Sports
Portugal qualify for 2026 World Cup by thrashing Armenia 9-1
We always want to win in the same way — to be convincing and control the game. It’s not always possible, but today we were effective and achieved a good victory,” said Fernandes.
Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1 despite the absence of suspended talisman Cristiano Ronaldo on Sunday to clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves both scored a hat-trick as Roberto Martinez’s side racked up a huge win in Porto to top Group F.Renato Veiga got the ball rolling for Portugal, with Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao also on the scoresheet.
After a draw in Hungary in October and a surprise defeat in Ireland on Thursday, in which Ronaldo was sent off, Portugal wrapped up qualification at the third attempt in their final group match.
They will compete in a seventh consecutive edition of the World Cup, a tournament which the Euro 2016 champions are yet to win.
“We always want to win in the same way — to be convincing and control the game. It’s not always possible, but today we were effective and achieved a good victory,” said Fernandes.
With midfielder Fernandes playing a key role throughout, Portugal made a quick start by scoring in the seventh minute.
Fernandes’s vicious inswinging free-kick from just outside the left side of the box was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Henri Avagyan but Veiga was on hand to head home the rebound.
Sports
Barcelona extends Christensen contract by two-years
Christensen has played 98 times for Barca, winning three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey among other trophies.
FC Barcelona have extended Danish defender Andreas Christensen’s contract until June 2028, the Spanish champions said Wednesday.
The 30-year-old centre-back, whose previous deal expired at the end of June, has been frequently sidelined by injuries during his time at Camp Nou.
The defender has accepted a significant pay cut to stay at the club, according to Spanish reports.
The Denmark international played a key part in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph in his debut campaign at the club in 2022 after arriving from Chelsea.
Christensen has played 98 times for Barca, winning three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey among other trophies.
Sports
Nigerian Emenalo steps down as Saudi Pro League football chief
Reflecting on his tenure in a statement to The Athletic, Emenalo described the league’s transformation as an “audacious ambition” that many initially believed was unattainable.
Former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has stepped down as the Saudi Pro League’s chief football executive.
The Saudi Pro League confirmed on Tuesday that Emenalo, who also headed the league’s Player Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE), will leave at the expiration of his contract after joining the organisation in 2023.
In a statement, the Saudi Pro League thanked Emenalo for his contributions and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Reflecting on his tenure in a statement to The Athletic, Emenalo described the league’s transformation as an “audacious ambition” that many initially believed was unattainable.
“When I joined SPL’s transformation journey in 2023, what struck me most was the audacity of its ambition. We set out to do something few believed possible, on a timeline fewer still thought realistic,” he said.
He added that his team had established the structures and standards needed to sustain the league’s long-term growth.
Sports
Two Dead In World Cup Celebrations In Mexico City
The celebrations came after Mexico beat Ecuador to record their first World Cup knockout win since 1986, sending the co-hosts into the round of 16.
• Mexican fans gather to watch the FIFA World Cup round of 32 football match between Mexico and Ecuador at the Fan Fest in Guadalajara, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP)
At least two people died on Wednesday during massive celebrations in Mexico City as the national team advanced to the next round at the World Cup
Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 to break a 40-year World Cup knockout on Tuesday, sending the co-hosts into the round of 16.
A 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died of asphyxiation, according to the city’s health ministry.
Authorities have not confirmed the death of a third person, reported by local media.
More than a million people gathered in the streets of Mexico City, mainly around the Angel of Independence monument, according to estimates by the city government.
In a supercharged atmosphere, Julian Quinones gave Mexico a deserved lead midway through the first half with a thunderous strike and then turned provider for Raul Jimenez.
Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when they last hosted the tournament.
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