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.

Albert Riera hits out at Eintracht Frankfurt after brief spellAlbert Riera has opened up about his turbulent time at Eintracht Frankfurt, offering a blunt explanation for why his tenure at the club ultimately came to an early end.The former Frankfurt coach believes the partnership was doomed from the start, describing it as a mismatch rather than a failure of ambition or quality.“We were simply not meant for each other.”To illustrate his point, Riera turned to an unusual comparison, likening his relationship with the Bundesliga club to that of former Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.“Both are wonderful, but they don't fit together.”The Spaniard argued that success is often determined by details that go beyond appearances or reputation, suggesting that neither he nor Frankfurt were able to find the right chemistry despite their respective strengths. He concluded that his spell in Germany came at the wrong moment for both parties.“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”While Riera spoke positively about certain aspects of his experience, including his working relationship with sporting director Markus Krösche, he did not hold back when discussing the club's squad.In perhaps the most controversial remark of the interview, the 44-year-old claimed that although Frankfurt possess talented players, none would be part of his plans elsewhere.“There is not a single footballer in this team that I would take with me to my next project.”The comments are likely to raise eyebrows among Frankfurt supporters, particularly given the club's reputation for developing and recruiting highly regarded talent in recent years.Riera's tenure at Deutsche Bank Park lasted only a matter of months and ended after a disappointing run of results. The former Liverpool midfielder was often a polarising figure during his time in charge, attracting attention for his outspoken comments as much as for events on the pitch. His latest interview suggests that little has changed since his departure.

Detroit — Keider Montero might not have been expecting to get the ball for a start in a series finale against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, but Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch knows the pitcher is ready to handle such situations. “I think he knows when I give him the ball, he's going to go, you know, sort of max prep, max effort, until I take the ball away from him,” Hinch said of Montero. “And I think that mindset has proved to be very successful for him. And he truly doesn't care what the role is or what the game situation is. He just wants his opportunity.”Montero stepping in to fill a start for Justin Verlander is yet another example of the sort of selfless willingness to do what Detroit needs that Hinch praised on Sunday morning. Montero has been on the fringes of Detroit’s rotation and picked up a number of starts this season because of injuries to Verlander, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. He recently slid back to the bullpen as the rotation seemed to return to full health, only for those plans to get scuttled, thrusting Montero back into a starting role. “Not too long ago, I was going to him, ‘Hey you're gonna pitch you out of the 'pen for a while,’” Hinch recalled saying. “That lasted one outing. He's back in the rotation, and he doesn't detour off of what his belief system is and what his plan is.”Sans Montero, Hinch is still bullish on where Detroit’s bullpen is these days, finding some stability after mixing, matching and shuffling duties around. A big reason for the stability of late: The performance of lefty relievers Tyler Holton, Emmanuel De Jesus and Drew Sommers, who have been needed with fellow lefty Brant Hurter injured. With three lefties and five righties in the bullpen, it’s not a perfect balance and therefore a lefty with strong stuff against right-handed hitters becomes highly valuable. In particular, Holton’s ability to pitch in a handful of different situations and a newfound ability to get right-handers out has served him well lately, Hinch said. Holton allowed just one run in his last nine appearances, and none in his last six. “The versatility and ability to throw multiple innings,” Hinch said. “And you're gonna have to get a righty out, which is what Holton’s gotten better at, I think, in the last month.”Hinch went on to praise De Jesus and Sommers, too. “De Jesus has been really good. I mean, stuff has spiked up a little bit,” Hinch said. “The ability to go anywhere from one inning to four innings. has really absorbed some of the length that Hurter provided. Then Sommers coming up has been a really, really tough look. I've used him for one hitter, I've used him in different pockets.”Hinch specifically praised De Jesus for his consistency and production while bouncing around various roles. “De Jesus has been pretty steady throughout the year, in a very vulnerable and inconsistent role, and he's handled that pretty well,” Hinch said.Prior to the latest turn with Verlander’s health, Montero seemed poised to get squeezed from the rotation once more and head to the bullpen. That didn’t last long, as Verlander’s planned return for Sunday got scuttled because of a new ailment. So at least until Verlander can return, which will at least be a few weeks, Montero will slide back into the rotation. And while it’s certainly an issue for Hinch to manage in the grand scheme — one too many starting caliber pitchers — there are worse problems to navigate. And in the short term, Montero’s presence has been a solution to a lot of starting pitching problems. Hinch acknowledged, too, how living on the fringe of the rotation could be difficult on Montero and his mental state. Where the pitcher could have withered, he’s bloomed instead, continuing to build his case to be part of Detroit’s rotation in a more permanent capacity. “He's earned the right to be here, and he's pitching his way into a prominent role for us, one way or the other, depending on how the team is built,” Hinch said. “His mindset, I wish I could duplicate it and give it to so many young pitchers.”And as he’s provided stability as Detroit dealt with a raft of pitching injuries, Montero’s presence gives Hinch and Co. continued adaptability to manage the lineup and roster as the Tigers navigate the remainder of 2026. “He's one of the easiest guys to manage on the team because he's all in. You know, he'll do anything. And part of that comes from his competitiveness, and his trust in himself, and us and our organization, and the pitching group. And I think part of it is, you know, he's willing to do everything for his team.”Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.Yankees at Tigers➤Series: Three games at Comerica Park➤First pitch: Monday — 6:10 p.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday — 6:40 p.m.➤TV/radio: Monday-Wednesday — Detroit Sports Net, 97.1, 107.9Scouting report➤Probables: Monday — RHP Gerrit Cole (2-1, 2.57) vs. LHP Framber Valdez (3-5, 4.09); Tuesday — LHP Carlos Rodon (3-2, 3.50) vs. RHP Casey Mize (2-4, 2.58); Wednesday — LHP Ryan Weathers (2-5, 4.13) vs. LHP Tarik Skubal (3-3, 3.02).➤Cole, Yankees: This will be his sixth start back after being out all last season recovering from Tommy John surgery and he’s been as tough as ever, holding hitters to a .196 average and .614 OPS. The four-seam fastball still rings at 96-97 mph. The slider still misses bats (35.5% whiff) and lefties are going to get the change-up and knuckle-curve. The only change in his arsenal is the absence of the cutter. He hasn’t thrown it this season.➤Valdez, Tigers: The Tigers have lost six of his last seven starts, and that includes three quality starts in that span. His last start was emblematic of how his season has gone. Back in Houston, he gave up just one run in six innings, but he labored, giving up six hits and three walks, He won some big at-bats, stranding five runners in scoring position. His history against the Yankees has been a mixed bag. In six regular season starts, the Yankees have crushed him (7.22 ERA, 1.9 WHIP). But in Game 2 of the 2022 ALCS, Valdez shut them out for seven innings.Chris McCoskyThis article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers manager AJ Hinch lauds bullpen lefties for flexibility, success

One day after locking down Collin Gillespie with a new contract, the Phoenix Suns have done the same with another member of their guard rotation. Jordan Goodwin and the Suns have agreed to a three-year, $19 million contract (with a player option on the final season), a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and since confirmed by other sources. Goodwin found a home on the court last season in Phoenix after bouncing around the league for a few years and being waived by the Lakers (to create a roster spot to sign Marcus Smart). Coming off the bench (primarily) for the Suns, he played 70 games and scored 8.7 points a night while shooting 37.1% from 3-point range. He was part of a solid guard rotation in Phoenix. Along with Booker, Gillespie, Grayson Allen and Jalen Green, the Suns formed a quality guard rotation last season that helped lead the team to 45 wins.Phoenix has now locked down two of its free agent rotation players and reportedly plans to do the same with center Mark Williams, a restricted free agent. With this signing, the Suns move into the luxury tax, reports Keith Smith of Spotrac, but this was expected. Owner Mat Ishbia is willing to spend, but he does not want to go into the second apron (as with nearly every other owner), according to reports.

The Brooklyn Nets are just two days away from having to make their decision on what they will be doing with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft that begins on Tuesday. Brooklyn is most likely going to use the pick to select a player that can be part of the rebuild moving forward, but there is reporting suggesting that the Nets are exploring other options."The Brooklyn Nets have attempted to move up into the top-four range of the NBA Draft by dangling their No. 6 pick with future first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype," HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported on Saturday. There has been plenty of speculation over whether Brooklyn will keep their pick, but if they decide to stay put, there doesn't seem to be much clarity regarding who they would be targeting at No. 6."Should Brooklyn remain at six, who they’ll select is a bit of a mystery to teams around the league, considering the Nets have been linked to guards Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, forward Nate Ament, and center Aday Mara at various points," Scotto continued. Based on Scotto's reporting, it seems that the Nets are trying to get themselves into position to get either Duke forward Cameron Boozer or North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson.As Scotto mentioned, the Nets have mostly been connected to players like Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., and Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., among others. Wagler, Acuff, and Brown are expected to be taken somewhere in the 5-10 range of the draft and if the Los Angeles Clippers decide to take someone like Wagler with the No. 5 pick, Brooklyn would presumable have to make a decision between Acuff and Brown.The Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz seem content to keep their picks so that they can select BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 1 and No. 2 picks, respectively. However, the draft could get interesting if the Memphis Grizzlies (No. 3) and/or Chicago Bulls (No. 4) decide to trade down. There hasn't yet been reporting to suggest that either team is considering those options, but if they are, the Nets could be there to seize those opportunities.HoopsHype's Michael Scotto on the Nets heading into the 2026 NBA Draft that begins on Tuesday:"The Brooklyn Nets have attempted to move up into the top-four range of the NBA Draft by dangling their No. 6 pick with future first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype." https://t.co/NV2lbIVxQT— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) June 21, 2026This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Report: Nets have tried to move up into top-4 of 2026 NBA Draft

[Getty Images]Spain's World Cup game against Saudi Arabia - which you can follow here - is now under way.You can rate both sets of players out of 10 below and come back 30 minutes after full-time to see the final ratings.World Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

Wyndham Clark hits from the rough on the 18th hole during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Saturday, June 20, 2026.(AP Photo/George Walker IV)2026-06-21T14:32:37Z SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Two winners could emerge at the U.S. Open barring any Sunday surprises at Shinnecock Hills.That starts with Wyndham Clark, who went into the final round with a six-shot lead. No one has ever lost a 54-hole lead that large in U.S. Open history, and the last time anyone failed to win this major with a five-shot lead happened 107 years ago.The other winner might be the USGA.The toughest test in golf became too tough the last two U.S. Opens at Shinnecock Hills, the Long Island course where the the turf can go from soft to dry in a New York minute because of wind and sun and the sandy soil on which it was built.It was so out of control in 2004 that no one broke par on the final day. The next time in 2018, some of the greens became borderline unplayable late in the afternoon and caused more chaos. That remains the last U.S. Open with a winning score over par. This week has gone according to plan. John Bodenhamer, the chief competitions officer for the USGA, had wanted to go easy at the start and allow a natural progression of being tougher.Clark, who won the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, didn’t make it look that way. He has set a Shinnecock scoring record after each round with extraordinary golf, from making long putts to a sublime short game and one majestic 3-wood to make the only eagle all week at the par-5 16th. He was at 7-under 203. Read More Throw out that performance, and only four other players were at 1-under par, with four others behind them at even par.All that was left was 18 holes to determine if Clark could hold on to become the first wire-to-wire U.S. Open champion since Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014, or if Scottie Scheffler could stage a rally on his 30th birthday to win the career Grand Slam.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf DOUG FERGUSON Ferguson has been The AP’s golf writer since 1998. He is a recipient of the PGA Lifetime Achievement in Journalism award. twitter mailto

Photo by Jared C. Tilton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesChristian Pulisic missed the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia because of a calf injury.With qualification already secured, his role against Turkey is now uncertain even if he recovers.That situation generated an obvious debate, and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has taken a clear position.Nedum Onuoha would play Christian Pulisic if he is fully fitPhoto by Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesOnuoha believes Mauricio Pochettino should not automatically protect Pulisic from the final Group C match.He told ESPN’s SportsCenter that he would play the AC Milan winger if he was properly recovered.“I think for Christian Pulisic, if he’s fit and he’s available, I play him because I think he would want to play as well to get into a rhythm, because he’s not played that much football now through the tournament,” Onuoha began by saying.The ex-defender also pointed to another issue for Pochettino, with some key players carrying yellow cards before the last group match.“And for those players who are already on the yellow cards, you don’t want to risk some of those guys being suspended when it comes down to the knockouts, because they’re crucial for what has been an excellent start for the USMNT.“So I think Pochettino has got some big decisions to make because those players that we see there, they have been key for the US so far. But this is why we have a 26-man roster. There are players who can come in, and given the fact that they’re top of the group already, maybe these changes won’t matter too much,” he concluded.Mauricio Pochettino did not guarantee Christian Pulisic returnPochettino made it clear after Australia that leaving Pulisic out had been difficult.The winger had come off against Paraguay and was unable to fully train before the second group match.Pochettino said it was “impossible” for him to play against Australia, while adding that he hoped Pulisic would be available next time.That is not the same as a guarantee. The Argentine head coach knows the USMNT need Pulisic later in the tournament more than they need him against Turkey.Onuoha wants rhythm. Pochettino may prefer caution.Read more:Joe Rogan reveals Donald Trump’s stunning response to his ‘terrorist attack’ remark at White HouseMarcelo Bielsa says soccer loses something with World Cup hydration breaksWilliam Saliba criticizes World Cup final venue pitch and reveals ‘unusual’ studs request

PREVIEW | Portugal vs Uzbekistan: team news, lineups, predictions (World Cup 23/06)Portugal and Uzbekistan face each other this Tuesday at the NRG Stadium of the World Cup. The match will be broadcast live at 18:00 on ITV 1.In their last fixture, Portugal shared the spoils 1-1 with DR Congo (World Cup 2026). In their last game, Uzbekistan lost 1-3 against Colombia (World Cup 2026).UnavailablePortugalUsbequistãoLast starting XIsPortugal ( vs DR Congo 2026-06-17): Diogo Costa, João Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Tomás Araújo, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro NetoUzbekistan ( vs Colombia 2026-06-18): Utkir Yusupov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Behruz Karimov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Oston Urunov, Eldor Shomurodov, Abbos Fayzullaev

Walk with me as we cross the line of could-be, and leap directly into the theater of the absurd. J Batt is your new athletic director at Kentucky. A rising star in the business of administration, and one of the top fundraisers in all of college sports. There’s a reason Hall of Fame Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo sounded despondent when speaking of the university losing both its president and athletic director in the same summer. Or as new Michigan State football coach Pat Fitzgerald told me in March: “J Batt is the real deal. A game-changer.”And this is where we jump into the deep end of the absurd, because frankly, we’ve been there in college sports for the past five years, anyway. Transformative moves: NFL sees NIL chaos — and smells a threat to its empire | OpinionDeep wounds: Brendan Sorsby drama ends, but not before tearing college football apartWhat if Batt, 44, who is close friends with legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban and was deputy athletic director in Tuscaloosa from 2017-22, could take the SEC deep inside the thinking of the Big Ten and its pursuit of becoming the biggest, baddest conference in all of college sports. You know, the title currently held — tenuously, at best — by the SEC. What do Big Ten presidents truly want with a proposed 24-team College Football Playoff, and where are the weak links or stress points in the pursuit? Is there a possibility for the SEC to work with the Big Ten — and not just on pushing back against federal intervention in college sports? Batt spent barely 12 months in East Lansing before returning to the SEC, and if you listen to Izzo, it’s clearly because of lasting and lingering dysfunction within the university that also led president Kevin Guskiewicz to leave for Clemson — while taking an $800,000 annual pay cut.Guskiewicz hired Batt away from Georgia Tech, in what was considered a coup for Michigan State. In one short year, Batt fired Jonathan Smith after two seasons as football coach, and hired Fitzgerald. Four days later, Batt announced an historic $401 million donation from a single donor that heavily benefits Spartan athletics. Translation: Batt isn’t just some figurehead, he’s a mover and shaker.Which brings us all the way back to the SEC/Big Ten rivalry. If you don’t think Batt knows exactly what’s going on inside the Big Ten’s future plans, you’re not following along. You better believe SEC commissioner Greg Sankey will spend time with Batt in the very near future, and do his best to deconstruct Batt’s Big Ten intel. No different than Big Ten presidents and commissioner Tony Petitti doing the same with Ross Bjork, who was hired as Ohio State’s athletic director in 2024 after spending the previous 12 years as athletic director at Ole Miss and Texas A&M.Or Sankey did with Trev Alberts when Texas A&M hired him away from Nebraska in 2024.It’s all part of the high stakes competition between the leagues. Who do you know, and what do you know?And can it be of value when you arrive in your new destination. “Any sort of prognostication is misguided right now,” Batt said of the future of college sports during his introductory news conference at Kentucky. “You’ve got to be strategic and smart.”He was speaking of Kentucky’s future. He may as well have been speaking of the SEC, too. It’s not as absurd as you’d think. Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: New Kentucky AD J Batt hands SEC new leverage in Big Ten power battle

[Getty Images]Dublin manager Ger Brennan praised the character and resilience of his players in their 2-26 to 2-22 extra-time win over Donegal secured a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.The Dubs looked set for victory in normal time before Michael Murphy's dramatic two-point free after the hooter forced an additional 20 minutes, but Brennan's side responded superbly to regain control in extra-time.The Dublin boss felt previous experiences helped his players remain composed when the game threatened to slip away."Psychologically, the group managed themselves much better this time around," he said."We learned from previous experiences. When things are going against you, sometimes you can retreat and look more tired than you actually are, but the players showed great resilience."Brennan also reflected on the rebuilding process underway during his first season in charge, highlighting the number of players who have been introduced throughout the campaign."Since November, we've looked at 163 players and more than 60 have featured across the O'Byrne Cup, National League and Championship," he outlined."This championship, we've given nine players debuts and three more their first starts. It's a difficult balance between established players and younger lads coming through, but it's rewarding when you see them take their opportunity."Dublin see off Donegal after extra-time thrillerSeveral newer faces featured prominently against Donegal, while substitutes Sean Guiden and Ross McGarry made significant impacts during extra-time.Brennan also praised the commitment shown by his side in front of the Croke Park crowd."We have to give supporters something to believe in. That's hard work, putting bodies on the line and showing real hunger. I thought the players did that today."The Dublin manager acknowledged the increased demands of the new rules, particularly with quick turnarounds between championship fixtures."Physiologically and psychologically, the demands are far greater now," he said."The turnarounds are very fast, and there's a massive demand on players and management, but we're delighted to still be involved."Brennan revealed Dublin had prepared for every eventuality, including extra-time and penalties, which helped maintain calm after Murphy's dramatic late equaliser."We knew the game could go to 90 minutes or even penalties, and we were ready for that," he added."There's nothing certain in this competition, but we had confidence in our preparation."Dublin now await their opponents in Monday's quarter-final draw, with Brennan's side set to return to Croke Park next weekend as their All-Ireland challenge continues.

Through eight seasons, Bills QB Josh Allen has done things many NFL quarterbacks past and present have not.Including one thing that is particularly impressive among his accolades.He's already played his way into the NFL Hall of Fame statistically.The numbers say he is already there — and on a per-game basis, he is rewriting the modern quarterback ledger in real time en route to what might someday be a first ballot ticket to Canton.This is based on how he ranks in key categories in his first eight seasons compared to those of the 28 Modern Era QB’s who are already in the Hall of Fame.Here is how Josh Allen ranks in his first 8 years compared to the 28 Modern Era QB’s currently in the Hall of Fame in THEIR first 8 years: Total YPG: 272.05 (1st)Total TD Per Game: 2.34 (1st)Passer Rating: 94.4 (1st)Interception %: 2.3 (1st)Total Yards: 34823 (1st)… pic.twitter.com/C6RvDDHjHc— Put Steve Tasker in the Hall of Fame (@HOFSteveTasker) June 18, 2026Allen's career line through 2025, per Pro Football Reference, includes:128 games, 88–39 as a starter (.693 win pct)30,102 passing yards, 220 passing TDs, 94 INTs, 64.0 completion %, 7.4 Y/A871 carries, 4,721 rushing yards, the most rushing yards by any quarterback in NFL history through age 2934,823 total yards — 272.1 yards per game from scrimmageReigning 2024 AP MVP, a third-place MVP finish in 2025, five MVP top-five finishes in six years, five Pro Bowls, two AP Second-Team All-ProsThe 2025 season, per PFR, was no regression: 12–5 as a starter, 3,668 passing yards, 25 TDs, 10 INTs, 69.3 Cmp%, 8.0 Y/A, plus 579 rushing yards on 112 carries. Aside from some return-to-turnover issues, the performance was elite.As for where he ranks vs. the modern-era HOF quarterbacks? Stacked against the 28 modern-era Hall of Fame passers, Allen leads the entire field in:Total yards per game (272.1)Total touchdowns per game (2.34)Passer rating (94.4)Interception percentage (2.3%)Total yards (34,823)Rushing touchdowns (79)Rushing yards (4,721)He is second in completion percentage (64.0) and third in both passing yards (30,102) and passing TDs (220) — and he has done it in eight seasons. Peyton Manning needed 12. Tom Brady needed nine to crack 220 passing scores, and he did not have a 4,000-yard rushing career attached.Jim Kelly gave Buffalo 11 years, four straight Super Bowl appearances, and a Hall of Fame plaque. He retired with 35,467 passing yards and 237 passing TDs (PFR). Allen will pass both marks in 2026, in three fewer seasons, while having already out-produced Kelly as a runner by a factor of seven. The ceiling here is not Kelly. The ceiling is in the top five of all time.The Bills roster is built around Allen's prime — Spotrac has Buffalo's 2026 cap built around the six-year, $330 million extension Allen signed in March 2025 (OverTheCap). The defense added pieces. James Cook III is coming off a 1,621-yard, 12-TD season (PFF). Greg Rousseau finished eighth among 115 edge defenders at an 86.4 PFF grade. The pieces are there to pursue the goal the QBs are really after, bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo.The only thing standing between Allen and the top-five all-time argument is a Super Bowl win. Two AFC Championship Game appearances, zero Super Bowl appearances, and a window that does not stay open forever. Get the trophy, and the conversation stops being "modern-era HOF" and starts being in the same mention as the likes of Manning, Montana, and Marino.Until then, the stats are what point to eventual HOF enshrinement, and for now, the bust in Canton can wait while he leads the Bills in pursuit of championship gold.This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: How the Bills' Josh Allen compares to Hall of Fame quarterbacks

I always look forward to Father’s Day. But if I’m being honest, it’s complicated. For me, and I suspect for many other LGBTQ+ parents, the day arrives as a mixed bag of celebration, uncertainty, and quiet questions. My husband and I observe it together with our kids, but one of us usually gets to enjoy it more than the other. Then comes the work of weaving our traditions into the larger fabric of extended family celebrations. And underneath it all, the questions none of us can quite shake: Are we seen? Is our family safe? Are our kids truly happy? Related The emotional weight nobody warns you about: mental health and LGBTQ+ family building For those still on the journey to parenthood, another question is even more fundamental: Does this day include us at all? These questions are worth sitting with. Father’s Day looks different across our community, and every version deserves to be honored. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Love & resistance all at once Father’s Day falls during Pride Month; this year, that feels like a lot There’s something powerful about Father’s Day landing in June. For LGBTQ+ families, Pride Month has always been about visibility, joy, and the hard-won right to live and love openly. And Father’s Day, at its best, is a celebration of exactly that: the families we’ve built, the kids we’re raising, and the love that makes it all possible. But this year, Pride feels different for me, and I suspect for many of you, too. The joy is still there (it never fully leaves), but so is the weight. Pride proclamations that were once a given are being pulled. The month itself has been renamed in some places as if our families are something to be erased rather than celebrated. Rights that felt settled are being challenged. Families like ours are being debated in legislatures and courtrooms. Our kids are growing up in a world that is still deciding how much it values their families. And I am doing my best to celebrate while also staying vigilant, staying loud, and staying together with this community. | Shutterstock Holding pride and fear at the same time is something we LGBTQ+ people have always known how to do. But that doesn’t make it easy. And on a day that’s supposed to be about celebration, I think it’s okay to acknowledge that the world is asking a lot of us right now. So, as I do every Father’s Day, I will do my best to celebrate loudly and unapologetically. Because visibility matters. Because our families are real, valid, and worth fighting for. Because every LGBTQ+ dad raising a child with pride is an act of love and resistance all at once. For the two-dad family Maybe you’ve been celebrating Father’s Day for years, and by now you’ve got your own traditions: the handmade cards, the chaotic breakfast in bed, the annual debate over who gets to sleep in. But you also know what it’s like to walk into a card aisle that wasn’t designed for you, or to explain your family to someone who’s never had to think about it. You’ve built something beautiful, and you’ve had to fight a little (or a lot) to have it recognized. Today is yours. For the single dad You’re doing it all: the bedtime routines, the school pickups, the moments of doubt at 2 am, and the moments of pure joy that make it all worth it. You may not have anyone handing you a card this morning, but you know that someday your kids will know what you’ve given them. In the meantime, I want to remind you that this day is yours, too. For the dad who came out after becoming a dad Your path to fatherhood doesn’t look like the ones being navigated today, but your journey to your authentic self is reminiscent of our own coming-out journeys. You have navigated divorce, co-parenting, and the courage it takes to live authentically, all while showing up every day for your kids. The love you have for them has never wavered, even as everything else changed. That steady, brave kind of fatherhood deserves to be celebrated. Today is yours. | Shutterstock For our trans and nonbinary dads and parents Fatherhood has never been a one-size-fits-all experience, and for our trans and nonbinary community members, that’s especially true. You may have fought hard to be seen as the parent you are. You may be raising kids who are learning that family comes in every form. You may be navigating a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to your very existence, even as you show up every single day with love and intention for your children. Your fatherhood, however you define it, is valid, real, and worth celebrating. I see you, I honor you, and I am proud to be part of a community that includes you. For the dads-to-be You’re in the thick of it – researching, waiting, hoping, planning. Maybe you’re deep in an adoption process that feels like it will never end. Maybe you’re navigating surrogacy or fertility treatments and trying to stay hopeful when it’s hard. Maybe you’re waiting for a phone call from your adoption agency or regarding a foster placement. Maybe you’re just starting to ask whether this is even possible for you. Father’s Day can feel bittersweet when you’re not there yet. But the love you already have for a family you haven’t yet built? That counts. You count. Today is for you, too. For the dads whose journeys look different Maybe you’re a foster dad, loving a child through uncertainty. Maybe you’re a stepdad who showed up when it mattered. Maybe you’re the dad figure in someone’s life who has never called you that out loud but feels it every day. Families don’t always come with tidy labels, and neither does fatherhood. However, you’ve shown up for the kids in your life. I see it. | Shutterstock For the dads who aren’t sure if it’s safe to celebrate I know this year feels heavier for many of us. Questions about whether our families are protected, whether our rights are secure, whether the world in which our kids are growing up will see them and love them the way we do, weigh heavily. Those questions are real, and they don’t take the day off just because it’s Father’s Day. You’re allowed to hold the joy and the worry at the same time. I’m holding it with you. For the people who made our families possible I also want to take a moment to honor the extraordinary people whose generosity, love, and sacrifice made so many of our families real. The surrogates who carried our children and trusted us with something beyond words. The egg donors who gave a part of themselves so we could become parents. The birth families who made the most difficult and loving decision imaginable. You are woven into our families’ stories in ways that can never be fully expressed. I see you today, too. We see you GWK Academy exists because I believe every LGBTQ+ person who dreams of building a family deserves to be supported, seen, and celebrated. That belief has never felt more important than it does right now. Happy Father’s (or Fathers’) Day to every dad, future dad, foster dad, stepdad, and chosen family member who makes this community what it is. You are seen. You are celebrated. And you belong here. Visit GWK Academy today, and take your first step toward becoming a parent. We’re with you the whole way. And don’t forget to come back to LGBTQ Nation for monthly family-building insights and support from your friends at GWK Academy. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Lamine Yamal got the start against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, June 21, scored a goal, and then exited the World Cup match at halftime.Yamal came off the bench in Spain's opener against Cape Verde, his first appearance since suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in April.The 18-year-old could not prevent Spain from a shocking 0-0 draw against the Blue Sharks, but he was instrumental against Saudi Arabia, scoring the opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.After Yamal's goal, Mikel Oyarzabal scored a first-half brace to give Spain a comfortable 3-0 lead.Spain coach Luis de la Fuente opted to take both Yamal and Oyarzabal off at the break with La Roja holding a big advantage.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lamine Yamal subs out Spain vs. Saudi Arabia. World Cup injury update

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesAlex Eala is coming off a strong showing at the Berlin Open, where she made an impressive run to the semifinals. The unseeded Filipino player pulled off three big wins in Germany, taking down Donna Vekic, Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina along the way.Her streak came to an end against Linda Noskova, continuing a tough stretch for Eala against Czech players.She’s now 1-14 all-time against players from the Czech Republic. But that record doesn’t tell the full story of her progress this year.Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty ImagesAlex Eala can draw confidence from Serena Williams’ commentsWilliams recently returned to the court after nearly four years away, making her comeback by teaming up with Victoria Mboko at Queen’s. She then switched partners for the Berlin event, linking up with Karolina Muchova, who happens to be the top-ranked Czech player on the WTA Tour.Reflecting on that choice, Williams joked: “The Czech players have given me nothing but trouble in my career. If you can’t beat them, join them.” The remark was all in good humour from a player more accustomed to being a problem for others during her illustrious career.Eala is still working through those challenges herself. But it’s worth noting she did recently pick up a win over one of them. Last month, she claimed victory at the Birmingham Open, overcoming Nikola Bartunkova in a hard-fought final that tested both her physical and mental resolve.Eala has always looked up to Williams as an inspiration. So any words or actions from the 23-time Grand Slam champion are likely to resonate and motivate her further.Czech players are leading the charge in both the ATP and WTAThere’s a long list of players who have left their mark on the game, on both the women’s and men’s side, and that tradition is still going strong today.The current era features some standout names too. On the ATP side, Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka are making waves, while Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova are carrying the torch for Czech tennis.Even if she doesn’t need to build her entire career around this particular matchup, figuring out how to get more wins against Czech opponents could become increasingly important for Eala down the line.Next up for her is Elise Mertens from Belgium in the first round of Bad Homburg Open.Read more:Alex Eala lines up one final event before Roland Garros alongside Emma RaducanuElena Rybakina impressed after battling Alexandra Eala in RomeAlex Eala teams up with American star for Italian Open doubles

Mason McClure didn’t arrive in College Park expecting to commit, but when he got there, he had a different feeling and he had found his future home.The 5-foot-10, 183-pound wide receiver from Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson has committed to Maryland after an official visit that exceeded every expectation and convinced him to shut down his recruitment.McClure held 20 scholarship offers, but the Terrapins’ belief in him ultimately separated them from the field.“I give all the glory to God for allowing me to be here,” McClure told Rivals. “Coming into the visit, I wasn’t 100% sure what I was going to do. But after I put on that Maryland jersey with my No. 2 on it, I just knew. I felt like I was home.”Maryland identified McClure at camp and immediately made him a priority.“Coach DK (Derel Kief) knew of me from recruiting the Birmingham area. I stepped out on faith and registered for their camp. They started looking at my Hudl, researching me and saw me during the spring. I went to camp Friday morning, and it went extremely well. They told me the dead period was about to start and asked if I wanted to begin my official visit right then. I said yes.”From there, everything moved quickly.“They got my family situated, and the weekend has been amazing,” he said. “Meeting Coach Locks (Mike Locksley), Coach DK and Coach Scott blew me away.”The relationships built during that whirlwind weekend became the foundation of his decision.“I committed to Maryland because of the relationship I built with Coach Locksley,” McClure said. “Honestly, he reminds me a lot of my dad. They share the same values and the same mindset, and I know I have a good man leading the program who will push me both on and off the field.”McClure loved the fit on and off the fieldMaryland’s offensive philosophy also fit McClure’s skill set.“As they walked me through how they use their receivers, I realized they don’t get caught up in whether you’re 6-foot-5 or 5-foot-9,” he said. “If you can play, you can play. They move receivers around, create mismatches and let guys make plays. That’s one of my biggest strengths, so it felt like the perfect fit.”McClure believes the Terrapins are building toward something special under Locksley.“I believe Coach Locks can build Maryland into a national championship program,” he said. “The work ethic is there, and you’re competing in the Big Ten, one of the best conferences in college football.“I think he can continue changing the momentum and get Maryland back to competing at the highest level,” McClure said. “Winning games changes everything, and as the team continues to win, it’ll make the environment even better.”The opportunity to learn from Locksley, Scott, Kief and the rest of the offensive staff only added to the appeal.“When you look at their track record, they’ve coached great receivers like Torrey Smith and a lot of other talented players who have gone on to play professionally,” McClure said. “Their offense is built around getting receivers the ball in space and letting them make plays. That’s exactly the kind of player I am.”Perhaps the biggest impression from the visit came away from the football field.“One thing that really stood out was hearing Coach Locks talk about his mentorship program,” McClure said. “It wasn’t just about getting players to the NFL. It was about preparing them for life, teaching financial literacy, helping them build wealth, create trust funds and set their families up for generations. That showed me he cares about developing young men, not just football players.”McClure finished by explaining why Maryland’s faith in him meant so much.“They believe in me, and that means a lot,” he said. “I’ve worked really hard this offseason, and my journey hasn’t always been easy. To hear them tell me, ‘We believe you have the tools to play at this level, and you have a home here,’ I’ll never forget it.”

Shams Charania: Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum has agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract extension with the franchise, plus a trade kicker, agent Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. McCollum has been eligible for an extension until June 30 and commits to a new deal that keeps him out of free agency.contract extension with the franchise, plus a trade kicker, agent Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Hawks, CJ McCollum agree to a one-year, $21 million contract extension

Jake Fischer: CJ McCollum has a 7.5% trade kicker in his one-year, $21 million extension to stay with Atlanta, per source.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: McCollum has a 7.5% trade kicker in his one-year, $21 …

Jun 19, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket while defended by Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) and center Shakira Austin (0) during the second half at Barclays Center. It’s been 29 years since the first-ever WNBA game was played between the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks, with legends Rebecca Lobo and Lisa Leslie helping launch a league that has only continued to grow.Nearly three decades later, that same matchup headlines today’s WNBA slate, as the Liberty and Sparks meet again in a game that bridges the league’s history with its present.Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces host the Golden State Valkyries in another matchup carrying plenty of intrigue, with Las Vegas riding one of the hottest stretches in the league.For all of your WNBA betting picks, here are tonight’s TST Best Bets brought to you by BetOnline.ag. Click here to join. All new players get a 50% welcome bonus and up to $250 in free bets. First Pick: New York Liberty -5.5 over Los Angeles SparksRundown: After the Liberty’s eight-game win streak was snapped Friday in a home upset against the Washington Mystics, expect Sunday’s matchup to be a classic bounce-back spot against an inferior Sparks team.New York leads the league in true shooting percentage with 63% over the last five games, and boasts a +11.6 net rating over that span. After dropping their last two outings and losing five of their last eight, Los Angeles will also be without Cameron Brink for the second consecutive contest.Brink’s presence as a rim protector and rebounder will be badly missed against a Liberty frontcourt led by Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, giving New York a clear edge on the glass and inside the paint.Los Angeles is a league-worst 5-10 against the spread this season, and expect that trend to continue at home against New York.Second Pick: Las Vegas Aces -3.5 over Golden State Valkyries Jun 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) against the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesJun 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) against the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center.Rundown: As winners of seven of their last eight, the defending champions have a strong claim as the hottest team in the WNBA today.Led by the league’s leading scorer in A’ja Wilson, the Aces are a terrible matchup for Golden State, who ranks last in the league in shooting percentage and give up the third-most defensive rebounds. Las Vegas has controlled this matchup largely through its work on the glass, entering as the second-best rebounding team in the league behind the interior presence of A’ja Wilson, who ranks fourth in the WNBA at 9.1 rebounds per game.That edge has shown up consistently against Golden State, as the Valkyries are just 1-5 all-time against the Aces, both straight up and against the spread, while also failing to cover in both meetings this season.With Las Vegas back at home and playing its best basketball of the year, the Aces are well-positioned to deliver another comfortable win in this matchup.

Why Germany have already won their World Cup group7-1 against Curaçao, 2-1 against Ivory Coast - Germany fans have every reason to celebrate.Germany's World Cup campaign could hardly have started any better. Following impressive victories over Curaçao and Ivory Coast, Julian Nagelsmann's side have already secured their place in the Round of 32 - and not just that: they are guaranteed to finish top of Group E.The decisive moment came after Ecuador and Curaçao played out a 0-0 draw, ensuring that neither side can catch Germany's points tally. With six points from two matches, Germany are mathematically assured of progressing as group winners before their final group-stage fixture.Some supporters may wonder what would happen if Ivory Coast beat Curaçao in their last match while Germany were to lose against Ecuador. In that scenario, both Germany and Ivory Coast would finish on six points.However, Germany would still remain top of the group. Unlike previous World Cups, where goal difference often served as the primary tiebreaker, the head-to-head result takes precedence in this tournament format. Since Germany defeated Ivory Coast 2-1, they would finish ahead of the Africans regardless of any swing in goal difference.In other words, even in the highly unlikely event of Germany suffering a heavy defeat while Ivory Coast record a big win, the Germans would still claim first place in Group E thanks to their superior head-to-head record.As a result, Germany can already begin preparing for the knockout stages. The Group E winners will play their Round of 32 tie at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, USA, on June 29, where they will face one of the best third-placed teams from Groups A, B, C, D or F.For German football fans, the achievement carries added significance. It marks the first time since 2014 that Germany have successfully navigated the group stage of a World Cup tournament.And as every German supporter knows, the last time that happened in 2014, it ended with a trophy being lifted…

The Kansas City Chiefs made several key changes to their offense during the 2026 NFL offseason, but managed to retain Patrick Mahomes' favorite target: star tight end Travis Kelce.Exactly how much money will Kelce be paid over the course of Kansas City's 2026 campaign? Here's a look at how Kelce's contract will affect the Chiefs' cap space next seasonTravis Kelce contractOn March 9, Kansas City's front office signed Kelce to a three-year contract, cementing his place in the Chiefs' offense for at least one more season. Travis Kelce salaryAccording to the experts at OverTheCap.com, Kelce will earn a base salary of $3,000,000 in 2026. He was also awarded a prorated signing bonus of $3,551,666 and roster bonuses.Travis Kelce cap hitKelce's total cap number for 2026 will be $4,896,667. His contract is set to account for just 1.6 percent of the Chiefs' total cap space next season.This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: How much money will Chiefs TE Travis Kelce make next season?

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reee © Imagn ImagesCaitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever lost back-to-back games against their rivals, Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream, 113-96. And the matchup was heated as expected, with the two going head-to-head with each other. Given that Reese trails Clark in the WNBA, 3-5, the former was hyped in her latest game against the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. However, WNBA reporter Jon Root believed that Reese’s hyped emotions were because “she can’t stand that Clark is the WNBA’s golden girl.”While Reese scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Dream’s second consecutive game against the Fever, Rhyne Howard led the offense with 24 points. The team’s starters executed their roles perfectly, as all five scored in double digits.Reese and Clark had a brief encounter in the first quarter when the Fever guard was fouled on the drive, and the Dream center seemingly shared some words with her. In return, Clark waved Reese off while moving away from her. Analyst Jon Root shared his thoughts on the moment and wrote on X:“Caitlin Clark gets fouled and then waved Angel Reese off after she tried talking trash.She can’t stand that Clark is the WNBA’s golden girl.”Reese and Clark have been in a long-term rivalry since their college days, and fans love to see them compete. Even though the Fever lost back-to-back games to the Dream, owing to Clark’s drop in form lately, the Iowa native still leads the head-to-head record.“Gotta take care of the ball better” – Caitlin Clark feels dejected after the Fever’s lossCaitlin Clark seemed emotional, answering with her head down after the Fever’s back-to-back loss to the Dream when she sat for the media session. When asked about areas for improvement she would point to in the team’s performance, she was honest in her feedback. The guard said:“We just gotta take care of the ball better, and that starts with me. Just focusing on that and then what we did wrong in the first half was playing transition, spray, and find open people. It’s really hard to do that when all we do is foul and they score.”Ciatlin Clark’s offensive woes have hurt the Fever’s results this season. However, she scored 26 points, shooting 11-18 from the field, in the last game, but could not stop her team from losing. The Fever will now face the Phoenix Mercury in their next matchup after consecutive losses.READ MORE: Angel Reese Flexes On Fever After Claiming Fastest To 1000 Rebounds Record in WNBA HistoryCari Champion Credits Caitlin Clark for Boosting WNBA Attention as Olivia Miles’ Breakout Sparks Bigger ConversationCollege Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty ImagesWimbledon is just around the corner, and the men’s singles field is nearly finalised now that all the wildcards have been announced.While there’s still one spot left in the women’s draw, all eight wildcards for the men have been handed out ahead of this year’s Grand Slam.As expected, British players make up most of those selections, with Grigor Dimitrov and Stan Wawrinka standing out as the only non-Brits given a place.Their presence should add quality to the tournament, though Carlos Alcaraz missing out is already a significant loss for fans hoping to see him play again.Sinner goes into Wimbledon as one of the clear front-runners. Still, there are several players outside of that main group who have shown they can be dangerous on grass and might make things interesting as the tournament unfolds.Photo by Mauricio Paiz/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWimbledon closing in with final wildcards confirmedWimbledon is nearly here, and the men’s singles field is essentially set following the announcement of the remaining wildcards. There is still one spot left to be filled in the women’s draw, but all eight men’s wildcards have now been assigned.Most of those have gone to home players, with Grigor Dimitrov and Stan Wawrinka standing out as the only exceptions among a group otherwise filled by Brits.The tournament should still offer plenty of quality despite Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal. He’ll leave a big gap, but there are still intriguing storylines.That leaves Jannik Sinner as the clear favourite to win at Wimbledon this year, though there are a few names outside that main group who could be worth keeping an eye on. Here are five possible dark horses.Taylor Fritz among early dark horses for WimbledonLeading the way to challenge world number one Sinner, the American now boasts a superb 10-5 record against fellow challenger Alexander Zverev, although his biggest concern may just involve his nightmare 0-11 record with Novak Djokovic.Alex de MinaurDe Minaur has had a strong season so far, reaching the final of the Libema Open, and he’ll be hoping this is the year he can finally break through past the quarterfinals at a major.The Australian has yet to get beyond that stage in any of the four Grand Slams, but with Sinner still finding his feet after Roland-Garros and Zverev’s game not exactly suited to grass, this might be his best opportunity yet.Jiri LeheckaJiri Lehecka is another strong player on grass and could easily pull off a surprise or two this summer.It’s still unclear if he can deliver at Wimbledon, but the current landscape in men’s tennis may play into his hands, giving him and others a real chance to shine in London.Matteo BerrettiniDespite his injury setbacks, Matteo Berrettini remains a player you can’t count out on the big stage, as he showed with his recent performance at the French Open.The Italian reached the quarterfinals in Paris, adding to an already strong grass-court reputation that began building years earlier. His run to the 2021 Wimbledon final stands out in particular, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.Jack DraperJack Draper, who has spent much of his career battling injuries, is back in the mix and could be one to watch at Wimbledon, especially with the home support behind him.The Brit has been putting in a lot of work to regain his fitness, leaning on Andy Murray for guidance as he prepares for his return.Read more:Grigor Dimitrov responds to Wimbledon wildcard following recent strugglesFrom Roland Garros ruin to Wimbledon warrior? Patrick Mouratoglou thinks Sinner is about to explodeSerena Williams reveals who convinced her into Wimbledon reunion with Venus

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 4: An entrance to Target Field right field plaza on April 4, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Dodgers have no more home games remaining in June after Sunday, as they start a nine-game road trip on Monday against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis. This is the fourth consecutive series for Los Angeles against American League teams.Left-hander Eric Lauer gets the ball in the series opener, making his fifth start since joining the Dodgers. Lauer has a 3.22 ERA and 4.24 xERA with Los Angeles, with 14 strikeouts and five walks in his 22 1/3 innings. He’s lasted at least 5 2/3 innings in three of the four starts, and the Dodgers have won all four of his starts to date.Minnesota scored seven runs in 5 1/3 innings off Lauer on April 11 when he was pitching for the Blue Jays. That game was at Rogers Center in Toronto.The Twins are under .500 this season, but through Saturday have won five of their last six games, and are 20-19 at home. Zebby Matthews starts for the home team in the series opener.Monday game infoTeams: Dodgers at TwinsBallpark: Target Field, MinneapolisTime: 4:40 p.m. PTTV: SportsNet LARadio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Kyoji Horiguchi is handling his UFC Fight Night 279 main event loss to Manel Kape with grace.Horiguchi (36-6 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was beaten for the first time since returning to the octagon for a second stint when he suffered a third-round TKO defeat to Kape (23-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) on Saturday at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. It was a setback in his title hopes, but the Japanese fighter is taking it all in stride.After beating Kape by submission in their first meeting under the Rizin FF banner in December 2017, Horiguchi had a chance to make it 2-0 in their series and put his name at the forefront of the flyweight title conversation. Instead, it went the other way, and although disappointing, Horiguchi is already looking ahead.“Well, I feel a bit down, but I guess I just accept that I lost," Horiguchi said in his YouTube channel. "But what do you say? I guess it's time for the next one. ... I’ll be making a comeback, so please keep an eye out."Horiguchi had only experienced one defeat prior under the UFC banner, and that came in a title fight against Demetrious Johnson in April 2015. It's a rare feeling for the American Top Team product, but Horiguchi has accepted what happened inside the octagon and is prepared to move forward."I got spectacularly knocked out," Horiguchi wrote on X. "I'm truly sorry."This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Kyoji Horiguchi: No excuses for UFC Vegas 119 loss to Manel Kape

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 19: Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros celebrates with Christian Walker #8 at home plate after hitting a solo home run in the third inning during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kairi Mano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (36-42), who have won three of their last four series, will play the rubber game of their three-game set with the Cleveland Guardians (41-36) today in a Father’s Day matinee at Daikin Park.RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-6, 4.31 ERA), who tossed 2.2 scoreless innings against the Guardians back in April, will get the start for the Astros today opposite RHP Slade Cecconi (3-5, 4.60 ERA) and the Guardians.MY WAY OR THE KAI-WEI: RHP Kai-Wei Teng has split his season between the bullpen (13g) and rotation (8 starts), posting a 4.31 ERA (26ER/54.1IP) and a .232 opponent average with 58 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched.Teng is new to the Astros, as he was acquired from the Giants this offseason in exchange for minor leaguer C Jancel Villarroel.A native of Taiwan, Teng is the second Taiwanese-born player to appear with the Astros in their history, joining RHP Chia Jen-Lo, who made 19 relief appearances with the Astros in 2013.A MONTH OF WINNING: Over the last month, dating back to May 21, the Astros have gone 16-11 (.593), which ties as the fifth-best record in the Majors and is the second-best record in the AL.Top Records since May 21 (AL) 1. Yankees 16-9 (.640) 2. Astros 16-11 (.593) 3. Blue Jays 16-12 (.571)VS. THE GUARDIANS: The Astros and Guardians have played each other in the regular season 102 times in their franchise histories, with the two teams splitting those matchups with 51 wins apiece.Those games have also been evenly split in Houston (26-26) and Cleveland (25-25), which includes a 23-23 record at Daikin Park.RACKING UP K’S: The Astros have struck out 62 batters through 45.0 innings in five games this homestand, which are their most strikeouts in any five-game span this season.In 2026, Astros pitchers rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts (671), while their opponent today, the Guardians, rank first with 707.PEN PALS: Since May 15, the Astros bullpen has a 2.78 ERA (36ER/116.2IP) with 112 strikeouts, a 1.02 WHIP and a .190 opponent average.Among AL teams since May 15, the Astros bullpen ranks first in ERA, first in WHIP, and first in opponent batting average.The Astros are also 19-14 since May 15.LAST NIGHT’S TRADE: Announced last night, the Astros acquired minor leaguer 1B Cameron Sisneros from the Cubs in exchange for RHP Jayden Murray.Sisneros, 25, has split the 2026 season with Double A Knoxville and High A South Bend in the Cubs organization, batting a combined .265 (44×166) with eight doubles, six home runs, 37 RBI and an .840 OPS (.419 OBP/.422 SLG).STREAK SNAPPED:DH Yordan Alvarez had his 25-game on-base streak snapped last night by going 0x3. In the streak, which ran from May 22 – June 19, Alvarez hit .366 (34×93) with nine homers, 24 RBI, 16 walks, a .459 OBP and a 1.158 OPS. This ranks as the fifth-longest streak of his career and his longest since the 2024 season.BACK WITH A VENGEANCE: Since SS Jeremy Peña returned to the lineup on May 18, the Astros have gone 17-13, while Peña has hit .295 (33×112) with four doubles, six homers, 18 RBI and an .851 OPS in 30 games. Prior to that date, Peña played in only 10 of the Astros first 48 games of the season, with the Astros going 19-29 in those contests.MY BOY BLU: RHP AJ Blubaugh struck out the side in a perfect 1.0 inning of relief last night, giving him five consecutive scoreless appearances (9IP), in which he’s struck out 11 batters with a .103 (3×29) opponent batting average. Blubaugh has been on a strong run since April 11, going 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA (10ER/39.1IP) in his last 25 appearances.TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1973 – In a 12-2 win over the Padres, 1B Lee May becomes the second player in club history to hit three HR in a game. 2B Tommy Helms adds a grand slam. RHP Ken Forsch goes the distance for the win. A young LF Dave Winfield hits his first Major League homer for the Padres.

Tottenham set to pull out of race for ex-Barcelona prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Before Tottenham Hotspur were linked to the likes of Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali, they were set to hijack Italian side Lazio's transfer target, Sergi Dominguez. The Lilywhites were set to enter the race for the former Barcelona academy talent, as they were looking for cost-effective ways of fixing their defense, a part of their game that really suffered last season, allowing the fourth most goals in the Premier League, with the three relegated teams being the only ones to concede more.Dominguez, who currently plays for Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian top flight, was identified following a season in which he got involved in the creation of six goals, as well as recording 47 interceptions and 43 won tackles on the defensive end of the pitch. With the initial fee required for the Spanish defender being in the region of €4 million at the time, it could've been viewed as a no-brainer for Tottenham, but things have changed in recent days.Spurs bow out of the Dominguez raceWith further negotiations taking place, it appears that the North London club no longer has its eyes set on Dominguez, with the decision coming after the fee for Dominguez saw a noticeable rise, now sitting around €11-12 million, according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, with their efforts being more focused towards the aforementioned Tonali."They're positive, but so far, Tottenham have decided not to delve any deeper because their priority is to sign a couple of midfielders (their number one target is still Sandro Tonali," writes Pedulla. "Their [Dinamo Zagreb] asking price is at least €11-12 million plus bonuses. Spurs recently made Senesi official on a free transfer and are focused on other deals."Given their interest in Tonali, as well as the slew of defensively minded players brought in during the opening weeks of the transfer window, it would make sense that Spurs aren't looking to add further names to their backline. This doesn't even mention the playing time exercise that Roberto De Zerbi will have with the players currently at the club, with Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic already wanting out over concerns of ample time on the pitch to hone his skills at a top level.MORE TRANSFER NEWSAston Villa among six Premier League teams eyeing Barcelona wingerArsenal, Manchester United among teams eyeing Brazilian wonderkidArsenal, Liverpool among teams interested in Moroccan wonderkidLiverpool, Manchester United tied to relegated West Ham starFormer Champions League winning striker's move to MLS on the cardsLiverpool, Bayern Munich lose race to sign German wonderkidBayern Munich's €65m transfer target has stellar World Cup debut

Why Jeremy Doku isn't playing for Belgium today after comments about upcoming birth of son originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Jeremy Doku has been in the headlines this week for comments he made about potentially attending the birth of his first son during the World Cup.Doku is representing Belgium in North America, but the Manchester City star would have to return to Europe to be there if his son is born.He told reporters earlier in the tournament that his son would be born early in July, which could still be a point in which Belgium remains alive in the tournament.MORE: Lamine Yamal outdoes Messi, Ronaldo in historic moment for Spanish wunderkindIt certainly appears Doku would leave the team to be there for that special occasion.Fans will become more aware of that on Sunday when Belgium plays Iran in group action, and Doku isn't on the field.It's not actually connected, though.MORE: Eloy Room leads Curacao to astounding World Cup historyWhy isn't Jeremy Doku playing today?Doku's absence doesn't have anything to do with his comments or plans. He's simply sick.Belgium ruled Doku out well in advance due to illness.The Belgians don't have a reason to push Doku against an Iranian side that should be overmatched no matter which lineup Belgium puts on the pitch.If Doku isn't feeling great, it's more important for Belgium to get him healed up for later in the tournament.Sure, there might still be questions to be answered here, but for now, Doku's absence is solely due to his health.More FIFA World Cup news:USA, England can't actually play on July 4thWhy Norway brought 600 pounds of salmon to the World CupCape Verde pulls off one of craziest results in World Cup historyPink cleats are everywhere at the World CupHow Folarin Balogun's mom being too pregnant to fly led him to USMNT