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Wolves relegated from Premier League after West Ham draws goalless with Palace  Wolverhampton Wanderers was relegated from the Premier League on Monday after West Ham’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace sealed their fate.The Midlands club is now 16 points behind fourth-bottom West Ham with just five games to go and is mathematically certain to drop down to the Championship.The Wolves, managed by Rob Edwards since November, have endured a miserable campaign, winning just three league matches from their 33 games to date.Despite notable recent wins against Aston Villa and Liverpool, they have looked relegation certainties for months and their eight-year stay in the Premier League is coming to an end.Vitor Pereira, now in charge of Nottingham Forest, started the season in charge of the Molineux club but the Portuguese coach was sacked in early November after a terrible start to the campaign.Former Middlesbrough boss Edwards was brought in but he had an almost impossible task and has been unable to work a miracle.Second from bottom Burnley looks certain to join Wolves in the second tier next season. It will be relegated if it loses to title-chasing Manchester City on Wednesday.Tottenham came agonisingly close to climbing out of the relegation zone on Saturday but conceded a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Brighton.The north Londoners have not won a Premier League match since December, with new boss Roberto De Zerbi winless in his first two games.Nottingham Forest and Leeds are also in the relegation battle, but both won at the weekend to pull well clear of the drop zone.Frank Lampard’s Coventry, currently top of the Championship, on Friday sealed its return to the Premier League next season after a 25-year absence.Published on Apr 21, 2026  #Wolves #relegated #Premier #League #West #Ham #draws #goalless #Palace

Wolves relegated from Premier League after West Ham draws goalless with Palace

Wolverhampton Wanderers was relegated from the Premier League on Monday after West Ham’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace sealed their fate.

The Midlands club is now 16 points behind fourth-bottom West Ham with just five games to go and is mathematically certain to drop down to the Championship.

The Wolves, managed by Rob Edwards since November, have endured a miserable campaign, winning just three league matches from their 33 games to date.

Despite notable recent wins against Aston Villa and Liverpool, they have looked relegation certainties for months and their eight-year stay in the Premier League is coming to an end.

Vitor Pereira, now in charge of Nottingham Forest, started the season in charge of the Molineux club but the Portuguese coach was sacked in early November after a terrible start to the campaign.

Former Middlesbrough boss Edwards was brought in but he had an almost impossible task and has been unable to work a miracle.

Second from bottom Burnley looks certain to join Wolves in the second tier next season. It will be relegated if it loses to title-chasing Manchester City on Wednesday.

Tottenham came agonisingly close to climbing out of the relegation zone on Saturday but conceded a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Brighton.

The north Londoners have not won a Premier League match since December, with new boss Roberto De Zerbi winless in his first two games.

Nottingham Forest and Leeds are also in the relegation battle, but both won at the weekend to pull well clear of the drop zone.

Frank Lampard’s Coventry, currently top of the Championship, on Friday sealed its return to the Premier League next season after a 25-year absence.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Wolves #relegated #Premier #League #West #Ham #draws #goalless #Palace

Wolverhampton Wanderers was relegated from the Premier League on Monday after West Ham’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace sealed their fate.

The Midlands club is now 16 points behind fourth-bottom West Ham with just five games to go and is mathematically certain to drop down to the Championship.

The Wolves, managed by Rob Edwards since November, have endured a miserable campaign, winning just three league matches from their 33 games to date.

Despite notable recent wins against Aston Villa and Liverpool, they have looked relegation certainties for months and their eight-year stay in the Premier League is coming to an end.

Vitor Pereira, now in charge of Nottingham Forest, started the season in charge of the Molineux club but the Portuguese coach was sacked in early November after a terrible start to the campaign.

Former Middlesbrough boss Edwards was brought in but he had an almost impossible task and has been unable to work a miracle.

Second from bottom Burnley looks certain to join Wolves in the second tier next season. It will be relegated if it loses to title-chasing Manchester City on Wednesday.

Tottenham came agonisingly close to climbing out of the relegation zone on Saturday but conceded a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Brighton.

The north Londoners have not won a Premier League match since December, with new boss Roberto De Zerbi winless in his first two games.

Nottingham Forest and Leeds are also in the relegation battle, but both won at the weekend to pull well clear of the drop zone.

Frank Lampard’s Coventry, currently top of the Championship, on Friday sealed its return to the Premier League next season after a 25-year absence.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

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#Wolves #relegated #Premier #League #West #Ham #draws #goalless #Palace

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Deadspin | Matt Fitzpatrick slips into playoff, beats Scottie Scheffler at RBC Heritage <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28767545.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28767545.jpg" alt="PGA: RBC Heritage - Final Round" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick eyes his line on two green during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>England’s Matt Fitzpatrick birdied the first playoff hole with a 13-foot putt to win the RBC Heritage after world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler forced the extra play Sunday in Hilton Head Island, S.C.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Fitzpatrick, whose bogey at No. 18 gave Scheffler new life, won for the second time this year to go with a runner-up finish in The Players Championship. He has four career victories on the tour, including two in this tournament (also 2023).</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Fitzpatrick has four top-10 finishes in nine tournaments this year.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Scheffler recorded 67 and Fitzpatrick had 70 in the final round. They each posted 18-under 266s at Harbour Town Golf Links.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Scheffler, who played alongside Fitzpatrick in the final grouping, made up three strokes across the last four holes to force the playoff.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Fitzpatrick posted birdies on two of the first three holes — sinking putts from 10 and 17 feet — and then dialed up pars nearly the rest of the way.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>South Korea’s Si Woo Kim’s birdie on No. 15 closed the gap to two strokes. Then Scheffler’s birdie on the 15th also drew him within two shots of Fitzpatrick.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Fitzpatrick saved par on No. 16 after his tee shot was in the rough before Scheffler sank a birdie putt to make it a one-stroke margin.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>On the 18th, Fitzpatrick’s first shot rolled into a fairway sand trap. He got out fine, but his chip onto the green stopped about 23 feet from the cup, and he ended up with his first bogey in 29 holes.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The tournament ended in a playoff for the fourth time in five years.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Kim (68) placed third at 16 under. Collin Morikawa (67), Harris English (69) and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (70) shared fourth place at 13 under. Aberg’s double bogey on No. 16 proved costly.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Bud Cauley (70) was seventh at 12 under.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Michael Kim’s bogey-free 62 marked the best score of the round. That put him at 8 under and tied for 25th place.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Defending champion Justin Thomas posted 66 on Sunday for his only sub-70 round of the tournament. He ended up at 3 over and tied for 77th place.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Matt #Fitzpatrick #slips #playoff #beats #Scottie #Scheffler #RBC #Heritage

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Deadspin | Saved by a spin: Tyler Reddick needs OT at Kansas to claim fifth win <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28768199.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28768199.jpg" alt="NASCAR: AdventHealth 400" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 19, 2026; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (45) holds up the winner’s trophy after winning the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>It’s still more than a week until May, but Tyler Reddick already has racked up a fistful of wins.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The 23XI Racing hotshoe passed Kyle Larson in overtime to win the NASCAR Cup Series’ AdventHealth 400 on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City, Kan. for his fifth victory in nine races.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>After Cody Ware spun while leader Denny Hamlin and second-place Reddick were coming to the white flag for the race’s only caution for cause, the field pitted to set up a green-white-checker finish in overtime at Kansas Speedway.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>From third, Larson charged past Hamlin on the restart to claim the lead. But second-place Reddick used his No. 45 Toyota to fly by Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet in Turn 1 after the white flag.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>He held on to beat the Hendrick Motorsports driver by 0.118 seconds for his 13th career win and become the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to claim five of a season’s first nine races.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Reddick also won for the fourth time in a row when being the polesitter – a run that began Feb. 22 in Atlanta and included victories at Circuit of The Americas and Darlington.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Reddick appeared doomed with a few laps left when he screamed over the radio that he was out of gas, which allowed Hamlin to make what appeared to be the winning pass for the lead.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>However, Ware’s spin sent the cars to pit road one last time.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>“Just really blessed with the late caution,” said Reddick, who led only 10 laps and spun a Toyota stablemate in overtime’s frantic finish. “Not thrilled that I got Christopher Bell. … These late-race restarts get really crazy. Obviously, I had a run on the 5, and I was just shocked to get to his inside.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Larson’s car would not turn in the corners.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-11"> <p>“It all worked out great, but I was plowing in (Turns) 3 and 4,” said Larson, the race’s defending winner who became the track’s all-time lap leader — he paced 78 of them — but had his winless streak stretch to 33 races. “Reddick was really good there (at the end).”</p> </section> <section id="section-12"> <p>Chase Briscoe, Hamlin and Bubba Wallace completed the first five finishers.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>A Toyota won for the sixth time in the past 11 races at the Midwest speedway.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Polesitter Reddick, Hamlin and Briscoe showed Toyota supremacy early with the first two drivers swapping the lead. Then Hamlin stormed away to a 1.25-second lead 15 circuits into the 267-lap race.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Hamlin lapped up to the 21st-place car — Todd Gilliland — as drivers such as Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain all were put a lap down. Larson was able to pass Reddick, but Hamlin claimed the 80-lap Stage 1 over Larson followed by Reddick, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>In the second segment, Larson began to assert himself. He immediately snatched the point from Hamlin and led until Lap 125 when he, Hamlin, Chase Elliott and Reddick pitted to split Stage 2’s 85 laps.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>The completion of the second stage also was rather tame. Larson claimed the segment followed by Hamlin, Reddick, Elliot and Bell as the only problems were drivers having minor setbacks with tires.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>The only cautions through the first two stages were for stage-breaks, not incidents.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>On Lap 175 shortly after the restart for the run to the race’s end, Bell maneuvered by Hamlin for the lead. Wallace and Reddick rounded out a four-car Camry train with six of the top nine being Toyotas.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Running third to leader Bell and Reddick, Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Briscoe began the cycle of pits with 52 laps remaining to set up the finish while Reddick and Bell waited five more circuits for service.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Saved #spin #Tyler #Reddick #Kansas #claim #win

Deadspin | Leody Taveras’ 12th-inning grand slam propels Orioles past Royals  Apr 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images   Leody Taveras’ grand slam highlighted a five-run 12th inning, after Samuel Basallo forced extras with a two-out, opposite-field RBI single in the ninth, and the Baltimore Orioles handed the host Kansas City Royals an eighth straight loss with Monday night’s 7-5 victory.  Baltimore had three hits through 11 innings, but tripled that total in the 12th, when 21-year-old catcher Basallo broke a 2-2 tie with his second RBI single. Then with the bags full, Taveras sent a pitch from Alex Lange (0-2) over the center-field wall for his first grand slam, which helped the Orioles win for just the second time in seven contests.  The Orioles managed only Taylor Ward’s first-inning double through the first eight innings. Then in the ninth, Kansas City’s Lucas Erceg walked three batters, and with two out and runners on first and second, Basallo lined a hit to left to tie things at 1-1.  Kansas City’s Seth Lugo, who dropped his ERA to 1.15 in five 2026 starts, allowed Ward’s double, and also walked four over seven strong innings. Meanwhile, Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish yielded 10 hits and three walks, but only Jac Caglianone’s homer, while also striking out seven on 104 pitches over 5 1/3 innings.  Nick Loftin had a three-run double in the 12th, while Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez each had three of the 14 hits for Kansas City, which stranded 16 runners, including the bases loaded in three different innings without scoring. The Royals’ eight-game losing streak is their longest since dropping 10 straight in 2023.   Kansas City filled bases with one out in the first, but came up empty after Carter Jensen grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. The Royals, though, needed only one swing from Caglianone an inning later to go up 1-0.  They loaded the bases again in the third, this time with nobody out. But Bradish got Michael Massey to ground into a pitcher-to-home force out, then fanned Caglianone and Isaac Collins.  In the sixth, the bags were filled with Royals and two out. However, Baltimore’s Rico Garcia, who has not allowed a run or hit in 11 innings of 11 appearances this season, struck out Vinnie Pasquantino.  Anthony Nunez (1-0) allowed an unearned run over two innings for the win.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Leody #Taveras #12thinning #grand #slam #propels #Orioles #RoyalsApr 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Leody Taveras’ grand slam highlighted a five-run 12th inning, after Samuel Basallo forced extras with a two-out, opposite-field RBI single in the ninth, and the Baltimore Orioles handed the host Kansas City Royals an eighth straight loss with Monday night’s 7-5 victory.

Baltimore had three hits through 11 innings, but tripled that total in the 12th, when 21-year-old catcher Basallo broke a 2-2 tie with his second RBI single. Then with the bags full, Taveras sent a pitch from Alex Lange (0-2) over the center-field wall for his first grand slam, which helped the Orioles win for just the second time in seven contests.

The Orioles managed only Taylor Ward’s first-inning double through the first eight innings. Then in the ninth, Kansas City’s Lucas Erceg walked three batters, and with two out and runners on first and second, Basallo lined a hit to left to tie things at 1-1.

Kansas City’s Seth Lugo, who dropped his ERA to 1.15 in five 2026 starts, allowed Ward’s double, and also walked four over seven strong innings. Meanwhile, Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish yielded 10 hits and three walks, but only Jac Caglianone’s homer, while also striking out seven on 104 pitches over 5 1/3 innings.


Nick Loftin had a three-run double in the 12th, while Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez each had three of the 14 hits for Kansas City, which stranded 16 runners, including the bases loaded in three different innings without scoring. The Royals’ eight-game losing streak is their longest since dropping 10 straight in 2023.

Kansas City filled bases with one out in the first, but came up empty after Carter Jensen grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. The Royals, though, needed only one swing from Caglianone an inning later to go up 1-0.

They loaded the bases again in the third, this time with nobody out. But Bradish got Michael Massey to ground into a pitcher-to-home force out, then fanned Caglianone and Isaac Collins.

In the sixth, the bags were filled with Royals and two out. However, Baltimore’s Rico Garcia, who has not allowed a run or hit in 11 innings of 11 appearances this season, struck out Vinnie Pasquantino.

Anthony Nunez (1-0) allowed an unearned run over two innings for the win.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Leody #Taveras #12thinning #grand #slam #propels #Orioles #Royals">Deadspin | Leody Taveras’ 12th-inning grand slam propels Orioles past Royals  Apr 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images   Leody Taveras’ grand slam highlighted a five-run 12th inning, after Samuel Basallo forced extras with a two-out, opposite-field RBI single in the ninth, and the Baltimore Orioles handed the host Kansas City Royals an eighth straight loss with Monday night’s 7-5 victory.  Baltimore had three hits through 11 innings, but tripled that total in the 12th, when 21-year-old catcher Basallo broke a 2-2 tie with his second RBI single. Then with the bags full, Taveras sent a pitch from Alex Lange (0-2) over the center-field wall for his first grand slam, which helped the Orioles win for just the second time in seven contests.  The Orioles managed only Taylor Ward’s first-inning double through the first eight innings. Then in the ninth, Kansas City’s Lucas Erceg walked three batters, and with two out and runners on first and second, Basallo lined a hit to left to tie things at 1-1.  Kansas City’s Seth Lugo, who dropped his ERA to 1.15 in five 2026 starts, allowed Ward’s double, and also walked four over seven strong innings. Meanwhile, Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish yielded 10 hits and three walks, but only Jac Caglianone’s homer, while also striking out seven on 104 pitches over 5 1/3 innings.  Nick Loftin had a three-run double in the 12th, while Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez each had three of the 14 hits for Kansas City, which stranded 16 runners, including the bases loaded in three different innings without scoring. The Royals’ eight-game losing streak is their longest since dropping 10 straight in 2023.   Kansas City filled bases with one out in the first, but came up empty after Carter Jensen grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. The Royals, though, needed only one swing from Caglianone an inning later to go up 1-0.  They loaded the bases again in the third, this time with nobody out. But Bradish got Michael Massey to ground into a pitcher-to-home force out, then fanned Caglianone and Isaac Collins.  In the sixth, the bags were filled with Royals and two out. However, Baltimore’s Rico Garcia, who has not allowed a run or hit in 11 innings of 11 appearances this season, struck out Vinnie Pasquantino.  Anthony Nunez (1-0) allowed an unearned run over two innings for the win.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Leody #Taveras #12thinning #grand #slam #propels #Orioles #Royals

Brazil’s two-time World Cup winner Cafu said on Monday he believes this year’s tournament is the perfect time for the five-time champion to take back the crown for the first time for 24 years.

Cafu was captain when Brazil won its fifth World Cup, beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final in Yokohama, Japan.

He was also part of the side that beat Italy on penalties to win in 1994 in Pasadena.

“Twenty-four years after the last title win, I think it’s the perfect moment for Brazil,” Cafu told reporters in Madrid, where he is attending the Laureus Awards.

“We’ve also brought in a serial winner of a coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who will add to the greatness of the Brazilian national team.”

Cafu, who was a right-back, said Brazil already had strength in midfield and attack, so Ancelotti had focused on strengthening the defence for this year’s tournament to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.

“Because if Brazil doesn’t concede goals in a World Cup, they’re sure to score a goal per game,” Cafu said.

He said he hoped Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, a player often embroiled in controversy, would have a strong tournament, saying: “The World Cup is the best way to overcome any kind of controversy.

“In those eight matches (if they reach the final), Vinicius Junior has the potential to show the whole world his worth and what he can do in terms of football.”

Vinicius produced an assist in the 3-1 victory over Croatia in Orlando on April 1, which helped dispel doubts after the defeat against France in another friendly.

ALSO READ | Laureus Awards — Alcaraz, Sabalenka bag top honours; Yamal, Kroos also awarded

Endrick, 19, also shone in the the Croatia win.

“I think it’s a good time for him,” said Cafu, who believes Real Madrid’s decision to loan the forward to French club Lyon last year had been a positive move for the teenager.

“It did him a lot of good. It helped him grow, play, make his mark, and become a key player. It’s obvious that at Real Madrid, with so many stars, it’s difficult for a young player to become a key player.

“He’s a young player who can contribute a lot to Brazil, and I’m sure Ancelotti is looking at him favourably,” added Cafu.

Bookmakers have placed Brazil among the top five favourites, with reigning European champion Spain currently leading the way.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Cafu #World #Cup #perfect #time #Brazil #win">Cafu says 2026 World Cup is perfect time for Brazil to win again  Brazil’s two-time World Cup winner Cafu said on Monday he believes this year’s tournament is the perfect time for the five-time champion to take back the crown for the first time for 24 years.Cafu was captain when Brazil won its fifth World Cup, beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final in Yokohama, Japan.He was also part of the side that beat Italy on penalties to win in 1994 in Pasadena.“Twenty-four years after the last title win, I think it’s the perfect moment for Brazil,” Cafu told reporters in Madrid, where he is attending the Laureus Awards.“We’ve also brought in a serial winner of a coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who will add to the greatness of the Brazilian national team.”Cafu, who was a right-back, said Brazil already had strength in midfield and attack, so Ancelotti had focused on strengthening the defence for this year’s tournament to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.“Because if Brazil doesn’t concede goals in a World Cup, they’re sure to score a goal per game,” Cafu said.He said he hoped Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, a player often embroiled in controversy, would have a strong tournament, saying: “The World Cup is the best way to overcome any kind of controversy.“In those eight matches (if they reach the final), Vinicius Junior has the potential to show the whole world his worth and what he can do in terms of football.”Vinicius produced an assist in the 3-1 victory over Croatia in Orlando on April 1, which helped dispel doubts after the defeat against France in another friendly.ALSO READ | Laureus Awards — Alcaraz, Sabalenka bag top honours; Yamal, Kroos also awardedEndrick, 19, also shone in the the Croatia win.“I think it’s a good time for him,” said Cafu, who believes Real Madrid’s decision to loan the forward to French club Lyon last year had been a positive move for the teenager.“It did him a lot of good. It helped him grow, play, make his mark, and become a key player. It’s obvious that at Real Madrid, with so many stars, it’s difficult for a young player to become a key player.“He’s a young player who can contribute a lot to Brazil, and I’m sure Ancelotti is looking at him favourably,” added Cafu.Bookmakers have placed Brazil among the top five favourites, with reigning European champion Spain currently leading the way.Published on Apr 21, 2026  #Cafu #World #Cup #perfect #time #Brazil #win

Laureus Awards — Alcaraz, Sabalenka bag top honours; Yamal, Kroos also awarded

Endrick, 19, also shone in the the Croatia win.

“I think it’s a good time for him,” said Cafu, who believes Real Madrid’s decision to loan the forward to French club Lyon last year had been a positive move for the teenager.

“It did him a lot of good. It helped him grow, play, make his mark, and become a key player. It’s obvious that at Real Madrid, with so many stars, it’s difficult for a young player to become a key player.

“He’s a young player who can contribute a lot to Brazil, and I’m sure Ancelotti is looking at him favourably,” added Cafu.

Bookmakers have placed Brazil among the top five favourites, with reigning European champion Spain currently leading the way.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Cafu #World #Cup #perfect #time #Brazil #win">Cafu says 2026 World Cup is perfect time for Brazil to win again

Brazil’s two-time World Cup winner Cafu said on Monday he believes this year’s tournament is the perfect time for the five-time champion to take back the crown for the first time for 24 years.

Cafu was captain when Brazil won its fifth World Cup, beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final in Yokohama, Japan.

He was also part of the side that beat Italy on penalties to win in 1994 in Pasadena.

“Twenty-four years after the last title win, I think it’s the perfect moment for Brazil,” Cafu told reporters in Madrid, where he is attending the Laureus Awards.

“We’ve also brought in a serial winner of a coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who will add to the greatness of the Brazilian national team.”

Cafu, who was a right-back, said Brazil already had strength in midfield and attack, so Ancelotti had focused on strengthening the defence for this year’s tournament to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.

“Because if Brazil doesn’t concede goals in a World Cup, they’re sure to score a goal per game,” Cafu said.

He said he hoped Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, a player often embroiled in controversy, would have a strong tournament, saying: “The World Cup is the best way to overcome any kind of controversy.

“In those eight matches (if they reach the final), Vinicius Junior has the potential to show the whole world his worth and what he can do in terms of football.”

Vinicius produced an assist in the 3-1 victory over Croatia in Orlando on April 1, which helped dispel doubts after the defeat against France in another friendly.

ALSO READ | Laureus Awards — Alcaraz, Sabalenka bag top honours; Yamal, Kroos also awarded

Endrick, 19, also shone in the the Croatia win.

“I think it’s a good time for him,” said Cafu, who believes Real Madrid’s decision to loan the forward to French club Lyon last year had been a positive move for the teenager.

“It did him a lot of good. It helped him grow, play, make his mark, and become a key player. It’s obvious that at Real Madrid, with so many stars, it’s difficult for a young player to become a key player.

“He’s a young player who can contribute a lot to Brazil, and I’m sure Ancelotti is looking at him favourably,” added Cafu.

Bookmakers have placed Brazil among the top five favourites, with reigning European champion Spain currently leading the way.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Cafu #World #Cup #perfect #time #Brazil #win

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