EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Spain won the World Cup for the second time Sunday, defeating a 10-man Argentina 1-0 in extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium in a tense, foul-heavy final that became the first men’s World Cup decided under the shadow of a lengthy halftime show and a late red card.

Substitute Ferran Torres broke a scoreless deadlock in the 106th minute, converting a header from fellow substitute Nico Williams to give Spain the lead it would not relinquish. The victory made Spain the first nation in history to hold the men’s and women’s World Cup titles simultaneously, having already won the Women’s World Cup previously.

The match, played before 80,663 fans, never reached the heights many expected from two of the tournament’s most talented squads. Argentina, the defending champions, leaned heavily on defensive discipline and disruption rather than sustained attacking football, while Spain created the better chances throughout without finding a breakthrough until deep into the additional 30 minutes.

The contest turned decisively in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi, having already been cautioned earlier in the match. Fernandez’s dismissal left Argentina to play the entirety of extra time a man down, a disadvantage that ultimately proved decisive against a Spain side that controlled possession for long stretches.

A tense, stop-start final

Referee Slavko Vincic’s officiating became a recurring point of frustration for Spain throughout the match, with the team repeatedly appealing for cards it felt were not given, including a late challenge by Alexis Mac Allister on Dani Olmo. The first caution of the match did not arrive until the 40th minute, when Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was booked for fouling Mikel Oyarzabal, shortly before Martinez was forced off with an injury.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was his team’s standout performer for much of the match, denying Spain a series of clear chances. In the closing seconds of regulation time, Martinez produced a crucial save to deny a Lamine Yamal free-kick, keeping the score level and forcing the match into extra time. He was called into action again in the additional period, making another important stop on a Williams header shortly before Spain finally broke through.

Spain also had what looked to be a second goal ruled out during extra time, after Williams put the ball in the net following a foul committed by substitute Mikel Merino on Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi.

Off-field spectacle overshadows the football

Sunday’s final carried significance well beyond the result, unfolding as one of the most heavily produced World Cup finals in the tournament’s history. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the match, arriving at the stadium as part of a fleet of helicopters ahead of kickoff. The halftime interval stretched to 27 minutes to accommodate performances from Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber, marking the first World Cup halftime show of its kind.

Despite the spectacle surrounding it, the match itself was widely regarded as one of the more disappointing finals in recent tournament history, marked by frequent stoppages, tactical caution and a lack of the free-flowing football that had characterized both nations’ paths to the final.

Spain’s steady rise to the title

Spain’s triumph capped a tournament arc that began modestly, with the team opening group play in a goalless draw against Cape Verde before steadily building momentum through the knockout rounds. Their run included a commanding win over tournament favorites France in the semifinals, a result that underlined the squad’s growth under coach Luis de la Fuente.

De la Fuente, known for his measured and understated approach on the touchline, has now delivered back-to-back major international successes for Spain, having previously led the team to victory over England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. His side’s composure in the face of Argentina’s physical and disruptive approach on Sunday was seen as a key factor in securing the title.

Nineteen-year-old winger Lamine Yamal was named player of the match, finishing with the tournament’s highest average fan rating of any player in the final at 7.94. Rodri, Nico Williams and Torres also received high marks for their performances in a match where Spain’s squad depth ultimately proved decisive.

A bittersweet ending for Messi

For Argentina, the defeat marked a painful end to their bid to defend the title they won in 2022, and potentially closed the book on Lionel Messi’s World Cup career. At 39, Messi remained Argentina’s talisman throughout the tournament, scoring eight goals overall and playing a central role in the team’s dramatic semifinal win over England, where he set up both of Argentina’s goals in a 2-1 victory.

Sunday’s final offered a far quieter conclusion for the veteran forward. Closely marshaled by Spain’s defense throughout the match, Messi managed just one shot, which did not test Unai Simon in the Spain goal, and was largely kept away from dangerous areas for the majority of the contest.

Argentina had shown resilience earlier in the knockout stage, coming from behind to beat both Egypt and England en route to the final. But they could not replicate that fighting spirit against a Spain team playing with a numerical advantage for the final stretch of the match, and left New Jersey with the runner-up medal instead of the trophy they had hoped would cement a second consecutive title.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The 2026 FIFA World Cup final delivered a first in the tournament’s nearly century-long history Sunday, staging a full-scale halftime show during the championship match between Spain and Argentina, a production curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin that drew both praise and sharp criticism from fans and commentators around the world.

The performance, which stretched the intermission between the first and second halves to 27 minutes, featured an extensive lineup including Madonna, Justin Bieber, K-pop group BTS, Colombian singer Shakira, Nigerian artist Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the Muppets, and a cameo appearance from actor Jason Sudeikis reprising his role as Ted Lasso. The show closed with a group of children gathered at midfield joining several of the performers for a song about love.

Madonna opened her segment from the stadium tunnel before moving out onto the field as the crowd cheered. Dudamel then led the Muppets through a rendition of “Seven Nation Army,” before BTS joined the performance to sing their hit “Dynamite.” In a scripted transition, Sudeikis’ Ted Lasso character “subbed in” Bieber, who performed a slower ballad called “Everything Hallelujah,” reworking some lyrics to reference the World Cup. Shakira and Burna Boy later performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai,” backed by a large ensemble of dancers, providing what many viewers described as the show’s most energetic stretch before the closing number.

The spectacle marked a significant departure for FIFA and World Cup organizers, who have never previously staged a Super Bowl-style halftime show at a men’s World Cup final. This year’s tournament, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada, has been billed by organizers as one of the most ambitious global sporting events ever staged. Alex Lasry, chief executive of the New York New Jersey host committee, had described the final in the lead-up to Sunday’s match as potentially one of the largest events in human history, citing the scale of preparations for an anticipated global audience of billions and the presence of international dignitaries.

Reaction to the show was sharply divided. Many viewers and commentators compared it favorably to recent Super Bowl halftime performances, including Bad Bunny’s widely discussed set earlier this year, with several observers noting that Sunday’s show felt more energetic and easier to follow. Others took issue with the length and premise of the show altogether, questioning why a 27-minute intermission was inserted into a sport that has never featured elaborate halftime entertainment at its biggest matches.

Former England international Wayne Rooney was among the most vocal critics, telling the BBC broadcast team that he thought the show was “crap.” His comments echoed a broader thread of criticism from soccer traditionalists who argued that the production imported an American sporting convention into a global tournament that had never asked for it.

Despite the criticism, the overall reception leaned positive, with many viewers saying the show flowed well and did not overstay its welcome despite its unusual length for a soccer match. Given the show’s apparent success, organizers and analysts suggested it could become a permanent fixture of future World Cup finals, following the same trajectory that turned the Super Bowl halftime show into one of the most-watched entertainment events in the United States each year.

The elaborate production stood in contrast to the match itself, which many observers described as one of the more underwhelming finals in recent World Cup history. Both Spain and Argentina played cautiously in the opening exchanges, with the contest slow to develop scoring opportunities even as the two nations vied for the sport’s most prestigious trophy. Spain ultimately emerged victorious in extra time, defeating a 10-man Argentina side after a red card left the South Americans facing the closing stages of the match a player short.

Sunday’s final carried additional historical weight beyond the halftime spectacle. Argentina had entered the match with a chance to become the first nation to win consecutive World Cup titles since Brazil accomplished the feat in 1958 and 1962, while the tournament as a whole was already being described as the most attended World Cup ever held and among the most expensive major sporting events in history.

The match also drew a heavy political presence, with President Donald Trump attending the final in person, arriving at the stadium as part of a large helicopter convoy ahead of kickoff. His attendance added another layer of attention to a final that organizers had positioned as a landmark moment not just for soccer, but for large-scale international sporting spectacle more broadly.

Social media reaction to the halftime show was immediate and voluminous, with debate continuing well after the final whistle over whether the performance represented a welcome evolution for the World Cup or an unnecessary Americanization of the sport’s oldest and most storied championship match. Supporters of the show pointed to its relatively restrained political tone and broad international lineup, featuring artists from Latin America, Asia, Europe and the United States, as evidence that organizers had successfully balanced entertainment value with global appeal.

Critics, meanwhile, continued to argue that soccer’s biggest stage did not need supplementary entertainment to draw attention, given the sport’s existing global following and the drama inherent in a World Cup final itself. That tension between spectacle and tradition is likely to shape discussions ahead of future tournaments, particularly if FIFA and host organizers choose to continue expanding the ceremonial elements surrounding the sport’s championship match.

For now, Sunday’s show stands as a one-time experiment that has already reshaped expectations for how the World Cup’s biggest match might be presented in years to come, even as reaction to its first attempt remains far from unanimous among fans, players and commentators who watched it unfold in New Jersey.

Operator

Thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Aurelia Metals Limited June 2026 Quarter Activities Report. [Operator Instructions]

I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Bryan Quinn, Managing Director and CEO. Please go ahead.

Bryan Quinn
MD, CEO & Director

Thanks, Darcy. Look, thanks for joining the Aurelia management team June quarter results. I have with me today Martin Cummings, CFO and soon to be interim CEO; Angus Wyllie, the Regional GM for Cobar Region; Andrew Graham, the Chief Technical and Business Development Officer; and Leigh Collins, our future interim CFO.

Today is a proud moment for me personally since it will be the last quarterly update I provide for Aurelia as CEO and Managing Director, but I’m also proud due to the extremely positive results we are releasing today to the market. Bottom line is that it’s an exciting time to be investing in Aurelia Metals, with gold metal produced above our revised high guidance, strong metals production overall, costs in line with guidance and significantly improved operating cash flow.

Over the last few years, it really has been on a deliberate strategy to grow our business in metal production and transform the portfolio, deliver operating excellence across our operations, strengthen the balance sheet through a refinance supported by a credible life of mine plan, generate

Shares of Yes Bank declined 4% to Rs 22.70 on the BSE on Monday even after the private lender reported a standalone net profit of Rs 1,070.99 crore for the April-June quarter of FY27, a 34% year-on-year (YoY) rise from Rs 801.07 crore posted in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Yes Bank on Saturday announced that its net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned and interest expenses, rose around 17.5% YoY to Rs 2,786,46 crore during the first quarter of the ongoing financial year, as against Rs 2,371.47 crore in the year-ago period.

Yes Bank’s asset quality improved on a YoY basis, but non-performing assets rose sequentially. Its gross NPA stood at Rs 3,705 crore at the end of the quarter, lower than the Rs 4,022 crore reported in Q1 FY26 but higher than Rs 3,605 crore in Q4 FY26. Net NPA also declined from the same period last year, but increased from the March quarter of FY26 to Rs 677 crore in the June quarter. Gross NPA ratio and net NPA ratio meanwhile stood at 1.3% and 0.2% respectively.

Yes Bank’s provisions, however, jumped 39% YoY to Rs 394 crore during the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Debt-equity ratio stood at 0.66%, as against 0.69% in the year-ago period.

Nuvama on Yes Bank share price

Despite higher credit growth, Yes Bank profit missed estimate by 6% mainly due to higher provisions on account of slower SR recoveries and staff cost, Nuvama said, adding that NIM was flat QoQ at 2.7%, but remains relatively soft.

While headline asset quality was stable, SME witnessed uptick in slippages. Going ahead, management expects growth to remain strong and has guided for 1% RoA in FY28, the brokerage noted. “We believe court judgement on AT1 bond issue (write-off of Rs 75bn) and any potential increase in stake by SMFG will be key monitorables,” Nuvama said.

Given weak core profitability and valuations ahead of fundamentals, Nuvama maintained its ‘Reduce’ call on the shares of Yes Bank with a target price of Rs 22 per share. This implies a downside potential of nearly 7% from the stock’s previous closing price.

JM Financial on Yes Bank share price

JM Financial said Yes Bank’s Q1 profit beat its estimate by 2%, primarily driven by improving core profitability and lower tax expenses, and partly offset by higher-than-expected provisions. While management reiterated FY27F SR recovery guidance of Rs 8–10 bn ( around Rs 15.6 bn in FY26), moderating recoveries may potentially weigh on FY27 credit costs, it said.
“While core operating trends continue to improve, uncertainty around future SR recoveries remains a key factor to monitor,” the domestic brokerage said. It upgraded its rating on the shares of Yes Bank to ‘Reduce’ from ‘Sell’, with a target price of Rs 22 per share.

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Government asked to devolve powers on rents to new GM mayor

Estate agents line the streets in one of Manchester’s most affluent suburbs.

Walking down the ever-busy Wilmslow Road in Didsbury, it’s difficult to go far without seeing adverts for plush apartments or investment opportunities.

Prices in this part of south Manchester are at a premium, with some signs listed in shop windows offering places to rent for up to £1,500 a month.

You expect to pay more to live in Didsbury than other parts of the city. It comes with the benefits of being near buzzing cafes and bars, and easy access to public transport.

But concerns are growing in the corridors of power at Manchester council that problems of ‘stark inequality and affordability’ are making it harder for people to find homes across the city.

The number of people impacted by Manchester’s housing problems are enormous – 20,000 households are on the city’s social housing register waiting for a suitable place to live.

Government data shows average private rents in Manchester are becoming more expensive. According to the Office for National Statistics, average rental prices in Manchester hit £1,352 in May 2026, up by 3.2 per cent from 12 months ago.

This week Labour councillors in the city put forward a solution it believes could change everything.

“We are asking government to devolve powers to our new Greater Manchester mayor to develop limits on rents,” Deansgate councillor Marcus Johns said.

The call went further when Coun Gavin White, the lead on housing matters for the council, suggested Manchester could be a ‘pilot’ city for how private rent caps and controls could work nationally.

He said: “We call on the government and new Prime Minister to give the new mayor of Greater Manchester devolved powers to look at rent caps and controls for the private rented sector, to address the issues of stark inequality and affordability.

“We already have rent controls and caps in social housing, and the Renters Rights Act has begun to give powers for that, but we would call for further powers to be able to tackle that crisis head on, and we would welcome Manchester being a pilot for a national scheme to deliver this.”

A motion calling for the measures was passed in the council chamber after a debate.

“Manchester knows better than most the scale of the housing crisis, too many families have been denied the security of a decent affordable home,” said Councillor Sam Lynch during the discussion.

The idea behind the plan would be to put officials to work looking at how rent caps and controls could work in Manchester, ahead of a potential roll out elsewhere.

With Andy Burnham confirmed as Labour Party leader and about to become the country’s next Prime Minister, councillors in Manchester will soon have a familiar face in Westminster to pitch the idea to.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), a charity that leads research into poverty, believes that rent controls which limit rises at the lower of inflation or earnings could save the average renter in the north west £310 a year, or £450 on average across the UK.

Darren Baxter, principal policy adviser at JRF, said: “Calls for rent controls recognise that renters have been squeezed by unaffordable rents that take up too high a proportion of their incomes for far too long.

“Trapped in a cycle of high rents, financial strain and no ability to save – renters are often just one redundancy or illness away from a crisis. They can’t wait for the many years it will take to feel the impact of any new homes currently being built.

“Unaffordable private rents aren’t a given. Done right rent controls are feasible and should merit serious consideration from anyone concerned about the cost of living.”

Calls for Greater Manchester’s next mayor to get new powers over rent controls have been backed by researchers too, who say local leaders should be able to ‘tailor’ rent controls to local needs.

“Across the country, rents have become increasingly unaffordable, with 45 per cent of private renters struggling – millions being pushed to the brink by a housing market that just isn’t working for them,” said IPPR North, a think tank focused on the north of England.

“This issue has been particularly bad in London, and now here in Manchester which has higher rents than the rest of the north west.”

IPPR has called for rent controls to be applied nationally as an emergency response to the rising cost of living and ‘global shocks’ affecting prices being passed on to renters from landlords.

It said: “Over the last few years, there has been a shift towards institutional landlords with more and more buy-to-let properties being built around Manchester, and fewer single-portfolio or casual landlords renting properties in the city.

“IPPR’s proposals for rent controls as described would benefit tenants in Manchester’s private rental sector; protecting them from sudden rent rises, rebalancing the market, and ensuring rent only rises with what people can actually afford.

“But with the incoming PM’s ambitions for further devolved powers to regions, we would want to see local leaders, like those in Manchester, have the power to tweak and tailor these rent controls to suit local need.”

Rent controls have long been debated as a way to curb rising prices and help tenants.

It would mark a huge change for renting in the country if introduced, and has been tipped by some to bring major benefits for renters if done right.

And if councillors in Manchester have their way, the city could be the first in line to have a go at it.

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