MONTERRAY: Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday to leave the North African nation&#39;s defensive reputation in tatters and take early control of World Cup Group F. Yasin Ayari opened the scoring early in the Mexican city of Guadalupe with a thunderbolt from distance and Alexander Isak doubled Sweden&#39;s lead in the 30th minute. Omar Rekik pulled a goal back shortly before half-time but Viktor Gyokeres restored Sweden&#39;s two-goal cushion. Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 before another stunner from Ayari.

Sweden's goalkeeper #23 Kristoffer Nordfeldt celebrates with a temamate after winning the 2026 World Cup Group F football match between Sweden and Tunisia at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 14, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Football

Sweden crush Tunisia 5-1 in World Cup Group F

PHILADELPHIA: Amad Diallo struck a 90th-minute winner as Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 on Sunday in their opening game of the World Cup in Philadelphia. Ecuador hit the bar twice in the first half and the woodwork also denied Ivory Coast after the break, but Diallo stroked in a fine finish to win it for the West Africans in their first World Cup game since 2014. The Ivorians will meet Germany in their next Group E match on June 20. Germany thrashed debutants Curacao 7-1 earlier in the day.

Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 on Sunday in their opening game of the World Cup in Philadelphia.

Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in World Cup group game

ARILINGTON: Japan scored an 89th-minute equaliser as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in Texas on Sunday to open their World Cup campaigns. A match in front of 69,285 spectators that had bubbled away in the first period sparked into life in the second half. Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk scored with a fine header, only for Keito Nakamura to quickly level, before winger Crysencio Summerville&#39;s delicious curled finish into the bottom corner just after the hour. The Dutch looked like they would hold on, but Japan levelled at the death with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited with the goal after a deflection. &quot;We are not completely satisfied with the draw,&quot; said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, whose side face Tunisia on Saturday in a competitive-looking Group F. &quot;But the Netherlands are a top-class team and we tried to compete at the same level. &quot;We were tenacious but patient and kept calm.&quot; Japan and the Netherlands are missing key players through injury, but on paper this was still one of the more attractive fixtures in the group stage. Both have been touted as dark horses capable of going far at the tournament -- the Dutch have been runners-up three times whereas Japan have never gone beyond the last 16. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, the former defender charged with finally delivering World Cup glory, was given a grilling by Dutch media afterwards especially for his substitutions. &quot;I am disappointed that we did not win,&quot; said Koeman, who pointed the finger at his side&#39;s defending. &quot;But I am not that negative,&quot; he said to one line of questioning that he took exception to. &quot;I saw a team that has made great progress,&quot; he added of his men. &quot;Of course we can perform better and need to grow during the tournament.&quot; Game sparks to life&nbsp;The Netherlands made a confident start and nearly took the lead after three minutes, Donyell Malen swivelling and forcing a smart save from Zion Suzuki. The impressive air-conditioned arena is usually home to the Dallas Cowboys, and at the hydration break the NFL team&#39;s cheerleaders were shown on the massive screen hanging over the pitch performing one of their routines. The stoppage seemed to help the Dutch and Roma forward Malen again worked Suzuki with a header from a corner. Japan&#39;s fans, who had hardly stopped singing and outnumbered the Dutch contingent, were briefly silenced. The first real chance for Moriyasu&#39;s team came a few minutes before the break when a cross evaded the backtracking Summerville but Nakamura pulled his effort wide. The Dutch had looked most threatening in the air, so it was no surprise when Liverpool talisman Van Dijk rose to plant a well-placed header into the bottom corner after a pinpoint cross from his club team-mate Ryan Gravenberch on 51 minutes. The lead lasted just six minutes, Nakamura wriggling free and firing low past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, the ball taking a small deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke. In a madcap period of play, the Dutch forged ahead once more on 64 minutes when West Ham&#39;s Summerville beat his man on the right wing and curled into Suzuki&#39;s bottom-right corner with his left foot. Both teams rang the changes and had chances to score again, before Kamada&#39;s chaotic leveller from a corner. Sweden face Tunisia later Sunday in the other Group F game of the day.

Japan scores a late equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their World Cup opener, with Daichi Kamada’s 89th-minute goal rescuing a point after the Dutch twice take the lead.

Japan fight back in 2-2 Dutch thriller at World Cup

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WASHINGTON: A skydiving plane crashed Sunday in the central US state of Missouri, killing 12 people on board, emergency responders told AFP. The crash occurred near Butler Memorial Airport, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) south of Kansas City, said Dennis Jacobs, director of Bates County Emergency Management Agency. The private plane, carrying 11 skydivers and a pilot, turned around for an unknown reason after taking off around 11:30 am and crashed near a highway, prompting authorities to close the road, local media reports said. TV images showed charred debris in a field near the highway. With nearby Kansas City hosting several World Cup matches, Sheriff Chad Anderson told a press conference that authorities saw nothing terrorism- or crime-related in the crash. &quot;For all intents and purposes, (this) appears to be an accident,&quot; he said. Anderson said he did not know who owned the airplane or the name of the skydiving company or organization involved. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are starting an investigation, he said. Clergy were on hand to offer support for family members of the victims, he said.

A skydiving plane crash kills 12 people in the central US state of Missouri.

Skydiving plane crash kills 12 in Missouri: emergency responders

HOUSTON: Germany won their first opening match at a World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2014 as they eased to a 7-1 win against debutants Curacao in their opening Group E match in Houston on Sunday.&nbsp;The Germans will face stiffer tests against group rivals Ecuador and Ivory Coast but the win against the tiny Caribbean nation puts them in a good position to progress to the knockout stages for the first time since 2014.&nbsp;An early German goal by Felix Nmecha was cancelled out by a deflected strike from Livano Comenencia which had the Curacao fans, known as the Blue Wave, out of their seats in Houston.&nbsp;However, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz with a double, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav scored to put to bed any possibility of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.&nbsp;Germany settled early, Nmecha scoring a beauty in the sixth minute, receiving the ball from Florian Wirtz and curling the ball round a Curacao defender and past goalkeeper Eloy Room.&nbsp;The goal had coach Julian Nagelsmann letting out a huge roar.&nbsp;Nmecha, who like Musiala played for England at junior level before choosing Germany, went close minutes later with a rasping effort from outside the box.&nbsp;German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who at 40 is the oldest German player ever to appear at a World Cup and is playing in his fifth global tournament, had had little to do until Comenencia struck with a shot which took a deflection.&nbsp;While Germany&#39;s senior citizen shook his head ruefully, the oldest coach to ever appear at the finals, 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, was up out of his seat arms raised.&nbsp;The drinks break allowed the Germans to regroup.&nbsp;Soon after the restart Schlotterbeck&#39;s header was brilliantly turned over the bar by Room.&nbsp;The four-time world champions huffed and puffed round the Curacao goal, but time and again desperate defending frustrated their Germans.&nbsp;However, the Curacao defence cracked in the 38th minute when an unmarked Schlotterbeck headed home from a corner for his first goal for his country.&nbsp;The Germans went into the break with a two-goal advantage as Havertz stroked home a penalty after Nmecha had been brought down by Riechedly Bazoer.&nbsp;Germany struck 69 seconds into the second half, Musiala running on to Joshua Kimmich&#39;s pass and scoring from a tight angle.&nbsp;It should have been 5-1 just after the hour mark but Leroy Sane sent his effort wide with only Room to beat.&nbsp;Where Sane came up short Brown did not as the fullback fired home just before the second hydration break.&nbsp;Substitute Undav made it six with his seventh goal in his last seven international appearances.&nbsp;Havertz rounded it off with his 24th goal for Germany to replicate the same scoreline as they famously recorded against hosts Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals.

Germany began their World Cup campaign in dominant fashion, thrashing debutants Curacao 7-1 in Houston, after an early scare from Curacao’s equalizer. Germany responded with goals to secure a convincing Group E victory.

Germany hammer World Cup debutants Curacao after early scare

GENEVA: Clashes broke out Sunday between protesters and police in Geneva, including near the United Nations headquarters, a day before the G7 summit opens in nearby Evian in France, AFP journalists saw. Small groups of protesters, many dressed in black and wearing masks, threw bottles, stones, pieces of cement and firecrackers at the police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Several buildings were targeted, including the offices of the UN&#39;s International Telecommunications Union and a nearby premises of multinational accounting and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Protesters were not able to get close to the UN&#39;s European headquarters, located across the square, which had been heavily secured with large water cannon trucks parked in front. AFP journalists inside the building heard explosions, numerous police sirens and the continuous drone of helicopters circling overhead. The protesters later marched back to the demonstration&#39;s starting point, in a park on the shores of Lake Geneva, where clashes with police continued. The protest against the Group of Seven leaders, who kick off their three-day annual gathering on Monday, had started out peacefully at around 3:30 pm (1330 GMT), with demonstrators Waving banners bearing messages such as: &quot;No to the G7 and all imperialist alliances!&quot; and &quot;Abort the G7.&quot; Geneva authorities had deployed a significant police presence, wary of a repeat of the violence seen in the city when a similar summit was held in Evian in 2003. Chanting slogans with a range of messages, supporting Palestinians, climate action, feminism and anti-capitalist activism, the protesters made their way through a barricaded city, as helicopters hovered above. But shortly after the march began, groups of black-clad protesters in masks began breaking through barriers protecting some of the up-scale apartment buildings along the route, and set cars alight. AFP journalists also saw a Tesla car set alight, tagged with the words: &quot;Eat the Rich.&quot; Clashes with police followed, amid chants of &quot;Down with the police state&quot; and other anti-police slogans. At around 7:00 pm (1700 GMT), police estimated the number of demonstrators at 20,000, including around 600 so-called &quot;Black Bloc&quot; radical protesters.

Europe

Small groups of protesters, many dressed in black and wearing masks, threw bottles, stones, pieces of cement and firecrackers at the police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.

Clashes erupt between G7 protesters and police in Geneva

EAST RUTHERFORD: Brazil&#39;s defensive frailties, lack of creativity and problems at full-back were exposed in a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their World Cup opener, raising doubts over their chances of lifting a sixth title.&nbsp;Both Ancelotti and star forward Vinicius Junior, who scored the equalizer on Saturday, acknowledged the need for significant improvement if the Selecao are to lift the trophy for the first time since 2002.&nbsp;Brazil teams of the past have arrived at previous tournaments not considered favorites and yet gone on to win the trophy, but the nature of their opening display gave little reason to suggest they will return to New Jersey for the final on July 19.&nbsp;Despite the disappointing start against the 2022 semi-finalists, Ancelotti urged calm, pointing to the next match against minnows Haiti on June 19 as an opportunity to respond.&nbsp;&quot;We can&#39;t expect the team to be perfect from the get-go. You don&#39;t win a World Cup based on your first match,&quot; the Italian said.&nbsp;However, the performance highlighted the shortcomings Brazil must address to go deep in the tournament.&nbsp;Ancelotti had already admitted in March that Brazil no longer boast the attacking full-backs -- such as Carlos Alberto, Roberto Carlos or Cafu -- that once defined their play.&nbsp;Roma right-back Wesley fits that profile but was ruled out with injury just before the tournament. That left Brazil with only two natural full-backs, Douglas Santos and Alex Sandro, both on the left.&nbsp;On the right, Ancelotti has had to rely on Danilo, who plays at center-back for Flamengo, as well as Bremer and Roger Ibanez, who offer a more defensive approach.&nbsp;Ibanez started against Morocco but was replaced by Danilo at half-time.&nbsp;&quot;We have to adapt to the players available,&quot; said Vinicius.&nbsp;&nbsp;Midfield overrun and lacking spark Since Ancelotti took over a year ago, Brazil have conceded 12 goals in 13 matches, letting in at least one goal in each of their last six games.&nbsp;Against Morocco, Brahim Diaz capitalised on Lucas Paqueta losing possession and a disorganised midfield to slice open Brazil&#39;s defence and set up Ismael Saibari for the opener.&nbsp;The difficulties in midfield were more surprising, given one of Ancelotti&#39;s first moves as coach was to recall Casemiro last year after an 18-month absence.&nbsp;Casemiro has enjoyed a solid farewell season at Manchester United, while Bruno Guimaraes has been key for Newcastle, but the pair could not match the intensity and energy of Morocco&#39;s midfield -- run by 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi on his World Cup debut.&nbsp;So dominant were Bouaddi and Neil El Aynaoui in the center of the pitch that Ancelotti replaced five-time Champions League winner Casemiro at half-time.&nbsp;&quot;We could have controlled the game better,&quot; Casemiro said. &quot;We lost the ball too often in midfield.&quot;&nbsp;Brazil improved after the break with the introduction of ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho, though the shift was also in part due to Morocco fading as the physical toll of their aggressive pressing began to show.&nbsp;A shortage of creative options in midfield, the absence of someone who can dictate play, is another grave concern for a nation that has produced some of the game&#39;s greatest playmakers.&nbsp;Since the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, Brazil have relied heavily on Neymar, who is currently sidelined with injury and has struggled for form in recent years.&nbsp;In his absence, playmaking duties have fallen to Paqueta, a responsibility that appears to weigh heavily on the former West Ham midfielder.&nbsp;Vinicius stepped up at times on Saturday, but his primary role remains finishing, where he can best exploit his pace and dribbling.&nbsp;&quot;We should have created more,&quot; midfielder Fabinho said. &quot;In the second half, with more intensity, we managed to create more chances and space.&quot;&nbsp;Brazil will surely prove too strong for a Haiti side appearing at their first World Cup since 1974, but the five-time champions did anything but dispell the doubts about this current group of players against Morocco.

Brazil's 1-1 World Cup draw with Morocco exposed defensive weaknesses, midfield struggles and a lack of creativity. Carlo Ancelotti and Vinicius Junior admitted improvement is needed, though Brazil hope to respond strongly against Haiti in their next match.

Brazil's frailties laid bare in shaky World Cup opener

MONTMEL&Oacute;: Lewis Hamilton claimed his first victory for Ferrari on Sunday at the Barcelona-Catalunya Formula One Grand Prix, ending championship leader Kimi Antonelli&#39;s five-race winning streak.&nbsp;The seven-time world champion finished ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris, while Antonelli was forced to abandon in the final stages because of a technical problem.&nbsp;Hamilton, 41, cut down Antonelli&#39;s title lead to 41 points by triumphing on a Sunday nearly two years after he last won a race.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s not over, that&#39;s for sure,&quot; said Hamilton of the championship race.&nbsp;Mercedes polesitter Russell came in 19 seconds behind Hamilton, with Norris completing an all-British podium, the first since the 1968 United States Grand Prix.&nbsp;&quot;You have helped me so much to achieve this dream, I cannot thank you enough,&quot; said Hamilton over team radio.&nbsp;&quot;To the fans, thank you for reminding me who I am. I couldn&#39;t have done this without you.&quot;&nbsp;Russell, pre-season favourite for the championship, arrived in Barcelona bemoaning bad luck for his recent struggles but after team-mate Antonelli edged in front of him late on he had some good fortune to cut the gap on the teenager to 53 points after the Italian abandoned.&nbsp;&quot;Good to be back on the podium and have a clean race, but Ferrari were mighty today so we need to keep pushing,&quot; said Russell.&nbsp;&quot;The last stints were difficult, but it&#39;s good to be back here. The pace today was insane from Lewis, they are coming I think.&quot;&nbsp;With track temperatures up at 51 degrees Celsius, Hamilton opted for a three pit-stop strategy and it worked to perfection, with the third of those fortuitously coming while the virtual safety car was deployed.&nbsp;Ferrari&#39;s heavily upgraded car may well have been fast enough for Hamilton to triumph anyway, as he recorded the 106th victory of his career.&nbsp;Red Bull&#39;s Max Verstappen came in fourth, ahead of McLaren&#39;s Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar in the other Red Bull.&nbsp;Russell got off to the perfect start from pole, holding off Hamilton on softs, with the Ferrari driver cutting off Antonelli.&nbsp;Hadjar, who started in position six, was slow off the line and overtaken by eight cars.&nbsp;Charles Leclerc, in the second Ferrari, admitted he was &quot;ashamed&quot; by his crash in qualifying which left him starting in 10th but expertly weaved his way up to sixth, although he was later forced to retire.&nbsp;Early stopHamilton took an early pit stop on lap 12 to swap his softs for hards, with Mercedes responding on the following lap with hards for Russell.&nbsp;Russell was worried his stop &quot;exposed&quot; him to Antonelli but retook the lead from Hamilton with his teenage team-mate back in third after his own stop to bolt on the hards.&nbsp;With Hamilton 2.3 seconds behind Russell he said &quot;we are on Plan C&quot; over team radio.&nbsp;The seven-time champion pitted for the second time in the 28th lap, indicating a three-stop strategy, with Mercedes deciding not to follow suit because of the threat of 2025 champion Lando Norris, who was on a two-stop plan.&nbsp;Antonelli moved right behind Russell, who was forced to fend off his team-mate.&nbsp;Russell was called in for fresh hards before Antonelli followed suit, allowing Hamilton into the lead, with Ferrari telling the Briton this was the &quot;critical time&quot; for his race.&nbsp;Home favourite Alonso, in what he said was probably his final appearance in Barcelona, was forced to retire because of a suspected battery issue. It brought out a yellow flag with the virtual safety car deployed, offering Hamilton an ideal chance for a cheap stop.&nbsp;That worked brilliantly for Hamilton who emerged from his third stop with fresh rubber 2.6s ahead of Russell with 24 laps remaining.&nbsp;With clean air Hamilton was able to stretch his lead comfortably to triumph in style.&nbsp;The victory was sweetened further by late drama as Antonelli retired from second place in the 62nd lap to blow open the championship.

Racing

Lewis Hamilton secured his first Ferrari victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, ending Kimi Antonelli’s five-race winning streak. George Russell finished second and Lando Norris third, while Antonelli retired late with a technical problem, reducing his championship lead.

Hamilton claims his first Ferrari win at Barcelona Grand Prix

DHAKA: Bangladesh&#39;s former police chief Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai, the interior minister said on Sunday, years after he fled his home country where he is facing multiple charges including corruption. Benazir, once a close ally of former autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina, left the country in May 2024 amid public outrage over allegations that he had stashed an illegal multi-million-dollar fortune. The United States imposed sanctions against the official in 2021 for his alleged role in hundreds of disappearances and extrajudicial killings when he led the feared Rapid Action Battalion paramilitary force. &quot;Benazir Ahmed was arrested on June 12 and he will be extradited soon,&quot; Bangladesh&#39;s Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament. &quot;An Interpol Red Notice was issued against Benazir,&quot; he added. &quot;This is a historic achievement. Through these efforts, we will be able to break the culture of impunity,&quot; Salahuddin Ahmed said. &quot;We want to assure the nation that no perpetrator, however powerful, is above the law.&quot; A student-led revolt toppled prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, forcing her into exile.

Bangladesh

US has imposed sanctions against the official in 2021 for his alleged role in hundreds of disappearances and extrajudicial killings when he led the feared Rapid Action Battalion paramilitary force.

Sweden crush Tunisia 5-1 in World Cup Group F

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Sweden crush Tunisia 5-1 in World Cup Group F

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