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Sadio Mané announces international retirement after Senegal's World Cup elimination
With 54 goals in 130 caps, Sadio Mané announced Thursday his international retirement following Senegal's 2-3 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Al Nasser forward does not rule out returning one day as head coach.
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Klopp reveals Liverpool flew Mbappe's family on secret jet in failed 2017 transfer bid
Jurgen Klopp has described Liverpool's elaborate and ultimately fruitless attempt to sign Kylian Mbappe from Monaco in 2017, including a clandestine private jet meeting with the player's family over the south of France.
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Bath face gruelling Loftus Versfeld trip as Champions Cup pool fixtures land
EPCR has confirmed the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup pool schedule, handing Bath a daunting mid-winter journey to face the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria. Reigning champions Bordeaux open their title defence away at Gloucester on 16 October.
Rugby -
Tuchel warned it would be 'foolish' to risk injured Declan Rice against Norway
Declan Rice is managing a hamstring problem and has missed two training days with illness ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway. Former England defender Stuart Pearce has urged Thomas Tuchel not to play Rice unless he is fully fit.
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2026 World Cup: Only 65% of penalties converted, worst record since 1966
With 39 penalties scored out of 60 attempted — including shootout kicks — the 2026 World Cup shows the lowest conversion rate since the 1966 edition. Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and several other stars missed their attempts.
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Mbappe edges Messi by assists as Haaland and Kane close in on World Cup 2026 Golden Boot
Kylian Mbappe leads the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race on eight goals, level with Lionel Messi but ahead on assists, while Erling Haaland sits third on seven and Harry Kane fourth on six as the quarter-finals unfold.
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Man City re-sign academy goalkeeper Pierce Charles for up to £10m and loan him to QPR
Manchester City have completed the signing of 20-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles from League One side Sheffield Wednesday for an initial £3m, rising to £10m. The former City academy product has signed a five-year deal but will spend the coming season on loan at QPR.
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Shearer names England's 3-2 win over Mexico the best Three Lions performance of his lifetime
Alan Shearer has reversed his pre-tournament scepticism after England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, calling it the finest collective display he has ever seen from an England side.
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Springboks can nudge world rankings lead over All Blacks with win against Scotland
South Africa's 45-21 demolition of England earned them nothing in the World Rugby Men's Rankings, but a home victory over Scotland at Loftus Versveld on Saturday — where the Springboks boast a 79% winning record — could edge their score up by 0.03 points.
Rugby -
Lamine Yamal's toddler half-brother Keyne steals the World Cup spotlight from Spain's star
Lamine Yamal is dazzling on the pitch for Spain at the 2026 World Cup, but his three-year-old half-brother Keyne has become a viral sensation in the stands, winning fans worldwide with his fist-pumping celebrations and irresistible energy.
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Allardyce blasts Trump and Infantino over 'scandalous' Balogun ban suspension at World Cup
Former England manager Sam Allardyce has condemned Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Trump's intervention led to Folarin Balogun's one-game World Cup ban being suspended, allowing the striker to face Belgium despite Jarell Quansah's England ban being increased in the same review.
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Arsenal agree personal terms with Bruno Guimaraes as £100m Newcastle deal edges closer
Arsenal have agreed a five-year contract with Bruno Guimaraes, according to reports, but must still convince Newcastle to sell a player they desperately want to keep. The Magpies are said to be demanding more than £100 million for their captain.
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Sporting Lisbon block Debast from Belgium's World Cup quarter-final against Spain
Zeno Debast has been ruled out of Belgium's World Cup quarter-final against Spain in Los Angeles after Sporting Lisbon declared him unfit to play — a verdict that contradicts both the Belgian FA's medical staff and FIFA's own medical authorities.
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Shakira watches France beat Morocco (2-0) alongside Mbappé's father
Colombian singer Shakira, author of the official anthem for the 2026 World Cup, watched France's quarter-final victory over Morocco from a box at Gillette Stadium in Boston, seated next to Wilfrid Mbappé, the father of the French captain.
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Farrell dismisses Jones' scrum-dominance prediction ahead of Ireland's clash with Japan
Andy Farrell has shrugged off Eddie Jones' claim that Japan will dominate Ireland's scrum in the second half of Saturday's Nations Championship fixture in Newcastle, Australia, calling it "a bit of banter" from his old Saracens colleague.
Rugby -
Binotto urges FIA to rethink ADUO rules as Mercedes exploits upgrade loophole
Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto has called on the FIA to overhaul its ADUO power unit upgrade scheme, warning the system can be gamed by manufacturers who hold back engine performance — a concern heightened by Mercedes winning seven of the first nine races in 2026.
Formula 1 -
Rabiot's hand before Mbappé's goal against Morocco was lawful, according to regulations
Following the refereeing controversy raised by Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the specialized ArchivoVAR account confirms that contact from Adrien Rabiot's arm could not be sanctioned under IFAB Law 12.
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Third consecutive World Cup semi-final: France savours the moment and already eyes the next step
France dominated Morocco (2-0) to reach the World Cup semi-finals, equalling Brazil and Germany with three consecutive semi-final appearances. In the dressing room, joy was total, but the players already had their eyes on what comes next.
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Ketchup and mayo banned as England's nutritionist reveals World Cup match-day diet plan
Premier League chef Jonny Marsh, who has cooked for around 100 top-flight players including Jordan Pickford, has detailed the strict dietary regime England's squad will follow ahead of their World Cup clash with Norway — including a carb-loading schedule that begins two days before kick-off.
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FIFA to spare Argentina punishment over Falklands song despite confiscating England flags
FIFA will not punish Argentina for singing 'Muchachos' — which references the Falkland Islands — in their dressing room after beating Egypt 3-2, despite having confiscated England flags at the same tournament for political imagery.
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