The last World Cup dream is played in the UEFA playoffs

Colombia closes the group stage undefeated

Miami, USA. Colombia led Group K and will face Ghana on Friday in Kansas City, after a goalless draw against Portugal. The team led by Néstor Lorenzo finished the first round undefeated, with two wins that could have been three if a valid goal in injury time was not disallowed. Davidson Sánchez’s goal was disallowed for offside, although replays showed the defender cleared.

Portugal, who escorted the group, will clash with Croatia on Thursday in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo achieved a historic 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan and will face England on Wednesday in Atlanta, after qualifying as one of the best third parties.

A duel of archers

Diogo Costa supported Portugal with key interventions, especially against Luis Díaz and Jhon Córdoba in the first minutes. On the Colombian side, Camilo Vargas responded with solvency, stopping a free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo and a clear opportunity from Bruno Fernandes. Portugal had its best moment near the break, with a shot from Joao Félix that kissed the crossbar.

In the complement, both teams looked for the goal. Portugal arrived with headers from Joao Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Colombia responded with shots from Richard Ríos and Luis Suárez. The score did not move, but the point was enough for the ‘coffee maker’ to secure the lead.

On Monday, Brazil and Japan promise excitement in Houston, while Germany and Paraguay will collide in Boston, and the Netherlands against Morocco in Monterrey.

Canada and South Africa open the round of 32

Canada, one of the hosts, and South Africa will begin the round of 32 this Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Both teams made it past the group stage for the first time. The winner will face the winner of Netherlands-Morocco on Monday in Monterrey.

Russell retains pole in Spielberg despite yellow flag

Spielberg, Austria. — Mercedes’ streak of pole positions in Formula 1 seemed about to end. But George Russell had other plans.

When Max Verstappen spun and went off the track into the barrier in the penultimate corner, a yellow flag was activated. Pilots must reduce speed. Russell took his foot off the accelerator earlier than usual and completed a lap that he described as “incredible.”

Stewards determined that the incident did not require further investigation. Thus, Russell took pole position ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton for Sunday’s race, classified as “heat danger.”

The simple yellow flag factor

The key was that there was a single yellow flag in the corner, not a double one. A simple one forces you to reduce your speed appreciably; a double requires abandoning any attempt at a competitive time.

“I didn’t even see the car because the escape zone is so far away. I think a single yellow was the right thing to do, because a double is immediate danger,” Russell explained. “I did everything right to be under control.”

It is Russell’s fourth pole this season, equaling teammate Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader.

Antonelli’s advantage is in danger

Minutes before the incident, Leclerc and Hamilton beat Antonelli’s time by less than a tenth. Verstappen, with his improved Red Bull, was also a candidate. Leclerc will start second and Hamilton third. Antonelli was fourth, his worst classification of the year.

His championship lead — 41 points over Hamilton, 50 over Russell — could be reduced for the second consecutive race. In Barcelona, ​​Antonelli broke down while Hamilton won and Russell was second.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called Russell’s move “super clever.” Verstappen’s previous time left him fifth, ahead of the McLarens of Norris and Piastri.

Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic called Serena Williams’ return to tennis “inspiring” and “epic.”

“That’s what I told him,” Djokovic said Saturday at Wimbledon.

Williams, 44, is the center of attention on SW19. He is preparing for his first singles match at the tournament in four years. On Tuesday she will face Maya Joint, world number 53, in the first round.

The American had stepped away from the sport after her farewell at the 2022 US Open. She accepted an invitation to play women’s doubles with her sister Venus, 46. He then also accepted a wild card for singles.

Djokovic, champion of 24 Grand Slam titles, commented on Williams, winner of 23 majors in singles:

“I think I see her in the gym more than I saw her when she was in her prime. That tells me she really wants this to turn out in the best way possible.”

“I always admired her career, her journey, her story. Of course, also that of Venus,” he added.

Williams’ last appearance at Wimbledon was in 2022, when she lost in the opening round to Harmony Tan, then ranked 115th. After losing in the third round at Flushing Meadows to Ajla Tomljanovic, the American described her exit as an “evolution.” Their second daughter was born in 2023.

Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, could face defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round.

World number 1 Aryna Sabalenka is among those looking forward to next week:

“I heard she said she does it so her kids can watch her play. They’re really excited about it. It’s amazing what she’s doing. Plus, she’s Serena Williams; everyone was talking about it. She’s bringing more eyes to tennis. It’s a good thing for tennis. I really want to see her play.”