Date: Saturday 19 July Kick-off: 20:00 Venue: Audi Field, Washington DC
Bristol’s Gabriel Oghre and Leicester’s Jamie Blamire will link up with England to solve a hooker shortage before Saturday’s Test against the United States.
Jamie George, co-captain for the summer tour, has been called up to the British and Irish Lions tour, while Theo Dan, who stepped into the starting line-up in place of George for the second Test win over Argentina, has sustained a knee injury.
With Northampton’s Curtis Langdon left as the only fit hooker, head coach Steve Borthwick has called on reinforcements for the third and final fixture of the tour.
Oghre appeared in England A’s win over an Australian second string in November, but is yet to win a cap.
Blamire’s debut came in England’s last meeting with the United States – a 43-29 win at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham in 2021.
The United States slipped to 16th in the world rankings on Monday after losing 31-20 at home to Spain.
The Eagles failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, having made all but one of the preceding nine.
With 24 games played, we have our eight quarter-finalists – Norway, Italy, Sweden, England, Spain, Switzerland, France and Germany.
Euro 2022 finalists falter
At the last Euros, England and Germany triumphed in all three of their group-stage matches without conceding a single goal.
But the 2022 finalists haven’t had it as easy this time around, finishing second in their respective groups.
The Lionesses’ title defence got off to a poor start with a 2-1 defeat by France, while Germany’s group stage fizzled out with their heaviest-ever Euros defeat – a 4-1 thumping by Sweden.
England have clawed back some momentum with commanding performances against the Netherlands and Wales, scoring 10 goals across those two matches.
The ‘three-peat’ is still on for Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the title five years after guiding her native Netherlands to the trophy. She has overseen 14 victories at the Euros – more than any other manager.
“We learned England can score goals. There is depth on the bench and they can come on and make a difference,” ex-England keeper Karen Bardsley said after their 6-1 triumph over Wales.
“What I have been impressed with generally is their fluidity of the rotations from the entirety of the team.”
Goals galore and red cards aplenty
There has been no shortage of goals at Euro 2025, with a new record of 89 set.
That beats the 78 goals from 2022 and the 53 from 2017, when the tournament first changed to a 16-team format – up from 12.
Long-range screamers have also become more common, with 10 goals scored from outside the box – four more than the previous tournament.
Four teams through with 100% record
Favourites before the start of the tournament, Spain have laid down their marker by sweeping past Portugal, Belgium and Italy.
The world champions scored 14 goals – three more than anyone else – to equal the group-stage record set by England at Euro 2022.
France, meanwhile, have made a statement by winning Group D – regarded as the toughest group at the tournament.
“Initially we thought this group was a death group and we got nine points,” France manager Laurent Bonadei said. “We can be proud and satisfied. It was not easy, but we made it.”
Sweden surpassed expectations in Group C as they won all three games and beat eight-tim European champions Germany to top spot.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side finished the group stage with the best defence, conceding just one goal.
“Sweden are going to be a difficult team to beat. They’re well-balanced and solid,” said former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon.
Norway also took maximum points, but doubts remain over their disjointed performances and defensive frailties after they narrowly scraped past Switzerland, Finland and Iceland – winning by one goal in all three games.
Underdogs Switzerland and Italy pose threat
Switzerland have reached the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time, with Riola Xhemaili’s stoppage-time equaliser against Finland keeping the hosts’ Euro 2025 dream alive.
The hosts will head into their last-eight tie against Spain as the underdogs.
But Pia Sundhage’s team can compete physically, with talented players such as Geraldine Reuteler well-equipped to provide a spark.
Reuteler has created the most chances (seven), taken the most shots (nine) and recorded the most carries (36) at the tournament so far.
Italy arrived at the tournament as dark horses, and while they finished second in Group B, they can take confidence from the fact that they posed a threat to Spain, the top-ranked team, despite losing 3-1.
England trio in the chasing pack for Golden Boot
Esther Gonzalez has been prolific in front of goal during Spain’s successful group stage, leading the top scorer charts with four goals.
Her team-mate Alexia Putellas is second on the list with three goals to go with her four assists – which could factor into who wins the Golden Boot award.
England’s Beth Mead was the top-joint scorer with six goals at Euro 2022, but her four assists won her the Golden Boot over Germany’s Alexandra Popp.
Fans flock to Switzerland
Getty Images
The group stage has unfolded across eight venues, where visiting fans have been treated to picturesque towns, crystal clear lakes and rivers, along with breath-taking alpine scenery.
Supporters have packed out the fan zones dotted around each city, while the fan marches to the stadiums have buzzed with noise and colour to build lively atmospheres before kick-off.
For Switzerland’s three games, a sea of red has flooded the streets of Basel, Bern and Geneva, while supporters of the Netherlands and Iceland have also pounded the pavements in their thousands, clad in national colours.
And, while Switzerland doesn’t have stadiums the size of Old Trafford or Wembley, that were used in 2022, crowds have turned out in force, with most games played to near-capacity crowds.
Scotland’s latest three British and Irish Lions call-ups should be “a big carrot” to the remaining squad as they face Samoa in the final game of their own summer tour on Friday, according to coach Pete Horne.
Winger Darcy Graham left Gregor Townsend’s Scotland camp on Monday to join eight compatriots in the Lions squad.
Prop Rory Sutherland and hooker Ewan Ashman will follow him after facing Samoa and could feature for the Lions in next Tuesday’s match against a First Nations & Pasifika XV.
Rather than dwell on Scotland’s depleted resources, Horne suggested: “It was nice – it gave a bit of energy to our meeting this morning. Obviously, all the boys were delighted.
“Gregor made a really good point in the meeting. Look at what Ben did at the weekend there. He had a cracking game. He put himself right in the mix for potentially getting involved in some Test rugby.
“And there’s no reason that our guys can’t go over there and make a quick impression and, before you know it, you can play a critical part in the Lions series. So it’s exciting for them.
“It’s another little reminder to some of our boys as well. A lot can change in a week. A lot can change in a couple of days. So there’s still a big carrot there for some of our fellows as well that are playing on Friday night.”
Indeed, Graham’s Lions call came three days after being sent off in Scotland’s 29-14 defeat by Fiji and he is now part of Andy Farrell’s squad only after being cleared of suspension following a disciplinary meeting.
Horne recalled that “we were all gutted for Darcy” when the Edinburgh wing was deemed unfortunate to miss out on the initial squad.
“Everyone loves him,” he said. “We all know what he can do and how he’s a world-class player – and we were devastated he didn’t make it.
“But he was really cool. I’m sure he’ll be straight into training as soon as he lands and showing everyone just what he’s all about. And he can end up having a big part to play.”
Scotland’s loss in Fiji was a major setback to their hopes of rising the one place needed in the World Rugby rankings to secure a top-six seeding in December’s World Cup draw.
“It’s not something we’ve kind of focused on too much so far, to be honest,” Horne said.
“We were all gutted with the result and the manner of the defeat. There’s also nothing worse than finishing a tour and finishing the season off the back of a defeat, so everyone will be desperate to right some wrongs and go well this weekend.
A rapidly moving wildfire has engulfed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge in Arizona in the United States.
The fire forced officials to close access to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on Sunday, and residents and tourists were evacuated.
Here is what happened to the Grand Canyon Lodge and what is the latest:
What happened to the Grand Canyon Lodge?
Two wildfires, the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire, are currently burning at or near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
The Dragon Bravo Fire is the one that burned the Grand Canyon Lodge and nearby structures.
It was sparked by lightning on July 4 and expanded to 200 hectares (500 acres) in a little more than a week, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
Dragon Bravo was driven by sustained winds of 32 kilometres per hour (20 miles per hour) and gusts as strong as 64km/h (40mph).
The White Sage Fire was also started by lightning on July 9. By July 13, it had spread to 40,186 acres (16,263 hectares), according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
The NPS said no casualties have been reported and residents and tourists were safely evacuated.
Firefighters and emergency vehicles are deployed to fight the Dragon Bravo Fire in an image released on July 13, 2025 [Handout/National Park Service via Reuters]
What is the lodge known for?
The Grand Canyon Lodge was a seasonal hotel on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino County in northern Arizona.
The lodge had stood on a North Rim elevation since 1928 and was designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood.
The original lodge burned down in a kitchen fire in 1932 and was rebuilt in 1937, based on the original plan and stonework.
However, it was scaled back and built without a second storey.
The main lodge and its 120 cabins were open seasonally. This year, the lodge opened on May 15 and was to have stayed open until October 15.
It has drawn people for decades with its breathtaking views of one of the natural wonders of the US.
What is the Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon was carved by the Colorado River and is about 446km (277 miles) long, up to 29km (18 miles) wide and more than 1.6km (1 mile) deep in spots.
The canyon exposes layers of red sandstone and multicoloured bands of other rock, revealing almost 2 billion years of Earth’s geological history.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited US national parks with millions of visitors a year and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The NPS said that according to preliminary assessments, 50 to 80 structures have been lost in the wildfires, including NPS administrative buildings and visitor facilities.
The Grand Canyon is a deep gorge carved by the Colorado River in the US state of Arizona [File: AFP]
What rescue efforts are in place?
The Grand Canyon National Park was evacuated on Thursday because of the wildfire and will remain closed for the rest of the season.
Five hundred personnel have been assigned to fight the White Sage Fire, according to the Forest Service.
On July 9, an update published on the Grand Canyon National Park’s Facebook page said authorities were using a “confine/contain” strategy to manage the Dragon Bravo Fire.
“This means the fire is being allowed to fulfil its natural role within a defined area, while firefighters take action to limit its spread where necessary,” the post said, adding that the fire did not pose threats to infrastructure or public safety at the time.
On Thursday, the park said the Dragon Bravo Fire was being managed with a “full suppression” strategy and by Friday, it posted another update on Facebook saying: “The fire is being managed with an aggressive full suppression strategy.”
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, thanked firefighters and first responders working to manage the fire while questioning the Republican-led federal government’s response.
“They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage,” Hobbs wrote in a post on X on Sunday.
She said in another post: “An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government’s emergency response.”
I am incredibly saddened by the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, and my heart goes out to every person impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
Thank you to every firefighter and first responder taking action to combat the flames.
What’s the latest on the ground?
The fires are still burning.
While firefighting efforts are ongoing, authorities said they have been hindered by hot, dry winds.
“Crews encountered very extreme fire behavior due to the dry conditions [and] gusty and erratic winds inhibiting the ability for fire fighters to safely engage the fire,” the Bureau of Land Management said about the White Sage Fire.
The Forest Service also reported record-high energy release components (ERCs), which is a measure of how dry and flammable vegetation is,. This combination of factors is creating a volatile environment.
The Dragon Bravo Fire is also posing challenges to firefighters.
The NPS reported that aerial fire retardant was being deployed to slow the fire near the lodge, but a chlorine gas leak at the North Rim water treatment facility prompted the evacuation of firefighters from key areas nearby, halting operations.
The gas leak was a result of the water treatment plant being impacted by the fire.
Chlorine gas can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause lung injuries and, in severe cases, sudden death, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The North Rim remains closed for firefighting operations.
The chlorine leak has also prompted closures of Phantom Ranch, which sits at the bottom of the Grand Canyon just north of the Colorado River; the North Kaibab Trail, which begins on the North Rim and descends to the river; and the South Kaibab Trail, which begins on the South Rim and descends to the Colorado.
Smoke billows up over the Grand Canyon in an image released on July 11, 2025 [Handout/National Park Service via Reuters]
Barcelona have signed right winger Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen, the La Liga champions said Monday.
“The winger has signed for the next four seasons, until June 30, 2029,” said Barca in a statement, without specifying the cost of the deal.
The 19-year-old joined for around 2.5 million euros ($3 million) according to reports in Spanish media.
Bardghji scored 15 goals in 84 games for Copenhagen after reaching the first team in the 2021/2022 season.
READ ALSO: Barca The Team Others Look Up To Now, Says Bonmati
Photo: IG @Roony
He suffered a severe knee injury in May 2024, which kept him out of action for nearly a year, with the youngster making his return in March 2025.
Bardghji becomes Barcelona’s second signing of the summer after they brought in goalkeeper Joan Garcia from local rivals Espanyol.
The Sweden U21 winger is likely to join Barca for their pre-season matches before coach Hansi Flick decides if he is ready to form part of the first team squad for next season.
Jofra Archer takes a brilliant one-handed catch to single-handedly remove Washington Sundar for a duck as India lose three wickets in 40 minutes to fall to 82-7, chasing 193 to win on the final day of the third Test at Lord’s.
WATCH MORE: ‘It’s going to be amazing when we win’ – Sundar
