Mexico extends its advantage in the Central American medal table

Cape Verde’s historic goal

Striker Sidny Lopes Cabral scored a goal that will remain in football memory. His curling shot, which nestled into the top corner of Argentina’s goal, tied the score at 2-2 in extra time of the round of 16 match in Miami Gardens. Although Cape Verde lost 3-2, that goal was chosen by the public as the best of the World Cup, surpassing 307 other goals.

FIFA had narrowed the list to 12 options for the popular vote, which closed on Monday. Lopes Cabral’s goal beat the subtle lob of Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan) and the powerful shot of Wilson Isidor (Haiti).

The celebration was also historic. Lopes Cabral broke away from his teammates, climbed onto the stands and hugged his girlfriend and his mother. The mother, overwhelmed, fainted when she saw the goal.

“Before the game, I had told my mom and my girlfriend that if I scored, I would run to them. When I arrived, I saw my mom crying. She didn’t even realize that I was right there. Everyone was busy taking care of her because she had fainted when I scored,” the player said.

Cape Verde, in its World Cup debut, left a notable impression. In the group stage they tied 0-0 with Spain, the eventual champion, and competed as equals against both finalists of the tournament. The African team showed solidity, especially with the performance of goalkeeper Vozinha, and put the favorites in trouble.

Tadej Pogacar added his fifth Tour de France title by reaching the podium in Paris, equaling Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault. The 27-year-old Slovenian finished 6 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of Belgian Remco Evenepoel, a time trial specialist.

The fall that marked the race

Pogacar’s great rival, Jonas Vingegaard, retired after a crash on stage 15. The Dane, winner in 2022 and 2023, could not repeat his feat of beating Pogacar by more than seven minutes as in 2023. Since then, Pogacar has won three consecutive Tours. Vingegaard only managed to wear the yellow jersey briefly, thanks to his team’s victory in the inaugural time trial in Barcelona.

Pogacar won five stages in this edition and has 26 in total. He needs 10 more to break Mark Cavendish’s record (35). It could achieve it in two years, since its maximum in a single edition is six (2024).

Can anyone challenge him?

Vingegaard, 29, still has time, but he needs to regain his level on the big climbs. Frenchman Paul Seixas, 19, was fourth in his debut and raises hopes in the country, 41 years after Hinault’s last triumph. Lenny Martínez (23) was fifth, although he missed an opportunity in Alpe d’Huez. Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (33) won two stages, but was 20 minutes behind in the overall standings.

Only Evenepoel (26) seems to have options. He won stage 15 after Vingegaard fell and can beat Pogacar in the time trial, but he must improve in the mountains. His Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team has financial backing. Meanwhile, the Mexican Isaac Del Toro (22) was third, but as Pogacar’s teammate on the UAE Team Emirates.

Anti-doping controls and controversy

Pogacar and Vingegaard were subjected to unannounced checks at 5 and 2 a.m. respectively. Evenepoel called the schedule “very disrespectful.” Pogacar suggested that fatigue may have played a role in Vingegaard’s fall, although he accepted that random testing improves transparency. The International Cycling Union commissioned the controls to the International Testing Agency, which ensured that the correct procedures were followed.

Chris Froome, winner of four Tours, supported the morning tests: “Our doors must always be open, no matter how uncomfortable it may be, to inspire confidence.” The shadow of the Armstrong scandal is still present, and cycling seeks to dispel doubts.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic lead the initial list of 16 teams entered in the US Open mixed doubles championship.

Renewed tournament

The tournament was revamped last year with a $1 million prize for the winning couple. The objective: attract the main singles figures. Many of those stars are among the teams announced Monday by the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

The pairs combine the best in the ranking with doubles specialists. The 2024 edition promises a high competitive level from the first round. The organizers hope that the renewed format will consolidate interest in this modality.