Green Party votes have pushed through a decision to erect Irish and English dual language street signs at unionist parts of two North Belfast streets.

At the full monthly meeting of Belfast City Council on Wednesday, a committee decision to place Irish/English street signs only at nationalist parts of Donegall Park Avenue and Oldpark Road was reversed, as the Green Party became kingmakers in the full chamber. Both streets passed the required 15 percent occupier threshold for dual language signage to be erected.

Last month the council’s People and Communities Committee made decisions on so-called “long roads” on whether they should receive dual language signage along the full lengths of those streets, or at sections where it would be deemed “appropriate.”

READ MORE: DUP accuse Sinn Féin of “mental gymnastics” over Irish dual language street signs

READ MORE: Ban on rogue lockboxes being considered by Belfast City Council to stop party houses and clutter

On Oldpark Road, the committee unanimously decided to place Irish and English dual language street signs at “suitable” parts of the street. Donegall Park Avenue proved to be the most controversial, and on a tight vote pushed through by the DUP and Alliance, the committee decided to place Irish and English dual language street signs again only at certain “suitable” parts, that is, at nationalist sections of the street.

A decision on a third street, Skegoneill Avenue, was deferred until August.

However, at the full council meeting this week, the decisions on Donegall Park Avenue and Oldpark Road were reversed. A Sinn Féin proposal for both streets to receive signage along their full lengths received 31 votes in favour from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Green Party and People Before Profit, to 25 votes against, from the DUP, Alliance, the UUP and TUV.

A Green Party proposal to erect Irish English signage at two streets in West Belfast, Caffrey Avenue and Glenwood View, was successful despite neither meeting the 15 percent threshold. On a vote 31 were in favour of the proposal, from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Green Party and People Before Profit, while 25 voted against, from the DUP, Alliance, the UUP and TUV.

A Sinn Féin proposal to erect Irish English signage at Pilot Street, which did not reach the 15 percent threshold and received one objector, failed, with 28 votes in favour from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and People Before Profit, to 29 votes against, from the DUP, Alliance, the UUP, TUV and the Green Party

Donegall Park Avenue, from the Antrim Road to the Castle Gardens junction, is considered a nationalist area, while Castle Gardens to the Shore Road would be considered a unionist area. In the survey for Donegall Park Avenue 74 occupiers, that is 36.10 percent of all occupiers in the whole street, were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate. 53 occupiers, that is 25.85 percent, were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate. Over a third of the street did not reply.

At Oldpark Road, those sections at the top, from the junction of Ballysillan Road, and at the bottom, from the junction with Crumlin Road, are considered unionist areas, while the central section known as the “Bone” is considered nationalist. In the survey for Oldpark Road 136 occupiers, that is 17.99 percent of all occupiers in the whole street, were in favour of the erection of a second street name plate.

58 occupiers, that is 7.67 percent, were not in favour of the erection of a second street name plate. Five occupiers, 0.66 percent, had no preference either way, and the rest did not reply to the survey. Almost three quarters of the street did not reply.

The council’s dual language street sign policy states: “Consideration will be given to “long streets” where opinion on whether to have a second language street sign may differ between readily identifiable, substantial lengths of the street. In these circumstances, the decision as to the erection of dual language nameplates in certain portions of the street will be made by the committee, exercising its residual discretion and taking into account advice from officers.”

At the full council meeting this week, Sinn Féin Councillor Tomás Ó’Néill proposed erecting Irish and English dual language street signs for the full length of Donegall Park Avenue and Oldpark Road. He further proposed that Pilot street in the Sailortown area receive Irish English street signs, despite not meeting the 15 percent threshold, by using “discretionary” powers.

92 surveys were distributed at Pilot Street. There were 10 replies, nine of which were in favour, one in opposition, that amounts to 9.78 percent of the street in totality showing support for the new dual language signage.

Councillor Ó’Néill said: “Provision of these signs creates the opportunity for greater cultural linguistic diversity, and for people to engage with other languages and other cultures. If we continue to shy away into our own communities, it is in these dark holes where (negative) views are fostered.”

DUP Alderman Dean McCullough said in reference to Donegall Park Avenue: “If this proposal is carried tonight, I believe it will be a profoundly unwise decision. I fear it risks damaging community relations and creating entirely avoidable tension, in what is today a settled community.”

He added: “Anyone who knows Donegall Park Avenue knows it is exactly the type of street this policy was designed for. It is a long street, it is not homogenous, there are clearly identifiable sections with different views.”

He said: “I know the area well. The consultation demonstrated opinion differed markedly between the upper and lower sections of the avenue. Anyone that knows that avenue knows there is a vast difference, in terms of the desire for the Irish language at the top and the bottom.

“The sensible compromise is to provide signage where it is wanted, and not impose it where it is clearly not wanted. That respects both communities, it reflects the reality on the ground, and most importantly it is entirely consistent with the policy.”

Green party Councillor Áine Groogan said: “I think it is incredibly problematic to say that the Irish language is okay in certain parts of a street, but not okay elsewhere. It creates an incredibly dangerous precedent.”

She said: “I don’t understand where we start drawing a line between what is a long street, and what isn’t a long street, and how we divide it. That for me creates a lot more problems than just normalising and promoting the language for what it is.”

She said: “We need to put this beyond politics, and beyond designating an area as one community or another community. We are trying to get beyond that, and that is why the most logical and simplest approach is whenever a street in its entirety meets the policy threshold (to erect signage).”

Councillor Groogan proposed erecting Irish English dual language signage at Caffrey Avenue of the Glen Road in West Belfast, and Glenwood View, near Stewartstown Road in West Belfast. Both streets did not meet the threshold of 15 percent, but neither had any objections in the surveys. She said the Greens would not support new signage at Pilot Street, stating that the party’s approach to date was to use discretionary powers only when there is no opposition in the surveys.

Caffrey Avenue saw 162 surveys, of which there were only 24 replies, all in favour of Irish English signage. That amounted to 14.81 percent. Glenwood View saw 54 surveys, of which there were only seven replies, all in favour of Irish English signage That amounted to 12.96 percent.

DUP Councillor Sarah Bunting said at the meeting: “I am sick of talking about this every single month. But there is no consistency from the parties opposite. Every month they come up with a new way to try to rewrite the policies that they agreed, that they wrote, and that we didn’t agree to. Now they have decided they want to push even more at the unionist community.”

She proposed all the decisions at the People and Communities Committee in June, where it was decided new signage would only be placed in “appropriate” areas, to be ratified. This did not go to a vote after the successful Sinn Féin and Green Party proposals.

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A young man who has been told he has around a year to live after he began ‘seeing double’ has said he won’t let his shock diagnosis beat him.

Council worker Jack Rawding-Revell, from Hadfield, near Greater Manchester, was handed the news he had an inoperable glioblastoma after he was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital last month.

The 25-year-old had suffered vision loss for a number of weeks and began ‘seeing double’. He went to the opticians and was prescribed glasses which temporarily helped, before he then began violently vomiting at work and knew something was wrong.

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He called 111 and had a CT scan at Tameside hospital. He was then was rushed into Salford Royal Hospital for further tests and an operation to release pressure from his brain.

It was around a fortnight ago that he was called in and handed the news his condition was inoperable and would likely mean he had around a year left to live.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the Manchester United fan said: “It all started at the end of February when I started seeing double. I was seeing two cars on the road and all of a sudden I was like, what the hell?

“I didn’t think anything of it that deeply at the start. I’m 25-years-old. What fit and healthy person of my age thinks it would be anything other than needing to just go and get my eyes tested?

“I went to the opticians and got glasses. It helped for a bit, but then my eyes got worse and worse again. Then, I was in work about four weeks ago, and I started throwing up. I knew it wasn’t right.

“Looking back, I was sleeping all the time and was always knackered. I was coming home from work and then sleeping for 12 hours a night but was still struggling to get up for work.”

The scans were carried out at Tameside Hospital after Jack rang 111. He was then taken into Salford Royal Hospital after doctors confirmed a tumour lesion had been uncovered. The following day, pressure was released from his brain.

“They thought I was on my last legs so they rushed me in,” Jack said. “They thought they’d have to operate straight away but by the time I got to Salford, I was in a stable condition. There was a tumour on the back of my brain causing the build up of pressure. They took a biopsy on the tumour and about two weeks ago they rang me back and got me in.

“They told me there was no cure, but that they could treat and manage me as well as they could. It was a huge shock obviously at first. There was a lot of initial panic and worry about what was going on. You never expect it.”

It was then that Jack decided to document his journey on social media, posting regular videos and updates on his treatment. He said he vowed to do this to ‘raise awareness and help other people’, adding: “I won’t let this beat me.”

“Going forward, I knew what my goal was. I didn’t want to put myself on a timescale,” he explained. “I have got so many supportive people around me and I know people that have been through something similar and come out of the other side. So I thought, why not me?

“It’s just me and my personality. I have a positive mindset. I thought while I am still here, god forbid the worst happens, why not try to help other people and push the awareness as much as I can. I knew I wanted to try and help other people if I could, and knowing I potentially could is the best feeling ever. You start to think about what impact you want to leave behind.

“My friends and family have been absolutely amazing. They have made me feel comfortable and protected while egging me on too. People go their whole lives not knowing they are this loved or cared about, but under unfortunate circumstances, I know I am.”

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In one of his public statuses, he wrote: “I’m lost for words and the support is mental and insane. I’ve always told everyone I’d be a celebrity one day but never thought because of this [laughing face emoji]. Please raise awareness for cancers and I’ll let you all know now I won’t be going down so easily.”

In another, sharing a photo from inside The Christie hospital, he penned: “I love the film Fault in our Stars but never thought I’d be living it. Just a reminder to live everyday like it’s your last and do what you wanna do and not struggle with life and enjoy every minute. I won’t be going down so soon or without a fight.”

Jack is now due to start radiotherapy at The Christie hospital in south Manchester in hope of shrinking the tumour and prolonging his life. He said he is also lined up to start a new drug trial that has been recently approved.

Despite all this, Jack said he is feeling ‘better than ever’.

“The crazy thing is, when I first had the operation my eyesight was still worse for wear. But now, it’s getting better each day. It’s all mental. This is going on inside me, behind the scenes and I am being told by professionals, but on the outside I am still here and feeling better than ever.”

His loved ones have since set up a fundraising page to help support Jack and are organising a charity football match. Details are available here, where donations can also be made.

SNP ministers are considering how to apply the Tobacco and Vapes Act which handed Holyrood beefed-up powers to crackdown on vape use.

Vaping could be banned within 15m of Scots schools if smoke-free zones are extended to include playgrounds as well as hospitals.

SNP ministers are considering how to apply the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 which handed Holyrood beefed-up powers to crackdown on vape use in public areas.

The landmark legislation was passed UK-wide, with prior agreement from Holyrood, and aims to create a “smoke-free” generation by banning children born after 2009 from buying tobacco.

Scottish Labour is pushing for the strict smoke-free zones seen outside NHS hospitals and clinics to now cover schools and nurseries.

Jackie Baillie, the party’s health spokeswoman, said: “Kids should be able to play safely and breathe fresh, clean air at school. The SNP Government must look at how it can use the powers it has to protect kids’ health and make the areas around schools and playgrounds smoke-free.”

NHS hospitals already operate strict 100 per cent smoke-free policies that mean smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are completely banned inside all hospital buildings, grounds, car parks, and vehicles.

The rules were toughened up in 2022 when the Scottish Government introduced a law making it an offence to smoke within 15 metres of an NHS hospital building.

Under the rules, anyone who smokes in the perimeter area can face a £50 on-the-spot penalty, which is reduced to £30 if prompt payment is made.

It is not known if such an approach would be also be applied to school playgrounds but there is support for stronger smoke-free regulations.

Increasing numbers of teenagers are now regularly using e-cigarettes despite a ban on single-use vapes being introduced last year.

A recent study by the University of Stirling found pupils’ use of vapes negatively affected attendance and behaviour.

Pupils reported leaving lessons and missing classes to vape, contributing to truancy and disruption.

Staff warned some young people were showing signs of nicotine addiction, with teachers spending considerable time and resources responding to the issue, including patrolling school grounds and toilets.

Maree Todd, Public Health Minister, said: “The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 provides us with powers to expand existing smoke free spaces, as well as create vape free spaces and heated tobacco free spaces.

“These powers support the implementation of our Tobacco and Vaping Framework Place based actions, and we are considering how we will use the powers, ensuring action is both evidence based and proportionate.

“Any action will be subject to consultation and I will update Parliament with the next steps in due course.”

By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 23:16 BST, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 04:33 BST, 3 July 2026

Travis Kelce caught fans by surprise on Thursday night with a surprise announcement about a mystery guest on his New Heights podcast – with the episode set to be broadcast the day he marries Taylor Swift.

The world is watching Madison Square Garden with Swift and Kelce set to hold an intimate rehearsel dinner on Thursday night before hosting a party with around 1,000 guests at the venue in the heart of Manhattan on Friday night.

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But the NFL star appears to have another surprise up his sleeve on the big day, via the popular podcast he hosts with older brother Jason.

The New Heights social media accounts announced on Thursday night: ‘We’ve got a very special guest making their New Heights debut… NEW EPISODE TOMORROW.’

Fans were stunned and speculation erupted immediately over who the guest could be. Some speculated that it might be Swift’s brother Austin, her father Scott or even the singer Ed Sheeran, who is in New York ahead of the big day and good friends with Swift.

And yet one of the producers of the show ramped up the drama by tweeting 40 minutes after the announcement: ‘None of you have guessed right.’ 

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New Heights have a surprise podcast to be broadcast the day Travis Kelce marries Taylor Swift

Swift and Kelce are expected to marry at New York’s Madison Square Garden this week

Taylor Swift’s wedding: Read all the top stories

‘Hmmmm this must be huge. Can’t wait,’ one fan wrote.

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Another joked: ‘We will be kinda busy tomorrow but thanks for letting us know!’

One of the directors of New Heights, Jake Chatzky, fueled the speculation further by retweeting the announcement with multiple ‘eyes-wide-open’ emojis. 

Eagle-eyed fans, however, noticed one clue in the preview image shared by New Heights.

Kelce appears to be wearing the same blue checkered shirt he was pictured in during his bachelor party.

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It is not known exactly who every member of his celebration party was, other than his brother also being there. 

The couple have transformed MSG in the days leading up to the ceremony while celebrities from across the world have flown into a sweltering New York.

As the Daily Mail previously reported, the dress code for the rehearsal dinner is ‘cocktail attire’, a source said, with only family members and close friends expected to be in attendance at MSG’s smaller Infosys Theater. 

It appears Kelce will kick his big day off on Friday by dropping a surprise New Heights show

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Then, it appears the three-time Super Bowl winner Kelce will begin the biggest day of his life by dropping the new podcast. 

Episodes are usually streamed around 9:30am eastern but the time this show is dropping was not confirmed in the surprise announcement.

This week, Kelce welcomed his friend and fellow NFL player George Kittle onto the podcast – days after Swift jokingly dedicated a performance of her song ‘Love Story’ to him at the ‘Tight End University’ event Kelce and Kittle co-host. 

During the three-day event, Kittle confirmed that he had been invited to the wedding and that Travis and Taylor had instructed their guests not to buy them a wedding gift. 

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Young drivers have seen car premiums slashed to their lowest in almost three years, despite a rise in overall insurance prices

Young drivers in Northern Ireland have seen car premiums slashed to their lowest in almost three years, despite a rise in overall insurance prices.

While the average cost of insuring a car in the region has climbed to £664 – the highest level in 18 months – motorists aged 17-24 have experienced a 6% drop in premiums over the last quarter.

That’s according to new data from CompareNI.com, which shows that young drivers here are paying an average of £1303, the cheapest premiums since July 2023, when prices were £989.

Industry experts believe the drop could reflect the growing popularity of telematics products, which have made premiums more affordable for this notoriously expensive age group by rewarding them for demonstrating safe driving habits.

Another potential factor for falling young driver premiums may be the upcoming arrival of new road safety measures, with NI set to become the first UK region to adopt graduated driver licensing (GDL) this October.

The new system will introduce a six-month wait for learner drivers before taking a practical test, an extended ‘R’ plate period from 12 months to 24 months, as well as restrictions on night-time driving and passenger numbers.

With similar schemes in other countries proven to reduce crashes among younger drivers, experts believe the planned introduction of GDL here may already be helping to reduce premiums as insurers begin to reassess future risk.

Although the fall in prices will come as welcome news to cash-strapped younger motorists, Northern Ireland remains the second highest region in the UK for young driver insurance, coming in just behind London. The cheapest areas, Wales and South West England are more than £400 cheaper.

The average annual premium by Northern Ireland council area

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Across NI, four council areas see teenagers facing premiums of over £2000, including Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Antrim and Newtownabbey and Newry, Mourne and Down. Even the cheapest areas, Causeway Coast and Glens and Ards and North Down, both still report premiums of over £1500.

Not surprisingly, 17 and 18-year-olds are the most expensive to insure – with those in Belfast forking out more than £2400 on average.

However, premiums fall sharply by age 19, showing the value of just a few years’ experience behind the wheel. In Antrim and Newtownabbey for example, drivers aged 19 are saving as much as £673 compared to those just a year younger.

Overall, Northern Ireland saw the second biggest jump in prices anywhere in the UK, up by 6.4% across all age groups over the last quarter – behind only Yorkshire.

All 11 Council areas here saw premiums rise, with the biggest being seen in Ards and North Down and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, which both recorded price hikes of over £50 – a jump of 9.5% on last quarter.

At the other end of the scale, Mid Ulster saw the smallest increase at just 2.7%, closely followed by Derry City and Strabane and Fermanagh and Omagh, both with a rise of 3.2%.

While Northern Ireland once boasted some of the UK’s most competitive car insurance prices, it has jumped up the regional rankings over the past two years and is now the third most expensive, 7.3% above the national average. This is mainly due to a combination of higher claim costs and a poorer road safety record compared to the rest of the UK.

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “It is encouraging to see young drivers getting some much-needed relief when it comes to insurance costs, with premiums for this group now the cheapest they have been in almost three years.

“However, 17–24-year-olds are still paying significantly more than other age groups and Northern Ireland remains one of the most expensive places anywhere in the UK for new motorists to get insured.

“The growth of telematics or black box insurance is likely helping more young drivers find savings on their insurance by rewarding safe driving habits, while the arrival of graduated driver licensing later this year could also be contributing to lower premiums.

“Similar schemes are used in other countries such the United States, Canada and Australia and evidence shows they can significantly reduce crashes involving young drivers.

“Insurers don’t just look backwards, they also take future risk into account, basing prices on what they predict claims will look like over the next 12 months and beyond. So, it is possible that providers may have already begun adjusting premiums ahead of these new road rules coming into force.”

Mr Wilson says that while young drivers have experienced savings, the wider picture is less positive, with overall costs in Northern Ireland climbing to their highest since the start of 2025.

“Despite this, there are always steps drivers can take to help bring down their insurance costs, such as parking the vehicle on a private driveway overnight if possible, lowering the annual mileage and never allowing a policy to auto-renew without shopping around,” he added.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday after a late U-turn by the Prime Minister.

Football fans in England and Wales will get hours of extra drinking as England take on Mexico in a last-16 match kicking off at 1am UK time.

Ministers initially refused to relax the licensing laws yesterday, but in a rare popular U-turn, Keir Starmer said pubs could stay open until after the final whistle.

The Home Office will initiate an emergency law change this morning. Sir Keir said: ‘Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to. 

‘Pubs staying open until the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.’

The Home Office had already relaxed licensing laws ahead of the World Cup due to the erratic kick-off times, but had failed to make any provision for 1am fixtures such as England’s make-or-break showdown against Mexico in the co-host’s capital.

Instead, individual pubs were forced to apply to local councils for a Temporary Event Notice, but many were told they had already missed the deadline following Wednesday’s win against DR Congo.

The Daily Mail understands the Home Office initially resisted calls from inside government to amend licensing hours on Sunday night over concerns about the impact on already struggling police forces.

This means supporters will be able to watch every minute of the match on a big screen with a drink in their hands

Sir Keir Starmer pushed through the move to force a popular U-turn – a rarity under his leadership

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But the football-loving PM pushed the change through in an attempt to secure a legacy before leaving No 10. 

One government source confessed: ‘We probably clocked this a little bit late in the day to be honest – getting anything done in half a day in government is basically impossible.’ 

Amid accusations the Home Office was behaving like the ‘fun police’, the department finally relented and allowed Downing Street to get the ball over the line.

But fears remain about whether the police will be able to put plans in place in such a short amount of time, with one source admitting there hadn’t been a ‘huge amount of engagement’ with forces ahead of the last-minute licensing change.

Political pressure for the change was piled on from parties across the spectrum, including Labour backbenchers. 

York Outer MP Luke Charter said: ‘Labour can show we’re the party that backs the places that bring people together. Let’s get this one right ahead of a huge moment!’

Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick branded yesterday’s confusion ‘ridiculous’, demanding: ‘Just issue a decree that any pub in the land can stay open late on Monday.

‘It’s been done before. Stop being pettifogging killjoys and get behind England.’

Tory MP Louie French said the announcement was ‘the least’ Downing Street could do for pubs ‘after two years of hammering [them] with Labour’s tax rises’.

Fans out in North America will have to make the journey to Mexico to see England take on the hallowed Azteca Stadium

They will be hoping that Harry Kane can repeat his heroics and shepherd England into the quarter finals

While England fans may face the prospect of heading to work on Monday with just a couple of hours’ sleep, Downing Street told parents to ignore manager Thomas Tuchel’s rebellious advice to children.

At a press conference after the nail-biting 2-1 win against DR Congo, Tuchel said parents should ‘write an excuse for school and let them watch football’.

‘They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch… and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children.’ But Sir Keir’s spokesman slapped down the suggestion, saying: ‘Kids should be at school on Monday.’

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added: ‘Children should be in school the next day.’

For adult fans, the Government is recommending a ‘disco nap on Sunday’ to ensure they can be ‘back at work next day’.

Downing Street added that Sir Keir was ‘facing the same dilemma as everyone else on whether to stay up’.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: ‘This tournament is hugely important for our sector, so we’re delighted the Government listened to our concerns and acted so quickly.’

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, added: ‘This pragmatic approach allows venues to focus on what matters most – bringing communities together to support the national team.’

It comes as English businesses brace for a ‘mass sickie event’ on Monday morning as bleary-eyed workers sleep in.

The AA said: ‘If supporters are staying up until nearly 3am to watch the game, or even 4am… they need to think carefully about how they’ll get through Monday morning safely.’

Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored a World Cup knockout goal at the grand old age of 41 – but deputy Goncalo Ramos stole his thunder for Portugal.

Boss Roberto Martinez has been hounded all tournament for his reluctance to drop or substitute veteran Ronaldo but he got his in-game moves spot on as his team overcame a gutsy and spirited Croatia side in Toronto.

Ronaldo was not one of four substitutions in the 63rd minute and he repaid his manager’s faith five minutes later to score a penalty which cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s 53rd-minute opener.

Then when Ronaldo was finally hooked, the man who took over the No 9 position in new AC Milan signing Ramos scored a 94th-minute winner with a fine header after Rafael Leao’s cross.

Croatia thought they had equalised in the 13th minute of stoppage time through Josko Gvardiol but Mario Pasalic was deemed to be offside in a highly contentious VAR call.

It means Portugal set up a tantalising last-16 clash against Spain in Dallas on Monday night.

Martinez gets Ronaldo calls bang on

Ronaldo was a millisecond away from bouncing into his iconic ‘siu’ celebration when he glanced to his right to see the offside flag raised.

When he looked to the other direction, he would have seen four Portugal players limbering up to come on as substitutes.

With two forwards among them, it felt inevitable that Ronaldo’s international career might be over. All those great moments ending with a marginal offside call.

But these lot write their own scripts, just like his great rival Lionel Messi did in 2022 in Qatar.

Within minutes, Ronaldo was wheeling away again and unfurling the celebration after confidently dispatching a penalty straight down the middle.

Manager Martinez had resisted the nagging temptation to hook Ronaldo and he was repaid.

Other than scoring the penalty, though, the 41-year-old did nothing to warrant his selection. He was missing in action most of the game.

Ramos, who this week joined AC Milan for around £63.5million, occupied space and put himself about in a way that Ronaldo did not and his last-gasp header was a memorable moment.

Did VAR get it right?

It was a VAR call that will be the talk of Croatia for decades to come.

Did Igor Matanovic touch the ball? As the long ball came into the penalty area, there was no doubt Pasalic was offside.

But from the angles shown on TV, there was no conclusive evidence – either way – to suggest whether Matanovic had headed on the cross and not just defender Renato Veiga.

With such fine margins, it feels like another moment that VAR has ruined our beautiful game. Given how well Croatia played and how they deserved something from the match, it is hard not to feel sorry for them.

It’s hard not to feel sorry for Croatia after they has a last-minute equalised stolen from them

Kovacic masterclass counts for nothing

Mateo Kovacic had perhaps the game of his career in midfield and really should have scored at least one goal.

The Manchester City man glided through Portugal with ease and his shot midway through the second half, tipped on to the post by Diogo Costa, deserved to put Croatia ahead.

Likewise his pass from deep to Petar Sucic would have been one of the assists of the tournament had the Inter man not been narrowly offside.

In a game where Paris Saint-Germain’s dynamite duo of Joao Neves and Vitinha were in a trio with Bruno Fernandes, and former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric was on the pitch, Kovacic was by far the best midfielder.

Perisic was another who had a positive night. The former Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Tottenham man, now 37, took his goal well and is maybe overlooked as one of the great veterans at this tournament.

Croatia, like Senegal the night before, looked shellshocked at the end. They did enough to win or at least force extra-time. They were daring, exciting and caused all sorts of problems. But it was not to be.

Leao outshines team-mates

Ronaldo was ineffective, Pedro Neto was barely noticeable. And so it was Rafael Leao who was the brightest spark for Portugal.

In the first minutes, the winger skipped past Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanisic and put a perfect cut-back in the path of Bruno Fernandes only for the shot to be well blocked.

Not long later, Leao chipped a fancy ball on to the head of Renato Veiga only for it to go over the crossbar.

Croatia started to double up on Leao which meant his evening quietened after an electrifying start – but he was still a bright spark, who seemed to get annoyed at Ronaldo for some negative passes at times.

His 58th-minute curling effort rattled the crossbar and was centimetres away from an equaliser, then he provided an inch-perfect cross for Ramos’s winner. What a fine assist.

AC Milan fans will not like this next sentence, but is it time Leao got a big move? The Italians giants are a huge club but can he do better? Now 27, so maybe the ship has sailed, but it is 80 goals in 291 club games for the winger.

Rafael Leao was the star for Portugal as he was finally given his first start of the tournament

Mendes vs Yamal, anyone?

‘What full back could give Lamine Yamal a game?’ – that was the question posed on BBC as Spain eased past Austria in the earlier kick-off.

Well, Portugal’s Nuno Mendes might give it a good go, or at least as good as any.

He has been the best left back in the game over the last two years at Paris Saint-Germain, twice champions of Europe – and that clash in Dallas looks like a real meeting of heavyweights.

Mendes is better going forward than he is defensively, which could be a concern for Spain and right back Pedro Porro, who sometimes looks isolated.

That clash in Dallas, 8pm on Monday night for UK viewers, looks like an all-time classic in the making.

How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE

A soiree once dubbed America’s royal wedding has quickly become one big money grab.

Indeed Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce – who were labeled as ‘tacky’ for hosting their big day at Madison Square Garden – are seizing the moment to promote podcasts and even make new content for their armies of fans. 

Their closest friends used Thursday’s spectacle to peddle their own brands and grab eyeballs on the shut-down streets of midtown Manhattan.

The groom took to social media to promote his New Heights podcast, teasing that a ‘very special guest’ would be in the studio ‘TOMORROW’.

Reported bridesmaid Selena Gomez, sporting a black feathered ballgown, made sure to tout her Rare Beauty brand as she applied lipstick in the car while enroute to the gathering.

Swift’s longtime friend Lena Dunham was one of the only celebrities to make sure she was seen outside the heavily guarded venue, with the actress rolling down the window her blacked out SUV as she arrived at the party.

And to top to it all off, the bride confiscated phones at the event’s entrance to ensure that her cameras were the only ones rolling.

Swift’s BFF and reported bridesmaid Selena Gomez, sporting a black feathered ballgown, made sure to tout her Rare Beauty brand as she applied lipstick in the car while en-route to the gathering

Swift at the premiere of Toy Story 5 in Los Angeles on June 9 

Swift and Kelce hosted a pre-party at the Infosys Theater inside arena on Thursday night, slated for just 100 guests.

Reports ran wild that the pair may already be legally married. Some sources said they intended to exchange vows in front of 100 of their nearest and dearest on Thursday, before a blowout, festival-style party tomorrow.

Neither they, nor their guests, have confirmed what happened behind the closed doors.

They hung curtains on the arena’s gargantuan windows and erected an arrivals tent which blocked the public’s view of who was there.

A sign at a security checkpoint outside the venue instructed guests to ‘have identification out, have devices ready,’ suggesting attendees were forced to give up their phones before entering.

Press were told to leave the area, with cops heard saying: ‘It’s managed access. That means unless you have a business on the block, you gotta go to the corner.’

‘Either you gotta move or they’ll start arresting people for trespassing,’ an officer told journalists who refused to go to the designated press pen.

K9 units were spotted patrolling the perimeter of the arena, with the National Guard, as well as members of Swift’s own security team, seen in the area earlier this week.

Madison Square Garden was lit up in pink on Thursday night, but a few prized ads remained prominent  

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New Heights announced a surprise podcast to be broadcast the day Travis Kelce marries Taylor Swift

Kelce hosts the podcast along with his brother, Jason. He regularly uses the show to share titbits of gossip about his romance with Swift 

A total of 139 officers have been assigned to oversee the monster bash, including five lieutenants and 14 sergeants, according to the Daily Mail’s sources. Over 1,000 guests are expected to attend on Friday, with celebrations running into the early hours. 

Security posts around MSG were erected earlier this week and special ‘cooling stations’ have been set up to allow cops periods of air-conditioning.

The big day is set to feature a castle being built inside the iconic stadium. Crews were also seen hauling trees and other shrubbery, as well as a box marked ‘golf.’

A full street closure will then go into effect, allowing crews to erect a ‘drive through tent’ next to a separate ‘entrance tent,’ according to a special event permit

Another notice on display outside the arena states that photography and videography will take place in and around the area from June 29 to July 3.

Lena Dunham, another of Swift’s friends, was seen rolling down the window of her SUV while arriving at the venue 

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Swift’s crews have been setting up for her nuptials to Kelce all week, with the new notice suggesting that cameras may have been documenting the entire process.

Exclusive photographs obtained by the Daily Mail captured professional monitors, camera rigs and high-end production equipment being loaded through the arena’s loading bay in the lead up to her big day. 

The singer, who has multiple ties with Disney, is no stranger to turning her life – or her relationships – into a cinematic spectacle.

Swift has also enlisted a professional film crew to document her July 3 wedding with Travis Kelce at New York City’s Madison Square Gardens. Sound and high-end production equipment were spotted being unloaded from trucks on Tuesday

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Crews worked to unload truckloads worth of equipment at the wedding venue ahead of the wedding on Friday

A filming notice was spotted at one of the entrances to Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. Since all guests were asked to hand in devices, Swift’s crew will be the only cameras in the room 

In 2020, she released her Miss Americana documentary on Netflix which offered fans intimate details of her life on and off the stage.

Then, after her record breaking Eras tour, Swift released a feature-length concert film and sic part docuseries about the tour, highlighting her dubbing romance with Kelce.

She has also debuted multiple self-produced visual albums – each one owned outright by her, released on her timeline, and monetized on her terms.

Sources say Swift turned down offers worth tens of millions of dollars from streaming giants who wanted to broadcast the ceremony live.

The wedding footage, insiders say, will be hers alone to edit, release, and profit from however and whenever she chooses.

Swift and Kelce have faced massive scrutiny over the luxurious event and the disruption it is causing to America’s largest city over the holiday weekend. 

Security at the venue is tight, with more than 130 NYPD officers tapped to work the wedding

The blushing bride, 36, was seen being swept into the back of the iconic New York City venue in a blacked-out silver Suburban with an extended roof and communications antenna

K-9’s walk into Madison Square Garden ahead of Swift and Kelce’s Thursday night party

There was a flourish of good publicity for them when it was announces they had donated $26million to various charities across the country, including many in the city they disrupted.

This is just the beginning. There will no doubt be more glamorous, self-serving selfies and opportunities for brand-pushing tomorrow as they all return to Madison Square Garden for the big event tomorrow.

And with this much grift already on display, one can only imagine what’s still to come.

Manchester United have work to do in the summer transfer window under Michael Carrick and plans are already afoot for new additions next year

Manchester United are reportedly aiming to reshape their defence next summer. The Reds are prioritising midfield in 2026 after the departure of Casemiro and with Manuel Ugarte facing a lengthy spell out injured.

Mateus Fernandes was one player United were keen to sign from West Ham this summer, but the Portuguese has now joined Tottenham Hotspur for £85million. The Reds ultimately opted against rivalling Spurs for his signature due to the finances involved and a lack of clarity over his preferred next club.

It comes after United also missed out on England star Elliot Anderson. News of his switch to rivals Manchester City for £116m from Nottingham Forest was confirmed earlier on Thursday.

The Reds are at least close to signing one new midfielder, having already agreed a deal with Atalanta for Ederson. The Brazilian will join after a £35m initial fee, plus £3.8m in add-ons, was finalised between both clubs.

However, more midfield reinforcements will be needed at Old Trafford before United kick off their Premier League campaign away at newly-promoted Hull City on August 22.

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Left-back is also an area United are look to strengthen, but the Daily Mail claim that further changes in defence are unlikely to come until 2027.

Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez all entered the final year of their contracts at midnight on Tuesday, although United can trigger 12-month extensions for the latter two.

Shaw turns 31 at the end of next week, and a decision over his future is reportedly set to be made before the turn of the year.

Meanwhile, Matthijs De Ligt, under contract until 2029, has not played since the end of November due to a back injury that required surgery.

Reds boss Michael Carrick has already bid farewell to several players this summer as July begins. Jadon Sancho, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Sonny Aljofree, Malachi Sharpe and James Bailey have all now ended their association with United after the expiration of their contracts.

Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

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