Lions

Wallabies will not 'wallow in self-pity' after crushing Lions loss

Sun Jul 27 2025 02:53:33 GMT+0000

  • "We can't, and we won't, wallow in self-pity because we didn't get the result. 
  • Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was furious at a controversial late try that cost his team the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, but he also insisted Australia will not "wallow in self-pity".
  • "We can't, and we won't, wallow in self-pity because we didn't get the result. 
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was furious at a controversial late try that cost his team the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, but he also insisted Australia will not "wallow in self-pity".
Schmidt's men led for 79 minutes in Melbourne on Saturday and thought they had done enough to bank a sensational win and level the three-Test series.
But Hugo Keenan's try at the death for a 29-26 victory left them shattered and fuming.
Schmidt was adamant the try should not have stood, pointing to a high clean-out in the lead up by Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano. But their protests were waved away by Italian referee Andrea Piardi.
Schmidt said contact was made above the shoulders, which made it illegal.
"Our perspective is, we felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they're talking about," he said.
"So that's what we've seen, and we've watched a number of replays from different angles, and so it is what it is. We just have to accept it."
In contrast, Lions coach Andy Farrell saw nothing wrong with the incident.
"I thought it was a brilliant cleanout," he insisted.
Despite Schmidt's obvious frustration at seeing victory snatched from their grasp, he knows he must now lift the team for the third and final Test in Sydney next weekend.
It is a dead-rubber, but pride is at stake for his young side who were a level up in Melbourne from their passive performance at the first Test in Brisbane.
"I've told the team how proud I am of them. This group is growing. To stand up and deliver what they did against some of the world's best players, I was just immensely proud," said Schmidt.
"They were broken at the end, but one of the things you've got to do is keep resolve and keep going forward. 
"We can't, and we won't, wallow in self-pity because we didn't get the result. 
"It's a blow in the short-term, but you can't get more motivated than what the players demonstrated here," he added.
"I always felt we had the game to challenge them, and we showed that. I think their experience allowed them to stay in the contest and execute their plan."
Schmidt was installed to restore Australia's reputation after they slumped to 10th in the world following a horror 2023 World Cup under Eddie Jones.
His results have been a mixed bag so far, and he said it remained a work in progress.
"We're trying to build consistency and a brand of rugby we enjoy playing," he said. "We're learning."
mp/lb

MLS

Messi-less Miami held by Cincinnati in MLS

Sun Jul 27 2025 01:26:03 GMT+0000

  • That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team.
  • An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
  • That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team.
An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas.
That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team.
Miami were given a huge let off in the dying seconds of stoppage time, when Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson had a goal ruled out after harshly being adjudged to have fouled Inter's Noah Allen as he leapt for a header.
The result leaves Miami seven points adrift of Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference standings.
Miami, meanwhile, used the pre-game festivities to formally unveil new star signing Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's World Cup-winning Argentina team-mate.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who joins the club from Spain's Atletico Madrid, is expected to make his debut during Miami's upcoming Leagues Cup campaign.
"What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club's history," De Paul said after his transfer was announced by the club late Friday.
"It's a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team."
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said De Paul's signing would bring "experience, passion and quality" to the Herons.
"Rodrigo is a player I've admired for many years," Beckham said. "As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for -- especially with his national team Argentina.
"I'm excited to welcome another World Cup winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS."
rcw/js

Pr

Fernandes double as Man Utd sink West Ham in Premier League US friendly

Sun Jul 27 2025 01:05:55 GMT+0000

  • Areola was at fault for both of United's goals and although Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back for the Hammers, the London club never seriously troubled the 13-time Premier League champions.
  • Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Manchester United kicked off their tour of the United States with a 2-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League Summer Series tournament in New Jersey on Saturday.
  • Areola was at fault for both of United's goals and although Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back for the Hammers, the London club never seriously troubled the 13-time Premier League champions.
Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Manchester United kicked off their tour of the United States with a 2-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League Summer Series tournament in New Jersey on Saturday.
United skipper Fernandes punished two blunders by West Ham's France international goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to seal victory for Ruben Amorim's side in sweltering conditions at the MetLife Stadium.
Areola was at fault for both of United's goals and although Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back for the Hammers, the London club never seriously troubled the 13-time Premier League champions.
Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, calmly sending Areola the wrong way after the Frenchman had needlessly shoved Ayden Heaven to the ground after losing possession.
Fernandes doubled United's lead in the 52nd minute with a clever finish after another howler from Areola, whose sloppy pass out from the back went straight to United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on the edge of the area.
Mainoo slipped a pass to Fernandes, who then coolly lifted a finish over the stranded Areola to put United in control.
Bowen's clever finish in the 63rd minute reduced the deficit, and the England forward forced a good save from Altay Bayindir in injury time, but United held on.
"It's good to win, even being a friendly -- we want to get every game to prepare ourselves in the best way and obviously go into the season in a positive way," Fernandes told NBC Sports after the victory.
"Overall the game was good, we were very good on the ball. In some moments we could have done longer possessions and we rushed it a little bit. We have to work on that... but I think overall it was a very good game for us."
United's new $87 million signing Bryan Mbeumo travelled with the team to the United States but did not feature in the matchday squad.
Mbeumo could make his debut when United face Bournemouth in the second round of fixtures in the four-team tournament in Chicago on Wednesday.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, cruised to a 3-0 victory over Everton in their opener earlier on Saturday at the same venue.
Goals from Philip Billing, Dango Outtara and Daniel Adu-Adjei sealed a comfortable win for Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth side
After a low-key first half, Billing fired Bournemouth into the lead in the 55th minute, gliding away from his marker at the edge of the area before unleashing a ferocious shot that flew past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
England international Pickford was beaten again four minutes later after a move that began when Outtara surged clear down the left flank.
Everton defender Nathan Patterson looked to have covered the danger, but a poor touch allowed Burkina Faso international Outtara to hammer a shot high into the net past Pickford's near post.
Adu-Adjei made it 3-0 to the Cherries in the 69th minute, pouncing on an underhit backpass from Jake O'Brien to coolly finish past Pickford.
rcw/js

WTA

Kalinskaya to face Fernandez in DC Open women's final

Sun Jul 27 2025 00:04:30 GMT+0000

  • Fernandez won her only meeting with Kalinskaya, taking a first-round victory in 2021 at Guadalajara.
  • Anna Kalinskaya prevented a rematch of the 2021 US Open final by ousting Britain's Emma Raducanu to book a berth against Canada's Leylah Fernandez in Sunday's DC Open final.
  • Fernandez won her only meeting with Kalinskaya, taking a first-round victory in 2021 at Guadalajara.
Anna Kalinskaya prevented a rematch of the 2021 US Open final by ousting Britain's Emma Raducanu to book a berth against Canada's Leylah Fernandez in Sunday's DC Open final.
The 26-year-old Russian, seeking her first WTA title, downed Raducani 6-4, 6-3 in Saturday's Washington hard court semi-finals to reach her third career tour final.
It denied what would have been the first meeting between Raducanu and Fernandez since they met as teen phenomenons four years ago in the final at Flushing Meadows, Raducanu taking a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Left-hander Fernandez rallied to defeat third seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3) after three hours and 12 minutes to book her spot in Sunday's championship match.
Fernandez won her only meeting with Kalinskaya, taking a first-round victory in 2021 at Guadalajara.
World number 36 Fernandez seeks her fourth career WTA title and first since the 2023 Hong Kong Open.
Raducanu, ranked 46th, has not reached a WTA final since her Grand Slam breakthrough in New York.
Fernandez reached her seventh career WTA final and first since June 2024 at Eastbourne. Kalinskaya reached her only tour finals last year at Dubai and Berlin.
World number 12 Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, and Fernandez each surrendered only one break in their marathon match.
Rybakina fired winners on the final four points of the first tie-break, the last a service winner, to claim the opening set after 53 minutes.
In the second set, Rybakina broke on a backhand drop volley winner to take the opening game and took a 3-1 lead. Fernandez fought back from 0-40 down to hold in the fifth game then broke Rybakina in the 10th when she was serving for the match to pull level at 5-5.
In the second tie-breaker, Fernandez seized a 5-0 lead and forced a third set on a Rybakina double fault.
Both held into a third tie-breaker, in which Fernandez seized a 4-0 lead and ended matters when Rybakina swatted a forehand beyond the baseline.
Rybakina, the WTA season ace leader, fired 17 aces, two off her career high, and seven double faults but had 64 unforced errors and 44 winners.
Fernandez had 12 aces against three double faults and took 66% of her second serve points.

Kalinskaya rolls

In the other semi, Raducanu sent a backhand long to surrender the first break of the match in the ninth game of the first set.
Kalinskaya fought off two break points in the 10th game and held on an overhead smash to claim the set in 53 minutes.
World number 39 Kalinskaya fired a backhand cross-court winner to break Raducanu in the opening game of the second set but the Briton responded by breaking back at love to 1-1.
Kalinskaya broke again for a 3-2 edge when Raducanu sent a backhand beyond the baseline, then saved a break point in the eighth game and held to end the match when Raducanu netted a forehand after 94 minutes.
The later men's semi-finals send French lucky loser Corentin Moutet against Australian seventh seed Alex De Minaur and Spanish 12th seed Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina against US fourth seed Ben Shelton.
js/rcw

MAR

Sub sinks Morocco as Nigeria are crowned African football queens

Sat Jul 26 2025 22:06:13 GMT+0000

  • It was the second successive final loss for Morocco, who led by two goals after 24 minutes only to concede three in the second half.
  • Substitute Jennifer Echegini scored the 88th-minute winner as Nigeria came from two goals behind to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 on Saturday in a dramatic Women's Africa Cup of Nations final.
  • It was the second successive final loss for Morocco, who led by two goals after 24 minutes only to concede three in the second half.
Substitute Jennifer Echegini scored the 88th-minute winner as Nigeria came from two goals behind to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 on Saturday in a dramatic Women's Africa Cup of Nations final.
The triumph in Rabat confirmed the west Africans as the queens of women's football in Africa as they pulled off a record-extending 10th title in 13 editions.
It was the second successive final loss for Morocco, who led by two goals after 24 minutes only to concede three in the second half.
Esther Okoronkwo played a key role in the Super Falcons victory -- scoring the first goal, creating the second and delivering the free-kick that Echegini finished to stun the home crowd. 
Morocco, backed by a vibrant capacity crowd at the 21,000-seat Stade Olympique in the capital, took the lead on 12 minutes as Nigeria conceded for the first time in open play at the tournament.
Nigeria fluffed several chances to clear the ball and it fell just outside the area to Chebbak, whose perfectly placed, rising shot gave goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie no chance.
The lead doubled 12 minutes later as the ball flew across the Nigerian goalmouth to Sanaa Mssoudy, who ended a five-match goal drought by steering a low shot into the far corner of the net.
Nigeria had more possession in the opening half than the host nation, but managed only one shot on target and it did not trouble goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

Lifted spirits

But the Moroccan lead halved after 64 minutes as Okoronkwo sent Er-Rmichi the wrong way from a penalty after a VAR review showed a Folashade Ijamilusi cross striking a hand of Nouhaila Benzina.
The goal lifted the spirits of increasingly assertive Nigeria and they equalised seven minutes later when Okoronkwo turned creator with a pull-back that Ijamilusi pushed into the net from close range. 
On Friday, Ghana finished third, winning a penalty shootout 4-3 against outgoing champions South Africa after a 1-1 play-off draw in regular time in Casablanca.
After two weakly struck spot kicks in a row by South Africa were saved to give Ghana the advantage, 19-year-old Nancy Amoh converted the decisive penalty with a low shot into the corner of the net. 
A blunder by Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan gifted South Africa the lead on 45 minutes as she lost control of the ball just outside the box and Nonhlanhla Mthandi struck it into the net. 
Persistent Ghanaian pressure finally paid off on 68 minutes when an Alice Kusi header came off the crossbar and long-serving South Africa shot-stopper Andile Dlamini conceded an own goal.
Victory was particularly sweet for the Black Queens as they were outplayed when losing 2-0 to Banyana Banyana (The Girls) in the group stage.
Ghana have won the four third place play-offs they qualified for while South Africa have lost four of five bronze medals matches.  
The next Wafcon is scheduled for March 2026, also in Morocco, and will double as a qualifying competition for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
dl/mw

Pr

Bournemouth stroll past Everton in Premier League friendly

Sat Jul 26 2025 22:01:12 GMT+0000

  • The four-team Premier League-backed tournament continues later Saturday with Manchester United taking on West Ham at the same venue. rcw/js
  • Bournemouth cruised to a 3-0 victory over Everton in the opening round of the Premier League Summer Series exhibition tournament at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
  • The four-team Premier League-backed tournament continues later Saturday with Manchester United taking on West Ham at the same venue. rcw/js
Bournemouth cruised to a 3-0 victory over Everton in the opening round of the Premier League Summer Series exhibition tournament at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
Goals from Philip Billing, Dango Outtara and Daniel Adu-Adjei sealed a comfortable win for Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth side in a game played in sweltering conditions.
After a low-key first half, Billing fired Bournemouth into the lead in the 55th minute, gliding away from his marker at the edge of the area before unleashing a ferocious shot that flew past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
England international Pickford was beaten again four minutes later after a move that began when Outtara surged clear down the left flank.
Everton defender Nathan Patterson looked to have covered the danger, but a poor touch allowed Burkina Faso international Outtara to hammer a shot high into the net past Pickford's near post.
Adu-Adjei made it 3-0 to the Cherries in the 69th minute, pouncing on an underhit backpass from Jake O'Brien to coolly finish past Pickford.
The four-team Premier League-backed tournament continues later Saturday with Manchester United taking on West Ham at the same venue.
rcw/js

BEL

Norris on pole as McLaren lock out front row at Belgian Grand Prix

Sat Jul 26 2025 20:18:12 GMT+0000

  • Verstappen's final run on fresh softs was not enough to resist an improved lap from Leclerc as Piastri also failed to improve, leaving Norris to claim pole position.
  • Lando Norris resisted mounting pressure from his McLaren team-mate and series leader Oscar Piastri on Saturday to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix. 
  • Verstappen's final run on fresh softs was not enough to resist an improved lap from Leclerc as Piastri also failed to improve, leaving Norris to claim pole position.
Lando Norris resisted mounting pressure from his McLaren team-mate and series leader Oscar Piastri on Saturday to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix. 
The 25-year-old Briton, whose mother is Belgian, shrugged aside concerns over his struggles on Friday to clock a best lap in one minute and 40.562 seconds, beating Australian Piastri by 0.085 seconds as McLaren reeled off a convincing front row lock-out.
It was his fourth pole this year and the 13th of his career. 
Charles Leclerc qualified third with a late improved lap enabling him to overhaul defending world champion Max Verstappen's best effort for Red Bull. 
Alex Albon was fifth for Williams ahead of Mercedes' George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull, Racing Bulls' rookies Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson and Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto. 
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton failed to make it out of the Q1 session for Ferrari and will start Sunday's 44-lap race from 16th on the grid in the company of Mercedes' mercurial rookie Kimi Antonelli, who was 18th with two-time champion Fernando Alonso 19th for Aston Martin. 
After victories in Austria and Britain, Norris will be seeking a third consecutive win to overhaul Piastri's nine-point lead in the title race. 
"It was a decent lap and I'm happy," said Norris. "Everyone was a bit worried after yesterday, but I wasn't that far off.
"There were just a few little issues we had. I was confident that I could get back to the top." 
Piastri, who had been faster than Norris in Friday's action, said: "It's a bit disappointing. The second lap was coming together well and then I made a mistake into turn 14 and I lost a lot of time. The car was very good again, but it’s about fine margins."
Leclerc said he was surprised by his time.

'Really bad'

"I didn't expect it. We thought we were a lot more behind. We thought we had something more in the car with the upgrade, but it was a good lap. It takes time to maximise those upgrades."
After a masterclass from Verstappen in the sprint race earlier, Red Bull chose to change his 'skinny' rear wing to a bigger high-downforce version in anticipation of Sunday bringing heavy rain to the sweeping Ardennes circuit. 
Norris found his pace to clock 1:41.010, six-tenths better than the Ferrari, followed by Piastri two-tenths down in second, the pair showing McLaren's intent under grey skies before a frantic finale during which Hamilton found a late survival lap which was promptly deleted for exceeding track limits. 
That left Gabriel Bortoleto 15th for Sauber and eliminated the Ferrari driver along with Alpine's Franco Colapinto, Mercedes' rookie Antonelli, who replaced Hamilton, and the two Aston Martins of Alonso and Lance Stroll. 
Q2 began with everyone on softs and Verstappen fastest, trimming Norris's time, before Piastri and Norris took over for the opening runs. 
The Dutchman chose not to run again, leaving the usual suspects a clear run to the top-10 shootout while the Haas pair Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman exited along with Alpine's Pierre Gasly, Hulkenberg and Sainz. 
Russell, who was stripped of victory last year because of an underweight car, was first out for Q3, but it was Verstappen again on top before the McLarens flexed their muscle, Norris beating Piastri by 0.189 on their first runs. 
Verstappen's final run on fresh softs was not enough to resist an improved lap from Leclerc as Piastri also failed to improve, leaving Norris to claim pole position.
"Oh my god, that was really, really bad," said Verstappen, as a rise in track temperature subdued his performance.
"Ideally, of course I would like to at least be P3, but fighting the McLarens will be very hard."
"The wet around here, it's always very tricky," he added. "We have to wait and see how much rain is going to fall." 
str/mw

Pr

Arsenal seal swoop for Swedish international Gyokeres

Sat Jul 26 2025 20:04:43 GMT+0000

  • Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title.
  • Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.
  • Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title.
Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.
The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth an initial £57.4 million (65.7 million euros).
Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £66.4 million with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to the region of £200m.
"To come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going," said Gyokeres.
He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates.
"I just felt that it was the right club for me," said Gyokeres.
"When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against." 
Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal's ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31.
"I always want to score," added Gyokeres. "To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling."

Return to England

Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021.
After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side.
"I started here (in England), it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team," said Gyokeres. 
Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title.
"Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels," said Arteta.
"We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him."
Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons.
Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed.
bur/mw/lp

IND

England sweat on Stokes' bowling fitness in bid for India series win

BY JULIAN GUYER
Sat Jul 26 2025 19:56:24 GMT+0000

  • But he notably did not bowl at all in the 63 overs that India batted before the close of Saturday's fourth day at Old Trafford.  
  • England face a nervous wait to discover if Ben Stokes will be fit to bowl when they go in search of a series-clinching win over India in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Sunday.
  • But he notably did not bowl at all in the 63 overs that India batted before the close of Saturday's fourth day at Old Trafford.  
England face a nervous wait to discover if Ben Stokes will be fit to bowl when they go in search of a series-clinching win over India in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The England captain delighted his team-mates and a packed Saturday crowd in Manchester by transforming his overnight 77 not out into 141 -- his first Test century in two years -- as the hosts piled up a mammoth 669 for a first-innings lead of 311 runs.
But he notably did not bowl at all in the 63 overs that India batted before the close of Saturday's fourth day at Old Trafford.  
His absence was all the more acute given Stokes took an impressive 5-72 in India's first-innings 358.
Instead he restricted himself to directing operations in the field as opener KL Rahul and India captain Shubman Gill rallied the tourists from a dire position of none for two early in their second innings to 174-2 at stumps, still a deficit of 137 runs.
All-rounder Stokes has led from the front against India, following surgery on his left hamstring at the start of this year. 
But there were fresh concerns for his fitness on Friday when he briefly retired hurt with cramp in his left leg while batting.
England, already 2-1 up in this five-match series, remain favourites to take an unassailable lead on Sunday's final day at Old Trafford.
But their task would be helped considerably if lively paceman Stokes, the leading bowler on either side this series with 16 wickets at 24.75, could re-enter the fray.

'Big workload

England assistant Marcus Trescothick, asked about the prospect of Stokes bowling on Sunday, said: "We're hoping another night's rest and physio work overnight that he'll be back. 
"It's just a build-up (of things). He's had quite a big workload in the last few weeks. It's just trying to monitor it."
Stokes has underlined his worth as a genuine all-rounder in Manchester by becoming only the fourth England cricketer –- after Tony Greig, Ian Botham and Gus Atkinson -– to make a hundred and take five wickets in the same Test.
He is also just the third player after Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis to score 7,000 runs and take 200 wickets in Tests.
Chris Woakes dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan with successive deliveries in India's first over on Saturday.
But Gill survived the hat-trick ball and was dropped on 46 by Liam Dawson before reaching stumps on 78 not out, with Rahul unbeaten on 87.
India now have fresh hope of clinging on for a draw that would set up a decider at the Oval next week. 
Trescothick, however, insisted England could still get the job done in Manchester even without Stokes bowling.
"We've got 10 other guys who are capable of doing special things also," said the former England batsman.
"It's never great when bowlers go down or you don't have someone available to do the work you need them to do, it's then just up to everybody else to pick up the pieces and do the extra work."
jdg/mw

Pr

Powerhouse Gyokeres can give Arsenal missing edge

Sat Jul 26 2025 19:20:56 GMT+0000

  • Both Gyokeres and Arsenal have Premier League points to prove in the upcoming 2025/26 campaign. rbs/nf/mw
  • Dynamic striker Viktor Gyokeres' arrival at Arsenal could be the perfect fix for their attacking needs ahead of the new Premier League campaign as the Gunners bid to end their lengthy title drought.
  • Both Gyokeres and Arsenal have Premier League points to prove in the upcoming 2025/26 campaign. rbs/nf/mw
Dynamic striker Viktor Gyokeres' arrival at Arsenal could be the perfect fix for their attacking needs ahead of the new Premier League campaign as the Gunners bid to end their lengthy title drought.
The Swedish centre-forward signed from Sporting Lisbon on Saturday in a deal worth up to 76 million euros ($89 million) as Arsenal seek the key to unlock a first league crown since 2004.
While Mikel Arteta's side are defensively durable, at times they lacked offensive thrust as they came second in the top flight behind Liverpool and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
The Spanish coach often deployed midfielders Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino up front last season, particularly after Gabriel Jesus was sidelined through injury in January.
The imposing Gyokeres, strong, fast and a constant surging threat, is a new type of tool for a side eager for more cutting edge going forward.
After a move to Brighton fell flat, failing to make a Premier League appearance, Gyokeres shone at Coventry City in the English Championship.
He earned a move to Sporting in 2023, and his game has continued to grow rapidly.
"I'm definitely there... at the same table (as the world's top strikers)," the forward told L'Equipe earlier this month, comparing himself to Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.
The 27-year-old striker netted 97 goals in 102 matches across all competitions for the Portuguese giants, helping Sporting win the league title in both of his seasons at the club.
Gyokeres rarely lets defenders rest, with his movement a problem for opponents, who get dragged around and struggle to keep up as he breaks in behind.
The forward celebrates his goals by making a mask with his hands, which he has indicated is in reference to brutish Batman villain Bane, representing his physical prowess and lethal finishing.
Gyokeres' presence should lighten the load on winger Bukayo Saka, who is often targeted as Arsenal's man to stop, and could give the England international more space to operate in.
Given his superb form over the past two seasons it feels the right moment for the striker to make the jump to one of Europe's top sides.

'The best players'

Sporting president Frederico Varandas threatened the forward with a fine as he refused to turn up at pre-season training, trying to force through his transfer.
Eventually Gyokeres got what he wanted and at long last Arsenal have as well, after failing with moves for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in January and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig earlier this summer, among other reported operations.
"In the Premier League we've gone a step backwards... it's clear that we haven't done as good as last season, that's obvious," said Arteta in May, making his case for signing attacking stars.
"I want the best team, the best players. If we have three goalscorers over 25 (goals each), bring them in, and we're going to be a much better team.
"I think if you score over 90 goals, you have a high, high probability of winning the Premier League."
Gyokeres hit 54 last season in 52 matches for Sporting, finishing only behind Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe in the European Golden Shoe standings, and beating Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
The striker netted more top-flight goals than Mbappe but because of the weighting-based system depending on the strength of their respective leagues, he finished behind the Frenchman.
"The Portuguese league is a very good league, with a lot of technical players -- it may not be as physical as in England, but the level is really good," Gyokeres said, confident he will adapt to the Premier League.
A hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League last season as Sporting thrashed Pep Guardiola's side 4-1 in November suggests he might be right.
Two of those goals were penalties, however, and he scored 19 spot-kicks in total across all competitions, with some questioning if he really does belong in the top bracket of attackers.
Both Gyokeres and Arsenal have Premier League points to prove in the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
rbs/nf/mw

IND

Rahul and Gill frustrate England in fourth Test after Stokes century

BY JULIAN GUYER
Sat Jul 26 2025 18:42:25 GMT+0000

  • It was a return to form for Gill, who had started his first series as India skipper with three hundreds in four innings, only to manage 34 runs in total in his last three knocks.
  • India captain Shubman Gill starred in a remarkable rearguard action as his side checked England's bid for a series-clinching win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday following a long-awaited century from opposing skipper Ben Stokes.
  • It was a return to form for Gill, who had started his first series as India skipper with three hundreds in four innings, only to manage 34 runs in total in his last three knocks.
India captain Shubman Gill starred in a remarkable rearguard action as his side checked England's bid for a series-clinching win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday following a long-awaited century from opposing skipper Ben Stokes.
Gill came in with India in dire straits at 0-2 after Chris Woakes struck with successive balls in the first over of the tourists' second innings to have both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan caught in the slips for ducks.
That left India more than 300 runs behind England's mammoth first-innings 669 all out, featuring Stokes' superb 141. 
But an engrossing series of several twists and turns produced another as India reached stumps on the fourth day without further loss at 174-2.
KL Rahul was 87 not out and Gill 78 not out after the stubborn duo defied England's toiling bowlers for nearly five hours at an increasingly sun-drenched Old Trafford.
India still face a deficit of 137 runs but have renewed hope of leaving Manchester with what would be a commendable draw after England, already 2-1 up in this five-match series, compiled their fifth-highest Test total of all time.
It was a return to form for Gill, who had started his first series as India skipper with three hundreds in four innings, only to manage 34 runs in total in his last three knocks.
"We thought we could get a few more wickets after the start... but it was not to be," England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick told Sky Sports. 
"They (Rahul and Gill) stuck at it well," the former England opener added.

No bowling for Stokes

Stokes did not bowl himself Saturday -- a concerning sign for England following his history of hamstring trouble -- after taking an excellent 5-72 in India's first-innings 358.
Trescothick, asked if Stokes, the pick of England's attack this series, would bowl again in the match, replied: "We are waiting to see.
"He is obviously stiff and sore, has had a big workload in the last few weeks and again in this game and had a bit of cramp while he was batting mainly yesterday (Friday)."
In Stokes's absence, England's bowlers lacked penetration after Woakes' double strike, with recalled spinner Liam Dawson rarely turning the ball.
But the second ball after lunch saw Gill, still on nought, survive an impassioned lbw appeal from fast bowler Jofra Archer.
England's review proved inconclusive over whether the ball had hit bat or pad first and the original not out decision was upheld.
Gill had made two when Archer had another lbw appeal rejected, with the express quick down on his haunches in disbelief.
The 25-year-old Gill then hit back with two boundaries in three balls from Woakes -- a dashing cut followed by a textbook straight drive.
But he might have been out for 46 when an edge off Brydon Carse flew high to point only for Dawson to drop a two-handed chance.
Rahul mainly repelled England with sound defence, hitting just eight fours in 210 balls.
But the obdurate opener attacked when Archer strayed in direction with an elegant late cut and forceful pull.

Stokes hits out

England resumed in command at 544-7 after Joe Root had become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history during his majestic 150 on Friday.
Stokes, 77 not out overnight, delighted Saturday's large crowd with yet more thrilling stroke-play before completing a 164-ball hundred with a leg-glanced four off Jasprit Bumrah.
It was Stokes's first Test century in more than two years following a whirlwind 155 against Australia at Lord's in June 2023.
The 34-year-old celebrated his 14th hundred in 115 Tests by clenching his fist, looking to the sky and making a crooked finger gesture in honour of his late father Ged before raising his bat.
His century meant Stokes became just the fourth England player to take five wickets and score a hundred in the same Test after Tony Greig, Ian Botham -- who did it five times -- and the currently sidelined Gus Atkinson.
With the shackles off, left-handed batsman Stokes hit out. 
But one ball after launching left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for six, he holed out off the all-rounder, with England exactly 300 runs ahead at 658-9. 
jdg/mw

Sports

Spain's pioneers 'knocking down walls' with run to Euro 2025 final

BY ANDY SCOTT
Sat Jul 26 2025 18:01:43 GMT+0000

  • "A lot of walls were knocked down with our victory" in 2023, she added.
  • Spain captain Irene Paredes said Saturday her team have been "knocking down walls" in helping women's football grow thanks to their remarkable achievements as they prepare to face England in the Euro 2025 final.
  • "A lot of walls were knocked down with our victory" in 2023, she added.
Spain captain Irene Paredes said Saturday her team have been "knocking down walls" in helping women's football grow thanks to their remarkable achievements as they prepare to face England in the Euro 2025 final.
Experienced Barcelona defender Paredes was referring to the development of the women's game since Spain's triumph at the World Cup in 2023, when they defeated England 1-0 in the title decider.
Her team now have the opportunity to add a first ever European crown to the World Cup, and in doing so allow Spain to hold the both the women's and men's continental titles at the same time.
"Firm steps have been taken but I think we need to keep opening doors and normalising the situation," Paredes said in Basel, where Sunday's final will be played.
"A lot of walls were knocked down with our victory" in 2023, she added.
"Now more and more people look up to us, but we still have some way to go."
Spain's victory over England in the World Cup final was quickly overshadowed by different headlines, after a forced kiss by the country's football federation chief Luis Rubiales on player Jenni Hermoso as the team prepared to lift the trophy.
Rubiales was eventually fined 10,800 euros ($11,670) for sexual assault in February this year.
Montse Tome replaced Jorge Vilda as coach in the aftermath of that tournament, and she believes her team -- led by reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati -- would be deserving European Championship winners.
"As a team we have been fighting and working so hard in so many areas and we have managed to get everyone to just focus on the football, which is what matters," she said.
"All the questions now are focused on football and that shows you the changes we have achieved."
Tome insisted that neither she nor her team were feeling the pressure despite the high stakes at St Jakob-Park, with Spain already having made history on their run to the final.
It is their first ever appearance in the final of a women's senior European Championship, achieved after a narrow last-four victory against Germany -- a team they had never previously beaten.
"I am not thinking about pressure, just about all the history we have made during the tournament," she said, insisting that getting to the final was Spain's main goal in Switzerland.
"At the beginning our aim was to play six games and we are going to do that, but England are the current European champions and we will just try to compete with them and enjoy it."
It will be the third meeting of the teams in 2025, with Spain and England managing one win apiece during the recent UEFA Nations League campaign.
"I expect a very even game against a team who also like to get forward -- England have so much potential in attack," Tome added.
as-pm/lp

IND

Rahul and Gill frustrate England in fourth Test after Stokes century

BY JULIAN GUYER
Sat Jul 26 2025 17:53:50 GMT+0000

  • It was a return to form for Gill, who had started his first series as India skipper with three hundreds in four innings, only to manage 34 runs in total in his last three knocks.
  • India captain Shubman Gill starred in a remarkable rearguard action as his side checked England's bid for a series-clinching win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday following a long-awaited century from opposing skipper Ben Stokes.
  • It was a return to form for Gill, who had started his first series as India skipper with three hundreds in four innings, only to manage 34 runs in total in his last three knocks.
India captain Shubman Gill starred in a remarkable rearguard action as his side checked England's bid for a series-clinching win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday following a long-awaited century from opposing skipper Ben Stokes.
Gill came in with India in dire straits at 0-2 after Chris Woakes struck with successive deliveries in the first over of India's second innings to have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan both caught in the slips for ducks.
That left India more than 300 runs behind England's mammoth first-innings 669 all out, featuring Stokes' superb 141. 
But an engrossing series of several twists and turns produced another as India reached stumps on the fourth day without further loss at 174-2, with opener KL Rahul 87 not out and Gill 78 not out.
India still face a deficit of 137 runs but have renewed hope of leaving Manchester with what would be a remarkable draw after England, already 2-1 up in this five-match series, compiled their fifth-highest Test total of all time.
It was a return to form for Gill, who had started his first series as India skipper with three hundreds in four innings, only to manage 34 runs in total in his last three knocks.
Stokes did not bowl himself Saturday -- a concerning sign for England following his history of hamstring trouble -- after taking an excellent 5-72 in India's first-innings 358.
His hundred meant Stokes became just the fourth England player to take five wickets and score a century in the same Test after Tony Greig, Ian Botham -- who did it five times -- and the currently sidelined Gus Atkinson.
It looked as if bowling might not be needed at all Saturday as Gill survived a hat-trick ball from veteran paceman Woakes.
And the second ball after lunch saw Gill, still on nought, survive an impassioned lbw appeal from fast bowler Jofra Archer, who was convinced he had struck pad, rather than bat first.
But England's review produced an inconclusive replay and the original not out decision was upheld. 
Gill had made two when Archer rapped him on the pad only for another lbw appeal to be turned down, with the express quick down on his haunches in disbelief.
The 25-year-old Gill then hit back with two boundaries in three balls from Woakes -- a dashing cut followed by a textbook straight drive.
But he might have been out for 46 when an edge off Brydon Carse flew high to point only for Liam Dawson to drop a two-handed chance.
Gill's three off part-time spinner Root saw him to a 77-ball fifty before Rahul followed him to the landmark in 141 balls as he repelled England with sound defence.
But Rahul showed a willingness to attack when Archer strayed in direction with an elegant late-cut and forceful pull.

Stokes hits out

England resumed in command at 544-7 after Root had become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history during his majestic 150 on Friday.
Stokes, 77 not out overnight after briefly leaving the field with cramp Friday, delighted Saturday's large crowd with yet more thrilling stroke-play.
He completed a 164-ball hundred with a leg-glanced four off Jasprit Bumrah.
It was Stokes's first Test century in more than two years following a whirlwind 155 against Australia at Lord's in June 2023.
The 34-year-old celebrated his 14th century in 115 Tests by clenching his fist, looking to the sky and making a crooked finger gesture in honour of his late father Ged before raising his bat to a cheering crowd.
With the shackles off, left-handed batsman Stokes drove Washington Sundar for six and next ball reverse swept the off-spinner for four.
Stokes then launched Ravindra Jadeja for six but, trying to repeat the stroke, next ball he holed out off the left-arm spinner with England exactly 300 runs ahead at 658-9. 
jdg/mw

McLaren

Norris reassured by pole after Belgian Grand Prix 'worries'

Sat Jul 26 2025 17:37:58 GMT+0000

  • "But I was confident after yesterday and I was confident coming into today so it's nice to see that I could get back to the top."
  • Lando Norris said he had not lost any confidence in his ability to outpace McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri after he bounced back on Saturday to claim pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix.
  • "But I was confident after yesterday and I was confident coming into today so it's nice to see that I could get back to the top."
Lando Norris said he had not lost any confidence in his ability to outpace McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri after he bounced back on Saturday to claim pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The 25-year-old Briton, who was beaten by series leader Piastri in Friday's sprint qualifying, said it was tough for both McLaren drivers as they battle for supremacy in their intra-team rivalry -- and slug it out for the drivers' world championship.
After 12 of this year's 24 races, Piastri leads with 241 points and five wins ahead of Norris on 232 and four wins. Defending four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull is third on 173 after two Grand Prix wins.  
Norris, who is chasing a third consecutive Grand Prix win on Sunday to overhaul the 24-year-old Australian, admitted he was aware that "everyone was worried" after Friday when he was three-tenths slower. 
"I wasn't that far off, but there were a couple of little issues and everyone was pretty worried," he said. "But I was confident after yesterday and I was confident coming into today so it's nice to see that I could get back to the top."
Asked where his improvement came from, he said: "Three-tenths is just slipstream and not being the first out of the pit-lane.
"It was nothing to worry about, but people like to make a lot of things up.
"I felt good and the car has been flying all weekend."
Norris has been accused of mental fragility and being over-sensitive to his own high expectations and media criticism.
He said that it was intense and challenging for both McLaren drivers to maintain a strong relationship as team-mates while fighting for the drivers' title. 
"Oscar has been doing a good job all weekend and we've been pushing each other a lot," said Norris. 
"It's tough because you see where your strengths and weaknesses are clearly -- and then you learn from each other quickly. It's good, but it's a tough battle that we have at the minute."
Piastri agreed that maintaining a balanced approach was difficult. 
"We're a good team-mate pairing and we learn a lot from each other each weekend. That's what makes us a good team, but it also makes it difficult to fight each other."
Norris said he wanted Sunday's race to be run in dry conditions, despite forecast heavy rain for the Ardennes. 
"I prefer it to stay dry honestly. For the fans! I think it's rained here for the last 10 years or something so it would be nice to have a dry Sunday."
str/mw

Sports

England ready to meet challenge of 'fantastic' Spain in Euro 2025 final

Sat Jul 26 2025 17:08:25 GMT+0000

  • "Tomorrow we play a game against the world champions who continue to prove themselves over and over in the way that they play football," Williamson told reporters at Basel's St Jakob-Park on the eve of the game.
  • England captain Leah Williamson admits that Spain are "the best at what they do" but is confident her side can compete with the reigning world champions in Sunday's Euro 2025 final.
  • "Tomorrow we play a game against the world champions who continue to prove themselves over and over in the way that they play football," Williamson told reporters at Basel's St Jakob-Park on the eve of the game.
England captain Leah Williamson admits that Spain are "the best at what they do" but is confident her side can compete with the reigning world champions in Sunday's Euro 2025 final.
"Tomorrow we play a game against the world champions who continue to prove themselves over and over in the way that they play football," Williamson told reporters at Basel's St Jakob-Park on the eve of the game.
"They are a fantastic footballing team, they are the best at what they do, and we are very much aware of that but we think we are pretty good in some areas as well.
"We need to be at our best to beat Spain but I think they will need to be at their best to beat us too.
"I think there is a lot of respect between the two teams, and I'd be hesitant to say we are underdogs in this scenario."
England are hoping to retain the European Championship title they won on home soil in 2022, but the match is also a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, in which Spain triumphed 1-0 in Sydney.
There is a growing rivalry between the nations, with England winning in extra time when they clashed in the quarter-finals at Euro 2022.
The sides have also already faced each other twice this year in the UEFA Nations League, with England winning 1-0 at Wembley in February.
Spain avenged that result by claiming a 2-1 victory in Barcelona at the beginning of last month, when Claudia Pina scored twice after Alessia Russo had given England the lead.
"We have played each other a lot over the last couple of years and I think you always have learnings from the games we have played," said England coach Sarina Wiegman.
"Tomorrow is a new situation where we have an opportunity to hopefully take out their strengths a bit and exploit some of their weaknesses too."
England have been sweating on the fitness of Lauren James for the final after she came off with an ankle injury during the last-four win over Italy, but Wiegman indicated that the winger is in line to feature on Sunday.
"We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through," said the Dutch coach.
Chloe Kelly and young striker Michelle Agyemang are pushing for starts after making impacts off the bench in the comeback wins against both Sweden and Italy in the last two rounds. Williamson, though, believes James has a lot to offer.
"We have a team of talented players. Lauren brings something slightly different, obviously having her available is the best-case scenario," said the Arsenal centre-back.
as/mw

BEL

Hamilton holds hands up after 'unacceptable' qualifying

Sat Jul 26 2025 16:08:36 GMT+0000

  • "From my side, I made a mistake so I’ve got to look internally and I've got to apologise to my team because that is just unacceptable to be out in both Q1s.
  • Lewis Hamilton blamed himself and said he would apologise to Ferrari for an "unacceptable" performance on Saturday after he suffered another qualifying flop, his second in two days, at the Belgian Grand Prix.
  • "From my side, I made a mistake so I’ve got to look internally and I've got to apologise to my team because that is just unacceptable to be out in both Q1s.
Lewis Hamilton blamed himself and said he would apologise to Ferrari for an "unacceptable" performance on Saturday after he suffered another qualifying flop, his second in two days, at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The 40-year-old seven-time world champion, who was eliminated in first sprint qualifying on Friday when he spun at the chicane, repeated his disappointment as he qualified in a forlorn 16th place for Sunday's race.
Team-mate Charles Leclerc qualified third after Hamilton had exceeded track limits in Q1 and had his best lap deleted. 
"It was the same today as it was for the rest of the weekend," said Hamilton.
"We made some changes and the car didn’t feel terrible. 
"It was tough for us. We had to put on our set of tyres just to try to get through Q1 so it’s not great. 
"From my side, I made a mistake so I’ve got to look internally and I've got to apologise to my team because that is just unacceptable to be out in both Q1s. It's a very poor performance from myself.
"I will start from where I am and see what I can do to achieve the best I can with what we have. This season has been a tricky one."
Hamilton has won the Belgian race five times including inheriting victory last year when his then-Mercedes team-mate George Russell was disqualified after winning in an underweight car. 
Leclerc was upbeat and surprised to be third on the grid. 
"I'm very happy today and it's strange to say that because it's still three-tenths and it's only third place, but I did not expect it,’ he said. 
"I think we thought we were quite a lot more behind (the McLarens). We knew we had something more in the car and obviously we had the upgrade this weekend, but we still struggled yesterday.
"I had a really good lap and I'm happy with the car. It takes time to maximise the upgrades that we put on the car.2
Hamilton’s success last year was the last of his record 105 wins from 368 race starts in arguably the most successful career of all time, but since leaving Mercedes for Ferrari this year he has struggled and has yet to claim his first podium for the Italian team.
str/nr

FRA

Pogacar on cusp of fourth Tour title as Groves solos to stage 20 win

BY DAMIAN MCCALL
Sat Jul 26 2025 15:48:51 GMT+0000

  • A fourth title now looms for Pogacar who said after a dominant ride across the peaks and plains of France he felt he's won.
  • Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar was left standing on the cusp of a fourth Tour de France title as Alpecin rider Kaden Groves won Saturday's stage 20 after a long-range escape that saw the Australian finish well ahead of the big guns.
  • A fourth title now looms for Pogacar who said after a dominant ride across the peaks and plains of France he felt he's won.
Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar was left standing on the cusp of a fourth Tour de France title as Alpecin rider Kaden Groves won Saturday's stage 20 after a long-range escape that saw the Australian finish well ahead of the big guns.
Runaway overall race leader Pogacar maintained his lead over Danish rival Jonas Vingegaard ahead of Sunday's 21st and final stage in Paris.
The Team UAE rider has a 4min 24sec advantage heading into what could be a tricky finale, a 132km ride from Mantes-la-Ville to the Champs-Elysees, but featuring three ascents of the cobbled streets of Montmartre.
A fourth title now looms for Pogacar who said after a dominant ride across the peaks and plains of France he felt he's won.
"It's starting to sink in," said the 26-year-old, who previously won the sport's most prestigious cycling stage race in 2020, 2021 and 2024.
"Tomorrow, all being well, I'll be celebrating with my team," added a weary Pogacar.
"This has been another level of hard, all the way. I enjoyed it though and I'm really looking forward to the last day tomorrow."

Fifth stage tilt

Pogacar refused to rule out a tilt at a fifth stage win if he could escape up the climbs to Montmartre.
"We'll see how we feel and how the others act, maybe we'll try something in Montmartre."
The champion-in-waiting was left shaking his head after almost getting taken down in a fall 500m from the line on Saturday as lashing rain made the roads hazardous on the run in to Pontarlier.
This was a third stage win for Alpecin after Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel took the two opening wins.
"They gave me a free role in the final days," Groves said after both Philipsen and Van der Poel pulled out. 
"I'm going to enjoy this one and celebrate with my team and enjoy the Champs tomorrow."
Just 158 riders crossed the rolling hills at the foot of the Jura and many looked haggard after the fast racing in the Alps.
So along the Swiss border, most of the peloton seemed happy to let an escape get a 7min lead after an exhausting slog that started July 5.
Pogacar has dominated the 2025 Tour winning stages on rolling runs in the north and west at Rouen and the Mur de Bretagne in the first week, then on the mountain slopes of the Pyrenees on the Hautacam and Peyragudes in week two.
As the Tour entered its end game Pogacar unexpectedly sat tight to protect his lead through the Alps rather go on his trademark all out attacks.
Vingegaard, the 2022 and 2023 Tour champion, had two off days, first on a time trial and secondly at Hautacam, leaving Pogacar to surge into a lead he never looked like surrendering.

Back in the saddle

Pogacar said he'd be back on the bike by Tuesday.
"I travel home Monday. Tuesday I'll be going out for a ride with friends, stop somewhere for a coffee and start enjoying the summer, I've earned it."
Pogacar returns to competitive action in September at Kigali, Rwanda, in defence of his world title.
A boyish Pogacar first won the Tour as a break out star in 2020 with one of sport's great last-gasp turnarounds on stage 20.
He followed up a year later with a crushing triumph, but the emergence of Vingegaard's patient long game earned the Dane the yellow jersey in the two following editions.
Then Pogacar blew everyone away in a mighty 2024 season with a colossal racing programme, winning the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and world championships titles.
Having extended his efforts into the all-in one-day classics season in 2025, his stamina was a question mark, but on Sunday that barrier also appears set to be breached.
dmc/lp

RSA

Johannesburg to host first LIV Golf event in Africa

Sat Jul 26 2025 15:35:07 GMT+0000

  • The inclusion of South Africa raises to five the number of continents where LIV tournaments will be staged.
  • The LIV Golf series will stage its first tournament in Africa when Steyn City near Johannesburg plays host from March 20-22 next year, the organisers announced on Saturday. 
  • The inclusion of South Africa raises to five the number of continents where LIV tournaments will be staged.
The LIV Golf series will stage its first tournament in Africa when Steyn City near Johannesburg plays host from March 20-22 next year, the organisers announced on Saturday. 
They said a multi-year contract had been signed for an annual LIV Golf South Africa tournament in a country which has produced many stars, most notably career Grand Slam winner Gary Player.
Major winners Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia are some of the stars in the LIV Golf stable. 
Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, former Major champions from South Africa, also compete on the LIV circuit. 
"It is always special to compete at home, and I am incredibly proud to bring LIV Golf to South Africa for the first time," said Oosthuizen in a statement.
Chilean Joaquin Niemann, who has never won a Major, has been the most successful LIV competitor with six titles. 
The inclusion of South Africa raises to five the number of continents where LIV tournaments will be staged. The tour is financed by the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund.
Unlike traditional 72-hole events staged over four days in the United States, Europe, Australasia and Africa, LIV use one day less, confining tournaments to 54 holes. 
LIV also differs from tours like the USPGA, where placings are decided by individual scores, as it also has team competitions.
"Bringing LIV Golf to South Africa is another significant moment in our journey," said senior LIV Golf official Ross Hallett.
"We currently have events in Asia, Europe, Australasia, North America and today we add Africa, marking another exciting opportunity to showcase LIV Golf to a new audience and market."
The first event by the breakaway tour -- LIV Golf London -- was staged in 2022 and won by Schwartzel, who had topped the Masters leaderboard 11 years earlier.
dl/lp

BEL

Lando Norris claims pole for Belgian Grand Prix

Sat Jul 26 2025 15:34:55 GMT+0000

  • Norris has won the last two races and goes into Sunday's Grand Prix nine points behind Piastri in the drivers' standings.
  • Lando Norris will start on pole for the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri alongside him on the front row.
  • Norris has won the last two races and goes into Sunday's Grand Prix nine points behind Piastri in the drivers' standings.
Lando Norris will start on pole for the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri alongside him on the front row.
Charles Leclerc's Ferrari is on the second row next to Max Verstappen's Red Bull after qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday.
Norris has won the last two races and goes into Sunday's Grand Prix nine points behind Piastri in the drivers' standings.
"I was confident coming in to today so it's nice to be on pole," said Norris after his 13th career pole.
"Oscar has been doing a good job all weekend and we’ve been pushing each other a lot.
"It's tough because you see where your strengths and weaknesses are clearly and you learn from each other quickly, it's good but a tough battle that we have at the minute."
After McLaren's 68th front row lock-out Piastri commented: "We're a good team-mate pairing and we learn a lot from each other each weekend, that's what makes us a good team but also makes it difficult to fight each other."
Verstappen won the sprint earlier Saturday from the McLaren duo.
nr/lp

ENG

Liverpool beaten 4-2 by AC Milan in Hong Kong pre-season friendly

BY DANIEL HICKS
Sat Jul 26 2025 15:32:16 GMT+0000

  • "It's nice to play against a Premier League team again," said Loftus-Cheek, whose side had lost 1-0 to Arsenal in a friendly on Wednesday.
  • Former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored as Premier League champions Liverpool were beaten 4-2 by AC Milan on Saturday in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong. 
  • "It's nice to play against a Premier League team again," said Loftus-Cheek, whose side had lost 1-0 to Arsenal in a friendly on Wednesday.
Former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored as Premier League champions Liverpool were beaten 4-2 by AC Milan on Saturday in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong. 
Liverpool, with record signing Florian Wirtz making his first start, controlled large parts of the match under a closed roof at Kai Tak Stadium, but a shaky defence was punished on the break for all four Milan goals.
Rafael Leao opened the scoring for the Italian side on 10 minutes with Dominik Szoboszlai's superb strike equalising 16 minutes later to make it 1-1 at half-time.
But Loftus-Cheek and two goals from substitute Noah Okafor, either side of Cody Gakpo's late header, gave AC Milan victory.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said there were positives to take from the game but admitted his side needed to improve before their first competitive match, the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on August 10.
"I saw a few good things," he told reporters, referring especially to the first half when a largely first-choice Liverpool created a host of chances but only converted one.
Slot made nine changes at the break and a largely makeshift defence was caught out time and again. 
"We wanted to give 20 players some playing time. So as a result of that, too many players didn't play in their own position. We were a bit too open.
"We have to improve in certain areas, because we were counter-attacked too much today."
Loftus-Cheek, who also had spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham, said it was special to score against Liverpool.
"It's nice to play against a Premier League team again," said Loftus-Cheek, whose side had lost 1-0 to Arsenal in a friendly on Wednesday.

'Lot to improve on'

"Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world. It was a good test for us tonight. 
"It's just about feeling better physically, gelling as a team, and there's a lot for us to improve. 
"So we'll take that and move on."
Liverpool's Hong Kong fans vastly outnumbered those supporting AC Milan in the 49,704 sellout crowd. 
They paid a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, who passed away this month in a car crash.
Flowers were laid by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish in front of fans, who responded by holding up a mosaic spelling out "DJ20" in honour of Jota's number 20 shirt, which has been retired by the club.
Leao, too, remembered his fellow Portuguese player Jota as he offered a silent prayer and formed the number 20 with his fingers after scoring the opener.
Wirtz played 45 minutes and looked comfortable directing operations, showing hints of why Bayer Leverkusen were paid a reported British transfer record $150 million for the German playmaker.  
Other new Liverpool signings, defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong both came on as substitutes at half-time.
Another defender, Joe Gomez, has flown home for treatment of a minor Achilles problem.
Striker Hugo Ekitike, who was signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported $92 million, was not ready to take part, having only flown in to join his new teammates two days earlier.
Liverpool started without a recognised central striker as Darwin Nunez, who was injured, and Luis Diaz, linked with a move away from Anfield, were left out.
Liverpool will now fly to Japan to face Yokohama F-Marinos on Wednesday.
dh/sco