2always

Getty ImagesEmlyn BegleyBBC Sport journalist5 June 2025, 23:29 BST45 CommentsUpdated 30 minutes agoSpain and France played out a Nations League semi-final game for the ages with a scoreline that looks like it belongs in a penalty shootout.The 5-4 win for Spain has everyone wondering if anyone can stop these attackers – although the less said about the defenders, the better.Spain, who play Portugal in Sunday’s final, are looking for a third Uefa tournament success in a row having won the last Nations League and Euro 2024.And they are favourites for the World Cup coming up next summer, with France second on the list.Spain showed why they will be tough to stop after one of the most exciting international games in memory.A total of 40 shots, 17 on target, nine goals. Spain led 4-0 and 5-1 – and threatened to blow France away – before their rivals rallied.If only every match was like this.”It was a crazy game,” said Spain goalscorer Mikel Merino. “Not the best game for the coaches – nobody wants to concede so many goals – but an amazing game for the fans.”His boss Luis de la Fuente seemed to actually disagree with him.”I’m happy. I enjoy suffering! I don’t understand sport without suffering,” he said.”When two great teams face off like today, it’s normal every team makes the most of their moments.”Lamine Yamal, who turns 18 later this summer, netted twice for Spain to cement his credentials as a Ballon d’Or contender. He is up to six goals for his country now, to add to 25 for club side Barcelona. Yamal impressed more than France’s PSG stars – Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue – who were hyped up pre-game after phenomenal club seasons.Les Bleus debutant Rayan Cherki help spark France’s fightback after coming off the bench to show why he is being linked to Liverpool and Manchester City.So what happened?It would almost take too long to address everything that happened in the game. But here goes.Mikel Oyarzabal picked out Nico Williams to net Spain’s opener, before also setting up Merino four minutes later.It was almost 3-0 when Dean Huijsen had a goal disallowed for offside after a sensational free-kick routine.”That belongs in a musuem,” said Prime Video summariser Karen Bardsley.After the break Yamal was fouled and scored the resulting penalty, with Williams finding Pedri shortly after for their fourth.Kylian Mbappe netted a penalty to pull one back, but Yamal bagged his second with a fine first touch and finish.”It’s hard to argue with the genius that you see before you,” said Bardsley on seeing Yamal poke home his second.That was 5-1 but then France came back.Dembele hit the post, before debutant Cherki volleyed in from the edge of the box. Dani Vivian turned a cross into his own net and then Randal Kolo Muani nodded in from Cherki’s good ball.But they could not create another chance in the remaining two minutes of stoppage time to force the extra-time period every neutral wanted.’A typical Spain performance’After 75 minutes it looked as if the story was going to be about Spain blowing France away to cement their place as favourites to win everything going.They were the best side by some way at Euro 2024 and show no signs of slowing down.Wingers Yamal, who seems to improve with every game – which is actually to be expected at the age of 17 – and Williams were electric. Midfielders Merino and Pedri were on the scoresheet. Oyarzabal had two assists to his name.Their oldest player was 28, and the team had an average age of 24.But there will be question marks about a defence that let in four goals – and a team who almost blew a 5-1 lead.Yamal said: “When two great teams like this play, you sometimes see a lot of goals. They will make you suffer until the end but we went to the final despite the mistakes we made.”Unai Simon had to make six saves, so this was far from a story of an opponent who scored every shot.”That was a typical Spain performance,” said Spanish journalist Guillem Balague.”These players come out on the pitch with the feeling they can beat anyone.”The interesting thing is they are doing it, winning and creating magic within a structure. “Spain have been playing in a way that represents the predominant model of our times. Not only are these players intelligent, creative but they are committed as well. They work so hard to get the ball back.”Even though at the end Spain relaxed, when you do that you believe you belong to the right path. “You have special players all over the park and of course the feeling is more people are watching Spain because its really enjoyable and winning seems to be a habit.”‘It’s not all negative’ for FranceGetty ImagesFrance’s attackers were pretty decent.Even when they were getting whacked by Spain before the hour-mark, they were still having plenty of chances.They had more shots than Spain did in both halves – and more efforts on target in total.Mbappe, speaking to RTVE, said: “We had some bursts of play we haven’t had for a long time. But in just 10 minutes of the first-half, we conceded two goals – and the same thing happened in the second half.”We weren’t consistent throughout the 90 minutes, but we did improve. It’s not all negative.”PSG’s two-goal Champions League final scorer Doue went close, team-mate and Ballon d’Or contender Dembele hit the post – and Mbappe had chances before scoring his penalty.But 21-year-old Lyon attacker Cherki had a big role after coming on. His sweet volley from the edge of the box was probably the best goal of the game – and his cross for Kolo Muani to make it 5-4 was inch-perfect.Again though, like Spain, it was the defending which was the issue. Juventus full-back Pierre Kalulu, making his debut on his 25th birthday, struggled. Clement Lenglet, winning his first cap since 2021, was caused problems too.”I’m not here to point fingers but I have a backline who are used to working together,” said boss Didier Deschamps.”[This was] about finding another line who aren’t used to playing together. I’m not going to give up on this defence. There were mitigating circumstances. But Spain have this capability to be very efficient. We were able to score goals too.”What information do we collect from this quiz?What did BBC Sport readers think about it?Sulaimon Adelekan: This Spain side is so good and young, they could rule world football for the next six years with Yamal, Pedri, Gavi and Nico Williams still yet to peak. They are dismantling and destroying France.Victor: With the way it’s going, this Spanish team will easily win the next World Cup. There is simply no need traveling to USA.Robbie: Spain are the best team in the world at moment and it’s not even close.Nick: Spain probably are currently the best team in the world, but a full-strength Germany (they were missing Rüdiger, Musiala and Havertz yesterday) are close – they were the only team that can really claim they should have beaten Spain at the Euros with the chances they created – and Argentina are strong, too. I feel like France will be incredible at the next World Cup – they just need to work out what their best XI is, because they’ve arguably got too many good players!Related topicsSpainEuropean FootballFranceFootball

Getty Images1 hour agoRory McIlroy was off the pace at the Canadian Open as he carded a one-over-par 71 in the first round.The Northern Irishman hit three birdies but four bogeys in Ontario to trail clubhouse leader Thorbjorn Olesen by 10 shots.Dane Olesen’s nine-under-par round of 61 included an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey.McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam of winning all the majors with victory at the Masters in April.However, he produced a disappointing showing at the US PGA in May and his struggles continued at the Canadian Open as he prepares for next week’s US Open.Elsewhere, Irishman Shane Lowry carded a promising 64 to end the first round on six under, while defending champion Robert MacIntyre, of Scotland, and England’s Danny Willett were a further shot back. Related topicsGolf

Rex FeaturesAlex HoadBBC Sport Journalist30 minutes agoCommentsA fine bowling display helped Hampshire Hawks win at Surrey on the DLS method in the T20 Blast, while Middlesex’s game against Kent was abandoned.On a slow pitch in the second game of a soggy south London double-header at The Oval, Hampshire put the hosts in and then stifled them with the ball, limiting Surrey to just 14 boundaries in a modest total of 141-7.The miserly Scott Currie and Chris Wood picked up two wickets apiece as no Surrey batter passed 37, while in reply Toby Albert and James Vince steered the Hawks to 63-0 in the ninth over before the rain intervened, giving the visitors a 15-run win via DLS to go top of the South Group.Meanwhile, Zak Crawley smashed 57 from 34 balls after Kent were put in, but three wickets apiece for Tom Helm and Luke Hollman reduced the Spitfires to 172-9, and though they picked up their first points of the campaign, the elements denied the hosts the chance to end their 11-match winless streak at Lord’s.Hawks find their groove to stay perfectWith the prospect of weather playing a part, Hampshire won the toss and asked Surrey to bat first.Dom Sibley cracked James Fuller over the ropes as Surrey put on 18 from the opening two overs of seam but South African spinner Bjorn Fortuin, making his debut in place of Liam Dawson, tempted Sibley into sweeping straight to John Turner for 13 in the third.Jason Roy began to warm up as the hosts reached 43-1 at the end of the six-over powerplay but Currie tempted Ollie Pope into stepping across his stumps and trying to scoop, only to nick straight into the hands of keeper Albert and depart for 11. Pope has now made 25 runs across three games opening the batting and left his side 51-2 from eight overs.Roy was joined by skipper Sam Curran but his side were 64-2 at the midway point as the Hawks bowlers slowed their progress – limiting the hosts to just 10 boundaries and four sixes across the 20 overs.The pressure told as Roy tried to take Turner over the mid-wicket boundary, only to find Joe Weatherley just inside the rope and depart for 37 to leave his side 67-3 in the 12th over – though Roy finished as his side’s leading scorer for the third straight game.Laurie Evans and Curran struggled to get to grips with the Hawks attack and Surrey were 91-3 with five overs remaining, though both cut loose in Turner’s final over, with Curran launching back-to-back sixes to make it 21 runs from five balls before miscuing the final ball into the sky for Vince to catch and send Curran packing for 34 from 25 balls.Tom Curran picked out Weatherley with a skier to deep square off Wood (2-27) and Ollie Sykes was caught by Currie for one three balls later while Weatherley picked up his third catch to dismiss Chris Jordan for eight off Currie (2-17) to end the 19th over.Roy put down a sharp chance at second slip off the opening ball of the reply from Dan Worrall, giving Albert another life, but the Surrey bowlers kept the Hawks in check until the rain began to fallThe final over of the powerplay, Sam Curran’s first, cost 16 runs amid some errant fielding and saw the Hawks reach 50-0.With 10 wickets in hand, Hawks were well ahead of the DLS rate of 48 when they were eventually called off after 8.2 overs with the score 63-0.Vince finished unbeaten on 33 from 28 deliveries with Albert on 28 from 22 at the other end as the Hawks picked up just their second T20 win over Surrey in the past 11 meetings.Hampshire bowler Scott Currie, told the ECB Reporters’ Network: “It is a good win. It is always good to come here and put a good performance on the board and come away with the result.”Obviously it is a shame it ended the way it did with the weather, but it is not for us to complain at this point, it’s four more points on the board and another good performance from everyone.”I think we were happy at half-time; we felt we were in the game. We got a good start and we were ahead of the rate. I felt we were in control of that game throughout.”Getty ImagesMiddlesex wait for Lord’s win goes onSeven miles to the north, Middlesex won the toss and opted to bowl first after a slightly delayed start, seeking their first win in 12 at Lord’s – a run going back to 2022.Daniel Bell-Drummond top-edged an attempted cut off paceman Helm through to the keeper for seven to leave Kent 21-1 in the third over.Tawanda Muyeye hit back-to-back boundaries off debutant Josh Little in his first over to move into the 30s while Crawley ended the over with a mighty six over deep square to take Kent to 54-1 at the end of the six-over powerplay.Moments later, Muyeye departed for 34 from 26 balls as a low delivery from Zafar Gohar clipped his off stump and Joe Denly was soon stumped by Jack Davies at the second attempt off leg-spinner Hollman to leave the score on 69-3 at the end of the eighth over.Sam Billings joined Crawley but was pinned lbw for eight attempting a reverse sweep off Hollman as the Spitfires reached 87-4 at the midway point.Chris Benjamin helped his side into three figures on the 13th over but was run-out for a run-a-ball 15 and seemed to suffer a shoulder injury as he unsuccessfully dived to make his ground to beat Ben Geddes’ throw from the deep.Crawley followed up his blistering 37 in Kent’s opening win at Gloucestershire with a 32-ball half-century which he brought up with his second six off Hollman.He followed it up with another but his attempt at a third in succession saw Ryan Higgins take a fine catch inside the rope to depart for 57 from 34 ballsTom Rogers made a breezy 16 but holed-out off Helm as Kent slipped from 112-4 to 155-9 as Helm had Grant Stewart and Wes Agar caught in the deep in consecutive deliveries, though Nathan Gilchrist survived the hat-trick ball.Kent’s last man added 17 from the final nine balls along with Fred Klaassen (14*) and slashed a six off the final ball from Noah Cornwell to finish unbeaten on 10 and see Kent close on 172-9.Middlesex were hoping for a five-over slog to reach 57 for victory but the rain did not relent before the 21:26 BST cut-off and the sides had to settle for two points apiece which helped the hosts get off the mark after two straight defeats, while Kent remain unbeaten after two matches.Middlesex captain Stephen Eskinazi told the ECB Reporters’ Network: “We haven’t walked away with the full points tonight but I’m really pleased with the way we managed to bounce back from a confidence perspective. In the field we were buzzing around and the bowlers did their job.”Hopefully that’s a bit of a springboard for us to take into a really busy period over the next few weeks. I’m over the moon with the way we approached this game and certainly it’s the benchmark for us moving forward.”Kent batter Zak Crawley: “At times it felt like a really good wicket, at other times it was a bit of a challenge. I think that was quite competitive in the end, we felt it would have been a 50-50 game so it was a shame not to get back out there.”I felt in good touch, it was a shame to get out when I did. I was a bit greedy, eyeing him up a little bit too much there – I had to calm myself down! But I was pleased with how I played, hopefully next time I can get a bigger one.”Related topicsHampshireSurreyKentMiddlesexCounty CricketCricket

Getty ImagesAndy CryerBBC Sport Senior JournalistEmlyn BegleyBBC Sport journalist5 June 2025Uzbekistan and Jordan have qualified for their first World Cups, while South Korea have also secured their place at the tournament.They become the eighth, ninth and 10th teams to confirm their spots at the expanded 48-team tournament in United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.The three hosts have qualified automatically, while the latest trio to qualify join Japan, New Zealand, Iran and Argentina.Uzbekistan drew 0-0 with the United Arab Emirates while South Korea beat Iraq 2-0 later in the day to qualify for their 11th straight World Cup, a result that meant Jordan’s 3-0 win against Oman confirmed their historic qualification.Ranked 57th in the world and, with a population of 36 million, Uzbekistan played their first match as a sovereign nation in June 1992 after leaving the Soviet Union, and were accepted by world governing body Fifa two years later.The closest Uzbekistan came previously to qualifying was during a controversial campaign in 2006, when they were in a two-legged playoff against Bahrain to determine who would be the Asian Football Confederation’s representative to face Concacaf’s Trinidad and Tobago. The winner of that match would then qualify for the finals in Germany.Uzbekistan won the first leg 1-0, but a refereeing error led to Fifa ordering the match be played again, and they ultimately lost out on away goals.The Uzbeks, however, have qualified for every Asian Cup finals since 1996 and progressed to the knockout phase in each appearance since 2004, including a run to the semi-finals in 2011 and the quarter-finals last year.Asian Cup runners up Jordan are ranked 62nd in the world and are competing in their seventh World Cup qualifiers, since their first in 1986.The closest they have previously come to qualifying was losing an intercontinental play-off to Uruguay in 2014.So how does World Cup qualifying work?South AmericaQualifying places: Six, plus one into intercontinental play-offsTeams already through: ArgentinaSouth American qualifying comprises a big group involving all 10 teams – and started in September 2023.The top six all reach the World Cup, with seventh place going into the intercontinental play-offs.With four out of 18 games left, Argentina – who have already qualified – Ecuador, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Colombia occupy the top six – with Venezuela seventh.AsiaQualifying places: Eight, plus one into intercontinental play-offsTeams already through: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, JordanAsian qualifying started in October 2023 with the lower-ranked teams in action.We are now in the third round, where the top two teams in three different groups qualify automatically.Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea and Jordan have now already sealed their slots, while Australia currently occupy the last automatic qualification spot.The teams who finish third and fourth in each six-team group go on to a fourth round where they have another chance to qualify. There is even a fifth round.AfricaQualifying places: Nine, plus one into intercontinental play-offsTeams already through: NoneThere are nine African groups of World Cup qualifying, each with six teams, which started in November 2023.The top team in each group go through automatically. With four games to go, the current leaders are Egypt, DR Congo, South Africa, Cape Verde, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Tunisia and Ghana.The best four runners-up go into play-offs… for the chance to compete in the intercontinental play-offs.North, Central American and CaribbeanQualifying places: Six (including three hosts), plus two into intercontinental play-offsTeams already through: None through qualifying – USA, Canada and Mexico automatically as co-hostsThe Concacaf qualifying takes a different look, with three of their biggest hitters not involved as they have qualified as hosts – but still plenty of spots up for grabs.Like Europe, there is still a long way to go with qualifying not possible until the autumn.There are six five-team groups, with the top two from each advancing to the next stage.The third round then has three groups of four teams – with the winners of each group going to the World Cup and the two best-ranked runners-up going into the intercontinental play-offs.EuropeQualifying places: 16Teams already through: NoneThere are 12 groups – with the winners of each group qualifying for the World Cup and the 12 runners-up going into play-offs with the four best-ranked Uefa Nations League group winners that have not already qualified – for four extra places.Europe is the only continent that does not have a team in the intercontinental play-offs.Qualifying only started in March – with some teams not even playing their first qualifiers until September while the Nations League continues.The groups end in November, with the play-offs in March 2026.OceaniaQualifying places: One, plus one into intercontinental play-offsTeams already through: New ZealandOceania qualifying has already ended – with New Zealand beating New Caledonia 3-0 in the final.New Zealand go through to the World Cup automatically, as a result of the expanded World Cup. Oceania usually only gets a play-off spot.New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, will take place in intercontinental play-offs in March 2026 – featuring teams from Africa, Asia, South America and North America – with two out of six teams going through.Related topicsFootball

Getty ImagesJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport tennis news reporter at Roland Garros5 June 2025, 16:39 BST30 CommentsUpdated 57 minutes agoFrench Open 2025Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland GarrosCoverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and appWorld number one Aryna Sabalenka moved a step closer to a maiden French Open title by taking out four-time champion Iga Swiatek in a blockbuster semi-final.Sabalenka will meet second seed Coco Gauff in Saturday’s showpiece after the American ruthlessly ended French wildcard Lois Boisson’s incredible run.Belarus’ Sabalenka earned a 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 6-0 victory to end fifth seed Swiatek’s 26-match winning run at the tournament.After a slow start on the Roland Garros clay, Poland’s Swiatek fought back to level but Sabalenka dominated a 22-minute deciding set.Sabalenka, whose three Grand Slam titles have all come on hard courts, has never reached the Paris final before.”It feels incredible but the job is not done yet. I’m thrilled with my performance,” the 27-year-old said.”Iga is the toughest opponent, especially at Roland Garros, I’m proud I managed to get this win.”Gauff, runner-up to Swiatek in 2022, won 6-1 6-2 against world number 361 Boisson, who was appearing in her first Grand Slam main draw.Sabalenka dominance underlines Swiatek uncertaintyThis was the potential match that everyone had their eye on when the French Open draw was made: the ‘Queen of Clay’ against the world number one in the crunch stages.Swiatek and Sabalenka have claimed six of the past 10 majors between them and dominated the WTA Tour over the past three years.But with Swiatek dropping to fifth in the world after a turbulent season, it was Sabalenka who came into Roland Garros as the favourite.The magnitude of the eagerly-anticipated encounter appeared to affect both players in an edgy opening set.With the roof closed because of the wet weather in Paris, Sabalenka initially settled quicker in the heavier conditions that suit her game.The pace of Sabalenka’s returning was too hot for Swiatek and allowed the top seed to quickly move a double break ahead.Swiatek took a step back in her baseline position to better absorb the pace and, after being a point away from going 5-1 behind, battled back.Getty ImagesThe tweak helped a sharper Swiatek elongate the rallies and put more pressure on Sabalenka’s serve, with the Pole winning the next three games to move 5-4 ahead.With both players looking tight, momentum continued to fluctuate.Swiatek’s serve buckled, Sabalenka could not serve out the set at 6-5 and a nervy encounter was ultimately decided on a tie-break dominated by the Belarusian.Three successive breaks – down to quality returning as much as poor serving – began the second set before Swiatek settled down to maintain the advantage and force a decider.However, Swiatek’s serve suddenly dropped off again and allowed Sabalenka to quickly reach her fifth final in the past seven Grand Slam tournaments.”I think I lost my intensity a bit,” said Swiatek.”She played as strong as in the first set, but I didn’t react to that well and just couldn’t push back.”Boisson’s thrilling run comes to an endFor the first time since 2011, fans had a home player to cheer in the women’s semi-finals – and nobody could have guessed it would be Boisson.The 22-year-old’s journey from an unknown player returning from serious injury to a Grand Slam semi-finalist competing with the world’s best is extraordinary.Boisson was set to be a wildcard entry last year but had to pull out after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament just a week before the French Open began.But 12 months on, she returned to make a remarkable run that will never be forgotten by French fans.Taking the scalps of third seed Jessica Pegula and sixth seed Mirra Andreeva put her into a first career semi-final on the biggest stage of all.However, Gauff proved to be a step too far.Despite having the backing of a raucous crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, the energy provided was not enough to compensate for Boisson’s lack of quality.Gauff dominated the rallies, breaking Boisson’s serve six times before wrapping up victory in one hour and nine minutes.Related topicsTennis