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MEXICO CITY: Julian Quiones did not grow up dreaming of scoring for Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, but on Tuesday his third goal at the World Cup set his side on their way to a 2-0 win over Ecuador that gave home fans more reason to believe that this is their year.

The Colombian-born forward has been a key figure in Mexico’s run to the round of 16, as the co-hosts ended a 40-year wait for another knockout-stage victory at the tournament.

It is a question loaded with decades of hurt.

What if Mexico can go beyond the familiar ceiling? What if the fifth game is not the end point but the start of something bigger?

Quinones has become the player Mexico looks to for the answers.

Born in Colombia but forged in Mexican football, he has made this World Cup feel personal.

Quinones led the way against Ecuador, unleashing a thunderous finish into the top corner for his third goal of the tournament.

In the group stage, he scored in the opener against South Africa, helped stretch South Korea in a tense 1-0 win in Guadalajara, then struck again against the Czech Republic.

“We have more to do, work harder so people can be happier,” Quinones told FIFA.

“I’m happy with the result. My individual success stems from all the teamwork, and I’m always happy to wear this jersey. All I feel is happiness for all the work we’re doing as a group; individual success is secondary,” he told reporters.

The 29-year-old built his career in Liga MX, became a champion with Atlas and Club America, and chose Mexico despite Colombia’s interest.

In a 2023 interview with Mexican broadcaster TUDN, Quinones said he did not even read a letter from the Colombian federation before rejecting the chance to represent the country of his birth.

For some supporters, he is proof that belonging can be earned in sweat, goals and nights like this. For others, he is simply the forward Mexico have long needed: fast, direct, forceful, unafraid of the moment.

At the final whistle, the Azteca did not sound like a stadium relieved to have survived. It sounded like one daring itself to believe.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 : Malaysia will continue to host a leg of the MotoGP championship at the Sepang International Circuit until 2031, the country’s sports ministry said on Wednesday.

The race at the SIC has been a fixture on the calendar since 1999, apart from its cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malaysia’s cabinet had approved extending the hosting agreement for another five years from 2027, the youth and sports ministry said in a statement.

The statement did not say how much Malaysia was expected to spend annually to host the race. Officials have previously said hosting fees had risen between 10 per cent and 15 per cent since the contract was last renewed in 2024.     

MEXICO CITY: Julian Quiones did not grow up dreaming of scoring for Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, but on Tuesday his third goal at the World Cup set his side on their way to a 2-0 win over Ecuador that gave home fans more reason to believe that this is their year.

The Colombian-born forward has been a key figure in Mexico’s run to the round of 16, as the co-hosts ended a 40-year wait for another knockout-stage victory at the tournament.

The last time Mexico won a World Cup knockout match was a 2-0 win over Bulgaria at the same venue in 1986, with fans having to suffer the agony of watching talented teams come up short in the group stage or the first knockout round.

As Quinones drove Mexico forward on Tuesday, the chant that has followed the hosts through this tournament rolled around the stadium again: “¿Y si sí?” — roughly translated, “What if?”

It is a question loaded with decades of hurt.

What if Mexico can go beyond the familiar ceiling? What if the fifth game is not the end point but the start of something bigger?

Quinones has become the player Mexico looks to for the answers.

Born in Colombia but forged in Mexican football, he has made this World Cup feel personal.

Quinones led the way against Ecuador, unleashing a thunderous finish into the top corner for his third goal of the tournament.

In the group stage, he scored in the opener against South Africa, helped stretch South Korea in a tense 1-0 win in Guadalajara, then struck again against the Czech Republic.

“We have more to do, work harder so people can be happier,” Quinones told FIFA.

“I’m happy with the result. My individual success stems from all the teamwork, and I’m always happy to wear this jersey. All I feel is happiness for all the work we’re doing as a group; individual success is secondary,” he told reporters.

The 29-year-old built his career in Liga MX, became a champion with Atlas and Club America, and chose Mexico despite Colombia’s interest.

In a 2023 interview with Mexican broadcaster TUDN, Quinones said he did not even read a letter from the Colombian federation before rejecting the chance to represent the country of his birth.

For some supporters, he is proof that belonging can be earned in sweat, goals and nights like this. For others, he is simply the forward Mexico have long needed: fast, direct, forceful, unafraid of the moment.

At the final whistle, the Azteca did not sound like a stadium relieved to have survived. It sounded like one daring itself to believe.

MEXICO CITY, June 30 : Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said it was the players’ connection with the fans that was driving their push to succeed at the World Cup, after the co-hosts qualified for the round of 16 on Tuesday.

Mexico’s 2-0 win over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium was their fourth straight victory without a goal conceded at the tournament.

“This connection we have with the fans is a driving force,” Aguirre said at a press conference.

On Tuesday night, the Azteca was once again overflowing, with just over 80,000 fans cheering on their team from start to finish and booing every time the opposing team touched the ball.

“I’ve had some great victories, but none like today’s, because it’s at home, with your own people,” added Aguirre, who previously managed Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.

On Sunday, Mexico will play in the round of 16 again at home in Mexico City against the winner of the match between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Aguirre, 67, praised the Ecuadorean team, who finished second in the South American qualifiers with only two losses in 18 matches.

“It is not easy to beat Ecuador,” he said.

Aguirre was happy with Mexico’s performance, his only gripe being that they were unable to score more goals on the counterattack to kill off the game.

MEXICO CITY, June 30 : Sebastian Beccacece bid a heartfelt farewell as Ecuador coach following their 2-0 defeat by Mexico in the World Cup round of 32 on Tuesday, saying he would have liked to continue in the role but that he had failed to deliver on his promises.

Despite entering the knockout stage with renewed momentum following a dramatic comeback victory over Germany, Ecuador could not overcome Mexico’s fast start and flawless defensive record.

“Our contract ended with the World Cup. I don’t think we were able to achieve the feat we promised: to make this the best World Cup ever. Today it’s my turn to say goodbye,” Beccacece said after their defeat at a deafening Azteca Stadium.

“That’s why I have to leave. I would have liked to continue because what I received from the players and the management warranted the possibility of continuing. But I understand how this works and it hurts, but I think the decision was clear.”

Beccacece acknowledged his team were frustrated by an energised Mexican side, who dominated the opening 45 minutes.

“We were outplayed in the first half,” he said.

Ecuador improved after the break and enjoyed more possession as they searched for a way back into the contest, but Mexico’s defence held firm.

“We fought back, but we couldn’t find the goal that would have given us a boost,” Beccacece added.

Despite the pain of elimination, the Argentine manager chose to focus on the deep bond forged with his squad and the country during their journey.

Asked about the legacy he leaves behind, Beccacece deflected the praise to his squad.

“The legacy is from the players, because they have been the youngest team of Ecuador,” he said.

“I have no complaints, only gratitude to the people and the players,” he said. “I received so much gratitude and affection from the bottom of my heart. The boys gave me two beautiful hours after the match and that’s what we’re left with.”

BERLIN, July 1 : German investigators launched nationwide searches including at the offices of the DFB soccer association, the sport’s national governing body, over suspected ticket allocation violations, the Bild newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The raid was prompted by investigations into a German national and a French national among others, Bild said. A statement by police and prosecutors said searches were being conducted in several locations in Germany, without mentioning the DFB.

SANTA CLARA, California, June 30 : With folk songs blaring and cevapi sausages sizzling on the terrace, Euro Grill restaurant has become Bosnia fans’ home-away-from-home in Northern California ahead of the World Cup round of 32 knockout game against the United States.

The only Bosnian-run eatery in the South Bay Area has enjoyed a World Cup boom, with hungry customers tearing into spicy meats and burek pastries on Tuesday, while others queued out the door waiting for a table.

The fans who have travelled far to this corner of sleepy Santa Clara find an already strong Bosnian community on the ground, with some 10,000 living in the region, according to locals.

Many, like Aida Sibic, resettled as refugees from the Balkan wars of the 1990s, and can now hardly believe the national team will be up the road at the Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday, playing the co-hosts.

“Not even in my wildest dreams,” Gilroy resident Sibic told Reuters. “It’s pretty surreal to be here to experience this, the excitement. We have people flying in from all over the country, even from Bosnia and from other European countries.”

Sibic was a child when she landed in the Bay Area in 1995, part of a family that had “pretty much nothing to (their) name” after fleeing the war.

Many in the community have similar background stories.

Euro Grill owner Ramiz Avdic arrived in California at the turn of the century, having passed bleak times during the nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo following the break-up of Yugoslavia.

Avdic took up arms to defend Bosnia and nearly lost a leg to a grenade but had it saved by a skilful surgeon.

“They were dark times but it’s different now. We all support the Bosnia team. Everyone is welcome to my ‘living room’,” he says, referring to his restaurant.

BOSNIAN RESILIENCE

Fans say Bosnians have resilience, having developed it the hard way, and the same qualities underpin the team which has made the World Cup knockout phase for the first time.

“Our people have overcome so much just to be here. You have players who have been born outside of Bosnia that are choosing to play for the country. And it’s part of that Bosnian pride, you know, to represent the nation which has overcome so much,” said Sibic.

Bosnians have turned up to their World Cup matches in huge numbers, swelled by a proud U.S.-based diaspora that numbers over 300,000.

None of the Bosnian Americans at Euro Grill said they felt mixed feelings about supporting Bosnia against the U.S., but there was gratitude to the co-host nation.

“It’s homeland versus motherland,” said Sibic. “The United States took us in. We built a home here.”

Germany-based Bosnian Armin Basic has clocked plenty of frequent flyer miles following the team, and was taking his uncle from New Jersey to the match on Wednesday.

He said Bosnia, with a population of about three million, was a small country but their fans could make a big noise.

“We have a huge fan base, and it’s all around the world. I don’t think I’m doing something unusual,” he said of his extensive travels.

“This is some Bosnian thing we do. We would like to support our people no matter where they go.”

SEATTLE, June 30 : Senegal coach Pape Bouna ​Thiaw said his side can put their World Cup group-stage troubles behind them when they take on Belgium in the round of 32 on Wednesday, telling reporters that the knockout phase represents an entirely new competition.

Senegal lost their first two games, conceding six goals against France and Norway before a 5-0 thrashing of Iraq helped them squeak through as the eighth-best third-placed team, just above Iran on goal difference.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, though, was clear about the threat Senegal posed, describing them earlier on Tuesday as the best third-placed squad to qualify.

Thiaw accepted Senegal had not started the tournament well against strong opposition, but said his players would not be fazed going into the clash with Belgium.

“We needed to win the game against Iraq and now we are qualified,” he said. “It’s a new competition that’s going to start and we are determined to win this game.

“It’s a different competition starting tomorrow and it’s not because you finish top of your group that you are not going to be knocked out,” Thiaw added, citing the Netherlands’ defeat by Morocco on penalties on Monday.

Senegal had chances to take the lead against France before they were eventually blown away in a 3-1 defeat and it was ultimately mistakes that cost them in their 3-2 loss to Norway.

Thiaw, though, chalked up the results to isolated problems rather than anything deeper and said his side had worked on them before the Belgium game.

“The goals that we did concede, it was linked to a lot of individual errors … when you come up against France and Norway, you cannot afford to be making those mistakes,” he said.

Senegal will be without first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was injured in the loss to Norway and had temporarily returned to his Saudi club Al-Ahli. He was replaced by Mory Diaw for the Iraq game.

“Edouard Mendy (went) back to his club … he’s going to get back with us tonight,” Thiaw said. “He will be with us tomorrow, even if he won’t be fit to play.

“We are happy to see him and we hope that he can be with us for the rest of the competition.”

July 1 : Harry Brook said it would be an honour to captain England’s test team if asked and believes he can handle the demands of leading his country across all three formats.

Brook, England’s current white-ball skipper, served as vice-captain under Ben Stokes for the 2-1 test series defeat by New Zealand on home soil.

Stokes, who has announced his retirement from international cricket, is among those to have tipped the 27-year-old to lead the test side. 

“I don’t think you can turn down being an England test captain,” Brook told reporters on Tuesday.

“It would be an honour and a privilege to be test captain – the pinnacle of our sport. It’s not up to me to make that decision. It’s up to people well above me. I’d be happy to do it if I did get asked.

“I’m not saying it would be easy, but I definitely do think it is possible (to be a three-format captain),” Brook said.

“The fact I don’t play franchise cricket means there are periods in my calendar when I wouldn’t be playing cricket.

“I’d be focusing on my fitness and getting ready to play all three formats, which has been a dream of mine since I could speak or walk. If I am or I’m not captain for England in test cricket, I’d be happy to just still be playing for England.”

Brook next leads England’s T20 side in a five-match series against India beginning later on Wednesday.

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, June 30 : There was simply no beating Kylian Mbappe’s finely-tuned French team on Tuesday, Sweden coach Graham Potter said, as his team suffered their earliest World Cup exit since 1990 with few regrets against untouchable opponents.

Sweden had made it at least as far as the round of 16 in their previous four trips to the tournament but lost 3-0 to the twice world champions with Potter saying they would head home with pride despite the lopsided score.

“We had to be perfect, and even if we were, I’m not sure that would have been enough, if I’m brutally honest, because the opponent was at a high level,” he told reporters. 

“You look at the careers and the CVs of the French team, you compare them to ours, where we’re at – we’re a young developing team with hopefully a lot of good things ahead of us.”

The mismatch was obvious long before the game began, with France using their experience to reach the knockout round with a perfect nine points, while the young Swedish team squeaked into the tournament and endured a chaotic group-stage campaign.

France practised on the field to the dulcet tones of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en rose” before leaving the Nordic team red-faced under sweltering heat and a relentless attack, as Mbappe curled his first of two into the corner of the net late in the first half.

IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

Sweden had fans allowed themselves to dream the impossible after Paraguay knocked out Germany on penalties – one of the tournament’s greatest upsets – only a day earlier.

But it became clear there would be no triumph for David over Goliath this time, as Bradley Barcola added insurance and Mbappe recorded his 18th goal of the tournament in the second half.

“If we had got in 0-0 in the break, it would have been nice,” said veteran Sweden defender Victor Lindelof. “They get goals pretty quickly in the second half, and then it gets even harder. We’re facing a very good team, but we wanted to have more of the game.”

France face Paraguay in the last 16.

“Of course it’s football, anything is possible,” Potter said. “But I personally haven’t seen a better team (than France).”