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Canada player ratings: Promise David, Saliba shine in loss to Switzerland

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An inspired Canadian comeback against Switzerland at BC Place fell just short, and so did Canada’s hopes of extending their stay in Vancouver.

Goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi in the opening 12 minutes of the second half looked to have sealed Canada’s fate, but once again it was Jesse Marsch’s substitutes that helped propel his side forward following the last hydration break.

Promise David’s goal sent Canadians nationwide into delirium, but Granit Xhaka and the Swiss managed to hold on for top spot in Group B.

That stings but take solace in the fact that Canada will play in the knockout rounds for the first time ever at a men’s FIFA World Cup on Sunday in Los Angeles.

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(All ratings from 1-10 with 5 indicating an average performance)

Maxime Crepeau: 6
The Canadian goalkeeper made a big save on Breel Embolo early to keep the score level during a period of Swiss dominance. It’s hard to fault Crepeau for Vargas’ opener, with the midfielder enjoying egregious alone time in the Canadian box, but the Manzambi goal should be stopped.

Richie Laryea: 6
A tough game for a player that’s excelled in this tournament. Laryea, along with most of his teammates, was caught out of position as Manzambi darted down the wing before Vargas’ goal in the opening moments of the second half.

Luc de Fougerolles: 6
The Canadian centre-back partnership was under pressure from the opening whistle, with Embolo causing all sorts of problems for both de Fougerolles and Derek Cornelius. The 20-year-old had to do better on Switzerland’s second goal, but he wasn’t helped in the least by his partner.

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Derek Cornelius: 5
The Marseille man nearly salvaged a rocky performance in the match’s closing moments, nearly finding the equalizer twice with headers that were just off target. But overall, it was a match to forget for the 28-year-old. The second Swiss goal doesn’t happen without a misread in the air by Cornelius.

Alistair Johnston: 6
Like Laryea, Johnston struggled at times after being one of Canada’s best players through the first two matches. He probably could’ve done more as Embolo held off de Fougerolles and set up the game’s winning goal.

Mathieu Choiniere: 7
The first-half hydration break was the perfect elixir for whatever ailed Choiniere, who was a surprise starter in place of captain Stephen Eustaquio. His deliveries from set pieces were a threat and he didn’t look out of place against top caliber European midfielders.

Nathan Saliba: 8
An outstanding performance from a player under intense scrutiny heading into the match. Saliba’s touch and control on the Promise David goal deserves its own exhibit in a museum. He and Choiniere grew into the match after letting Xhaka dictate proceedings for the opening 25 minutes.

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Ali Ahmed: 6
An anonymous performance from Ahmed after he won his place in the starting lineup through merit. His replacement, Liam Millar, made more headway in his brief cameo than the Norwich City player.

Tajon Buchanan: 5
The winger didn’t offer much going forward, but Canada needs Buchanan to be responsible defensively against the world’s top sides. Buchanan switching off afforded Manzambi the space he needed just prior to Switzerland’s opening goal. 

Jonathan David: 5
A quiet day for the Iceman after his hat-trick against Qatar. David played the entire match but managed only one shot (off target). Swiss centre-backs Manuel Akanji and Nico Elvedi refused to allow the Canadian forward time to do much.

Cyle Larin: 6
There was a moment in the first half when Larin nearly turned the match after provoking Xhaka into some Arsenal-era stupidity, but overall, the Southampton man found himself with few opportunities against an organized, veteran Swiss group.

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Stephen Eustaquio (58‎’‎ minute): 7.5
Was he fit enough to start? That was the question many of us had after watching Eustaquio excel after coming on with just over half an hour left in the match. If today’s first-half rest affords Canada’s captain a chance to be his best self on Sunday, we’ll take the tradeoff.

Liam Millar (58‎’ minute‎): 7
Written off by some after Ahmed took his spot in the lineup, Millar was a revelation on Wednesday. Threatening and relentless, Millar presented a new set of challenges for the Swiss defence.

Tani Oluwaseyi (58‎’ minute‎): 7
Oluwaseyi was part of the group that launched Canada’s second-half fightback and has been superb off the bench now in two consecutive games.

Promise David (74‎’‎ minute): 9
What can you say about the player that wasn’t even supposed to be here? David’s heroic efforts to recover from a midseason injury tell us all we need to know about his passion, but how about the skill? His ability to connect on Saliba’s cross for Canada’s lone marker was a special moment and a contender for goal of the tournament.

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Jacob Shaffelburg (83’): No rating for his short cameo at the end of the match.

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Chris Newsome urges quick turnaround for Meralco after loss

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Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco guard Chris Newsome knows the Bolts can’t afford to dwell on another setback in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The veteran guard stressed the importance of moving on quickly after the Bolts fell to Barangay Ginebra, 84-75, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

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“We got to have short-term memory. It’s tough when you lose a game like that. We didn’t have momentum, we didn’t shoot well, it was one of those nights that you want to try and forget quickly,” he told the Inquirer.

“With a game on Sunday, that’s exactly what we have to do. We have to find a way to erase this one.”

Playing with a depleted lineup, the Bolts trailed from start to finish after falling behind, 18-10, at the end of the first quarter and never matched the Gin Kings’ intensity.

With a 2-3 card and a long break looming, Newsome hopes Meralco quickly shifts its focus to Sunday’s matchup against a surging Rain or Shine squad at Araneta Coliseum.

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“We have to stay positive in the things that we do. We have to continue to trust what we do even if it didn’t show up today,” he said.

“Things aren’t gonna go your way all the time but we have to stay strong and keep pushing forward.”



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Judo gold rush, Neeraj Chopra claims silver, Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

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Team India enjoyed a landmark ninth day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, July 31. Highlighted by a historic double gold sweep on the judo mat, a podium finish in the men’s javelin throw, and a groundbreaking medal in athletics, the Indian contingent added significantly to its collection as the Games hit their climax. Team India’s medal tally stands at 23 won medals after day 9, along with 10 guaranteed medals locked in for upcoming finals.

Here is a full breakdown of how Team India performed across venues on Day 9.


Judo: Twin Commonwealth Games golds and silver mark red-letter day for Indian combat sports

Judo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: GettyJudo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: Getty
Judo – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 – Source: Getty

India’s judokas produced a standout performance at the venue, delivering one of the finest single-day displays in the country’s Commonwealth Games history.

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Asmita Dey scripts Golden Score drama

In the women’s 48kg final, young judoka Asmita Dey displayed remarkable resilience against Canada’s Heidi Quach. After a tight bout during regulation time, the contest moved into Golden Score overtime, where Asmita executed a decisive throw to score a Yuko and secure India’s first judo gold medal in Glasgow.

Harsh Singh doubles the gold tally

Minutes later in the men’s 60kg final, Harsh Singh completed a flawless tournament run. Taking on Australia’s Joshua Katz, Harsh remained composed before scoring a crucial point in the closing moments to bag India’s second judo gold medal of the day.

Yamini Maurya earns silver

In the women’s 57kg final, Yamini Maurya added to India’s combat medal count with a hard-fought silver medal. Yamini reached the final following an emphatic 98-second Ippon victory in her semi-final bout before falling short against England’s Acelya Toprak.


Track & field: Javelin double podium and historic decathlon medal at Commonwealth Games

Neeraj Chopra takes silver; Yash Vir Singh claims bronze

The marquee event of the evening took place at the stadium in the men’s javelin throw final. Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra registered a season-best effort of 85.83m to claim the silver medal. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage captured gold with a massive 89.75m throw.

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Joining Chopra on the podium was teammate Yash Vir Singh, who launched a personal best throw of 85.41m on his final attempt to snatch the bronze medal and secure a 2-3 finish for India.

Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Multi-event athlete Tejaswin Shankar turned in a heroic two-day performance across ten grueling disciplines to claim the bronze medal in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,976 points. Shankar’s podium finish marks India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon.


Boxing: Unbeaten semi-final sweep sends ten Indians into finals of Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s boxing squad put together a dominant session, winning all scheduled semi-final bouts to guarantee ten spots in the gold medal clashes:

  • Women’s 54kg: Preeti Pawar defeated Zambia’s Catherine Mwape via a unanimous 5-0 decision.
  • Men’s 80kg: Ankush Panghal controlled his bout against Canada’s Joshua Ofori to advance.
  • Women’s 57kg: Jaismine Lamboria notched a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Lesotho’s Rapelanf Maselela.
  • Women’s 70kg: Arundhati Chaudhary comfortably defeated Rosie Eccles of Wales.
  • Men’s 55kg: Jadumani Singh outpointed Namibia’s Philip Haoseb via unanimous decision.
  • Women’s 51kg & 60kg: Sakshi Chaudhary and Priya Ghanghas sealed victories over their respective semi-final opponents.
  • Heavyweight bouts: Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, and Narender Berwal closed out the day with semi-final wins.

Lawn bowls and track cycling at Commonwealth Games

Here is the performance of Indian athletes at lawn bowls and track racing on day 9:

  • Lawn bowls: The men’s pairs duo of Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar extended their unbeaten run by defeating the Falkland Islands 2-0 in sectional play to move into the knockout rounds. In women’s singles, Nayanmoni Saikia posted a convincing 2-0 win over Zambia’s Mildred Mkandawire.
  • Track cycling: Harshveer Sekhon and Dinesh Kumar competed in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit qualification rounds but missed out on advancing to the final heat.