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Fired-up Belgium brought the United States’ World Cup party to a shuddering halt on Monday, thrashing the tournament co-hosts 4-1 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Spain.Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken punished a goalkeeping howler, and substitute Romelu Lukaku added a fourth to settle a last-16 clash that had been overshadowed by the pre-match uproar surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun.Balogun, named in US coach Mauricio Pochettino’s starting line-up after FIFA suspended a one-game ban following lobbying by US President Donald Trump, was largely anonymous throughout Monday’s knockout tie at Seattle’s Lumen Field.Instead, a rampant Belgium ruthlessly dismantled the USA’s hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years, in a bitterly disappointing end to a campaign that had captivated the host nation.Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said the furore over Balogun had motivated his team-mates.”Let’s be honest: we held a meeting when we heard the news,” Tielemans said.”We told ourselves we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today. I’m very proud of the team,” the Aston Villa midfielder told Belgium’s RTBF broadcaster.US coach Pochettino said his team had not turned up on the day.”Today we were not the same team that we have been during the tournament,” Pochettino said. “It was a very bad day – it wasn’t our day in a collective and individual way.”De Ketelaere fired Belgium ahead after nine minutes, and although Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick leveled it in the 31st-minute, the US fightback was shortlived.De Ketelaere headed Belgium back in front in the 33rd minute, and Vanaken made it 3-1 in the 57th minute after a dreadful blunder by US goalkeeper Matt Freese, who was dispossessed after charging out of his penalty area to clear.Veteran striker Lukaku piled on the misery with a fourth in stoppage time.The defeat capped a tumultuous 24 hours for the World Cup co-hosts, who were lifted by FIFA’s shock reprieve of Balogun on Sunday — a decision which brought widespread condemnation across the football world.Belgium football chiefs had challenged Balogun’s eligibility for the game earlier on Monday but saw their appeal dismissed out of hand by FIFA.”There was a sense of injustice within the squad,” Belgium’s Nicolas Raskin said. “We were determined to respond on the field.” Related Story Source link
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted at the World Cup on Sunday he is not the player he once was but came out fighting against critics ‘trying to kill me for the past 23 years’. The 41-year-old Portugal superstar was in turns bullish, jovial and sentimental on the eve of the last-16 showdown with Spain at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in what will be his last World Cup. One of the finest footballers in history, the former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid superstar refused to say when he will end his international career. But to numerous questions about what lies ahead and the flak that has come his way in recent years, Ronaldo conceded that ‘I am not the player I used to be’. But the attacker and Portugal skipper said ‘I am not doing too bad’, pointing out that he has scored three goals in North America – two against Uzbekistan in a 5-0 thrashing in the group phase and a penalty in the 2-1 win over Croatia in the last 32. Relishing taking on journalists eager to ask about his future and the harsh spotlight on him, he told reporters: ‘It's been like this since I was 18, it is not going to change. ‘I always put body and soul trying to get our goals – playing or not playing, I will always have an important role to play. ‘As I said before, (I will stop) when I choose, not when you choose, you always ask the same question. ‘I don't want to draw attention to this because it is less important.’ 'Waste of time' Ronaldo said this was the World Cup he had enjoyed the most, citing the ’emotions’ of it on and off the pitch. Asked again about his international future, he shot back: ‘You have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years, but you must have seen that is not worth it, it's a waste of time, but you try and try and try and try and try. ‘I am so used to this,’ said the veteran, who is the leading scorer in the history of international football. Ronaldo, who was clapped out of the press conference, added: ‘I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup.’ ‘Age gives you maturity and experience to see how relative things can be,’ he said. ‘I even say thanks for the attacks I feel after I turned 40… the criticism is how you grow, so thank you for doing this.’ Ronaldo even picked out one reporter because “I know he does not like me” and challenged him to ask a question. “To speak to you, some of you, those who do not like us especially – I remember people’s faces very well,” he said grinning. “Listen, I am going to be honest: whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with a clear conscience – not 100 percent but 1,000 percent because in life and football I gave everything.” On the encounter in Texas with Spain, a country he considers a second home after playing for Real Madrid, Ronaldo conceded Portugal were underdogs. “It’s going to be a very hard battle,” he said. “We need a lot of faith, we need to run and we need to be brave.” Source link
Speed, adrenaline and intense competition take center stage today as the 2026 Arabian Drag Racing League officially begins, launching its opening round at Qatar Racing Club’s (QRC) purpose-built drag racing venue.The championship is held under the patronage of QRC Chairman His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani. The league features global legends across six consecutive rounds, opening with testing Tuesday, qualifying Wednesday and Thursday, tandem races Friday, and concluding February 13 with champions crowned.With extensive experience, the organisers are fully prepared to deliver a championship worthy of its reputation. Widely regarded as one of the world’s strongest drag racing series, the club’s renowned track has witnessed numerous time and speed records across categories.QRC Director General Sheikh Jabor bin Khalid al-Thani said the club has taken a number of steps to elevate the level of competition in this year’s edition.“To date, we have held three rounds of both the Qatar Drift Championship and the Qatar Drag Racing Championship, while last week we concluded the third round of Qatar Freestyle Championship this season. We have now reached the most important milestone on the annual events calendar: the 2026 Arabian Drag Racing League,” Sheikh Jabor, who is well known for his deep passion for motorsports and his strong interest in organizational and operational matters, said in a statement. “Each year, this championship presents us with major challenges in terms of the diversity of categories, the intensity of competition, and attracting the largest possible number of motorsport fans. Our new highlight this year is the return of the Pro Mod category, which will feature elite drivers, led by the 2025 NHRA Championship title holder J.R. Gray, as well as the veteran champion Mike Castellana, who has won the championship title over multiple seasons. Both drivers compete for Qatar’s Al Anabi Team and have been racing in the US championship for years.”“In response to competitors’ requests, the Street Bike category has been added, bringing the number of motorcycle categories to two, with the possibility of increasing to three. We have expressed our readiness to add the Pro Bike category, the most powerful class in motorcycle drag racing, should the number of competitors reach six or more.”He added: “In line with the directives of the club chairman, HE Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, we are keen to provide a suitable environment for all participating teams in our championships.”Sheikh Jabor affirmed that the Arabian Drag Racing League sits at the top of the club management’s priorities, as it is the largest in terms of participation and the strongest in terms of competition.“Our current focus is on mobilizing all efforts to ensure the success of the championship and to present it in the best possible image. The main focus will be on the fans by enhancing accompanying activities and events. We have provided entertainment areas for children as well as dedicated spaces for families,” he said.“As in previous years, the club will also host – on the sidelines of the championship and specifically in conjunction with its second round – the Qatar Custom Show in its 13th edition.”Prize money approaches QR3.5mWith the approval of 10 categories for this year’s championship, approximately QR485,000 has been allocated as prize money per round. The strongest category in the championship, Pro Mod, receives the largest share of these prizes: the winner of each round will earn QR50,000, the runner-up QR25,000, and QR12,500 will be awarded to third place.If the Pro Bike category is approved, the total number of categories will rise to 11, and the total prize value per round will increase to approximately QR530,000. At the conclusion of the six championship rounds, the leaders of the overall standings in each category will receive a commemorative shield for the season championship in addition to a valuable cash prize, bringing the total prize pool of the championship to approximately QR3.5mMeanwhile, more than 150 participating companies specializing in automobiles and related industries will participate in the Qatar Custom Show. Related Story Source link
The United Nations voiced deep concern Tuesday over the dramatic US operation in Venezuela, warning that it clearly “undermined a fundamental principle of international law”.”States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN rights office, told reporters in Geneva. Her comments came after Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were forcibly taken by US commandos in the early hours of Saturday amid airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital backed by warplanes and a heavy naval deployment. Shamdasani dismissed US justifications of the Venezuelan government’s “longstanding and appalling human rights violations” for the raid. “Accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law,” she insisted. She highlighted that the UN rights office had for a decade consistently reported on “the continued deterioration of the situation in Venezuela”. “We fear that the current instability and further militarisation in the country resulting from the US intervention will only make the situation worse.” Source link
A Palestinian man was martyred on Tuesday by Israeli drone fire east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect, 427 Palestinians were martyred, with at least 1,189 others injured. Medical teams have also recovered 684 bodies from under the rubble.The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli entity came into effect on Oct. 10 as part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the war in Gaza. However, the Israeli army has continued to violate the agreement and target Palestinian civilians through airstrikes and attacks on residential areas, resulting in casualties, worsening the suffering of the people, hindering efforts to restore stability in the Strip, and obstructing the return of displaced peopel to their homes. Source link
Bangladesh’s interim government yesterday banned broadcasts of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), the latest flashpoint in a growing row with neighbouring India. The move follows the Indian cricket board’s decision to have Kolkata Knight Riders drop Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who had signed for the IPL franchise for this season. Bangladesh have also refused to play their matches of next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in India, demanding those be staged in Sri Lanka, co-host of the 20-team tournament. The unceremonious dumping of a “star player” like Mustafizur from the IPL “defied logic” and had “hurt people”, the country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement explaining its decision. The IPL, the world’s richest T20 league, is scheduled from March 26-May 31. The International Cricket Council (ICC) did not reply to Reuters e-mails inquiring whether it would agree to Bangladesh’s demand of playing their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. Tensions have risen in recent weeks between India and Bangladesh. Hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi last month after a Hindu factory worker was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district over allegations he insulted the Prophet Muhammad. Following the protests, the Indian board asked Knight Riders to drop Mustafizur. Source link
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