England midfielder Jude Bellingham scripted history at the FIFA World Cup 2026, finishing as the highest-scoring England player in a single World Cup edition after taking his tally to seven goals in the Three Lions’ 6-4 victory over France in the third-place play-off. Bellingham found the net in stoppage time against France to register his seventh goal of the tournament, surpassing all previous England players for the most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup edition, according to ESPN. England right winger Bukayo Saka also delivered a record-breaking performance, scoring a hat-trick and netting the 300th goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Saka became only the second England player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match after Sir Geoff Hurst, who achieved the feat in the 1966 final. He is also only the second player to score a World Cup hat-trick against France after Brazil legend Pele in 1958.

England’s third-place finish marked their second-best performance at a FIFA World Cup, behind only their triumph on home soil in 1966, according to Opta Analytics.

Despite France’s defeat, winger Michael Olise made history by becoming the first player on record since 1966 to register seven assists in a single FIFA World Cup edition, according to Opta Analytics.

The match also ended goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s remarkable run of consecutive starts for England at major tournaments.

According to Opta Analytics, it was England’s first FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship match without Pickford in the starting XI since the UEFA Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland, ending his record streak of 33 consecutive starts.

England secured the bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeating France 6-4 in a breathtaking, record-breaking 10-goal thriller at Miami Stadium on Saturday (local time). Notably, the defeat also spoiled Didier Deschamps’ farewell, bringing the legendary coach’s 14-year tenure as France manager to a disappointing end.

In what will go down as the highest-scoring third-place play-off in modern tournament history, Bukayo Saka’s magnificent hat-trick overcame Kylian Mbappe’s brace and powered the Three Lions to their best World Cup finish on foreign soil since 1966.

England took absolute control of the first half, leaving Les Bleus shell-shocked with an unprecedented 4-0 lead before the interval. Declan Rice opened the scoring just three minutes into the game before defender Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage in the 18th minute. Bukayo Saka then took centre stage, netting twice in quick succession (37′, 45+1′) to mark the first time France had ever conceded four goals in a single half of World Cup football.

However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Facing his 187th and final match in charge of France, manager Didier Deschamps made tactical changes at half-time that sparked a furious French comeback.

Mbappe led the charge, striking in the 48th minute before Bradley Barcola added a second just six minutes later to make it 4-2. When Mbappe struck again in the 66th minute to bring France within one goal, England looked completely rattled under relentless waves of attack.

Notably, with his second goal, Mbappe created history by overtaking Lionel Messi to become the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. The brace took Mbappe’s World Cup tally to 22 goals, moving him one clear of Messi’s 21.

Just as the game seemed to be slipping away from Thomas Tuchel’s men, England found relief. A late counter-attack resulted in an 87th-minute penalty, which Saka calmly converted to complete his hat-trick and restore breathing room at 5-3.

The drama spilled deep into stoppage time as Ousmane Dembele pulled one back for France in the 90+6th minute, but Jude Bellingham put the final exclamation point on the historic night, scoring in the 90+8th minute to seal an extraordinary 6-4 victory for England and cap their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high.

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‘White ball YouTuber’: Kevin Pietersen gives hilarious response when asked if he would coach England Test team originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Kevin Pietersen jokingly rules himself out of England Test coaching race.

• Backs former teammate Jonathan Trott for the vacant red-ball role.

• Justin Langer emerges as ECB’s new frontrunner for the job.

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Kevin Pietersen’s witty response wins hearts to England test coach speculation

As the England and Wales Cricket Board scrambles to find someone to fill the void left by Brendon McCullum’s recent sacking as Test head coach, former batter Kevin Pietersen has playfully taken himself out of contention with a response that had fans laughing.

The coaching search took an interesting turn on Friday when Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s head coach Andy Flower confirmed he wouldn’t be pursuing the role, following talks with the ECB. Despite the board’s clear interest in bringing him on board, Flower opted to remain with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the two-time reigning IPL champions, instead.

In the aftermath of that news, Pietersen backed his former England teammate Jonathan Trott and expressed hope that the ex-batter lands the job as McCullum’s successor in red-ball cricket.

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Trott, now 45, enjoyed a solid international career between 2009 and 2015, featuring in 52 Tests, 68 ODIs and seven T20Is. He was part of three Ashes-winning campaigns, famously scoring a match-defining century on debut during that historic rivalry.

(getty)

MORE: Inside England’s reported nine-man shortlist for Test coach role: The favourite, dark horse and outsiders

He also played a key role in England’s Ashes triumph on Australian soil during the 2010-11 series, a feat the team hadn’t managed in 24 years, and was part of the squad that famously beat India in their own backyard during the 2012-13 tour.

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These days, Trott works as a short-term consultant with Ireland, after having previously stepped down as Afghanistan’s head coach back in February.

Pietersen wrote on X: “Jonathan Trott: Hard working,  dedicated, Great cricket brain, emotionally intelligent, Done cricket the hard way, Respected. Hopefully, he’s a frontrunner for the England red-ball team.”

Amid the discussion, one fan directly asked Pietersen whether he himself would consider getting involved with England’s Test setup. His reply was: “I’m a white ball YouTuber 🤣.”

Justin Langer emerges as the favourite to succeed Brendon McCullum

Meanwhile, Justin Langer has reportedly climbed to the top of the ECB’s shortlist following Flower’s decision to step back.

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Interestingly, Langer’s candidacy comes with some irony, given that when the same role opened up back in 2022, shortly after his own exit from Australia’s coaching setup, he firmly dismissed any interest in the position.

Currently, Langer coaches IPL side Lucknow Super Giants, a role he took over from Flower in 2023, alongside his responsibilities with Manchester Super Giants in the Hundred, meaning he would face a similar balancing act between franchise commitments and a potential England role.

MORE: The England Test players with the most to lose after Brendon McCullum’s exit: Who stays and who could make way

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Pietersen’s humour hides a fair point

Pietersen’s response was funny, but it also subtly highlighted something real: Test coaching demands a completely different skill set and mindset than white-ball punditry or franchise cricket.

His backing of Trott, though, deserves attention rather than being dismissed as loyalty to an old teammate. Trott’s Ashes pedigree and calm technical approach could suit England’s current red-ball rebuild far better than another high-profile name.

The ECB’s dilemma with Langer is equally telling, as they are chasing a coach who once flatly rejected the job, largely because their better options keep saying no. Sometimes the right candidate isn’t the most famous one available, but the one who actually understands what Test cricket demands, and on that front, Trott’s resume speaks louder.

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To keep up-to-date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics, visit our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.

Josh Kerr says breaking the men’s mile world record is an “an awesome achievement” but hints he could attempt to set a new mark.

Kerr, 28, beat Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1999 time, crossing the line in three minutes 42.66 seconds.

The Scot became the seventh British athlete to claim the mile record and first since Steve Cram in 1985. Kerr’s previous best personal best over the mile was a British record of 3:45.34.

“The biggest goal that I had [this year] was going after the world record in the mile,” Kerr told BBC Breakfast. “It was a perfect year for it.

“With the history that the UK have in the mile distance, obviously with Sir Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile back in 1954 and then the slew of incredible British athletes that we had for a long time – [Sebastian] Coe, Cram, [Steve] Ovett – it was just time for me to bring that distance and that record back home to the UK.

“To be able to break that record by nearly half a second was an awesome achievement.

“On another day, with maybe a little bit more favourable wind, I could maybe take another little chunk off it. It’s with us now and if we’re in the fitness for it again, we’ll maybe go after it and take a good more chunk off it.”

Spain and Argentina have reached Sunday’s World Cup final by very different paths, yet both arrive hoping their gameplay will be the one to win them the world’s biggest football championship. Spain’s La Roja have looked like the tournament’s most complete team, conceding just one goal in 7 matches. Argentina’s La Albiceleste, meanwhile, have perfected the art of the comeback, twice rallying from behind to keep their bid for back-to-back world titles alive.   

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The World Cup 2026 final will also reunite two coaches whose paths crossed long before they met on the world’s biggest stage. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni completed his training under Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente.

“They know each other extremely well,” says French football journalist Xavier Barret. “Many Argentine internationals have played in La Liga, while many Spanish players have worked under Argentine coaches or alongside Argentine teammates.”

Yet despite the shared footballing roots, the identities at play could hardly be more different.

Collective precision

Spain’s route to New York has been built on suffocating opponents rather than overwhelming them. They monopolise possession, dictate the tempo and rarely lose their structure. 

“They don’t dominate relentlessly for 90 minutes, though,” Barret says. “They control games in phases. They move the ball patiently, they don’t press constantly because that’s impossible to sustain, but they make opponents chase the game.”

French sports journalist Karim Baldé believes Spain’s greatest strength lies in collective, rather than individual, brilliance and in their ability to steadily raise their level of play throughout the tournament.

Watch moreSpain dominate France and advance to World Cup final

“They started the tournament quietly, after drawing with Cape Verde, and it wasn’t sure they would even reach the final,” he said. “But they have improved with every match. Their defensive block is incredibly well-organised. The team hardly moves out of shape.”

Spain are also one of the few elite sides not dependent on a single star. 

“They can leave players like Mikel Merino on the bench,” Baldé says. “That tells you about the depth Luis de la Fuente has: He has different tactical options depending on the opponent.”    

The team’s cohesion is a reflection of a programme dating back to the mid-1990s when Spain overhauled youth coaching nationwide, introducing regional scouting and a unified possession-based philosophy inspired by FC Barcelona, Barret explains. 

The ‘M’ factor

If La Roja represents structure, La Albiceleste embodies resilience.

Scaloni’s side needed another dramatic comeback against England in the semi-finals (2-1) after trailing for much of the match, continuing a pattern that has defined their title defence.

“You always think they’re about to lose, and somehow they win,” Baldé says.

Behind Lionel Messi, he says, lies a squad willing to sacrifice everything.

“They’re soldiers in Messi’s service. Players like [Leandro] Paredes and [Alexis] Mac Allister bring intensity and aggression when it’s needed. The whole team is elevated by having him.”

“I didn’t think he’d still be playing at this level,” Barret admits. “He doesn’t run much anymore, but he stays mentally sharp. He always sees the right pass at exactly the right moment.” 

But Barret sees something deeper at play. “When Argentina are backed into a corner, they find something extra,” he adds.

“They play as if their lives depend on it. That’s very South American. They have enormous pride.”

Watch moreArgentina come from behind to beat England 2-1

That mentality has repeatedly compensated for tactical imperfections. Argentina’s defence has occasionally looked vulnerable, but they have shown remarkable composure under pressure. Against England, they finished with an extraordinary 88 percent possession during the closing stages after spending much of the game trying to find a path to victory, illustrating their ability to adapt when circumstances demand it.

Barret expects both teams to neutralise many of each other’s strengths in the final.

“They could cancel each other out,” he says. “Spain will try to control the ball. Argentina are perfectly comfortable defending deep and waiting for their moment.”

Time to shine for Yamal

For Baldé, one player could tip the balance.

“We’ve all been waiting for Lamine Yamal to produce his defining performance,” he says. “If he reaches his best level in the final, that could change everything.”

The semi-finals offered contrasting lessons in game management.

While Spain comfortably controlled France, Argentina capitalised on England manager Thomas Tuchel’s increasingly defensive substitutions. 

“Scaloni is always willing to take risks,” Barret says. “Even against Egypt earlier in the tournament, when others would protect what they had, he removed defenders and added attackers. Tuchel did the opposite against Argentina.” 

Against Spain, however, Scaloni faces a very different challenge.

“Nobody has really managed to disrupt Spain,” Barret says. “That’s why this final is so fascinating.”

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The WNBA has suspended Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello without pay for one game for using the term “protected species” while referring to Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese.

During the Dream’s 111-92 win over Toronto on Friday, Toronto’s Nyara Sabally fouled Reese after an offensive rebound.

As the call was being reviewed, Brondello yelled at the referees. Microphones picked her up saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species!”

ANGEL REESE DANGEROUSLY PEDDLES RACIST CONSPIRACY THEORY AFTER WNBA COACH CALLS HER TWO WORDS

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello looks on against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., on May 27, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Reuters)

The WNBA announced Saturday evening that Brondello will now miss the Tempo’s next game against the Las Vegas Aces.

“The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league,” the league’s announcement said.

Brondello issued a written apology earlier on Saturday.

PAIGE BUECKERS SPARKS DEBATE WITH COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN WNBA COACHES AMID CAITLIN CLARK COMPARISONS

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese celebrates a basket in the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on June 18, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

“Angel, I’m sorry. Last night, in the emotion of the moment after Nyara’s injury, I used a phrase that I shouldn’t have used, and I take full responsibility for that. My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you,” she wrote.

“I also understand that my words carried an impact beyond what I intended, particularly for Black women in our league, and I’m deeply sorry for that,” she continued. “I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.

“I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply,” Brondello added. “I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person, and I sincerely apologize to you, your teammates, and the Dream organization for my comment.”

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Toronto Tempo’s Brittney Sykes defends Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese during the first half of a WNBA game in Toronto on June 14, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)

After last night’s game, Reese made a post on social media referencing Brondello’s comment. Reese shared a post that appeared to interpret the comment as racially charged.

Brondello is from Australia, where the term “protected species” has been used in Australian sports environments to express frustration over a lack of calls against a player.

Elsewhere in sport, all eyes turn to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain and Argentina go head-to-head in a mouthwatering showdown. It’s the reigning European champions against the defending Copa América winners, with Lamine Yamal‘s Spain taking on Lionel Messi‘s Argentina. Remarkably, it’s the first World Cup final ever to pit the reigning European champions against the holders of the Copa America.

Could the Premier League be about to witness a record-breaking transfer? Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers is reportedly on the verge of joining Chelsea in a €137 million deal, which would make him the most expensive English player in history.

At the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar remains untouchable. The yellow jersey claimed his fourth stage victory of the 2026 edition on Saturday with a commanding solo triumph at Marstein Fellering, finishing ahead of teammate Isaac Del Toro and French rising star Paul Seixas. At just 19, Seixas climbed to fourth overall, took over the white jersey, and became the youngest rider ever to wear a classification jersey on the Tour.

In tennis, Stefanos Tsitsipas‘ comeback continues. Down to world No. 85, the Greek will contest his first ATP final since March 2025 on Sunday, facing Belgium‘s Raphaël Collignon in Gstaad as he bids for the 13th title of his career.

Meanwhile, in Bastad, top seed Andrey Rublev will face defending champion Luciano Darderi in the ATP 250 final.

In athletics, a legendary mark has fallen. Josh Kerr shattered the long-standing world mile record on Saturday in London.

At The Open Championship, Sam Burns heads into the final round as the new leader, ahead of Ryan Fox and Kim Si-woo.

In Formula 1, teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli will start Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix from pole position.

And finally, in the World Rally Championship, Sami Pajari remains in control of Rally Estonia and is closing in on the first WRC victory of his career.

Just as the career of Tyson Fury reaches its twilight years, there is another Fury keen to burst onto the scene in James Dean Fury, who maintains that not only will he refuse to live in his cousin’s shadow, he will eclipse his legacy and become recognised as the UK’s greatest ever fighter.

The Fury name is one that is sure to stick around in the fight game long after the retirement ‘The Gypsy King’, with Hughie, Tommy and Roman all currently active in the professional scene.

Yet, a new contender is set to join that list, as three-time national amateur champion James Dean Fury prepares for his pro debut next month, where he will compete under the tutelage of uncle and world-renowned trainer Peter.

In an interview with Seconds Out, the 20-year-old spoke with eagerness when discussing his desire to carve out a legacy of his own, refusing to ride on the coattails of his two-time heavyweight world champion cousin.

“I am happy that all of my family has done well. I am happy for all of them, but this is about me now, this is the James Dean Fury show. I don’t want to live in nobody’s shadow, I don’t want to live in any of my family’s shadow. I’ll make my own way, I will do my own thing and I will create my own legacy.”

The youngster then went on to reveal lofty ambitions to become Great Britain’s best ever boxer and ‘smother himself’ in belts.

“I will be the best to come out of Great Britain. This is what is going to happen, mark my words, this is what is going to happen.” 

“My main job is picking them world titles up, everyone one of them. [I want them] all around my waits, all around my shoulders and around my ribs, I want to be smothered in them and that is what is going to happen.”

Fury will debut on the undercard of Callum Simpson and Troy Williamson’s rematch on Saturday, August 8, at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to offer the horse an opportunity to compete for a $3 million prize purse following his dominant victory in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.

This latest black-type success, following his win in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) last month, sets him on a path towards the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) on August 7. A win in that race would qualify him for the prestigious $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick, scheduled for Melbourne Cup Day.

“We’re mindful he’s had a long ‘prep’ so we’ll see how he comes through, but the initial plan is Coffs,” trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, said.

“We’d like to get him into the Big Dance if he can run a mile which, off that, it looks like he might.

“He has come to a new level this preparation. Even looking at him, I still don’t think we’ve gotten to the bottom of him. He’s going to be a better horse next preparation.

“He’s one of those Bjorn has been patient with. He’s got better and better each preparation. He’s reaping the benefits now and more to come hopefully.”

The Winter Challenge (1500m) represented Midnight Dynamite’s ($3.20 fav) fourth win from six starts this campaign. The four-year-old colt had the race under control well before the finish line, justifying his favouritism according to leading betting apps Australia.

Responding to the solid tempo set by Whinchat, he accelerated powerfully halfway up the straight to defeat his rivals by three lengths. Just Folk ($14) finished second, with General Salute ($6) a further neck behind in third.

Hilton acknowledged that the stable harboured doubts about the horse’s condition after his placing in the recent Winter Stakes (1400m), but his midweek trackwork allayed those concerns.

“Bjorn was a little bit concerned that maybe he’d come to the end of it, but his work on Tuesday was fantastic. He’s just thriving, this horse,” Hilton said.

“It was hard to even get a little bit of a cheer up there because he had them shot to pieces very early. Tommy (Berry) rode him really well, put him to sleep, and he was able to quicken up really well.”

This victory in the Winter Challenge was Baker’s second in succession, having won the event last year with Robusto.

Check out the latest betting markets for the race at betting markets for the race.

In the first 15 innings of their series with the San Francisco Giants, the Seattle Mariners had only three hits and hadn’t scored a single run. Then a man dressed as a short-spined raccoon beat four people dressed in salmon costumes during the seventh-inning stretch, and everything fell apart for the Giants in a 4-3 extra-inning loss.