7 h. ago Asia benefits from World Cup expansion as AFC qualification delivers thrills | John Duerden

There are concerns that quality at the 2026 tournament will be diluted but giving Asia more places has brought a new dimension to qualificationJeddah is more relaxed and laid-back than Riyadh. Tony Popovic should know. On Tuesday, for the second time in his coaching career, he left Saudi Arabia with a big prize, though back in 2014, it had been a far more fierce fight. Then, Western Sydney Wanderers went to the capital to defend their 1-0 first leg lead in the Asian Champions League final and, despite the best that Al Hilal could throw at them, held firm amid the storm for the most unlikely of trophy wins. This week, however, there was a five-goal cushion by the Red Sea, meaning there was only ever going to be one outcome: a seventh World Cup appearance. After successive playoff qualifications, to advance directly to North America is a welcome change and to do so with wins against Japan and Saudi Arabia is especially pleasing.It may have ended calmly, but this campaign has been a re...

Politics

7 h. ago Football Daily | Cohesion, energy and a gameplan: Senegal show England what they are lacking

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!England’s Brave Thomas Tuchel might be starting to understand why they call it “The Impossible Job”. On a balmy evening by the River Trent, it took Harry Kane just eight minutes to score against Senegal, and surely leave the edgy disquiet of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Andorra behind. The fun summertime vibes didn’t last long: three Senegal goals later, the final whistle was met with a volley of boos and jeers, England coming up distinctly second best to their opponents. England’s men’s side had never lost to an African nation before, but a record that probably should have fallen at Italia ‘90 was finally claimed in June 2025 – and deservedly so. Senegal may have benefited from funky interpretations of both the handball rule and VAR intervention when Jude Bellingham’s equaliser was chalked off, but this was their night. “I want to congratulate my players for the tremendous performance and mindset they showed out on the pitch today,” man...

Sport

14 h. ago Micky van de Ven gives honest verdict on Ange Postecoglou sacking

Postecoglou was sacked just 16 days after Tottenham’s triumph in the Europa League final

Politics

14 h. ago Football tourists help Manchester cement place among UK’s busiest airports

Northwest hub and London Heathrow saw passenger numbers soar for Europa League final in Bilbao between United and Spurs

Society

28 h. ago England v Senegal: men’s international football friendly – live

Updates from the 7.45pm BST kick-off at the City GroundLive scores | Read today’s Football Daily | And mail RobThis is a good piece from Jonathan Wilson on why Thomas Tuchell is so keen to have Jordan Henderson aroundThe details of Henderson’s performance against Andorra are largely irrelevant. Some players thrive against minnows, some struggle in a game very different from the high-level fixtures with which they are more familiar. How you play against Andorra is not going to determine whether you have a part in a potential World Cup-winning side. But one recovery run to stymie an Andorra counter after Dan Burn had lost possession caught the eye; Henderson, at least, was switched on. And it was after he was substituted after 63 minutes that England slipped into the individualism that so annoyed Tuchel.Henderson is a professional, the non-commissioned officer maintaining discipline and morale, ensuring the plan is followed and standards maintained. He has captained a team that won th...

Society

31 h. ago Alejandro Garnacho: Manchester United set lofty asking price for wantaway winger as top clubs circle

The Argentina international hinted he was ready for a move after being dropped for the Europa League final

Politics

39 h. ago ‘Ruben Amorim backed himself into a corner – but it’s not too late to reverse Man Utd mistake'

Ruben Amorim was appointed as Manchester United manager in November, but has struggled since, with the club finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final

Politics

49 h. ago ‘Play with a smile’: Tuchel challenges England to relax and hit top gear

Head coach thinks players ‘will rise to the occasion’Tuchel wants ‘more fluid’ and ‘more exciting’ footballThomas Tuchel has said England should not have an inferiority complex in relation to the world’s strongest teams but must start playing with a smile to realise their true potential.The England head coach said his side “have not clicked yet” and, as well as criticising the attitude against Andorra on Saturday, believes the performance was too rigid and too serious. England’s labours in Barcelona were put into sharper focus by the quality of Portugal and Spain in the Nations League final the following night. Tuchel, however, insists England are not inferior to those nations and will improve, beginning with the friendly against Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago Football Daily | Dilly ding, dilly dong! Italy press the big World Cup panic button again

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!When Italy were humbled by Norway in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday night, the response from Gazzetta dello Sport was as measured as you would expect. “ENOUGH!” screamed the pink paper’s front-page headline the next day, while the lengthy howl of anguish over which it appeared declared that the country’s “World Cup is already at risk”. While Luciano Spalletti had been bullish in the immediate aftermath of his knack-ravaged side’s 3-0 defeat in Oslo, on Sunday he cut a far more forlorn figure as he appeared alone before a bloodthirsty press-pack to preview the qualifier against Moldova, unaccompanied by any of his players or even a simpering national team media handler.Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach [Michal Probierz], I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge. I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the ...

Politics

57 h. ago 'I made Cristiano Ronaldo cry after his touchline message – but I'm a Premier League flop'

Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal win the Nations League final on Sunday, but former Swansea City striker Eder also admitted how he inspired his winning goal at Euro 2016

Politics

59 h. ago Alejandro Garnacho put straight as questions over Man Utd exit emerge

Alejandro Garnacho's future at Man United is in doubt after he was benched for the Europa League final and the Argentinian has now been given some stern advice by an England icon

Politics

60 h. ago Cristiano Ronaldo fires Lamine Yamal warning as Spain star snubs Portugal celebrations

Lamine Yamal has already won five trophies in his career aged 17 and is being tipped for superstardom, but tasted a rare defeat as Spain lost to Portugal in the Nations League final on Sunday night

Events

61 h. ago Cristiano Ronaldo shows true colours over injury nightmare and Roberto Martinez

Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off in the closing stages of Portugal's Nations League final win over Spain, with the forward admitting he was struggling with an injury that he suffered in the warm-up

Events

62 h. ago Police issue statement after fan falls from stand and dies during Nations League final

Portugal won the Nations League final against Spain on penalties, but the game has been overshadowed by the tragic death of a supporter, who had fallen from a stand just before both the shootout began

Sport

62 h. ago CR7 fanboys come for Ronaldo Ballon d'OR rival at Nations League Final as Bayern royalty ducks for cover

The incident happened at the Allianz Arena as fans goaded Franck Ribery after his online spat

Sport

64 h. ago Supporter dies in fall from stands during Nations League final

Medical personnel, stewards, and police immediately cordoned off the area as the game continued

Sport

65 h. ago Cristiano Ronaldo confirms injury nightmare as he makes Roberto Martinez thoughts clear

Cristiano Ronaldo played through the pain barrier to lead Portugal to winning the Nations League final against bitter rivals Spain, with the skipper breaking down in tears after the game

Events

3 d. ago Portugal win Nations League with penalty shootout victory over Spain

Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 penalties): Cristiano Ronaldo netted a second half equaliser before Ruben Neves slotted in the decisive penalty

Events

3 d. ago Spain vs Portugal live: Result and reaction as Ruben Neves scores decisive penalty Nations League final

Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 on penalties): Roberto Martinez’s men are the first team to win the Nations League twice

Sport

3 d. ago Portugal vs Spain LIVE: Nations League final result, latest updates and reaction after Selecao win in shootout

Plenty on the line as two European heavyweights meet at the Allianz Arena

Sport