🗞️ Sportsbeat — Friday, July 3 2026

World Cup mode: football first, always. 2 headlines today · next edition tomorrow

⚽ The World Cup (this is the conversation)

1. Ronaldo's finally done it in the knockout rounds — Portugal survive Croatia Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout round goal — a penalty — to help Portugal prevail over a stubborn Croatia side. The 41-year-old is still writing new chapters, and this one sends Portugal through. → FOX Sports

2. Late drama sends England and Belgium into the last 16 Day 21 delivered crunch-time goals as both England and Belgium booked their spots in the knockout bracket. The World Cup field is thinning fast — expect fireworks this weekend. → Al Jazeera