Category: 6. Sports

Mehmet Ali has joined Brentford as assistant first-team coach.

Ali arrives at Robert Rowan Performance Centre having spent the last three years as Arsenal Under-21s head coach.

Prior to joining the Gunners in January 2022, initially as assistant to U23s boss Kevin Betsy, Ali had been Reading U23s manager.

Ali, who passed his UEFA Pro Licence in June 2024, began his coaching career at Tottenham Hotspur, working with the U9s through to the U16s.

Head coach Keith Andrews said: “Mehmet came on to our radar a few weeks ago. We went through a process, interviewing several candidates, and he really stood out.

“I could tell from his personality he’s someone I’ll love working with. When he presented to us, and we started discussing football, it was clear that we are very closely aligned on the game.

“Mehmet has a player-development background with Spurs and Reading. He had a hybrid role at Arsenal, predominately working with their U21s but also very closely with Mikel Arteta and the first team.”

At just 18, Vicky López is already living her football dream on the international stage.

On Thursday (3 July), the Spanish teenager scored the second goal in Spain’s dominant 5–0 victory over Portugal in their UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 opener in Bern, Switzerland.

Her goal, capping off a fluid, high-tempo team move, was a beautiful finish that reflected both her technical class and youthful confidence. In a game where several of Spain’s senior stars were absent, including Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, López stepped into the spotlight.

Replacing Bonmatí in the starting lineup, López delivered an 80-minute performance that would have made the veteran midfielder proud. As the teenager left the pitch, fans inside the stadium rose to their feet, applauding a player who might just be central to Spain’s hopes of winning their first-ever UEFA Women’s Euro title.

With maturity beyond her years and a flair that excites, López is quickly becoming one of the breakout stars of the tournament.

But who exactly is this rising star lighting up the European stage?

Here are six things to know about Vicky López.

Inspired by the passionate race fans that attend the annual Redbud National that annually coincides with the Independence Day celebration, the SMX League^TM is excited to announce the continuation of the St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer text-to-donate fundraising campaign throughout the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, season.

The Honda Redbud National Presented by Dixxon Flannel, Round 23 of the SMX World Championship, takes place tomorrow, July 5, from the legendary Buchanan, Michigan, venue and to help commemorate the spirit of the 4^th of July, fans can also help support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by becoming a partner in hope and receiving the limited-edition, red, white, and blue patriotic themed t-shirt by texting SUPER to 785-833.  

“There is simply no race that carries the kind of celebratory and patriotic atmosphere like the RedBud National. For more than 50 years this event has welcomed the most passionate fans in American motocross, who are proud to show their love of the sport and celebrate the country’s birthday each summer,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “Not only are we grateful to have the first-ever Pro Motocross specific Love Moto Stop Cancer t-shirt, which will allow us to continue fundraising for St. Jude, we’re excited to have it represent what is arguably our most high-profile event. We couldn’t think of a better way to symbolize what the Pro Motocross Championship is all about and look forward to seeing our fans show their support of this incredible cause.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing athlete and St. Jude supporter Aaron Plessinger repping the new red, white, and blue, patriotic themed Love Moto Stop Cancer t-shirt design.

Through fundraising partnerships like this, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food – giving them the ability to fully focus on helping their child live. SMX is the only entity outside of country music to use its own community-wide slogan – Love Moto Stop Cancer. Donors who pledge $19 or more per month receive an exclusive Love Moto Stop Cancer T-shirt, routinely worn by all the sport’s top athletes.

Fans can text SUPER to 785-833 to become a St. Jude partner in hope.

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The St. Jude mission is clear: Finding Cures. Saving Children. For more information, please visit the St. Jude page on either the Pro Motocross website or Supercross website.

Tickets are available for all remaining Pro Motocross rounds and the upcoming SMX Playoffs and World Championship Final at supermotocross.com. Fans located in the U.S. looking to tune into the action from the comfort of their homes can stream every race on Peacock. International viewers can watch year-round with three different language offerings on the SuperMotocross Video Pass available at supermotocross.tv, now available at a 50% discount for the remainder of the 2025 season.  

NEW DELHI: Jamie Smith stood tall and delivered when England were staring down the barrel. Walking in with his team reeling at 84/5, the wicketkeeper-batter produced a counterattacking masterclass to slam an unbeaten 150 (innings ongoing) and pull England out of a precarious situation on Day 3 of the second Test against India at Edgbaston.Smith, just 24, partnered Harry Brook to spark a sensational fightback, embracing the Bazball approach in full flow. With Joe Root (22) and Ben Stokes (0) dismissed in quick succession, Smith arrived under pressure but responded with fearless intent and exquisite strokeplay.

He reached his 150 off just 144 deliveries — the fifth-fastest by an England batter in Test history. Only Harry Brook (115 balls), Ben Stokes (135), Ben Duckett (140), and Ollie Pope (142) have been quicker.

Against India, Smith now holds the fourth-fastest 150 in Tests, behind only Shahid Afridi (126 balls, 2006), David Warner (128, 2012), and Duckett (140, 2024).FASTEST TO 150 IN TESTS FOR ENGLAND (BY BALLS TAKEN):

Smith also brought up his century in just 80 balls — equalling the third-fastest Test hundred by an England batter, alongside Brook’s effort against Pakistan in 2022. He overtook Stokes’ 85-ball ton against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015.Only Gilbert Jessop (76 balls vs Australia, 1902) and Jonny Bairstow (77 balls vs New Zealand, 2022) have scored faster centuries for England in the format.Deprived of Jasprit Bumrah’s firepower, the Indian bowling attack struggled to contain Smith’s free-flowing innings. He swept and drove with confidence, peppering the boundary ropes and turning the tide of the match.

Julien Alfred aims to add world crown to historic Olympic gold

Of all the challengers to Richardson at the Eugene Diamond League and the remainder of events this season, the one with the greatest recent pedigree is undoubtedly Saint Lucia’s Olympic 100m gold medallist Julien Alfred.

With Richardson the favourite for gold at Paris 2024, Alfred stepped up in the pouring rain and delivered the performance of her lifetime in the Olympic final.

It wasn’t so much a case of claiming gold but tearing it from the hands of every other competitor in the race.

With Alfred recording a personal best time of 10.72, Richardson’s silver-medal-winning time of 10.87 represented a chasmic difference on the track.

While we have yet to see the Richardson/Alfred rivalry reignited this year, the Stade de France wasn’t the last time the two would meet in 2024.

In that year’s Eugene Diamond League, Richardson would have her revenge, bursting through the finish line in 10.83 seconds ahead of Alfred, who came second in 10.93.

But Alfred wasn’t done yet. In September’s Diamond League Final in Brussels, the tables turned once again, as the Olympic champion blazed her way to the Diamond League crown, winning the race in 10.88 seconds.

Richardson, uncharacteristically, came home eighth.

While the American’s 2025 season has yet to take shape — her only outdoor 100m outing, in Tokyo, saw her finish fourth — Alfred has continued her dominance by beating all-comers this year.

A best time of 10.75 seconds sees her sit second on the 2025 list. And the first person on that list is also a contender to be Richardson’s greatest challenger this year.

An 83rd-minute Weverton own goal from a deflected Malo Gusto cross gave Chelsea a nervy 2-1 win over a spirited Palmeiras side in the Club World Cup quarter-finals at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.

Cole Palmer also got on the scoresheet in the first half for Chelsea, who move on to face more Brazilian opposition in Fluminense in New York on Tuesday with a place in the final on the line.

Palmeiras roared back after halftime with teenage winger Estêvão, who is soon to join Chelsea, equalising in the 53rd minute with a stunning strike from a tight angle.

“Tough game as we expected,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. “First half, I think we were a little bit better compared to the second half, we controlled the game much better.

“But then they scored and the game changed but at the end we scored and I think we deserved to win. Congratulations to the players, because they have been very good.”

Chelsea started the match well despite missing key defensive midfield duo Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with 21-year-old Andrey Santos making his first start some two and a half years after joining the club.

They controlled possession and repeatedly threatened through Pedro Neto, who caused chaos for Palmeiras defence down the right flank.

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Palmer struck in the 16th minute, receiving a pass from Trevoh Chalobah on the edge of the box and gliding past three defenders with ease before dispatching a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

Despite their dominance, Chelsea squandered several opportunities, including Christopher Nkunku’s glaring miss in the 34th minute when he blasted over with only goalkeeper Weverton to beat.

Palmeiras, missing key defenders Joaquin Piquerez, Gustavo Gómez and Murilo, struggled to contain Chelsea’s fluid attack in the first half but emerged from the break with renewed energy.

They nearly equalised when Bruno Fuchs headed narrowly wide from a corner before Estevao worked his magic with an effort that should be a strong candidate for goal of the tournament so far.

The 18-year-old showcased his immense talent by cutting in from the right, gliding past Levi Colwill and smashing an unstoppable shot from a tight angle that flew over keeper Robert Sánchez and off the underside of the crossbar.

“Happy because we won, happy because he scored, so it’s a perfect night,” Maresca said of his new signing.

Just when Palmeiras looked at their most dangerous, though, Chelsea found the winner down the other end.

Gusto found space down the left and his attempted cross deflected off defender Fuchs and wrongfooted Weverton, the ball bouncing off the goalkeeper’s back and into the net to end Palmeirasdreams of an all-Brazilian semi-final.

Reigning Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course winner Pato O’Ward snapped the Team Penske/Chip Ganassi Racing domination on the 2.258-mile track last year by giving Arrow McLaren its first victory there.

But Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou enters this weekend as the driver to beat. The three-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion is undefeated on natural road courses in 2025 with wins at The Thermal Club, Barber Motorsports Park, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and Road America. He’s also on a four-race podium streak at Mid-Ohio, including a 2023 victory and runner-up finish last year.

Can anyone stop the points leader in Sunday’s 90-lap race?

If so, it may take a village.

Typically, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been a track that has featured organization-wide dominance; if someone tops Palou, look for their teammate to be close by.

Since 1990, a one-two team finish has occurred 138 times in NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition. Mid-Ohio has produced a series-leading 16 of those occurrences, double the next best of eight at the former Belle Isle Park circuit in Detroit.

Here are the favorites and sleepers for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport airing at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Favorites

Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Odyssey Battery Team Penske Chevrolet)

McLaughlin has three straight top-five finishes at Mid-Ohio, including a 2022 win in which he led 45 laps. He finished third last season, the third straight year a Team Penske driver finished in that spot, with Will Power doing so in 2022 and 2023. On natural road course races this season, McLaughlin finished 27th, third, fourth and 12th, respectively, showing he’s a serious contender when the car is right.

Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)

Last year’s winner led 24 of 80 laps en route to the victory, but history isn’t on his side as no driver has gone back-to-back at Mid-Ohio since Scott Dixon in 2011-12. However, O’Ward has flashed natural road course speed this season with podiums at The Thermal Club and the IMS road course. He also earned NTT P1 Award honors and led 51 laps at The Thermal Club and finished sixth at Barber Motorsports Park.

Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)

Dixon has six wins in 19 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course starts. His recent finishes include fourth, fifth, second and 27th, respectively. Chip Ganassi Racing has also produced the second-place finisher each of the last four years via Marcus Ericsson (2021), Palou (2022, 2024) and Dixon (2023).

Alex Palou (No. 10 Open AI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been a great track for Palou, who has three straight top-two finishes on the track, including a victory in 2023. There’s not much more to say for the three-time series champion, who leads second-place Kyle Kirkwood by 93 in the standings.

Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet)

Power led 206 combined laps with seven top-four finishes in his last 10 Mid-Ohio starts. While he finished 11th last year, he battled a sickness that compromised his ability to push his car beyond its limits. He finished sixth this season at The Thermal Club, fifth at Barber, third on the IMS road course and 14th at Road America.

Sleepers

Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)

Lundgaard, in his last two Mid-Ohio starts driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, qualified fifth and ninth and finished fourth and seventh, respectively. This season, his first with Arrow McLaren, he has shown podium speed on natural road courses, with finishes of third and second at Thermal and Barber, before dipping to 16th and 24th at the IMS road course and Road America, respectively. Arrow McLaren proved it can win here, and Lundgaard is more than capable.

Graham Rahal (No. 15 Fifth Third Bank Honda)

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is Rahal’s home track and is a place where he has performed well. Rahal has completed 99.7 percent of his laps (1,521 out of 1,525) and produced 10 top-10 finishes in his last 12 tries. He qualified second in 2023 and finished seventh after a slow final pit stop dropped him in the finishing order. Rahal has finished 11th, 14th, sixth and 20th on natural road courses this season.

Kyle Kirkwood (No. 27 Andretti Global Honda)

The only driver not named Alex Palou to win this season, with three in total, is chasing his first natural road course victory. Kirkwood is 0-for-24 on this type of track but is trending upward and improving nearly every season at like venues. At Mid-Ohio, he has finished 26th, 17th and eighth, respectively. Kirkwood finished fourth two weekends ago at Road America.

Louis Foster (No. 45 Mi-Jack Honda)

He finished first and second, respectively, at Mid-Ohio in USF Pro 2000 competition in 2022. He then earned his first career INDY NXT by Firestone victory on this track in 2023 and repeated last year during his 10-win championship season. Foster earned NTT P1 Award honors in the last race at Road America, and his best finishes during his rookie season are 11th at both the IMS and Road America road courses. He has qualified 10th, 12th, third and first, respectively, on natural road courses, too.

Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 SiriusXM Honda)

Rosenqvist earned his first career podium at Mid-Ohio by finishing runner-up to Dixon in 2019. He placed runner-up in the last race, at Road America. On natural road course tracks this season, Rosenqvist has three top-10 finishes in four tries.