'The View' host Ana Navarro's hilarious White House 'shenanigans' with Gloria Estefan leaves fans in splits
Ana Navarro visited the White House to celebrate Hispanic Heritage, where she also met Vice President Kamala Harris
2023-10-20 10:12
Australia thrash Canada to save Women’s World Cup dream from the jaws of a nightmare
Sam Kerr remained on the bench but thankfully for Australia, they did not need her. In a must-win match, the co-hosts did much more to keep their World Cup alive: thrashing the Olympic champions Canada to reach the knockout stages and restoring belief that looked to have been lost in the shock defeat to Nigeria. With it, Group B was flipped on its head: Ireland’s draw with Nigeria means Australia advance as group winners, avoiding a potential clash with England in the last-16. Kerr could yet return for that, but Australia finally found a way to play without their star striker and captain. It came at the perfect time with the Matildas facing elimination and a World Cup dream that was instead turning into a nightmare. Kerr was back on the bench after missing Australia’s opening two games with a calf injury, but against Canada they were instead lifted by another returning star in Mary Fowler. Ruled out of the defeat to Nigeria, a result that left Australia on the brink, Fowler returned to spark Australia’s attack into life, saving a World Cup that threatened to be over long before it was meant to. The Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson changed his shape and landed on a 4-4-2 that devastated Canada on the counter-attack, with Hayley Raso scoring a decisive brace from the right and Caitlin Foord enjoying her best performance of the tournament on the left. By the end, Australia’s position was so secure that there was no need to rush Kerr back. In her absence, Fowler has emerged as Australia’s next great hope. Badly missed against Nigeria after she was ruled out with concussion, Fowler gave Australia ideas and another option, a willing runner and clever dribbler to pull Canada out of their defensive shape. With Fowler setting Australia’s press alongside Emily van Egmond, her return meant Foord could return to the left wing, creating space for Steph Catley and restoring their key combination. It gave Australia familiarity and, even without Kerr, they had the attacking options to overwhelm Canada down the channels. Catley’s cross set up Raso’s opener inside 10 minutes, with the forward taking a touch before firing a low shot through the legs of Canada defender Ashely Lawrence. Australia were denied a second after a farcical offside, but Canada failed to take the warning with Raso scrambling in her second from a corner. Fowler’s tap-in, finished after Foord was released down the left in the second half, was then added to by Steph Catley’s late penalty. Relief had long since turned into joy, with Australia celebrating their biggest ever World Cup win, but this was meant to be nervy and a potentially disastrous night. Canada represented the worst possible opponents for a must-win decider, a side built for knockout football. In winning the Olympic gold medal, they were the team who simply refused to lose, absorbing pressure in their low-block and edging victories in games where they were second-best in possession and chances. They had cracked the code, always managing to find the breakthrough goal they needed to win close games. But at the World Cup that side did not turn up, and they became the first Olympic champions to exit at the group stage. Perhaps Chrstine Sinclair’s penalty miss in the opening stalemate with Nigeria was the moment that foreshadowed a doomed campaign - what would have been a historic goal for Sinclair, and a record sixth World Cup in which she had scored, turned into a missed opportunity. Throughout their three games, Canada only showed up in the second half against Ireland, where for 45 minutes they were able to solve some of their problems. Defensively, Canada never found a shape or structure that suited them. Kadeisha Buchanan, hooked at half time against Ireland, was overwhelmed again, struggling alongside Vanessa Gilles. Lawrence, another experienced member of their side, was often found out of position, never settling left or right. Behind them, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was far from the reassuring presence in goal that Canada desperately required. Bev Priestman’s four changes at half time was an alarming indication of how far Canada’s levels had fallen. It did not rescue them. Instead, Canada fell to their heaviest defeat under Priestman, a team in disarray. Australia now look the opposite: they are likely to face either Denmark or China in the last-16 and even without Kerr, this is a side who will be confident of progressing. Kerr could yet return and her World Cup is not yet over - more importantly, neither is Australia’s. Read More Kelly Smith: England can cope without Keira Walsh — here is how Lionesses can adjust Women’s World Cup group permutations: How can each team qualify? Nouhaila Benzina: The hijabi-wearing Moroccan making World Cup history
2023-07-31 20:39
Judge to sentence actor Danny Masterson to prison for two rapes
The star of That '70s Show will learn his punishment after victim impact statements are read in court.
2023-09-07 23:35
Where is Mellissa now? Dr Nassif of 'Botched' operated on Illinois girl's 'pig nose' to give her shapelier tip
Mellissa endured bullying for the entirety of her childhood since she was born with an upturned nose
2023-08-04 15:03
Brock Purdy's Head Slammed Into the Turf, He Wasn't Checked For a Concussion
Brock Purdy's head hit the turf hard and no one check him for a concussion.
2023-10-30 08:27
Javier Tebas breaks silence on Barcelona's failed move to sign Lionel Messi
La Liga president Javier Tebas gives his response to Barcelona failing to re-sign Lionel Messi this summer.
2023-06-13 02:00
The Fifth Down: Firing Bill Belichick would be a mistake
In this week's edition of The Fifth Down, Kinnu Singh explains how calls to fire New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick in the middle of the season are woefully short-sighted.
2023-11-29 21:12
PSG agree to release Lee Kang-in for Asian Games group phase
Paris Saint-Germain have agreed to release key attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in so he can join South Korea during the group phase of the Asian Games next week...
2023-09-15 14:12
Thunder 2023 offseason primer: Targets, outgoing free agents, trades, draft needs and more
The Oklahoma City Thunder have an exceedingly bright future and plenty of flexibility to improve their roster through free agency, trades, and the NBA Draft.Don't look now, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are back. Back from basketball purgatory, ready to stake their claim on the next decade ...
2023-05-24 23:08
After secret documents leak, Pentagon plans tighter controls to protect classified information
The Pentagon is announcing its plans for tightening protections of classified information following the explosive leaks of hundreds of intelligence documents that were accessed through security gaps at a Massachusetts Air National Guard base
2023-07-06 01:47
Save $99 on the powerful and portable 2021 iPad Mini
SAVE $99: As of May 30, the 2021 6th generation Apple iPad Mini (64GB) is
2023-05-30 23:46
'Provocative' Vivek Ramaswamy border comments anger Canadians
The Republican argued the US should build a wall on the Canadian border to halt the flow of fentanyl.
2023-11-10 04:30
You Might Like...
Biden Says Debt Talks Move Along as Parties Discuss Changes
Scholz says that Germany needs to expand deportations of rejected asylum-seekers
Crowds gather near state funeral home as China's former Premier Li Keqiang is being put to rest
More than 100 migrants found aboard train near US-Mexico border, days before Covid-era border policy expires
Twitch streamer Kai Cenat's 'giveaway' sparks chaos in Manhattan
Dixon aims for second Indy 500 win while rueing so many close calls
France recover from Ntamack injury with Fiji win
Amazon’s Answer to ChatGPT Seen as Incomplete
