Forward Alessia Russo cannot wait to kick off England’s World Cup final after years spent rehearsing the winning strike in her childhood garden.
This is a monumental moment for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who until beating co-hosts Australia 3-1 in their semi-final had never finished higher than third place in a global showpiece.
On Sunday night against Spain in Sydney they could become the first England team to bring football ‘home’ since Sir Alf Ramsey and his men lifted the trophy in 1966.
One. Final. Push. |
— Lionesses (@Lionesses)
Russo said: “Obviously this is the biggest game, the one you dream about and means the most.
“I think it will hit when we’re in the tunnel and ready to walk out. It’s an incredible occasion,…
Portugal and Uruguay s Group H match at the World Cup was interrupted by a pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag at the Lusail Stadium.
Just over five minutes into the second half, the individual in question forced a brief stoppage in the game after taking to the field.
The invader, who was also wearing a shirt with the Superman logo, also sported the messages Save Ukraine and Respect for Iranian Women .
He was subsequently removed by security, while Iranian referee Alireza Faghani removed the flag in question.
The pitch invader s actions are the latest protest at Qatar 2022, where LGBTQ+ rights are heavily restricted in the host nation.
A planned show of solidarity with the OneLove armband from European teams was effectively forced down by FIFA, …
Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has released a statement to deny allegations of suspected tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid.
Spanish publication El Mundo claimed that the former Madrid star was under investigation over allegedly failing to declare his income from image rights between 2010 and 2012.
Alonso has since insisted he has always complied with his tax requirements and has vowed to prove his innocence.
In a statement released via his official Twitter account, Alonso said: Following the information published today by newspaper El Mundo about Xabi Alonso and the Tax Office, the player states the following:
1. To clarify absolutely that he has always complied with each and every one of his tax obligations.
2. The player will alwa…
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes the club has not seen the best of Kaka and feels a move away could be best for the Brazilian.
The playmaker signed for Real from AC Milan in 2009 and has made 105 appearances, scoring 26 goals.
Mourinho told Rai: At Real Madrid we never saw the real Kaka.
He must be happy and Milan could be a good solution, but he is a Real Madrid player.
Ahead of his 50th birthday, the former Chelsea and Porto coach also talked about his future in coaching and a possible return to an old club.
Now I am 50, I could still coach for at least more 20 years and many things can happen. Maybe (I could) come back to Inter, why not?
Mourinho also spoke about the Champions League campaign and focused on Juventus as a pa…
Kelechi Iheanacho is keen to remain at Manchester City this summer, according to the Daily Star.
The striker’s future has been the subject of much speculation with West Ham United, Leicester City, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Southampton and a host of overseas outfits all linked with a move to secure his services.
However, he is keen to fight for his place at the Etihad Stadium and to continue learning under manager Pep Guardiola, who guided the club to a third place finish and Champions League qualification in his first season with the club.
The twenty year old broke into City’s first team at the beginning of the 2015/16 campaign and has since racked up sixty-three appearances in all competitions with an impressive return of twenty-one goals.
…
Former Tottenham captain Gary Mabbutt is recovering in hospital after successful heart surgery, the club have confirmed.
The 55-year-old was admitted for treatment on Monday after complaining of chest pains and difficulty breathing.
Spurs tweeted on Tuesday: After undergoing successful heart surgery yesterday, we can confirm Gary Mabbutt is now in a stable condition and recovering in hospital.
The former England international spent 16 years at White Hart Lane, winning the UEFA Cup in 1984 and captaining the side to an FA Cup triumph in 1991.
Ex-Spurs striker Gary Lineker tweeted after hearing the news: See Gary Mabbutt is to undergo heart surgery. When they operate it will be the biggest heart they ve ever seen. Thinking of you, skipper.
Mabbutt…
Stuart Baxter has resigned from his post as coach of South Africa with immediate effect.
South Africa shocked Africa Cup of Nations hosts Egypt en route to the quarter-finals in June, but Baxter, whose second spell in charge of Bafana Bafana began in 2017, believes the time is right to move aside.
The former Finland and Kaizer Chief s boss has said it is the correct time for South Africa to move into a new cycle, as focus switches to qualification for the 2021 AFCON and 2022 World Cup.
I feel it s time for someone else to take over and I have decided to resign from my position. It is my personal decision, Baxter told BBC Sport.
Going to the AFCON, this squad had not lost in a year, something that was not easy considering we were introducing new players.…
Emile Smith Rowe has impressed for Arsenal this term, but he is now revelling in getting the chance to train and play alongside a Tottenham star.
Smith Rowe – who is Arsenal s joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season with four goals – was initially left out of Gareth Southgate s England squad for this month s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
However, the withdrawals of James Ward-Prowse and Marcus Rashford, as well as doubts over Mason Mount s fitness, resulted in the 21-year-old midfielder linking up with Southgate s senior squad at St George s Park.
Smith Rowe is thrilled by the opportunity, though perhaps risked the wrath of Arsenal fans as he singled out training with Harry Kane – England s captain and Spurs talisman, alb…
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that teams will be allowed to make up to five substitutions in games during the Africa Cup of Nations to help combat the impact of COVID-19 related absences.
Rules also state that teams must play if they have at least 11 players available, even if that does not include a recognised goalkeeper, or else will forfeit the game.
The tournament gets underway on Sunday when hosts Cameroon take on Burkina Faso.
A statement on the CAF website outlined the measures, confirming that: Each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes.
To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at…
Arsenal open their UEFA Champions League campaign at Marseille hoping that their experience can carry them through a tough group.
Arsene Wenger s men head to the Stade Velodrome for their first encounter in Group F on Wednesday and know they will need to start well, with difficult games against Napoli and Borussia Dortmund to come.
Arsenal have qualified from the group stage in each of the last 13 seasons, reaching the final in 2005-06 and the semi-finals in 2008-09.
Defender Laurent Koscielny is aware of the importance of beginning with a win, and feels that their past experience in the competition could prove vital as they attempt to negotiate their way into the knock-out stages.
The most important thing in the Champions League is to start well, Koscielny told …