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The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tadej Pogacar seals fourth Tour de France crown as Wout van Aert wins stage 21 with stunning solo attack
Tadej Pogacar celebrated his fourth Tour de France title in Paris but was denied what would have been a stunning final stage victory as Wout van Aert rode away on the wet cobbles of Montmartre to win on the Champs-Elysees. Pogacar looked keen to take what could prove to be a unique opportunity to win in yellow in Paris as the introduction of three ascents of the climb to Montmartre reshaped the usual final day procession, but Van Aert broke clear on the last time up to take the glory. Although the general classification times had been neutralised in the soggy conditions, Pogacar still had to finish to secure his title yet was willing to risk it all on the greasy cobbles in pursuit of a fifth stage win of this Tour. The Slovenian attacked each time up the narrow climb to whittle down a leading group to just a handful of riders, but had no response when Van Aert made his move 400 metres from the summit of the final ascent, winning solo by 19 seconds from Davide Ballerini. 'It was a special day out,' said Van Aert, who took his 10th career stage win at the Tour and first since 2022. 'It is really special to win here on the Champs-Elysees once again and on the first occasion we climbed to Montmartre. 'The rain made it quite sketchy but I managed to stay upright. I had the full support of my team and I really have to thank them, to keep believing in me over and over again... 'Going into the last climb, to leave it all out there was our plan and it worked.' Pogacar sat up to safely bring home the yellow jersey and beat his rival Jonas Vingegaard by a final margin of four minutes and 24 seconds, moving level with Chris Froome on four titles, one shy of the record jointly held by Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and Jacques Anquetil. 'I'm just speechless to win a fourth Tour de France, six years in a row on the podium," the 26-year-old Pogacar said. 'This one feels especially amazing and I'm super proud I can wear this yellow jersey. 'I found myself in the front even though I didn't really have the energy to motivate myself to race today. I was really happy they neutralised the times in the GC, then it was more relaxed to race. I found myself in the front but hats off to Wout, he was incredibly strong.' Pogacar also paid tribute to Vingegaard, his closest challenger, as the pair shared the top two spots on the podium for the fifth Tour in succession. 'We raised the level of each other much higher, and we push each other to limit to try to beat each other. Battling against Jonas was a tough experience but I must say to him, respect and a big, big congratulations for his fight and incredible race.' German Florian Lipowitz finished third overall, some 11 minutes down on Pogacar and one minute 12 seconds ahead of 22-year-old Scot Oscar Onley who has enjoyed a breakout Tour. On the 50th anniversary of the first Champs-Elysees finish, the Tour returned to the French capital after last year's enforced absence due to the Olympics. Race organisers had been inspired by those Games to add the climb to this day and were rewarded with a dramatic finish.
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why Beth Mead had to retake her penalty in England's dramatic Euro 2025 shootout win over Spain
Beth Mead was forced to retake England's first penalty in their dramatic Euro 2025 final shootout with Spain due to the new double-touch rule. The second-half substitute was nominated as England's first penalty taker, and duly fired the ball down the middle of Spain goalkeeper Catalina Coll's goal. But Mead had clearly kicked the ball twice, hitting it against her standing foot as her boot slipped on the grass, and replays confirmed what referee Stephanie Frappart suspected. Kicking the ball twice is not allowed from the penalty spot and previously that would have meant Mead's goal being immediately chakled off. But European football's governing body Uefa asked for the laws concerning these rare instances to be reviewed after Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez controversially had a spot-kick disallowed in a shootout against Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 in March, causing uproar. The Argentinian slipped and his standing leg made slight contact with the ball. Real went on to win the shootout. Ifab, which sets the sport's laws, issued a clarification to Law 14 after much fury about how cruel the call was. Ifab acknowledged it would be unfair not to penalise a double touch at all and allow such kicks to stand as a goal, because goalkeepers can be disadvantaged by the altered trajectory of the ball. The new double-touch rule meant that Mead was offered a second chance to strike, but this time her effort was saved to give Spain the advantage in the shootout. And yet it mattered not, as England prevailed 3-1 on penalty kicks to win Euro 2025.
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lionesses lift Euro 2025 trophy as England retain title in thrilling penalty shootout
England successfully defended their title, beating world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties in the Euro 2025 final. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive winning penalty for England. The Lionesses came from behind, with Alessia Russo equalising Mariona Caldentey's opening goal. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made several crucial saves during the penalty shootout. This victory served as revenge for England, following their defeat to Spain in the 2023 World Cup.
