SPORTS

Two of the surprise packages of the Women's World Cup clash when Colombia face Jamaica in Melbourne on Tuesday with a quarter-final against England up for grabs.

Australia were in danger of a humiliating early exit after a surprise defeat to Nigeria but they are now into the Women's World Cup quarter-finals and belief is growing that they can go all the way.

If Idrissa Di Porto hits the headlines as a star of Italian rugby in a future World Cup, Azzurri supporters will surely offer up a prayer of thanks to a club which has been beavering away in the unfashionable southern suburbs of Rome for over 40 years.

Real Madrid begin life after Karim Benzema looking to wrest back the Spanish title from Barcelona as the La Liga season kicks off this weekend, seemingly content to play the waiting game for Kylian Mbappe.

The Pebble Beach Pro-Am will become a "signature" event on the 2024 US PGA Tour schedule released on Monday even as a merger framework agreement with LIV Golf remains unresolved.

The United States' exit gives England a golden opportunity to win the Women's World Cup but they face a tricky encounter with Nigeria on Monday in the last 16, before co-hosts Australia face Denmark.

Arsenal lifted the Community Shield to end Manchester City's silverware streak with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory after a 1-1 draw against the treble winners on Sunday.

Thousands of raucous Chinese basketball fans pack tightly into a floodlit stadium filled with swirling fog, eager to spur on the teams battling in the tournament final.

Germany's shock exit and the United States' plodding performances were just two of the surprises of a wild Women's World Cup group stage, with England and Japan now leading the charge when the knockouts begin on Saturday.

Simone Biles makes her long-awaited return to gymnastics in Chicago on Saturday, with the dreaded "twisties" firmly behind her in what could be the first step on the road towards next year's Olympic games.

MotoGP returns at Silverstone this weekend after its mid-term break. "I don't know when I will be able to return," he revealed.

United States captain Lindsey Horan has called on the holders to "raise the standard" heading into the Women's World Cup knockout phase but defended her team against criticism that followed their goalless draw with Portugal.

Lionel Messi made it five goals in three appearances for Inter Miami as he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup round-of-32 on Wednesday.

France coach Herve Renard has warned his team they must keep their focus or it "can all come tumbling down" after being stunned by an early goal from Panama and leaking another two late on.

There has been a power cut, and under moonlight in a poor quarter of DR Congo's capital, wrestler Maitresse Libondans explains how she invokes her ancestors to cast spells that rout her opponents.

The United States came into the Women's World Cup as favourites to win a third title in a row but they head into the last 16 looking anything but champions after limping through the group stage.

Sarina Wiegman gambled with a new-look formation against China at the Women's World Cup and it paid off, with the England boss lauding her squad's adaptability as they "grow into the tournament".

Remco Evenepoel is among the stars assembling for the world cycling championships in Scotland with 13 disciplines including road races, BMX, mountain biking and track racing on the menu from Thursday.

Holders the United States squeezed into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with a shaky 0-0 draw against debutants Portugal on Tuesday to finish second in Group E behind a rampant Netherlands.

Football legend Marta was moved to tears Tuesday as the Brazilian reflected on her career and legacy on the eve of what could be her final Women's World Cup appearance.

Stuart Broad enjoyed a fairytale finish as England beat Australia by 49 runs to win the fifth Test at The Oval on Monday and end the Ashes series all square at 2-2.

Newly minted world record-breaker Kristin Harila is done with 8,000-metre mountains and ready for a "normal life" after achieving her goal of giving women a rare role model in extreme climbing.

Co-hosts Australia have to beat Canada on Monday or risk an unthinkable exit from the Women's World Cup in the first round, while former champions Japan take on Spain with top spot in their group on the line.

Colombia scored a 97th-minute winner to stun Germany 2-1 on a night of Women's World Cup drama Sunday which also saw Norway and Switzerland into the last 16 but co-hosts New Zealand dumped out in tears.

Dutchwoman Demi Vollering succeeded compatriot and great rival Annemiek van Vleuten to win the second edition of the women's Tour de France in Pau on Sunday.

Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja hit unbeaten fifties as the tourists reached 135-0 on a rain-shortened Sunday in pursuit of a mammoth target of 384 runs to win the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

Stuart Broad made a shock announcement that he is retiring from cricket after the end of the Ashes as England took a giant stride towards levelling the series against Australia on Saturday.

England great Stuart Broad said Saturday he will retire from all cricket following the conclusion of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval, describing his career as "a wonderful ride".

England closed in on a place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with a 1-0 win over Denmark on Friday but their victory was overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to key midfielder Keira Walsh.