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 Sun, 31 May 2026 04:54:59 GMT 2026-05-31T04:54:59Z 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/2026/may/30/nba-western-conference-finals-game-7-spurs-thunder <ul><li><p>San Antonio Spurs 111–103 Oklahoma City Thunder</p></li><li><p>Spurs seal series to advance to NBA finals against Knicks</p></li></ul><p>For large parts of this season, many wondered if the Oklahoma City Thunder had any weaknesses. One thing the reigning champions didn’t <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/25/victor-wembanyama-spurs-thunder-nba-playoffs">have was Victor Wembanyama</a>, who led the San Antonio Spurs to a Game 7 victory in the Western Conference finals.</p><p>The Spurs’ 111-103 victory on Saturday night means <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/25/knicks-cavaliers-eastern-conference-finals-nba">they will face the New York Knicks</a> in the NBA finals, with Game 1 set for Wednesday in San Antonio.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/nba-western-conference-finals-game-7-spurs-thunder">Continue reading...</a> NBA NBA finals Oklahoma City Thunder San Antonio Spurs Basketball US sports Sport Sun, 31 May 2026 02:54:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/nba-western-conference-finals-game-7-spurs-thunder Photograph: Nate Billings/AP Photograph: Nate Billings/AP Photograph: Nate Billings/AP Tom Lutz 2026-05-31T02:54:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-retain-champions-league-as-arsenal-dream-dashed-in-shootout <p>It was a showpiece that held the football world in its grip, the tension mounting exponentially, everything on the line. For Paris Saint-Germain, there was the opportunity to make it clear that this is a dynastic team; the rarity of retaining a Champions League title.</p><p>For Arsenal, it was simple. Never mind the Invincibles. They stood to be immortal, a first victory in this competition to follow <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/arsenal-premier-league-champions-manchester-city-bournemouth#:~:text=Guardian%20Pick,say%20we%20beat%20the%20Champions.">their first Premier League triumph</a> since 2004. It was all set up to become the greatest season in their history.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-retain-champions-league-as-arsenal-dream-dashed-in-shootout">Continue reading...</a> Champions League Paris Saint-Germain Arsenal Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 19:19:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-retain-champions-league-as-arsenal-dream-dashed-in-shootout Photograph: Petr Josek/AP Photograph: Petr Josek/AP Photograph: Petr Josek/AP David Hytner at the Puskas Arena 2026-05-30T19:19:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/french-open-defending-champion-coco-gauff-out-aryna-sabalenka-sails-through <ul><li><p>No 28 seed Potapova stuns Gauff with 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win</p></li><li><p>Sinner’s conqueror beats Landaluce in six-hour epic</p></li></ul><p>Coco Gauff rued an inability to take her opportunities under pressure as her reign at Roland Garros ended in a shock third-round loss at the hands of a stellar Anastasia Potapova, who recovered from a set down before holding her nerve in the final stages of a bruising match to win 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4.</p><p>Gauff, who had reached at least the quarter-finals of the French Open for the last five editions, led by a break in the final set before losing five of the final six games. The American, the fourth seed, said she felt she had failed to perform under pressure in the decisive moments: “[I was] just not capitalising on certain shots. I mean, at 3-all [in set three] I had a couple of break points and missed, I think, two backhands or three backhands, which just can’t happen in that scenario.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/french-open-defending-champion-coco-gauff-out-aryna-sabalenka-sails-through">Continue reading...</a> French Open 2026 Coco Gauff French Open Tennis Sport US sports Sat, 30 May 2026 20:40:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/french-open-defending-champion-coco-gauff-out-aryna-sabalenka-sails-through Photograph: Robert Prange/Getty Images Photograph: Robert Prange/Getty Images Photograph: Robert Prange/Getty Images Tumaini Carayol at Roland Garros 2026-05-30T20:40:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/31/usa-world-cup-2026-team-guide <p>Optimism is not high for Mauricio Pochettino’s co-hosts, who are under pressure to justify fans’ considerable outlay on tickets</p><p><em>This article is part of the Guardian’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/world-cup-2026-guardian-experts-network">2026 World Cup Experts’ Network</a>, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/31/usa-world-cup-2026-team-guide">Continue reading...</a> USA World Cup World Cup 2026 Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 23:01:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/31/usa-world-cup-2026-team-guide Photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images Photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images Photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images Jeff Rueter 2026-05-30T23:01:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/cristiano-ronaldo-world-cup-lionel-messi-luka-modric <p>Veterans such as Messi and Modric are much in evidence at the finals, but an obsession with celebrity may undermine Portugal</p><p>It turns out that 2022 wasn’t Lionel Messi’s last dance after all. He will turn 39 during the World Cup, but despite concerns over the “muscular overload” that led to him limping out of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/lionel-messi-injury-inter-miami-argentina-world-cup-2026">Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union</a> on Sunday, he remains the figure on whom Argentinian hopes rely.</p><p>Messi won’t be the only veteran in Canada, the US and Mexico: Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, will also be there – inevitably, given how his career and Messi’s seem inextricably bound. So will Luka Modric and Edin Dzeko, plus the goalkeepers Manuel Neuer, Craig Gordon, Guillermo Ochoa and Vozinha, all of whom are 40. And there is one 39-year-old other than Messi: the Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/cristiano-ronaldo-world-cup-lionel-messi-luka-modric">Continue reading...</a> Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Lionel Messi World Cup 2026 Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 21:35:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/cristiano-ronaldo-world-cup-lionel-messi-luka-modric Photograph: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images Jonathan Wilson 2026-05-30T21:35:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/a-season-from-hell-how-arne-slots-liverpool-fell-apart-after-death-of-jota <p>The title-winning glow soon faded for the champions’ manager after tragedy in Spain presaged a dramatic decline on the pitch</p><p>The Liverpool forward was returning from his native Portugal to England via car then ferry, on medical advice after having a minor lung operation, and was killed in an accident along with his brother, André Silva, en route to the Spanish port of Santander, on 3 July 2025. Jota’s death, 11 days after teammates attended his wedding to the mother of their three children, deeply affected everyone at the club. The celebrations at the end of May of the club’s title win on the streets of Liverpool had previously been cut short by a man driving a car into the crowds, injuring 134 people, some seriously. What should have been a summer of celebration was overshadowed by tragedies, and Arne Slot had to prepare for the new season against a highly emotional background.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/a-season-from-hell-how-arne-slots-liverpool-fell-apart-after-death-of-jota">Continue reading...</a> Arne Slot Liverpool Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 15:19:08 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/a-season-from-hell-how-arne-slots-liverpool-fell-apart-after-death-of-jota Photograph: Ian Hodgson/AP Photograph: Ian Hodgson/AP Photograph: Ian Hodgson/AP Philip Cornwall 2026-05-30T15:19:08Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/hurricanes-canadiens-stanley-cup-final-brindamour <ul><li><p>Carolina bury Montreal with first-period burst</p></li><li><p>Hurricanes reach first Cup final since 2006</p></li><li><p>Brind’Amour’s team ends years of heartbreak</p></li></ul><p>Rod Brind’Amour wore a big smile as he walked on the ice to join his Carolina Hurricanes for a photo behind the Prince of Wales Trophy.</p><p>It took eight years, but the Hurricanes have finally broken through their Eastern Conference final roadblock. Now comes the chance to play for the Stanley Cup for the first time in two decades.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/hurricanes-canadiens-stanley-cup-final-brindamour">Continue reading...</a> Stanley Cup NHL Carolina Hurricanes Montreal Canadiens Vegas Golden Knights Ice hockey Sport US sports Sat, 30 May 2026 06:35:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/hurricanes-canadiens-stanley-cup-final-brindamour Photograph: Karl B DeBlaker/AP Photograph: Karl B DeBlaker/AP Photograph: Karl B DeBlaker/AP Agencies 2026-05-30T06:35:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/usmnt-questions-senegal-germany-christian-pulisic-gio-reyna <p>The US probably won’t start their A-team for both friendlies against Senegal and Germany, but the games are still opportunities to build momentum</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/31/sign-up-for-the-world-behind-the-cup-a-newsletter-about-more-than-soccer"><strong>Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/may/26/usmnt-world-cup-squad-in-pictures">26-man squad</a> has been confirmed. The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/26/usmnt-world-cup-squad-mauricio-pochettino-email-players">disappointing emails</a> and uplifting WhatsApp videos have been sent. And so, the US men’s national team’s World Cup campaign begins in earnest.</p><p>Much about the co-hosts’ impending tournament feels unrefined, although that may have been inevitable. Hosting the World Cup ensures a spot in the 48-team field, but robs a team of the qualifying gauntlet that can clarify who can handle the pressure and identify a group’s core. These issues were further compounded by the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/sep/10/mauricio-pochettino-appointed-coach-usmnt">mid-cycle appointment</a> of Mauricio Pochettino, with his initially thin grasp on his player pool leaving most of his tenure to assess individuals before he could refine a collective.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/usmnt-questions-senegal-germany-christian-pulisic-gio-reyna">Continue reading...</a> USA Football Sport US sports World Cup 2026 World Cup Mauricio Pochettino Christian Pulisic Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/usmnt-questions-senegal-germany-christian-pulisic-gio-reyna Photograph: Jess Stiles/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Photograph: Jess Stiles/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Photograph: Jess Stiles/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Jeff Rueter 2026-05-30T10:00:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/donald-trump-college-sports-women-olympic-athletes <p>As universities prepare to spend millions paying athletes directly, fears mount that Olympic and women’s sports will pay the price. An improbable figure could well stop it</p><p>Female athletes and Olympic sports athletes, two overlapping groups that have long thrived in US colleges, are facing an uncertain future on campus. These athletes’ college prospects may lie in the hands of a surprising savior …</p><p>Donald Trump.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/donald-trump-college-sports-women-olympic-athletes">Continue reading...</a> College sports Donald Trump Sport US sports United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) College football Sat, 30 May 2026 10:00:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/donald-trump-college-sports-women-olympic-athletes Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Beau Dure 2026-05-30T10:00:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arne-slot-liverpool-mohamed-salah-fenway-sports-group <p>Coach did not deserve the vitriol, FSG’s recruitment was flawed, but Anfield boos meant executives needed to act</p><p>Mohamed Salah’s parting shot was to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/16/mohamed-salah-criticises-crumbling-liverpools-season-and-demands-return-to-heavy-metal-football">demand the return of heavy-metal football </a>at Liverpool and, in their reasoning for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/liverpool-sack-arne-slot-one-year-after-winning-premier-league-title">sacking Arne Slot</a>, the club’s hierarchy have concurred. It is a brutal, but understandable decision to remove Slot on the basis that Liverpool’s style must evolve, though responsibility for this season’s regression does not rest with the coach alone.</p><p>Liverpool have never sacked a title-winning manager on their title-winning watch before now. Sir Kenny Dalglish’s dismissal came in his second, League Cup-winning spell in charge. That underlines the scale of the decision to sack a head coach who won the club’s record-equalling 20th league title 13 months ago and who handled the unprecedented trauma of Diogo Jota’s death with dignity and professionalism last summer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arne-slot-liverpool-mohamed-salah-fenway-sports-group">Continue reading...</a> Liverpool Fenway Sports Group Arne Slot Mohamed Salah Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 18:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arne-slot-liverpool-mohamed-salah-fenway-sports-group Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters Andy Hunter 2026-05-30T18:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/cruel-ending-to-arsenals-thrillingly-intense-high-quality-evening <p>Some struggle to love Mikel Arteta’s side but they went toe-to-toe with PSG in a gruelling, high-grade contest </p><p>It always seemed likely, somehow, that Arsenal’s season was going to come down to Gabriel Magalhães<strong> </strong>and a set piece. Just not, ideally, like this.</p><p>Football does love a note of dramatic irony. And while Arsenal may have lost this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-retain-champions-league-as-arsenal-dream-dashed-in-shootout">Champions League final on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain</a> after three brain-mangling hours of unresolved jab, smother and counter-thrust in the humid green bowl of the Puskas Arena, this was also a brilliant, high-grade, dizzyingly tense game of football.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/cruel-ending-to-arsenals-thrillingly-intense-high-quality-evening">Continue reading...</a> Champions League Paris Saint-Germain Arsenal Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 21:55:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/cruel-ending-to-arsenals-thrillingly-intense-high-quality-evening Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images Barney Ronay at the Puskas Arena 2026-05-30T21:55:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/scotland-curacao-world-cup-warm-up-match-report <p>In the early stages, Scotland looked to be opting for something different. That is, heading to a major tournament while completely unburdened by expectation. Little Curaçao were embarrassing Steve Clarke and his team. Scottish Football Association big wigs, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/28/steve-clarke-scotland-coach-new-contract-2030">who handed Clarke a four-year deal in recent days</a>, were shuffling uncomfortably in the plush seats. Excitement was surely raising in Haiti, Scotland’s first World Cup opponents.</p><p>That Scotland played against 10 men for more than a half must be factored in to analysis of their recovery. Nonetheless, the response was stirring enough to raise optimism among a supporter base who will shortly grace a World Cup for the first time in 28 years. The Tartan Army remained in place to afford Scotland a rousing send-off for the US. Victory had ultimately proved as comfortable as should have been the case. However, the optimism was soured by the news later on Saturday night that Billy Gilmour had been ruled out of the finals by a knee injury.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/scotland-curacao-world-cup-warm-up-match-report">Continue reading...</a> Friendlies Scotland Curaçao Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 19:23:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/scotland-curacao-world-cup-warm-up-match-report Photograph: Alan Rennie/Shutterstock Photograph: Alan Rennie/Shutterstock Photograph: Alan Rennie/Shutterstock Ewan Murray at Hampden Park 2026-05-30T19:23:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/canada-world-cup-roster-analysis-jesse-marsch-davies <p>Injuries forced late decisions, but Jesse Marsch remains convinced this is the strongest squad Canada has ever assembled. Now comes the harder question: can they finally deliver on home soil?</p><p>The only surprise is that we were surprised. In his final moments of deliberation Jesse Marsch looked at the options in front of him and chose speed. Why change the habit of a lifetime?</p><p>Jacob Shaffelburg was the final winner on Friday night as Marsch named his 26-man World Cup squad in a primetime TV address to the co-host nation. The LAFC winger was likely Mr 26 as Canada’s American head coach cut six names from a group of 32 he’d named earlier in the week. Fitness, particularly in defense, was the factor which had forced Marsch to bring the expanded group to camp in Charlotte. Most acutely, the health or otherwise of captain Alphonso Davies occupies so many Canadian thoughts and will continue to do so. The Bayern Munich man didn’t make it as far as North Carolina but will join his 25 teammates on home soil in the coming days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/canada-world-cup-roster-analysis-jesse-marsch-davies">Continue reading...</a> Canada World Cup 2026 Football Sport World Cup Sun, 31 May 2026 00:31:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/canada-world-cup-roster-analysis-jesse-marsch-davies Photograph: Tony Gutierrez/AP Photograph: Tony Gutierrez/AP Photograph: Tony Gutierrez/AP Joe Callaghan in Ottawa 2026-05-31T00:31:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/brighton-womens-fa-cup-final-dario-vidosic-rado <p>Brighton’s head coach has led team to Wembley date with Manchester City despite losing his father four months ago</p><p>Growing up in Brisbane with a big time difference to London, Dario Vidosic loved being allowed to stay up past his bedtime to watch a big Wembley final on television next to his father, Rado, before trying to recreate a great goal with him in the garden the following day.</p><p>On Sunday, Rado will not only be in the Vidosic family’s thoughts but in the hearts and minds of everyone associated with Brighton as the team walk out at Wembley for the Women’s FA Cup final against Manchester City to try to win their first major trophy, four months after Rado – who was working as the women’s team’s head of coaching – died from cancer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/brighton-womens-fa-cup-final-dario-vidosic-rado">Continue reading...</a> Brighton & Hove Albion Women Women's FA Cup Women's football Sport Football Sat, 30 May 2026 09:00:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/brighton-womens-fa-cup-final-dario-vidosic-rado Photograph: Steve Taylor/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Steve Taylor/PPAUK/Shutterstock Photograph: Steve Taylor/PPAUK/Shutterstock Tom Garry 2026-05-30T09:00:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/raheem-sterling-suffered-immeasurable-psychological-strain-close-source-says <p>Former England and Chelsea star arrested on M3 on Thursday under suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs</p><p>Raheem Sterling has been made to feel “disposable” after a decade at the top of football, a source close to the former England star has said, after his arrest on suspicion of driving “whilst unfit through drugs”.</p><p>The source said the former Man City and Chelsea winger, who is now playing for Feyenoord in the Netherlands, had been suffering from “immeasurable” psychological strain after an “extremely tough couple of years”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/raheem-sterling-suffered-immeasurable-psychological-strain-close-source-says">Continue reading...</a> UK news Sat, 30 May 2026 15:57:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/raheem-sterling-suffered-immeasurable-psychological-strain-close-source-says Photograph: Wart Brinkerhof/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock Photograph: Wart Brinkerhof/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock Photograph: Wart Brinkerhof/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock Sammy Gecsoyler and agency 2026-05-30T15:57:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/31/mexico-v-australia-socceroos-football-friendly-live-updates <ul><li><p>Socceroos fight back in second half but fail to convert opportunities at California’s Rose Bowl Stadium</p></li><li><p>Any thoughts? Get in touch on <a href="mailto:jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com">email</a></p></li></ul><p>“This game is a good opportunity for Popovic to show what he’s learned (if anything),” emails James Paraskevas. “The honeymoon period is over. Our last game at home against a Japan C Team playing for nothing in qualifying left a lot to be desired. We need to be better than that. We’ve got good enough players to be playing some sort of football, whilst still remaining responsible at the back. Popovic hasn’t found that balance yet, and is probably underestimating us and overestimating the opposition at the same time. Because of this, I see a 2-0 victory for Mexico. We could maybe get one goal, but the players need to be allowed some freedom.”</p><p><strong>Jack Snape has the latest on the permutations facing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic as he whittles his squad down to 26.</strong> His decision making has been complicated significantly by an untimely hamstring injury to key midfielder Riley McGree.</p><p>Popovic was poised to deploy McGree in one of the hybrid midfielder/winger roles in his 3-4-2-1 system. One of Mabil, Leckie, Ajdin Hrustic, Martin Boyle and Nestory Irankunda is likely to be the beneficiary of McGree’s absence.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/31/mexico-v-australia-socceroos-football-friendly-live-updates">Continue reading...</a> Australia Mexico Football Australia sport Sport Sun, 31 May 2026 04:39:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/31/mexico-v-australia-socceroos-football-friendly-live-updates Photograph: Luiza Moraes/Getty Images Photograph: Luiza Moraes/Getty Images Photograph: Luiza Moraes/Getty Images Jonathan Howcroft 2026-05-31T04:39:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arteta-urges-arsenal-to-use-champions-league-pain-and-turn-it-into-fuel <ul><li><p>‘We will have to improve to try to get a different outcome’</p></li><li><p>Manager unhappy Arsenal not given extra-time penalty </p></li></ul><p>Mikel Arteta spoke of his heartache after a skied penalty from Gabriel Magalhães in the shootout against Paris Saint-Germain ended Arsenal’s hopes of being crowned European champions for the first time, but emphasised the need to take that pain “and turn it into fuel”.</p><p>Kai Havertz’s early strike and a defensive masterclass in the first half of the Champions League final that frustrated the holders had Arsenal supporters dreaming of a double after their first Premier League title for 22 years. But PSG hit back in the second half <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-retain-champions-league-as-arsenal-dream-dashed-in-shootout">through Ousmane Dembélé from the spot</a> before Arsenal thought they should have had a penalty of their own at the end of the first half of extra time.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arteta-urges-arsenal-to-use-champions-league-pain-and-turn-it-into-fuel">Continue reading...</a> Champions League Paris Saint-Germain Arsenal Football Sport Mikel Arteta Luis Enrique Sat, 30 May 2026 21:11:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arteta-urges-arsenal-to-use-champions-league-pain-and-turn-it-into-fuel Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Ed Aarons at the Puskas Arena 2026-05-30T21:11:32Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-arsenal-champions-league-final-live-psg-score-updates <p>Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed from the spot to give PSG victory in a gruelling final</p><p><strong>“They’ve got a wonderful group of players and a great manager in Mikel Arteta</strong> but having come so close three times on the bounce I felt these guys needed it,” Sol Campbell says of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/arsenal-win-premier-league-title-mikel-arteta-2025-26">Arsenal winning the Premier League</a> for the first time in 22 years since, in 2004, he was the cornerstone of their defence for the Invincibles. His team remained unbeaten throughout that historic league season, but the pressure on his successors has been immense.</p><p>“The wait has been so heavy and it was all pent up, building year after year, always coming so close but never getting over the line,” he says. “That’s why you saw such an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/weve-done-it-euphoria-as-arsenal-clinch-first-league-title-in-a-generation">outpouring of joy and togetherness</a>. It’s been incredible because we’ve been waiting such a long time.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-arsenal-champions-league-final-live-psg-score-updates">Continue reading...</a> Champions League European club football Paris Saint-Germain Arsenal Football Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 20:12:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/30/paris-saint-germain-arsenal-champions-league-final-live-psg-score-updates Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty Images Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty Images Photograph: Carl Recine/Getty Images Rob Smyth 2026-05-30T20:12:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arsenal-fans-zen-like-champions-league-final-result <p>Supporters filling north London pubs said they were already gratified by Premier League win</p><p>The streets of Holloway, usually bustling with families and trolly-dragging shoppers, were uncharacteristically quiet on Saturday afternoon. But shortly after the clock struck 5pm, loud roars echoed through the north London high street, located a short walk away from the Emirates stadium, as Arsenal walked on to the pitch for the Champions League final.</p><p>While the team, still basking in the glory of their Premier League win last week, were in Budapest for their final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain, Gunners – or Gooners, as they are colloquially known – came out to support the team on their home turf.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arsenal-fans-zen-like-champions-league-final-result">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Football London England Sport UK news Sat, 30 May 2026 19:36:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/arsenal-fans-zen-like-champions-league-final-result Photograph: Sammy Gecsoyler/The Guardian Photograph: Sammy Gecsoyler/The Guardian Photograph: Sammy Gecsoyler/The Guardian Sammy Gecsoyler 2026-05-30T19:36:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/cricket-pakistan-australia-first-odi-report <ul><li><p>First ODI: Pakistan (5-202) beat Australia (200) by 5wkts</p></li><li><p>Debutant Minhas claims five-wicket haul in Rawalpindi</p></li></ul><p>Pakistan’s debutant Arafat Minhas bagged a stunning five-wicket haul and then smashed the winning runs to secure a comprehensive victory over Australia in the first of three one-day internationals.</p><p>Josh Inglis, handed the white-ball captaincy after Mitch Marsh was ruled out with an ankle injury, saw his side struggle to handle Minhas’ tricky left-arm variation. The 21-year-old spinner plundered five wickets for 32 runs to put the visitors on the back foot in Rawalpindi.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/cricket-pakistan-australia-first-odi-report">Continue reading...</a> Cricket Australia cricket team Pakistan cricket team Australia sport Sport Sat, 30 May 2026 19:03:59 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/30/cricket-pakistan-australia-first-odi-report Photograph: Anjum Naveed/AP Photograph: Anjum Naveed/AP Photograph: Anjum Naveed/AP AAP and Associated Press 2026-05-30T19:03:59Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/may/30/arne-slot-liverpool-tenure-in-pictures <p>After Liverpool announced Arne Slot’s departure, we take a look back at the Dutchman’s short tenure</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/may/30/arne-slot-liverpool-tenure-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Arne Slot Liverpool Football Sport Photography Sat, 30 May 2026 18:54:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/may/30/arne-slot-liverpool-tenure-in-pictures Photograph: David Cliff/EPA Photograph: David Cliff/EPA Photograph: David Cliff/EPA Steven Bloor 2026-05-30T18:54:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/may/30/french-open-tennis-osaka-sabalenka-gauff-roland-garros-day-seven-live <p>The reigning women’s champion Coco Gauff was beaten by Anastasia Potapova and Moise Kouame bowed out against Alejandro Tabilo</p><p>Jovic absolutely obliterated her fellow American and the former world No 8 Emma Navarro in the previous round, and rediscovers some of that form under extreme pressure here, reeling off seven points on the spin to cancel out Osaka’s early break in the second set. <strong>The 18-year-old holds with her first aces of the match and nudges ahead for 6-7, 3-2.</strong></p><p>A quick rundown of the latest scores and what’s coming up on day seven:</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/may/30/french-open-tennis-osaka-sabalenka-gauff-roland-garros-day-seven-live">Continue reading...</a> French Open 2026 French Open Tennis Sport Naomi Osaka Coco Gauff Aryna Sabalenka Sat, 30 May 2026 18:18:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/may/30/french-open-tennis-osaka-sabalenka-gauff-roland-garros-day-seven-live Photograph: Julien de Rosa/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Julien de Rosa/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Julien de Rosa/AFP/Getty Images Katy Murrells, Luke McLaughlin and David Tindall 2026-05-30T18:18:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/may/29/the-98th-scripps-national-spelling-bee-in-pictures <p>The National Spelling Bee, which concluded with Thursday’s nationally televised championship finals, invited 247 spellers to compete for a $52,500 cash prize and orthographic immortality</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/shrey-parikh-scripps-national-spelling-bee-win">California’s Parikh wins National Spelling Bee</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://viewer.gutools.co.uk/sport/article/2024/may/30/national-spelling-bee-quiz-winning-words">Quiz: can you nail past years’ winning words?</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/may/29/the-98th-scripps-national-spelling-bee-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> National Spelling Bee US sports Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 15:04:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/may/29/the-98th-scripps-national-spelling-bee-in-pictures Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Guardian sport 2026-05-29T15:04:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/usmnt-world-cup-captain-tim-ream <p>Charlotte FC’s Tim Ream appears to be in pole position to lead the US on the field this summer, but there are many factors to consider</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/31/sign-up-for-the-world-behind-the-cup-a-newsletter-about-more-than-soccer"><strong>Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>If you want to get US men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino started, just use one word: leadership.</p><p>The former Tottenham Hotspur manager is famously well-studied on the subject and there are no shortage of clips of him waxing poetic about it. He’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/31/mauricio-pochettino-firewalking-arrows-tottenham-liverpool-champions-league-final">led players over hot coals</a>, or had them press their neck up against the tip of an arrow and lean into it until it shatters. Ask him about leadership and the words he’ll sprinkle into his answers will overlap heavily with late-night self-help ads, his sentences dotted with the likes of <em>aura, bravery </em>and <em>self-determination.</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/usmnt-world-cup-captain-tim-ream">Continue reading...</a> USA World Cup 2026 Football Sport World Cup US sports Fri, 29 May 2026 11:00:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/usmnt-world-cup-captain-tim-ream Photograph: Ira L Black/USSF/Getty Images Photograph: Ira L Black/USSF/Getty Images Photograph: Ira L Black/USSF/Getty Images Pablo Iglesias Maurer in Fayetteville, Georgia 2026-05-29T11:00:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/mexico-hope-a-month-of-isolation-can-rekindle-the-magic-of-the-1986-world-cup <p>El Tri reached the quarter-finals the last time they hosted the tournament. They’re hoping old methods can revive the team after a disastrous outing in 2022</p><p>It was January 1986 and the temperature at the peak of La Malinche, one of Mexico’s tallest mountains, had plummeted to a bone-chilling cold. A group of soccer players training for that year’s World Cup ran through a dense fog to the summit 14,600ft above sea level gasping in the thin air. Their Serbian coach, Bora Milutinović, had pushed his players to the limit, seeking not only to test their physical endurance but also hoping for a psychological breakthrough. Up there, the Mexico players suffered, shivered and cursed. But through hardship they became a family. That fabled image of survival on the mountain became the foundation for Mexico’s best-ever World Cup performance, the last time they played on home soil and one of only two times El Tri reached the tournament’s quarter-finals.</p><p>Forty years later, the myth of La Malinche hangs over Mexico’s preparation for this summer’s tournament, which once again will be played on home turf. The team’s coach, Javier Aguirre, was one of Milutinović’s players at the 1986 World Cup and he has seemingly been inspired by the old belief that isolation and shared struggle can work miracles. At Aguirre’s urging, the Mexican Football Federation – just as it had in 1986 – took the controversial step of removing national team players from their clubs during the most decisive phase of the Liga MX playoffs. By the time the World Cup kicks off on 11 June, the players will have been sequestered together for 30 days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/mexico-hope-a-month-of-isolation-can-rekindle-the-magic-of-the-1986-world-cup">Continue reading...</a> Mexico World Cup 2026 Football World Cup US sports Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/mexico-hope-a-month-of-isolation-can-rekindle-the-magic-of-the-1986-world-cup Photograph: Héctor Vivas/Getty Images Photograph: Héctor Vivas/Getty Images Photograph: Héctor Vivas/Getty Images Raúl Vilchis 2026-05-29T09:00:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/victor-wembanyama-spurs-thunder-game-6-western-conference-finals <ul><li><p>Spurs rout Thunder 118-91 in Game 6</p></li><li><p>Wembanyama posts 28 points and 10 rebounds</p></li><li><p>West finals to be decided Saturday in OKC</p></li></ul><p>Victor Wembanyama scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, lifting the San Antonio Spurs to a 118-91 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals.</p><p>The teams will play one last time in Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City, with the winner advancing to face the New York Knicks in the NBA finals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/victor-wembanyama-spurs-thunder-game-6-western-conference-finals">Continue reading...</a> NBA Oklahoma City Thunder San Antonio Spurs Basketball Sport US sports Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Fri, 29 May 2026 04:03:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/victor-wembanyama-spurs-thunder-game-6-western-conference-finals Photograph: David J Phillip/AP Photograph: David J Phillip/AP Photograph: David J Phillip/AP Agencies 2026-05-29T04:03:50Z