https://www.theguardian.com/us/sport Sports news, scores, blogs and opinion on US and world sports from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:29:25 GMT 2026-06-20T21:29:25Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/us-open-2026-moving-day-golf-updates-from-third-round-live <p>️ Latest updates on a windy third day at Shinnecock Hills<br>️ <a href="https://www.usopen.com/2026/scoring.html">Official leaderboard</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/guardian/">Follow us on Instagram</a> | <a href="mailto:scott.murray.casual@theguardian.com">Mail Scott</a></p><p><strong>Rory McIlroy leaves himself another monster putt, this time on 3.</strong> He doesn’t judge this 70-footer particularly well, leaving himself a ten-foot tester for his par. It’s always dying to the right of the cup, and he drops to +1. Emiliano Grillo also takes a step backwards, finding the bunker to the right of the par-three 17th, and having found himself shortsided, leaving himself too much to do after the chip out. Grillo slips back to level par for the tournament.</p><p><strong>Emiliano Grillo birdies the par-five 16th – statistically the second-easiest hole on the course today – and he moves into red figures for the week at -1.</strong> The 33-year-old Argentinian, whose best finish by far at an US Open was his tie for 19th last year, is now four-under par for his round today.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/us-open-2026-moving-day-golf-updates-from-third-round-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Golf Sport European Tour PGA Tour US sports Australia sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:28:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/us-open-2026-moving-day-golf-updates-from-third-round-live Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty Images Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty Images Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty Images Scott Murray 2026-06-20T21:28:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/20/how-athletes-keep-competing-into-their-40s <p>Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the stars benefiting from advances in sports science, equipment and facilities</p><p>When 40-year-old Luka Modrić lined up for Croatia against England on Wednesday evening, he embodied a growing trend in elite sport. A generation ago, a footballer competing at the highest level at 40 would have been a rarity, but the 2026 World Cup features a record eight players aged at least 40 – more than all previous tournaments combined.</p><p>It’s not just football. Lewis Hamilton is still competing in Formula One aged 41, while earlier this week Wimbledon granted Serena Williams, 44, and Venus Williams, 46, a wildcard into the women’s doubles draw.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/20/how-athletes-keep-competing-into-their-40s">Continue reading...</a> Sport Fitness Ageing Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:00:52 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/20/how-athletes-keep-competing-into-their-40s Photograph: Annegret Hilse/Reuters Photograph: Annegret Hilse/Reuters Photograph: Annegret Hilse/Reuters Linda Geddes 2026-06-20T05:00:52Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/brewers-ace-misiorowski-throws-record-47-pitches-of-101-mph-or-faster-but-ends-with-loss <ul><li><p>24-year-old hits 104.2 mph in defeat to Braves</p></li><li><p>Pitcher had given up one earned run over eight starts</p></li></ul><p>Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy wanted to remind everyone after his team’s 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night that Jacob Misiorowski is indeed human.</p><p>“He was great,” Murphy said of the 24-year-old ace. “He was dominant, fantastic. You know, you’re going to give up runs. You’re a human. Go back and look at some of the greats. They all gave up runs. We’re kind of shocked when he gives up a run.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/brewers-ace-misiorowski-throws-record-47-pitches-of-101-mph-or-faster-but-ends-with-loss">Continue reading...</a> Milwaukee Brewers MLB Baseball US sports Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:49:58 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/brewers-ace-misiorowski-throws-record-47-pitches-of-101-mph-or-faster-but-ends-with-loss Photograph: Erik S Lesser/AP Photograph: Erik S Lesser/AP Photograph: Erik S Lesser/AP Associated Press 2026-06-20T12:49:58Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/no-pulisic-no-problem-how-the-us-learned-to-win-without-their-star-player <p>Mauricio Pochettino had to do without his best player against Australia. But Ricardo Pepi helped the Americans build attacks in different ways</p><p>Once it was clear that Christian Pulisic’s calf could keep him out of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/usa-australia-world-cup-2026-group-d-match-report">Friday’s match against Australia</a>, Mauricio Pochettino had a lot of options to consider. There is no like-for-like alternative to Pulisic, still the United States’ most important player.</p><p>Australia entered this game with a point to prove, wanting to build off of their opening win over Turkey with a statement result against the tournament co-hosts. As was the case when the teams met for a friendly in October, the Socceroos were set up to operate in a low defensive block, with five along the backline and a swarming, zonal marking scheme in front of them. That system can be quite effective against a team who play with just one striker, as the US have for most of the 21st century.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/no-pulisic-no-problem-how-the-us-learned-to-win-without-their-star-player">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 USA Christian Pulisic World Cup Football US sports Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:30:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/no-pulisic-no-problem-how-the-us-learned-to-win-without-their-star-player Photograph: Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images Photograph: Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images Photograph: Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images Jeff Rueter in Seattle 2026-06-20T16:30:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/netherlands-sweden-world-cup-group-f-match-report <p>It turns out Sweden do not have a monopoly on old-fashioned centre-forward play. They were schooled in it here by Brian Brobbey, who was brought in by Ronald Koeman to give their attack a focal point and swiftly made his under-pressure manager resemble a genius. Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes to pave the way for a crushing win, proving impossible to handle with a cocktail of strength, touch and finishing.</p><p>Koeman had criticised his own decisions after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/14/netherlands-japan-world-cup-match-report">Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Japan</a>, lamenting substitutions that failed to pay off. This time he could, if the mood took him, pat himself firmly on the back. There was yet more to enjoy in the contribution of Crysencio Summerville, who sparkled after his half-time introduction. Summerville finished unerringly late on to complete a rout that leaves Sweden dizzy from finishing on different ends of the same scoreline.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/netherlands-sweden-world-cup-group-f-match-report">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Netherlands Sweden Football Sport World Cup Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:03:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/netherlands-sweden-world-cup-group-f-match-report Photograph: Molly Darlington/Getty Images Photograph: Molly Darlington/Getty Images Photograph: Molly Darlington/Getty Images Nick Ames at Houston Stadium 2026-06-20T19:03:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/spaceship-stadiums-and-ronaldo-mania-guardian-writers-first-impressions-of-the-world-cup <p>Tournament has completed its first week and while the logistics have sometimes been challenging, the people and the football have been good</p><p>It was quite a contrast touching down in sleepy Kansas City hours after having witnessed the bedlam on the streets of New York when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/13/new-york-knicks-win-nba-title-san-antonio-spurs">the Knicks won the NBA Finals </a>and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/14/brazil-morocco-world-cup-match-report">Brazil drew with Morocco</a>. But this is a World Cup full of contrasts, from Fifa’s never-ending quest to make a quick buck ($5 a pop for a bottle of water in the media centre) to the warmth shown by locals I’ve encountered in the Big Apple, Kansas City and Dallas. Then there’s the football. It’s been hard to keep up with the volume of matches, but the opening round served up some classics, with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/17/portugal-dr-congo-world-cup-2026-group-k-match-report">DR Congo’s draw against Portugal </a>on the same day as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/17/england-croatia-world-cup-2026-group-l-match-report">England beat Croatia</a> capping a thrilling first week of action. Let’s hope it continues. <strong>Ed Aarons</strong></p><p>It took nearly the full opening round, but a US scene that is usually focused on other sports has fully turned its eyes to socc– sorry, I mean football, forgot to code-switch. Fitting, actually, because at times this state of affairs has been awkward, like when the standard “loud men yelling” sports talk shows are forced to reckon with international football being the No 1 talking point and employing nobody that knows the scene. But these are growing pains. The sport is on at bars and delis, it is being discussed at school pickups and on the rides home. It’s beautiful and exactly what so many of us here in the States have been fighting for. <strong>Alexander Abnos</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/spaceship-stadiums-and-ronaldo-mania-guardian-writers-first-impressions-of-the-world-cup">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Sport US sports Sat, 20 Jun 2026 07:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/spaceship-stadiums-and-ronaldo-mania-guardian-writers-first-impressions-of-the-world-cup Composite: Getty Images, Reuters and Shutterstock Composite: Getty Images, Reuters and Shutterstock Composite: Getty Images, Reuters and Shutterstock Guardian sport 2026-06-20T07:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/world-cup-baby-joy-norway-leo-ostigard-jeremy-doku-belgium-plans-birth <ul><li><p>Belgian’s decision sparked criticism in some quarters</p></li><li><p>Norwegian defender followed son’s birth on video link</p></li></ul><p>Family life is intruding on the World Cup for some players in the shape of new arrivals, with Norway’s Leo Østigård following the birth of his first child by video link and Jérémy Doku contemplating leaving the Belgium squad to be with his wife when she gives birth, potentially ⁠missing a key match.</p><p>Østigård, who has been receiving parenting tips from his teammate ⁠Erling Haaland, provided long-distance support to his partner, Aurora Eidmann, as she gave birth to their ⁠son on Friday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/world-cup-baby-joy-norway-leo-ostigard-jeremy-doku-belgium-plans-birth">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Belgium Norway Football Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 20:06:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/world-cup-baby-joy-norway-leo-ostigard-jeremy-doku-belgium-plans-birth Photograph: Dirk Waem/Belga/Shutterstock Photograph: Dirk Waem/Belga/Shutterstock Photograph: Dirk Waem/Belga/Shutterstock Guardian sport and Reuters 2026-06-20T20:06:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/rashford-and-rice-give-england-boost-for-ghana-but-saka-set-for-bench-again <ul><li><p>Saka stayed indoors for individual training on Saturday</p></li><li><p>England’s second game is against Ghana on Tuesday</p></li></ul><p>Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice have given England a boost by training in advance of Tuesday’s game against Ghana, but Bukayo Saka looks likely to start on the bench again as he works his way back towards full fitness.</p><p>Thomas Tuchel has revealed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/15/bukayo-saka-fitness-gamble-england-world-cup">Saka is managing an achilles problem</a> and is not ready to complete a full 90 minutes yet. The winger came off the bench when England opened their World Cup campaign against Croatia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/17/england-croatia-world-cup-2026-group-l-match-report">with a 4-2 win</a> in Dallas on Wednesday, but he is still being treated with caution.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/rashford-and-rice-give-england-boost-for-ghana-but-saka-set-for-bench-again">Continue reading...</a> England World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Sport Marcus Rashford Bukayo Saka Jude Bellingham Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:19:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/rashford-and-rice-give-england-boost-for-ghana-but-saka-set-for-bench-again Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images Jacob Steinberg and David Hytner in Kansas City 2026-06-20T18:19:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/take-me-home-country-roads-world-cup-usmnt <p>John Denver’s classic has been belted out during US matches at this tournament. Its appeal lies in the story it tells about a united America</p><p>Lumen Field was designed for a moment like Friday’s. Under a blue sky dotted with clouds, the US men’s national team celebrated their victory over Australia with a lap around the stadium to thank their fans for creating a worthy atmosphere.</p><p>I’ve reported from four matches so far at this World Cup and the set list remains largely the same, no matter the venue. You’ll hear Dai Dai and Seven Nation Army. The growing boos that accompany the onset of a hydration break will be drowned out by Livin’ On A Prayer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/take-me-home-country-roads-world-cup-usmnt">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Football US sports Sport USA Music Country Culture Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:45:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/take-me-home-country-roads-world-cup-usmnt Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Jeff Rueter in Seattle 2026-06-20T18:45:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/michael-olise-france-world-cup-didier-deschamps <p>Unusually in the France side, he plays with a sense of freedom and has not yet submitted fully to Deschamps’s tactical yoke</p><p>Michael Olise is probably the best creative player in the world at the moment. He racked up 26 assists for Bayern Munich last season. It was his shift into a more central role that transformed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/16/france-senegal-world-cup-group-i-match-report">France’s game against Senegal</a> from drab slog to impressive victory.</p><p>The confidence he always had at Crystal Place has evolved at Bayern into a graceful fluency. In a hugely talented France side, Olise is the standout, the player who it feels might carry them to the World Cup. Yet he is something of an anomaly.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/michael-olise-france-world-cup-didier-deschamps">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Sport France Football tactics Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:00:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/michael-olise-france-world-cup-didier-deschamps Photograph: William Volcov/Shutterstock Photograph: William Volcov/Shutterstock Photograph: William Volcov/Shutterstock Jonathan Wilson 2026-06-20T19:00:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/david-raya-when-you-lose-a-champions-league-final-it-destroys-you-inside <p>The goalkeeper discusses being bullied by 35-year-olds in the English fifth tier, winning the Premier League and competition in the Spain squad</p><p>“No, no, there’s someone else,” David Raya says, leaping out of his chair at Spain’s training camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, pulling his phone from the wash bag sitting on the floor and starting to scroll. Ah, look, here it is,” he says eventually, reading from the screen: “‘… the goalkeeper, who played in yesterday’s match, was at Southport on loan from Oxford United…’ Yeah, Max Crocombe. I <em>think</em> that is right”</p><p>And so then there were four, another name to add to the list. Peter Withe, Stan Mortensen, him, and now New Zealand’s No 1: the men who played for Southport and went to a World Cup.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/david-raya-when-you-lose-a-champions-league-final-it-destroys-you-inside">Continue reading...</a> Spain Football Sport World Cup Arsenal Sat, 20 Jun 2026 11:00:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/david-raya-when-you-lose-a-champions-league-final-it-destroys-you-inside Photograph: Pablo Garcia/The Guardian Photograph: Pablo Garcia/The Guardian Photograph: Pablo Garcia/The Guardian Sid Lowe in Chattanooga 2026-06-20T11:00:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/19/mlb-investigation-department-of-justice-pride-hats-religious-discrimination <ul><li><p>League referred to EEOC for religious discrimination</p></li><li><p>San Francisco Giants pitchers wrote Bible verses on hats</p></li><li><p>MLB had warned players over violation of league rules</p></li></ul><p>The US justice department has launched a civil rights investigation into Major League Baseball after the league criticized three San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their hats during the team’s Pride Night.</p><p>Most of MLB’s 30 teams celebrate Pride month with a themed game to acknowledge the LGBTQ community and its baseball fans. During a 12 June game against the Chicago Cubs, pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/16/mlb-critical-of-giants-players-who-wrote-bible-verses-on-pride-night-caps">wrote Bible verses on their hats</a>, which featured the Giants’ logo in rainbow colors, while pitcher Sam Hentges chose not to wear the themed cap at all.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/19/mlb-investigation-department-of-justice-pride-hats-religious-discrimination">Continue reading...</a> MLB Baseball US sports Sport San Francisco Giants Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:33:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/19/mlb-investigation-department-of-justice-pride-hats-religious-discrimination Photograph: Scott Marshall/AP Photograph: Scott Marshall/AP Photograph: Scott Marshall/AP Guardian sport 2026-06-19T14:33:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/manchester-city-close-to-financial-settlement-with-chelsea-to-appoint-enzo-maresca <ul><li><p>Chelsea demand compensation for former coach</p></li><li><p>West London club insist Italian breached contract</p></li></ul><p>Manchester City are close to reaching a financial settlement with Chelsea that will enable them to appoint Enzo Maresca as their manager.</p><p>Chelsea are demanding compensation from City to release Maresca as they believe they have evidence the Italian breached his contract at Stamford Bridge by talking to the club’s Premier League rivals when he was still their manager last season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/manchester-city-close-to-financial-settlement-with-chelsea-to-appoint-enzo-maresca">Continue reading...</a> Manchester City Football Sport Chelsea Sat, 20 Jun 2026 07:06:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/manchester-city-close-to-financial-settlement-with-chelsea-to-appoint-enzo-maresca Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Matt Hughes 2026-06-20T07:06:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/ollie-devoto-chicago-hounds-major-league-rugby <p>The England center will finish a decorated career on Sunday as his Chicago Hounds face the California Legion seeking their first Major League Rugby crown</p><p>It’s a long way from Somerset to Chicago, but it’s the Windy City where the Bath, Exeter and England center Ollie Devoto will end his career on Sunday, seeking to help the Chicago Hounds beat the California Legion for a first Major League Rugby crown.</p><p>“It’ll be a special day for the team and it’ll be a special day personally as well,” Devoto said, preferring not to predict a result. “My family are coming out for one last go. As long as we give the best account of ourselves, we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/ollie-devoto-chicago-hounds-major-league-rugby">Continue reading...</a> Rugby union Sport US sports England rugby union team Sat, 20 Jun 2026 11:00:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/ollie-devoto-chicago-hounds-major-league-rugby Photograph: Abel Arciniega/Abel Arciniega :: @tequilagraphics and Ken Carl Photograph: Abel Arciniega/Abel Arciniega :: @tequilagraphics and Ken Carl Photograph: Abel Arciniega/Abel Arciniega :: @tequilagraphics and Ken Carl Martin Pengelly 2026-06-20T11:00:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/germany-v-cote-divoire-world-cup-2026-live <p>⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm local time/9pm BST/6am AEST<br>⚽️ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/world-cup-2026-complete-player-guide">Player guide</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/bracketology-predict-a-path-to-world-cup-victory">Bracketology</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/golden-boot-world-cup-2026-top-goalscorers-winner">Golden Boot</a> | <a href="mailto:will.unwin.freelancer@theguardian.com">Email Will</a></p><p><strong>Germany (4-2-3-1):</strong> Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz</p><p><strong>Subs:</strong> Amiri, Anton, Baumann, Beier, Goretzka, Gross, Leweling, Nubel, Ouedraogo, Raum, Rüdiger, Stiller, Thiaw, Undav</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/germany-v-cote-divoire-world-cup-2026-live">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Germany Côte d’Ivoire football team Football Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:27:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/germany-v-cote-divoire-world-cup-2026-live Photograph: Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photograph: Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photograph: Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Will Unwin 2026-06-20T21:27:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/scotland-2026-world-cup-destiny-morocco-brazil-steve-clarke <p>Questions remain before battle with Brazil after narrow defeat by Morocco leaves fans looking at last-32 permutations</p><p>The permutations Steve Clarke is so desperate to avoid are already dominating discussion among the Tartan Army. As Ismael Saibari smacked Morocco in front inside two minutes against Scotland, goal difference rose on the horizon of anyone wanting Clarke and his players to create history. Those in navy blue were clinging on in Boston.</p><p>What happened next can be considered a moral victory for Scotland. Morocco were wasteful for the remainder of the first half. Scotland improved markedly in the second period, even daring to control spells of the game. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/scotland-morocco-world-cup-match-report">The 1-0 defeat</a> returns their goal difference to zero rather than leaving them already staring at early elimination while on three points. The problem is, Brazil lie in wait next.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/scotland-2026-world-cup-destiny-morocco-brazil-steve-clarke">Continue reading...</a> Scotland World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:13:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/scotland-2026-world-cup-destiny-morocco-brazil-steve-clarke Photograph: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock Photograph: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock Photograph: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock Ewan Murray in Miami 2026-06-20T18:13:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/antonin-panenka-penalty-50-years-on-czechoslovakia-west-germany-1976 <p>Czech’s audacious defiance of Sepp Maier in Belgrade has slipped into football folklore: ‘The only disadvantage is that I don’t get any royalties from it’</p><p>Antonin Panenka laughs like a bear might, a low rumble, suggesting mischief among the memories. He is sat in an office at Bohemians football club in Prague, recounting the story of his <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/video/025a-0eb0b5a588e0-4bf13b9a4a50-1000--watch-every-panenka-penalty-at-euro/">impudent, revolutionary penalty</a> that not only won the 1976 European Championship for Czechoslovakia against West Germany but soured his relationship with the goalkeeper his spot-kick humiliated, Sepp Maier. “He went 35 years without uttering a single word to me,” he smiles.</p><p>But the feud went much deeper. “I read some articles that he even had a shooting target in his garage with my face on it that he used to fire darts at. We get on well enough now though.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/antonin-panenka-penalty-50-years-on-czechoslovakia-west-germany-1976">Continue reading...</a> Czechia Czechoslovakia European Championship Football Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 04:00:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/antonin-panenka-penalty-50-years-on-czechoslovakia-west-germany-1976 Photograph: Björn Steinz/The Guardian Photograph: Björn Steinz/The Guardian Photograph: Björn Steinz/The Guardian Gavin Newsham 2026-06-20T04:00:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/england-v-scotland-womens-t20-cricket-world-cup-live <p>Sophia Dunkley top-scored with 57 as England made it three wins from three with a 38-run victory at Headingley</p><p><strong>Gone! </strong>Gordon comes back, wicket off the first ball of her over once again. England’s remaining opener tries to join in the fun, slogs across the line at a short ball, and skews it to mid on.</p><p><strong>6th over: England 51-1 (Wyatt-Hodge 7, Dunkley 43) </strong>Day Out Dunkley! She’s been out of favour and out of form for a while, but Nat Sciver-Brunt’s absence has given her a chance, and she is seizing it. Fraser comes on, the offie, and Dunkley racks up three boundaries in the over again. Bang, over backward point, bang, down the ground, and bang, sliced through deep third. Wyatt-Hodge has 7 runs of a 50 partnership! Scotland started with a wicket but England have seized the Powerplay.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/england-v-scotland-womens-t20-cricket-world-cup-live">Continue reading...</a> Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Women's T20 World Cup Women's cricket Cricket Sport England women's cricket team Over by over reports Sat, 20 Jun 2026 20:53:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/england-v-scotland-womens-t20-cricket-world-cup-live Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters Geoff Lemon and Taha Hashim 2026-06-20T20:53:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/sophia-dunkley-smashes-england-past-scotland-as-t20-world-cup-winning-run-goes-on <ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/cricket/match/2026-06-20/england-women-cricket-team">Group 2: England, 200-5, bt Scotland, 162-7, by 38 runs</a></p></li><li><p>Three wins out of three for hosts who top Group 2</p></li></ul><p>England’s grudge match against Scotland at Headingley ended in a convincing win for the World Cup hosts by 38 runs, to ensure they maintained their position atop Group B.</p><p>England were without their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is missing this match and Wednesday’s game against West Indies after aggravating her existing calf injury. Sciver-Brunt is England’s best batter, and has looked it so far in this World Cup with scores of 46 and 48, so there was some concern as to how the lineup might fare in her absence.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/sophia-dunkley-smashes-england-past-scotland-as-t20-world-cup-winning-run-goes-on">Continue reading...</a> Women's T20 World Cup 2026 England women's cricket team Women's T20 World Cup Women's cricket Sport Cricket Sat, 20 Jun 2026 20:50:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/sophia-dunkley-smashes-england-past-scotland-as-t20-world-cup-winning-run-goes-on Photograph: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC/Getty Images Raf Nicholson at Headingley 2026-06-20T20:50:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/amy-hunt-beats-dina-asher-smith-to-defend-100m-crown-at-uk-championships <ul><li><p>Hunt overhauls rival to seal victory in 11.01 seconds</p></li><li><p>Romell Glave celebrates first British 100m title</p></li></ul><p>For all that Britain possesses its fair share of truly world-class athletes, it is a rarity for two of them to line up in the same event. It is why the women’s sprints should be savoured.</p><p>Over the past couple of years, bragging rights between Amy Hunt and Dina Asher-Smith have repeatedly swung both ways. Last summer, Hunt claimed her first British 100m title in Asher-Smith’s absence, before ceding the 200m crown to her more experienced rival the following day when the pair clocked identical times. A few weeks on, Hunt won a memorable 200m silver ahead of Asher-Smith, who then hit back with the British 60m title earlier this year. To me, to you. And repeat.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/amy-hunt-beats-dina-asher-smith-to-defend-100m-crown-at-uk-championships">Continue reading...</a> Athletics Sport Dina Asher-Smith Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:57:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/amy-hunt-beats-dina-asher-smith-to-defend-100m-crown-at-uk-championships Photograph: Sam Mellish/Getty Images Photograph: Sam Mellish/Getty Images Photograph: Sam Mellish/Getty Images Ben Bloom at the Alexander Stadium 2026-06-20T19:57:32Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/stokes-and-atkinson-in-action-essex-v-notts-and-more-county-cricket-live <p>England’s Test captain found form with the bat against Northamptonshire in front of national selector Marcus North</p><p><strong>“Vasconinconsolable?”</strong> ask Tim Maitland.”You’d think that Ricardo Vasconsalos had just made a king pair judging from the utterly defeated funeral march that took him off the pitch after losing his wicket for a career best 187.<br><br> ”Despite making two centuries in April, it’s not as if he’d been in sparkling form since. A T20 knock of 34 was his best effort since the start of May. I hope he cheers up eventually.”</p><p>Ben Raine replaces Stokes after a good hour of charging in.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/stokes-and-atkinson-in-action-essex-v-notts-and-more-county-cricket-live">Continue reading...</a> Sport County Championship Cricket Essex Sussex Hampshire Lancashire Derbyshire Durham Nottinghamshire Glamorgan Surrey Leicestershire Somerset Warwickshire Northamptonshire Kent Middlesex Worcestershire Gloucestershire Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:15:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/stokes-and-atkinson-in-action-essex-v-notts-and-more-county-cricket-live Photograph: Andy Kearns/Getty Images Photograph: Andy Kearns/Getty Images Photograph: Andy Kearns/Getty Images Tanya Aldred at Chester-le-Street 2026-06-20T19:15:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/yeah-weve-missed-him-england-hurt-by-loss-of-ben-stokes-admits-josh-tongue <ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/cricket/match/2026-06-20/england-cricket-team">Second Test D4: NZ 391 &amp; 362; England 291 &amp; 182-5</a></p></li><li><p>Stokes hits 95 for Durham while England struggle</p></li></ul><p>Josh Tongue admitted England have missed the influence of Ben Stokes after a day in which they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/joe-root-defiant-as-england-set-463-to-win-but-new-zealand-close-in-on-levelling-series">crumbled to the brink of defeat</a> in the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. While they were doing so the team’s full-time captain, forced out of international duty for disciplinary reasons, was 275 miles north at Chester-le-Street, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jun/20/stokes-and-atkinson-in-action-essex-v-notts-and-more-county-cricket-live?page=with%3Ablock-6a36b37b8f087fb1fe062d15#block-6a36b37b8f087fb1fe062d15">scoring a swashbuckling 95 for Durham</a> in the County Championship.</p><p>England ended the fourth day on 182 for five, a distant 281 from victory, after the tourists scored 362 in their second innings. The home side have worked this week under the interim captaincy of Joe Root, on whose back their slender hopes once again lie, after he became the second player in Test history to pass 14,000 career runs on his way to an unbeaten 75,</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/yeah-weve-missed-him-england-hurt-by-loss-of-ben-stokes-admits-josh-tongue">Continue reading...</a> England v New Zealand 2026 England cricket team Ben Stokes New Zealand cricket team Cricket Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:11:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/yeah-weve-missed-him-england-hurt-by-loss-of-ben-stokes-admits-josh-tongue Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Simon Burnton at the Kia Oval 2026-06-20T19:11:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/netherlands-v-sweden-world-cup-2026-live <p>Join John Brewin for reaction as the Netherlands claim their first win of the tournament in style against Sweden</p><p><strong>Netherlands:</strong> Verbruggen, Dumfries, van Dijk, van Hecke, van de Ven, Gravenberch, de Jong, Reijnders, Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo. <strong>Subs:</strong> Flekken, Roefs, Ake, Geertruida, Hato, Kluivert, Koopmeiners, Lang, Depay, de Roon, Summerville, Til, Weghorst, Wieffer.</p><p><strong>Sweden:</strong> Nordfeldt, Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof, Karlstrom, Bernhardsson, Nygren, Ayari, Gudmundsson, Gyokeres, Isak. <strong>Subs:</strong> Zetterstrom, Viktor Johansson, Herman Johansson, Bergvall, Svensson, Elanga, Sema, Ekdal, Starfelt, Svanberg, Smith, Zeneli, Stroud, Nilsson, Ali.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/netherlands-v-sweden-world-cup-2026-live">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Netherlands Sweden World Cup Football Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:10:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/netherlands-v-sweden-world-cup-2026-live Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images John Brewin 2026-06-20T19:10:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/hes-a-pretty-special-player-prem-final-matchwinnner-hendy-tipped-for-england-call <ul><li><p>Northampton wing scores two tries in four minutes</p></li><li><p>England name Nations Championship squad on Monday</p></li></ul><p>Northampton’s matchwinner George Hendy has been hailed as a player of international class after helping his side win their second English domestic title in three seasons. The uncapped Hendy struck twice inside four minutes in the second half to stake a late claim for a place in England’s Nations Championship squad which will be named on Monday.</p><p>Hendy was also the man who set up Saints’ winning try against Bath in the Prem final two years ago and his club captain, George Furbank, believes the 23-year-old wing is as good a finisher as anyone around. “He’s a pretty special player,” said Furbank, who will be leaving Northampton to join Harlequins this summer. “He’s one of those guys who can pull things out of the hat. He scores tries that potentially no one else in the league and potentially in the world can score. He’s someone you want on your team. He’s obviously quality and that’s two finals now in which he’s performed on the big stage.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/hes-a-pretty-special-player-prem-final-matchwinnner-hendy-tipped-for-england-call">Continue reading...</a> Prem Rugby Northampton Exeter Rugby union Sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:58:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/20/hes-a-pretty-special-player-prem-final-matchwinnner-hendy-tipped-for-england-call Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Robert Kitson at Allianz Stadium 2026-06-20T18:58:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/world-cup-2026-scotland-morocco-usa-australia-netherlands-sweden-germany-cote-d-ivoire-ecuador-curacao-tunisia-japan <p>Spirits are soaring among the co-hosts USA, while Turkey were left to brood over the missed chances that condemned them to a shock exit</p><p><strong>On this day in <s>World Cup</s> Euros history</strong>: 1976 – Antonin Panenka won the final for Czechoslovakia with the most famous penalty of all time. And 50 years on, he sat down with Gavin Newsham for a good long chat:</p><p>Antonin Panenka laughs like a bear might, a low rumble, suggesting mischief among the memories. He is sat in an office at Bohemians football club in Prague, recounting the story of his <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/video/025a-0eb0b5a588e0-4bf13b9a4a50-1000--watch-every-panenka-penalty-at-euro/">impudent, revolutionary penalty</a> that not only won the 1976 European Championship for Czechoslovakia against West Germany but soured his relationship with the goalkeeper his spot-kick humiliated, Sepp Maier. “He went 35 years without uttering a single word to me,” he smiles.</p><p>But the feud went much deeper. “I read some articles that he even had a shooting target in his garage with my face on it that he used to fire darts at. We get on well enough now though.”</p><p>I’m not a fan of the hydration breaks that have been introduced at this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-football">World Cup</a>, but they’re here for now and it is fascinating from a coaching perspective because the momentum has swung straight after several hydration breaks. That could suggest coach involvement has helped teams to tweak things.</p><p>Turning the game into four quarters – it felt inevitable it was going to head in that direction, and I hope it doesn’t carry on going in that direction. I don’t like it, but let me also be clear – when it’s hot, you really need it, for health and safety. So put yourself in Fifa’s shoes. If you only have drinks breaks in the hot cities you could be accused of giving certain teams an advantage with a chance for a tactical discussion over, say, a team playing in Seattle, where it’s cooler. Imagine turning around and saying: “We’ll only have VAR in some of the stadiums, not all.” You’re either going to have it or you’re not going to have it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/world-cup-2026-scotland-morocco-usa-australia-netherlands-sweden-germany-cote-d-ivoire-ecuador-curacao-tunisia-japan">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Sport US sports Australia sport Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:02:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/world-cup-2026-scotland-morocco-usa-australia-netherlands-sweden-germany-cote-d-ivoire-ecuador-curacao-tunisia-japan Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Tom Davies and Michael Butler 2026-06-20T15:02:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-turkey-v-paraguay-updates-tur-vs-par-group-d-match-score-latest <p>Ten-man Paraguay clung on after Matías Galarza’s early strike to secure a famous win and ensure Turkey will go home at the end of the group stage</p><p>A surprise start for attacker <strong>Isidro Pitta</strong>, who was so certain he wouldn’t be called up to Paraguay’s squad for the World Cup that he had already booked a holiday to Spain with his family during the tournament.</p><p>Nicknamed ‘Viking’ due to his long hair and big ginger beard, he’s found form at Red Bull Bragantino and is described as “a fighter, a tireless worker and a constant nuisance for opposition defences” in the Guardian’s World Cup player guide.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-turkey-v-paraguay-updates-tur-vs-par-group-d-match-score-latest">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Paraguay World Cup Football Turkey Sport Australia sport US sports Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:28:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-turkey-v-paraguay-updates-tur-vs-par-group-d-match-score-latest Photograph: Benjamin Fanjoy/EPA Photograph: Benjamin Fanjoy/EPA Photograph: Benjamin Fanjoy/EPA Sam Lewis 2026-06-20T05:28:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-brazil-v-haiti-updates-bra-vs-hai-group-c-match-score-latest <p>A quickfire Matheus Cunha double was added to by Vinícius Júnior as Brazil secured a comfortable win over their Caribbean opponents</p><p>Neymar would probably not even be in North America this summer had <strong>Rodrygo</strong> been fit. Instead the Real Madrid winger is recuperating from an ACL injury by penning thoughtful columns.</p><p>The pressure of wearing the Brazil shirt can be heavy but also creates a positive kind of responsibility. That pressure exists solely because of the greatness of our football, the titles we’ve won, and our historic standing in the sport. The fans’ mood often hinges on the result, which is only natural in a country so used to winning regularly.</p><p>So, as a player you have to realise that a barrage of criticism isn’t the end of the world, just as a massive wave of praise doesn’t mean everything is sorted out and that you will win the tournament. It is crucial to distinguish facts and balanced analysis from comments born of raw emotion and frustration.</p><p>If Vinícius is now Brazil’s undisputed star, the 25-year-old has also yet to really make the team his own. He has turned in frustrating and often fruitless performances at major international tournaments, while scoring a mere nine goals in 49 appearances entering this, his second World Cup.</p><p>He has yet to wrest top billing from Neymar, whose jersey was worn by huge swaths of the Brazilian fans in their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/14/brazil-morocco-world-cup-match-report">draw with Morocco on Saturday</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-brazil-v-haiti-updates-bra-vs-hai-group-c-match-score-latest">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Brazil Haiti football team Football Sport Australia sport US sports Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:05:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/20/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-brazil-v-haiti-updates-bra-vs-hai-group-c-match-score-latest Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters Jonathan Howcroft 2026-06-20T03:05:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/socceroos-usa-world-cup-group-d-reaction-australia-still-belive <ul><li><p>German official Felix Zwayer faces criticism for perceived injustices</p></li><li><p>Tony Popovic encouraged by much improved second-half performance</p></li></ul><p>Referee Felix Zwayer has come in for criticism from the Socceroos, who labelled the German’s performance a “stinker” after what they believed was a series of injustices in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/usa-australia-world-cup-2026-group-d-match-report">their 2-0 defeat to the USA</a> in the World Cup match in Seattle.</p><p>The co-hosts’ second goal was awarded by the video referee, and it was contentious given what appeared to be an offside player in the proximity of goalkeeper Patrick Beach when he tried to recover from a misdirected shot.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/socceroos-usa-world-cup-group-d-reaction-australia-still-belive">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Australia national football team – Socceroos USA Football World Cup Australia sport Sport Referees US sports Video assistant referees (VARs) Sat, 20 Jun 2026 02:32:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/socceroos-usa-world-cup-group-d-reaction-australia-still-belive Photograph: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images Photograph: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images Photograph: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images Jack Snape at Seattle Stadium 2026-06-20T02:32:28Z