Two penalty shootout triumphs in the playoffs sent the Czechs to a first World Cup in 20 years and an experienced side look capable of progress 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...
Rayo Vallecano take pride from the barrio into their fight for place in history
Madrid’s third club thrive on underdog mentality and still play in the daring style of former coach Andoni Iraola “Rayo Vallecano is love, humility, toil,” says Óscar Trejo, the captain who handed in the armband in solidarity with workers at the club. The striker Sergio Camello calls them “the last...
PFA calls out ‘crazy calendar’ as responsible for Cole Palmer and Phil Foden burnout
‘Not the version of Phil Foden we saw two years ago’ Chief executive says game being damaged by demands Phil Foden and Cole Palmer missed out on this summer’s World Cup because they have been overworked, according to the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association. Maheta Molango was speaking...
Jonas Vingegaard obliterates Giro d’Italia rivals with stage 16 win in Swiss Alps
Dane collects fourth stage victory of this year’s race Gall comes in second, with Hindley in third place Jonas Vingegaard underlined his dominance on uphill finishes at the Giro d’Italia, launching a solo attack on the climb to Carì to claim victory on stage 16. It was the Dane’s fourth...
Alexia Putellas leaves Barcelona after 14 years amid link to London City Lionesses
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner departs at end of contract London City one of many clubs interested in midfielder Barcelona have announced the exit of their talismanic captain, Alexia Putellas, after the expiration of the two-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract at the end of the season. The 32-year-old, who was born...
Coco Gauff says Australian Open did not apologise over racket-smash clip
Gauff was filmed letting off steam in private area French Open champion begins defence with 6-4, 6-0 win Coco Gauff said she did not receive an apology or response from the Australian Open after she was broadcast letting off steam by breaking a racket in a private area after her...
After attending the Enhanced Games, I told its founder it will fail by 2031. This is why | Sean Ingle
While the event’s movers and shakers are rich and smart, they don’t come across as caring deeply about sport I woke up in Las Vegas on Monday to an avalanche of messages from people across elite sport asking about the Enhanced Games. Some wanted to know what it was really...
Mexico World Cup 2026 team guide
The co-hosts are likely to put pragmatism above style under Javier Aguirre in a home atmosphere that can be both an inspiration and a burden 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...
Blossoming among spoil heaps: how 1,000 years of lead mining gave birth to banks of pansies and pennycress
Calaminarian grassland is a rare habitat where plants thrive in soils contaminated by heavy metals. But should these toxic meadows be protected or allowed to fade away? At first, the small purple flowers are hard to spot in the weak May sunshine. Slowly the drifts of delicate mountain pansies, along...
Nasa selects Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin for first of three uncrewed lunar missions
Three lunar landings are planned for this year in preparation for the construction of a $20bn moon base Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Nasa announced on Tuesday ambitious plans for three uncrewed lunar missions this year to kickstart construction of a $20bn moon base, and said...