England fans were desperate to see the national team get back on track against Panama at the 2026 World Cup, and they were given a boost when David Beckham was shown on the big screens at New York/New Jersey Stadium

Former England icon David Beckham helped lift the dampened spirits inside New York/New Jersey Stadium during the England Vs Panama match.

The anticipation was palpable ahead of kick-off, with England supporters commandeering a nearby shopping centre, festooning the railings with hundreds of flags.

Having beaten Croatia 4-2 before stumbling to a 0-0 stalemate with Ghana, England supporters were desperately eager to see their side get back to winning ways, though early signs were far from encouraging. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when England icon Beckham appeared on the big screens, prompting the loudest roar of the evening.

Much of the conversation surrounding this World Cup has centred on the sweltering heat and the much-debated hydration break, which has been enforced regardless of conditions. It was hardly necessary in New Jersey, however, where heavy rain and temperatures cooler than those back in Britain made for rather different surroundings.

For England, the conditions felt far more familiar than a typical away fixture on American soil, yet that offered little boost to their performance. A dismal first half ended goalless, with already-eliminated Panama fashioning the better opportunities, reports the Mirror US.

Supporters had queued for hours before the gates opened, some wrapped in ponchos and coats while others were drenched throughout the afternoon. The bare minimum those fans demanded was passion and determination, yet England barely got out of the blocks.

A tepid second half followed, and it appeared England might find themselves finishing second in Group L. Yet just as England, Thomas Tuchel, and the supporters were desperately seeking a spark, Beckham suddenly appeared on the Jumbotron, sending the England faithful into raptures as though a goal had been scored.

In a remarkable coincidence, talismanic striker Harry Kane had England’s finest opportunity moments later, and the crowd suddenly rediscovered the drive and conviction they had been so desperately craving. Shortly afterwards, Jude Bellingham fired England into the lead, and a wave of sheer relief swept around the stadium.

The Three Lions will advance as group winners and turn their attention to the Round of 32 tie. All it took was Beckham’s presence to energise the crowd, underlining his enduring influence.

It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for England, however, as Jarel Quansah suffered an injury scare and was forced off the pitch. Quansah had already been filling in for injured right-backs Tino Livramento and Reece James.

Follow our World Cup live blog by clicking here.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was left emotional as he watched Bosnia and Herzegovina reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time

Football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave an emotional reaction to watching Bosnia & Herzegovina’s reach the knockout stages of the World Cup. The former Sweden superstar became visibly emotional while working as a FOX pundit following Bosnia & Herzegovina’s 3-1 victory over Qatar, which saw them reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Typically composed, he had a deeply personal stake in Bosnia’s triumph due to his father’s roots. Bosnia & Herzegovina will face co-hosts the United States in the round of 32 match in the World Cup, and Ibrahimovic gave an emotional reaction to watching the country qualify for the knockout stages.

“That’s what football is all about, bringing people together and especially for Bosnia. How much this country has suffered and to see this happiness makes me very emotional,” Ibrahimovic said on FOX Sports. “Gives me goosebumps because that’s my father’s roots.”

The Bosnian War during the 1990s resulted in more than 100,000 deaths. Prior to independence, Bosnian athletes competed for Yugoslavia, but following the formation of their own national side, Bosnia secured qualification for their first World Cup in 2014.

The conflict also led to many people losing their homes, including Ibrahimovic’s Bosnian father and Croatian mother, who relocated to Sweden before Yugoslavia’s dissolution. Bosnia was not recognised by FIFA until 1996.

After relocating to Sweden, Ibrahimovic embarked on a career that would see him become Sweden’s leading international goal-scorer.

Despite netting 62 international goals in 122 appearances, with 19 coming during World Cup qualifiers, Ibrahimovic finished his Sweden career without a single World Cup goal.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page

“Just to see 70,000 singing, probably the Bosnian fans won already the World Cup and it makes me happy, very proud over them and see them also advance from the group stage,” Ibrahimovic continued.

“But the special moment is when the fans are singing, this is what makes me emotional, I cannot even express myself well now, but it’s a very emotional moment, and I’m just happy, I’m just happy.”

Ibrahimovic’s father, Sefik, was born in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and relocated to Sweden in 1977, where Zlatan was raised. He was best known as “Kinko,” a folk singer who launched his career in his hometown in 1985.

While Zlatan opted to represent Sweden, he frequently speaks about the significance of his Bosnian heritage. Bosnia’s 3-1 victory over Qatar marked a turnaround following a 1-1 draw with Canada and a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland.

Under manager Sergej Barbarez and captain Edin Dzeko, the side secured third place in Group B and progressed to the Round of 32, surpassing their previous best World Cup group stage exit in 2014. Bosnia will face the United States at Levi’s Stadium on July 1 to kick off their knockout phase.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

from £4.50

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.

Celebrating its 100th birthday this year Brynamman Cinema offers film lovers a magical journey back in time

In this day and age of streaming platforms and monthly subscriptions many people might not feel the need to head to the cinema for the latest film releases when they can enjoy from the comfort of their own lounge.

But one independent movie house in Wales continues to buck the trend by attracting film lovers far and wide thanks to its unique offering that makes you feel like we’re still living in the golden age of cinema.

It’s often said going to the movies isn’t what it used to be. But it might be if you’re heading to Brynamman Cinema, which is celebrating its 100th birthday.

To get the full story behind this wondrous old place, though, one has to go back further than 100 years. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.

In 1915 a devastating fire tore through Brynamman. The community hall was razed to the ground, stripping the residents of this village of their cherished communal hub.

Less than a decade later, in 1924, as the nation attempted to find its footing following the end of World War One in 1918, that hub was reconstructed. Thanks to local miners who contributed a modest portion of their weekly wages not only to build it but also to sustain it Brynamman Public Hall was reborn.

It formally opened in 1926 and now, 100 years on, it remains – along with the charm that feels every bit as rich and genuine as it would have a century ago.

Pulling up outside the building there’s little to take your breath away at first glance. It resembles any other village hall – the sort of place you might pop into for a coffee morning – yet the interior tells an altogether different story.

Walking past the ticket booth, up the staircase, and beyond the small shop selling popcorn, with vintage film reels adorning the walls, the full spectacle reveals itself.

This is a truly unique cinema: beautiful, captivating, and steeped in history.

Standing in front of the huge screen one cannot help but be struck by the thought of generations of miners who sought respite here after punishing shifts underground or the countless families who have been entertained within these walls throughout much of the 20th century and into the 21st.

There’s no escaping the feeling that this place isn’t merely important – it’s absolutely essential. While this cinema aims to provide visitors with a window into history those running it understand the role it continues to play today.

The cinema doesn’t simply exist as a tribute to the past or a reminder of a golden age long gone – this is a fully operational modern cinema which has just welcomed more than 1,200 moviegoers during the opening few days of the Toy Story 5 release.

With tickets priced at just £5 per person at the door (£4.75 if booked in advance online) how does Brynamman Cinema manage to survive in this day and age of multiplex this and streaming that?

Advertisement

The bulk of box office revenue immediately flows back out of the door. When two tickets are purchased for £10 then £6 of that sum goes directly to the studio distributing whichever blockbuster is being screened.

But this place is run by the community that surrounds it – mostly volunteers who dedicate themselves to it out of sheer passion. There are also nine part-time staff.

The world of cinema is changing and venues like this one need to change as well.

Advertisement

“How busy we are depends on a few different things,” said Tom Smith, the manager at Brynamman Cinema. “The hot weather can have a say but also if the big studios don’t bring out anything major that can also cause admissions to drop.

“Numbers can be low at times but other times, like with last week’s release of Toy Story 5, we have over a thousand people through the door in the opening three or four days.

“A film needs to find its feet these days like if a film is part of a trend on TikTok.

“One challenge is the reality that people can get a streaming service at home for under £10 a month – that’s less than two cinema tickets. People can get unlimited access to films so they tend to treat going to the cinema as more of a luxury.”

Tom says the traditional blockbuster is more important now than it ever was. A routine release, which may have filled cinemas in decades past, can now often be watched as part of a subscription at home just weeks after its debut.

But with the big films the audience still enjoys being in an auditorium – especially one as grand and as impressive as this one.

“Cinema will always be here,” said Tom. “But I think the relationship between cinemas and distributors will need to be altered in some ways.

“The percentage we give back has always been about the same but that doesn’t make as much sense now because there is so much competition we have to contend with streaming.

“There needs to be a bigger push for that change to happen from a big company but that’s the ideal situation for the future.

“We are really lucky here because the experience we can give people is not something that every cinema can offer. Our cinema is very grand, it’s very beautiful, and we have such a dedicated audience and a big catchment area.

“As long as people keep going to the cinema they will keep coming to this cinema. The fluctuation we see in audience numbers is happening everywhere – that’s how audience habits have changed.”

Brynamman Cinema has applied for and received grants to modernise the more-than-a-century-old building to maintain and refurb what first opened as a public hall in 1926.

But it’s kept alive by its dedicated army of 20 or so volunteers and the thirst that still exists to watch the latest film releases in such an incredible and historic setting. It also now has a bar inside, and staff still bring round ice cream in trays, with every sale doing its own little bit to keep this cinema thriving.

Last year Brynamman Cinema won Best Cinema Experience at the Welsh Hospitality Awards, and it’s easy to see why.

“We will continue to adapt,” said Tom. “If something changes we try to change with it. But we will always be true to our heritage.”

Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and progress to the round of 32 of the World Cup.

The African nation, who returned to the tournament after a 52-year absence, will now face England in the knockout stage on Wednesday after finishing third in Group K.

Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring in the 10th minute in Atlanta, converting from a tight angle after an Abbosbek Fayzullaev header into the box.DR Congo thought they had levelled minutes later when Nathanael Mbuku fired in a left-footed shot.

However, the goal was disallowed after a review, with the referee ruling that Mbuku had caught Sherzod Nasrullaev in the face with a flailing arm in the build-up.

DR Congo eventually levelled in the second half, when Newcastle United striker Wissa sent the Uzbekistan goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

They took the lead in the 68th minute when Fiston Mayele flicked the ball over the line before the goalkeeper could stop him.

Wissa sealed progression with a strike from the edge of the box into the bottom-right corner, completing DR Congo’s comeback win.

PA

President Trump has warned Iran will ‘no longer exist’ after the US launched retaliatory military strikes following Tehran’s alleged drone attack on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, breaching the ceasefire agreement.

President Trump has warned he will ‘complete the job’ and ensure ‘Iran will no longer exist’ in a stark message following renewed strikes on Iran.

The US president issued the threat on his Truth Social platform on Saturday evening after a succession of strikes between the US and Iran.

“United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”.

The warning follows the US Central Command’s announcement that it launched retaliatory strikes after Tehran allegedly attacked a commercial oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz using drones.

The US military confirmed Saturday it had hit 10 targets in Iran at President Trump’s direction.

The US Central Command, in a social media post, said that American military aircraft targeted Iranian military “surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities” following the attack on a merchant vessel early Saturday morning.

The wave of strikes in the Gulf underscores how, despite the interim agreement reached by the US and Iran, there remains a danger that the conflict could once more escalate beyond control.

The vessel targeted by Iran was a Panama-flagged tanker, M/T Kiku, which was transporting more than two million barrels of crude oil close to the strait.

The US military also carried out strikes on Friday following reports of a further attack on a cargo ship, the Singapore-flagged M/V Ever Lovely.

It stated that “Iran had a chance to honour the ceasefire agreement” but “elected not to” when its forces struck the Kiku.

Earlier this month, the two nations reached a ceasefire agreement and a memorandum of understanding ahead of a potential peace deal, yet the Strait of Hormuz has continued to remain a flashpoint.

Despite a rise in commercial traffic, normal shipping has not yet been fully reinstated owing to ongoing strikes.

Prior to Friday, Tehran had warned that attempts to navigate the strait along a route designated by the UN’s International Maritime Organization would be “unacceptable and completely dangerous” and that vessels were required to coordinate with Iran.

Emergency services were called to South Promenade in South Shields, South Tyneside just before 3.20pm today after what has been described as a road traffic incident.

Police remain at the scene and have blocked off a portion of Sea Road, by the Ocean Beach Pleasure Park.

Pictures show a number of officers inside the cordon as well as six police cars.

The circumstances of the incident are not yet known.

A North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) spokesperson said: “We received a call at 3.19pm on Saturday 27 June to reports of a road traffic incident on South Promenade in South Shields.

“We dispatched an ambulance crew, a specialist paramedic, a rapid response paramedic, and a clinical team leader to the scene.

“Two patients were taken to hospital for further treatment.”

Northumbria Police has been contacted for comment.

Uruguay were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 1-0 to Spain, with coach Marcelo Bielsa stepping down and the squad stripped of their private jet home.

Uruguay were handed what appeared to be a straightforward group at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Aside from reigning European champions Spain, the South American side faced tournament newcomers Cape Verde and perennial underachievers Saudi Arabia.

Yet the two-time World Cup winners are heading home early after a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Friday. The squad, spearheaded by Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, had originally been set to return to Uruguay aboard a private jet.

However, the AUF (Uruguay’s football federation) has instructed players to make the journey home on commercial flights, as confirmed by Uruguayan outlet Tenfield.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page

Even the expanded 48-team format wasn’t enough to spare Uruguay, who failed to qualify as a third-place finisher. Coach Marcelo Bielsa’s side managed only draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, finishing on just two points.

Uruguay are the highest-ranked FIFA nation (19th) to be eliminated. Bielsa, 70, confirmed his resignation in a heated post-match outburst, reports the Mirror US.

Advertisement

“I’ve left Uruguayan football nothing because any type of support a country’s soccer manager can give in a country where he has worked three years doesn’t take if you don’t get results,” Bielsa said, via a translation.

“The fourth place in the World Cup qualifiers wasn’t worth anything, third place in the Copa América wasn’t worth anything, and obviously, I don’t need to describe this showing. But if you ask me how my tenure will be remembered, as a tenure I’ve left nothing.

“The journalists, the Uruguayan supporters, you all want to blame me for what happened, and I must take that blame. It is the only right thing to do.”

Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!

There were two controversial incidents involving Bielsa during Friday’s fixture. The first involved long-serving goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, a regular since the 2010 World Cup, being withdrawn at half-time after his first-half mistake.

“No, I didn’t take [the decision],” Bielsa said after the match. “It’s a decision Muslera took himself.”

Reserve keeper Sergio Rochet came on for the second period. The second occurred when Bielsa brought off Valverde in the 57th minute for striker Federico Vinas. The Real Madrid star was furious and refused to shake his manager’s hand as he left the pitch.

“It’s a decision Muslera took himself, and Valverde, I substituted him for Federico Viñas because I wanted to have a more attacking strategy,” Bielsa said.

Advertisement

Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

from £4.50

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.