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South Africa beat Australia in WTC final to net first major title | Cricket News

South Africa end their wait for one of the major ICC titles by beating Australia by five wickets in the WTC final.

South Africa have secured their first major title by beating defending champions Australia by five wickets in the final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

The Proteas knocked off the remaining 29 runs they needed before lunch on Saturday – sealing the win with more than a day and a half to spare, and sparking emotional celebrations in front of a packed crowd.

They moved from a portentous 213-2 overnight to 282-5, the second-highest successful run chase in the 141-year Rest history at the self-proclaimed home of cricket.

Australia did not give up the WTC mace easily, relentlessly attacking the stumps and pressuring a South Africa side with an infamous history of blowing winning positions on big ICC stages.

But South Africa was staunch and composed, only three boundaries in more than two hours, and lost only three wickets on Saturday in an air of inevitability.

“We’ve come a long way as a team, as a country,” an emotional Keshav Maharaj said. “We always say we want to be good people and play good. We’re moving in the right direction as a cricketing nation.

Referencing South Africa’s last title of any kind, the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy, Maharaj fought back tears in adding, “After 27 years of pain, to finally get over the line is super emotional. We’re so grateful to have Temba (Bavuma, captain) to get us over the line.

“Diversity is our strength, so to see the crowd, they stand for the meaning of our rainbow nation. To lift the trophy is going to unite the nation even more.”

Temba Bavuma of South Africa celebrates to the fans as he walks around the pitch with his team following victory on Day Four of the ICC World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia
Temba Bavuma of South Africa celebrates with the fans as he walks around the pitch at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, England [Mike Hewitt/Getty Images]

The desperate Australians used up all of their three reviews in vain within the first 90 minutes, but fought to the end. They took the new ball but were still blunted by a flat pitch.

Markram was the colossus Australia could not topple until it was too late.

The opener resumed the day on 102 and was out for 136 when only six more runs were needed. He spent six hours, 23 minutes in the middle.

About 15 minutes later, Kyle Verreynne broke the tension by hitting the winning run, a drive into the covers.

Markram and captain Temba Bavuma set up the victory with an unbeaten and chanceless partnership of 143 runs the day before. They could not finish what they started, adding only four runs together before Bavuma edged Pat Cummins behind for 66, one more than he had overnight.

Kagiso Rabada of South Africa celebrates with the trophy after winning the final during day 4 of the ICC World Test Championship, final match between South Africa and Australia at Lords Cricket Ground
Kagiso Rabada of South Africa celebrates with the trophy after winning the ICC World Test Championship final [Paul Harding/Gallo Images/Getty Images]

Tristan Stubbs was castled on 8 by Mitchell Starc with 41 runs needed and South Africa was too close to the finish to be denied.

But Markram could not have the pleasure himself. With six runs needed to win, he was caught at midwicket by Travis Head off Josh Hazlewood.

Australia did not celebrate. Instead, players slapped Markram on the back and congratulated him on his match-winning knock as the Lord’s crowd stood and applauded.

They stood again when the end finally came, a rout of red-hot Australia with five sessions to spare.

South Africa’s history on the ICC’s biggest stages has been infamously cruel. The venues and dates of their most heart-breaking losses include Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015, Kolkata 2023 and Bridgetown 2024.

But London 2025 will go down as one of the greatest days in South African sport, when its cricket underdogs grabbed the advantage and did not let go against one of the great Australia Test sides to seal the title that ranks alongside the ICC’s Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup.

South Africa were criticised before the final for its supposedly easier road — it did not face Australia or England in a series in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle — but it has won eight straight tests, its second-longest streak in history, and half of them away from home.

Fans of South Africa celebrate following their team's victory on Day Four of the ICC World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground
Fans of South Africa celebrate following their team’s victory [Mike Hewitt/Getty Images]

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Premiership Grand Final: Bath beat Leicester 23-21 for first title in 29 years

Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Ojomoh, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit; Roux, Ewels, Hill, Pepper, Reid.

Replacements: Annett, Van Wyk, Stuart, Molony, Bayliss, Carr-Smith, Donoghue, Barbeary.

Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Kata, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya (c), Heyes; Henderson, Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Cronin, Cole, Rogerson, Ilione, Youngs, Volavola, Perese.

Sin bin: Montoya (28 mins), Cole (69 mins)

Referee: Karl Dickson

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Disney+ drops to £1.99 in rare deal Netflix and Amazon can’t beat

Disney Plus has brought back a mega monthly deal that shaves 60% off its usual price and makes it the cheapest streamer compared to Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+

Disney Plus logo displayed on a smartphone screen.
Brits can get Disney+ for £1.99 per month

Disney+ is offering a subscription for £1.99 with the return of a hugely popular streaming deal. The streamer from the House of Mouse has just kicked off a ‘limited-time promotion’ that saves 60% compared to the usual price.

It allows both new and returning customers to subscribe to Disney+ Standard with Ads for £1.99 per month for four months. This would usually cost a total of £19.96 but is now up for grabs for £7.96 – a £12 discount.

However, the deal won’t be around for long and is due to expire on June 30. After the four-month promotional period, Disney+ Standard with Ads will automatically renew at the then-current monthly retail price until cancelled.

READ MORE: Top Tech: Sky vs Virgin Media as free iPad and cheapest ever TV deal up for grabs

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The deal makes Disney+ the most affordable major streamer compared to the cheapest subscription tiers of Netflix (£5.99), Amazon’s Prime Video (£5.99) and Apple TV+ (£8.99). It comes ahead of a packed summer slate of new and returning films and series, led by Disney blockbuster Snow White, streaming now.

Also on the way this summer are Marvel’s Ironheart (June 25), season four of The Bear (June 26) and new prequel series Alien: Earth (August 13). They’re set to join an ever-growing library featuring recent hits and critically acclaimed series, Andor, Welcome to Wrexham, Rivals, Only Murders in the Building and Shōgun.

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Disney+ has brought back its popular deal that lets new and returning customers join its Standard with Ads plan for £1.99 per month for four months.

This means members can stream hit shows like Andor, The Bear and Alien: Earth, plus countless titles from Star Wars and Marvel, for a fraction of the usual price.

The £1.99 deal also provides access to the Stolen Girl, Good American Family and season two of the beloved reality series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. For those put off by the prospect of adverts interrupting their viewing, the Disney+ plan plays on average less than four minutes of ads per hour of TV, which is less than on terrestrial TV.

What’s more, adverts will only play before a film starts and not during. Aside from the deal, Disney+ also offers the equivalent of two months free to those paying for a year upfront on the Standard or Premium plan.

Opting for an annual plan provides 12 months access for the price of 10 and saves up to £25.98, as well as higher video quality up to 4K UHD and HDR and the ability to stream on four devices simultaneously. Of the many positive reviews left by Disney+ members on Trustpilot, one says: “Offering a fantastic and constantly updated collection.”

Rachel Zegler as Snow White
Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is streaming now on Disney+

Another says: “I love Disney+. I’m a Star Wars and Marvel fan but since the addition of Starz it boosted my love, there’s even more content for adults now that’s worth it all round.

However, the same user added: “Only reason it didn’t get five stars is Disney are not using their other brands in the subscription. If they did this could easily be the best subscription service ever but there is much more content locked behind their own service.”

However, another five-star review says: “Good servers, good services, this nostalgia when watching old cartoons from TV. The subscription is really cheap compared to other streaming services.”

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Portugal beat Spain in penalty shootout to win second Nations League crown | Football News

Ruben Neves scores winning penalty kick as Portugal defeat Spain 5-3 in a shootout to win the Nations League title.

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears as Portugal picked up their second Nations League title by beating holders Spain 5-3 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw in the final.

Ronaldo’s 138th international goal took the final on Sunday to a shootout, with Alvaro Morata’s miss proving costly for Spain as Ruben Neves struck the winning spot kick to spark wild scenes of celebration, with emotion overwhelming the veteran captain.

Spain’s exhilarating 5-4 victory over France in Thursday’s semifinal ensured Luis de la Fuente’s side had continued an unbeaten run that stretched back to March 2023 coming into Sunday’s showpiece final in Munich.

They appeared on course for yet another trophy, on the back last year’s European Championship triumph, as Martin Zubimendi tapped home his second international goal in the 21st minute.

The holders’ lead did not last long, however, as flying Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes slotted home the equaliser after good work from Ronaldo in the build up.

A sublime pass from midfielder Pedri helped Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted the winner against England in last year’s European Championship final, restored Spain’s lead before the break.

The tussle between the Iberian neighbours was billed as a clash between old and new – 40-year-old and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

While Yamal, among the favourites to take home one of the most prestigious individual awards this year, struggled to make inroads, Ronaldo pounced on his chance, firing Portugal level from close range just past the hour mark.

Ronaldo went off injured late on and neither side could find a winner in extra time, with the game going to a shootout and Portugal netting all five of their penalties to claim the trophy.

Earlier on Sunday, Kylian Mbappe led France to third place with a 2-0 win over host nation Germany in Stuttgart.

The Real Madrid star scored one goal and set up the other for Michael Olise as France recovered from a lethargic first half.

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Clayton Kershaw earns his first win of 2025 as Dodgers beat Cardinals

The Dodgers have sent Clayton Kershaw to the mound to give a slumping team a lift countless times during his 18-year career. And they’ve rarely been disappointed.

So they did it again on a sultry Sunday afternoon in St. Louis and once again Kershaw delivered, earning his first win of the season in a 7-3 victory over the Cardinals that snapped a two-game losing streak and ended a slide that had seen the team lose five of its last seven.

“He’s been a stopper for many years. He’s been a staff ace for many years. He’s going to the Hall of Fame,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “So he understands. And he’s going to be prepared.”

A chart examining the strikeout leaders in MLB history and where Clayton Kershaw stands.

Especially after the Cardinals picked at an old wound just before the first pitch, using the massive scoreboard facing the Dodgers’ dugout to replay video of Kershaw bent over, hands on knees, after giving up a series-winning home run to Matt Adams in Game 4 of the 2014 National League Division Series.

Kershaw answered that slight with his best outing of an injury-delayed season, allowing just a run on six hits in five innings. He struck out seven, the most he’s had in exactly two years, leaving him just 17 strikeouts shy of 3,000 for his career. And more importantly, he did not issue a walk for the first time in five starts.

That performance was especially useful coming a day after the Dodgers’ rotation was scrambled before the team’s big three-game series with the Padres. Right-hander Tony Gonsolin was moved back to the injured list Saturday with discomfort in his surgically repaired elbow, leaving the Dodgers with 14 pitchers on the IL and without a starter for Tuesday’s game in San Diego. A scan of Gonsolin’s elbow on Saturday showed no structural damage.

Michael Kopech, activated from the injured list Saturday, pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the ninth.

For Roberts the most telling stat in Kershaw’s line was the lack of walks since Kershaw has struggled with his control in his first brief comeback.

“What’s been consistent is the inconsistency of the command,” Roberts said. “There’s certainly uncharacteristic walks in there, getting behind in counts, which is so uncharacteristic with Clayton.”

Kershaw hit 91.5 mph with his fastball Sunday and averaged 89.6 mph.

“The velocity is something that he’s really mindful of and there might be a little bit of overthrow in there trying to chase a certain number versus just kind of commanding the baseball,” Roberts said. “He wants both. He wants the velocity and feels he can command the ball.”

Kershaw also became the first Dodger pitcher in the series to get some help from his offense, which scored four times in the first four innings and seven times in the game, the most runs the team has scored in a game this month.

The Dodgers, who stranded 21 baserunners while going one for 25 with runners in scoring position in the first two games in St. Louis, wasted their first scoring opportunity Sunday. After Shohei Ohtani led off with a double to left-center, the next three hitters failed to get the ball out of the infield.

Mookie Betts runs the bases after hitting a solo home run for the Dodgers in the seventh inning Sunday.

Mookie Betts runs the bases after hitting a solo home run for the Dodgers in the seventh inning Sunday.

(Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)

But they scored three times in the second when three of the first four batters, Max Muncy, Will Smith and former Cardinal Tommy Edman, all singled to center ahead of Hyesong Kim’s two-run triple to right.

A leadoff triple by Smith followed by a one-out double from Edman made it 4-0 in the fourth. And Kershaw, staked to the early lead, sailed into the fifth with a shutout before two singles and a two-out double by Masyn Winn got the Cardinals on the board.

St. Louis added to that against reliever Lou Trivino in the sixth, with Willson Contreras doubling off the left-field wall, then scoring on Alec Burleson’s one-out fly ball to center.

The teams traded runs in the seventh with Mookie Betts lining a two-out solo homer just over the wall in left in the seventh and the Cardinals answering with a walk and two-out singles by Brendan Donovan and Contreras.

The Dodgers then closed out the scoring with two runs in a sloppy eighth inning that featured a single, two walks, two batters hit by pitches, a passed ball and a sacrifice fly.

Now, the Dodgers move on to San Diego, which is just a game back in the NL West. Roberts, however, downplayed the importance of the first series of the season against the division rival.

“Outside of it just [being] a division opponent, and us trying to find a way to win a game, it really doesn’t have any extra impact,” he said. “Right now we’re not playing our best baseball, but I think that that environment is going to bring out the best in us.

“It’s a fun place to play a ball game. But as far as kind of the stakes right now, I don’t think it really has a whole lot of extra.”

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French Open 2025 results: Carlos Alcaraz fights back to beat Jannik Sinner in classic Roland Garros final

The first Grand Slam showpiece between the two dominant players on the ATP Tour had been a tantalising prospect – and it surpassed the hype.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner pushed themselves – and each other – to the limit in a classic contest that showcased all of their shot-making, athleticism and resilience.

Their fascinating rivalry is quickly turning into an enduring duel that could transcend the sport.

It has all the facets – the core talent, gripping encounters on the biggest stages and the blend of personalities.

Alcaraz, with his swashbuckling style, passion and infectious smile, has long been a box-office star who engages millions of fans.

In the toughest moments of the battle against Sinner, he continued to play with freedom – perhaps too much for his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero – and demanded more noise from the Paris crowd.

They loudly responded as Alcaraz demonstrated the heart and courage – along with explosive returns and deft hand skills – for which he has become known and revered.

The majority of the 15,000 fans were jumping to their feet after every point in a thrilling finale, where both players continued to execute top-quality shots that often defied belief.

Alcaraz flew out of the blocks in the first-to-10 match tie-break of the deciding set, sapping every last bit of Sinner’s energy before sealing victory with a remarkable running forehand winner that fizzed down the line.

He fell flat on his back before Sinner trudged around the net for a warm, heartfelt embrace.

Alcaraz somehow found the energy to sprint off court, climbing up the stands to celebrate with 2003 French Open winner Ferrero, the rest of his team and his family.

Both players were given rapturous rounds of applause as they collected their trophies after the second longest major final in history.

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French Open final LIVE RESULT: Carlos Alcaraz completes INCREDIBLE comeback to beat Jannik Sinner in five-set thriller

Sinner* 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 1-3 Alcaraz

His arms must feel so heavy after virtually four-and-a-half hours on court but Alcaraz shows superb touch with the nifty drop shot – and Sinner does not run for it.

Literally a carbon copy in the second point. Again Sinner does not chase it down – that is very, very telling.

He has been running those down for the whole match until now.

Have his legs gone?

He is really struggling to move and it is Alcaraz that is deciding which way the points go – winners, errors or forcing Sinner into mistakes.

After going down 40-30, Sinner lets out some emotion towards his team – that is the first sign of any frustration he has allowed out.

But fast forward a couple of minutes and Sinner has a break point… surely he can’t can he?

Alcaraz kicks in a second serve and brushes the winner away.

Oh my word – how has he pulled that drop shot off? That is staggering from Alcaraz as he cuts a forehand just over the net and though Sinner chases it down, it is simply too good.

But back comes the Italian to deuce before two serves clip the net and go out – not the time for a double fault!

Huge from Alcaraz to go on the offensive and save it in style.

Sinner mishits a return and has a small outburst of anger – and he will be seething inside as Alcaraz eventually holds after nearly ten minutes with a forehand winner.

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Kyle Hendricks earns win No. 100 as Angels beat Mariners

When Angels closer Kenley Jansen induced a groundout from J.P. Crawford to end Friday night’s contest, he made sure to keep the ball.

In the Angels’ clubhouse after a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners, Jansen handed the ball to Kyle Hendricks. It was Hendricks’ to keep after he earned his 100th career victory.

Hendricks didn’t pitch his best game. The right-hander gave up eight hits and four earned runs along with two strikeouts and two walks over six innings. Still, his milestone capped one of the Angels’ better wins — an all-around team effort spearheaded by veteran players.

“I hate it being about me, so I appreciated keeping [the postgame celebration] short,” said Hendricks, who won 97 of his 100 games with the Chicago Cubs. [Manager Ron Washington] just said a couple words, and the guys pointed out Kenley keeping the last ball for me, handing it over. Just really cool and hugs all around.”

Clyde Wright, ninth on the Angels’ all-time wins list and Hendricks’ pitching coach during his teenage years in South Orange County, was at Angel Stadium on Friday. Wright, who ended his career with 100 wins, congratulated Hendricks in the clubhouse.

“I told him, I only took 23 years after our first lesson — 12-year-old, first lesson — and now, finally tied him,” Hendricks said.

Hendricks said he has built a solid bond with battery mate Travis d’Arnaud in recent starts.

“Really catching a groove, really learned me, and it’s just making things so much easier for me,” Hendricks said of d’Arnaud. “So I can’t thank him enough.”

Being part of Hendricks’ 100th win was “very special” for d’Arnaud, who also caught Charlie Morton’s 100th win with Atlanta in 2021.

“I’m very thankful and grateful that I was a part of it, and not only to be a part of it behind the plate, but also to help contribute at the plate,” d’Arnaud said.

Offensively, it was one of the newest Angels who helped lead them to victory.

Chris Taylor hadn’t done much at the plate since the Angels signed him nearly two weeks ago. Friday night at Angel Stadium, the former Dodgers utilityman put together his best game for the Angels so far — going two for three with a tying RBI double in his first multi-hit performance of the season (his first in the regular season since Sept. 28).

“That’s obviously the best game I’ve had in a minute,” Taylor said. “Just to hit the ball hard and drive in a run — do some things to help a team win, felt good.”

Angels second baseman Chris Taylor throws to first base after forcing out a Mariners runner.

Angels second baseman Chris Taylor throws to first base after forcing out a Mariners runner at second in the first inning Friday.

(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)

Taylor also scored the decisive run in the fifth inning on a single from Nolan Schanuel. Even Taylor’s one out was loud. In the bottom of the sixth, Seattle center fielder Julio Rodríguez robbed Taylor of a two-run home run to dead center field.

In his first plate appearance in the third, Taylor scored on a single from Zach Neto to tie the score 1-1. After the Mariners retook the lead in the fourth, d’Arnaud tied the game again with a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning.

The Angels put together one of their better performances at the plate. They combined for seven hits and struck out just seven times. With their third win in four games, the Angels (29-33) are three games back of second-place Seattle (32-30) and 5½ games behind AL West-leading Houston (35-28).

Ryan Zeferjahn and Reid Detmers pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, respectively, and Jansen tossed a scoreless ninth for his 13th save. Detmers hasn’t given up a run — across eight appearances — since May 17.

For Washington, Hendricks getting his 100th win was the cherry on top of a win over a division rival.

“I talk about two things, presence and performance,” Washington said. “[Hendricks’] presence is always around. And when he’s performing, you see him giving everything he has. Well deserved.”

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T20 Blast: Hampshire beat Surrey while Middlesex v Kent abandoned

With the prospect of weather playing a part, Hampshire won the toss and asked Surrey to bat first.

Dom Sibley cracked James Fuller over the ropes as Surrey put on 18 from the opening two overs of seam but South African spinner Bjorn Fortuin, making his debut in place of Liam Dawson, tempted Sibley into sweeping straight to John Turner for 13 in the third.

Jason Roy began to warm up as the hosts reached 43-1 at the end of the six-over powerplay but Currie tempted Ollie Pope into stepping across his stumps and trying to scoop, only to nick straight into the hands of keeper Albert and depart for 11. Pope has now made 25 runs across three games opening the batting and left his side 51-2 from eight overs.

Roy was joined by skipper Sam Curran but his side were 64-2 at the midway point as the Hawks bowlers slowed their progress – limiting the hosts to just 10 boundaries and four sixes across the 20 overs.

The pressure told as Roy tried to take Turner over the mid-wicket boundary, only to find Joe Weatherley just inside the rope and depart for 37 to leave his side 67-3 in the 12th over – though Roy finished as his side’s leading scorer for the third straight game.

Laurie Evans and Curran struggled to get to grips with the Hawks attack and Surrey were 91-3 with five overs remaining, though both cut loose in Turner’s final over, with Curran launching back-to-back sixes to make it 21 runs from five balls before miscuing the final ball into the sky for Vince to catch and send Curran packing for 34 from 25 balls.

Tom Curran picked out Weatherley with a skier to deep square off Wood (2-27) and Ollie Sykes was caught by Currie for one three balls later while Weatherley picked up his third catch to dismiss Chris Jordan for eight off Currie (2-17) to end the 19th over.

Roy put down a sharp chance at second slip off the opening ball of the reply from Dan Worrall, giving Albert another life, but the Surrey bowlers kept the Hawks in check until the rain began to fall

The final over of the powerplay, Sam Curran’s first, cost 16 runs amid some errant fielding and saw the Hawks reach 50-0.

With 10 wickets in hand, Hawks were well ahead of the DLS rate of 48 when they were eventually called off after 8.2 overs with the score 63-0.

Vince finished unbeaten on 33 from 28 deliveries with Albert on 28 from 22 at the other end as the Hawks picked up just their second T20 win over Surrey in the past 11 meetings.

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Spain beat France 5-4 in thriller to reach Nations League final | Football News

Yamal inspires Spain to thrilling 5-4 win over France to book a final against Iberian rivals Portugal.

Lamine Yamal won the battle of Ballon d’Or contenders by scoring twice as Spain eclipsed France 5-4 in their Nations League semifinal.

The 17-year-old Yamal outshone French counterparts Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele on Thursday as Spain initially ran riot against Didier Deschamps’s tired-looking team to book its place in Sunday’s final against Portugal.

Portugal defeated host nation Germany 2-1 on Wednesday.

Thursday’s game had been billed as a contest between young stars, but it was clear that Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win in Munich on Saturday had added more weight to French legs, with PSG stars Doue and Dembele disappointing.

It was the highest-scoring game in the Nations League’s short history, but three of the four French goals came after Yamal had made it 5-1 and the Spanish players eased up, thinking the game was won.

“It was a great game. In the end, it was a little close, but we played very well and I think deserved to win,” Yamal said.

Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Yamal threaded the ball through to Mikel Oyarzabal, who held off two defenders and served it on a plate for Williams to rifle to the roof of the net.

Mikel Merino, the hero when Spain last played in Stuttgart, made it 2-0 three minutes later after playing a one-two with Oyarzabal.

Theo Hernandez struck the crossbar and Spain needed goalkeeper Unai Simon to deny Doue, then Mbappe and Dembele.

But Spain looked capable of scoring at any time. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen thought he had scored spectacularly after a brilliantly worked free kick, only to have the goal ruled out for offside.

It was the 20-year-old Huijsen’s third game for Spain. It looks like he is set to stay.

Adrien Rabiot conceded a penalty for a mistimed challenge on Yamal, who dusted himself off to make it 3-0 from the spot in the 54th.

Pedri scored a minute after that, taking Williams’s pass with his first touch and dinking it past the bewildered Mike Maignan with his next.

Pedro Porro’s foul gave Mbappe his chance from the penalty, but Yamal replied to that by prodding the ball past Maignan for 5-1.

Substitute Rayan Cherki scored late on his France debut after Yamal scored Spain’s fifth, then Spain defender Daniel Vivian conceded an own goal, and Cherki set up fellow substitute Randal Kolo Muani in stoppage time as France ultimately came close to an improbable comeback.

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Indonesia beat China to boost World Cup hopes in AFC qualifying | Football News

Indonesia shut out China 1-0 in their Asian Football Confederation Group C qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Indonesia have kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for only the second time in their history with a nervy 1-0 win that has ended opponents China’s hopes of qualifying.

Oli Romeny scored the only goal of Thursday’s game from the penalty spot in the first half of the Asian Football Confederation qualifier in Jarkarta.

The spot kick was awarded after Yang Zexiang brought down Ricky Kambuaya on the stroke of half-time. It dealt a blow to the Chinese, whose defence was mounting pressure on the hosts, given the expectations on them.

In the first kickoff of the day in the group, Australia took a giant stride towards sealing another qualification spot by beating already qualified Japan 1-0.

Aziz Behich scored the winner with a curling effort from the edge of the box in the 90th minute.

Saudi Arabia hosted Bahrain in the final kickoff of the day in Group C. Anything other than a win for the home side would guarantee Australia’s progress while Bahrain needed a win themselves to retain a chance of climbing above Indonesia into the final playoff spot.

World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group C - Indonesia v China - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - June 5, 2025 Indonesia's Ole Romeny scores their first goal from the penalty spot past China's Wang Dalei
Indonesia’s Ole Romeny scores their first goal from the penalty spot past China’s Wang Dalei [Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters]

Kambuaya had Indonesia’s first sighter, but the effort from range flew wide of the right-hand upright.

Wang Yudong, making his international debut at 18, was the brightest spark in China’s start and steered an effort wide after a counter off the back of mounting pressure from the hosts.

Han Pengfei had China’s best chance, though, when he flashed his header over the bar from Serginho’s corner.

Romeny had twice had near misses himself, one just wide and the other too close to the keeper, before slotting home the crucial kick from the spot.

Indonesia travel to Japan for their final group game on Tuesday.

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Cricket World Cup League 2: Nepal beat Scotland in final-ball thriller

Scotland suffered a surprise last-ball defeat by Nepal in a nailbiting World Cup League 2 one-day international in Dundee.

Chasing the home side’s 296-7, Nepal’s last pair levelled the scores with one ball of the final over to spare.

And, when left-arm spinner Mark Watt’s delivery down the leg side was signalled as a wide to hand Nepal victory, it sparked a pitch invasion from passionate Nepal fans.

Nepal, who sit second bottom of the eight-team qualifying section, had lost to a second-string Scotland A side in a warm-up match on Thursday.

With Scotland asked to bat first, it looked like opener Charlie Tear’s 80, with Finlay McCreath pitching in with 55, had set a healthy target for the visitors.

Although Nepal opener Khushal Bhurtel scored 55, they slumped from 152-2 to 192-7 before all-rounder Karan KC, coming in at nine, did the damage with an unbeaten 65 from 41 balls, including four sixes.

Nepal went into the final over on 290-8 after Karan had plundered 18 from the 49th, but George Munsey caught Sandeep Lamichhane off Watt’s first delivery.

However, a wide from Watt and a single from last man Rijan Dhakal left Karan on strike with five needed for victory from three deliveries.

Karan hit two twos before Watt’s second wide of the over sealed an unlikely victory.

It looked like the fateful delivery may have come off Karan’s pad, but any protests were to no avail as Nepal took the points against a Scotland side sitting fourth in the table and four places above the visitors in the world rankings.

The ODI tri-series continues on Wednesday at the same venue, with Nepal taking on the Netherlands.

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IPL 2025: Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians to set up final against RCB

Punjab won the toss and elected to bowl before the rain arrived, although no overs were lost.

When play eventually started, Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis removed India opener Rohit Sharma for just eight, before Varma and Bairstow combined for 51 runs.

Another strong partnership worth 72 between Varma and Suryakumar put Mumbai in a decent position before both fell in the space of three deliveries.

However, Naman Dhir’s 37 off 18 balls boosted the five-time champions to a challenging total.

In reply, Australia wicketkeeper Josh Inglis sparked Punjab with 38 off 21, including 20 off one over from India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

But Mumbai hit back as captain Hardik Pandya removed Inglis and were marginal favourites when Nehal Wadhera fell for 48, with Kings needing 48 off 26 balls.

However, Shreyas kept his side in contention and, requiring 23 runs off the last two overs, he flicked the switch to smash four sixes in the 19th over in a clinical finish.

The final is a repeat of the first qualifier match, in which RCB thrashed Kings by eight wickets.

Both sides scored 19 points in the group stage, with Kings narrowly topping the table on net-run rate.

Punjab were beaten by Kolkata Knight Riders in their only previous final appearance in 2014, while RCB have lost the showpiece in 2009, 2011 and 2016.

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Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets, sweep T20 series as Haris hits 107 | Cricket News

Opener scores 107 off 46 as Pakistan chase 197 with seven wickets in hand and 16 balls to spare for 3-0 series win.

A nerveless century from Mohammad Haris has led Pakistan’s chase of 197 runs to win the third T20 international cricket match against Bangladesh and complete a 3-0 series win in Lahore.

Having won the first two matches after choosing to bowl first, Pakistan asked the visitors to bat first in the third match on Sunday at Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan’s eastern metropolis.

Given a tricky target of 197, Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan – their highest scorer in the second T20I – in the first over to Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

While the Pakistan of old may have crumbled under the pressure of losing a quick wicket, the new-look side under young captain Salman Agha and freshly-appointed coach Mike Hesson kept up their scoring rate.

Saim Ayub and Haris formed a 92-run partnership as they took on the Bangladeshi bowling attack to maintain a high scoring rate and keep the target within sight.

Ayub was dismissed in the 10th over by Tanzim Hasan Sakib after scoring 45 runs off 29 balls, but by then, Haris had taken on the role of the main hitter and kept the big shots coming.

The wicketkeeper-batter hit seven sixes and eight fours in his 46-ball 107, which kept Bangladesh out of contention for most of Pakistan’s innings.

He was all smiles as he accepted the Player of the Match award and said that despite not performing well for Pakistan in the recent past, he kept working hard.

“I tried to learn from my mistakes and didn’t want to waste this opportunity that I got to play in this series,” he said.

Haris added that he batted with the simple plan of “see ball, play ball” and didn’t want to play any unnecessary shots.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s innings had got off to a swift start when Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan overpowered Pakistan’s opening bowlers Ayub and Faheem Ashraf.

They set up an opening stand of 110, but the Bangladeshi batting lineup derailed soon after Tanzid’s departure in the 11th over.

Despite starts from captain Litton Das (22 runs) and Towhid Hridoy (25 runs), the Tigers were unable to maintain the scoring rate set by the openers.

A total of 196-6 in 20 overs ensured the home team faced some pressure when they came out to bat, but Pakistan’s array of attacking batters disregarded scoreboard pressure and took their team home with 16 balls to spare.

Pakistan captain Salman, who was on the pitch with Haris when the winning runs were scored, said he was delighted with his team’s consistency.

“We want to test ourselves where things become difficult, and we wanted to chase to put the boys under pressure,” Salman explained after the match.

The 3-0 series sweep was Pakistan’s first since 2021.

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PSG beat Inter Milan 5-0 with Doue double to win Champions League | Football News

Paris Saint-Germain beat Inter Milan 5-0 – a record in the Champions League final – to be crowned kings of European football in Munich.

Paris Saint-Germain are the champions of Europe after beating Inter Milan by a record 5-0 score line in the Champions League final.

At long last, the club that was transformed by Qatari billions, and bought and sold a succession of the world’s greatest players in an extravagant bid to get to the top, has its hands on the big one.

It was not only PSG’s first triumph in the final of European club football’s grandest prize, but the winning margin in the match in Munich is also a record for the competition’s final.

The trophy that not even Lionel Messi, Neymar or Kylian Mbappe could deliver to the French club was finally claimed by Luis Enrique, the Spanish coach who has overseen PSG’s shift from the era of galactico signings to one of genuine team-building.

Fitting then, that Desire Doue, the 19-year-old French forward emblematic of the club’s new generation, was the chief inspiration on a balmy night. He became the third teenager to score in a Champions League final, following Patrick Kluivert and Carlos Alberto.

Doue scored twice and set up another goal in little more than an hour on the field, before being substituted in the second half.

Champions League - Final - Paris St Germain v Inter Milan - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 31, 2025 Paris St Germain's Desire Doue scores their third goal
Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue scores their third goal [Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters]

Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Senny Mayulu, the fourth teenager to score in a final added to Doue’s double as PSG recorded the biggest win in a final in the Champions League’s 69-year history.

Now PSG can truly sit alongside the royalty of European football. Not by virtue of turnover or merchandising, but on the merits of its achievements on the field.

The Champions League is the ultimate barometer of the continent’s elite clubs, and up until now, PSG has been a flashy contender that always came up short.

That all changed at Allianz Arena, the home of Bayern Munich, one of the titans of Europe, and a fitting stage for PSG’s crowning moment. Not least because it was against Bayern that it lost its only other Champions League final in 2020, leaving Neymar in tears in an empty stadium in Lisbon where fans were locked out because of the pandemic.

Champions League - Final - Paris St Germain v Inter Milan - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 31, 2025 Paris St Germain players celebrate winning the Champions League by throwing Luis Enrique in the air
Paris St Germain players celebrate winning the Champions League by throwing their coach Luis Enrique into the air [Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters]

On this occasion, thousands of PSG supporters were there to revel in the moment, waving flags, lighting flares and drowning out their rivals from Inter, many of whose supporters left the stadium long before the final whistle.

They’d been partying in the streets of Munich throughout the day, but that was nothing compared to the scenes of joy when Marquinhos held the trophy aloft in front of teammates, with fireworks and golden confetti exploding behind them.

PSG truly delivered when it mattered after so many setbacks in this competition. If there were any nerves from Luis Enrique’s players, it did not show as they dominated Inter from the start.

Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Ousmane Dembele during the UEFA Champions League Final
Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain muted his celebration after scoring his team’s first goal out of respect to his former club [Justin Setterfield/Getty Images]

It took just 12 minutes for the French champions to go ahead with a move of speed and precision when Vitinha’s threaded pass into the box found the feet of Doue. The forward could have shot, but instead slid in Hakimi to tap into an open net.

Former Inter player Hakimi’s celebrations were muted, but PSG’s fans erupted.

Eight minutes later and the lead was doubled, although this time it relied more on luck than precision, as Doue’s shot from the right of the box deflected off Federico Dimarco and past Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

He got his second in the 63rd, sliding the ball into the bottom corner when through on goal.

Kvaratskhelia added a fourth 10 minutes later, and Mayulu then found the back of the net in the 86th, just two minutes after coming on, adding his name to the list of teenage scorers in a final.

Champions League - Final - Paris St Germain v Inter Milan - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 31, 2025 Paris St Germain's Marquinhos before lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Champions League
Paris St Germain’s Marquinhos prepares to lift the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Champions League [Annegret Hilse/Reuters]

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Bulls 42-33 Edinburgh: Hosts fight back to beat visitors in URC play-off quarter-final

Bulls: Le Roux, Moodie, Kriel, Vorster, De Klerk, Johannes, Papier, Wessels, J Grobbelaar, W. Louw, Wiese, Van Heerden, Coetzee, Nortje, Hanekom.

Replacements: Van der Merwe, Matanzima, M. Smith, Kirsten, Van Staden, Z Burger, Gans, Williams.

Edinburgh: Goosen, Graham, M Currie, Lang, Paterson, Thompson, Price, Schoeman, Ashman, Rae, Sykes, Skinner, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury.

Replacements: Harrison, Venter, Sebastian, McConnell, Muncaster, McAlpine, Healy, Bennett.

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Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 57 runs to lead T20I cricket series | Cricket News

Three wickets Abrar by followed fifties by Sahibzada and Nawaz as the hosts took a 2-0 series lead against Bangladesh.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 57 runs in the second T20 international in Lahore to seal the three-game series 2-0.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan was named Player of the Match after he top scored with 74 for the hosts, who won the toss at Gaddafi Stadium before posting 201-6.

It was a fair fight back from Bangladesh to restrict the hosts after Hasan Nawaz recorded the best strike rate of the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls.

Tanzim Hasan gave some respectability to the chase, which was reduced to 77-7, when, coming in at nine, the Bangladesh bowling allrounder added 50 off 31 balls.

Abrar Ahmed’s off-break spin was key to restricting the tourists as he claimed 3-19 off his four overs to help Pakistan to their first T20 home series win since December 2021.

“It feels very good … I didn’t know it was three and a half years,” the Pakistan captain Salman Agha said afterwards of the end of the barren run.

“It was a complete performance, and that is way better than anything else.

“Everyone is loving the team environment where everyone can come and enjoy playing for Pakistan.”

Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan celebrates after scoring fifty during the second Twenty20 cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan celebrates after scoring fifty [K.M. Chaudary/AP]

Pakistan, who won the first match by 37 runs at the same venue, brought in opener Sahibzada in place of Fakhar Zaman.

The decision was fully repaid with six sixes and four fours recorded by the right-hander in his 41-ball innings.

The match could not have got off to a worse start for Bangladesh with Shoriful Islam limping out of his first bowl. The left-arm seamer appeared to tweak a groin while fielding the ball in his follow-through and adds to a long list of absent pacers for the tourists.

“When Shoriful was injured, the momentum shifted,” the Bangladesh skipper Litton Das said.

“We have a lack of bowling, but we came back well because I would back our batters any day to chase 200 on this track.

“Whoever is batting well has to keep going, for 13 or 14 overs, but after four overs we didn’t bat well and there were back-to-back wickets.

“In cricket, you have to do the basics, we don’t do it at the moment.”

Bangladesh had reached 44-0 in the fourth over of the chase before the collapse that ended their hopes of bouncing back from the opening defeat.

Opener Tanzid Hasan struck 33 from 19 balls in the stand, but once he fell to the seam of Faheem Ashraf an inevitable end quickly formed.

The last match is on Sunday, also in Lahore.

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PSG v Inter: How Champions League finalist Francesco Acerbi beat cancer, alcohol abuse and depression

Born in Vizzolo Predabissi, a village 15 miles away from San Siro and the site of his so-far most iconic moment, Acerbi’s sporting history began in 2006 at nearby Pavia in Serie C.

After a loan spell at Renate in Serie D, Acerbi began touring Italy with moves to Reggina, Genoa and Chievo, where he made his Serie A debut and emerged as one of the most promising defenders in the league.

AC Milan, the club he had supported since childhood, took notice of his qualities. In 2012 he made a permanent move to the Rossoneri where, however, things did not turn out as expected.

Acerbi had a problem, which in turn triggered others – an unresolved relationship with his father, his first admirer but also his first critic.

“He wanted to do me good, but without meaning to, he would go so far as to hurt me,” Acerbi recently said of his father’s constant criticism.

Paolo Franchini, the psychotherapist who helped Acerbi make peace with his father over the years, said: “He was his number one fan, but also his number one pain in the neck. He was always pointing out the mistakes he made.”

Now, when Acerbi raises his arms to the sky at the start of each game, he does it for him, but his has been a long journey.

His father died shortly after his move to AC Milan. Acerbi lost his balance and fell into depression.

“Already at the beginning of my career I didn’t really have the right attitude for a professional player,” he later said.

“I would often arrive tipsy at trainings, without having fully recovered from the night before. I was physically strong, and that was enough for me.

“As my father died, however, I hit rock bottom. I no longer had any drive and could no longer play. I was sick and would drink anything.”

After just six months, the Rossoneri loaned him back to Chievo, then he moved on again to Sassuolo at the end of the season.

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