The winner takes it all. England reached a sixth consecutive major tournament semi-final with a gut-busting performance to come from two goals down against Sweden before sealing victory via a penalty shootout with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton the hero. Kosovare Asllani’s early strike and Stina Blackstenius’s effort had rattled Sarina Wiegman’s...
Pogacar crashes and protester disrupts finish on chaotic Tour de France stage 11
Norway’s Jonas Abrahamsen wins in Toulouse Pogacar falls 6km from end but quickly back on bike In a chaotic climax to stage 11 of the Tour de France in Toulouse, Tadej Pogacar crashed at speed before remounting to finish, an anti-Israel protester ran on to the finish line, and the...
Edwards left with food for thought as India edge England in first women’s ODI
1st ODI: India, 262-6, beat England, 258-6, by four wickets Deepti Sharma hits 62 not out as tourists complete chase Fifty-over cricket is Charlotte Edwards’s Big Project. The day she was announced as the new England head coach, she declared that the national side had “underperformed” in the one‑day format...
Norwegian Olympic medalist Audun Grønvold dies after lightning strike
Athlete won bronze in ski cross at 2010 Vancouver Games 49-year-old died of injuries after being taken to hospital The 2010 Olympic ski cross medalist Audun Grønvold has died after being struck by lightning, the Norwegian ski federation announced on Wednesday. He was 49. Grønvold won bronze at the 2010...
Manchester United’s Mbeumo push stalls after Brentford raise price towards £70m
Brentford fail with move for Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson Bournemouth seal signing of Chelsea keeper Petrovic Manchester United’s efforts to buy Bryan Mbeumo have stalled after Brentford raised their valuation to closer to £70m, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe intent on not being pushed into paying more than his club’s £65m valuation...
Rory McIlroy must scale emotional mountain in search of home Open glory
The Northern Irishman has nothing left to prove, but still has to carry a vast weight of expectation at Royal Portrush There was a lick of breeze riffling the long grass at Royal Portrush on Wednesday morning, and a lot of swirling talk besides. “Have you seen him?” “I heard...
Reliable Sweden meet unpredictable England in a contest of razor-thin margins | Jonathan Liew
Sarina Wiegman’s side must respect opponents who smashed Germany and are a model of tournament consistency The homeless man lies in the doorway of England’s team hotel every morning and every night. The players pass him as they go to training and pass him again as they come back at...
Marcus Smith defies odds to claim Lions spot for first Wallabies Test
Andy Farrell opts for Smith’s versatility over son Owen Tom Curry to start in back row with Beirne and Conan Marcus Smith has been named on the bench for the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia, while Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu have been selected to start in...
Problems piling up for Ruben Amorim as Manchester United struggle to rebuild | Jamie Jackson
The ‘infamous five’ told to train separately, lack of new signings and a restricted budget – United’s manager is stuck in summer of discontent The on-off Bryan Mbeumo saga and Liam Delap choosing Chelsea are troubling bellwethers of Manchester United’s predicament a month from the start of the season. So,...
Howe’s dilemma as Newcastle’s Saudi owners can’t ignore case to sell Isak
Liverpool’s record bid for striker and offer for Howe target Ekitike cast cloud over manager’s plans for new season Amid the jungle of super-skyscrapers dominating Riyadh’s financial district, one building soars above the rest. From the higher floors of the 385-metre PIF Tower, employees can plot their next deal while...