Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was not quite at her best, but still did more than enough to win the women’s 400m at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday (5 July).
Running in the non-Diamond League event at Hayward Field, the four-time Olympic gold medallist chased down a hot pace set by Aaliyah Butler early on, and was in charge coming off the final bend. But the 25-year-old did not storm home in her usual style, although she had plenty in hand on her rivals.
McLaughlin-Levrone had been expected to challenge Sanya Richards-Ross’ US record of 48.70, and she looked slightly disappointed with her winning time of 49.43 although that was a season’s best.
Butler was closing again at the end as she took second in 49.86 with Isabella Whittaker third in 50.81. Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke clocked 51.33 to take fourth place.
“It wasn’t my best work, but just happy to be here and happy to get another race under my belt,” admitted McLaughlin-Levrone afterwards. “I definitely have to go back and watch the race, probably with my first 200 just going out a little more fearlessly, trusting my fitness on the back end, but I’ll have to go home and watch the race.”
On Richards-Ross’s record, she said, “I think it’s on the mind always. Of course, it’s about executing, making sure all the things match up and that will come when it comes, and Sanya is an amazing athlete so I’m not surprised (the record) is still standing. I know I’m capable of it, it’s just a matter of putting the race together.
“It’s a long year, so I’m really just taking it day by day, taking it slow, building and seeing which direction you want to go in by the end of it.”
BBC Sport reported Arsenal’s interest in Madueke on Thursday, with the winger’s ability to operate on either flank a key factor in the north London side’s interest.
Arsenal are looking to strengthen their creative options in the summer window with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze among the other options considered.
The financial outlay attached to an approach for Rodrygo has raised questions over whether the Gunners can execute a successful deal for the Brazil international, nevertheless the club have explored a swoop for the 24-year-old.
Eze, who has a release clause worth a total of £68m, is another player the club have a serious interest in.
Sources have indicated the Eagles will demand the full release fee but it remains to be seen whether their stance softens later in the window.
The group stage at the Women’s Euro 2025 has started in earnest, and we will soon begin to find out the first nations through to the quarterfinals.
Here’s how countries could make it through — or go out — on matchday 2.
Qualified for quarterfinals (0/8):
Tiebreakers
1. Group points 2. Head-to-head in the game(s) between the teams in question 3. Goal difference in the game(s) between the teams in question 4. Goals scored in the game(s) between the teams in question 5. Group goal difference 6. Group goals scored 7. If two teams who are level have played each other in the final group game, a penalty shootout determines places 7. Disciplinary points (yellow and red cards) 8. Position in the qualifying phase rankings
*Kick off times show in ET (and in local time)
GROUP A
Wednesday, July 2 Group A: Iceland 0-1 Finland (Thun) Group A: Switzerland 1-2 Norway (Basel)
Sunday, July 6 Group A: Norway vs. Finland (6 p.m., Sion) Group A: Switzerland vs. Iceland (9 p.m., Bern)
Thursday, July 10 Group A: Finland vs. Switzerland (9 p.m., Geneva) Group A: Norway vs. Iceland (9 p.m., Thun)
Finland and Norway are in control of the group, but with the teams playing each other the two top places cannot both be decided on matchday 2.
Finland would qualify with a victory if Iceland win or draw.
Norway are through with a victory if Switzerland win or draw.
Iceland would be out if they lose and Norway win or draw.
Switzerland are eliminated if they lose and Finland win or draw.
GROUP B
Thursday, July 3 Group B: Belgium 0-1 Italy (Sion) Group B: Spain 5-0 Portugal (Bern)
Monday, July 7 Group B: Spain vs. Belgium (6 p.m., Thun) Group B: Portugal vs. Italy (9 p.m., Geneva)
Friday, July 11 Group B: Italy vs. Spain (9 p.m., Bern) Group B: Portugal vs. Belgium (9 p.m., Sion)
Group B could be all wrapped up when the second matches are played on Monday.
Spain will qualify with a victory over Belgium if Italy win or draw.
Italy will be through with a victory over Portugal if Spain win or draw.
Belgium will be eliminated if they lose and Italy win or draw.
Portugal will be out if they are beaten and Spain win or draw.
If both Spain and Italy win, the top two places are sealed and first position will be decided when they meet on Friday. Belgium and Portugal would both be out.
GROUP C
Friday, July 4 Group C: Denmark 0-1 Sweden (Geneva) Group C: Germany 2-0 Poland (Gallen)
Tuesday, July 8 Group C: Germany vs. Denmark (6 p.m., Basel) Group C: Poland vs. Sweden (9 p.m., Lucerne)
Saturday, July 12 Group C: Sweden vs. Germany (9 p.m., Zurich) Group C: Poland vs. Denmark (9 p.m., Lucerne)
This is effectively the same situation as Group B.
Germany will qualify with a victory over Denmark if Sweden win or draw.
Sweden will be through with a victory over Poland if Germany win or draw.
Denmark will be eliminated if they lose and Sweden win or draw.
Poland will be out if they are beaten and Germany win or draw.
If both Germany and Sweden win, the top two places are sealed and first position will be decided when they meet on Saturday. Denmark and Poland would both be out.
GROUP D
Saturday, July 5 Group D: Wales 0-3 Netherlands (Lucerne) Group D: France 2-1 England (Zurich)
Wednesday, July 9 Group D: England vs. Netherlands (6 p.m., Zurich) Group D: France vs. Wales (9 p.m., St. Gallen)
Sunday, July 13 Group D: Netherlands vs. France (9 p.m., Basel) Group D: England vs. Wales (9 p.m., St. Gallen)
Another group with two teams on three points who do not play each other on matchday two, which means the permutations are the same once more.
Netherlands will qualify with a victory over England if France win or draw.
France will be through with a victory over Wales if Netherlands win or draw.
England will be eliminated if they lose and France win or draw.
Wales will be out if they are beaten and Netherlands win or draw.
If both Netherlands and France win, the top two places are sealed and first position will be decided when they meet on Sunday. England and Wales would both be out.
France dismantle England’s defence at EURO 2025 – a sign of things to come?
In the run up to this tournament, France found themselves in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Laurent Bonadei named his 23-player squad, and it didn’t include national team mainstays Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer.
The pair have a combined tally of 368 appearances for Les Bleues, making their experience and leadership a significant loss in the dressing room – or so everyone thought.
When quizzed by the media over their omission, Bonadei referenced one of the most famous quotes in modern history, saying: “As Einstein said: ‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result’ – I want different results for this team, so I have gone with a different selection.”
He was, of course, referencing France’s lack of major silverware, something surprising for a nation that has nurtured so much talent through the decades.
Yet, despite his brazen selection less than a year into his tenure, it seems a fresh approach was exactly what this team needed.
They were absolutely relentless against the Lionesses, waves of attack met with drilled defensive discipline. It was a performance from a side that looked as though they had a point to prove.
France were set up in a way that directly exploited their opponent’s weaknesses down the wing, giving English full-backs no respite.
What is perhaps more impressive is the players they turned to on their bench – Melvine Malard, Kadidiatou Diani, and Clara Mateo, all coming on to replace the entire French starting front line, a luxury few nations can afford.
Even captain and first-choice centre-back Griedge Mbock Bathy was comfortably rested as she works her way back from injury, young defender Alice Sombath stepping in with ease.
Mentality-wise, they didn’t panic when England found the next early, for a goal that was eventually ruled out. It was business as usual, sticking to the game plan and executing it as they planned.
Their biggest concerns came when the Lionesses pulled one back late on, when they had largely rotated, but France were resolute in defence of their lead.
Bonadei wanted to avoid coming into EURO 2025 as one of the favourites, but this display against the defending champions of the tournament has put a target on their backs.
WIMBLEDON, England — Novak Djokovic won the match on Centre Court on Saturday, but it was his 7-year-old daughter who really wowed Wimbledon.
Tara Djokovic’s victory dance brought a smile to dad’s face. Everybody else’s, too.
Djokovic had just clinched his 100th Wimbledon singles win and was asked during his on-court interview to shed light on the little dance he’s been doing recently.
He said it’s done to a song called “Pump It Up.”
“There’s a song with my kids — look my daughter’s doing it right now,” a smiling Djokovic said as he looked into the crowd. “You want to show it darling?”
The TV camera then panned to Tara, who then showed everyone how it’s done: Pump your fists down, then left, right and overhead.
The crowd roared.
“She’s the master. It’s a little tradition we have right now. Hopefully we can keep going so we can keep pumping more in Wimbledon.”
With six stages over a competitive distance of 98.34 kilometres remaining, Charpentier is 3.2sec ahead of Abramowski, who is also competing in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 on Pirelli tyres.
However, it could have been a three-way battle for first place had Gill not hit trouble nearing the finish of the morning loop.
Making his FIA European Rally Championship debut, Australian Gill, part of the FIA Rally Star talent detection initiative, was leading by 20.4sec after he won stages two and three of his first Tarmac start since the Croatia Rally in April 2024. But it all went wrong after the penultimate stage of the morning.
The FIA Junior WRC Championship leader explained: “Basically the fuel pump just died after the 34-kilometre stage. We were exiting the stage and after a few kilometres the car just stopped and couldn’t restart. There’s no damage or anything, the car is already fixed and we’ll restart tomorrow and try set some good stage times.”
Gill’s exit left Abramowski leading Charpentier by 0.2sec at the midday service halt in Fiuggi after the Frenchman went off and briefly got stuck in a ditch on SS4.
Tymek Abramowski is set to pounce on Sunday at Rally di Roma Capitale
While Abramowski, the ERC3 points leader who turns 19 on Monday, focused on an error-free afternoon, Charpentier moved into first place on SS5 and remained in front despite a moment on SS6.
“We touched a haybale [SS6] but otherwise it was really tough and really hot,” ex-circuit racer Charpentier said. “We have a lack of pace so we’ll have to figure that out this evening and push tomorrow. We clipped the haybale with the rear right and now the wheel is a bit bent so we had to finish like this.”
Abramowski, competing on Tarmac for only the second time, said: “I tried to keep the pace and don’t do mistakes like on the first loop when I was too slow or too fast in some cuts.”
Hubert Kowalczyk is a strong third despite set-up issues masking the Renault Clio Rally3 driver’s ultimate pace in the afternoon. “Doing the rally last year helps me because I know a little bit this Tarmac, this grip, but I have so much work and I don’t have time to prepare enough,” the 21-year-old from Poland explained. “Watching my first onboard was in the aeroplane coming here so I try to make what I can.”
Hubert Kowalczyk in action on Saturday at Rally di Roma Capitale
Casey-Jay Coleman is on course for an ERC3 career-best fourth after a solid showing from the Irishman. “There was a lot more gravel on the roads than expected but I managed the longer stage in the afternoon better than the first run by conserving the tyres and the brakes,” he said.
Adam Grahn is fifth on his Tarmac debut with Błażej Gazda and Sebastian Butyński sixth and seventh respectively. Martin Ravenščak, with sister Dora co-driving, overcame brake issues to complete leg one in eighth place.
After winning SS1 on the streets of Rome last night, Adrian Rzeźnik was hit by an electronics failure on SS2. Although he and co-driver Kamil Kozdroń, who is making his 130th start, tried to fix the issue, they were forced to retire on SS3.
Hubert Laskowski stopped with suspension damage after SS4 but is set to restart on Sunday.
Sunday’s action begins at 08:25 local time with the first run through the 11.58-kilometre Guarcino – Altipiani stage.
Amid one of the more surprising lineups for a Firestone Fast Six qualifying session this season, there was little shock over who won the NTT P1 Award on Saturday for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship leader Alex Palou claimed his series-leading third pole of the season and ninth career pole with a best lap of 1 minute, 5.0215 seconds in the No. 10 Open AI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou also leads the series this season with six victories and brings a 93-point advantage over second-place Kyle Kirkwood into the race at 1 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).
SEE: Qualifying Results
“Ever since I started with CGR, we’ve had great cars,” Palou said. “But we’ve always struggled with qualifying up front. So, this year it has been phenomenal. The speed we have in the cars at every single racetrack we show up at is amazing.
“It’s all the work that everybody at Chip Ganassi Racing is doing, all our partners. Super happy. Tomorrow is going to be a great day, for sure.”
Christian Lundgaard will join Palou in the front row after qualifying second at 1:05.2126 in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, tying his season best set in March at The Thermal Club.
Palou’s teammate Kyffin Simpson also was a star of the show, qualifying a career-best third at 1:05.7555 during his first Firestone Fast Six appearance in the No. 8 Journie Rewards Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Simpson managed to produce that stellar performance despite using a used set of Firestone Firehawk alternate tires, shrewdly saving an extra set of new alternate tires for the 90-lap race Sunday.
Nolan Siegel, in only his second career appearance in the Firestone Fast Six, also qualified a career-best fourth at 1:05.9262 in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet as CGR and Arrow McLaren locked out the first two rows on the starting grid.
Colton Herta qualified fifth at 1:06.1218 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global w/Curb-Agajanian, while Road America pole winner Louis Foster earned his third trip into the Firestone Fast Six during his rookie season and qualified sixth at 1:06.2398 in the No. 45 Droplight Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
While Simpson’s gamble to use only a set of scuffed alternate tires paid off in the Firestone Fast Six, Palou’s desire to ensure good track position on the 13-turn, 2.258 roller coaster of a road course induced him and his team to opt for a new set of Firestone Firehawk alternates in the last qualifying group.
“We could have saved the last set of new soft tires here in the Fast Six to try and have an advantage tomorrow, but we were like, ‘Man, we really think that starting up front, top three, is always going to benefit us more. We know there are some cars that are going to save those tires, so they’re going to be a big threat tomorrow. But happy with our car and our starting position.”
Among the Firestone Fast Six, Palou, Lundgaard and Herta used a new set of Firestone alternates. Simpson, Siegel and Foster stayed on used alternate tires.
Kirkwood, quickest in Friday practice, was slowed by traffic during the second round of qualifying and will start seventh in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda featuring a special Honda tribute livery this weekend.
That was disappointing for Kirkwood, the only race winner besides Palou this season. But starting seventh was nowhere near the same trouble suffered by Team Penske, which continues to endure a winless season despite being the most successful team in INDYCAR SERIES history.
Josef Newgarden was the team’s top qualifier, 18th in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. Scott McLaughlin was next, 21st in the No. 3 Odyssey Batteries Team Penske Chevrolet, followed by Will Power in 22nd in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.
A 25-minute warmup session precedes the race at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday (FS1, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).
Kishane Thompson showed he remains in great shape as he took the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday (5 July).
Fresh from becoming the sixth fastest man in history at the Jamaican nationals, Paris 2024 silver medallist Thompson powered clear of his rivals after making a fast start.
The 23-year-old lost his form in the closing metres, but he had plenty in hand as he crossed the line in 9.85 seconds. Zharnel Hughes finished strongly to take second in a season’s best 9.91 ahead of Trayvon Bromell (9.94).
Brandon Hicklin (9.98) also ducked under 10 seconds for fourth place from Ackeem Blake. South African youngster Bayanda Walaza faded late on into sixth place in the Eugene Diamond League athletics meet,
