Thursday's briefing: Lionesses roar back and PSG continue to look the real deal
Paris St Germain will take on Chelsea in the Club World Cup final at the weekend while there was some exciting news for Manchester United and a setback for Crystal Palace.
Lionesses bite back
The pass. The finish. 😍
A beautiful strike from Lauren James to give us the lead 🤌 pic.twitter.com/5J7esOthn1
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 9, 2025
Lauren James' double helped England secure a resounding 4-0 victory over the Netherlands in Zurich to keep their European Championship title defence alive.
Defeat to France in the tournament opener had all-but ensured the Lionesses would need three points to avoid crashing out at the group stage and, with Prince William in attendance at the Stadion Letzigrund, James got them off to a great start with a stunning 22nd-minute opener.
Alessia Russo earned the assist and added another when Georgia Stanway doubled England's lead in first-half stoppage time before James made it three on the hour.
Ella Toone, the lone fresh face in Sarina Wiegman's starting XI, got on the scoresheet seven minutes later with a fourth, ensuring England – who will finish the group stage against tournament newcomers Wales – are now in prime position to punch their ticket to the quarter-finals.
France are set to go through as group winners after a 4-1 win over Wales, who are on the verge of going home.
PSG masterclass downs Madrid
🏴 @ChelseaFC 🆚 @PSG_inside 🇫🇷🗓️ Sunday 13th July 2025🏟️ MetLife Stadium
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 9, 2025
European champions Paris St Germain produced a blistering performance to power into the Club World Cup final with a 4-0 rout of Real Madrid.
A one-sided semi-final in New York on Wednesday was effectively settled inside the opening 24 minutes as Fabian Ruiz struck twice either side of an Ousmane Dembele effort.
Spanish giants Real had no answer to the rampant Champions League winners, who added a fourth goal at the MetLife Stadium late on through Goncalo Ramos.
PSG – who will play Chelsea in Sunday's final – were every bit as hot as the temperature, which reached 32C during the game.
Lord Coe to lead Old Trafford regeneration
Lord Sebastian Coe has been given a leading role in delivering Manchester United's new stadium.
Lord Coe, who chaired London's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid, has been appointed as chair-designate of the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) for the Old Trafford Regeneration project.
The former International Olympic Committee president previously chaired a task force set up by United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to look at stadium options for United amid a wider regeneration of the surrounding area.
He will now play a key part in the development of the 100,000-seater stadium, which Ratcliffe wants to be the 'Wembley of the north'.
Ancelotti handed prison sentence
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has been sentenced to a year in prison for tax evasion, Spanish news agency EFE has reported.
The 66-year-old Italian has also been fined 386,361.93 Euros – around £333,000 – for failing to pay tax on revenue raised from his image rights during his first spell as Real Madrid manager between 2013 and 2015.
However, it appears unlikely that Ancelotti will serve jail time as non-violent crimes committed by defendants who have no previous convictions are often met with suspended sentences.
Palace's hopes hang in the balance
Nous restons en Ligue 1 🔴🔵
L'Olympique Lyonnais se félicite de la décision, rendue ce jour par la DNCG, de maintenir le Club en Ligue 1.
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) July 9, 2025
Lyon have won their appeal against relegation to the French second division, a decision which puts Crystal Palace's participation in next season's Europa League in major doubt.
Palace thought they had secured a place in Europe's second-tier club competition thanks to their FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May but uncertainty quickly arose as to whether they would be allowed to enter due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.
Outgoing Palace shareholder John Textor has an interest in French club Lyon, who qualified for the same competition.
Lyon had reached a settlement with UEFA agreeing to be excluded from European competitions next season if their relegation was confirmed on appeal, a move which would almost certainly have meant Palace could play in the Europa League.
However, Lyon's success and higher league position means Palace are set to be moved down to the Conference League. Sources close to UEFA had previously indicated that Nottingham Forest would take the English spot in the Europa League vacated by Palace.
What's on today
The group stages of Euro 2025 continues as Group A concludes with hosts Switzerland taking on Finland and Norway playing Iceland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
England's top order toppled as India's bowlers turn up the heat at Lord's
England's top order was toppled as India's bowlers turned up the heat at Lord's, taking control on the fourth morning of the third Rothesay Test. With tensions still high following the ill-tempered time-wasting row that erupted late on Saturday evening, the tourists produced a scintillating session to leave England 98 for four at lunch following a tied first innings. Mohammed Siraj was perhaps guilty of taking things a step too far, bellowing in Ben Duckett's face after dismissing the left-hander before the pair bumped shoulders as they passed. That is one of several incidents that will surely draw the attention of the match referee but India used the heightened emotions to their advantage in a torrid morning for batting. Duckett fell to a ghastly shot as he tried to hit his way out of trouble, Ollie Pope came and went for four and Zak Crawley received a torturous working over before finally departing. Harry Brook was bowled attempting to sweep seam bowler Akash Deep, getting carried away on the counter-attack, leaving Joe Root (17 not out) and Ben Stokes to try and muster a fightback. Jasprit Bumrah set the tone with an outstanding opening burst from the Nursery End, an inexplicably wicketless five-over spell of constant threat. His sixth ball of the morning exploded violently, knocking the bat out of Crawley's hand as he jerked back in self-preservation. Having put a target on his own back with his exaggerated delaying tactics on day three, Crawley was in India's sights. Duckett was first to go, guilty of an ugly hack across the line at Siraj that looped to mid-on. Siraj marked the moment with an eye-popping celebration that ended a yard in front of the batter. Neither took a backward step, nudging shoulders as Duckett walked off. Pope never settled, scoring his only runs from a thick edge over the slips and beaten a couple more times before Siraj ripped one back to pin him lbw. Crawley's travails continued, slashing wildly at Siraj's outswingers, dragging Bumrah past his stumps and hitting fresh air more regularly than leather. Having somehow seen off the world's number one bowler, he gifted his wicket to the medium pace of Nitish Kumar Reddy. With two gullies waiting for an errant drive, he walked headlong into the trap. Brook came out firing, twice dropping to the floor to scoop Deep for four then lashing him for a steepling six into the members' seating. But his exuberance came with a cost. In Deep's next over, Brook tried to manufacture another boundary, bowled round his legs in calamitous fashion aiming a pre-meditated sweep.
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
England reach 98-4 at lunch against India after lively morning session
Update: Date: 13:17 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only - texts charged at standard message rate) I know where Gerard at 13:02 is coming from. The other side though of it is that there's a ball with your name on it and it's best to go down scoring and attacking than just waiting for a peach. Tom, Manchester Update: Date: 13:14 BST Title: Post Content: Kamikaze is the call, you can judge for yourself. Here are the four England wickets that fell this morning. This video can not be played 'Big moment!' - Duckett caught by Bumrah off the bowling of Siraj This video can not be played Pope trapped lbw by Siraj This video can not be played 'He's got him!' - Crawley caught by Jaiswal off bowling of Reddy This video can not be played 'Extravagant shot!' - Akash Deep bowls Brook Update: Date: 13:10 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only - texts charged at standard message rate) Kamikaze cricket from England, swooshing and swiping here there and everywhere, don't they know how to leave good balls? Play the game, be patient and get in to a good position first. Andy, SW London Update: Date: 25 overs Title: Lunch - Eng 98-4 Content: Root 17, Stokes 2 And Jasprit Bumrah will indeed get another over before. Dhruv Jurel, who has kept so well in this match, ends up conceding four byes from consecutive deliveries, with Bumrah's first delivery also flying down down leg after passing the bat. Three more runs off the bat and that is the interval - India's session, I reckon. Update: Date: 13:02 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only - texts charged at standard message rate) There is nothing wrong with getting out to good bowling, but stupid shots with the response of 'it's how we play' is idiotic, and frankly disrespectful to the 1000s of fans who have paid a lot to watch this team. They're good enough to know when to attack and when not to. This team should be great with the talent they have, just need to wind it in too often. Gerard in London Update: Date: 24 overs Title: Eng 91-4 Content: Edged, but short of the cordon! Akash Deep finds the bat of Ben Stokes, but the ball is grounded before it gets to the slips. Deep then hoops a ball past the England skipper, with the ball deviating far enough that Dhruv Jurel can't collect it diving to his right and it runs away for four byes. Update: Date: 12:59 BST Title: Post Content: Phil TufnellFormer England spinner on Test Match Special It's that awkward third innings, you know. It's important that you build momentum early on. Update: Date: 12:58 BST Title: Post Content: Stump microphone can be heard with one of the Indian players shouting that there is enough time before lunch to get one more over in and maybe two if they hurry up. Update: Date: 12:58 BST Title: Post Content: Ashwanth R KavuluriCricviz analyst The PitchViz rating for this morning session is 8.6, with the bounce inconsistency rated at 8.3 - both the highest for any session in this series. The previous highest PitchViz rating was 6.6, recorded in this Test during the first session on Day 1. PitchViz Rating (out of 10): The higher the rating, the harder it is for batting. Bounce inconsistency (out of 10): The higher the rating, the more inconsistent the bounce. Update: Date: 23 overs Title: Eng 87-4 Content: Back comes Jasprit Bumrah, replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy for an over before lunch. He sends down a maiden to Joe Root, who has 16 from 38 deliveries. Update: Date: 12:54 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Egos over brains here, ridiculous cricket from England and Brook should be fined his match fee for that abomination of a shot. Nick in Winchester Update: Date: 12:53 BST Title: Post Content: Phil TufnellFormer England spinner on Test Match Special What are we 10 minutes before lunch and Harry Brook looks to play that shot? I don't know, it's the way they play now, isn't it? Update: Date: 12:53 BST Title: Post Content: Stephan ShemiltBBC Sport chief cricket reporter at Lord's I didn't think it was possible for this game to be over today. I do now. Update: Date: 22 overs Title: Eng 87-4 Content: Ben Stokes comes out, and the captain has a job to do. He sees out the remainder of Deep's over without scoring. Update: Date: 12:52 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only - texts charged at standard message rate) Idiotic from Brook. There's a game to win. Jon in Eastleigh Yet another rash shot amongst many other rash shots. Brainless under the circumstances. Why why why? Phil P Update: Date: 12:48 BST Title: Post Content: Phil TufnellFormer England spinner on Test Match Special England just getting back in the game but a rash shot and that time Harry Brook has been done by Akash Deep. Huge wicket just before lunch. He was looking good Harry Brook but he is gone. Update: Date: 21.3 overs Title: WICKET Content: Brook b Akash Deep 23 (Eng 87-4) Akash Deep has his revenge on Harry Brook! Having twice scooped Deep in the previous over, Brook goes for an aggressive sweep this time and sees his middle stump knocked back as the ball passes behind his legs. Scores of 11 and 23 for Brook in this Test, not his usual returns, and his counter-attack comes to an end. This video can not be played 'Extravagant shot!' - Akash Deep bowls Brook Update: Date: 12:47 BST Title: Post Content: Matthew HenryBBC Sport journalist at Lord's Jasprit Bumrah's warming up. Eeek. Update: Date: 12:47 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Joe Root playing for a hundred, the rest playing in the Hundred. Nigel Update: Date: 21 overs Title: Eng 84-3 Content: Four more for Harry Brook, working Nitish Kumar Reddy's ball past mid-wicket. He moves to 23 from 18 balls.
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘What is appropriate?' – Arne Slot opens up on coping with Diogo Jota tragedy and his advice to heartbroken Reds squad
ARNE SLOT admits nothing seems to be important at Liverpool following the death of striker Diogo Jota. The champions return to action at Preston this afternoon, still mourning the loss of their Portuguese international forward ten days ago. 7 7 7 Jota, 28, and his brother Andre were killed in a car accident in Spain as they began their journey back to England for pre-season training. Slot has spoken for the first time since the devastating news and says the club has to find a way to move on and start focussing on football again. For now, he has told his players to be themselves as they come to terms with the sudden loss of their popular team-mate. The Anfield boss said: 'Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened. 'But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not. 'What I've said to the players, I can say it here as well. It's very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. 'What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate for what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there's a wrong decision? 'And I've said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself. Diogo Jota's classy act of humility left me and my U13s team stunned - he was a credit to his family and football 'It didn't matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself. 'So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh, if we want to cry we're going to cry. 'If they want to train they can train, if they don't want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don't think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.' Liverpool announced last week that they will retire Jota's No20 shirt in all their teams right across the club as a lasting tribute to him. Slot has welcomed the move, saying: 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. 'Maybe especially in difficult moments but in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts. 'To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.' Slot and his wife Mirjam were among the thousands who have visited Anfield to pay their respects to Jota over the past few days. And he said the fact the former Wolves forward had been through such an unforgettable few weeks gave him some solace in the dark days. He said: 'What I take comfort in is that in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything. 7 7 'A champion for his family, which is the main and most important thing, because he got married. 'A champion for his country because he won the Nations League, [with] a country that he cared about so much. 'And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League.' The outpouring of emotion since Jota's death has only reinforced Slot's own bond with the club and supporters. He said: 'In the title parade, it was only the Liverpool fans I assume. Now this time it was the complete city, it wasn't only Liverpool, it was also the Everton fans. 'And not only this city but also all around the country and in the world. To represent this club in this city now even means more to me and to my wife than it did before.' 7 7
