Thursday Morning Sports Update

Keeping you up to date on soccer, golf and racing.

SOCCER

England got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 4-2 win against Croatia last night.

Captain Harry Kane scored twice in the first-half before Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added to their tally in Dallas.

It leaves Thomas Tuchel's side top of Group L, with Ghana beating Panama 1-0 in Toronto.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal had to settle for a point in Houston, drawing 1-all with D-R Congo.

While goals from Daniel Munoz and Luis Diaz helped Colombia to a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in Mexico City.

This evening, Czechia and South Africa are both looking to bounce back from opening-day defeats.

The two sides square off in a Group A encounter from 5 in Atlanta.

Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina go head-to-head in Los Angeles at 8pm.

That's followed by the meeting of Canada and Qatar in Vancouver from 11.

The Republic of Ireland women's team will find out their opponents for the 2027 World Cup playoffs at around 11 o'clock this morning.

Hungary, Belarus, and Romania are among the teams that Carla Ward's side could be drawn to face in Round 1.

Ireland enter as one of the seeded teams, so will have home advantage in the second leg.

GOLF

Golf's US Open gets underway at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York today

Rory McIlroy is among the early starters and will tee off his first round today at just before 1pm - Irish time.

Padraig Harrington and 2010 winner Graeme McDowell both start at 12.20pm - Irish time.

While Shane Lowry will begin his round before 7pm.

Leona Maguire and Kildare's Lauren Walsh are in the field for the opening day of the Meijer LPGA in Michigan.

2023 winner Maguire tees off just after 1:30pm, with Walsh getting her campaign underway slightly before 12:50pm.

RACING

It's day three at Royal Ascot

The action begins at half-past-two with The Chesham Stakes, while the day's feature is the Gold Cup.

Ryan Moore will ride the favourite, Scandinavia, for champion trainer Aidan O'Brien.