Injuries news — SportsCatch

Martinez rescues Argentina from World Cup scare to silence Manchester United doubters

Lisandro Martinez scored in extra time and delivered a near-perfect passing display as Argentina edged Cape Verde 3-2 in the World Cup round of 32, reviving his case for a starting role at Manchester United next season.

Football Jul 4

Springboks lose Kolisi and Etzebeth to late withdrawals before England clash at Ellis Park

South Africa have been dealt a major pre-match blow as captain Siya Kolisi and veteran lock Eben Etzebeth are both withdrawn from the squad hours before Saturday's Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park.

Rugby Jul 4

Jamie Hannah earns shock All Blacks debut after last-minute Tuipulotu injury in Christchurch

Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah was handed his first All Blacks cap just hours before kick-off in Christchurch after Patrick Tuipulotu was ruled out with a tight calf, with Hannah finding out at lunchtime on matchday.

Rugby Jul 4

Baloucoune ruled out hours before kick-off as O'Brien steps in for Ireland against Wallabies

Rob Baloucoune has been ruled out of Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney through injury, with Jimmy O'Brien called up to start on the right wing in his place.

Rugby Jul 4

Furbank rushed to hospital with appendicitis hours before England's Springboks opener

George Furbank has been withdrawn from England's matchday squad after being taken to hospital with appendicitis on the day of their Nations Championship opener against South Africa at Ellis Park. The setback likely rules him out of the remaining Tests against Fiji and Argentina.

Rugby Jul 4

Messi admits Argentina must fix 'many' flaws after surviving Cape Verde scare at World Cup

Lionel Messi acknowledged Argentina had plenty to correct after the world champions edged past Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time to reach the World Cup 2026 last-16, with the captain also carrying a head injury into the next round.

Football Jul 4

All Blacks lose third lock as Tuipulotu injury hands Hannah debut against France

Patrick Tuipulotu has been ruled out of New Zealand's Test against France with a tight calf, forcing coach Dave Rennie to turn to Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah — his third lock change ahead of the match.

Rugby Jul 4

Barcola starts over Doué on the left wing for France-Paraguay

The alternating Barcola-Doué partnership on France's left flank ends before the 2026 World Cup round of 16 against Paraguay. Bradley Barcola, who scored twice in the group stage, is set to start for the second consecutive match.

Football Jul 4

Tchouameni ruled out for France-Paraguay World Cup round of 16

Aurélien Tchouameni has been ruled out of France's World Cup round of 16 clash against Paraguay on Saturday after suffering a thigh injury during Friday's training session. Manu Koné is expected to replace him in midfield for Didier Deschamps' side.

Football Jul 4

Alex Scott emerges as United's top midfield target as Ugarte faces suspected ACL blow

Manchester United have identified Bournemouth's Alex Scott as their most likely midfield signing this summer, while the club awaits confirmation on Manuel Ugarte's suspected ACL knee injury. Sandro Tonali was never a serious target, despite reports linking United to the Italy international.

Football Jul 4

Balogun calls red card against Bosnia 'incorrect' as USA prepare to face Belgium without him

Folarin Balogun has spoken out for the first time since his controversial dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina, insisting the incident was unintentional and that a yellow card would have been the fair punishment. The Monaco forward will miss the USA's last-16 tie against Belgium on Monday.

Football Jul 3

Messi starts for Argentina in World Cup 2026 Round of 16 against Cape Verde

After coming off the bench against Jordan, Lionel Messi returns to the Argentina starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match against Cape Verde. Cristian Romero, who suffered a knee injury, is also fit to play.

Football Jul 3

Fighter taps out one second into bout, blames pre-fight motorcycle accident

Michel Pantoja stunned a crowd in Manaus, Brazil, by immediately kneeling and tapping the canvas at the start of his Lions Fight bout against Matheus Kokama. Pantoja later cited injuries from a recent motorcycle accident to explain the near-instant surrender.

MMA Jul 3

Balogun suspended for USA's World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after red card vs Bosnia

Folarin Balogun will miss the United States' World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday in Seattle after his red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, U.S. Soccer has confirmed.

Football Jul 3

Chessum backs returning Martin to haunt Springboks again in Johannesburg opener

Ollie Chessum has backed George Martin's return from a nerve injury to unsettle South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, warning the back-to-back world champions will need to prepare for the lock who floored Pieter-Steph du Toit at the 2023 World Cup semi-final.

Rugby Jul 3

Sheehan steps up as Ireland captain for Nations Championship tour after Doris injury

Dan Sheehan will skipper Ireland across their three-match Nations Championship tour of Australia, Japan, and New Zealand after Caelan Doris was ruled out with a foot injury. The 27-year-old hooker says the call came mid-celebration after Leinster's URC final win and left him unfazed.

Rugby Jul 3

Rejected by Leinster, Prendergast and O'Toole earn their biggest Ireland starts

Cian Prendergast and Tom O'Toole were both passed over early in their careers before finding new homes and fighting their way to prominent roles in Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney.

Rugby Jul 3

Townsend backs 'Test match animal' Jordan to fill Russell's fly-half role against Argentina

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named Tom Jordan at fly-half for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Argentina in Cordoba, with Finn Russell sidelined by a calf injury. Townsend praised the Bristol back as a 'Test match animal' ahead of his 18th cap.

Rugby Jul 3

Injury forces Zabit Magomedsharipov out of first comeback bout since 2019 retirement

Zabit Magomedsharipov has been forced out of his grappling match against Raul Rosas Jr. at ACBJJ 21 on July 5 in Moscow due to injury, ending his long-awaited return to competition. His undefeated brother Khasan will step in as a late replacement.

MMA Jul 3

Balogun suspended for USA's round of 16 clash with Belgium after World Cup red card

Folarin Balogun will miss the United States' round of 16 match against Belgium at Seattle Stadium on Monday after receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA's disciplinary panel could extend the ban beyond the automatic one-game suspension.

Football Jul 2