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With the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning captain Leah Williamson forced to miss out on the World Cup through injury, coach Sarina Wiegman has entrusted the responsibility for leading the team to experienced Chelsea centre back Millie Bright. Bright has been passed fit for England’s match against Haiti after recovering from knee surgery and the defender will lead the Lionesses in their Group D opener. Now 29, Bright grew up in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, overcoming infant pneumonia and asthma to enjoy a career as a top level athlete, although her first love was equestrianism, not football. Get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here Showing early promise when she did take to the field aged nine, she was soon scouted playing for Killamarsh Dynamos by Sheffield United and joined their academy before moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles aged 16 in 2009. Making her debut that same year and scoring on her first start, Bright spent a year on loan at Leeds Ladies before establishing herself at Doncaster, where she played with future Lionesses Mary Earps and Bethany England. In December 2014, she signed for Chelsea and has remained with the West London club ever since, picking up four Barclays Women’s Super League titles, three FA Women’s Cups and reaching the UEFA Champions League Final, scoring 14 times across 218 appearances. For England, she was an essential part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the last FIFA World Cup in France in 2019 and of last summer’s triumphant Euros team. She has represented her country, to date, 66 times and scored five international goals, striking up solid defensive partnerships with Williamson and Houghton during that time and posing a significant aerial threat from set plays. Read More How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup?

Rip it up and start again: if Keira Walsh’s injury spelled the end of something at the Women’s World Cup, it only did for England’s starting formation. Against China, Sarina Wiegman made her most dramatic change as Lionesses manager yet, switching to a 3-5-2 system to counter the blow of losing their key midfielder. In doing so, Wiegman unlocked England’s best performance of not just this World Cup, but in months. The Lionesses looked like themselves again, and while England’s 6-1 win against China made sure of their progress to the last-16 as Group D winners, as much focus will be on how Wiegman has recalibrated and recharged her side ahead of the knockout stages. After two 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark there was an element of danger coming into the decider, but from the opening moments the tempo and fluidity of England’s performance erased doubts. England have done so while veering drastically from the course they set at the Euros, where Wiegman named the same starting line-up in all six matches. But this is a new tournament and England are facing a very different challenge, which Wiegman has reacted to decisively. Wiegman could have chosen the easy option, to bring in Laura Coombs for Walsh and stick with England’s 4-3-3. Instead, Wiegman’s tweak has sparked England into life. From looking slow and predictable in their opening game, England carried threat from all areas against China: Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly, wing-backs who played as wingers, stretched China out of shape, allowing space for Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp to create havoc down the channels. The back three of Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood compensated for the loss of Walsh in England’s build-up play, with Georgia Stanway and Katie Zelem, starting for the first time at the World Cup, creating a box midfield in front. It all unlocked room for Lauren James, who didn’t even start England’s opening game but is now so central to everything they do. To almost illustrate that, James was shifted inside to No 10, given the freedom to drift and pick up the ball where she could cause the most danger. James, who is quickly becoming England’s most important player at the World Cup, sparkled again, displaying the confidence of a player who knows she has been given the stage to become one of the stars of the tournament. But to do so, James also needs a structure that suits her, and Wiegman has landed upon a formation and line-up that does that for not just her, but for every other player in the team. Bright looked exposed in a back four when England faced transitions, but had excellent cover when alongside both Carter and Greenwood. Russo has gone from being isolated to having more options around her, and the sheer speed of Hemp is now able to play off her shoulder. Stanway did not have sole responsibility to screen England’s defence, with Zelem providing balance alongside her. Wiegman could not replace Walsh, but they could recreate her control. Even without their metronome, England still dominated the ball, particularly in the first half when the game was live and the Lionesses played at their highest intensity. To add to the possession, England’s shape gave them penetration and pace, with movement and rotation. The 3-5-2 seemed to give every player another option. That isn’t to say this will be England’s plan for the rest of the tournament. From being able to predict Wiegman’s selection last summer, the Lionesses have shown they are prepared to change for their approach with the opposition in mind. China were a side who were always going to sit deep with two blocks of four, so England looked to pull them apart. It could be different against Nigeria in the last-16, given the threat of Asisat Oshoala and wingers like Uchenna Kanu who stay high and wide. But from the blow of losing Walsh, England now have confidence that will elevate any system that Wiegman selects against Nigeria: Russo, Hemp, Daly and Chloe Kelly all scored, further lifting the mood in the camp and adding to several other impressive performances. World Cups and major tournaments are all about the journey - yet, even as the Lionesses comfortably progressed to the knockout stages as group winners, no one expected it to unfold quite like this, or is able to predict what comes next. Read More England vs China LIVE: Women’s World Cup latest score as Lionesses shine in Adelaide When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Why was Lauren James goal against China controversially disallowed?

Leeds United are considering a move for Manchester United's Brandon Williams, as Daniel Farke attempts to bring the club straight back to the Premier League. The 22-year-old full-back has found opportunities limited at Old Trafford, although is enjoying a productive pre-season. Williams did spend the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Norwich City, where Farke briefly worked with him. Leeds would be able to offer regular first-team football in a progressive team. United would prefer all squad exits to be permanent at this point as Erik ten Hag seeks to reshape his squad, and requires fees to fund planned targets. The Dutch coach needs to raise another £50m to fund a move for Fiorentina's Moroccan star Sofyan Amrabat. Williams is one of those available for transfer, so a deal could be done. Much would depend on the player's willingness to drop down a division.

SpongeBob and Slimetime are coming to the Super Bowl

Jamaica’s players were feeling unprepared four months ago for the Women’s World Cup and blamed inadequate funding for leaving them without proper practice time or pay

Ana Capeta hit the post

The United States survived an almighty scare to advance from the Women’s World Cup group stage - keeping alive hopes of a third successive title. Portugal hit the post late to ensure the United States avoided an early exit at the group stages. The defending champions opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory against Vietnam but were held to a 1-1 draw by the Netherlands, in what was a rematch of their 2019 World Cup final. And the goalless draw against Portugal has prompted widespread criticism back home, including from legendary American player Carli Lloyd. The USA progress as runners-up from Group E, behind the Netherlands, who thrashed Vietnam 7-0. Here’s everything you need to know about the next match for the USA: Who are the United States playing at the World Cup? The defending champion USA were drawn alongside Netherlands, Portugal and Vietnam in Group E. They opened their title defence with a 3-0 win against Vietnam, with Sophia Smith scoring twice, before Lindsey Horan’s second-half equaliser rescued a point against the Netherlands after they trailed at the break. There is still work to do in their final fixture against Portugal, although a win or draw would confirm a spot in the knockout stages. When are the USA’s group matches? (All times ET) 22 July - USA 3-0 Vietnam 27 July - USA 1-1 Netherlands 1 August - USA vs Portugal (3am ET) What is the USA’s potential path to the final? (All times ET) If the USA win Group E 5 August - Winners Group E vs Runners-up Group G (22:00, Sydney) 10 August - Winner Match 49 vs Winner Match 51 (21:00, Wellington) 15 August - Winner QF1 vs Winner QF 2 (04:00, Auckland) 20 August: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (07:00, Sydney) If the USA finish runner-up in Group E 6 August: Winners Group G vs Runners-up Group E (05:00, Melbourne) 11 August: Winner Match 50 vs Winner Match 52 (03:30, Auckland) 15 August: SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF 2 (04:00, Auckland) 20 August: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (07:00, Sydney) Group E standings 1. USA - 4 points (+3 goal difference) 2. Netherlands - 4 points (+1) 3. Portugal - 3 points (+1) 4. Vietnam (E) - 0 points (-5) Results and fixtures USA 3-0 Vietnam Netherlands 1-0 Portugal USA 1-1 Netherlands Portugal 2-0 Vietnam Vietnam vs Netherlands (8am BST) Portugal vs USA (8am BST) How does each team qualify? United States - The USA will qualify for the last-16 as long as they do not lose to Portugal. They will finish top of Group E if Netherlands draw or lose, or if they win by a greater margin than the Dutch. Netherlands - The Netherlands will qualify with a win or draw against Vietnam. The Netherlands could still qualify with a defeat, as long as they had a better goal difference than the USA. Portugal - Portugal will reach the last-16 if they beat the USA but will be out if they lose. If Portugal draw, they would require the Netherlands to lose Vietnam by at least two goals. Vietnam - Cannot qualify for the knockout stages. Read More Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup group tables and standings: How can each team qualify? Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today USA’s narrow escape spells the end of Women’s World Cup dominance Jess Carter: England defender brought back in by Sarina Wiegman for China clash Katie Zelem: Lioness star making her World Cup start vs China

The USA are still clinging on to their defence of the World Cup, but only just. Portugal’s Ana Capeta, brought on in stoppage time, came within the width of a post from sending the two-time defending champions crashing out of the tournament. If that’s how close the USA came to a first World Cup defeat since 2015, it’s a clear indication of how fragile their dominance appears to be. After only scraping through Group E as runners-up and with Sweden, who thrashed the USA at the Olympics two years ago, likely to be next in the last-16, there is little confidence that this is the same side who entered the tournament as favourites. Had Captea’s shot caught the inside of the post then the World Cup would have staged its biggest shock yet, with the dethroning of the four-time winners. Yet, even though Capeta’s strike agonisingly rebounded out, the nerves at the end as the USA survived only confirmed what many thought ahead of the World Cup. After draws against the Netherlands and Portugal, the first time the USA have ever failed to win two games in the World Cup group stage, it is clear that the gap between the defending champions and the rest of the world has closed. The rise of the European club game, with the increased professionalism of its leagues and the development of the Champions League, has fueled that growth. It is in Europe where tactical innovation and improvements in coaching have given teams a different way to play against the USA, reducing the advantage that their superior pool of talent and resources had previously given them. Portugal, denied a place in the knockout stages by the narrowest of margins, were a demonstration of that. Even in their first ever appearance at a Women’s World Cup and a domestic league that is significantly smaller than those in England, Germany or France, their development under Francisco Neto has mirrored the changes in women’s football since the last World Cup four years ago. Portugal are tactically versatile and have been boosted by a new wave of talent who are given the platform to shine. The 20-year-old Benfica forward Francisca Nazareth provided support to Jessica Silva, who is no longer the lone star in the team. The USA were disrupted by Portugal’s approach, as well as their defensive shape and a sophisticated press. Portugal controlled the central areas as Nazareth dropped in to form a midfield diamond and their technical ability allowed spells of possession where the European side took charge of the ball and played through the USA’s more rigid shape. It was the same against the Netherlands, where the USA trailed at half time. Lindsay Horan’s second-half equaliser only grew in significance as Portugal took the USA to the depths of a Group E decider. And yes, the USA have not been been at full strength in New Zealand, losing captain Becky Sauerbrunn and star forwards Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario to injury before the tournament. They were a side who always looked caught between generations, the imbalance between selecting the 34-year-old Alex Morgan and the 37-year-old Megan Rapinoe, the veterans of the two-time defending champions, and the 14 players who were making their first appearances at the World Cup. It could just be the classic case of a team who have stuck together for a tournament too long and it did not take long for questions to be asked of the USA side after the Portugal draw. Carli Lloyd, a champion with the USA at both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, hit out at the lack of motivation and hunger of her former team-mates, accusing those who remained of tacking playing at the World Cup for “granted”. Certainly, there is negativity off the field while on it, Vlatko Andonovski’s team are desperately lacking in inspiration or ideas. It leaves the USA vulnerable ahead of the knockout stages, and a contrast to the ambition of sides like Portugal. Sweden, who dismantled the USA 3-0 in the group stages of the Olympics, bring the same tactical freshness with the added edge of major tournament experience. Sweden will have nothing to fear and after surviving Portugal, the next surprise in the knockout stages would be if the USA are able to perform another escape and reach the quarter-finals. Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

Former United States women’s national team player Carli Lloyd labelled USA’s performance against Portugal “lacklustre” and “uninspiring” as they almost crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages. The defending champions needed to avoid defeat but were inches away from elimination when Portugal substitute Ana Capeta struck the post in stoppage time. The USA held on to scrape a 0-0 draw, enough to secure progress to the last-16 while knocking Portugal out, but the four-time winners missed out on top spot in Group E with Lloyd highly critical of the display from her former side. "I made some comments when I retired in 2021. I felt a shift within this team and federation, the culture and mentality, she said speaking on FOX Soccer. “The importance and meaning from winning has changed, the importance now comes from what comes from winning. “It started to shift post-2020. There are a lot of off-the-field things that are happening but you never want to take anything for granted. You put on that jersey and you want to give it everything you have for the people before you and the people that are going to come after you. “I’m just not seeing that passion. I’m just seeing a very lacklustre, uninspiring, taking it for granted [mentality] where winning and training and doing all that you can to be the best possible individual player is not happening.” After the game, the players were pictured dancing and smiling as well as taking pictures with fans, something that drew further criticism from Lloyd. She said: “There’s a difference between being respectful to the fans and saying hello to your families but to be dancing and smiling...the player of the match was that post, they are lucky to not be going home right now.” Having won their opening game 3-0 against Vietnam, the US have now drawn back-to-back games to finish second in their group for just the second time in the history of the competition. The draws also mark the first time in Women’s World Cup history that the US team has failed to win at least two of their group-stage fixtures. “It’s tough to be second, we wanted to go through first,” Alex Morgan told ITV after the game. “This team gave everything, we just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net. “In the last few minutes, we had to hold it down and get the result to move on. It’s not the result we wanted but we move forward. It’s just not going in the back of the net. “We have so many corners and we have so many opportunities, we get the crosses. It’s just unlucky. It’s about following through with shots and making the right decisions in front of goal.” The US will now likely face Sweeden in the first round of the knockout stages. Despite the draw, they remain undefeated in their last 18 games at the World Cup, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition. Read More USA’s narrow escape spells the end of Women’s World Cup dominance Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today England vs China LIVE: Women’s World Cup team news and build-up Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? England vs China: Kick-off time and how to watch on TV

Jurgen Klopp has laughed off the idea Liverpool will sign Kylian Mbappe this summer. The France captain has been the subject of a world-record £259 million bid from Al-Hilal, which Paris Saint-Germain accepted as they risk losing the forward on a free transfer this summer. Liverpool could not make a similar offer but had been touted as a possible destination for Mbappe on a season-long loan but Klopp was quick to rule them out of the reckoning. “We laugh about it,” he told Sky Germany. “I can say that I think he’s a really good player but the financial conditions don’t suit us at all. I wouldn’t like to ruin the story now but as far as I know, there’s nothing to it. “It’s possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me [but] that hasn’t happened in the eight years that I’ve been here. That would be the first time.” Klopp is instead looking to bolster his midfield after losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabian clubs. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is a target and Liverpool have had one offer for the 19-year-old rejected. Mbappe, meanwhile, was left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their pre-season tour and could join Real Madrid next year. Read More Moment Trent Alexander-Arnold told he will be Liverpool’s vice-captain Liverpool name Virgil van Dijk as new captain after Jordan Henderson exit Jordan Henderson ‘can’t wait to get going’ after controversial Saudi move

Bayern Munich are going to have to significantly improve their third bid in order to secure Harry Kane, after negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur. A delegation of Hans-Christian Dreesen and Marco Neppe flew into London for talks with Daniel Levy on Monday (31 July), as a second bid of £85million was rejected. While Bayern feel they are getting closer to a deal, separate sources insist that there is still a huge difference in price and that Levy will accept no less than £100m. The Tottenham chairman quoted Real Madrid a similar price in June, which put the Spanish club off after they paid similar for Jude Bellingham. While Bayern are hoping to bring the fee down to around £90m, the message has repeatedly been that Levy will not budge and this could yet go on for weeks. Kane is keen to join the German champions in order to finally win a trophy and have a proper chance at the Champions League. Personal terms are no issue, although it remains possible that both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United could enter if a deal gets close with Bayern Munich. While Kane has no interest in the French club, Old Trafford could be a test for Bayern. Read More Business as usual for Harry Kane amid reports Daniel Levy met Bayern officials Tottenham name Harry Kane price as Bayern Munich prepare bid Manchester United signing a ‘very good player’ in Rasmus Hojlund

Manchester United captain Katie Zelem has represented England at all five youth levels, from the under-15s to the under-23s, but has struggled to break into the senior side’s midfield, where competition for places is fierce. Now 27, Zelem grew up in Oldham, where both her father and uncle were former professional footballers. Aged just eight, she was accepted into Manchester United Girls’ Centre of Excellence in 2004 and stayed within the club’s youth setup until 2013, when she departed for Liverpool in search of fresh opportunities to advance. She played 38 times over a four-year period for the Reds, picking up two Women’s Super League titles, scoring 10 and being named the club’s Young Player of the Year for 2014 before spending the 2017/18 season with Juventus in Italy, a dream experience in which she scored four across 18 appearances in what proved to be another championship-winning year. Returning to the UK and rejoining Manchester United, Zelem has since established herself at the centre of the side’s midfield, a position she has gradually settled on after starting out as a winger, modelling herself on Fara Williams and Andres Iniesta. The Red Devils won the FA Women’s Championship in 2018/19 and, the following season, she was named captain following the departure of Alex Greenwood, leading a side that currently features fellow Lionesses Mary Earps and Ella Toone. Zelem’s talent and leadership is not in doubt but she faces a difficult task in attempting to break into Sarina Wiegman’s first team in Australia and New Zealand this summer, given that doing so would require disrupting the central partnership between Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway that proved so effective on home soil a year ago. Get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here A reputation for picking up yellow cards may also not help her case. Read More How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? FIFA Women’s World Cup fixtures and full schedule