Category: Sports

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Fans join Lionesses for ‘unbelievable’ Euros parade

England’s triumphant squad had misgivings about how popular their Euro 2025 parade would be, but they need not have worried as 65,000 fans joined their celebrations in London – as well as members of the Royal Family.

The Lionesses held an open-top bus parade along The Mall after becoming back-to-back European champions with a dramatic win over Spain on Sunday.

Fans lined the route before gathering around a stage in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, where some of the players were interviewed by former Lioness Alex Scott.

“I’ve been crying all the way down The Mall,” said captain Leah Williamson.

“This is unbelievable, probably one of the best things we’ve been a part of.”

The 28-year-old Arsenal defender added: “We’re making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.”

Chloe Kelly, who scored England’s winning goal at 2022 and the decisive penalty in Sunday’s shootout, said: “Pressure, what pressure?”

The 27-year-old Arsenal forward described how special the team’s support has been at home and at the Euros in Switzerland.

She added: “[It is] so good to stand side by side with every single one of these girls throughout the whole tournament, and the staff that you don’t see behind the scenes. It’s incredible.”

Princess Beatrice of York attended the parade and there was a surprise for England coach Sarina Wiegman as her favourite singer Burna Boy joined the squad on stage.

The Dutchwoman then sang and danced along as the Nigerian sang his hit For My Hand.

“Yeah, Sarina’s got rhythm,” Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“She absolutely loves Burna Boy. I can’t believe it. Her face when they brought Burna Boy out was a picture. None of us could believe it to be honest and, yeah, she was busting out some moves and singing away, so that was a special moment.”

The Football Association (FA) said at least 65,000 people attended the parade and Morgan added: “A few of us said the other day ‘we hope the parade is not the full length of The Mall because there might not be enough people to fill it’.

“We were like ‘what if that happens?’ – but we showed up today and it was absolutely packed, I can’t believe it. You don’t realise the scale of how many people watch and support us, and yeah, we feel so lucky.”

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was funny, the players kept asking us ‘do you think people will really come?’

“And we were like ‘yeah, they definitely will come’. We’d seen crowds yesterday coming to meet them at the airport so we were really confident, but the British public are just incredible and really did us proud today.”

The England squad flew back to Southend airport on Monday before attending a reception at Downing Street. (BBC)

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Falcons helped us forget Nigeria’s problems – Citizens

Nigerian citizens have praised the Super Falcons for helping the nation momentarily forget its problems following the women’s national team’s stunning comeback victory to claim a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.

The 3-2 victory against hosts Morocco in Rabat saw the Falcons stage a remarkable comeback from being two goals down on Saturday night, prompting celebrations across the football-mad nation.

President Bola Tinubu led the country in celebrating the women’s squad, telling the team in a post-match video call that their “spectacular performance exemplifies the determination that defines the Nigerian spirit.”

“You have lifted our spirits. You are a pride to your generation,” Tinubu said.

“You have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for. Nigeria celebrates you.”

The triumph, dubbed Mission X, provided a welcome tonic for many Nigerians enduring the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation as the government carries out economic reforms.

Taye Stephen, a father of three, told The PUNCH, “I’ve stopped watching the national teams for a while, but I’m so happy I watched this final. They have made all of us so happy.

“Sometimes, this is what Nigerians need to forget the issues going on here and just enjoy togetherness and joy. Let’s hope the Eagles can do the same when it’s their turn.”

Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver who relocated to the northern city of Kano to escape the violence of Borno state, the epicentre of the jihadist insurgency, hailed the Falcons for helping Nigerians to momentarily forget the problems.

“Everywhere, people erupted in celebration after the final whistle. All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win,” Awwal told AFP.

“Last night, all the problems tormenting us – the high cost of living, banditry and Boko Haram violence – disappeared. It was a great relief, thanks to the Falcons,” he said.

Abuja housewife Comfort Zamani agreed, saying, “Life has not been easy, but at least the girls helped us to forget the hardships, even if for only a few hours.

“They have given us some hope that we should keep fighting and not give up even when things are rough.”

The victory confirmed the West Africans as the queens of women’s football in Africa, having now won 10 titles in 13 editions of the continental championship, providing a rare moment of national unity and joy amid challenging times. (Punch)

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Defending champions England beat Spain on penalties to win Women’s Euro 2025

Chloe Kelly converted the decisive kick as England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to lift the Women’s Euro 2025 trophy after Sunday’s game had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, allowing the Lionesses to avenge their defeat in the World Cup final two years ago and retain their continental crown.

It looked as though Spain would repeat their victory over England in Sydney in 2023 as they dominated the game at St Jakob-Park in Basel and led through Mariona Caldentey’s first-half header.

But England did not panic, having already trailed against both Sweden in the quarter-finals and Italy in the semis before finding a way to win.

Alessia Russo headed in their equaliser just before the hour mark, and no further goals meant a shoot-out in which Kelly — who once again had a huge impact off the bench — netted the winner.

“I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net,” Kelly told the BBC of her penalty.

It was an agonising way to lose for Spain, but they failed to score three of their spot-kicks, with reigning Ballon d’Or Aitana Bonmati seeing her effort saved.

Sarina Wiegman’s England are therefore back-to-back European champions, with this triumph coming three years after they defeated Germany in extra time at Wembley to win a first women’s major tournament.

Defeating Spain here helps make up for the agony of losing that World Cup final in 2023, and the victory also confirms Wiegman’s place among the coaching greats.

She has now won three consecutive European Championships, having led her native Netherlands to victory in 2017 before doing the same with England three years ago.

“We said we can win by any means, and that’s what we have shown again today. I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible,” said Wiegman, whose team lost to France in their first match at the tournament.

“Losing your first game and becoming European Champions is incredible,” she added.

Spain fell short in their quest to add a maiden European Championship title to the World Cup they won in Australia.

La Roja dominated possession as expected, but ultimately paid the price for not putting the game to bed against an England side who never know when they are beaten.

“I am in shock,” Bonmati told broadcaster TVE before apologising for falling from the spot.

“Football is cruel. Everything seems bad right now, but I think we played the best football during the tournament.” (Punch)

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Naomi Osaka, coach Mouratoglou part ways

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said Monday that she has split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou after less than a year.

“Merci Patrick… it was such a great experience learning from you,” the former world number one said on X.

The Japanese star teamed up with the Frenchman, the long-time coach of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, in September last year.

Osaka did not play in 2023 after the birth of her daughter and has struggled for consistency after returning to the professional circuit a year ago and is currently ranked 49.

She exited this year’s French Open in the first round and Wimbledon in the third round. (Punch)

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Falcons will inspire Eagles’ World Cup chase – Gusau

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has described the Super Falcons’ stirring comeback win in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final as a source of motivation for the Super Eagles in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Falcons overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 in Saturday night’s dramatic final at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, a feat Gusau believes reflects the resilient spirit required by the men’s team as they prepare for four crucial qualifying matches.

“I am very happy because our girls rose from the ‘dead’, as they say, and fought to victory. This was an extraordinary performance. I congratulate them for their resilience, doggedness, patriotism and the blatant display of the well-known Nigerian spirit,” Gusau said after the final.

“This victory, and the spirit behind it, will have positive implications for the men in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series. We have four more matches to turn the tables against our opponents, and watching the Super Falcons tonight, and how they turned things around, underscores again the wise saying that in sport and life, it is never over until it is over.”

Gusau hailed the Falcons’ impressive tournament form, in which they scored 14 goals and conceded just three en route to winning a record-extending 10th continental title.

He praised the team’s technical crew, captain and entire squad for a campaign that not only restored pride but rewrote their redemption story from the 2022 edition.

“From the coaching crew to the team captain and the players, we say thank you and well done. With a commanding triumph in the Women’s AFCON once again, what is left for us to target now is conquering the world at the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Gusau added.

With Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign set to resume in September, against Rwanda at home and South Africa away, Gusau believes the Falcons’ resilience has laid down the blueprint for them.

“This triumph reminds us that no matter how dire the situation, belief and effort can turn things around. The Eagles must draw from this and fight for Nigeria,” he said. (Punch)

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Nigeria seal 10th Wafcon as comeback stuns Morocco

Nigeria produced a sensational second-half comeback to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 and seal a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

The Atlas Lionesses led 2-0 at the break in Rabat through Ghizlane Chebbak’s fine curling effort and a scuffed shot from Sanaa Mssoudy.

But Esther Okoronkwo inspired the West Africans after the break, pulling a goal back from the penalty spot in the 64th minute after Nouhaila Benzina handled Folamide Ijamilusi’s cross.

Okoronkwo burst into the Morocco box and squared for Ijamilusi to equalise in the 71st minute, then teed up substitute Jennifer Echegini to score the winner with two minutes of the game remaining.

The 21,000-capacity Olympic Stadium was stunned into silence as the Super Falcons players collapsed to the turf in celebrations at the final whistle after producing a seemingly unlikely revival that will live long in the memory.

Nigeria billed their campaign as Mission X and have achieved their target, reclaiming the title they last won in 2018 and preserving their 100% record in Wafcon finals.

Morocco, meanwhile, had hired 2023 Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda after he parted company with Spain in a bid to land their first continental crown, but have now lost back-to-back Wafcon finals.

The Super Falcons pick up $1m in prize money – which has been doubled since the last edition – and become the first side to lift the new-look Wafcon trophy.

However, the stadium had largely emptied out by the time Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Confederation of African Football counterpart Patrice Motsepe took to the stage for the presentation.

The 2024 edition of the tournament had been delayed because of scheduling issues last year, which included the participation of the West Africans and Zambia at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Nigeria had not been shy in expressing their intentions of winning their 10th Wafcon, with players consistently asked about that target in media engagements.

The Super Falcons have certainly backed up their off-field talk in their performances in Morocco this month as coach Justin Madugu found the right blend in the knockout phase.

Yet the top-ranked side in Africa made a poor start and Nigeria were unable to match Morocco’s level in the first half.

The North Africans went ahead in the 13th minute when Halimatu Ayinde gave the ball to Chebbak, who sent a fine shot just inside the left-hand upright, and doubled their lead 11 minutes later when Mssoudy shot across goal.

Okoronkwo was composure personified after the intervention of VAR to make it 2-1 from the spot, and then kept her head when she burst through the Morocco defence to control, pause and put the ball on a plate for Ijamilusi.

Another big moment came when Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute when Imane Saoud helped a cross onto the hand of Blessing Demehin, who was barely two yards away.

Chebbak had the ball on the spot when Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa was called to the VAR screen and overturned her decision almost four minutes later.

And the comeback was completed when Okoronkwo provided a pin-point free-kick delivery and Echegini got ahead of centre-back Benzina to sweep home from six yards out.

The West Africans have now beaten a third host nation in a Wafcon final following successes over South Africa and Cameroon in 2000 and 2016 respectively. (BBC)

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Super Falcons edge South Africa 2-1 to qualify for WAFCON finals

Nigeria’s Super Falcons, on Tuesday, secured a spot in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a tense semi-final clash.

The match, played with high intensity, saw the Super Falcons take the lead in the first half through Rasheedat Ajibade, who calmly converted from the penalty spot in the 45th minute to give Nigeria a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.

Earlier in the game, South Africa were forced into a substitution in the 26th minute after striker Hildah Magaia was withdrawn due to injury, with Thubelihle Makhubela coming on in her place.

South Africa responded strongly in the second half and levelled the score in the 60th minute when Linda Motlhalo converted a penalty to make it 1-1.

With the game seemingly headed for extra time, Nigeria found the winner deep into stoppage time.

Michelle Alozie struck in the 90+4th minute after a setup from Esther Okoronkwo, sealing a dramatic win for the Falcons.

Substitutions from both sides added to the pace and physicality of the match, with the Super Falcons showing greater composure in the final moments.

The victory sees Nigeria book a place in the WAFCON final, continuing their dominance on the continental stage and putting them within reach of another title. (Punch)

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Arsenal complete £48.5m signing of Madueke from Chelsea

Arsenal have completed the signing of England winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea for an initial fee of £48.5m.

The 23-year-old was part of Chelsea’s squad at the Club World Cup in the United States but left the camp before last Sunday’s 3-0 win against Paris St-Germain in the final to finalise his move to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Madueke has signed a five-year contract at Emirates Stadium, with his fee rising to just over £50m with add-ons.

“Humbled and blessed to be here. Thank you to everyone that made this possible,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I can’t wait to get on the pitch and start to repay the faith shown in me. It’s going to be so special.”

He made 92 appearances for Chelsea after joining from PSV Eindhoven for £30m in January 2023 and scored 20 goals, helping them win the Conference League last season.

He was part of Crystal Palace and then Tottenham’s academy before spending four-and-a-half years in the Netherlands, where he won the Dutch Cup.

Madueke made his England senior debut in August 2024 and set up Harry Kane’s winner as Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Andorra 1-0 in World Cup qualification last month.

Arteta told Arsenal’s website, external: “Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality.

“He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League.

“At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well.

“Having seen the quality of Noni’s performances up close in recent seasons, we’re really excited he is joining us. His arrival will really improve our squad.”

News of Arsenal’s interest in the Chelsea winger had prompted a backlash from a section of the Gunners supporters earlier this month.

A petition, titled #NoToMadueke, was signed more than 5,000 times and murals outside the club’s Emirates Stadium were vandalised with ‘Arteta out’.

Madueke becomes Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer and second from Chelsea following the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad have also joined while the club are also close to signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera. (BBC)

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Palmer stars as Chelsea stun PSG to win Club World Cup final

Cole Palmer scored two goals and made another as Chelsea stunned Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday, beating the European champions 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium to win the first edition of FIFA’s new competition.

PSG were the favourites for a game attended by Donald Trump after coming to the United States fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League and having destroyed Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals.

But having been three goals ahead midway through the first half in the semis, this time the roles were reversed as PSG found themselves 3-0 down by the break.

Palmer opened the scoring midway through the first half and struck again to make it two on the half-hour mark, before taking advantage of passive defending to set up Joao Pedro for the third on 43 minutes.

A bad day for PSG was summed up when Joao Neves was shown red following a VAR review four minutes from the end for pulling Marc Cucurella by the hair off the ball.

It was a scoreline that few could have predicted as Chelsea capped what has been a long but memorable season — they are the first ever winners of the 32-team Club World Cup having also won the UEFA Conference League and finished fourth in the Premier League.

They will also take away around $125 million in prize money, meaning the prospect of a drastically curtailed summer break before returning for next season will surely feel worth it.

For PSG, meanwhile, the financial rewards are similar but there will be genuine disappointment at falling short of adding this title to their Champions League triumph and French league and cup double.

Nevertheless, conquering Europe was always the main aim this season for Luis Enrique’s team, who now have exactly a month to digest this and take a holiday before returning to action in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.

There was a real sense of occasion at the MetLife Stadium, with the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and with President Trump in attendance along with First Lady Melania Trump in a crowd of 81,118.

There was even the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA tournament, adding a Super Bowl feel to a final played at the home of NFL sides the New York Giants and New York Jets.

As for the football, for the second time in six weeks PSG found themselves involved in a final that quickly turned into a one-sided affair.

The club claimed a historic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, but here they were ripped apart by Chelsea on another hot afternoon.

Palmer almost put Chelsea ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, before PSG should have scored at the other end only for Desire Doue to try to pass to Achraf Hakimi rather than shoot inside the box, allowing Cucurella to block.

It was Chelsea who struck in the 22nd minute as Malo Gusto got the better of Nuno Mendes down the right before seeing his shot blocked by Lucas Beraldo. The ball came back to Gusto and he teed up Palmer to finish into the bottom-left corner.

Palmer has been the face of Chelsea on billboards in the United States during the tournament and he lived up to his star billing by scoring again on the half-hour. (Punch)

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Nigeria and Algeria progress at Wafcon after draw

Nigeria set up a quarter-final showdown with Zambia at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw with Algeria secured the Super Falcons top spot in Group B.

The result in Casablanca also meant the North Africans progressed to the last eight, where they will face the second-placed finisher in Group C.

Elsewhere, Botswana came from behind to beat Tunisia 2-1 and boost their chances of going through as one of the two best-ranked third-placed sides.

Yesmin Khanchouch’s 12th-minute effort put the Carthage Eagles ahead before Lesego Radiakanyo equalised midway through the second half.

Both teams would have been eliminated by a 1-1 draw and it was Botswana who grabbed a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time through Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse.

Sunday’s results mean defending champions South Africa and Mali are both assured of a place in the quarter-finals before Group C culminates on Monday (19:00 GMT).

Banyana Banyana face the West Africans in Oujda, while Ghana take on Tanzania in Berkane with both of those sides needing to win to progress.

Nigeria are chasing a record-extending 10th Wafcon title and topped Group B on seven points without conceding a goal.

Yet, as the West Africans turn their attention to their meeting with Zambia on Friday, questions will be raised about their attacking sharpness.

Super Falcons dominated possession against Algeria and created far more chances than their opponents, but were frustrated by a compact and resilient defence which was content to soak up pressure.

Rasheedat Ajibade and Jennifer Echegini offered the most threat from wide areas and midfield runs. Clear-cut chances were rare, and when they came Nigeria could not convert.

The match ended with Nigeria pressing for a late winner, with Echegini sending a curling effort just wide in the 89th minute.

For Algeria, the draw marked a milestone performance as they reach the knockout stages at a Wafcon finals for the first time.

Their progress has been built on a solid defence, having also progressed without conceding a goal.

Ghoutia Karchouni’s winner against Botswana was their only goal of the group stage but has proved enough to extend their stay in Morocco until their quarter-final tie next Saturday. (BBC)