“My brother is like my son”: Yamal expresses love for family after Sp…

Inglewood (California) [US], July 3 (ANI): Lamine Yamal reflected on Spain’s emphatic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 victory over Austria by speaking about the joy his success brings to his family, revealing that nothing means more to him than seeing his younger half-brother, Keyne, happy as La Roja marched into the last 16.

The 18-year-old winger, whose younger brother was seen enthusiastically cheering for Spain during the match, delivered another lively performance as Spain defeated Austria 3-0 to maintain their perfect defensive record in the tournament. tr-sport.click

Addressing the media after the victory, Yamal opened up about his close relationship with his family.

“It emotions me to see my brother happy, to see my mother with the life she’s always wanted to live, and my friends. It’s a child’s biggest dream beyond football. My brother is like my son, and I’m in love with him," Yamal said, according to El Larguer.

Yamal also spoke about the significance of representing Spain on football’s biggest stage and his ambition of lifting the World Cup trophy.

“It’s the biggest tournament in football. I don’t think there’s anything better than a World Cup. At the end, when a kid dreams of playing football, the dream is to play with your national team in the World Cup, and I am here. So, I’m thinking about advancing to the next round and fulfilling my dream of winning a World Cup with Spain," Yamal said, according to DAZN Football.

On the pitch, Spain once again demonstrated why they are among the favourites for the title with a dominant display against Austria.

After creating several early chances, Spain finally broke the deadlock late in the first half when Marc Cucurella delivered a precise cross for Mikel Oyarzabal, who calmly slotted home. Alex Baena nearly doubled the lead before the break, but his free-kick struck the crossbar.

Austria struggled to trouble Spain after the restart as Luis de la Fuente’s side continued to dictate possession. Pedro Porro made it 2-0 with his first international goal, heading in Baena’s inviting cross, before Oyarzabal completed his brace late in the contest by converting another excellent delivery from Cucurella.

Spain’s defence remained equally impressive, recording another clean sheet as Austria failed to mount a sustained comeback despite introducing Sasa Kalajdzic in the second half.

The convincing victory sends Spain into the Round of 16 with growing momentum and without conceding a goal in the tournament. They will next face the winners of the Portugal-Croatia clash, while Austria’s memorable World Cup campaign comes to an end after reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 1954. (ANI)

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The ongoing edition of the Maharaja Trophy 2026 is past the halfway mark, with 20 out of 30 matches having already been played. Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters are currently at the top of the points table with 6 wins from 7 matches, while Mysuru Warriors at the rock-bottom of the standings. Both batters and bowlers have enjoyed tremendous success in the ongoing edition of the tournament, with at least 8 batters having amassed over 200 runs, while only one bowler has managed to bag double digit wickets thus far.

Highest run-getters in Maharaja Trophy 2026

Shivamogga Yodhas batter Luvnith Sisodia is currently the leading run-getter in the Maharaja Trophy. He has scored 278 runs in 8 matches, at a strike rate of 162.57 and at an average of 34.75.

Most wickets in Maharaja Trophy 2026

Coastal Kings Mangaluru bowler Shreyas Gopal is the only bowler to have taken over 10 wickets so far in Maharaja Trophy 2026. The veteran has bagged 11 scalps in 26 overs, at an average of 19.64.

Maharaja Trophy 2026 points table (July 3)

The post Maharaja Trophy 2026: Highest run-getters and wicket-takers in KSCA T20 2026 appeared first on Inside Sport India.

In pursuit of their 43rd Ranji Trophy title, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially launched the 2026-27 season with a central theme, ‘Focus,’ at the MCA-BKC academy on Wednesday.

“For us, the Ranji Trophy is like a World Cup. Our main aim is to win the maximum number of championships and give maximum Mumbai players to the Indian team. We have some legendary senior players on board. Coaches and selectors have been appointed, and today [Wednesday] marks the beginning of our journey towards achieving our goal,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik told mid-day on Wednesday when asked about the significance of the Ranji title which Mumbai last won in 2023-24.

Last season, only Mumbai’s teenagers — U-16 boys and U-15 girls — ended up champions, winning the Vijay Merchant Trophy and the Women’s U-15 One Day Trophy.

MCA’s Cricket Improvement Committee chairman and former India pacer Raju Kulkarni highlighted the importance of the Mumbai U-19 set-up. “U-19 teams are the supply line, but both [men and women] teams have not performed well [last season] and that’s our biggest concern. So, I’ve told the respective coaches to ensure our U-19 teams do well this time,” Kulkarni said.

Former national chief selectors and India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team members Dilip Vengsarkar and Sandeep Patil also offered words of advice. Patil, who is Team Mentor of all Mumbai teams, said: “What is important in the game of cricket is not only to begin [well], but to finish [well] is also very important. Raju [Kulkarni] just said that in the last one, two years Mumbai cricket is lacking somewhere. So, we need to take guard again.”

MCA advisor Vengsarkar ensured a fair selection policy. “I want to make it clear that those who have not been picked as the probables also stand a chance to play for Mumbai. We have started a TRDO [Talent Resource Development Officer Wing] and it will play a very important role. Injustice will not be done to anyone,” said Vengsarkar.

Toronto [Canada], July 3 (ANI): Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, has hinted that the FIFA World Cup 2026 could mark the end of the Portugal captain’s international career, describing the ongoing tournament as his “last dance" with the national team, according to FotMob.

Speaking to reporters outside BMO Field in Toronto ahead of Portugal’s Round of 32 clash against Croatia on Thursday night (local time), Katia said she believes Ronaldo is nearing the end of his international journey.

“From the information I have, he can say goodbye. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not today that he’s saying goodbye, but it’s soon," Katia was quoted as saying by FotMob.

“I believe this is his farewell. Enjoy it a lot. It will be difficult to find someone like him," she added, as quoted by FotMob.

Asked whether Ronaldo would retire after reaching the milestone of 1,000 career goals, Katia clarified that she was referring specifically to his Portugal career.

“After 1,000 goals? Yes, that’s something. I’m talking about the national team. The information I have, from a reliable source, I believe this (World Cup) is his last dance," she said.

The remarks came ahead of Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32, where Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot before substitute Goncalo Ramos netted a stoppage-time winner to send Roberto Martinez’s side into the Round of 16.

Ronaldo, 41, is Portugal’s all-time leading appearance-maker and goalscorer. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has represented his country at multiple FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships, helping Portugal lift the UEFA Euro 2016 title and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019.

Portugal will now face Spain in the Round of 16 as Ronaldo continues what could be his final FIFA World Cup campaign. (ANI)

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Toronto [Canada], July 3 (ANI): Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez defended the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions in his side’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, insisting the match officials made the correct calls, according to Reuters.

Speaking after Portugal booked their place in the Round of 16 on Thursday (local time), Martinez rejected suggestions that Croatia had been denied a legitimate second goal following a late VAR intervention.

“There were no bad decisions. Today we were fortunate," Martinez said when asked if Croatia had been robbed of a second goal by VAR, as quoted by Reuters.

“The chip ball showed that it was offside, the penalty was also clear. I understand the work of (Croatia coach Zlatko) Dalic in this team and it is a shame that there was only one winner today," he added.

Portugal came from behind to defeat Croatia 2-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo equalising from the penalty spot after a VAR review before substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home a stoppage-time winner. Croatia also had two goals ruled out for offside, including a dramatic late equaliser after another VAR check.

Looking ahead to Portugal’s Round of 16 clash against reigning European champions Spain, Martinez anticipated a high-quality contest between two of Europe’s leading footballing nations.

“We respect the quality of Spain. I think it is going to be a fantastic match, it is going to be the European game of this World Cup," he said, as quoted by Reuters.

Martinez also joked about the emotional toll of Portugal’s dramatic knockout victory. “I have lost my hair through this, but I think it is worth it," the Portugal coach remarked.

Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, with substitute Goncalo Ramos heading home a stoppage-time winner to send Roberto Martinez’s side into the Round of 16.

Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic, who became the country’s all-time leading World Cup scorer, before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot after a VAR review.

Croatia had two goals ruled out for offside, including a late equaliser deep into stoppage time, as Portugal held on to set up an all-Iberian Round of 16 clash against Spain. The match also marked the end of Luka Modric’s potential World Cup career. (ANI)

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