Rafael Benitez is to become the new manager of Celta Vigo, the Spanish club have announced. Celta have confirmed an “agreement in principle” has been reached for the former Liverpool, Newcastle and Real Madrid boss to take charge at the Balaidos Stadium from the start of pre-season training July. Benitez, 63, has been out of management since he was sacked by Everton in January last year. The Spaniard boasts considerable experience having also had spells at other clubs including Chelsea, Napoli, Inter Milan and Valencia. His successes include winning the Champions League, LaLiga twice, the Europa League, UEFA Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup and Coppa Italia. A statement from Celta described Benitez as a “formidable leader” and “one of the most successful coaches in our country’s history”. It added: “The Madrid coach has extensive experience on the bench with a career that is difficult to match.” He will succeed Carlos Carvalhal, who left after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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Newly-released footage has shown Sean O’Malley practising the exact punch that won him the bantamweight title at UFC 292. O’Malley knocked out Aljamain Sterling early in the second round on Saturday (19 August), dropping the now-former champion with a perfect right cross then finishing him on the canvas. And the American, 28, has since taken to social media to share clips of his training for the fight, including footage of him in his locker room before the main event. The clips (which you can watch lower down in this article) specifically show “Sugar Sean” practising the right hand that dropped Sterling, with O’Malley’s technique and movements looking identical to their execution in the fight itself. The caption to the post read: “Sean & Tim [Welch, O’Malley’s coach] predicted the KO over Aljamain.” Prior to UFC 292, Sterling had won nine fights in a row, including three title defences – all against ex-champions. O’Malley, speaking in the ring after his victory, said: “It feels right, baby, it feels right. Honestly, this was the most nervous I’ve been for a fight. In my eyes, Aljamain Sterling is the greatest bantamweight of all time, but I never lost the confidence – because I know what I possess in this f***ing right hand, baby! “It only takes one mistake against me. I don’t even know if that was a mistake, I’m just that f***ing good!” Meanwhile, 34-year-old Sterling said: “Sean is a lot better than I thought, man. He did a really good job. He was elusive, stayed on the outside. This was nothing but respect at the end of the day. [We’re] chasing the dream.” O’Malley also used his post-fight interview to call out Marlon “Chito” Vera as his first challenger. Vera, who beat Pedro Munhoz on points at UFC 292, is the only fighter to defeat O’Malley. The Ecuadoran beat “Sugar Sean” via TKO in 2020. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’ Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling UFC 292 LIVE: Sean O’Malley stuns Aljamain Sterling with picture-perfect KO Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’

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Amid a backdrop of mutiny and exile, it is a testament to the talent of this Spain team that La Roja remain one of the favourites for the World Cup despite a chaotic year under the management of Jorge Vilda. Spain looked on the brink of implosion in September when 15 players made themselves unavailable for selection, saying that the environment of the national team was having a negative impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Nine months later, Vilda will still be able to name a formidable side at the World Cup. It comes after the star of the Spain team, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, returned from a year-long injury absence and three members of the protesting 15, Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey and Ona Batlle, ended their exile and made themselves available for selection. Whether the returning players have secured the changes they called for off the pitch remains unclear, but the fact the other 12 remain out, including key members of the team in Sandra Panos, Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, suggests there is still a long way to go. Throughout the turmoil, Vilda maintained the backing of the Spanish Football Federation but there will be significant pressure on his shoulders if Spain underperform again after their last-eight exit at the Euros. Since the last World Cup, Spain has become home to the new dominant force in women’s club football thanks to Barcelona and, with Putellas and Bonmati back, are leading the world in their development of technical players. They will certainly be expected to top a group that includes Japan, World Cup winners in 2011 and runners-up in 2015, and Costa Rica. Zambia, who will be making their first appearance at a World Cup, men’s or women’s, are an intriguing side to watch and have been mentioned as possible dark horses. An eye-catching warm-up win against Germany showed everyone how dangerous they could be, with forwards Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji tearing Germany apart on the counter-attack. Japan, who come into the World Cup in transition, could be vulnerable in Group C. Spain Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Spain vs Costa Rica (08:30, Wellington Regional Stadium) Wednesday 26 July: Spain vs Zambia (08:30, Eden Park) Monday 31 July: Japan vs Spain (08:00, Wellington Regional Stadium) Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Cata Coll (Barcelona), Misa Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Enith Salon (Valencia) Defenders: Ivana Andres (Real Madrid), Ona Batlle (Manchester United), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Laia Codina (Barcelona), Rocio Galvez (Real Madrid), Oihane Hernandez (Athletic Club), Irene Paredes (Barcelona) Midfielders: Teresa Abelleira (Real Madrid), Aitana Bonmati (Barceona), Irene Guerrero (Levante), Jennifer Hermoso (Pachuca), Maria Perez (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Claudia Zornoza (Real Madrid) Forwards: Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid), Esther Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Eva Navarro (Atletico Madrid), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona), Alba Redondo (Levante) Key player Aitana Bonmati. When an ACL injury robbed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas of the chance to play at the Euros last summer and then took away almost all of the following season, it handed her international and club team-mate Bonmati the opportunity to play further forward for Barcelona. How she took it. Arguably the best player in the world over the past year, the midfielder is technically flawless and has unlocked the ability to contribute even more goals and assists. Although Putellas is now back and will likely grab the attention, Bonmati deserves her own recognition. The coach Jorge Vilda is perhaps the most divisive head coach at the World Cup, and that’s not just among Spain’s pool of players. Vilda faced criticism for his team selections last summer as Spain finished runner-up to Germany in the group stages of the Euros and were then knocked out by England in the quarter-finals. He survived with his job, and did so again as players walked out on the team. He is theoretically under pressure again with Spain’s golden generation expected to compete for the title, but he also has the backing of the federation. World Cup history Spain are appearing in their third consecutive World Cup having only made their debut in 2015. Considered to be favourites before the Euros last summer, their last-16 exit to England was a disappointment and they also fell at the first hurdle in the knockout stages when they lost to eventual champions the USA four years ago. There is pressure on Spain to deliver this time. Japan Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 22 July: Zambia vs Japan (08:00, Waikato Stadium) Wednesday 26 July: Japan vs Costa Rica (06:00 local time, Dunedin Stadium) Monday 31 July: Japan vs Spain (08:00, Wellington Regional Stadium) One to watch Yui Hasegawa. Signed by Manchester City last summer to replace England’s Keira Walsh, the 26-year-old impressed with her class and composure on the ball and tenacity in midfield, finishing the season as one of the top performers in the Women’s Super League. Japan will rely on Hasegawa to set their tempo from the middle of the pitch. The coach Futoshi Ikeda took charge of Japan following the 2021 Olympics having guided the country to victory in the Under-20 World Cup in 2018. With Japan coming into the World Cup in translation and with one of the youngest squads at the tournament - with just one player over 30 - Ikeda is still trying to find the right balance in his team. What are their chances? Champions in 2011 and runners-up in 2015, recent history dictates that Japan will be expected to be contenders once again in Australia and New Zealand. But if the Nadeshiko underperformed in 2019, exiting in the last-16, that rather represents where Japan could reasonably expect to finish in 2023, as well. A four-game losing run between November and February to England, Spain, Brazil and the United States suggests they are much still a work in progress. Zambia Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 22 July: Zambia vs Japan (08:00, Waikato Stadium) Wednesday 26 July: Spain vs Zambia (08:30, Eden Park) Monday 31 July: Costa Rica vs Zambia (08:00 local time, Waikato Stadium) One to watch Barbra Banda made history at the 2021 Olympics when she became the first player to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the Games, but the Zambia striker was prevented from appearing in the Africa Cup of Nations the following year after her country said she had failed a gender eligibility test. The Zambian FA said four players, including Banda, had natural testosterone levels that exceeded tournament regulations. The 23-year-old returned to the national team last September, however, and Fifa has since confirmed that she is eligible for the World Cup. Banda is captain of the Zambia side and is key to their chances of making it out of the group, as her stunning two-goal display against Germany showed. The coach Under Bruce Mwape, Zambia were involved in a 10-3 defeat to the Netherlands, 4-4 draw with China and 1-0 loss to Brazil, so goals at both ends of the pitch could certainly be expected with the Copper Queens, but the manager remains extremely confident. “It won’t be easy, but it’s others thinking we’ll go there as underdogs,” he told Fifa. “As far as I’m concerned, we are going to compete.” What are their chances? This will be the first time Zambia have played at the World Cup, men’s or women’s, and harnessing their considerable attacking firepower will be key if they are to shock either Spain or Japan and reach the knockout stages. With their leader on the pitch Barbra Banda joined by Racheal Kundananji, who scored 25 goals in Spain’s top flight last season, they certainly have a chance, but the concern is whether they have what it takes defensively. Costa Rica Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Spain vs Costa Rica (08:30, Wellington Regional Stadium) Wednesday 26 July: Japan vs Costa Rica (06:00 local time, Dunedin Stadium) Monday 31 July: Costa Rica vs Zambia (08:00 local time, Waikato Stadium) Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Priscila Tapia (Saprissa FF), Daniela Solera (Sporting FC), Genesis Perez (University of Central Florida) Defenders: Mariana Benavides (Saprissa FF), Maria Paula Elizondo (Saprissa FF), Valeria del Campo (Monterrey), Fabiola Villalobos (Alajuelense), Maria Paula Coto (Alajuelense), Gabriela Guillen (Alajuelense), Carol Sanchez (Sporting FC) Midfielders: Katherine Alvarado (Saprissa FF), Mariela Campos (Saprissa FF), Gloriana Villalobos (Saprissa FF), Emilie Valenciano (Libre), Melissa Herrera (Bordeaux), Cristin Granados (Sporting FC), Alexandra Pinell (Alajuelense), Raquel Rodriguez (Portland Thorns), Emilie Valenciano (LDA) Forwards: Catalina Estrada (Saprissa FF), Priscila Chinchilla (Libre), Carolina Venegas (Libre), Sofia Varela (Libre), Maria Paula Salas (Monterrey) Key player Raquel Rodriguez is Costa Rica’s record scorer with 55 goals, including the country’s first at a World Cup on their only previous appearance in 2015. The Portland Thorns midfielder, who has won over 100 caps for Costa Rica, has urged her team-mates to battle with passion and commitment as they look to claim a first-ever World Cup win. The coach Amelia Valverde took charge of Costa Rica before their previous World Cup appearance in 2015, and at the age of just 28. She remains in charge and has guided the country back to the World Cup thanks to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Concacaf Championships. Valverde made the controversial call to leave the 37-year-old Shirley Cruz, Costa Rica’s greatest ever player and former captain, out of her squad for the World Cup. What are their chances? Costa Rica, who are ranked 37th in the world, have landed in a tough group and progress looks unlikely with Spain, Japan and Zambia all vying for qualification. Costa Rica went out in 2015 with draws to Spain and the Korea Republic and will look to make life difficult for their opponents in Group C. 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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says the chance to stop Manchester City’s treble charge provides no extra motivation heading into the FA Cup final. The eyes of the footballing world will be on Wembley on Saturday afternoon for the first-ever all-Manchester cup final. United head to the capital looking to end a promising first season under Ten Hag by winning both domestic cups in the same campaign for the first time. Neighbours City already have the Premier League title under their belt and are looking to lift the FA Cup a week before heading to Istanbul to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Lifting both of those trophies would see Pep Guardiola’s men join Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 treble heroes as the only English sides to achieve the feat – something United supporters are desperate to stop. “I know what is the thinking from the fans,” Ten Hag said. “But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup Erik ten Hag “So, on Saturday we have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don’t want to be distracted by anything. “If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup.” Asked why he would not use the chance to extinguish City’s treble hopes as extra motivation at Wembley, Ten Hag said: “Because it is not necessary. “That will not give more motivation to the team because their motivation is already enough. That can’t be more. “They want to win the cup and they have an opportunity. They want to set a crown on the season, so what do you need more? What is more motivation?” This will be the Manchester clubs’ third meeting of the season, with City winning 6-3 in October before United triumphed 2-1 at Old Trafford in January. Those were the first times that Ten Hag and Guardiola have faced each other in management but their relationship goes back a decade. The Dutchman spent two years as Bayern Munich II head coach as the now City boss coached the perennial Bundesliga champions’ senior side. Asked what makes Guardiola so special, Ten Hag said: “Oh, I don’t tell! It’s obvious we have seen what he is doing, he’s doing a brilliant job. “What he can do is he can construct not only winning teams but also winning in a very attractive way, so that is why I think we all admire him so.” Ten Hag says winger Antony is expected to miss the final and United confirmed earlier this week Anthony Martial would be absent due to a muscular tear. The 27-year-old’s future is unclear after an injury-hit season but it appears the recovery time from this issue may hamper any chances of moving him on. “It’s going to be a long one but how long we don’t know,” Ten Hag said. “We have to do more assessment.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Man City players will give everything to win FA Cup final – Pep Guardiola French Open day six: Norrie out as Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sabalenka march on First Lionel Messi, now Sergio Ramos – Veteran defender waves goodbye to PSG

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