The Cup starts with a thirst for revenge for América, Tigres and Pumas

Practice at the Red Bull Ring: Antonelli imposes his pace

The Austrian Grand Prix started this Friday at the Spielberg circuit. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver, set the best time in both free sessions. In the first practice, his teammate George Russell followed him, with Oscar Piastri (McLaren) in third place. For the second stint, Antonelli was once again the fastest, now with the two McLarens of Piastri and Lando Norris behind.

Sergio Pérez, with technical difficulties

Sergio Pérez lived a complicated day. In the second practice, his car had two failures that limited its running. The Mexican was not able to thoroughly test the MAC-26 updates. “Checo” confirmed that there will be changes to his car for Saturday, with the hope of improving performance and achieving a good classification.

Pérez continues in search of his first points with Cadillac, a team he joined this season. The pilot has indicated that he feels that goal is getting closer and closer.

Schedules for the weekend

The activities continue this Saturday, June 27 with Practice 3 at 4:30 a.m. (central Mexico) and Classification at 8:00 a.m. On Sunday the 28th, the race starts at 7:00 am. Broadcast on F1TV and Sky Sports.

The Colombian National Team closes the initial phase of the World Cup against Portugal, the strongest rival in Group K. To secure first place, the coffee growers will have to show their best version and avoid mistakes against a team that has one of the most outstanding players in history: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Néstor Lorenzo’s Strategy

Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo recognizes the magnitude of the challenge. At a press conference in Miami, he detailed the plan to contain the Portuguese star:

“You have to be careful with Cristiano and with everyone, if you take care of one you have spaces left on the other hand. Portugal is a complete team and you have to pay special attention to everyone, they are all dangerous.”

Cristiano Ronaldo had an unexpected debut by not making a difference against Congo. However, in his second match against Uzbekistan, he scored a double that led Portugal to its first victory. In the end, he released a message: “I’m back.”

Not only Ronaldo worries Colombia

Lorenzo also warned about Vitinha:

“Both Vitinha and Ronaldo are decisive, in no way can we leave them alone or neglect them. Hopefully the team is well oiled, we have to have a special tactical discipline to counteract the starts and play that Vitinha gives, as well as Ronaldo’s finishes.”

Colombia seeks to improve after beating Uzbekistan at the Mexico City Stadium and Congo at the Guadalajara Stadium. Lorenzo remains calm: “There is always room for improvement. We have noticed an improvement between the first match and the second. Now the rival demands that we be better than the previous match. The quality of this rival demands a higher level.”

As the group stage of the World Cup draws to a close, the biggest intrigue revolves not around which team finishes first, but who comes third. The first two in each group advance to the round of 16, but the eight best third places are also added.

The United States, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil and Norway already have their ticket secured. Attention now focuses on the duels that will define the last classified.

Key matches for third place

The United States faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara. Gregg Berhalter’s team is coming off a loss to Türkiye, but Christian Pulisic could return from a calf injury. “We play every game as if it were a knockout match,” said midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, scorer of a goal against Türkiye.

Co-host Canada faces South Africa on June 28. Both teams made history by qualifying for the direct elimination phase for the first time. South Africa surprised South Korea in the group stage.

Brazil faces Japan on June 29. The Blue Samurais advanced as runners-up in Group F after tying with Sweden. Japan recruited Brazilian legend Zico in 1991 to professionalize its league; Now they measure their progress against the five-time champion.

Netherlands vs. Morocco, also on June 29. The Netherlands won Group F 8-2 on aggregate. Morocco, undefeated in Group C, seeks to become the first African champion after reaching the semifinals at Qatar 2022.

Norway faces Ivory Coast on June 30. Coach Ståle Solbakken rested Erling Haaland and nine other starters against France, and now they must face the Ivorians in Dallas.

“It’s disappointing not to have gotten the result we deserved,” lamented South Korean striker Son Heung-min, whose team awaits its fate as one of the possible third places.

With four points, Bosnia, Sweden, Ecuador and Paraguay already have a place almost guaranteed. Senegal, after beating Iraq 5-0, also aspires. The goal difference will define the last classified.