It was a historic outing in the World Cup for Canada against Qatar, as the tournament hosts picked up their first win of the summer, and their first-ever in the entire history of the FIFA compettion. Not only that, but they did so in emphatic fashion, winning 6-0.

Jesse Marsch watched on delighted as Jonathan David scored a hat-trick, while Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba and Mohamed Manai also added to the scoring. There were two red cards to Qatari players Homam Al Amin and Assim Omer Madibo, with the latter sent off for his horror foul on Ismael Kone.

If that wasn’t enough drama, Canada manager Marsch then clashed with Qatar boss Julen Lopetegui at full-time, with the former seen nodding his head during a conversation, before suddenly flinging his arms in the air and storming off. It’s claimed Lopetegui was unhappy with Marsch’s tactics against his nine-man team.

Marsch Slammed Over ‘Ridiculous​​​​​​’ Behaviour as Canada Manager

Throughout the game and even when speaking to the press after the win, Marsch was very animated. He was even seen holding six fingers in the air to the Vancouver crowd to signal the 6-0 win. These antics didn’t go down well with everyone, though.

Over in Ireland, Alan Cawley was covering the game for RTE, and he took issue with the Canada boss, calling for more ‘class’ on the touchline:

Cawley’s co-host then pointed out that Marsch was just trying to get more Canadian fans ‘onside’, with many probably new to the sport. Cawley, however, hit back:

“He doesn’t need to try and get them onside because they’re hosting, they [the fans] are already there, they’re involved. He was doing a rallying call in every press conference; it was the same at Leeds [United], it’s the same everywhere.

On the former Leeds United manager, Cawley concluded: “In fairness, I praised him on one hand, but just have a bit of decorum, a bit of class.”

Watch the dull clip below:

World Cup Fans Baffled By Cawley’s Criticism of Marsch

Kevin Sousa via Reuters

Canada fans online were quick to defend their national team manager, explaining how it was only natural that Marsch should be delighted with the win, having seen his side pick up a victory for the first time ever at a World Cup. One explained:

Another said: “Mate it’s our first win in a World Cup. It’s a huge moment for our national team. We’re all really excited. Have a bit of fun with it will ya.”

One more added: “Boy this guy’s completely lost it. Clearly doesn’t like Marsch from Leeds & uses that to paint his own argument. Let us celebrate. It’s not JUST that we beat Qatar, it’s our first EVER World Cup victory.”

A fourth wrore: “Unbelievable commentary. How is this guy employed to give takes with the emotional regulation of a toddler that just dropped their ice cream. Humiliating.”

Even neutrals were baffled by the criticism, with one saying: “More embarrassing punditry from the mighty RTE again. You now can’t celebrate your first World cup win while its at home because of who you played. And they got players sent off? As if that’s Canada’s fault. Embarrassing amateur stuff all competition so far well done all involved.”

While an Irish fan noted: “If we beat someone in the World Cup by six goals, there’d be a bank holiday.” Someone else summed up the feeling online: “Really strange take on Jesse Marsch. God forbid the manager shows a bit of emotion when his team win 6-0 at a home World Cup and one of their best players has their leg broken in the same game.”

Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of USA’s World Cup group match against Australia on Friday night, with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino having to handle an important second match without his ‘Captain America.’

The AC Milan winger was removed as a precaution at halftime of the side’s first game of the tournament, against Paraguay a week ago. His status for Friday’s meeting with Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle uncertain since, and he has remained a talking point as one of the best players in this summer’s tournament.

Despite registering an assist in their 4-1 opening win, Pulisic didn’t get on the scoresheet in Los Angeles. Pochettino will be hoping Folarin Balogun will deliver another quality display to keep his red-hot form going.

Why Pulisic Will Miss USMNT’s World Cup Match vs Australia

The Athletic has confirmed the 27-year-old will stay sidelined with an ongoing calf injury. “Christian is not available,” manager Pochettino said just before the lineups were announced.

Ricardo Pepi will start in his place, with a win going a long way in helping the Stars and Stripes qualify for the Round of 32 after they pulled out in front in Group D on goal difference in matchweek one.

USA’s Chances Of Going Deep At 2026 World Cup

Of course, of the three hosts, Mexico are historically the strongest outsiders at the tournament, but the United States kicked things off well last week. With a strong feel-good factor and excitement around the camp, Pochettino’s side could well prove to be a dark horse this summer.

Under his guidance, they have played with a real sense of freedom, and the fact that Pulisic didn’t get on the scoresheet yet they still managed four goals is a testament to the depth of talent now coming through. It also highlights how the country – long thought to be less interested in football – has steadily grown in the sport’s popularity in recent years, with more players emerging as a result.

Sterner tests are yet to come, but form can go a long way in tournament football – something the manager will be well aware after taking a under-funded Tottenham team to the Champions League final in 2019.

Justin Gaethje emerged victorious at the White House during UFC Freedom 250 after defeating Ilia Topuria via a fourth-round stoppage, partly thanks to a $500 bet.

Topuria and Gaethje put on an amazing spectacle in Washington D.C. as they went head-to-head inside the Octagon, earning Fight of the Night honours in the process.

Gaethje sprung the upset in the pair’s undisputed title fight, busting Topuria’s face up badly with strikes. By the end of the fight, both of the adopted Spaniard’s eyes were badly swollen, and it was later revealed that he had suffered broken orbital bones in both of his eyes.

Gaethje Survived Vicious Body Shots to Defeat Topuria at the White House

However, before Gaethje claimed his career-defining victory, he was forced to battle through severe adversity in the second round. The American was dropped to the canvas with a perfectly timed liver shot that sent him directly to the canvas.

Topuria looked to be on the verge of a win, but Gaethje managed to survive thanks to a bet that he made with his sparring partners before the fight.

In a post to his YouTube channel, Gaethje’s sparring partner and fellow UFC lightweight Drew Dober explained how the wager had helped Justin prepare for Topuria’s body shots.

“He was able to stay in the pocket of Ilia Topuria, handle those body shots in the second round], which not many people can do. But Gaethje has that championship mindset and heart. I mean, he gives out $500 to anybody that drops him with a body shot in sparring. I definitely have tried to earn that $500, so I know he can recover from that and he did.”

Topuria Criticised For His UFC White House Preparation

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

In the aftermath of his defeat, Topuria has faced questions about his own training camp. ‘El Matador’ was called out by former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor, who argued that Ilia wasn’t testing himself enough in the gym.

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, McGregor noted:

“I knew [Topuria would lose], I’d just seen the training. You need to get it put on you in the gym. You need the guys coming at you. There was too much the other way.

“Walking forward, hands down…you’re gonna get walloped,” insisted McGregor. “He’s a bit flat-footed. He’s not a fully complete fighter.

I’ve not been in that situation. He got banged up bad, which caused him to quit.”