Madrid, June 8: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains confident that the injured trio of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Victor Munoz will be fit in time to start his side’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

De la Fuente was speaking to the press ahead of his side’s friendly against Peru in the Mexican city of Puebla, which is the final chance to make adjustments ahead of his side’s World Cup opener against Cabo Verde in Atlanta on June 15, reports Xinhua.

De la Fuente left Williams, Munoz, and Yamal at Spain’s base in Chattanooga to continue their return to fitness, but insisted they were “meeting their recovery deadlines.”

“They were scheduled to do more specific work these next few days, and if they continue progressing this way, I think they’ll be available [against Cabo Verde],” he said.

Yamal and Williams have hamstring problems, while Munoz has a calf strain. “Each one had their own process. Lamine’s injury was different, as was its duration. But the most important thing is that, within the expected timeframe, he’s currently fit to be included in the squad,” De la Fuente insisted.

Yamal, Williams, and Munoz all play on the wing, but even if they aren’t fit for the opening game, De la Fuente said he had players in the squad who could provide cover.

“We have other options. There are different styles, and we’ll see how the week goes,” the coach said, adding that the Peru game would see him field a more recognisable team than the one that drew 1-1 with Iraq last Thursday.

“I have a plan for how to start the World Cup if there are no adverse circumstances. Football can always surprise you, but I won’t reveal the lineup,” he concluded.

The Spain national team reached the United States on Saturday to continue with its preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals, with a few questions still to be answered — especially the one hanging in the balance of the fate of the injured trio.

Spain flew in from Santiago de Compostela (northern Spain) to Nashville after Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Iraq, and from Nashville, the squad travelled to Baylor School in Chattanooga, which will be its base for the tournament.

Warsaw (Poland), June 8: Latvia and the United States claimed the respective men’s and women’s titles at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland.

Latvia defeated Germany 20-15 in the men’s final to win its first 3×3 World Cup title. The victory also made Latvia the first men’s team to complete a collection of major international honors: Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, the European Cup in 2017, and the World Cup in 2026 on Sunday.

Serbia edged France 20-19 to secure bronze.

In the women’s competition, the United States beat Australia 21-20 in a closely contested final. Mikaylah Williams scored the winning basket and was named the tournament’s MVP, reports Xinhua.

The triumph marked the fourth 3×3 World Cup title for the U.S. women, following previous victories in 2012, 2014, and 2023, while Australia made the women’s final for the first time.

The Netherlands secured the bronze medal with a 21-14 victory over Azerbaijan.

The seven-day tournament brought together 40 teams from around the world, attracting more than 100,000 spectators.

The inaugural tournament, originally named the FIBA 3×3 World Championship, was held in August 2012 in Athens, Greece. In the first edition, there was a mixed event where each team was composed of 2 men and 2 women. But now that has been discontinued, and there are only two events in the tournament: one for men and another for women.

Serbia is the most successful country in the men’s competition with six gold medals, one silver, and two bronze, while the United States is the next best with one gold and two silver medals. Latvia, Qatar, and Oman are the other countries to win the gold medal in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

The United States is the most successful nation in the women’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup with four titles and one third-place finish. France, Russia, China, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Italy are the other nations to win the title in the competition that has had 10 editions so far.

In the wake of a disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League, tensions surfaced between Pep Guardiola and Antonio Rudiger following Manchester City’s 1–2 loss to Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.

As the final whistle blew and the Spanish manager greeted the victorious Real Madrid players, a brief but heated moment unfolded between Guardiola and Rudiger. What began as a routine handshake quickly shifted in tone, with City defender Rudiger appearing visibly agitated.

Manchester City’s defeat ended their hopes in Europe this season, with Real Madrid advancing 5–1 on aggregate. Guardiola later addressed the loss, acknowledging the Champions League’s difficulty and urging his team to shift focus toward domestic targets, including the League Cup final. He emphasized the disappointment but maintained that the competition’s rigors require resilience and learning from setbacks.

Although football rivalries often carry emotional weight, incidents like the Guardiola–Rudiger moment highlight how passion and frustration can surface in intense matches. Both clubs now prepare for upcoming fixtures, with Manchester City looking to regroup and Real Madrid celebrating a significant European progression.

Vinicius Junior once again found himself at the center of attention, not just for his footballing brilliance but for a bold and emotional celebration that left fans stunned during a high-voltage UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City.

The Real Madrid forward lit up the night with a crucial goal. However, it was what followed that truly ignited conversations across the football world. As the ball hit the back of the net, Vinicius turned towards the crowd and performed a ‘cry’ gesture, mocking his critics and seemingly responding to the hostile atmosphere inside the stadium.

The reaction inside the ground was immediate. Manchester City supporters were left in disbelief, many visibly stunned by the Brazilian’s audacity. The gesture, interpreted by many as a direct message to opposition fans who had been jeering him throughout the match, added another layer of intensity to an already fiery encounter.

Vinicius has often been a polarizing figure in European football, frequently targeted by opposition fans but equally known for his fearless personality. This celebration appeared to be a culmination of pent-up emotion, a statement that he thrives under pressure and refuses to be intimidated on the biggest stage.