The Guardian

Despite fierce opposition to the Nations League encounters across Irish society, a boycott has not materialised The match is being played in a neutral country and the stands are likely to be empty but Sunday’s Nations League fixture between Israel and the Republic of Ireland will nonetheless have the eyes of the world upon it. Since February’s draw paired the sides against each other, voices acro…

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Come Saturday, it will be 73 days since the pain and shame of Atlanta, when England, from a winning position in a World Cup semi-final, decided to do an England, and sit on their lead. What followed resembled a slow-motion crash test dummies video, Enzo Fernández first summoning the ghost of Andy Möller at Euro 96 with his high-camp cavorting celebration, and then Lautaro Martínez, unmarked, nodd…

Championship leader Antonelli crashes out in Q1 Mercedes teammate takes pole by 0.837 from Leclerc Kimi Antonelli was left ruing an uncharacteristic error in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix which eliminated the championship leader in the first session after he hit a wall in Baku. His Mercedes teammate George Russell claimed pole with a fine lap and will be in a strong position to make up…

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Scotland’s unproven head coach represents a gamble made by an organisation who could do without another embarrassing episode If time is the commodity most cherished by a manager, Sébastien Pocognoli’s decision to lead Scotland is no surprise. Host nation status for Euro 2028 means it will be exceptionally difficult for them not to qualify for the tournament. In the Nations League, starting on Sat…

Australia 1-1 Brazil in international friendly in Townsville Irankunda hits free kick before Rayan equalises deep in added time It was a Friday night in which the stars descended on Townsville. There was Bruno Guimarães, Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior in the Brazilian XI, with Endrick leading the line and Estêvão out on the flank, all instructed by Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout. But on this evening…

A week after Canada ended their winning run, England’s World Cup winners face a New Zealand team aiming to inflict more pain at Twickenham A wounded animal is the most dangerous. The Red Roses might not have lost to Canada last Saturday but they did not win either, for the first time since 2022. England’s 40-game unbeaten streak continues with a blemish and when things do not go to plan they usua…

Four years in France have refreshed scrum-half’s outlook and he thinks his club can make their mark this season Most players returning home from the French Top 14 have had a life-enhancing experience and Dan Robson is the latest example. The former England scrum-half spent four seasons in the shadow of the Pyrenees with Pau, mixing it with the likes of Antoine Dupont and Maxime Lucu, before rejoi…

Day in former England midfielder’s company reveals a chess fan and hands-on manager who will not tolerate tardiness Kieron Dyer is recounting a tale from his time in Japan at the 2002 World Cup. “You have a lot of time on your hands,” he begins from behind his desk at Southend United’s training ground. Dyer, a chess fan, was looking for an opponent in the England squad. “Sol Campbell was a deep t…

The appointment of England white-ball teams’ specialist mentor has divided opinion but the man himself says he is loving being back in the dressing room Kevin Pietersen insisted he is a “completely different” person these days as he sat down at Headingley – the ground where he declared “it’s tough being me in this dressing room” 14 years earlier – and spoke at length about his role as the new “sp…

Coach ‘not just bunny hopping’ says Jess Breach Crowd of nearly 60,000 expected against New Zealand Shaun Edwards has proven to the Red Roses he “wants to be there and to make the players better” rather than using the women’s game as a stepping stone, according to the England wing Jess Breach. Edwards, a rugby league legend and hugely decorated defence coach in union, joined England on a consulta…

The flanker found the game at Crewe & Nantwich and plays for Sale but she was born in Detroit. On Saturday, her improving team will hope to conquer Cardiff It’s a long way from Crewe & Nantwich RUFC to Little Rock, Arkansas, but five years ago Georgie Perris-Redding, who started playing rugby at the Cheshire club, made the 4,300-mile trip. She’s racked up plenty of air miles since and on Saturday…

After playing zero minutes at the 2023 World Cup, the attacker embraced a new club, a new mindset and a new position. Now she’s making NWSL history in North Carolina It was a familiar sight: Ashley Sanchez running at the left post, controlling a lofted cross, deftly finding a window between defenders and taking a quick shot to the inside of the far post beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. It’s ho…

Four leagues says Fifa governance ‘not fit for purpose’ They criticise ‘expansionism’ and want more input The Premier League has joined forces with La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga to call for urgent governance reform at Fifa after the World Cup sell-off debacle (FFE) as Gianni Infantino prepares to seek a fourth term as president. Their strongly worded statement is the latest indication that …