World Cup joy, Ashes glory and netball delight – Big England wins in Australia

England defeated Australia 3-1 in Sydney to reach the Women’s World Cup final.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look back at some other memorable victories for England on Australian soil.

Wilkinson’s golden boot

Jonny Wilkinson’s last-gasp drop-goal secured England’s men a dramatic triumph in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney.

Wilkinson’s kick sealed a 20-17 extra-time victory over hosts Australia in front of a then-record record crowd of almost 83,000 – with millions more watching on television around the globe.

After the scores were locked at 14-14 at full-time following a second-half fightback from the Wallabies, Wilkinson’s fourth penalty edged Martin Johnson’s men back in front, only for Elton Flatley to level things up again.…

Mikel Arteta wants leaders Arsenal to treat trip to Man City as a home fixture

Mikel Arteta will urge his Arsenal side to treat their trip to title rivals Manchester City as a home fixture.

The Gunners are a point above the reigning champions at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium – where Arsenal have lost on their last seven visits.

Arteta’s side, however, have the best away record in the Premier League as they look to win their first league title in two decades.

They have won nine of 14 games on the road and face tough trips to Brighton, Wolves and Tottenham in the coming weeks – as well as a Champions League quarter-final clash at Bayern Munich.

Sights set on Sunday

Sobha Realty Training Centre

— Arsenal (@Arsenal)

Asked why his team are so good away from home, …

Prediction: Stuttgart vs Bayer Leverkusen

Verdict: Draw no bet Stuttgart

Best odds:

Bookmaker: 

Stuttgart are hosting Leverkusen in a much-expected Bundesliga blockbuster. A win can help hosts join the challenge for the supreme crown in German football, a trophy they won last time more than 16 years ago (2007).

Stuttgart

Sebastian Hoenes impressed since taking over Stuttgart at the end of the last season, saving the team from relegation in the last rounds. The young manager built on his previous year s success taking this season s Bundesliga by storm. Despite having a difficult summer when key players departed from the team, Hoenes built a squad that is challenging for at least a top 4 finish. Serhou Guirassy, the Guinea striker, has been outstanding so far challenging Harry Kane for the Bunde…

New England Revolution v Nashville SC: Porter holding out hope for playoff spot

Caleb Porter still believes New England Revolution have an outside chance of making the playoffs if they win all their games, starting with Nashville SC.

The Revs currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference on 28 points and are eight points behind Philadelphia Union in ninth.

They are winless in their last five matches though, alternating between losses and draws, and were heavily beaten 4-0 by Charlotte FC last weekend after Dylan Borrero s sending-off.

Porter remains hopeful, though even he admits it may be just out of the Revs reach.

I might be stupid, but I still believe that we can win all five [games] and get in [the MLS Cup Playoffs] somehow, he said, as quoted in The Blazing Musket substack.

That is the approach that I m going to take…

Defence will be Belgium’s biggest Achilles heel heading into 2018 World Cup

There is no doubt that Belgium are one of the biggest candidates heading into the 2018 World Cup. The Red Devils cruised their way through the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, and undoubtedly feature some of the best players in the world in their current squad. However, it might be a stretch to call them a title contender.. at least just yet.

When looking Belgium s squad, we can see they have a top-class goalkeeper in Thibaut Courtois. The midfield zone feature quality names such as Marouane Fellaini even if you hate him or love him! , Radja Nainggolan, Kevin de Bruyne, and other promising names such as Youri Tielemans. And the attacking line is even better. Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and the list goes on and one.

However, there is one area we …

The Numbers Game: Euro 2024 heavyweights Spain and Italy face off in group of death

Spain and reigning European champions Italy both won their opening matches at Euro 2024, and will now face off in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday.

But both sides endured differing performances in their respective encounters, with La Roja cruising to a 3-0 victory over Croatia to condemn their opponents to joint-heaviest ever defeat at a major international tournament.

However, Luciano Spalletti s pre-match words would still have been ringing in his Italy players ears when Nedim Bajrami s goal after 23 seconds gave Albania a shock lead the fastest goal ever scored at the European Championships.

Yet two goals in five minutes from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella ensured the Italians quest of becoming the second team to win back-to-back Euros tournaments after Thu…

2014 World Cup qualifying wrap: Philippines, Vietnam progress

Former Chelsea youth player Phil Younghusband scored a brace as Philippines ended Sri Lanka s 2014 FIFA World Cup dreams on Sunday.

After a first-leg 1-1 draw, the Philippines were 4-0 winners over Sri Lanka in the second leg to cement their spot in the second round of AFC World Cup qualifying.

Midfielder Emelio Caligdong scored a 19th-minute opener for the hosts in Manila before striker Younghusband s first goal on 43 minutes effectively sealed the result.

Second-half strikes from Spanish-born midfielder Angel Guirado and a second from Younghusband this one from the penalty spot wrapped up the easy win.

Elsewhere, Laos needed extra time to progress against Cambodia, 8-6 on aggregate.

After Cambodia won the first leg 4-2, a 4-2 reverse for Laos e…

World Cup 2018 Final: Grab 40/1 on France to Defeat Croatia

Les Bleus are one step away from their first World Cup trophy in exactly twenty years.

Led by the man who wore a captain’s armband as France marched to glory in 1998, Didier Deschamps’ young players have been installed as firm favourites against the perennial dark horses Croatia.

The Vatreni are bidding for their first-ever World Cup title after an impressive and emotionally exhausting campaign in Russia, which saw them go through a string of extra-time scares and come-from-behind triumphs.

France can be backed at remarkable 40/1 betting odds at Betfair in their new customer special available to all those who using promo code ZFBDQV.

Bet maximum of €1 on France to beat Croatia at this enhanced price and claim your winnings as free bets. There is al…

Five more Euro teams set for 2010 World Cup berths

Spain and England are among five European teams that can secure a spot in the 2010 World Cup on Wednesday, as France could be left with just the playoffs with Portugal may be all but out.

Serbia, Denmark and Slovakia can also advance, although the Danes and Slovakians need a win coupled with other results going their way.

European champion Spain hosts Estonia in Merida and will be confident of winning for the eighth time in eight Group 5 games. The Spaniards will qualify if second-place Bosnia-Herzegovina fails to beat Turkey at home.

Favorites with the British bookmakers to win the World Cup for the first time, the Spaniards are six points ahead of the Bosnians, who have a four-point advantage over the Turks.

Vicente del Bosque s star-studded Spain is a…

Euro 2020 final: Rice and Phillips afraid of Italy´s midfield? They´ve already faced Modric and Kroo

Gareth Southgate insists Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips will not be fazed about going up against Italy s much-lauded midfield, pointing out they coped well despite their relative inexperience against two modern greats in Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Italy have enjoyed almost universal acclaim for their performances at Euro 2020, with their run to Sunday s final seeing them extend their unbeaten run to 33 matches, a national record.

A lot of the praise has been centred around their midfield trio of Nicolo Barella, Jorginho and Marco Verratti, the latter two in particular.

Jorginho carries out an important function as their deep-lying playmaker, and his influence is highlighted by the fact he has completed more passes (390) and had more touches of the ball (503) th…