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Mexico – South Africa: Perfect start for the hosts in 2026 World Cup

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All eyes were on Mexico and the Estadio Azteca as the 2026 World Cup kicked off Thursday. El Tri dominated South Africa in the Group A opener with two goals but it was two red cards for Bafana Bafana that sealed the hosts’ victory. Read our blog to see how the match unfolded.

 

Official lineups for Mexico – South Africa

Mexique : Rangel – Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo – Lira – Gutierrez, Alvarado, Fidalgo, Quinones – Jimenez

Afrique du Sud : Williams – Sibisi, Okon, Mbokazi – Mudau, Mokoena, Sithole, Adams, Modiba – Rayners, Foster

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South Africa bring the energy

Bafana Bafana arrived on the pitch dancing to warm up.

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First yellow card for Bafana Bafana

Mokoena is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Mexico’s Fidalgo

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South Africa seek the opening

Bafana Bafana keep the ball moving, looking for openings and swift counter-attacking opportunities.

Bafana Bafana finally threaten

Foster rises well and gets a clear header on goal, but his effort goes wide of Rangel’s post.

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Dominant opener

The hosts cruise to a 2-0 victory against nine-man South Africa. A statement win in the World Cup’s curtain-raiser.

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That’s all from the Azteca. We’re back tomorrow at 9pm ET for USA-Paraguay. Here is our recap.

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The hosts cruise to a 2-0 victory against nine-man South Africa. A statement win in the World Cup’s curtain-raiser.

7 minutes of added time

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Another red card for South Africa

What an awful evening for Bafana Bafana… Themba Zwane is sent off after a VAR review. South Africa now has just nine players on the pitch.

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Midfield becomes a battleground

Loose tackles and mounting fouls in the centre of the pitch. The game is getting rough around the edges, and some challenges are verging on reckless…

Tactical shuffles in the final stretch

Mexico makes three changes: Vega, Gonzalez and Alvarez enter the fray. South Africa responds with Appollis and Makgopa coming on.

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Another caution for Bafana Bafana

Sibisi is shown yellow for a blatant challenge.

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Cooling break over

Tme for another cooling break

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Gooooooal

Roberto Alvarado delivers a pinpoint cross, and Raul Jimenez rises to meet it with a firm header into the bottom left. Mexico 2, South Africa 0.

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Adams replaces Zwane

Foster leaves the pitch, Mbatha comes on

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Tough time for Bafana Bafana

With a man advantage, Mexico is making life increasingly difficult for South Africa.

Sithole’s night is over

The South African midfielder receives a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Gutierrez.

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Second half underway

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For the third time in its history, Mexico’s iconic Azteca Stadium will host the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday at 3pm ET as Mexico take on South Africa in the first of the tournament’s 104 matches. 

Bafana Bafana and El Tri faced each other in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, drawing 1-1 in Johannesburg. South Africa’s most recent major tournament ended in January when they were knocked out by Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16.

Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight matches, equalling their longest undefeated run heading into a World Cup and giving Javier Aguirre’s side a timely boost in confidence ahead of the tournament. More than 80,000 fans are expected to pack the renovated Azteca Stadium for the opening match in what promises to be a festive atmosphere.

The match will be preceded by a 15-minute opening ceremony featuring, among others, Colombian superstar Shakira, who will perform the World Cup anthem “Dai Dai” alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy.

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(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)

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The Vikings’ Cap Space Comes into Fresh Focus

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Over a dozen $100 bills lay on a table inside the Lincoln Park Police Department during the annual Secret Santa in Lincoln Park
Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Vikings’ cap space was sitting in a spot that was teetering between medium and modest. Does that remain so after the Brian O’Neill signing?

Over the Cap had long put the estimate around $13 million in open room. To a certain extent, that was somewhat misleading since the removal of the offseason’s top-51 cutoff is going to lower the open room. What happens, though, if that O’Neill savings gets applied? OTC now insists that Vikings are sitting on cap space that’s a pretty rotund $21,264,099.

The Vikings’ Cap Space to Get Replenished

Replenishing the budget always comes with fascination. What can be more fun than a (potential) spending spree?

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— READ MORE: OL Gets Nice Boost as Vikings’ Star Left Tackle Said to be Ready
— READ MORE: The Vikings Brought 9 Players to Town for a Workout
— READ MORE: Jadeveon Clowney is Becoming Popular, So it’s Time for Vikings to Call

Many think of edge rusher as a spot that’s aching for some added help. Jadeveon Clowney, in particular, boasts promise as somebody who is uniquely talented even as he’s a touch older. Another name that has gained some miles flying around in the headlines has been Kyle Van Noy.

NFL: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) looks on following the game during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Otherwise, there’s some need at tight end, the interior of the offensive line, in the secondary, and possibly at defensive tackle. Going bold would mean taking a major swing at DT Vita Vea.

Or, perhaps, Nolan Teasley continues being patient.

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The new decision maker in the front office has mostly made small decisions. Adding safety/linebacker Jamal Adams gets plenty of attention since that’s a player who climbed to being elite in the past. What he’s capable of doing in 2026 remains to be seen; he’s playing on a modest contract regardless.

Otherwise, there have been adds such as RB Jordan Mims, WR Michael Briscoe, and TE Marshall Lang (among some others). As a rough guideline, think of these additions as being in the range of $1 million(ish). Very modest, at least in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans running back Jordan Mims (24) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL pre-season game against the
Tennessee Titans running back Jordan Mims (24) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

But then there are the possibilities that arrive via open cap space.

By finding themselves at roughly $21.3 million in open room, the Vikings will live in the top half of the NFL for open room. Possessing that buying power means being able to remain open for business. Bringing back Harrison Smith, signing somebody for the pass rushing department, and/or dipping into the trade market could all be on the table.

Worst case, the Vikings’ cap space doesn’t get chewed up. Minnesota can then assess how things look at the trade deadline. If they again stay on the sidelines, the Vikings can move that open room into the future.

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Keep swinging by Vikings Territory. The NFL has turned on the news faucet, meaning the updates are flowing. Quite possibly, that reality will lead to the Vikings making an add or two.


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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Women’s Open: Haeran Ryu leads in pursuit of third straight major

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AIG Women’s Open

-7 H Ryu (Kor); -6 S Kuwaki (Jpn); -5 Y Noh (US), A Thitikul (Tha); -3 S Joo (Kor); -2 L Woad (Eng), C Hull (Eng), C Wannasaen (Tha), L Li (US), J Yan (US), L Coughlin (US), P Martin (Esp), M Katsu (Jpn)

Selected others: -1 L Ko (NZ), M Rhodes (Eng); +2 A Hewson (Eng), +6 G Hall (Eng), +7 M Yamashita (Jpn)

Full leaderboard

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South Korea’s Haeran Ryu birdied the 18th to bounce back from a poor start and end the second round as leader of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The 25-year-old, aiming to become only the fifth woman in history to claim three majors in a calendar year, is one shot clear of Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki.

Earlier this month, Ryu claimed her second major in the space of two weeks at the Evian Championship, and her remarkable major form has continued at the Open.

Despite being three over for the day through five holes, she sank five birdies to shoot two under par and build on her opening-round score of 66.

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“The last hole is so important as it is always good for tomorrow, I always want to make a good score on the last hole,” Ryu told BBC Sport.

“I’ve had two birdies on it, which is a good thing.

“I just stayed patient after that [the tough start] and I made some birdies to finish under par. I am so happy now.”

Kuwaki, who finished Thursday two shots behind leader Jeeno Thitikul, carded a one-under-par round to take advantage of Thitikul’s dropped shots.

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Following a spectacular seven-under-par 64, Thailand’s Thitikul shot a two-over-par 73.

American Yealimi Noh joins world number two Thitikul on five under par after shooting 70.

England’s Lottie Woad is in a strong position to compete for a first major title despite a disappointing end to her second round.

The 22-year-old, who arrived as one of the favourites, ended the day on two under par.

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Woad’s bogey-free opening round of 69 was followed up by a score of 71, which included three birdies on the front nine.

However, two dropped shots on the back nine – one on 17 – leaves her five shots back.

England’s Charley Hull went round in even par to remain on two under par, while world number one Nelly Korda shot 68 to recover from an opening-round two-over-par 73.

Three-time major champion Lydia Ko is also well placed to make a move from one under par, as is England’s Mimi Rhodes, who recovered from two early bogeys to sink three birdies.

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More to follow.

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Anime Expeditions Promise Ring guide

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The Promise Ring is a Secret Unit Equipment in Anime Expeditions that is designed exclusively for Cursed Student (True Love), the evolved version of the Secret unit, Cursed Student. Besides improving the unit’s combat stats, it replaces its original passive with powerful new abilities that significantly increase its damage potential during battle.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions, including how to obtain it, evolve the required unit, and the bonuses it provides.


An overview of the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions

The Promise Ring Equipment info (Image via Roblox)The Promise Ring Equipment info (Image via Roblox)
The Promise Ring Equipment info (Image via Roblox)

How to get

The Promise Ring can only be obtained by completing the Mastery Act of School Grounds, the first Story Mode stage in Anime Expeditions. School Grounds features:

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  • Act 1
  • Act 2
  • Act 3
  • Act 4
  • Act 5
  • Infinite Act
  • Mastery Act

However, the Promise Ring only drops from the Mastery Act and has a 5% drop chance and a 20-run pity. If you don’t obtain the equipment after repeated clears, the pity system guarantees it on your twentieth completed Mastery run. Like all Unit Equipment, the Promise Ring can only be equipped by its designated unit.


How to evolve Cursed Student into Cursed Student (True Love)

Before equipping the Promise Ring, you’ll first need to evolve Cursed Student into Cursed Student (True Love). The evolution requires:

  • x1 Student ID
  • x20 Sprite (Blue)
  • x20 Sprite (Purple)
  • x20 Sprite (Rainbow)
  • x5,000 Gold

Once evolved, the unit becomes eligible to equip the Promise Ring.


Stats and passives

The Promise Ring comes with two randomized rollable substats when obtained.

Rollable stats

  • Range: +1% to +5%
  • Damage: +1% to +10%

You can reroll these bonuses using Equipment Rerolls if you’re looking for better stat rolls. The Promise Ring also replaces Cursed Student (True Love)’s original passive with an exclusive Equipment Passive.

Spirit Bats

The Spirit Bats passive rewards you for applying Bleed stacks to enemies. Its effects include:

  • Every time enemies within the unit’s attack range accumulate 20 total Bleed stacks, a Bat Spirit is summoned at the unit’s location.
  • You can have up to three Bat Spirits active at the same time.
  • Each Bat Spirit deals 25% of Cursed Student (True Love)’s current Damage with every attack.
  • Bat Spirits disappear after performing three attacks.

This passive works exceptionally well with Cursed Student (True Love)’s Bleed-focused playstyle, allowing you to generate additional damage as Bleed stacks build up throughout a battle. The more consistently you apply Bleed, the more frequently Bat Spirits will appear to support your attacks.


FAQs on Anime Expeditions

How do I get the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions?

The Promise Ring drops from the Mastery Act of School Grounds, with a 5% drop chance and a 20-run pity.

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Which unit can equip the Promise Ring?

Only Cursed Student (True Love) can equip the Promise Ring.

Can I obtain the Promise Ring from the Infinite Act?

No. The Promise Ring is exclusive to the Mastery Act of School Grounds and cannot be obtained from the regular story acts or the Infinite Act.