With his double against the Ivorians, Undav became the first German to score in his first two World Cup appearances since Miroslav Klose in 2002.

That is elite company – but at one stage even taking part in a World Cup was a distant dream for Undav, who was rejected by Werder Bremen aged 14.

At 17, he was earning £120 a week as a semi-professional in the German fourth tier while balancing his footballing career with eight-hour shifts at a factory.

“When Werder told me at 14 that I didn’t have a future with them because I was too small, it broke my heart,” Undav said in an interview with Belgian outlet 7sur7.

“But I did not abandon hope. I left the family home at 17 to sign for Havelse in the fourth division in Germany where I combined playing and training with working full-time, eight-hour days operating a laser machine in a factory.

“I got up around 4am, went to the factory, then I went to training and got back home around 8pm… before doing it all again the next day.

“I had to do that job for the money to live because I couldn’t survive on the money from the football alone.”

Undav moved to Belgian second division side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2020, helping them earn promotion the following year and then scoring 25 goals in the top flight – which earned him a move to Brighton.

But after only scoring five goals in 22 Premier League appearances in 2022-23 season, he was loaned out to Stuttgart who signed him permanently in 2024.

Undav hit 19 Bundesliga goals in 2025-26 – finishing second behind Harry Kane in the top scoring list – to earn his World Cup spot.

Gary Lineker appeared on ITV’s World Cup coverage of Germany vs Ivory Coast but left viewers very confused by a surprise decision

ITV viewers were left baffled by Gary Lineker only appearing for 20 minutes during the build-up to Germany vs Ivory Coast in the World Cup. The former BBC pundit looked to be part of the rival broadcaster’s match coverage but surprisingly departed their studio before kick-off.

Lineker left the BBC 12 months ago following social media posts that did not align with their guidelines. He has since started The Rest Is Football podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer and is out in the United States after a huge Netflix deal was agreed for the World Cup.

Taking advantage of his presence, ITV booked him for a short appearance on Saturday evening with Lineker also promoting his upcoming show ‘The Box’ on the channel. Following a barrage of questions towards him to start the programme, ITV returned from ads and Lineker had disappeared which saw confused viewers take to social media.

One X user said: “Oh, Gary Lineker was only there for the first 20 minutes of the build-up. Won’t be in the studio during the game itself. Ah well.”

Another added: “Just turned on #GERCIV – Where’s Gary Lineker? He spoofed hosting & then left?”

A third stated: “Wait where’s Lineker gone was he only on the bit at the start or?”

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Though most were bewildered by his premature exit, Lineker impressed many others with his comments, which also saw a number of viewers again commend ITV for their superior coverage.

One X account brutally admitted: “ITV have absolutely wiped the BBC out the park in every single department for this World Cup. Gary Lineker is a real one who should’ve never been sacked.”

A second said: “Seeing Gary Lineker on ITV today is like watching Lewis Figo go from Barca to Real. Unreal move by ITV!”

A third wrote: “That opening segment on ITV with Gary Lineker was exceptional. The best in the business.”

Lineker’s most noticeable remark during his showing appeared to be a subtle dig at the BBC following his playful exchange with lead presenter Laura Woods.

Upon being asked what he has been up to, Lineker said: “I’ve been doing a show daily for Netflix in Times Square but I did desperately wanted to come and see your set. I think it’s absolutely amazing, and I can confirm that it’s real.

“What a backdrop. And obviously I wanted to do TV, I haven’t done it for a little while.”

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The four-year-old is one of only two boys in Northern Ireland with this condition

This is four-year-old Pearse Connolly, who has been defying the odds since birth.

The little Co Tyrone lad was diagnosed with severe X-Linked myotubular myopathy(XLMTM), a rare neuro muscular condition that affects the muscles and causes severe hypotonia. It is considered a life-limiting condition. XLMTM affects his breathing, ability to swallow, his movements and mobility.

Most children born with it don’t survive past infancy. Pearse is one of only two boys in Northern Ireland with this condition. He was sent home as ‘end of life care’ at four months old and it has taken a lot of research and work to by his devoted parents, John and Laura from Edendork in Dungannon, get him to where he is now. The couple are also parents to 6-year-old Eve.

Speaking to Belfast Live, his mum Laura explained Perase’s journey so far: “Pearse was born on December 14 2021 at Craigavon Area Hospital. He was resuscitated at birth and spent five and a half weeks in the Neonatal Unit. When he was born, he had pneumonia in both lungs, and the doctors thought his limpness was due to how sick he was.

“As the antibiotics kicked in and they felt his lungs were improving, the limpness remained. He was like what they would have described as like a very floppy child, and he didn’t open his eyes, didn’t really cry or respond to an awful lot.

“Because he was born in December we were obviously expecting to have him home for Christmas, but the doctors decided to do some genetic testing. At 4 months old and after a very traumatic and difficult time in hospital, Pearse was sent home as ‘end of life care’.

“He was not expected to survive more than a few days but he had no intention of leaving us. After a month at home, a new complication put Pearse back into hospital and we were there for the next six months.

“He was not expected to survive more than a few days but he had no intention of leaving us. After a month at home, a new complication put Pearse back into hospital and we were there for the next six months.

“Pearse wasn’t officially diagnosed until he was 10 months old, so we actually had to do an awful lot of guesswork in the beginning. We always say that Pearse is actually rare in a rare world. During his first year, Pearse was intubated countless times and we lost count of the amount of drains his lungs needed.

“His life at that time was full of needles, tubes, drains and trauma. But despite it all, he was resilient and showed he had remarkable potential. We just knew we had to do everything possible to provide him with the best life possible.

“Now here he is at four years old and living a trache/vent and PEG/blended diet life that is full of happiness and love. Pearse is very affectionate, fun loving, and a happy, contented child. You know, if he cries that there’s something very wrong.

“He loves attention, being involved in everything, loves people talking to him and interacting with him. He loves getting out and about, being out in the car and knowing that he’s going somewhere. He has really thrived at school because they’ve been able to introduce so much to him in terms of technology.”

Unfortunately, his family are now at the stage that in order to keep Pearse strong and well, they need access to ongoing therapies and equipment. They have launched a Just4Children fundraising campaign, called Pushing Pearse’s Potential, to make that happen. It has already raised over £10,000 in six weeks.

Laura added: “Just4Children are fundraising to provide Pearse with therapies and specialist equipment to enable him to reach his full potential and stay as well as he can for as long as he can having a happier life with less restrictions.

“In order for Pearse to live his best life despite all the complications of his diagnosis, he will need ongoing funds to access regular therapies and purchase specialist equipment. We want to keep Pearse as well as possible for as long as possible and we want him to have a wonderful life where as many options as possible are open to him.

“The people of Edendork and the wider Dungannon and Coalisland community have been amazing. What has really taken my breath away at times has been the kindness of strangers, people reaching out who I have maybe never spoken to or ever seen.

“Any support would be greatly appreciated and we really hope the community within Tyrone will really rally behind him. We have already seen that there is real kindness out there and it really restores your faith and changes your whole perspective on everything as well.”

You can donate to Pushing Pearse’s Potential here and follow his journey on Facebook.

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This marks the first fatality at the Donegal International Rally since three-time winner Manus Kelly died in a crash in 2019

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A spectator has died following an accident at the Donegal International Rally, leading organisers to cancel the remainder of the three‑day event.

Motorsport Ireland and the Donegal Motor Club confirmed in a joint statement that a “young male spectator” lost his life after an incident on Stage 12 on Saturday afternoon (June 20). Just before 5pm on Saturday, June 20, Gardai received reports of an incident during which a number of rally spectators were injured by a car that was taking part in the event.

It is understood the crash happened when a competing car left the road at a left-hand bend. The fatal accident occurred during the first run through the Gartan stage, the 12th of 20 scheduled stages in what is regarded as one of Ireland’s largest and most prestigious motorsport gatherings.

Two spectators were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital, and the rally was halted after the incident. Organisers confirmed that, as a mark of respect, the rest of the rally would be cancelled.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told the Irish Mirror: “Gardaí are investigating the sudden death of a male youth following an incident at a motorsport event in Donegal on Saturday, 20th June 2026.

“Shortly before 5pm, Emergency Services and Gardaí were alerted after a number of spectators were injured in an incident involving a participating car at Trentagh, near Kilmacrennan. One of the spectators, a male youth in his mid teens, was brought by ambulance from the scene to Letterkenny University Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

“Two other spectators are receiving hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

“The local Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The scene has been preserved for a technical examination and investigations are ongoing.

“An Garda Síochána is aware that images and video footage related to this incident are circulating on social media and messaging platforms. We appeal to anyone who receives this content to refrain from sharing or reposting it further.”

Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club said they “express their deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased” and asked that their privacy is respected. Organisers also asked the public not to share video footage of the incident which they say is circulating on social media.

An investigation into the incident is understood to be underway, carried out by Motorsport Ireland and the An Garda Siochana. This marks the first fatality at the Donegal International Rally since three-time winner Manus Kelly died in a crash in 2019.

Kris Meeke, a five-time winner in the World Rally Championship, was leading the rally ahead of Callum Devine and Josh McErlean before it was stopped.

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He made four substitutions before the hour mark and they had a clear effect as Nadiem Amiri assisted Undav’s equaliser. Both sides enjoyed plentiful chances through a frantic final 20 minutes and Ivory Coast keeper Yahia Fofana made several big saves, but Undav finally beat him in the fourth of six added minutes to ensure Germany remained atop Group I.

The collision, which killed a train driver, involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday (June 19)

Twenty-eight people remain in hospital, with nine of them in a critical condition, after two trains collided near Bedford, police have confirmed.

The crash, which claimed the life of a train driver, involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, with one hitting the back of the other on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday (June 19).

Addressing a press conference near the scene today (Saturday, June 20), British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Tragically, the driver of one of the trains died in the collision.

“His family have been informed and our deepest condolences are with them, his friends, and his colleagues at East Midlands Railway.

“The driver’s family, as you would expect, are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time. Over 80 people were treated at hospital last night. As of this morning, 28 remain in hospital, and nine are in a critical condition.”

The two trains involved were the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both bound for London St Pancras.

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