'Coaches & players were informed': FIFA breaks silence on VAR ruling …

FIFA has defended a controversial VAR decision that disallowed Germany's extra-time goal against Paraguay in their World Cup exit. Referees chief Pierluigi Collina stated the call aligned with new guidelines punishing attackers obstructing opponents without playing the ball. Germany legend Thomas Muller vehemently criticised the decision, calling it "daylight robbery" and expressing frustration with technology's impact on the game.

Texas [US], July 1 (ANI): Norway star striker Erling Haaland shared a light-hearted post on social media after his side secured a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the Round of 32. milkshakeslot.online

Taking to X after the win, Haaland posted two photographs of himself dressed in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat with the caption, “Howdy!"

Howdy! pic.twitter.com/8ve4jH7cVK

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) June 30, 2026

In another X post, Haaland celebrated his side’s qualification for the Round of 16 by sharing a Viking-themed photograph on social media following their comfortable victory.

In a post on X, Haaland shared a picture of himself wearing a Viking horned helmet while dressed in Norway’s national team jersey, captioning the image with the Norway flag emoji and a red heart emoji.

pic.twitter.com/qmBHnw6hZ0

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) June 30, 2026

In another post on X, Haaland celebrated reaching another international milestone by sharing after becoming the fastest player to score 60 goals for his national team.

For Norway pic.twitter.com/f7InD8ULup

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) July 1, 2026

Norway edged past Ivory Coast 2-1 in a tightly contested FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter, sealing their place in the Round of 16 after a dramatic late winner from Erling Haaland on Tuesday (local time).

Haaland added another chapter to his booming international legacy, netting a dramatic 86th-minute winner. With the win, Norway advances to the Round of 16, while Ivory Coast exit the tournament after a spirited performance. It was a historic day for Ivory Coast, as they were playing their very first World Cup knockout match.

Meanwhile, Norway will now lock horns with Brazil in the Round of 16. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

It was in Manchester, and the India versus South Africa game had just ended. We were making our way to Trafford College, right opposite Old Trafford, when I spotted her. There was a lady wearing an India jersey, silently weeping. I didn’t think much of it at the time because I was in a rush to get to the show and get started.

About 30 minutes into the show, Trisha Ghosal walked up to me and said there was a fan who followed us regularly. She had flown in from New York and looked utterly distraught. Could we have a word with her and perhaps cheer her up? It turned out to be the same woman I had noticed earlier.

She was an Indian professional based in New York who had travelled to England for the World Cup after buying tickets to all of India’s matches, as well as the semi-finals.

“I follow the team around the world,” she said. “It was always my dream to come and watch them play in a World Cup in England, and I’ve bought tickets for every game, including the India-Australia match at Lord’s.”

Before I could respond, she continued. “I’ve also got tickets for the semi-finals and am hoping somehow we make it. Otherwise, all of this effort will have been in vain.”

You could sense both the excitement and the nervous energy. These are the fans who have made the game what it is, and they deserve to be celebrated.

Since then, we have got to know Mansi well. That very night, she travelled from Manchester to Edinburgh simply to refocus and recharge.

“I’ll book myself into a hostel and just explore the city,” she said. “This defeat is hurting, and a trip to Edinburgh might be the therapy I need.”

As we were getting ready for our post-show after the India-Bangladesh game, once again in Manchester, Trisha came up to me and said Mansi was back and wanted to say hello. This time, she had brought each of us a packet of Walkers biscuits from Edinburgh.

“It’s just something I got for all of you,” she said, almost apologetically. “Nothing fancy – just biscuits. I’m told they’re very Scottish.”

For me, it was the gesture that mattered.

She follows all of RevSportz’s women’s cricket broadcasts and keeps up diligently with both Trisha and Snehashish. She tracks the team and watches every game. Those biscuits became a simple gesture that created an invisible bond between her and us, between the media and the fans – two constituencies that together make the game what it is.

Mansi has since appeared on a few of our shows and, I must say, has consistently made thoughtful and pertinent points. She isn’t one of those rabble-rousers or sensationalists who speak merely for effect. Nor is she a cheerleader masquerading as a fan. She understands the game and follows it with genuine passion. That is why we invited her on our shows, and why we would happily do so again if our paths cross in the future.

“You must come to my house in New York when you’re there, Boria Sir, Trisha and Snehashish,” she said.

It wasn’t a casual invitation. It came from a place of genuine warmth. She appreciates the work being done and understands how difficult it is to sustain that level of commitment and intensity.

It is for fans like Mansi that you keep raising the bar. They aren’t in it for likes, reposts or social media mileage. They aren’t trying to become internet celebrities. They simply love the game and follow it with unwavering passion.

At the end of the Australia match, it was obvious she was crestfallen. Yet she kept saying she would continue to support the team and watch every game they played. That’s what real fandom looks like. Ask the difficult questions. Offer constructive criticism. Make your point. But draw the line before it turns toxic.

Mansi understands that balance and stays true to it. Here’s a shout-out to her, and to the countless fans like her, who make all of this worthwhile.

Follow REVSPORTZ for more updates.

The post A Fan Called Mansi: The Quiet Passion That Makes Cricket Special appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

New York [US], July 1 (ANI): The France national football team confirmed that they have returned to base camp in Boston after securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash on Tuesday (local time).

Taking to social media platform X, the French team shared a post saying, “We’re heading back to Boston!" following their emphatic win, which sealed their place in the Round of 16.

On rentre à Boston !

Shot on Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/8NWXRKv5MU

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) July 1, 2026

In another post on X, the team shared that they have returned to their Boston base camp after securing qualification for the Round of 16, expressing relief and satisfaction at moving forward in the tournament.

“Back at the Boston base camp after qualifying for the round of 16!" Equipe de France wrote on X.

De retour au camp de base de Boston après la qualification en 8es de finale ! pic.twitter.com/KFWE1dlrb4

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) July 1, 2026

A clinical double from talismanic captain Kylian Mbappe steered France to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Sweden at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), punching Les Bleus’ ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

While Sweden exits the tournament after a spirited run, France marches confidently into the round of 16, where they will lock horns with Paraguay on July 4.

Didier Deschamps, returning to the touchline after missing the final group game due to personal bereavement (following his mother’s funeral), watched his side systematically dismantle a stubborn Swedish defence.

Entering the match tied with Brazilian icon Ronaldo and legendary pre-war forward Leonidas at 8 career knockout stage goals, Mbappe’s strikes in the 45th and 74th minutes pushed his total to 10 knockout stage goals, the most by any player in the history of the competition.

Mbappe’s knack for delivering when the stakes are highest has defined his international career. His updated goal tallies paint the picture of a player performing at unprecedented efficiency. In the knockout stage, he has now scored 10 goals, bypassing Ronaldo (8) & Leonidas (8) for the record.

Mbappe’s sixth goal of the tournament drew him level with Argentina legend Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

The brace also took his World Cup tally to 18 goals in just 18 appearances, leaving him one shy of Messi’s all-time record of 19 goals, achieved across 29 World Cup matches. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

New York [US], July 1 (ANI): Kylian Mbappe said he was pleased to win the Player of the Match award after his France 3-0 victory over Sweden but stressed that individual accolades were not his priority.

He highlighted France’s continued strong performance and said the victory was important as they begin a new phase of the competition.

Mbappe added that the focus now shifts to their next challenge against Paraguay, emphasising the need to stay focused and win the upcoming match.

Mbappe said while speaking to host broadcasters, in an Instagram video shared by DAZN Football, “I’m happy, but that’s not the most important thing. We continued to do things well. We won. This match is important. As we said new competition that begins, we are very happy. Now we have to focus on Paraguay. There is another game to win."

“Let’s continue on our path, all together," Mbappe wrote in an X post.

On continue notre chemin, tous ensemble !!!! pic.twitter.com/4PG2vWVOKq

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) July 1, 2026

A clinical double from talismanic captain Kylian Mbappe steered France to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Sweden at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), punching Les Bleus’ ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

While Sweden exits the tournament after a spirited run, France marches confidently into the round of 16, where they will lock horns with Paraguay on July 4.

Didier Deschamps, returning to the touchline after missing the final group game due to personal bereavement (following his mother’s funeral), watched his side systematically dismantle a stubborn Swedish defence.

Entering the match tied with Brazilian icon Ronaldo and legendary pre-war forward Leonidas at 8 career knockout stage goals, Mbappe’s strikes in the 45th and 74th minutes pushed his total to 10 knockout stage goals, the most by any player in the history of the competition.

Mbappe’s knack for delivering when the stakes are highest has defined his international career. His updated goal tallies paint the picture of a player performing at unprecedented efficiency. In the knockout stage, he has now scored 10 goals, bypassing Ronaldo (8) & Leonidas (8) for the record.

Mbappe’s sixth goal of the tournament drew him level with Argentina legend Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

The brace also took his World Cup tally to 18 goals in just 18 appearances, leaving him one shy of Messi’s all-time record of 19 goals, achieved across 29 World Cup matches. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)