Belgrano achieves his first star by beating River Plate in an epic final

Belgrano de Córdoba came back and beat River Plate 3-2 to win its first Argentine First Division title.

A historic title for the Cordoban Pirate

Belgrano de Córdoba wrote the most glorious page in its history. On Sunday, the team led by Ricardo Zielinski came back from behind twice to beat River Plate 3-2 in the final of the Apertura Tournament, played at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium. This is how he obtained his first star in the First Division of Argentine soccer.

The “Pirate” was once again the executioner of the “Millonario”, whom he had already sent to relegation in 2011 after a promotion. This time, in addition to the title, Belgrano secured his ticket to the 2027 Copa Libertadores and the Champions Trophy. It is the first club indirectly affiliated with the AFA to be crowned champion of the highest category.

RelatedCoudet takes on River’s great challenge after the Gallardo era

Burst comeback at the end

River took the lead twice: first with Facundo Colidio (18′) and then with Tomás Galván (58′). Belgrano equalized on both occasions: Leonardo Morales with a header (26′) and, in the second half, Nicolás Fernández with a penalty (85′). Two minutes later, “Uvita” Fernández himself sealed the comeback with a goal from a forward.

Coach Zielinski, who also coached Belgrano in that class of 2011, won his first championship as a coach. Juan Carlos Olave, goalkeeper in that feat, accompanied him, now as a field assistant.

“It’s crazy, really, God gave me this, he is the scriptwriter of the movie. He put me in these two games and I scored the goals that took us to the title,” declared Fernández, who was also key in the semifinals against Argentinos Juniors.

River, hit by injuries and the expulsion of Coudet

Eduardo Coudet’s team arrived diminished: without the scorer Sebastián Driussi (knee sprain) and with Gonzalo Montiel on the bench. Aníbal Moreno played undercover. In the second half, Marcos Acuña left due to injury, disrupting the last line.

With time up, Coudet was sent off for angrily protesting before referee Yael Falcón Pérez, who sanctioned a controversial penalty handball by Lautaro Rivero that paved the way for the comeback.

Belgrano, which had already eliminated its classic rival Talleres in the round of 16, celebrated a league title for the first time. His fans, overflowing with joy, lived an unforgettable night in Córdoba.

FIFA questions the media for ‘hatred’ towards the 2026 World Cup

Infantino defends the tournament and accuses the press of spreading hatred and false rumors.

The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, responded harshly to the criticism that the 2026 World Cup, organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada, has received. In an official statement, he accused the media of being “consumed by hate and criticism” and of having “missed our beautiful sport.”

“While you stand on the sidelines, we at FIFA are on the front line organizing, working hard and putting on the most beautiful spectacle in the world. While you divide, we unite,” wrote Infantino.

The case of Iran as an example of unity

Infantino gave as an example the participation of the Iranian team, which due to the political context had to travel from Mexico to the United States for each match and return to the neighboring country after each match. The FIFA president highlighted that Iran entered US territory “without incident or conflict” and that the chants against it were transformed into a single anthem during their matches.

“This is the power of football; the Iranian team was granted visas to enter because football is synonymous with peace,” said Infantino.

He also criticized the media for focusing on the few cases of denied visas, ignoring the millions of fans who were able to enter. He recalled that the tournament brought Haiti to the world stage, a country that many do not visit. “Maybe it’s time to put aside the pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played with their hearts,” he said.

Infantino concluded by stating that this World Cup – the first with 48 teams – celebrated the best of humanity. “At FIFA we could not be prouder or more moved to experience these moments of love, joy and unity,” he said.

Continue reading

Lando Norris returns to victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix

Norris breaks a 259-day drought and wins the Hungarian GP.

Lando Norris, current Formula 1 champion, celebrated his first victory of the 2026 season this Sunday by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Briton, who started from pole, surpassed the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and the Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), who continues to lead the championship.

Norris, from McLaren, returned to the top step of the podium after 259 days without victories. With this result he has 128 points and rises to fifth place in the general classification, ten points behind Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth.

Dominant rhythm

“My pace today was one of the best I’ve ever had. This track is ideal for us, and it’s one of the best for me all year. But if we want to get back to the top, we need many more weekends like this. Perfect,” said Norris after achieving his twelfth victory in F1, the second in Hungary.

His teammate Oscar Piastri did not suffer the same fate: the Australian abandoned on lap 56 due to a gearbox problem when he was running second. Piastri remains seventh overall with 92 points.

Penalty to Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, finished fifth but received a five-second penalty for exceeding the speed limit by 0.1 km/h in the pitlane during a virtual safety car. That penalty allowed Leclerc to gain a position. Hamilton, second in the championship with 169 points, was disappointed after the eleventh race of the year.

Antonelli advantage

Hamilton’s fifth place favored Antonelli, who widened his lead in the Drivers’ World Championship. The young Italian has 219 points, while his teammate George Russell completes the podium with 160 points after finishing seventh at the Hungaroring. The next race will be after the break for the summer.

Continue reading

Sheinbaum celebrates Isaac del Toro’s historic podium in the Tour

The president congratulated the Ensenada cyclist for his third place overall and the title of best youth.

Isaac del Toro’s performance in the Tour de France did not go unnoticed in Mexico. Minutes after the Baja California cyclist took the podium in Paris, president Claudia Sheinbaum joined in the congratulations and recognized the impact of his performance.

Presidential recognition

The rider from Ensenada completed the 21 stages of the most prestigious competition in world cycling, reached third place in the general classification and established himself as one of the great revelations of the season. In addition, he took the title of best young cyclist of the Tour.

The president highlighted the effort and discipline of the athlete:

“Many congratulations to young Isaac del Toro for his historic third place in the Tour de France. With this great achievement he becomes the first Mexican to get on the podium of this prestigious competition and the most outstanding young man in cycling today.”

Sheinbaum, who has congratulated the runner on previous occasions, stressed national pride in his demonstration.

“Mexico is very proud of your effort, dedication and of this great moment that inspires an entire country. Congratulations, Isaac! May the successes continue,” he concluded.

Del Toro’s achievement marks a milestone for Mexican sport and positions him as an emerging figure in international cycling.

Continue reading