Press conference news — SportsCatch

Antonelli seizes fifth pole of 2026 at Silverstone as Wolff hails teenager's greatness traits

Kimi Antonelli claimed his fifth pole position of the 2026 season at the British Grand Prix, beating Charles Leclerc by nearly two tenths, hours after overtaking Lewis Hamilton to win the Silverstone sprint. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the 19-year-old shows every trait of a future all-time great.

Formula 1 Jul 5

Townsend credits painful Pumas collapse for Scotland's scintillating 47-38 revenge in Córdoba

Scotland ran in seven tries to defeat Argentina 47-38 in Córdoba, opening their Nations Championship campaign in style. Head coach Gregor Townsend said last autumn's humiliating home collapse against the same opposition had proved a turning point for the squad.

Rugby Jul 5

Tuchel dismisses security fears and praises Mexico fans ahead of Azteca last-16 clash

Thomas Tuchel has played down concerns over disruption to England's World Cup preparations in Mexico City, calling the reception from local fans 'friendly and respectful' despite Fifa deploying National Guard and riot police around the team's hotel.

Football Jul 5

Mbappe penalty seals France's scrappy 1-0 win over 'dirty' Paraguay at World Cup

Kylian Mbappe converted a second-half penalty to send France into the World Cup quarter-finals against Morocco, but the 1-0 win was overshadowed by Paraguay's cynical tactics and a chaotic full-time flashpoint.

Football Jul 5

Verstappen rules out Red Bull revival as power struggles leave him seventh at Silverstone

Max Verstappen qualified seventh at Silverstone after a power unit issue compounded Red Bull's underlying pace deficit, and the four-time champion now expects the team to suffer at Spa and Monza too — ruling out a repeat of last year's second-half comeback.

Formula 1 Jul 5

Tuchel dismisses Viagra altitude claims as England prepare for Mexico City test

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has played down reports that his players could use Viagra to cope with the altitude at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, ahead of Monday's World Cup clash with Mexico at 2,200 metres above sea level.

Football Jul 5

Paraguay coach Alfaro denies staff insulted Deschamps over late mother after ill-tempered France defeat

Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro has pushed back against claims that insults targeting Didier Deschamps and his late mother were directed from the South American bench. Kylian Mbappé's second-half penalty sent France into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Football Jul 5

Henderson admits altitude bite but insists England will find solutions against Mexico

Jordan Henderson acknowledged feeling the effects of Mexico City's 2,400-metre elevation during England's final training session on Saturday, but said the squad would not use conditions as an excuse ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash at the Azteca Stadium.

Football Jul 5

Deschamps denounces insults targeting his late mother, Paraguay categorically denies

After France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, Didier Deschamps reported hearing insults from the bench. According to RMC, some remarks may have targeted his recently deceased mother. Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro flatly denies the allegations.

Football Jul 5

Love impresses on All Blacks No.10 debut as New Zealand edge France 34-32

Ruben Love delivered a composed first start at fly-half for the All Blacks despite a second-minute yellow card, helping New Zealand overturn a 10-5 deficit to beat France 34-32, with coach Scott Rennie and captain Ardie Savea both praising the 25-year-old's performance.

Rugby Jul 5

Schmidt backs Gordon and Donaldson despite narrow Nations Championship loss to Ireland

Joe Schmidt has praised fly-halves Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson following Australia's 33-31 Nations Championship defeat to Ireland in Sydney, insisting both playmakers contributed positively despite the narrow loss.

Rugby Jul 5

Tuchel confirms Rice fit but James faces late test for England's World Cup clash with Mexico

Thomas Tuchel has declared Declan Rice fit for England's last-16 World Cup tie against Mexico on Sunday, while Reece James will undergo a late fitness assessment to determine whether he can make the matchday squad after a hamstring injury.

Football Jul 5

Tuchel draws on Dortmund's Anfield nightmare to prepare England for Azteca cauldron

Thomas Tuchel has invoked Liverpool's famous 2016 Europa League comeback against his Borussia Dortmund side as a reference point for what England could face against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the World Cup last 16.

Football Jul 5

Lakai flags 'soft' defensive lapses despite All Blacks edging France in Christchurch

Peter Lakai acknowledged New Zealand's defensive frailties after their two-point win over France in Christchurch, citing quick ruck play and middle-field tries as areas to address ahead of next week's Test.

Rugby Jul 4

Aguirre vows best is yet to come as Mexico target England upset at Azteca farewell

Outgoing Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has declared Sunday's World Cup Round of 16 clash with England at the Azteca Stadium will be his finest moment in charge, while dismissing FIFA's last-minute kick-off time controversy as a non-issue for his players.

Football Jul 4

Ancelotti confirms Neymar fit for 90 minutes ahead of Brazil's World Cup clash with Norway

Carlo Ancelotti has declared Neymar fully fit to start Brazil's round-of-16 tie against Norway at New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, ending speculation over the 34-year-old's calf injury after just 14 minutes of group-stage action.

Football Jul 4

Rice dismisses Azteca altitude fears as England prepare for Mexico World Cup showdown

Declan Rice insists England are treating their round-of-16 clash against Mexico at the high-altitude Estadio Azteca as 'just a stadium', even as former striker Stan Collymore demands FIFA review the fairness of home-soil hosting arrangements.

Football Jul 4

Savea credits Ruben Love for 'taking control' as All Blacks edge France 34-32 in Christchurch thriller

Ardie Savea singled out Ruben Love as a surprise leadership standout after the All Blacks survived six lead changes to beat an understrength France 34-32 in the first Test at Christchurch's One New Zealand Stadium.

Rugby Jul 4

Marsch insists 'I'd rather be us than them' after Canada's 3-0 World Cup exit to Morocco

Jesse Marsch drew widespread bewilderment after Canada were eliminated from the World Cup, losing 3-0 to Morocco in the Round of 16. The Canada head coach insisted he was prouder of his side's attacking approach than Morocco's clinical, more conservative display.

Football Jul 4

Erasmus praises Springboks debutants but admits pair 'weren't brilliant' in 45-21 rout of England

Rassie Erasmus gave a measured verdict on Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers after the uncapped pair stepped in at the last hour for South Africa's 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, with Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi both ruled out on the eve of the match.

Rugby Jul 4