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Every NFL coach who has been fired in 2026

Every NFL coach who has been fired in 2026

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The 2025 NFL regular season has come to an end, and there are already some appealing head coach openings around the league. One of the tougher days on the league’s annual calendar arrived with Black Monday. Yes, 14 teams have their sights set on a run to Super Bowl LX, but for the other 18 teams, the offseason is here, and that means reevaluating everything, including the coaching staff.

Last year saw Jerod Mayo, Doug Pederson, Mike McCarthy, and Antonio Pierce lose their jobs after the season ended, joining Robert Saleh, Dennis Allen, and Matt Eberflus, who were relieved of their duties during the 2024 regular season. It worked out great for teams like the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears, who landed top coaching candidates in Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson respectively, and immediately won their division.

This season already saw two coaches fired mid-season, Brian Daboll of the New York Giants and Brian Callahan by the Tennessee Titans.

What coaches suffer a similar fate now that the season is over? We will be tracking that here.

Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans had the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

They also had the first head coach firing of the year as well.

Tennessee parted ways with Brian Callahan back on October 13, just five weeks into the season. Callahan’s tenure ended after a string of questionable moments for the young head coach, including a decision not to challenge a potential catch early in the season that led those of us in the media space wondering if the head coach knew the catch rules.

Who really does, when you think about it?

This is not the only change that came to Tennessee this year, as news in recent days indicated that the team is implementing a change in the front office structure ahead of their coaching search. General manager Mike Borgonzi will be in charge of the coaching search, and report directly to owner Amy Adams Strunk.

Brian Daboll, New York Giants

Brian Daboll was the next head coach to see his time cut short.

The Giants let Daboll go after the team started 2-8, with a history of blowing double-digit leads a leading cause behind the firing. Daboll was let go hours after the Giants blew a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter, giving up 14 unanswered points en route to a 24-20 loss.

That was the second time this season the Giants lost despite leading by at least ten points with under four minutes remaining. Earlier this year New York led the Denver Broncos by 26-8 with just over ten minutes remaining in the game, and still led by ten at the four-minute mark.

The Giants lost that game by a final score of 33-32.

Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons

While Callahan and Daboll were let go during the season, Black Monday has come early in 2026.

The Atlanta Falcons won their season finale over the New Orleans Saints, a win that improved Atlanta’s record to 8-9 and pushed the Carolina Panthers into the playoffs as champions of the NFC South. It was also the Falcons’ fourth consecutive win.

But it was not enough to save Raheem Morris. The Falcons parted ways with Morris after the win, despite players such as Drake London and Bijan Robinson voicing their support for Morris. His tenure in Atlanta ends after a pair of 8-9 seasons.

The Falcons also fired GM Terry Fontenot.

Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Kevin Stefanski’s time in Cleveland has come to an end.

The Browns announced the firing of Stefanski on Monday morning, ending a six-year run in Cleveland. The Browns made the playoffs during his first season in charge, finishing with an 11-5 record. Then after back-to-back losing seasons the Browns returned to the playoffs in 2021, losing on Wild Card Weekend to the Houston Texans.

Cleveland finished with losing seasons each of the past two years, including a 5-12 record this past season.

A revolving door at the quarterback position likely doomed Stefanski’s tenure. The trade for Deshaun Watson never panned out, and subsequent stopgap options ranging from Joe Flacco to Shedeur Sanders never quite delivered.

Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, in a statement, indicated their “tremendous gratitude” for Stefanski’s leadership over the past six seasons, but emphasized that the results of the past two years “have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary.”

Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders

Pete Carroll’s return to the NFL lasted one season.

The Las Vegas Raiders began the year with a win over the New England Patriots — a victory that certainly looks good on paper given New England’s season — but things spiraled from there. The Raiders lost 14 of their next 15 games, with only a win over the lowly Tennessee Titans breaking up what would have been a 15-game losing streak.

That earned the Raiders the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are likely options for Las Vegas.

According to a statement from owner Mark Davis, GM John Spytek will “lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club’s next head coach. Together, they will guide football decisions with a shared focus on leadership, culture, and alignment with the organization’s long-term vision and goals.”

Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals

Jonathan Gannon is the latest head coach to get some bad news on Black Monday.

His was a rocky tenure in the desert. Hired after helping the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl LVII, Gannon spent three years in Arizona.

He never posted a winning season.

The Cardinals finished with a 4-13 record his rookie season, and while they improved to 8-9 during 2024, they took another step back in 2025, finishing 3-14. His record in Arizona over those three years of 15-36 fell wildly short of expectations.

Yes, there is a quarterback situation to sort out, but Gannon’s background on the defensive side of the ball helped that unit rise to the top of the league rankings.

John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh was an unexpected addition to the firing list on Tuesday after the season wrapped. He was the second-longest tenured head coach in the league before “mutually parting ways” with the Ravens. It’s a safe bet Harbaugh is going to be in the mix for multiple openings if he chooses to jump right into a new job.

Harbaugh has a Super Bowl on his resume, but it was 14 seasons ago. This year’s squad disappointed in 2025 by missing the playoffs, but it is hard not to think this would be different had his kicker not missed a field goal as time expired and Baltimore won the AFC North. Across 18 seasons, Harbaugh had a record of 180-113 and was the 2019 AP NFL Coach of the Year.

There have been reports that Harbaugh and quarterback Lamar Jackson had experienced a rift in their relationship. Earlier in the week, Harbaugh said he did not give credence to anonymous sources. On Sunday, following the team’s stunning loss to the Steelers, Jackson did not want to talk about it at all.

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Archery world champion Mariana Bernal of Mexico was banned for three years, the International Testing Agency said on Thursday, after testing positive for an anabolic steroid three weeks after winning a team gold medal against the U.S.

The 23-year-old Bernal did not challenge the doping offence and is banned until after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She also was stripped of her 2025 World Cup Finals title.

The ITA said she had one year cut from a routine four-year ban “due to her early admission” of the doping.

Bernal tested positive for nandrolone in an out-of-competition test in September last year, the agency said.

Three weeks earlier she helped Mexico beat the U.S. in the final to win gold in the women’s team compound event at the World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.

The ITA said Bernal is stripped of her results from the date of the sample. She keeps her world title but loses the World Cup Finals win from last October, when she had beaten teammate and individual world champion Andrea Becerra in Nanjing, China.

Published on Jul 02, 2026

#World #Champion #archer #Bernal #banned #years #steroid #doping">World Champion archer Bernal banned for three years after steroid doping Archery world champion Mariana Bernal of Mexico was banned for three years, the International Testing Agency said on Thursday, after testing positive for an anabolic steroid three weeks after winning a team gold medal against the U.S.The 23-year-old Bernal did not challenge the doping offence and is banned until after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She also was stripped of her 2025 World Cup Finals title.The ITA said she had one year cut from a routine four-year ban “due to her early admission” of the doping.Bernal tested positive for nandrolone in an out-of-competition test in September last year, the agency said.Three weeks earlier she helped Mexico beat the U.S. in the final to win gold in the women’s team compound event at the World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.The ITA said Bernal is stripped of her results from the date of the sample. She keeps her world title but loses the World Cup Finals win from last October, when she had beaten teammate and individual world champion Andrea Becerra in Nanjing, China.Published on Jul 02, 2026 #World #Champion #archer #Bernal #banned #years #steroid #doping

Deadspin | Marlins attempt to recapture June success in series finale vs. Rockies Jun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch to Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Mickey Moniak is beginning to perform like a No. 1 overall draft pick again. Moniak will try to keep his latest hot streak going for the Colorado Rockies when they oppose the Miami Marlins in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver. Moniak came within a single of hitting for the cycle in the Rockies’ 6-3 win against the Marlins on Wednesday. The first pick in the 2016 draft also homered in Colorado’s 14-3 loss to Miami on Tuesday. “He was a first overall (pick) for a reason, so it’s never been a thing of talent,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Moniak following the Wednesday game. “Guys take a circuitous route to find a place that they settle into in a part of their career. It seems like he’s found a place here in Denver that he’s comfortable in, and certainly swings the bat very well in this ballpark, and he was a big factor for them (Wednesday) evening.” The Marlins fell on the first day of July after finishing June with a 20-6 record, the best mark in the majors and the best month in their history (.769). It was only the second time in franchise annals that Miami won at least 20 games in a month, following a 21-8 ledger in May 2012. Miami starter Max Meyer came into the Wednesday game with a shiny 9-0 record, but with one out in the first, Moniak hit the second pitch he saw from Meyer over the fence for a 1-0 lead. “Staying on a fastball, drove it out to left-center,” Moniak said. “When I’m doing that, things are usually feeling pretty good.” McCullough would like to see a better approach at the plate from his hitters in the series finale. Miami struck out 11 times on Wednesday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) accounting for nine. McCullough did witness something he’d never seen before: a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer. Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball took an odd bounce off the center field wall in the seventh inning. “I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark’s crazy.” Colorado plans to send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound in hopes of splitting the series after dropping the first two. Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) showed signs of rebounding from a difficult stretch in which he went 10 straight starts without a victory and lost seven times. He ended the skid on Saturday when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during an 8-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins. It was his first win since April 24. “He pounded the zone. He got ahead. He didn’t try to do too much,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He threw his sinker a ton and got some quick outs. Didn’t hunt the punchout, which was great. I thought Mike was very, very good.” Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season and went 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. He allowed three runs and seven hits. Lorenzen has had decent success against the Marlins in his career overall, going 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts. Following the Wednesday game, McCullough named Ryan Gusto as his starting pitcher for Thursday. Gusto (0-2, 5.06 ERA) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in his latest outing, on Saturday in a no-decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals. That came after a similar performance on June 21, when the right-hander limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Miami won both games. Gusto has never faced the Rockies in his two-year major league career. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #attempt #recapture #June #success #series #finale #RockiesJun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch to Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Mickey Moniak is beginning to perform like a No. 1 overall draft pick again.

Moniak will try to keep his latest hot streak going for the Colorado Rockies when they oppose the Miami Marlins in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver.

Moniak came within a single of hitting for the cycle in the Rockies’ 6-3 win against the Marlins on Wednesday. The first pick in the 2016 draft also homered in Colorado’s 14-3 loss to Miami on Tuesday.

“He was a first overall (pick) for a reason, so it’s never been a thing of talent,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Moniak following the Wednesday game. “Guys take a circuitous route to find a place that they settle into in a part of their career. It seems like he’s found a place here in Denver that he’s comfortable in, and certainly swings the bat very well in this ballpark, and he was a big factor for them (Wednesday) evening.”

The Marlins fell on the first day of July after finishing June with a 20-6 record, the best mark in the majors and the best month in their history (.769). It was only the second time in franchise annals that Miami won at least 20 games in a month, following a 21-8 ledger in May 2012.

Miami starter Max Meyer came into the Wednesday game with a shiny 9-0 record, but with one out in the first, Moniak hit the second pitch he saw from Meyer over the fence for a 1-0 lead.

“Staying on a fastball, drove it out to left-center,” Moniak said. “When I’m doing that, things are usually feeling pretty good.”

McCullough would like to see a better approach at the plate from his hitters in the series finale. Miami struck out 11 times on Wednesday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) accounting for nine.

McCullough did witness something he’d never seen before: a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer. Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball took an odd bounce off the center field wall in the seventh inning.


“I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark’s crazy.”

Colorado plans to send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound in hopes of splitting the series after dropping the first two.

Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) showed signs of rebounding from a difficult stretch in which he went 10 straight starts without a victory and lost seven times. He ended the skid on Saturday when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during an 8-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins. It was his first win since April 24.

“He pounded the zone. He got ahead. He didn’t try to do too much,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He threw his sinker a ton and got some quick outs. Didn’t hunt the punchout, which was great. I thought Mike was very, very good.”

Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season and went 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. He allowed three runs and seven hits.

Lorenzen has had decent success against the Marlins in his career overall, going 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts.

Following the Wednesday game, McCullough named Ryan Gusto as his starting pitcher for Thursday.

Gusto (0-2, 5.06 ERA) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in his latest outing, on Saturday in a no-decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals. That came after a similar performance on June 21, when the right-hander limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Miami won both games.

Gusto has never faced the Rockies in his two-year major league career.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Marlins #attempt #recapture #June #success #series #finale #Rockies">Deadspin | Marlins attempt to recapture June success in series finale vs. Rockies Jun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch to Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Mickey Moniak is beginning to perform like a No. 1 overall draft pick again. Moniak will try to keep his latest hot streak going for the Colorado Rockies when they oppose the Miami Marlins in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver. Moniak came within a single of hitting for the cycle in the Rockies’ 6-3 win against the Marlins on Wednesday. The first pick in the 2016 draft also homered in Colorado’s 14-3 loss to Miami on Tuesday. “He was a first overall (pick) for a reason, so it’s never been a thing of talent,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Moniak following the Wednesday game. “Guys take a circuitous route to find a place that they settle into in a part of their career. It seems like he’s found a place here in Denver that he’s comfortable in, and certainly swings the bat very well in this ballpark, and he was a big factor for them (Wednesday) evening.” The Marlins fell on the first day of July after finishing June with a 20-6 record, the best mark in the majors and the best month in their history (.769). It was only the second time in franchise annals that Miami won at least 20 games in a month, following a 21-8 ledger in May 2012. Miami starter Max Meyer came into the Wednesday game with a shiny 9-0 record, but with one out in the first, Moniak hit the second pitch he saw from Meyer over the fence for a 1-0 lead. “Staying on a fastball, drove it out to left-center,” Moniak said. “When I’m doing that, things are usually feeling pretty good.” McCullough would like to see a better approach at the plate from his hitters in the series finale. Miami struck out 11 times on Wednesday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) accounting for nine. McCullough did witness something he’d never seen before: a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer. Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball took an odd bounce off the center field wall in the seventh inning. “I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark’s crazy.” Colorado plans to send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound in hopes of splitting the series after dropping the first two. Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) showed signs of rebounding from a difficult stretch in which he went 10 straight starts without a victory and lost seven times. He ended the skid on Saturday when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during an 8-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins. It was his first win since April 24. “He pounded the zone. He got ahead. He didn’t try to do too much,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He threw his sinker a ton and got some quick outs. Didn’t hunt the punchout, which was great. I thought Mike was very, very good.” Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season and went 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. He allowed three runs and seven hits. Lorenzen has had decent success against the Marlins in his career overall, going 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts. Following the Wednesday game, McCullough named Ryan Gusto as his starting pitcher for Thursday. Gusto (0-2, 5.06 ERA) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in his latest outing, on Saturday in a no-decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals. That came after a similar performance on June 21, when the right-hander limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Miami won both games. Gusto has never faced the Rockies in his two-year major league career. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #attempt #recapture #June #success #series #finale #Rockies

The United States is moving on to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Folarin Balogun’s goal in the 45th minute proved to be enough, as the United States knocked off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Wednesday night.

So, what is up next for the United States at the World Cup?

A match against Belgium, one of the top ten teams in the world prior to the start of the tournament. Belgium booked a spot in the Round of 16 with a dramatic, comeback win against Senegal, and now await the United States in the Round of 16.

Here’s what you need to know about Belgium ahead of Monday’s matchup.

Belgium’s run to the Round of 16

Belgium accomplished something we have not seen since, well, the United States during the 2010 World Cup.

Winning the group despite not winning either of their first two matches.

After a pair of punchless performances in group play – a 1-1 draw with Egypt followed by a 0-0 draw with Iran, with the lone goal an own goal from Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany – Belgium clinched the top spot in Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand, booking a match in the Round of 32 against Senegal.

In that match against New Zealand a pair of goals from Leandro Trossard, the first in the 28th minute and the second in the 50th minute, were enough for Belgium to move on. But Rudi Garcia’s side added three more for good measure, as Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Kevin De Bruyne all scored. De Bruyne’s strike, coming outside the box, was in particular a stunning moment.

Then came the match against Senegal in the Round of 32, which almost mirrored Belgium’s run to the knockout stage of the World Cup. The first 85 minutes or so were all Senegal, as the African side built a 2-0 lead and looked to be moving on to the Round of 16 themselves.

Everything then changed in the closing minutes of ordinary time.

First it was Lukaku, who came on as a substitute and pulled one back for Belgium in the 86th minute:

Then just minutes later Youri Tielemans somehow got to this ball into the box, and his header pulled Belgium level:

The match advanced to extra time, and in the second 15 minutes, it was again Tielemans calling for the ball in the box, only this time he was chopped down to the turf.

After a video review, a penalty was awarded. Tielemans stepped to the spot, buried his shot, and all but sent Belgium through to the Round of 16:

Moments later that was official, as the final whistle blew.

The Napoli midfielder earned his 123rd cap for Belgium against Senegal, and his moment of brilliance against New Zealand illustrates what the former Manchester City player is capable of:

That goal, coming days ahead of his 35th birthday, was his 38th international goal for Belgium. He was also a critical piece for Belgium during the team’s run to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, as he finished the tournament with a goal and a pair of assists.

The imposing striker, used as more of a super sub at this point in his career, can still impact a match. Coming off the bench against Egypt in Belgium’s opening match of group play, his side equalized mere seconds after he came onto the pitch, with his presence in front impacting the flow of play.

And it was his goal against Senegal late in the match that pulled Belgium back into the contest:

Lukaku appeared in just five matches for Napoli this past year, scoring once, but seems to be nearing full fitness at this point in the World Cup. And that comes at a dangerous time for the United States defenders.

The midfielder was a key part of Arsenal’s run to the Premier League title, as he scored six goals and added six assists during the EPL season. His brace against New Zealand was a big reason Belgium won the group, and this goal highlights his skill and quality:

Not only do you see the lovely touch and turn, but the reaction skills to play the ball to his foot off the deflection and finish are top notch.

The Real Madrid keeper remains one of the best to ever do it.

While Thibaut Courtois may retire from the international stage following this World Cup, he remains a hulking presence in goal, his 6’7 frame sending shivers down the spine of many a striker. Courtois won the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup, recording 27 saves while keeping three clean sheets over seven matches, and conceding just six times.

While he has battled injuries in recent years, including missing the entire 2023-24 season with a torn ACL, he has conceded just twice ahead of the Round of 16.

He also set a new national record in the match against New Zealand, as it was his 18th World Cup tie for Belgium.

The Manchester City forward has yet to score at the 2026 World Cup, with a pair of assists to his credit, and was subbed off the pitch in the second half against Senegal. Doku also missed the match against Iraq due to a respiratory infection, and did briefly return home to be with his wife Shireen as the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, Praise.

While he has yet to open his account in the 2026 World Cup, he remains a threat that the USMNT will have to monitor when he is on the pitch.

#United #States #play #World #Cup">Who does the United States play in the World Cup Round of 16? The United States is moving on to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Folarin Balogun’s goal in the 45th minute proved to be enough, as the United States knocked off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Wednesday night.So, what is up next for the United States at the World Cup?A match against Belgium, one of the top ten teams in the world prior to the start of the tournament. Belgium booked a spot in the Round of 16 with a dramatic, comeback win against Senegal, and now await the United States in the Round of 16.Here’s what you need to know about Belgium ahead of Monday’s matchup.Belgium’s run to the Round of 16Belgium accomplished something we have not seen since, well, the United States during the 2010 World Cup.Winning the group despite not winning either of their first two matches.After a pair of punchless performances in group play – a 1-1 draw with Egypt followed by a 0-0 draw with Iran, with the lone goal an own goal from Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany – Belgium clinched the top spot in Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand, booking a match in the Round of 32 against Senegal.In that match against New Zealand a pair of goals from Leandro Trossard, the first in the 28th minute and the second in the 50th minute, were enough for Belgium to move on. But Rudi Garcia’s side added three more for good measure, as Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Kevin De Bruyne all scored. De Bruyne’s strike, coming outside the box, was in particular a stunning moment.Then came the match against Senegal in the Round of 32, which almost mirrored Belgium’s run to the knockout stage of the World Cup. The first 85 minutes or so were all Senegal, as the African side built a 2-0 lead and looked to be moving on to the Round of 16 themselves.Everything then changed in the closing minutes of ordinary time.First it was Lukaku, who came on as a substitute and pulled one back for Belgium in the 86th minute:Then just minutes later Youri Tielemans somehow got to this ball into the box, and his header pulled Belgium level:The match advanced to extra time, and in the second 15 minutes, it was again Tielemans calling for the ball in the box, only this time he was chopped down to the turf.After a video review, a penalty was awarded. Tielemans stepped to the spot, buried his shot, and all but sent Belgium through to the Round of 16:Moments later that was official, as the final whistle blew.The Napoli midfielder earned his 123rd cap for Belgium against Senegal, and his moment of brilliance against New Zealand illustrates what the former Manchester City player is capable of:That goal, coming days ahead of his 35th birthday, was his 38th international goal for Belgium. He was also a critical piece for Belgium during the team’s run to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, as he finished the tournament with a goal and a pair of assists.The imposing striker, used as more of a super sub at this point in his career, can still impact a match. Coming off the bench against Egypt in Belgium’s opening match of group play, his side equalized mere seconds after he came onto the pitch, with his presence in front impacting the flow of play.And it was his goal against Senegal late in the match that pulled Belgium back into the contest:Lukaku appeared in just five matches for Napoli this past year, scoring once, but seems to be nearing full fitness at this point in the World Cup. And that comes at a dangerous time for the United States defenders.The midfielder was a key part of Arsenal’s run to the Premier League title, as he scored six goals and added six assists during the EPL season. His brace against New Zealand was a big reason Belgium won the group, and this goal highlights his skill and quality:Not only do you see the lovely touch and turn, but the reaction skills to play the ball to his foot off the deflection and finish are top notch.The Real Madrid keeper remains one of the best to ever do it.While Thibaut Courtois may retire from the international stage following this World Cup, he remains a hulking presence in goal, his 6’7 frame sending shivers down the spine of many a striker. Courtois won the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup, recording 27 saves while keeping three clean sheets over seven matches, and conceding just six times.While he has battled injuries in recent years, including missing the entire 2023-24 season with a torn ACL, he has conceded just twice ahead of the Round of 16.He also set a new national record in the match against New Zealand, as it was his 18th World Cup tie for Belgium.The Manchester City forward has yet to score at the 2026 World Cup, with a pair of assists to his credit, and was subbed off the pitch in the second half against Senegal. Doku also missed the match against Iraq due to a respiratory infection, and did briefly return home to be with his wife Shireen as the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, Praise.While he has yet to open his account in the 2026 World Cup, he remains a threat that the USMNT will have to monitor when he is on the pitch. #United #States #play #World #Cup

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