Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty ImagesUEFA has made clear that Euro 2028 will not copy FIFA’s controversial World Cup hydration-break model unless the weather demands it.The decision matters because football’s newest stoppage has become one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 World Cup.European football is not preparing to turn every match into four quarters.UEFA Euro 2028 hydration breaks stay tied to real heatYahoo Sports reported that UEFA has no plans to change its cooling-break rules for the Champions League or Euro 2028.“Cooling and drinks breaks are already covered in UEFA regulations. In such cases, the UEFA match delegate will take the temperature using a digital wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) thermometer or, in exceptional circumstances, a similar device, such as a normal thermometer, at head-height at least one metre inside the pitch,” the regulations say. Cooling breaks will only be made compulsory when the temperature tips beyond “32C WBGT/35C for senior competitions”.“Any other drinks breaks when the temperature is below those thresholds remain at the discretion of the referee… UEFA has no plans to change these regulations for upcoming competitions, including for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA 2028 European Championship.”That makes compulsory breaks at Euro 2028 possible, but unlikely across the tournament. The event runs from June 9 to July 9 across nine venues in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Dublin.Southern England or Cardiff could still face uncomfortable heat during an afternoon kickoff, especially during a heatwave. Glasgow and Dublin are far less likely to push toward the senior threshold.Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesSimilar pauses have happened at Euros before, including England vs. Slovakia at Euro 2024. The difference is that UEFA keeps them as a medical and refereeing tool, not a guaranteed broadcast feature.Hydration breaks controversy is really about game flowThe 2026 World Cup has made that distinction feel important.FIFA made three-minute hydration breaks mandatory in every match, even when games were played late at night, in mild conditions, or inside air-conditioned stadiums. That led to fans booing stoppages and players questioning why the same rule applied everywhere.The other flashpoint has been television. Fox used the breaks for commercials and even returned late to live play during the World Cup opener, while Telemundo avoided full-screen ads. That fueled suspicion that a player-welfare measure had become a lucrative in-game advertising slot, something football has traditionally resisted.Coaches can also use the pause tactically. Belgium boss Rudi Garcia called it a coaching break, while Virgil van Dijk argued that each game should be judged separately.UEFA’s answer dictates that it’s worth stopping the game when the temperatures create risky conditions, but not to shoehorn advertisements to disrupt the flow of the sport.Read more:Tim Howard strongly disagrees with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on USMNT’s World Cup chancesAmir Ghalenoei accuses 47 World Cup managers of ignoring Iran’s situation, ‘none of them responded’Iran manager details US travel delays and says FIFA have ‘not succeeded’ with World Cup logistics

CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 15: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Monday, June 15, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Did the Cincinnati Reds catch a break when the New York Yankees opted to shuffle their starting rotation for the series finale? We’ll find out this afternoon!The Reds were initially slated to face six-time All Star and former Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole in Sunday’s series finale, but manager Aaron Boone made the call to bump their rotation all back one day instead. The Yankees are in the middle of playing 16 games in 16 days, and that was enough to prompt the 1st place Yanks to ease the strain on the arms they’ll depend on as they make their playoff push later this year.Instead, New York will roll out rookie Elmer Rodriguez, who’s made a trio of starts at the big league level and pitched well enough (4.15 ERA) in that time. MLB Pipeline ranked him the #2 prospect in the Yankee system in their most recent update (and #59 overall) on the back of a fastball he can throw up to 99 mph, so the Reds won’t be up against some nobody on the day – they just won’t be up against Gerrit Cole.The Yankees, meanwhile, will be up against Chase Burns.Burns has already accrued 3.9 bWAR so far in less than half the 2026 season, his mix of fastball/slider simply devastating to teams he faces. He’ll toe the rubber knowing a victory today would give the Reds a series victory on the road in the Bronx, and he seems like precisely the kind of guy you’d want your team to have on the mound knowing that’s what’s at stake today.First pitch is set for 1:35 PM ET. Here’s how both clubs will line up to start:Today’s LineupsREDSYANKEESBlake Dunn – CFBen Rice – 1BJJ Bleday – LFJasson Dominguez – RFSal Stewart – 1BCody Bellinger – DHNathaniel Lowe – DHSpencer Jones – CFSpencer Steer – 2BJazz Chisholm – 2BEugenio Suarez – 3BJose Caballero – LFNoelvi Marte – RFRyan McMahon – 3BTyler Stephenson – CAustin Wells – CEdwin Arroyo – SSAnthony Volpe – SSChase Burns – RHPElmer Rodriguez – RHP

Japan forward Ayase Ueda celebrates after scoring against Tunisia (Julio Cesar AGUILAR)Ayase Ueda warned Sweden his confidence was sky-high after the red-hot striker scored a classy World Cup brace to put Japan on the cusp of the knockout rounds.Japan thrashed Tunisia 4-0 on Saturday to join the Netherlands at the top of Group F and all but seal their place in the last 32 with a game to spare.That game is against Sweden, who sit third after being hammered 5-1 by the Dutch in Houston.In the landmark 1,000th match in the history of the World Cup, Japan put on a show in Mexico's Monterrey to demonstrate why they are fancied to go far in the tournament.Netherlands-based Ueda, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League, scored from outside the box in the first half and got his second near the end with a clever header.Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito got the others against an outclassed Tunisia, who cannot now advance."I'm genuinely happy. It feels as if what I've built since feeling that frustration four years ago paid off," the 27-year-old Ueda told reporters.The forward played just 45 minutes at the 2022 World Cup as Hajime Moriyasu's side bowed out in the last 16 to Croatia.But he arrived in North America off the back of banging in 25 goals in 31 appearances in the league for Feyenoord.He topped the scoring charts in the Dutch top division, reportedly igniting interest from several English clubs including Tottenham.His clinical double against a wretched Tunisia were his first World Cup goals."(It) felt totally different to all the ones I had scored before in terms of joy, sense of accomplishment and the weight of responsibility I've been carrying," he said."The quality of my play is different from four years ago, and I'm playing with confidence." Japan, who beat England at Wembley in the lead-up to the World Cup, twice fought back to hold the Netherlands 2-2 in their opening match.They next face a Sweden side on Thursday in Dallas who beat Tunisia 5-1, only to go down by the same scoreline to the Netherlands.With even third place in the group possibly enough to reach the next round, Graham Potter's Sweden are still in a strong position to progress.But speaking after the thumping in Houston on Saturday, Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk warned Sweden that Japan presented a huge challenge."Japan are a very disciplined side, they keep it very compact and tight," said the Liverpool defender."Sweden will have a very, very tough job ahead of them, that's for sure."bur-pst/dmc

Three things learned as Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1Germany secured their place in the next stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, but the performance raised several questions for Julian Nagelsmann despite the positive result. Against the strongest opponent they have faced so far in the tournament, Germany were pushed far harder than in their opening win over Curaçao and needed a second-half turnaround to secure all three points. Here are three key lessons from the victory.Germany’s substitutes changed the game while the starting attack struggledFor the first time in this World Cup, Germany’s starting forward line faced a defence capable of matching their quality and physicality. The result was a largely ineffective performance from the attacking unit, which failed to score despite enjoying significant possession and territory.While Germany controlled long stretches of the match, clear-cut chances were limited and the attack often lacked the sharpness required to break down a well-organised Ivory Coast side. The contrast became evident once Nagelsmann turned to his bench. The substitutes not only influenced the scoreline but also improved the overall performance level of the team.Germany looked more dynamic, direct and unpredictable after the changes. Movement improved, combinations became quicker and the team carried a greater threat in the final third. It is still early in the tournament, but this game suggested that some of Germany’s attacking positions should be up for debate. Against stronger opposition, reputation alone cannot guarantee a place in the starting eleven.Leroy Sané’s place in the starting lineup is becoming increasingly difficult to justifyLeroy Sané was once again one of Germany’s least convincing attacking players, continuing a worrying trend from the opening match against Curaçao. While several teammates either contributed goals, assists or consistently dangerous moments, Sané struggled to make a positive impact.The frustrating part is that his starting position appears unaffected by his performances. Against Curaçao, he was arguably the only attacking player in the starting lineup who failed to impress, yet he retained his place against Ivory Coast and once again delivered an underwhelming display.Sané’s pace and technical ability remain obvious, but World Cup football is ultimately about production and influence. Germany have several alternatives capable of offering greater energy, efficiency and end product in the final third. At some point, performances have to outweigh status.Nagelsmann has shown considerable faith in the Galatasaray winger, but the opening matches of this tournament have provided little evidence that such faith is being rewarded. If Germany are serious about winning the World Cup, selection decisions must be based on form rather than reputation, and Sané’s current performances do not make a compelling case for him to remain a starter.Felix Nmecha has been Germany’s best midfielder of the tournamentFew players have enhanced their reputation more during this World Cup than Felix Nmecha. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder delivered another mature and influential performance against Ivory Coast, strengthening his case as Germany’s standout midfielder through the opening stages of the tournament.Nmecha has brought balance to the team in every match. Defensively, he has covered ground effectively and helped protect the back line. In possession, he has offered composure, progressive passing and the ability to carry the ball through midfield when Germany needed to break lines.Perhaps most importantly, he has consistently delivered against different types of opponents. He looked comfortable against Curaçao when Germany dominated possession and was equally effective against a stronger Ivory Coast side in a far more competitive contest.Germany entered the tournament with questions about who would emerge as the leader of the midfield. Through two matches, Nmecha has provided the clearest answer. His performances have combined intelligence, discipline and quality on the ball, making him one of the first names on Nagelsmann’s teamsheet moving forward.GGFN | Felipe

Sunday is Father’s Day. For most of the country, that means an opportunity to celebrate their fathers. In college football, however, it means commemorating a different type of father-son relationship.When it comes to USC, the Trojans are the de facto father of numerous Pac-12 schools. One such relationship, however, particularly stands out: Colorado.USC and Colorado have faced off 17 times in their history. Famously, the Trojans have never lost to the Buffaloes, going 17-0 in those matchups.From 2011 through 2023, when the two schools both competed in the Pac-12 Conference, USC and Colorado faced off every year except for 2020 (when the game was canceled due to COVID). The Trojans won all 12 of those meetings.The two programs have not faced off since 2024, however, and do not have any future matchups schedule. Hence, it appears as though the Trojans’ undefeated record against Colorado will remain intact for the foreseeable future.We are still waiting on our friends at Buffaloes Wire to wish us a happy Father’s Day.This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Father’s Day recalls USC football’s dominance over Colorado

With three-star defensive lineman Josh Christensen's commitment to Oregon on Friday, the Washington Huskies have only two uncommitted defensive linemen left on their board who have taken official visits to Seattle. One of them, four-star defensive tackle Sam LeJeune, holds a crystal ball to choose Florida State, while the other, three-star edge rusher Jag Ioane, is in the midst of wrapping up a fourth and final official visit to Michigan. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound product of Orem High School has also taken trips to in-state programs BYU and Utah, but the allure of the Big Ten could give the Huskies and Wolverines an edge in the battle for his services.Ranked as the No. 97 edge rusher and No. 17 player in Utah by the 247Sports Composite, the uniquely-framed Ioane has a skill set that could make him a disruptive force further down the line in his development as he continues to add the needed weight to play college football.Took a walk with the dawgs last weekend🐾☔️ #GoHuskies#OV@UW_Football@CoachAVH@CoachKaufusi@UWAthletics@OremFBOfficial@CoachAndyStokes@BrandonHuffman@BlairAngulo@Andy_Pham1@adamgorney@CriddleBenjamin@ChadSimmons_@GregBiggins@Rivals@On3@247Sports@247recruiting… pic.twitter.com/Btiozs6FpA— Jag Ioane (@jagioane_) June 15, 2026"Ioane already has high-end get-off at the snap, often shooting past overmatched offensive tackles to make plays essentially unblocked," Huskies Wire's Alex Katson wrote in an evaluation of his film. "He appears to have a high-level understanding of opposing snap counts, often moving forward a second or so before anybody else and carrying forward momentum at the time of the snap.""Once the play is in action, Ioane also has top-end speed for a defender coming off the edge, which erases option threats and frequently puts him in position to make plays as the backside unblocked defender on run plays."In a defensive line class where position coach Jason Kaufusi and outside linebackers coach Aaron Van Horn have already secured a pair of true defensive tackles in four-stars Jon Ioane and Tevita Nonu, along with two versatile bodies in four-star edge rusher Chaz Gray and three-star defensive lineman Matamatagi Uiagalelei, if the Huskies are able to land Ioane's services, he would give defensive coordinator Ryan Walters an extremely explosive pass rusher who has the potential to make impact plays at the next level.This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Jag Ioane is the perfect fit to round out Washington's 2027 DL class

Will Jaylen Brown avoid being traded by the Boston Celtics for Giannis Antetokounmpo? The rumors surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks star and his potential trade to Boston are maddening for fans of the Celtics, whether they are among those pulling for the Greek Freak in Boston or those who want the Georgia native to stick with the ball club that drafted him.With rumors conflicting and also ubiquitous, many are simply hoping for a resolution regardless of how it pans out. But there is a very good chance that all of this noise was just that – rumbles with an agenda that was never going to materialize in a trade for Brown from Boston.The folks behind the "WEEI Boston Sports Original" YouTube channel put together a clip from their "Greg Hill Show" taking a closer look. Check it out below!Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKpiTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Will Jaylen Brown avoid being traded by the Celtics for Giannis?

Saliba’s Latest Injury Admission Will Worry Arsenal SupportersArsenal supporters will be hoping William Saliba’s latest comments are nothing more than honest self-assessment rather than a sign of a more serious issue.The France international has revealed that he has been managing minor injury concerns for several months, admitting he has been “gritting his teeth” through some of the biggest matches of Arsenal’s season.Saliba is currently representing France at the 2026 World Cup and started Les Bleus’ opening 3-1 victory over Senegal alongside Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.However, speaking ahead of France’s second Group I fixture against Iraq, the Arsenal defender admitted he is not operating at full fitness.Saliba Reveals Extent Of Fitness ConcernsAccording to The Standard, Saliba told reporters that he has been dealing with minor physical issues for a considerable period.“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” Saliba explained.“I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well.”The 24-year-old also acknowledged that the World Cup is too important an occasion to miss.“The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth.“I’m not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either – you can’t make excuses.”While Saliba’s comments may concern some Arsenal supporters, there is no indication that he is carrying a serious injury, with the defender continuing to play for France.(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)Arsenal Will Hope Their Defensive Star Stays FitSaliba’s importance to Arsenal cannot be overstated.The Frenchman was once again a key figure during the 2025/26 campaign as Mikel Arteta’s side secured their first Premier League title since 2004 and reached the Champions League final where they lost to PSG on penalties.Across all competitions, Saliba made 50 appearances and remained one of the most consistent defenders in European football.His partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s defence played a huge role in the club’s success, with the centre-back continuing to establish himself among the elite players in his position.For now, France appear comfortable managing his workload during the World Cup, and Arsenal supporters will be hoping the defender can emerge from the tournament fully fit ahead of another demanding season.The Gunners have already seen several players heavily involved in international action this summer, making fitness management a key concern as preparations for the 2026/27 campaign continue.Are you concerned by William Saliba’s latest admission, Gooners, or is this simply part of modern football at the highest level? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsSaliba’s Latest Injury Admission Will Worry Arsenal Supporters 21 June 2026, 17:00Hincapie Frustrated As Ecuador Held By World Cup Debutants Curacao 21 June 2026, 16:00Arsenal linked with surprise move for former Manchester United forward 21 June 2026, 15:00

Atletico Madrid Eye Third Attempt to Sign Aleix García for €25mDiario AS report that Atletico Madrid have revived their interest in Aleix García (28), the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder who has been on Los Colchoneros’ midfield shortlist for over a year. Director Mateu Alemany is understood to be managing the target list, with García identified as a realistic and relatively affordable option in what is shaping up to be an active summer of recruitment at the Metropolitano.This is not fresh interest so much as a renewed push. Atletico first pursued García during last season’s summer window and returned to the trail in January, only to fall short on both occasions. That the club has come back a third time suggests something more than casual scouting, though Diario AS stop short of reporting any formal offer has been lodged with Leverkusen at this stage.García’s contract and reported asking priceGarcía joined Leverkusen from Girona in the summer of 2024 for around €18 million, and the German club tied him down through to 2029. His market value is placed at around €20 million, with AS noting that Leverkusen would likely require approximately €25 million to sanction a sale. That figure sits well below other midfield targets Atletico are weighing up: the report names Morten Hjulmand – the Sporting CP and Denmark holding midfielder – as an alternative, with his price tag sitting closer to €45 million.The gap between those two valuations gives a clear indication of where García sits in Atletico’s planning: an attainable, experienced option rather than a marquee statement signing. Whether Simeone sees that as a virtue or a ceiling will shape how seriously the pursuit develops.A strong season justifies the interestGarcía had a thoroughly convincing 2025-26 campaign. He started 33 Bundesliga matches, featured in 12 Champions League games, and added five appearances in the German Cup – 50 official fixtures in total, accumulating 4,160 minutes, six goals, and eleven assists. Sofascore’s end-of-season data ranked him as the highest-rated midfielder in the Bundesliga, earning him inclusion in the league’s team of the season alongside Kimmich, Kane, and Olise.That level of consistency across domestic and European competition is exactly the kind of profile Atletico would be targeting as a complement or replacement for Conor Gallagher in the centre of the park. García organises play efficiently, covers ground, and contributes directly to goals – qualities that suit the demands Simeone places on his midfielders.García open to a return, but settled in GermanyThe player’s own comments point to cautious openness rather than agitation for a move. Speaking to AS in February, García confirmed that contact had been made during the winter window: “Yes, I know there have been calls. But I always say that when it rings and nothing happens, it’s because it wasn’t meant to happen. And as I’m at Leverkusen, I’m delighted and I want to carry on.” Asked separately whether he could see himself playing for one of Spain’s three biggest clubs, he said: “I can see myself, yes. That’s clear. I know it’s complicated because they’re three of the biggest clubs in the world. Maybe they look for slightly younger profiles, but I can clearly see myself. I think I’m playing at a good level at Leverkusen, and if it ever came, it would be welcome.”That framing – open but not pushing – is consistent with a player who has a long contract, genuine job satisfaction, and enough self-awareness to understand the competitive dynamics at clubs of that size. It does not read as a player engineering an exit.What this means for Atletico Madrid’s summerAtletico’s midfield recruitment this summer extends well beyond García. The club have also been in discussions over a City midfielder, and as previously covered on Football Espana, negotiations with Leverkusen over Alejandro Grimaldo are running in parallel – which means Atletico are already in active dialogue with the same German club they would need to approach formally for García. Whether that existing relationship smooths or complicates a second negotiation with Leverkusen remains to be seen.The next meaningful development will be whether Atletico escalate from informal interest to a concrete offer, and whether Leverkusen hold firm at €25 million or are willing to move on a player who, at 28, offers them limited resale upside before his contract expires.

It was not clear whether the new directive would resolve the friction that led to deadly clashes on Friday and Saturday and threatened to derail a preliminary U.S.-Iran peace deal.

The New York Yankees have activated catcher Austin Wells from the injured list before Sunday's matchup with the Cincinnati Reds. Wells, 26, is in the starting lineup and batting eighth against Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns. Additionally, the Yankees recalled pitcher Elmer Rodríguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start on Sunday. That bumps Gerrit Cole’s next start to Monday versus the Detroit Tigers. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the move was made to give the starting rotation an extra day of rest. Rodríguez, 22, started three games for the Yankees earlier this season, compiling a 4.15 ERA with 6 strikeouts and 9 walks in 13 innings. He also allowed 15 hits. In 10 Triple-A starts, Rodríguez recorded a 3.00 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 51 innings.Wells has been on the IL since June 6 with cervical headaches. Wells told reporters before he began his minor-league rehab assignment that he'll wear a new catcher's helmet more like a hockey-style goaltender's mask. "It felt a little sturdier," Wells said, via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. "Whatever was going on this year, it wasn't really working. I'll try everything."The headaches are believed to be at least partially responsible for Wells’ poor start to the 2026 season. Before going on the IL, he had a slash average of .166/.278/.255 with 4 home runs and 7 RBI in 169 appearances. Last season, Wells batted .219/.275/.436 with 21 homers, 22 doubles and 71 RBI. Cervical headaches — or cervicogenic headaches — result from head pain caused by a cervical spine injury such as a slipped disk or arthritis, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In Wells’ absence, J.C. Escarra was the Yankees’ primary catcher. In 32 games, he compiled a triple-slash line of .188/.239/.271 with five doubles and 7 RBI. He was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday to clear a spot for Wells on the Yankees’ roster. Ali Sánchez will remain the Yankees’ other catcher, providing a right-handed bat with Wells. He’s batted .313/.353/.375 in eight games, starting five of them.

Barcelona phenom Lamine Yamal has his first World Cup goal, scoring the opener for Spain against Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Atlanta.Mikel Oyarzabal drove the left side off a Saudi turnover and fired a low cross through the six to the back post where Yamal slid the ball over the line from close range.MORE — Brazil, Haiti throw party in PhillyIt's also Spain's first goal of this World Cup after La Roja were blanked by Cabo Verde in one of the tournament's best early stories (albeit not for Spain).Yamal will turn 19 during the tournament but is already a EURO champion having scored against France at EURO 2024. He's thrice won La Liga with Barca and has a Copa del Rey in his trophy cabinet and finished Ballon d'Or runner-up in 2025.MORE — USA 2-0 Australia video highlights & recapLamine Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain take lead over Saudi Arabia (video)¡EL PRIMER GOL DE ESPAÑA EN LA COPA DEL MUNDO 2026! ¡LAMINE YAMAL! La joya española cierra la pinza y marca el primero del encuentro tras una linda asistencia de Oyarzabal. Ya vencen 1-0 a Arabia Saudí. pic.twitter.com/KD3c7XaB9a— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 21, 2026

St Helens' most recent win before their victory against Huddersfield also came against the Giants in their 26-18 away win on 14 May [SWPix]Betfred Super LeagueSt Helens (16) 38Tries: Sironen 2, Macdonald, Walmsley, Robertson, Davies 2 Goals: Hastings 5Huddersfield (0) 6Try: Geyer Goal: FlanaganSt Helens ended their losing Super League run as they earned a comfortable win over bottom side Huddersfield Giants.The hosts touched down twice midway through the first half as Curtis Sironen went over in quick succession and Nene Macdonald added a third try before half-time.Cole Geyer hit back for the Giants after the break but Alex Walmsley added to the hosts' lead.Harry Robertson continued Saints' dominance while Jake Davies' pair of tries broke the hosts through the 30-point mark in style.Victory for Saints means they remain sixth in the table but are now level on 20 points with third-placed Hull KR, fourth-placed Wigan and Wakefield in fifth.Huddersfield, on the other hand, stay bottom and have now lost eight successive games.Sironen's opener came at the second time of asking, having had an initial effort chalked off after he prospered from George Flanagan knocking-on to go over, only for it to be judged that the Huddersfield full-back had been tackled in the air in the build-up.He successfully opened his account for the afternoon when he worked onto Daryl Clark's offload.And he got his second moments later thanks to some fine work from Tristan Sailor, who chased his own kick and set up Sironen to motor through.Saints continued their first-half dominance as they worked the ball wide to Macdonald to stroll in with ease as he marked his comeback from injury with his second try of the campaign.Having been outplayed for most of the first half, Huddersfield produced a better showing on their return for the second and they were rewarded for their spell of pressure when Geyer crashed over to get their first points on the board.A stifling day's action, with another summer heatwave in the UK just beginning, saw Huddersfield's Lewis Jagger succumb to heat stroke.The conditions had a predictable effect on the game, which was slow and error-prone at times, with one such mistake - from Lee Kershaw's knock-on - leading to Walmsley's try as the St Helens man spun his way over despite the visitors crowding his dash to the line.Robertson's try then came following Jackson Hastings' kick, which caught out Huddersfield and was patted into his path by Sironen for him to race in, while Davies went in following a penalty and then spun at the corner for his second to put the gloss on a fine showing by the hosts.St Helens: Welsby; Dagnall, Robertson, Percival, Macdonald; Sailor, Hastings; Walmsley, Clark, Klemmer, Sironen, Wright, Shorrocks.Interchanges: Delaney, Davies, Humphreys, Suluka-Fifita.Huddersfield: Flanagan; Kershaw, Jagger, Gagai, Milne; Lolohea, Russell; Rogers, Woolford, Patolo, O'Donnell, Dunford, Powell.Interchanges: Burgess, English, Cozza, Geyer.Referee: James Vella.

Barcelona credited with interest in breakout World Cup talentLa Liga champions Barcelona have this weekend been tipped to launch a move for one of the breakout talents of the 2026 World Cup to date.The youngster in question? Christ Inao Oulaï.Inao Oulaï, for those not aware, is a 20-year-old midfielder, who plies his international trade with Cote d’Ivoire.Despite his tender years, the starlet has been afforded starts in both of his country’s fixtures at the World Cup to date, against Ecuador and Germany.And the level of his performances has not gone at all unnoticed back in Europe…As per a report from Diario AS, citing sources in Türkiye (where Inao Oulaï plays at club level with Trabzonspor), the aforementioned Barcelona are one of a growing number of top clubs expressing an interest in bringing the African in this summer.Leading outfits in England and Germany are also understood to be keeping a close eye on the situation.Trabzonspor, though, appear more than prepared for the incoming wave of offers, having already slapped a €50 million price-tag on Inao Oulaï’s head.Conor Laird – GSFN

Bucks, Heat finishing up blockbuster multi-team Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, per report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.It appears that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are prepared to part ways after frequently finding themselves in the middle of riveting trade rumors.According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Bucks and Heat are finishing up a massive, multi-team trade centered on Antetokounmpo.The Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes will soon be coming to an end with trade negotiations described to me as ‘in the red zone’ with the draft just over 48 hours away,” Sidery wrote Sunday.“The Bucks and Heat are putting the finishing touches on a blockbuster featuring multiple facilitating teams.”While it’s unclear which teams would help facilitate a trade involving Antetokounmpo, Sidery’s report indicates that the Bucks have found the clearest possible path to ending the Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee and starting the rebuilding process five years after capturing their second-ever title.The ultimate goal for the Bucks is to acquire young, high-upside assets and valuable trade capital to help them eventually build a championship-contending roster. After all, the struggling Eastern Conference is no longer in win-now mode, meaning it’s appropriate for them to begin looking toward the future.While it's unfortunate that the end of Antetokounmpo’s tenure with the Bucks was filled with drama and tension, the 10-time All-Star can take solace in knowing he’ll be remembered as one of the best players to ever put on a Milwaukee uniform.More NBA news:Lakers linked to massive four-team Giannis Antetokounmpo trade for $106 million shot-blocking starSpurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA championLuka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can't afford to ignore

They've woken up! Spain steamroll on, Yamal matches Pelé 🎥After disappointing in their World Cup opener, Spain started the match against Saudi Arabia with their foot on the gas.The Europeans scored three goals in less than 24 minutes, building a great lead even before the first cooling break of the match.Lamine Yamal started the clash among the starters and quickly showed his credentials, scoring his first-ever World Cup goal to make it 1-0.He became only the second player under the age of 18 to open the scoring in a World Cup match.The first? None other than King Pelé, who achieved the feat in the quarterfinals of the 1958 edition, against Wales.Mikel Oyarzabal scored the other two goals in the "first quarter" against Saudi Arabia.In the first round of the group, Spain and Saudi Arabia drew with Cape Verde and Uruguay, respectively.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

'Someone wanted him gone': Michael Vaughan makes stunning claim about Ben Stokes's England captaincy and ECB fallout originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Michael Vaughan alleges in a Telegraph column that someone in the ECB hierarchy wanted Ben Stokes gone as captain.The former England captain argues trust between Stokes and the ECB can never fully recover after the saga.Vaughan questions England's direction, noting they have won just two of their last nine Tests.Michael Vaughan makes stunning claim about Ben Stokes's England captaincy and ECB falloutMichael Vaughan has alleged that figures within the England and Wales Cricket Board wanted Ben Stokes removed as captain in the wake of the Chelsea nightclub incident, a claim that sits at the heart of a scathing column the Ashes-winning former captain wrote for The Telegraph. According to Vaughan, that alleged desire to push Stokes out has permanently fractured the relationship between the captain and his board.Stokes will return to lead England in the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge from Thursday, following his omission from the Oval defeat. While Vaughan welcomed the captain's return in his Telegraph piece, he argued the fallout has left scars that cannot heal simply because Stokes is back in the side.The central thrust of Vaughan's column is the question of who allegedly moved against Stokes and whether the all-rounder can ever trust them again. He framed any such attempt as extraordinary given Stokes' standing in the English game, and built his entire argument around the damage that decision has reportedly done.More: Cricket world reacts to Henry's 10-wicket Test haul as NZ beat ENG in 2nd TestVaughan alleges a move against StokesWriting in The Telegraph, Vaughan claimed the messaging emerging from the ECB in the days after the incident pointed clearly towards an attempt to remove Stokes from the captaincy. He suggested this was an astonishing position to take against one of the country's finest players."This is not any old cricketer we are talking about. It is Ben Stokes, one of our greatest ever, who has given so much for the shirt. Whoever those people are, how can they possibly work with Stokes again? How can he trust them?" Vaughan wrote in his Telegraph column.He also took aim at head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key, expressing surprise in the same column at how downbeat they were and their failure to publicly back Stokes while he was left out of the side.More: India squad for England ODI series 2026: Full team listMcCullum addresses the curfew ambiguityMcCullum himself has acknowledged the curfew may not have been spelled out as clearly as it should have been, an admission that lends weight to Vaughan's claim that attention to detail has been lacking. The head coach, however, insisted that international cricketers should not need a written rulebook to understand their responsibilities."Yeah, even if there is ambiguity, I struggled to say that word, even if there is. I think we've, I mean, we've sat here and talked about the curfew. We've talked about standards. We've talked about many things that we want to be known for as the cricket team," McCullum said."There may not have been a hard blueprint" 💬— Brendon McCullum answers questions on England's curfew protocols. pic.twitter.com/opFnC8bIeC— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) June 21, 2026The head coach stressed that representing England carries obligations beyond the individual, a pointed reminder aimed at players whose conduct has repeatedly landed the team in off-field controversy over recent months. His emphasis on standards reads as both a defense of the ECB's position and a quiet rebuke.More: Will Ben Stokes play in ENG vs NZ 3rd Test?What it means: A crisis created out of a dramaVaughan argued in The Telegraph that the ECB compounded the problem by moving too slowly and hiding behind bureaucratic processes. He contrasted Stokes missing a Test with the treatment of Harry Brook, who he noted was fined but never missed any cricket after his own incident in Wellington."It has created a crisis out of a drama. It does strike me that English cricket handles a little bit of drama so badly," Vaughan wrote, pointing to the cricket regulator's involvement as an unnecessary layer of red tape that left too much open to outside noise.Beyond the immediate controversy, Vaughan used his Telegraph column to raise broader concerns about the direction of English cricket. He noted the regime had failed to win any of its first four five-match series and that England have won just two of their last nine Tests, questioning whether the management is genuinely improving the team.With Stokes back and so much on the line, Vaughan framed the Trent Bridge decider as an enormous occasion, noting England rarely lose Test series at home. He promised in the column to watch the key relationships within the camp closely, having argued they will inevitably become strained after a fortnight of turmoil.For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.

Rothesay County Championship, Division One, Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford (day three)Essex 184 & 221: Allison 56; O'Neill 5-39, Patterson-White 3-66Nottinghamshire 457: Haynes 137*, Hameed 89; Harmer 5-165Nottinghamshire (22 pts) beat Essex (2 pts) by an innings and 52 runsMatch scorecardLiam Patterson-White claimed career-best match figures of 9-109 to spin Nottinghamshire to a crushing innings victory over Essex at a muggy Chelmsford.The 27-year-old left-armer added three more wickets to his personal-best 6-43 in the first innings as he took full ownership of a dry, turning pitch. He eclipsed the five-wicket haul by the Australian Fergus O'Neill, who signed off his stint at the club with 26 wickets in five games.The win, by an innings and 52 runs, was important for the morale of the reigning County Championship champions, who had suffered a humiliating 306-run defeat at the hands of Somerset just six days before. This game, however, had been put beyond Essex's reach from the moment Nottinghamshire gained a first innings lead of 273 thanks to an unbeaten century from Jack Haynes and 89 from captain Haseem Hameed.Only Dean Elgar, with 42, and Charlie Allison's 56 in a 65-run seventh-wicket stand with Luc Benkenstein – who posted a first-class high of 42 – showed the resilience required to delay Nottinghamshire's celebrations, which duly arrived at 16:59 BST.Haynes century maintains Notts dominance at EssexPatterson-White takes 6-43 as Notts dominate EssexEssex started the day needing to hang around for six full sessions but were already in trouble after losing two wickets in the first six overs of their second innings the previous evening. They lost a third 17 balls into the morning when the second nightwatchman, Charlie Bennett, drove O'Neill loosely to backward pointElgar survived a torrid examination from Olly Stone, often forced on to the back foot and defending low over his bat. Consequently, the majority of the South African's eight fours in a 76-ball knock came against O'Neill or Patterson-White, driven purposefully through extra cover or mid-wicket.Elgar had received the benefit of an appeal when it was felt he gloved O'Neill behind the night before and half-walked until realising the umpire's finger had not moved. Therefore, Stone's frustration and irritation were clearly evident throughout and particularly in the celebration when he tucked up Elgar again and received a positive lbw decision. Elgar departed reluctantly.Patterson-White had been introduced into the attack after three-quarters of an hour, but it took until his 12th over for him to strike for the seventh time in the match. Tom Westley had dug in doggedly for 96 minutes before getting a thick edge to a turning ball that landed in slip's hands. Patterson-White equalled his best match haul of eight wickets when Matt Critchley nicked behind.That united the former England Under-19 team-mates Allison and Benkenstein for a partnership that held up Nottinghamshire for 20 overs. They were generally watchful, but Allison twice launched occasional off-spinner Freddie McCann for two huge sixes in reaching his third half-century of the season.However, Patterson-White claimed his third wicket of the innings as Allison played down the wrong line and was lbw. When Michael Pepper was caught in the slips for 0 soon after off Lyndon James, Essex were still 98 runs short of making Nottinghamshire bat again.Benkenstein and Harmer ate into the deficit in a breezy 39-run stand but both became victims of O'Neill, who took his figures to 5-39.Essex have two months to lick their wounds before their next red-ball fixture, against Somerset at Taunton. Nottinghamshire, meanwhile, will hope no momentum is lost before they head to The Kia Oval.Report by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay.Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

ATLANTA – There are easier places to make your return to the rotation than Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati but after nearly two months out of the mix for the Milwaukee Brewers, Brandon Woodruff is just grateful to be back pitching once again."It's no different than any other ballpark in our division, I feel like," the right-hander said on Sunday, June 21. He's scheduled to open the Brewers' series with the Reds opposite right-hander Brady Singer at 6:10 p.m. Monday."Fortunately I've been able to throw there a lot over the years and I'm familiar with it," Woodruff continued. "Depending on what the weather's like, it can be a tough day. You've just really got to keep the ball on the ground. Strikeouts seem to play a little bit more there. It's just a familiar place."I'm not too concerned with what's going on around me. I'm concerned with one pitch at a time and then I'll take it from there."Woodruff last started for the Brewers on April 30, when he departed after only 1 ⅓ innings with what was described at the time as a "dead arm" after his fastball velocities were registering in the mid-80s.Woodruff was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation in the wake of that start. But while visiting Dr. Keith Meister, who performed shoulder surgery on him following the 2023 season, Woodruff had fluid drained from a cyst in his shoulder which ultimately pushed what was hoped to be a minimum stint on the injured list out to roughly seven weeks.He ultimately made two minor-league rehab starts, the last of which came on June 16 for Class High A Wisconsin and extended out to 5 ⅓ innings."Right now I'm feeling pretty good," said Woodruff. "I was able to get up to the mid-80s in pitch count in the rehab games. Throughout this process it's probably been good for me to do a full buildup. There was a possibility to come back the one before the last rehab start, but I think just sitting back and having a good chat with Murph I really realized I needed to run through this full buildup and give myself the best chance when I get out here in the big leagues."Woodruff is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA, WHIP of 1.03 and 25 strikeouts in 30 innings over six starts to this point."I think we've come to know Woody, and he's going to compete," said manager Pat Murphy. "We know his stuff is not 96-97 (mph) the way it was, but we know Woody and Woody will compete."I don't worry about the velocity with Woody because he locates. I'm sure it'll be between 90 and 94 and there'll be pitches at 90 and there'll be pitches at 94. In that ballpark you've got to locate pretty good."I trust Woody."In the limited time he did pitch before landing on the IL, Woodruff was inducing chase, limiting hard contact overall and not walking batters. His average fastball velocity was a career-low 92.1 mph, however, and his ground-ball percentage of 30.1 was also the low-water mark of his nine years in the major leagues. "It depends on the day," said Woodruff when asked about his stuff. "I guess that's natural for any pitcher, but I go back to last year rolling back into Miami and I honestly had no clue what was going to unfold that day, or really for the season because I really didn't know how I wanted to pitch or how my stuff was going to play."I get in the game and I really try to get a feel for the game. Focus level goes up at this level; you can't replicate it in the minor leagues. Honestly, it's hard to get a gauge to where your stuff is per se because you're going in blind against a minor-league team you don't know and you have a better idea here."There's so many variables when you're going through a rehab process. But I've got a good base of where my stuff is and then once I get in the game I just go compete. There's a rhyme or reason to what I do, but I go off of feel a lot. As far as the stuff, I'm always confident in my stuff but we'll see tomorrow."Considering all the moving parts the Brewers have had in their rotation beyond the 1-2 stalwarts of Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison, getting a healthy Woodruff back should help stabilize things provided he can do what Murphy expects and get batters out relying largely on location and a veteran's guile."I'm sick and tired of watching," said Woodruff. "That's been the hardest thing for me, because I want to be in the fight with them."I'm excited and I'm ready to do this."This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'Sick and tired of watching,' Brandon Woodruff returns to rotation vs Reds

Belgium eye their first win at the 2026 World Cup today, as they take on Iran in each team’s second game in Group G.On Monday, Belgium got off to an underwhelming start as they drew 1-1 with Egypt, coming from behind to salvage a point as substitute Romelu Lukaku forced Mohamed Hany into an own goal.However, with Iran next for the Red Devils before a final group-stage match with New Zealand, Belgium will still fancy their chances of topping the group.Belgium v Iran LIVE: World Cup updates as Iran question disrupted build-upBelgium were held to a draw by Egypt in their Group G opener (Reuters)That is especially so given Iran and New Zealand shared the points in their game on Tuesday, when goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi helped Iran to a 2-2 result.Iran claimed they were forced to leave the US within minutes of the final whistle, retreating to their training camp in Mexico, and they also said they were denied the chance to fly back to the US two days before facing Belgium.Here’s everything you need to know about this World Cup 2026 game:When is Belgium v Iran?Belgium will play Iran at 8pm BST on Sunday 21 June (12pm ET) in Los Angeles. How can I watch it?Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on ITV1 with coverage starting at 7pm BST. It can also be live-streamed on ITVX.Team newsRomelu Lukaku forced an own goal out of Egypt’s defence on their first gameday (Getty)Jeremy Doku is set to miss the clash due to a respiratory infection. After Belgium’s first-choice centre forward Charles de Ketelaere missed training this week and was seen sporting a bandage, there was some speculation that he could make way for Lukaku in the starting XI to face Iran – especially given Lukaku’s instant impact off the bench against Egypt. However, De Ketelaere is expected to be fit enough to begin the game. Otherwise, Zeno Debast remains a confirmed absentee, with the defender having entered the World Cup injured.For Iran, Saman Ghoddos’s presence is up in the air after the midfielder went off injured against New Zealand, battling an ankle problem. And Rouzbeh Cheshmi will miss this Belgium tie, having also missed Iran’s opener.Predicted line-upsBelgium XI: Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Vanaken; De Ketelaere.Iran XI: Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Mohebbi, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Yousefi; Taremi, Moghanlou.