Sporting miracles do occasionally happen. And when they do the vivid memories cascade down for years and years. Think of dramatic Six Nations games between Ireland and France, say, and it is impossible not to be mentally transported back a quarter of a century. Baggy cotton jerseys, Irish underdogs and – magnifique! – a young … Read more
Many changes of personnel, one simple change of sequence. The World Cup final in 2023 began with Pat Cummins choosing to give Australia’s bowlers the chance to choke India’s batting. A year and a half later, in the Champions Trophy, Steve Smith as injury substitute decided that a very different Australian team should bat first. … Read more
The season is ruthless and unforgiving, a significant tournament always on the horizon for its subjects. For Emma Raducanu, this means that after one of the most difficult experiences of her career, another encounter with a stalker, she has had little time to digest her emotions before the next big event is upon her. Last … Read more
Unai Emery knew what he was getting when he signed Marco Asensio: a three-time Champions League winner, for starters, but a high-pedigree star capable of bending games to his will. Just as Emery was getting hot under the collar on another awkward night at Club Brugge, the Villa manager booked for voicing his frustrations pitchside, … Read more
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature A good day for English clubs in the Champions League. Unai Emery’s side take a 3-1 lead back to Villa Park after their victory against Club Brugge. Read Ben Fisher’s report here. And Arsenal lead PSV 3-1 in the Netherlands. Follow … Read more
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature 2 mins: Lewis-Skelly tries to slip a pass through to Odegaard, but just overhits it. PSV, by the way, are coming off consecutive league and Cup defeats to Go Ahead Eagles – one of the great European team names. Share Peep! … Read more
The USA centre-back Naomi Girma’s debut for Chelsea ended early as she was brought off with an injury in their 2-2 draw at Brighton. The world’s first $1m women’s footballer, who signed for Chelsea from San Diego Wave in January for a $1.1m (£874,000) fee and has had to wait patiently for her debut while … Read more
Barcelona returned to the top of the La Liga table with a comfortable 4-0 home victory over 10-man Real Sociedad on Sunday. Barça’s sixth straight league win moved them into first place with 57 points from 26 games, one ahead of Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid are third with 54 points after a 2-1 defeat at … Read more
Rodri could be back in action before the end of the Premier League season according to the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola. The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, who was initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament damage in September, returned to individual training this week. While Rodri has spoken … Read more
Ruben Amorim hit back at Wayne Rooney after Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup, by claiming that being the club’s head coach aged 40 showed he was not naive. Rooney, who is United’s record goalscorer, called Amorim naive for saying after the holders’ elimination from the Cup on penalties by Fulham that the … Read more