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Tunisia's miserable World Cup campaign continued Their elimination at the group stage was confirmed by defeat against Japan. Author  | Jamie P Stadium  | Estadio Monterrey After a turbulent week in which they suffered a 5-1 loss to Sweden, dismissed Sabri Lamouchi and appointed former Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard as head coach, they fell behind inside four minutes in Guadalupe, Mexico. A well-organised Japan side opened the scoring with a swift counter-attack that ended with Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada poking home from close range at Monterrey Stadium. It was not long before Japan struck again. Ayase Ueda produced a fine finish, driving the ball through a defender's legs and into the far corner from the edge of the area. Watch  |  Highlights from BBC Sport Tunisia looked short of ideas for much of the contest and repeatedly afforded Japan too much space, allowing them to showcase their fluid, possession-based approach. Junya Ito added a third when...

It was a day for football's biggest names.  Yet even amid such star quality, Lionel Messi still commanded centre stage. Author  | Jamie P Hours after France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland had illuminated the World Cup with two goals apiece, the scene was set. This, though, was no supporting role. This was the main attraction. The Messi show. His first World Cup hat-trick, a record-equalling 16th goal at the finals, and another reminder that, even at 38, he remains a force of remarkable influence. Argentina secured a 3-0 victory over Algeria, with Messi at the heart of everything. As the sun dipped behind the Kansas City skyline, the 38-year-old became the first player in history to appear at six World Cups, eclipsing rival Cristiano Ronaldo by a single day. World Cup 2026 | Argentina 3 - 0 Algeria Lionel Messi became the World Cup's joint all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina opened their title defence with an emphati...

Lionel Messi makes history again He became the World Cup's joint all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina opened their title defence with an emphatic victory over Algeria. Author  | Jamie P Stadium  | Kansas City Stadium Making his 200th appearance for his country, Lionel Messi scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career. In doing so, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took his tally of goals in World Cup finals to 16, drawing level with Germany's all-time leading marksman, Miroslav Klose. The three-time world champions were forced to work hard for the win It was also the first time Argentina had won their opening match at a World Cup as defending champions, having lost their first games in 1982 and 1990. Much of that was down to the brilliance of Messi, who curled home a superb opener in the 17th minute. The 38-year-old collected the ball from his Inter Miami team-mate Rodrigo De Paul before bending a precise finish beyond ...

Belgium and Egypt play out an entertaining draw A second-half own goal denied Egypt a first ever World Cup win as Belgium rescued a point from their Group G opener. Author  | Jamie P Stadium  | Seattle Stadium The Pharaohs took the lead in the 21st minute through Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour, who thundered a 20-yard strike into the bottom corner past Thibaut Courtois. Lukaku has an impact from the bench However, Thomas Meunier's low cross was turned into his own net by Egypt defender Mohamed Hany in the 66th minute, under pressure from substitute Romelu Lukaku. Egypt were backed by a passionate support base on the USA's west coast as they hunted their first World Cup win in eight games, having made their tournament debut back in 1934. Instead the seven-time African champions spent the final moments holding on and managed to avoid defeat at a World Cup for only the third time. Best reaction Reading through all the hundreds (and maybe thousands comments about the game online) ...

The best 45 minutes of the tournament so far came in this match... Daichi Kamada's late header earned Japan a deserved point against the Netherlands in their opening World Cup match in Dallas. Author  | Jamie P Stadium  | Dallas Stadium One of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the group stage took time to ignite before developing into a gripping second-half contest, with the Dutch side's Premier League contingent appearing to have put them on course for a valuable victory. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and West Ham United forward Crysencio Summerville found the net before Crystal Palace's Kamada struck with a clever header, diverting Koki Ogawa's effort with two minutes remaining to secure a draw. READ MORE | Germany 7 - 1 Curaçao Many were expecting an early World Cup classic but it just didn't happen initially. Ronald Koeman's side carried the greater threat in a subdued first half, with Donyell Malen proving the main danger and forcing three saves from...

A closer look at how Somerset won the T20 Blast on a dramatic finals day Somerset, Hampshire, Northamptonshire and Lancashire arrived in Birmingham with dreams of taking home the trophy Author | Jamie P Stadium | Edgbaston How Somerset reached their third final in a row Somerset (182-7) beat Lancashire (159 all out) Tom Kohler-Cadmore's 81 off 52 balls powered Somerset to 182-7 in their 20 overs at Edgbaston. Liam Livingstone and Keaton Jennings had Lancashire well placed in the chase at 78-2 but Kohler-Cadmore's wonderful diving catch in the deep removed Jennings for 44. England all-rounder Livingstone struck three big sixes before he was given out lbw off Lewis Gregory despite claiming he got an inside edge and reviewing the decision. Replays were inconclusive with the bat next to the pad and Livingstone was furious as he left the field. At 102-4 in the 12th over when Livingstone went, Lancashire lost momentum under darkening skies and were bowled out for 159 in the...

England's poor form in white-ball cricket continues. South Africa sealed the series with a game to spare after edging England by five runs in the second one-day international. Author | Jamie P Stadium | Lord's Cricket Ground This was a far closer contest than the heavy defeat at Headingley on Tuesday, yet the scoreline disguised how much control the tourists held. A closer look at what happened Chasing 331, which would have been the highest successful pursuit in an ODI at Lord’s, England closed on 325 for nine. The loss marks their first series defeat since Harry Brook took charge of the white-ball side at the start of the summer, and their fifth in six series since the 2023 World Cup. On a damp afternoon, England chose to field and had South Africa 93 for three before Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs rebuilt with composed half-centuries. Breetzke made 85 and Stubbs 58, while Dewald Brevis’ rapid 42 from 20 balls carried the visitors to 330 for eight. Jofra Archer impres...

South Africa thrashed England in the first game of the ODI series England’s new white-ball era under Harry Brook was given a bruising reality check at Headingley, where they were bowled out for 131 and beaten by seven wickets in the first one-day international against South Africa. Author | Jamie P Stadium | Headingley Cricket Ground The hosts, playing their first 50-over match since sweeping aside West Indies earlier in the summer, collapsed from a promising 82 for two to 131 all out inside 25 overs. Brook was run out for 12 to trigger the slide, while opener Jamie Smith was the only batter to pass 15, making 54 from 48 balls. Jacob Bethell ’s struggles continued, Will Jacks chipped back a simple catch after his exertions in the Hundred final 48 hours earlier, and Jos Buttler scratched out 15 from 24 deliveries. The final seven wickets tumbled for just 29 runs in little more than seven overs. Keshav Maharaj claimed 4 for 22 on a surface offering little spin, while Wiaan Mu...

England safely into the last eight of the Women’s Rugby World Cup Jess Breach scored a hat-trick as England delivered their biggest ever World Cup win, defeating Samoa to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Author | Jamie P Stadium | Franklin's Gardens The Red Roses had previously recorded their widest World Cup winning margin with an 82-0 victory over Kazakhstan in 2010, while their highest points total in a World Cup match came against Fiji in 2022, when they scored 84. Fly-half Helena Rowland contributed 27 points, setting a new record for individual points in a Women’s World Cup game. Her final kick from wide outstripped the previous record of 25 points held by Nicky Crawford and Sue Day . England dominated the first half in Northampton , crossing for seven tries, including two from centre Megan Jones . Sarah Bern , Maddie Feaunati , Lark Atkin-Davies and Lucy Packer also scored as the hosts delivered a clinical display. READ MORE |  Sports news, discussion and mor...

They held off a spirited Hull FC to grind out a hard-earned victory at the MKM Stadium. Author | Jamie P Two tries from Australian winger Kyle Feldt, along with a pair of conversions and a drop goal from skipper Jonny Lomax, secured a sixth win in seven games for the in-form Saints. Hull briefly threatened a second-half fightback when centre Davy Litten dived over, but they remain without a home win this season. The result lifts St Helens above Leeds Rhinos into fourth place, while Hull drop to seventh following Wakefield’s emphatic win over Catalans Dragons at Belle Vue. A closer look at what happened Feldt’s double proved decisive, but Saints were made to work for the points. Early on, Curtis Sironen’s break created an overlap down the left, only for Harvey Barron and Zak Hardaker to scramble back and deny the visitors. Moments later, with Hull penalised for offside, Saints capitalised. Feldt danced past Aidan Sezer to cross for the opening try, with Lomax adding a fine conversi...

Who's excited for another summer of football? Let's have a closer look at those involved in this summer's Club World Cup. Author | Jamie P The Club World Cup returns this summer, and this year's edition is set to be the biggest yet, with a wealth of global footballing talent on show. Thirty-two teams from across the world will compete in the expanded tournament, which will be staged in 11 cities across the United States. The month-long event begins at 01:00 BST on Sunday and concludes on 13 July. There will be little delay before some of the sport's most recognisable names take to the pitch, with squads now finalised ahead of the opening matches. Inter Miami, somewhat fortuitous in their inclusion after winning Major League Soccer’s Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record, kick off proceedings on day one. LA Galaxy, who went on to lift the MLS Cup in the play-offs, were notably omitted. The superstars returning to the spotlight to face the European...

He's one of two Scottish players that helped Napoli win Serie A Scott McTominay was already a hero at Napoli after some defining goals. However, as he collapsed to the ground in tears of joy after helping them to the Serie A title, he cemented his place as a legend of the club. Author | Jamie P McTominay hooked in a fine acrobatic volley - his 12th goal of the season - to give Napoli the lead against Cagliari, before former Manchester United team-mate Romelu Lukaku made the game safe with a second. That home win ensured they held off Champions League finalists Inter Milan to claim their fourth Serie A title. As soon after the final whistle went, the 28-year-old Scotland midfielder was named Serie A's Most Valuable Player for 2024-25. READ MORE | The day McTominay moved from Manchester United to Napoli READ MORE | The match report from European Super Football   READ MORE | Napoli news and stories from European Super Football  Leaving United, the club where he had spent near...

St Helens cruised past Catalans Dragons Teenager George Whitby delivered a standout performance as his side secured a dominant Super League victory. Author - Jamie P Whitby, who turns 19 this weekend, scored a hat-trick of tries and landed six conversions from seven attempts to finish with 24 points. His composed display helped Saints to only their third win in eight league matches, reigniting hopes of a strong second half to the season. Tries from Alex Walmsley, Deon Cross, Tristan Sailor and Lewis Murphy added to the one-sided scoreline at the Totally Wicked Stadium, in a match that brought back memories of the club’s 2022 Grand Final-winning campaign. The result intensifies scrutiny on Catalans Dragons boss Steve McNamara, whose side has now suffered three consecutive defeats. The former England coach is also facing an RFL investigation following critical remarks made after last weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Hull KR. Both clubs began the season with top-two ambit...

Will you be buying this console at launch? Nintendo has officially unveiled the Switch 2, the long-anticipated follow-up to one of the most successful gaming consoles of all time, confirming a release date of 5th June. Author - Jamie P Enthusiasts have been eager for updates since January, when the Japanese gaming firm finally broke its silence after months of speculation, offering the first hints about its next-generation device. During a widely viewed Nintendo Direct presentation, which was streamed by over a million viewers, the company shared fresh details about the console’s capabilities and confirmed it would launch alongside Mario Kart World, a new entry in the hugely popular franchise. See the launch trailer for the console below Source | Nintendo of America Several other major titles were also announced for the platform, including Elden Ring and Street Fighter 6, indicating strong third-party support from day one. Nintendo said the Switch 2 will offer improved graphics and...

It was a bad night for Scotland against Germany Their hopes of a Nations League turnaround were dashed once more as they slumped to a third straight defeat. This time at the hands of Germany, who struck four times in a commanding display in Dundee. Author - Jamie P The visitors wasted no time asserting their authority, finding the net with less than a minute played. Elisa Senss opened the scoring in emphatic fashion, rifling the ball into the top corner before goalkeeper Lee Gibson had time to react. Despite such a nightmare start, Michael McArdle’s side regrouped well and enjoyed a strong spell in the first half, controlling much of the play. But any momentum was swiftly undone by a cruel second goal. READ MORE: News and stories from across Germany via European Super Football READ MORE: Other football news from Super News Affiliate Just moments after Hibernian’s Eilidh Adams missed a gilt-edged chance with a close-range header, Germany surged forward. Jule Brand’s low cross caused...

Lomax’s heroics seal a thrilling Super League victory St Helens reignited their Betfred Super League campaign with a hard-fought victory over Catalans Dragons in Perpignan, showing no sentiment for former favourite Tommy Makinson in his first match against his old club. Author - Jamie P youtu.be/xveK5osByaE?... Catalans v St Helens. More reaction coming soon. [image or embed] — Super News Affiliate ( @sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social ) 1 April 2025 at 10:02 Both sides battled against fierce winds that made kicking a challenge, but it was Saints who adapted better to the punishing conditions. Despite a tight first half, they emerged victorious with a dramatic 14-13 win, thanks to Jonny Lomax’s last-minute drop goal. The triumph marked Saints’ first league win at Stade Gilbert Brutus since 2018 and could prove to be a turning point for coach Paul Wellens, whose side has struggled for consistency this season. Catalans were forced into a late reshuffle as Sam Tomkins took over the ...

Leigh stay unbeaten as Catalans struggle with errors and missed chances Umyla Hanley’s hat-trick fired Leigh Leopards to a commanding victory over a misfiring Catalans Dragons, extending their perfect start to the Super League season. Author - Jamie P While Catalans dominated possession, they failed to turn pressure into points, whereas Leigh were clinical, storming into a 16-0 lead by half-time. Hanley, Keanan Brand, and Jack Hughes all crossed before the break. Hanley added his second soon after the restart, with Ethan O’Neill also going over for his first Leigh try as the Dragons’ error count mounted. Alrix da Costa finally got the visitors on the board, but Hanley completed his hat-trick to seal an emphatic win. The victory moves Leigh up to second, level on points with leaders Hull KR, while Catalans sit 11th, still without a point after an error-strewn display. Leigh’s ruthlessness punishes wasteful Catalans Highlights Source | Super League YouTube account Catalans ...

Not quite a hole in one but this still delivers a great game of golf 2K Games’ latest sports sim might not be the best-looking or most realistic golf game out there, but it certainly delivers a fun and satisfying round. Author - Jamie P For a brief spell, officially licensed PGA Tour games were like buses – you wait for ages, then two show up at once. In 2023, we got both PGA Tour 2K23 and EA Sports’ vastly superior PGA Tour, but that surge of competition didn’t last long. The lukewarm reception (and presumably underwhelming sales) meant it’s taken nearly three years for Take-Two to return with a new entry. Before that, EA Sports had the PGA Tour licence locked down from 1990 to 2015, before Take-Two took a swing with PGA Tour 2K21. The plan was never to churn out yearly sequels, giving Canadian developer HB Studios the time to refine things between releases. Could 2025 be an exciting year for video games? Microsoft's impact on the gaming industry And while PGA Tour 2K25 isn’t ...

Fallout 5 isn’t set to land anytime soon  However, that hasn't stopped us exploring how the game could look The Fallout series has long captivated gamers with its distinctive blend of post-apocalyptic storytelling, immersive open-world exploration, and dark humour.  Author - Jamie P As anticipation builds for Fallout 5, fans are vocal about their desires for the next instalment. This article delves into the series' history, its enduring popularity, and the features gamers hope to see in the next installment, Building on the success of previous games and improving on some elements The Fallout community has high expectations for the next instalment in the franchise. Despite the love of the series that many people share, there was some of criticism of previous games including Fallout 76. Many fans are keen to see Bethesda return to the series' single-player RPG roots while improving on the mechanics and storytelling that made previous titles great.  One example of improv...

Shamrock Rovers are on the verge of making more history Michael Noonan has etched his name into European football history with a decisive debut goal for Shamrock Rovers, as the Irish side edged past Molde in the first leg of their Conference League play-off. Author - Jamie P Noonan, aged 16 years and 197 days, became the competition’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he calmly slotted home after Dylan Watts’ well-placed cross, just before the 60-minute mark.  In doing so, Noonan also emerged as the second youngest scorer in UEFA’s main club competitions—only Nii Lamptey, the former Aston Villa midfielder, has achieved this feat at 16 years and 100 days for Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup. Molde, already down to 10 men after an earlier incident, found themselves further punished when Valdemar Lund received a straight red card for a challenge on the young talent in the first half.  So, who is Michael Noonan? Previously linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester City,...