Spain snuffed out France’s dream of a third World Cup triumph, taming their galaxy of forwards to win 2-0  and progress to a final against England or Argentina.

Didier Deschamps’ men were hot favourites for the trophy after a string of breathtaking displays in the United States but they met their match against the slick European champions at the semifinal stage on Tuesday.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for the 2010 winners with an emphatic penalty in the first half in Arlington, Texas, and Pedro Porro doubled their lead in the second half.

Shell-shocked France could not find a way back into the match despite their wealth of attacking riches.

The game at the Dallas Stadium caught fire midway through the first half when Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton pointed to the penalty spot after a reckless challenge by France left-back Lucas Digne on Spain winger Lamine Yamal.

Oyarzabal hammered the ball past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the World Cup to leave France trailing for the first time in the tournament.

Minutes later they suffered another blow when centre-back William Saliba had to leave the pitch after a recurrence of his lower back injury, replaced by Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

Spain went agonisingly close to extending their lead after some dazzling one-touch football but Dayot Upamecano’s challenge denied Fabian Ruiz.

France finished the half without a single shot on target, and just two attempts overall.

Deschamps threw on Desire Doue for Bradley Barcola in the 57th minute in a bid to supercharge his attack but a minute later they were 2-0 down after a stunning team goal for Luis de la Fuente’s men.

Defender Porro delivered a sharp pass to the feet of Dani Olmo on the edge of the box and collected the return ball before coolly slotting past Maignan.

(Aljazeera)

England will make a late decision on whether Declan Rice is fit to start the World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

But there remains optimism the Arsenal midfielder can shake off the effects of an illness to play on Wednesday.

Rice, who suffered with a sickness bug in the lead-up to Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami, was substituted at half-time.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel admitted afterwards that Rice had spent three days in bed before the match, which England won 2-1 after extra time.

It is understood Rice still has not recovered fully from the illness – picked up in Mexico, where England beat the co-hosts 3-2 in the last 16 – but his condition has improved markedly over the past 48 hours.

As things stand, there is growing hope he will be well enough to start in Atlanta.

Rice is almost certain to rule himself fit for the semi-final given the enormity of the occasion.

But given the severity of the illness, England medics are set to make a late call on his availability.

And Tuchel will wait to see how rapidly his condition improves before making a final decision on whether to pick him.

In addition to his recovery from the sickness bug, Rice has also been carrying a neural problem for several months, affecting his lower back and hamstring.

The midfielder, who has 78 caps, has started all but one of England’s World Cup games so far, missing the 2-0 group-stage win over Panama because of an injury flare-up.

[BBC]

A magnificent unbeaten double century by Senuja Wekunagoda guided Sri Lanka Under-19 to a commanding 344 for four at stumps on the opening day of the first Youth Test against India Under-19 at the Galle International Stadium on Monday.

‎After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start, losing both openers with only three runs on the board. Kavya Paresh Patel struck twice inside the opening three overs to remove Dulnith Sigera for a duck and Dimantha Mahavithana who excelled in the Youth ODI series for two, leaving the hosts under pressure at three for two wickets.

‎St. Joseph’s College Darley Road batsman Wekunagoda then produced an innings of remarkable patience and authority to rescue Sri Lanka. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 203 off 227 deliveries, striking 31 boundaries in a flawless knock that firmly shifted the momentum in the hosts’ favour.

‎Captain Vimath Dinsara provided excellent support with a valuable 52 from 99 balls, adding 143 runs for the third wicket with Wekunagoda to rebuild the innings after the early collapse.

‎Kavija Gamage continued the recovery with a determined 49 off 121 deliveries, sharing a valuable 128-run fourth-wicket partnership with the double centurion before falling just one run short of a deserved half-century.

‎Chamika Heenatigala then ensured Sri Lanka finished the day strongly, remaining unbeaten on 33 from 77 balls. His unbroken 70-run stand with Wekunagoda carried the hosts to 344 for 4 from 89 overs at close of play.

‎India’s bowlers enjoyed early success through Kavya Paresh Patel (2 for 54), but the visitors found it difficult to break the long partnerships that followed. Pranav Ragavendra and captain Yashbardhan Chauhan claimed one wicket each, while the remaining bowlers went wicketless.

‎Sri Lanka will resume on the second morning with Wekunagoda unbeaten on a superb 203 and Heenatigala on 33, aiming to build a formidable first-innings total with six wickets still in hand. (RF)