List of All Articles with Tag 'b'

England midfielder Katie Zelem admits it was bittersweet to make her World Cup debut knowing close friend Keira Walsh’s injury was the reason why. Manchester United captain Zelem started in England’s 6-1 victory over China, while Walsh has stepped up her recovery from the knee problem she sustained in the 1-0 victory over Denmark. Zelem, 27, was not part of boss Sarina Wiegman’s squad to face Brazil and Australia in April and confessed there was a time she did not think she would be on the plane to the World Cup. She said: “I think it’s a tough situation, to be honest, especially when Keira is one of my closest friends in the team. “I think you never want to be playing on someone else’s misfortune, but luckily we found out that Keira’s injury obviously wasn’t too long-term or serious, so that is brilliant news. “To be honest when I found out I wasn’t picked for the April camp I actually thought that was my World Cup dream over. “I think that was one of the hardest moments to take, especially following the Euros last year when I wasn’t selected. “It just kind of felt like there’s not another camp before obviously the selection. “I think for a couple of days I really thought I’ve worked so hard all season, and it’s just not meant to be, but we had some really important games at Manchester United, obviously fighting for the league title and the FA Cup final. “I think that really helped shift my focus to being the best I can for club and hopefully whatever I did was enough.” Walsh joined her team-mates at the Central Coast Stadium on Friday, though the Champions League winner took part in an individual programme while the remaining 22 Lionesses trained on the pitch. On Sunday they will travel to Brisbane ahead of Monday’s last-16 meeting with world number 40 side Nigeria, who emerged from Group B while Olympic champions Canada – 33 places above them in the global rankings – were sent packing alongside debutants the Republic of Ireland. Wiegman, who before this tournament had the reputation of being unfailingly consistent – starting the same XI for every match of England’s Euro 2022 triumph – has now shown she is willing to switch between players and systems to optimise the Lionesses’ chances of winning against sides with vastly different philosophies and approaches. The decision to switch to a 3-5-2 against China turned out to be an inspired choice, while new connections numerous players insisted were forming in training seemed to really start clicking as England played with more fluidity. On the flip side, even in the absence of Walsh, a regular place for someone like Zelem, who made not just her World Cup debut but earned her first senior England start in the final game of the group stage, is nowhere near a given. She said: “As much as we’re all pushing each other and fighting for the starting 11 spot, I think it really is a team effort. “You can see when different players come on and when different players start the sort of impact they make.” Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

How much Josko Gvardiol will cost Manchester City and how his transfer from RB Leipzig compares to the most expensive defenders of all time.

Rogan repeated a series of debunked claims about the integrity of Arizona's elections system

(Reuters) -A sea drone attack damaged a Russian tanker near the strategic bridge linking Russia to the annexed peninsula of

At Stamford Bridge on Saturday a number of football legends and celebrities will take to the pitch to raise money for war-torn Ukraine. The first Game 4 Ukraine will be played in front of fans, with the money designated to help rebuild the infrastructure and facilities damaged by the Russian invasion of the country. Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky will address the crowd, before a minutes silence for all those killed in the conflict, and the mascots will be displaced children. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Game 4 Ukraine? The Game 4 Ukraine is due to kick off at 6 pm BST on Saturday 5 August at Stamford Bridge in London, will music and lights continuing until after 9pm. While the game will kick off at 6 pm BST, but will be stopped at 6.24 pm to pay respect, with fans asked to cheer and clap to in tribute to the bravery of the people of Ukraine. Half time shows include Pete Doherty and Boombox, before a trophy presentation and live music, with The Pretenders closing out the music before a light show at 9 pm. How can I watch it? Game 4 Ukraine will be shown live on Sky Max, with coverage starting at 5pm (UK time). Sky subscribers will also be able to watch the game via Sky Go. Team news The Blue Team, or Team Shevchenko will be managed by Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes and includes a number of players from Chelsea including Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien, and Claude Makelele, along with current Ukranian player Mykhailo Mudryk. The Yellow Team, or Team Zinchenko will be managed by Arsene Wenger contains a number of former Arsenal legends among other including Robert Pires, Jens Lehmann and Gilberto Silva. They will play alongside Cluj Ukranian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka and former player Yevhen Levchenko. Outside of football, Roman Kemp and Mark Strong will line up for the Yellow Team, and Russell Howard, James Arthur and Chelcee Grimes for the Blue Team. Read More Russia's war with Ukraine has generated its own fog, and mis- and disinformation are everywhere Ukraine accuses Russia of planning ‘false flag’ attack in Belarus to draw Minsk into war Ukraine says Russian missiles hit another apartment building and likely trapped people under rubble The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

Japan continued their impressive form at the Women’s World Cup to advance to the quarter-finals as they knocked out Norway with a 3-1 win in Wellington. Hinata Miyazawa sealed a clinical victory on the counter-attack with her fifth strike of the World Cup after Norway had given Japan a helping hand with both of their first two goals, with Ingrid Syrstad Engen diverting a cross into her own net for the opener and Vilde Boe Risa’s back-pass setting up Risa Shimizu’s second. Guro Reiten had equalised in the first half, the first goal Japan had conceded at the tournament, but Norway’s star forwards Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg, who came on as a late substitute, were largely kept quiet. In the earlier game, Aitana Bonmati scored a stunning brace as Spain reached the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals for the first time with a commanding 5-1 win over Switzerland. Spain were under pressure after their 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group stages but responded in style and will now face either Netherlands or South Africa in the last eight. Follow live updates from Japan vs Norway in the Women’s World Cup last-16 Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

Mikel Arteta knows his Arsenal side will need a monumental points tally if they are to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title his season. The two rivals meet in Sunday’s Community Shield, the Gunners taking part after they finished second to treble-winning City last year. Arsenal led the way for much of the campaign but lost both home and away to Pep Guardiola’s men, who have now claimed five of the last six league crowns. “They’ve shown their consistency over the years and they merit that respect from everybody for what they’ve done,” Arteta said of his former club. “If you want to challenge for that championship you know the total points that you’re going to be needing and that’s unheard of in this league for the last 100 years. “So that’s the standard and, if you want to be there, you know what you have to do.” Asked if City’s treble-winning exploits could mark the pinnacle for Guardiola’s current crop, Arteta added: “I heard that a few times in the last seven years – and they won four titles, got to a hundred points and then they go to 95. “So I don’t think that’s the case. And knowing the manager and the people who work at the club I don’t think that’s going to be the case.” If you want to challenge for that championship you know the total points that you’re going to be needing and that’s unheard of in this league for the last 100 years Mikel Arteta Arteta has won the FA Cup and Community Shield since taking over at the Emirates Stadium in 2019 but now wants to show last season’s unexpected title tilt was not a one-off. “This is what we want, to be on every front fighting for trophies,” he added. “We have to prove that what we did last year was something, but it wasn’t enough to win the biggest trophy and the one we were looking (for). “We have to be better and that comes every day with trying to be better, making better decisions and playing better, and deserving to win the game. In the end, the outcome will come by itself.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level Manchester City complete £77.6million signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez completes £25million Chelsea move

Former President Donald Trump is set to visit South Carolina on Saturday, wrapping up a week that has been defined by his historic third indictment.

Fresh off his first-ever loss in the ring, Jake Paul is eyeing some redemption tonight when he takes on former UFC fighter Nate Diaz.Boxing fans who sign up with Bet365 and DraftKings sportsbooks and follow our step-by-step instructions will win $350 in combined bonus bets – win or lose!...

Manchester City have finalised the signing of Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. The 21-year-old completed his medical with City on Friday afternoon after the Premier League champions agreed a fee of 90million euros (£77.6m) with Leipzig. City announced on their official website: “Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. “The 21-year-old becomes the second signing of the summer transfer window ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following in the footsteps of fellow Croatian international Mateo Kovacic.” Gvardiol has spent the last two seasons at Leipzig, making 87 appearances in all competitions, and was key to Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar at the end of last year. He said: “I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me. “Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has. “To be joining City is something very special for me and my family. To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.” Gvardiol will add competition on the left side of City’s defence, having helped Croatia reach the last four at the World Cup and then the final of the Nations League, where they were beaten by Spain. He started out at Dinamo Zagreb, making his senior debut for his hometown club aged 17 in 2019, and, after turning down an approach from Leeds, joined RB Leipzig for £13.8million in the summer of 2021. Gvardiol returned on loan to Zagreb for the remainder of the 2020-21 season and helped them win the domestic double. In his first season at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig won the their first major trophy – the DFB-Pokal – and qualified for the Champions League after finishing runners-up to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Gvardiol made 59 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Europa League and ensured a second season in the Champions League last season. After making his first senior international start for Croatia in their opening group defeat to England at Euro 2020, Gvardiol played every minute for Zlatko Dalic’s side as they finished third at the 2022 World Cup.

Ilkay Gundogan explains why he joined Barcelona from Man City & believes he must prove himself to a new audience.

Seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles is due to return to competitive gymnastics on Saturday for the first time since pulling out of Tokyo Olympics finals in 2021.