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McLaren to investigate why Mercedes pulls 1.5 tenths on straights despite sharing the same power unit
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has identified a puzzling straight-line deficit to championship-leading Mercedes, estimating the two cars are separated by three to four tenths per lap overall — with 30% of that gap coming on the straights despite both teams running the same Mercedes power unit.
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Chelsea sign Italian defender Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47m in Xabi Alonso's first deal
Chelsea have completed the signing of Atalanta defender Marco Palestra on a seven-year deal worth £47 million including add-ons. The 21-year-old Italian international becomes Xabi Alonso's first signing as Chelsea manager.
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McLaren cannot explain why it loses 1.5 tenths to Mercedes on straights despite sharing the same engine
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has revealed the MCL40 is losing around 1.5 tenths per lap to Mercedes on the straights, despite both cars running the same Mercedes power unit. The team suspects excess aerodynamic drag or a difference in how the two outfits operate the shared powertrain.
Formula 1 -
Rice and Quansah handed yellow-card amnesty as FIFA wipes England duo's bookings before knockouts
Declan Rice and Jarell Quansah were the only England players booked during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, but both have been handed a clean disciplinary slate after FIFA's rule wiping single yellow cards at the end of the group phase.
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Quenda and Satpayev spotted at Cobham as Xabi Alonso begins Chelsea tenure
Geovany Quenda and Dastan Satpayev were pictured at Chelsea's Cobham training ground on July 1, the same day Xabi Alonso officially began his role as head coach — nine days before pre-season is scheduled to start.
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Spence plays through broken jaw at World Cup 2026 with custom carbon-fibre mask
Djed Spence fractured his jaw in a Premier League clash in May after being caught by Liam Delap's elbow, and must wear a custom-fitted carbon-fibre mask throughout the World Cup 2026 tournament while his injury heals.
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Savanier leaves Montpellier after six years and promises to continue at the highest level
Téji Savanier announced on Wednesday via Instagram his departure from MHSC at the end of his contract. The 34-year-old attacking midfielder, who arrived in 2019, says he wants to continue his career in the top division.
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Weah settles it: « Impossible to compare Lamine Yamal to Mbappé, everyone knows he is far above »
Questioned on El Chiringuito after France's 3-0 Round of 16 victory over Sweden, 1995 Ballon d'Or winner George Weah refused any comparison between Kylian Mbappé, who scored his third brace of the World Cup, and a Lamine Yamal he judges still « growing ».
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Mbappé nicknamed 'Mobut'' by France teammates after Sweden victory
After France's 3-0 World Cup 2026 victory over Sweden, a French Football Federation video reveals that Ousmane Dembélé calls Kylian Mbappé 'Mobut'', a diminutive of Mobutu, a mocking nickname that has circulated for years on social media.
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Mbappé consoles Deschamps after bereavement as France crushes Sweden 3-0
Days after the death of his mother, Didier Deschamps led France to a 3-0 victory over Sweden in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Mbappé, who scored twice, embraced the manager at half-time in a gesture that deeply moved the coach.
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Two assists and a post: Lizarazu urges Olise to start scoring
Author of two more assists in France's 3-0 victory over Sweden in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, Michael Olise earned enthusiastic praise from Bixente Lizarazu, who is now calling on him to score goals.
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24 goals in knockout stages since 2018: the stat that puts France ahead of six nations combined
After their 3-0 victory over Sweden in the 2026 World Cup, France have scored 24 goals in nine knockout matches since 2018 — more than England, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy combined.
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Riou Raves About France: "I Don't Need Them to Win This World Cup"
With four victories and fourteen goals scored since the start of the 2026 World Cup, the France national team is captivating observers. Journalist Yoann Riou has gone so far as to argue that winning the title is not essential for this generation to enter legend.
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Mbappé overtakes Messi in 2026 World Cup scoring chart with another brace
Author of two goals against Sweden (3-0), Kylian Mbappé matches and then surpasses Lionel Messi at the top of the 2026 World Cup scoring chart, with six goals each but an advantage in assists.
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Bilal Nadir leaves OM after five years, Frankfurt and Stuttgart interested
The 22-year-old Moroccan midfielder announced his departure from Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday via Instagram after his contract expired. According to Foot Mercato, Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart are interested in signing him.
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Ferdinand urges United to move fast for Tchouameni after Anderson and Fernandes misses
Rio Ferdinand has called on Manchester United to act decisively on Aurélien Tchouameni after the club missed out on Elliot Anderson, who joined City for £116m, and Mateus Fernandes, set to join Spurs for £85m.
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Panini releases 930-sticker FIFA World Cup 2026 official collection ahead of tournament
Panini's official FIFA World Cup 2026 sticker collection covers all 48 teams across 930 stickers, including player portraits and team logos. The 112-sticker mega multiset is available at Bargain Max for £19.99.
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Alex Coles urges England to seize their chance as Maro Itoje sits out South Africa opener
Northampton lock Alex Coles has called on England's squad players to step up in Maro Itoje's absence, with Steve Borthwick's side facing South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday in their Nations Championship opener.
Rugby -
DR Congo reach first-ever World Cup knockout round after 52-year absence
DR Congo have qualified for the round of 32 at World Cup 2026, ending a 52-year absence from the tournament. The Leopards, who last appeared as Zaire in 1974, face England in Atlanta — their first-ever knockout-stage appearance.
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England face Mexico at the Azteca if they beat DR Congo in World Cup last 32
A win for Thomas Tuchel's England against DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32 would set up a last-16 clash at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Sunday 5 July, where the co-hosts have won four straight games without conceding.
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