Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo has secured the third leg of the Triple Crown with a dramatic comeback victory at the 158th Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs.

Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, the impressive colt charged down the stretch to hold off a late challenge from Commandment.

Pre-race favourite Renegade was forced to settle for third place behind the leading pair at the historic upstate New York venue.

Historic milestone for DeVaux

The triumph marks another significant achievement for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who recently made history as the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.

Competing in her hometown of Saratoga Springs, the celebrated horsewoman now becomes only the second female trainer to win the Belmont in the past four years.

Despite a much slower pace than their previous victory at Churchill Downs, the powerful runner still closed effectively to complete the 1 1/4-mile course in two minutes and 3.49 seconds.

Saratoga bids farewell

This weekend marked the third and final occasion that the prestigious American classic will be held at Saratoga Race Course.

The temporary upstate relocation was necessitated by the ongoing demolition and reconstruction of its traditional home on the border of Queens and Long Island.

Racing officials have confirmed that the grueling endurance test will return to a state-of-the-art Belmont Park facility next year.

Harry Kane scored a stoppage-time header to earn England a laboured 1-0 victory over New Zealand in their World Cup warm-up match in Florida.

Thomas Tuchel utilised the fixture at the Raymond James Stadium to field two entirely different starting line-ups.

The national team manager is fine-tuning his squad ahead of a crucial tournament campaign that begins next week.

Marcus Rashford also staked his claim for a starting berth with an encouraging performance in the sweltering American heat.

Experimental line-up struggles for rhythm

The first half proved to be a drab affair as players acclimatised to the demanding weather conditions.

Tuchel opted for several surprise selections, deploying Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah in an unfamiliar right-back role.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was also asked to operate out of position on the right wing.

He stepped in to cover for Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, who will join the travelling party on Sunday.

Spence creates opening for captain

Despite the disjointed performance, the deadlock was finally broken just before the half-time whistle.

Djed Spence, sporting a protective mask for a broken jaw, delivered a precise cross from the left flank.

The Bayern Munich marksman made no mistake, nodding the ball home to give his side the advantage.

Stones returns as second string impress

Manchester City centre-back John Stones successfully completed 45 minutes following an injury-disrupted domestic season.

Wholesale changes at the interval saw Tino Livramento and Nico O’Reilly introduced to the action for the second period.

The latter stages offered a slightly more entertaining spectacle, although neither goalkeeper was heavily troubled.

The Three Lions will now hope to build momentum from this gritty win as they prepare for their opening group fixture.

Arsenal are facing intense competition from Paris St-Germain in the race to sign Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White during the upcoming transfer window.

The 26-year-old England international has emerged as a primary target for the Gunners as they look to bolster their offensive options.

However, the North London side are also monitoring Aston Villa prospect Morgan Rogers as a potential alternative should a deal for the Forest playmaker stall.

Real Madrid launch ambitious recruitment drive

Sweeping changes are anticipated at the Santiago Bernabeu following the shock appointment of Jose Mourinho as head coach.

The Portuguese tactician is eager to reunite with Bernardo Silva following the veteran midfielder’s departure from Manchester City.

Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Florentino Perez is plotting an audacious move for Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia if he wins the upcoming election.

Klopp dismisses Spanish return

Rival presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has been dealt a major blow in his own pursuit of Jurgen Klopp.

The former Liverpool manager’s representative emphatically dismissed the prospect of a swift return to the dugout.

The German does not want to work as a coach at a club.

Premier League transfer merry-go-round

In domestic news, Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on securing Brazilian winger Savinho.

The 22-year-old is reportedly ready to push for a departure from Manchester City after a previous bid from Spurs was rejected last summer.

Over at Anfield, Italian forward Federico Chiesa is demanding increased playing time and plans to hold crunch talks with new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola.

Clubs circle Newcastle United stars

The Merseyside outfit are also resolute in keeping hold of highly-rated teenager Rio Ngumoha, strongly rebuffing exploratory interest from Bayern Munich.

Further down the table, Aston Villa are weighing up an approach for Newcastle United wide-man Harvey Barnes.

Leeds United and Ipswich Town are locked in a fierce battle to secure the signature of veteran Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Finally, Russell Martin is in advanced talks with Leicester City as the English coach weighs up a return to League One management.

Brighton have agreed a £21.5m deal to sign 18-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna from Swedish side AIK Stockholm on a five-year contract.

The lucrative transfer will be officially finalised when the Premier League summer window opens on Monday, 15 June.

The highly-rated teenager joins the Seagulls following a remarkably rapid breakthrough spell in Scandinavian football.

Hurzeler praises exciting new arrival

Manager Fabian Hurzeler expressed his delight at securing the promising attacker’s signature ahead of the upcoming campaign.

“I’m looking forward to working with Zadok,” the Brighton boss explained.

“Having seen his games and his attributes, he is a player that can impact games in the final third.”

“He’s still young, and will need time to adapt to the club and Premier League, but he’s an exciting player to watch and he brings the kind of creativity we know our fans will enjoy.”

Rapid rise from academy to Premier League

Prior to his move to Europe, the electric forward developed his skills at the Ikon Allah Football Academy in his native Nigeria.

He quickly adapted to the physical demands of professional football in Sweden following his senior debut.

During a brief but explosive stint with the Allsvenskan outfit, the dynamic wide man registered five goals and four assists across just 18 appearances.

This outstanding attacking output ultimately convinced the south coast club to invest heavily in his potential as they look to bolster their frontline.

FIFA has confirmed the complete fixture schedule for the 2026 World Cup, detailing an unprecedented 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the expanded 48-team tournament.

The 37-day global spectacle officially kicks off on 11 June when co-hosts Mexico face South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

A grueling marathon of international football will ultimately culminate in the showpiece final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

Home nations discover opening tests

England begin their latest quest for international glory against familiar foes Croatia in Arlington on 17 June.

Meanwhile, Scotland face a demanding transatlantic clash against Haiti in Foxborough on 14 June.

British fans must prepare for an exhausting viewing schedule, with group-stage matches stretching from evening prime time deep into the early hours of the morning.

An unprecedented global footprint

This historic edition marks the first time three separate nations will jointly host the sport’s most prestigious competition.

The introduction of a 48-team format ensures a record number of fixtures, vastly increasing the physical demands placed upon the competing squads.

Traditional heavyweights and defending champions alike face rigorous travel itineraries across multiple North American time zones.

Key opening week clashes

The United States launch their home tournament against Paraguay in Los Angeles on 13 June.

Fellow co-hosts Canada take to the pitch a day earlier, welcoming Bosnia & Herzegovina to Toronto.

Supporters can look forward to several marquee matchups during the opening round of group stage games:

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has firmly rejected the narrative that the difference between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo comes down to natural talent versus hard work.

The France captain was asked to weigh in on the enduring debate between the two footballing icons ahead of the upcoming World Cup in North America.

Rather than choosing a definitive favourite, the prolific attacker opted to dismantle a popular misconception surrounding the legendary duo.

‘I am speaking from the heart’

Many fans and pundits have long characterised Messi’s brilliance as purely innate, while attributing Ronaldo’s astonishing success almost exclusively to relentless dedication.

The former Paris St-Germain striker strongly criticised this viewpoint during a recent interview, branding it a false narrative.

“Without sounding condescending, that is something only someone who hasn’t played soccer would say,” Mbappe told Sorare.
“Because if you tell me Ronaldo lacks talent or Messi hasn’t put in the work, it means you’ve never in your life laced up your boots to train day in and day out.”

The 2018 World Cup winner reiterated his disbelief at the enduring myth.

“I can’t fathom lacing up your boots every day and still thinking that way, I’m speaking from the heart.”

Contrasting styles and staggering statistics

The newest Galactico then highlighted the distinct physical and technical attributes that genuinely separate the two superstars.

“One is right-footed, the other left-footed, one is tall, the other shorter, one is stronger, the other leaner,” he explained.

To provide context to the debate, Messi has amassed 910 career goals and 414 assists by utilising his low centre of gravity and unparalleled football intelligence.

Conversely, Ronaldo has evolved from an explosive winger into a lethal central striker, registering an incredible 973 senior goals since his professional debut in 2002.

Di Maria offers opposing view

The debate continues to divide opinions across the footballing world, even among professionals who have shared a dressing room with the iconic pair.

Angel Di Maria, who has played alongside both men, recently offered a contrasting perspective that directly contradicts the French forward’s assessment.

“For me, Leo is better than Cristiano because he has a natural talent; he doesn’t have to work constantly to match or equal someone else,” the Argentine international argued.

Newcastle United have opened negotiations with FC Koln over a £43m deal to sign teenage winger Said El Mala as a replacement for Anthony Gordon.

The Tyneside club are seeking attacking reinforcements following Gordon’s lucrative £70m departure to Barcelona.

Manager Eddie Howe is planning a major squad overhaul after a disappointing 12th-placed Premier League finish last season.

Missing out on European competition entirely has accelerated the need to rebuild the playing staff at St James’ Park.

Brentford bid rejected by player

The highly-rated German forward has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in the Bundesliga.

He registered 13 goals and four assists in just 20 starts for the Cologne-based side.

Those impressive performances recently prompted Premier League rivals Brentford to table a successful bid of €45m plus €5m in add-ons.

However, the 19-year-old subsequently turned down a move to the Bees, paving the way for the Magpies to step in.

Family demands complicate negotiations

Securing an agreement with the player’s representatives presents a unique challenge for the English side.

The winger is represented by his parents, who are reportedly insisting on a double transfer agreement.

They want any purchasing club to also sign his older brother, Malik, who currently plays for the same German outfit.

The Newcastle hierarchy must now decide whether to accommodate this familial request to land their primary attacking target.

Reinvesting the Gordon windfall

Rival clubs are acutely aware of the substantial funds available to Newcastle following their recent high-profile sale.

Howe’s recruitment team must carefully navigate potential price hikes as they search for adequate quality on the flanks.

The German teenager will likely have noted the successful development of young forwards on Tyneside, such as Alexander Isak.

A successful conclusion to these talks would represent a major step forward in Newcastle’s summer rebuilding project.

Richard Childress Racing owner Richard Childress has revealed he was preparing to announce a contract extension for Kyle Busch at Michigan International Speedway before the two-time Cup Series champion’s sudden death in May.

Childress addressed the media on Saturday for the first time since the 41-year-old died on 21 May.

The legendary driver passed away after severe pneumonia rapidly progressed into sepsis.

His death certificate later cited hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation as the official causes.

Echoes of a past tragedy

For the 80-year-old team owner, the loss brings back devastating memories of the 2001 Daytona 500.

Childress previously had to navigate his NASCAR organisation through the fatal crash of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt.

“You lose two of the greatest drivers that’s ever driven a car in NASCAR and to have to go through it again,” Childress said.
“I just feel so bad for the family and the employees and everybody. But yeah, I mean, I haven’t slept very good lately.”

Final conversations and future plans

The veteran motorsport boss explained he had spoken to the experienced driver the night before his sudden hospitalisation.

The American had become unresponsive while testing in a Chevrolet racing simulator in North Carolina.

Despite enduring a 105-race winless streak in the Cup Series, the former champion was highly optimistic about his racing future.

A recent crew chief change had sparked an upturn in form, culminating in a season-best eighth-place finish at Watkins Glen.

“He said, ‘You give me cars like you gave me the last three weeks, I will make The Chase this year,'” Childress noted.

Safeguarding a family legacy

In the wake of the tragedy, RCR has switched to using the number 33 car.

Austin Hill has taken over driving duties for the past two events and will retain the seat for the remainder of the campaign.

“We don’t want to put a burden back on everybody trying to go from one driver to the other,” Childress explained.

The iconic number eight has been respectfully set aside for the potential future Cup career of the late driver’s 11-year-old son, Brexton.

Childress has recently spent time with the grieving family, reflecting on the hunting trips and dirt track racing they all shared.

“The many things that we all could have done together, that was probably the toughest part of this whole thing,” he added.

The heartbroken team owner concluded by calling for his former driver to be immediately inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.