Friday's briefing: England beat Sweden on penalties to reach Euro 2025 semis
🏴 The holders are through to the final four 🔥#WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/7QOO26EpkC
— UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 17, 2025
Defending champions England reached the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Sweden.
An error-strewn opening 30 minutes from the Lionesses gifted Sweden a 2-0 lead through goals from Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius.
It took 79 minutes for Lucy Bronze to pull one back, but just 103 seconds later sub Michelle Agyemang sent the match into extra time.
Then, in a barmy shoot-out, Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved from Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton, while also blazing her own penalty over.
Meanwhile, England keeper Hannah Hampton kept out spot-kicks from Filippa Angeldahl and Sofia Jakobsson while Magdalend Eriksson hit a post.
When Bronze calmly stepped up to blast her penalty into the roof of the net Smilla Holmberg needed to score to keep Sweden in it – but she fired over the crossbar meaning England will face Italy for a place in the final.
A post shared by Swansea City AFC (@swansofficial)
Global rap music megastar Snoop Dogg was announced as co-owner of Championship club Swansea.
The 53-year-old, who hinted at investing in the club by helping promote the club's shirt launch earlier this week, has joined Croatian midfielder Luka Modric in linking up with the Swans.
He said: 'My love of football is well known, but it feels special to me that I make my move into club ownership with Swansea City.
'The story of the club and the area really struck a chord with me. This is a proud, working class city and club. An underdog that bites back, just like me.'
Manchester United have made an improved bid worth up to £70million for Brentford frontman Bryan Mbeumo, the PA news agency understands.
The 25-year-old has been a key target for Ruben Amorim's Red Devils, who made a first approach of £45m plus £10m in potential add-ons six weeks ago.
United followed that up with an improved proposal exceeding £60m a few weeks later but talks stalled as Brentford held on for a greater fee for Mbeumo.
The Old Trafford club have now made a new offer that PA understands to be worth £65m plus an additional £5m in potential add-ons as they attempt to sign the player before their pre-season tour to the United States.
Liverpool are set to make an offer for striker Hugo Ekitike as talks with Eintracht Frankfurt progress, the PA news agency understands.
The highly-rated 23-year-old has attracted interest from the Premier League this summer having scored 22 goals in all competitions after making a loan move from Paris St Germain permanent last year.
Newcastle had looked at bringing in Ekitike as Liverpool considered a big-money move for Alexander Isak, who it is understood the Magpies valued at around £150million in an attempt to ward off potential suitors.
But the Reds are now pressing ahead with a deal for France international Ekitike, with it a case a matter of when rather than if a bid is submitted following talks.
Liverpool are reportedly preparing a deal in the region of 80million euros (£69.2million), with sources close to the player indicating that Newcastle look out of the race to sign a striker that Manchester United also hold interest in.
🇪🇸 Alexia Putellas in full flow 🔥#WEURO2025 || @SEFutbolFem pic.twitter.com/tfAMO5LQXY
— UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 15, 2025
Euro 2025 favourites Spain take on hosts Switzerland in the third quarter-final.
The winners will face whoever comes out victorious between France and Germany on Friday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wigan go back top & York thrash Barrow
Wigan Warriors returned to the top of Women's Super League with an 80-0 demolition of bottom side York Valkyrie thrashed Barrow Raiders 58-0 for a fifth straight win to move level on points with St Helens who dropped from the summit to Tiana and Shaniah Power both crossed inside five minutes for unbeaten Wigan before a Cerys Jones double and scores from Georgia Wilson, Mia Atherton and Tiana Power's second put the leaders out of sight by Power and Jones completed hat-tricks after Megan Williams crossed to take the Warriors past 50 points before Australian centre Power added her fourth. Tries from Eva Hunter, Remi Wilton, and Kaitlin Hilton capped a 14-try Rowe added 12 goals from 14 attempts as Wigan made it 156 points without reply from their past two WSL champions in the last two seasons, were made to work hard by second-bottom Barrow in the first half, building a 16-0 half-time lead thanks to Savannah Andrade, Lisa Parker and Emma Kershaw the floodgates opened after the break as Peace Lekuru scored her first WSL tries with a hat-trick. Zoe Hornby, Emma Kershaw, Tara Moxon, Evie Sexton, Eboni Partington and Andrade also crossed as the Raiders shipped nine second-half tries.
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BBC director-general Tim Davie is on 'last strike' after series of scandals - but corporation wants to save him
BBC director-general Tim Davie is on his 'last strike' after a series of scandals has plunged the BBC into chaos but the Corporation is determined to save him, sources have claimed. The Corporation is facing serious questions after it came under attack on three fronts this week. And while there is widespread feeling Davie is one scandal away from losing his high-profile role, a former executive told The Sunday Times that the BBC has deployed 'Operation Save Tim'. On Monday, the BBC was forced to admit that its documentary about children in Gaza had breached editorial guidelines by failing to disclose that the narrator was the son of a senior Hamas official. Hours later, a damning probe into Gregg Wallace 's behaviour on MasterChef was published, with 45 out of 83 complaints, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', upheld. The report also upheld two out of 10 complaints - relating to swearing and racist language - made into other individuals, who were not identified. That was until the BBC was thrown into another crisis when Wallace's co-host John Torode publicly declared that he was the individual who had used racist language. Torode, 59, was sacked on Tuesday in a move he claims the BBC had not made him aware of. He said he was 'seeing and reading' he had been dropped from the show and had 'no recollection' of making a racist comment. In the following days, it was reported that he had used the N-word at a filming wrap part in 2019 while singing along to Gold Digger by Kanye West. But the investigation is understood to have upheld a separate complaint made the year prior when he used the same racist word on the MasterChef set. A BBC News report claims the racial slur was directed towards a MasterChef staff member. The Gaza documentary and MasterChef scandals add to a tumultuous period for the BBC, who also came under fire for their handling of the live streaming of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set last month. The band sparked a backlash after leading chants of 'death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] during a live broadcast on the BBC. The BBC also said it will no longer broadcast live performances deemed 'high risk' – as Bob Vylan had been assessed – and its director of music, Lorna Clarke, also reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties. The corporation issued an apology after the Bob Vylan set at Glastonbury, saying: 'We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community. 'We are also unequivocal that there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC. After Glastonbury, which Davie attended, culture secretary Lisa Nandy told parliament there was a 'problem of leadership' at the BBC. But BBC chair Samir Shah has doubled down on his support for the director-general, insisting Davie 'has shown strength, confidence and decisive leadership in a very challenging environment'. Another insider claimed his position with some board members was 'more precarious than people realise' after the Glastonbury scandal, but this was disputed by a source close to the board who insisted they were backing him. While the scandals alone would not be enough to see Davie sacked, the revolving door of scandals has raised huge questions about the management of the BBC. It also comes at a time when Davie's salary jumped £20,000 to £547,000, while Deborah Turness, the BBC News chief executive, saw hers rise £17,000 to £431,000. Since Davie became director-general in September 2020, the BBC has shelled out almost £10million addressing scandals. Almost half of that - £4.5million - comes from the fallout from the Martin Bashir 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana. Although the original controversy came before Davie took on his role, the sum includes £539,000 of legal fees in fighting journalist Andy Webb's internal emails about the scandal. Another £3.3million was spent on an external investigation into its handling of complaints about Radio 1 presenter Tim Westwood. Allegations against Westwood were first made public in 2022 when several women accused him of sexual misconduct. He has strongly denied all allegations. A review, which was carried out by barrister Gemma White KC and included contributions from more than 120 people, found people were 'concerned that they would not be believed or might be blamed' for his alleged behaviour because he was so 'popular'. The BBC also faced a £1.3million bill from the Huw Edwards scandal, although the report's findings have never been published. The review into the Gaza documentary, carried out by the director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston, cost £98,500. The Sunday Times reports that there is widespread feeling at the BBC and the wider media that Davie cannot afford another crisis, but his allies remain supportive and warn 'nobody should underestimate his strong survival instincts'.
Scottish Sun
10 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Tyson Fury reveals new sparring partner is behind stunning retirement U-turn with Joshua and Usyk potential opponents
Boxing fans may finally get one of the biggest dream matches ever FUR REAL Tyson Fury reveals new sparring partner is behind stunning retirement U-turn with Joshua and Usyk potential opponents Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TYSON FURY is champing at the bit to get back in the ring — and it is all thanks to his new training partner. The 36-year-old Gypsy King retired after losing back-to-back heavyweight world title classics to Ukrainian hero Oleksandr Usyk, 38. 4 Tyson Fury revealed his new sparring partner is behind his stunning retirement U-turn Credit:4 Fury hinted at a trilogy fight against Oleksandr Usyk Credit: EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY 4 Fury also suggested a highly-anticipated dream match with Anthony Joshua could happen Credit: Bradley Collyer/PA But Fury confirmed he will return next year, with a long overdue duel with fellow Brit icon Anthony Joshua and an Usyk trilogy fight on the cards. And the 6ft 9in showman has been inspired by his eldest boy, 14-year-old Prince, taking up the family trade and chasing him along Morecambe Bay. Fury has been to Turkey for an IBA show and was at Wembley last night for Daniel Dubois and Usyk's undisputed world heavyweight title decider. He said: 'It's hard to let it go because it is something I enjoy. When I am around boxing it makes me miss it more. I try to only train three times a week now but it's hard . . . very hard. 'And when people see me at the shows they assume I am coming back anyway, so it's hard to walk away. 'I have had ground-breaking offers and everyone knows that I do not work for cheap pay. 'My eldest lad just did his first six-mile run with me and I am very proud of him because, before that, he couldn't manage only two miles. So he is coming on well.' Usyk and the 27-year-old Londoner Dubois managed to sell out the home of football, but even their two-bout rivalry would be dwarfed by the fantasy fight between Fury and 35-year-old AJ. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Fury's larger-than-life persona — be it hosting daily workouts on Instagram during lockdown or starring in the WWE — has made him the sort of crossover star that boxing needs. And he reckons there is still a desperate lack of superheroes left in the sport who can offer fight fans a 12-round escape from reality. Tyson Fury spotted running after Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois as he posts X-rated message to rival Fury explained: 'It's not just a problem in heavyweight boxing, it's a problem for all of boxing. 'I don't want to insult anyone but boxing is entertainment and it is also showbusiness. People come home from working hard at their 9-5 job — which they don't even like — and they want to put their feet up on a Saturday. 'They want to have a couple of beers, invite a few of their friends around and be entertained. 'But when you turn the TV on and see two boring characters who just stand there and don't say s**t, they will think, 'What am I watching?' 'If I went to an event and it was total s**t, I would never go back again or switch it on again. 'But if something is good, I'll book and go again. And it is the same in boxing. Dream match imminent? 'There's always a lack of charisma and characters. Every era has a couple of great characters and there are always a few great fighters who nobody remembers because they weren't colourful enough characters.' When the Fury and Joshua fight finally happens, Britain will stand still and everyone will pick a side. The media events and face-to- face interviews will be worth the pay- per-view fee alone, even before a punch is thrown. With the Saudis backing both men, it would generate hundreds of millions of pounds and would probably be a double header at Wembley and Riyadh. And — following years of failed negotiations and rows over pulling power and value — Fury says they will be able to thrash out a fair deal. He joked: 'I would accept 90 per cent of the purse considering he's coming back off a devastating knockout loss and I am coming off of two s**t losses! Support from Paris 'But, honestly, the business side is irrelevant. If we do the fight it will be a level playing field of 50-50. I wouldn't want to take advantage of him.' And what about Fury's long-suffering wife Paris, who tragically lost a baby boy six months into her pregnancy in the week building up to the first Usyk loss last year? The Gypsy King revealed: 'I have spoken to Paris in depth about it and she has said that she will support me with whatever I want to do. 'But that might just be because she is sick of me and wants me out of the way! 'Or it's because we have been the real Bonnie and Clyde since 2005 and she will support me with whatever I want to do. She's my ride or die. 'If we die, we die. And if we live, we live — that's our sort of behaviour.'
