Hard Rock Stadium: Miami’s headquarters for the 2026 World Cup

Criticism of the anti-doping system

The tennis anti-doping program faces questions after the statements of two of its most representative figures. Coco Gauff revealed that an agent made her cry because of his “insistent” attitude. Serena Williams called the system “exhausting.”

The criticism comes after 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova received a four-year ban. The player did not test positive, but rather refused to submit to the test. The case has called into question the effectiveness and balance of the protocol.

Athletes point out that the procedures can be excessive and insensitive to competitive pressure. The voices of Gauff and Williams add to the debate about the need to review the standards.

Tennis’s governing body has yet to issue an official response.

A historic triumph

Erling Haaland summed it up in a few words: “This is incredible. This is history.”

Norway achieved its first victory in a World Cup knockout match by beating Ivory Coast 2-1 in the round of 32. The Manchester City striker sealed the victory with a goal in the 86th minute, after an assist from Patrick Berg, at the Dallas Stadium.

The Scandinavian team, returning to the top competition after 28 years, will face Brazil in the round of 16, which beat Japan 2-1. The duel will be next Sunday in New Jersey.

Goals and figures

Antonio Nusa opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a powerful right foot from the edge of the area. Amad Diallo equalized for the Africans in the 74th.

“Today is the most important day in our history. Everything that comes will be even bigger,” said Nusa. “Now we want to enjoy this victory.”

Haaland, 1.95 meters tall, scored his fifth goal in the tournament and was one of the top scorers: the French Kylian Mbappé and the Argentine Lionel Messi. He has scored in 13 consecutive games with his national team and has scored 25 goals in that period.

The Viking 9 had not had much prominence during the game, but it appeared when it was needed most. Berg waited for goalkeeper Seko Fofana to bail before playing in the middle, where the striker shot wide, but with enough force to send the ball into the back of the net.

Just as important as Haaland was goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who in time stopped a free kick from Diallo that was shaping up to be a goal.

After the final whistle, Haaland and his teammates recreated the “Ro” (rowing) with the fans, a choreography that simulates a rowing race. The forward then spent a long time in a stand with his loved ones, relaxing and enjoying the moment.

Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa said goodbye to his position as Uruguay coach this Tuesday. It was at the Centenario stadium, at a conference in which he lamented the team’s early elimination from the World Cup.

Bielsa acknowledged that some players asked him to modify aspects of his working method. “This current sadness of all soccer fans is the weight that I have to assume, which is worth much more than you imagine tolerating that weight,” he declared.

The man from Rosario described the situation as a “painful closure” and denied that there were any questions about his tactical approach. However, he admitted that he held meetings after the 5-1 win over the United States in a friendly.

Bielsa’s concessions

The coach accepted two changes requested by the team: training the entire group in a single group, instead of dividing it into two as was his custom, and limiting collective and individual talks about tactics and regulations.

His departure opens a new chapter in the history of the Uruguayan team. The fans hope that the next coach can reverse course and lead the team to better results in future competitions.