England boss Sarina Wiegman felt the Lionesses exhausted every effort to win their first Women’s World Cup final despite coming up just short with a 1-0 loss to Spain in Sydney.
The Dutch boss, who led England to their first major trophy at last summer’s European Championship, finds herself with a silver medal in two consecutive attempts after steering 2019 runners-up the Netherlands to the title-decider four years ago in France.
Second place is still a best-ever finish for the Lionesses in a global showpiece, beating their bronze medal from 2015, but the three-time FIFA Best winning coach knows from experience it may take some time before the sting subsides.
Wiegman, who reiterated her commitment to remaining in England on multiple occasions this week, said: “That’s hard to take now, and of course we did everything, we gave everything, we’ve overcome lots of challenges and today we did everything we could to win.
“It feels really bad, of course, and very disappointed, but still very proud of the team.
“I’m just hurt about this moment. Losing a game and in a final, when you’re in a final you want to win it. I guess you mean because it’s a second final, I don’t see it (like that), this was a different game, a different team.
“I was totally convinced before the game that it would be a very tight game but we were confident that we were able to win it. I hope in the future I get a new moment with the team I work with, that would be amazing, because it’s very special to play finals.”
Lauren Hemp came inches away from scoring an opener with a first-half attempt that clipped the crossbar, and it remained England’s best chance of the contest.
Spain took a 1-0 lead when Mariona Caldentey slipped the ball to the onrushing Olga Carmona, who finished past Mary Earps with a left-footed effort into the bottom right corner after 29 minutes.
Wiegman initially employed the 3-5-2 shape that had been so successful in England’s 6-1 victory over China, but reverted to a 4-3-3 in the second half, when she brought in Lauren James – available for the first time following her two-match ban – and Chloe Kelly after the break.
Spain could have doubled their advantage in the second half when Keira Walsh was punished for a handball inside the penalty area following a lengthy VAR check, but the competition’s Golden Glove winner Earps read Jennifer Hermoso’s spot-kick perfectly and produced a fine save to keep England in the contest.
Wiegman said: “I think we played better in the second half. We changed shape, we got momentum, we got more in their half. Then they got the penalty and when Mary saved it I thought, ‘OK, now we’re going to score a goal and get the 1-1’, but we didn’t.”
The 2027 Women’s World Cup hosts will be announced at the 74th FIFA Congress in May, while England will defend their European title in Switzerland in 2025.
First comes UEFA’s newly launched Nations League, which also serves as a qualifier for next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
England, Scotland or Wales would need to reach the final to qualify as Team GB, or finish third if automatically qualified hosts France are one of the last two.
Wiegman managed the Netherlands during the postponed 2020 Tokyo Games, but was disappointed by the Covid-19-impacted experience, remarking earlier in the week that “it felt like a jail. We were stuck in a hotel.”
So rather than thinking about the next World Cup in an as-yet-undecided location, Wiegman was looking ahead to just over a month’s time when England will kick off their Nations League campaign against Scotland at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on September 22.
She added: “Four years is a little bit of a long time. We will start in September in the Nations League to try to qualify for the Olympics.
“You want to improve all the time. This team and this group of players are so eager to be successful. We want to grab every moment to be better. We hope we come back and play good games again to win.”
Andre Fabre’s Mqse De Sevigne pounced late to deny Via Sistina in a thrilling finish to the Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet.
The daughter of Siyouni successfully dropped back to a mile to land the Prix Rothschild last month and thrived once again up in trip to secure back-to-back Deauville Group One victories.
Ridden cold in rear by Alexis Pouchin, the four-year-old had the majority of the field ahead of her as the runners turned for home.
And as most eyes were drawn to the stylish progress being made by George Boughey’s Via Sistina who hit the front with what appeared a winning run under Jamie Spencer, Mqse De Sevigne was matching every stride and got her head narrowly ahead when it mattered to score by the barest of margins.
New England Patriots rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden was released from the hospital the morning after being carted off the field in an NFL preseason game that prompted the exhibition against the Green Bay Packers to be called off.
In a statement released by the Patriots on Sunday, the team said Bolden was kept overnight in a Green Bay-area hospital for observation and after undergoing a series of evaluations, he has been discharged and cleared to travel with the team back to Massachusetts.
In Saturday's game at Lambeau Field, Bolden appeared to collide with teammate Calvin Munson while attempting to make a hit on a pass completion to Malik Heath of the Packers.
The 23-year-old then was motionless on the turf as medical officials tended to him. Bolden, a seventh-round pick by New England out of Jackson State, was eventually carted off the field and the Patriots said after the game that he had feeling in all his extremities.
Following the injury, the NFL made the decision to call the remainder of the game, with New England up 21-17 with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter.
Also in the wake of Bolden's injury, the Patriots have decided to alter their training schedule for the week.
They will no longer hold joint practices with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday and Wednesday in Nashville. After practising in Foxborough this week, the team will fly to Tennessee on Thursday ahead of its preseason game on Friday.
Westover is poised to head straight to ParisLongchamp where he will get a second crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Last year’s Irish Derby hero went to the French capital with a point to prove 12 months ago following a lacklustre display as beaten favourite in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and performed with credit to finish sixth in unsuitably testing ground.
However, this time around the Ralph Beckett-trained colt will cross the Channel at the peak of his powers following an agonising head second to Hukum in the Ascot showpiece, and hopes are high that the thriving son of Frankel – who is a best price of 12-1 for Arc glory – can build on last year’s finishing position.
Westover is currently enjoying a break at his trainer’s Kimpton Down base with connections keen to follow last year’s route to the Bois de Boulogne, with a trip to Santa Anita also on the cards following his tilt at Europe’s richest middle-distance prize on October 1.
“He came out of the King George great and he’s having a little break now at Ralph’s,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.
“He’s had two quick runs, so we’re freshening him up and we’ll aim for the Arc and hopefully it’s not heavy ground and we’ll be able to turn up there.
“Ralph was thinking of doing what he did last year and taking him straight there on the back of his King George run.
“He’s been on the go early this year having been to Dubai and then recently had two quick runs, so I think he’s thinking he’ll freshen him up and go to the Arc then on to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Although a Classic winner at three, Westover has taken his form to the next level this term, chasing home the all-conquering Japanese superstar Equinox in Dubai on his reappearance before three more high-class performances closer to home.
He registered his second Group One when landing the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in a record time before going down bravely in defeat at Ascot, and Mahon revealed the Westover team were always optimistic he would improve with age.
He added: “He always threatened to be and he was such a big frame of a horse last year that we always felt he was going to be better this year when he strengthened and he’s run a career best his last run and at least run up to his best the time before.
“I think he’s definitely a better horse and we’ll go to the Arc with a live chance if the ground’s not too soft.”
British stars from the world of showbiz and broadcasting have shared messages of appreciation for the Lionesses who lost to Spain in the Women’s World Cup final.
Spain secured a final 1-0 victory in Sydney on Sunday, following Olga Carmona’s first-half goal, however, Sarina Wiegman’s side still achieved a best-ever second-place finish.
Consoling the team, who appeared visibly emotional after the final whistle was blown, former footballer turned pundit Chris Kamara tweeted: “England did us proud, great tournament and getting to the final was amazing.”
The 65-year-old added: “Got that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. But well done Spain worthy winners on the day.”
Similarly, former England footballer and Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, 62, tweeted: “Gutted for the @lionesses who gave their all, but congratulations to Spain on winning the World Cup.
“They were the better team and thoroughly deserved their victory.”
The Apprentice star Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: “Unlucky ladies you gave your all. You did so well to get to final of the world cup @Lionesses.”
Meanwhile, former Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis, 76, said the Lionesses “played with guts and did us proud”.
The 63-year-old added: “Not their day in the final result but a great tournament for them regardless.”
TV presenter Rylan Clark, who found fame on The X Factor in 2012, tweeted: “The @Lionesses keeping it going right to the last seconds. We’re all proud of ya!!!!”
British stand-up comedian Mark Steel also joked: “Now, to prove England’s women have achieved equality with men, they should all trash the local tapas bar.”
Desert Crown will miss York’s Juddmonte International Stakes on Wednesday after suffering a fresh injury.
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, last year’s Derby hero has been seen just once since his Epsom triumph, when meeting with his first career defeat at the hands of Hukum in Sandown’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
He subsequently missed the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot through a setback, while a leg infection ruled him out of a rematch with Hukum in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month.
A showdown on the Knavesmire with Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington and Royal Ascot scorer Mostahdaf was inked in for the son of Nathaniel, but his career is now on hold having reportedly pulled up lame during morning exercise on Sunday.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, told the Racing Post: “He’s got quite a bad injury and I’m just heading to the equine hospital now. He won’t be running at York.”
With news of Desert Crown’s absence, Coral have cut Paddington to 4-7 from 4-6 for the feature of the opening day of York’s Ebor Festival.
“Following the disappointing news that Desert Crown will not be in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International line-up, Paddington is now an even firmer favourite for the York showpiece, with Mostahdaf his closest market rival for what is sure to be a small but select field,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
Jamaican hearts were crushed on Sunday morning when Rasheed Broadbell, the national champion and fastest in the world this year in the 110m hurdles, crashed out of the competition during the preliminary rounds on Sunday.
Broadbell, who just missed out on the finals in Eugene, Oregon in 2022, after hitting several hurdles during the semi-finals, hit the ninth hurdle, crashed into the 10th and fell, thus ending his chances of challenging for the world title.
Jamaica’s chances of medal now rest on Hansle Parchment, the Olympic champion, who had better fortunes winning his heat in 13.30 ahead of Spanish hurdler Enrique Llopis, who ran a season’s best 13.33 for second place.
Rising French star Sasha Zhoya was third in 13.35 with Cordell Lynch of the USA also advancing after finishing fourth in 13.49.
Two-time world champion Grant Holloway won his heat in 13.18. Also advancing from the heat were Milan Trajovic of Cyprus (13.33), Eduardo Rodriques of Brazil (13.37) and Jaspon Joseph of Switzerland (13.38).
Jamaica’s Orlando Bennett also advanced even after finishing fifth in 13.39.
Also through to the semi-finals are Great Britain’s Tade Ojora, Japan’s Shunya Takayama, USA’s Daniel Roberts, Sweden’s Max Hrelja and France’s Just Kwaou-Mathey.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is on the brink of a stunning heptathlon gold at the World Championships.
The 30-year-old is fighting to reclaim her world crown from 2019 and holds a 26-point lead ahead of the final 800m on Sunday night in Budapest.
It would represent a remarkable comeback from Johnson-Thompson after a ruptured Achilles in 2020 and a calf injury at the Tokyo Olympics which forced her to quit after day one.
A leap of 6.54m in the long jump on Sunday morning put her into the lead, 19 points ahead of the United States’ Anna Hall.
She launched a personal best of 46.14m in the javelin which extended her lead as Hall dropped to third.
The Netherlands’ Anouk Vetter, last year’s silver medallist, is Johnson-Thompson’s nearest challenger, with defending champion Nafi Thiam having pulled out before the championships with an Achilles problem.
Johnson-Thompson has run two minutes 12.40 seconds in the 800m this year while Vetter’s personal best is five seconds slower. Hall has run two minutes 02.97secs this year but is reportedly carrying an injury.
Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita opened their 100m challenge with minimum fuss in Hungary.
Neita, in heat one, ran 11.03secs while Asher-Smith followed her in heat two to clock 11.04s.
Defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ran 11.01s with the USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson qualifying fastest in 10.92s.
Britain’s Matt Hudson-Smith, who won bronze last year, reached the 400m semi-finals after coming second in his heat behind 2016 Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk.
He said: “I just wanted the qualifier and to get through to the semis as comfortably as possible so I have got the job done. There is so much left in the tank but I know I am going to have to fight.
“I’ve got both my legs back. Everyone keeps talking about Steve (Gardiner) and Wayde but I’m not here for participation, I’m here to get a medal. I’ve got both my legs back and I’m here to win.”
Victoria Ohuruogu and Ama Pipi also reached the women’s 400m semi final.
Ohuruogu said: “I’m looking for a medal – I’ve got to aim big. Last year was about the final and people might say I was unrealistic but I was a bit gutted with that so I have clear aims this year, a medal being what I am aiming for.”
Defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and Julien Alfred all turned in impressive opening runs to advance to the semi-finals of the Women’s 100m dash at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday.
American upstart Sha’Carri Richardson and the ever-improving Marie Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast also demonstrated their immense talents setting up what is expected to be an intense semi-final round and an electrifying final on Monday.
Fraser-Pryce, who is going for a record-extending sixth world 100m title allayed fears about the impact of her injured knee, blasted out of the blocks but did not engage the after-burners as she cruised through the line in 11.01.
Swiss champion Mujinga Kambundji who has had her own issues with injury this season, came in second in 11.08. New Zealand’s fastest woman Zoe Hobbs advanced to the semis finishing third in 11.14.
In similar fashion, Jackson the 2022 silver medalist, cruised to victory in Heat 4 in 11.06. Trinidad and Tobago’s veteran Michelle Lee Ahye took second place in a season’s best 11.16 with Germany’s Gina Lukenkemper third in 11.21.
Alfred, the NCAA champion, shook off her rust by winning her heat in 10.99 while holding off Great Britain’s Daryll Neita, who clocked 11.03 for second place. Gambia’s Gina Bass was third in 11.10.
Meanwhile, the USA’s gold medal hopeful ShaCarri Richardson cruised to an easy win in her heat stopping the clock in 10.92 with Jamaica’s Natasha Morrison 11.02 trailing in her wake. Italy’s Daynab Dosso ran a national record 11.14 to finish third and also advance to the semi-finals.
Ta Lou, who has run a lifetime best of 10.75 this season, let it known that she has no intention of being a bridesmaid at these championships, when she cruised to an easy time of 11.08 to win her heat ahead of Jamaica’s Sashalee Forbes, who clocked in at 11.12.
Buoyed by the cheers of her home crowd, Hungary’s Boglárka Takacs, finished third in 11.18.
Britanny Brown of the USA won her heat in 11.01 ahead of Great Britain's medal hopeful Dina Asher-Smith and Jaël Bestue of Spain who clocked 11.28.
Polish sprint star Ewa Swoboda also turned in an impressive performance storming to a 10.98 run to win her heat ahead of the USA’s Tamari Davis (11.06) and N'Ketia Seedo of the Netherlands, who clocked in at 11.11, a new personal best.
Richard Hannon’s Rosallion will bid to enhance his growing reputation in the Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster next month.
Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, the son of Blue Point has made the perfect start to his career, beating a subsequent scorer with a degree of ease at Newbury on debut before stepping up to Listed level with aplomb to land the Pat Eddery Stakes in impressive style at Ascot.
He was a commanding four-length scorer in the hands of Sean Levey and will now tackle Group Two company on Town Moor on September 16, for a contest the Everleigh handler has won on three occasions, most recently with the top-class Chindit in 2020.
A general 16-1 for next year’s 2000 Guineas, Hannon also has half an eye on a run in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (October 14) later in the year, but is confident he not will be seen at his absolute peak until returning as a three-year-old next term.
He said: “He’s absolutely fine and he’s going to go to the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and then hopefully on to the Dewhurst, he’s in great form.
“Funny enough it is the same route as Chindit took, although the Dewhurst didn’t work for him. He went to a Donny maiden race, to the Ascot race and then to win the Champagne Stakes. It is very similar to his route.
“He looked a very good horse at Ascot and we always thought he was. He is a very exciting horse and one that is not a two-year-old and one for next year.”
Jac Morgan looks set to be named as Wales captain for the Rugby World Cup.
The 23-year-old Ospreys flanker led Wales in two of their three warm-up Tests, and undoubtedly occupies pole position.
The waiting game for Wales’ World Cup hopefuls will end just after midday on Monday when Warren Gatland’s 33-man squad is unveiled.
If, as expected, Morgan lands the job, he would follow previous Wales skippers like Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones and Gareth Thomas in captaining his country on the sport’s biggest stage.
Memories would also be evoked of Warburton being appointed as a 22-year-old for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, when Gatland masterminded a run to the semi-finals.
A total of 15 players in the current training squad will not make Gatland’s final cut, but he confirmed that fly-half Gareth Anscombe and number eight Taulupe Faletau would be in contention despite not featuring during the August preparation games due to injuries.
“I think they are in contention because of their experience,” Gatland said.
“If they were a young player it would be very, very difficult to select them, but given their vast amount of experience they will definitely be part of those discussions.”
Reflecting on the build-up period, which has also included intensive training camps in Switzerland and Turkey, Gatland added: “I think the big thing is we wanted to give everyone an opportunity and we wanted to find out about players.
“There is no doubt we are going to pick up injuries during the World Cup as well, and every team will do that.
“Players that have had some game-time, that have been a part of the squad for the last number of weeks, will hopefully come in a little bit better prepared.”
A number of World Cup first-timers can be expected – possibly around half the squad – with players such as fly-half Sam Costelow, centre Mason Grady, prop Corey Domachowski and lock Dafydd Jenkins all seemingly well on course.
And for centre George North, a fourth World Cup beckons, which would put him in an illustrious group alongside the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Brian O’Driscoll.
Centres and back-row appeared the main areas of debate for Gatland and his fellow coaches when they entered final selection meetings after an inexperienced Wales line-up lost 52-16 to world champions South Africa in Cardiff.
Scrum-half Kieran Hardy, meanwhile, is poised to be included in the squad after a difficult week or so for him and his family.
Hardy’s three-month-old daughter Noa was admitted to hospital, where she had precautionary treatment after being diagnosed with a viral infection, but she is now recovering well.
He withdrew from Wales’ warm-up game against England at Twickenham as a result, before returning to action in the Springboks clash.
“Family always comes first, and to be fair to ‘Gats’ and the whole management last week, they were fantastic. They told me I needed to be there, and within half an hour I was gone and on the way home,” Hardy said.
“They have been excellent, and my family and Ellie’s (Hardy’s wife) family have been excellent as well, just to ensure that I come here and do the job.
“I think Ellie actually said to me to try and play for the girls as much as I could, just because of everything that has happened.
“In fairness, it all changed pretty quickly and she is a lot better now, so hopefully I can move forward now.”
Kyron McMasters of the British Virgin Islands as well as Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke and Jaheel Hyde advanced to the semi-final round of the 400m hurdles during the opening session of the second day of action at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday.
McMaster, the two-time Commonwealth Games champion, won the second of the five heats in 48.47 ahead of Estonia’s Rasmus Magi (48.58) and the USA’s Trevor Bassit, who clocked in at 48.74. Kenya’s Wiseman Were Mukhobe was the final automatic qualifier from the heat when he finished fourth in 49.10.
Clarke, 19, who equaled the World U20 record of 47.85 at Jamaican national championships in July, was the fastest of the Caribbean men to advance, clocking 48.39 while finishing third in Heat 4 of the preliminary round.
The heat was won by Germany’s Joshua Abuaku in 48.47 ahead of Estonia’s Rasmus Magi (48.58) and the USA’s Trevor Bassit, who clocked in at 48.74. Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel was fourth in a personal best of 48.47.
Hyde finished second in his heat, the last of the five, in 48.63. Rai Benjamin of the USA won the heat in 48.35 with Japan’s Kazuki Kurokawa third in 48.71, a season’s best. Costa Rica’s Gerald Drummond was the other automatic qualifier in 48.73.
Also through were medal favourites Karsten Warholm, the Olympic champion and world record holder and Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos, who clocked 48.76 and 48.12, respectively.
Saeed bin Suroor’s 1000 Guineas winner Mawj could still make her comeback in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on October 7.
But the Godolphin trainer also has the option of a race at Keeneland on the same weekend, the Grade One First Lady, as he plots a way back for his Classic heroine who will end up at the Breeders’ Cup in November.
Bin Suroor confirmed, too, that the daughter of Exceed And Excel will remain in training as a four-year-old.
She has not been seen since her tremendous effort in the Guineas, beating Tahiyra, having been a late absentee from Royal Ascot due to an infection.
“She’s doing well. I’ve given her an entry in the Sun Chariot or the same week there’s a race for her at Keeneland,” said Bin Suroor.
“Those are what we are looking at for her, those two races. We’ll see which one closer to the time. The Sun Chariot is obviously closer (to home).
“The Breeders’ Cup is our big aim for this year, she’s not a big filly so a track like Keeneland will be perfect.
“She’ll stay in training next year, which is good news.”
In what was a demonstration of Caribbean excellence and depth of talent Steven Gardiner, the 2019 world champion, 2011 champion Kirani James and Jamaicans Sean Bailey, Antonio Watson and Zandrian Barnes all advanced to the semi-final round of the 400m during Sunday’s opening session on day two of the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia’s Michael Joseph also advanced to the next round of competition.
Gardiner, who was unable to defend his title in Eugene, Oregon in 2022, due to injury, indicated that he was ready to claim his second world title, cruising to victory in the opening heat in 44.65. Japan’s Kentaro Sato was the runner-up in the heat in a national record of 44.77. Hungary’s Attila Molnar also set a national record of 44.84 to finish third.
Josephs of St Lucia was fifth in 45.04 and advanced as one of the next sixth fastest after the three automatic qualifiers from each heat.
Wayde van Neikerk, the world record holder, ran 44.57 to win Heat 2 in which Alonzo Russell of the Bahamas was sixth in 46.95. He failed to advance.
Richards, Trinidad and Tobago’s best hope of an individual medal at these championships, eased to a third-place finish in Heat 3 in 45.15 to automatically qualify for the next round. Norways’s Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen won the heat in a national record of 44.39 with the USA’s Vernon Norwood trailing in for second place in 44.87.
Grenada’s James, whose coach Harvey Glance died during his final weeks of preparation leading into these championships, won Heat 4 in 44.91. Japan’s Fuga Sato clocked a personal best of 44.97 to finish ahead of Bailey, who finished in 44.98.
Watson comfortably won Heat 5 in 44.77 ahead of the USA’s Quincy Hall, who clocked in at 44.86. Japan’s Yuki Joseph Nakajima was the next automatic qualifier from the heat when he finished third in 45.15.
Barnes was third in the final heat running 45.05 to automatically qualify. His heat was won by Bayapo Ndori of Botswana in 44.72 with Belgium’s Alexander Doom finishing in second place in a personal best 44.92.
You can watch live action from the 2023 World Athletics Championships by downloading the Sportsmax app from the Google Playstore.
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