Amanda Ilestedt scored in the 89th minute to give Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in its Group G opener at the Women’s World Cup Sunday

Sweden fought back and struck late on to grab a 2-1 win over South Africa in their Women's World Cup opener on...

Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg called for greater "balance" on Sunday after referees awarded penalties in all of the first eight games...

Erik ten Hag was pleased by Manchester United’s display in and out of possession as they kicked off their US pre-season tour with a win against fellow title hopefuls Arsenal. Having beaten Leeds in Oslo and Lyon in Edinburgh, the Red Devils kicked off the main stint of 2023-24 preparations at a sold-out MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday. Newly-appointed captain Bruno Fernandes all too easily beat Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale before Jadon Sancho struck following an error by Gabriel in a 2-0 win wrapped up by half-time. “I think it’s very good,” United boss Ten Hag said. “The way we played, I was really pleased, how active we were in and out of possession. “That is the way we want to play and that is the only period of the year you can really work in training and translate it to games without it having consequences. “But still, we want to win, and I think the lads showed we played a good game. “Of course, they are all great games. We have to go and it helps us to progress and especially those opponents, they are good. “Arsenal is a really good opponent. They played incredibly good last season in the Premier League, so yeah, that’s good to match with them, then you will be better.” The main negative was the second half injury to Amad Diallo, who left MetLife Stadium on crutches with his left foot in strapping. There are more youngsters with us now and they’re all doing very good. But I don’t want to rise expectations too high Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag Ten Hag will be hoping the youngster has avoided any kind of significant injury on a night when 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo produced a promising performance. “It’s fantastic,” the Dutchman told MUTV. “Manchester United is famous for always bringing young players up and it can be done. But we have to see. “We have confidence, he is playing with confidence and I really like his performance. But this year, he showed it in spring, then he got injured. We are really happy. “There are more youngsters with us now and they’re all doing very good. But I don’t want to rise expectations too high. “We have to see. The Premier League is tough but, definitely, you can see we have some really good young players who can play a role in the squad. But the bar is high.” United continue on to San Diego, where their reserves take on Wrexham before the first team faces Real Madrid in Houston and Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas. Arsenal beat the MLS All-Stars 5-0 in Washington DC on Wednesday night and head to Los Angeles to take on Barcelona looking to bounce back from losing to United. Barca had to cancel their Saturday friendly against Juventus as “a significant part of the Blaugrana squad has a viral gastroenteritis”. An Arsenal spokesperson said they are in close contact with the LaLiga champions and fully confident their match against them will take place as planned on July 26. Mikel Arteta is hoping for a response from his squad, saying after the loss to United: “Yes (this is a good lesson for us). “You asked me yesterday about my thoughts on how difficult or easy the season is going to be. “It’s going to be more challenging, more difficult, the level and preparation of the team is excellent and we knew today, they had already played two games before this one and we knew the test was going to be really demanding, like it’s going to be on Wednesday against one of the best teams in the world. “I don’t like losing and I don’t like the feeling that I have right now. “So, the boys have to train right now, in that space thinking how we are going to be better to win the next match.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Emile Smith Rowe ready to bounce back from injury-plagued season On this day in 2017: Anya Shrubsole bowls England to Women’s World Cup victory Time to show we are a ‘big team’ says Bruno Fernandes

Emile Smith Rowe is feeling fresh, fit and ready to prove his worth at Arsenal after a “really tough”, injury-interrupted season. The academy graduate came through the ranks in north London and, having established himself as an exciting performer under Mikel Arteta, was rewarded with a new long-term deal two years ago. Smith Rowe made his senior England debut later in 2021 but things went awry last term. The 22-year-old underwent groin surgery to rectify an issue that has been plaguing him since a loan spell at RB Leipzig in 2019, restricting him to 14 club appearances and no starts. This was my first time having surgery, so it was a really hard decision to take but I went for it Emile Smith Rowe “I am feeling good, it’s good to be back with the boys, back on the pitch with my team-mates,” the 22-year-old attacking midfielder said. “My ambition is to get some more minutes this season and really push on. “Last year was really hard for me, so I just want to kick on now and prove that I can play for this club. “It was really tough because I had surgery twice, so it was really hard. “But my family, friends and the club helped me a lot to get through it. I’m just really happy to be pain free right now and get fit. “This was my first time having surgery, so it was a really hard decision to take but I went for it. “I’m happy that I don’t feel anything there anymore. I am really happy to be fully fit now.” Smith Rowe, who came on in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United in New Jersey, is also buoyed by his starting role in England’s Under-21 European Championship final win against Spain. It was, he says, an “amazing experience” to triumph in Georgia – success that will only add to his hunger for silverware as Arsenal look to build on last season’s Premier League runners-up spot. “I am at a big club at Arsenal,” Smith Rowe said. “If I didn’t have competition, there wouldn’t be no point. “I have to push myself every day in training, keep working hard. “It’s tough competition but it’s good at the same time. I need to keep working hard and believing in myself. “We’re very ambitious, we want to win trophies. We’re back in Champions League, which is good for the club so really ambitious for us and I want to push on now. “There’s definitely a lot of confidence going into the new season. “We’re a young team as well, so to get that far last season was really good from us. “But, of course, we want to win trophies, so we are going to definitely try and be stronger this year and take it a step further.” 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 2017: Anya Shrubsole bowls England to Women’s World Cup victory Time to show we are a ‘big team’ says Bruno Fernandes Day five of fourth Ashes Test: England face battle with elements in victory push

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