Amad started Ivory Coast’s World Cup opening game against Ecuador on the bench – but the Manchester United star would go on to steal the show in Philadelphia

Amad came off the bench to score a last-minute winner to get Ivory Coast’s World Cup off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Ecuador. In an entertaining game at the Philadelphia Stadium, the Manchester United star found himself on the bench with Yan Diomande given the nod to start on the right.

But nine minutes into the second-half, Amad was introduced in place of Bazoumana Toure and he went on to show his boss Emerse Fae why he no doubt believes he should be starting.

However, before that, Amad could only watch on as Sebastian Beccacece’s side twice hit the crossbar in the opening 45 minutes before Enner Valencia struck the outside of the post at the start of the second half.

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But just when it looked like both sides were going to be forced to settle for a point, Amad finally broke the deadlock in the 90th minute.

The United winger steered the ball inside the post from the edge of the box after a strong run and cross from Wilfried Singo.

And speaking post-match, Amda said: “We needed that. We came here to make history. We still have two more matches ahead of us, and we need to approach them with the same mentality and try to win them.

“We had to stay focused. We knew it was going to be a difficult match because we know the Ecuadorian players – they’re physically very strong. They caused us problems, of course, but we stayed composed and remained focused.”

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While team-mate Diomande admitted: “We fought hard, we succeeded, and we’re all delighted. It’s always a pleasure to represent your country.

“It’s tough and it’s stressful because we’re representing nearly 33 million people. We’re playing for our families, our friends, our loved ones, and in this kind of competition we all want to give it our all.

“We want to win every match. We want to make our mark on history, and that’s what we’re all trying to do together.”

And Ecuador coach Beccacece reflected: “In the second half, we made the necessary adjustments and were in control enough to secure at least a draw.

“We put in a tremendous effort against a strong opponent. The final result wasn’t what we wanted, but it’s just the beginning, and we have to keep working.”

Dana White has seriously teased the shock signing of Tyson Fury to Zuffa Boxing in what would be a seismic development for the sport.

Fury, who is set to finally share the ring with long-time rival Anthony Joshua in November, made a surprise appearance at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on Sunday night, wearing a cap emblazoned with the slogan “Donald Trump for Prime Minister.”

The former two-time world heavyweight champion hinted that he had big news, saying: “I think I’m going to let Dana do the speaking, let him do the announcement. It’s a massive, massive, massive announcement.”

He then added there was “100 percent potential” that he would be fighting under the Zuffa promotion for the bout with Joshua, which will be among the biggest fights in British boxing history.

After the conclusion of the event, which saw Justin Gaethje stun Ilia Topuria to claim undisputed lightweight gold, White made it appear that confirmation of Fury’s deal with Zuffa was imminent.

Probed on whether Fury had signed with Zuffa, White said: “We’ll make an announcement soon.”

The UFC president was then pressed on whether that was a yes, to which he replied: “Listen, let me reiterate. Judge me 1 January 2027 on what we’ve done this year on boxing.

“I keep talking about all these other guys talking a lot of smack – I haven’t said anything about any of these guys. I’m in my lane, I’m doing my thing.

“Just sit back and watch. We’ll make an announcement soon.”

White stated last month that he was set to be the promoter for Fury vs Joshua, something both Eddie Hearn and Queensberry’s Frank Warren denied.

However, Fury’s new relationship with White will fuel speculation surrounding that claim, with the UFC president’s venture continuing to shake up the sport.

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Fury would follow the likes of compatriot Conor Benn in signing with Zuffa, who stunningly ditched Hearn to join forces with his very public rival in February, despite Hearn having supported Benn during a years-long drug-test saga.

He was sat next to Benn, along with two-time IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, at the landmark White House fight card.

With four signings already in place, Heart of Midlothian will make up to six more by the time the summer window closes and there will very likely also be one or two departures. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

A striker and centre-half are Hibernian’s priorities in the summer transfer window. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Cove Rangers hope to continue to take young Aberdeen players on loan next season. (Press & Journal), external

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes, who is poised to join Rangers, did not reject the Ibrox club as has been claimed in 2017 but instead turned down the switch from Aberdeen because of a late shift by then chairman Dave King during contract talks. (Daily Record), external

Hearts are unlikely to turn to two former Tynecastle stalwarts – Falkirk’s John McGlynn and Dundee’s Steven Pressley – as a replacement should head coach McInnes join Rangers – but could still shop again in the Scottish market. (Daily Record), external

Luke Graham of Dundee tops Rangers’ wishlist once McInnes takes over. (Daily Record), external

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the latest Manchester United transfer news. The Reds are closing in on their first deal with Ederson set to be unveiled as a United player once a medical is completed.

The Brazilian will be one of at least two midfield signings, with West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes looking a real possibility. However, United also face competition from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.

Stick with us throughout the day for all the latest!

Ciryl Gane kept the UFC Freedom 250 knockout parade going on Sunday, stopping former two-division champion Alex Pereira in the second round in what was a brilliant performance to win the interim heavyweight championship for the second time in his career.

Pereira immediately opened with a big head kick, sending an early message to Gane. Pereira also worked some low calf kicks as Gane tried to close the distance with jabs that weren’t connecting. Gane instead switched to leg kicks and front kicks to try and change the pace of the fight. Gane then shot for the first takedown attempt of the fight, which Pereira easily shrugged off.

Gane continued to pick up his offense, mixing in various shots, including his jab finally working to set up the straight left hand. Both men continued to land some good leg kicks before another head kick attempt from Pereira missed by inches, but a big Pereira right hand landed moments later to close the round.

Be sure to keep up with all the action on Sunday with our live coverage of UFC Freedom 250, including round-by-round scoring and updated fight results throughout the night!

Gane continued to fire kicks and then landed a big counter jab that dropped Pereira. Gane followed up with heavy shots and elbows as Pereira looked for a desperation takedown, but somehow Pereira survived.

Gane continued to bring the assault to Pereira, putting him on wobbly legs over and over as referee Herb Dean seemed close to stopping the fight.

As Pereira stumbled back into the Octagon fence, Gane fired more big shots. This time, as Pereira slumped against the Octagon wall, Dean jumped in to halt the fight at the 1:27 mark of Round 2.

The performance was arguably the best of Gane’s career, as he took on a legend and looked to be the better man from the early moments of the fight with a more dynamic attack.

“We worked on it, we did a really great job with my team,” Gane said after the win. “I’m really proud of myself and my team. … We knew that was possible to do. We knew that.”

Gane is now positioned for a rematch with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. In Gane’s first fight with Aspinall, he was performing tremendously before the fight was halted after Gane poked Aspinall in both eyes, leaving Aspinall sidelined ever since.

“We will see,” Gane said of a rematch. “Next, let’s do it in Paris in September.”

For Pereira, his attempt to win UFC gold in a third division came up short in brutal fashion.

“This was the risk, you know? If I hadn’t taken a risk every time I fought, I wouldn’t be here today,” Pereira said before addressing whether his future was at heavyweight or a return to light heavyweight. “… I don’t know, we’re going to sit down and look at it. The same way we lost at middleweight, we’re going to sit down with my team and talk about it.”

Brighton’s Yasin Ayari struck twice and Alexander Isak was on target as Sweden proved too strong for Tunisia and sealed a 5-1 win in their World Cup opener.

Isak put his injury-wrecked first season with Liverpool behind him, grabbing Sweden’s second goal before seizing on a defensive mishap to provide Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres with the third.

Tunisia cruised through qualifying without conceding a goal, but were behind inside seven minutes in Monterrey as they failed to deal with a ball over the top.

Goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh beat Isak to the ball and Gyokeres’ follow-up was blocked, but Ayari – who has a Tunisian mother but opted for the country of his birth – rifled in from outside the box.

Elias Saad forced a save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt at the other end, but Sweden doubled their advantage just before the half hour, a counterattack releasing Isak on the left before he cut inside and found the far corner past the flailing Chamakh who misjudged his dive.

The Swedes looked comfortable but their advantage was halved just before the break, Omar Rekik heading in a cross from Hannibal Mejbri.

Sweden stretched their advantage just before the hour as they seized on another Tunisian error, Isak catching the dawdling captain Ellyes Skhiri in possession outside the box and fed Gyokeres who had plenty of time and space to fire home.

Mattias Svanberg added a fourth goal seconds after arriving as a substitute with VAR overturning an original offside decision after ruling a slight flick by Isak played him onside, Ayari then fired in his second as the ball again broke loose outside the box in the closing seconds.

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A tight finish and a stewards’ inquiry did little to derail Nobler’s charge, as the emerging import recorded his third consecutive victory at Rosehill, signalling a bright future.

The former Irish gelding, who commenced his Australian career in March, has now strung together three wins on the trot, adding Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (2000m) to his previous mile successes at Randwick and Gosford.

Hitting his stride halfway up the straight, the $2.90 favourite found enough to fend off the fast-closing King Pedro ($4.40) by a mere nose, with Perfect Play ($7.50) trailing by 1-1/2 lengths in third.

The protest was lodged by apprentice jockey Anna Roper, riding King Pedro, against Siena Grima aboard the winner, alleging interference near the 200-metre mark after King Pedro had to divert its path when the inside run beside Nobler closed.

However, stewards swiftly dismissed the objection. Presiding stipe Tom Moxon informed Roper that while a narrow opening did appear, it closed before she could fully establish her running and the shift came from the horse to her inside, Skycatcher.

Darren Beadman, representing trainer Chris Waller, indicated that Nobler has impressed the team since arriving in Sydney and is poised for better races next preparation.

“He’s acclimatised well since he has come over here,” Beadman said.

“I think he could make his presence felt at the back end of our spring carnival, so now is probably a good time to tip him out and get him ready for something a little bit better.

“He’s certainly taken it all before him since he has come up to Sydney. He’s an athletic horse, a very clean-winded horse. Impressive.”

While Nobler battled to maintain his lead in his first attempt over a middle distance on Saturday, Beadman was adamant the gelding had the constitution to extend further in time.

He was also impressed by the ride from stable apprentice Grima, stating that her tactical decision to wait for clear running before the turn, rather than taking a chance, was instrumental.

“She had a choice at the 600, that was the difference between winning and losing,” Beadman said.

“She got the horse out into clear spaces and let him go through his gears.”

Grima went on to complete a running double for the stable aboard Surf’s Up in the Petaluma Handicap (1400m).

With the spring carnival approaching, the racing odds for Nobler’s future starts will be closely watched by punters across Australian betting sites.