being "oppressed”. Ultimately, Iran's campaign came down to moments. Had Taremi scored a first-half penalty against Egypt, or had his header hit the net instead of the crossbar later on, Iran might have been looking forward to a knockout match for the first time. Related Story
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Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the tournament as Argentina warmed up for their World Cup knockout match with Cape Verde by beating Jordan 3-1 on Saturday. (AFP) Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is running out of ways to describe the performances of Lionel Messi after seeing his captain become the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches in their 3-1 win over Jordan on Saturday.Messi was introduced from the bench on the hour mark at Dallas Stadium and netted an 80th-minute free kick to continue a scoring run that saw him surpass the mark he shared with France's Just Fontaine and Brazilian Jairzinho."It's a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that and I don't know what to say," Scaloni said when quizzed once again about Messi's performance."Today he could've played 90 minutes and, without undermining our opponent, he wanted his team mates to have time on the pitch and to save himself for what's coming up. He doesn't think so much about the numbers that people are talking about. The only word that comes to mind is that I'm surprised."Messi's strike put the seal on a largely comfortable win for the champions, who took a two-goal lead into the interval following a Giovani Lo Celso free kick and a penalty from Lautaro Martinez.Those goals were the first not scored by Messi for Argentina at the current World Cup, before the 39-year-old took his total to a tournament-leading six. Scaloni had made nine changes to his starting line-up and he was pleased with the performances of those who had featured little in the tournament so far."It's a very positive opinion that I have, especially as I was able to include all the players, this was a goal we always set for ourselves," he said. "I believe all of them deserve to enjoy coming to a World Cup and playing at a World Cup and we were able to give them minutes. I think they played quite well in a difficult match. They showed me today that I can count on them."Argentina next take on Cape Verde in the round of 32 in Miami and Scaloni said he would not underestimate the debutants. "Based on what I've seen, I'm not surprised," he said of their progress to the knockout rounds. "They're a good team, they have made it very difficult for the three opponents they have played."Spain couldn't beat them, Uruguay couldn't either. They're a fast team, they play well with a high calibre of play. I can guarantee you they're a team that's going to make it difficult for us."
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Dubai has reinforced its position as one of the world's leading capitals of the sports economy, driven by an integrated strategic vision that has transformed sport into a vital economic sector with a growing contribution
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Ireland players with the winner's trophy after beating India in a two-match T20 series in Belfast on Sunday. (@cricketireland) Ireland beat 20-over world champions India 2-0 in their two-match T20 bilateral series, as they secured a thrilling one-run win over the white-ball heavyweights on Sunday.Ireland's Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard dismantled the Indian batting line-up with three-wicket hauls as the visitors could only manage 153-9 after Ireland, put in to bat, posted 154-8 on a rain-disrupted afternoon in Belfast.The hosts, who earned their first-ever victory over India on Friday, handed the visitors their first T20 series defeat since 2023."I challenged the lads the other day to show the world that (the first win) wasn't a one-off," said Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker."We have a lot of lads with very few caps but they showed great character... it is a great time to be a professional cricketer in Ireland."Ireland made a shaky start as their openers fell in the first three overs and Prince Yadav (3-22) making his T20 debut for India, helped restrict the flow of runs in the first half of the innings.But Harry Tector (53) and Ben Calitz (37) helped Ireland recover and post a competitive total.In reply, player-of-the-series Moondra (3-32) dismissed Indian openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma in the very first over, and bowled captain Shreyas Iyer in the third over, leaving India reeling at 19-3.Tilak Varma's fighting knock of 55 kept India in the hunt, but Hollard (3-26) got him caught by wicketkeeper Tucker, dealing a crucial blow to the visitors' hopes.Still, Harshit Rana (21 off 10 balls) got the visitors close, and they needed eight runs to win from the last two balls. But Rana was caught trying to hit Tector for a six off the penultimate delivery to seal Ireland's win."Kudos to (Ireland), the way they played. Showed professionalism, they had tremendous idea of how the wicket was going to play," Iyer said.India next visit England for a five-match T20 series starting July 1, followed by three 50-over matches. BRIEF SCORESIreland 154 for 8 (Tector 53, Prince 3-22) beat India 153 for 9 (Tilak 55, Hollard 3-26, Moondra 3-32) by one run Related Story
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England captain Ben Stokes fell for 30 in his last international innings after announcing his shock retirement from international cricket on Sunday in the middle of a Test match.The 35-year-old all-rounder confirmed his impending exit shortly before tea on the fourth day of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand in Nottingham, having informed his teammates in the dressing room at Trent Bridge before the start of Sunday's play, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.Stokes was in the middle of a lengthy bowling spell when news filtered into a stunned crowd as he was about to start his 11th over.He then received a standing ovation from spectators at Trent Bridge.And in a moment of pure sporting theatre, Stokes had Zak Foulkes caught at slip with his next ball to spark yet more raucous cheers.As if that were not enough drama, Stokes -- normally a middle-order batsman -- came out to open the innings for just the third time in his 122-Test career after New Zealand set England set a stiff victory target of 373 following an unbeaten century from Daryl Mitchell. SIGNALLED HIS INTENTIONSStokes signalled his intentions with a fierce drive off his first balls faced before he was dropped soon afterwards.He later lofted New Zealand's Zak Foulkes, a concussion substitute, for a legside six and the left-handed batsman cleared the ropes again when he slog-swept seamer Nathan Smith.But a 20-ball innings, also featuring two fours, ended when Stokes slogged Foulkes to wide mid-on, with England 50-1 in the eighth over of their chase.Sunday's bombshell announcement came after Stokes returned to England duty at Trent Bridge following the fall-out from a London nightclub incident also involving teammate Gus Atkinson earlier this month.The pair were omitted from a 253-run defeat in the second Test at the Oval -- which levelled this three-match series at 1-1 -- for breaking a midnight curfew while celebrating England's win in the first Test.Stokes was later handed a written conduct warning but escaped any further disciplinary action and returned to lead the side at Trent Bridge.'DEFINING FIGURE'Telling his teammates his celebrated England career would end after the finish of the New Zealand series, Stokes said in a clip shared by the ECB: "There's something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England."Reasons can wait but I've had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I've got one more trip to do."And the only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone please just do the same? We've got a lot of hard work still to do."Stokes, captain of the Test side since 2022, has been responsible for some of England's most remarkable performances in Test and limited overs cricket since making his white-ball debut 15 years ago.His unbeaten 84 against New Zealand in the 2019 I50-over World Cup final at Lord's helped take the match into a Super Over in which England sealed a thrilling win. EXTRAORDINARY 135 NOT OUTAnd weeks later his extraordinary 135 not out guided England to a remarkable one-wicket win in the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley.A stunning 258 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016 remains his highest Test score, with Stokes also having taken more than 250 Test wickets as well."Ben Stokes leaves the international game as one of England's greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation," said England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Richard Thompson.Stokes, however, also experienced several low moments on and off the field in his England career as well.England were just six balls away from winning the 2016 T20 World Cup, with the West Indies needing an unlikely 19 off the last over of the final in Kolkata.But Stokes was struck for four successive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite and cut a crestfallen figure at the finish.And in September 2017, Stokes was arrested in the early hours after a fracas outside a nightclub in Bristol, southwest England, following a one-day international against the West Indies.He was ultimately found not guilty on a charge of affray in a criminal trial 11 months later, but by then Stokes had missed an Ashes series loss in Australia. Related Story
