For Livvy Dunne, watching her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, is not easy.
Dunne, 23, said watching Skenes pitch is harder than competing as a gymnast at LSU and that she goes through a whirlwind of emotions during his starts.
“Obviously, I think I got put on blast a few times while watching him,” Dunne said during an appearance on MLB Network with Skenes. “I get nervous because I obviously want him to do his best. I love him. He usually pops out, does his thing, does amazing. But I feel every emotion while he’s out there doing his thing.”
Paul Skenes poses for a photo with Olivia Dunne during the red carpet photoshoot at Loews Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.(Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
“It’s completely out of my control, which is really hard because while I was competing, I mean, I was in control of my own destiny. Now I just need to sit back, relax and trust him.”
Dunne went viral earlier this season when she was seen mouthing “F—” after Skenes gave up a home run to Toronto Blue Jays star George Springer. The former LSU star attends many of the games Skenes pitches and is an ardent supporter of her boyfriend and the Pirates.
Dunne has gotten a firsthand look at Skenes’ stuff as she stepped into the batter’s box before the Pirates ace left for spring training.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne walk the red carpet for the MLB All-Star Game on July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia.(Chris Szagola/AP Photo)
“I think all offseason Paul wanted me to stand in while he was pitching. I’ve been procrastinating all offseason because it’s scary and everybody told me it would be very scary,” Dunne said.
“It was the last day of the offseason before he went to spring training and he was like, ‘Nope, come. You’re going to stand there.’ And I thought he was joking, and I stood and I was frozen.”
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes walks to the dugout after handing the ball to manager Don Kelly during the sixth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, July 12, 2026.(Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Skenes said he buzzed her tower, meaning he threw high and inside to his girlfriend.
“She had been asking me, too. She wanted to see it, or she said she wanted to see it, and then time comes, we got to see if you’re about it,” Skenes said.
The reigning NL Cy Young winner has an 8-8 record and a 3.57 ERA this season, and has been an anchor for a Pirates team that is in the thick of the National League Wild Card race at 50-47.
Lucky Season 1 Episode 3 is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, July 22. The miniseries will release episodes weekly on Wednesdays until the season finale on August 19.
The crime drama follows Lucky Armstrong, a talented con artist whose life is thrown into chaos after a multimillion-dollar scam ends in betrayal. Left without the stolen money and hunted by both dangerous criminals and the FBI, Lucky has to rely on her instincts to survive.
As Season 1 unfolds, she continues to search for answers while staying ahead of those determined to find her. The upcoming episode is expected to build on the growing mystery, deepen the conflicts, and reveal more about Lucky’s situation.
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When will Lucky Season 1 Episode 3 release?
Titled “Read the Room,” Lucky Season 1 Episode 3 will be released on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Like the previous episodes, it will debut first in the United States before becoming available across the world at the corresponding local times.
Depending on where you live, the episode will either arrive late on Tuesday night or during the day on Wednesday. The expected release timing for Lucky Season 1 Episode 3 in major regions is listed below.
Pacific Time (PT): 9:00 PM (Tuesday night, July 21)
Mountain Time (MT): 10:00 PM (Tuesday night, July 21)
Central Time (CT): 11:00 PM (Tuesday night, July 21)
Eastern Time (ET): 12:00 AM (Wednesday morning, July 22)
British Summer Time (BST): 5:00 AM (Wednesday, July 22)
Central European Summer Time (CEST): 6:00 AM (Wednesday, July 22)
Indian Standard Time (IST): 9:30 AM (Wednesday, July 22)
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 2:00 PM (Wednesday, July 22)
Where to watch Lucky Season 1?
To watch Lucky Season 1, you will need an active Apple TV+ subscription. The series is available exclusively on the streaming service, with no additional channel or cable subscription required. You can stream it through the Apple TV app on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, and supported web browsers.
New episodes will arrive on Wednesdays or late Tuesday night depending on your location. It will be included with the standard Apple TV+ subscription at no extra cost. Depending on the region, new subscribers may also be eligible for a free trial or promotional offer before starting their subscription.
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What is Lucky about and who stars in it?
Anya Taylor-Joy as Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong (Image vai Apple TV)
Lucky follows Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong, a former con artist whose attempt to leave her criminal past behind falls apart after a multimillion-dollar heist ends in betrayal. Forced to go on the run, she must evade both the FBI and a ruthless crime syndicate while searching for a way out of her dangerous situation.
The series stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky Armstrong alongside Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins Jr., and William Fichtner. Together, they bring to life the show’s mix of crime, suspense, and family drama.
Lucky Season 1 Episode 3 premieres July 22. Stay tuned for more updates.
It was a huge day for Lamine Yamal as Spain pulled off a brilliant 2-0 win over France to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Yamal was instrumental in the first goal for Spain, winning the penalty that was ultimately converted by Mikel Oyarzabal. Pedro Porro scored the second goal of the game to clinch the victory. Following the win, Yamal was seen celebrating with his family in the stands. In a video that went viral on social media, Yamal was seen coming into the stands and hugging his three-year-old half-brother, Keyne, before celebrating with the rest of his family and some fans.
O momento em que Lamine Yamal foi comemorar a classificação da Espanha em cima da França pegando seu irmãozinho o Keyne no colo. #FRAXESPpic.twitter.com/1y63wcyhri
Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Rodri hailed teenage winger Lamine Yamal for his selfless display in the FIFA World Cup semi-final against France while also calling for greater protection from match officials after La Roja secured a 2-0 victory.
Although Spain booked their place in the title clash with a composed performance, Rodri voiced his concern over the repeated challenges on the 19-year-old Barcelona star, saying referees need to intervene more consistently to prevent defenders from targeting creative players.
“What is clear is that we have been dealing with this situation of the number of fouls for three games now,” Rodri told TVE after the match as quoted by Goal.com.
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“I understand that some might not be fouls, but we’re talking about 10 or 15 fouls where the kid goes to the ground, gets tackled, and they have to call it, because otherwise the defenders are going to keep doing the same thing. The permissiveness has been quite blatant today,” he added.
Yamal once again played a key role in Spain’s attack despite facing close marking throughout the contest. His movement and pressing also helped Spain maintain control as they shut down France’s attacking threats on the way to another World Cup final.
Rodri was particularly impressed by the youngster’s contribution without possession, highlighting the maturity he has shown on the biggest stage.
“Lamine Yamal played a fantastic game, especially off the ball; he was sensational and helped us a lot,” he said.
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The Manchester City midfielder also reflected on Spain’s achievement after reaching the final, where they will meet the winner of the other semi-final.
“Very happy, very proud, especially of my team, of my country, of what this represents for us. We have to rest and recover well because we surely have the most important match of our lives ahead of us. Rest and a huge match,” Rodri added.
Spain will now turn their attention to the World Cup final as they aim to lift the trophy after another impressive run in the tournament, with Yamal expected to remain one of the team’s key attacking threats
(With agency inputs)
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FIFA World Cup 2026 | Argentina Fans Sing & Dance After Dramatic Comeback Against Egypt
India vs England 2nd ODI LIVE Updates: India’s star opener Rohit Sharma has been handed a huge lifeline in the third over of the match, as England’s Gus Atkinson dropped him on 5, in the second ODI of the three-match series in Cardiff. India have reached 22/0 after 4 overs, with Rohit and skipper Shubman Gill at the crease. England captain Harry Brook won the toss and opted to bowl. India captain Gill announced a big change to India’s playing XI, with KL Rahul missing out due to illness, and being replaced by Ishan Kishan. England made two changes, dropping Liam Dawson and Josh Tongue for Saqib Mahmood and Gus Atkinson. The focus is on India’s veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as both will look for improved performances after failing in the first game. The visitors took a 1-0 lead after winning the first game by a comfortable margin of six wickets. (LIVE SCORECARD)
India XI vs England: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna.
England XI vs India: Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.
Here are the Live Scores and Updates from the India vs England 2nd ODI:
The 2026 Open Championship will provide one last major championship stage for the best golfers in the world this season. Royal Birkdale will host the 156-man field vying for the iconic Claret Jug and the coveted title of Champion Golfer of the Year, and the action begins Thursday morning. Don’t miss a moment by diving into the 2026 Open TV schedule and coverage guide so you can watch as much golf as possible through the weekend.
The R&A has given fans a chance to plan their viewing schedule — particularly for those stateside who will have to determine exactly how early to wake up to watch their favorites here in the United States. The first notable group in the first round will tee off at 2:19 a.m. ET, as Robert MacIntyre, Rickie Fowler and Alex Fitzpatrick serve as the main attraction in the first wave, for those who decide to wake up early or stay up late for the start of the tournament.
The most notable groups in the second wave start around 4 a.m. with the headliners being the 4:58 a.m. tee time featuring reigning champion Scottie Scheffler alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton in a group that could produce fireworks — both positive and negative. The group behind them will feature Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm at 5:09 a.m., as golf fans stateside can pencil in a 5 a.m. alarm for Thursday to catch some of the top stars in action.
In the late wave, action picks up with Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns and Adam Scott at 9:31 a.m. and then heavy hitters Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark and Ludivg Åberg at 10:04 a.m. They’ll be followed by the marquee group of the later tee times when Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick tee off at 10:15 a.m.
2026 Open Championship tee times, Thursday pairings
All times Eastern
1:35 a.m. — Matthew Baldwin, Thomas Detry, James Nicholas 1:46 a.m. — Michael Kim, Daniel Hillier, Andy Sullivan 1:57 a.m. — Ryan Fox, Andrew Novak, Matthew Jordan 2:08 a.m. — Henrik Stenson, Max Homa, Joe Dean 2:19 a.m. — Robert MacIntyre, Rickie Fowler, Alex Fitzpatrick 2:30 a.m. — David Duval, Martin Couvra, Matthew Southgate 2:41 a.m. — Sungjae Im, Daniel Brown, Fifa Laopakdee (a) 2:52 a.m. — Gary Woodland, Jake Knapp, Jordan Smith 3:03 a.m. — Francesco Molinari, Tom McKibbin, Lev Grinberg (a) 3:14 a.m. — Hennie Du Plessis, Jose Luis Ballester, Dan Bradbury 3:25 a.m. — Angel Ayora, Victor Perez, Mateo Pulcini (a) 3:36 a.m. — Stewart Cink, Scott Vincent, Joakim Lagergren 3:47 a.m. — Michael Thorbjornsen, Kota Kaneko, Travis Smyth 4:03 a.m. — Alex Smalley, Sam Stevens, Ryo Hisatsune 4:14 a.m. — Akshay Bhatia, Harris English, Rasmus Højgaard 4:25 a.m. — Ben Griffin, Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee 4:36 a.m. — Russell Henley, Justin Rose, Viktor Hovland 4:47 a.m. — Justin Thomas, Alex Noren, Jason Day 4:58 a.m. — Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau 5:09 a.m. — Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm 5:20 a.m. — Brian Harman, Si Woo Kim, Nick Taylor 5:31 a.m. — Ryan Gerard, Maverick McNealy, David Puig 5:42 a.m. — Kazuma Kobori, Tom Sloman, David Howard (a) 5:53 a.m. — Antoine Rozner, Ren Yonexawa, Caleb Surratt 6:04 a.m. — M.J. Daffue, Frederic Lacroix, Jack McDonald 6:15 a.m. — Jeongwoo Ham, Ryutaro Nagano, Alejandro De Castro Piera (a) 6:41 a.m. — John Parry, Eric Cole, Tiger Christensen 6:52 a.m. — Eugenio Chacarra, Matt Wallace, Max Greyserman 7:03 a.m. — Michael Brennan, Sahith Theegala, Laurie Canter 7:14 a.m. — Cameron Smith, Keith Mitchell, Stuart Grehan (a) 7:25 a.m. — Sepp Straka Joaquin Niemann, Kurt Kitayama 7:36 a.m. — Sami Valimaki, Shaun Norris, Jackson Suber 7:47 a.m. — Darren Clarke, Adrien Saddier, Bernd Wiesberger 7:58 a.m. — Keegan Bradley, Corey Conners, Casey Jarvis 8:09 a.m. — Matt McCarty, Harry Hall, Haotong Li 8:20 a.m. — Padraig Harrington, Marco Penge, Michael Hollick 8:31 a.m. — Tom Kim, Billy Horschel, Mason Howell (a) 8:42 a.m. — Johnny Keefer, Pierceson Coody, Keita Nakajima 8:53 a.m. — Louis Oosthuizen, Jesper Svensson, Jack Buchanan (a) 9:09 a.m. — Bud Cauley, Jayden Schaper, Lucas Herbert 9:20 a.m. — Kristoffer Reitan, Patrick Reed, J.T. Poston 9:31 a.m. — Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns, Adam Scott 9:42 a.m. — Collin Morikawa, J.J. Spaun, Nicolai Højgaard 9:53 a.m. — Shane Lowry, Aaron Rai, Brooks Koepka 10:04 a.m. — Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Ludivg Åberg 10:15 a.m. — Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick 10:26 a.m. — Jacob Bridgeman, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Tim Wiedemeyer (a) 10:37 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, Daniel Berger, Nico Echavarria 10:48 a.m. — Peter Uihlein, Alistair Docherty, Francesco LaPorta 10:59 a.m. — Cameron John, Austen Truslow, Sam Bairstow 11:10 a.m. — Naoyuki Kataoka, Marcus Plunkett, Baard Skogen 11:21 a.m. — Kazuki Higa, Jiho Yang, Nevill Ruiter (a)
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Who will win the 2026 Open Championship, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Visit SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard, all from the model that’s nailed 17 golf majors heading into the weekend, including the past five Masters, and find out.
Argentina have secured their spot in the World Cup final, after defeating England 2-1. It had been England who initially took the lead, with Anthony Gordon scoring in the 55th minute. However, the remainder of the match saw a reversal of fortune, as Lautaro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez both netted late in the match. Argentina will face Spain in the final on July 19.
India vs England, 2nd ODI Live Streaming: Skipper Shubman Gill proved his leadership credentials while Axar Patel showed his all-round skills as India recovered from a morale-shattering T20I series loss against England to win the first ODI. As the focus shifts to the second ODI, fans are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping to see Gill feature in the XI in Cardiff. The captain was retired hurt in the ODI series opener but is expected to be available for Thursday’s match. Gurnoor Brar was another player who had some fitness-related struggles in the last game, but India have Prince Yadav as backup if he is unavailable. The primary focus, however, would remain on the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who failed to fire in the first ODI.
When will the India vs England, 2nd ODI be played?
The India vs England, 2nd ODI will be played on Tuesday, July 16.
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Where will the India vs England, 2nd ODI be played?
The India vs England, 2nd ODI will be played at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
What time will the India vs England, 2nd ODI start?
The India vs England, 2nd ODI will start at 5:30 PM IST. The toss will take place 30 minutes before.
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Which TV channels will telecast the India vs England, 2nd ODI?
The India vs England, 2nd ODI will be aired live on the Sony Sports Network.
Where to follow the live streaming of the India vs England, 2nd ODI?
The India vs England, 2nd ODI will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app.
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(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)
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For the players contesting the Fifa World Cup final, half-time is usually a tightly managed 15-minute race against the clock.
There is little room for ceremony. Players must leave the field, recover physically, receive tactical instructions, undergo treatment, change equipment when required and return in time for the second half.
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At MetLife Stadium on Sunday, that familiar routine could be disrupted by something unprecedented at a World Cup: a full-scale half-time performance staged on the pitch.
Fifa is targeting an interval of around 20 minutes for the final, with an 11-minute show curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The line-up is expected to include Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Madonna, Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus, along with characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.
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Fifa has described the performance as a “landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact”.
Yet, behind the scale and spectacle lies an important sporting question: can football’s biggest match absorb an extended entertainment break without losing its rhythm?
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The proposed interval would be only about five minutes longer than the standard break allowed under the Laws of the Game. But the challenge is not merely the duration of the performance. A stage must be erected on the pitch, the artists must perform, the equipment must be removed and the playing surface must be cleared before the teams can return.
In a match in which momentum, concentration and physical readiness could determine the world champion, those additional minutes may carry greater significance than they appear to on paper.
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What do football’s rules say about half-time?
The International Football Association Board (Ifab), which writes the game’s laws, states that the half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes.
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The duration may be changed only with the referee’s permission.
That provision gives the match officials some flexibility, but an extension remains highly unusual in elite football. Players, coaching staff and match-day operations are all conditioned around the traditional 15-minute interval.
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For the World Cup final, Fifa has said the performance itself will last 11 minutes but has not officially confirmed the total break. Multiple sources have indicated that organisers are working towards a restart within approximately 20 minutes.
That would require a tightly choreographed operation.
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If the show uses all 11 minutes, only around nine minutes would remain for constructing and dismantling the stage, moving performers and equipment, checking the pitch and positioning both teams for the restart.
Any delay in one part of the operation could push the interval beyond the intended target.
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How the World Cup final break compares
Event
Usual interval
Reported half-time duration
Entertainment format
Regular football match
Up to 15 minutes
15 minutes
No major on-field show
Fifa World Cup 2026 final
Up to 15 minutes under Ifab laws
Target of around 20 minutes
11-minute show on the pitch
2025 Club World Cup final
Up to 15 minutes ordinarily
Just over 24 minutes
Stage positioned in the stands
2024 Copa America final
Up to 15 minutes ordinarily
Around 26 minutes
Shakira performed during the interval
NFL regular-season match
13 minutes
13 minutes
Limited entertainment
Super Bowl
13 minutes ordinarily
Commonly 20-30 minutes
Large-scale on-field production
Why five extra minutes could matter
A five-minute extension may appear modest compared with the prolonged intervals seen in American football. The difference lies in how the two sports operate.
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NFL players are accustomed to frequent stoppages, specialist substitutions and segmented periods of action. The Super Bowl’s extended half-time show has also become an established part of the event.
Football is built around two almost uninterrupted 45-minute periods. Players are trained to manage their effort across that continuous rhythm, with half-time serving as a brief reset rather than a prolonged intermission.
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An extended pause could affect players in different ways.
A team controlling the match before half-time may feel that its momentum has been interrupted. A side under pressure could benefit from additional time to recover and reorganise. Players carrying minor injuries may welcome the longer treatment window, while others could find it harder to maintain physical sharpness.
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Coaching staffs may have to introduce more detailed re-warm-up routines inside the dressing room or near the tunnel. Players are likely to remain active rather than seated for the entire interval, particularly if the restart is delayed beyond 20 minutes.
The challenge becomes greater because teams may not know exactly when they will be called back to the pitch. A normal half-time countdown is predictable. A live performance involving multiple artists and temporary infrastructure creates more variables.
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A World Cup first, but not Fifa’s first experiment
The final will be the first World Cup match to feature a formal half-time show, but Fifa tested the concept at the 2025 Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
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That match was also held at MetLife Stadium.
Tems, J Balvin and Doja Cat performed during an interval that lasted slightly more than 24 minutes. Importantly, the stage was positioned high in the stands rather than on the playing surface.
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That reduced the logistical burden around the pitch. There was no need to build and remove a major platform from the field before the players could return.
The World Cup final plan is more ambitious.
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By placing the stage on the pitch, Fifa can create a more visually powerful performance for the stadium audience and global television coverage. It also introduces concerns around construction time, equipment movement and the condition of the playing surface.
MetLife Stadium’s previous experience gives organisers a useful operational template, but the stakes will be considerably higher. The Club World Cup final was a major match; the World Cup final is the most watched and scrutinised fixture in international football.
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A delay that might have been treated as a novelty during the earlier tournament could become a source of controversy if either finalist feels the interruption affected the match.
Shakira performing during 2026 Fifa World Cup 2026. Photo: AP | PTI
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What happened during Shakira’s Copa America show?
The most relevant football precedent came during the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Shakira performed at half-time, extending the interval to around 26 minutes before the second half began.
The decision attracted attention because the tournament had otherwise enforced the standard interval. Coaches and players were required to wait significantly longer than usual, and the extended pause became part of the discussion surrounding the final.
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The incident demonstrated the central challenge of combining football with a major entertainment production: the advertised length of the musical performance does not represent the full interruption.
Artists must enter and leave, sound and lighting systems must be positioned, the stage must be prepared and the pitch must be cleared. Even a tightly produced show can add several minutes beyond its running time.
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The Copa America final also showed that football authorities are willing to alter established match routines for commercial and entertainment purposes during showpiece events.
Fifa’s reported 20-minute target suggests it wants to avoid a repeat of the longer Copa America delay. Whether that target is realistic will depend on how quickly the temporary stage can be assembled and removed.
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Why the Super Bowl model cannot simply be copied
The Super Bowl has made the half-time show one of the most valuable entertainment slots in global broadcasting.
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Its performances routinely involve elaborate staging, complex lighting, large groups of dancers and headline artists. NFL players commonly remain off the field for between 20 and 30 minutes during the show, far longer than the strict 13-minute interval used during the regular season.
But the extended break is expected.
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Teams know before the match that the interval will be prolonged. Coaches build it into their preparation, while players conduct structured warm-ups before returning.
The football World Cup has no such tradition.
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The players in Sunday’s final will have spent their careers treating the half-time interval as a short tactical and recovery window. Even with advance warning, the change presents an unfamiliar competitive condition in the most important match of their lives.
There is also a difference in playing surfaces. A football pitch must remain clear and consistent for a game involving continuous ball movement. Temporary platforms, equipment and large production teams must be removed without damaging the turf or leaving debris.
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The Super Bowl shows that an extended interval can become an accepted part of a major sporting event. It does not prove that the same format can be inserted into football without consequences.
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Can the performance fit into 20 minutes?
The planned 11-minute performance leaves organisers with a demanding timetable.
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The stage must be moved into position immediately after the first-half whistle. Performers and technical personnel must enter, the show must begin on schedule and all equipment must be removed quickly afterwards.
The process must also account for television requirements, safety checks and communication between match officials, broadcasters and the two teams.
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A delay of only two or three minutes at any stage could stretch the break closer to the 24-minute interval seen at the Club World Cup final.
Fifa’s task is further complicated by the size of the announced line-up. Bringing together global pop stars, musicians, a children’s chorus and television characters within an 11-minute production will require rapid transitions.
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The show may use pre-positioned elements or a compact stage design to save time. Even then, taking the structure off the field may be more difficult than bringing it on.
The referee will ultimately need confirmation that the pitch is safe and both teams are ready before restarting the game.
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Will one team benefit more?
The effect of an extended break may depend on the first-half score and pattern.
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A team leading comfortably could use the additional time to recover and reinforce its defensive plan. It could also lose the intensity that allowed it to dominate.
A side trailing at half-time would gain extra minutes for tactical adjustments, treatment and emotional recovery. Coaches could analyse the opposition’s structure in greater detail and communicate more changes than the standard interval allows.
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The longer pause may therefore act as an unintended competitive variable.
Suppose one finalist finishes the first half applying sustained pressure. The show could interrupt that momentum and allow the opponent to reset. Conversely, a team physically exhausted by pressing may receive a valuable recovery period.
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Neither effect would automatically make the format unfair because both sides would receive the same interval. Yet equal time does not necessarily produce an equal sporting impact.
Football’s momentum is shaped by circumstances. The state of the match at the interval will determine whether the extra minutes feel like an advantage or an obstacle.
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The commercial logic behind the spectacle
The planned show reflects Fifa’s effort to turn the World Cup final into an entertainment event extending beyond the match itself.
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Coldplay’s Martin has curated a line-up designed to reach audiences across continents and musical genres. The inclusion of Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Madonna and Burna Boy gives the programme enormous global appeal.
The event is being produced by Global Citizen. Artists are reportedly not receiving performance fees.
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The show is also tied to the Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
This gives the ceremony a philanthropic purpose alongside its commercial and broadcasting value.
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For Fifa, the attraction is clear. The Super Bowl has demonstrated how a half-time performance can become a cultural event in its own right, drawing viewers who may not otherwise watch the match.
The risk is that the entertainment becomes more intrusive than complementary.
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A test that could reshape future World Cups
Sunday’s half-time show will be judged on two separate standards.
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As an entertainment production, it will be measured by its scale, performances and global audience. As part of a football match, it will be assessed by whether the second half begins smoothly and whether players or coaches feel the extended interval affected the contest.
A 20-minute break completed without operational problems could encourage Fifa to repeat the concept at future tournaments.
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A prolonged delay, damaged pitch or visible loss of player readiness could strengthen arguments that football’s traditional interval should remain untouched.
The governing body is trying to insert a Super Bowl-style spectacle into a sport whose rhythm has developed around a short and predictable break.
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That collision between tradition and entertainment will play out on the biggest possible stage.
The artists will have 11 minutes to deliver the show. Fifa may have only a few additional minutes to prove that the World Cup final can accommodate it without changing the match itself.
England might have gone out of the World Cup with the kind of performance that would cause deep introspection in other countries, but there was none of it from the Football Association.
After a bland public statement about how “the players and Thomas gave it everything”, there were strong private indications that no consideration was being given to change – or much else.
The deeper arguments about the future are for another day but, even in this moment, there is actually a real danger in Tuchel’s spell being broken with the players.
He was specifically appointed because of his reputation as a tactical genius who is a “winner”, well versed in getting teams over the line. And yet here were the most rudimentary tactics possible, that have cost the players a chance at history, amid inferred criticism about their “belief”.
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Thomas Tuchel has been heavily criticised since England’s semi-final defeat (PA Wire)
Will Thomas Tuchel retain the faith of his England players? (PA)
It isn’t exactly hard to see how this could go wrong.
For now, those around the England camp are left to lament what happened at this World Cup. Some are even feeling a sense of cosmic injustice, that it will simply never be them, that it’s somehow going to go at least 62 years without a major trophy.
That failure represents almost a reverse alchemy, especially when the FA invested so much money. And yet that is precisely why there is actually a football justice to this outcome.
This will be hard for many England fans to hear but some – especially in the FA – arguably need to.
England were stunned late on by Argentina (Reuters)
England splashed the cash to appoint Thomas Tuchel and appear to have made little progress (Getty)
It is probably a good thing for international football that one of the wealthiest countries – already blessed with so many advantages – do not win just because they can afford to appoint the most expensive coach available.
What, after all, would the message be? What would the lesson be? That wealth is enough? That you can just bolt on a “winner” if you have enough money?
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There’s already too much of that in the club game. It is a good thing that it doesn’t infect international level in the same way, that deeper ideas are needed, and it would actually be a better thing for the FA if they were forced to properly think about this.
But will they?
The response so far suggests not.
The greater frustration is that they’ve done most of the work.
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English football has used its immense wealth to create a talent production system that is the envy of most of the world. There is a conveyor belt of players, especially in certain positions. The Elite Player Performance Plan has worked.
It is still a plan, however, that is not really within a bigger idea.
This is where the very appointment of Tuchel is central to a wider debate, and why it is arguably just that the FA fail – for now.
Mark Bullingham (left) has given his backing to Thomas Tuchel – but should he consider a change? (John Walton/PA Wire)
What they should actually be thinking about is what they want the English team to look like; about what the identity of the national team should be.
What are the cultural football qualities they want to enhance and build on, within a coaching framework that fits with the modern game?
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The only person that actually seemed to be thinking about that, for his part, was Tuchel. He at least talked a good game about wanting England to play with “a Premier League style”. In other words, the kind of intensity that does actually fit with some of the more positive attributes of the English game.
The reality was just completely different, something that does happen with Tuchel a bit. He may have talked a good game but, outside 15 minutes against Croatia, he didn’t play one.
England failed to deliver on Thomas Tuchel’s promises (Getty)
Rather than performing with a Premier League style, his very appointment just reflected another model of Premier League thinking.
If you have an issue, just buy your way out of it. Don’t think it through.
It is damning, if possibly inevitable, that the FA have pursued that same approach in the same era when they have institutional freedom from the Premier League.
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And, to also make some allowances for Tuchel, it’s impossible not to link at least some of his performances to these wider issues.
England still don’t produce that key type of midfield controller, which may well be connected to this argument that the team still didn’t have the belief; that there’s something tactically shallow about the game intelligence of English teams.
It really is incredible how we’re back here again, as if it was 2016 or 2010 or 1998: England unable to control a game and losing to the first proper team they play.
England were outthought by Argentina (Getty)
That may sound harsh when they were on the brink of a second successive major tournament final and third in four, but that’s exactly where the line lies between success and failure.
English football is so wealthy that it can of course produce the critical mass of quality players that get you so far. But to go the distance? That rightly requires something deeper.
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By the same token, this came very close to being the fourth successive year where Spain met England in major tournament finals – a women’s World Cup, a men’s Euros, a women’s Euros and now not, ultimately, a men’s World Cup.
And for all that some will bristle at the idea of including the women’s game with the men’s, it is acutely relevant here because of how they speak to the football cultures.
England did win one under Sarina Wiegman, but that was largely down to her in-game acumen, a lot of luck and the strength in depth that came from substitutes.
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Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses have managed to overcome some structural limitations (PA Wire)
Again, it doesn’t exactly say much for England as an idea of play.
By contrast, consider the two managers to now have knocked England out of the most recent men’s competitions, who also happen to be those in the final. They are two classic national federation men: Lionel Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente.
In other words, the kind of coaches that the FA wouldn’t dream of looking at. Where is their Champions League, after all?
The FA are actually correct not to look at them, but only because their actual value comes from knowing their own football cultures so well. De la Fuente has worked with the majority of the Spanish players as kids.
There is an argument that Lee Carsley would be a better fit for international football than Thomas Tuchel (Getty)
He fits an idea that England don’t have.
And while it is also correct that the English system isn’t producing coaches in the same way it is producing players, there is talent coming through. England arguably even have their own De la Fuente in Lee Carsley. His six matches ended up producing a better idea of football more frequently than Tuchel.
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And for all that it may seem preposterous for England to appoint such a lowly name, this was exactly the reaction others had when Scaloni and De la Fuente were appointed, respectively.
There is one final point worth repeating in all of this.
This is absolutely nothing to do with Tuchel being a German, or any other nationality.
It is about the national game’s authorities not having a proper idea about what it is to be an English team.
Bayelsa United have officially unveiled Abdul Maikaba as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
The unveiling ceremony took place on Thursday, with club officials, stakeholders, supporters and members of the media in attendance as the Prosperity Boys began preparations for life in the second tier following their relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Maikaba arrives with a wealth of coaching experience, having previously managed Akwa United, Rangers International, Wikki Tourists and Kano Pillars. He also recently took charge of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles as the team prepares for the WAFU B U-20 Championship.
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The experienced coach has been handed the responsibility of rebuilding the squad and leading Bayelsa United back to the NPFL.
He will work alongside assistant coach Ngozi Elechi, who recently left Rivers United to join the Yenagoa-based club.
Speaking during the unveiling, Bayelsa United expressed confidence that the new technical crew has the experience and quality needed to restore the club’s top-flight status.
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The Prosperity Boys are expected to begin preparations for the new NNL campaign immediately under the guidance of Maikaba and his coaching team.
GIO Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 20 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and
South Sydney Rabbitohs. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview
Canberra showed encouraging signs before the bye, with young half Ethan Sanders impressing behind a dominant forward pack. The Raiders continue to develop an inexperienced spine and will again look to establish themselves through the middle before allowing their playmakers to control territory.
South Sydney welcomes back Cody Walker, whose creativity could prove decisive if the Rabbitohs generate enough ruck speed. The visitors possess the experience to absorb Canberra’s early intensity before applying pressure of their own. With both sides still chasing finals positions, this shapes as one of the more evenly matched contests of the weekend.
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Teams
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Zac Hosking 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Savelio Tamale 19. Morgan Smithies 20. Coby Black 21. Joseph Roddy 22. Sione Finau
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Latrell Siegwalt 19. Bronson Garlick 20. John Radel 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Edward Kosi
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