Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin joins Jonathan Toews, Steve Yzerman, more in rare Stanley Cup Final, Olympics history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Carolina Hurricanes made history by winning the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday night, as every member of the team is now forever a part of immortality.For Jaccob Slavin, though, the win allows him to join an even more exclusive list. Slavin is now one of nine players to have won the Stanley Cup Final and the Olympic gold medal in the same year, an exclusive group that includes some of the best players in hockey history.While Canada is well represented, the United States does have a few representatives that make the list even more exclusive. Slavin was now part of two different championship celebrations in a five-month span, a rare feat in this sport.Here's a look at all the players to win a Stanley Cup Final and Olympic gold in the same year.MORE: When is the Hurricanes parade?Players to win both Stanley Cup Final and Olympic gold in same yearKen Morrow, 1980The first person to win both Olympic gold and the Stanley Cup in the same year is also the only other American besides Slavin to do so. Ken Morrow was 24 years old when he won Olympic gold for the iconic 1980 United States team, and immediately joined the New York Islanders once the Olympics ended.Morrow played in 18 games for the Islanders to close out the regular season and played 20 games in the playoffs to help New York win the first of four-straight Stanley Cups.Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman, 2002In 2002, NHL players were allowed to play in the Olympics for just the second time, with Canada winning gold and the Detroit Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup Final a few months later. Yzerman and Shanahan were both key members of those teams.Yzerman was more important for the Canadian team than Shanahan, as Yzerman produced six points to Shanahan's one. In the NHL season, though, Shanahan led the Red Wings in points during the regular season, while Yzerman was first in playoff points with 23. Both players were also on the 1998 Red Wings team to win it all and the Canadian Olympic roster, but Canada lost in the bronze medal match that year.MORE: How Brandon Bussi emerged as unlikely Hurricanes heroJonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, 2010The Chicago Blackhawks trio of Toews, Keith and Seabrook were a huge part of the organization's three Stanley Cups in six years. The first of those wins came in 2010 just months after the three won gold in Vancouver for Team Canada.At just 21 years old, Toews led Canada with eight points in the Olympics, while Keith and Seabrook also played in all seven games. In the NHL, these were three of Chicago's best players, with Toews and Keith racking up the points in both the regular season and the playoffs.Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter, 2014Another group of Canadians to win gold months before winning the Stanley Cup, Doughty and Carter represented the Los Angeles Kings for Team Canada. Doughty's six points in the Olympics tied Shea Weber for most on the team, while Carter's five points were alone in third on the squad.The duo combined for 87 points in the NHL regular season, but Carter exploded for 25 more points in the playoffs. Doughty, meanwhile, chipped in 18 points in the postseason and led the defense for a team that won its second title in three years.MORE: Jordan Staal becomes oldest Conn Smythe winnerJaccob Slavin, 2026Slavin now joins Morrow as the second American on this list despite not being as much of an engine in the Olympics as others. Slavin had just one point in six games for a talented Team USA, but he did play in six games to help form a very deep defense group.For the Hurricanes, though, Slavin is crucial to the Hurricanes' success even though he played just 39 games in the regular season. By winning the Stanley Cup, Slavin joins this list instead of Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, who represented Vegas on Team USA.

The coach is the same. The system is the same. The core is the same.That is nothing against Rod Brind'Amour, considered one of the best behind the bench in the NHL, or Jordan Staal, Jaccob Slavin, Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, who have been the centerpiece of the Carolina Hurricanes making the playoffs year after year.But the difference this year came from all the new talent general manager Eric Tulsky added over the past 17 months to get over the hump. It added up to the franchise winning the Stanley Cup for the second time and first since 2006.Tulsky took a big swing by acquiring elite winger Mikko Rantanen from Colorado in January 2025 and also got veteran Taylor Hall from Chicago as part of the three-team blockbuster. When Rantanen didn't want to be part of Carolina's long-term future, Tulsky traded him to Dallas and received center Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks, one of which became part of getting defenseman K'Andre Miller on July 1.Two days later, the Hurricanes won the bidding competition to sign top free agent Nikolaj Ehlers, the speedy winger who gave them just what they needed after seven consecutive postseason appearances without a trip to the final. Falling one goal short so many times in key situations, Ehlers, Stankoven, Hall and Miller put an end to the rite of spring of wondering where that would come from.All of them fit in with Brind'Amour, who requires his players to commit to a demanding brand of hockey that isn't for everyone."We've really focused on finding people who fit the way we want to play," Tulsky said. "We ask players to play a very distinctive style, and our scouts have done a great job finding players who can come in and look their best playing the way Rod needs them to play."The Hurricanes' run started with a missTrading for Rantanen was a huge risk. It involved sending talented forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Avalanche in a gamble that the big Finnish winger was the missing piece.Rantanen had six points in 13 games with Carolina, and it became clear it was not a good fit. Discussions with Toronto involving Mitch Marner did not lead to him waiving his no-trade clause, and he instead wound up in Las Vegas and was key to the Golden Knights' run to the final.Rather than letting the situation play out with the likelihood he would depart in free agency, Tulsky flipped Rantanen to Dallas for Stankoven and a pair of first-round picks. One went to the New York Rangers for Miller, whose presence shored up depth on the blue line."We never want to get worried about the what ifs," Tulsky said. "That being said, sometimes it doesn't go the way you hoped, and you've got to be ready to figure out how you're going to move forward from there."Stankoven led the team with 11 goals during this dominant run of 16 victories in 19 games.Hurricanes make all the right moves afterIt was the same old story every time. The Hurricanes weren't just a great regular-season team that failed in the playoffs. They won at least one series in six of Brind'Amour's first seven years as coach, including three trips to the East final.Tulsky, a former scientist who got into the sport by blogging about it as a fan and was promoted to succeed Don Waddell two years ago, didn't blow it up. But he didn't stand pat, either.The changes - including claiming goaltender Brandon Bussi off waivers from back-to-back champion Florida just before opening night in October - worked out swimmingly. Playing in the NHL for the first time at 27, Bussi won 31 of 39 starts during the season, then stepped in during the final in place of Frederik Andersen and backstopped them the rest of the way, including a shutout in the Game 6 clincher Sunday night."We have the confidence in Bus," Brind'Amour said. "He makes a ton of big saves. Even when there's breakdowns, we trust him back there, gives us tons of confidence to play our game and just be aggressive all night."Aggressive is the Golden Knights' way, going after every big-name free agent or trade candidate, and it led to the Stanley Cup in 2023 and three runs to the final in their first nine years of existence. But Carolina has also become that team."Fundamentally, we want to be aggressive," Tulsky said. "Rod has the team playing very aggressive on the ice. We want to be aggressive off the ice, too. And when you have a chance to add a really high-end player, we never want to miss out on it."Carolina.did not miss on Ehlers, who turned out to be key and scored the empty-netter that sealed the title. Getting him, Stankoven, Hall, Miller and others also made longtime holdovers like Staal and grinding forward Jordan Martinook believe they could get the job done."When your team is trying to get better all the time, it's something that you can get behind," Martinook said. "Obviously, we took a run of Mikko, it didn't work out, but look what we got from it. Stanks and Key, those are two of the pieces that we got from it. Hallsy was part of that, too. Those are three incredibly important pieces to our team. It just shows that they're ready to take chances all the time."- The Associated Press contributed.

Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 to leave the North African nation’s defensive reputation in tatters and seize control of World Cup Group F as the Mexican city of Guadalupe hosted its first fixture of the tournament.Graham Potter’s men took the lead in the seventh minute of the game on Sunday, courtesy of midfielder Yasin Ayari’s thunderbolt from outside the box, following a mix-up at the back.The celebrations of Ayari, who is of Moroccan and Tunisian descent, were muted, despite his fine finish.Sweden doubled their lead on half an hour after a rapid break freed Alexander Isak on the left.The Liverpool forward raced ahead and cut inside before unleashing a shot, which goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh failed to keep out, even though he got a hand to the ball.Sweden’s fans celebrate after their team’s win [Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP]Tunisia did not concede a single goal in qualifying, becoming the first side to achieve the feat, subsequently matched by Ivory Coast and England.Sweden threatened to overwhelm their opponents, but the match changed complexion minutes before half-time, when Omar Rekik headed home Hannibal Mejbri’s teasing cross.However, the Scandinavian nation restored their two-goal cushion in the 59th minute after another defensive calamity for Tunisia.Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri was caught in possession on the edge of the box by Isak, who fed Viktor Gyokeres, and the Arsenal man fired home.Substitute Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 late on after VAR ruled he was onside.And there was still time for another stunning goal from Ayari from outside the penalty box.Sweden reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but did not qualify for the tournament in Qatar four years later.Tunisia were the first African team to win a World Cup match when they beat Mexico in 1978, but they have never progressed beyond the group stages.(Al Jazeera)

🤯 Day of thrashings! As it happened on day four of the 2026 World CupWe waited four years to experience the 2026 World Cup, and it’s flying by. Today, on the fourth day of the World Cup, Groups E and F took to the pitch, with big wins stealing the spotlight.Germany, the national team with the most goals in World Cup historyWith a ruthless seven-goal display against Curaçao, the German side reached the staggering mark of 239 goals in World Cup history, officially becoming the national team with the most goals in the tournament’s history. Group E standingsIvory Coast snatched the win in the dying moments of the match, leaving Ecuador with no points in a result where the South Americans deserved more over the 90 minutes. Sweden’s five-star performanceIn Group F action, Sweden thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in a match dominated from start to finish by the Scandinavian attack, led by inspired performances from Gyökeres and Alexander Isak.Group F standingsIn a great match between Japan and the Netherlands, the Japanese and the Dutch had to settle for a point. That means Sweden will go to sleep at the top of the group.Another big day awaits us tomorrow, with the debuts of powerhouses such as Spain, Belgium, and Uruguay. Will we get even more goals in the matchday that’s about to begin?This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Nominating Mr. Blanche to be the nation’s top law enforcement officer crosses a red line, and the Senate needs to defeat him.

President Trump sat ringside beside his wife, Melania Trump, for an event that used the trappings of the White House for a U.F.C. brawl.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesMauricio Ruffy produced one of the most emotional moments of UFC Freedom 250, turning a huge win over Michael Chandler into a marriage proposal moments later.The Brazilian lightweight had already delivered inside the cage at the UFC White House event, stopping Chandler in the first round for the biggest victory of his career.Then he used the spotlight for something far more personal.Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCMauricio Ruffy proposes to Nadine after UFC White House winAs UFC on Paramount+ showed, Ruffy explained through his translator why the moment meant so much: “A while ago when I met my wife Nadine, I really wanted to ask her to marry me,” he said via his translator. “But we didn’t have the money and didn’t have the conditions. Now, what better place to ask my wife to get married?”Ruffy then turned the post-fight interview into a proposal, asking Nadine to marry him in front of the crowd after winning on one of the strangest and most high-profile UFC stages ever built.Nadine accepted with a thumbs up, giving the night its sweetest image after a violent finish in the cage.Public details about their relationship are limited. Reports identify Nadine as Ruffy’s girlfriend or partner, while Ruffy himself referred to her as his wife during the emotional speech.What is clear is that they had been together long enough for him to remember wanting to propose when money was tighter. That backstory is why the moment landed so strongly.Ruffy stuns Michael Chandler before emotional proposalThe proposal only worked because Ruffy had just made a serious statement against Chandler.Ruffy finished the former title challenger by first-round TKO, with reports listing the stoppage at 4:29 after he hurt Chandler and closed the show with strikes.Chandler entered as the bigger name, but Ruffy looked sharp, dangerous, and composed under the pressure of the White House setting.The win pushed Ruffy further into the lightweight conversation and gave him the kind of viral night fighters dream about: a highlight finish, a major stage, and a proposal that left fans emotional.For most athletes, one life-changing moment would have been enough. Ruffy managed two in the same interview.Read more:Eric Trump allegedly questions whether UFC White House fights are ‘rigged,’ Daniel Cormier leaks DMs then deletes postProchazka, Gable Steveson and other fighters pick a winner in Pereira vs Ciryl Gane and their answers will surprise youSean Strickland defies ban, sneaks into UFC White House event before security escorts him out

Indian teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was back in action against Sri Lanka A on Monday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.In the first match of the tri-series, Sooryavanshi started brightly and smashed three boundaries. He was dismissed for just 14 runs in 12 balls after trying to loft it over mid-off. The bat turned in his hand and could not generate the elevation and power to clear the fence. Sahan Arachchige, the Sri Lanka A skipper, dived full length and completed the catch to dismiss the teenager. Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceCLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABETMeanwhile, in his second outing against Afghanistan, Sooryavanshi hit top gear, and scored 44 off just 22 balls. The 15-year-old slammed eight fours during his stay at the wicket.However, he could not convert the start into a big innings and was out caught by Ishaq Rahimi off Abdullah Ahmadzai.How many runs did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi score in India A vs Sri Lanka A?Sooryavanshi was dismissed for a paltry 21 runs off 14 balls. It was another blistering start from the youngster, but Arachchige soon doused the fire.He tossed it up, and Sooryavanshi hit through the line. He mistimed the shot, the turn got the better of him, and he was caught at point. Tri-Series ScheduleThe India A vs Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A Tri-Nation series 2026 follows a double round-robin format, where each team plays the other two sides twice.Each team plays four league matches in the 50-over (List A) format, making a total of six games before the final.The top two teams on the points table qualify for the final, with points awarded as 2 for a win, 1 for no result, and 0 for a loss.DateMatchVenueTime (IST)June 9Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 11India A vs Sri Lanka ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 13India A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 15Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 17India A vs Afghanistan ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 19India A vs Sri Lanka ADambulla10:00 a.m.June 21FinalDambulla10:00 a.m.DafabetBEST ODDS AND OFFERSCLICK TO BET

Where to watch Spain vs. Cape Verde live stream, TV channel, start time for World Cup Group H match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The 2026 FIFA World Cup's Group H will get competition started in Atlanta on June 15 with a matchup between Spain and Cape Verde.Entering this year's global tournament, Spain is considered a heavy favorite to win it all. The Spanish won "El Mundial" in 2010, but then suffered a group stage exit in 2014, and were eliminated in the Round of 16 in both 2018 and 2022. As the most recent European champions, expectations are extremely high for the nation's performance this summer.Meanwhile, Cape Verde will be making history as the country participates in the World Cup for the first time ever, and as the third-least populous nation in the tournament. Cape Verde won five consecutive matches during qualifying in order to clinch a spot in the World Cup, but they will immediately face a global soccer superpower as a result.Who will prove themselves in Atlanta?The Sporting News has all the information you'll need to watch Spain vs. Cape Verde.Spain vs. Cape Verde live stream, TV channelTV channel: FoxLive stream: fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/websiteThis match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)What time does Spain vs. Cape Verde start?This World Cup clash kicks off Monday, June 15, at Noon ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.Here's how that time translates across the United States timezones:DateKickoff timeEastern TimeMon., June 15NoonCentral TimeMon., June 1511 a.m. Mountain TimeMon., June 1510 a.m.Pacific TimeMon., June 159 a.m.World Cup schedule today and tomorrowAll times Eastern.Monday, June 15Spain vs. Cape Verde (Noon)Belgium vs. Egypt (3 p.m.)Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (6 p.m.)Iran vs. New Zealand (9 p.m.)Tuesday, June 16France vs. Senegal (3 p.m.)Iraq vs. Norway (6 p.m.)Argentina vs. Algeria (9 p.m.)MORE:Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures{C}%3C!%2D%2D%253Cmeta%2520charset%253D%2522UTF-8%2522%2520%252F%253E%2D%2D%3E2026 FIFA World Cup FAQsWhen is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.When is the 2026 World Cup final?The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.What time do World Cup games start?Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.

'Not sure India will go very far': R Ashwin not convinced about India's Women's T20 World Cup chances despite Pakistan win originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:India beat Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with Deepti Sharma taking 5 for 10.Ashwin warns India lacks power-hitting depth to compete with England and Australia.Mandhana's 68 and Richa Ghosh's cameo helped India post 170/6 after early setbacks.R Ashwin doubts India can go far in Women's T20 World Cup despite 64-run win over PakistanIndia opened their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with an emphatic 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham, but former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has poured cold water on the celebrations, suggesting the Women in Blue may not have enough firepower to make a deep run in the tournament.Opting to bat first, India lost both Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues inside the Powerplay and looked vulnerable early on. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the ship with a composed 91-run partnership that brought India back into contention.Mandhana was sensational as she struck nine fours and two sixes in a polished 68 off 44 deliveries that set the platform for a blitzkrieg in the death. MORE:India vs Pakistan turns highest-attended group game in Women's T20 World Cup historyWicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh came in and immediately changed the tempo, plundering 23 runs off a single over from Tasmia Rubab before finishing unbeaten on 34 from just 17 balls. Her cameo proved decisive as India reached 170 for 6, a total that would ultimately prove more than enough.Pakistan started their chase with intent as Muneeba Ali got them off to a solid Powerplay with 41 runs on the board. But once India's spinners settled into their work in the middle overs, there was only one winner.Tournament debutant Shree Charani was impressive, as she finished with figures of 3 for 21 on her World Cup debut. However, the match belonged entirely to Deepti Sharma, who produced the best bowling performance of her career, 5 for 10, to rip through the Pakistan batting order. Nine of Pakistan's ten wickets fell to spin as they were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.MORE: 'New normal in IND-PAK matches': No-handshake continues at toss and post-matchAshwin's warning: Power gap could hurt India laterDespite the margin of victory, Ashwin was in no mood to get carried away. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, the former off-spinner argued that while India's spin attack had once again proved its quality, the batting unit lacks the power-hitting depth that sides like England and Australia possess throughout their lineup."I am not sure India will go very far in this T20 World Cup because there is a lack of power in the lineup. While India were excellent against Pakistan and their spin attack once again proved decisive, the team still lacks the depth that sides like England and Australia possess," he opined."India's combination appears slightly short on power-hitting options, which could become a concern in tougher matches against stronger opponents. Compared to the strong lineups of England and Australia, India's overall team depth remains a significant worry."It's all blue in Edgbaston 💙We are away in the mission #T20WorldCup in fine fashion ✌️Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/1tfRc3jcrX#TeamIndia | #WomenInBluepic.twitter.com/slDhUJnXY5— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 14, 2026The Bigger Picture: Ashwin is right to ask the question, even if the timing feels harshBeating Pakistan by 64 runs with five wickets from your number-one spinner is a result that deserves credit, but Ashwin's broader concern is legitimate.India's middle-order power-hitting has been a question mark for some time, and it will not go unnoticed by the coaching teams of England and Australia.Deepti Sharma cannot win every game on her own. If Mandhana fails in a knockout match, the batting can look thin very quickly. The Pakistan win was clinical, but it was also a relatively comfortable draw, with the head-to-head now reading 14-3 in India's favour.The real answers will come in the weeks ahead, and Ashwin knows it. They next face the Netherlands on Wednesday, but a tougher test awaits them next Sunday against South Africa at Old Trafford.To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics, visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Sweden's Aleksander Isak celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium. Heuler Andrey/ZUMA Press Wire/dpaViktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak had a sparkling performance and Yasin Ayari scored a brace as Sweden made a great start at the World Cup with a dominant 5-1 win over Tunisia on Sunday.The Swedish team was on target early as Ayari hit a thunderbolt from distance to break the deadlock in the seventh minute.They doubled their lead in the 30th as Isak, who struggled in an injury-hit club season, was served by Gyokeres before drilling an effort into the far corner.Omar Rekik pulled one back for Tunisia shortly before the break. But Isak returned the favour an assisted Gyokeres, who also added his name to the scoresheet.The win was sealed in the 84th, as Mattias Svanberg found the net after being on the pitch for only 18 seconds. His goal was initially disallowed for offside but it counted after video review.And there was still time for Ayari to finish the game like he started it: firing another rocket into the net from outside the box deep into stoppage time."Fantastic. Great performance, five goals, solid. Could have scored more. All credit to the players, they were fantastic. There's room for improvement but we will enjoy tonight. Then recover and get ready again," coach Graham Potter said.Sweden top Group F after Japan held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw earlier.Next up, the Swedish team faces the Netherlands on June 20, while Tunisia play against Japan.Sweden remain calm after setbackBorn in Sweden to parents from Tunisia and Morocco, Ayari could have lined-up for the opposition. Instead he scored Sweden's opener but didn't celebrate his goal.Gyokeres' attempt was cleared by the Tunisian defence but the rebound was collected by Ayari, who powered a unstoppable shot from distance.The second goal was a combined fine work from the two stars of the Swedish team. After the ball was intercepted near the opponents' area, Gyokeres found Isak who went on a mazy run, cut inside to beat the defender and struck into the far corner in the 30th.Tunisia tried to fight back and Omar Rekik finished off Hannibal Mejbri's cross into the box with a header.They showed up with an improved performance in the second half, but Sweden remained calm, didn't lose control of the match and found a third goal in the 59th.Isak snatched the ball from Ellyes Skhiri, who didn't realize the opponent was closing in after receiving the ball from goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh. Isak then found Gyokeres, who drilled a low effort past the goalkeeper.Sweden celebrated a fourth goal in the 84th as Svanberg needed only 18 seconds on the pitch to find the net. His effort was initially ruled out as he looked a long way offside.However, Isak, who was in an onside position, got a slight touch on the ball at first, meaning Svanberg was also onside.To seal a perfect evening, Ayari completed his brace with another stunner - and this time, he celebrated euphorically."It's a big loss, obviously not the best way to start this competition, but we paid for our mistakes," Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi said."And the quality of the opponent made the difference. With these kind of players, simple mistakes make it difficult."

Fresh off their historic ODI World Cup triumph on home soil last year, India's women will now set their sights on an even more elusive prize, the T20 World Cup, as the 2026 edition gets underway in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5.Harmanpreet Kaur retains the captaincy for the tournament, with Smriti Mandhana continuing as her deputy. CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABETThe 10th edition of the biennial event is the biggest yet, featuring 12 teams, two more than the previous edition.The sides have been divided evenly into two groups of six, with the top two from each group advancing directly to the semi-finals.Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceWomen's T20 World Cup 2026 points tableGroup 1 StandingsPosTeamPWLPtsNRR1Australia1102+3.2502India1102+3.2003Bangladesh1102+0.4074Netherlands1010-0.4075Pakistan1010-3.2006South Africa1010-3.250 Group 2 StandingsPosTeamPWLPtsNRR1England1102+4.3502Scotland1102+2.0003West Indies1102+0.1184New Zealand1010-0.1185Ireland1010-2.0006Sri Lanka1010-4.350How to watch Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in India: TV channel, live streamTV ChannelLive StreamStar Sports NetworkJioHotstarMatches will be televised across the Star Sports Network in India, with live streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website. Coverage will be offered in multiple languages.DafabetBEST ODDS AND OFFERSCLICK TO BET

Rod Brind'Amour got to lift the Stanley Cup in 2006 as the Carolina Hurricanes captain.Twenty years later, he got to lift it for the first time as a coach."I'm so happy for these guys," he told ABC after a series-clinching 3-0 win against the Golden Knights. "I wanted it as a player. I really wanted it, but I wanted it for these guys as a coach. It means so much to see how happy they are."Brind'Amour's team finally broke through in his eighth year as a Hurricanes head coach and three series losses in the conference final. His hard-forechecking system can be wearing, but Carolina got through the first three rounds in 13 games, so it had plenty of rest. And the coach made adjustments to get the team to rebound from a 2-1 series deficit against the Knights.Here's video of Brind'Amour celebrating as a captain and as a coach:Twenty years later. Just as iconic. pic.twitter.com/iruvDa2bHh— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 15, 2026The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Rod Brind'Amour wins Stanley Cup as Hurricanes captain, coach | Video

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jaccob Slavin tried not to think about the possibility. Now it is a reality.He and the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday night put him in an exclusive club. Slavin became the second American and eighth player to hoist the Cup and take home an Olympic gold medal in the same year.Ken Morrow until now was the only U.S. player to accomplish the feat. He was on 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic team and a member of the New York Islanders as it started its dynasty of four titles in a row. “I used to joke I was a trivia question for a lot of years: Who’s the only guy that ever did that? Only player I was at that time, not just American, but the only player,” Morrow told The Associated Press last week.All the other players to do it are Canadian: Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan with Detroit in 2002; Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook with Chicago in 2010; and Drew Doughty with Los Angeles in 2014.William Carrier wins the Cup in Las Vegas againOne of the original Golden Knights, William Carrier was there at the end of their inaugural 2017-18 season when they lost in Game 5 of the final on home ice to Washington. That is better remembered for Alex Ovechkin's primal yell when he lifted the Cup for the first time.Carrier would rather remember 2023, when he was part of Vegas winning it all, beating Florida in five games. Three years later, he was celebrating in the same arena with Carolina. Asked what was different this time around, Carrier acknowledged he's “just older.”“I’m going to enjoy every moment of it,” Carrier said. “Your first win, everything goes fast. You don’t know what’s going on. So I’m going enjoy this one with the family a lot more.”Frederik Andersen honors late agent Claude LemieuxHurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen played late in the Eastern Conference Final and early in the Stanley Cup Final before his agent, Claude Lemieux, died by suicide on May 28 at age 60.Lemieux, a three-time Cup champion from his playing days, was on Andersen's mind after finally reaching hockey's mountaintop at age 36.“He would be so proud and all that,” Andersen said. “He’s a competitor. He always wanted the best for me, and his players, and his family. It’s tough to really describe how much he has meant to me, and how cool it is to have my name on that trophy with him.”Jackson Blake tears up after hugging dadCarolina right wing Jackson Blake was speaking with reporters when his dad rushed up and hugged him closely. Jason Blake played 13 seasons in the NHL beginning in 1998-99, but never won the Cup.“He’s been my right-hand man through it all," Jackson Blake said. "I don’t even know why I’m crying, but it’s just unbelievable. For him to be here and my whole family to be here, so special. I have no words. When I saw him, something just hit me, so emotional. I didn’t think there were going to be any tears for me, but it’s all good. It’s worth it.”___Whyno reported from New York___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

After a video of him making a racist gesture toward a South Korean content creator during the 2026 FIFA World Cup went viral on social media, igniting a firestorm of condemnation and a broader discussion about racism at major sporting events, a Mexican spectator has issued a public apology.On June 11th, at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, during South Korea’s opening match against the Czech Republic (which South Korea won 2-1), a man behind South Korean YouTuber Ino Cat could be seen pulling the skin at the corners of his eyes toward her camera. The gesture has long been considered offensive and an insult toward people of East Asian descent. In the background, others could be heard laughing, while Ino Cat maintained a smile, never breaking eye contact with her camera.She later shared the video clip on social media with a caption that read: “Tell me if I’m just being too sensitive” (translated from Korean). Another caption, in English, said: “POV: When you experienced racism at the World Cup.” The clip quickly went viral, becoming one of the more discussed off-field controversies of the tournament.View this post on InstagramThe man in the video has been identified in Korean news reports as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes. Following the outrage and outcry, he released a video statement in which he took responsibility for his actions and refused to dispute his intent.“Whenever a foreigner visits Mexico, we want them to feel at home, and that is the exact opposite of what I did,” Bernal said in his statement. “I want to make a public apology to Ino Cat, to the Korean woman who suffered this inappropriate gesture on my part a few days ago at the match between Korea at the stadium in Guadalajara. Also to the Korean community and foreign community in general, and to all Mexicans who are ashamed that I don’t represent their actions.”Bernal said he had resigned from his job at the Colegio de Topographic and Geomatic Engineers of Jalisco to keep the institution at arm’s length from this incident, and that the entire situation was “purely personal.”He claimed he had already contacted Ino Cat and intended to offer his apology in person in the upcoming days.“I think it is good to know when one is making a mistake,” he added. “And this is something that really hurts me because of the situation this has caused, but I really wanted to say from my heart that I am very sorry and that it will never happen again.”View this post on InstagramReports had previously identified Bernal as an official at a different engineering organization, the Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles del Estado de Jalisco. This institution, however, immediately issued a statement denying that Bernal was affiliated with them.The video also drew a wave of apologies from Mexican football fans, who assured Ino Cat that his behavior was unrepresentative of Mexico or the spirit of the World Cup.Ino Cat thanked those who reached out to her, adding that most of her interactions with the locals since arriving in Mexico had been overwhelmingly kind and friendly.The scandal is another entry into the growing public discussion about racism in the sport of soccer. Many critics claim that stadiums and governing bodies, particularly during large international competitions like the World Cup, where fans from many nations converge in shared spaces, are not doing enough to weed out the offenders and enforce anti-discrimination policies.FIFA has official tournament protocols that list discrimination as punishable by sanctions against fans, teams, or even federations. There was no comment from FIFA or tournament organizers on this particular incident at the time of this writing.The post Mexican Fan Who Made Racist Gesture at Ino Cat During World Cup Publicly Apologizes and Resigns From Job appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.

Ross Barr-Hoyland has been involved in setting up the Cambridge Yales [Ross Barr-Hoyland]A new gay and inclusive rugby club is being founded in Cambridge.The Cambridge Yales will host their first training session at the city's rugby club, in Grantchester Road, at 10:30 BST on Saturday.Co-founder Ross Barr-Hoyland said the team was launching with an eight-week training programme open to players of all abilities."You don't have to have any experience of playing sport, never mind rugby. Just come along, have fun, and see what you think," he said.The Yales will be the sixth gay rugby club in the East of England, following in the footsteps of the Colchester Kings who became the region's first inclusive side in 2022.Other clubs have since launched in Northampton, Norwich, and, in Essex, in Southend-on-Sea and Rochford.The Colchester Kings became the East of England's first gay rugby club in 2022 [Jamie Niblock/BBC]About 30 people were already interested in joining, according to Barr-Hoyland, a trustee of the organising body International Gay Rugby.He said he had helped set up similar teams across Europe and had the idea to bring gay rugby to Cambridge over a drink with a friend.The 37-year-old said he once thought he could not love rugby and be gay, until he joined an inclusive team in Leeds."When I found them, it was just like coming home, but I think it's more than that," he said."I think it's about people finding a family and a team to bond together and support each other, both on and off the pitch."All sexualities will be welcome at the club, he said, adding that many straight men have joined similar teams because "they love how 'no pressure' it is".There are more than 100 inclusive sides around the world, according to International Gay Rugby.The new club's name is inspired by the yale – a mythical creature which features in heraldry, including on the gates of two of the University of Cambridge's colleges.Cambridge has the fourth largest non-heterosexual population in England and Wales, according to the latest census.Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Inclusive rugby club celebrates 10th birthdayThe LGBTQ+ rugby club breaking down barriersLGBTQ+ rugby club recruiting after 'stonking' 2024 Related internet links International Gay Rugby

New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will have been been fascinated by day four of the World Cup [Getty Images]Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola will use the World Cup as a fact-finding mission on the players he has inherited, as well as scouting those he could add to refresh a squad that suffered in a miserable defence of their Premier League title.As he settles in after succeeding sacked Arne Slot, Spaniard Iraola will have had an intriguing day gathering intelligence as he had an interest in all games on day four of the tournament.So what will have caught Iraola's eye as he formulates his plot to revive Liverpool after arriving from Bournemouth?Can Iraola release the real Wirtz?Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer amid great fanfare in a then-British record £116m deal - but remained an enigma as he fell far short of expectations.Liverpool still have huge hopes for a gifted attacking player who has only just turned 23, which means one of Iraola's main tasks is to find a settled position for the German to release the talent he demonstrated before moving to Anfield.This is why Iraola will have been intrigued by what he saw from Wirtz in Germany's 7-1 win against Curacao in their opening World Cup game.The context must be that this was against a side ranked 82nd in the world, but in the colours of his country and in favourable conditions, Wirtz showed some golden touches.Florian Wirtz struggled at Liverpool last season but revelled in his freedom for Germany against Curacao [Getty Images]In his first campaign at Anfield, Wirtz too often appeared a square peg in a round hole, playing in behind the strikers as well on the flanks, but never flourishing.In Houston, Wirtz played on the left, perhaps giving Iraola food for thought, especially as Cody Gakpo had a poor season in that position. He created Germany's opening goal for Felix Nmecha with the sort of delicate touch and quick thinking that eluded him for much of last term.Wirtz had 39 touches in the final third, instrumental as Germany ran riot.Former England striker Chris Sutton, in Houston for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "The mitigation must be that this was Curacao, but the Liverpool fans who watched the game, especially in the first half, would be wondering if it was the same Florian Wirtz who played for them last season."He looked happy in a German jersey, at ease and playing with freedom."Sutton added: "He was sharp off the left, drifting inside to play quick, incisive passes. He was creative and cunning. He looked unburdened. He was a real menace with Jamal Musiala."Iraola will hope to lift the weight off Wirtz's shoulders at Liverpool.Mixed fortunes for Iraola's Dutch trioVirgil van Dijk will remain one of the main pillars of Iraola's new Liverpool era. This impression was only confirmed by his performance for the Netherlands in their 2-2 draw with Japan in Dallas.The result was a disappointment for Ronald Koeman's side, who lost the lead twice, but Van Dijk was voted man of the matchVan Dijk, who will be 35 in July, scored a goal and was the main barrier of resistance in a Dutch defence that occasionally looked uncertain.He put the Netherlands ahead after 51 minutes with a precise header. Then, as Japan pressed late on, it was Van Dijk who almost saw out the win with a succession of towering headers.Ryan Gravenberch, who Iraola will hope to return to the majestic form he displayed as a holding midfielder when Liverpool won the Premier League in Slot's first season, was solid and created Van Dijk's opening goal with an inviting cross.In a statistical quirk, Gravenberch's delivery for Van Dijk is only the second ever World Cup goal scored and assisted by a Liverpool player, after Ian Callaghan set up Roger Hunt for England against France in 1966.Gravenberch also provided the assist for Crysencio Summerville's second goal for the Dutch.Virgil van Dijk will be Andoni Iraola's captain at Liverpool and was voted man of the match in Netherlands' draw against Japan in the World Cup. [Getty Images]Iraola, however, may have wanted to see more from the third member of Liverpool's Dutch contingent as Cody Gakpo had a subdued match.Gakpo's game descended into predictability in Liverpool's struggles last season, too often resorting to simply cutting inside, a ploy easily detected by opponents as his form faded.He fell into similar traps against Japan, although Gakpo's cause was arguably not helped by coach Koeman's selection of Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven at left-back. A central defender by trade, Van de Ven offered little attacking assistance, allowing Japan to crowd Gakpo out.Gakpo also falls into the category of a player Iraola will hope to revive after a dramatic drop in standards last season.Diomande shows Iraola what the fuss is aboutThe task of filling the huge vacancy left by Mohamed Salah will be right at the top of Iraola's tasks when he settles behind his desk at Liverpool.RB Leipzig's 19-year-old Yan Diomande has been the name on the lips of many as the target to take the place of the 'Egyptian king'.Hs is one of Europe's hottest properties and showed exactly why Liverpool are being heavily touted - along with Champions League holders Paris St-Germain - as his next destination with a man-of-the-match performance rich in promise in Ivory Coast's 1-0 win against Ecuador.Diomande operated on the right flank in the first half, where he would play if he arrived at Liverpool to fill Salah's old role, then on the left after the break, creating five chances in total.Ivory coast teenager Yan Diomande showed his rich potential in Ivory Coast's World Cup win against Ecuador [Getty Images]He troubled Arsenal's Piero Hincapie in the opening 45 minutes with one electrifying run, leaving the Ecuador defender trailing to set up a chance for Nicolas Pepe. Diomande also showed power and sleight of foot to escape when Ecuador doubled up on him in an attempt to snuff out his threat.Diomande set up a second-half chance when Elye Wahi hit the woodwork, and his positive approach was reflected in 22 passes in the attacking third.There are, understandably at only 19, elements of rawness and wastefulness about Diomande's game, but there was enough evidence here to see why he will be on Liverpool's radar as they move to strengthen Iraola's new squad.And given Iraola's track record of moulding younger players at Bournemouth, such as 19-year-old Junior Kroupi and another teenager, Brazil forward Rayan, Diomande looks right up his street.Isak masterclass will excite IraolaAlexander Isak's record £125m move to Liverpool from Newcastle United became a nightmare of lost form and injuries in a disappointing campaign, with the Swede scoring only four goals in 22 appearances.The 26-year-old striker arrived short of fitness after a period of self-imposed exile on Tyneside, then broke his leg when scoring Liverpool's goal in a 2-1 win at Spurs in December.Iraola, therefore, will have been thrilled to see Isak showing scintillating form of old as he was instrumental as Sweden thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey.Isak may have been the beneficiary of a goalkeeping error for his first-half goal, but the manner in which he ran at the Tunisian defence then showed the confidence to shoot will have heartened Iraola.He demonstrated strength and awareness to rob Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri and set up a goal for strike partner Viktor Gyokeres in the second half. It made Isak and Gyokeres only the second pair of Sweden team-mates to each record a goal and an assist in a World Cup match since 1966.Isak looked fit and in form, being named man of the match before going off in the closing seconds - and with fellow striker Hugo Ekitike out until next year with a Achilles tendon injury, Iraola will want Isak in peak condition next season.Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor gameWorld Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

Matheus Cunha: Brazilian media reach verdict on Man United starManchester United’s Matheus Cunha made his World Cup debut on Saturday night.Brazil matchCunha has played 25 times for the Brazilian national team, making his debut in 2021.He has only scored once, against Argentina in World Cup qualification.Cunha started on the bench alongside new United signing Ederson for their match against Morocco but did enter the fray just after the hour mark.Fellow United teammate, Noussair Mazraoui put in a spectacular showing and was widely praised by the Moroccan media.Whilst Cunha had a much quieter match, he was still singled out as one of Brazil’s better performers by the local media.Praise from nationBrazilian outlet Globo commented on their national team’s 1-1 draw with Morocco to open their 2026 World Cup and praised the contribution of United’s number 10.They explained, “With the exception of Matheus Cunha’s efforts to regroup and connect the midfield to the attack, Brazil was practically ineffective from the attacking midfield.”Globo also stated that, “even with the number 9 on his back, he didn’t play as a centre forward, but rather on the left side of the attack.”The media outlet singled out one action in particular when they described, “at 32 minutes, he made a great pass to Vinicius Junior, which resulted in a dangerous play. He was also important without the ball, frequently dropping back to defend.”ESPN Brazil were also quick to praise the efforts of Cunha.The sports network added, “of those who came off the bench, he was the one who performed best. He moved out of the box, helped in marking, and showed enough to deserve more playing time.”Cunha and Brazil will take on Haiti next on Saturday morning at 01:30 BST.Matheus Cunha stats vs MoroccoFeatured image by Molly Darlington/Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Two-time heavyweight champion Fury has two losses and one draw from his 38 fights [Getty Images]Tyson Fury says he is set to feature in a "massive announcement" from Zuffa Boxing and UFC president Dana White.Former heavyweight champion Fury was a special guest at the UFC's White House show on Sunday, which took place as part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence.During an interview with UFC broadcaster Jon Anik, the 37-year-old Briton was asked if he had an announcement to make involving White."I think I'm going to let Dana do the speaking, but it is a massive, massive announcement," said Fury.When asked if White would be part of the promotion for his long-awaited fight against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, which is targeted for the end of 2026, Fury said: "100% potential, yes."White's assertion that he would be promoting Joshua v Fury has been repeatedly shot down by Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn and Fury's promoter Frank Warren."I'm very excited for this fight. It's been over a decade in the making," added Fury."For whatever reason it hasn't happened before. Let's hope it happens right now, very soon."BBC Sport has asked Matchroom and Queensberry for comment.Founded by White and backed by Saudi Arabian funding, Zuffa Boxing is looking to rival the sport's established promoters.It made its first big noise when it signed British welterweight Conor Benn in a dramatic move from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable in February.Zuffa has since signed multiple boxers, including IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, but the signing of Fury would be by far its biggest addition if that happened.Fury enjoyed two reigns as heavyweight world champion and boasts a professional record of 35 wins, two defeats - both against Oleksandr Usyk - and one draw with Deontay Wilder.Queensberry's Warren said in February he was considering legal action over the launch of Zuffa, while White has also had multiple disputes with Hearn.White has said he hopes to change the Muhammad Ali Act - a 2000 US law designed to protect boxers' rights and combat potential monopolies.Adjustments to this could allow him to recognise a Zuffa belt as a legitimate world championship title, and remove the need to work with the other sanctioning bodies.Fury marked his return from retirement with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, and says he has another "potential fight in August" before the Joshua bout can take place.Joshua also must win before a potential bout with Fury, with the 36-year-old facing Kristian Prenga on 25 July in Saudi Arabia.Boxing schedule and results 2026Watch every Born to Brawl episode More boxing from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Justin Gaethje strikes Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) What a story.Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) madman Justin Gaethje finally won the undisputed Lightweight title tonight (Sun., June 14, 2026), forcing a corner stoppage against massive favorite Ilia Topuria between the fourth and fifth rounds at UFC Freedom 250 live on Paramount+ on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C., as UFC celebrated America’s 250th anniversary.And he did it in vintage Gaethje fashion.Gaethje came out hot in the first round, completely unafraid of Topuria’s power and immediately started putting damage on “El Matador.” He crushed Topuria with uppercuts off fake single-leg entries, landed stiff power jabs and repeatedly found a home for his right hand.Topuria, though, was not going away that easily.The reigning champion came out like a bat out of hell in the second round, boxing up Gaethje and landing heavy shots of his own. In the middle of the round, Topuria started attacking Gaethje’s body and appeared to badly hurt him, nearly scoring a finish.Instead of letting Gaethje back up, Topuria followed him to the floor and tried to attack submissions. But Gaethje survived, and that decision may have changed the entire fight.The third round was all Gaethje.Topuria looked completely exhausted and appeared to take the round off in hopes of recovering his gas tank. It did not work. Gaethje kept battering him, landing clean shots and even dropping the champion.The fight nearly ended between the third and fourth rounds after Topuria told his corner he could not see. The cage doctor took a close look and appeared ready to stop it, but referee Mark Goddard allowed the fight to continue.Topuria came out much more energized in round four, swinging big and trying to find a fight-changing knockout. He also tried to get the fight to the floor, but Gaethje would not let him off the hook.“The Highlight” continued pouring on punishment, smashing Topuria’s already damaged face and closing his eyes even more.Finally, between the fourth and fifth rounds, the damage was too much.The fight was stopped.Gaethje, after all the wars, heartbreaks, near-misses and violent detours, is finally the undisputed UFC Lightweight champion. And NEW!Check out the highlights below:THE ULTIMATE CAREER HIGHLIGHT 🤯@Justin_Gaethje JUST DID THE UNTHINKABLE AT #UFCWhiteHouse!! pic.twitter.com/EQYfuiwffh— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026THIS FIGHT IS GOING ON TO ROUND 4!!![ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/k6JiBbsvOI— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026JUSTIN GAETHJE JUST DROPPED ILIA TOPURIA IN ROUND 3 🤯[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/LWeh5BdzG0— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026ILIA TOPURIA IS GOING TO WORK AGAINST GAETHJE'S BODY!!! [ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7Y30zZz8oD— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026THESE TWO ARE TRADING EARLY!!! [ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7sHUam8DhH— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026Gaethje (28-5) can now call himself an undisputed UFC champion, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he calls it a career after an epic title win, as being a gigantic underdog yet again. He’s riding a three-fight winning streak.As for Topuria (17-1), the Spanish star sees his undefeated record get destroyed, and will have to rebuild himself back — which won’t take too long.For complete UFC Freedom 250 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – Match preview and team newsSaudi Arabia face Uruguay on Monday evening to launch their 2026 World Cup campaigns.Hard Rock Stadium in Miami provides the spectacular venue for this intriguing Group H clash. Both nations expect a fascinating battle to reach the knockout stages this summer. They face tough competition from Spain and Cape Verde in a highly competitive section.Spain are the overwhelming favourites to finish top of the group. However, the battle for the second qualification spot remains completely open. A third-place finish could also secure a knockout spot under the new tournament format.Saudi Arabia have been regulars at the global showpiece since 1994. They have featured in every tournament except 2010 and 2014. That said, their last two World Cups ended in frustrating group-stage exits.The Green Falcons have only reached the round of 16 once, back in 1994. Georgios Donis’ side recently played out a goalless draw with Senegal. They also beat Puerto Rico 3-0 before losing 2-1 to Ecuador.Meanwhile, Uruguay boast a rich history in the prestigious World Cup. La Celeste won the tournament in 1930 and 1950. They also reached the semi-finals relatively recently in 2010.Marcelo Bielsa’s side aim to improve upon their disappointing 2022 group-stage exit. They recently recorded goalless draws against Mexico and Algeria. They also secured a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley.Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – Match preview and team newsDate: Monday, 15 June 2026Kick-off: 23:00 BSTVenue: Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiReferee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)Last Meeting: Uruguay 1–0 Saudi Arabia (20 June 2018, FIFA World Cup)Team newsSaudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia will miss Nawaf Al Aqidi for their opening match due to a muscle injury. In his absence, the Green Falcons arrive in strong physical shape. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari is their leading goalscorer with 34 international goals.The squad will look to their talented number 10 for vital attacking inspiration. Donis has named four players capable of operating as a central striker. Firas Al-Buraikan expects to start through the middle. He boasts 16 goals in 72 appearances for his country.UruguayUruguay face a mounting defensive injury crisis ahead of this crucial fixture. Ronald Araujo is effectively ruled out with a frustrating calf issue. Jose Gimenez also remains a major doubt due to an ankle problem. Matias Vina is managing a muscle injury, while Sebastian Caceres has a head knock.Caceres is the most likely to recover and start alongside Santiago Bueno. Giorgian de Arrascaeta is also doubtful with a calf complaint. Federico Valverde will expertly anchor the midfield alongside Manuel Ugarte. Darwin Nunez will lead the attacking line.FormSaudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia enter the tournament lacking a clear tactical identity. They have played five friendlies in 2026 with mixed results. A 3-0 win over Puerto Rico and a goalless draw with Senegal stood out.Donis hopes to rely on a settled defensive unit led by Hassan Al-Tambakti. The Green Falcons are clear underdogs against Uruguay. They hope to replicate their famous upset victory over Argentina from 2022.UruguayUruguay sailed through their South American qualifying campaign with relative ease. However, their World Cup preparations have raised several major questions. Bielsa’s squad failed to score against Mexico and Algeria recently.They also suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against the United States. The team must overcome a severe defensive injury crisis to secure victory. They boast enough world-class quality in midfield to dominate possession.Predicted lineupsSaudi Arabia Predicted XI: Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Lajami, Bu; Kanno, Al-Khaibari; N Al-Dawsari, Al-Juwayr, S Al-Dawsari; Al-BuraikanUruguay Predicted XI: Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Bueno, Olivera; Valverde, Ugarte, Bentancur, M Araujo; Vinas, NunezHow to watch Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay?In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on ITV1. Viewers in the United States can watch live on Fox Sports.Read more – Iconic Performances: A teenage Pelé conquers the worldSee Also- 10 of the most unforgettable FIFA World Cup momentsFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Los Angeles Dodgers stars Blake Snell and Teoscar Hernandez both worked out on the field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday.Snell has only made one start for the Dodgers this season, missing the beginning of the year with fatigue and landing back on the injured list after just one start with loose bodies in his elbow. Hernandez went on the injured list May 27 with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.Blake Snell and Teoscar Hernandez getting work in at Dodger Stadium today?Snell had the ‘NanoNeedle’ procedure done nearly a month ago to remove loose bodies in his left elbow. The Dodgers are hopeful he'll pitch again this season.Teo was put on the 10-day IL after suffering… pic.twitter.com/2CKpAzsVc9— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 14, 2026Having both players up and partaking in baseball activities is huge for the Dodgers, who are already performing at a high level despite the absence of two of their bigger names. The Dodgers are seven games clear of the second-place San Diego Padres in the NL West, and have only lost one series since May 10.Nov 3, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (left) and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez acknowledge the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn ImagesWhen Will Blake Snell Be Back?Snell underwent surgery in his elbow to remove the loose bodies in his throwing arm, but a recent development could see him return sooner than the regular three-month timeline for the injury.The ‘NanoNeedle’ procedure does less damage to the tissue surrounding the elbow, and therefore reduces recovery time significantly.May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting Blake Snell (7) warms up prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesDetroit Tigers ace and Dodgers trade target Tarik Skubal underwent the same procedure earlier in the year, and returned to the mound less than a month later. He landed on the injured list May 4, and made his first start back for the Tigers on June 13.If Snell follows the same timeline, the Dodgers could have him back sooner rather than later.His return would be a huge boost for the Dodgers as well, as he posted just a 2.35 ERA through 61.1 innings pitched after returning from injury in the 2025 season.When Will Teoscar Hernandez Be Back?Hernandez had a much more manageable injury than Snell, as his didn’t require surgery. The general timeline for recovery from a Grade 1 hamstring strainis about a month, so Hernandez is making good pace in returning from his injury.May 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) scores a run against the Colorado Rockies during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesHernandez had just begun to turn things around for the Dodgers prior to his injury, posting an OPS of nearly .900 in May with three homers and 14 RBIs. Following a slow start to the season, Hernandez had a .276/.348/.436 slash line.

🎥 Highlights: Germany's opponents strike in 90th, Japan upset OranjeWhat a World Cup night that was again? The Netherlands and Japan draw 2–2 after a wild exchange of blows. In Germany’s group, Ivory Coast beat Ecuador at the very last second, and Sweden shoot Tunisia out of the stadium.You can find the highlights of all the matches here:Netherlands – JapanIvory Coast – EcuadorSweden – TunisiaDid you expect these results? This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 15: Ilia Topuria is supported by trainers as he leaves the octagon after loosing to Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is hosting a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on his 80th birthday, which the White House is calling "a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit.” (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) | Getty Images Justin Gaethje is the shining star of UFC White House after breaking Ilia Topuria in the main event to finally become undisputed lightweight champion.Words could barely describe Gaethje’s epic battle with Topuria that capped off Sunday’s historic show, but “The Highlight” had social media absolutely buzzing after scoring a massive upset win over the previously undefeated Topuria. Gaethje entered UFC White House as the interim champion, with a pair of failed attempts to claim the undisputed title on his résumé, but this time he would not be denied as he battered Topuria with his trademark striking, survived a couple of scary moments where it looked like Topuria would come out on top, and outlasted “El Matador” until the Spaniard’s corner stopped the bout at the end of the fourth round.Topuria put on a valiant performance, but he wore the accumulating damage on his face as the bout progressed, to the point that it was almost stopped at the end of Round 3 when it sounded like Topuria’s corner told the ringside physician that Topuria couldn’t see. Somehow, the bout was allowed to continue, so Gaethje needed another five minutes to put an exclamation point on a performance for the ages.See how pros reacted on social media to the thrilling UFC White House main event below.Ilia “no mas” Topuria 🤦🏻‍♂️— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) June 15, 2026So we’re giving extra minute to recover now lol?— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) June 15, 2026The Highlight! Just wow.— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) June 15, 2026Real Fighters will fight until they die. Great job by Topuria’s corner on the stoppage. @Justin_Gaethje it’s a beast!! Congrats. #UFCWhiteHouse— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 15, 2026Never count Justin out.Congratulations champ @Justin_Gaethje 🏆 You never let me down 🙏🏾❤️— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 15, 2026Justin is a monster he earned this moment— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 15, 2026That was a crazy fucking fight holy shit— David Michaud (@bulldawg_170) June 15, 2026WHAT FIGHT!!!!! GAETHJE IS A DOG #UFCWHITEHOUSE— Torrez Finney (@punishertorrez) June 15, 2026It’s good to see Gaethje win the title #UFCWhiteHouse— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) June 15, 2026USA USA WHAT A FIGHT— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) June 15, 2026That was entertaining asf— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) June 15, 2026Justin Gaethje holy shit amazing fight. Congratulations champ!— Johnny Eblen (@JohnnyEblen) June 15, 2026Trevor Whitman told @Justin_Gaethje to go forward and Justin listened, Changed the fight ! 🇺🇸— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 15, 2026Wtf— Renato Moicano (@moicanoufc) June 15, 2026Bro!!!! Wow !!!!— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 15, 2026They called it off called it back on. But they both got rest let’s see 👀👀— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 15, 2026Topuria rocked several times that round, face is a mess still throwing bombs though.. what a fight!!!— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) June 15, 2026Gaethje is taking Ilia to a place he’s never been. What a fight! 2-1 for the challenger— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 15, 2026

There was talk of Alex Pereira becoming the greatest UFC fighter of all time with a victory over Ciryl Gane, giving “Poatan” his third title in as many weight classes. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, Gane proved to be the superior fighter in the UFC White House co-main event, smashing Pereira in the second round to recapture the interim heavyweight strap.Former two-division champion Jon Jones, who disposed of Gane with relative ease during their UFC 285 title fight back in early 2023, wasted no time in reacting to the “Freedom 250” bout, congratulating “Bon Gamin” while flaunting his GOAT necklace on Instagram.“Congratulations to the new heavyweight champion Gane,” Jones wrote. “You looked great out there tonight.”Jones signed his tweet with a goat emoji.View this post on InstagramJones, 38, chose retirement over a heavyweight title defense opposite Tom Aspinall, then begged to come back after UFC announced its White House card.Gane, 36, is expected to rematch Aspinall at the end of the year, having previously fought to a “No Contest” following a fight-ending eye poke in their UFC 321 main event last fall in Abu Dhabi.Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who like Jones holds a victory over Gane, had his own reaction to the UFC White House co-main event.“Congratulations Bon Gamin for the wonderful performance,” Ngannou wrote. “Sincerely, LHC.”LHC = Lineal Heavyweight Champion.Ngannou, 39, is clinging to that designation after walking away from UFC following a contract dispute in early 2023, missing out on potential fights against Aspinall and Jones. “The Predator” is currently a free agent after getting released from PFL earlier this year.For more UFC White House results and highlights click here.

📝 2026 World Cup: overnight round-upEvery morning, OneFootball will bring you a full recap of the night at the World Cup. Here’s the one for the night from Sunday June 14 to Monday June 15!The must-see moment of the nightThe first African win of this World Cup goes to... Ivory Coast! After South Africa’s defeat in the opening match and Morocco’s draw against Brazil, it was third time lucky for the continent.Despite a difficult game against an Ecuador side unbeaten in 19 matches, the Ivorians relied on a 90th-minute goal from Amad Diallo to snatch the win. The Elephants are already closing in on the first knockout stage appearance in their World Cup history!The result of the nightIvory Coast 1 - 0 Ecuador. Click here to read the match recap!Sweden 5 - 1 Tunisia. Click here to read the match recap!The standingsGroup E: 1) Germany - 3 pts (+6)2) Ivory Coast - 3 pts (+1)3) Ecuador - 0 pts (-1)4) Curaçao - 0 pts (-6)Group F:1) Sweden - 3 pts (+4)2) Japan - 1 pt (+0)3) Netherlands - 1 pt (+0)4) Tunisia - 0 pts (-4)The 3 players who stood outWhile he is already attracting the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the world like PSG and Liverpool, Yan Diomandé delivered his first big statement on the most prestigious stage possible. Unstoppable down the right flank, the 19-year-old wonderkid caused Ecuador all sorts of problems and was named man of the match.For their part, Sweden leaned on their Premier League players, especially Alexander Isak and Yasin Ayari. The latter simply grabbed a brace to open and close the scoring, while the Liverpool striker seems to have his legs fully back.After a season disrupted by injuries, Alexander Isak delivered a top-class display marked by one goal and two assists, one for Viktor Gyökeres, Sweden’s other star scorer.Image of the nightAfter their heroic draw against the Netherlands, Japan’s supporters made sure to celebrate at the iconic Shibuya crossing... but without disrupting traffic. They waited for the light to turn red before gathering in the middle of the crosswalk to celebrate the result, then moved aside once it turned green again.Today’s and tonight’s schedule18:00: Spain vs Cape Verde (Group H)21:00: Belgium vs Egypt (Group G)00:00: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Group H)03:00: Iran vs New Zealand (Group G)The player to watchHe’s one of the players everyone wants to see: Lamine Yamal. Injured for several weeks, last Ballon d’Or runner-up is now fully fit according to his coach.Now the only question is whether he will start against Cape Verde or only come on during the match.📸 Florencia Tan Jun - 2026 Getty ImagesThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

World Cup 2026: Germany run riot, Dutch pegged back twice, Doku ‘key’ for BelgiumThe 2026 FIFA World Cup has barely settled, yet it’s already producing headlines across every corner of North America.After a goal-shy start to the tournament, some of the leading title contenders dished out a thrilling spectacle of attacking football on Sunday, and all we can do is hope it will continue in the same vein.Read on as we take you through the key moments so far and look ahead to what’s next at the World Cup.Curacao thrown into baptism of fire by rampant GermanyCuracao will want to forget their maiden World Cup fixture in a hurry after being trounced by Germany in their opening Group E outing.Dick Advocaat’s side suffered a chastening 7-1 defeat at Houston’s NRG Stadium as Die Mannschaft launched their title quest in style.Seeking a place in the knockout stages for the first time since winning the tournament in 2014, Julian Nagelsmann’s high-flying team showed no mercy to the North American minnows, with Felix Nmecha breaking the deadlock after just six minutes.However, Curacao replied 15 minutes later through Livano Comenencia. Regrettably, their resistance quickly crumbled as Germany shifted through the gears and ran riot before half-time.Goals from Nico Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz propelled the four-time world champions to a comfortable 3-1 lead at the break. Unfortunately for Pantera Negra, the Germans had no interest in slowing down in the second half.Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav and Havertz were on the scoresheet after half-time to seal Germany’s first 7-1 triumph since their memorable win over Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals.As expected, the smallest nation by both size and population ever to participate in a World Cup stood no chance against one of the strongest title contenders, who now turn to a much sterner test in the form of Cote d’Ivoire.Brave Samurai hold Dutch in four-goal thrillerIn stark contrast to Group E’s one-sided opener, the Netherlands and Japan went toe-to-toe in a nerve-shredding Group F curtain-raising clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Fans had little to cheer about in the opening 45 minutes, even though both sides had several decent chances. Indeed, it was a slow-burning contest that started picking up pace in the second half.Ronald Koeman’s charges found the breakthrough six minutes after the break as Liverpool stalwart Virgil van Dijk headed home an inch-perfect out-swinging cross from his teammate Ryan Gravenberch.Japan needed just six minutes to draw level. Keito Nakamura picked up the ball just inside the box and, despite going backwards, he managed to unleash a shot that took a fortunate deflection and caught Bart Verbruggen off guard.Hajime Moriyasu’s celebration was short-lived as Cryscencio Summerville painted his major tournament debut with flying colours, slotting a left-footed curler behind Zion Suzuki to restore the Netherlands’ lead.When it looked like the Dutch would enjoy a dream start to this summer’s event, Koki Ogawa got on the end of Junya Ito’s corner with a thumping header that glanced Daichi Kamada on its way in.Despite extending their unbeaten run in the World Cup group-stage matches to 17, Koeman’s side will feel this was two points dropped rather than one gained, especially after surrendering the lead twice.Cape Verde keen to avoid Curacao fate against European championsFor the first time since becoming an independent nation in 1975, Cape Verde will participate in the most prestigious international tournament. Excitement is at an all-time high, but they may want to hold their breath.Set to test Cape Verde’s credentials in their first-ever World Cup game are reigning European champions Spain. Widely regarded as one of the top candidates to win the trophy, La Furia Roja look primed to make a statement from the outset.Damage limitation is likely to be at the forefront of Bubista’s mind in this ‘David vs Goliath’ showdown at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as the Blue Sharks surely don’t want to see their historic first appearance overshadowed by the scoreline.Given the strength of their opposition, it could prove to be a tall order, yet there’s a silver lining. Bubista’s men won six of their last seven World Cup qualifiers and two warm-up fixtures, boosting their confidence ahead of this encounter.With Spain’s deadly duo, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, set to start on the bench, there is at least some hope for Cape Verde to avoid an early catastrophe and stay within touching distance.Manchester City winger urged to show up ahead of Belgium opener vs EgyptEgypt’s winless record at the World Cup faces another formidable challenge as they prepare to meet Belgium in the opening Group G match at Lumen Field in Seattle.Former Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne gears up for his last major tournament with De Rode Duivels after a mixed season in Serie A with Napoli.Now in the autumn of his illustrious career, the 34-year-old is still dreaming of winning a piece of silverware with his country, and this may well be his last chance to do so.However, Belgium cannot rely on a veteran to carry them through on his own, and De Bruyne seems well aware of that.During his recent interview with FOX Sports, he underlined Jeremy Doku’s importance to Belgium’s tournament aspirations, highlighting the 24-year-old’s quality and notable improvement over the past 12 months.“Defending Jeremy for 90 minutes is impossible,” De Bruyne said. “He has also become more efficient over the past year. He has found more moments where he can choose his situations. To play a top tournament, we need a good Doku.”Let’s see if Doku can rise to the occasion and deliver on the biggest stages of all.Top football storiesAyyoub Bouaddi is a boy wonder in Morocco’s midfieldUruguay blames FIFA for World Cup travel chaos as flight to U.S. delayed several hoursScotland march on towards history but improvement is needed against Morocco | World Cup 2026Football Today featuresWorld Cup 2026: First shock arrives, Brazil rusty at the start, England hit by robbery dramaWorld Cup 2026: Canada still waiting, US run riot, can Morocco upset BrazilNottingham Forest will demand close to £125m for Morgan Gibbs-WhiteWhat to watchAs pointed out by De Bruyne, Doku enjoyed a superb season at the Etihad Stadium, emerging as one of Man City’s headline performers in Pep Guardiola’s farewell campaign.Though he proved his credentials in the Premier League, this will be a different test altogether, especially given the amount of pressure Rudi Garcia’s men are facing after an unceremonious group-stage elimination in Qatar.Keen to end Egypt’s agonisingly long wait for a first win at the World Cup finals, outgoing Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah will be tasked with producing his own version of Doku’s game-changing threat.It promises to be a must-watch contest.

Barcelona see Eli Junior Kroupi as the most viable alternative to Julian AlvarezBarcelona are closely monitoring Eli Junior Kroupi, considering whether to sign the Bournemouth striker.According to Sport, Barcelona are aware that they could miss out on Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. They could turn to the young French prodigy.Kroupi caught the eye last season after bagging 13 Premier League goals to help Bournemouth qualify for the Europa League for the first time.His ball-striking, movement, and technical quality are immense for a 19-year-old and several clubs are taking notice.Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move for Kroupi following his outstanding campaign.However, it won’t be easy for any suitor as Bournemouth do not want to lose the young gem and have slapped an £80 million price tag on the player.Barcelona have him high on their shortlist, but are aware that the operation is risky and likely prefer to wait a year before signing him.Kroupi would undoubtedly score goals in Hansi Flick’s ultra-aggressive Barcelona side. The German coach has built his teams around relentless attacking football, and a striker blessed with Kroupi’s instinct in the box would inevitably find opportunities at Camp Nou.Still, the former Lorient star would be wise to reject any blockbuster move this summer. Regular football should remain the priority. Bournemouth can offer him what these big clubs cannot guarantee – a central role in the starting XI and an environment focused entirely on his development.Another season or two on the south coast would allow him to refine his game without the immense pressure that comes with leading the line for a European giant.New Bournemouth coach Marco Rose has a proven track record of nurturing young attacking talent and helping promising forwards reach an elite level (see Marcus Thuram). Bournemouth will hope he can perform a similar role with Kroupi, guiding him from an exciting Ligue 1 graduate into one of Europe’s most complete attackers. The goals, headlines, and mega-money transfers will still be there. For now, patience is the smartest move. Staying at Bournemouth could ultimately be the quickest route to becoming the world-class striker everyone believes he can be.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images | Getty Images Ilia Topuria came into the UFC Freedom 250 card as a massive favorite, but he left the White House without his belt and ended up on a trip to the hospital. After an entertaining back-and-forth contest, Justin Gaethje won the lightweight title as he pulled off a huge upset and badly battered Topuria over multiple rounds. Topuria came in with a pristine 17-0 record, but the scenes at the UFC White House main event saw him take significant damage for the first time in his career. The now former two-division champion was badly battered by his larger opponent, and lost his belt after he didn’t get off the stool for the fifth round.Topuria looked almost unrecognizable, and photos of his badly swollen and busted up face are also starting to circulate online after the event.THE ULTIMATE CAREER HIGHLIGHT 🤯@Justin_Gaethje JUST DID THE UNTHINKABLE AT #UFCWhiteHouse!! pic.twitter.com/EQYfuiwffh— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026Topuria dropped his overall record to 17-1, and is still just 29 years old. There were previously talks of retirement, but Gaethje has now become an undisputed champion at age 37. FOR COMPLETE UFC FREEDOM 250 RESULTS, COVERAGE AND HIGHLIGHTS CLICK HERE.

Motorsport photoLewis Hamilton's first win for Fred Vasseur's team didn't come in Barcelona on 14 June 2026. It came more than 20 years ago in Formula 3 Euro Series.Back then, the 20-year-old Hamilton won the opening round at Hockenheim driving for the Frenchman's ASM team, before going on to dominate the season with 15 victories from 20 races. The following year he moved up to GP2, now with the newly formed ART Grand Prix project led by Vasseur, and won another title that helped secure his McLaren Formula 1 drive for 2007.When Lewis Hamilton once again became a driver of a team led by Vasseur, he was already a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, the most successful driver in the history of the sport and one of the most recognisable sporting figures in the world.He was already Sir Lewis Hamilton, after all."We had amazing success in F3, and also in GP2," recalled Hamilton back in the winter of 2024 after signing his Ferrari contract, while still preparing to complete his final season with Mercedes. "That's really where the foundation of our relationship started. We always remained in touch. I thought that was going to be an amazing team manager at some stage and progress to F1, but at the time, he wasn't interested in that."It was really cool to see him step into the Alfa [Romeo] team. Then when he got the job at Ferrari, I was just so happy for him. I think just the stars aligned. I think it really wouldn't have happened without him. So, I'm really grateful and really excited about the work that he's doing there."Yet the Hamilton that Vasseur got at Ferrari was not the one many still regarded as "prime" Hamilton.Ahead of his first year with the Scuderia, Lewis turned 40, and it's fair to say the final couple of seasons with Mercedes weren't his best. Yes, he won at Silverstone and inherited another victory at Spa after George Russell's disqualification, but over those two years it was the younger Brit who came out on top more often.Lewis Hamilton won a lot of races for Frederic Vasseur's teams two decades agoLewis Hamilton won a lot of races for Frederic Vasseur's teams two decades agoPerhaps it wasn't too much of a crime to assume Hamilton had passed his peak. He probably had, anyway. It's just that now a lot of observers may need to reconsider the rate at which he's declining.Would Hamilton, 10 years younger - or perhaps even five - have grabbed pole position in Barcelona instead of missing out by 0.064s? Possibly. You'll never be able to answer that question. What last Sunday proved, however, is that he still has enough speed to deliver a victory with a three-stop strategy, chasing down two drivers in what has been the fastest car of 2026.Last year, though, it all seemed doom and gloom. After a spark in the form of a sprint win in China, there weren't many moments to celebrate. Hamilton struggled with the car, couldn't match Charles Leclerc's pace and became involved in enough tense radio exchanges with Riccardo Adami to make Ferrari's official line that there were no tensions difficult to believe.Vasseur was the one accusing the media of blowing the stories out of proportion based on what was broadcast during races - yet that's exactly what a team principal is supposed to do: defend his team.Be that as it may, Hamilton increasingly resembled a great champion approaching the end of his career. A little like Valentino Rossi during the final years of his MotoGP journey. Or Michael Schumacher during his Mercedes comeback. The raw speed appeared to be fading, and motivation often goes hand in hand with it.In 2025, it was difficult to imagine Hamilton would ever win a race with FerrariIn 2025, it was difficult to imagine Hamilton would ever win a race with FerrariThe honeymoon period of joining the legendary team lasted only a few months before being replaced by the routine of searching for those missing tenths of a second.Those tenths weren't easy to find.The evidence seemed to point to one conclusion: Hamilton was simply too old to really give Ferrari what it needed.At the very same time, he was putting pressure on the team.It was at Spa last July that he spoke about calling meetings with Ferrari chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna and Vasseur. He revealed he had sent documents outlining structural adjustments the team needed to make. He spoke about sitting down with chassis technical director Loic Serra and the heads of other departments, "talking about the engine for next year, talking about the front suspension, the rear suspension". About the "things that I want, issues that I have with this car".For Vasseur, accommodating all the changes Hamilton was asking for probably required more than simply believing Lewis still had it. He needed the team to believe it too.Because, yes, these changes were being requested by a seven-time world champion and the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. But they were also being requested by a 40-year-old driver who may well have been past his peak. And his first season with Ferrari did little to disprove that theory.Carlo Santi was on the podium for Kimi Raikkonen's final Ferrari victory in Austin in 2018Carlo Santi was on the podium for Kimi Raikkonen's final Ferrari victory in Austin in 2018The most visible change this year has perhaps been the appointment of Carlo Santi as Hamilton's race engineer.Vasseur himself played down the significance in his post-race media session on Sunday."I don't want to put Carlo in front or whatever, I think it's a huge effort from everybody," he shrugged. "Carlo is part of the process and the fit between Carlo and Lewis is a good one. But, you know, we have to react as a group in the good and the bad moments."When it's a bad moment, I'm trying to protect the team and to take the blame for myself. Today, I don't want to put a department or someone in front. If we are getting results, it's because collectively we are doing a good job."And that's understandable.Highlighting Santi's role in Hamilton's revival would probably put pressure on the engineer himself while downplaying the contribution of others. As a manager, Vasseur doesn't need that.But the fact it was the 52-year-old from Verona standing alongside Lewis on the podium after his first Ferrari victory speaks volumes.Santi's previous podium in Formula 1 came on 21 October 2018, when he joined Kimi Raikkonen on the rostrum after the Finn's final victory for Ferrari. From 2019 onwards, he moved into a factory role, supporting the race team from Maranello, before returning trackside this season initially to assist Hamilton while Ferrari searched for a permanent replacement for Adami.With the way things are going, and with Lewis already calling Santi his "Italian Bono" even before Barcelona, he is unlikely to be returning to the factory any time soon.Lewis Hamilton and his Lewis Hamilton and his Switching away from Brembo, given Ferrari's long-standing relationship with the company, probably wasn't easy either. But Hamilton clearly likes something about the Carbon Industrie package, and that was likely on his list of requests too.There were potentially dozens of other, less visible things - as he recently put it - that he had "begged" Vasseur to accommodate.Now, Lewis is thanking his old friend for doing exactly that."Well, firstly, I wouldn't be in this team without Fred," he said on Sunday in Barcelona during his first press conference as a Ferrari winner. "Fred is the one that made it happen, of which I'm incredibly grateful to him for. I think last year was really, really tough for him to deal with."Me coming was a big shock to the system because I am very, very vocal. If I see something that I don't think is right, or I push very, very hard. That's at the core of who I am and I'm relentless with it. And I think it's not easy to be on the receiving end of that when you're also juggling a whole organisation, you know, and a culture that in its own is set in a certain way."And also, you know, he's French in an Italian culture. It was a lot for him to juggle and I think very, very tough because obviously he would do media as well. But he continued to believe, continued to be a good friend, continued to be a great team-mate and an ally and really supportive.Lewis Hamilton - now a Ferrari race winnerLewis Hamilton - now a Ferrari race winner"And, you know, ultimately, he really listened at the end and I had to really ask, really ask for some of the changes. And he enabled them to happen, which I'm forever grateful for, because this [victory] wouldn't have happened without those changes. So big, big thank you to him."When those words were put to Vasseur himself just minutes later, he once again downplayed his role."I have zero merit on this," he insisted. "It's more Lewis himself, I think. He was able to come back after a tough moment, a tough journey, tough weekends. He was able to come back, to do a full reset and to continue to push, to continue to come to the factory on Tuesday morning. This commitment is a huge support. Coming from a world champion, it's even more, I would say. It was also a huge motivation for everybody at the factory."And that's understandable too. Because highlighting his own role in Hamilton's revival isn't really what a good manager does.Yet Barcelona's victory must have been a huge relief for him as well.Because bringing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari was an easy decision.Continuing to believe in a 40-year-old driver who may already have been past his peak probably wasn't. Read Also: Who slept the worst last night: George Russell To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Motorsport photoI should be admitting that it was me who slept badly this Monday. After all, I was also one of those who did not believe in Lewis Hamilton's chance of victory. I did not rule out that the record world champion would eventually win a race for Ferrari with a bit of luck, but that he would do it in such convincing fashion was not on my radar.Yes, he had a bit of luck with the virtual safety car. But there can hardly be any doubt that Hamilton absolutely deserved to win this race in Barcelona. Chapeau!A small consolation for me: Numerous experts had actually already written off the now 41-year-old Hamilton before his second Ferrari season. Obviously, that was a misjudgment. Read Also: Lewis Hamilton's Barcelona GP win a "middle finger" to doubters - Lando Norris Conversely, another candidate for this column would have been Charles Leclerc, but he was nominated in this very column just a week ago and everything there is to say on the subject was already covered off. So my choice falls on George Russell. He was already "up" after Suzuka, but since then something fundamental has changed about the Briton's situation. Back then, everyone was still assuming an internal Mercedes duel for the world title.That may have changed by now.Must Mercedes soon back Antonelli?In fact, when looking at the world championship standings right now, you may need a second take, because since Monaco it has no longer been Russell in second place. Instead, it is his former team-mate Hamilton. In Barcelona, the Briton even closed to within 41 points of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.Curiously, for Russell, who also made up 18 points on his team-mate yesterday, that may be a bigger problem than for Antonelli himself. Because for the first time, team boss Toto Wolff also spoke openly after the Barcelona race about a possible team order at the Silver Arrows.For the future, Wolff said on Sunday that he "discussed internally with the two drivers how we want to handle the situation where we risk holding each other up". In such instances, the team may consider letting the faster driver through, and Russell's problem now is that this is usually Antonelli.Of course, one swallow does not make a summer, and Ferrari's victory on Sunday, the first since 2024 by the way, is contrasted by six consecutive Mercedes wins before that. So the favourite's role in the championship is still quite clearly assigned.Mercedes remain the favourites, despite a first win for FerrariMercedes remain the favourites, despite a first win for FerrariBut as fast as Mercedes is this year, the W17 is still just as unreliable. In Canada, the issues hit Russell, and now in Barcelona Antonelli. Wolff also made it clear yesterday that this cannot continue. Otherwise Hamilton will be within striking distance in the championship faster than anyone would like.And that is exactly when things could get really tight for Russell. As long as the fight for race wins, and especially the championship, is only between him and Antonelli, Mercedes has no reason to issue team orders, provided they do not drive into each other.But in Barcelona, the team hurt itself with this approach for the first time. The internal battle cost "four or five or six seconds" on Sunday, Wolff revealed. That was exactly the time Hamilton needed to come back onto the track ahead of the two Silver Arrows after his pit stop.At the latest, from this point on, the fun stops for Wolff and Co. Just ask Valtteri Bottas.Just bad luck? Russell is running out of excusesA colleague in the editorial team remarked on Sunday that Russell probably would not sleep that badly, after all he had made up 18 points in the championship. So things could have gone much worse. Still, there is another reason why I think Russell is a perfect candidate this week.Because the Briton is also slowly running out of explanations for why he has once again finished behind Antonelli - or in this case would have finished behind him if the other Mercedes had not given up the ghost.Kimi Antonelli retired shortly after passing George RussellKimi Antonelli retired shortly after passing George RussellHe still dismissed the first defeat in China as a freak occurrence and blamed it on his technical problem in qualifying. In Japan, in his view, the safety car was to blame, in Canada his failure in the race and most recently in Monaco his unjustified penalty."It's been completely outside of my control, and that is an incredibly difficult pill to swallow," he said after his zero in the principality. That is basically impossible to argue, but it also ignores the fact that Antonelli was simply faster than Russell on many weekends anyway.So, on the one hand, the Briton was unlucky, but on the other hand he also always had an "excuse" for his defeat. In Barcelona, for a long time it also looked as if the tide would finally turn again."I kind of feel like my old self again," he said after his pole on Saturday. He had just put three tenths on Antonelli and, at least for the moment, restored what he considered the correct order at Mercedes.He had oriented himself too much to Antonelli's setup in the previous races, Russell explained, emphasising that in Barcelona he had "gone my own way again." That still worked on Saturday - but on Sunday it did not anymore.Why Barcelona was also a "points win" for AntonelliShortly before his retirement, Antonelli overtook Russell on track, and presumably even his subsequent five-second penalty, which no longer mattered in the end because of his retirement, would not have bothered him, because he would still have pulled out the time against Russell on track in the closing laps.But even if that had not been the case, Antonelli was once again the faster Mercedes driver this Sunday as well. And Russell is slowly running out of explanations.Was Kimi Antonelli the faster Mercedes driver on Sunday? Was Kimi Antonelli the faster Mercedes driver on Sunday? Because in Barcelona, Mercedes did everything not to hurt Russell. It issued no team order even though Antonelli was faster, and during the second pit stop they even gave Russell priority over Antonelli, thereby risking an undercut by Lando Norris on the championship leader, which only just barely did not work. None of it helped."Mercedes was too considerate of George," Nico Rosberg said on Sky, for example. And he should know, because for three years he found himself in a very similar situation at the Silver Arrows with his then team-mate Hamilton.Maybe I am seeing this wrong. And maybe George Russell really had a good night because he is only looking at the championship standings. Or because he really believes that he is simply having a streak of bad luck and that everything will turn out fine again.But it is also clear that I am not the only one who thinks Russell is slowly but surely losing ground - despite P2 in Barcelona. For Ralf Schumacher, Antonelli is already "the clear number 1" at Mercedes, he said yesterday. I would not go that far (yet).But I share his assessment that despite the retirement, Antonelli scored another points win in the internal duel. "The realisation [that he was faster than Russell] was more important than finishing today," Schumacher said after the race.By the way: This same Ralf Schumacher already said before the season opener that Antonelli was his championship favourite. I admittedly laughed that off a bit at the time because on the question of the favourite I was clearly on "Team Russell."Possibly another misjudgment on my part. Read Also: Who slept best last night: Frederic Vasseur To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.