The Guardian

Northampton 41-38 Bath Fin Smith clinches win with last kick If only these two could play each other every week. Having wowed the rugby world a fortnight ago with their Champions Cup quarter-final at the Rec, scoring 11 tries between them, here they went one better and scored 12. Six each, obviously. The scores were level as the clock ticked red. The crowd were as breathless as the players. And t…

German and French clubs are showing in the Champions League they can make the most of the benefits of not having to play in a gruelling domestic competition Paris Saint-Germain have won 11 of the past 13 French league titles and, going into this weekend, stood four points clear of Lens at the top of Ligue 1. Bayern Munich have already wrapped up this season’s Bundesliga title, their 13th in 14 ye…

What a barnstorming finish to this FA Cup semi-final that featured three goals in eight minutes and ended with Nico González as the hero who swept Manchester City to a historic fourth consecutive final. The Spaniard’s winner came in the 87th-minute. Bernardo Silva, only just introduced by Pep Guardiola, tapped to Jérémy Doku, who fed González. From outside Southampton’s area, to the left, the mid…

It has come down to a straight shootout, similar to five rounds of penalties, the equation plain yet loaded with complications. Score or miss. With Manchester City otherwise engaged in an FA Cup semi-final , it was Arsenal who took first. For them, the metaphorical walk to the spot, the moment of truth, began in the aftermath of last Sunday’s defeat at City . It was long and treacherous, the self…

Daizen Maeda strikes twice as Celtic beat Falkirk 3-1 Aberdeen seal nervy home win over Kilmarnock Daizen Maeda drove Celtic to a 3-1 victory against Falkirk as the champions moved level on points with Premiership leaders Hearts. The Japan international scored twice and set up another as Martin O’Neill’s side overcame a tough test. Maeda charged down a clearance from Keelan Adams before drilling …

The men’s game thrives on big rivalries but with the world No 2 missing through injury, the prospects of another top-10 player stepping up appear bleak Jannik Sinner is not a man for great displays of emotion, but not even the world No 1 could maintain his poker face this time. In the aftermath of an arduous opening win in Madrid on Friday, Sinner learned of the most significant news of the year …

Roberto De Zerbi had said he wanted no crying in his camp after Brighton scored their late equaliser last week, and it was just as the Wolves fans had started chanting “You’re going to cry in a minute” that the substitute João Palhinha struck the goal that briefly helped Tottenham climb out of the relegation zone and avoid a club record of 16 consecutive league games without a win. The Spurs mana…

Vitalii Mykolenko crossed from the left, James Tarkowski headed the ball down, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall lashed it into the back of the net and for a moment it felt as if West Ham were sliding towards the Championship. It was 1-1 at the London Stadium, Tomas Soucek’s opener on his 250th appearance for the east Londoners cancelled out. But added time is proving crucial in this relegation battle. Last …

Brazilian midfielder’s arrival could mean Ugarte moves on Summer wishlist also includes Real Madrid’s Tchouaméni Manchester United have identified Éderson, the Atalanta midfielder, as a potential recruit to fill the gap left by Casemiro’s summer departure, with the 26-year-old Brazilian valued at €40m-50m (£35m-£45m). United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, is an admirer of Éderson and is mo…

England 62-24 Wales Red Roses run in 10 tries, Wales earn bonus point There is an alternate universe where Meg Jones played the Six Nations clash between England and Wales in a red shirt instead of a white one. The Red Roses captain was born in Cardiff and can speak fluent Welsh but she chose to play for England, being qualified through her mother. That decision is surely one of the most importan…

Boro thrash Watford 5-1, West Brom 0-0 Ipswich Charlton’s 2-1 win and Baggies’ point relegates Oxford Middlesbrough ’s hopes of winning automatic promotion remain alive after they thrashed Watford 5-1 at the Riverside. With second-placed Ipswich drawing at West Brom , Boro have moved to within a point of the top-two positions with one game to play, although Ipswich still have a game in hand. Boro…

Former world No 1 earns 13-9 win to reach last eight Robertson stumbles at Crucible against Wakelin Mark Allen beat the world No 2 Kyren Wilson 13-9 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. The Northern Irishman, who had let slip a 5-0 lead in their second-round match, won four of the first six frames in Saturday’s morning session to upset the 2024 champion. All…

New Zealand storm to 40-5 drubbing in Queensland Third loss out of three for Australia in Pacific Four New Zealand consigned the Wallaroos to a third Pacific Four wooden spoon with their 30th consecutive victory over Australia’s women. The Black Ferns preserved their 32-year undefeated record with a 40-5 win in Queensland on Saturday night. Siokapesi Palu scored Australia’s lone try in a typicall…

US sanctions tied to Rwanda’s military have prompted a BAL team withdrawal, renewing scrutiny of the NBA’s long-standing partnership As the NBA enters its postseason crescendo, its carefully cultivated image as one of the most progressive leagues in sports is once again in the spotlight due to its partnership with Rwanda, which has long been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes. In March…

The German has twice come close to the sack but has led team towards safety and first FA Cup semi since 1987 The crate was crammed with bottles but Daniel Farke made light work of hoisting it on to a table and inviting everyone to help themselves. It was a little after 10.30 one night in April last year, an already-promoted Leeds had just beaten Bristol City, and the manager was offering journali…