Olivia Smith made a remarkable debut for Arsenal in the Women's Super League, scoring an impressive goal that helped Arsenal win after being initially behind. Smith, who recently joined Arsenal for a significant transfer fee, demonstrated her skill and justified her high price in her first game.
Key Facts
Olivia Smith scored a decisive goal in her first game for Arsenal.
She joined Arsenal after a transfer fee of £1 million, initially being the world's most expensive female footballer.
Arsenal was trailing 1-0 to London City Lionesses before Smith's goal led to a comeback.
Smith's goal was scored from a distance and was praised as a potential goal of the season.
She previously played for Liverpool, scoring seven goals in her debut WSL season.
Smith is a Canada international, having debuted for the national team at age 15.
Her performance included high engagement, with more shots and touches in the box than anyone else on the field.
Fiji won against Wales in a close rugby match at the World Cup, finishing with a score of 28-25. Both teams were searching for their first win in the pool stage, but Fiji came out on top. Wales had a strong start and made several attempts to close the gap, but Fiji held on to secure the victory.
Key Facts
Fiji defeated Wales with a score of 28-25.
The game took place in Exeter, with 14,000 people in attendance.
Both teams were aiming for their first win in the pool stage.
Fiji scored four tries, with two from Josifini Neihamu.
Wales also scored four tries, but could not convert enough to win.
Wales missed all conversion attempts, which impacted their final score.
Fiji's coach celebrated the win against his former team, Wales.
Despite strong efforts in the second half, Wales could not catch up to Fiji.
Max Verstappen achieved the fastest lap in Formula 1 history to secure pole position for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. He narrowly beat Lando Norris, who had temporarily held the top spot after breaking the previous record. Lewis Hamilton will start the race in 10th due to a five-place penalty.
Key Facts
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, secured pole position at the Italian Grand Prix with a record lap time of 1 minute 18.792 seconds.
Lando Norris briefly held the record with a time of 1:18.869 before Verstappen surpassed him.
The previous fastest lap record at Monza was set by Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri was third fastest in the qualifying session.
Lewis Hamilton, who received a five-place grid penalty, will start the race in 10th position.
Verstappen mentioned he was surprised by his own lap time as he struggled with speed during practice.
The Italian Grand Prix will be covered live on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will compete in the final of the US Open 2025 in New York. They have developed a significant rivalry, known as "Sincaraz," in men's tennis. Alcaraz has previously defeated Sinner more often in their matches, but both players aim to capture another Grand Slam title.
Key Facts
The US Open final between Alcaraz and Sinner is scheduled for Sunday at 2 PM (18:00 GMT).
The match will take place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Alcaraz and Sinner last met at the Cincinnati Open final, where Sinner retired due to health issues.
Alcaraz has won nine out of their 13 matches since 2021.
Sinner's last victory over Alcaraz was at Wimbledon 2025.
In the French Open final 2025, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in a match lasting over five hours.
Alcaraz won his first US Open title in 2022.
Alcaraz has won five Grand Slam titles; Sinner has won four.
Elliot Anderson, a Nottingham Forest midfielder, is expected to play his first game for England's national football team in a World Cup qualifying match against Andorra. The match is scheduled to take place at Villa Park, and Anderson is set to play alongside well-known players like Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze in the midfield.
Key Facts
Elliot Anderson is a midfielder for Nottingham Forest.
Anderson is expected to make his England debut against Andorra.
The match is part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Anderson's call-up was by head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The game will be played at Villa Park.
Anderson is likely to play with Arsenal players Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze in midfield.
Dan Burn and Marc Guehi are expected to play as center-backs.
Harry Kane will lead the team as captain and play as the central striker.
Scotland lost to Canada in a Women's Rugby World Cup match, with the final score being 40-19. This defeat means Scotland may face hosts England in the quarter-finals, while Canada secured the top position in their group.
Key Facts
Canada won the match against Scotland with a score of 40-19.
Scotland had victories over Wales and Fiji before this match.
Canada's win secured them the top spot in Pool B of the tournament.
Scotland could potentially face England in the quarter-finals.
Canada scored six tries during the match.
Scotland scored three tries against Canada.
Canada's Emily Tuttosi scored two tries in the game.
Vinai Venkatesham, formerly CEO of Arsenal, is now the chief executive of Tottenham Hotspur. He played a significant role in key decisions at Arsenal, such as the hiring of manager Mikel Arteta. Venkatesham's approach emphasizes inclusivity and teamwork.
Key Facts
Vinai Venkatesham is the new chief executive of Tottenham Hotspur.
He was previously the CEO of Arsenal and worked there for 14 years.
Venkatesham played a key role in appointing Mikel Arteta as Arsenal's manager.
He supported the growth of Arsenal's women's team.
During his time at Arsenal, he managed the club through the coronavirus pandemic.
Venkatesham is known for his empathetic and inclusive leadership style.
He is expected to collaborate with Tottenham's head coach and technical director on football decisions.
Davey Johnson, a former baseball player and manager, has died at 82. He won the World Series twice with the Baltimore Orioles as a player and led the New York Mets to victory in 1986 as a manager. He passed away after a long illness in Sarasota, Florida.
Key Facts
Davey Johnson was an All-Star second baseman and won two World Series titles with the Baltimore Orioles.
He played major league baseball from 1965 to 1978 with teams like the Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs.
As a player, he won the Gold Glove three times and was a four-time All-Star.
Johnson managed several teams, including the New York Mets, leading them to a World Series win in 1986.
He also managed the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals between 1984 and 2013.
Johnson died at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida, and was 82 at the time of his death.
His death was confirmed by his wife, Susan, after a long illness.
Mike Rizzo, a former general manager, and Darryl Strawberry, a former player, expressed their condolences and praised Johnson's impact on baseball.
Davey Johnson, a former baseball player and manager, has passed away at the age of 82. Johnson was known for winning two World Series titles with the Baltimore Orioles as a player and leading the New York Mets to a championship as a manager in 1986.
Key Facts
Davey Johnson passed away at 82 years old after a long illness.
As a player, Johnson won two World Series titles with the Baltimore Orioles.
He managed the New York Mets to a World Series title in 1986.
Johnson played 13 major league seasons during his career.
He won the Gold Glove award three times and was an All-Star four times.
Johnson managed several teams, including the Mets, Reds, Dodgers, and Nationals.
He was named Manager of the Year in both the American League (1997) and the National League (2012).
Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova are set to compete in the US Open final. Sabalenka has faced tough losses in prior Grand Slam finals this year, while Anisimova recently experienced a difficult defeat at Wimbledon. Both players have shown strong performances and strong emotions on the court.
Key Facts
Aryna Sabalenka is the defending champion at the US Open and the current world number one.
Amanda Anisimova is aiming for her first Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka reached the finals of the Australian and French Opens this year, but lost both times.
Anisimova lost a major final at Wimbledon just 56 days ago with a score of 6-0 6-0 against Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka and Anisimova have played each other twice this year, each winning once.
Sabalenka has won 55 matches this year and holds a 3,292-point lead in the rankings.
Controlling emotions is crucial for Sabalenka's success, especially against opponents like Anisimova.
Anisimova has beaten two Grand Slam champions to reach the US Open final.
Ken Dryden, a famous goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, died at the age of 78 after battling cancer. He was known for helping his team win six Stanley Cup titles during the 1970s and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
Key Facts
Ken Dryden played as a goalie for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL.
He helped the Canadiens win six Stanley Cup championships.
Dryden won several awards, including the Calder Trophy for best rookie and the Vezina Trophy for best goalie five times.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
Dryden was known for his unique pose of resting his arms on his stick.
He retired from professional hockey at age 31 in 1979.
Dryden also had a career as a broadcaster, author, and politician after retiring from hockey.
He died at his home after a battle with cancer, as announced by his family and the Canadiens organization.
Caio Borralho is a UFC fighter from Brazil who stands out because of his strong interest in intellectual activities like chess and poker. He founded a team called "Fighting Nerds" to promote being oneself and overcoming bullying. Borralho and his team emphasize intelligence and strategic thinking in their fights.
Key Facts
Caio Borralho is a 32-year-old UFC fighter from Brazil.
He taught math and chemistry as a teenager and has strong interests in chess and poker.
Borralho will fight Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris.
He created the "Fighting Nerds" team with his coach to support people bullied for being "nerdy."
Borralho has won his first seven fights in the UFC.
He and his team use intelligence and strategic planning as key tools in fighting.
His teammate, Mauricio Ruffy, is also performing well in the UFC.
Borralho prioritizes being himself and conveying a positive message to fans and younger people.
Scotland's national football team secured a draw against Denmark in a World Cup qualification match. This puts Scotland in a strong position in their group, as they aim to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998. Steve Clarke, the coach, praised his players for their hard work on the field.
Key Facts
Scotland played a qualifying match against Denmark and secured a draw.
Coach Steve Clarke praised the team for their hard work and honesty.
The draw puts Scotland in a favorable position in their World Cup qualification group.
Denmark, who rank higher than Scotland, now faces a challenging path in the group.
Scotland's draw against Denmark is a positive start compared to their past qualification attempts.
Several key Scottish players had not played much club football recently but performed well in the match.
The next matches for Scotland are against Greece and Belarus, both at home.
René Higuita, a Colombian goalkeeper, became famous for a unique move called the "scorpion kick" during a soccer match against England in 1995. This match ended without any goals, but Higuita's unusual save left a lasting impression on fans and commentators. The highlight of his career came from his flamboyant style rather than the match outcome itself.
Key Facts
René Higuita created the "scorpion kick" after being inspired by a child kicking a ball during a commercial shoot.
The scorpion kick happened on September 6, 1995, during a friendly match against England at Wembley Stadium.
Higuita performed the kick by jumping forward and kicking his legs back, resembling a scorpion's tail.
Commentators and fans were initially confused, thinking the referee had stopped the game, but it counted as a valid save.
Despite the match ending 0-0, Higuita's move became legendary, inspiring fans to mimic the kick.
Higuita was known for his bold playing style, often leaving the goal to dribble past opponents.
He scored 43 career goals, mostly from free-kicks and penalties, which is unusual for a goalkeeper.
Higuita's career included both highlights like the scorpion kick and challenges, such as a brief imprisonment.
Olivia Smith, a 21-year-old footballer, became the first woman to be transferred for £1 million when Arsenal signed her from Liverpool. She has played internationally for Canada since the age of 15 and recently turned professional. Despite her rising fame, her coaches and mentors describe her as humble and unchanged by her success.
Key Facts
Olivia Smith is the first female footballer to have a £1 million transfer fee.
Arsenal signed her from Liverpool in July.
She made her international debut for Canada at age 15, being the youngest player to do so.
Smith turned professional in 2023 and previously played for Sporting CP in Portugal.
Her Liverpool move broke the club's transfer record, costing just over £200,000.
Coaches and mentors describe Smith as down to earth and unchanged by fame.
Her parents have supported her career from a young age, making sacrifices to help her succeed.
Chelsea won against Manchester City with a score of 2-1 in the first match of the Women's Super League season. This victory marks the start of Chelsea's campaign to defend their championship title.
Key Facts
Chelsea defeated Manchester City 2-1.
This was the opening match of the Women's Super League season.
Chelsea are six-time defending champions.
The match marks the start of Chelsea's title defense.
The match happened recently, just a few minutes before the article's publication.
The Greenlandic Football Championship is a unique tournament that takes place over one summer week. It is considered one of the toughest football championships in the world.
Key Facts
The championship is held in Greenland.
It occurs during one week in the summer.
The tournament is described as being unlike any other in the world.
It has a reputation for being one of the toughest football competitions.
The event is a part of Greenland's sports culture.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to reach the US Open final, where he will face Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz, who won the match in straight sets, will meet the defending champion Sinner after Sinner's win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals.
Key Facts
Carlos Alcaraz won against Novak Djokovic with scores of 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2.
The match took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open.
Alcaraz will compete against Jannik Sinner in the final.
Novak Djokovic has previously won 24 major titles, including four US Open championships.
Alcaraz noted the challenge of maintaining a high level of play against Djokovic.
Jannik Sinner defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime with scores of 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Alcaraz and Sinner have faced each other in major finals three times in a row.
Novak Djokovic, a top tennis player, has not won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. Despite being 38 and facing challenges with his physical fitness, Djokovic remains focused on competing in Grand Slam tournaments. He acknowledges the difficulty of surpassing younger competitors like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Key Facts
Novak Djokovic is currently 38 years old.
He has not won a Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open.
Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in the most recent season.
He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of the 2025 US Open.
Djokovic aims to win more Grand Slam titles, hoping to surpass Margaret Court's record.
Alcaraz and another player, Jannik Sinner, have recently won seven major titles.
Djokovic admits that playing best-of-five-set matches against younger players is challenging due to physical demands.
