On the way out of the Emirates, someone asked Kylian Mbappé whether Real Madrid could still do this. “Course we can,” he replied, three words and then he was gone. In front of him, Vinícius Júnior left in silence. Rodrygo passed by unnoticed again. Luka Modric didn’t talk, nor did Fede Valverde. Lucas Vázquez and … Read more
England’s results and performances in 2025 suggest they are one of a relatively small group of teams to which the following two statements apply: they are good enough to win this summer’s European Championship title if they play at their best, while they are also vulnerable to crashing out in the group stages if they … Read more
On this week’s Guardian Women’s Football Weekly, the panel, who are scattered across Europe, discuss the Lionesses’ two game in four days home and away against Belgium. Last Friday was a very comfortable 5-0 win in Bristol but fast forward to Monday and it was a different story as Belgium got their revenge with a … Read more
The bad blood between Oxford and Cambridge continues to fester ahead of Sunday’s University Boat Race, with the fallout from the PGCE row leading to the abandonment of a trial race between the two clubs this morning. The Guardian has learned that Cambridge were unable to field a crew in Wednesday’s women’s spare race after … Read more
Birmingham City are back where they have often belonged, though sights are set far higher than the Championship. To the Premier League and beyond is the mission, no longer being the second city’s second wheel. Chris Davies, a rookie manager – though someone football insiders will point to as a significant power behind the thrones … Read more
Arsenal (4-3-3) David Raya Two early saves to deny Mbappé settled his nerves and was a spectator for most of the second half. 7/10 Jurriën Timber Always in the wars but another wholehearted performance that helped to keep Vinícius quiet. 8 Myles Lewis-Skelly A early drop of the shoulder showed the 18-year-old belongs at this … Read more
Declan Rice could barely contain his delight after two stunning free‑kicks from the England midfielder gave Arsenal a famous victory against Real Madrid that leaves Mikel Arteta’s side within touching distance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009. Mikel Merino ensured Arsenal will head to the Spanish capital for the … Read more
Two very different scenarios – a long-awaited title and a dramatic upset – unfolded in San Antonio and Tampa last weekend. UConn’s women’s basketball team won their first national title in almost 10 years and Houston’s men pulled off a stunning comeback victory over Duke in the Final Four. Both teams were well supported by … Read more
A night when visiting fans lamented the absence of VAR was infinitely more uncomfortable for Leeds than it should have been but still ended with Daniel Farke’s team top of the Championship. Farke was furious to see two “goals” from first Ao Tanaka and then Patrick Bamford disallowed for imaginary offsides but his players somehow … Read more
English club rugby is being undermined by a “dysfunctional” fixture schedule that is making it harder to compete with other top European sides, according to Northampton’s director of rugby, Phil Dowson. Saints are the only English team still involved in the Champions Cup this season but Dowson believes Premiership teams are being handicapped by their … Read more