Sports
Super Eagles miss out on automatic World Cup qualification despite 4–0 win over Benin
•FILE PHOTO: Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and teammates celebrate after scoring a goal.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria cruised to a 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo but fell short of securing automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the emphatic win, Nigeria finished as one of the best second-placed teams in the CAF qualifying series and will now advance to the African playoff round.
Striker Victor Osimhen was the standout performer of the night, scoring a sensational hat-trick to power Nigeria past their West African neighbours.
The Galatasaray forward opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, calmly finishing off a swift attacking move to give the Super Eagles a dream start.
The visitors showed flashes of resilience but struggled to contain Nigeria’s high pressing and attacking tempo.
Osimhen doubled the lead midway through the first half with a trademark header, rising highest to meet a cross from Samuel Chukwueze.
Shortly after the break, the 26-year-old completed his hat-trick with a composed finish from close range, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
With Nigeria still chasing a superior goal difference to improve their ranking among the runners-up, coach Éric Chelle’s men maintained their attacking intensity until the final whistle.
Their persistence paid off in added time when substitute Frank Onyeka smashed home a superb volley from Moses Simon’s cross to seal the 4–0 victory.
The result capped an impressive performance but was not enough to lift the Super Eagles to the top of their group, meaning they will have to navigate the playoff stage to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
(Daily Trust)
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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