The Guardian

After review,” began the Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, those two words breaking the hearts of Iran after they thought they scrambled an unlikely 93rd-minute winner. Moments earlier, the 37-year-old Shoja Khalilzadeh fired in from the edge of the six-yard box, whipped off his No 4 shirt in double-quick time and slid on to his knees before being mobbed by his teammates and nestled at the bottom …

Leandro Trossard scored twice ⁠as Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 to breeze into the ⁠knockout stage of ⁠the ​World Cup, winning Group G to set up a last-32 ⁠clash with one of the eight best third-placed teams. After having a penalty ⁠award overturned following a VAR check, Belgium ​broke the deadlock ‌in the ‌28th minute when De Bruyne’s corner bounced off ‌New Zealand defender Tim Payne and droppe…

Last month she had a post-defeat meltdown and insisted she was done with tennis. On the eve of Wimbledon, she talks about what really happened – and why her ‘aggressive’ face gives people the wrong impression It’s less than a month since Aryna Sabalenka told the world that she felt like walking away from tennis . The world No 1 had suffered an almighty implosion. Sabalenka is as famous for her im…

For better or worse, the inaugural edition of the inter-hemisphere tournament launches with even more long-haul flights in a drive to attract greater interest Brave is one word for it. Let’s launch a must-see global rugby tournament in direct opposition to the football World Cup, Wimbledon, the Open and Formula One. Necessitating even more long-haul flights and an enlarged carbon footprint in an …

The third in a special series of World Cup 2026-themed collages made for the Guardian by the celebrated satirist Continue reading...

For a few days at least, the Blue Sharks can scent Argentinian blood. What a scene they presented at the end after drawing for a third time and improbably, magnificently, qualifying from Group H as runners-up. Their players and head coach, Bubista, huddled round a mobile phone to watch the closing stages of Uruguay’s defeat to Spain. They erupted en masse upon learning the outcome and can look ah…

Uruguay are out of the World Cup again and it’s nobody’s fault but theirs. “3 million dreams,” the banner said high in the stand in Guadalajara; instead it was a recurring nightmare. Divided and dysfunctional, led by a man who barely even says buenos dias to his players, and unable to get beyond a draw against Saudi Arabia or Cape Verde, they needed something big against Spain but they could only…

Uruguay’s exit means England through to knockouts Thomas Tuchel’s side face Panama on Saturday England’s place in the last 32 of the World Cup has been confirmed after results in Group H ensured Thomas Tuchel’s side would, at worst, qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. Uruguay’s defeat to Spain, coupled with Cape Verde’s draw with Saudi Arabia, left Marcelo Bielsa’s side in third and wi…

Whitehorse winger goes first overall Justin Bieber announces Leafs’ top pick Penn State star hails from Yukon capital With most of Yukon watching and a loud presence of Maple Leafs fans in the stands, Toronto selected Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first pick in the NHL draft on Friday night. The 18-year-old McKenna is from Yukon’s capital of Whitehorse and has been a prolific scorer o…

England forward did not get off to the best of starts with the manager but after two fine seasons with Al-Ahli is ready for any opportunity off the bench It was after England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana in their second World Cup group game on Tuesday that Ivan Toney was reminded that young children ask the best questions. Two of his three boys were there – the eldest is back at home – and one of them c…

England midfielder’s remarkable rise started off in League Two and his £116m move to Manchester City is confirmation of his relentless progress At Bristol Rovers the players would fight to be on Elliot Anderson’s team in training five-a-sides because they knew they would be victorious. Even as a teenager, the midfielder was a cut above his more experienced peers, becoming an integral part of the …

Fans, players and coaches have voiced their indignation at the way the game is massively altered by the four-quarter structure With 22 minutes gone on Tuesday night at Boston Stadium, and an injury delay in train, a clutch of England and Ghana players wandered to the side of the pitch and began taking drinks. This was the signal for a sudden spurt of refereeing indignation, the officials sprintin…

All-time greats have questions to answer in SW19 while Raducanu and Draper have to show they can stay fit Serena Williams left it until the last minute to take the final available singles wildcard at Wimbledon and dramatically escalate her comeback from retirement. It is hard to imagine this was all part of her master plan. If she knew she was ready to compete against the best in the world from t…

I savour the memory of playing for Brazil at the 2022 tournament – but it was a privilege that took effort For a player the World Cup day begins with everyone gathering in the restaurant for breakfast at the scheduled time. Buffet options are determined by the nutritionist, who specifies which food and in what quantities each player can consume. The morning also includes on-field training, usuall…

The major winner has rebuilt both his swing and confidence and learned to function without the approval of the masses On the evening before he won the US Open for a second time in four years, Wyndham Clark marched up the 18th fairway at Shinnecock Hills to put the finishing touches on a third round that would leave him six shots clear of the field. He had spent the past three days patiently defan…