Kane: England Must Use Win over Serbia as a Template for World Cup

England's Harry Kane celebrates winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group K soccer match between Serbia and England in Belgrade, Serbia, 09 September 2025.  EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC
England's Harry Kane celebrates winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group K soccer match between Serbia and England in Belgrade, Serbia, 09 September 2025. EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC
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Kane: England Must Use Win over Serbia as a Template for World Cup

England's Harry Kane celebrates winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group K soccer match between Serbia and England in Belgrade, Serbia, 09 September 2025.  EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC
England's Harry Kane celebrates winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group K soccer match between Serbia and England in Belgrade, Serbia, 09 September 2025. EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC

England captain Harry Kane said their 5-0 demolition of Serbia on Tuesday in World Cup qualifying should be the template for how they want to play following criticism of their start to coach Thomas Tuchel's tenure.

England had won all four of their Group K qualifiers coming into the match in Belgrade but Tuchel's tactics and team selections came in for scrutiny following labored wins over Andorra, Albania and Latvia.

Tuchel's side were much more impressive on Tuesday, however, with Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marcus Rashford and Marc Guehi all getting on the scoresheet.

"There's been a lot of noise around the outside, but we've been happy with what we've been doing," Kane told broadcaster ITV.

"It's not always been easy against opposition who are sitting in a block of 11 when we have to break them down and be patient.

"We knew tonight would be a really big test against better opposition and better players, we said we wanted to show what we can do especially without the ball with the high pressure and make it difficult for them."

England are now within touching distance of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals in North America and Kane said they must use the win over the Serbs as a template, Reuters reported.

"This is the time when the competition starts, the formation and the way we play and the style is going to be set in stone," he added.

"Of course, there might be a few games where we have to change a little bit depending on opposition, but we want to play our way – we want to be on the front foot and win the ball back quick and when we lose the ball, recover well...

"You could say today was the perfect template and we're going to have difficult games from now until the World Cup but we'll use this as a starting point and the standard's been really high."

England next face Wales in a friendly on October 9 before taking on Latvia in a qualifier five days later.



Australia's Young Gun Herrington Hopes for Salah Test at World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group D - Paraguay v Australia - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 25, 2026 Australia's Lucas Herrington applauds fans after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/David Gonzales
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group D - Paraguay v Australia - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 25, 2026 Australia's Lucas Herrington applauds fans after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/David Gonzales
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Australia's Young Gun Herrington Hopes for Salah Test at World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group D - Paraguay v Australia - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 25, 2026 Australia's Lucas Herrington applauds fans after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/David Gonzales
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group D - Paraguay v Australia - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 25, 2026 Australia's Lucas Herrington applauds fans after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/David Gonzales

After making a World Cup debut at 18, defending Australia's goal from Mohamed Salah is the next box Lucas Herrington would like to tick in a fast-moving career.

Egypt captain Salah is a doubt for the round of 32 clash against the Socceroos after suffering a hamstring strain during the 1-1 draw against Iran, Reuters said.

Center back Herrington, however, hopes the former Liverpool stalwart will be fit to line up in Arlington, Texas on Friday.

"It's nice to verse (compete against) ‌players like that. ‌Really, that's where you want to ‌be, ⁠that's who you ⁠want to verse," Herrington told reporters at the Socceroos' training base in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"So to be given that opportunity, hopefully, it'll be special, and I can't wait."

Herrington became the youngest Socceroo to start a match at the global tournament in a high-stakes group clash against ⁠Paraguay.

In only his fifth international, he barely ‌put a foot wrong in ‌the 0-0 draw against the South Americans, which ensured Australia would ‌meet Egypt as the second-placed team in Group D ‌rather than take on Germany as the third-ranked.

"That was the best moment of my life," said the Colorado Rapids player.

"I knew how important that game was, not just for us but ‌for the whole country.

"So I was looking forward to it. Obviously I'd dreamed of ⁠that moment ⁠since I was a kid and I just really wanted to embrace it, enjoy it."

There may be more golden moments for Herrington in the near future.

Tony Popovic's side will bid to become the first Australia team to win a World Cup knockout match.

Herrington has also been linked with a move to Barcelona, a development that surprises none of his teammates.

Midfielder Connor Metcalfe said some players might be nervous about a teenager's decision-making when under pressure in defense.

"Nothing really fazes him, he never looks nervous. I'm not nervous when he has the ball," said Metcalfe.


South Korea Coach Reportedly Quits after Early World Cup Exit

South Korean men's national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo (L) and midfielder Hwang In-beom attend a press conference at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico, 17 June 2026, a day ahead of their second Group A match. EPA/YONHAP
South Korean men's national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo (L) and midfielder Hwang In-beom attend a press conference at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico, 17 June 2026, a day ahead of their second Group A match. EPA/YONHAP
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South Korea Coach Reportedly Quits after Early World Cup Exit

South Korean men's national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo (L) and midfielder Hwang In-beom attend a press conference at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico, 17 June 2026, a day ahead of their second Group A match. EPA/YONHAP
South Korean men's national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo (L) and midfielder Hwang In-beom attend a press conference at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico, 17 June 2026, a day ahead of their second Group A match. EPA/YONHAP

Much-maligned South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday, reports said, a day after his side's group-stage exit from the World Cup.

The 57-year-old former captain, in his second stint as coach, oversaw an early World Cup exit for the second time to go with the failure in 2014.

South Korea were expected to get out of a Group A that included co-hosts Mexico plus South Africa and the Czech Republic.

But they lost 1-0 to South Africa and Mexico, and finished on three points, their only success a 2-1 win over the Czechs.

It left them hoping to squeeze into the knockout rounds as one of the eight best third-placed finishers.

That hope was extinguished on Saturday by results elsewhere, with Hong taking responsibility on Sunday and quitting, Yonhap News Agency said.


Japan's Ogura Wins Maiden MotoGP as Bezzecchi Crashes in Assen

Ai Ogura of Japan on his Aprilia celebrates winning the MotoGP race of the Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Netherlands at TT Circuit in Assen, the Netherlands, 28 June 2026.  EPA/VINCENT JANNINK
Ai Ogura of Japan on his Aprilia celebrates winning the MotoGP race of the Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Netherlands at TT Circuit in Assen, the Netherlands, 28 June 2026. EPA/VINCENT JANNINK
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Japan's Ogura Wins Maiden MotoGP as Bezzecchi Crashes in Assen

Ai Ogura of Japan on his Aprilia celebrates winning the MotoGP race of the Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Netherlands at TT Circuit in Assen, the Netherlands, 28 June 2026.  EPA/VINCENT JANNINK
Ai Ogura of Japan on his Aprilia celebrates winning the MotoGP race of the Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Netherlands at TT Circuit in Assen, the Netherlands, 28 June 2026. EPA/VINCENT JANNINK

Japanese rider Ai Ogura claimed his maiden MotoGP win as Aprilia achieved another 1-2-3 finish but Marco Bezzecchi crashed and surrendered the overall championship lead to Jorge Martin in Sunday's motorcycling Dutch Grand Prix.

At the heart of MotoGP thanks to their riders and manufacturers, Japan had been waiting nearly 22 years for a victory in the premier class.

And it was ultimately Ogura, the 2024 Moto2 world champion, who ended that interminable wait with a first Japanese win since Makoto Tamada in 2004.

The 25-year-old, who had already shown great promise ahead of his 2025 debut in the elite class, has confirmed his talent this year.

Ogura delivered a masterful display in the Dutch heat, despite being hampered by a technical issue early in the race.

Initially trailing and holding third place for much of the race, he once again produced a blistering finish.

Ogura finished over two seconds ahead of his Trackhouse teammate Raul Fernandez with another Spaniard Martin in third a further 1.5sec back on a winding and undulating track.

"It's fantastic, I don't have much to say but I'm really very happy. Many thanks to my team," AFP quoted Ogura as saying.

Fernandez, winner of Saturday's sprint, spent two-thirds of the race behind Martin before managing to overtake him only for Ogura, who had been biding his time, to pass his teammate shortly after and pull away for a scorching victory.

Ogura took pole last week in the Czech Republic but came second.

He also finished third at Le Mans in France in May to become the first Japanese rider to finish on a MotoGP podium since Katsuyuki Nakasuga at the Valencia Grand Prix in 2012.

In the championship, Martin takes the lead seven points ahead of Bezzecchi with Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio 16 behind the leader.

Bezzecchi crashed heavily on lap three at over 200kph.

The Italian Aprilia rider was fortunate to separate from his bike early in the fall and was transferred to hospital, conscious but suffering "intense pain.”

Ogura moved up to fourth position, 25 points behind the leader, while Marc Marquez, the reigning world champion, is 40 points behind his compatriot in fifth.

"It's incredible to lead the championship; the important thing for me is that I've made good progress with this bike and am increasingly adapting my riding style to this Aprilia," said Martin.

This tenth round of the season at Assen's "Cathedral of Speed" confirmed Aprilia's superiority over Ducati, a manufacturer that had dominated MotoGP for over five years.

Ducati's Marquez, who had won the previous two Grands Prix just a month after undergoing double surgery on his right shoulder and foot, was unable to match the Aprilias in the Netherlands.

Penalized one position for exceeding track limits, the 33-year-old Catalan finished a disappointing seventh and now trails Martin by 40 points.

However, the final round before the summer break, taking place in two weeks at his favorite circuit, the Sachsenring in Germany, where he has won nine times in MotoGP, could allow the seven-time world champion to narrow that gap.