The World Cup 2026 knockout bracket opens up on 1 July at Levi’s Stadium, and the United States face a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that have already shown they can hurt teams on the counter — but with the hosts carrying a partisan crowd and serious attacking firepower, this Round of 32 tie has the makings of a fascinating chess match…
Date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Kickoff: 17:00 local (00:00 BST, 1 July)
Venue: Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara), USA
Round: Round of 32 — World Cup 2026 knockout stage
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TV/Streaming (UK): BBC iPlayer / ITVX
World Cup 2026 R32 United States vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina Prediction: Knockout Preview & Best Bets
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What’s at Stake
This is sudden death. One team progresses to the Round of 16 of the World Cup 2026 bracket; the other goes home. For the United States, it is a chance to prove that qualifying as hosts was merely the starting point, not the ceiling. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, it represents only their second ever World Cup appearance — their first came in 2014 and ended at the group stage — and a chance to write a genuinely historic chapter. The stakes could not be more stark.
Verdict
The United States to win is the play here, available at 4/11 with leading operators, and the price reflects a genuine gulf in tournament pedigree and home-soil advantage. Bosnia and Herzegovina have the individual quality to make this uncomfortable, but backing the hosts to advance in a match they are expected to control looks like the most grounded World Cup 2026 Round of 32 United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina pick on the card.
United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina Match Preview
The United States arrive at this World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie with a mixed group-stage record but enough evidence that their attack is in working order. They scored six goals across their three group games, with wins over Australia (2-0) and Paraguay (4-1) demonstrating that this side can be ruthless when the opportunity presents itself. The defeat to Turkey (2-3) was a reminder that defensive vulnerability exists, but in a knockout game on home soil, expect the United States to be more organised and considerably more motivated.
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their passage with four points from three games — a win over Qatar (3-1), a draw with Canada (1-1), and a heavy 1-4 reverse against Switzerland that underlined their ceiling against top-tier European opposition. The Swiss result is worth noting: when pressed high and asked to defend a lead, Bosnia and Herzegovina can unravel. Whether the United States have the pressing intensity and transition speed to replicate that is the central question of this contest.
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On paper, the United States hold almost every structural advantage: home venue, crowd support, superior depth, and a squad containing players from AC Milan, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, and PSV Eindhoven. Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be passive — Edin Dzeko at 40 years old remains a danger from set-pieces and crosses, and their counter-attacking threat is real — but repeating the kind of display that undid Switzerland against a United States side playing for their tournament lives would be a significant ask.
Team Form
United States — Last Five
Turkey (A): Lost 2-3 — World Cup 2026 (group stage)
Australia (H): Won 2-0 — World Cup 2026 (group stage)
Paraguay (H): Won 4-1 — World Cup 2026 (group stage)
Three wins from five, with ten goals scored in those five matches, tells you the United States are not short of attacking punch. The Turkey defeat was a setback, but the competition level in the previous two group wins — against Australia and a Paraguay side that reached this stage — confirms this team can perform when it matters. Folarin Balogun and Giovanni Reyna both got on the scoresheet in the group stage, and Christian Pulisic‘s presence across 86 caps gives the side an experienced leader in the final third.
Bosnia and Herzegovina — Last Five
Qatar (H): Won 3-1 — World Cup 2026 (group stage)
Switzerland (A): Lost 1-4 — World Cup 2026 (group stage)
Canada (A): Drew 1-1 — World Cup 2026 (group stage)
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s form profile is one of streaky inconsistency. The 3-1 win over Qatar was convincing, but the four goals conceded against Switzerland exposed a defensive shape that can be bypassed with pace and directness. Midfielder Ermin Mahmic leads their World Cup 2026 scoring chart with two goals, while Edin Dzeko’s wider recent record underlines the focal point Bosnia and Herzegovina build through. The question is whether that focal point can function against the athleticism of the United States back line.
United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina Head-to-Head
These two sides have met three times, all in friendly competition, and the United States hold the upper hand. The most recent meeting, in December 2021, ended in a 1-0 win for the United States. Before that, a January 2018 clash finished goalless. The most open game of the three came in August 2013, when Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the United States and the match produced seven goals, finishing 3-4 to the Americans in a fixture that suggested neither side is averse to an open game.
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None of those previous meetings carry the weight of competitive football, and it would be wrong to read too much into friendlies when projecting a World Cup knockout match. What the head-to-head does confirm is that the United States have never lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and have won the only competitive-era encounter on home soil. That is at least a useful psychological footnote as both sides prepare for this World Cup 2026 Round of 32 contest.
Team News
The United States carry one of the more experienced squads in this tournament relative to their global ranking. Christian Pulisic leads the attacking line with 86 caps and 33 international goals to his name, and his fitness and availability for this knockout tie will be central to the United States’ attacking plan. Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams provide the engine in midfield, with Adams’ combative presence at Bournemouth this season giving him the conditioning to press and recover across 90 minutes of knockout football.
Folarin Balogun has been the standout story of the United States’ group stage, scoring twice from limited starts and signalling an intent to lead the line as the tournament progresses. Ricardo Pepi offers an alternative focal point, and the availability of both gives the United States genuine flexibility. Antonee Robinson‘s marauding play from left back has been a consistent outlet, and his delivery from wide areas will trouble any defence that pushes a high line.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sead Kolasina provides the defensive experience at left back, with 65 caps of international football behind him. Nikola Vasilj is expected to start in goal after a steady group stage, and the midfield partnership will likely be built around Amir Hadziahmetovic and Benjamin Tahirovic. There are no confirmed injury absences from the available information, but with a squad drawing from clubs as varied as FC St. Pauli, Hull City, and Borac Banja Luka, the depth beyond the starting eleven is a genuine concern.
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Predicted Lineups
United States (4-3-3): Turner; Dest, Richards, M. Robinson, A. Robinson; McKennie, Adams (c), Reyna; Weah, Balogun, Pulisic
Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2): Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Hadzikadunić, Kolasina; Gigovic, Hadziahmetovic, Tahirovic, Burnić; Demic, Dzeko (c)
Predicted XIs — squads to be confirmed.
Key Tactical Matchup
The duel that shapes this game is likely to be Bosnia and Herzegovina’s wide channels against Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest pushing high in the United States’ full-back positions. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most threatening moments in the group stage came through quick ball-wide transitions, and if Ermedin Demirovic and Kerim Alajbegovic can get in behind, they have the pace to punish. The counter to that is the United States’ press: with Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Christian Pulisic all pressing as a unit, Bosnia and Herzegovina will struggle to build any sustained rhythm from deep, and the Swiss template of pressing them into errors is a very real tactical blueprint for the Americans to follow.
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World Cup 2026 R32 United States vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina Prediction: Knockout Preview & Best Bets
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Main Pick: United States to Win @ 4/11
The United States are strong favourites for this World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie, and the price is short for a reason. They have home advantage at Levi’s Stadium, six goals in three group games, and a squad depth that dwarfs anything Bosnia and Herzegovina can offer. Their only defeat in the group stage came against Turkey — a top-quality European side — and that context matters. Back the hosts to advance.
Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals @ 5/6
Seven goals across the head-to-head records, ten United States goals in their last five games, and a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that conceded four against Switzerland. The best available price on over 2.5 goals sits at 5/6, and the evidence points toward a game that opens up, particularly in the second half if the United States go ahead and Bosnia and Herzegovina are forced to push forward.
Scorer Pick: Folarin Balogun Anytime Scorer
Balogun has scored twice in this World Cup 2026 group stage and looks like the United States’ most in-form forward heading into the knockout rounds. His movement in behind suits the space Bosnia and Herzegovina are likely to leave on the counter, and his finishing from the group stage has been clinical. Check leading operators for his anytime scorer price.
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Fourth Pick: Bosnia and Herzegovina to Score @ 4/1 (draw no bet)
Bosnia and Herzegovina are not without attacking threat. Dzeko’s hold-up play and Ermedin Demirovic’s movement off the shoulder give them a route to goal even against better-organised defences. Their group-stage record shows they scored in all three games, and with the United States showing some defensive fragility against Turkey, a bet on the draw no bet market with Bosnia and Herzegovina at 4/1 may hold some interest for the adventurous punter.
Odds Across Operators
The best prices available for this World Cup 2026 Round of 32 United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match are listed below.
Prices sourced from leading operators and subject to change. Bosnia and Herzegovina are a 9/1 shot to cause one of the bigger upsets of the World Cup 2026 bracket, while the draw at 4/1 reflects the genuine possibility that this tie goes to extra time if Bosnia and Herzegovina defend deep and frustrate the hosts.
How to Watch + How to Bet
How to Watch
UK viewers can watch United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina live on BBC iPlayer or ITVX. Kickoff is at midnight BST on 1 July 2026 (17:00 local time in Santa Clara). Coverage is expected to include full pre-match and post-match analysis across both platforms, with the match available to stream free of charge for UK audiences.
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How to Bet
If this World Cup 2026 Round of 32 United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina preview has shaped your thinking and you want to get a bet on, here is how to do it safely and efficiently.
Compare prices across multiple licensed operators to find the best available price on your chosen market.
Decide on your stake before you log in — set a budget for this game specifically.
Check whether the operator offers an enhanced or boosted price on the match result market.
For the goals market, confirm whether the line is 2.5 or whether a 3.5 option is available at your preferred operator.
Use the anytime scorer market for Balogun rather than first scorer — it offers better value and more margin for error.
Consider each-way-style markets (draw no bet, double chance) if you want coverage against an upset.
Set a deposit limit before you place your first bet, particularly for knockout-stage fixtures where emotion can affect decision-making.
Keep records of your bets so you can track performance across the tournament.
Responsible Gambling
Betting should always be approached as entertainment, not as a source of income. If you are concerned about your gambling habits, or those of someone you know, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware. The National Gambling Helpline can be reached on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please bet within your means and set limits before you start.
Indian women boxers lived up to their billing with five gold medals while Sachin Siwach and Ankush Panghal sealed men’s titles as the country produced its best-ever performance at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday. Reigning world champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Asian Games medallist Preeti Pawar (54kg), Asian champion Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg) and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) won gold medals, while Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) settled for silver.
In the men’s competition, Sachin (60kg) and Ankush (70kg) struck gold, while Jadumani Singh (55kg) and Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (+90kg) finished with silver medals.
India’s previous best boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games came in Gold Coast in 2018, when it won seven medals, including three gold.
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With chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “India, India” reverberating around the SEC arena, the Indian boxers enjoyed near home-like support.
“The crowd support was brilliant, it really pumped me,” said the 20-year-old Priya.
Preeti kick-started India’s golden run with a commanding 5-0 victory over Canada’s Scarlett Delgado in the women’s 54kg final.
Jaismine followed with another clinical 5-0 win, defeating Northern Ireland’s defending champion Michaela Walsh in the 57kg summit clash.
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Fighting from long range and relying on her sharp footwork, Preeti made a measured start before gradually finding her rhythm. Once she settled in, the Indian dictated the pace, keeping Delgado at bay with crisp counters and timely combinations to cruise to victory.
Jaismine, meanwhile, was made to work much harder against the vastly experienced Walsh. Commanding the centre of the ring and making full use of her superior reach, the Indian edged the opening two rounds 3-2 before closing out a deserved unanimous victory.
Sakshi, who dropped down from 54kg to 51kg, upset local favourite Ruby White of England in another impressive display.
Priya, sporting a tricolour gumshield, recovered from a slow start to beat Canada’s Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh 4-1. Trailing 2-3 after the opening round, she unleashed a barrage of punches over the final two rounds to turn the contest around.
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Arundhati completed the women’s golden sweep with a unanimous 5-0 victory over England’s world championship bronze medallist Chantelle Reid in the 70kg final.
Spurred on by chants of “Bajrang Bali Jai”, the Rajasthan boxer celebrated her triumph with a bow-and-arrow gesture.
“The celebration was to send all the negative talk away. I dedicate this win to my family, who have made a lot of sacrifices for me,” she said.
Sachin produced one of the comebacks of the day. Trailing after the opening round and suffering a point deduction in the final round, he forced a standing count against Namibia’s Tryagain Morning Ndevelo before clinching a dramatic 3-2 split verdict.
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“Even though I was losing the first round, I knew I could win the bout,” Sachin said.
Ankush then capped India’s golden evening with a composed 4-1 victory over England’s Dimeji Shittu. Despite being booed by the home crowd, the Army boxer remained unfazed and boxed with discipline throughout.
Lovlina, however, fell just short, losing a closely fought women’s 75kg final to Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree.
Narender also had to settle for silver after going down to England’s Damar Thomas in the super-heavyweight final.
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Jadumani ended with silver after losing 0-5 to Australia’s Jye Dixon in the 55kg title clash. The Indian had taken the opening round 3-2 after overcoming the height disadvantage, but Dixon responded emphatically with a dominant second round before carrying the momentum into the decider to deny India an eighth gold.
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Spain’s Royal Family Welcomes World Cup Champions To Zarzuela Palace
The offer was even displayed on a sign above the tunnel.
So how do you get offered money by a border tunnel with the offer even displayed on a sign above the tunnel? It’s, well, interesting. The story came earlier this week, and it was relayed by Michael Kim, who played a part in what went down.
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Both pros are playing this week’s Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club, and Michael Kim texted Si Woo Kim asking if he wanted to get dinner. Michael wanted to go to a Korean barbecue restaurant he’s visited. Si Woo was in.
However, in the area, there are two restaurants with the same name. One is in the United States.
One is not.
“He searches the name of the restaurant on Google Maps,” Michael Kim wrote on X, “and without much thinking starts driving. But before it’s too late, he realizes that he’s about to go across the U.S. border into Canada! There was a restaurant under the SAME NAME closer to him, in Canada.
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“He doesn’t have a passport, just his wallet. He tries to turn back, but it’s already too late — it’s a one-way and there are multiple signs telling him he can’t turn back.
“He drives to the gate and talks to the officer. I’m driving to dinner with a friend; I came here by accident. The officer goes, ‘OK, don’t worry, happens all the time actually. But I can’t let you go back so you have to go across to Canada and then talk to the officers on the other side.
“He drives across, waits in line for 45 minutes. He finally gets to an officer and he tries to explain. He’s super nervous but tries to explain what happened. He points to his courtesy car and says I’m here for the golf tournament. This officer is not sure what to do so they drive the car to the side and calls another officer … then another … then another until 8 (!!!) officers are surrounding his car and talking to him and each other. They check his cars for weapons, ask him if he has any drugs or weapons, stuff like that, and they finally let him through.”
“Yeah, so Michael Kim texts me, ‘You want to grab a dinner?’ And then I’ll say, ‘Sure,’” Si Woo said. “And then he shows me restaurant name. It’s called Daebak. So I just put it in the Google Maps. It’s close to my hotel, like 1.5 miles. So I thought it was for sure that one. So I wasn’t thinking about Canada or anything. So I just follow the instruction and somehow make a turn, [and] there’s toll gate, like $9, I had to pay to get through. ‘Why is it so expensive?’ And then as soon as I get into the tunnel, ‘Oh, this is Canada.’
“So somehow I went to the immigration, I told my situation, and then I went to the stop, like, parking garage office. And then I was so freaking out, so I couldn’t speak English very much so he thought I was a weird guy. So he just — the guy’s coming at me, searching my car, and somehow I got out of it. He told me, ‘Are you going to win this Sunday?’ I said, ‘If you let me through.’”
And that was seemingly that.
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But the story gets better.
The tunnel that Si Woo crossed — the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel — got word of what happened. You know where this is going, even though Si Woo got lost.
On October 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz went through pregame drills before the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran passer, facing his former team for the first time in purple, displayed sharp focus during warmups as fans packed the stands for the highly anticipated reunion against one of the NFC’s top defensive units. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Much remains uncertain at quarterback. Not so at QB3.
Max Brosmer is trying to take down the elder statesman but appears very unlikely to do so. Carson Wentz got brought back for a reason. The Vikings’ passer battle is mostly focused on chasing a high ceiling with Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy squaring off. Mr. Wentz is in town to ensure that the ship can remain afloat if something terrible happens. That’s a perspective that appears close to certain unless Brosmer goes nuclear.
The Vikings’ Passer Battle Knows its QB3
Wentz has been through a ton in his career. Presumably, he envisioned things going different after getting chosen at No. 2 in the 2016 NFL Draft, but the NFL can be a cruel spot.
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To his great credit, Wentz has responded by embracing his job and doing very well within his role.
Recent seasons have involved being a depth guy. Some of the reason for the modest assignment is that he’s getting older. What’s been more of an issue, though, has been injury. Vikings fans can think back to the missed opportunity after that magical 2017 season when Nick Foles and the Eagles demolished Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game. Don’t forget, folks, that Wentz was the starter for that team before being lost for the year due to injury.
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
What followed has been somewhat of a rollercoaster.
An initial stop in Philadelphia led toward an opportunity in Washington. There was then a chance in Indianapolis, in LA (Rams), and in Kansas City. Those final two stops are of particular note since Sean McVay and Andy Reid are brilliant strategists for offensive football.
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Now entering his second season as a Viking, Carson Wentz understands his job.
The QB3 is being leaned on for steady leadership. Grind through film as he shepherds the younger arms in the quarterback room. At times, Josh McCown and Kevin O’Connell likely turn to him to get his sense of how things are going. He demands a pile of respect inside TCO.
If disaster strikes, Wentz is going to go in there and be totally unflappable. That doesn’t mean he’ll be elite. It does mean he’ll inspire confidence in his teammates. Even better, he’ll give his guys a shot. Justin Jefferson cleared 100 yards a pair of times with Wentz throwing the pigskin. That matters.
Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back for a pass during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The Vikings went 2-3 last season with Wentz. A vital detail to remember is that he was playing hurt toward the end. His toughness got to the point of cruelty. Every hit felt terrible for those watching; imagine how he felt.
His overall stats show somebody who completed a tidy 65.1% of his passes. The yards come in at 1,216 and his TD-to-INT ratio was a humdrum 6/5. Again, though, the health issue. Moreover, he got added very late, a misstep by the Vikings’ front office. Giving him a full offseason in Minnesota could have led to a better performance once he was needed.
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Carson Wentz put pen to paper on a single-season contract coming in at $3 million. He secures the team’s floor while offering great leadership, meaning the deal is a bargain.
In the past, Wentz has been to the Pro Bowl and finished as a second-team All Pro in 2017.
Zinedine Zidane will be unveiled on July 28 as the new coach of the French national football team, succeeding his World Cup-winning teammate Didier Deschamps. The 54-year-old is a national icon with multiple successes as player and coach. He steps into the job after five years out of the game.
The 2026 AIG Women’s Open concludes on Sunday, Aug. 2, with the fourth round at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in England. You can find full AIG Women’s Open tee times for Sunday’s fourth round at the bottom of this post.
AIG Women’s Open Sunday tee times: What to know
If you didn’t have Yealimi Noh in your office pool this week, you’re not alone. The 25-year-old Californian arrived at Royal Lytham and St. Annes with just two top-10 finishes in majors and one LPGA Tour victory to her name.
Now, after a tidy two-under 69 on a wind-swept Saturday, she heads into the final round at seven-under, holding a three-shot lead. It’s the first time she’s ever been the front-runner at any point in a major.
Can Noh hang on?
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To do so, she’ll have to hold off a pack of pursuers. Haeran Ryu, who teed off Saturday with the lead while seeking her third consecutive major title, stumbled to a three-over 74 to fall back to four-under. She’s joined there by fellow American Lucy Li, Germany’s Esther Henseleit, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki and World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who is seeking her first major championship.
Fan favorite Charley Hull, meanwhile, isn’t out of the mix. Playing in her home country, she’ll begin the final round at two-under, five shots behind.
Noh tees off at 9:35 a.m. ET alongside Henseleit.
You can watch Sunday’s final round of the AIG Women’s Open from 7 a.m.-noon ET on USA and then from noon-2 p.m. ET on NBC. Additional Sunday streaming coverage will be provided by GolfChannel.com, the Golf Channel app and the NBC Sports app.
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You can check out the complete Round 4 tee times for the 2026 AIG Women’s Open below.
2026 AIG Women’s Open tee times for Sunday: Round 4 (ET)
3:45 a.m. – Casandra Alexander, Mi Hyang Lee
3:55 a.m. – Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Aunchisa Utama
CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained left quad and he is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
O’Hearn pulled up and grabbed his left leg while running to first base on a groundout in the ninth inning on Friday night’s 8-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He was helped off the field by manager Don Kelly and a member of the training staff.
The Pirates signed O’Hearn to a two-year, $2- million free-agent contract in January. He is batting .270 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 96 games. He missed two weeks in May with a right quad injury.
O’Hearn has made 49 appearances at first base, 42 in right field, and 17 as the designated hitter. He homered three times and set a Pirates single-game franchise record with 10 RBIs against the Braves on July 7.
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In other moves, the Pirates recalled right-hander Isaac Mattson from triple-A Indianapolis, activated catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores Jr. from the IL and optioned right-hander Antwone Kelly to triple-A.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel has urged Liverpool to sign Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue from PSG. He believes that the two players are needed at Anfield to make them a better side.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Friedel stated that Barcola and Doue are on the same level, and it would be hard to pick one of the two. He claimed that Liverpool should be looking to get both of them this summer and not just one and said:
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“It’s a toss of a coin between Barcola and Doue. I think both of them would be brilliant additions to L’pool and honestly, I think both of them would be great to help with the loss of goals and assists from Salah. Both players are excellent on the left and can also drift into the middle, which is something Iraola would like a lot in how he plays.”
“Watching both at the World Cup, they both have important assets which can benefit Liverpool and contribute to an exciting style of play. So, both of them would be my preference, to add good depth to the squad because as we’ve seen it’s a long season competing in all competitions so you need plenty of quality in the squad and both of them would be huge players.”
The Reds remain in talks with PSG to sign Barcola, and the Ligue1 are open to a sale.
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Jamie Carragher does not want Bradley Barcola at Liverpool
Jamie Carragher claimed that his former side do not need Barcola. He wants them to sign a right-winger and not another winger who prefers to play on the left and told Sky Sports:
“He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that – I’d love to get Barcola at Liverpool. But he’s a left winger for me. Liverpool’s big thing that stands out like a sore thumb right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger. And I don’t think L’pool have got anybody really in the squad who looks fully comfortable playing right wing.”
“They probably have at least four players in the squad before Barcola joins, if he joins, who could play on the left-hand side comfortably. Now, I’m not saying any of those players are better than Barcola. But in terms of the balance of the squad, it’s not the position L’pool need right now. They need a right winger.”
PSG were looking to sign Yan Diomande this summer, but have switched focus to Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts, after Real Madrid hijacked the deal for the Ivory Coast star.
Gulveer Singh created history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the men’s 5000m and the first Indian track and field athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Games.After winning silver in the 10,000m on July 28, the reigning Asian champion added a bronze in the 5000m, finishing in 13:24.95 on the final day of the athletics competition.Kenya’s Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang won the gold in 13:23.61, while Australia’s Ky Robinson, who had earlier taken the 10,000m gold, claimed silver in 13:24.70.The 28-year-old Indian, who holds the national records in both the 5000m and 10,000m, finished well outside his season’s best time of 13:03.93. His timing on Saturday was also slower than his national record of 12:59.77.Gulveer stayed with the leading group throughout the race before making his move in the final lap. He edged Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi to the bronze medal by just 0.04 seconds.Kemboi, who had clocked 12:56.02 in June and is a sub-13-minute runner, finished just behind Gulveer in the race.The bronze added to Gulveer’s growing list of achievements, which also includes the 10,000m bronze medal he won at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
With his baggy shorts and his black boots, Amad looked like he had returned to Manchester United this pre-season from the 1950s rather than a few weeks away after the World Cup.
The 24-year-old reported to Carrington at the start of the week and was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI against Atletico Madrid on the back of limited training. Joshua Zirkzee made way as Bryan Mbeumo went through the middle.
He certainly looked bright in his 45 minutes on the pitch. He was confident from the first whistle, although one pirouette pass to Leny Yoro almost sold the makeshift right-back short. They dovetailed better as the half went on and combined well to break in down that flank just before the break.
United were behind early on in Stockholm to Arnau Ortiz’s cross, which beat Yoro and Harry Maguire and left Tom Heaton stranded, but Amad came closest to an equaliser. It was Mbeumo who won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Amad was the only player taking it.
The ball had ended up on the left of the pitch after the striker had been fouled, and Amad wandered off to get his hands on it. He wasn’t going to let go. A lengthy debate with the excellent Mason Mount and Mbeumo followed, but Amad drilled a low effort which took a slight deflection. Jan Oblak saved with his feet and grabbed the ball on his goalline.
Amad enjoyed a productive summer with the Ivory Coast, scoring against France in a World Cup warm-up and then netting two excellent goals before his country were knocked out by Norway in the last-32. He looks sharp and pressed brilliantly to win possession high up, allowing Shea Lacey to cross for Mbeumo, who glanced a header wide.
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It feels like a big season for Amad, who was disappointing last term and is set to face renewed competition for his place. In Amad, Lacey and Mbeumo, Carrick was starting three left-footed forwards who would probably all like to play on the right.
Every goal Mbeumo has scored under Carrick has come as a striker and with Benjamin Sesko still out, he could get minutes there. Lacey has started twice as a No.10 in pre-season, but will hand that shirt over to Bruno Fernandes soon enough.
All three could be in competition next season, which is why they all need to shine. Amad made his scheduled exit at the break and then watched Lacey continue to impress.
His quick feet and balance had been on show and he looked at home in elite company. A change of direction in the box earned a 53rd-minute penalty, which Mbeumo converted.
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Lacey is now a regular in first-team training, and his brief exposure to the senior set-up in January under Darren Fletcher marked him out as a player to keep an eye on. He struggled for minutes under Carrick but has been to the fore this summer and the decision to start him as the attacking midfielder has been a show of faith.
The 19-year-old isn’t available for loan this summer and with a crowded schedule in the first half of the season at least, he will get opportunities to continue his development. This was a step up from thrashing Rosenborg in Trondheim and he took to it like a duck to water.
Carrick will be glad of the competition in a season that will test him in ways last term didn’t. He had days on end to prepare for games and was able to field a consistent starting line-up. That won’t be doable now United are back in the Champions League.
So Amad and Lacey will get games and if Mbeumo ends up playing as a striker more often, they could all feature regularly. Mbeumo was the matchwinner here, bundling in Jack Fletcher’s low cross to turn the game on its head.
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There was even time for JJ Gabriel to make his first senior appearance, with the 15-year-old coming on for Mbeumo for the final 10 minutes and producing a couple of moments that marked out his dazzling talent.
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