Watch highlights as England retains the European Championship following their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Spain in Euro 2025.
FOLLOW: England defends European title with dramatic victory over Spain.
England’s captain Ben Stokes says it’s “very unlikely” that he won’t miss the crucial final Test against India at The Oval.
Stokes, an all-rounder, struggled throughout the final three days of Old Trafford’s drawn fourth Test, repeatedly feeling for the top of his right bicep and legs.
The 34-year-old has had operations on his left knee and hamstring for the past two years and has had a history of chequered injuries.
Additionally, he is in excellent form. In India’s opening Test match against England, he scored 141 with the bat after starting with 5-72 with the ball and then followed up with 141 with the bat, making him the only other England player to reach the milestone with a century and five wickets.
The fifth Test, which starts on Thursday, will have a quick turn around.
Although it’s unlikely that I won’t play, I don’t want to eat my words, Stokes said. I’m decent, mentally. I’ve been better physically, “.
Stokes said the issue with his right bicep has been “stirring away” for some time despite his previous struggles with left-leg injuries.
The Durham man claimed that “it’s been a pretty big workload for this series thus far.” “This was another extremely successful week of the third Lord’s Test,” he continued. It’s just one of those things because pain is just an emotion.
Stokes’ role as a player and leader for the England team is crucial. His first Test century for more than two years at Old Trafford was his first since 1998, and he consistently ranks as England’s best bowler with the ball.
With 17 wickets, he is the best wicket-taker in the England-India series, which is also his most successful in the ball in a 12-year Test career. Stokes has bowled 140 overs in the series, which is also his most of his career.
When he didn’t bowl any of England’s 63 overs on the fourth day, there were concerns about his fitness at Old Trafford. At the start of the fifth day, he did bowl, and India batted for an undeniable draw the entire way down.
Before lunch on Saturday, India trailed by 311 runs to go to 0-2. When a draw was reached, the tourists were saved on 425-4 thanks to the efforts of captain Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
Given the short amount of time between Tests, England was on the field for 143 overs on Saturday and Sunday. England has fielded 222 overs more than India in the series.
After more than four years of undergoing medical issues, Seahawks Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse have each played four Test matches for England.
At The Oval, all three would be considered for rotation. Jamie Overton could replace Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson as cover for the fourth Test against England.
Everyone is going to be pretty sore and exhausted, Stokes said, “You look at how long we have been out in the field and how many overs we have bowled.” Everyone will be evaluated, and we can hopefully make the most of these rest days.
“We might need to make a few adjustments to get some fresh legs in,” the team said.
The fourth Test was largely dominated by England, but they ultimately struggled to end the series with a win. Since 2018, England hasn’t defeated India or lost a five-series game.
The home side must now avoid falling to the Oval to prepare for what they hope will be a successful year, with the Ashes set to arrive in Australia this winter.
“Yes, we’re 2-1 up, but we want to go out and record that most important performance.” We are aware that the series’ conclusion will require a lot of effort, Stokes said.
“We really set up this game. We had the best of intentions when we played the game. India’s ability to play the way they did is greatly appreciated. This week simply wasn’t meant to be this week.
Rishabh Pant, an Indian wicketkeeper, broke his foot during the fourth Test, with head coach Gautam Gambhir saying he was “all for” the introduction of injury replacements in test cricket. Concussions are the only cases where replacements are permitted right now.
Stokes, however, called the suggestion “absolutely ridiculous” because “too many loopholes” would result from doing so.
According to Stokes, “you pick your XI for a game, and injuries are a part of it.” “The replacement concussion is player welfare and safety, and I fully understand that.”
After the England and India sides fought back to call a draw to end the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Shubman Gill believes his team were justified in playing on and allowing Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to reach their century.
Fourth Test of the fifth day, England vs. India match report
After Sunday’s final was tied 1-1 at the end of extra time, Chelsea Kelly scored the decisive kick that ensured the Lionesses avenged their World Cup final defeat two years prior to retaining their continental crown.
Spain dominating the match at St Jakob-Park in Basel and leading with Mariona Caldentey’s header in the first half appeared to be hoping to win again after winning it against England in Sydney two years ago.
Before coming out on top, England was not in a panic because they already had a chance to win against both Sweden and Italy in the quarter-finals.
No more goals and a shoot-out in which Kelly, who once again had a huge impact off the bench, scored the winner, just before the hour mark, and Alessia Russo headed in the equalizer.
Spain lost in agonizing ways, but they were unable to score three of their spot kicks, with Aitana Bonmati, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, having saved her effort.
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England are now back-to-back European champions under the guidance of Sarina Wiegman, who won their first women’s major competition after they defeated Germany in extra time at Wembley.
Losing the World Cup final in 2023 with a defeat against Spain here helps to compensate for the agony of losing it, and Wiegman’s position among the great coaches is confirmed by this victory.
She led her native Netherlands to victory in the 2017 European Championships before taking the same place with England three years later, winning three more.
In addition to the World Cup they won in Australia, Spain struggled to capture their first European Championship title.
La Roja dominated possession as anticipated, but they ultimately paid the price for allowing an England side to lose without putting the game to rest.
Before scoring twice in extra time against Sweden, Wiegman’s team had lost to them in the final eight games to earn a penalty win.
Then, when Kelly added the winner in extra time, Michelle Agyemang’s 96th-minute equalizer denied Italy in the Geneva semi-finals.
In the end, it didn’t matter that England had played poorly throughout the majority of their campaign.
After deciding to gamble on Lauren James’ fitness with an ankle injury against Italy, Wiegman decided to replace him with Kelly, who did not last until half-time.
When Bonmati and Athenea del Castillo combined to set up Ona Battle, and Caldentey headed her cross in from the right, Spain were already in the lead at that point.
With seven Barcelona players already in charge, Montse Tome’s Spain had already established its dominance, and England’s best chance was complacency from their opponents.
The game’s only goalkeeper, Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll, gave her own area with a careless short pass that was still unearned.
Coll reacted well to Coll’s advice despite the fact that Lauren Hemp was eager to take the chance and seized it.
Even with the score of 1-0, England seemed to be in control, and they took a chance when Kelly cross from the left for her Arsenal teammate Russo to level the scores in the 57th minute.
With more fans present in the 34, 203 capacity, England was anticipating a second comeback win, and Coll had to have the upper hand to stop a Kelly effort from finding the far corner midway through the second half.
Salma Paralluelo and Agyemang both joined Spain, hoping to once again play the super-sub role, while Agyemang did so.
As the game wore on into extra time and the gripping tension of penalties, Paralluelo found herself in a promising position on numerous occasions.
After being forced to retake, Beth Mead’s first kick for England was saved, and Coll also had to stop her goal.
However, Patri Guijarro was the only successful taker for Spain before Kelly took the lead, and neither of Alex Greenwood nor Niamh Charles both scored.
Chelsea forward Joao Felix has received a deal worth up to £43.7 million from Al-Nassr.
The 25-year-old has been granted permission to complete the move by visiting Riyadh for his medical examination.
After his former club Benfica rejected his offer, Felix will team up with fellow Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo to form a Saudi Pro League team.
Chelsea recoups the £45 million they paid last summer to Atletico Madrid for Felix, and they also loaned the attacker to AC Milan for six months in exchange for a £5 million.
To balance the books this summer, the Blues have already sold goalkeepers Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic, who won the Club World Cup this month.
Additionally up for sale are striker Armando Broja, left-back Ben Chilwell, midfielder Renato Veiga, and forward Raheem Sterling, who all have raised about £130 million.
Chelsea have signed defender Joao Pedro, Xavi Simons, and defender Jorrel Hato for a total of £212 million, with interest in Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato also on the verge.
final leaderboard for LIV Golf UK
-17 J Niemann (Chi), -14 B Watson (US), -13 C Surratt (US), -11 Talor Gooch (US)
Selected others: -10 J Rahm (Spa), -7 P Casey (Eng), T McKibbin (NI), -5 T Hatton (Eng), -3 R Bland (Eng)
Joaquin Niemann’s fifth LIV Golf Tour title came in the UK, beating Joaquin Niemann’s previous best player.
After missing the cut at the Open earlier this month, the 26-year-old parted ways with his coach and caddie.
At Rocester’s JCB Golf and Country Club, Niemann had a six-shot lead at the conclusion of the round.
His rivals had a gap that turned out to be too big to close as a result of a consistent round of 68, which included five birdies and a bogey.
Bubba Watson, who had a run of four birdies and two eagles on the back nine, did make a daring effort as his six-under-par 65 threatened to keep things interesting.
Niemann acknowledged feeling a little pressure before settling in at three under 17 for the win.
He made my life difficult. Although I was actually feeling pressure at 13, 14, I’d advise staying in the moment. Yes, on 15 I was able to make a fantastic shot. [It] placed me back in my place after that.
The best LIV golf finish by American Watson was 14 under, which was the two-time major winner.
Niemann became the first player to win five games on the LIV tour this year following victories in Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City, and Virginia.