Fakhira claims Gr. 1 PA Criterium Des Pouliches win

Doha, Qatar: The four-year-old filly Fakhira confirmed her considerable talent with a determined victory win the 1900m contest, the Gr.1 (PA) Criterium Des Pouliches - Yas Racing at La Teste. A race for Purebred Arabian fillies and mares aged four and older, bringing her record to three wins from four career starts.

Trained by Thomas Fourcy, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, and carrying the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the filly had remained unbeaten during her three-year-old campaign, winning both of her starts over 2000m and 2100m.

She made a highly encouraging return to action at Chantilly when finishing third against the colts in the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 Ans. This time, back against fillies and mares, she fully delivered on that promise with a courageous victory. She is now a Gr.1 (PA) winner. saltysenoritaaz.com

Fakhira broke cleanly from the gates and was settled comfortably in fifth position in a race led by Bianca De Ghazal. The order remained largely unchanged during the early stages, with the leader controlling proceedings at the head of the field.

The tempo began to increase approaching the final bend, but Fakhira was still travelling extremely strongly, with Soumillon yet to ask her for a serious effort. Bianca De Ghazal remained in front, while Geneva moved up on her outside to challenge for the lead.

Inside the final 300m, Fakhira smoothly made her way to the front while still appearing to have plenty in reserve. Geneva continued to apply pressure on her outside, as TS Waseema began to deliver her challenge along the inside rail.

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The three runners became locked together during a thrilling final furlong. Fakhira was forced to dig deep, but she found extra in the closing strides to prevail by a head.

Geneva produced a brave performance to finish second, while TS Waseema completed the placings in third.

Bred by Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari, Fakhira is by Al Mamun Monlau out of Falsafah, a winner over 1200m in Qatar at the age of four.

Fakhira is a half-sister to Al Safinat and Najashee.

Doha, Qatar: Major tournaments are often underpinned by players who rarely grab the headlines but there are also moments when the biggest names take centre stage.

That has certainly been the case in North America this summer at a tournament which has been widely dubbed as the “World Cup of superstars”.

With the semi-finals set to feature four nations that have previously lifted the trophy and happen to occupy the top four berths in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking – the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its defining phase, with the expectation that some of its biggest stars will make the difference.

Argentina: Messi and Alvarez

Messi has experienced almost every emotion that the World Cup can conjure, yet he somehow keeps discovering new ones. At the age of 39, La Albiceleste’s evergreen captain is finally set to face England for the first time.

“It’ll be a special match because I’ve never played against England,” Messi said.

“They’re also a great team, one of the world’s powerhouses, and it’s always wonderful to play against sides like that. It’s an encounter that promises to be huge, even more so in a World Cup semi-final.”

Alongside him in the reigning champions’ frontline, Alvarez seems to be peaking at exactly the right time. After netting a long-range stunner in extra time to help down Switzerland in the quarter-finals, the striker spoke of his excitement and how he hopes to produce his very best when there is no longer any margin for error.

“Scoring that goal was important,” he said. “I’ve got better as the World Cup has gone on and I hope to be even better in the semi-finals. What matters most is the team winning, but as a striker, I want to help by finding the net. It makes me feel really emotional. I can only imagine what it must’ve been like back home.”

England: Kane and Bellingham

Just like their upcoming opponents in the last four, England have come through a series of hard-fought contests in which they have had to handle intense pressure right up to the final whistle. Kane knows that lifting the World Cup is the final piece needed to turn the Three Lions’ impressive runs at recent tournaments into a long‑lasting legacy.

“This is an extremely successful period for our national team,” explained the No9.

“We want to take that final step. We’ve been together for six weeks now, giving everything for this badge every single day.”

Kane is certainly not carrying that responsibility alone. Bellingham has been one of England’s standout performers on the road to the semi-finals.

“This is probably a bit beyond [my wildest dreams]. I’m a confident boy, but I don’t think you go to bed at night dreaming about games like that. It’s nice to have an impact and help my team, but I’m just so proud of how the lads keep battling regardless of what situation we find ourselves in.”

France: Mbappe and Dembele

For many, Les Bleus are the team to beat. But Mbappe refuses to believe that the job is done.

He said: “I don’t know if I’d call it a ‘mission’, but we all know we can only relax if we win it. We can’t let our guard down until then. We still have a lot to prove if we want to be recognised as an ‘invincible team’.”Dembele struck a slightly more measured tone. Like Mbappe, he has reached the third World Cup semi-final of his career feeling that his own development has gone hand in hand with France’s progress, while continuing to put the team ahead of any personal acclaim.

“I’m very happy,” he revealed. “I feel comfortable in my role for France and Paris Saint‑Germain. I’m getting stronger as the tournament goes on, but the team come first.”

Spain: Lamine and Rodri

As Spain prepare to lock horns with their European neighbours, their hopes could well ride on teenage talent Yamal. Still searching for a blistering performance on North American soil to truly showcase his immense ability, the winger is unfazed by the calibre of their semi-final opponents. “Ever since the tournament got under way, many people have been hoping for this match,” he said.“For me, these are the two best teams at this World Cup. We’re not afraid. If anyone can beat France, it’s us.”

While Yamal represents the unpredictable, Rodri embodies control. The dependable midfielder has completed more passes than any other player at the tournament, providing La Roja with composure in the moments when tensions are highest.

“France will probably be our toughest test,” admitted the 30-year-old. FIFA

Arlington: Spain stunned tournament favourites France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final on Tuesday, producing a tactical masterpiece to shatter Les Bleus' dreams of winning the title for the third time.

A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a 58th-minute Pedro Porro goal sealed an utterly clinical victory for the European champions at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, will now face either Argentina or England in Sunday's final in New Jersey.

France had entered the showdown as the overwhelming favourites for the tournament after a dazzling, goal-laden run to the semi-finals.

But France's vaunted front four of captain Kylian Mbappe, Ballon D'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise were snuffed out by a combination of Spanish poise and power.

Spain, who had beaten France in their previous two competitive meetings, had vowed to go on the front foot in the pre-match build-up and they proved as good as their word.

A commanding performance by Spain's midfield led by Manchester City star Rodri and assisted by Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo never allowed the French to gain a foothold in the contest.

Spain's midfield quickly overran the outnumbered French duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni, passing around their opponents with ease to control the early exchanges.

The first signs of French frustration came after just nine minutes when midfielder Rabiot was booked for treading on Olmo's foot on the edge of the area.

Yet despite the early dominance it was France who looked the more threatening when venturing into the final third, and it needed a desperate late block by Pau Cubarsi to thwart Mbappe in the 16th minute as the French captain looked to break clear.

Early dominance

Spain's early dominance got its reward in the 20th minute, though, when a hopeful cross by Marc Cucurella flew across the penalty area.

Lucas Digne didn't get enough purchase on his attempted headed clearance and as the Aston Villa player instinctively swung out a leg he kicked Yamal, sending the Barcelona star crashing to the turf.

El Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton pointed immediately to the spot and after a brief delay as French players loitered, Oyarzabal stepped up to sweep in a spot-kick that beat the dive of French goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France's rocky start got worse after 31 minutes when key central defender William Saliba hobbled off with an injury to be replaced by Maxence Lacroix.

Spain almost doubled their lead with a sublime passing move on 38 minutes when wonderful interplay on the edge of the area sliced open France's defence, with Dayot Upamecano's block denying Fabian Ruiz.

France enjoyed their best spell in the closing minutes of the first half and only excellent anticipation from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon denied Mbappe after Rabiot's clever through ball.

Spain though reasserted themselves at the start of the second half and Deschamps' failure to adjust France's tactics again left the Spanish midfield in charge.

On 58 minutes, Spain struck the hammer blow. Porro and Olmo worked a sensational one-two on the edge of the area that sent Porro through and the Tottenham defender clipped a fine finish past Maignan.

Only a fractional offside decision denied Spain a third goal in the 61st minute, when Lamal had the ball in the net.

Deschamps made a flurry of substitutions but France were unable to penetrate Spain's smothering defence, their best chance coming when Mbappe's shot was blocked at the near post by Simon.

French frustration was symbolised by Mbappe in the closing minutes, booked for following through on Simon as Spain closed out the victory.