List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Manchester United look to capitalise on their narrow Premier League win to open the season and retain their perfect start when they travel to Tottenham. Raphael Varane’s strike was enough on Monday to secure a 1-0 win, despite Wolves wasting chances and being denied a penalty late on. Erik ten Hag will look to see more chemistry between Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, while Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu will be encouraged by his side’s display at Brentford. Without Harry Kane, the Australian will hope the likes of Son Heung-min, James Maddison and Richarlison lead this new era in north London. Here’s everything you need to know about the fixture: When is Tottenham vs Man Utd? Tottenham vs Man Utd is due to kick-off at 5.30pm on Saturday 19 August at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 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, with coverage on the channels from 5pm. Subscribers can stream the game via the Sky Go app. Team news Christian Romero has recovered from a head injury, but Spurs will likely be without Bryan Gil (groin), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Fraser Forster (back) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle). Tanguy Ndombele could be overlooked once again too, although this looks like a tactical call from Postecoglu. Lisandro Martinez is a doubt with an ankle injury, meaning Victor Lindelof could step in for the Argentine. Rasmus Hojlund (back), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Amad Diallo (knee) and Tom Heaton (calf) are all set to miss out here. But former Spurs man Christian Eriksen could factor into Ten Hag’s plans after the disjointed partnership of Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes in midfield against Wolves. Predicted line-ups Tottenham XI: Vicario; Emerson, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Skipp, Maddison; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son. Man Utd XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Rashford, Sancho. Odds Tottenham win 9/5 Draw 11/4 Man Utd win 13/10 Sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here Prediction Look for goals here. Spurs 2-2 Man Utd Read More Welcome to the remodelling of Mason Mount Harry Maguire must ‘fight for his position’ after rejecting move away from Man Utd Mason Greenwood timeline: How the Manchester United star fell from grace Fulham vs Brentford LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Latest Premier League updates Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

In the final days before a World Cup final, when every touch on the training ground is charged with greater tension, it’s still difficult not to revert to the lightness of youth. That is where the very meaning of all this is first set. “When I was a kid we used to play ‘World Cup’ in the garden, where we had to score to stay in,” striker Alessia Russo smiles in England’s base. “It was having fun and playing free… as a kid growing up, to think we’re playing in a World Cup final in a couple of days is a special feeling.” It is a feeling that is universal when it comes to this game, because this game is truly unique. Nothing else comes near. It is why everyone is here. Jenni Hermoso expressed exactly the same emotions in the Spain camp. “Everything I do on the pitch I learned it on the street, playing in my neighbourhood, playing in the park underneath my grandparents’ house… of course you imagine winning, you visualise going back to Spain with the World Cup. I hope that dream becomes reality.” The manner these players inspire next generations means these simple joys should not be forgotten, as all of these players seek to do something that will be remembered forever. It is this elementary excitement that really makes such an occasion, although the 2023 World Cup final still involves a seriousness that goes beyond elite players doing what is necessary to win “the game of their careers” and Sarina Wiegman’s immense decision over Lauren James. Sunday’s match at Stadium Australia is the most meaningful fixture in women’s football history - which may sound a basic statement, but has more to it than that. It is a description that is going to be true with every World Cup final in a rapidly expanding women’s game, but feels especially important when the hosts embrace it like Australia have. Audience records have been broken. Barriers have been left far behind. This has been a truly game-changing World Cup, in so many senses. That spread of the sport has been reflected in a thrillingly unpredictable World Cup, where a later start has helped a tranche of developing football nations further bridge the gap to a more defined top level. The mismatches never happened. The tournament was instead intense from the start, characterised by upsets that became less surprising as it went on, but no less entertaining. Australia-New Zealand 2023 has had much that you would want from a World Cup: fine goals, dramatic moments, engaging matches, great storylines, all imbued with deeper themes. The most influential was probably the demise of the deposed champions, USA, that was made all the more stunning by the manner they went out. The millimetres of that penalty decision reflected the closing gaps. It all means a highly entertaining World Cup now has a fittingly high-quality final, contested by two of its finest sides; the European champions against a team driven by Barcelona’s Champions League winners. The persistence of England and Spain still fits with the trend of upsets, while explaining the wider competition. Both have overcome huge problems to be here. Spain are perhaps the most strife-torn squad to have ever made it this far in any World Cup. The feeling with England was that you can’t lose players like Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby and expect to win a World Cup. Both have overcome all this because of what is maybe the single biggest factor in the women’s game now. They are two wealthy, western European countries that have industrialised talent production through infrastructure overhauls. This has been met by more investment in the women’s game than most, even if that still has some way to go. It is symbolic that both finalists have had considerable complaints related to finance, Spain with the preparation standards that were one of the reasons for a rebellion, England with an ongoing dispute over bonuses. Both echo issues throughout this tournament, from Nigeria to Australia, illustrating why Gianni Infantino shouldn’t have been as predictably self-congratulatory as he was on Friday. The Fifa president was nevertheless correct on interest in this World Cup, as the governing body for once deserve credit for their own investment. “Over a million spectators in the stadia, over one billion viewers on TV,” Infantino said. “It was a turning point for women’s football. But this World Cup here has been truly transformational, not only in Australia or New Zealand but all over the world.” He’s right. That turning point needs to keep rolling into further revolutions. Other nations need to at least aim for what England and Spain are doing. On the Stadium Australia pitch itself, their resources have created a compelling football contrast. It’s a classic case of ideology against pragmatism. Spain’s coaching culture has created what is by far the strongest and deepest football identity in the women’s game, which is why controversial coach Jorge Vilda is almost irrelevant in that regard. The passing-pressing game executed by high-quality players like Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas supersedes almost everything, including most opposition. But maybe not England. The FA’s resources have instead brought the best manager in the women’s game, who has marked herself apart through the ability to adapt to virtually any situation. If the story of Spain’s run to the final has been setting aside one defining problem, the story of England’s has been solving a series of developing problems. Wiegman has responded to everything with inspiration, from injuries to the suspension of James. The team, in her own words, have “grown” through this World Cup. Wiegman now has to come up with a response to Spain in the space of just three days, since their possession will dictate the game. There is at least a lot to go off, and not just the footage her staff pored over from Wednesday night to Friday afternoon to have ready for the preparation sessions before the final. Facing the specific Spanish approach has been one of the most clearly defined tests in the sport, going back two decades in the men’s game. Managers know they will seek to dominate the ball as high up the pitch as possible. It can be exhausting. The challenge is to disrupt that while managing space and offering a threat of your own. That might actually suit Wiegman’s new 3-5-2, another mid-tournament solution. The fact so many of her attackers have come to scoring form at the right time only bolsters that, especially as Spain have a capacity for chaos in their own area. The great danger is tournament revelation Salma Paralluelo causing havoc at the other end. It remains one of the exhilarating truths of football. There is almost no defending such a rapid turn of direction. That only informs Wiegman’s huge decision on James, though. It might well be the most important decision in the history of English women’s football, given what it could mean. It’s just as well Wiegman can bear the responsibility, as she specifically spoke about the need to stop talking about 1966 and all that. She was almost totally unwilling to talk about her own personal feelings of losing the last final in 2019 with Netherlands, after all. She doesn’t think that helps anyone. The Spanish media were still too willing to compare the James decision to Jimmy Greaves. There is an obvious allure to putting such a player straight back in against a backline as open as Spain’s. That Spanish flaw may well create another historic anomaly. Having been eviscerated 4-0 by Japan, Spain could become the first team to have lost by more than two goals in a Women’s World Cup and still won it. The only previous champions to have lost at all were Japan 2011, the historic quirks only amplified by how it was England who beat them. Wiegman’s side can offer a precedent of their own, though. They would become the first world champions to have beaten someone from every confederation, truly living up to the title. Both of these teams would really be the worthiest of winners, though, and there’s one piece of history that is more important than any other. One country will win the Women’s World Cup for the first time. They’re going to find there’s nothing like it. The childhood dream is one thing. The reality is something else. It will be revealed on a charged Stadium Australia pitch on Sunday. Read More Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’ Ella Toone or Lauren James? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup Infighting and rebellion: How Spain overcame themselves to reach edge of Women’s World Cup glory ‘Disappointing’: Prince William blasted by Lionesses fans for missing Women’s World Cup final in Australia Women’s World Cup LIVE: Sarina Wiegman says ‘everyone’s talking about 1966’ and backs England to end hurt Where to watch the Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain

England were “struggling”. Two games into the World Cup and the final seemed a long way away. Despite the opening wins against Haiti and Denmark, England needed to change. While players and managers at major tournaments often repeat the line that results are all that matter, Sarina Wiegman was more concerned with how her side were underperforming. The Lionesses were faced with a lack of creativity, and a vulnerability to the counter-attack. But Wiegman and her coaching team had a back-up plan. A change in formation was an idea she and her staff discussed in April when they were designing a way for England to be more unpredictable at the World Cup. A 3-5-2 system was identified as a way to get more from certain players in the squad and play to their strengths, while also giving their opponents something new to think about. Still, when Wiegman was faced with the decision to rip up England’s approach and start again, she required courage and conviction to commit to it. She found it in the form of her assistant Arjan Veurink, who has been at Wiegman’s side for the past four major tournaments, previously with the Netherlands and now with England. With the injury to Keira Walsh following England’s win over Denmark, a blow that at the time appeared to rule the midfielder out of the tournament, Veurink went to Wiegman and said the time had come. “You’re completely right,” Wiegman replied. “This is the moment.” From there, the trait of England’s World Cup campaign became their adaptability, and the unsung stars became the new back three that was suddenly pulled together for the final group game against China. “The way they explained the reasons why and what they wanted to do was so easy to adapt to it,” said defender Jess Carter who, alongside captain Millie Bright and the exceptional Alex Greenwood, has been one of the revelations of England’s tournament. Carter had been dropped to the bench against Denmark and didn’t think she would play again, after arriving at the World Cup not expecting to play at all. But the 25-year-old has been ever present throughout the knockout stages at right-centre back, next to her Chelsea teammate Bright and with Greenwood on the opposite side. In England’s progress to their first World Cup final, Wiegmans’ new-found defence has emerged as its key strength, and has been the cornerstone of their resilience and mentality. There has been a balance to it, with each player in the back three complementing the other. Carter is the calm, assured defensive cover, brilliant in the one-on-ones. Bright is England’s rock, an aggressive front-foot defender who is then as dominant in the air as anyone in the world. Greenwood has arguably been England’s player of the tournament. On the left side of the three, her ability to pass through the line has allowed England to play out, while her sense to surge forward on the ball has frequently relieved pressure. It has seemed a natural connection, and how England have needed it. “It clicked really quickly,” Carter said. “Our honest communication with each other is something that’s really important. We tried to figure out really quickly what one another needed. I think we’re a very confident team and everyone’s got so many different types of experience. Seeing out games is something that is part of that experience.” In the last-16, they withstood the introduction of Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and then played extra time with 10 players after Lauren James’ red card. In the quarter-finals, Carter eventually restrained Colombia’s star forward Linda Caicedo, and Bright headed clear everything that was thrown into the box. Sam Kerr had her moment in the semi-finals, but England won the tactical battle against the Matildas and did not blink when the hosts equalised in Sydney. At 1-1, Carter made a crucial intervention when Cortnee Vine’s shot was saved by Mary Earps, which turned the game. But in the final, England’s back three face its biggest challenge yet. As Spain have overcome themselves to reach their first Women’s World Cup final, it was only poor finishing that resulted in their run to the final being closer than expected. They got away with it against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, and Sweden in the semis, but Spain created high-quality chances at a far greater rate than any of the four semi-finalists. While they have a way of missing chances, Spain’s build-up through a technical midfield that has the outstanding talent of Aitana Bonmati has been intricate and precise, and often a level above what England have shown. They will also offer threats that England have yet to face at the tournament, mainly, should head coach Jorge Vilda keep the same system, a false-nine in Jenni Hermoso. In the middle of England’s back three, Bright has relished the duels with the opposite central striker and come out on top since Wiegman’s switch. Hermoso, though, is different: when Spain’s record goalscorer drops into midfield to help with their build-up play, it could drag Bright into some uncomfortable positions, or isolate England’s captain. Spain’s style also features wingers who stay high and wide and another challenge for England will be how they deal with them. It could fall to England’s wing-backs Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly but when Spain have established possession, their full-backs Ona Batlle and Olga Carmona must also be accounted for. Meanwhile, if Carter and Greenwood are pulled away from Bright to deal with Spain’s wide threats, it only creates space for Bonmati and Alexia Putellas in the inside channels, the areas where Spain’s two stars can cause the most danger. It may be, however, that Spain’s most dangerous threat does not even start. Salma Paralluelo has come off the bench to devastating effect to score in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the winner against the Netherlands and then the opener against Sweden. The 19-year-old, who was tipped to be a future Olympic sprinter before signing for Barcelona at the start of the season, has electrifying pace and has used it to blow Spain’s last two games wide open, while also providing the lethal finishing her team desperately required. If Paralluelo is kept to the bench, her arrival will signal the moment where the game changes, although England could then mirror it now Lauren James is back for suspension in time for the final. Indeed, given how both teams have reached the final, the appearance of James should worry Spain a lot more than the potential impact of Paralluelo. While England’s defence has been the backbone of their tournament, Spain can hardly say the same about theirs. While England have the pragmatic nous of European champions, Spain are likely to start with the inexperienced goalkeeper Cata Coll and centre-back Laia Codina. Both were parachuted in for the knockout stages, following Spain’s 4-0 defeat to Japan in the groups, and if they start the final, it will only be Codina’s sixth match for Spain, and Coll’s fourth. Spain have shown vulnerabilities late in games and conceded late goals against the Netherlands and Sweden, even if they ultimately recovered. With that, and in many other ways, Spain and England’s journeys to the World Cup final have shared plenty in common. But if the old adage is true that attack wins you games and defence wins you titles, then it’s an area where England have so far displayed a clear advantage. Read More How to watch England vs Spain: TV channel and kick-off time for Women’s World Cup final England stand on the brink of history — and a moment to change the game forever Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’ Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Sarina Wiegman thankful for ‘dream’ support as World Cup final set to unite country

England defender Jess Carter is adamant even the prospect of playing Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final will not sway her steely nerves. While many footballers will claim they take a business-as-usual approach to even the biggest games, the declaration feels especially genuine when articulated by the laidback 25-year-old, who has been instrumental in ensuring the Lionesses have conceded just three goals in their unbeaten run to the title decider. The Lionesses have already assured themselves of a best-ever finish in a global showpiece by reaching this stage, and Carter is confident they can go one step further to secure England a first World Cup since 1966. Asked if she would have any stage fright on Sunday, Carter replied: “Personally, I won’t have. It’s football. “I’m not really a nervous person. I understand and know from the outside, it’s the World Cup final, your biggest moment. I play my best when I’m super calm. At the end of the day, it’s just a game of football. “We have to perform as we did in the first group game. Maybe some people have nerves but I think that will be challenged into positive energy come the night. “I’m super excited – I don’t think it has really sunk in yet. “There’s been such a quick turnaround between the last game and the next that you almost don’t have time to notice what’s been going on. It’s head down, rest, recovery and get ready to go again.” I think I chat with everyone and that’s something that a lot of the girls say, that I am super chill Jess Carter Each member of a team brings something different. Though Carter had not fully considered it, she acknowledged serenity could be seen as her signature strength. She said: “I think I chat with everyone and that’s something that a lot of the girls say, that I am super chill. I’ve had a couple of people feed back to say that it’s a really nice, I guess, aura to be around a little bit.” Carter’s journey to this point started later than many of her team-mates’. Though she started playing casually when she was “four or five”, the now 25-year-old did not join an academy until she was 15, following a successful trial with Birmingham and – in her own words – was not a “consistent presence” in England’s youth set-up. The Warwick native received her first senior call-up in 2017 and made her debut that November against Kazakhstan in a 2017 World Cup qualifier, but was not called back until nearly four years later, when then-new England boss Sarina Wiegman took a chance and named Carter in her first squad in September 2021. Carter has been vital this campaign, starting every game except England’s second – a 1-0 victory over Denmark – and rapidly adjusted when Wiegman switched systems from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 after that match with Carter, captain Millie Bright and veteran Alex Greenwood forming the back three. She said: “When I didn’t play against Denmark, I wasn’t not bothered, but it was just like, ‘I’ve just played in a World Cup, I had more minutes than I thought I was ever going to get coming into this tournament’. I didn’t come into the tournament expecting to play at all. “I was so honoured to be part of the team. Obviously, of course, you always want to play every minute and when I spoke to Sarina and (heard) her reasons and our tactics, she’s going to make the best decisions that she thinks are appropriate to go and win a game.” Carter, who can slot into both defence and midfield, does wonder how her career might have looked different had she instead been afforded the opportunity to nail down a single position, admitting: “That’s the question I ask myself every single day. “It’s definitely something that’s a massive positive, but at the same time, sometimes I do wish that if I could just play this one position, absolutely smash it. Then I wonder what level I could get myself to if I could just focus on that point.” Make no mistake, Carter is competitive and is as determined to win the World Cup as the rest of her team-mates, but the unfailingly calm and collected character comes out again when asked if she has stopped to think about how lifting the trophy could change her life. She replied: “No. I’m just going to go home. I’m going to go home to my apartment, really and I don’t know, just chill.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live The thrills, shocks and many brilliant moments of the World Cup in pictures Sweden beat Australia to win World Cup third-place play-off for fourth time We need to play game of our lives – Millie Bright issues World Cup rallying cry

Sarina Wiegman has a big decision to make as England face Spain in the Women’s World Cup final and the Lionesses look to win the game’s biggest prize for the first time. After successfully ending their run of semi-final defeats to beat hosts Australia in Sydney, Wiegman must decide whether she will bring star forward Lauren James back into her starting line-up for the final. James was sent off for stamping on an opponent in England’s last-16 win over Nigeria but has now served her two-match suspension is available to play in the final. England’s Ella Toone impressed with her performance against Australia and was also on the scoresheet as she scored the opening goal, so the Manchester United midfielder will be difficult to drop. But James was one of the players of the World Cup during the group stages, scoring three goals, and could be the difference for England as they look to win the World Cup for the first time. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the World Cup final and find latest tips for the game itself here. When is England vs Spain? The Women’s World Cup final will kick off at 11:00am BST on Sunday 20 August at Stadium Australia, Sydney. What TV channel is it on? The World Cup final will be shown by both the BBC and ITV. Coverage on BBC One starts at 10am, while ITV’s coverage begins at 10:15am. It will also be available to watch online, on both the BBC iPlayer and on ITV X. What is the England team news? England have no injury concerns and the return of Lauren James means Sarina Wiegman has all 23 players available for the final. Wiegman faces a decision on whether to bring in James from the start, but is likely to stick with the team that performed so impressively against Australia. Mary Earps is a contender for the tournament’s golden glove and will start behind England’s back three of Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood, with Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly at wing-back. Should Ella Toone start, the midfielder will play alongside Kiera Walsh and Georgia Stanway, with James remaining an excellent option to have on the bench. England’s front two of Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp have struck up a deadly partnership and were both on target in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Chloe Kelly will be among the other attacking options on the bench. What is the Spain team news? Spain face a big decision of their own, with Salma Paralluelo scoring in both their quarter-final win against the Netherlands and in the semi-final win against Sweden after coming off the bench. Head coach Jorge Vilda may decide to keep the 19-year-old winger as an impact substitute, with Alexia Putellas set to remain in the starting line-up even though she is yet to come to life at the tournament. Predicted line-ups Spain: Coll; Batlle, Parades, Codina, Carmona; Teresa, Bonmati, Putellas; Caldentey, Hermoso, Redondo England: Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Daly; Toone; Hemp, Russo 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 Infighting and rebellion: How Spain overcame themselves to reach edge of Women’s World Cup glory Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Sarina Wiegman thankful for ‘dream’ support as World Cup final set to unite country England vs Spain: Kick-off time and how to watch World Cup final on TV

England play Spain in the Women’s World Cup final as the Lionesses look to bring home the game’s biggest prize for the first time. The nation is set to come to a halt as England play their first World Cup final, men’s or women’s, in 57 years. Manager Sarina Wiegman has urged her players to block out the “noise” of 1966 as England look to add the World Cup title to last year’s Euros triumph. The Lionesses reached the World Cup final for the first time with their 3-1 win over Australia in the semi-finals, with Wiegman’s side managing to stay cool to defeat the hosts with a clinical display in Sydney. Spain, who are also playing the first Women’s World Cup final, have navigated a player mutiny off the pitch and questions surrounding their manager Jorge Vilda, but ‘La Roja’ remain dangerous opponents and are led by their contingent of Barcelona stars. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the World Cup final and find latest tips for the game itself here. When is England vs Spain? The Women’s World Cup final will kick off at 11:00am BST on Sunday 20 August at Stadium Australia, Sydney. What TV channel is it on? The World Cup final will be shown by both the BBC and ITV. Coverage on BBC One starts at 10am, while ITV’s coverage begins at 10:15am. It will also be available to watch online, on both the BBC iPlayer and on ITV X. What is the England team news? England have no injury concerns and the return of Lauren James means Sarina Wiegman has all 23 players available for the final. Wiegman faces a decision on whether to bring in James from the start, but is likely to stick with the team that performed so impressively against Australia. Mary Earps is a contender for the tournament’s golden glove and will start behind England’s back three of Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood, with Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly at wing-back. Should Toone start, the midfielder will play alongside Kiera Walsh and Georgia Stanway, with James remaining an excellent option to have on the bench. England’s front two of Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp have struck up a deadly partnership and were both on target in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Chloe Kelly will be among the other attacking options on the bench. What is the Spain team news? Spain face a big decision of their own, with Salma Paralluelo scoring in both their quarter-final win against the Netherlands and in the semi-final win against Sweden after coming off the bench. Head coach Jorge Vilda may decide to keep the 19-year-old winger as an impact substitute, with Alexia Putellas set to remain in the starting line-up even though she is yet to come to life at the tournament. Predicted line-ups Spain: Coll; Batlle, Parades, Codina, Carmona; Teresa, Bonmati, Putellas; Caldentey, Hermoso, Redondo England: Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Daly; Toone; Hemp, Russo 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 Infighting and rebellion: How Spain overcame themselves to reach edge of Women’s World Cup glory Sarina Wiegman thankful for ‘dream’ support as World Cup final set to unite country England vs Spain team news and predicted line-ups Women’s World Cup LIVE: England set for ‘game of our lives’ in final

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Spain head coach Jorge Vilda batted away questions about his country’s absent stars on the eve of their World Cup final clash with England. Vilda has guided Spain to their first final amid a backdrop of controversy and rows over the treatment of the team. The showpiece game in Sydney takes place on Sunday morning, less than a year after 15 players staged a mutiny. The arguments, which broke out in September last year, threatened to derail Spain’s hopes before an uneasy peace was brokered ahead of the World Cup. Dubbed ‘Las 15’, the players who walked away were Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati, Mapi Leon, Mariona Caldentey, Sandra Panos, Claudia Pina, Lola Gallardo, Ainhoa Moraza, Nerea Eizagirre, Amaiur Sarriegi, Lucia Garcia, Ona Batlle, Leila Ouahabi, Laia Aleixandri and Andrea Pereira. If an accommodation has been reached, it appears to be a delicate one. Only three members of the 15 – Bonmati, Caldentey and Batlle – were included in Vilda’s squad for the finals. Despite the unrest and uncertainty, Spain have made it through to the final following a late win over Sweden in the last four. What we want to do tomorrow is to be the best in the world and we'll do this by winning the final Jorge Vilda Asked early on at his pre-match press conference about the relations between himself and some of his players, Vilda replied: “Next question please.” Pushed on whether not having some key players in Australia made him “sad”, Vilda seemingly ignored the line of questioning. “What we want to do tomorrow is to be the best in the world and we’ll do this by winning the final,” he said. Spain lost 2-1 to England after extra-time at the quarter-final of the Euros last summer as the Lionesses went on to lift the trophy on home soil, with Sarina Wiegman and her players looking to add further silverware on Sunday. “It was a game that we know we were on top, but the result is what counts,” Vilda said of the loss at the Amex Stadium, “Games against England really require our best. She (Wiegman) is a trainer that with her results has shown the fruits of her work, it’s not easy what she has achieved. “You don’t achieve this without excellent preparation and star players. It will be a tactical match and it’s a final that we’re going to fight with everything.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On This Day in 2017: England win first day-night Test to be held in UK Steve Cooper feels Nottingham Forest showed a new side to them with late winner Manchester United’s new-look midfield must click quickly – Erik ten Hag

Sarina Wiegman says England feel buoyed by the levels of support for the team ahead of the World Cup final. The Lionesses take on Spain on Sunday as they bid to win the trophy for the first time. Boss Wiegman said: “It’s incredible what happened. We felt the support, we felt the support here, but also from the other side of the world in the UK. That’s something that we dream of. “I feel privileged. I’m very happy in the place where I am now. There’s a lot of support, we have everything we need to perform at the highest level. It is a pleasure to work with these incredible people.” Wiegman was concise when asked how the team had reintegrated Lauren James, who could start on Sunday after serving a two-match suspension following her red card against Nigeria in the last 16. She said: “Of course she kept training and it’s really nice to have 23 players available for tomorrow.”

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. 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. And manager Wiegman is well aware of the 57 years of hurt that the nation has endured and is backing her side to end that on Sunday morning. Wiegman will give a press conference this morning ahead of the final, after she confirmed she is happy as England manager and wants to see out the remainder of her contract, despite speculation linking the Lionesses boss to the United States, Meanwhile, Australia will look to finish their home World Cup on a high as they face Sweden in the third-place play-off in Brisbane. The Matildas were beaten by England in the semi-finals but will hope to sign off with a win after capturing the hearts of the nation during their record-breaking run. 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 Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’ Ella Toone or Lauren James? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup Sarina Wiegman commits future to England after USA speculation

Instead of the third most expensive footballer in history, Liverpool have unveiled the third most expensive midfielder they have signed this summer and the third they targeted in swift succession. A dizzying week that began with a British record bid for Moises Caicedo ended with Romeo Lavia joining the Ecuadorian at Stamford Bridge and the arrival of Wataru Endo at Anfield, almost £100m cheaper than one of the men who preferred Chelsea to Liverpool and seemingly out of the blue. This, Jurgen Klopp accepted, was not how many supporters hoped their search for a No 6 would go. “It is a transfer that is not in the public eye,” he said. “It’s not ‘Oh my God!’ and probably nobody at this moment is texting a new song for him.” That said, though, Klopp did get a text from an influential figure in German football, congratulating him on the signing of the former VfB Stuttgart captain. If Caicedo can be billed as the new N’Golo Kante, and not merely because of the Ecuadorian’s choice of club, Klopp looked into Liverpool’s recent past for a comparison for his latest buy. He settled on perhaps the most unglamorous figure of their recent glory years, James Milner. He urged fans to look beyond the bare facts about Endo – a 30-year-old relegation firefighter in the Bundesliga – and embrace an unlikely addition. “I know how football fans are, they would prefer to bring in a player who is £110m,” he said. Normally when a manager pleads that a player should not be judged on his price tag, it is because he is costly, not cheap. “But wait: he has something that Liverpool supporters will love, definitely,” added Klopp. “He is already used to red a little bit [from Stuttgart], so that’s good, and when he puts that shirt on he will throw everything on the pitch and the people will love that, I know that. We had this with James Milner a little bit. Obviously a slightly different profile but could you respect James Milner more for playing 15 minutes at the end and just closing a game down?” Milner, Klopp added, was “one of the biggest Liverpool legends of my time and arrived here he was 29”. The German came to Anfield a few months later and since then he had only signed one outfield player in their thirties: defender Ragnar Klavan in 2016, also from a bottom-half Bundesliga club. But if Klopp has to convince the Anfield public Endo is not too near the end, he also had to persuade his employers. “The way our owners see it he was already too old when he joined Stuttgart,” he said. “The owners really want 200 games at 20 years old. That is pretty difficult. I didn’t need any kind of convincing. I know that the best time for a football player is from 27 to 33 in a normal career.” If Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai conform to the usual model for Liverpool signings in the Fenway Sports Group era, Endo is an anomaly. His new manager’s view is that the Japan captain is a young 30. “When you see him, you think ‘is he allowed to drive a car?’” Klopp asked. Certainly, a four-year contract reflects Liverpool’s belief that, like Milner before him, Endo will retain his running power deep into his thirties. His age, he feels, is a reason his new recruit was overlooked; why he is the exception to FSG’s rule. “He is a late bloomer and he improved every year since he was on the proper football screen,” he said. Klopp has always savoured an underdog tale; for him, there is much to enjoy in the way Endo took a long and winding road to Liverpool, via Shonan Bellmare, Urawa Red Diamonds, Sint-Truiden and then Stuttgart. “I am really happy these kind of stories are still possible in this crazy world of football,” he said. “It feels just right.” And Liverpool definitely feels right for Endo. “A dream come true,” said a player for whom such a move would long have seemed utterly unrealistic. After Caicedo and Lavia showed rather less enthusiasm to sign, Klopp grinned as he stressed Liverpool finally reached an agreement with “the club and the player”. There can be no pretence Endo was Liverpool’s first choice but he sought to address the perception that desperation ruled. “He was on my list from the beginning,” he said. He had watched Endo since he joined Stuttgart in 2019. He moved for him after Liverpool had just 35 per cent possession against Chelsea – “crazy,” Klopp said – when, in the absence of a specialist defensive midfielder, Mac Allister had to impersonate one. But it was such a shock that even Endo pronounced himself surprised. He is the £15m man, not the £115m midfielder. “But in the end the pitch is the same size,” Klopp said. “The player will not grow with the money he costs, it’s rather the other way around.” But even Endo has grown into a Liverpool player late in his career, Klopp is hoping he has a Milner-esque impact for a price a fraction of Caicedo’s. Read More Wataru Endo: Liverpool strengthen midfield by signing Bundesliga ‘machine’ Moises Caicedo completes Chelsea’s dream midfield — but £115m deal could haunt them Chelsea and Liverpool serve up entertaining glimpse of football without defensive midfielders

Nick Saban officially added the son of a former player on his first national championship team as Alabama's head coach.The Alabama Crimson Tide and head coach Nick Saban are preparing for the start of the 2023 season, which officially begins on Sept. 2 when they face Middle Tennessee. But t...