The Guardian

Arsenal ended Chelsea’s perfect record in Champions League quarter-finals, their 3-1 lead from the first leg was enough to counter the 1-0 defeat in a frenetic end-to-end encounter at Stamford Bridge. Sjoeke Nüsken’s injury-time strike gave Chelsea hope but it wasn’t enough. The manager, Sonia Bompastor, was sent off shortly before the whistle as emotions boiled over. The holders will play the wi…

Some countries, like Kosovo and Iraq, have only just qualified after playoffs while most have been fine-tuning in friendlies “There’s more talent and potential than in 2022,” Kylian Mbappé said ominously this week after France had beaten Brazil 2-1 despite having Dayot Upamecano sent off after 55 minutes. He may well be right. For the second game of this window, against Colombia, Didier Deschamps…

Best-laid plans of the head coach fell apart with his likely World Cup leaders all missing during problematic friendlies at Wembley “We tried to build a football team in three days against Uruguay,” Thomas Tuchel says, unable to stop laughing at the end of the sentence. Ridiculous, the England head coach wants to add, although he stops short of that. But incredulity is the theme as he rows back o…

Manchester United’s Women’s Champions League journey ended in Germany as Bayern Munich struck with two late goals to propel themselves into the semi-finals, despite a spirited display from the English side. Marc Skinner’s team led on the night for 70 minutes after Melvine Malard’s opener but Bayern built up a heavy spell of pressure in the second half and eventually found a way through United’s d…

Former athletes like me know that in professional sports you can get away with most things … as long as you’re talented enough When the Chicago Bulls waived Jaden Ivey on Monday , after he made a series of unprompted anti-LGBTQ and religiously charged comments on social media, the move was framed as a response to “conduct detrimental to the team.” On the surface, the situation appears straightfor…

Slot: ‘Hopefully he can make his legacy more special’ Liverpool’s record signing ‘in a really good place’ The Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes Mohamed Salah will “leave the club a legend” after announcing his departure at the end of the season. The Egypt international took to social media last week to reveal he had come to an agreement with the club to end the contract he only extended las…

Italian manager guided his team past Kosovo in their playoff final, with Kenan Yildiz a burgeoning superstar Vincenzo Montella was mid-answer when a side door burst open and more than a dozen Turkey players and staff stormed his press conference, showering him with liquid. Within seconds he was bouncing up and down among them, the flimsy advertising banner behind him wobbling furiously. He had al…

Police investigate chants heard at Barcelona friendly Spain’s coach and justice minister condemn behaviour Lamine Yamal has criticised chants by Spain fans during a friendly against Egypt in Barcelona that police are investigating for Islamophobia and xenophobia. Spain supporters chanted “who doesn’t jump is a Muslim”, prompting Yamal to respond on Instagram. He wrote that the chanting “was aimed…

The former England and Tottenham forward has had to be patient to get his chance but he ‘was never going to give up’ “It’s been a long time coming,” says Jermain Defoe on his first day as Woking’s manager. Dressed in a sharp grey suit that he admits he is wearing on the instructions of his mother, Sandra – “I know she’ll be watching this, and she’ll be like: ‘You’ve got to look smart!’” – the for…

At 17, Cooper Lutkenhaus is the youngest world champion in track and field history – and potentially USA’s poster boy for LA28 Fire on the boards. Slack jaws off it. Last week, I was fortunate enough to be yards away from the 17-year-old American high school student Cooper Lutkenhaus when he powered away from a strong 800m field in Torun to become the youngest world champion in track and field hi…

Joyce gave birth in November and returned to pitch in March Bristol flanker hopes to be role model for next generation Alisha Joyce returned to the rugby pitch in March just 123 days after giving birth and a week later was named in Wales’s squad for the Women’s Six Nations. The 28-year-old says she was “shocked” to get the call-up after welcoming son Ralphie in November but adds it’s “cool” to be…

After covering changes for matchgoing fans , Gavin Willacy assesses how coverage has transformed for fans at home By No Helmets Required Super League celebrated its 30th birthday in style at the weekend. The main party was at Headingley, where Leeds hosted Warrington in a repeat of one of the league’s original fixtures. As Sky Sports anchor Brian Carney welcomed guest after illustrious guest to r…

Track forced to cancel scheduled meetings Chaotic concert aftermath led to legal action The oft-troubled history of Chelmsford City racecourse in Essex took its latest turn for the worse on Wednesday when the track lost its licence to host fixtures, forcing the cancellation of scheduled meetings including the lucrative Good Friday fixture and putting the long-term future of the venue in serious d…

England’s full-backs struggled to contain Japan on a night when nobody playing did their World Cup selection chances much good Jordan Pickford Had no chance with Kaoru Mitoma’s goal. Saved well from Ritsu Doan as Japan pressed. 6 Ben White Struggled to contain Keito Nakamura and was booed again. His return may well be shortlived. 4 Continue reading...

Late-age cricket leagues are growing fast and the national Over-70s thrived on their winter southern hemisphere tour “You could compare and contrast if you so desired,” says England Over-70s manager Chris Lowe, offering the straightest of bats to my shameless prod. “You’re the journalist, so you probably will.” It would be professional negligence not to. So let us duly look at the fate that befel…