The Guardian

There has been no new manager bounce, Ben Gannon-Doak is playing in an odd position and the wider plan looks flawed Scotland are staring at a third-place finish in Group B1 of the Nations League , which will have repercussions for their seeding in Euro 2028 qualifying. More striking, though, was the general standard of performance over Sébastien Pocognoli’s first four games as manager. Continue r…

Two-time All-Pro won two Super Bowls with Eagles Johnson says family priorities have changed 36-year-old started 171 games for Philadelphia Lane Johnson, the Philadelphia Eagles’ decorated right tackle and a cornerstone of the franchise for nearly a decade and a half, announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after 14 seasons. The 36-year-old, a two-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro…

Opener said it is unfair for ex-players to criticise modern batting lineup Australia’s vice-captain eager to open in Tests against South Africa Travis Head has accused Australia’s golden generation of being unfair in “putting a bullet through” current players, saying the game has changed significantly since they played. Just a day after Matthew Hayden slammed selectors and accused them of promoti…

Former captain admits guilty verdict ‘doesn’t look great’ But he insists memories of ‘many trophies’ will remain Manchester City’s glory years cannot be taken away from the players, despite the club being found guilty of all charges of breaching Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period , insists former captain Kyle Walker. City have appealed against last week’s seismic judgment of a…

Verdict has been a long time coming and the Southampton head coach has recaptured hearts and minds at St Mary’s “Hi Tonda, are you a cheat?” That simple, succinct, question cut to the heart of a matter that has vexed the Football Association all summer. It was posed by the Northern Echo’s Dominic Shaw after Southampton overcame Middlesbrough in the second leg of May’s Championship playoff semi‑fi…

While it’s full steam ahead for Alex Scott, Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly, others look likely to be left behind Thomas Tuchel’s original idea had been for continuity. The England manager wanted to build on the positives from the World Cup and he was minded to stand by the vast majority of the players who had been a part of the journey to the semi-finals in North America over the summer. His s…

Two-time major winner is reportedly owed over £100m Tour filed for bankruptcy after Saudi funding withdrawn Jon Rahm is to quit LIV Golf due to the “unacceptable” terms offered for the proposed relaunch of the breakaway series. LIV is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the US after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew support at the end of the season having spent $5bn (£…

Technical director held court at club’s training base, comparing rugby to winemaking and claiming interviews ‘steal my joy’ Brendan Venter began his long-awaited public appearance with head bowed, uttering one-word answers and with a general demeanour he would rather be anywhere else. By the end he had compared Prem Rugby to an “autocracy”, mentioned Ukraine and Gaza, and detailed an inspirationa…

Jorge Messi wanted his country to fall in love with his son. That ambition was fulfilled during a brilliant international career that ended this week “What Argentina is doing in this World Cup is of a sacred order,” Brazilian writer Milly Lacombe posted at the height of the tide of anti-Argentinian sentiment during this year’s tournament. She was exploring the contradiction she felt around her su…

Review is under way, but there will be no quick fix for misconceived regulations that resulted in cars being unable to run in the rain Formula One has gone to no little pains this season in insisting the new format is more popular than ever, despite overwhelming disapproval from the drivers regarding engine regulations. In short, there is nothing to see here. But the farcical scenes that accompan…

The most memorable teams aren’t always the the most famous – and the key ingredients have remained the same for many years It is an entirely subjective question but still worth pondering as the autumn mists descend. What is the most inspiring rugby team you ever saw? Not the absolute best, necessarily, because that is too restrictive a filter. This is about sides who, in addition to stringing a f…

Improvements to the car are paying off as the team look to lay the groundwork for renewed success next season The importance for Max Verstappen of emerging triumphant from the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was writ large in the Dutchman’s pleasure at finally being able to drive a competitive car. In a ride with which he was comfortable and able to take to a dominant victory for Red Bull, Verstap…

Nothing compares to sport’s contrasts, and few are as stark as the exits of two defining icons of the modern football era. As one continues to negotiate his grand departure from the international stage in a swirl of petulant rancour, bitterness and posturing, the other’s farewell was – up to a point – a study in dignified grace. Ignoring the somewhat jarring moment when an otherwise quite touchin…

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Lucy Ward as Harry Kane equals the all-time England appearance record in a 3-0 win over Czechia. Continue reading...

‘Trampoline effect’ can make some feel unwell German club ‘regret the ​unavoidable measures’ The German club Bochum have banned their supporters from ⁠jumping up and down in unison in part of their stadium as ⁠the tribune ⁠movement ​makes some spectators feel unwell. Engineers ⁠investigated the structure as part of a Ruhrstadion upgrade plan and cleared its load-carrying ⁠capacity. Their report, …