The Guardian

Optimism is not high for Mauricio Pochettino’s co-hosts, who are under pressure to justify fans’ considerable outlay on tickets This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network , a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kick…

Some struggle to love Arteta’s side but they went toe-to-toe with Paris Saint-Germain in a gruelling contest to produce a high-grade decider It always seemed likely, somehow, that Arsenal’s season was going to come down to Gabriel Magalhães and a set piece. Just not, ideally, like this. Football does love a note of dramatic irony. And while Arsenal may have lost this Champions League final on pen…

The title-winning glow soon faded for the champions’ manager after tragedy in Spain presaged a dramatic decline on the pitch The Liverpool forward was returning from his native Portugal to England via car then ferry, on medical advice after having a minor lung operation, and was killed in an accident along with his brother, André Silva, en route to the Spanish port of Santander, on 3 July 2025. J…

Veterans such as Messi and Modric are much in evidence at the finals, but an obsession with celebrity may undermine Portugal It turns out that 2022 wasn’t Lionel Messi’s last dance after all. He will turn 39 during the World Cup, but despite concerns over the “muscular overload” that led to him limping out of Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union on Sunday, he remains the figure on whom A…

First ODI: Pakistan (5-202) beat Australia (200) by 5wkts Debutant Minhas claims five-wicket haul in Rawalpindi Pakistan’s debutant Arafat Minhas bagged a stunning five-wicket haul and then smashed the winning runs to secure a comprehensive victory over Australia in the first of three one-day internationals. Josh Inglis, handed the white-ball captaincy after Mitch Marsh was ruled out with an ankl…

No 28 seed Potapova stuns Gauff with 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win Anisimova struggles in heat as Sabalenka progresses Coco Gauff’s defence of her French Open crown came to an end against Anastasia Potapova and sixth-seeded Amanda Anisimova also bowed out, but Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, marched on to the fourth round. Gauff finally met a player in Paris who could match her court coverage in long ba…

It was a showpiece that held the football world in its grip, the tension mounting exponentially, everything on the line. For Paris Saint-Germain, there was the opportunity to make it clear that this is a dynastic team; the rarity of retaining a Champions League title. For Arsenal, it was simple. Never mind the Invincibles. They stood to be immortal, a first triumph in this competition to follow t…

Club’s flawed recruitment meant coach did not deserve the vitriol, but Anfield boos led to executives needing to act Mohamed Salah’s parting shot was to demand the return of heavy-metal football at Liverpool and, in their reasoning for sacking Arne Slot , the club’s hierarchy have concurred. It is a brutal, but understandable decision to remove Slot on the basis that Liverpool’s style must evolve…

2nd T20i: Eng, 168-5, bt India, 142-9, by 26 runs India’s decision to retire out Bhatia in run chase backfires Freya Kemp smashed an unbeaten 39 from 13 balls as England finally unleashed some batting firepower to post 168 for five and beat India by 26 runs in the second T20 international. Kemp found able support from Dani Gibson as England’s two finishers added 39 from the final two overs to lev…

Ian Rush among those from Liverpool and Juventus at ceremony New Anfield Road monument replaces original plaque Liverpool have unveiled a new memorial on the 41st anniversary of the Heysel Stadium tragedy to the 39 fans who died. Representatives from Juventus, Liverpool’s opponents in the 1985 European Cup final, attended the unveiling ceremony at Anfield on Friday along with the Liverpool ambass…

Wigan 40-10 Hull KR Warriors’ Walters dismissed late for dangerous tackle Wigan produced another Challenge Cup masterclass to extend their record as the kings of rugby league’s most prestigious competition, ruthlessly picking apart the holders in imperious fashion. The meeting was, on paper, set to be one of the most intriguing in recent history. The most recent two Super League and Challenge Cup…

Russia’s Shnaider played in Gazprom-funded event Oliynykova defeated Shnaider 7-5, 6-1 in French Open Oleksandra Oliynykova has called for Diana Shnaider to face sanctions for her participation in a Gazprom-funded exhibition in Russia and the Ukrainian criticised the sport’s “hypocritical” governing bodies after her 7-5, 6-1 defeat by her Russian opponent. “She doesn’t want to comment on the war,…

Former England and Chelsea star arrested on M3 on Thursday under suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs Raheem Sterling has been made to feel “disposable” after a decade at the top of football, a source close to the former England star has said, after his arrest on suspicion of driving “whilst unfit through drugs”. The source said the former Man City and Chelsea winger, who is now playing…

Overall leader leaves nothing to chance on final climb Dane will claim first Giro by reaching Rome finish Jonas Vingegaard all but won the Giro d’Italia on Saturday and his attention will soon turn to the Tour de France as he attempts to become the ninth male cyclist to complete the Giro-Tour double. The Dane wrapped up the first part in style, soloing to victory atop Piancavallo at the end of th…

Expectations were raised after a first semi-final at Qatar 2022 and Mohamed Ouahbi’s side will hope history can repeat itself This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network , a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kickin…