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Mexico, Portugal Draw 0-0 as Azteca Stadium Reopens After World Cup Renovations

Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)
Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)
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Mexico, Portugal Draw 0-0 as Azteca Stadium Reopens After World Cup Renovations

Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)
Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)

Mexico and Portugal played to a scoreless draw on Saturday night in a warm-up match that marked the reopening of the Azteca Stadium after nearly two years of renovations for the 2026 World Cup.

Goncalo Ramos had the best scoring chance in the match when he rattled the goalpost in the 26th minute.

The iconic Azteca stadium, which hosted the finals of the 1970 and 1986 World Cup tournaments, has been closed since May 2024 for renovations for the upcoming World Cup, where it will host five matches: three first-round matches and two for the knockout stages.

On Saturday, the Mexicans were without 12 players through injury, including six starters that helped the team win the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup last year.

The Portuguese also faced the match with absences, most notably those of forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leão.

Mexico opens its tournament June 11 in Mexico City against South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.

The Mexicans will play against Belgium next Tuesday at Soldier Field in Chicago, while Portugal face the United States at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Portugal will make its debut in the World Cup on June 17 against the winner of the intercontinental playoffs match between Jamaica and Congo.

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Barca’s Bardghji Hit by Another Serious Knee Injury Setback

Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)
Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)
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Barca’s Bardghji Hit by Another Serious Knee Injury Setback

Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)
Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Birmingham City v FC Barcelona - St Andrew's - Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 31, 2026 FC Barcelona's Roony Bardghji in action with Birmingham City's Menzi Mazw. (Reuters)

Barcelona winger ‌Roony Bardghji has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, the Spanish champions said on Tuesday, dealing a major blow to the 20-year-old after a previous serious knee injury derailed his progress.

Bardghji, who was born ‌in Kuwait ‌but plays for ‌Sweden, ⁠suffered a serious ⁠knee problem during training in 2024 that sidelined him for nearly a year.

"The player will undergo surgery in the coming days," Barca posted ⁠on social media platform ‌X after ‌the latest setback.

He joined Barca ‌from Copenhagen last year on ‌a contract that runs until June 2029.

He has made 28 appearances for Barca in all ‌competitions, scoring two goals and providing four assists.

⁠Bardghji ⁠has won three caps since making his senior debut last year but missed selection for Sweden's 2026 World Cup squad.

Hansi Flick's Barca side, who are chasing a third straight LaLiga title, open their league campaign at Elche on August 23.

Sports

Newcastle Manager Jaissle Relishing Opportunity After Player Exodus Chaos

St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)
St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)
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Newcastle Manager Jaissle Relishing Opportunity After Player Exodus Chaos

St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)
St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 11, 2026, Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle during the press conference. (dpa)

Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle is refusing to dwell on the departure of key players that has left his club in turmoil ahead of the Premier League season, insisting on Tuesday that he sees opportunity in the situation.

Jaissle was recruited from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli after Eddie Howe left last month, with the German coach joining a club who had lost Anthony Gordon, ‌Sandro Tonali and ‌captain Bruno Guimaraes in quick succession.

"It's a challenge, ‌a ⁠big challenge, always ⁠when there's a transitional period. But it's not time to complain, it doesn't make sense to see the negative things," Jaissle told reporters.

"We want to see the chance in that situation and that's our approach from day one. We are here to do our best job. We want to support the players, the current squad.

"There will ⁠be adjustments to see in the coming days, ‌weeks. But for now, it's only ‌focused on the daily work, the work we can influence. That's all ‌that matters now."

The 38-year-old coach arrived in Newcastle having won ‌two Austrian Bundesliga titles with Red Bull Salzburg before leading Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.

He remained tight-lipped about new signings.

"Obviously, in that transition phase, the players who left the club were great players, great characters, ‌experienced players. This is now a vacuum," he said.

"Either we adjust something in the squad, by ⁠signing these players, ⁠these profiles, or other players need to step up and fill these positions, these leadership roles. I'm quite optimistic, we can work in both scenarios."

Jaissle said he had a clear vision of how he wants his team to play.

"The phrase how Newcastle should play like is front-footed, intense, aggressive and of course also successful. In the end, it's all about what I can say and it's also why I'm sitting here," he said.

"The approach we have as a coaching team and the identity of Newcastle is famed for, it's so linked so close together - which is a perfect fit in my eyes and that's going to be exciting."

Sports

Mentality Key to Premier League Revival for Spurs, Says De Zerbi

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)
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Mentality Key to Premier League Revival for Spurs, Says De Zerbi

Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup football match between English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 1, 2026. (AFP)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto ‌De Zerbi said restoring the team's spirit and mentality would be crucial to their revival after two seasons spent near the bottom of the Premier League table.

The 47-year-old, who took over in March and steered the club to safety by finishing one place above the relegation zone, said a busy summer recruitment window alone would not be enough to deliver long-term success.

Spurs have recruited ‌Sandro Tonali, ‌Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, ‌Andy ⁠Robertson, Marcos Senesi, ⁠Cole Ramsey and Martin Dubravka.

"In the transfer market, we're not finished yet. We're looking forward to start another season with different ambitions and results," De Zerbi said on the Men in Blazers YouTube channel.

"We have to find the condition to ⁠build a strong team, than the ‌last seasons to compete ‌again for the top of the table.

"I usually think about ‌the soul, passion, spirit and mentality of ‌the team and then the improvement we can do in the future, because I can't stay with the focus just on the present."

The Italian said he wanted ‌supporters to recognize his side not only through its style of play but ⁠also ⁠through their commitment and character.

"I would like when we go to play in the Premier League... the people recognize one's soul, passion, value of the player," he said.

"The qualities of the players are not enough. If you don't put something more, something of yourself, something you feel inside of you, it's very tough to now compete with the top teams in the world, in the Premier League."

Spurs begin their Premier League campaign against Brentford on August 22.