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Usme, Caicedo Score to Lift Colombia 2-0 Over South Korea in Women’s World Cup 

Linda Caicedo of Colombia celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup match between Colombia and Korea at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Linda Caicedo of Colombia celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup match between Colombia and Korea at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
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Usme, Caicedo Score to Lift Colombia 2-0 Over South Korea in Women’s World Cup 

Linda Caicedo of Colombia celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup match between Colombia and Korea at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Linda Caicedo of Colombia celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup match between Colombia and Korea at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo scored to give Colombia a 2-0 victory over South Korea in their opening game of the Women's World Cup on Tuesday, denying the Koreans what would have been only their second win in four appearances at the tournament.

Usme scored on a penalty kick in the 30th minute after a South Korean handball, sending keeper Yoon Younggeul the wrong way before slotting the ball into the far corner.

Caicedo, an 18-year-old forward for Real Madrid, doubled Colombia's lead nine minutes later, launching a high shot that Yoon got her hands on, but without the power to send it over the bar. The ball squirted into the net, to the delight of the yellow-clad Colombian fans at Sydney Football Stadium.

"Well, I am extremely happy, but this has to do with the collective work of everyone," Caicedo said on her first World Cup goal.

"The feeling the group had going onto the pitch we were a bit anxious, we wanted the World Cup to start, and we wanted to start off on the right foot, this was something crucial.

"Very happy for the goal and the victory."

Korea's American-born teenager Casey Phair became the youngest player to take the field in Women's World Cup history, subbing on in the 78th minute, just 26 days after her 16th birthday.

Colombia was without their head coach Nelson Abadia, who was suspended by FIFA through his team's first two games, reportedly for an infraction at the 2015 World Cup, Colombia's last appearance.

It was the final game of the opening round of group matches and the 300th match in Women's World Cup history.

Korea nearly pulled one back just before halftime when Lee Guimmen's close-range header off a terrific cross from Choe Yuri forced keeper Catalina Perez to make a diving save.

But Colombia, who reached the round of 16 at the 2015 World Cup, dominated possession, slicing through South Korea's defense with ease. They threatened to pad their lead with several in the dying minutes when Mayra Ramirez sent a great cross to a wide open Caicedo, who hesitated too long.

Tuesday's attendance was 24,323 with fans banging drums and tooting horns all game long.

"It's a magnificent stadium, that atmosphere it's close, it's tight to the pitch, it's what every player wants, what every fan wants, and so many people came and watched us today," said Korea's British coach Colin Bell. "When you lose it's not so nice but I'll treasure this moment for the rest of my life, my first World Cup match.

"You're up, you're down, you're up, you're down, that's football. We love it."

Colombia face two-time champions Germany on Sunday. The Germans opened their campaign with a 6-0 rout of debutantes Morocco on Monday. South Korea take on Morocco on Sunday.

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Sports

Palestinian, Israeli Soccer Officials Refuse to Shake Hands During Tense FIFA Congress Moment

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) interacts with the President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub as the Vice-President of Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman (L) looks on during a heated moment in the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) interacts with the President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub as the Vice-President of Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman (L) looks on during a heated moment in the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)
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Palestinian, Israeli Soccer Officials Refuse to Shake Hands During Tense FIFA Congress Moment

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) interacts with the President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub as the Vice-President of Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman (L) looks on during a heated moment in the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) interacts with the President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub as the Vice-President of Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman (L) looks on during a heated moment in the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)

Palestine Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman, the vice president of Israel’s soccer governing body, during a tense moment at the FIFA Congress on Thursday.

After the two men addressed the congress, they were called on stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. They stood far apart from each other and Rajoub protested loudly away from microphones before leaving the stage.

Speaking before the congress, Rajoub called on FIFA to address the Palestine Football Association's allegations that Israel has breached anti-discrimination regulation by allowing clubs based in the West Bank settlements.

He confirmed that the PFA is taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA ruled in March not to suspend Israel over its West Bank clubs. FIFA cited the unresolved and complex legal status of the West Bank.

But in a separate matter involving an Israeli club, FIFA fined the Israel Football Association $190,000 on disciplinary charges relating to “discrimination and racist abuse,” plus “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play."

After the two men left the stage at the Vancouver Convention Center, Infantino thanked them for addressing the delegates and made an appeal.

“President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman, let's work together. Let's work together to give hope to the children. Let's work together for that,” Infantino said.

Following the congress, Rajoub gave an impassioned plea, asking whether Israel has “the right to even be part of FIFA.”

“From my side I still respect and follow all the legal procedures through FIFA institutions but I think it's time to understand that Israel should be sanctioned because of the violations of the statutes of FIFA, the human rights,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying.

Yariv Teper, acting general secretary of the Israel Football Association, would not comment on the specifics of Rajoub's comments but said the IFA would be willing to work with the Palestinian counterparts.

“We are in the FIFA Congress,” Teper said. “Our mission is to promote football and a better future for all regions, and this is our mission.”

Palestinian soccer officials have long argued — including at FIFA annual congresses across the past 15 years, before Infantino was president — that Israel violates statutes by letting teams from settlements in the West Bank play in Israel's national league.

The disciplinary investigation of Israeli soccer also was opened 18 months ago in response to a second objection by the Palestinian federation.

Sports

Blockx Converts Late Madrid Call-up Into Breakthrough Semi-final Run

Belgium's Alexander Blockx celebrates beating Norway's Casper Ruud during their 2026 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament quarter-final singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Belgium's Alexander Blockx celebrates beating Norway's Casper Ruud during their 2026 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament quarter-final singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
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Blockx Converts Late Madrid Call-up Into Breakthrough Semi-final Run

Belgium's Alexander Blockx celebrates beating Norway's Casper Ruud during their 2026 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament quarter-final singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Belgium's Alexander Blockx celebrates beating Norway's Casper Ruud during their 2026 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament quarter-final singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 30, 2026. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

Alexander Blockx arrived at the Madrid Open expecting to play the qualifying rounds, but the Belgian has made the most of his late promotion to the main draw after a string of withdrawals, riding a wave of confidence to the semi-finals.

The 21-year-old toppled seeded players including Brandon Nakashima, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francisco Cerundolo before ending the title defense of Casper Ruud with a 6-4 6-4 win on Thursday to set up a last-four meeting with Alexander Zverev.

Currently ranked 69th in the world after sitting outside the top 100 ⁠two months ago, ⁠Blockx can enter the top 30 with another upset, but the Belgian said the week had already gone beyond anything he imagined.

"I was already happy with getting into the main draw ... at the last minute on Friday, just before the deadline. Winning my first match (against Cristian Garin) ⁠was already a bonus," Blockx said.

"Then all the other matches, I never thought I'd get that far. But once you get confident and you feel your game, a lot can happen."

Blockx has struggled for momentum on the ATP Tour following his run to the Next Gen ATP Finals title clash in December, but he showed his potential with a run to the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters last month.

His Madrid campaign and the win ⁠over two-time ⁠French Open finalist Ruud offered further validation for a player still building belief on clay.

"It's nice beating the defending champion, whose favorite conditions are here. That shows I can play well on clay too," Blockx added, according to Reuters.

"The ranking is going up really fast. It's nice to be able to play bigger tournaments now. I don't know the ceiling, I'll just see match by match, and hopefully get as high as I can."

Blockx meets Zverev later on Friday while world number one Jannik Sinner meets Arthur Fils in the other semi-final.

Sports

Antonelli Bids for Hat-trick as F1 Returns in Miami

FILE - Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car in pit lane during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuki, Japan, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Franck Robichon⁩/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car in pit lane during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuki, Japan, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Franck Robichon⁩/Pool Photo via AP, File)
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Antonelli Bids for Hat-trick as F1 Returns in Miami

FILE - Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car in pit lane during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuki, Japan, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Franck Robichon⁩/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car in pit lane during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuki, Japan, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Franck Robichon⁩/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, the youngest championship leader in F1 history, will seek to complete a hat-trick of early season victories this weekend as Formula One returns after a month's enforced absence due to the Middle East war.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver, triumphant in China and Japan, leads team-mate George Russell, who won the season-opening Australian race, by nine points ahead of what is effectively the start of another season, complete with revised rules and widespread car upgrades, at the Miami Grand Prix.

"After a month without any racing, we are ready to get back on track," said Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff. "We've used this break to analyze the opening races, address our weaknesses and rase our level.

"We've started the season well, but that counts for very little if you stand still. We know our competitors will have used this time to improve and build a deeper understanding of their cars so we expect the field to be closer in Miami.

"That's the reality of F1 - it's a challenge we must rise to."

Antonelli's early triumphs made him the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1953 to win two consecutive races. Ascari completed his treble that season.

Wolff also addressed the tweaks to the regulations to be introduced in Miami, aimed at making the cars and the spectacle more natural with reduced battery re-charging in qualifying and increased super-clipping power to reduce dangerous speed differentials.

According to AFP, he said the revised rules would "respect the DNA of our sport" and deliver an improved spectacle without any significant reduction to Mercedes' early-season performance advantage.

For Mercedes, this Sunday's race is an opportunity for a first win in Florida since the event was launched five years ago. It has been won twice by four-time champion Max Verstappen for Red Bull and twice by McLaren with a win apiece for world champion Lando Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri.

They will harbor hopes of claiming points too with success in Saturday's sprint race, won last year by Norris, but Ferrari are widely expected to be strong contenders too as they arrive in Miami, like McLaren, who are bringing an almost "completely new car", with a heavily revised package.

"It was one of our best tracks for pure pace, compared to others, last year," said Norris. "It's a different track and it may still suit us a little more than others."

After winning in 2022 and 2023, Verstappen will be aiming to stop Mercedes' winning run and revive Red Bull's challenge this year after a discouraging start. He is ninth, on 12 points, 60 adrift of Antonelli, with team-mate Isack Hadjar 12th on four.

Ferrari's duo of Charles Leclerc and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton are third and fourth respectively on 49 and 41 points with many paddock observers suggesting they are poised to fight for a first win since Carlos Sainz's success in Mexico in October 2024.

Leclerc's eighth and last win came at Austin, Texas, shortly before Sainz's triumph while Hamilton is chasing his 106th win and first since the 2024 Belgian race before he joined Ferrari. After a desultory first year, the Briton said he is relishing the challenge of a new formula that has seen him rediscover his racing mojo.

"We're all re-charged after the break," said Russell, expressing the feelings of most drivers. "I'm hoping we can continue where we left off."

It will mark newcomers Cadillac's first racing appearance on home soil in the United States when Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas venture out at the Hard Rock Stadium in a new American livery.