Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal rout Uzbekistan 5-0 at World Cup

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Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal rout Uzbekistan 5-0 at World Cup

Houston, June 24 (SANA) Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal moved closer to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K match in Houston on Tuesday.Ronaldo scores twice as Portugal rout Uzbekistan 5-0 at World Cup

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Nuno Mendes doubled Portugal’s advantage 11 minutes later.

The veteran forward struck again in the 39th minute to put Portugal firmly in control before an own goal by Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov in the 60th minute extended the lead. Substitute Rafael Leão completed the rout with a late goal in the 87th minute.

The match marked another milestone for Ronaldo, who became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. The two goals also took his international tally to 144.

The victory leaves Portugal top of Group K on four points, one point ahead of Colombia in second place. DR Congo is third with one point, while Uzbekistan remains bottom of the standings without a point after two matches.

Budimir strike keeps Croatia’s World Cup hopes alive with win over Panama

Budimir strike keeps Croatia's World Cup hopes alive with win over PanamaToronto, June 24 (SANA) Croatia revived its hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in their Group L match in Toronto on Tuesday.

Ante Budimir scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute, finishing from inside the penalty area to hand Croatia its first win of the tournament.

The victory lifted Croatia to three points and third place in the group standings, keeping qualification to the Round of 32 within reach ahead of the final round of matches.

Panama, meanwhile, suffered its second straight defeat and remains bottom of the group without a point, leaving its chances of advancing hanging in the balance.

England and Ghana share the top two spots in Group L with four points each after two matches.

The final round of group fixtures is set to decide the remaining qualification places, with Croatia still in contention for a place in the knockout phase.

R A H / ABD

Mbappé scores twice as France beats Iraq to reach World Cup knockout stage

Mbappé scores twice as France beats Iraq to reach World Cup knockout stagePhiladelphia, June 23 (SANA) Kylian Mbappé scored twice as France defeated Iraq 3-0 on Monday to secure a place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Playing at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, France took control early when Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead shortly after halftime before Mbappé added his second goal of the match in the 66th minute to seal the victory.

The match was interrupted by severe weather conditions at halftime, with play suspended for nearly two hours before resuming. The delay extended the total duration of the game to almost four hours.

The win lifted France to six points from two matches and ensured qualification from Group I with one game to spare.

Norway is second in the group on three points, while Senegal and Iraq remain without a point after two rounds of matches.

France’s qualification reinforces its status as one of the tournament favorites, with Mbappé once again playing a decisive role in the team’s campaign.

Haaland scores twice as Norway joins France in World Cup knockout stage

Haaland scores twice as Norway joins France in World Cup knockout stageWashington, June 23 (SANA) Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway secured a place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Senegal on Monday, joining France in advancing from Group I.

Norway took the lead through Marcus Pedersen in the 43rd minute at MetLife Stadium in New York before Haaland struck twice early in the second half to put his side in control.

The Manchester City forward scored in the 48th and 58th minutes, while Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr found the net in the 53rd minute and again in stoppage time (90+3), but his efforts were not enough to prevent Norway from claiming all three points.

The win moved Norway to six points from two matches, level with France, which had already secured qualification from the group.

France leads Group I on goal difference, with Norway second on the same number of points. Senegal and Iraq remain without a point ahead of the final round of group-stage matches.

Norway’s qualification marks a significant achievement for a side led by Haaland, whose goals have been central to the team’s campaign as it advances to the knockout stage alongside the 2018 world champions.

Algeria keeps World Cup hopes alive with comeback win over Jordan

Algeria keeps World Cup hopes alive with comeback win over JordanCalifornia, June 23 (SANA) Algeria came from behind to defeat Jordan 2-1 on Monday and keep its hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.

Playing at Levi’s Stadium in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, Algeria overturned a first-half deficit to claim a crucial victory in Group J.

Jordan opened the scoring in the 36th minute through Nizar al-Rashdan and held the lead until midway through the second half.

Nadhir Benbouali leveled the score in the 69th minute before Amine Gouiri completed the comeback with the winning goal in the 82nd minute.

The result moved Algeria to three points from two matches, level with Austria in the race for qualification to the Round of 32.

Argentina became the first team from Group J to secure a knockout-stage berth after winning its opening two matches and collecting six points.

The battle for the remaining qualification spots will be decided in the final round of group-stage fixtures, with Algeria and Austria tied on three points and Jordan still in contention.

R.H/Abd

Messi scores twice as Argentina beat Austria, extends World Cup scoring record

Messi scores twice as Argentina beat Austria, extends World Cup scoring recordWashington, June 23 (SANA) Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 on Monday to move closer to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while extending his record as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

The match, played at AT&T Stadium in Texas, was Argentina’s second Group J fixture and secured a second consecutive victory for the defending champions.

Messi opened the scoring in the 38th minute before adding a second goal deep into stoppage time (90+4), taking his World Cup tally to 18 goals. The Argentine captain had already surpassed former Germany striker Miroslav Klose‘s record of 16 goals after reaching 17 goals earlier in the tournament.

The 38-year-old forward has now scored 18 goals across six World Cup appearances, including one goal at Germany 2006, four at Brazil 2014, one at Russia 2018, seven at Qatar 2022 and five so far at the 2026 tournament.

Messi matched Klose’s record during his 200th international appearance for Argentina, scoring a hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria in his first match of a record sixth World Cup campaign.

Argentina moved to six points at the top of Group J and is on the verge of securing a place in the Round of 32. Austria remained on three points in second place ahead of the group’s other match between Algeria and Jordan.

6/24/2026

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9 September 2026

The hockey world is buzzing with renewed intensity following a report from a credible journalist that superstar center Connor McDavid has a strong desire to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a revelation that has ignited a firestorm of speculation and debate among fans and analysts alike. The mere possibility of the league’s most dominant player donning the blue and white has sent shockwaves through the NHL, transforming a long-held fantasy into a tangible, albeit distant, reality. This latest wave of excitement stems from a conversation relayed by a journalist, who indicated that McDavid is genuinely interested in joining his hometown team. The report, while not an official declaration, carries significant weight because it originates from a source considered to be reliable, unlike the typical rumor mill that has churned for years. For Leafs Nation, a fanbase perpetually starved for a championship, the notion of McDavid and Auston Matthews sharing a forward line is the stuff of dreams, a scenario that would instantly catapult Toronto into the stratosphere of Stanley Cup favorites. The timing of this revelation is particularly intriguing, as it aligns perfectly with a carefully constructed plan that appears to be unfolding within the Maple Leafs organization. A closer examination of the team’s recent contractual moves reveals a deliberate strategy, with nearly every new signing and acquisition structured with a two-year term. This is not coincidental; it is a calculated maneuver designed to maximize financial flexibility precisely when McDavid’s current deal with the Edmonton Oilers is set to expire. . The most glaring piece of evidence supporting this theory is the contract of Auston Matthews, the team’s current franchise cornerstone and captain. His own deal is slated to conclude in two years, creating a potential window where the team could theoretically afford to house both Matthews and McDavid under the salary cap. This synchronized expiration of contracts appears to be a masterstroke of foresight, a silent signal that the organization is positioning itself for a monumental swing at the sport’s biggest prize. . Beyond the contractual alignment, the broader context of McDavid’s situation in Edmonton cannot be ignored. The Oilers have assembled a formidable core, but their window of contention is narrowing as key players age. The pressure is mounting on the franchise to deliver a Stanley Cup in the immediate future, with this season and the next representing what many believe to be their final, best chances at glory with their current core group. Should they falter, the allure of a fresh start in Toronto, with a younger, equally talented supporting cast, could become overwhelmingly attractive for McDavid. . The sentiment within the league is that McDavid, despite his incredible individual accolades and regular-season dominance, is singularly focused on one goal: winning the Stanley Cup. He has publicly stated his commitment to the Oilers’ cause, expressing a desire to see the project through to its conclusion. However, the underlying assumption shared by many insiders is that his ultimate ambition includes playing for his childhood team, a narrative that has followed him since his junior hockey days in the Greater Toronto Area. This is an open secret, a gravitational pull that many believe will prove impossible to resist should the opportunity present itself in a competitive context. . The Maple Leafs’ recent front-office changes, including the hiring of a new general manager and the influence of new ownership with Rogers Communications taking full control, signal a new era of ambition and potentially, ruthlessness. The organization appears committed to shedding its reputation for regular-season success followed by postseason heartbreak. The moves made this summer, acquiring gritty, two-way players and addressing longstanding depth issues, suggest a philosophical shift towards building a roster capable of enduring the playoff grind. This transformation is essential, as McDavid would have no interest in joining a team that is merely competitive; he demands a legitimate contender. The question of whether the Oilers would ever consider trading McDavid before his contract expires remains a subject of intense debate. He possesses a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his destiny. A trade is highly improbable unless the team’s season spirals into disaster and he explicitly requests a move. More likely, the scenario plays out in free agency two summers from now, with Toronto positioned as the most logical and attractive destination. The financial package required would be astronomical, but the Leafs’ carefully managed cap space, with numerous contracts expiring in tandem, suggests they are preparing for exactly that eventuality. . The potential pairing of McDavid with Matthews is a prospect that borders on the surreal for hockey fans. They are not only generational talents but also known to be close friends who have trained together during offseasons. Their combined skill set, with McDavid’s unparalleled speed and playmaking ability complementing Matthews’ elite goal-scoring prowess, would create an offensive juggernaut the league has not seen in decades. The mere thought of them leading a power play together is enough to send shivers down the spines of opposing goaltenders and coaches alike. It would be a partnership that could redefine offensive hockey and potentially deliver multiple championships to Toronto. . However, amidst the intoxicating excitement, a note of caution is warranted. The hockey landscape is littered with broken promises and dashed hopes, and the next two years are an eternity in the sport. The Maple Leafs must first prove they are no longer a “circus,” a term used to describe the dysfunction that has plagued the organization in recent years. They must demonstrate on-ice chemistry, playoff resilience, and a winning culture under their new leadership. McDavid will be watching closely, evaluating not just the talent on the roster but the environment off the ice, the professionalism of the organization, and the genuine commitment to winning at the highest level.…