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Julian Quinones of Mexico Scores First Goal Of 2026 World Cup

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Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.

Mexico’s forward #16 Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.

Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
The 29-year-old struck in the ninth minute, his powerful shot going between the legs of the South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to send the 80,000 spectators wild.

Mexico’s forward Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.

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It was the earliest first goal at a World Cup since 2006, when Philipp Lahm netted for Germany against Costa Rica after six minutes.

The South Africa players have been exchanging some short passes, trying to open up the opposition’s defence and hit them swiftly on the break, but the co-hosts have been dominant so far.

South Africa’s forward Iqraam Rayners and Mexico’s defender Johan Vasquez fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.

Before the kickoff, the 80,000-strong crowd was entertained by Nigerian star Burna Boy, Colombian singer Shakira and a host of performers in an opening ceremony.

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Carabao Cup Round of 16 fixtures confirmed [Full List]

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Manchester City have become the last team to qualify for the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

This follows their 5-0 thrashing of Norwich on Thursday evening.

Enzo Maresca’s men went two goals up in the first half, thanks to strikes from Floyd Samba and Rayan Cherki.

Allan, Samba and Ryan McAidoo completed the rout after the break.

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City will now face Brighton who eliminated Manchester United.

FULL FIXTURES:

Fleetwood vs Arsenal

Man City vs Brighton

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Everton vs Newcastle

Sunderland vs Brentford

Liverpool vs Chelsea

Bradford City vs Peterborough

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Fulham vs Crystal Palace

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

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Chelsea Co-Owner Steps Down, Sells Ownership Stakes

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Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly will leave his role after agreeing to sell his stake in the Premier League football club to co-owners Clearlake Capital.

The announcement came early on Thursday morning, with the US equity firm acquiring “full control of the club”.

Boehly bought a stake in the London club in 2022 and said it had been an “honour” to serve as chairman.

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He gave his thanks to “the coaches and players, the talented leadership and staff at Chelsea, and the legions of dedicated fans”.

His statement continued: “I have valued my partnership with Clearlake and the wider ownership group, and the collective decisions and investment we have made to support the immediate and long-term success of the club.

“I am confident that Chelsea is well positioned for continued success under Clearlake’s leadership.”

Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, co-founders of Clearlake Capital, said: “Todd has been an important partner throughout our ownership of Chelsea, and we thank him for his time and contribution as Chairman.

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“He will always be a part of the Chelsea story and family. Clearlake has served as Chelsea’s majority owner since 2022, and as we move to full control our focus is to continue investing in the Club’s infrastructure, sporting performance, player development and delivering long-term success for Chelsea and the Club’s supporters.”

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Todd Boehly bought the stake in 2022 (Image: Getty)
Chelsea said that Hansjörg Wyss “will remain an important stakeholder and partner in the ownership group” after Mark Walter, another of the club’s co-owners, also sold his stake to Clearlake.

Mr Boehly, Mr Walter and Hansjörg Wyss each had a 12.8% stake following their joint takeover of Chelsea four years ago.

The new change will not change day-to-day operations or strategy at the club.

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Messi Set for Argentina Farewell as World Champion Returns for Final Cap

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Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina after being named in the squad for an international friendly against Benin on October 6.

The 39-year-old forward, who announced his retirement from international football in August, will return to the national team for what is expected to be an emotional farewell before Argentine supporters at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) plans to honour its captain during the fixture, with AFA president Claudio Tapia confirming that Messi was invited to receive the send-off the federation believes he deserves.

“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6 here in Argentina,” Tapia said.

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Members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad have also been invited to attend the ceremony.

Messi is expected to win his 208th and final international cap against Benin. He remains Argentina’s record appearance holder and all-time leading scorer, with 125 goals for the national team.

His two-decade international career has been decorated with major honours, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

Before the farewell fixture, Argentina will face Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30 and Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3.

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The Bolivia clash will be Argentina’s first match since their defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

The fixtures will also take place against the backdrop of FIFA disciplinary sanctions imposed on Argentina following incidents involving members of the team.

Argentina have been ordered to play their next home match at 50 per cent stadium capacity after breaching FIFA disciplinary regulations relating to demonstrations considered non-sporting at a sporting event.

The punishment followed Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final victory over England in July, when several players displayed a banner bearing the words: “The Falklands are Argentine.”

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The upcoming friendlies are also expected to count towards suspensions handed down following incidents after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes has been suspended for 10 matches, while defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-game ban.

Despite the disciplinary backdrop, the October 6 fixture is expected to centre on Messi as Argentina prepares to bid farewell to the captain who led the country to its long-awaited World Cup triumph.

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