SYDNEY — Sarina Wiegman and Jorge Vilda are preparing for the biggest game of their coaching careers — the Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain here in Sydney. As the clock ticks down to kick-off, they must both make a huge decision that could shape their professional legacies. It is about high stakes and making the right call; balancing cold, calculated judgment against emotion and the gut feeling…
On Saturday night at the Parc des Princes, Kylian Mbappé was in a good mood. Not because his team, Paris Saint-Germain, were struggling to score without him against Lorient in their Ligue 1 opening game of the 2023-24 season. Not because one of his best friends in football, Ousmane Dembélé, was sat next to him in his box. No: most of all, Mbappé was happy because he knew that his…
The 2022-23 Bundesliga season saw Bayern Munich win their 11th consecutive title, but it obscures the fact that it was secured on the final day of the season, in a dramatic twist, snatched from the grasp of Borussia Dortmund. It was a result that did little to combat allegations that Germany’s top flight is predictable, but the circuitous journey the Bavarians took to lifting the Meisterschale ensured plenty of intrigue…
SYDNEY — It was sheer pragmatic, controlled aggression from England that ended Australia’s fairy tale. Not even Sam Kerr scoring one of the greatest goals in Women’s World Cup history could keep the music playing for the team that has led Australian football to new heights. The Lionesses had no interest in playing their role in the miracle of the Matildas; that’s just not how they do things under coach…
SYDNEY, Australia — Some will tell you that the Women’s World Cup branding around the host cities in Australia and New Zealand is scant, but in all nine, it’s there. You’ll see the touch of the tournament across billboards, countless lampposts and trams. There are always the ones that tell you where you are, fabric declaring “Sydney/Gadigal” waving in the breeze across the bay from the Opera House — basically,…
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — It was written in the script that this semifinal would be settled by a decisive set piece. The twist in the tale, however, was that it was scored by Spain, rather than Sweden, to secure La Roja’s first Women’s World Cup final appearance. By doing so with their 2-1 win at Eden Park, Spain sent a message to their potential opponents in the final on Sunday…
SYDNEY — England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman has taken a crash course on the England-Australia sporting rivalry this week. The front page of Monday’s Australian Daily Telegraph would’ve helped bring her up to speed. The headline rang out: “Now for the Poms!” The accompanying text detailed the tale of this summer’s sporting match-ups between the two nations: the battle for The Ashes in men’s and women’s cricket, and the recent…
Kepa Arrizabalaga said he wants to stay at Real Madrid for the long term as he was unveiled as the club’s latest signing on Tuesday, after arriving on loan to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois. Madrid moved quickly to sign goalkeeper Kepa — who had been on the brink of joining Bayern Munich from Chelsea — when No.1 Courtois suffered an ACL tear in training last week. – Stream on…
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand. After 32 teams began their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaigns, we’re now down to four, with many of the favourites…
European soccer is back! This weekend saw the Premier League, LaLiga and Ligue 1 start for the 2023-24 season, as well as the final of the German DFL-Supercup. Arsenal began their campaign with a mixed performance as they look to improve on last year’s second-place finish and win the league title, PSG took to the field while off-pitch drama surrounds Kylian Mbappé, and Bayern Munich played RB Leipzig on Harry…