USA’s Chris Richards becomes first since FIFA World Cup 1966 to achie…

California [US], June 13 (ANI): United States defender Chris Richards has etched his name into the record books after completing 83 out of 83 passes against Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on Friday (local time), marking the highest number of passes completed with 100 per cent accuracy by any player in a World Cup match since 1966, according to ESPN Insights.

Richards achieved the rare feat during the United States’ dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay, where the hosts delivered a commanding all-around performance at SoFi Stadium.

The centre-back was flawless in possession throughout the match, playing a key role in the USA’s build-up play while maintaining complete passing accuracy across the full game. truewildgame.online

Meanwhile, United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has provided an injury update on Christian Pulisic, saying the team chose not to take any risks during the second half after the 27-year-old suffered a kick to his calf during the clash against Paraguay.

Pochettino said Pulisic was struck on the calf during the game and subsequently began to feel tightness, prompting the decision to withdraw him at half-time as a precaution, according to The Athletic.

“We didn’t want to take any risks," Pochettino said, explaining the decision to withdraw Pulisic at half-time during the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash, as quoted by The Athletic.

Coming to the match, Folarin Balogun scored twice, while Pulisic delivered a commanding display as United States started their World Cup on a winning note.

Constantly troubling the Paraguayan defence and playing a key role in multiple attacking moves as the hosts controlled proceedings from the start.

The USA took an early lead in the 7th minute when Pulisic split the defence with a brilliant pass to Weston McKennie, which ultimately resulted in Damian Bobadilla turning the ball into his own net. Balogun then doubled the advantage in the 31st minute, finishing a precise cross from Pulisic.

The forward added his second goal deep into stoppage time (90+8′), dribbling past two defenders before sealing a comfortable win for the hosts, who were in full control throughout the match.

Paraguay briefly reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute through Mauricio Magalhães, but failed to mount a sustained comeback against a dominant US side.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino opted to rest Pulisic at half-time, replacing him with Sebastian Berhalter, as the USA managed their squad with an eye on a long tournament ahead.

Late in the match, Gio Reyna added further gloss to the scoreline with a stunning strike from distance, finding the top corner to cap off an emphatic opening win for the hosts.

In another Group fixture, Canada began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Cyle Larin scoring a late equaliser in the 78th minute to rescue a point.

The United States will next face their upcoming Group opponent in Seattle, while Canada will take on Qatar in their next match in Vancouver. (ANI)

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Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], June 13 (ANI): Koylanchal Super Kings and the Jamshedpur Steelers secured hard-fought victories over Chota Nagpur Royals and Dhanbad Diamonds, respectively, on day three of the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League held at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.

Koylanchal Super Kings won by five wickets, whilst Jamshedpur Steelers sealed their victory by 7 runs, according to a release.

In the opening match of the day, Chota Nagpur Royals were bowled out for 190 in 19.4 overs. Chandan Kumar Mukhi top-scored for his side with a brisk 49.

He was well-supported by openers MD Nazim Siddiqui (41) and Virat Singh (36) in the innings. For the Koylanchal Super Kings, Shubh Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3/43 in his 3.4 overs.

Chasing a target of 191, Koylanchal Super Kings got off to a flyer as Utkarsh Singh (53) and Player of the Match Sharandeep Singh Bhatia (79) stitched together a commanding 122-run opening partnership. A late cameo from Shubh Sharma guided the team home in 19.1 overs, finishing at 192/5 to seal a five-wicket victory with five balls to spare. For the Royals, Supriyo Chakraborty, only the third bowler in the league to claim a five-wicket haul, bowled a magnificent spell of 5/29 in vain.

The second encounter of the day saw another batting masterclass as the Jamshedpur Steelers posted a formidable total of 202/6 with Adarsh Giri (41) and Kumar Debobrat (24) performing with the bat. For Dhanbad Diamonds, Shamshed Ahmad led the bowling attack with figures of 4/39, while Atul Singh Surwar chipped in with 2/33.

Facing a mammoth target of 203, Dhanbad Diamonds started their chase with all guns blazing. Openers Ram Raushan Sharan (63) and Vikash Kumar Vishal (58) put on a spectacular 118-run partnership for the first wicket. However, the Steelers’ bowlers strangled the Diamonds in the death overs, restricting them to 195/8 in 20 overs to snatch a narrow 7-run victory.

Pratik Ranjan was the star with the ball for Jamshedpur, returning economical figures of 3/27 to turn the tide in the middle overs. Ravi Sharma took 2/24 in his 3 overs and was the player of the match trophy for his contribution of 30* off 19 balls runs with the bat as well. (ANI)

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New Jersey [US], June 13 (ANI): Brazil star Neymar will miss the national team’s opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Morocco, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Saturday.

The Selecao get their tournament underway on June 14 (as per Indian Standard Time), when they face Morocco at MetLife Stadium in the first Group C game.

Speaking about the forward’s fitness, Ancelotti said, as quoted by FotMob, “He’s working hard to get fit as quickly as possible. We hope he can return to full training next week."

Neymar was a doubt for their opener after suffering a calf injury in the lead-up to the tournament, and has now been ruled out for the match.

Brazil will next take on Haiti on June 19 before concluding their group-stage campaign against Scotland on June 24, with Ancelotti expressing confidence that Neymar could be available for both fixtures.

Brazil and Morocco are set to face each other at the World Cup for only the second time, with their previous meeting coming in the 1998 group stage when Brazil registered a 3-0 victory in a match that saw Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo score their first World Cup goals.

Brazil have historically dominated against African teams at the World Cup, winning seven of their eight encounters, with their only defeat coming against Cameroon in 2022, when they lost 1-0.

The upcoming fixture is also the only group-stage match featuring two teams currently ranked inside the top 10 of the FIFA World Rankings, with Brazil placed sixth and Morocco eighth.

“This is a team which can compete with anyone," Ancelotti added.

“We can face up to any team. We have technical quality and experience and we are absolutely confident we can face up to any team. We have a good feeling about this World Cup. We’re ready and prepared. At this point there is no clear favourite for the World Cup. Several teams will have the opportunity to compete all the way to the end," the Brazil head coach concluded. (ANI)

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Missouri [US], June 13 (ANI): England’s training equipment has been stolen ahead of their arrival in Kansas City, local police have confirmed, after a vehicle carrying the gear to their FIFA World Cup base was broken into, Reuters reported.

According to reports, the incident took place during the transportation of equipment from England’s pre-tournament camp in Florida to Swope Soccer Village, where the setup was intended to be completed before the squad’s arrival for training in Kansas City on Saturday.

Authorities said the further investigation into the incident is underway. “We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening," police said as quoted by Reuters.

“The investigation is ongoing. Two subjects of interest were taken into custody pending further investigation." Balls and boots were among the items believed to have been stolen, according to British media reports as quoted by Reuters.

England will compete in Group L of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they have been drawn alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, as the Three Lions aim to end their long wait for a major international trophy, last won in 1966.

England will begin their FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 18, as per Indian Standard Time (IST)

Thomas Tuchel’s side enters the tournament with a 26-member squad featuring a blend of experience and youth, led by captain Harry Kane, along with key players such as Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.

The squad also includes several new additions, with nine players set to make their debut at a major international tournament, including Elliott Anderson and Morgan Rogers, marking a new-look England setup under the German head coach. (ANI)

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