The China Mail

Argentina advance after Cape Verde World Cup scare, Egypt through

Holders Argentina survived a monumental scare before defeating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra-time to keep their World Cup dream alive on Friday as Egypt beat Australia to reach the last 16.

Argentina survive Cape Verde scare to reach World Cup last 16

Argentina were given a huge scare before ending Cape Verde's fairytale run as Lionel Messi netted his 20th World Cup goal in a 3-2 win after extra-time to reach the last 16.

England v Mexico World Cup game kickoff time unchanged: FIFA

England's World Cup last-16 match against Mexico will kick off at its originally scheduled time on Sunday following discussions over possibly bringing the start of the game forward due to storms, a source close to the arrangements said Friday.

Swift and Kelce marry as global stars swarm 'royal wedding'

US pop queen Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce officially married Friday at a lavish wedding that drew a galaxy of fashion-draped A-list celebrities in New York, sealing a union that has triggered frenzied global attention.

Hurdles record-breaker Tharp says 'sky's the limit'

Newly minted 110m hurdles world record holder Ja'Kobe Tharp says the "sky's the limit" as he prepares to return to Hayward Field in Saturday's Eugene Diamond League athletics meeting.

Salah says 'had to do it' after coolest of penalties in World Cup win

A nerveless Mohamed Salah said he decided only at the last moment to chip in his penalty under massive pressure to help Egypt into the World Cup last 16 on Friday.

England seek end to Australia agony in Women's World Cup final

Nat Sciver-Brunt has promised England will go "toe-to-toe" with Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday as they look to end a series of dispiriting defeats by their arch-rivals.

Australia's Popovic on defensive as gamble fails in World Cup exit

Australia coach Tony Popovic defended his decision to switch goalkeepers for the penalty shootout that they ultimately lost to Egypt to bow out in the World Cup last 32 on Friday in Texas.

Maiden ton for Udara as Sri Lanka pile on the runs in 2nd Test

Lahiru Udara made the most of an unexpected opportunity, stroking a magnificent 188 in leading Sri Lanka to 338 for five at the close of the first day of the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday.

Norway pin hopes on Haaland against Brazil in World Cup last 16

Erling Haaland has feasted on defences throughout the World Cup, and Norway will need their talismanic striker at his ruthless best if they are to topple Brazil in Sunday's last-16 clash.

Egypt down Australia to reach World Cup last 16, Cape Verde face Messi

Egypt defeated Australia on penalties to win a World Cup knockout match for the first time on Friday as tiny Cape Verde prepared to take on mighty Argentina for a place in the last 16.

Egypt edge Australia on penalties to reach World Cup last 16

Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the winning penalty as Egypt made history by beating a dogged Australia 4-2 on penalties to reach the World Cup last 16 on Friday.

France braced for extreme heat threat in World Cup clash with Paraguay

France coach Didier Deschamps promised Friday his team would be able to adapt to the potential impact of extreme weather on their World Cup last-16 tie against Paraguay on Saturday as a brutal heatwave hits the northeastern United States.

England's Rashford unfazed by high-altitude Mexico World Cup test

Marcus Rashford said England were unfazed by the prospect of facing Mexico at the high-altitude Azteca Stadium despite admitting the World Cup last-16 clash was a tough assignment.

Postecoglou links up with Ronaldo at Al Nassr

Former Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has joined Al Nassr on a two-year deal, linking up with star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi League champions announced on Friday.

Sabalenka sets up Wimbledon last-16 clash with Osaka

World number one Aryna Sabalenka stepped up her bid for a maiden Wimbledon title with an impressive straight-sets victory over Jelena Ostapenko on Friday.

Williams sisters return, Swiatek faces Eala test at Wimbledon

Serena and Venus Williams team up in the women's doubles at Wimbledon on Saturday for the first time since winning their sixth title 10 years ago, while reigning singles champion Iga Swiatek faces Filipina history-maker Alexandra Eala.

'Ecstatic' Hamilton rolls back the years with Silverstone pole

A beaming Lewis Hamilton rolled back the years with a vintage display for Ferrari at Silverstone on Friday as he topped every session and took pole position for Saturday's sprint at the British Grand Prix.

LeBron's agent makes case for 10 new clubs for 41-year-old star

Rich Paul, the agent for NBA superstar LeBron James, said Monday his 41-year-old client has 10 realistic destinations next season after saying he will leave the Los Angeles Lakers.

England enter World Cup lion's den as Mexico host them at Azteca fortress

England must confront a fanatical home crowd and the weight of World Cup history when they enter the lion's den of Mexico's Azteca Stadium for one of the ties of the tournament on Sunday.

Hamilton beats Antonelli to British GP sprint pole with supreme lap

Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for Saturday's sprint race at the British Grand Prix with a supreme qualifying lap in his Ferrari to beat Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 0.011 seconds.

French Top 14 champions Toulouse fined for salary cap breaches

Toulouse, who have just won their fourth straight French title, have been fined 2.88 million euros (3.3mn dollars) for violations of the Top 14 "salary cap", the National Rugby League (LNR) said Friday.

Title rivals Djokovic and Sinner advance at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic earned another slice of Wimbledon history as the seven-time winner advanced to the fourth round, while defending champion Jannik Sinner powered past Jenson Brooksby on Friday.

Record-equalling Djokovic powers into Wimbledon last 16

Novak Djokovic equalled Roger Federer's record for most match wins at Wimbledon as the seven-time champion battled past French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech to reach the fourth round on Friday.

Ferrari confirm Hamilton staying next year

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur on Friday quelled speculation when he confirmed that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would stay with the Italian team next year.

Ruthless Sinner powers into Wimbledon last 16

Defending champion Jannik Sinner powered into the Wimbledon fourth round on Friday with a ruthless 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over American Jenson Brooksby.

Global frenzy over Swift, Kelce's glittering 'royal wedding'

Global excitement over America's "royal wedding" between pop queen Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce reached fever pitch Friday with reports the couple had already tied the knot ahead of their A-list extravaganza at New York's famed Madison Square Garden.

England's Kane feels 'as good as ever' ahead of Mexico World Cup clash

Harry Kane says he feels "as good as I've ever felt" as he hunts more World Cup goals for England to extend his remarkable season.

French Top 14 champions Toulouse fined for salary breaches