Archive July 28, 2025

Oscar Piastri’s victory in the Belgian Grand Prix highlighted the respectable margins that will likely determine his team-mate Lando Norris’ outcome in the world championship race.

After two straight victories for Norris, the Australian bounced back after the McLaren drivers almost constantly exchanged points.

The pair arrived at Spa-Francorchamps on the back of two consecutive wins for Norris, one from the front in Austria, one somewhat fortuitous after a penalty for Piastri at Silverstone.

They each won the sprint pole position in Belgium, one for Piastri and one for Norris. And there were a few crucial turning points.

Piastri’s drive was from the top drawer – he took the lead from Norris at the rolling start after a few exploratory laps behind the safety car in the wet by being, by Norris ‘ admission, a little braver through Eau Rouge on the first lap.

And he made the right choice to keep his medium-compound tires in good condition while the closing Norris put him on more long-lasting hards.

By denying Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the sprint race victory, Piastri had demonstrated how difficult it was for the pole driver to take the lead by the end of the first lap at Spa.

The Dutchman passed Piastri and Les Combes in a skid, and the McLaren was kept at bay for 15 laps before Norris and the Dutchman came in third.

In the grand prix, it was Norris in front, with Piastri in second and Piastri had been thinking about the opportunity this presented him since losing out on pole the day before.

Andrea Stella, the team’s manager, stated: “Overall, Oscar’s fault was in qualifying, where his laps weren’t perfect.

He said, “Yes, I’m in pole position, but maybe this is not the right place to be in pole position after the sprint qualifying.”

“And as a joke, after the qualifying yesterday, he said, ‘ That was not my best lap in Q3, but perhaps this is the best place not to have the best lap in Q3. ‘”

Verstappen and Piastri both had lead on lap one of the grand prix the day before, and it was astounded.

He said, “I had a good run out of Turn One, and I then made an effort to be brave as possible through Eau Rouge, and we managed to stay pretty close.” After that, the slipstream did the rest for me.

It didn’t appear to be as terrifying as it did in the car when I watched the back. I was aware of my need to be very determined to pull that off.

But Norris could have done a better job. He arguably went too early at the start of the process to help himself from falling behind the finish line. Then, at La Source, he made a mistake that made Piastri eager to approach Eau Rouge.

” I didn’t have the best Turn One, “Norris said”. So it’s difficult to determine how much that played. Oscar passed me fairly easily at the same time. So even if I had a better Turn One, his run and the slipstream probably still would have got me. “

The stops were the next turning point. Piastri chose mediums with a stop on lap 11 and had the first choice as leader.

McLaren could have pitted Norris at the same time – the so-called double-stack – but went for another lap, and decided for hard tyres, to go to the end. Piastri planned the same event, but she wasn’t sure if the mediums would join her.

When Piastri pitted, Norris was just under two seconds behind him, and he was nine seconds ahead when he rejoined the track.

Two seconds of that offset can be accounted for by a slower pit stop, the other five by the extra lap on worn intermediates. He would have been on the mediums, and the race had effectively lost, if he had used a double-stack.

Oscar being caught up in that gap is quite a feat, Norris said. I gave it a good shot, but just not close enough. “

There are risks, according to Piastri, who said, “Even though it was a late decision to pit on the lap we did, there are always risks.” I’d likely have done the same thing if Lando’s situation had been the case. At that point, it seemed like the safest thing to do was go on the medium, because the hard is two steps harder here. “

We did consider double stacking, Stella said. Lando had the ability to deviate at the same time. He opted to deviate, which would have given him the possibility to go on hard tyres, which is what he decided to do.

Now Norris had to obstruct Piastri’s descent. By the end of the race, he had gotten to within 3.4 seconds, but his three errors contributed to his overall overall defeat.

He ran wide at the fast Pouhon double left-hander on lap 26, costing himself 1.3 seconds, then had lock-ups at La Source on laps 33 and 43, costing a total of just under three seconds.

Therefore, he might have had a chance to catch Piastri on the final or perhaps two laps of a perfect race. However, given how challenging overtaking was in both races at Spa, he must be viewed as having a very slim chance of actually getting by.

Stella said: “Yes, Lando had a couple of lock-ups in corner one and also a little oversteer in corner nine that cost him time. Overall, I believe this prevented us from engaging in a potentially interesting battle at the conclusion.

“But, in all fairness, Oscar did experience a little time loss in corner one.”

We have two drivers who, according to Stella, are “very, very, very high quality,” Stella continued, “I think Lando and Oscar are operating at that level, at the level of deservedly being in contention for the drivers’ world championship.”

Given that Stella created Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher for Ferrari earlier this century, this is a respectable compliment.

Stella said: “The difference will be made by the accuracy, the precision, the quality of the execution.

The race’s other important discussion at Spa was whether it ought to have started sooner, either at the scheduled start time or just a few minutes before it actually did.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen argued that the situation should have been handled because authorities had been overly cautious.

Verstappen said the decision” didn’t make sense”. He added that there was a lot of water between Turn One and Five, but it would have been much clearer after two or three laps behind the safety car, as per his claim that at the scheduled start time. And on top of that, the track was still in motion. It’s a bit of a shame. “

I kept yelling, “It’s ready to go, it’s ready to go,” Hamilton continued. And they continued to move forward and backward.

However, both acknowledged that the decisions were made after the drivers had urged officials following the last race at Silverstone – in which one car rammed another unsighted at a restart in the rain – not to go too early.

And Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Piastri both made mention of Spa’s extreme dangers and the two recent fatalities there in junior categories.

Leclerc once said, “I’d rather be safe than too early. It’s a constant discussion, and we’ll probably feed the people that made this decision back that maybe it was a little bit on the late side, but I wouldn’t have changed anything. “

We’ve told the FIA that we would much rather be on the safe side than risk anything, Piastri continued. That is what we did today, in my opinion.

Michelle Agyemang, an England striker, has been named the tournament’s youngest player of the year for Euro 2025.

The 19-year-old Swiss forward from Arsenal did not start a single game during the competition’s 138-minute start.

However, she was crucial to the Lionesses’ effort to retain their European title in the Basel penalty shootout victory over Spain.

In the quarter-finals and the semis, Agyemang had scored late equalizers to keep Sarina Wiegman’s side in contention.

Aitana Bonmati, a midfielder from Spain and winner of the Ballon d’Or, was named player of the tournament.

In the opening two games of the tournament, Bonmati, who had been hospitalized with viral meningitis shortly before the tournament, made a comeback.

However, the 27-year-old grew in influence and won the semi-final game against Germany.

After all three extra-time encounters, two of which were penalties, were played in extra time, England won Euro 2025, but Leah Williamson, the captain, claims they weren’t “lucky.”

The Lionesses defeated world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties in Basel, which gave them the European title they won on home soil in 2022, and the game finished 1-1 after extra time.

They become the first country to hold onto women’s Euros since Germany won six straight between 1995 and 2013.

They defeated Sweden in the quarter-finals and won in the semis late in extra time against Italy in the finals after they also required penalties.

What do you know, exactly? I’m still unaware of it. I’m still in the stage where people say, “This is unbelievable,” and others ask, “did this really happen? ” Manager Sarina Wiegman spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live. “Very happy, very happy, but a little strange. Simply unbelievable.

Williamson continued, “They were not fortunate champions, but deserving ones,” while Williamson claimed there had been a stroke of good fortune in England’s run to glory at Euro 2025.

In a festive atmosphere on the St. Jakob-Park pitch, she told the BBC, “We have ridden our luck, but I don’t think we were lucky.”

“Total disbelief, but I was aware that it was going to occur.” I’ll always say, “right girls, let’s turn it on” at times. Nothing came through for the way we defended as a team. It appeared to be going to be our day.

In the tournament’s knockout stages, England had a lead of just four and a half minutes, all of which came after Chloe Kelly’s late winner over Italy.

Never before did a major women’s tournament have a 120-minute winning streak in any of England’s knockout matches.

England will fight until the very end, according to BBC One pundit Nedum Onuoha. If you don’t put them away, the quality will still shine through in the end, according to the saying.

In a final where they had 22 shots and nearly 65% of the possession, Spain’s players and manager thought luck wasn’t on their side.

Spain’s captain Irene Paredes explained to TVE, “We tried everything, all the different ways, and the penalties didn’t go our way.” In the end, it’s not about who deserves it, but I believed we should have gotten it more.

England had that little bit of luck throughout the entire tournament, they said. We believed we could, but we were unable to do so.

Stats can, however, be inconsequential. England always had a plan, despite the poor performance of Sweden and Spain on the spot and Laura Giuliani spilling the ball onto Michelle Agyemang’s feet after 95 minutes of the semi-final with some luck.

Wiegman remarked, “I’m generally calm during the games.” Every game in this tournament has challenged us. We incorporated those who were on board, and how the team recovered from some setbacks, as well as today. That is the most crucial factor.

England’s late winning streak came from off the bench. England had 10 substitute goalscorers and five assists at Euro 2025 thanks to Kelly’s assist against Spain, a total of five goals and five assists.

They ultimately deserved it, according to the statement. They have endured, they have shown resilience, and that mentality, according to Euro 2022 winner Ellen White. It has been incredibly exciting.

Under Wiegman, they have won all four penalty shootouts, if they can’t win in open play.

Jess Carter, the defender, told the BBC, “I didn’t doubt we would win the shootout.” I’m not sure if my nerves would have taken me wrong, but I would have been the next. But I firmly believed that this team would have prevailed.

The unorthodox path taken by England to retain their Euros crown, which began with a haphazard 2-1 defeat to France in their opening group game, amplified the joy on the pitch at St Jakob-Park.

Wiegman kept her guns, avoiding the urge to use Kelly and Agyemang as super-subs in the final and relying on them to have the biggest impact.

Agyemang told the BBC, “It was so difficult coming from a loss in the first game to this.” “Everything happens for a reason,” says the statement.

Williamson continued, “We have players who absolutely adore it.” It’s “absolutely unbelievable” to do it once more.

Carter, on the other hand, had a remarkable Euro 2025 journey.

She struggled in the opening game against France, where Delphine Cascarino tore her at left-back and moved her to central defense, but she was exposed in pace and possession in the two early goals conceded.

Following the quarter-final, she was then subjected to racist abuse, and she was benched for the Italy match.

But she then made a superb performance in the final, returning to the starting XI.

“Carter said, “I just couldn’t be prouder.” I’m relieved, speechless, and excited.

“We have demonstrated what we are capable of,” says I want to say a big thank you to our fans, my family, and everyone else who has questioned us and me personally.

Ella Toone and Beth Mead’s medals were a way to remember loved ones who had lost at Wembley since the team’s victory in 2022, and they meant more than just footballing glory.

Toone’s father passed away last year, while Mead’s mother passed away in 2023.

We did it for our angels in the sky, Toone wrote in an emotional Instagram story alongside Mead. With us forever, and proud forever.

She also revealed that St. Jakob-Park’s empty seat next to her mother was also there.

Toone remarked, “If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what it is.” Dad, I’m aware that you were there.

The party followed the memories. After the match, Mad strode through the media’s mixed zone while pulling a boombox and a can of lager to Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’.

While consuming a slice of celebratory pizza, Toone claimed that there were times when people believed we were out. However, never.

We knew that the team would win, and so did we. That is our level of self-assurance.

We’re going to enjoy the evening.” I enjoy going to parties.

Even the CEO will participate.

Wiegman said, “I’ll do some more dancing.” I’ll have a drink, but I don’t believe I’ll feel as guilty as the players do.

Wiegman is the dancer whose influence on England’s fortunes cannot be overstated. He is the one who deserves a dance.

Former England international Toni Duggan remarked to BBC Radio 5 Live, “Salina is the most obvious difference.” She describes how the two teams are fighting for one another, regardless of whether they play for 90 minutes or just one minute. I adore following this team because they always do it for each other.

It was intended for England this year.

The only player who epitomizes what it means to be a Lioness, Lucy Bronze, England’s most decorated footballer, was simply in awe of her own volition.

Bronze would not give up despite having a broken tibia throughout the competition. She would not miss this moment as her country defeated the world champions on foreign soil to defend their European title.

The 33-year-old more than fulfilled her role. She finally allowed someone to take her place in extra time before England’s penalty shootout victory, but she only came off when she could no longer run through the pain, tears forming in her eyes during the Euro 2025 final against Spain.

Sarina Wiegman’s side defied the odds, silenced the skeptical, and triumphed over the odds.

They simply won, without fail.

The men’s 1966 World Cup victory took place at Wembley Stadium, marking the first time an England team has won a significant trophy abroad since Wiegman’s side delivered it at home in 2022.

The Lionesses also became the first senior English team to win the title by coming from behind at half-time, the first time this had ever happened in the women’s Euros.

With her third successive European title, achieved with two countries, it established manager Wiegman as one of the greatest in the world.

Wiegman has won three of her previous major finals, which is a remarkable accomplishment.

As she danced with Leah Williamson, letting the mask fall into place as England’s understated and composed leader, she was a little unsure of it.

“I can’t believe it myself, really. How can this possibly occur? I asked. However, it occurred. The team is amazing, in my opinion. She later declared, “I’m so happy.

Wiegman’s notification of a workout to her during her press conference reminded her of it. She made up a joke that she would stop doing that. You now understand why.

In what she called the “most ridiculous and chaotic” tournament of her career, she had already exhausted herself and had experienced every emotion imaginable.

The players had acknowledged how much stress they had put their families under and how they had “almost killed” Wiegman twice.

In Basel, surrounded by gold confetti and Queen’s We Are The Champions playing in the background, England held onto the trophy despite only having four and a half minutes and 52 seconds in the tournament’s final stages.

England was immediately dismissed before kick-off.

They were actually eliminated before Euro 2025 even started, as Millie Bright, World Cup captain, and Mary Earps and Fran Kirby both retired from the blue.

That would unsettling, surely? That narrative was only strengthened by their humiliating defeat in the opening game by France.

However, England reacted. They comfortably advanced to the knockout stages against the Netherlands and Wales.

They won the quarter-finals with a 2-0 lead over Sweden, and they won. Even though Sweden only managed to score two of their seven penalties, Jennifer Falk, the country’s goalkeeper, was insufficient. England’s team had Luck on their side.

When Wiegman acknowledged that the thought of “hmm, we might be going home tomorrow” had crossed her mind.

Before Michelle Agyemang’s 96th-minute equalizer and Kelly’s 119th-minute extra-time winner, they were 1-0 up again to Italy in the semi-finals.

Spain were the pre-tournament favorites and the world champions, having won 10 games without losing.

Wiegman’s players looked around St. Jakob-Park while the Dutchwoman waved to media in the stands as she was so composed.

She carried her purse around in her hands. She and England had previously been here, and they shared a strong belief.

Spanish media reported that the Lionesses had a good chance at half-time, saying “England can come back from 1-0 down,” and that “Michelle Agyemang will come on,” but doubt persisted.

In 2022, the “super subs” had completed their task. As Wiegman kept the same starting lineup throughout and relied on those who came on off the bench to make an impact, Kelly, Alessia Russo, and Ella Toone all excelled in their roles.

In 2025, she changed the names of the substitutes to “finishers” and gave them the same task as the original.

The squad’s cohesion was evident. Williamson’s action of pushing Agyemang towards fans in response to their semi-final victory was deliberate, as was Bronze’s willingness to play through pain, the players’ response to team-mate Jess Carter receiving racial abuse, and

It is absurd, I tell you. Every time, we regained our complacency. We do, of course, have talented players. However, Wiegman praised the team’s incredible cohesion.

“As well as, the conviction that we can return. The players assert that they are always on their toes and that they never give up.

Before kick-off, the Lionesses’ magnitude was apparent as the fans turned to the stands.

Prince William, Princess Leonor of Spain, Princess Leonor of Spain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Aleksander Ceferin, president of Uefa, were also present.

Watching international football stars like Catarina Macario and Lia Walti in white supporting their Arsenal and Chelsea team-mates was abound.

Reece James, an England international, flew out to Switzerland to support his sister, and Mark Bullingham, the head of the Football Association, was there with them all the way.

Wiegman, who is contracted until the 2027 World Cup, is “not for sale at any price,” according to Bullingham, who has already made it abundantly clear.

Wiegman has assembled a team of repeat winners, one feared in major tournaments, with this generation of players, some of whom were at their worst in 2022 and others with more experience, like Bronze and Alex Greenwood.

This squad showed they could succeed, even when many believed they couldn’t, unlike previous England teams have failed.

It was chaos from the first game. It’s incredible to lose your first game and win the European Championship. Football is chaos, Wiegman declared to the TV cameras on BBC Sport while goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who had been donating his support, sat down to celebrate with fans while watching from the stands.