Sports
Marquez closes in on banned Bezzecchi with Czech MotoGP win
Seven-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez claimed victory at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno Sunday, extending his winning streak to two races after a dominant triumph in Hungary two weeks earlier.
Pole sitter Ai Ogura of Japan finished second ahead of Marquez’s factory Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi sat out the race as a penalty for slapping a track steward in the face following a crash in Saturday’s sprint.
But the Italian on a factory Aprilia still leads the MotoGP rankings with 180 points, ahead of his teammate Jorge Martin with 172, Fabio Di Giannantonio on a Ducati with 157 and Marc Marquez with 140.
On a scorching hot day in the second Czech city of Brno, pole sitter Ogura on an Aprilia took the lead on the first lap with Bagnaia and Marquez tucked behind him.
Bagnaia struck first in the second lap and Marquez followed seconds later, the two factory Ducatis settling down at the top with Ogura third.
Marquez circled patiently behind Bagnaia, narrowing his gap on his teammate to a tenth of a second by the 11th of 21 laps.
The seven-time MotoGP champion struck in lap 16, overtaking Bagnaia and immediately getting away to seal his fifth MotoGP victory on the Brno circuit.
Moments later, Bagnaia also gave in to mounting pressure from Ogura.
Ogura closed in on Marquez in the final laps but settled for second, while Bagnaia held off Di Giannantonio in fourth.
The three also topped Saturday’s sprint won by Bagnaia ahead of Ogura and Marquez.
“A super important victory,” said Marquez. “Super happy.”
‘A tough one’
Marquez came back to racing in Hungary after sitting out two Grand Prix with a broken foot and ahead of Brno he admitted he was not entirely fit yet.
“You know that I never give up, in the last laps I was suffering a lot. The bike was there but I was empty and then I just tried to keep the pace,” said the 33-year-old Spaniard.
“I saw that Ogura was pushing, but not enough to catch me. They were the longest six laps of the year,” he added.
Ogura said the race was “a really tough one.”
“I think I got a good pace towards the end but he (Marquez) has something more,” the 25-year-old Trackhouse MotoGP Team rider said.
“Overall the quality of the weekend was a lot better than the other races so we can be happy about that. Time to celebrate!”
Bagnaia, the world champion in 2022 and 2023, said he had a hard time holding on to Marquez and Ogura after they had overtaken him.
“I needed to slow down a bit and then the last three laps I tried to be back on my pace to try to control (Di Giannantonio) who was arriving very fast,” the 29-year-old Italian added.
It was a dark weekend for the Aprilia Racing team – besides Bezzecchi’s ban, Martin finished ninth after serving two long-lap penalties for causing a crash in the Hungarian GP in which he took out four riders including Bezzecchi.
The MotoGP circus has two races to go before the summer break, resuming in the Netherlands next weekend.
Earlier Sunday, Spain’s Ivan Ortola took his maiden win in the Moto2 class despite serving a long-lap penalty, while Malaysia’s Hakim Danish also relished his first-ever win in the Moto3 category.
Defending champions Argentina national football team can move closer to the World Cup knockout stage when it faces Austria national football team in its second Group J match on Monday, with both sides seeking to build on convincing opening-round victories.
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina’s title defense with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria, drawing level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, while Austria beat Jordan 3-1 to set up a meeting between the group’s two early leaders.
A victory would leave Argentina on the brink of the Round of 32 and could secure top spot in the group if Jordan fail to beat Algeria in the day’s other Group J match.
Austria arrive with ambitions of their own after an impressive opening performance under coach Ralf Rangnick and can also move into a commanding position in the group if they overcome Argentina and Algeria do not beat Jordan.
Alaba wary
Much of the attention will again fall on 38-year-old Messi, whose clinical display against Algeria reinforced Argentina’s status as one of the favorites to retain the trophy, a threat Austria captain David Alaba acknowledged after watching his opener.
“We definitely watched their game before we left,” the defender said after their opening win.
“It’s incredible that Messi started such a tournament with a hat trick. Absolutely insane … Let’s hope he doesn’t (do it) next week.”
Alaba was quick to stress that Argentina’s quality extends well beyond their talisman.
“We know what kind of opponent we’re up against, what kind of quality they have in their ranks, even besides Messi, but also what they’re capable of as a team,” he said.
Austria will hope their organised pressing game can disrupt Argentina’s rhythm and strengthen their credentials as potential group winners.
Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar warned that Austria would pose a different challenge to Algeria, describing Rangnick’s side as a physical team capable of causing problems despite Argentina’s impressive start.
“Austria is a very tough team, as we’re seeing with the vast majority of the teams participating in this World Cup,” he said in a FIFA interview.
The build-up has also been coloured by Algeria’s complaint to FIFA’s refereeing commission over several decisions in Argentina’s opening victory, including an incident in which Messi escaped punishment after a challenge on captain Aissa Mandi before going on to score his hat trick.
Argentina have not publicly commented on the complaint and will be focused on extending their winning start.
Türkiye’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end early Saturday after a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay, a result that left the Crescent-Stars without a point and eliminated before the final round of Group D matches.
Despite dominating possession for long stretches and playing against 10 men for the entire second half, Türkiye failed to find a breakthrough as Paraguay defended resolutely and capitalized on an early defensive mistake.
The match, officiated by El Salvador’s Ivan Barton, began disastrously for Türkiye.
Just minutes after kickoff, defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı’s attempted clearance fell kindly to Julio Enciso, who quickly fed Mathias Galarza.
The midfielder took advantage of the space outside the penalty area and unleashed a low strike that beat goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır, giving Paraguay a 1-0 lead.
The early goal immediately put Türkiye on the back foot.
As they had in their opening defeat to Australia, Vincenzo Montella’s side controlled possession and dictated the tempo, but they struggled to convert territorial dominance into clear-cut scoring opportunities. Paraguay sat deep, remained compact and forced Türkiye into increasingly difficult attacking positions.
Türkiye’s best chance of the first half arrived in the 35th minute.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu delivered a dangerous free kick into the penalty area, where Mert Müldür rose highest to meet it. His powerful header struck the crossbar, bounced onto the post and somehow stayed out, leaving Turkish players and fans stunned.
The game took a dramatic turn deep into first-half stoppage time.
Following a challenge involving forward Pitta, Paraguay star Miguel Almiron was seen speaking to Mert Müldür while covering his mouth with his hand. Under FIFA’s newly introduced regulations, intentionally concealing speech during an on-field exchange is punishable by a red card.
After a VAR review, Barton was sent to the monitor and subsequently dismissed Almiron in the 45th minute, reducing Paraguay to 10 men before halftime.
Even with the numerical advantage, Türkiye could not find the goal that would keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The second half became an extended siege of the Paraguayan penalty area.
Kenan Yıldız threatened shortly after the restart, while Merih Demiral and substitute Deniz Gül both squandered promising opportunities. Türkiye pushed higher, committed more players forward and spent much of the half camped inside Paraguay’s territory.
Mert Müldür remained a constant threat, while Can Uzun injected energy and creativity from the bench. Yet every attack seemed to end in frustration as Paraguay’s defense held firm.
Türkiye’s final opportunity came in the 89th minute.
Barış Alper Yılmaz drove down the right flank and delivered a low cross into the box. Can Uzun’s effort was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Gill, and Deniz Gül could only send the rebound wide of the post.
It proved to be Türkiye’s last realistic chance.
When the final whistle sounded, Paraguay celebrated a hard-fought victory while Turkish players were left to reflect on another night of missed opportunities.
Following a 2-0 defeat to Australia in their World Cup opener, Türkiye’s loss to Paraguay leaves them rooted to the bottom of Group D without a point, ending their 2026 World Cup campaign before a final group-stage clash against host nation the United States.
Mexico capitalized on a costly defensive mistake by South Korea to secure a 1-0 victory on Thursday, becoming the first team to book a place in the World Cup knockout stage and sparking celebrations across the country.
The result marked a significant turnaround for Mexico, which failed to advance beyond the group stage in 2022. Playing on home soil, El Tri have now claimed back-to-back victories in front of passionate home crowds. Players gathered at midfield after the final whistle, applauding supporters who filled Estadio Akron with chants and songs throughout the match.
The celebrations quickly spread beyond the stadium. In Mexico City, mariachis began performing at the Angel of Independence as thousands of fans converged on the landmark from all directions. In Guadalajara, streets echoed with car horns as supporters waved Mexican flags, sang and celebrated a milestone victory that sent the host nation into the knockout rounds.
Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyeok and dropped the ball inside the area. Romo easily found the open net after collecting the loose ball.
The South Koreans nearly equalized in the 87th minute when Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel stopped a header from close range by Cho Gue-sung, then made an even better save on Yang Hyun-jun’s rebound attempt, extending his right arm to keep the ball from crossing the line.
“It was very quick, it was pure reaction,” Rangel said. “I couldn’t really tell you what I saw because I remember the moment of impact with my teammate and me having the ball.”
Mexico leads Group A with six points from two matches, three more than South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, which drew 1-1 earlier Thursday in Atlanta.
The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-place teams. A round of 32 is being played for the first time after the tournament expanded to 48 teams.
“We’ve been doing very well,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “It wasn’t a great match, but I think our opponent didn’t let us do too much. But we still were able to score on that mistake, in addition to creating another two or three opportunities.”
Aguirre said it felt good for the players to guarantee their place in the next round at home.
“It relieves some of the pressure,” he said. “But not for me, for the players. They are euphoric, they are very happy.”
Mexico opened with a 2-0 win over South Africa, while South Korea rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.
Mexico closes group play Wednesday against the Czech Republic in Mexico City, while South Korea takes on South Africa in Monterrey.
Mexico had never won a World Cup match on home soil outside Mexico City. Before 2026, all but one of its nine World Cup matches at home, spanning the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, had been played at Estadio Azteca, where it went 5-0-3. When it played in Toluca in 1970, it lost 4-1 to Italy in the quarterfinals.
Thursday’s match got off to a lackluster start, with neither team creating significant scoring opportunities. Both squads were loudly booed at halftime.
Mexico, ranked No. 13, was eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Qatar. That followed seven consecutive eliminations in the round of 16.
South Korea star Son Heung-min had another disappointing game and was substituted in the 57th minute.
The 33-year-old Son is looking to become South Korea’s leading World Cup scorer and the highest-scoring Asian player in tournament history. The former Tottenham star, now with Los Angeles FC, entered with three goals across three previous World Cups.
Kim kept Mexico from adding to its lead by making a difficult save on a close-range shot by Raúl Jiménez in the 75th minute.
South Korea pressed until the end but could not find an equalizer.
South Korea, ranked No. 22, is making its 11th consecutive World Cup appearance and 12th overall, the most by any Asian nation. Its best result was a fourth-place finish at the tournament it co-hosted with Japan in 2002. Since then, it has not advanced beyond the round of 16.
“The mistake that we made was unfortunate,” coach Hong Myung-bo said.
This time, there were not many empty seats in Guadalajara, unlike the earlier match between South Korea and the Czech Republic. FIFA had blamed fans standing in the concourses for the appearance of empty seats. Thursday’s crowd was announced at 45,522 for the 45,664-capacity stadium, which was hosting the national team for the first time.
Fan zones across Mexico were packed ahead of the game. In the largest one, in Mexico City’s Zocalo, chants of support for the national team and cries of “Olé!” with every pass mingled with a homophobic chant. This one-word slur literally means male prostitute in Spanish, which has previously led to sanctions against Mexico and could trigger further punishment from FIFA.
There were also peaceful protests in Guadalajara, organized by the families of Mexico’s 130,000 missing people.
The race for Group G control tightens as Iran and Belgium meet June 21, 2026, at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, with both sides level on one point after opening draws and little room for error in the expanded 48-team World Cup format.
The 12:00 p.m. local kickoff carries early knockout implications.
With Belgium held 1-1 by Egypt and Iran drawing 2-2 with New Zealand, the group remains finely balanced, where a win could tilt qualification momentum sharply in one direction.
Group G wide open
All four teams in the group sit on a single point, amplifying the stakes. Egypt and New Zealand also remain in contention, meaning every result now carries knockout-level pressure despite being only Matchday 2.
Belgium were forced to settle for a draw after conceding first to Egypt’s Emam Ashour, before responding through pressure that led to an own goal. Substitute Romelu Lukaku shifted the tempo after his introduction, but the finishing edge never fully arrived.
Iran matched that tension with a resilient 2-2 comeback against New Zealand.
Elijah Just struck twice for New Zealand, but Iran answered through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi to salvage a point in a match shaped by intensity both on and off the field.
Iran leaning into adversity
Iran’s World Cup build has been shaped as much by logistics as football.
Based in Tijuana due to travel and visa constraints linked to U.S. policy restrictions, the squad has faced travel disruption, limited staff access, and repeated complaints to FIFA.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has described the team as the most constrained in the tournament, while captain Mehdi Taremi called the conditions disruptive. Yet on the pitch, Iran have responded with discipline and resilience, traits that have long defined their World Cup identity.
Taremi leads the attack with experience and composure, supported by Ramin Rezaeian’s wide threat and set-piece delivery. Alireza Beiranvand anchors the goalkeeping unit, while Saeid Ezatolahi and Shojae Khalilzadeh provide structure through midfield and defense. The absence of Sardar Azmoun removes a key attacking option, increasing reliance on counterattacks and efficiency.
Iran are expected to deploy a compact defensive shape, prioritizing transition moments and set plays, especially against possession-heavy opponents.
Belgium’s talent test under pressure
Belgium enter still carrying expectations from their long-touted golden generation, though recent tournaments have exposed inconsistencies in breaking down organized sides.
Rudi Garcia’s squad remains technically strong, anchored by Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity and control in midfield. Romelu Lukaku offers a direct scoring threat, particularly after influencing the opener off the bench. Thibaut Courtois provides stability in goal, while Youri Tielemans and Axel Witsel add balance and experience.
The challenge remains converting possession into goals. Against Egypt, Belgium struggled to sustain attacking rhythm despite territorial dominance, a concern against an Iran side built to absorb pressure and counter.
Tactical picture
This is the first competitive meeting between Belgium and Iran. On paper, Belgium’s depth and technical quality make them favorites, but Iran’s compact structure and physical discipline are designed to frustrate higher-ranked opponents.
Belgium are expected to control the ball and probe through midfield combinations, while Iran will sit deeper, compress space, and look to exploit turnovers. Set pieces and late transitions could decide a match where margins are thin.
Los Angeles Stadium provides a large-stage atmosphere, with a strong Iranian diaspora expected to create a vocal presence in Los Angeles, adding another layer to an already high-pressure contest.
A win would place either side in a strong position to reach the round of 32, while a draw would likely extend uncertainty into the final group fixtures.
Spain return to action on Sunday in Atlanta needing a response, not just in result but in performance, after a flat opening draw that has already complicated their World Cup path in Group H.
Spain national football team opened their 2026 campaign with a 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde national football team, a match that exposed a familiar problem, control without cutting edge. Spain dominated possession and territory, but the final pass, the final touch, and the final decision repeatedly failed them against a side that defended with discipline and patience.
Cape Verde’s resistance was led by veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose string of saves kept Spain’s attacking core quiet for long stretches. Even with Pedri linking play, Rodri dictating tempo, and Lamine Yamal introduced to inject pace and unpredictability, Spain never found rhythm in the box. The result was not just dropped points, but a reminder that dominance in modern tournament football means little without efficiency.
The draw leaves Group H in a rare state of balance after the opening round, with all four teams on a single point. Saudi Arabia national football team matched Uruguay 1-1, while Uruguay national football team and Cape Verde also took something from their respective opening fixtures. The group is now effectively reset, where one result can flip the standings completely.
For Spain, the stakes rise quickly. With Uruguay still to come, Sunday’s match carries early knockout weight. Another slip would not eliminate them, but it would leave qualification dependent on later scenarios rather than control of their own path.
Coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to adjust rather than overhaul. The most anticipated change is the increased involvement of Lamine Yamal, whose return from injury gives Spain a direct, vertical threat they lacked in the opener. Dani Olmo is also an option to add sharper movement between lines, while Ferran Torres and Álvaro Morata face pressure to convert limited chances in a system that continues to generate volume but not precision.
Tactically, Spain’s structure remains stable. They will dominate the ball, push fullbacks high, and compress play into the opponent’s half. The issue is what happens next, breaking compact blocks that refuse to stretch. Cape Verde showed the template, and Saudi Arabia are expected to follow it closely.
Saudi Arabia national football team arrive with belief and a clear identity. Their 1-1 draw with Uruguay reinforced a pattern seen in recent tournaments, organized defensive shape, disciplined midfield spacing, and quick transitions when space appears. Since their famous win over Argentina in 2022, Saudi Arabia have built a reputation for handling pressure moments against elite opposition, especially when games become tactical rather than open.
The game plan is likely clear. Absorb pressure, reduce central passing lanes, slow Spain’s rhythm, and look for counters when Spain’s back line pushes high. Set pieces may also be a key weapon in a match where open-play chances could be limited.
Historically, Spain enter this match under expectation as 2010 world champions and recent European champions, but also under scrutiny after their early 2022 exit. This tournament has been framed as a test of evolution under de la Fuente, blending midfield control with sharper attacking instincts. The Cape Verde draw has already sharpened that narrative.
Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for 9:00 p.m. (GMT+3) on Sunday.
Fenerbahçe have once again placed their trust in one of their own, appointing club legend Ismail Kartal as head coach for the 2026-27 season in a move aimed at restoring stability and reigniting their pursuit of a long-awaited Süper Lig title.
Kartal’s return, as announced on FV TV on Thursday, marks his fourth stint on the Fenerbahçe bench, reinforcing his unique bond with a club where he built his reputation both as a player and a coach.
Alongside Kartal’s appointment as head coach, the club also named Oğuz Çetin as the club’s football director.
The appointment follows the dismissal of former manager Domenico Tedesco in April after a costly derby defeat to archrivals Galatasaray effectively ended Fenerbahçe’s championship challenge.
Assistant coach Zeki Murat Göle guided the team on an interim basis until the club finalized its decision.
For many supporters, Kartal’s return feels less like a new appointment and more like a homecoming.
A respected figure throughout Turkish football, the 65-year-old has long been viewed as one of the club’s most loyal servants.
Known for his disciplined approach, strong man-management skills and deep understanding of the demands surrounding Fenerbahçe, Kartal arrives with a proven record of delivering results despite often working under intense pressure.
Born in Istanbul’s Anadolu Kavağı district in 1961, Kartal enjoyed a distinguished playing career, spending a decade at Fenerbahçe between 1983 and 1993. The right back made more than 230 league appearances, scored 15 goals and helped the club capture two league titles along with several domestic trophies. He also represented Türkiye at the international level.
After hanging up his boots, Kartal steadily built his coaching resume through youth-team roles, assistant coaching positions and managerial jobs across Türkiye.
His most notable achievements away from Fenerbahçe include leading Sivasspor to promotion as TFF First League champions in 2004-05 and guiding Ankaragücü back to the top flight in 2017-18.
His coaching journey has also included spells with Konyaspor, Rizespor, Gaziantepspor and Eskişehirspor, establishing him as one of the country’s most experienced domestic managers.
Yet it is at Fenerbahçe where Kartal has produced some of his strongest work.
His first full season in charge in 2014-15 delivered the Turkish Super Cup and a runner-up league finish. When he returned on an interim basis in 2021-22, he steadied the team and again secured second place.
His most impressive spell came during the 2023-24 campaign. Under Kartal, Fenerbahçe amassed 99 points, scored more goals than any other team in the league and remained unbeaten away from home throughout the season. Despite those remarkable numbers, they narrowly missed out on the title to Galatasaray, extending the club’s championship drought.
Although European success proved elusive, the team played some of its most consistent football in recent years and Kartal left with widespread praise from supporters.
Following a brief stint at Iranian powerhouse Persepolis in 2025, Kartal now returns to a club searching for direction after another period of managerial upheaval.
Since his departure in 2024, Fenerbahçe have cycled through high-profile appointments, including Jose Mourinho and later Tedesco. While both arrived with strong reputations, neither managed to end the club’s wait for a league crown.
The decision to bring back Kartal signals a shift toward continuity and familiarity rather than another high-profile gamble.
Club officials and supporters alike will hope his understanding of Fenerbahçe’s culture, expectations and competitive environment can provide the foundation for a sustained title challenge.
His teams have consistently posted strong points-per-game averages and are often characterized by defensive organization, tactical discipline and resilience in pressure-filled situations.
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