Norway booked their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, with striker Erling Haaland scoring a late winner in Dallas.
Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead in the 39th minute with a brilliant curling effort before Ivory Coast fought back through substitute Amad Diallo in the second half. However, Haaland struck in the 86th minute to seal a historic victory for the Scandinavians.
The result ended Ivory Coast’s impressive World Cup campaign and secured Norway’s first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match.
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Lessons from the Defeat
1. Big Players Must Start Big Games
One of the biggest talking points from the match was Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae’s decision to leave Amad Diallo on the bench.
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The Manchester United winger changed the game immediately after coming on, scoring a superb equaliser and creating problems for the Norwegian defence. His performance showed that creative and influential players must start in crucial matches.
2. Defensive Approach Can Backfire
Ivory Coast lined up in a cautious 4-1-4-1 formation, seemingly determined not to concede early. However, the approach limited their attacking threat and allowed Norway to control large parts of the game.
By the time the Elephants became more adventurous, they were already behind and chasing the match.
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3. Quality Finishing Decides Knockout Matches
Norway did not create many chances, but they were clinical when opportunities came their way.
Nusa’s stunning opener and Haaland’s late finish highlighted the importance of taking chances in knockout football. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, struggled to make the most of their opportunities.
4. Star Strikers Always Find a Way
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Haaland had been largely quiet throughout the game, but great strikers often need only one chance.
The Manchester City forward was perfectly positioned to convert Patrick Berg’s cut-back and score his 13th consecutive goal in competitive internationals for Norway.
His winning goal once again proved why elite strikers can change games in an instant.
5. Ivory Coast Have a Bright Future
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Despite the defeat, there were several positives for the African side.
Teenage sensation Yan Diomande gained valuable experience, while Amad continued to show his quality on the biggest stage. The Elephants also reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
The tournament has provided a strong foundation for the future, and the team can build on this experience ahead of upcoming competitions.
Norway Set for Brazil Test
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The victory sends Norway into a last-16 clash against five-time world champions Brazil after the South Americans came from behind to defeat Japan.
With Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard and the impressive Antonio Nusa in fine form, Norway will believe they can continue their dream World Cup run.
For Ivory Coast, the defeat hurts, but the lessons from Dallas could help shape a stronger and more experienced team for the future.
France defeated Sweden 3-0 in a dominant round of 32 performance on Tuesday evening, with Kylian Mbappé‘s brace and Michael Olise‘s assist setting the tone for a comprehensive victory. The French superstar struck twice, first from close range after Olise’s through ball, as Les Bleus overwhelmed their opponents with superior skill, movement, and execution.
Mbappe finished a superb move to break the deadlock just before half-time in the last-32 tie watched by 80,663 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, after France had already hit the woodwork twice, once through Mbappe and once through Olise.
The French were on top throughout against a limited Swedish side, utterly dominating in terms of possession and shots on goal.
Olise set up Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola for the second on 53 minutes, and then delivered a delightful pass for Mbappe to complete a convincing victory.
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Mbappe’s 18th World Cup goal
Mbappe’s strikes saw him move level with Lionel Messi on six goals in the all-star golden boot race at this World Cup.
The France captain now has 18 World Cup goals in total, meaning he is just one behind Messi’s overall record of 19, a mark which 27-year-old Mbappe will keep chasing.
He celebrated his first goal by running across to embrace coach Didier Deschamps, who missed France’s final group game against Norway to travel home for his mother’s funeral.
Deschamps will step down at the end of the competition after 14 highly successful years in charge.
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Going out in the last 32 would have been such an anti-climactic way to depart for Deschamps, who captained the first France team to win the World Cup in 1998 and coached them to glory in 2018.
In 1998, France’s run to victory on home soil included a 1-0 last-16 win over Paraguay, when Laurent Blanc scored a golden goal in extra time.
Les Bleus will face the South Americans in the last 16 again this time, on Saturday in Philadelphia.
France will be fully expected to win and march on.
Mbappe and Olise were again central figures, with Ousmane Dembele also showing flashes of his brilliance while Barcola was preferred to Desire Doue as the fourth forward.
Sweden have quality in attack too, with the Premier League trio of Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Anthony Elanga. But they couldn’t get enough of the ball to create chances and Graham Potter’s team now go home.
Getting this far should really be seen as a success for them, however, after they only made it to North America through the back door of the play-offs.
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Intense pressure
Olise released Mbappe through the middle to put the ball in the net in the 20th minute, only for a tight offside call to cut short the celebrations.
However, that sparked an intense spell of French pressure which eventually resulted in the opening goal.
Some of their football was mesmerising, as Mbappe hit the post from a Jules Kounde ball across the face of goal and Adrien Rabiot fired narrowly over.
Olise then struck an upright with a breathtaking overhead bicycle kick before Dembele put the rebound wide.
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The opener came right on half-time, after an Olise effort was tipped behind by Swedish ‘keeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
Dembele and Olise combined at the resulting corner before finding Mbappe, and he did the rest.
Sweden needed the interval to regroup, but they conceded again eight minutes after the restart as the magical Olise threaded a pass through the legs of Gustaf Lagerbielke for Barcola, who lashed in.
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Olise couldn’t score when clean through, but soon after he delivered an exceptional assist for Mbappe to curl in again on 74 minutes.
France look untouchable even if the toughest tests are still to come, although Paraguay will find it hard to live with them.
Manager John Schneider announced after Tuesday’s 3-0 loss that Fisher will serve as an opener for the Blue Jays during Wednesday’s Canada Day showdown against the New York Mets (3 p.m. ET / noon PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).
Patrick Corbin was originally scheduled to start the game, but the veteran left-hander was moved to the bullpen earlier Tuesday.
Rookie right-hander Spencer Miles is expected to handle the bulk of the duties for the Blue Jays as they go for a series win against the Mets.
It will be the fifth time this season that Fisher has started a game for Toronto. He previously worked as the club’s opener on April 17 against Arizona, May 21 against the Yankees, May 26 against Miami and June 17 against Boston. He didn’t allow a run in any of those three appearances.
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For the year, Fisher has a 3.48 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 44 innings.
A former World Heavyweight Champion returned to WWE tonight. He appeared on the latest episode of NXT.
Booker T was away from the NXT commentary desk for two weeks. He also missed the black-and-silver brand’s latest premium live event, The Great American Bash. RAW commentator Corey Graves and SmackDown’s Wade Barrett filled in for the Hall of Famer during his absence.
Thanks for the submission!
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Before this week’s episode of NXT, the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion appeared on his Hall of Fame podcast. During the conversation, Booker revealed that he was forced to take a break from the Triple H-led sports entertainment juggernaut due to family issues. The 61-year-old disclosed that he was healthy and would return to the Tuesday night show this week.
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“I’m the youngest of eight. When something happens in the family, family comes first. Everything stops. I always said, being the youngest in the family, it’s my responsibility to make sure I step up and be there at all time [sic]. For me, I’ve been dealing with family stuff, and I had to take a step back and deal with it. I can’t deal with things and work at the same time. That’s all it’s been. I feel good; I’m perfectly fine; my health is great. I’m getting back to work on Tuesday.” [H/T: Fightful]
The latest episode of the black-and-silver show kicked off with a segment featuring new NXT Women’s Champion Kendal Grey. During Grey’s entrance, the camera briefly focused on the commentary desk. Vic Joseph welcomed Booker T back to WWE during that moment. The Hall of Famer was in good spirits and seemed delighted about resuming his commentary duties.
Booker T has been part of the NXT commentary team for nearly four years as of this writing. He joined WWE’s third brand as a color commentator in October 2022. After a stellar in-ring career, Booker has gained popularity among modern-day fans with his hilarious commentary lines and catchphrases.
The WCW legend has helped many up-and-coming stars, such as Bron Breakker, Trick Williams, and Stephanie Vaquer, get over with the WWE Universe. Booker’s recent absence from NXT raised concern about his status among fans. However, he finally returned to the Tuesday night show this week.
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Serena Williams of the United States, left, and Maya Joint of Australia shake hands at the end of their first round women’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)
LONDON — When Serena Williams accepted an offer to play singles at Wimbledon, Maya Joint got to thinking.
The 20-year-old Joint had said there was “always a part of me that wanted to experience playing against her.”
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After getting what she wished for — a first-round meeting with the tennis icon — Joint delivered on the biggest stage.
The Michigan-born Australian showed few nerves in winning the biggest match of her life — defeating Williams 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 on Tuesday to spoil the 44-year-old Williams’ singles comeback at the All England Club.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was up until like 2 a.m. just thinking about it,” Joint said in her on-court interview.
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The 87th-ranked Joint certainly looked calm on the outside but said she had serious butterflies walking onto Centre Court alongside the GOAT of women’s tennis.
During warmups, she felt like her legs “weren’t moving.”
“I really don’t know how I got a pretty good start in the match,” Joint said. “She has such an aura, she’s just a legend and this court has so many huge names that have played on it. I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a little kid, so this is pretty crazy.”
Joint notched her first Wimbledon singles win and just her third Grand Slam singles victory. By the time Joint was born in 2006, Williams had already won seven major titles, completing a career Grand Slam in the process. Williams has won 23 major singles titles — seven at Wimbledon.
“Just the start was very nerve-racking and then trying to finish out the match, as well. She definitely lifted her level and she played some really great tennis there,” Joint said.
Joint had chances to end it earlier.
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At 5-5 in the second set, Joint squandered four break point opportunities as Williams held serve. Joint then won the next game to love, including back-to-back aces to force a tiebreaker.
Joint had her first match point at 6-5 in the tiebreaker but Williams hit a winner and then won the next two points.
Joint got the key break to go up 4-2 in the deciding set. She sealed the win on her third match point.
“I think I tensed up a little bit when I got close to winning, but I think I played my best tennis when I needed to, which was good,” she said.
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Slowed by a back injury earlier this year, Joint at one point lost 10 consecutive matches.
“Even though I didn’t win many matches this year, I still felt like I could win,” Joint said. “I had the belief and I just took advantage of the moment and enjoyed it, didn’t really think about the previous matches I’ve played.”
She later added: “If you’re playing Serena, you have nothing to lose. It makes sense that people play their best game against her.”
Last year, Joint won the grass-court Eastbourne tournament ahead of her debut at Wimbledon, where she lost in the first round to Liudmila Samsonova. Joint’s only two other victories in majors came at the U.S. Open.
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Joint, who represents Australia through her father, joins a list of unheralded players to have eliminated Williams in Wimbledon’s first round.
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Harmony Tan was ranked 115th when she beat Williams in 2022. A year prior, it was Aliaksandra Sasnovich, ranked No. 100 at the time, who emerged victorious when Williams retired from the match with a leg injury.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy tells Jesse Watters that the World Cup has brought a contagious fever of appreciation for America. He highlights how visitors from various countries are enjoying their time, boosting tourism, and creating positive social media content about the U.S. Portnoy notes that seeing foreigners enjoy the country is a refreshing reminder of America’s appeal.
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The United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT) did its job to begin this 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, winning Group D and moving on to the knockout stages.
Now, the real run they’ve been looking forward to for the past four years begins on Wednesday night in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The USMNT will be pitted against Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the great stories of this World Cup, in the round of 32 to determine who is moving on in the tournament, and who will be heading home.
Folarin Balogun #20 of United States celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second half of the international friendly match between United States and Senegal at Bank of America Stadium on May 31, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.(Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
For the “visitors” in this case, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey not only knocked off Italy, an iconic country in terms of soccer, to get into this World Cup, but they’ve done enough to become a third-place team that moves on in this inaugural expanded format.
Their 3-1 win over Qatar on June 24 gave them the necessary three points needed to move on after drawing against Canada, a fellow host country alongside the U.S. and Mexico, which earned them one point. They fell to Switzerland, 4-1, as the winners of Group B moved on in their own right.
But Bosnia and Herzegovina knew what they needed to do against Qatar, and now they carry momentum into a matchup against a Team USA squad that was hoping for a bit more themselves when they faced Türkiye in their final Group D matchup last week.
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Of course, the game meant nothing, but Türkiye’s late goal in stoppage time gave them a 3-2 victory that soured what appeared to be a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles. Granted, U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino wasn’t taking any chances, leaving many on his usual starting XI on the bench, though Christian Pulisic made his return in the second half after missing time due to a calf injury.
United States fans cheer after a goal against Turkiye in the second half of a FIFA World Cup 2026 match at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026.(Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News)
However, that’s looking at it from the pessimist’s point of view. The patriotic optimist viewed that game as nothing because the USMNT already punched their ticket to the knockout stages with a 4-2 win over Paraguay, which just upset Germany on Monday afternoon in Boston with a penalty-shootout victory to move on to the round of 16, and a 2-0 win over Australia to win Group D.
Now, with many starters well rested and the home crowd still on their side out in the Bay Area, the U.S. are strong favorites to get the job done against Bosnia and Herzegovina to cement their own spot in the round of 16.
Here’s how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options.
How to watch United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Christian Pulisic of the United States celebrates after an own goal by Damian Bobadilla of Paraguay during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026.(Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
When: Wednesday, July 1 at 8 p.m. ET Where: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Jeremy Lauzon is signing a six-year, $24 million extension with the Golden Knights, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Tuesday.
The Golden Knights acquired Lauzon from the Nashville Predators last off-season.
In his first season with Vegas, he had a goal and 12 assists while being a minus-three in 68 games played. He also appeared in 12 playoff games as the Golden Knights fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup final.
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Lauzon missed Round 2 and the Western Conference final with an upper-body injury.
The 29-year-old has 15 goals and 43 assists for 58 points in 384 career regular-season games between the Bruins, Kraken, Predators and Golden Knights.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson waits for the snap during fourth-quarter action against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, giving Minnesota its top playmaker on the field as the offense worked through a late-game sequence in a road matchup against an AFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
Remember how the Minnesota Vikings shipped Randy Moss out via trade after seven seasons about 20 years ago? One website claims that could happen again, but with Justin Jefferson. In the spirit of recent Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Garrett trades, two heavyweights leaving their existing franchises, CBS Sports nominated top-notch NFLers who could follow suit.
And per Garrett Podell, that’s Jefferson, among others.
Vikings’ Playoff Pressure Makes the Rumor Worth Tracking
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson gestures to fans while walking off the Lambeau Field turf after facing the Green Bay Packers on Sep. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Jefferson’s postgame moment captured a familiar NFC North scene, with Minnesota’s star receiver acknowledging the road crowd after another rivalry chapter. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
Podell: Jefferson Could Be Next to Demand Trade
On a list that included Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, among others, Jefferson got the nod as a player who could request a trade.
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Podell wrote, “Prediction on whether or not Jefferson will eventually ask for a trade: Yes, by the 2028 NFL offseason. The McCarthy-Murray competition will fail to bear long-term fruit at football’s most important position, leaving Jefferson dissatisfied entering the final season of his four-year, $140 million deal in 2028.”
“Out of guaranteed money, Jefferson will be looking for a new, multiyear deal at the age of 29, but he’ll aim to get his next batch of guaranteed cash elsewhere. Compensation to get the deal done: First-round pick and third-round pick. It’s a similar package to the one the Patriots used to acquire Brown from the Eagles, but instead of a fifth-round pick, Minnesota gets a third-round draft choice since Jefferson doesn’t come with the same attitude and fluidity questions.”
Jefferson has never wavered about his commitment to the Vikings, but a playoff-less season in 2026 might change his mind.
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“Likely landing spot: Las Vegas Raiders. It’s hard to project how the NFL landscape will look years down the road, but the Raiders make plenty of sense for a multitude of reasons,” Podell added.
“Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, will need a true WR1 to complement All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, and Las Vegas has shown a willingness to trade for a superstar wide receiver at the back of the end their 20s: The Raiders traded a first-round draft choice and a second-round draft choice to the Green Bay Packers in 2022 in exchange for a 29-year-old Davante Adams.”
If Vikings Don’t Make Playoffs or Win Playoff Game — Yep.
Trading Jefferson now would be premature. The real challenge lies nine months ahead. Should the Vikings miss the playoffs again in 2026, the situation in Minnesota will become uncomfortable for all involved. While Jefferson is currently expressing loyalty, as most star players do, that patience typically wanes if the team gives them a reason to reconsider.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reacts after a first-quarter play against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025, in Tottenham, United Kingdom. The international-stage snapshot showed Jefferson working through another Vikings drive overseas, with Minnesota’s offense chasing rhythm in front of a London crowd during a rare regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
That is where the Damian Lillard comparison in the NBA becomes relevant. Portland recognized the impending issue for years. Lillard remained loyal, often carrying mediocre teams, until he reached a point where continued loyalty no longer made sense. Such decisions are not sudden. But they do build and intensify.
For the Vikings, the crux of the issue is their quarterback situation. Jefferson’s Minnesota requires one of its quarterbacks, Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy, to elevate the offense to a competitive level.
McCarthy previously had an opportunity, but his efficiency metrics were poor, compounded by injuries. That paved the way for Murray. If Murray underperforms, discussions about Jefferson’s future will intensify rapidly.
The Would-Be Trade Haul for Jefferson
If Jefferson posts Jeffersonian numbers in 2026 while Minnesota misses the postseason or gets blown out in the first round, the playmaker will almost certainly fetch a 1st-Rounder via trade — if it comes to that.
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The Philadelphia Eagles were able to squeeze a 1st-Rounder and 5th-Rounder out of the New England Patriots this offseason for Brown. There’s no reason to believe Jefferson would be less. In fact, Minnesota might charge extra juice because Jefferson is a better football player than Brown.
The safest price from a summer of 2026 outlook is Jefferson would probably be a 1st- and 3rd-Rounder. Twenty-one years ago, the aforementioned Moss fetched a 1st-Rounder (Troy Williamson), a player (Napoleon Harris), and a 7th-Rounder.
All Up to O’Connell
Whether Jefferson is traded anytime soon rests squarely on Kevin O’Connell’s shoulders. The Podell theory will not come to fruition if the Vikings make an impressive playoff run this season. All Jefferson wants is to win, which likely translates to the first postseason triumph of his career. It’s a reasonable ask. The last time Minnesota won a playoff game? Six years ago — the 2019 stunner down in New Orleans when Minnesota walked off the Saints courtesy of Kirk Cousins and Kyle Rudolph. The Vikings drafted Jefferson three months after that moment.
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The Athletic senior NFL insider Dianna Russini interviews Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during training camp in Eagan, Minnesota, on Aug. 15, 2025. Their conversation covered O’Connell’s Coach of the Year season and Minnesota’s roster outlook, with the franchise’s quarterback plan driving much of the broader Vikings discussion that summer in Eagan. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
O’Connell must get Jefferson a playoff win to keep him satisfied.
Otherwise, Jefferson could ask for a trade in the 2027 offseason, and no one would fault him for it. It’s why signing Murray in free agency was so crucial — to prove to Jefferson that the franchise is not content with 9-8 seasons that don’t net playoff berths. They mean business.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
“We will always be grateful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020, under the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and the countless records he broke in purple and gold.
“We wish him the best in his future, both on and off the court. He will always be a cherished member of the Lakers family.”
James responded on social media, writing, “No, THANK YOU!”
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He said it was “truly a honor” to wear the purple and gold while trying to continue “the greatness & legacies that came before me!”
“Hope I made a few proud during my stint,” he added.
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds this season with the Lakers. The 22-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion is the all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).
He was selected with the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, where he spent seven seasons before announcing during a live TV special titled ‘The Decision’ that he was leaving for the Miami Heat.
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James then returned to Cleveland and in 2016 rallied the team from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals to stun Golden State and make good on his promise to deliver the Cavaliers their first championship.
He helped the Lakers win the NBA title in 2020, nine months after legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash.
Ecuador’s football federation has lodged a complaint with World Cup organisers after local fans gathered outside the team’s hotel ahead of their last-32 match against co-hosts Mexico, saying the incident violated fair play principles. According to local media, around 1,000 Mexican supporters staged a late-night “serenade” outside Ecuador’s hotel in Mexico City on Monday, using noisemakers, pots, and buckets while singing the Mexican folk song “Cielito Lindo.” Police later intervened and dispersed the crowd.
While it was a largely dominant performance, ‘Boots’ did encounter the odd moment of bother, particularly when he seemed troubled by a third-round right hand.
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To his credit, though, the flashy stylist was able to recover and eventually halted his man with a third knockdown.
If he were to face Fundora or Ortiz, however, then Crawford is not so sure ‘Boots’ would be let off the hook the way he was against Zayas.
Sharing his thoughts on The PorterWay Podcast, the former three-division undisputed champion was quick to contextualise the American’s triumph over Zayas.
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“I don’t think no one picked Xander to win. I love Xander, and he’s a great kid, but I think we’re overhyping [Ennis’] victory.
“I think it’s going to be different when he comes up against a Fundora or a Vergil because, if one of those guys gets him hurt like Xander did, I don’t think it’s going to be the same outcome.”
Indeed, it must be said that Fundora and Ortiz are bigger punchers than Zayas, who is known more for his footwork and ring IQ.
In that same breath, though, it is fair to add the caveat that neither the WBC champion nor Ortiz has proven their power against a fighter like Ennis.
Crawford has previously backed Fundora to beat ‘Boots’, though that was before his performance against Zayas.
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