Sunday, 19 July 2026
KIMI ANTONELLI WINS BELGIAN GRAND PRIX TO EXTEND F1 CHAMPIIONSHIP LEAD
Mercedes driver won his sixth GP of 2026 as championship rival and teammate George Russell crashes out on first lap.
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| Kimi Antonelli celebrates winning the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, July 19 [Andrej Isakovic/AFP] |
Kimi Antonelli won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday to stretch his Formula One lead to 45 points over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton on a bleak day for teammate George Russell, his closest title rival heading into the race.
Russell had been the 19-year-old Italian’s closest rival before the start at Spa-Francorchamps, but the Briton spun off into the gravel on the opening lap after a collision with Hamilton while trying to make up places lost at lights out.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was second in the 44-lap race, 1.952 seconds behind after leading, thanks to a pit stop while a virtual safety car was deployed, with Max Verstappen third to give Red Bull their 300th Formula One podium.
Hamilton finished fourth, despite serving a five-second penalty for the collision with Russell, but remained under investigation for an unsafe release from a pit stop that could drop him to fifth and further stretch Antonelli’s lead.
It was Antonelli’s sixth win in 10 rounds this season, leaving him 50 points clear of Russell. Antonelli was first in qualifying, continuing Mercedes’ clean sweep of pole positions this season.
“It’s great to be back on the top step after a few difficult rounds,” said Antonelli, who had drawn a blank in two of the past three rounds.
“It was a hard-fought race. We lost first place with the VSC but then we managed to make our way back.
“The momentum was always there. It was just about getting the results,” he added. “Today we were a bit lucky with what happened in terms of the championship but you have to take every opportunity because we saw how much it can swing.”
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished fifth, with Isack Hadjar sixth for Red Bull from last on the grid. Reigning champion Lando Norris was seventh for McLaren after starting 13th due to a 10-place grid drop.
Gabriel Bortoleto brought more points for Audi in eighth place, with Arvid Lindblad ninth for Racing Bulls and Argentine Franco Colapinto completing the scoring in 10th place for Renault-owned Alpine.
- Reuters
FIA PUNISH LEWIS HAMILTON AFTER DRAMATIC GEORGE RUSSELL COLLISION AT BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
Lewis Hamilton has been punished by the FIA after a dramatic collision with George Russell at the Belgian Grand Prix.
George Russell was involved in a dramatic collision on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix with Lewis Hamiliton, leading to a punishment for the seven-time world champion.
The Mercedes driver has seen his bid for the 2026 drivers’ championship take another hit as he has had to retire from the race this weekend at Spa.
It means that he will receive no points for his world championship bid, seeing him lose ground on his teammate and title rival Kimi Antonelli if the Italian driver were to finish the race.
Before the red lights went out, the gap between the title rivals was 25 points, but this is expected to grow if all goes to plan for Antonelli.
Hamilton appeared to be at fault for the incident; at least that is the reading from the FIA, as they have given the Ferrari driver a five-second penalty for causing the incident.
The seven-time world champion will now serve that penalty when he enters the pit, with his team not being allowed to touch his car until the car has been sat stationary for five seconds.
Hamilton was straight on the team radio to defend his actions in the incident, as he said: “Car crossed over in front of me. I was right behind another car, so I had no front end.”
Russell appeared to be quite emotional in his interview with Sky Sports after the collision, after getting back to the pits following the collision.
He said: "I just got totally swallowed up down the straight," Russell told reporters back in the Spa paddock, before Hamilton was issued with a five-second penalty by the stewards.
"I lost three positions down the straight down into turn 5 and then the incident was a racing incident. Maybe I could have gone a bit wider or he could have braked a bit more.
"The incident wouldn't have happened if I had the speed down the straight. I'm very, very disappointed."
Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was involved in a collision just a number of laps later at the same corner, as he made contact with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Leclerc would then progress past the Australian at the corner, and it appeared that this had an impact on the McLaren car as Hamilton, who was nearby during the incident, also overtook Piastri within a couple of laps following the incident.
However, while the seven-time world champion got a punishment from the FIA for his collision, Leclerc would not.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
- Brendan McGilligan
JÜRGEN KLOPP RETURN 'DONE' AS LIVERPOOL LEGEND AGREES GERMANY MOVE
Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp is set to return to management with Germany, with reports suggesting that his move is now complete, with an official unveiling to come next week
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| Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp during the World Cup game between France and Morocco in Boston.(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi via Getty Images) |
Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp's move to take over from Julian Nagelsmann is now fully completed, according to reports in Germany.
A report from Sky Germany says he will sign with the German national team until 2030, meaning he will oversee the next European Championship and World Cup, with a public unveiling said to be planned for Friday if all goes to plan.
Klopp will exit his position at the Red Bull group as part of the move. He left Liverpool two years ago and this will be the first time he has coached a team since, with Die Mannschaft set to face the Netherlands in his first match at the helm.
The former Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich head coach candidly acknowledged that his squad could no longer be considered among the elite sides on the world stage.
"If you are eliminated by Paraguay, you are just not a first-class football team. I am very disappointed," he said.
Klopp will offer fresh hope for Germany as a figurehead for the DFB. But Gary Neville warned this week that things will not be easy for the ex-Reds man.
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| Jurgen Klopp is set to return to management with Germany(Image: (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)) |
"The thing is about international football is you’ve got a fixed pool of players that you can pick from whereas with clubs you can sign players from different nationalities," Neville said during a Q&A session for The Overlap.
"I wouldn’t say [club management] is easy but you’ve obviously got the pick of the world, you can go and sign players from everywhere.
"With Germany, if they haven’t got a good crop coming through and they haven’t got a good talent base for the next four or five years then there’s nothing he can do really."
Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz are among the star names that Klopp will be able to call upon. Bayern Munich starlet Lennart Karl is one to pin hopes for the future on too, but Neville isn't convinced.
"I look at England’s front players like [Bukayo] Saka and [Phil] Foden and [Cole] Palmer and [Harry] Kane and [Morgan] Rogers and [Jude] Bellingham, and I think our players are better than Germany’s," Neville continued.
"‘You can never write Germany off just because we’ve got their history of seeing them win but I wouldn’t be thinking he’s going to go in there and be able to get [them firing]."
- Matt Addison
FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL FEVER GRIPS KERELA AS GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY ON MONDAY
The holiday covers schools under the General Education Department as well as colleges, universities and professional institutions under the Higher Education Department
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| Argentina will take on Spain in the final © Getty |
Kerala's passion for football reached a new high on Sunday as the state government declared a holiday on Monday for all educational institutions, allowing students to stay up and watch the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina without worrying about attending classes the next morning. The holiday covers schools under the General Education Department as well as colleges, universities and professional institutions under the Higher Education Department. The decision was taken following directions from Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan after thousands of football enthusiasts, particularly students, appealed through social media for a holiday.
The final is scheduled to kick off at 12.30 a.m. IST on Monday, making it difficult for students to attend classes after a late-night match.
Football enjoys an unmatched following in Kerala, where the sport is often celebrated with a passion rivalled only by cricket in other parts of the country.
In the days leading up to the final, towns and villages across the state have been transformed into football arenas, with giant cut-outs of international stars towering over roadsides, junctions and playgrounds.
Supporters of Spain and Argentina have erected massive banners, flags and decorative arches, while local fan clubs have organised public screenings, rallies and celebrations, creating a festive atmosphere across Kerala.
The overwhelming response from football fans played a key role in the government's decision. Several schools in Ernakulam had already announced a holiday on their own after receiving requests from students and parents.
The state government's announcement brought uniformity to the decision, ensuring that students across Kerala could enjoy the championship match.
Higher Education Minister Roji M. John announced that all higher education institutions, including professional colleges, would remain closed on Monday. He said the decision would enable students to watch one of world football's biggest sporting events without the inconvenience of travelling to campuses after a sleepless night.
General Education Minister N. Samsudheen also confirmed a holiday for schools under his department through a social media post, opening his message with the playful words, “Happy now, kids?”
He said the government had considered the sentiments of football-loving students before taking the decision.
With public viewing centres, giant screens and football-themed celebrations planned across the state, Kerala is set to witness another unforgettable night as lakhs of fans unite to cheer their favourite teams in the FIFA World Cup final.
- IANS
BUKAYO SAKA "LIKES' POST THOMAS TUCHEL A 'FRAUD' AFTER ENGLAND HAT-TRICK VS FRANCE
Bukayo Saka was at the heart of England’s 6-4 victory over France as he netted a hat-trick as Thomas Tuchel’s squad secured third place in the 2026 World Cup.
At half-time it appeared the Three Lions would waltz their way to the bronze medals as they were leading 4-0, thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and a brace from Saka.
While we had been treated to some entertaining action in this clash, at least from an England point of view, in the first half, it would truly kick into gear when France got on the scoresheet.
The French would make it 4-3 before the hydration break, with Bradley Barcola’s goal being sandwiched between a Kylian Mbappe brace; Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Ousmane Dembele made it 5-4, and finally, in the 98th minute, Jude Bellingham would complete the scoring and earn the win for England.
It was a memorable performance for Saka in this clash; however, following the match, it appears his account liked a post saying Tuchel is ‘on fraud watch’, as the post praised the performance of three Arsenal players in the clash with France.
The post from albertsairpods said: “We really walked away with a Bukayo Saka World Cup hat-trick. Against France. You just escaped the nastiest public humiliation ritual. The cultural capital of six Arsenal G/A with zero injuries has decreased your punishment to a mere spanking. You’re still on fraud watch.”
However, it now appears that Saka’s account has now removed the like on this post that was critical of Tuchel, especially when there were questions around the future of the German as England manager after their World Cup semi-final defeat.
Thomas Tuchel’s future as England boss
The Champions League-winning manager faced serious questions after England’s defeat to Argentina due to his tactical decisions after the withdrawal of Anthony Gordon.
The Three Lions would suffer a 2-1 defeat with Marc Guehi being critical of Tuchel’s tactical approach, while several pundits were also outspoken about whether the German should remain in this managerial role.
Tuchel had been given a contract extension ahead of the World Cup, which would see him remain in charge until the completion of the 2028 European Championships.
Despite several loud calls for Tuchel to leave his managerial role with England, the FA appear to have given the German their full backing, believing he is the man to lead the team to silverware.
England’s performance in the third-place playoff with France will have only helped strengthen this belief as they secured the bronze medal in a thrilling 10-goal contest.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
- Brendan McGilligan
WHITNEY HOUSTON DELIVERED A LEGENDARY PERFORMANCE AT 1994 FIFA WORLD CUP CLOSING CEREMONY | JULY 17, 1994
On July 17, 1994 (32 years ago) American singer and actress Whitney Houston delivered one of the most memorable musical performances in history at the FIFA World Cup 94' closing ceremony held at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California.
Houston opened the show with her 1987 hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" after she was escorted onto the pitch and to the stage by Brazilian soccer legend Pelẹ́
Her unparalleled vocal performance left world cup fans stunned as she nailed every note!
Saturday, 18 July 2026
RYAN FOX MATCHES MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD WITH A 62 IN THE BRITISH OPEN
Ryan Fox has joined the list of players with a major championship scoring record
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| Ryan Fox of New Zealand acknowledges the crowd on the 188th green after completing his third round during the third day of the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super) |
SOUTHPORT, England — Ryan Fox added his name Saturday to the growing list of players who share the major championship scoring record when he became the third player this week with a record-tying 62 in the British Open at Royal Birkdale .
Fox started early with barely a trace of wind, and he took advantage. He made five birdies on the front nine, and birdied two of his last three holes for 62 on the par-70 Birkdale links. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each had 62 some 20 minutes apart on Friday.
There now have been eight rounds of 62 in major championship history, half of them at Royal Birkdale. Branden Grace was the first to set the record with a 62 at Royal Birkdale in 2017.
Fox was in a pot bunker off the fairway on the 18th and still managed to find the green, leaving a birdie putt of nearly 50 feet for a 61. He left it short by about 5 feet and holed the par putt.
“When I got to 6 under through 14 I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve got a chance.’ I would have liked to give myself a birdie chance at the last, but happy to make par,” Fox said.
He played alongside Xander Schauffele, the only player with 62 twice in a major. Schauffele and Rickie Fowler each shot 62 in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club — like Herbert and Burns, they were playing two groups apart — and Schauffele and Shane Lowry each shot 62 in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Haeran Ryu set the record in women's majors last week with a 60 in the final round of the Evian Championship, which has yielded all the top scores in LPGA majors since it was designated one 13 years ago.
Schauffele is the only player with 62 in a major to win. Fox, who made the cut with one shot to spared, finished atop the leaderboard with Herbert, who was still more than an hour away from teeing off in the third round.
The links have rarely been this brown and fast, but it’s the wind — or lack of it — that has allowed for such low scoring this week.
Fox, one of the strongest players in golf with his rugby heritage, leaned on his driver for much of the round and set up good scoring chances.
“The game plan was to be aggressive,” Fox said. “I was aggressive on a lot of good wedge shots. Pretty happy with 62 at the end.”
All but one of his nine birdies — Fox made his lone bogey on the 13th with a drive into a pot bunker — came from about 10 feet or closer. His drive on the 321-yard fifth hole was about 30 feet from the hole, and his most important shot was a wedge from the rough on the par-5 17th that rolled out to about 4 feet.
Herbert also had a bogey on his card during his 62 on Friday.
There have been weeks of soft conditions or little wind — two elements that lead to low scores — at previous majors. Seven major courses — three of them links courses — have yielded two rounds of 63 or lower in the same championship.
Royal Birkdale is the first to give up three of them — with half of the field Saturday and the final round still to come.
- Doug Ferguson | AP
ASIA'S TOP PENCAK SILAT FIGHTERS GATHER IN DÔNG NAI
The tournament has played an important role in developing pencak silat across Asia, with the federation committed to preserving and promoting the discipline for future generations.
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| "The 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championships attracted athletes from nine countries and territories across Asia. — Photo baovanhoa.vn" |
ĐỒNG NAI — The 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championships officially opened in Đồng Nai City on Friday, bringing together nearly 300 athletes from nine countries and territories across Asia.
The continental tournament is one of the region’s key events for the traditional martial art, featuring top competitors in both tanding (combat) and seni (artistic) categories.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lê Thị Ngọc Loan highlighted that pencak silat is not only a traditional martial art of Southeast Asia, but also a symbol of courage, respect and solidarity among nations.
Loan said the 10th edition of the championships provides an opportunity for athletes to compete in a spirit of fairness and sportsmanship, while strengthening exchanges, mutual understanding and friendship among participating delegations.
She added that local authorities would work closely with the Sports Authority of Việt Nam, the Asian Pencak Silat Federation and relevant agencies to ensure the event is organised in a professional and safe manner, contributing to promoting the positive values of sport for peace and co-operation.
Professor Zainuddin Amali, President of the Asian Pencak Silat Federation, said the championships served not only as a sporting competition but also as a platform to honour shared heritage and the spirit of mutual respect among nations.
He noted that over its 10 editions, the tournament has played an important role in developing pencak silat across Asia, with the federation committed to preserving and promoting the discipline for future generations.
Vietnamese athlete Nguyễn Tấn Sang said the Vietnamese national team had completed thorough preparations and were ready to compete, aiming for strong results on home soil. — VNS
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