List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

Christine Sinclair hopes her sixth appearance at the Women's World Cup will finally land Canada the elusive title

The United States remain the team to beat ahead of the Women’s World Cup and the two-time defending champions remain number one in the Fifa rankings ahead of the tournament. The USA are looking to become the first country to win three World Cups in a row and have held top spot since 2017. But the tournament in Australia and New Zealand could bring a shake-up to the order. Europe is catching up and the likes of England, Germany, France and Spain will be coming for the USA’s crown. Zambia come into the World Cup as the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, which is hosting 32 teams for the first time. Fifa women’s world rankings (Teams in bold are competing at the World Cup) 1. United States 2. Germany 3. Sweden 4. England 5. France 6. Spain 7. Canada 8. Brazil 9. Netherlands 10. Australia (hosts) 11. Japan 12. Norway 13. Denmark 14. China 15. Iceland 16. Italy 17. Korea Republic 18. Austria 19. Belgium 20. Switzerland 21. Portugal 22. Republic of Ireland 23. Scotland 24. Russia 25. Colombia 26. New Zealand (hosts) 27. Czech Republic 28. Argentina 29. Finland 30. Wales 31. Poland 32. Vietnam 33. Ukraine 34. Serbia 35. Mexico 36. Costa Rica 37. Chinese Taipei 38. Romania 39. Slovenia 40. Nigeria 41. Chile 42. Hungary 43. Jamaica 44. Thailand 45. Northern Ireland 46. Philippines 47. Slovakia 48. Paraguay 49. Uzbekistan 50. Myanmar 51. Venezuela 52. Panama 53. Haiti 54. South Africa 55. Papua New Guinea 56. Cameroon 57. Belarus 58. Ghana 59. Croatia 60. India 61. Iran 62. Greece 63. Turkey 64. Uruguay 65. Bosnia and Herzegovina 66. Cote d’Ivoire 67. Ecuador 68. Israel 69. Fiji 70. Equatorial Guinea 71, Albania 72. Morocco 73. Jordan 74. Peru 75. Trinidad and Tobago 76. Tunisia 77. Zambia 78. Hong Kong 79. Azerbaijan 80. Algeria The full Fifa rankings can be found here Read More Women’s World Cup enters new era as stars and storylines take centre stage Who are the threats to the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup? The inspiration behind Australia’s shot at home World Cup glory Today at the Women’s World Cup: Co-hosts play in opening games How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV FIFA Women’s World Cup fixtures and full schedule

Pakistan made it a difficult chase at times but the visitors completed a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first cricket test

The major football tournament of the summer is upon us, with the Women’s World Cup set to take place in Australia and New Zealand. It’s the pinnacle of the women's game, with a bigger spotlight than ever before shone on the best players in the world as millions tune in to watch. Sarina Wiegman’s England side are looking to add the World Cup to their collection after victory in the Euros in 2022, but they’ll have to do so despite a number of injuries to key players in the squad. England fans are still hoping they'll be in the mix as the tournament progresses, and all eyes will be on the final when it eventually takes place on August 20. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter With anticipation higher than ever, we’re taking a moment to look back at some of the greatest moments from tournaments gone by. Here are our selections for the 10 greatest goals scored at the Women’s World Cup over the years, in no particular order. Marta – Brazil vs USA 2007 Brazil Marta Amazing Goal vs USA (World Cup China) www.youtube.com Widely recognised as the finest player in the history of the women’s game, Marta has an incredible 17 goals at world cups – and this is her finest. This solo goal against the USA, one of the most perfect demonstrations of her talent, sees her pick the ball up on the left side of the pitch without many options in front of her. Rather than knock the ball back, she pulls off a ridiculous flick over the defender and cuts past a defender in the box before firing low past the keeper. It’s Brazilian samba at its best, and a clear indicator of just why Marta is so highly regarded in the context of the game’s greats. Carli Lloyd – USA vs Japan 2015 Carli Lloyd hattrick vs japan www.youtube.com Everyone loves a goal from the halfway line, don’t they? Carli Lloyd put the 2015 World Cup final beyond the reach of Japan by scoring a blistering hat-trick in the space of just the first 16 minutes, but it was the long-range third goal that will live longest in the memory. Clearly full of confidence from the first two goals, Lloyd charged forward before thumping the ball into the net from halfway up the pitch. It’s a great goal, made all the more aesthetically pleasing by a despairing dive from the backpedaling keeper. It helped the USA to a commanding 5-2 win, securing the USA their first Women’s World Cup since 1999. Nahomi Kawasumi – Japan vs Sweden, 2011 Kawasumi's goal against Sweden www.youtube.com When you first start watching this clip, you see the ball being rolled out to the centre back, and assume it’s going to be a team goal consisting of patient build-up play and endless passing. Only, it’s not that at all – instead, the ball is played up the pitch direct, before being cut off by the onrushing keeper. It then lands at the feet of Nahomi Kawasumi, who takes one perfect touch, before showing outstanding technique and volleying it high into the vacant net. Hege Riise – Norway vs Germany, 1995 We particularly like this goal because it’s the kind you’d dream about scoring in the playground at school, and there’s a purity about the eagerness to break through the defence with the dribble that we’re really into. Yes, there’s a little luck involved to get past the first defender, but Hege Riise tricked her way past a succession of oncoming challenges before slotting home astutely past the keeper to provide one of the best goals of the Women’s World Cup in the 90s. Erika – Brazil vs Equatorial Guinea 2011 Amazing Goal Érika Cristiano Dos Santos www.youtube.com Perhaps we’re just buying into cliches here, but there’s an exuberance about this goal that feels like it could only have been scored by a Brazilian side. First off, there’s a lovely ball bent out to the winger with the outside of the foot, before some great work out wide. But it’s all about the exquisite touch over the defender’s head from Erika, before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner on the volley. Rarely do you see so much showboating at major tournaments. Ingrid Johansson – Sweden vs USA 1991 This is the kind of goal that can be appreciated at any level of football, in any context. After all, what’s not to like about a total thunder b**tard from about 40 yards out? Swedish midfielder Ingrid Johansson unleashed an unstoppable effort against the USA at the 1991 World Cup finals which deserves to be remembered as one of the best ever scored at the finals. There could have been two keepers in goal and they wouldn’t have got a glove on it. Outstanding stuff. Maren Mjelde – Norway vs Germany, 2015 We’ve watched this clip dozens of times now, and we still can’t work out how Norway’s Maren Mjelde manages to get the ball up and over the wall here. The precision it takes to clip the ball perfectly into the postage stamp from all of 12 yards is impressive in itself, and you can almost hear the ball fizzing with spin by the time it goes in. The fact it just clips the bar on its way in somehow makes it all the more pleasing too. Lucy Bronze – England vs Norway, 2019 This thunderous strike from England’s star player Lucy Bronze nearly cut the keeper in half during the Lionesses’ game with Norway back in 2019, such was the force it hit the back of the net with. A simple, but well-worked free-kick routine saw the ball dragged back to an unmarked Bronze on the edge of the area. There, the marauding right-back caught the ball cleanly, first time, thumping it through a wall of players and giving the keeper no chance. Could it be England’s best goal in major tournaments? Quite possibly. Ajara Nchout – Cameroon vs New Zealand 2019 Forwards sending defenders for hotdogs with well-timed cutbacks will always be a pleasing thing to watch – especially if the end result is a goal as good as Ajara Nchout’s effort against New Zealand in 2019. The strike came in stoppage time and was enough to send Cameroon to the Round of 16, and the celebrations show exactly what the goal meant to the entire squad. Mizuho Sakaguchi – Japan vs The Netherlands 2015 As silky as they come, this wonderful effort from Mizuho Sakaguchi captures a snapshot of a team in perfect understanding with one another. An intricate move culminates in a pass being played in square from the left edge of the box. There, Sakaguchi’s teammate steps over the ball, leaving it for her to bend a stunning effort round the defenders and into the corner. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The 151st edition of the British Open is underway and the right player got it started

What the papers say Chelsea will make a second bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, adding £10million and add-ons to their first offer of £70million, the Daily Mail said. Liverpool’s quest for a younger midfield will come at a hefty cost with Crystal Palace valuing Cheick Doucoure at £70million, the Daily Mail reports. Liverpool have already added Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to their midfield this summer. The Guardian says Chelsea are also thinking of making a bid for Marc Guehi, who they sold to Crystal Palace two years ago. Chelsea are trying to fill the void in defence that will be left by Wesley Fofana who had surgery on a serious knee injury. Newcastle are on the verge of selling Allan Saint-Maximin to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for around £30million, as they look to bring in Leicester’s Harvey Barnes, according to the Telegraph. Social media round-up Players to watch Pedro: Tottenham are interested in signing the 26-year-old Brazilian striker who plays for Flamengo, the Independent said. Ivan Fresneda: Bournemouth look likely to beat Barcelona, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to the signing of the 18-year-old Valladolid defender with a bid of £15million, according to Football Insider. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Max Kepler scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball in the eighth inning and Minnesota pitchers struck out 14 in the Twins’ 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night

The biggest ever Women’s World Cup kicks off with both co-hosts in action on the opening day, as New Zealand face Norway in Auckland and Australia meet the Republic of Ireland in Sydney. The kick-off comes just hours after a mass shooting in Auckland that killed two people and wounded six. A gunman was found dead after killing two people and injuring multiple others in the city this morning. The shooting took place at a building site in Auckland city centre. The World Cup will “proceed as planned” and New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins said there was no risk to national security New Zealand attempting to claim a historic win at the tournament - the Football Ferns have failed to win a match at the World Cup finals in 15 previous attempts but will be roared on by the home crowd at Eden Park as they face star-studded Norway. Australia will then hope to get their campaign off to the perfect start as the Matildas take on Ireland in front of what is expected to be a record-breaking crowd at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. Australia have emerged as one of the tournament favourites, with star Sam Kerr leading the line, and a winning start is vital with Canada and Nigeria making up the ‘group of death’. Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog Read More Why this Women’s World Cup will be unlike anything we’ve seen before Women’s World Cup to ‘proceed as planned’ after shooting in Auckland Women’s World Cup 2023: Group guides and players to watch for every team How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is certain her grandparents would be beaming with pride had they had lived long enough to see her play in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup debut. The Girls in Green kick off their campaign against tournament co-hosts Australia at 1100 BST in front of a sold-out crowd at Stadium Australia after demand forced organisers to relocate the meeting to the competition’s largest venue. The Everton keeper is eligible for the Republic through her paternal grandparents Margaret and Brendan, who were born in Roscommon and Kerry but later emigrated to the United States, where Brosnan was born and raised. Asked how she balances her dual identities as a New Jersey native pulling on a Republic shirt, Brosnan said: “I think it’s amazing. I feel like it’s really special because I feel like I’m able to learn so much about my family. “They’ve both passed on now, but I think it’s just amazing for me to see. “Like I know how close my dad was with them as well, and to be able to play for Ireland and still have that connection to them, even if they’re not here, it’s really hard to put into words how special that is. “It just gives me an amazing chance to see all the different parts of my family history. They passed away when I was 15, 16, but growing up it was weekend trips all the time, and we were really close. “They were from a place called Springfield, Massachusetts and they grew up there when they came over from Ireland. They lived in the same house their whole life, so it’s pretty cool.” Brosnan posted five clean sheets in World Cup qualifiers, and also denied Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir the vital first-half penalty that would have given Scotland a 1-0 lead in their World Cup play-off to decide which team would make the tournament. Instead, Brosnan’s save allowed substitute Amber Barrett to swoop in after the restart and score, her goal enough to ensure the Republic would win 1-0 and seal the momentous result. She said: “Me and Amber laugh because people will come up to her and say, ‘Oh, you’re the best goalkeeper I know’ and people will come up to me and say, ‘Oh, what a finish!’ and I’m like, ‘Ok, I know we both have red hair but we are different people!'” More people will surely tell the difference after the Republic walk out at Stadium Australia to begin the next exciting chapter in their history, before facing Canada and Nigeria to conclude the group stage. Brosnan added: “I think it’s a really, really special moment that we’re able to take part in. “This is something we’ve always dreamed of, then there’s the added bonus that you’re playing the host nation, that the crowd’s so big, that this is our first World Cup. “We’ve discussed really openly about how we know the quality of the group that we’re in and the competition is really fierce. I think that underdog-ness is part of being Irish, that you love that challenge and stepping up, facing a big dog and showing what you’re capable of. “We’re not just here to take part. This is something we’ve been working for for years and years. We’re doing everything we can to put ourselves in the best position to get results.” 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 2005 – England striker Peter Crouch signs for Liverpool England undecided over armband for World Cup opener MLS All-Star boss Wayne Rooney struggles to take lessons out of Arsenal thumping

Peter Crouch joined Liverpool from Southampton for £7million on this day in 2005. The forward signed a four-year deal with the Champions League holders to link up with England team-mates Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher on Merseyside. Crouch had scored 12 goals in the previous Premier League season, but it was not enough to keep Southampton up and he subsequently moved to Anfield after Saints’ relegation. Tottenham academy graduate Crouch would spend three years with Liverpool, scoring 40 goals across 135 appearances and helping them win the FA Cup in 2006. After previous spells with QPR, Portsmouth and Aston Villa, Crouch had to wait a number of months before he opened his account for new club Liverpool. Crouch eventually grabbed his maiden goal for the Reds on December 3 against Wigan, but would also net the winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round and score the decisive goal months later in a Community Shield triumph over Chelsea. A hat-trick against Arsenal was the highlight of his second season at Liverpool, which ended with a substitute appearance in defeat by AC Milan in the Champions League final. Fernando Torres’ arrival in the summer of 2007 saw Crouch’s opportunities reduced and a year later he departed to Portsmouth in an £11m deal. Harry Redknapp brought Crouch back to the south-coast club and secured his services again one season later after he took over at Tottenham. Back at his boyhood club, Crouch helped Spurs qualify for the Champions League for the first time, scoring the winner at Manchester City, and he played a key role in their run to the quarter-finals in 2011 after grabbing a hat-trick in the qualification round against Young Boys. Crouch would later sign for Stoke, where he would spend eight seasons and score more than 50 times before he finished his career at Burnley. Upon announcing his retirement in 2019, Crouch had represented England on 42 occasions and scored 22 goals, including netting at the 2006 World Cup. He would later transition into a pundit and become a popular figure on the media circuit. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

England players are still in the process of deciding which of FIFA’s eight approved armbands captain Millie Bright might wear in the Lionesses’ World Cup opener, midfielder Jordan Nobbs has revealed. Controversy surrounding the rainbow ‘OneLove’ armband sparked the threat of sanctions being issued to countries – including England and Wales – during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar. In an effort to pre-empt a similar situation in Australia and New Zealand, FIFA has partnered with the United Nations to create sanctioned options that can be swapped out or worn throughout the month-long women’s tournament, with England kicking off their campaign on Saturday against Haiti. Speaking from the Lionesses team hotel in Brisbane, Nobbs said: “We’ve had some brief conversations, but I think that will be discussed a little bit closer to the game. “But obviously we know our values and equality etc, so that will be finally finalised soon.” While FIFA’s ‘Unite’ armbands will highlight a number of social issues, amongst them inclusion, gender equality, indigenous people and peace, there is no specific armband that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and none contain the rainbow colours commonly associated as the colours of pride. While that decision has drawn criticism, England boss Sarina Wiegman has said she thinks her players are happy with the solution. On Tuesday, Wiegman’s squad collectively released a statement on social media addressing their stance on ongoing discussions with the Football Association surrounding issues such as performance bonus payments and commercial structures. I'm truly honoured to be part of such a successful team and be here to compete with the best Jordan Nobbs In a message from the team posted by Bright, the Lionesses said they were “disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved” but would “pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament”. Asked if the uncertainty ahead of England’s push for a first World Cup has been difficult, Nobbs replied: “I don’t think it’s difficult. I think we’ve had a lot of these conversations, probably over the last however many years, just not everything’s always seen by the public. “I think together as a team we’re pausing the conversations to obviously focus on the World Cup, but we just want to keep growing the women’s game. “[Compared to previous negotiations] we have a different group of players, the game’s grown so quickly. So I think conversations have been different, but I think it’s just been to try and fight in the right area of where the game is right now. “So I think together, between the players and the FA, we’re just trying to go on the same path and obviously have questions between each other. “It’s not just about money, it’s not just about care, or facilities, I think there’s so many areas we’re trying to grow. And we’re trying to obviously just do it in the way that the women’s game has grown as well. So I think it’s about us as a team believing in the next generation as well, having the best possible situation to play football.” Nobbs’ injury-plagued career has kept her out of action for several major tournaments. In 2015, she played just one World Cup match in Canada before sustaining a hamstring problem. A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruled her out of the 2019 World Cup in France and a knee issue made her unavailable for England’s triumphant Euro 2022 campaign. But the 30-year-old’s bold move from Arsenal to Aston Villa in the January Women’s Super League (WSL) transfer window paid off after she impressed Wiegman and earned a ticket to Australia – where so far she is fit and healthy. Nobbs added: “It’s huge. I am unlucky with all the injuries, so this is a big one that I wanted to be at. I think when you miss something it makes you want something even more, so I’m truly honoured to be part of such a successful team and be here to compete with the best.” 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 2005 – England striker Peter Crouch signs for Liverpool Courtney Brosnan says playing for Republic gives her ‘connection’ to family MLS All-Star boss Wayne Rooney struggles to take lessons out of Arsenal thumping

Former England star Wayne Rooney called Arsenal one of Europe’s best sides and aired some frustrations after seeing his MLS All-Star team comprehensively beaten on Wednesday. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners ran out 5-0 victors in stifling conditions in Washington DC, where Gabriel Jesus’ fine opener was followed by a thumping Leandro Trossard strike. Jorginho’s penalty, a fine Gabriel Martinelli effort and Kai Havertz’s first goal since joining Arsenal wrapped things up on a one-sided night for the Premier League runners-up. Recent acquisitions Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber made their first appearances since joining the club and Manchester United great Rooney was impressed by the visitors. “Obviously the result is what it is and Arsenal showed the quality they have,” the MLS All-Star boss said. “I thought the All-Star lads looked a little nervous and hesitant, especially the first half when we got into some good areas, to get their shots off. “I think you see a difference, of course you do. Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe. “I thought it was a bit stop-stop. The referee made the game a little bit about himself once again, so I think that’s something that needs improving in the MLS. “I’ve said that all season so it’s a good opportunity for me to bring it up again. “But, yeah, it was a disappointing result but I think most importantly it’s a good event for the fans, especially the fans in DC, to come and see some really good players.” Rooney praised the occasion and opponent in the post-match press conference at Audi Field, but he also laid bare some irritation with aspects of the event. Asked what he took out of the game as an up-and-coming coach, the former England forward said with a smile: “Absolutely nothing. “Listen, it’s difficult. On Monday the players all arrived and we did a small-sided game. “On Tuesday, as a I suggested, I didn’t want them training at the National Mall but that’s where we trained and we can’t do anything. “We did head tennis so literally had not time whatsoever to do any tactics whatsoever so you put the players out there and you hope they can figure things out and against a team like Arsenal that’s very difficult to do.” Another matter that got under Rooney’s skin around the All-Star game revolved around broadcasters Apple, who he claims prevented some of his staff working as usual. “I think everything around the game is great and it’s great publicity for the league moving forward,” he said. “Obviously Apple coming into the league as well has been great – although they didn’t allow my staff to sit in their seats today. “My staff got kicked out of their seats today by members of Apple. “And I wouldn’t be doing my staff a service if I didn’t bring that up because if you’re getting asked to do the game with your staff, you expect your staff to have seats to sit in although I do think Apple will help the league moving forward.” As for Arsenal counterpart Arteta, he was quick to allay concerns over Trossard after the Belgium international limped off early in the second half. “Trossard got a knock and we don’t want to take any risks at this stage,” he said. “He had some pain. We’ll see how he is tomorrow but I don’t expect it to be anything big.” It was a fine start to Arsenal’s pre-season tour, which continues onto New Jersey and Los Angeles to take on Manchester United and Barcelona. “It was a great occasion, great atmosphere,” Arteta added. “Great to see so many Arsenal supporters fill the stadium. “We had great moments in the game, moments especially in the first half that weren’t that great but we’re still very early in pre-season. “It was great to see some debuts with Jurrien, with Auston (Trusty) and with Declan obviously. Really pleased with the result.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Today at the World Cup: Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand play in opening games Shane Lowry determined to win another major as Open gets under way Day two of fourth Ashes Test: England racing to beat Australia and the weather