Category: 6. Sports

By Ryder Cup Digital On August 17, 2025 22:00 UTC

Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau have qualified for the 2025 United States Ryder Cup Team. They join Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun and Xander Schauffele as the six automatic qualifiers via the U.S. points system.

All U.S. players earned points beginning in 2024 and concluding with this weekend’s 2025 BMW Championship. Bradley will announce his six Captain’s Picks to complete the 12-member U.S. Team on Wednesday, August 27.

Scheffler, 29, is making his third-consecutive appearance on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team. The World No. 1 owns a 2-2-3 career Ryder Cup record after competing in 2021 at Whistling Straits and 2023 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Scheffler shot 11-under 273 to claim a five-shot victory at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. He captured his fourth career Major and second of the season at The Open Championship held at Royal Portrush in July, finishing at 17-under 267 for a four-shot victory.

Spaun is making his first appearance on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team. He won the U.S. Open earlier this year, sinking a 64-foot putt on the final hole to clinch his first Major title. The 34-year-old Spaun has registered six top-10 finishes on the PGA TOUR this season, including runner-up at THE PLAYERS and Fedex St. Jude Championship.

Schauffele is set to compete in his third-consecutive Ryder Cup after playing in 2021 and 2023. He went 3-1-0 in his debut at Whistling Straits, and owns a 4-4-0 career record. Schauffele, a nine-time winner on the PGA TOUR, won a pair of Majors in 2024—the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club and The Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Henley, 36, will be making his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black. He claimed his fifth career PGA TOUR victory in March at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, closing with a final-round 70 en route to a one-stroke win. Henley posted a T-7 finish at the 2024 U.S. Open and took fifth at The Open Championship before registering T-10 results in both majors in 2025.

English, 36, will be competing in his second Ryder Cup after going 1-2-0 with the 2021 U.S. Team at Whistling Straits. He earned his fifth career PGA TOUR win at the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open. English shot a final-round 6-under 65 to record his best career finish, T-2 (6-under), at the 2025 PGA Championship. He added a runner-up finish at The Open Championship in July after posting 13-under 271.

DeChambeau returns for his third Ryder Cup following U.S. team appearances in 2018 and 2021. He owns a 2-3-1 career record, including 1-0-1 in four-ball. The 31-year-old collected T-6 and runner-up finishes in the 2024 Masters Tournament and PGA Championship, respectively. DeChambeau won his second U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024, highlighted by a dramatic up-and-down par on the 72nd hole to win by one. His strong performances in Majors continued at the 2025 Masters (T-5), PGA Championship (T-2) and The Open Championship (T-10).

Phillipe Coutinho scored a brace as Vasco Da Gama put six past Neymar’s Santos in the Brazilian Serie A on Sunday.

Neymar, who signed a new contract at Santos in June, and was on the receiving end of a 6-0 defeat, the worst of his career. He was overcome with emotion at full-time and consoled on the pitch by a member of the club’s backroom staff.

Former Liverpool and Barcelona forward Coutinho — who joined Vasco this summer — scored twice in the second-half after Lucas Piton put Vasco in front early in the first. Goals from David Correa De Fonseca, Rayan and Danilo Neves capped of the sensational scoreline.

The result takes Vasco out of the relegation zone and puts them just two points behind Santos in 15th.

“I’m ashamed. I’m totally disappointed with our performance. The fans have every right to protest, obviously without using violence … But if they want to curse and insult, they’re in their right,” Neymar said post match.

“It’s a feeling of extreme shame. I’ve never experienced this in my life. Unfortunately, it happened. The tears were from anger, from everything. Unfortunately, I can’t help in every way. Anyway, it was total s—, that’s the reality.”

Santos sacked head coach Cléber Xavier after the result and “wish him well in his future career,” they said in a statement.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain got their title defence off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Nantes on Sunday. 

A long-distance strike from midfielder Vitinha was enough for Luis Enrique’s side to secure an away win to start the season, just four days after their UEFA Super Cup victory against Tottenham Hotspur. 

Such was the European champions’ dominance, Nantes failed to register a shot on target in the game with PSG having over 70% of the ball, with the scoreline kind to the hosts in a game where they never really got going. 

After Vitinha broke the deadlock, PSG began to look short of ideas, just as they had for long spells against Europa League winners Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup final. 

The Portugal international collected the ball about 20-meters out in the 67th minute and his strike clipped defender Chidozie Awaziem as he tried to duck under the ball, before wrong-footing goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

That proved enough for Enrique’s side, who were again without goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italy No. 1 announced his PSG exit last week amid links to a Premier League move. 

– Ligue 1 table  

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A scrappy first half saw little creativity, and neither Chevalier or Lopes had much to do.

Nantes coach Luis Castro may regret leaving striker Matthis Abline on the bench until the 60th minute as the side looked much sharper once he came on.

Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Regaining the position the All Blacks dominated in the 2011-20 decade was made possible after their win, and Australia’s 38-22 win over South Africa in Johannesburg.

Robertson said, “It just shows you how tough Test footy is, how close it is, and the margins. Argentina were great for a lot of the match. They defended well, they’re passionate, just like the Springboks were too.

“And then, it can turn on a moment, a discipline, a card, great play, two or three tries back-to-back, can turn Test matches.

“We’re pleased we’re No1, but our sights will be set on next week’s match than the rankings.”

Robertson said Cordoba’s atmosphere was tough, as was expected, and after being up 31-10 at halftime, the All Blacks’ discipline slipped. However, they found a way to finish well.

“It had a bit of everything, but we’re pleased. There were a lot of [pleasing] efforts we can look back on. In a lot of areas, we have to improve, but it was a tough Test.

“We created a lot of pressure and opportunities through holding the ball for long periods, and our skill set was good.

“We didn’t get the possession in the second half and we went to our lineout and maul, which was very powerful. So it was pleasing that we could play two different styles and find a way, especially at the back end of Test matches where we know they are won or lost.”

When Argentina held the phase ball for long periods, they had some good plays, with little kicks in behind the All Blacks and got good bounces. They showed they are a smart team.

Captain Scott Barrett said Cordoba’s stadium was impressive to play in, and if the fans had been any closer to the pitch, it would have been hard to hear his teammates.

“The fans, particularly in that second half, got behind their team. It shows the passion of the local fans.”

Barrett was concerned about the second-half penalty count against the All Blacks. Discipline was something they had pride in, and it wasn’t what they wanted.

“It’s about playing territory and they won the battle off the back of those penalties. We’ll make some adjustments to our self-discipline and we want to be cleaner so we have more ball in the right areas of the field.”

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Manchester United weigh up bid for Adam Wharton, Chelsea’s bid for Alessandro Bastoni rejected and Xavi Simons keen on Stamford Bridge switch

Manchester United are weighing up whether to make a bid for Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21. (Talksport), external

Inter Milan have turned down a 50m euros (£43m) bid from Chelsea for Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni, 26. (La Gazzetta dello Sport), external

RB Leipzig and Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, 22, has told the club he wants a transfer to Chelsea, despite interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City. (ESPN), external

AC Milan are keen to push through a 35m euros (£30.2m) deal for Denmark and Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund, 22, but are also considering Juventus and Serbia forward Dusan Vlahovic, 25, as an alternative. (La Gazzetta dello Sport), external

Manchester City and England right-back Rico Lewis, 20, say he has no intention of leaving the club despite interest from Nottingham Forest. (Mail), external

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, 29, was left out of Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Arsenal with the club considering a shock move to bring Spanish stopper David de Gea, 34, back to the club from Fiorentina. (Sun), external

However, United have committed their transfer funds to other positions after inquiring about Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 32, and Paris St-Germain and Italy stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Jadon Sancho’s salary is the sticking point in a £20m move from Manchester United to Roma. The 25-year-old England winger is keen to see if any other clubs step in and match his weekly wages of about £250,000. (Teamtalk) , external

Roma have also made contact with Manchester United about a deal for 26-year-old Netherlands left-back Tyrell Malacia, who is also interesting Besiktas. (Fabrizio Romano) , external

Atalanta are hoping to thrash out a deal with Fulham to sign their Brazilian forward Rodrigo Muniz, 24, for about 40m euros (£34.5m) on Monday. (Teamtalk), external

France forward Randal Kolo Muani, 26, has agreed a pay cut to join Juventus from Paris St-Germain, in a deal worth about 60m euros (£51.8m). (Corriere dello Sport in Italian) , external

Tottenham are considering a move for 24-year-old Real Sociedad and Japan winger Takefusa Kubo as Thomas Frank looks to bolster his attacking options. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Burnley and Sunderland are both interested in FC Copenhagen’s Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Pereira, 25. (Teamtalk), external

Arsenal are ready to swoop for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 28, with the Netherlands international’s contract set to expire next summer. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Anthony Ibekwe prevailed in a super-heavyweight war to win gold at the Riviera Box Cup.

William John McCarton, from the Gilford club in Ireland, stormed out to set a furious pace in their 92&kgs final in Torbay. But the Finchley ABC super-heavy lashed in a heavy combination to counter the Irishman when his shots fell short.

Ibekwe worked well with his back hand, landing a fine right uppercut off a right hook. Even though McCarton clipped him with a right hook himself, Ibekwe finished the opening round with a smile.

By the end of the second, the Londoner was breathing heavily and taking on water, but he was sustaining his own efforts in good fashion to keep McCarton at bay.

In the final round, Ibekwe’s left hook connected and fierce headshots forced McCarton onto the backfoot as the Finchley boxer took a good unanimous decision victory and the super-heavyweight gold medal.

Barton Hill’s Giedale Stewart is another super-heavyweight worth watching. He impressed with quality boxing in the Novice category, stopping Johnmara Aburamoia in the final. Stewart shook up the Chadwell St Mary boxer with a heavy cross, before another clean right saw a second count administered and finished the bout in the second round.

Henry Murray, of Wolverhampton, watched Blackbird Leys’ middleweight Jamal Franklin halt his twin brother Charles Murray, immediately before boxing his own final. Still he took on Bideford’s Dylan Burston an exciting light-heavyweight clash. Murray sent thunderous crosses through but Burston exchanged with him and a strong finish saw the Bideford boxer edge him out on a close but unanimous decision.

Lord Mountbatten’s Hannah Jeffrey took control of her flyweight final with Blue Flames’ Charlie Miller, grinding her down in the third round and lining up a clear right. Miller was forced to hold and saw out the contest with Jeffrey winning a unanimous decision.

Magic Hatton’s Faye McCormick couldn’t repeat her Manchester Box Cup success as Ella Doe, from CNC Christchurch, seized a split-decision victory and the 54kg gold medal.

Both Blackbird Ley’s Morris James and JABxing’s Dre Patterson impressed with stoppage wins. James was unrelenting against Barum’s Ollie Lee with thumping shots forcing a third round in finish their 75kg final. Patterson may be a novice 67kg but fought with eye-catching style, pouncing on Stevenage’s Oliver Culling as he lashed in punches, winning inside the third round after handing Culling three standing counts.

Host club featherweight Neo Judge, named after Keanu Reeves’ character in The Matrix films, marauded forward with always entertaining aggression. His hard combinations harried The Ring’s Khurram Ali Shan, who kept on the move but could not ward off the energetic Torbay boxer. Judge took a unanimous decision and 57kg gold.

Thurrock’s Harry Burke is a classy southpaw who fired his solid left cross into the mark against Liam Huntley in their 71kg final. The Wolves Den boxer did land firm punches of his own, especially in the second round. But Burke’s quality shone through with further flush lefts hitting home. They finished trading blows in ring centre with Burke a good unanimous victor.

Amorim later clarified that Onana had not been dropped for this game and was also not about to leave the club.

The United boss said the Cameroon keeper had not been considered because he had missed every pre-season match because of a hamstring injury he sustained at the beginning of last month.

United did have tentative discussions much earlier in the transfer window about signing World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martinez from Aston Villa.

That went nowhere. More recently, they have been quick to rule themselves out of a move for PSG’s Champions League-winning goalkeeper Donnarumma.

In addition, United also decided to loan highly-rated 21-year-old Radek Vitek to Bristol City.

Internally, United have high hopes for the Czech Republic youth international, whose performance in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Charlton on Saturday was labelled “world class” by Addicks coach Curtis Fleming.

However, United clearly feel Vitek is not yet ready to deal with the pressure of being a regular at Old Trafford.

So, if Onana was not available, it left Amorim facing a straight choice between Bayindir and 37-year-old Tom Heaton, who signed a one-year contract extension this summer and says he still has a “drive and desire to play”.

Amorim was displeased at being asked about his goalkeeper selection during his assessment of Sunday’s loss.

He took particular exception to a suggestion that Bayindir’s failure to keep out Son Heung-min’s corner in an EFL Cup loss at Tottenham in December, when the keeper was also crowded out in his own six-yard box, was a reason why picking him was a risk.

“Why?” he responded. “[Son’ goal was] without VAR. With VAR, it’s a foul.

“And then what happened in the next game? Who saved the penalty? Who saved the game? You don’t remember?

“Bayindir was unbelievable in that game. I consider everything to put one on another.”

There were actually four games, and almost a month, between the Tottenham defeat and the next time Bayindir played – in United’s FA Cup penalty shoot-out victory at Arsenal.

Onana started all the matches in between.

Given Amorim’s subsequent comments about his overall goalkeeping department, the chances are Onana will be back for next weekend’s trip to Fulham.

“We proved today we can win any game in the Premier League, especially against a great team like Arsenal,” he said.

“We were the better team. I’m happy with the three goalkeepers.”

• All 16 participating teams now officially welcomed to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
• Following Saturday’s events in Sunderland, Northampton and Exeter, the remaining eight teams – Australia, Samoa, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Fiji, Spain and New Zealand – were welcomed on Sunday in Manchester and York
• VNR material, photos and speeches available for download

After the three colourful events held on Saturday in Sunderland, Northampton and Exeter, the remaining eight participating teams have attended the final two Welcome Ceremonies in York and Manchester for their official tournament welcomes from World Rugby, England 2025 and local dignitaries.

Former England full-back and current World Rugby Vice-Chairman Jonathan Webb addressed Australia, Samoa, Scotland and Wales at Rates Hall in Manchester, before World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin was among those who addressed Canada, Fiji, Spain and defending champions New Zealand (captains pictured above) at Tempest Anderson Hall in York’s Museum Gardens.

Inspiring ahead of 2029 – Palu

“We are so incredibly excited to be part of this Rugby World Cup because we know it is going to be a remarkable tournament, one of the best ever,” said Australia captain, Siokapesi Palu.

“It is truly inspiring and something that we hope for back at home (at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029). Women’s sport probably isn’t as visible at home as it is here, so it’s good to see with our own eyes, a great benchmark for where we are.”

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm added: “Playing at a World Cup is truly something we have dreamt of our entire lives. And to be here and have an opportunity to be part of what is going to be the biggest event in women’s rugby so far… I’m so proud.”

Now we can really feel it is happening – Turani

Italy’s Silvia Turani and France’s Manaé Feleu summed up the mood among all of the players at the ceremony their teams shared at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday.

“We have been talking about the World Cup in England for a long time and now we can really feel it is happening. The flight yesterday, the Opening Ceremony today, being in England, it is happening now,” said Turani.

“The venue was amazing. We weren’t expecting such a sacred venue. Having a ceremony for a World Cup is special and having it in a cathedral was so special. I think the girls all enjoyed it. It was so incredible to be in this place,” said Feleu.

Black Ferns out to inspire next generation

The Black Ferns of New Zealand kick off their title defence against Spain in York on Sunday, 24 August, two days after hosts and world number one side England get the tournament underway against USA at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

“What motivates us is everybody back home,” said co-captain, Kennedy Tukuafu. “It makes us just want to get out there, put out a performance that we’re really proud of and inspire the next generation. [Our legacy] is what we do on the field but also what we do off the field, giving back to the community to make people want to pick up a rugby ball.”

The defending champions are due to visit a local school in York on Monday as Rugby World Cup fever grips the north of England.