List of All Articles with Tag 'epgb sports'

Watch as Spain's acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez welcomes the national football team home to Madrid on Tuesday (22 August) after winning the Women's World Cup for the very first time. Tuesday's meeting follows La Roja's rapturous victory parade through the streets of the Spanish capital city last night. The national team waved to cheerful fans from a bus as they drove through Madrid to celebrate. Afterwards, the squad took to a stage where captain Olga Carmona, who scored the only goal of the match, was thrown into the air by her teammates. Spain defeated England 1-0 at Stadium Australia on Sunday, 20 August, with 5.6 million people in Spain tuning in to the final of the tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The Lionesses were looking to bring home the game's biggest prize from Sydney, but couldn't fashion an equalizer - although Mary Earps brilliantly saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty with 20 minutes remaining. Read More Statistics show Spain were worthy World Cup winners Spain captain Olga Carmona dedicates World Cup triumph to late father World Cup-winning goalscorer is informed of father’s death minutes after final ends

The final match of the weekend in the Premier League takes place on Monday night with Crystal Palace hosting Arsenal at Selhurst Park. Roy Hodgson is back once more for another campaign with the Eagles and they made a good start to 2023/24 with a 1-0 win at Sheffield United on the opening weekend. Arsenal, meanwhile, battled to a 2-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest, with Mikel Arteta’s side hoping to go one better this term after finishing runners-up to Man City in May. The Gunners have added the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to their squad over the summer, while Palace lost key winger Wilf Zaha - but have brought in Matheus Franca from Flamengo in their big-money addition so far. Follow all the live action below as Crystal Palace host Arsenal and see the latest odds for the game here. Read More Bryan Mbeumo, Nicolas Jackson and 5 players to buy ahead of FPL Gameweek 3 Declan Rice is type of player everyone is looking for – Palace boss Roy Hodgson Michael Olise signs bumper new deal as Crystal Palace fend off Chelsea interest

Daniel Dubois challenges Oleksandr Usyk for the unified heavyweight titles this weekend, as the Briton ventures to Poland for his toughest test yet. Dubois, 25, has secured 18 of his 19 victories via knockout, and he will lean on that destructive power in Wroclaw, where Usyk and a legion of Ukrainian fans await. “Dynamite” Daniel has also shown vulnerability, however; he suffered a fractured eye socket in a TKO loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, and he hit the canvas three times in his most recent win – against Kevin Lerena – partly due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Usyk is unbeaten, an Olympic gold medalist, and the only undisputed cruiserweight champion of the four-belt era. The southpaw, 36, is still seeking a fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury, whom he was due to face before talks fell through in spring. As such, Usyk was left to take on mandatory challenger Dubois, who will look to succeed where all others have failed – including Anthony Joshua, who dropped the unified titles to Usyk in 2021 and lost to the Ukrainian again in August. Here’s all you need to know about Usyk vs Dubois. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the fight? Usyk vs Dubois is set to take place at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday 26 August. The main card is expected to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event likely to follow at 10pm BST (2pm PT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the fight and undercard will air live on TNT Sports pay-per-view (formerly BT Sport). The event will cost £19.95 and is not exclusive to TNT subscribers. It will also stream live on the broadcaster’s website and app. No US broadcaster has been confirmed at the time of writing. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help: Get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Odds Usyk to win – 1/10; Usyk via KO, TKO or DQ – 4/11 Dubois to win – 15/2; Dubois via KO, TKO or DQ – 9/1 Draw – 22/1 Via Betway. • Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers. Full card (subject to change) Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Daniel Dubois (WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles) Denys Berinchyk vs Anthony Yigit (lightweight) Dmytro Mytrofanov vs Hamzah Sheeraz (middleweight) Daniel Lapin vs Aro Schwartz (light-heavyweight) Fiodor Czerkaszyn vs Anauel Ngamissengue (middleweight) Rafal Wolczecki vs Roberto Arriaza (middleweight) Vasile Cebotari vs Joel Julio (welterweight) Nursultan Amanzholov vs Lazizbek Mullojonov (heavyweight) Oleksandr Solomennikov vs Piotr Gudel (featherweight) Aadam Hamed vs TBA (super-welterweight) Ziyad Almaayouf vs Janos Penzes (super-lightweight) Bryce Mills vs Damian Tymosz (super-lightweight) Yaroslav Khartsyz vs Konrad Czajkowski (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Anthony Joshua has the blueprint to beat Deontay Wilder – is he brave enough to use it? Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’ Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with dazzling KO of Aljamain Sterling What time does Usyk vs Dubois start this weekend? Hamzah Sheeraz relishing chance to beat Dmytro Mytrofanov ‘in his backyard’ How to watch Usyk vs Dubois online and on TV this weekend

Oleksandr Usyk faces Daniel Dubois in Poland this weekend, as the unbeaten Ukrainian defends the unified heavyweight titles. Usyk took the belts from Anthony Joshua with a decision win in 2021 before repeating the trick last August to retain them. He was then in talks to unify the titles against WBC champion Tyson Fury, but negotiations collapsed and led the southpaw, 36, to a new opponent. That opponent is Dubois, who will be up against his toughest foe by far when he fights Usyk in Wroclaw. The Briton, 25, has an impressive knockout record of 18 from 19 wins, but he has also shown vulnerabilities. His sole professional defeat came against Joe Joyce in 2020, when “Dynamite” Daniel suffered a fractured eye socket, and he was down three times in his most recent win – against Kevin Lerena – partly due to a knee injury. Here’s all you need to know about Usyk vs Dubois. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the fight? Usyk vs Dubois is set to take place at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday 26 August. The main card is expected to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event likely to follow at 10pm BST (2pm PT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the fight and undercard will air live on TNT Sports pay-per-view (formerly BT Sport). The event will cost £19.95 and is not exclusive to TNT subscribers. It will also stream live on the broadcaster’s website and app. No US broadcaster has been confirmed at the time of writing. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help: Get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Odds Usyk to win – 1/10; Usyk via KO, TKO or DQ – 4/11 Dubois to win – 15/2; Dubois via KO, TKO or DQ – 9/1 Draw – 22/1 Via Betway. • Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers. Full card (subject to change) Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Daniel Dubois (WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles) Denys Berinchyk vs Anthony Yigit (lightweight) Dmytro Mytrofanov vs Hamzah Sheeraz (middleweight) Daniel Lapin vs Aro Schwartz (light-heavyweight) Fiodor Czerkaszyn vs Anauel Ngamissengue (middleweight) Rafal Wolczecki vs Roberto Arriaza (middleweight) Vasile Cebotari vs Joel Julio (welterweight) Nursultan Amanzholov vs Lazizbek Mullojonov (heavyweight) Oleksandr Solomennikov vs Piotr Gudel (featherweight) Aadam Hamed vs TBA (super-welterweight) Ziyad Almaayouf vs Janos Penzes (super-lightweight) Bryce Mills vs Damian Tymosz (super-lightweight) Yaroslav Khartsyz vs Konrad Czajkowski (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Anthony Joshua has the blueprint to beat Deontay Wilder – is he brave enough to use it? Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’ Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with dazzling KO of Aljamain Sterling Who is fighting on Usyk vs Dubois undercard this weekend? What time does Usyk vs Dubois start this weekend? Hamzah Sheeraz relishing chance to beat Dmytro Mytrofanov ‘in his backyard’

Oleksandr Usyk defends his unified world titles against Daniel Dubois this weekend, as the heavyweights clash in Poland. Usyk, 36, is making his second defence of the belts, having retained them against Anthony Joshua one year ago – and one year after taking them from “AJ” with another decision win. The unbeaten Ukrainian, formerly undisputed at cruiserweight, was hoping to fight Tyson Fury next, but talks collapsed and left Usyk with this bout: against mandatory challenger Dubois. The Briton, 25, has achieved 18 of his 19 wins via knockout and will hope his power is enough against southpaw Usyk, but Dubois must also beware his own vulnerabilities. They were on display in a stoppage loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, when Dubois suffered a fractured eye socket, and in his most recent win as he hit the canvas three times – partly due to a knee injury. Here’s all you need to know about Usyk vs Dubois. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is the fight? Usyk vs Dubois is set to take place at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday 26 August. The main card is expected to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event likely to follow at 10pm BST (2pm PT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the fight and undercard will air live on TNT Sports pay-per-view (formerly BT Sport). The event will cost £19.95 and is not exclusive to TNT subscribers. It will also stream live on the broadcaster’s website and app. No US broadcaster has been confirmed at the time of writing. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help: Get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Odds Usyk to win – 1/10; Usyk via KO, TKO or DQ – 4/11 Dubois to win – 15/2; Dubois via KO, TKO or DQ – 9/1 Draw – 22/1 Via Betway. • Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers. Full card (subject to change) Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Daniel Dubois (WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles) Denys Berinchyk vs Anthony Yigit (lightweight) Dmytro Mytrofanov vs Hamzah Sheeraz (middleweight) Daniel Lapin vs Aro Schwartz (light-heavyweight) Fiodor Czerkaszyn vs Anauel Ngamissengue (middleweight) Rafal Wolczecki vs Roberto Arriaza (middleweight) Vasile Cebotari vs Joel Julio (welterweight) Nursultan Amanzholov vs Lazizbek Mullojonov (heavyweight) Oleksandr Solomennikov vs Piotr Gudel (featherweight) Aadam Hamed vs TBA (super-welterweight) Ziyad Almaayouf vs Janos Penzes (super-lightweight) Bryce Mills vs Damian Tymosz (super-lightweight) Yaroslav Khartsyz vs Konrad Czajkowski (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Anthony Joshua has the blueprint to beat Deontay Wilder – is he brave enough to use it? Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’ Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with dazzling KO of Aljamain Sterling Who is fighting on Usyk vs Dubois undercard this weekend? Hamzah Sheeraz relishing chance to beat Dmytro Mytrofanov ‘in his backyard’ How to watch Usyk vs Dubois online and on TV this weekend

After a narrow win over Nottingham Forest on the opening day, Arsenal will be looking for a second successive victory as they aim to push Manchester City for the title again. Arsenal have won their last two matches against Crystal Palace, but with Roy Hodgson in charge again, Palace fans will be hoping for a repeat of their 3-0 win over the Gunners in April 2022. After shelling out for the likes of now-injured Jurriën Timber and Declan Rice in the summer, Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can find their footing and although it’s only early in the season, if they want to challenge for the top spot, they cannot afford any slip-ups. It will be the Eagles’ first home game of the campaign after winning at recently-promoted Sheffield United on the opening weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about the fixture; get all the latest football betting sites offers here and get all the latest Palace vs Arsenal odds here. When is Crystal Palace vs Arsenal? Crystal Palace vs Arsenal is due to kick-off at 8pm on Monday 21 August at Selhurst Park in London. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League - from 6.30 pm Team news Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timber for the match with knee injuries and Mikel Arteta will be hoping Oleksandr Zinchenko will have built up enough fitness to be able to start. Michael Olise is still expected to be injured in another blow to Roy Hodgson, but Palace are likely to be compact and organised against the Gunners. Predicted line-ups Crystal Palace XI: Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Lerma; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli Odds Crystal Palace win 9/2 Draw 12/5 Arsenal win 1/2 Prediction It might be cagey at times and Arsenal will have to work hard but they will get the three points in a relatively straightforward affair. Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal Read More Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal could dip back in market after Jurrien Timber injury Mikel Arteta presents David Raya’s grandfather, 91, with gift as goalkeeper signs for Arsenal Eddie Nketiah forced his way into Arsenal team with performances in training, Arteta says Liverpool to appeal Alexis Mac Allister’s red card in win against Bournemouth Everton condemn ‘vile’ racist abuse aimed at midfielder Amadou Onana Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster retires from football for a second time

Luis Rubiales, the Spanish FA president at the centre of a storm following the Women’s World Cup final, has been caught making an obscene gesture during celebrations at full-time. Rubiales came under fire in the aftermath of Spain’s 1-0 win over England in Sydney for kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips on the presentation stage. Asked about the moment, Hermoso intially said: “Eh... yeah, I did not enjoy that.” Later, via quotes put out by the Spanish FA, she described the kiss with the organisation’s president as “mutual and spontaneous”. Now footage has emerged of Rubiales grabbing his genitals in celebration in the moments after Spain’s victory. Standing close to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter, video shows him punch the air and apparently point at the players before making the gesture. Rubiales was later asked about the kissing incident, in which he grabbed Hermoso’s head. He told Radio Marca that it was merely “two people having a minor show of affection” and that he will not take notice of “idiocy,” referencing those outraged by his behaviour. “The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere,” he said. “When two people have a minor show of affection, we can’t listen to idiocies. We are champions and that is what stays with me.” Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero criticised his actions, saying: “We shouldn’t assume that kissing someone without their consent is something that just happens. It’s a form of sexual violence women suffer regularly, and invisibly, that we cannot normalise.” The latest footage is likely to increase pressure on Rubiales, whose role in charge of the country’s game has also come under scrutiny for his handling of a players’ protest which saw several Spain stars boycott the World Cup. Read More Moment Spanish FA president kisses Jenni Hermoso on the lips after world cup win Spain star reacts after FA president kisses her on lips Jorge Vilda: Spain’s World Cup coach at the heart of a civil war

Spain's Olga Carmona's World Cup Celebrations have been marred by tragedy after she found that her father died just minutes after the game. The 23-year-old Real Madrid star secured a 1-0 win over England today in Sydney in the final. Carmona found out that her father died following the full-time whistle. Spanish FA said her father died just before the final got underway. Carmona posted an emotional tribute to her father after she helped her country to their first Women’s World Cup triumph. “Without knowing it, I had my star before the game started,” Carmona wrote. “I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. “I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad.” The 23-year-old had celebrated her goal on Sunday with a tribute to a friend who recently lost her mother. “I think all of us, we felt that this team had something special,” the defender said after Spain won the title. Writing on Twitter, the Spanish FA said: "We deeply regret to announce the death of Olga Carmona's father. "The footballer learnt the sad news after the World Cup final. We love you, Olga, you are part of Spanish football history. "We send out most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. "We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football." A statement from Real Madrid read: “Real Madrid, our president and our board of directors are deeply saddened by the death of the father of our player Olga Carmona. “Real Madrid want to express our condolences and our love to Olga, her family and all her loved ones.” Carmona was named as player of the match in the final, after also scored a late winner in Spain's semi-final against Sweden. Read More Lionesses have ‘inspired millions’ despite falling short in first World Cup final Lionesses ‘won the hearts’ of fans despite World Cup defeat: ‘This is just the beginning’ Lionesses deserve honours after World Cup final run, says Labour leader Declan Rice is type of player everyone is looking for – Palace boss Roy Hodgson I’ll be there for him – Dele Alli always has friend in Spurs star Son Heung-min We won’t stop – Georgia Stanway vows England will ‘continue to break barriers’

Opening-day results can set the tone for a season. Sometimes they don’t, however. Aston Villa’s heaviest defeat at the start of the season in almost four decades may have looked like an anomaly when they were destroyed by Newcastle. It certainly did eight days later. A game later, Villa have wiped out their goal difference. Hammered one week ago, today they inflicted a humiliating defeat on the Toffees. Everton were eviscerated. If there was a deceptive scoreline now, it was because the margin flattered Sean Dyche’s hapless team. They take the place at the bottom of the league that Villa had occupied: unlike them, they could stay there. Villa were terrific. Play like this and it is tempting to wonder how much higher a team who surged from relegation contention to seventh last season can go. Certainly, the ambition that accompanied Unai Emery’s appointment is reflected on the pitch. There was a speed of foot and thought, a sharpness and a style, an evident enthusiasm to suggest that the Spaniard’s impact will not be confined to his first few months. An eighth straight home win – the sort of statistic Everton can only dream of – came with a sense of normality. Villa Park now expects a side brimming with energy and ideas to secure this kind of result. They played with a confidence to bely three setbacks: the loss at St James’ Park and the loss of Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings. But Emery’s rebuilding job has taken on an auspicious look. Pau Torres cruised through his home debut. Moussa Diaby almost marked his with a stunning goal – Jordan Pickford excelling to turn a thunderous volley onto the post – and was still only the second most impressive former Bayer Leverkusen winger. Youri Tielemans was limited to a cameo: Villa’s midfield options are such that he may have to wait a little longer. But much of Emery’s brilliance has been reflected by his inheritance and how he has altered perceptions and results. Bailey has been an inconsistent presence, an expert at flattering to deceive in his first two seasons in the Midlands. An assist and a goal were allied with razor-sharp running. Bailey was a catalyst in a way he had been too rarely. The merits of Emery’s narrow 4-2-2-2 formation were shown by the first goal: one of the tucked-in, attacking midfielders crossed for the other to score, Bailey picking out John McGinn to finish from four yards. It is a system that also gives Villa a surfeit of players in the centre of the pitch and they cut through Everton; too easily, too often. There was a sense that Dyche’s team were too slow to react to everything, perhaps summed up when Pickford clattered into Ollie Watkins, rendering Nathan Patterson’s goal-line clearance from the striker irrelevant. Douglas Luiz has replaced Watkins on spot-kick duty – perhaps another illustration of Emery’s attention to detail and certainly rewarding a player transformed under his tutelage – and he converted from 12 yards. And yet, well-coached as Villa are, slick as some of their moves were, two of their goals stemmed simply from Everton errors. Maybe they were frazzled by Villa’s verve and relentlessness. There could be a few other excuses for Michael Keane’s twin mistakes: first, he only redirected a throw to Bailey, who dispatched a half-volley. Then, worse, came a wild swing at thin air, allowing Jhon Duran to run on and score a first Villa goal, 50 seconds after the introduction. It may have been especially welcome. Villa are well-stocked in several positions but not for out-and-out strikers. Watkins, who did everything but score, lacks a high-class deputy. His young understudy accepted the opportunity. Another substitute was more ill-fated: Philippe Coutinho was hamstrung and in considerable pain. Injuries have been Everton’s constant companion in recent years. On a day when virtually everything that could go wrong did, it was perhaps unsurprising that Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s comeback lasted a mere 37 minutes with the striker hurt after colliding with Emi Martinez. Alex Iwobi went off, too, while Idrissa Gueye’s removal was probably to stop him being sent off. Everton could argue last week’s loss to Fulham offered encouragement, in the number of chances created. This offered none, a side devoid of organisation and fight showing no quality. Maybe there was a deceptive element to their start, too: it could be worse than being beaten by Fulham at Goodison Park implied. Read More Eddie Howe relishing selection dilemmas as Newcastle prepare for packed season Aston Villa suffer another blow as extent of Tyrone Mings knee injury revealed Ashley Young embracing challenge of turning things around for Everton

England had covered the gaps, they had filled the holes. They had adjusted, adapted, repositioned, created a new formation, and reached a first World Cup final. Then England changed again. Down 1-0 at half time in the World Cup final, Sarina Wiegman went for a last roll of the dice, a double substitution that saw Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly brought off and Lauren James and Chloe Kelly come on. That 3-5-2 that was England’s revelation of the tournament, that changed their World Cup? It was binned. England went back to 4-2-3-1. They disposed of the wing-backs and brought on the wingers. They stopped pressing Spain and abandoned their plan. With it, and for the first time at the World Cup, the Lionesses did not find the change that was required. James and Kelly brought moments of improvement, but the truth is that England were at their most dangerous when Lauren Hemp and Russo were combining as a front two. Hemp’s switch to a central role took away the threat that was everywhere in the first half and left Wiegman searching for something else. On came Beth England. Up went Millie Bright. But this was a situation England could not overcome. In a tournament that has been defined by England’s ability to adapt and solve the problems they have faced, the changes that were required against Spain were a step too far. Mary Earps’s save from Jenni Hermoso’s penalty gave England some momentum, but this was a final that stuttered and in the second half never found its rhythm, where stoppages played into Spain’s hands and covered the defensive frailties they had previously shown through the tournament. “When Mary saved the penalty I thought we’d go on and score the goal,” Wiegman shrugged. “But we didn’t.” Wiegman felt England improved with the changes and they certainly played with a better balance. But by then the game had changed and in its final moments, Spain managed to stay in control. While England never found the right combinations, Spain never quite felt threatened. While England played with two systems, neither one quite arrived at the right time. Perhaps this was always the natural conclusion for a World Cup that hit its first hurdle in November when Beth Mead suffered a torn ACL, then when England lost Leah Williamson, and then Fran Kirby; the deflating end to a tournament where Wiegman has not had the same consistency or continuity of last summer’s Euros, and where winning the final was beyond the resilience of this side. Perhaps it’s also the rebalance from last summer’s quarter-final in Brighton, where Spain were the better team and lost after England found a moment of magic through Georgia Stanway’s equaliser. England couldn’t produce another one; despite the introductions of Kelly and James, England were at their most threatening when they played into an open, frantic match, even if it left them more vulnerable at the other end and, ultimately, led to Olga Carmona’s winning goal. It was a quality finish, the moment to crown Spain’s golden generation, a magnificent team of sharp passers and quick minds. Aitana Bonmati was the clear player of the tournament and no one will be surprised when the Ballon d’Or follows at the end of the year. They looked a class above England, but the regret is that a head coach who appears to have no impact on how his team plays in Jorge Vilda did not need to have a tactical approach to beat the Lionesses. England gave Spain what they wanted. Wiegman committed to a brave plan but it gave England a hard time. They had pushed high and pressed Spain, hoping to force the error, with Lucy Bronze and Daly defending as forwards as much as wingers, gambling on a misplaced pass. But Spain were too good. They responded by playing through England, isolating a back three that had found strength in its unity. Spain pulled an already stretched team further out of shape and created another problem for England to solve. Bronze’s misadventure then led to another one. As Carmona fired past Earps, Bronze immediately sank to the pitch, as if her legs had been cut from beneath her, the sort of reaction that told you everything about where the goal had come from. It was a run that was too ambitious when what England needed to do was move it faster. Bronze was crowded out, England were outnumbered, and suddenly it was left to Russo to follow Carmona’s run. That was a gap in the team that England could not cover. There had been such a fine balance to it, an open game where the first goal was always going to be crucial. While the final was goalless, England had chances that came from their high press and then found spaces to hit Hemp down the channels. But when Spain scored, the space vanished and Wiegman needed to try something else to protect her side, even if it meant England lost some of their unpredictability. To reach this stage was a triumph of the team’s approach and its mentality; a campaign that always managed to deliver answers. Eventually, and on the biggest stage of all, England were unable to find another. Read More England suffer World Cup heartache as brilliant Spain show Lionesses what’s missing Jorge Vilda: Spain’s World Cup coach at the heart of a civil war England v Spain LIVE: Women’s World Cup final result and reaction as Lionesses suffer heartbreak England players ‘heartbroken’ after World Cup final defeat to Spain England suffer World Cup heartache as brilliant Spain show Lionesses what’s missing Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup

Sean O’Malley’s rapid rise up the rankings culminated in a one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling on Saturday, as “Sugar Sean” took the bantamweight title at UFC 292. O’Malley’s crisp and flashy striking has seen him become a fan favourite with crossover potential in recent years, and that potential was realised when he dropped Sterling with a picture-perfect right hand in Boston, setting up a TKO finish. American O’Malley, 28, arrived in the main event without having taken on many top contenders – with the exception of former champion Petr Yan, whom he beat via a controversial decision – and he was similarly able to avoid significant danger in Round 1 against Sterling. The Jamaican-American, 34, was put on the back foot and unable to utilise his standout grappling skills, though O’Malley offered little output despite his forward pressure in a cagey opening frame. And the fight was over before it got going, as Sterling rushed onto a short, clean right cross from O’Malley early in Round 2, a shot that dropped “Funkmaster” at once. O’Malley then finished Sterling on the canvas with a series of punches and hammer fists, as the TD Garden in Boston was flooded with cheers. “It feels right, baby, it feels right,” O’Malley said in the ring. “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, Sterling was gracious as fans booed the now-former champion, who entered UFC 292 on a 10-fight win streak and with three successful title defences to his name – all against ex-champions. “Sean is a lot better than I thought, man,” Sterling said. “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, something everyone in the crowd should be trying to do every day of your life.” In the co-main event, Zhang Weili dominated Amanda Lemos to win a lopsided decision (50-43, 50-44, 49-45) and retain the strawweight title. Full UFC 292 results Main card Sean O’Malley def. Aljamain Sterling via second-round TKO (punches, 0:51) Zhang Weili def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 49-45) Ian Machado Garry def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-24) Mario Bautista def. Da’mon Blackshear via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Marlon Vera def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Prelims Brad Tavares def. Chris Weidman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gregory Rodrigues def. Denis Tiuliulin via first-round knockout (elbows, 1:43) Kurt Holobaugh def. Austin Hubbard via second-round submission (triangle choke, 2:39) Brad Katona def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Early prelims Andre Petroski def. Gerald Meerschaert via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Natalia Silva def. Andrea Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Karine Silva def. Maryna Moroz via first-round submission (guillotine choke, 4:59) Read More UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Michael Chandler gives Conor McGregor ‘huge props’ for one aspect of UFC star’s game Carl Froch tears apart Anthony Joshua’s ‘beginner’ performance against Robert Helenius UFC 292 LIVE: Sean O’Malley stuns Aljamain Sterling with picture-perfect KO Michael Chandler gives Conor McGregor ‘huge props’ for one aspect of UFC star’s game Conor McGregor ‘training’ Dillon Danis for Logan Paul fight

England are counting down the hours until they play in their first Women’s World Cup final as Sarina Wiegman and her players prepare to face Spain for the title in Sydney on Sunday morning (kick-off 11am BST). It’s the first time the England men’s or women’s team have reached a football World Cup final since 1966, with the nation set to come to a halt as the Lionesses look to bring the game’s biggest prize back home. Wiegman is well aware of the 57 years of hurt that the nation has endured but said the Lionesses will feel the support of the country back home when they face Spain, while captain Millie Bright said England will need to play the “game of our lives” in Sydney. Meanwhile, Sweden picked up their fourth Women’s World Cup bronze medal on Saturday after beating co-hosts Australia 2-0 in the third-place playoff match at Lang Park in Brisbane. Follow all the build-up to England’s clash against Spain in the final, get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here and find latest tips for the game itself here. Read More England stand on the brink of history — and a moment to change the game forever Ella Toone or Lauren James? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’