Archive July 26, 2025

‘We’re not underdogs’ – England seek redemption against Spain

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When England hosts Spain in a repeat of the World Cup final two years ago, England will be looking for a place in Sunday’s Euro 2025 final.

After winning Euro 2022, Sarina Wiegman’s team are now in their third successive major final before Spain defeated them to claim the title in 2023.

Spain’s women, who were eliminated from the 2022 quarter-finals by England, have never advanced to a final at a European Championship.

Leah Williamson, England’s captain, says they are aware of “what the nation means to them” and will do everything in their power to win the trophy.

When they face off in the final at 17:00 BST in Basel, Switzerland, the Lionesses are aiming to become the first English football team to win a significant trophy there.

The best thing about football is that it can be played on Sunday, Williamson said, and what’s on offer.

We wanted to stay until the end so that we had a chance to win the trophy. We don’t feel the weight of it, but we are aware that it does to us have the same meaning.

England vs. Spain Euro 2025 final

Sunday, 27 July at 17: 00 BST

On iPlayer, watch

Recovery from the World Cup’s final defeat

Due to a damaged anterior cruciate ligament, Williamson did not play in England’s World Cup final defeat to Spain.

She claimed that watching the Sydney final without being able to assist was an “awful” experience.

She continued, “I know how tired you are when you get to that stage, and how much a tournament takes from you – and being completely useless, that probably bothers me the most,” she continued.

That suggests a very long time ago, which is probably a plus for the entire squad.

“Anyone would give anything to help their team when they go through that,” they said. It was difficult.

After Germany faced Sweden in 2001 and 2003, the same teams have previously met in back-to-back women’s World Cup and European Championship finals.

England and France have previously played each other three times at the Euros, winning both of their meetings in 2017 and 2022.

The two countries also competed in this year’s Women’s Nations League, with England winning 1-0 at Wembley in February and Spain defeating Spain 2-1 in Barcelona in June.

Over the past few years, we’ve played a lot of games. You always have new things to learn. They will have taken our advice, Wiegman said.

England: The Underdogs or the Underdogs?

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Spain have scored 38 goals in each of their last ten games overall.

Between March 2020 and November 2021, they won 16 games in a row, which was their longest winning streak.

The world champions, who are the competition’s top-ranked side, have not lost a game since winning Euro 2025.

England lost their opening group game against France, finishing fifth overall in the world.

In extra time, they scored a last-minute goal to defeat Sweden in the quarter-finals, and they were in need of a penalty shootout to beat Italy in the semi-final.

Despite being widely regarded as one’s favorite pre-tournament destination, Williamson asserts that there is no such thing as an underdog.

We play a game with world champions who continue to demonstrate their skills over and over again in their play, Williamson said.

We are aware of their fantastic football team and their excellence in their field of play. We believe our overall performance is good.

To defeat Spain, “We must do our best.” They must do everything in their power to defeat us, too. The two teams have a lot of respect in common.

Can history be made in a defeated Spain?

England against Spain in the 2023 World Cup final Images courtesy of Getty

Opta predicted that Spain had a 25% chance of winning the title when they arrived in Switzerland as the pre-tournament favorites.

“We dislike being the people who choose us.” Irene Paredes, the captain of Spain, said, “We know what it takes to be here, what we suffered, and we must be focused.”

La Roja, however, added to their standing as favorites by defeating Portugal, Belgium, and Italy on aggregate to win 14-3.

In their first ever encounter with a strong Switzerland side in the quarter-finals, they defeated Germany thanks to an extra-time winner to defeat them.

Montse Tome, the Spaniard, said, “We have been writing history throughout the entire tournament.

“Being defeated by Germany for the first time in the semis and final.” We have succeeded in achieving our goals, which is why we are here.

Spain could become the first country in Europe to win both the World Cup and the Euros at consecutive tournaments after Germany won five in a row between 2001 and 2009.

We as a team don’t take this game as a challenge, but rather as an opportunity to write history, write a lot, and let people enjoy it, Paredes said.

Who should you watch for the most important players?

Lauren James and Alexia PutellasImages courtesy of Getty

Lauren James missed this week because she injured her ankle during England’s semi-final defeat against Italy. She came off at half-time.

However, Wiegman claimed that all 23 players “came through” the session while she was in full training on Saturday.

The Chelsea forward has two goals in the competition and excelled in the group stages.

Michelle Agyemang, a teenager, has scored two goals on three occasions since coming off the bench, while Chloe Kelly, a teenager, has one goal and one assist in five substitute appearances for Arsenal.

Aitana Bonmati had to be patient in order to make her mark after being hospitalized just days before the Euros began due to having viral meningitis.

The Barcelona midfielder, however, showed up when it was necessary, scoring a winner in extra time against Germany to win their first Euro final.

Alexia Putellas, a fellow Barca midfielder, has also scored three goals and assisted four more than any other player, while also being in top form since the beginning.

What prizes are available for specific awards?

Michelle AgyemangImages courtesy of Getty

With her closest rival, team-mate Putellas, just one goal away, Gonzalez also hopes to capture the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.

No England player has scored more than two goals overall.

Additionally, there will be a Golden Ball contest, with several Spain stars, including Putellas, and notable players from England Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton.

Cata Coll and Jennifer Falk, both from Sweden, are tied for the most clean sheets in the world.

Coll will need to omit England if they want to win the award outright because Spain have kept three clean sheets as a team, but Adriana Nanclares started with a 5-0 win over Portugal in the group stage.

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  • Women’s EURO 2016: UEFA
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Third-tier Alloa qualify in Premier Sports Cup

SNS

After winning their groups, Third-tier Alloa Athletic, along with Premiership rivals Falkirk and Kilmarnock, and championship duo Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, made it to the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.

With a late winner, Alloa defeated Championship rival Airdrieonians at the top of Group C by coming from behind to win 3-2.

Along with Livingston and Greenock Morton, The Diamonds were also unable to be one of the three best runners-up due to their defeat.

Group A

At home to fourth-placed Spartans, goals from midfielders Dylan Tait and Scott Arfield gave Falkirk the lead.

After the break, full-back Calvin Miller recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory.

Group B

Thistle won their group game 3-1 defeat of championship rivals Ross County thanks to goals from Robbie Crawford, Logan Chalmers, and Ben Stanway.

The hosts responded with Jordan White late in the match, but despite finishing as runners-up, they fell short of the last 16.

Group C

Alloa took a half-time lead in Airdrie before Aidan Wilson and Euan Henderson scored the winning penalty.

With one minute left, Steven Buchanan fired the visitors’ winner, which would have allowed both teams to advance to the last 16.

Third-tier visitors Montrose were beaten 5-0 by Premiership side Dundee to end a disappointing group campaign.

Group D

Group E

Dunfermline wanted a significant win to increase their goal difference and secure second place since Heart of Midlothian had already qualified as group winners.

With 15 minutes left, they struggled to break down fourth-tier visitors Stirling Albion, but Andrew Tod broke the deadlock and Rory MacLeod scored a stoppage-time winner, deciding whether St Mirren or Ayr had a chance of finishing fourth in the last 16.

Group F

St Johnstone blew League 2 visitors Elgin City 8-0 before Reghan Tumilty’s third-minute opener and a red card for visiting goalkeeper Tom Ritchie.

The other goals were scored by Makenzie Kirk and Jamie Gullan, along with fellow striker Uche Ikpeazu and midfielders Sam Stanton and Sven Sprangler.

The afternoon’s opener had a chance to win the group, but Raith Rovers, who are Championship opponents, defeated Inverness Caledonian With a hat-trick.

Group G

Morton and Clyde met in Greenock to decide the runners-up spot, with Motherwell already qualified as group winners.

The Championship won its first game without a goal in 90 minutes thanks to goals from Kerr Robertson, Tomi Adeloye, and Jackson Longridge.

Group H

With a 4-0 defeat over League 2 champions East Fife, three teams had a chance to top Group H on the opening day, but Kilmarnock won.

Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels, both summer strikers, scored with crosses from Jamie Brandan before the 18-year-old wing-back Ben Brannan put a pair of excellent finishings to end the visitors’ hopes of progress.

With a 6-0 defeat of Kelty Hearts, Premiership rival Livingston’s 6-0 victory made them one of the best runners-up.

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Police Arrest Two Soldiers, 19 Cultists In Ogun Midnight Raid

In a midnight raid at a hotel in Osiele, the state capital’s Odeokuta police division, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 21 alleged cultists, including two soldiers, during a police investigation.

A total of 21 suspects were apprehended during the raid, according to the police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola.

Following reliable information about the alleged gathering of cult members in that area, the operation took place on Friday.

A joint police force led by Superintendent of Police Adejoh Israel, which includes officers from the Odeda and Aregbe Divisions, the Anti-Cultism Unit, and the SWAT team, stormed the hotel and targeted people who are believed to be members of the notorious Aiye confraternity, according to the command’s public relations officer.

Explosion
Ogun State on a map

One of the items that the police recovered was a cut-to-size locally made firearm, an axe, and several blue berets, frequently associated with cult-related activities.

She stated that the suspects have since been moved to Eleweran, Abeokuta’s Anti-Cultism Unit for further investigation and have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

READ ALSO: Ex-NERC Chair May Withdraw Electricity Subsidy If Debts Mount.

She urged the general public to keep providing reliable information to support ongoing operations, though.

Ireland seal ODI victory against Zimbabwe

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Stormont’s first one-day international

Ireland 288-9 (50 overs): Forbes 54, Ndhlovu 3-50, Tshuma 2-37

Zimbabwe 191 (48.1 overs): Mugeri-Tiripano 48, Kelly 2-17, Prendergast 2-20

Ireland defeated 97 runs to win.

At Stormont on Saturday, Ireland won the first of two women’s one-day international matches by 97 runs.

The hosts returned from a 50-over series that they had won earlier in the week to wrap up the T20 series.

With 43 runs, the 19-year-old passed the 1, 000 mark in one-day cricket, having previously reached that milestone in the T20 format.

With Gaby Lewis, Laura Delaney, and Clare Shillington as the only Ireland women with more than 1, 000 career runs in both formats, Orla Prendergast and Hunter added another 1,000 to their 50.

Before Lewis was caught by Tendai Makusha off Lindokuhle Mabhero’s 51, Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat for Ireland. Sarah Forbes and Gaby Lewis established a strong partnership with them.

Loreen Tshuma took the wicket shortly after Forbes took the next five for 54, but Prendergast’s half-century would help increase Ireland’s lead before Kelis Ndhlovu took the first of her three wickets.

Before the hosts’ late in the over, with the hosts setting a target of 288 with Hunter’s 43 and Laura Delany’s 34, Ireland would be in a strong position.

Zimbabwe started their innings shakily, with Tshuma and Chiedza Dhururu being bowled by Prendergast for just one.

Arlene Kelly then removed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for 48, who had already beaten Ndhlovu for 21.

While Runyaro Pasipanodya posted 32 not out, Jane Maguire and Cara Murray each took two wickets to give Ireland the win, Lara McBride and Modester Mupachikwa took the other two.

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Trump wades in on Thailand-Cambodia fighting during golf visit in Scotland

On the second day of his golfing trip to Scotland, where he owns and promotes two courses, Donald Trump claims to have spoken with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand to put an end to their border fighting.

Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social network on Saturday that he had spoken with Cambodia’s prime minister about ending the war with Thailand. Trump, his son Eric, and US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, both attended his Turnberry resort and exchanged pleasant words in a new post.

More than 130 people were hurt on both sides on Saturday, with 32 people dead. The countries’ coastal regions where they meet on the Gulf of Thailand, about 250 kilometers (160 miles) southwest of the main front lines, continued to host clashes, which are now in their third day.

Before fighting broke out along the nations’ rural border region, which was bordered by a ridge of hills dotted with wild jungle and agricultural land where locals raised rice and rubber, the tensions flared over long-contested ancient temple sites.

Five Thai soldiers were seriously injured on Thursday when a landmine explosion along the border returned after decades-long conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which centered on a contentious stretch of their shared border.

Trump stated on Saturday that “Thailand, like Cambodia, wants a quick ceasefire and PEACE.”

I’m going to send that message to Cambodia’s Prime Minister right away. Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seem to be natural outcomes after speaking with both parties. We’ll see that soon”!

Trump also stated that he would hold off on entering any trade agreements with either country until the conflict is over.

He is a disgrace, even though he has Scottish roots.

Trump’s recent trip to Scotland, where his late mother was born, has caused protests both on the golf course where he plays and elsewhere in the UK.

In Edinburgh, the US Consulate’s main location, hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Saturday. Trump was not welcomed, according to speakers who criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for breaking a recent trade deal to avoid heavy US tariffs on imported goods.

The majority of Scots believe that Trump is a disgrace despite his Scottish heritage, according to Mark Gorman, 63. Gorman, an advertising professional, said he came out “because I deeply despise Donald Trump and everything he stands for.”

As well as protests in other cities, pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a “Stop Trump Coalition” and environmental activists who were staunch supporters of Israel’s occupation of Gaza.

According to June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photo historian, “I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel they have to accept him.”

Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who was there with her parents, said, “I don’t think I could just stand by and not do anything.” We don’t negotiate with fascists, she said while holding a cardboard sign.

The president has been increasingly frustrated by the evidence that other demonstrators have shown signs of pictures with him and bsp, Jeffrey Epstein as the US media feeds the case, and backlash from his MAGA base due to the case’s files.

Scottish Parliamentarian Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds at a protest on Saturday in Aberdeen, “We stand in solidarity with everything that Trump and his politics stand for.”

Trump plans to talk trade with Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, despite the fact that golf is his primary focus.

Shaughna Phillips gives fresh details of second pregnancy shock with jailbird boyfriend

Love Island star Shaughna Phillips has admitted she was stunned to fall pregnant so fast after agreeing to have a second child with boyfriend Billy Webb – who was jailed in 2023 for drugs crimes

Shaughna Phillips has shared fresh details of her second pregnancy(Image: FILE)

Shaughna Phillips has revealed she was shocked to learn she was pregnant a second time – as it all happened so fast. The 31-year-old is already a mother to two-year-old daughter Lucia – who she shares with former estate agent Billy Webb.

Reality show fans will know Shaughna shot to fame in 2020 when she was a contestant on the sixth season of ITV’s Love Island. She later fell for Billy – who was jailed in 2023 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine – worth at least £360,000.

While Billy was sentenced to nine years behind bars – with his trial taking place in the thick of Shaughna’s first pregnancy – he is soon to be given early release from his jail term. While behind bars, however, he and Shaughna have managed to conceive their second child – who is expected to arrive in November.

Opening up about the conception, Shaughna has explained that she and Billy discussed their plans to expand their little family. However, the Love Island beauty was left stunned by just how quickly she fell pregnant the second time.

In a new interview, she joked that she kept one pregnancy test company in business as she bought so many tests just to be ready to find out if she and Billy had been successful or not. And she also revealed she was stunned to see a positive result soon after they agreed to try a second time.

Shaughna Phillips and her daughter, Lucia
Shaughna is expecting a sibling for her young daughter, Lucia(Image: Instagram/ @shaughnaphillips)

She told The Sun: “I was trying. It was my first attempt at, I guess, getting pregnant, like actively trying. And so I knew that there was a chance, but I’ve probably kept Clear Blue in business.

“If you saw my Amazon orders, I was ordering test after test after test. It was actually ridiculous. So, yeah, I knew that there was a chance. But I really didn’t expect it to happen on the first try. Like, I’m very lucky in that sense.”

The reality star’s latest interview comes after she already opened up to The Mirror about her second pregnancy plans. She revealed she had been tracking her ovulation to boost her chances of conceiving, and said she was stunned that her baby dream came true so quickly.

billy web
Billy Webb was jailed in 2023 after pleading guilty to drug offences(Image: Met Police)

“It was the first time that my ovulation window coincided with Billy being home,” she told us when she was already four-and-a-half months pregnant. “I was like, ‘You know what? Why not? Let’s just see’. And literally, the next day, I said to Billy, ‘I think I’m pregnant.’”

And she said: “I found out very, very early on. I was doing maybe five tests a day. I’m not even exaggerating.”

Shaughna said Billy was allowed out from jail on home visits for “a few days” each month. And while she has so far been forced to raise her daughter as a single parent, she shared her hope that Billy will be released in time for their new arrival.

“I know the date that he’s due to be home, but I’m not saying it just because anything could happen,” she admitted cautiously. “But hopefully he will be fully home before my baby is due.”

Last month, Shaughna discussed the gender of her unborn second child during a Q&A with her Instagram followers. One fan asked: “So pleased for you! Are you going to find out the gender?” Shaughna shared a screengrab of herself from a longer video where she was seen with her mouth wide open in shock. She wrote: “We do know the gender, this was my reaction.”

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The star also revealed she will be undergoing a C-Section after having a ‘rough’ birth with daughter Lucia.

Speaking about Lucia’s birth, she said: “Induction, 2 days labour, pushed for an hour and she was not moving, She got really stressed and was rushed for forceps which FAILED because she turned around, and then she was rushed for an emergency C-Section and ended up with a postpartum haemorrhage.”