Massimiliano Allegri: the challenge of following in Conte’s footsteps in Napoli

With an impenetrable defense as a seal, Spain reached the final of the 2026 North American World Cup. La Roja defeated France 0-2 at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas and now awaits the winner between England and Argentina.

The key: defensive solidity

Pau Cubarsí, 19-year-old central defender, spoke after the game. “We are very happy and proud of the team’s work. We knew it would be complicated because they have spectacular players, but so do we. We have pushed like never before,” he declared.

The Barcelona defender highlighted the importance of keeping a clean sheet. “Having a clean sheet is the most important thing in football, it helps a lot. There was a rumor that we were not doing well at the back, but we have silenced many mouths: we have conceded a goal and we are in the final,” he added.

No preference for the rival

Regarding the opponent in the final, Cubarsí was clear: “I don’t want anyone, let whoever comes. Let us rest and then we will study the rival. Very special days are coming, we are going to New York. The dream is still valid and we are going to win the final.”

The young defender also motivated aspiring footballers. “To the people who have not yet taken the step at 19 years old, let them wait, things come with sacrifice. You have to enjoy football and fight for your dreams,” he shared.

Spain, with only one goal conceded in the entire tournament, will seek its second world title. The final will be in New York.

Tadej Pogacar remains firm in his search for the fifth title. The Slovenian won the 10th stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday, increasing his lead in the general classification to 3 minutes and 36 seconds.

Mountain Dominance

The attack came just over 900 meters from the top of Col de Pertus, the penultimate climb of the day. Pogacar surpassed Richard Carapaz and left Jonas Vingegaard, his main rival, behind. At the finish line, he was 32 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel, second place.

“You never know how long it lasts,” said Pogacar, 27. “We just have to be grateful for this moment.” The four-time champion now has 24 stage victories in his career, three of them on Bastille Day.

Paul Seixas, French hope, was third at 34 seconds. Vingegaard lost 44 seconds and is now more than three and a half minutes behind.

The UAE Emirates-XRG team controlled the day’s breakaway, which included Mathieu van der Poel and 30 other riders. Javier Romo attempted a solo escape, but was neutralized. Pogacar recalled that two years earlier he had lost in Le Lioran against Vingegaard: “Today he had similar legs, completely destroyed.”

Despite some boos, Pogacar downplayed the importance: “To all those who booed, they give us more power.”

Scottie Scheffler: an unexpected pause before the challenge at Royal Birkdale

Scottie Scheffler learned about a message he never received. A friend on the PGA Tour had drawn up a list of options for the weekend after missing the cut. “It was like, ‘Hey, you can practice, go to the gym, or go to the next tournament,'” golf’s No. 1 explained Tuesday. “He never sent it to me, but he talked to me about it.”

The reason: Scheffler missed the cut at the Scottish Open, breaking a streak of 78 consecutive tournaments over the limit — the longest since Tiger Woods (142 between 1998 and 2005). A frustration, but not a crisis. “You never want a free weekend, but when defending the title there are more things to do,” he commented. “It wasn’t the worst thing in the world.”

A new and firm field

That break allowed him to arrive early at Royal Birkdale. The English course, the most used in the British Open rotation since 1954 (eight times), was unusually dry. “The ball is going to roll forever,” Scheffler said. “With this firmness, many more challenges are created.”

Justin Rose, who has played here three times since 1998 (when he was an amateur and tied for fourth), agreed: “You never know a links course well. The weather changes everything; in 2008 you used 2-irons on par 4s, now wedges. It’s never the same.”

The year of Scheffler: close, but not

Scheffler won The American Express in January, but since then he has four second-place finishes, including the Masters and the Travelers Championship, where he lost in a playoff to Viktor Hovland after missing a 4-foot putt. “I felt like coming second in Travelers hurt more than missing the cut, but missing the cut is more frustrating,” he said.

To reset, he used the days off to rest his body and mind. “I’ve had a solid year, frustrating at times for being close and not finishing. I’m excited to defend my title.” The last successful defense in the Open was Padraig Harrington in 2008, at Birkdale itself. A week that could change your perspective.

The key information

Royal Birkdale, with its firm, yellowish terrain, demands strategy on every hole. Scheffler has already fulfilled two points on his friend’s list: he went to the gym in Scotland and moved on to the next tournament. Now, all that’s left to do is play.