IN FIFA WORLD CUP
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Argentina has survived another almighty scare before delivering a scarcely believable second-half comeback to break Egypt hearts and reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

The reigning world champions – sent to extra time by Cape Verde in the last round, had looked set for a shock exit against the Pharaohs, who led two-nil with goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico.

But Cristian Romero halved the deficit eleven minutes from time before Lionel Messi, who had missed a first-half penalty in Atlanta equalised five minutes later and set up a nail-biting finish.

Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback two minutes into injury time, heading home Lautaro Martinez’s cross to set up a quarter-final tie against Colombia or Switzerland.
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England players will be advised not to jump over advertising hoardings after Jordan Henderson suffered a freak injury in the aftermath of their World Cup victory over Mexico.

Brentford midfielder Henderson is expected to have surgery on the wrist injury he suffered while celebrating England’s three-two win in the Azteca Stadium.

Henderson landed awkwardly on his arm as he tried to hurdle the advertising hoardings during England’s celebrations, and was taken from the field on a stretcher.
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UEFA Vice-President, Laura McAllister says there is a risk of an absolute cesspit of political interference in football after Folarin Balogun avoided a ban at the World Cup.

Balogun was expected to be suspended for the U.S.A’s last-16 tie against Belgium after his red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

But the Monaco striker played against the Belgians after his one-game ban was suspended by Fifa following an intervention by U.S President Donald Trump.
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La Liga President, Javier Tebas has criticised the complicit silence which surrounds Fifa after United States striker Folarin Balogun was controversially spared from suspension at the 2026 World Cup.

Balogun was able to play in the four-one defeat to Belgium in the last 16 after Fifa’s disciplinary committee opted to suspend his one-game ban for twelve months.

Tebas said the Balogun decision was the tip of the iceberg following a series of events which had been eroding the credibility of Fifa and football in general for many years.

The 63-year-old accused Fifa of being a closed shop in which decisions have been made before any vote takes place and without consultation with domestic leagues.
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Norway’s World Cup celebrations have reportedly sparked fears of fatigue and illness ahead of their clash with England.

The two sides will meet in Miami on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.

There are concerns within the Norway camp that they could be hit by a sickness bug just days before the last eight encounter.

It comes after Stale Solbakken’s side beat Brazil in the round of 16 to set up their meeting with the Three Lions.

The Norway boss subsequently gave his players time to celebrate their win having reached the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
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Former England star, Wayne Rooney believes Jude Bellingham’s performance against Mexico was reminiscent of heroic Champions League displays from Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane.

England midfielder Bellingham, scored twice in 98 seconds as Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Mexico three-two despite finishing with ten men in an epic World Cup clash at the Azteca.

Rooney likened Bellingham’s performance to Gerrard’s in helping Liverpool come from three-nil down in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan and Keane’s renowned display against Juventus to inspire Manchester United to reach the 1999 European Cup final.

Rooney rated Bellingham’s performance in the last-16 victory in Mexico’s capital as a ten out of ten given the pitfalls which surrounded the game.
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Chelsea legend, Chris Sutton has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and former manager Portugal Roberto Martinez following the team’s exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026.

He blamed the manager for being too weak to drop the veteran star, and accused Ronaldo of offering nothing to the team.

He stated that Portugal has an incredibly talented squad, including Goncalo Ramos, who was left on the bench despite previously proving his worth.
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Aston Villa midfielder, Amadou Onana has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing for Belgium at the World Cup.

The 24-year-old was substituted 21 minutes into his side’s four-one win over the United States in the last 16.

Onana had gone down clutching his right knee after trying to get to the ball before Christian Pulisic.

A statement by the Belgium team doctor, Brahim Hacene said the outcome was devastating news.

Belgium said Onana would stay with the squad for their quarter-final against Spain in Los Angeles on Friday.
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Fifa has opened an investigation following allegations of racist abuse involving American social media influencer IShowSpeed and a supporter during Argentina’s three-two win over Cape Verde.

Football’s world governing body said it was made aware of an incident which allegedly occurred at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 3rd July, where the last-32 fixture took place, and immediately initiated an investigation.

The 21-year-old, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Junior, can be seen in footage on his YouTube channel wearing a Cape Verde kit, in confrontation with an Argentina fan in the stands.
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IN NIGERIA
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Flying Eagles winger, Tahir Maigana has completed a permanent move to Hungarian club Zalaegerszegi TE from Abuja-based FC Wireless.

The 18-year-old signed a three-year contract with the Hungarian side, with the agreement including an option to extend his stay by an additional year.

Maigana arrives in Europe after impressing for Nigeria’s Under-twenty team on the international stage.

He was a key member of the Flying Eagles squad that secured a bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Under-twenty Cup of Nations, featuring in all six of the team’s matches during the tournament.
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Sevilla has slapped a fifteen million euros price tag on Nigerian striker Akor Adams as Serie A newcomers Venezia step up their efforts to sign the forward this summer.

Venezia have already reached an agreement on personal terms with Adams and are now in talks with Sevilla over a transfer fee.

The Italian club are keen to bolster their attacking options ahead of their return to Serie A and have identified the Super Eagles striker as one of their priority targets.

Sevilla are open to selling the 26-year-old, but will only sanction the move if their fifteen million euros valuation is met.
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Kenyan Premier League club Tusker FC have completed the signing of Nigerian striker Victor Mbaoma.

Mbaoma, who joined the Brewers from former Nigeria Premier Football League, champions Remo Stars put pen to paper on a one- year contract.

The experienced striker registered fourteen goals, and four assists for Remo Stars last season.

The forward arrives with a wealth of experience and an impressive track record, becoming Tusker FC’s first signing ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Mbaoma will be returning to East African football, having previously enjoyed a successful spell with Rwandan giants APR, where he finished as the league’s top scorer with fifteen goals and helped the club achieve domestic success.
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Nigerian youngster, Popoola Ridwan has sealed a move to United Arab Emirates Pro League outfit Al Wasl.

Ridwan joined the UAE giants from Hungarian side Kisvárda on a permanent transfer.

The 19-year-old’s impressive performances for local club Seamoriow FC, earned him a move to Kisvárda in February 2025.

The defensive midfielder’s time in Hungary proved instrumental in his growth, as he adapted quickly to senior football and caught the attention of clubs outside Europe with his composure, work rate and ball-winning ability.

Meanwhile, Ridwan’s former club, Seamoriow FC have celebrated his move to the eight-time UAE champions.
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OTHER LEAGUE
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Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Qarabag forward Camilo Duran is poised to have a medical to become Celtic’s first summer signing.

The 24-year-old Colombian, who will arrive for an undisclosed fee, spent less than a year with the Azerbaijan Premier League runners-up after signing from Portuguese club Portimonense.

But five goals in ten Champions League appearances thrust Duran into the spotlight.
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OTHER SPORTS
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Russian athletes could be allowed to compete for their country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted their suspension.

The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023 in response to the war in Ukraine.

But it says ban is no longer applicable, and athletes from Russia can compete again as long as they meet relevant anti-doping requirements.

No decision has yet been taken on whether Russia can display its flag, colours and anthem at the Olympic ‌Games.

The IOC said it would continue not to organise IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events.

The IOC said it still strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine but recognises that an athlete’s participation in international competition should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war or conflict.
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In Formula one, Charles Leclerc added a second win for Ferrari in three races at a dramatic British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Mercedes’ George Russell finished second and Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton third in their home race.

Kimi Antonelli, who won his first sprint on Saturday, ended the race in 16th after car problems, reducing his lead over Russell to 25 points.

BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after a race which finished under the safety car after Max Verstappen crashed out.
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In Cricket, Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, who hit the winning runs to seal his country’s first World Cup victory, has died at the age of 38

The Afghanistan Cricket Board said it was with profound grief and deep sorrow that Zadran passed away, with the left-armer being treated for a rare immune condition in New Delhi.

Zadran played in 44 ODIs and 36 T20 matches for his country between 2009 and 2020, taking eighty wickets.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter….words from MALCOLM X.