Category: Sport

DERBY, England — England cruised to a cushty 3-0 win over Australia, compounding the Matildas’ ache from their 2023 World Cup semifinal defeat. But the victory was overshadowed when Euro 2025 hero Michelle Agyemang was stretchered off within the second half after collapsing and clutching her knee.

Up till that time, it had been a near-perfect night time in Derby for the Lionesses. Australian defender Alanna Kennedy was proven a crimson card within the Nineteenth minute for a juvenile problem, with Aggie Beever-Jones discovering the again the online in response. Lucy Bronze, England’s participant of the yr, added a second within the first half, earlier than Georgia Stanway sealed the end result from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time. The efficiency was an emphatic response to England’s 2-1 defeat to South American champions Brazil on Saturday. Supervisor Sarina Wiegman had described the Australia conflict as an opportunity to “proper the wrongs” from that loss and her facet delivered convincingly.

For Australia, nevertheless, the defeat laid naked quite a few acquainted frailties that new head coach Joe Montemurro should urgently handle. A passive, toothless assault failed to bother the European champions, highlighting simply how far the Matildas stay from their peak kind. — Emily Keogh

Simply after we thought this was going to be a near-perfect night for the Lionesses — an evening when Wiegman’s 5 adjustments paid off, and all was effectively once more for the Euro 2025 champions — the 73rd minute ticked round, and the occasion ambiance fell into hushed quiet as Agyemang fell to the bottom. The priority of her teammates round her was palpable, Agyemang in apparent agony and misery. A couple of minutes later, Beever-Jones left the pitch injured, making it 10 vs. 10. Immediately the adjustments, the objectives and the return to profitable methods have been overshadowed.

For the primary 73 minutes of this one-sided match, this was as Wiegman would have hoped, her testing England’s depth. Having mentioned all alongside Maya Le Tissier was a proper again, she began her at heart again. Debuts have been handed to Lucia Kendall and Taylor Hinds. Beever-Jones is normally a striker at Chelsea however was on the left wing Tuesday night time, and Hannah Hampton returned in objective. All of the adjustments labored, and all seemed to be effectively once more after the Brazil defeat on Saturday.

The reminders of Euro 2025 are nonetheless in every single place: the montage of the triumph, injured duo Lauren Hemp and Grace Clinton bringing out the trophy prematch. However the resolution to begin Le Tissier at heart again and hand Hinds and Kendall debuts was Wiegman taking England into the subsequent cycle, the main focus solely on the 2027 World Cup, fairly than on what’s already come earlier than.

Whereas England lacked fluidity and a leading edge in opposition to Brazil, they appeared way more pressing in entrance of objective this time round. However this comes with a caveat — the Nineteenth-minute crimson card to Australia’s Kennedy modified every part. After Kennedy’s lapse of judgement, Australia’s recreation plan was scattered into the chilly Derby sky, and their menace minimal.

It allowed Kendall time on the ball in midfield — an ideal possibility at No. 8 for Wiegman and somebody to throw into the combo alongside Clinton as competitors for Stanway. Hinds did effectively at left again — one notable contribution was monitoring again within the first half to stop Ellie Carpenter carving out area to search out Sam Kerr. Beever-Jones grabbed England’s first with a robust strike from the sting of the field, but in addition was splendidly elusive within the field. She steadily misplaced her marker on the far submit and located area, just for her ending to be a spark off. Hampton was assured in objective, however Le Tissier followers would’ve been delighted to see her again at her standard residence at heart again.

The noise over England’s positioning of Le Tissier has been a curious subplot to those pair of internationals — her membership facet Manchester United reacting to Wiegman’s assertion that she sees her without any consideration again by posting her membership stats, studying 103 video games at heart again out of 104 appearances. She appeared way more at residence in the course of protection alongside Esme Morgan — steadily an outlet on the again to restart play and reshape the main focus of England’s assault. Bronze — on her 142nd cap and birthday — acquired England’s second with a well-struck effort.

Two objectives to the nice at halftime, England rang the adjustments and Australia supplied a minimal menace in entrance of the sold-out crowd. Wiegman had additional possibilities to check new-look mixtures and it was all going so effectively. Agyemang was given her probability within the 62nd minute — her title receiving one of many loudest cheers of the night time, the savior of England’s Euro 2025 championship. She performed along with her standard boundless vitality till the 73rd minute struck. Minutes later Beever-Jones was walked off, unable to complete the match.

Now comes the nervous wait on their prognoses. Stanway slotted a late penalty, however nonetheless ideas have been with Agyemang. England had re-found their profitable contact, however probably at some value. — Tom Hamilton

England broke Matildas followers’ hearts as soon as once more, following up their 2023 World Cup semifinal triumph with one other victory — this time made simpler by Australia’s personal struggles. The Lionesses’ 3-1 win in Sydney ended the Matildas’ dream of reaching a World Cup ultimate on residence soil, and when the 2 sides met once more, feelings have been operating excessive. The Australians have been determined to avenge that heartbreak and show themselves in opposition to the reigning European champions, however the night time resulted in acquainted disappointment.

A crimson card for Kennedy and an ineffective, at instances invisible, assault led to the Matildas’ second straight defeat to England. It was a dismal exhibiting from Australia, who managed solely three makes an attempt on objective, and only one on track.

Even the return of prolific striker Kerr, who made her comeback to worldwide soccer after 725 days away in a 2-1 win over Wales on Saturday, couldn’t spark the facet. Kerr and the wingers have been left remoted because the Matildas accomplished simply 40 profitable passes into the ultimate third and recorded solely 14 touches inside England’s field. They have been referred to as in for defensive assist, leaving their counterattack non existent. Against this, England dominated with 250 passes and 47 touches in Australia’s space.

As soon as Australia did get the ball, they have been incompetent at preserving it, outplayed and outclassed by England’s suffocating press. They didn’t be taught sufficient after the primary half to appropriate their frailties within the second half. Their halftime preparation, firing photographs at goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, proved their focus was merely to restrict the drubbing — which it did — and never expose themselves pushing for a objective and worsening the scoreline. This passive method is uncommon, however hopefully extra time underneath the Australian coach will create a extra proactive recreation plan.

Montemurro, appointed in June after a season with Lyon, has now overseen six matches with a blended file of two wins, one draw and two losses. Whereas it’s nonetheless early days, the weaknesses on show — significantly in creativity and composure underneath stress — will want pressing consideration forward of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup on residence soil at the beginning of that yr.

Furthermore, whereas the match was formally labelled a pleasant, any conflict between England and Australia is something however. The rivalry stays fiery and filled with emotion, and after this newest defeat, the scars from final yr’s World Cup heartbreak will sting even deeper for the Matildas. — Keogh

The identical 12 months Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier was alleged to have manipulated his efficiency in an NBA sport as a part of playing schemes, he was going through an $8 million tax lien from the Inside Income Service, in line with county clerk data obtained by ESPN.

The IRS filed the $8,218,211 federal earnings tax lien in Broward County, Florida, the place Rozier has a residence, in November 2023. The lien would have been filed after overdue notices had been despatched to the taxpayer, in line with Florida tax legal professional Steven N. Klitzner.

“It shouldn’t be a shock to them,” he stated.

ESPN has contacted Rozier’s legal professional, Jim Trusty of Ifrah Regulation, for remark.

In accordance with a federal indictment unsealed final Thursday, Rozier is accused of offering nonpublic details about his plans to depart a March 2023 sport early to a pal, Deniro Laster, who then bought it to bettors for about $100,000. Rozier performed simply over 9 minutes earlier than leaving the sport, citing a foot damage.

Rozier paid for Laster to journey to Philadelphia to gather the proceeds from the scheme, in line with the indictment, after which drove to Rozier’s house to depend the cash with him.

Rozier and Laster had been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit cash laundering. They had been amongst 34 defendants arrested final week in two sweeping federal playing investigations.

Trusty stated in a press release on the time that his consumer is “not a gambler” and “seems to be ahead to profitable this battle.”

The NBA put Rozier on depart after the indictment turned public. The league investigated Rozier in 2023 after suspicious prop bets had been positioned on the unders on his statistics within the sport however discovered on the time that he had not violated league guidelines. Final week, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated that Rozier had cooperated with the NBA’s investigation and the league “in the end concluded that there was inadequate proof, regardless of that aberrational conduct.”

The IRS has 30 days to file a lien launch after a debt has been paid. There isn’t a lien launch on file, in line with the county clerk’s workplace. Nobody from the IRS responded to emails from ESPN searching for additional info on whether or not one was pending.

The handle on the tax lien corresponds to an organization in California integrated in 2024 known as GMB Chronicles, which additionally lists Rozier as an officer and holds the trademark rights to his nickname, “Scary Terry.”

Information from Broward County additionally confirmed a development lien filed towards Rozier in August 2022 for about $271,000, of which $250,000 was paid by July 2023. The lien was for quite a lot of work being completed on his $5.3 million property on the western aspect of the county.

Rozier signed a four-year, $96.3 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets on Aug. 24, 2021, after which was traded to Miami on Jan. 23, 2024. Together with this season, Rozier has a profession $161.7 million in on-court earnings.

PITTSBURGH — After surrendering at the least 30 factors for the fourth time in seven video games, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin defended defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on Tuesday.

“I’ve identified Teryl a very long time,” Tomlin stated. “He’s very succesful. He’s very thorough. I’ve largely been happy together with his work, however actually he and I are usually not happy with the place we’re proper now from a defensive unit perspective and so we’re simply going to maintain working.”

Tomlin additionally stated he’s not taking up sole defensive playcalling duties after the 35-25 loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Sunday evening.

“That’s not on the desk as we sit right here at this time,” Tomlin stated. “We simply received to maintain doing what we’re doing and do it higher.”

Regardless of preseason declarations from Tomlin that the Steelers’ protection might do “historic issues,” the highest-paid unit within the league has repeatedly fallen in need of expectations.

Not solely did they permit a season-high 360 passing yards, three landing strikes and a streak of 20 consecutive completions from Packers quarterback Jordan Love on Sunday, however 4 consecutive quarterbacks — Love, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Carson Wentz — have produced season-high yardage totals in opposition to Pittsburgh’s protection.

Now the Steelers enter a Week 9 matchup in opposition to a 7-1 Indianapolis Colts workforce with the NFL’s most prolific offense, which is averaging a league-leading 33.8 factors and 385.3 yards per recreation. In the meantime, the Steelers rank thirty second in passing yards per recreation (273.3), thirtieth in complete yards allowed (386), twenty fourth in third-down conversion proportion (41.84%) and twenty second in factors per recreation (25.0).

“We make no excuses about how or why we fall quick,” Tomlin stated. “Our job is to carry out at a excessive degree, and we haven’t executed that. … Seven video games or no matter doesn’t make a season. We actually received extra in entrance of us and extra alternatives to jot down our story, whether or not it’s people, whether or not it’s a element of our workforce or whether or not it’s our workforce generally. I feel that’s our basic mindset.”

The Steelers can even be with out beginning robust security DeShon Elliott, who hyperextended his knee within the second half of Sunday’s loss and is “week-to-week.” To switch him, the Steelers are understanding a number of veteran safeties, Tomlin stated, together with Vonn Bell and Eddie Jackson. The workforce additionally signed hard-hitting security Jabrill Peppers earlier within the season when Elliott was sidelined with one other knee damage.

Tomlin additionally didn’t rule out exploring the commerce marketplace for choices.

“We’re at all times open for enterprise, notably as we get near the commerce deadline,” Tomlin stated. “We’re at all times consumers.”

The Steelers have been profitable in shutting down the Packers within the first half of Sunday evening’s loss, maintaining Love and the offense from changing any of their 4 third downs because the Steelers constructed a 16-7 halftime lead. Within the second half, nonetheless, the Packers transformed 5 of 8 alternatives, together with a 59-yard completion to tight finish Tucker Kraft and a 33-yard completion to Christian Watson — each within the third quarter.

“I didn’t assume we did a adequate job recovering from that and discovering our footing as a collective soccer group — offense, protection and particular groups — within the effort to make the mandatory performs over the course of the final quarter-hour to win the sport,” Tomlin stated.

Quite a few gamers stated the poor play within the second half snowballed and affected effort and attitudes late within the recreation.

“If I’m being fully sincere, I don’t really feel like the hassle was there,” security Juan Thornhill stated Monday, including that the defensive unit has been addressing that problem brazenly this week. “We received to have that dialog. We received to let all people know that effort shouldn’t be one thing that we needs to be taking note of. You at all times have to play laborious.”

Tomlin stated he didn’t see a “lack of combat” on the sport movie because it associated to effort.

“I’m speaking about combat when it comes to playmaking,” Tomlin stated. “You don’t get credit score for making an attempt laborious. We’re not within the ‘attempt laborious’ enterprise. Our combat is about manufacturing and producing and we actually didn’t produce sufficient performs over the past half-hour of the sport, notably in any of the phases to safe victory.”

Tomlin stated many of the points on protection can’t actually be resolved till the workforce takes the sector at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.

“You may spend quite a lot of time speaking about your ills, however the true fixes are available stadiums,” Tomlin stated. “… There’s actually procedurally issues that you just go about doing that fixes it, however the repair occurs in stadiums and the remainder of it’s simply discuss.”

EA Sports activities and the NFL have agreed on a multi-year extension of their partnership, securing the way forward for the Madden collection because the “unique motion simulation recreation for NFL soccer.”

This places any ambitions by rival builders to compete with EA for the official license to relaxation for the close to future. Most Soccer and different style representatives should proceed enjoying from a drawback with regard to authenticity.

The deal additionally covers assist for EA Sports activities School Soccer and different “solely new, large-scale interactive experiences,” leaving the door open for any new video games.

EA has been steadily growing its real-world connections with sports activities companions — by sponsoring Spanish soccer league La Liga, for instance. Related strikes are obvious regarding the NFL, with EA showing because the presenting sponsor of the 2025 NFL Dublin recreation and an official MCS — EA’s official Madden Championship Collection — match being hosted alongside the 2025 NFL Madrid recreation. Beneath the prolonged settlement, such events are anticipated to multiply.