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Fixtures, people, and sporting stories from around the world.
Gómez halfway-line wondergoal sparks Brighton’s 5-0 thrashing of sorry Crystal Palace
<p>At last, Fabian Hürzeler has the scalp that matters most to all Brighton fans, and in humiliating fashion. Diego Gómez’s breathtaking goal-of-the-season contender from the halfway line, à la David Beckham, was the highlight of another hugely impressive performance from the Premier League’s top scorers as they continued their flying start to the season.</p><p>Not since a 4-1 thrashing here in February 2024 under Roberto De Zerbi had Brighton tasted victory against their arch rivals from up the A23 – a run of four matches. But having been handed the initiative by Jaydee Canvot’s own goal, a stunned Palace found themselves 3-0 down after 10 minutes.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/18/brighton-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a>
Read the full reportManchester United held as Calvert-Lewin’s Leeds leveller keeps pressure on Carrick
<p>What next for Michael Carrick and Manchester United? Game-wise the answer is Wednesday’s trip to Como yet after failing, again, to double the campaign’s league wins tally to two you have to wonder where this already flatlining team are heading.</p><p>Sunday afternoon’s display was the latest unconvincing outing under the 45-year-old. It featured an odd formation, zero rhythm or control, and the same prevailing sense that the wheels could clatter off anytime.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/18/leeds-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report">Continue reading...</a>
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal: Premier League – live
<p>⚽ Updates from the City Ground; kick-off 4.30pm BST<br>⚽ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live">Scores</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/tables">Tables</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2022/nov/14/football-daily-email-sign-up">Read Football Daily</a> | <a href="mailto:daniel.harris.casual@theguardian.com">Mail Daniel</a></p><p><strong>Forest will want – and probably need – to make this game a mess.</strong> If it’s open and played through midfield, Arsenal will open them up because, with the guile they’ve added by buying Guimaraes, along with an in-form Odegaard, they have the ability to exploit space. For that reason, Forest need bodies everywhere, especially in the middle of the pitch, forcing them wide, where Saka might just’ve lost the spring in his acceleration following last season’s achilles injury while, on the other side, Eze isn’t going to go on the outside.</p><p><strong>Elsewhere, 10-man Sunderland trail Bournemouth 2-0 with seconds remaining,</strong> while Brighton have splattered Palace 5-0 to move second above Arsenal, their goal difference +18. Ridiculous behaviour.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/oct/18/nottingham-forest-v-arsenal-premier-league-live">Continue reading...</a>
Air Force officer killed in rappelling accident before UTSA’s game against Navy
<ul><li><p>Officer fell from rafters during pregame display </p></li><li><p>Man treated on field before being taken to hospital</p></li></ul><p>An Air Force officer has died after he fell from the rafters of the Alamodome before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s home game against Navy on Saturday.</p><p>The officer, who has not been named, was taking part in an event to celebrate UTSA’s Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans night. He fell on to the field while rappelling down from the stadium rafters. He was treated on the field before being taken away on a stretcher. He later died from his injuries at a local hospital. Nellis Air Force Base said he was part of the 6th Combat Training Squadron. The unit helps train military members to rappel down from helicopters.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/18/air-force-officer-killed-in-rappelling-accident-before-utsas-game-against-navy">Continue reading...</a>
Netball enters brave new world as New Zealand stun Australia
<ul><li><p>Silver Ferns win 56-50 to open Constellation Cup series</p></li><li><p>Grace Nweke 40 from 41 against world No 1 Diamonds </p></li></ul><p>New Zealand signalled their intent to set a new netball world order after stunning the Diamonds to kick off the Constellation Cup. The Commonwealth Games gold medallists picked up in Auckland where they left off in Glasgow with a 56-50 series-opening win at Spark Arena on Sunday.</p><p>Experienced Diamonds duo Jo Weston (managed) and Kate Moloney (finger) were sorely missed by the world No 1 outfit, who were left in tears in Glasgow after settling for a bronze medal. Australia had suffered a shock semi-final defeat to Jamaica to miss a gold medal match for the first time since the sport joined the Games program in 1998.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/18/netball-constellation-cup-new-zealand-silver-ferns-stun-australia-diamonds">Continue reading...</a>
Chelsea v Tottenham: Women’s Super League – live
<p>⚽ WSL updates from the 12noon BST kick-off<br>⚽ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live">Scores</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/womens-super-league/table">Table</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/22/sign-up-for-our-new-womens-football-newsletter-moving-the-goalposts">Read Moving the Goalposts</a> | <a href="mailto:taha.hashim@theguardian.com">Mail Taha</a></p><p><strong>Chelsea make four changes to the side that beat West Ham two weeks ago</strong>, with Lauren James starting after her double for England this week. Spurs make two tweaks, with Ella Morris and Matilda Vinberg included.</p><p><strong>Chelsea: </strong>Hampton, Carpenter, Bronze (c), Buchanan, McCabe, Kaptein, Walsh, Potter, James, Thompson, Malard</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/oct/18/chelsea-v-tottenham-womens-super-league-live">Continue reading...</a>
Wigan pine for FA Cup glory as not even victory can lift them off foot of League One
<p>Gary Caldwell, club captain in 2013 and now manager, needs much more than Saturday’s win over Reading to disperse the clouds</p><p>If the 2013 FA Cup final represented a blip for the Sheikh Mansour-era Manchester City in their quest for total domination of English football, it was a historic moment for their conquerors, Wigan Athletic. Memories of that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/11/manchester-city-wigan-athletic-fa-cup">famous day at Wembley</a> still endure for Latics’ supporters despite the relegation from the Premier League that followed. Yet watching the modern-day Wigan, who remain bottom of League One despite a 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday, makes the toppling of City in a Cup final seem an epoch ago.</p><p>The club, perhaps understandably, continue to hark back to their halcyon days. Last season they brought back Gary Caldwell – club captain in 2013 – for his second stint as manager, having led the club to promotion from this division in 2015-16. Choosing to swap Exeter for a return to the Latics last season was seen as a risky move by Caldwell, considering the shoestring budget imposed upon him by Mike Danson, the owner who is keen to sell.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/18/wigan-pine-for-fa-cup-glory-as-not-even-victory-can-lift-them-off-foot-of-league-one">Continue reading...</a>
‘I suffer a lot’: Villarreal owner Fernando Roig on not enjoying games and the prospect of Liverpool
<p>It will be a tense time for club’s president despite the Champions League game at Anfield offering a symbol of how far they have come</p><p>The first time Fernando Roig watched Villarreal play as their president, he sat in the stand at a tiny whitewashed ground that had concrete fever and was half empty. It was a Sunday night in the second division, they lost 3-0 to Badajoz, and he didn’t enjoy it much.</p><p>But then, he doesn’t ever enjoy it much. Even on Tuesday at Anfield, he will not: into his 30th year, the longest presidency in Europe, that is about the only thing that hasn’t changed. More than 1,000 games and still it happens. “I don’t get nervous. It’s worse: I get worried, very anxious,” he says. “I suffer a lot.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/18/fernando-roig-villarreal-liverpool-champions-league">Continue reading...</a>
Meaty Montpellier leave Bath reeling and offer Prem French lessons
<p>Bath had their moments in a 32-14 defeat, but Montpellier deployed old-fashioned grit and guile to play them off their own park</p><p>Nobody really knows what to make of the orgy of tries that is English rugby these days. The dazzling hands, the scarcely believable comebacks, the, er, bewildered defences. Evidence of a new dimension of attacking rugby, uncontainable and breathless? Or not to be trusted?</p><p>Bath have found themselves of late at the heart of the debate – and in this 32-14 defeat they were reminded what rugby feels like when served up in more old-fashioned style, hard and brutal.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/18/meaty-montpellier-leave-bath-reeling-and-offer-prem-french-lessons">Continue reading...</a>
Brook and Jacks lead resurgent England into tri-series with World Cup in sight
<p>Youngsters have licence to thrill in T20s, but it is time to get serious in ODIs</p><p>The kids have permission for the 20-over show. Thomas Rew, 18, could become the third-youngest man to play for England. Eddie Jack, 21, has played seven T20s, but the eighth could be for his country.</p><p>Both will tour Australia next month as part of the squad for the shortest form, but they have not made the cut for the one-day international leg of the tour, spelling out the mission statement. With the 50-over World Cup less than a year away, ODIs are where England must, as Logan Roy might say, be serious people.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/18/brook-jacks-england-tri-series-cricket">Continue reading...</a>
South Africa v Australia: second men’s cricket Test, day one – live
<ul><li><p>Updates as the Proteas host Australia at St George’s Park</p></li><li><p>Play start time in Gqeberha is 10am local/7pm AEDT/9am BST</p></li><li><p>Any thoughts? Get in touch with <a href="mailto:geoff.lemon.casual@theguardian.com">an email</a></p></li></ul><p>Aaaaand just as we’re getting ready for a start in a few minutes, the drizzle returns, and the choreography of the covers returns with it.</p><p>The big call is once again the fast-bowling selection. Nathan Lyon was never left out of an Australian team when available from August 2013 to July 2025. Played 116 Tests in that span. Today he’s been left out for the third time in the last eight Tests that he’s been fit for. It’s a severe change in approach from the national side.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/oct/18/south-africa-v-australia-second-test-day-one-cricket-st-georges-park-gqeberha-live-updates">Continue reading...</a>
Manchester United feel heat as they travel to Leeds; Martínez thanks fans after surgery – matchday live
<ul><li><p>News, discussion and buildup to Sunday’s action</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/tables">Premier League table</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/10/premier-league-top-scorers-2026-27-race-for-golden-boot">Top scorers</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@guardiansport">Follow on TikTok</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Premier League match reports</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/17/brentford-liverpool-premier-league-match-report">Brentford 1-2 Liverpool</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/17/everton-chelsea-premier-league-match-report">Everton 0-2 Chelsea</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/17/fulham-hull-premier-league-match-report">Fulham 1-0 Hull</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/17/manchester-city-ipswich-premier-league-match-report">Man City 3-2 Ipswich</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/17/newcastle-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report">Newcastle 0-1 Aston Villa</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/oct/18/manchester-united-feeling-the-heat-as-they-travel-to-leeds-matchday-live">Continue reading...</a>
‘Testosterone to burn’: Kagiso Rabada plays down 2018 clash with Australia’s Steve Smith
<ul><li><p>‘There’s no hate,’ says bowler ahead of return to St George’s Park</p></li><li><p>Pair clashed in Gqeberha during heated series six years ago</p></li></ul><p>Kagiso Rabada insists there is no lingering bad blood with Australia as the South Africa speedster prepares to return to the site of his controversial clash with Steve Smith.</p><p>Rabada has been declared fit to come back from his hamstring tear and face Australia in the second Test at St George’s Park, in his first match since May. The South African’s return comes at a crucial point in the series, with the hosts fighting to stay alive after their 214-run pumping in Durban last week.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/18/kagiso-rabada-plays-down-2018-clash-steve-smith-australia-south-africa">Continue reading...</a>
Jalen Hurts placed on injured reserve after Eagles quarterback diagnosed with blood clot
<ul><li><p>Eagles star sidelined by blood clot in his calf</p></li><li><p>Hurts sustained injury against Rams on 4 October</p></li><li><p>Super Bowl MVP must miss at least four games</p></li></ul><p>Quarterback Jalen Hurts was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, two days after the Philadelphia Eagles revealed he had a blood clot in his calf.</p><p>Hurts was initially ruled out on Thursday for the Eagles’ upcoming game against Carolina. The Eagles said at the time that Hurts had been injured when he took a cleat to his calf during their game against the Los Angeles Rams on 4 October.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/17/jalen-hurts-eagles-injured-reserve-blood-clot-calf">Continue reading...</a>
Daniel Dubois delivers devastating second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley to retain WBO title
<ul><li><p>Dubois underlines status as Britain’s leading heavyweight</p></li><li><p>Wardley’s corner throw in the towel in second round</p></li></ul><p>Daniel Dubois overwhelmed Fabio Wardley in their WBO world title fight on Saturday night as he continued his quest to become the most authoritative heavyweight fighter on the planet with this crushing victory. This was the second time in five months that Dubois has defeated Wardley but, after their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/11/daniel-dubois-fabio-wardley-wbo-heavyweight-title-boxing">fight of the year contender in May</a>, he unleashed a shockingly one-sided shellacking.</p><p>After two minutes and 21 seconds of round two, Wardley was rescued from the bludgeoning fists of Dubois by the referee, just as the fluttering white towel of his trainer, Ben Davison, sailed over the ropes in surrender. Davison had been on the brink of throwing in the towel at the very end of the opening round but the bell sounded to end a disastrous first three minutes for Wardley. He was dropped heavily after just 17 seconds as Dubois landed a left cross followed by a pulverising right hand.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/17/daniel-dubois-devastating-second-round-stoppage-of-fabio-wardley-retain-wbo-title-boxing">Continue reading...</a>
Gabby Williams lifts Valkyries past Dream in defensive slugfest to open WNBA finals
<ul><li><p>Williams scores 26 as Golden State prevail 68-64</p></li><li><p>Hosts overcome 32% shooting to take 1-0 series lead</p></li><li><p>Gray scores 19 in return as Atlanta fall short late</p></li></ul><p>Gabby Williams made two free throws with 1:18 remaining to put Golden State ahead, then added two more with 4.1 seconds left to seal a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA finals on Saturday.</p><p>Williams finished with 26 points despite constant pressure from Atlanta’s stingy defense, scoring 16 in the second quarter as the Valkyries overcame a miserable shooting performance to take an early lead in the best-of-seven series.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/17/gabby-williams-golden-state-valkyries-atlanta-dream-wnba-finals-game-one">Continue reading...</a>
Atlanta Dream v Golden State Valkyries: WNBA finals 2026 Game 1 – live buildup
<ul><li><p>Valkyries host Dream in opener of best-of-seven series</p></li><li><p>Game 1 tipoff scheduled for 3.30pm ET (8.30pm BST)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/16/wnba-finals-2026-predictions-atlanta-dream-golden-state-valkyries">Guardian writers’ predictions: Golden State or Atlanta?</a></p></li><li><p>Reach out to Bryan on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/bryanagraham.bsky.social">Bluesky</a> or <a href="http://bryan.graham/">by email</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Angel Reese insists the occasion won’t overwhelm Atlanta as the Dream prepare for their first WNBA finals appearance in 13 years</strong> – even if the atmosphere inside Golden State’s famously raucous Chase Center promises to be something special.</p><p>“Not really,” Reese said Friday when asked whether the finals felt different from previous playoff games. “I think all of us have been in a stage where we played for some type of championship or played for something at a high stake.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/oct/17/atlanta-dream-v-golden-state-valkyries-wnba-finals-2026-game-1-live-buildup">Continue reading...</a>
Europe is a blast – but more a curse than a blessing if you are not a Premier League super-club I Jonathan Wilson
<p>The four Premier League clubs playing in the lesser continental competitions face each other on Sunday – but three are struggling domestically</p><p>The sun shone. The temperature was in the high 20s. There was a mood of great conviviality. If you were struggling with the official allocation, it turned out you could just email the president of Torreense and he’d sort you out. Were these “Nuno-tickets” real? It turned out they were. Not only that, but you could sit anywhere you wanted in a stadium too big for the game and, if you happened to have gravitated to the comfortable hospitality seating at the back of the lower tier, the beer was inexplicably free.</p><p>Locals in Leiria seemed bewildered but could hardly have been more accommodating. A beer pump had been installed outside a patisserie on the Praça Francisco Rodrigues Lobo, whose owner soon found fans happy to help stack empty barrels if that facilitated the free flow of Sagres. “There was a meeting at the town hall to explain these are not hooligans,” said the owner of a radical leftist flammkuchen restaurant between the square and the cathedral. “They told us the club comes from the labour movement and I found that very interesting.” And how had she found the fans? “Noisy, but with a quirky sense of humour.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/17/europe-is-a-blast-but-more-a-curse-than-a-blessing-if-you-are-not-a-super-club">Continue reading...</a>
Daniel Dubois v Fabio Wardley II: WBO heavyweight title fight – live
<ul><li><p>Updates from rematch at the O2 Arena in London</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/16/fabio-wardley-daniel-dubois-wbo-heavyweight-title-fight-boxing">Preview: Wardley predicts ‘crazy night’</a> | <a href="mailto:alex.reid@guardian.co.uk">Email Alex</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Tyson Fury versus Anthony who? </strong>Yes, Britain’s biggest-name heavyweights belatedly do battle in December – but if you want a better bet for an all-action fight, it’s tonight’s rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley for the WBO title.</p><p>The first contest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/10/daniel-dubois-stops-fabio-wardley-wbo-heavyweight-title-boxing">was an astonishing slugfest</a> in which Dubois was knocked down after 10 seconds, got dropped again in round three, but eventually bludgeoned a somehow-still-standing Wardley to defeat in the 11th. It was “like a Rocky film”, marvelled Frank Warren, a boxing promoter with no need to resort to embellishment.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/oct/17/daniel-dubois-fabio-wardley-ii-boxing-wbo-heavyweight-title-fight-live">Continue reading...</a>