Australia pulling for Matildas to advance in Women's World Cup. Only 1 host has ever won title.
Australia will try to avoid a dubious statistic among hosts of the Women’s World Cup by avoiding elimination in the quarterfinals of the tournament
2023-08-11 17:49
Sweden stakes claim as Women's World Cup favorite by stopping Japan 2-1 in quarterfinals
Sweden first knocked off the United States
2023-08-11 17:47
Pressure? No pressure. Australia, France view Women's World Cup quarterfinal from different angles
The French have tried piling the pressure of home expectations onto Australia by relaying some bitter experience of losing as a host nation in a Women’s World Cup quarterfinals
2023-08-11 17:28
Makkabi Berlin, founded by Holocaust survivors, to be 1st Jewish team in German Cup
When Makkabi Berlin takes the field this weekend, the soccer club founded by Holocaust survivors will become the first Jewish team to play in the German Cup
2023-08-11 17:23
Best is yet to come – Mary Earps sure England will improve for Colombia clash
Goalkeeper Mary Earps vowed that “the best is yet to come” from England as they prepare to face Colombia in Saturday’s Women’s World Cup quarter-final in Sydney. The Lionesses will need to reach the final four without forward Lauren James, who has contributed three goals and three assists this tournament but will be serving the first of her two-match ban for the red card she was issued in England’s last-16 encounter with Nigeria. While Sarina Wiegman’s side have battled their way into this round, dominance has been largely replaced by dogged determination to grind out wins and keep the dream of lifting a first World Cup trophy alive. Earps said: “I think it’s an exciting time to be an England player for sure, but we have to earn that right every day. “And I think that we’re constantly looking to improve and drive performance and drive our standards and I think that that’s the best thing about it. We’re not sitting here, of course we’re happy that we’re here and grateful that we’re here, but we’re not satisfied, we’re not done, and there’s still more levels we want to go. “I really believe the best is yet to come. I think there’s so much talent in the group, and so many more levels we can go, I really do believe that.” Earps has so far conceded just one goal across four World Cup matches this tournament, save for the two spot-kicks that went past her in England’s dramatic 4-2 victory on penalties against Nigeria to set up this Colombia meeting. The 10-woman Lionesses survived 30 minutes of extra time to force those penalties after 21-year-old James was sent off late in the second half for stepping on the back of Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie, an act for which she later apologised. The red-card incident triggered an automatic one-match ban which was extended to two games on Thursday night by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, a decision which would make the Chelsea prodigy available for a potential England final on August 20. Wiegman confirmed the other 22 members of her squad are fit to play against Colombia, who boast their own youthful weapon in Real Madrid’s 18-year-old forward Linda Caicedo. While the Lionesses have benefitted from solid defending, they have looked less convincing in attack outside of their 6-1 victory over China in the group stage, with just one other goal – indeed from James – from open play. Earps’ feels her faith in her side to find another gear is justified by what the FIFA Best award-winning keeper sees from her team-mates every time they train at the Central Coast Stadium. Earps added: “I think the most important thing to note about that is the fact that we’ve been winning games. “We’re in a results business, and we’ve earned the right to be in the position we’re in today. But obviously I experience training every day, I know the players personally, and I’ve had the privilege of working with them for some time. “I can see it just day to day. I just can see the talent in the team. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think we’ve been bad by any means, but I think you have seen glimpses of what we’re capable of. “We as a team know the standard we want to get to. Our efforts have been 110 per cent and we’ve driven out and we’ve grinded out those results. “However, in terms of the way that we’d like to dominate games and the way that we’d like to go about our business. I think as a group, we’re excited by that challenge of knowing that we think we can do more.” Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum hoped his side’s ability to hold England to a goalless draw for 120 minutes could serve as a “blueprint” for the Lionesses’ future opponents. That baton has now been passed to Colombia boss Nelson Abadia, who said: “To know all the history that England brings with football, this is important, but for me it’s important to perform on the pitch. “The optimism is the same that we have been having for every match. We know the conditions, we know the ability, we know what our team has and how they can face this match.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Liverpool set to break British transfer record with £110m Moises Caicedo deal Football rumours: Manchester City identify Jeremy Doku as Mahrez replacement On this day in 2008: Rebecca Adlington wins Olympic gold in Beijing
2023-08-11 17:17
Jurgen Klopp urges caution over Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo
Jurgen Klopp has urged caution over Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo after agreeing a British record deal worth a reported £110 million. Chelsea had led the race to sign the Brighton star, but the Reds moved quickly on Wednesday in a bid to bolster their midfield. Klopp admits Jordan Henderson and Fabinho’s departures changed the landscape of the transfer window at Anfield, leaving them in a position to push for the Ecuadorian. Klopp said: “I can confirm the deal that the club has agreed, I don’t know what it means exactly, the player and agreement we will see. “What changes is we have not endless resources, we didn’t expect a couple of things happening, Hendo, Fab and then it happened and we give it a go and the club was really stretched. We will see in the end. “I have told you what I know. Besides that we cannot share, don’t praise the day before the night. Let’s see what happens.” More to follow... Read More Liverpool agree £110m deal to sign Moises Caicedo in British transfer record Chelsea make Romeo Lavia bid in attempt to beat Liverpool in transfer race Chelsea make Moises Caicedo breakthrough as Brighton talks continue
2023-08-11 17:16
Campbell Hatton talks next steps of his career and being part of a boxing dynasty
Super-lightweight boxer Campbell Hatton spoke with The Independent ahead of his fight on the Anthony Joshua undercard against Tom Ansell. The Manchester-born fighter spoke about how it felt when Dillian Whyte pulled out of the headline fight and the relief when Robert Helenius was announced as a replacement. Hatton also spoke about the challenge of taking on a fighter like Ansell, fighting in some of the UK’s biggest arenas and how his dad, Ricky Hatton, reacted to his son following him into the ring. Stay up to date with all the latest boxing news with Independent Sport.
2023-08-11 17:15
Tottenham give Harry Kane permission to fly to Munich to complete Bayern switch
Tottenham have given Harry Kane permission to fly to Germany to complete his proposed move to Bayern Munich. The England captain is set to undergo a medical ahead of a reported £95million switch to the Bundesliga champions. The PA news agency understands reports that Spurs had refused the 30-year-old permission to fly out to Munich are false. But there could still be some small conditions to change in the deal to prise the striker away from the Premier League. Kane is about to enter the final year of his Tottenham contract, meaning he would be free to leave for nothing in 12 months’ time. Chairman Daniel Levy is believed to value the striker closer to £120m, but the risk of the club’s star asset departing for nothing in under a year has underscored negotiations with Bayern. Kane had reportedly been keen to stay in England in order to pursue Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League scoring record of 260. He has scored 213 goals in the top flight since making his Spurs debut in 2012. Kane was the subject of interest from Manchester United earlier in the summer, but they opted instead to target less costly alternatives in a bid to stay within their transfer budget. Spurs supporters sang “we want you to stay” during Sunday’s 5-1 friendly victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, new manager Ange Postecoglou’s first home game in charge. The north Londoners begin their Premier League campaign away to Brentford on Sunday. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-11 16:57
Liverpool set to break British transfer record with £110m Moises Caicedo deal
Liverpool have agreed a British record transfer fee in the region of £110million for Moises Caicedo as the Reds look to shore up their midfield on the eve of the new season. The 21-year-old has been on Chelsea’s radar and the Blues – who will take on Liverpool in both sides’ Premier League opener on Sunday – were thought of as front-runners to sign the Ecuador international. But Brighton have held firm in their valuation of a player who joined them for just £4m from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle two years ago and now the Reds are now poised to sweep in. The PA news agency understands Liverpool, who are aiming to reinforce their options in the middle of the park following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho this summer, will pay upwards of the previous British record fee of £107m that Chelsea forked out for Enzo Fernandez in January. The fee for Caicedo dwarfs Liverpool’s own transfer record of £75m, which they paid Southampton for defender Virgil van Dijk in January 2018. Should Caicedo complete the move, he will be reunited with fellow midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentinian World Cup winner who left the Seagulls for Anfield in June. Liverpool have also signed Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig this summer after the departures of Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad respectively. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-11 16:48
Liverpool agree British transfer record £110m fee for Moises Caicedo – reports
Liverpool have agreed a British record transfer fee of £110million for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to reports. The 21-year-old Ecuador international has been a target for Chelsea all summer but Brighton have held firm in their valuation. Now the Reds appear to have stepped in and hijacked the deal to complete their midfield rebuild following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. Should he complete the move, Caicedo will be reunited with Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentinian World Cup winner who left the Seagulls for Anfield in June. The reported fee would eclipse the previous British record fee of £107m that Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez in January. It would also represent another massive profit for Brighton, who signed Caicedo from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle for £4m in 2021. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-11 15:46
Harry Kane waits on Bayern Munich move as Tottenham talks continue
Harry Kane’s prospective move to Bayern Munich isn’t yet 100% completed as negotiations are still ongoing with Tottenham Hotspur about the exact make-up of the fee. While the Premier League club on Wednesday agreed they were willing to sell the 30-year-old, and the principles appeared settled, it is understood that there are still talks about what the exact figures will look like. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has wanted 80% of the fee up guaranteed, with the rest made up of achievable bonuses and add-ons to take it over £110m. It is understood this is not completely agreed. While the transfer is not under threat at the moment, it could significantly delay the process, and perhaps even prevent Kane making his debut for Bayern in the German Super Cup against Leipzig on Saturday. The player has been due to fly to Munich for his medical on Friday after approval from Spurs. In the meantime, however, talks between the clubs are ongoing. Read More Premier League LIVE: Kane and Caicedo transfer updates and team news Harry Kane set for Bayern Munich move after making Tottenham decision Harry Kane has fantasy managers on tenterhooks – Thursday’s sporting social
2023-08-11 15:45
Once again the Netherlands ponder what might have been at a Women's World Cup
The Netherland’s peripatetic campaign at the Women’s World Cup ended with a 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Spain and a sting of bitterness and regret
2023-08-11 15:22