Noskova reaches first Wimbledon semi-final

London, United Kingdom: Czech ninth seed Linda Noskova reached her first Wimbledon semi-final with a 6-3, 7-5 win against Belgium's Elise Mertens on Wednesday. forumteam.blog

Noskova dominated from start to finish in a last-eight clash lasting one hour and 50 minutes in searing temperatures on Court One.

The 21-year-old faces Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk in Thursday's semi-finals.

In only her second Grand Slam quarter-final, following her run at the 2024 Australian Open, Noskova sealed a place in the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time.

In the lead up to Wimbledon, Noskova won the Berlin Open, her first grass-court title.

She has taken that impressive form into the All England Club, dispatching former Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the last 16 before brushing aside Mertens.

Having reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, Noskova is now just one win away from her maiden Grand Slam final.

"The feelings are incredible, like never before. This is what I am playing tennis for, these big stages and big matches," she said.

"I was a little bit nervous before the match, I am not going to lie. When I am putting pressure on myself that is usually when I play my best. I really enjoyed this match."

Mertens, 30, had been hoping to make the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time, but the 25th seed bowed out after a strong run featuring a win over second seed Elena Rybakina.

Doha, Qatar: Spain have made winning look routine at the FIFA World Cup, but Belgium’s growing confidence suggests today’s quarter-final could be anything but.

A place in the last four is at stake when two of Europe’s biggest football nations meet at Los Angeles Stadium today (10pm Qatar time), with La Roja’s flawless campaign coming up against a Belgian side that has gathered momentum with every passing match.

European champions Spain arrived in North America as one of the favourites and have done little to challenge that tag.

They topped Group H before sweeping aside Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 and edging Portugal 1-0 in a tense Iberian derby, where substitute Mikel Merino struck deep into stoppage time to seal their place in the quarter-finals.

More impressively, Luis de la Fuente’s men have yet to concede a goal, becoming the first team in World Cup history to register six successive clean sheets.

Spain’s defensive solidity has been matched by the quality throughout the side. Rodri continues to dictate play from midfield, Pedri and Dani Olmo provide the craft, while teenager Lamine Yamal remains one of the tournament’s biggest attractions despite the extra attention he receives from opposing defenders.

Mikel Oyarzabal has also been a key figure in Spain’s attacking surge, leading their scoring charts with four goals in five matches at the tournament.

“He brings so much to the team with his dribbling and presence. When he receives the ball, two or three opposing players close in on him, which opens up space,” Olmo said of his Barcelona teammate Yamal.

“Lamine scores and assists, he’s always done that in his short career, and even when he doesn’t, he’ll keep helping us with the work he’s doing.”

Spain’s success has been built as much on discipline as flair.

“We are a team where everyone attacks and everyone defends,” Olmo said. “The coach says the number nine is the first to defend and the others follow suit. The defensive line has been spectacular. If we keep a clean sheet, we’re closer to winning.”

Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne in action during a training session yesterday. (PICS: AFP)

Belgium, meanwhile, have quietly grown into one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams. After opening with draws against Egypt and Iran, the Red Devils found their rhythm by thrashing New Zealand 5-1 to finish top of Group G. They then produced a stirring comeback from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the Round of 32 before dismantling co-hosts United States 4-1 in Seattle to reach the last eight.

Rudi Garcia’s side still leans on the experience of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, while Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere have added pace, creativity and goals to Belgium’s attack.

The only major setback ahead of the showdown is the absence of Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament against the United States.

Today’s contest will renew a World Cup rivalry that has produced one win apiece. Belgium eliminated Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 1986 quarter-finals before La Roja responded with a 2-1 victory in the group stage at Italia ‘90.

Overall, Spain have enjoyed the upper hand in the fixture, winning 12 of their 22 meetings, with Belgium claiming five victories and five matches ending level.

Spain’s perfect record and defensive resilience make them deserved favourites, but Belgium’s ability to overcome adversity and hurt opponents in different ways makes this one of the World Cup’s most intriguing quarter-finals.

Doha, Qatar: Four years after their dream run in Qatar was ended by France in the World Cup semi-finals, Morocco return to familiar territory with a different status and a bigger belief.

The Atlas Lions left the 2022 tournament as the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, winning admiration across the globe despite falling short of a place in the final. They were the surprise package then. Today, they arrive as a team that has earned its place among football’s elite.

When Morocco face France in a highly anticipated quarter-final at Boston Stadium today, with kick-off at 11pm Qatar time, the contest will not be about an underdog chasing another fairytale. It will be a battle between two established contenders fighting for a place in the last four.

France remain favourites but Morocco have already proved they can compete with the best.

Didier Deschamps’ side have maintained the standards expected of a title contender throughout the tournament. Les Bleus swept through Group I with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway before easing past Sweden in the Round of 32. Their narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in the last 16 showed another dimension to the French team as they displayed patience and resilience when their attacking quality alone was not enough.

Morocco’s journey has required greater character as they began with a creditable draw against Brazil before defeating Scotland and Haiti to secure second place in Group C. The Atlas Lions then survived a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands after Issa Diop’s late equaliser forced extra time, before producing one of their strongest performances of the tournament in a convincing 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada to reach a second successive World Cup quarter-final.

“We’re no longer a surprise today, and that’s a great source of pride,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the victory over Canada.

“I think this is only the beginning and I hope we’ll keep producing this kind of run for many years.”

Ouahbi has also played down suggestions that revenge is motivating his team following their semi-final defeat to France in Qatar.

“We want to go as far as possible and make our people proud,” he said.

France, meanwhile, continue to rely heavily on the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe. The captain has scored seven goals in the tournament, placed among the leading contenders in the Golden Boot race, while his penalty against Paraguay took his World Cup tally to 19, leaving him just two behind Lionel Messi’s record of 21. With Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, creative playmaker Michael Olise and a wealth of attacking options around him, Mbappe leads one of the most dangerous forward lines in the competition.

Morocco, however, have the defensive structure and discipline to challenge any opponent.

France’s players take part in a training session.

Yassine Bounou has once again produced impressive performances on the biggest stage, while Achraf Hakimi remains one of the tournament’s standout right-backs.

Azzedine Ounahi rediscovered his scoring touch with two goals against Canada, although striker Ismael Saibari remains a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the previous round.

The meeting between Hakimi and Mbappe will be one of the key battles in Boston.

The two players developed a close friendship during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain, but that relationship will be put aside when they meet on opposite sides with a World Cup semi-final place at stake.

Deschamps expects Morocco to provide a far tougher test than France have faced so far.

“Morocco are one of the best teams,” the France coach said. “We played them four years ago in Doha and they also got to the Africa Cup of Nations final.”

France will also have disciplinary concerns, with Bradley Barcola, Manu Kone and Olise all one booking away from missing a potential semi-final.

History is on Les Bleus’ side, with France winning two of the previous three meetings between the nations, including their memorable 2-0 victory in the Qatar 2022 semi-finals. The other match ended in a 2-2 draw.

But Morocco no longer arrive looking for recognition, and standing in their way is a France side chasing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.

The prize is a place in Dallas, where either Spain or Belgium will await in the semi-finals.

Doha, Qatar: Seattle braces for another World Cup chapter as co-hosts USA attempt to finally overcome Belgium and book a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.

The kick-off is scheduled at 3am, Qatar time.

For the Americans, it is also an opportunity to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since their memorable run at Korea and Japan 2002. Standing in their way is the same Belgian side that ended the United States’ World Cup dream in Brazil 12 years ago.

The Stars and Stripes enter the contest riding a wave of confidence after an impressive campaign under Mauricio Pochettino. They have scored at least two goals in every match at the tournament, recovering from a group-stage defeat to Turkiye before dispatching Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32. It has been a run that home supporters believe could become the nation’s finest World Cup campaign in more than two decades.

The occasion carries extra emotion after the squad marked the 250th anniversary of American independence while preparing for the biggest knockout match of their careers.

Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium takes part in a training session.

“It is special. It’s definitely special because it’s during a World Cup and triple special because it’s here in the US,” captain Tim Ream said.

Pochettino, however, has received a timely boost ahead of the quarter-final. The United States’ leading scorer, Folarin Balogun, will be available after FIFA suspended the implementation of the one-match ban he initially received following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. His availability gives the co-hosts a major boost as they look to build on their impressive attacking displays.

Christian Pulisic, who has been crucial throughout the tournament, is expected to play a key role, while midfielder Weston McKennie will look to match Belgium’s physicality. Goalkeeper Matt Turner could also have another busy evening against the Red Devils.

Belgium arrive in Seattle unbeaten but tested. After opening the tournament with back-to-back draws, the Red Devils found their rhythm with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand before surviving a dramatic Round of 32 encounter against Senegal, eventually prevailing 3-2 thanks to Youri Tielemans’ penalty deep into extra time.

Belgium have scored eight goals in their last two matches. Kevin De Bruyne continues to dictate the tempo with his creativity, while Jeremy Doku’s pace and Romelu Lukaku’s finishing provide a constant threat. Tielemans has also shown his ability to deliver in decisive moments.

History also favours the Europeans. Belgium have won all five previous meetings between the nations, including the unforgettable 2-1 extra-time victory in the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014. More recently, Belgium defeated the United States 5-2 in a March 2026 friendly, offering another reminder of the challenge awaiting the hosts.

Despite that record, this American team believes circumstances are different. Playing before a passionate home crowd, carrying the momentum of an impressive tournament, the United States feel this is their best chance yet to end the Belgian hoodoo.

Interestingly, both teams have conceded only four goals throughout the tournament, suggesting defensive discipline could prove just as decisive as attacking flair.

With a quarter-final against either Spain or Portugal awaiting, there is little need for extra motivation. One nation will move within three victories of lifting the World Cup.

The other will watch its dream end in Seattle.

Federal prosecutors and FBI agents have begun taking testimony on the Argentine Football Association’s operations in the United States.

U.S. federal prosecutors and FBI agents have begun taking testimony about the Argentine Football Association’s financial operations in the United States, according to reports.

Investigators are seeking to reconstruct how the AFA, headed by Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, moved hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. banking system.

So far, the inquiry is focused on whether transactions linked to the AFA could fall under U.S. jurisdiction as potential money laundering or bank fraud.

One witness was businessman Guillermo Tofoni, who previously denounced Tapia and the Argentina FA treasurer Pablo Toviggino for alleged fraud. Tofoni was interviewed last week by video conference for about three hours by prosecutors and FBI agents based in Washington, D.C. and Miami.

The inquiry centres in part on TourProdEnter LLC, a U.S.-registered company linked to producer Javier Faroni and Erica Gillette that handled the collection of AFA revenues.

The funds reportedly included payments from international commercial partners, including $60 million from Adidas and $40 million from Warner.

The measures taken so far do not amount to indictments or a formal criminal case. Investigators are in a preliminary stage aimed at mapping the financial circuit and identifying the actors involved.

AFA representatives have rejected any assumption of guilt. The association’s representative for the United States and North America said investigative steps alone “do not determine responsibility or guilt.”

Tapia has led the AFA since 2017. He has also faced legal scrutiny in Argentina over alleged improper withholding of tax and social security contributions.

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