Category: 6. Sports

Puerto Rico’s Ayden Owens-Delerme and USA’s Taliyah Brooks lead after the first day of action at Decastar, but it’s all to play for at the World Athletics Combined Events Tour Gold meeting in Talence.

Owens-Delerme amassed 4469 points on Saturday (5) to hold an overnight lead of 117 points over Kendrick Thompson of The Bahamas in the men’s decathlon. But several athletes in the field, including 2019 world champion Niklas Kaul and European champion Johannes Erm, have the potential to produce big scores on day two, so nothing is guaranteed.

The situation is similar in the women’s heptathlon; Brooks – a strong day-one performer – has a 59-point lead with her current score of 3850. But just 84 points separate the next six athletes in the standings.

Owens-Delerme took an early lead in the decathlon with a 10.48 run in the 100m, but Thompson moved into the lead after the long jump, leaping 7.70m to Owens-Delerme’s 7.44m.

The Puerto Rican regained pole position thanks to a 16.13m heave in the shot put, but again it was short-lived as France’s Teo Bastien jumped to the top of the standings after clearing 2.06m in the high jump.

Owens-Delerme ended his day with a meeting record of 46.43 in the 400m to finish the day with a leading tally of 4469. Thompson covered a lap of the track in 48.56 to move into second place. Erm’s 48.13 was one of the fastest of the day and the Estonian currently sits in fourth behind Bastien.

Kaul ended the day in seventh overall, but is only marginally behind his pace from Götzis, where he went on to score 8575, so the German is certainly one to watch on Sunday.

The women’s heptathlon got off to a strong start with Michelle Atherley equalling the meeting record of 12.88 in the 100m hurdles. US compatriot Brooks was marginally behind in 12.91 with defending champion Martha Araujo also breaking 13 seconds (12.97).

World U20 champion Jana Koscak moved up the standings after the high jump with her 1.82m leap being the best of the day, but a 1.79m clearance from Brooks kept the world indoor bronze medallist in the lead. Araujo and Atherley were third and fourth overall, within touching distance of Koscak.

Koscak took a brief lead after the shot put, thanks to the Croatian’s throw of 13.91m. Brooks threw 13.39m and held on to second place overall, ahead of Araujo (13.55m). 2019 world bronze medallist Verena Mayr (14.70m) and Germany’s Vanessa Grimm (15.03m) were among the leading performers in the shot put and they moved into fourth and fifth overall.

Brooks regained her lead in the final discipline of the day, the 200m, running a solid 23.87 to bring her leading tally to 3850. Araujo ended with 24.11, giving her a score of 3791 – slightly ahead of her pace from Götzis, where she set her recent PB. Koscak’s 24.94 kept her in contention, while Lithuania’s Beatrice Juskeviciute (23.64) and Atherley (23.66) made up some ground in the 200m.

Heading into day two, Brooks may well be able to hold her own in the long jump, but the javelin could be the turning point as Araujo appears to have the advantage there. Atherley, meanwhile, is capable of making up ground in the 800m.

“As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that.

“[Jota] was one of my close friends – and I am sure that’s what he would have wanted me to do. I’m sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me, I am sure.”

Alexander-Arnold said the Portuguese forward was “someone who lit up the room when he was in it”.

“I shared the dressing room with him for five years – amazing memories on and off the pitch,” he added.

“It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and the player he was.”

Alexander-Arnold said it had been “very emotional and heartwarming to see the footballing world come together to show their love and support for [Jota], his brother and their family”.

“I’ve been around him, his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing children. It’s truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that,” added the England international.

“It’s something you never expect.”

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe was among the players who paid tribute to Jota on Saturday, with the France forward indicating number 20 after scoring an acrobatic late goal, in recognition of Jota’s Liverpool shirt number.

Frenchman Ousmane Dembele also paid a tribute to the Portuguese by copying his Fifa gaming celebration after sealing a 2-0 win for Paris St-Germain against Bayern Munich, which set up a last-four meeting with Real Madrid.

Published:
Sunday, 06 July 2025

Under the floodlights of a roaring Stade Olympique de Rabat in Morocco, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) got underway. But amidst the packed stadium, it was a voice from the south that broke the rhythm. That of Barbra Banda. 

Expected to shine like the star that she is, targeted like a threat, sometimes heckled, the Zambian striker never lowered her gaze. For her very first appearance in a TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON finals, the Copper Queens’ captain wasted no time in making her mark. A goal in the opening 58 seconds, an unforgettable performance, and a bossy outing crowned her perfect debut. The 2-2 result against the host nation may not paint the entire picture, but it sends the essential message – Banda is here. And she intends to leave her mark. She wants to stay. 

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, finally

It is an almost paradoxical event. Barbra Banda, a global star of African Women’s Football, had never played a single minute at the WAFCON – the most prestigious competition on the continent. From the very first minute, the Zambian number 11 commanded attention. Everything was directed to her. Positioned upfront, but constantly mobile, she harassed the Moroccan defense, dropping back to emerge better, and relentlessly provoked one-on-ones. “She is a complete player, a true leader. Her presence gives courage to the whole team,” explained Zambia’s coach Nora Häuptle before the match.

A draw snatched with courage

Facing Jorge Vilda’s Morocco, spurred on by a home crowd wholly behind them, Zambia could have given in. Twice they took the lead and twice they conceded equalizers and then battered in transition but yet the Copper Queens held firm. And at every key moment, Banda was there. With the first opportunity, Banda struck. Barely a minute into the game: a lightning transition triggered by Margaret Belemu in an aggressive run forward resulted into a sharp, low left-footed shot that nestled in the side netting. The roar of the Olympic Stadium was cut short. Morocco had just been caught cold. Banda, for her part, barely celebrated. Her gaze was fixed and focused. She knew the fight was only just getting started. 

A presence, a style, a weight

There is something inevitable about Banda. A gravitas. She attracts play, she attracts fouls, she attracts attention. Against Morocco, she was the most fouled player in the match (five fouls drawn), and the one who attempted the most shots (six shots). But beyond the statistics, it is her attitude that remains impressive: calm, determined and always focused. “She perfectly embodies the evolution of African Women’s Football,” said Ireen Lungu, one of her teammates on the national team, before the match. “She plays at a higher pace, and she forces her team to raise their level.”

An AFCON to make history

The 24-year-old, now shining with Orlando Pride in the NWSL, has already experienced almost everything: the Olympic Games (with her six goals in Tokyo including back-to-back hattricks), the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, national and regional titles. But the WAFCON remained a thorn in her flesh. A gap. This July 5 in Rabat, she ticked that box with authority.

So, what’s next? Zambia will face Senegal and then the Democratic Republic of Congo in a bid to reach the quarterfinals. “We still have a lot to improve but this match shows that we are ready to fight until the end,” she said at the post-match press conference, holding the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match trophy. Banda did not just put in a great performance; she has made her mark on the WAFCON from the very first day. She will now be a force to be reckoned with. Above all, for her opponents, they will have to try and stop her going forward. 

West Ham have rejected a £50m offer from Tottenham for Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghana international is open to a move away from the London Stadium and is prioritising a switch to a Champions League side.

Spurs fit that bill after qualifying for the competition by winning the Europa League.

Talks are ongoing, with West Ham open to letting the 24-year-old attacking player leave.

Kudus, who joined West Ham in a £38m deal from Ajax in 2023, has an £85m release clause but Tottenham are looking to secure a deal under that figure.

At least six top clubs have enquired about Kudus in recent weeks, according to well-placed sources.

Chelsea are among the clubs with an interest in Kudus.

West Ham may look to sell one of their top stars this summer with a view to reinvesting the recouped money into the squad ahead of manager Graham Potter’s first full season in charge.

Kudus, who still has three years to run on his contract, has 13 goals and nine assists in 65 Premier League appearances for the Hammers.

Two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula leads an exceptional field for the first WTA 1000 event of the North American hard-court summer, the Omnium Banque Nationale présenté par Rogers in Montreal, Canada.

The Montreal main-draw entry list was revealed this week. All of the world’s Top 68 players in this week’s PIF WTA Rankings are entered in the field, as the event returns to the province of Quebec in its new expanded fashion.

The tournament alternates between Montreal and Toronto on an annual basis. This year in Montreal will be the Omnium Banque Nationale’s debut as a 12-day event with a 96-player main draw, increasing from its previous week-long duration and 56-player draw.

Main-draw play in Montreal will kick off on Sunday, July 27, and the tournament will end with a Thursday night final on August 7. Over 5 million dollars (U.S.) are on the line at the event, with the singles champion pocketing $752,275. 

Regardless of location or tournament length, Pegula has been the Queen of Canada over the last two years. The World No. 3 won the title here in Montreal in 2023, then successfully defended her crown last year in Toronto.

She will try for the three-peat against a jam-packed field that includes World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and this year’s Grand Slam champions, 2025 Australian Open titlist Madison Keys and 2025 Roland Garros winner Coco Gauff.

Of course, the rest of the Top 10 are scheduled to join them: Iga Swiatek, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen, Mirra Andreeva, Paula Badosa and Emma Navarro.

Alongside the Top 68 players in this week’s PIF WTA Rankings (dated June 30), the following players have received main-draw entry via protected ranking: Marketa Vondrousova, Sorana Cirstea, Zhu Lin and Anastasija Sevastova.

Grand Slam champions in the main-draw entry list are: Sabalenka, Gauff, Swiatek, Keys, Vondrousova, Elena Rybakina, Barbora Krejcikova, Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Jelena Ostapenko, and Sofia Kenin.

Another previous Omnium Banque Nationale champion and Grand Slam champion, Bianca Andreescu (2019 Toronto and 2019 US Open), has already received an early main-draw wild card, as has rising Canadian teen Victoria Mboko.

Along with Pegula, the previous Omnium Banque Nationale champions in the entry list include Belinda Bencic (2015 Toronto) and Elina Svitolina (2017 Toronto).

You can find the entire main-draw entry list via the Omnium Banque Nationale website here!

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (AP) — Half-centuries by Steve Smith and Cameron Green turned Australia’s situation against the West Indies from delicate to controlling on day three Saturday of the second test.

Australia, 1-0 up in the three-test series, was back in charge after recovering its second innings from 12-2 at the start of the day to 221-7 at stumps and a decent lead of 254 runs.

With the pitch playing tricks, often shooting low, Australia was beginning to like its chances of setting a target that was beyond the West Indies’ reach.

“We are in a nice spot,” Smith said. “I don’t think the wicket is going to get any better, will probably do a few more tricks. The new ball is going to be pretty crucial for us. Hopefully, we can get (the lead) up to somewhere around 300.”

Australia generally labored to score 209 runs in 58.3 overs around three delays for showers that added up to nearly two hours of play lost. When stumps were called because of bad light, Alex Carey was on 26 off 27 balls with captain Pat Cummins on 4.

But they were on top.

Smith joined Green after nightwatchman Nathan Lyon held out for nine overs to reach 8.

The first ball Smith faced from Alzarri Joseph smashed his right glove. Inside the glove was the pinkie finger he dislocated in the World Test Championship final last month and which sidelined him from the first test in Barbados.

“It was not ideal (getting hit on the finger) but it feels all right,” Smith said. “It is that kind of surface. Some can shoot up, you might have to take a few on the hands.”

Green resumed the day on 6 and soon passed his highest score at No. 3 in the order, 15. After lunch, his fifth boundary earned him 50 off 122 balls.

But the next ball he was out when he edged Shamar Joseph onto his stumps. Green finished on 52 and ended a 93-run partnership with Smith.

Smith’s sixth boundary brought up his 50 in 79 balls.

He and Travis Head got Australia to tea and a lead of 208.

But soon after, Smith was trapped by Justin Greaves. Smith reviewed but it showed the ball hitting his pad in front of off stump. His 71 off 119 balls included seven boundaries and a six flogged off Roston Chase over long-off.

Greaves also got Beau Webster for 2 but Head and Carey gave the total a 31-run surge before Head’s off stump was bowled by Shamar Joseph on 39.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Kylian Mbappe was among the scorers as the French forward continues comeback in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win against Dortmund.

Kylian Mbappe’s spectacular bicycle kick was among three goals in the second-half stoppage time, as Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a Club World Cup quarterfinal match.

The drama was not restricted to the late goals, with Real keeper Thibaut Courtois using his fingertips to palm away the potential levelling goal from the game’s final play.

Gonzalo Garcia and Fran García scored in the first 20 minutes as Madrid built a 2-0 lead.

Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier scored three minutes into stoppage time, and Mbappe, who entered in the 67th, restored a two-goal lead with his bicycle kick one minute later.

Serhou Guirassy converted a penalty kick in the eighth minute of added time after he was fouled by Dean Huijsen, who received a red card and will miss the semifinals.

Courtois used all of the lengthy arm on his 200cm (6ft 7in) frame to tip away Marcel Sabitzer’s shot just before the final whistle.

Madrid advanced to a semifinal match against Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, a day after Chelsea meets Brazilian club Fluminense.

On a sunny afternoon, in 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) at the 3pm kickoff, Gonzalo Garcia scored in the 10th minute and Fran Garcia in the 20th.

Garcia, a 21-year-old who made only five Spanish league appearances in the past two seasons, was given the start by new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso over Mbappe, who is still regaining fitness after acute gastroenteritis.

Garcia has four goals, tying Benfica’s Angel Di María and Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo for the tournament lead.

Mbappe came on for Jude Bellingham, who missed a chance to play against his brother, Jobe, who was suspended for yellow-card accumulation.

Madrid beat Dortmund 2-0 in the 2024 Champions League final and overcame a two-goal halftime deficit in a 5-2 victory in this season’s league phase. Los Blancos were eliminated by Arsenal in this year’s Champions League quarterfinals.

Madrid has won five consecutive games against Dortmund and is unbeaten in seven since a 2014 Champions League quarterfinal defeat.

American midfielder Gio Reyna did not get off the bench and finished the tournament with one 13-minute appearance for Dortmund in five matches.

This game drew 76,611 fans to MetLife Stadium, the site of next year’s World Cup final. Seats looked filled, except for a completely empty suite level on one side.

There was a moment of silence before kickoff for Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother, Penafiel’s Andre Silva, who died in a car crash on Thursday.

Faith Kipyegon returned to record-breaking ways at the Eugene Diamond League on Saturday (5 July).

Nine days ago, she failed in an heroic attempt to become the first woman to run a four-minute mile in Paris. The Kenyan star looked notably fatigued in the closing stages, but she showed she was in great shape as she surged to a new 1500m world record in front of a sell-out crowd at Hayward Field.

Her race was the last of the night with the scene set for another historic run. And Kipyegon once again delivered. Australia’s Jessica Hull was in touch with the three-time Olympic gold medallist after the bell, but then the 31-year-old unleashed a typically devastating kick just as her compatriot Beatrice Chebet had done in breaking the 5000m world record some 90 minutes earlier.

Kipyegon ran the last 400m in 59.1 as she took victory in 3:48.68, 0.36 inside her mark from last July’s Paris Diamond League.

Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji took second in 3:51.44 with Hull coming home third in 3:52.67.

This is the third time Kipyegon has set a new world record over 1500m, having first broken it in Florence in 2023. A week after her Italian exploits, she broke the 5000m world record which now belongs to Chebet.