15 h. ago Starc leads Australia fightback after Rabada stars for South Africa on day one of WTC final

Day one: Australia 212; South Africa 43-4Rabada takes 5-51 but Proteas’ reply faltersSouth Africa have had to put up with a fair few grumbles about their place in this World Test Championship final and grew tired of the topic during the build-up. Other than pointing folks in the direction of the International Cricket Council, the teams who can afford to arrange more fixtures, and the league table they topped, the only response they could really give was to compete out on the field.It was a case of mission accomplished with the ball, at least, even if a topsy-turvy opening day that saw 14 wickets fall ended with Australia in the ascendancy. Led by Kagiso Rabada, a player dogged by headlines about his recent ban for cocaine use, the Proteas were delighted to skittle the defending champions for 212 in two-and-a-half sessions, only to close on a troubling 43 for four in reply. Continue reading...

Sport

20 h. ago Mauricio Pochettino said the US can win the World Cup. Now they can’t even win a game

The Americans have now lost four matches in a row, and the World Cup is one year away. Serious questions are starting to emerge about their high-profile coachIf you’re wondering why there seems to be so much hand-wringing over the US men’s national team’s current form, consider where head coach Mauricio Pochettino set the bar when he took over.“We need to really believe and think of big things,” he said in his introductory press conference in September. “We need to believe that we can win, that we can win all [the] games. We can win the World Cup.” Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Gisèle Pelicot settles claim for invasion of privacy against French magazine

Paris Match agrees to pay €40,000 to two charities after publishing photos of Pelicot and companionGisèle Pelicot, who survived almost a decade of rape by dozens of men after she was drugged by her ex-husband, has settled an invasion of privacy case with the French magazine Paris Match.Pelicot, who became a feminist hero after she decided to waive her right to anonymity in the trial of her ex-husband and 50 other men last year, took legal action against Paris Match in April. Continue reading...

Events

24 h. ago Manchester City sign Tijjani Reijnders to take spending this week past £100m

Midfielder arrives from Milan as fourth summer buyHe follows Aït-Nouri, Cherki and Bettinelli to club Manchester City have taken their early summer spending to more than £100m after making Tijjani Reijnders their fourth signing in three days. The Netherlands midfielder has arrived from Milan for €55m (£46.6m) and joins Rayan Aït-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki at the club.All four will be available for the Club World Cup, with City’s first match against Wydad AC taking place next Wednesday, after Reijnders signed before Tuesday’s deadline. Reijnders has a five-year deal as Pep Guardiola looks to revitalise his squad after an underwhelming season by the club’s standards, finishing a distant third in the Premier League and collecting no silverware thus far. City were also active in the January window, spending more than £180m on four players. Their outlay in 2025 stands at £288m. Continue reading...

Economics

42 h. ago Incongruity of World Test Championship final fails to dampen Australian excitement | Geoff Lemon

It may be a strange time of year for an Australian, and a strange tournament structure, but the decider is vindicated further each time it is playedIn Australia it is winter, and it is footy season. AFL, NRL, the works. The autumn was passing strange, with unnervingly high temperatures and the Gold Coast Suns in the top four. But now it is June, and feeling more as it should, with nights in the southern half of the continent dipping deep into single degrees. The Raiders must be breathing out steam on Canberra mornings, half remembering dreams of ending a premiership wait. And strangely positioned among all this, the Australia Test team is getting ready to play cricket.Australian winter tours happen, but outside the occasional Asian or Caribbean jaunt this century, they’re confined to quadrennial visits to England. Two years ago, the first time Australia qualified for a World Test Championship final, that match came directly before an Ashes series. As well as turning the supposed cul...

Sport

2 d. ago Woman shares hilarious video of a 'Turkish hairlines' flight full of post

Anna Malygon, who returned from a trip to Turkey in May captured the hilarious moment she spotted rows of male flyers onboard with prickly scalps, fresh from a hair transplant procedure. 

Politics

3 d. ago Scotland seek answers in Liechtenstein: Steve Clarke's changes, 'shouldn't be panic' and chance

In last match before World Cup qualifiers, Clarke and co require a response

Politics

3 d. ago Thomas Tuchel responds to critics after dismal England win with hint on next starting XI

Thomas Tuchel saw his England side scrape past minnows Andorra in their third World Cup qualification match, with the German insisting he is ready for the pressure coming his way

Politics

4 d. ago French Open: Defending champion Alcaraz faces No. 1 Sinner for the men's title

Jannik Sinner faces defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final in a match pitting the world’s top two men’s players

Politics

4 d. ago Harry Kane sends instant demand to Thomas Tuchel after dismal England display vs Andorra

Harry Kane was the hero for England as they just about managed to squeeze past Andorra in Saturday’s World Cup qualifying match-up and has sent a message to his boss over his squad

Politics

4 d. ago Luke Littler crashes out of Nordic Darts Masters as rival ends 12

Luke Littler was knocked out of the Nordic Darts Masters by Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals as the Asp beat the world champion for the first time in 12 matches

Events

4 d. ago Harry Kane saves listless England’s blushes as Andorra frustrate Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel had demanded a convincing win and a performance without doubts. The England manager wanted to suffocate Andorra in this World Cup qualifier; to see his team attack cohesively, to unpick the low block of the nation that sits 173rd in the world rankings. So much for the wishlist.This was the end-of-season game that Tuchel had tried to talk up, mainly because he has so few matches to drill his players before the finals next summer. He was keen to see some energy. And yet his words failed to stir very much. Yes, England won, as they always do against Andorra. Yes, they did so without conceding, as they always do against Andorra. And yes, it is now three wins out of three for Tuchel, with no goals against. But it was not possible to get excited. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Andorra vs England LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, match stream and latest updates

Three Lions expected to produce big win in Barcelona to continue 100 per cent start under Thomas Tuchel

Politics

4 d. ago Andorra vs England LIVE: World Cup qualifier match stream, latest score and goal updates

Three Lions expected to produce big win in Barcelona to continue 100 per cent start under Thomas Tuchel

Sport

4 d. ago Coco Gauff claims first French Open title after fightback floors Aryna Sabalenka

American wins epic final battle 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4Gauff wins second slam after 2023 US Open titleIn her half-decade competing at the highest level of her sport, Coco Gauff has built an impermeable reputation for her toughness. No matter the significance of the occasion or the state of her strokes, she will fight with everything at her disposal until the very last point. More often than not, she will find a way through.Across the net from the best player in the world in one of the most important moments of her career, Gauff showed the full breadth of her grit and durability as she somehow plotted a path to victory, holding her own in a gripping match between the two best players in the world to topple Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 and win her first French Open title. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Saka ruled out of England qualifier, Ronaldo will not play at Club World Cup – matchday live

Latest news and updates before Saturday’s footballFixtures | Tables | Mail matchday.live@theguardian.comPaul is confident that Tottenham will succeed if they appoint Thomas Frank to replace Ange Postecoglou:“There’s probably been too much over thinking on this. I sent this message to my son last night. ”It’s the right decision. He can leave a hero and will always be welcomed back. £100m just for turning up in the CL is too much to gamble on him getting top four. I know Frank hasn’t managed at CL level and he may be out of his depth but, personally, I’ve been walking out of games during the tenure of the last 3 managers. That needs to stop and if Frank gets me to stay 90+ minutes every week, he’s a step up! It will be interesting whether Frank can attract top quality signings. I see Manor Solomon’s coming back. Not a good start to the window!!” Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Spurs hunt for new manager, England face Andorra in World Cup qualifier – matchday live

Latest news and updates before Saturday’s footballFixtures | Tables | Mail matchday.live@theguardian.comAs always, I want to hear from you today! What are your thoughts on Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal? Did he deserve to be sacked? Who will replace him?Also, will you be watching England later today? Which starting XI should Thomas Tuchel go for? Let me know. Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Bukayo Saka injury worry emerges after Arsenal star misses England training

England face Andorra in a World Cup qualifying match on Saturday but may have to be without Arsenal star Bukayo Saka as he recovers from injury

Events

5 d. ago Wales brush aside Liechtenstein to maintain Bellamy’s unbeaten reign

The unbeaten reign of Craig Bellamy continued as his Wales side propelled themselves to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a thumping win. Bellamy was appointed head coach in July 2024 and the national side have drawn four and won five under him.Wales leapfrogged North Macedonia, who drew 1-1 to Belgium on Friday. The Red Devils are only just getting their qualifiers under way because they were involved in Nations League playoffs in March. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Why the Liechtenstein national anthem is likely to be booed in Cardiff tonight

Cardiff City welcome Liechtenstein to Cardiff City Stadium in a World Cup qualifying match tonight

Politics