Category: 6. Sports

Day eight of the US Open tennis will bring up former men’s champions Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in the round of 16 while on the women’s side top seed Aryna Sabalenka and in a match-up of Wimbledon winners, Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova, will take the court.

Alcaraz – who has yet to lose a set at this tournament – will face Arthur Rinderknech of France. Jokovic, the oldest man since Jimmy Connors in 1991 to reach the fourth round, is up against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.

Both Alcaraz and Jokovic have never lost to Rinderknech and Struff.

Sabalenka will meet unseeded Cristina Bucsa. Rybakina is coming off a dominant win over Emma Raducanu and will hope to take that form against Vondrousova, the Wimbledon champion two years ago.

The two have split their previous two meetings with Rybakina getting the edge in their most recent clash two years ago.

Below are the start times for Sunday’s (31 August) matches.

Mercedes

Russell was the best of the rest behind McLaren in final practice but could not quite match that in Qualifying, ending the session in fifth – an outcome that the Mercedes driver felt was deserved due to not “getting things right”. Antonelli only just missed out on Q3 and blamed a “little mistake” for costing him the lap time, leaving him in P11.

George Russell, 5th, 1:09.255

“I am a bit disappointed with P5 today. That said, the field has been really tight since the beginning of the weekend, and we couldn’t take anything for granted. We didn’t put the lap together at the end of Q3 and, whilst we could have fought for the second row, it is where we deserved to be. Isack (Hadjar) did an amazing job to get ahead of us so congratulations to him.

“We will see what we can do tomorrow. Our long run pace felt good in FP3, and I am therefore hopeful that we can be in the fight for the podium, irrespective of our starting position. We know that our battle remains with the Ferraris and the Red Bull of Max (Verstappen) given the Constructors’ standings. Hopefully we can have a good Sunday and add some solid points.”

Kimi Antonelli, 11th, 1:09.493

“I am disappointed after today’s Qualifying. I missed out on Q3 by a small margin; on my final lap in Q2 I made a small mistake into the chicane and that proved the difference between getting through and being eliminated. We knew that we would have to execute well given how tight the field was; little mistakes would make a huge difference and so it proved. Losing track time in FP1 did not help with that as it cost me some learning that I could not use in Qualifying. I need to make sure I cut out these errors.

“On the positive side, I was feeling good in the car in both FP2 and FP3. That bodes well for tomorrow’s race. We did some long run work in FP3 and that was competitive, so I am looking forward to the Grand Prix. It is a difficult circuit to overtake at and starting from P11 will not make it easy. However, I will reset tonight and be ready to give it my all tomorrow.”

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

“We have struggled to consistently unlock the pace of the car so far this weekend here in Zandvoort. The windy conditions have made it a handful for both George and Kimi and, whilst there have been flashes of performance, we knew Qualifying would be tricky. That proved to be the case with Kimi unfortunate to be eliminated in Q2. George was able to progress to Q3 but some snaps of oversteer cost him a place on the second row.

“Starting P5 and P11 at a circuit that is notoriously difficult to overtake means we will have our work cut out tomorrow. Our long run pace in FP2 with George and FP3 with Kimi did look solid though. Hopefully that can provide some opportunities for both to make up positions. The weather can also be unpredictable here in Zandvoort too and, with rain forecast for the morning, that may also add another layer of jeopardy.”

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director

“We lacked a bit of pace today and ultimately that cost both drivers places on the grid for tomorrow. We had two clean sessions in both FP3 and Qualifying so there isn’t really anything we can point to that we should have done differently. With that said, the grip hasn’t been amazing and in the windy conditions the car has been a bit of a handful. George’s final lap went towards oversteer after a snap at Turn 9. Once that happens it’s difficult to improve but realistically a second-row grid slot was the best we could have achieved.

“Kimi had four decent runs, improving each time but he missed out on Q3 by a couple of hundredths. It was therefore not a great day, but both have opportunity to move forward in the race tomorrow. Our long run pace from practice looked solid so hopefully we will finish tomorrow in a better position.”

Sifan Hassan: ‘It’s history’

Veteran Kiros held off compatriot Addisu Gobena down the stretch to capture the fastest marathon run on Australian soil by 10 seconds. Tebello Ramakongoana of Lesotho took third (2:06:47).

“Very tough, these were strong, strong fields,” Kiros said.

Hassan chose to run in Sydney over the World Athletics Championships next month in Tokyo, and proved her decision to be worth it.

The Dutchwoman pulled away from former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and was on her own at 40km. The 32-year-old put 34 seconds on Kosgei in the end for her third Marathon Major title after London and Chicago.

“It’s amazing, I’m really grateful, I’m so happy to win a course record,” Hassan said. “It’s history, it’s the first major marathon and I’m the first winner.”

Last year’s winner Workenesh Edesa was third in 2:22:15.

NORTON, Mass. — Miranda Wang left the TPC Boston with a three-shot lead for the second straight day, this time having to overcome a three-shot deficit with brilliant putting that led to a 7-under 65 in the FM Championship as she goes after her first LPGA victory.

Wang took only 24 putts on the rain-softened course and might have been helped by having to play only 18 holes. Some of the Chinese player’s challengers faced much longer days because of storms that interrupted so much play the day before.

She holed an 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to cap off a bogey-free round that gave her a three-shot lead over Sei Young Kim (71) and Rose Zhang (67).

Wang was at 18-under 198.

“This is where all the players want to be, so it’s definitely special going into the final round being the sole leader,” Wang said. “This is what we try to do every week, so I’m just happy that I did my job really well. I hope to continue doing what I did today.”

Kim had a big scoring runs on both nines Saturday morning when she played 14 holes to complete her second round at 65 to build a three-shot lead. The afternoon wasn’t so smooth, and her lead was gone in three holes.

She didn’t get out of bunker on the par-5 second hole, leading to bogey that felt much worse. Then, she failed to get up-and-down on the par-3 third.

Wang pulled ahead for the first time with a birdie on the sixth, and she showed what kind of day it would be on the next hole. She fanned her approach on the par-5 seventh to the right and off a tree. She pulled her third shot some 60 feet long, and then made it for birdie.

Wang also made a 40-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole and ended the day on a streak of 27 consecutive holes without a bogey.

Key to the week for the former Duke player was her back nine on Thursday. Wang had eight birdies (along with a bogey) for a 29 on the front nine, an indication that she felt comfortable on the greens.

“Ever since I had really hot back nine on first round my putting has been clicking. I was getting speed and line really well and I made super long putts on No. 7 today, and that gave me even more confidence,” she said. “I know that I’m doing well on these greens so when putting I’m more confident and comfortable.”

Zhang, who won her first LPGA event as a pro two years ago, has not had a top 10 against full field all year as she tried to split time between playing and finishing up at Stanford.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in contention, so I’m very, very grateful,” Zhang said.

She had to play 32 holes — 14 in the morning when she had a 64, and then she had four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn in the afternoon as she tried to keep pace with Wang.

“Feel like I’ll I’ve been doing today is eating and drinking water and electrolytes,” Zhang said. “It’s been a while since I played 32 holes. I needed to grind it out a little bit. I needed to stay focused. But I felt like I took a lot of positives today knowing that I have resilience to play consistent golf and keep trying to be better it.”

Jeeno Thitikul (65) and Andrea Lee (66) were four shots behind.

Nelly Korda’s search for her first LPGA victory this year likely will have to wait. She was in range when she left the course Friday night, but she could only manage a 70 in the morning and a 70 in the afternoon. Korda failed to birdie any of the four par 5s.

She was nine shots behind.

Wang, an LPGA rookie, will try to extend a remarkable streak on the LPGA Tour this year. There have been 22 tournaments, all of them won by different players.

Chelsea recorded a controversial 2-0 west London derby victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge to maintain their strong start to the Premier League season.

The scoreline however was hardly a reflection of the visitors’ role in a diverting tussle that came to life midway through the first half when 18-year-old Josh King was denied a first league goal by a VAR call that enraged manager Marco Silva and irrevocably soured the mood of away fans in the Shed End.

Advertisement

Rodrigo Muniz was the player penalised, judged to have been reckless in his challenge on Trevoh Chalobah before the ball was worked to King, who finished into the corner with aplomb.

Fulham’s joy at taking the lead was transformed into a bitter sense of injustice for what remained of the derby following a lengthy pitchside review by referee Robert Jones.

Striker Joao Pedro headed Chelsea in front at the end of the nine added minutes that resulted from the hold-up.

There was further reason for Fulham’s agitation in the second half, a two-fold VAR call that first exonerated Joao Pedro then penalised Ryan Sessegnon for handball, allowing Enzo Fernandez to double the lead from the penalty spot.

Advertisement

The best early chances had gone to Fulham, Joachim Andersen and Alex Iwobi each firing wide, whilst Chelsea themselves went close when Liam Delap’s shot was well blocked by Andersen.

It was to be the limit of Delap’s involvement, the new signing sustaining what looked to be a hamstring injury chasing a long ball, leading to his withdrawal after 13 minutes.

King scored what looked to be a wonderful goal midway thorough the half, turning Tosin Adarabioyo inside out at the end of a Fulham break before finishing into the corner, only for referee Jones to determine that Muniz’s clever manoeuvre to dodge Chalobah near the halfway line had constituted a foul.

It was a call that incensed Silva as well as the travelling Fulham support, who shared the view that Muniz had trodden accidentally on the Chelsea defender in the legitimate act of evading a tackle.

Advertisement

Robert Sanchez then saved point-blank from Muniz after a fine ball in from Sessegnon before Moises Caicedo rescued Chelsea with a last-ditch tackle to stop Timothy Castagne from sweeping Fulham in front.

In first-half stoppage time, the hosts went in front. Fernandez sent over a corner from the left and six yards out Joao Pedro took two steps back and angled his neck masterfully to direct the ball downwards and in.

Fulham conceded a penalty at the start of the second half, Sessegnon raising an arm to Chalobah’s cross.

Another drawn-out VAR check followed to establish that Joao Pedro had not committed a foul seconds earlier and that Sessegnon had made his body “unnaturally bigger” in blocking the cross.

Advertisement

From the spot, Fernandez went straight down the middle for 2-0 and for the first time, Fulham no longer looked sure of themselves.

Estevao Willian found space to wriggle into the box and drew a smart low stop from Bernd Leno at the near post before the goalkeeper was summoned again to deny Joao Pedro after the defence allowed him a clear run on goal.

Christian Lundgaard (photo, above) enters Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot fourth in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship standings, just seven points behind Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon.

Lundgaard, who joined Arrow McLaren this season after 52 starts with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing from 2021-24, was quick to point out the margin. He’s keeping close tabs.

“It’s always important,” Lundgaard said.

With Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing already crowned champion and Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren locked into second, the battle for third is shaping up as Lundgaard vs. Dixon — Arrow McLaren vs. Chip Ganassi Racing.

Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood trails Dixon by 28 points and Lundgaard by 21. Unless he has a breakout race, third will likely go to either Dixon or Lundgaard. Kirkwood, last year’s NTT P1 Award winner, starts 11th in the No. 27 Andretti INDYCAR Honda.

“Our goal is clear this weekend: race up front and do everything possible to secure third,” Lundgaard said. “My first year with Arrow McLaren has been really enjoyable. Changing teams, working with new people and driving a new car weren’t necessarily expected, so to end the season strong would be a nice bonus.”

Lundgaard seeks his first oval win and second career victory in Sunday’s 225-lap race (2 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

“We have to remember who we’re up against,” he said. “It’s Scott Dixon. He’s fast and has won three straight here before, so it’s going to be tough.”

Lundgaard climbed from 17th to finish sixth last weekend at Milwaukee, marking his third top-seven finish in five oval starts this year. His best oval finish in 17 prior starts was ninth at Milwaukee Mile in 2024.

Lundgaard starts third Sunday. Dixon, who has the fifth-most oval points this season and leads all active drivers with 24 oval wins, starts fifth in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Three of those wins came at Nashville (2006–08).

Arrow McLaren has never placed two drivers in the top three of the final standings. Chip Ganassi Racing has done it seven times, most recently in 2023 with Palou and Dixon, respectively.

“Any position is meaningful,” Dixon said. “It’s not just for me. For us at CGR, the goal was a one-two. We came up short. Now the goal is two in the top three.”

Dixon Leads Final Practice

Six-time series champion Dixon was the fastest driver in the final practice (highlight video, above), which combined 30 minutes of action split into two groups and then a one-hour open session.

Dixon’s best lap was 198.759 mph. He will start fifth in the race Sunday. Fellow series chamion Josef Newgarden was second at 198.466 in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, with Marcus Armstrong right behind in third at 198.428 in the No. 66 ROOT Insurance Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian.

SEE: Final Practice Results

NTT P1 Award winner O’Ward was 10th at 196.997 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Three drivers – Nolan Siegel, Callum Ilott and Will Power – made contact with the SAFER Barrier in separate incidents after sampling the higher racing line on the 1.33-mile concrete oval. In all three instances, the car understeered toward the wall due to chunks of tire rubber – “marbles” – in the upper groove. None of the drivers was hurt.

Rasmussen Rides Momentum into Nashville

Christian Rasmussen (photo, above) earned his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory last Sunday, capturing the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 in impressive fashion.

His celebration was low-key but meaningful — driving back to his Indianapolis home with his girlfriend, former USAC short-track racer Maria Cofer.

“We listened to some great music in the car,” Rasmussen said.

Six days later, Rasmussen was still all smiles after a week basking in his win with the Milwaukee race-winning trophy.

“It’s been great feeling everyone’s support,” he said. “It’s actually been a pretty normal week in a lot of ways, just a few more interviews and a new family member (his trophy) at home.”

“But now it’s full focus on this weekend. We’re trying to finish the season strong. We’re in the hunt for a top-10 finish in the championship and doing everything we can to make that happen.”

Rasmussen enters Nashville 12th in the standings, trailing Scott McLaughlin by 12 points for 10th place. McLaughlin starts seventh in the No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet, while Rasmussen is set to roll off 25th in the No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet. Rasmussen had qualified 16th but, along with Ilott, received a nine-position grid penalty for an unscheduled engine change beyond the season allotment following last Sunday’s race at Milwaukee. The No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet of Siegel also is moving back nine spots on the grid Sunday due to an unscheduled engine change.

Ilott tied a season-best ninth-place qualifying effort set at Road America. He starts 18th.

Despite the setback, Rasmussen remains confident in winning again Sunday.

He’s shown a knack for slicing through the field: climbing from 18th to sixth at the Indy 500, 25th to third at World Wide Technology Raceway, 19th to sixth in Race 1 at Iowa and 17th to eighth in Race 2 at Iowa.

“Should be exciting,” Rasmussen said. “If enough people start using the top lane like I do, then maybe we can have a really, really good race.”

Daly Ready To Climb Again

Conor Daly will start 24th in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet (photo, above), his worst grid position in six oval races this season. His previous low was 15th at World Wide Technology Raceway.

“I have no idea,” Daly said of his qualifying run. “I’ve never felt that in my life. It felt like the front wing was off.

“We’ve been pretty good at qualifying on ovals all year long, and that was like a complete flip of everything. But we obviously know we can race on these tracks. I’m really not worried about starting at the back on an oval.”

Just last week in Milwaukee, Daly surged from eighth to fourth on the opening lap. He’s hoping for a similar charge Sunday.

“Firestone tells me the third lane has the most grip, so I’m going to believe them,” Daly said.

Alternate Tires Return for Nashville

This weekend marks the return of Firestone Firehawk alternate tires to an oval for the first time since last year’s race at Nashville Superspeedway. This is only the third time alternate compounds have been used on an oval, following World Wide Technology Raceway in August 2023.

“I think it’s interesting,” Kirkwood said. “It adds a different strategic layer. The alternate tire is better for about 10 to 15 laps but wears more quickly. It’s fun, though, because it creates new opportunities.”

SEE: Starting Lineup/Tire Choice

Palou welcomes the return of alternate tires, especially compared to last year’s chaotic race where he was fighting to hang onto a championship. He entered Nashville 28 points ahead of Will Power last season. This year, he clinched his fourth championship, including three consecutively, on Aug. 10 at the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland presented by askROI.

“We saw last year that nobody knew what was going to happen,” Palou said. “We started on alternates, and a yellow flag put us a lap down. It was tough. This year, though, I’m not fighting for the championship, so I’m just excited to race.”

Each team received six sets of durable primary (hard) tires and four sets of the faster, but less durable, alternate (soft) tires. Race regulations require teams to use at least one primary set and two alternate sets during the race.

Drivers expect four pit stops during the race, making tire strategy a key factor in a winning formula. Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet) and Rinus VeeKay (No. 18 askROI Honda) are the only drivers among the 27 in the field starting on alternate tires Sunday.

Last year’s Nashville race with the alternate tires saw record numbers:

• 653 on-track passes
• 237 passes for position
• 117 passes in the top 10
• 42 passes in the top five

Aero Changes To Further Boost Overtaking

Along with the return of alternate tires, a new aerodynamic package is expected to improve racing Sunday at Nashville. The increased drag will help trailing drivers pass earlier. Downforce levels remain unchanged, with the goal of encouraging more passing.

“They did something similar at Iowa,” Kirkwood said. “But here, they’ve taken it even further because the racing at Nashville is already great. Let’s keep pushing in that direction.”

Three-time Nashville Superspeedway winner Dixon is optimistic about the changes.

“It’s similar to Iowa,” Dixon said. “They’ve increased drag to make the racing more exciting. It won’t be great for speed, but it will make for better racing.”

Honda vs. Chevrolet: Changing of the Guard?

Entering last year’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale at Nashville Superspeedway, Chevrolet had dominated the ovals, winning all six races on circle tracks. Team Penske claimed five of those victories, with Arrow McLaren taking the other. In both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Chevrolet won four out of five oval races.

Since then, Honda flipped the script, winning four of the last six oval events, including three of the five this season. The reversal of fortunes began at Nashville last season when Colton Herta won the season finale in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda.

Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) was victorious this season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway, while Herta’s Andretti Global teammate Kirkwood triumphed at World Wide Technology Raceway.

“It’s always ever-changing,” Herta said. “There are small things that both engines do better. Right now, it’s obviously working for us with Honda.”

Chevrolet had two drivers on the Milwaukee Mile podium and swept the top three starting positions for Sunday’s race.

FOX Sports’ INDYCAR Documentary Debuts Sunday

FOX Sports’ three-part NTT INDYCAR SERIES documentary featuring the battle for this year’s championship debuts on the FOX Nation streaming service before the 2 p.m. ET coverage of the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.

The series spotlights drivers’ emotional experiences, career decisions and personal lives from Indy to the season’s final race at Nashville Superspeedway.

FOX’s Driver Eye Camera Returns

This weekend’s FOX Sports broadcast features the Driver’s Eye in-helmet camera. Herta and Felix Rosenqvist will represent the Honda drivers, with Lundgaard and Power carrying the micro high-definition camera among the Chevrolet drivers.

Racing Force Group supplies the cameras that debuted during the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend in April. They were also used during the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Odds and Ends

• The green flag for Sunday’s season finale is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET.

• All three Team Penske entries are carrying Karl Kainhofer tribute stickers (photo, above) in memory of the team’s first employee, who passed away last weekend.

• The top four in NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship starts inside the top five: Palou starts fourth, O’Ward on pole, Dixon in fifth and Lundgaard third.

• Newgarden starts sixth in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet. His recent form in qualifying has improved significantly, averaging a 14 starting position over the last seven races, compared to 14.6 in the previous 10.

• Kyffin Simpson achieved a career-best oval qualifying result, starting 10th in the No. 8 Journie Rewards Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. His previous best on an oval was 13th at this year’s Indianapolis 500. He will start eighth due to penalties for unscheduled engine changes for two drivers ahead of him on the grid.

Rybakina, speaking at the Australian Open in January, said she never made “any complaints” about Vukov, adding: “I don’t agree with a lot of things the WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano.”

Vukov challenged the WTA’s decision to issue the suspension and it was lifted after a hearing in front of an independent tribunal.

Following the appeal, the WTA told BBC Sport it is “fully committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all athletes and other participants”.

The governing body added: “While case details remain confidential, we can confirm that Mr Vukov is eligible to receive credentials at WTA events. We will not be commenting further.”

With Vukov back in her corner, Rybakina reached the US Open fourth round for the first time in her career after impressively beating Britain’s Emma Raducanu on Friday.

Rybakina says she is feeling happier and healthier after overcoming insomnia, the sleep disorder which has troubled her in the past two years.

The issue led to her immune system breaking down and she decided to take an extended break from the WTA Tour at the end of last season.

After withdrawing before her 2024 US Open second-round match because of illness, Rybakina did not play again until November.

“Now it’s much better and I have no issues, so I’m pretty happy,” she added.

“I think we are managing and getting closer to where I want to be, physically also doing, I think, a pretty good job. Of course, it’s not much time between tournaments, but overall I’m happy with how the work is going right now.

“Things in the box definitely helps a lot, and I think it’s important when the whole team can support you.”

Freda Tafuna records a hat trick as USA Women’s Eagles kept their Rugby World Cup Quarterfinal dreams alive in a thrilling 31-31 draw with Australia.

Keia Mae Sagapolu and Erica Jarrell-Searcy also scored tries in an end-to-end contest that is without doubt the game of the tournament so far. Both the USA and Australia had to mount comebacks on the scoreboard that was an exciting back and fourth game of control. The draw now sets up a final round of fixtures to see who will reach the knockout stages.

The USA will play Samoa in York, knowing a bonus-point win would move them level on points with Australia, who play England in Brighton later in the day.

Speaking post-match, head coach Sione Fukofuka told World Rugby: “It’s bittersweet, isn’t it. We did everything to get back in the game and give ourselves an opportunity to close it out, but unfortunately, we gave a penalty away that allowed Australia a chance.

“I’m really proud of the players, they worked hard to get back in the game but really disappointed with how it ended. We’re excited because we have an opportunity, now we get to work and obviously polish up for the game against Samoa.”

The weather in York ensured a war of attrition ensued and it was Australia who opened the scoring after seven minutes. Back came the Eagles however with purpose and only a staunch Australian defensive effort stopping them from getting their first points on the board. Australia continued to fly down the left wing but Kathryn Treder’s tackle halted Miller just as she was about to turn the afterburners on, it looked a try-saving intervention.

USA Women’s Eagles capitalized on a penalty just before half-hour mark when Kate Zackary’s surging run following a rolling maul took her team within meters of Australia’s tryline, with Tafuna then burrowing over.

Despite the Wallaroos scoring just before halftime through Halse, the opening salvo of the second 40 minutes saw USA’s belief renewed and after Ilona Maher gained meters and sparked a run from Erica Coulibaly, setting up Keia Mae Sagapolu to score from close range. Six minutes later, Fukofuka’s charges were ahead after Tafuna powered over for her second try of the evening following Maher brilliantly winning her team a penalty in the build-up.

In a match that resembled a heavyweight slugfest, with both teams trading scoring blows with one another, Australia landed two more telling shots midway through the second half through Miller and Halse.

But the Eagles held tight and Tafuna got her team back to within one score on 67 minutes – completing a hat trick – before a Jarrell-Searcy try put the Eagles back in front for a second time. Karpani then got her side back to parity with five minutes to go and that’s how things remained in York.

USA must now win their next match against Samoa and hope England win heavily against Australia if they are to progress, but the Eagles are still alive in the tournament.

The next match is USA vs Samoa for the Pool A finale, Saturday September 6th at 8:30am ET live on CBS and Paramount +.

USA Women’s Eagles Roster | Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

USA Coaches & Staff | Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Head Coach, Attack + Backs | Sione Fukofuka

Assistant Coach, Defense | Sarah Chobot

Assistant Coach, Forwards | Mel Bosman

Head of Athletic Performance | Charles Dudley

Intern S&C | Nina Forte 

Analyst | Callum Howells

Lead Physiotherapist | Alice Mae

Athletic Trainer | Sam Malette

Team Doctor | Abbie Hamilton

Massage Therapist | Delwyn Griffith

Performance Psychologist | Scott Goldman

Team Manager | Alana Gattinger

General Manager, High Performance | Tamara Sheppard

Media Manager | Jenni Burke

USA Women’s Eagles Match Schedule | Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

USA v England | 69-7 (L)

Stadium of Light, Sunderland

USA v Australia | 31-31 (D)

York Community Stadium, York

USA v Samoa

September 6 | 8:30 am ET | York Community Stadium, York

CBS, Paramount+

Quarterfinals Begin September 13