Slovenian Tadej Pogacar wins the first stage of the Criterium in the Alps

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 9, 2025, p. a10

Montluçon. Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar won the first stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné in the French Alps, a race leading up to the Tour de France.

In an explosive and surprising finish, Pogacar beat figures such as Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard in the sprint, in a preview of the potential battle between the two riders at the Tour in July: Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel and Belgian Remco Evenepoel.

The riders broke away after Vingegaard attacked with 5.5 kilometers to go, followed initially by Pogacar and Colombian Santiago Buitrago, then joined by Evenepoel.

The group held off the peloton's comeback to take the prestigious stage win in the sprint. Van der Poel was the first to attempt the final attack, but it took him too long; however, Pogacar overtook him in the final meters.

I didn't expect to win. It's a great feeling, and I'm super happy , said Pogacar, who is competing in the Dauphiné for the second time, a race now in its 77th year.

The UAE Team Emirates leader thus achieved his 96th victory as a professional, his eighth of the season, in which he had not raced since his triumph in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège on April 27.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 9, 2025, p. a11

In soccer, a defeat often has implications. The national team's players and coaching staff understand that it's part of a collective lesson. From the moment Switzerland won by a landslide (4-2) in Salt Lake City, in the first of two preparation matches for the Gold Cup, almost everyone on the Mexican squad silently accepted the criticism. "We have a lot of room for improvement; these matches are decided by details, and we haven't shown any decisiveness ," said Anderlecht midfielder César Huerta, before leaving for North Carolina for their final test against Turkey.

The only injury confirmed by coach Javier Aguirre is Lokomotiv Russia's center back, César Montes, who suffered dizziness after a spectacular head clash with teammate Mateo Chávez. The Sonoran came off the bench in the 80th minute to be examined by the team's doctors and remained out until the end of the match. According to Vasco 's plans, the players who did not play against Switzerland will be given the opportunity to test their skills at Kenan Memorial Stadium.

These are the kinds of matches we need. Many circumstances were difficult: the opponent, the pitch, the weather. But in the end, we have to get used to everything , emphasized AC Milan forward Santiago Giménez, who scored one of Mexico's goals in the last warm-up match.

The Turkish side, which advanced to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, beat the United States 2-1 on Saturday in its visit to Connecticut. In the current UEFA Nations League, the so-called Sultans are in second place in their group behind Wales, under the direction of former Italian footballer Vincenzo Montella. It's true that there's a lot of room for improvement in the game, but Aguirre has come to restore the national team's identity , said former international Andrés Guardado, supporting the Basque 's work.

The Mexican team will conclude its training camp this Monday at the University of North Carolina stadium, where Aguirre will hold a press conference.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 9, 2025, p. a11

The Mexican U-20 women's national team failed to retain their title in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifying Tournament in their category after losing 3-2 to Canada in the tournament final yesterday at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in Costa Rica.

Both teams had already secured their spot at the U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland 2026, but thanks to this valuable victory, the Canadians dethroned Mexico for the third time in the regional tournament's history.

In the match that went into extra time after a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes, the goals for the Mexicans, who played with one less player after the expulsion of goalkeeper Mariángela Medina in the final stretch of the second half, were scored by Montserrat Saldívar (61 and 98, the latter from a penalty), who, with this double, became the top scorer of the tournament, with eight goals. For the Canadians, Sienna Gibson (50), Adriana Bianchin (96) and Annabelle Chukwu (120 + 2) scored.

After neither team scored in the first half, despite the Tricolors creating several dangerous plays, the Canadians took the lead in the second half when a shot from Gibson was impossible for Medina to stop.

However, Mexico leveled the score in the 61st minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul by Janet Okeke on Saldívar in the box. The forward took the penalty and with a precise shot beat goalkeeper Noelle Henning to make it 1-1.

In the final stretch, the match became more complicated for the Tricolores, as their goalkeeper was sent off in the 90th minute for a foul in the box on Annabelle Chukwu. Camila Vázquez replaced her, replacing Deiry Ramírez.

In extra time, neither team scored, so the game went to overtime. In the first, the Canadians broke the tie (2-1) through Adriana Bianchin off a corner kick.

The Mexicans reacted and tied the score again (2-2) just two minutes later, when Saldívar took advantage of a pass from Alice Soto to shake the nets with a powerful left-footed shot.

The bad news for the Tricolors came at the end of the second period of extra time, when a penalty was awarded for a handball in the box. Chukwu was tasked with taking the penalty, but Vázquez excelled, saving her shot with a superb save.

Chukwu refused to give up, and in the final minutes, she scored against Mexico to seal the final 3-2 scoreline and give her team the win.