Match results
Match reports, scores, post-match analysis.
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L'Equipe hands three players a rating of two as French media savage World Cup semi-final exit
France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup semi-finals drew fierce criticism from the national press, with L'Equipe awarding two-out-of-ten ratings to Michael Olise, Lucas Digne and Ousmane Dembele, while Kylian Mbappe received a three.
Football -
Fabian Ruiz definitively displaces Pedri from Spain's starting XI ahead of World Cup final
Starting in place of Pedri for the second consecutive time against France (2-0), Fabian Ruiz delivered a masterful performance in the semi-final and appears to have definitively secured his place as left-centre midfielder for the final on July 19.
Football -
Cherki snaps at reporter over Digne penalty question after France's World Cup exit
Rayan Cherki showed visible frustration when asked about Lucas Digne's costly first-half foul on Lamine Yamal, as France were eliminated from the World Cup following a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain.
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Argentina bans Falklands flags and symbols for England World Cup semi-final in Atlanta
Argentina's Minister of National Security Alejandra Monteoliva has confirmed that flags, clothing, or any items carrying Falklands-related political messages will be prohibited at the World Cup semi-final against England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
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Mikel John Obi blames Ronaldo fans for Argentina-FIFA conspiracy theories ahead of England semi-final
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has dismissed claims that FIFA are favouring Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, attributing the theories to Cristiano Ronaldo supporters on social media. England face Argentina in Wednesday's semi-final at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Spanish media dream of Argentina final after Spain's semi-final win over France
Spain beat France to reach the World Cup final and will face either England or Argentina on Sunday. Spanish media figures and Lamine Yamal have made their preference clear: they want Argentina — and a showdown with Lionel Messi.
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Cherki slams France after defeat: "We beat ourselves"
Brought on in the final quarter-hour against Spain, Rayan Cherki made no attempt to hide his frustration in the mixed zone, criticizing both his playing time and the collective level displayed by the France team.
Football -
Eliminated by Spain, France records its worst World Cup semi-final since 1966
Beaten 2-0 by Spain in the World Cup semi-final, the Blues generated just 0.3 expected goals — their lowest total in the competition since at least 1966, according to Opta.
Football -
13 new FIFA rules shaping England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina
FIFA introduced 13 rule changes for World Cup 2026, covering everything from hydration breaks and time-wasting measures to goalkeeper restrictions. England face Argentina in Wednesday's semi-final under the new regulations.
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Kai Asakura targets back-to-back UFC wins against Qileng Aori at Shanghai on Aug. 29
Former Rizin bantamweight champion Kai Asakura, fresh from his first UFC victory at UFC Macau in May, will face Chinese 135-pounder Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai on August 29 in a bid to build his first win streak in the promotion.
MMA -
Mbappe swears on live TV as France's World Cup dream ends in 2-0 defeat to Spain
Kylian Mbappe was visibly distraught after France's 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain at the World Cup, swearing during a post-match interview that had to be censored on air. Spain advance to Sunday's final, ending France's run at the tournament for the first time since 2014.
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Deschamps questions referee's level after France's World Cup semi-final exit to Spain
Didier Deschamps stopped short of blaming the referee for France's World Cup elimination but publicly questioned whether the official was equipped to handle a semi-final. Kylian Mbappé separately criticised the team's tactical display in the defeat to Spain.
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VAR confusion reigns as referee overturns free-kick call in Spain's 2-0 semi-final win over France
Referee Ivan Barton reversed a free-kick decision during Spain's 2-0 World Cup semi-final victory over France in Dallas, sparking widespread confusion among fans who mistakenly believed VAR had intervened — a move the laws of the game do not permit in such circumstances.
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McGregor injures knee at UFC 329 as Chandler emerges as favourite for his next fight
Conor McGregor's long-awaited UFC comeback ended on the first kick of his rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329, when a knee injury forced a stoppage and handed Holloway the win. Michael Chandler is now the 2/1 betting favourite to face McGregor in what would be the final bout of his current UFC contract.
MMA -
Ronaldo's dream of a Messi World Cup final stays fantasy as Portugal crash out in round of 16
Cristiano Ronaldo's 2022 vision of a Portugal v Argentina World Cup final, shared in a Piers Morgan interview, has come to nothing after Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the round of 16, while Messi's Argentina advance to the semi-finals against England.
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Injury-free Maya Stewart headlines Waratahs side for Super Rugby Women's semi-final
Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart returns from an ankle injury to start for the NSW Waratahs against the Western Force in Saturday's Super Rugby Women's semi-final at Perth's HBF Park, joined by Australia Sevens playmaker Tia Hinds on debut at scrum-half.
Rugby -
Queensland Reds name unchanged side to face Drua in Super Rugby Women's semi-final
Buoyed by a first-ever win over the NSW Waratahs, the Queensland Reds will take an unchanged starting XV to Lautoka for a Super Rugby Women's semi-final against ladder-leaders the Fijian Drua.
Rugby -
Rabiot substituted at half-time on yellow card: Deschamps heavily criticized after France's elimination
France lost 2-0 to Spain in the World Cup semi-final, and Didier Deschamps' decision to substitute Adrien Rabiot at half-time—the only standout French player—to prevent a potential red card is now drawing heavy criticism.
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Mbappe admits France's midfield gamble cost them in 2-0 World Cup semi-final loss to Spain
Kylian Mbappe has conceded that France's decision to field only two central midfielders against Spain proved costly, as Deschamps' side were outplayed 2-0 in Dallas and eliminated from the World Cup.
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UFC cuts Michel Pereira after four losses in five fights end six-year Octagon run
Michel Pereira has been released by the UFC following a unanimous decision loss to Sharabutdin Magomedov at UFC Baku, closing out a six-year stint in the promotion with a 10-6 Octagon record.
MMA
