Porro: No Favorites in France Clash

Pedro Porro (26) has transformed from Nations League substitute to Spain regular in just one year, now facing another high-pressure test against France's potent attack. "I'd say I arrive with more experience. A year ago I was also playing well, but playing fifty more games gives you another kind of experience," the international player stated in mixed zone.

Porro downplayed Spain's physical fatigue from more kilometers traveled and one less day of rest than France. "I don't notice it much. We travel up and down and don't think about the kilometers. We've been able to recover and are fully focused on tomorrow's match," he emphasized. ipl-cricket.in

Leer más

ECHOPARK SPEEDWAY (Hampton, Ga.) — Ryan Blaney dominated the Cup race Sunday night that lasted until early Monday morning. But as is typical for the 1.5-mile high-banked track, he needed to make a late move for the win. Blaney — thanks to pushes by Bubba Wallace and then Christopher Bell — got by Carson Hocevar on the outside on the final lap and was able to remain out front as the drivers behind him battled to earn his second victory of the season. The Team Penske driver led 171 of the 263 laps. Here are my takeaways: 1. Long Night, Deserving Winner The race featured a rain interruption of 3 hours, 9 minutes — which resulted in a race that didn’t finish until 1:45 a.m. ET on Monday. Blaney was good in the laps before the rain on Lap 109 and afterward. He was good even after he hit the wall after getting pinched into it late in the race by Bubba Wallace. He felt a vibration, but it was only paint and cement in the wheel well and Blaney’s car was still a rocket. "I tried to make a move and just got loose and hit the fence," Blaney said in his television interview after the race. "I think it's just concrete in the wheels and paint and stuff like that. "Luckily, it still drove fairly decent. I'm happy we were able to make back up for it." 2. Wallace Disputes Last-Lap Penalty Wallace crossed the finish line in second but was ruled to have advanced his position by going below the double-line that separates the apron from the racing surface. The 23XI Racing driver was dropped to the last car on the lead lap, costing him 27 points, as he placed 29th. Wallace contended that, while he went below the yellow line, he remained in third long enough before getting second at the finish line. NASCAR determined the move allowed him to improve his position from third to second. "[The rule] says ‘advancing your position,’ which I did not do," Wallace told me and other reporters after the race. "I stayed third, and I was all over the brakes to make sure I did not advance. As soon as I turned, I'm like, ‘I'm going to wreck' and got on the brakes and kept underneath me and stealing it up side by side [with the lead pack]. "That move should have propelled us to the lead, and it didn't because I knew it was wrong because my car did not like that move. My car did not like that move. ... I stayed third from entry to [Turn] 3 all the way until 50 yards away [from the finish line]." 3. Hocevar Has No Friends Carson Hocevar was leading going into the final lap and finished third. However, he doesn’t view Atlanta as a race that slipped away. He didn’t have any friends on the final lap and knows he likely wouldn’t because of the way he has raced and frustrated other drivers. Also, there were no Chevrolets in the lead pack. "I look in my mirror, man, it’s all Toyotas," Hocevar said. "I don't know where the Chevys were, but it was just me. I was all alone. ... People basically are going to choose who is going to win the race. They sure aren’t going to pick me." 4. Bell Finished Second ... Again Christopher Bell finished second for the fifth time this year. But while Bell was in the mix late in the race, he didn’t have a race-winning day. "I just felt like I didn’t quite have the speed to be up there with Ryan," the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said in a broadcast interview after the race. "I could be up there in second or third, but it seemed like a couple of guys with faster cars could always get by me." 4 ½. What’s Next: North Wilkesboro NASCAR heads to North Wilkesboro for the track's first points race in 30 years after having the All-Star event there the last three seasons. Drivers will compete for 450 laps on the 0.625-mile oval. There are six races left in the regular season. Only two of the 16 spots in the postseason Chase have been clinched; Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick clinched spots at Atlanta. The races remaining: North Wilkesboro, Indianapolis, Iowa, Richmond, New Hampshire and Daytona.

BlogSabah FC 2024-25 Squad Strategy: Balancing Foreign Talent, Home-Grown Players, and Wage ControlFinancial stakes of the 2024‑25 roster Sabah Football Club’s squad size and composition directly shape the club’s ability to move from mid‑table safety to a genuine challenge fo...Open →

Culture, media and sport committee questions bear a striking similarity to those racing industry has been asking

Last Tuesday’s announcement by the Gambling Commission that it planned to introduce “financial risk assessments” – or affordability checks – for gambling customers seemed to mark the end of racing’s fierce, five-and-a-half-year campaign against the policy, but there has been a further twist to the extended tale after it emerged that the House of Commons’ culture, media and sport committee (CMSC) has written to the commission, requesting answers to a series of questions on the checks by 24 July.

The cross-party committee’s questions for the regulator bear a striking similarity to many of those that the racing industry has been asking – to little or no avail – since checks were first proposed under the last Conservative government in late 2020.

Spain will take on France at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, July 14, in the 2026 World Cup semifinals, as both teams battle for a spot in the World Cup final at New York/New Jersey Stadium. Both teams are powerhouses, both teams are star-studded, and both teams are absolutely thrilling to watch with rich histories playing each other. And with so much talent on each roster, you could build a truly exceptional starting lineup, so we did. Below is our combined best XI for Spain vs. France ahead of their World Cup semifinal match on Tuesday. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Goalkeeper Both goalkeepers have had strong tournaments. Maignan has only conceded two goals, while Simón had not conceded until Belgium scored in the quarterfinals. Simón has been excellent for Spain, but Maignan gets the slight nod as the better all-around goalkeeper. Verdict: Mike Maignan, France Right Back Pedro Porro has come onto the scene in his first major international tournament for Spain, providing real value in attack from the right-back position, including a goal against Austria. But Koundé gives you more stability as a polished defender and converted center back, while still having the capability to join the attack and provide value going forward. Verdict: Jules Koundé Right Center Back Both Pau Cubarsí and Dayot Upamecano are great center backs, and this is a very tight battle between the two. Upamecano has the athletic advantage, while Cubarsí provides more ability to play with the ball at his feet. Upamecano can be an accident waiting to happen at times, but in this tournament, he has hardly put a foot wrong. At his best, he is easily one of the best defenders in the world. Verdict: Dayot Upamecano Left Center Back The Premier League-winning Saliba wins this battle over Aymeric Laporte, who is having a strong tournament and has been a veteran leader alongside the young Cubarsí at the back. Despite Spain’s excellent defensive record, Saliba and Upamecano complete the clean sweep over the Spanish center backs. Verdict: William Saliba Left Back It has been a remarkable comeback story for Lucas Digne, starting at this World Cup after his last World Cup for France came in 2014. He has returned and has not been bad, but if there is a weakness in this France team, it is at left back. Cucurella continues to show in this tournament why he is one of the best left backs in the world, and he is now a Real Madrid player after completing his move from Chelsea. Verdict: Marc Cucurella Right Central Midfielder This is another tight battle, with both players widely recognized as world-class players at their position and important to their national teams. But the slight nod goes to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is showing signs of his pre-ACL-injured self at this World Cup. He has been Spain’s composer throughout the tournament, just as he was for Spain at Euro 2024. Verdict: Rodri Left Central Midfielder On paper, this might seem like no conversation, but Rabiot has not laid a foot wrong in this tournament. He has done all the dirty work for France in midfield with his work rate, cleaning up scraps and allowing Michael Olise to roam around and pick up different pockets without having to worry as much about the defensive side. But Pedri is an incredible player on a technical level and gets the nod. Verdict: Pedri Right Winger Both are young star players who will be stars for many years to come. Doué has been important for this France team, splitting time with Bradley Barcola and making an impact off the bench, including winning the penalty that won France the game against Paraguay in the round of 16. But Lamine Yamal is already one of the best players in the world, even at 18 years old. Verdict: Lamine Yamal Central Attacking Midfielder Michael Olise is having as dominant of a tournament as you can possibly have without scoring a goal up to this point. Olise has completely bossed games from the No. 10 position, creating countless opportunities for the front three ahead of him. He already has five assists, which is only one away from tying Pelé’s all-time record at a single World Cup. Every time Olise gets on the ball, magic happens for this France team. Dani Olmo is a pivotal part of this Spanish side, with his intricate line-breaking passing and ability to make late runs into the box and cause havoc. But Olise can make a real case for the Golden Ball at this World Cup. Verdict: Michael Olise Left Winger Despite Yamal playing on the left-hand side, where Dembélé traditionally plays, Dembélé still finds a way into this team. The Ballon d’Or winner was a pivotal piece in a PSG side that won back-to-back Champions League titles, and he is now having his best international tournament ever. He has scored five goals, which in many past international tournaments would put a player firmly in the Golden Boot race. But this tournament has been an anomaly, with three players scoring at least seven goals. Álex Baena has been solid for Spain, but Dembélé is playing at a different level. Verdict: Ousmane Dembélé Striker Mikel Oyarzabal is an underrated piece of this Spanish side. He is not a typical No. 9, but more of a forward who floats around and picks up different pockets. When he does get a crack at goal, he is a very efficient finisher, and he has four goals at this World Cup. But Kylian Mbappé has eight goals and is widely recognized as one of the best players in the world. His total World Cup goal tally has now reached 20, despite being only 27 years old. Verdict: Kylian Mbappé Final Combined XI For France And Spain GK: Mike MaignanRB: Jules KoundéCB: Dayot UpamecanoCB: William SalibaLB: Marc CucurellaCM: RodriCM: PedriRW: Lamine YamalCAM: Michael OliseLW: Ousmane DembéléST: Kylian Mbappé