National record holder high jumper Sarvesh Kushare finished third in his Diamond League debut in Monaco as he joined an exclusive four-member club of Indians to have achieved the feat of making the top-three in the prestigious event. The 31-year-old Kushare cleared 2.12m, 2.16m, 2.20m, 2.023m and 2.26m in his first try. But he failed to clear 2.28m in three attempts to take the third spot in the star-studded field. With his stunning show, Kushare, who set the national record of 2.31m in the National Inter-State Championships last month, became the only fourth Indian to finish in top-three of a Diamond League after javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and former discus thrower Vikas Gowda.

World leader and world indoor champion Oleh Doroshchuk of Ukraine won the title after clearing 2.32m, while Great Britain’s Jack Kimani was second with 2.30m. Kimani could not clear 2.32m in three attempts while Doroshchuk did it in his first try.

Kimani was, however, lucky as he could only sail over the 2.16m height in his third attempt while Kushare cleared it with ease.

In the process of finishing third, Kushare beat some big stars such as three-time world champion and Tokyo Olympics gold winner Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, who finished joint eighth with 2.20m effiort, 2023 World Championships silver winner JuVaughn Harrison of the USA, who finished joint fourth, and Tokyo Olympics gold winner Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy.

However, Tamberi, who finished joint sixth with 2.23m, has been struggling of late.

On June 27, Kushare broke Tejaswin Shankar’s eight-year-old previous national record of 2.29m with an effort of 2.31m. He became the first Indian high jumper to clear 2.30m.

Before Friday, Kushare was at joint fourth in the global season best jumps and number one among Asian athletes.

He also became the first Indian to qualify for the men’s high jump final at the World Championships in Tokyo last year.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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“Mikel is incredible,” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said after the quarter-final win.

“He has many qualities. He is a player that across the whole World Cup could have played in whatever team and done great.

“For us he is the standard of this idea, of this model. It is a pleasure to have him, and others but especially him. We know that without fail he is always there.”

Always there he may be, but Merino himself feared he would not be fit enough to play at this World Cup.

“The fact of being here a few months ago was unthinkable,” Merino said after the Portugal win.

“Now I am, as I said before, at the highest point, enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career.

“Now I remember all those bad moments, all the people who have supported me, all the people who have pushed me when even I sometimes found it difficult to believe I could be here.”

Merino’s heroics will be a familiar sight for Arsenal fans, with the 30-year-old having done similar at the Gunners.

Traditionally a midfielder, his height has seen him utilised as a striker by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, and the first time he was used in such a role was when he memorably came off the bench to score twice against Leicester in a 2-0 win in February last year.

“Merino is just one of those players who arrives at the right time, at the right moment in big games,” former England striker Wayne Rooney said on Match of the Day.

De la Fuente added: “He can be the best striker and the best midfielder because of his understanding of the game. He interprets the game perfectly.

“He is committed, he is generous, he is happy to do the work.”

Spain edged past a resilient Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles to secure its spot in the last 8. La Roja dominated much of the contest and finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.

Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain, before Charles De Ketelaere grabbed one back for Belgium against the run of play before halftime.

Welcoming Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku back to the starting XI, Belgium were rocked by a hamstring injury during the warm-ups to captain Youri Tielemans that hit them hard.

Having already lost Amadou Onana to a ruptured ACL, the Red Devils would have to play a near second-choice midfield against the Spanish possession masters.

Ruiz, brought in for Pedri, wasted no time combining with Rodri to dominate the ball and Barcelona‘s teen sensation Lamine Yamal curled an early shot just wide of the far post.

But opposing winger Doku was bright for Belgium, cutting in from the left to feed De Ketelaere, the striker fresh from his brace against the United States on Monday.

Still, it was Spain who struck first. On the half-hour mark, Pedro Porro played a sharp one-two with Lamine Yamal before expertly cutting it back from near the byline to Dani Olmo.

Olmo’s shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois, but fell to Ruiz, who fired it home.

Watch moreWorld Cup 2026: Spain or Belgium, which team do French fans prefer to face in the semi-finals?

Suddenly it was all Spain. They pinged passes around the Belgian half as though this World Cup quarter-final was a training exercise, laid on for an A-list crowd featuring Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Noel Gallagher.

But Belgium, having fought back astonishingly late from 2-0 down in the round-of-32 to dispatch Senegal, did not panic.

They grabbed one back in the 41st minute. De Bruyne slid a through ball wide to Timothy Castagne. His cross found De Ketelaere, who perfectly timed his run and outmuscled Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi to head home.

It was the first goal Spain had conceded this World Cup.

Improbably, Belgium almost grabbed another before half-time. Breaking from a Spain corner, De Ketelaere’s pass to a totally clear Doku was barely intercepted by Olmo.

Courtois’s tearful injury

Yamal grew into the game after the break, nearly finding Mikel Oyarzabal with an incisive cross that was well blocked by a charging Courtois.

Belgian coach Rudi Garcia brought on veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who had scored from the bench in three straight games.

The game opened up. A Belgian cross hit Rodri’s arm but the impact was deemed accidental. Oyarzabal had a shot saved from a close, tight angle.

A tearful Courtois was forced off by injury after 70 minutes. He was replaced by Lammens, the 24-year-old Manchester United ‘keeper making his World Cup debut in daunting circumstances.

It turned out to be a nightmare.

Watch moreFrance into World Cup semi-finals : ‘When it gets a bit difficult, they can hang in there’

In the 88th minute, Cubarsi shot low from range, and Lammens should have held onto the ball. Instead substitute Mikel Merino was first to the rebound, smashing it home.

It was the Arsenal midfielder’s second straight late winner from the bench, after he scored the crucial goal against Portugal in stoppage time on Monday.

Late on Alexis Saelemaekers rounded Unai, but was unable to find Lukaku in front of an open goal.

As the whistle blow, Courtois came out to embrace a distraught Lammens, while other members of Belgium’s ageing “Golden Generation” stood immobile and disbelieving.

For Spain there were embraces and fist pumps, before attention quickly turns to their blockbuster clash with France.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Massive news from the Spain camp as star midfielder Pedri has been benched by manager Luis de la Fuente for the quarter-final clash. PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz comes into the starting XI and will partner Rodri and Dani Olmo in the heart of Spain’s midfield.

Notably, Spain are yet to concede a goal at this World Cup.

Spain starting XI: Unai Simon, Cucurella, Cubarsi, Laporte, Pedro Porro, Ruiz, Rodri, Baena, Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal

OFICIAL | Nuestro once ante Bélgica.#VamosEspana | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/XgspP4mfVq

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— Seleccion Espanola Masculina de Futbol (@SEFutbol) July 10, 2026

Need to know

England are set to face Norway in a World Cup quarter-final but there are concerns over the weather conditions

Everything you need to know about England vs Norway kick-off time

1. Kick-off time: The eagerly awaited World Cup quarter-final between England and Norway is officially set to commence at precisely 10pm UK time on Saturday, July 11. For supporters watching the fixture locally, this equates to a 5pm Eastern Time start on America’s East Coast.
2. Location: This crucial knockout tie will take place at Miami Stadium, which is located in the famously humid climate of South Florida. The impressive venue has already staged numerous World Cup games and is anticipated to be filled with fervent fans from both countries.
3. Weather forecast: Forecasters at the National Weather Service have delivered a concerning prediction for matchday, anticipating widespread scattered showers and powerful storms. The outlook suggests that a substantial band of tropical moisture will sweep across the area precisely around the scheduled 5pm local kick-off time.
4. Threat of severe thunderstorms: Florida is renowned for its unpredictable summer conditions and radar models indicate that the approaching storms could deliver heavy rainfall and dangerous lightning to the stadium vicinity. Meteorologists have cautioned that these intense weather patterns can emerge quickly and often remain over an area for a considerable amount of time.
5. Potential lightning delays: As the football pitch is entirely open to the elements, any lightning strikes detected within an eight-mile radius of Miami Stadium will trigger an immediate and compulsory suspension of play. Should this occur, all players, coaches and match officials will be swiftly escorted from the pitch and into the changing rooms for their safety.
6. FIFA match delay protocols: According to the official tournament regulations, play cannot resume until a minimum of 30 minutes has elapsed without a single lightning strike within the designated danger zone. This stringent safety measure means the 10pm UK kick-off could be pushed back considerably, potentially leaving British television viewers facing an extremely late finish. England’s previous fixture against Mexico was held up by an hour due to adverse weather in Mexico City.
7. Impact of extreme humidity: Even if severe thunderstorms miss the stadium, players will still be required to contend with high humidity levels and soaring temperatures. The extreme heat index will prompt the referee to enforce mandatory cooling breaks throughout both halves in order to safeguard the squads against heat exhaustion.
8. Miami stadium infrastructure: While the ground boasts a sizeable protective roof designed to shelter spectators from both rain and the fierce sun, the pitch remains exposed to the elements. This means that a sudden heavy downpour could significantly impact the playing surface, slowing the game considerably and forcing managers to rethink their tactical approaches.
9. Advice for England supporters: Fans who have travelled all the way to Florida are strongly urged to brace themselves for highly unpredictable and potentially treacherous weather conditions. Local authorities have been actively encouraging supporters to get to the ground as early as possible and to head straight for the covered indoor concourses if required.

READ MORE: England kick-off time could be moved again as Norway World Cup match faces disruption

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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Should you draft Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne in redraft fantasy football leagues? Probably not. Should you remember his name and certainly add him to your Dynasty Fantasy squad? Indubitably.

Claiborne profiles as the Vikings’ RB3 this season, and with any luck, he’ll secure meaningful touches by season’s end.

Claiborne’s Speed Creates a Path to Early Touches

The ‘Sharp Football Analysis’ Skinny on Claiborne

Claiborne checked in at “Tier 12” of Rich Hribar’s fantasy running back tiers this week, sharing space with players like Kaytron Allen (Washington Commanders) and Braelon Allen (New York Jets).

Hribar wrote, “Demond Claiborne needs some rounding out, but he lands in a Minnesota backfield that could have some doors open. Aaron Jones will be 31 this season, and Jordan Mason has been a rushing-only back to date.”

“Claiborne is a slasher who can turn in splash plays with his speed. 42.5% of his rushing yards came on runs of 15 or more yards, the fifth-highest rate in this class. This also shows up in the return game. Claiborne only trailed Nicholas Singleton and Jadarian Price in career kickoff return yardage in this class, averaging 26.3 yards per kick return with 2 career touchdowns on special teams.”

Vikings fans waited patiently all offseason for a new running back. In the end, Claiborne was Minnesota’s choice.

“That speed component of his game was reinforced by a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the third-fastest time at his position in Indianapolis,” Hribar continued.

“That speed will get him on the field. Claiborne has to be fast because at 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, his frame likely played a role in the overall pounding he could take, limiting his overall touches and impacting all of the bumps and bruises he left games with.”

Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs headlined Hribar’s first tier in 2026.

The Boom-or-Bust Potential Is Significant

Claiborne was drafted in Round 6. These are the halfbacks picked in that round since 2021:

• Khalil Herbert
• Elijah Mitchell
• Chris Rodriguez
• Kimani Vidal
• Ollie Gordon
• Chris Evans
• Devin Neal
• Gary Brightwell
• Tyler Badie
• Kevin Harris
• Keontay Ingram
• Jawhar Jordan
• Larry Rountree
• Deuce Vaughn
• Scott Matlock
• Tahi Brooks
• Trestan Ebner
• Jase McClellan
• Zach Evans
• Dylan Laube
• Kalel Mullings

It’s not a glowing pecking order, so if Claiborne beats the odds, he’ll boom and surge to the top of the list of recent Round 6 RB hopefuls.

The Key Frank Smith Caveat

Frank Smith, now in Minnesota as the assistant head coach, brings an exciting name to the table with his track record: De’Von Achane.

For the past four seasons, Smith served as Mike McDaniel’s offensive coordinator in Miami. During that time, Achane, a 2023 NFL draftee, blossomed into one of the league’s most dangerous running backs. While his speed was undeniable, Miami’s coaching staff under Smith truly maximized his impact on games.

That’s where Claiborne enters the picture. Achane, at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, recorded a blazing 4.32-second forty-yard dash. Claiborne, at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, ran a 4.37. While not identical, their similarities are enough to generate excitement among Vikings fans.

This offseason, the Vikings retained Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, but changes occurred lower on the coaching staff. Smith was one of the more intriguing new additions. Now, with another fast, smaller running back capable of big plays, optimistic Vikings fans are connecting the dots. They envision Smith replicating his success with Achane, this time with Claiborne in Minneapolis. It could happen.

Probably an Audition for 2027

Jones and Mason will assuredly be the Vikings’ main running backs in 2026, but beyond that, the outlook is cloudy. Jones is old, and the Vikings nearly released him this offseason, save for an accepted paycut. Mason is 27, but 2026 is the final year of his contract.

If you peeked into a crystal ball, there’s a reasonable chance neither man will play for the 2027 Vikings.

That’s where Claiborne’s trajectory gets fascinating. If he has the pop and vision to mimic Achane, well, the team is yearning for an RB1 of the future. Claiborne, for sure, has the youth and speed for the assignment. It’s just unclear if he has the vision and ability to break tackles like other RB1s.

Claiborne is under contract for the next four years. The timing and situation are ripe for a breakout on an RB1-needy team if he has the spine for it.

Otherwise, the Vikings will probably defer to the 2027 NFL Draft, which isn’t the worst option, as the class is already projected to feature heavy-hitting rookie RBs.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK, creating a next-generation public leisure, health and wellbeing hub for the local community.

Operated by Everyone Active on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council, the centre replaces the ageing Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and has been designed to deliver inclusive and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities.

More than 3,500 people visited the centre during its opening weekend, with the launch event attended by Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson, alongside Maisie Summers-Newton, a four-times Paralympic gold medallist in swimming, and Olivia Newman-Baronius, who won swimming gold at Paris 2024.

The aquatics offer includes an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool with seating for 130 spectators, a 17m x 10m learner pool with a movable floor and a dedicated confidence water area to support early-years swimming.

Fitness facilities include a 150-station gym featuring Technogym equipment, group exercise studios, indoor cycling and Reformer Pilates, reflecting the increasing integration of boutique fitness formats into public leisure.

The centre also includes two squash courts, while recovery and wellbeing have been incorporated through the addition of hydromassage beds and three treatment rooms, which will be available for local health and wellbeing practitioners.

Accessibility features include two Changing Places facilities, while community rooms, meeting spaces and a café have been created to support the centre’s role as a social hub.

Gary Foley, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “The opening of this centre is hugely significant for the health and wellbeing of the local community.

“No matter what your age, interests or ability, there is an activity for you here.”

The development has been delivered with sustainability as a priority, with features including a high-performance building fabric, low-carbon heating and ventilation systems and materials selected for whole-life performance.

The wider site also supports active travel, with improved walking and cycling links, cycle storage and electric vehicle charging.

Simon Ramage, managing director at Willmott Dixon, which delivered the project, said: “Leighton Leisure and Community Centre represents the delivery of a modern, future-focused community asset designed to support both operational performance and long-term community wellbeing.

“By combining sustainable design principles with high-quality leisure provision, the project demonstrates how local authority developments can create lasting value for communities while also supporting wider environmental ambitions.”

Everyone Active offers a range of membership options at the centre, including its You+ membership, which combines gym, swim and group exercise classes with personalised coaching and support across health, fitness and wellbeing.

The opening comes as public leisure operators continue to broaden their remit beyond traditional fitness and swimming provision, with new-generation facilities increasingly incorporating recovery, health services, social spaces and specialist programming.

Duncan Jefford, who became managing director of Everyone Active in March after almost 20 years with the organisation, will discuss the future of public leisure when he speaks at HCM Summit on 22 October in London.

Jefford is also interviewed in an upcoming issue of HCM.

Duncan Jefford, who took over as managing director of Everyone Active in March, after almost 20 years with the organisation is interviewed in an upcoming issue of HCM and will be speaking at this year’s HCM Summit on 22 October in London.