Pep Guardiola has praised Kalvin Phillips as he prepares to replace the suspended Rodri for Man City.

Adolis García, Mitch Garver and Nathaniel Lowe hit consecutive home runs in the sixth inning, and the first-place Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 for their sixth straight victory

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As the squads have been adjusting to Australia and New Zealand over the last few weeks, many coaches and staff members have been doing what the rest of the public does, bouncing around news stories about the different teams to see how they are doing. It is the point at which an international tournament takes on that enticingly self-contained quality. All eyes still go to the USA, especially with this being Megan Rapinoe’s last World Cup, and the squad looking to see her off with a historic third successive victory. As the defending champions themselves look around the field, though, they aren’t seeing what they used to. There is the usual confidence, of course, but also some caution. The gap between them and the rest of the teams isn’t as big. Rapinoe’s retirement may well close out a wider era, since the dominant factor in women’s football over the last decade has been how the USA have enjoyed much longer-term development than the rest of the game. That has been seen as especially influential as regards physical conditioning, but the general feeling is that the European game and Australia have caught up. England would certainly have no fears there, especially given how they beat the USA in that signpost match back in October. This could well be a threshold tournament. In many ways, of course, that’s the way to describe almost every women’s tournament at this stage of the game’s development. It is evolving at such a pace that every competition brings something new. Australia and New Zealand will still have had so much more than most when viewed from the perspective of history. It is fittingly the biggest ever, matching the men’s with 32 teams and spanning across two countries for the first time, just at a point when football cultures like England’s enjoy a boom of interest and Spain’s sees some of the best-attended fixtures on the planet. There’s then the joyous buzz around both New Zealand and Australia, the latter host nation looking to carry that emotional momentum all the way to the trophy itself. If ever there was a time for the tournament to expand, it’s now. That has still brought the counter-argument that it has expanded too quickly and it will merely create a group stage that is essentially a pre-tournament characterised by mismatches. There’s a real sense – not least among the eight to 12 teams genuinely believing they can go all the way - that the “real World Cup” won’t start until the last-16 in August. That is likely to be one cost of expansion, but the real question is whether it is outweighed by the value. That could be an emphatic yes, especially when you consider the value that can’t be measured. That is the excitement that is going to be felt in the competing countries, especially the eight debutants reaching this stage for the first time, or those unused to such a level. Put simply, new heroes and influences will be born. New memories will be created. That may seem trite, but you only have to look at last summer in England for the truth of it. There's nothing like the buzz that participation brings. Ireland are almost the perfect example in this sense. They form one of a burgeoning middle class of sides, between the favourites and the minnows, who are mostly hoping to develop in this campaign. There are so many banners put up around the country and the team have regularly been on television. Imagine this replayed a few times over, particularly in the Philippines and Morocco. Many traditional men’s football cultures feel the same. Argentina are desperate for a first win. Italy, Portugal and Denmark are seeking the next step up. This has played into the tournament’s second game perhaps being the biggest event of the opening stage. Australia-Ireland will hopefully set a tone in terms of atmosphere. Aside from launching what the hosts hope will be a victorious campaign, it has had immense interest from the huge Irish diaspora in the region. That has already seen it moved from Sydney Football Stadium to the 83,500-capacity Stadium Australia. It is a match to savour, for all sorts of reasons. It is also one that inadvertently points to some of the other challenges posed by this World Cup’s specific stage. As glorious as Australia and New Zealand are as hosts, there is the slight pity that it is this tournament that arrives just as Europe becomes so invested in the women’s game and so many of the continent's sides see themselves as winners. Their games will be far from prime time. That did play into the unfortunate delay on broadcasting rights in Europe, even if there was the sense that some broadcasters sought to cynically use this excuse to low-ball Fifa. Late-morning and afternoon kick-offs are still great for the many children that form the Women’s World Cup audience, given its more diverse demographics. It’s not just time that’s an issue, though. There’s the distance, which has meant Ireland are one of the few nations taking up anything close to their full allocations. Some sources within fan groups have been critical of the sales campaigns from both Fifa and federations, arguing they didn’t undertake anything like the same processes as with the men’s World Cup. “Some just didn’t bother selling tickets,” one connected figure says. “Others only gave fans a few days. There should be additional impetus for a women’s tournament, but it was the opposite. A collective failure.” The distance has played a part in another concern. It is hugely expensive for federations to travel. This has actually been mentioned in fractious negotiations between the Football Association and the England squad, as the players seek bonus payments that match similar elite nations in USA and Australia. Remarkably for a side that could win the whole competition, the issue has not been resolved as the World Cup starts, with Sarina Wiegman’s team merely willing to postpone discussions. The players have made the point that it just shows much still has to be fought for in the women’s game. South Africa and Nigeria have faced more extreme disputes. This is still one area where, for all justified criticism in so many other areas, Fifa do deserve the credit. The landmark stipulation that 60 per cent of prize money is guaranteed for each individual player is both game-changing and, in many cases, life-changing. It is again fitting for a tournament that feels new and is itself enriched by thrilling sporting vitality. There has never been a women’s World Cup as open as this. If the group stage may be characterised by mismatches, the knockouts are likely to be the complete opposite and feature an exhilarating concentration of quality and truly unpredictable games. USA remain the favourites but injury issues that have been an unfortunate addition to the general build-up – with so many ACL problems – have ensured they aren’t what they were. A powerful Germany now run them very close, leading a fine group of sides where the gaps between them are shorter and shorter. England of course defeated that German side in the Euro 2022 final, before going on to beat the world champions and have the assurance from that, even amid injury problems of their own. Spain are perhaps the most technically luscious team in the World Cup, France the most outrageously talented. Australia have many of those qualities and more, as Sweden and the Netherlands themselves seek to make strides forward. All of this is further fired by the kind of captivating storylines that really create great tournaments, as well as the moments that create memories. Rapinoe is one of a few greats bowing out, as Marta bestows her experience on an exciting young Brazilian generation, and Canada seek to suitably close the career of the great Christine Sinclair. Alexis Putellas, meanwhile, returns for Spain, determined to take command and take the chance of the kind of tournament she should have had at Euro 2022 before being denied by injury. That is framed by all the controversy around her squad and the refusal of some players to appear under coach Jorge Vilda. He may be looking to enjoy a redemption, as another male coach – the charismatic Herve Renard – becomes the first manager in history to participate in two World Cups in the space of a year. The Frenchman can take his home nation much further than he did a redoubtable Saudi Arabia in Qatar. The stage is really being set for the real stars, though. They are Putellas, Rapinoe, Sinclair, Netherlands’ Jill Roord, France’s Wendie Renard, Germany’s Alexandra Popp, Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius, USA’s Sophia Smith, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and – maybe above everyone – home star Sam Kerr, all leading a supreme cast. Some will score goals that enter the archives. Some players will dazzle from out of nowhere. Others will suffer mishaps and misfortune. A precious few will enjoy those defining individual campaigns that decide their teams’ legacies and, ultimately, the tournament itself. This is what makes a World Cup. This one has factors like no other before. History will be made in numerous ways. For that grand conclusion, England are one of a few countries realistically dreaming of their first World Cup win. USA are going for an unprecedented third in a row. Most eyes remain on the champions. More eyes than ever are on the Women’s World Cup itself. Read More England’s World Cup hinges on a defining question England’s Lionesses park controversial bonus row on eve of Women’s World Cup Who are the threats to the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup? Can France handle injuries after overcoming Women’s World Cup crisis? Can Spain regroup from mutiny to challenge for the Women’s World Cup? Are the United States still the team to beat at the Women’s World Cup?

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Germany needs to act fast in its search for a new coach for its troubled men’s national football eam. The new coach is expected to be in charge by 14 October when Germany will face the United States in a friendly in Connecticut. And after that there is only eight months to put his stamp on the team before Germany opens the European Championship as host in front of 70,000 spectators in Munich on 14 June next year. Germany’s awful recent form — no wins in five games and a group-stage exit at the World Cup — forced out Hansi Flick following Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Japan. Rudi Voller oversaw a 2-1 win over France on Tuesday but is due to return to his post as sporting director. Without an obvious successor to Flick, the post of Germany coach appears wide open. That could result in Germany’s youngest coach in nearly a century. Or its oldest ever. Or the first foreign coach. Here is a look at some possible candidates: Julian Nagelsmann At 36 years old, the former Bayern Munich coach would be the youngest man to coach Germany since 34-year-old Otto Nerz was appointed back in 1926. Since Bayern replaced him with Thomas Tuchel in March, Nagelsmann has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs. He knows the Germany team’s big Bayern contingent, and worked with other players at Leipzig too. However, Nagelsmann reportedly remains under contract with Bayern and the club could demand compensation from the German soccer federation, the DFB. Nagelsmann’s attack-first tactical style could win back fans who have soured on the team, but much like Flick, his teams aren’t known for their robust defending. Louis van Gaal The 72-year-old Dutch coach is a specialist in international tournaments and his lengthy resume — Ajax, Barcelona, Manchester United — includes two years at Bayern Munich, where he reached the Champions League final in 2010. His last job featured an impressive unbeaten run with the Dutch national team before losing on penalties in the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar to eventual winner Argentina. Van Gaal has notably not ruled himself out of taking the Germany job, telling broadcaster Sky Germany that he was “honored” to see his name mentioned. The oldest man appointed Germany coach until now was 61-year-old Erich Ribbeck in 1998. Oliver Glasner Glasner is another possibility if the team decides to appoint its first non-German coach, and the Austrian already speaks the language. Glasner is best known for winning the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt and qualifying the club for the Champions League for the first time. However, Frankfurt removed him as coach last season after a drop in form and Glasner hasn’t coached since. Matthias Sammer Well-connected from advisory roles at the DFB and Borussia Dortmund, Sammer has the backing of 1990 World Cup-winning player and prolific TV pundit Lothar Matthaus. He’d be the first Germany coach to have played for the former East Germany during the Cold War. One problem is that Sammer last coached a team in 2005 before taking on successful sporting director and advisory roles, including at Bayern. Health issues in 2016 caused Sammer to cut back on his workload. Stefan Kuntz Flick was fired after his team conceded four goals to Japan. Could his replacement be a coach whose current team just did the same thing? As a player, Kuntz won the European Championship in 1996 as a teammate of Sammer. His best-known coaching achievement is winning the European Under-21 Championship with Germany in 2017 and 2021. Kuntz is coaching Turkey but is under pressure following a 4-2 friendly loss Tuesday to Japan. Other candidates The former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath put himself forward Monday, pointing to his record turning around “unsettled teams” in comments to local broadcaster NDR. The DFB has a history of promoting from within — Flick and Low each worked as assistants to their respective predecessors — but the three-man interim coaching team for the win over France doesn’t offer an obvious solution. Voller seems happy with his DFB director job, Hannes Wolf is a youth specialist with a mixed club record, and Sandro Wagner has only coached in the fourth division. AP Read More Germany beat France in first game since sacking Hansi Flick as Italy reignite Euro 2024 hopes Steve Clarke insists Scotland remain in positive mood despite England defeat Aaron Ramsey rolls back the years to keep Wales’s Euro 2024 hopes alive Germany beat France as Italy reignite Euro 2024 hopes Football rumours: Jadon Sancho looking to leave Manchester United Germany boss Hansi Flick under pressure following home defeat to Japan

Frank Lampard called on his players to be killers in attack if they are to emulate Raheem Sterling’s two goals in the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest and finally vanquish the team’s scoring woes. Chelsea were booed off at the break against struggling Forest, trailing to Taiwo Awoniyi’s header after Edouard Mendy had flapped at a cross on his return to the side. It then took just seven second-half minutes for Sterling to turn the game on its head and remind those same supporters of the potential the England forward still has to transform a match single-handedly. His first he owed to good work from Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah down the right and to a fortunate deflection off Ryan Yates who lay stricken on the turf, but his second was a sublime solo effort, ramming the ball into Keylor Navas’ bottom corner after finding space inside the box. Lampard said Sterling’s example was one the whole team would need to follow going into next season if Chelsea are to put this miserable campaign behind them. “Raheem’s a player that has the credit in the bank, he’s been a regular scorer in the Premier League and for his country,” said the Blues boss. “To see him score there (the first goal) was Raheem. Arriving for a cross, and then individual brilliance to score the (second) goal. I’m very happy for him. It’s what we need across the top end of the pitch. “Raheem has done it and he’s produced it again. If you’re going to win games when you have 76 per cent possession, you need to be killers at the top end of the pitch, and Raheem is proven to be that. At the moment we don’t have enough of that.” The draw means Chelsea are still without a home win since Lampard returned as interim manager on April 6 and saw them slip back into 12th place with Crystal Palace’s win over Bournemouth. Aside from Sterling’s solo intervention, there was little to suggest the goalscoring troubles that have derailed their season have an end in sight. Lampard added: “What pleased me was not so much the week’s training, it was more the idea of what the plan is before the game that we were going to have a lot of ball in their half, so we have to be really dynamic to move their back five, we have to make sure our counter-press positions are good, which they are to be fair. “What displeased me was that in the first half we didn’t do it with enough urgency to break the back five; sideways, safe. Then in the second half when we did, we underlapped them and get a goal and we showed urgency in our running forward and we get another goal.” Forest kept themselves at the head of the Premier League’s four relegation-threatened sides with Awoniyi’s second goal of the game in the second half stealing a point, ensuring the gap to 18th-placed Leeds remained at three going into the season’s final two games. “Probably a mix really of some disappointed guys in the dressing room, and I like that, because although we had to work really hard for what we got today, we could easily have got a little bit more,” said Forest boss Cooper. “It’s the mixed feeling really of that, and also knowing that we gave everything, we stuck to the plan, we showed good resilience from going 2-1 down when really, I wouldn’t say we gifted it to Chelsea but we could have done so much better with them goals. “We knew Chelsea were going to have the ball, we were away from home. But the game was going exactly as we wanted it to go. So to quickly turn it to go to 2-1 down and then to get something out of the game I think is a positive as well. There’s loads to take out of the game. “It feels like we’re giving away goals more easily than how we’re scoring them. Look at the two goals today, great strategy in terms of the set-piece for the second one, good technique for the cross and the head for the first. “I’ve never had to question the attitude, desire, resilience, commitment, that part of the mentality. At times a little bit of belief, and concentration and a bit of confidence away from home. “That’s why at times we’ve had what we’ve had. It was good really after going 2-1 down to get something out of the game because I don’t think many would have backed us to get anything today.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Standards have not been good enough – Ruben Selles on Southampton’s relegation Notts County back in EFL with sub goalkeeper Archie Mair the shoot-out hero ‘Huge talent’ Alejandro Garnacho backed to play key role in Man Utd’s run-in

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England reached a Women’s World Cup semi-final for the first time on this day in 2015 after holding on to beat tournament hosts Canada 2-1 in Vancouver. Early goals from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze set the Lionesses up for a historic win, but they were forced to dig deep after Christine Sinclair pulled one back for Canada just before half-time. It was the first time a senior England side – men or women – had reached the World Cup’s last four since 1990. The Lionesses had won a World Cup knockout game for the first time by defeating Norway 2-1 in the last-16 and followed it up against the Canadians in front of a crowd of 54,027 at BC Place. Taylor gave England an 11th-minute lead when she pounced on Canada skipper Lauren Sesselmann’s slip and raced on to drill a low angled finish into the bottom corner. The Lionesses extended their lead three minutes later. Fara Williams’ diagonal free-kick into the penalty area picked out Bronze and the full-back’s header bounced down over the line after hitting the crossbar. Canada lifted the home support by reducing the deficit three minutes before the interval when England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley failed to hold on to Ashley Lawrence’s cross and Sinclair turned home the rebound. Taylor was denied a second goal after the restart as her goal-bound curling effort forced a brilliant save from Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod. England’s World Cup dream was halted in agonising fashion in their semi-final, as defender Laura Bassett’s stoppage-time own goal clinched a 2-1 win for Japan, who went on to lose 5-2 to the United States in the final. The Lionesses secured a third-place finish after beating fellow semi-final losers Germany 1-0 after extra-time thanks to Williams’ 108th-minute penalty. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Sepp Straka won the John Deere Classic with a final-round 9-under 62 that could have been much better, making double bogey on the final hole but taking the title when Brendon Todd and Alex Smalley were unable to catch him