Lionesses star Lauren James has opened up on her injury problems at Euro 2025 and says she tried everything to play through intense pain.

James hit by injury at Euro 2025Taken off in final win over SpainReveals 'ridiculous pain' she sufferedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

James was part of England's triumphant Euro 2025 winning squad but struggled with injury in the latter stages of the tournament in Switzerland. The Chelsea star was substituted at half-time of the Lionesses' semi-final win over Italy and in first half of the final against Spain.

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The 23-year-old also struggled with injury last season, making just 17 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, but was passed fit in time for the tournament in Switzerland. James has now lifted the lid on her physical issues, and the criticism she has received, and revealed how desperate she was to play a key role for the Lionesses.

WHAT JAMES SAID

She told : "A lot of the time fans don't know what is going on, they only know what is in front of them. They don't know what someone is dealing with, what is going on in their life. I always say to the fans, be mindful, you don't know what someone is dealing with out there. You could just be adding on to it. No player goes into a game or into a season thinking I'm not going to try. It was a Euros, they don't come around often. You could have one leg hanging off, I will still tell you that I'm going to try to play. 

"I was obviously fighting to be fit for the Euros, then suffered another injury in the quarter-finals, and tried to play on. Then people assume you're not trying, but at the end of the day I'm in a ridiculous amount of pain which caused me to come off at half-time in the semi-finals and before half-time in the final."

James also revealed how she tried to play through the pain barrier: "I know when something is not right. But we had no more subs left [against Sweden] so I had to stay on the pitch. And then it's a Euros semi-final, I didn't think it was a major injury so I tried to play [against Italy]. Then we're in the final, I can't not play, so I tried again. And obviously we won, but I didn't feel great. I didn't play how I wanted to play, I couldn't dribble, I couldn't run properly."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR JAMES?

James is set to miss the start of the new WSL season due to the injury she sustained at Euro 2025. Chelsea open up the defence of their Women's Super League title on Friday against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. 

Manchester United are not giving up in their pursuit of Senne Lammens, with the club making an improved offer after initially failing to agree personal terms with the Belgian goalkeeper. With just days left in the transfer window, the Red Devils are pushing to add depth with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir struggling as Ruben Amorim continues to reshape his squad at Old Trafford.

• Man Utd make improved bid for Antwerp’s Lammens
• Belgian also wanted by Turkish giants Galatasaray
• Martínez considered backup if Lammens deal fails

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United have returned with a fresh offer for Lammens after talks stalled earlier in the week, as per The Telegraph. The Belgian stopper also has an approach from Galatasaray, but Royal Antwerp are resigned to losing him this summer. A medical could take place immediately if terms are finalised, with the fee expected to be upwards of £20 million ($27m).

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  Lammens has been identified as the main candidate to challenge Onana and Bayindir after inconsistent spells from the pair under Amorim. Manchester United want to strengthen their goalkeeping unit to avoid repeating costly mistakes from last season and so far this season. His arrival would also underline the club’s focus on signing younger players with long-term potential.

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  Talks with Aston Villa over Emiliano Martínez have also been explored as a backup option. A swap deal involving Jadon Sancho has even been informally floated during discussions. However, Martínez’s price tag and key role at Villa Park make that move far more complicated compared to Lammens.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  With two days left before the window shuts, United must quickly reach an agreement with Lammens on personal terms. A decision is expected in the next 48 hours as Amorim pushes for reinforcements. If negotiations collapse, the Red Devils may be forced into a late scramble for alternatives.

A Barcelona court sentenced an Espanyol fan to one year in prison for racially abusing Inaki Williams, marking a landmark ruling in Spanish football.

• First prison term for racism in Spain
• Fan fined, banned from stadiums three years
• Williams & Vinicius central to anti-racism fight

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , a Barcelona court has sentenced an Espanyol supporter to one year in prison for racially abusing the striker during a La Liga clash at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in January 2020. The fan was found guilty of making monkey gestures aimed at Williams. While the sentence is legally binding, under Spanish law prison terms under two years for first-time offenders are usually suspended, meaning the accused is unlikely to serve actual jail time unless further offences are committed. Alongside the prison term, the fan must pay a fine of around €1,000, is banned from attending football stadiums for three years, and is disqualified from working in sport or education for five years.

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  This ruling is being hailed as a milestone in the fight against racism in Spanish football. It is the first case of racist abuse inside a stadium has resulted in a formal prosecution in Spain. Spanish football has long struggled with repeated racist incidents, particularly involving high-profile Black players such as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, who has faced slurs on multiple occasions. The Williams case underlines the urgent need for deeper reforms, stricter enforcement, and cultural change within the game and wider society.

  A statement from La Liga said: "This ruling constitutes a new milestone in the fight against racism in football, continuing LaLiga's firm and consistent line of action in defence of the values of respect and inclusion, which was specifically reinforced following this racist incident against Inaki Williams more than five years ago."

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  The Prosecutor’s Office originally sought a two-year prison sentence, but a deal was reached with the accused that reduced the punishment. Williams, who was born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents who met in a refugee camp, said at the time that the racist insults left him “saddened” and were “completely out of order.” His brother Nico Williams, now a Spain international, has also been vocal in standing against racism.

  This case adds to a string of convictions in Spain as in 2024, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racially abusing Vinicius Jr.,while four Atletico Madrid ultras received suspended sentences for hanging an effigy of the Brazilian from a bridge. In February 2025, Athletic game against Espanyol had to be halted after racial abuse was directed at forward Maroan Sannadi.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While this specific case concerned Athletic Club and Espanyol, the implications affect the entire Spanish football ecosystem, including the La Liga giants Barcelona. Moreover, with La Liga continuing to battle reputation damage over racism, clubs like Barca must take a more proactive stance, working with players, fans, and governing bodies to push for harsher sanctions and stronger education initiatives, being the leading club.

MatériaMais Notícias

Artilheiro do último Campeonato Brasileiro, Germán Cano iniciou a temporada 2023 tal qual terminou 2022: no topo. Autor de dois gols na goleada de 4 a 1 do Fluminense sobre o Flamengo, neste domingo, que deu o bicampeonato carioca ao Tricolor, o argentino terminou a competição como o principal goleador da disputa somando 16 bolas na rede em apenas 13 jogos disputados. Uma média impressionante de mais de um tento anotado por partida.

De quebra, o centroavante igualou o recorde de gols em uma única edição do Cariocão neste século, repetindo os feitos de Edílson, pelo Flamengo, em 2001, e Fábio Bala, pelo mesmo Fluminense, em 2002. Desde então, apenas Vagner Love, com 15, pelo Rubro-Negro, em 2010, havia chegado perto.

O recorde de gols em uma única edição do Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, no entanto, continua na Gávea. Em 1941, Sylvio Pirillo marcou 39 gols, marca que permanece inalcançada até hoje. Naquele, porém, o campeão também foi o Fluminense.

MAIORES ARTILHEIROS DE UMA EDIÇÃO DO CARIOCA NESTE SÉCULO

1º – Cano – Fluminense – 2023 – 16 gols
Fábio Bala – Fluminense – 2002 – 16 gols
Edílson – Flamengo – 2001 – 16 gols
4º – Vagner Love – Flamengo – 2010 – 15 gols
​5º – Valdir – Vasco – 2004 – 14 gols
Wellington Paulista – Botafogo – 2008 – 14 gols

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFluminenseDiniz vai ao delírio com a conquista do Fluminense: ‘Momento único, uma vitória maiúscula’Fluminense09/04/2023FluminenseArias aponta título como ‘afirmação’ do Fluminense e exalta Diniz: ‘É a cabeça do nosso time’Fluminense09/04/2023FluminenseVÍDEO: Ganso valoriza bicampeonato carioca e dedica a conquista a Fernando Diniz: ‘Merece esse título’Fluminense09/04/2023

Lauryn Goodman has revealed that her son Kairo dreams of following in the footsteps of father Kyle Walker by becoming a professional footballer.

Walker fathered two children with GoodmanEldest eager to follow in his sporting footstepsRelocation outside of England being consideredFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Love Island contestant Goodman is mother to two children that were born outside of Walker’s marriage to long-term partner Annie Kilner. Serious strain on that relationship has led to England international Walker having little to do with Kairo and Kinara.

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Kairo is, however, fully aware of who his father is and what he does for a living. Goodman has attended Three Lions fixtures at major international tournaments. Her son is hoping to grace such a stage at some point in the future.

WHAT GOODMAN SAID

Goodman told after enjoying a month-long sunshine break in Spain: “Kairo wants to be a footballer when he’s older. He is football crazy. Everything is football from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to sleep. He’s had a football camp here in Spain, which has been exciting for him. It’s full-on, but really special.”

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It remains to be seen whether said dream is chased in England or abroad, with Goodman admitting that she is still mulling over a family move. She added: “I’ve always felt a pull towards living abroad and Kairo is always asking to move to Dubai – he absolutely loves it there. But as a parent I have to make thoughtful decisions, and I always put my children’s best interests first.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians definiu seu planejamento logístico e de preparação para a estreia na Libertadores, no Uruguai. O Timão enfrenta o Liverpool-URU, em Montevideo, na quinta-feira (6), às 19h, no estádio Centenário.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoJogadora do Corinthians critica baixo nível do futebol masculino no BrasilFora de Campo04/04/2023CorinthiansCom joia especulada no Corinthians, Liverpool-URU aposta na base para surpreender na LibertadoresCorinthians04/04/2023CorinthiansLiverpool-URU x Corinthians: veja preços e como comprar ingressos para estreia do Timão na LibertadoresCorinthians03/04/2023

+ Com Barletta, Corinthians chega a 19 reforços na gestão de Duílio; relembre todos os reforços

O elenco alvinegro treinará pela manhã no CT Joaquim Grava nesta terça e quarta-feira, e embarcará rumo a Montevideo na véspera da partida, pela tarde. A viagem para a capital do Uruguai dura cerca de 2h30.

+ Veja as movimentações do mercado da bola no LANCE!

A equipe comandada por Fernando Lázaro não entra em campo desde o dia 12 de março, quando perdeu nos pênaltis para o Ituano, nas quartas de final do Paulistão. Durante a intertemporada, o Corinthians venceu jogos-treinos contra RB Bragantino II e Coritiba.

Após o duelo em Montevideo, a delegação retornará ao Brasil e receberá folga na sexta-feira, voltando ao CT Joaquim Grava no final de semana, com treinos marcados tanto para sábado quanto domingo, de olho na partida de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil, contra o Remo.O jogo contra o Leão será disputado no dia 12 de abril, no estádio Mangueirão, às 21h30.

+ Veja tabela e como ficou o grupo do Timão na Libertadores

continua após a publicidade

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has admitted that one of his “idols” is guilty of making one of the worst decisions in the club’s history.

Shearer's legacy at Newcastle unmatched

When it comes to genuine St James’ Park icons, Shearer’s name rightly appears at the top of the list when supporters are asked who the best footballer in Magpies history is.

No Newcastle player has scored more goals for the club than the former England international, who is also still leading the way in the Premier League overall, netting 260 times in total in the competition.

While Shearer forever missed out on winning major trophies at Newcastle, he lived out his childhood dream of representing his boyhood club and scoring endless goals in front of the Gallowgate End.

The legendary striker played under numerous managers at St James’, from Kenny Dalglish to Bobby Robson, but even great figures such as those mentioned weren’t immune from making errors during their time in charge.

Shearer reveals huge error Dalglish made at Newcastle

Speaking in 2024, with quotes provided by Give Me Sport, Shearer claimed that Dalglish’s decision to sell Les Ferdinand in 1997 was among the worst calls in Newcastle’s history.

Shearer is spot on in his assessment regarding Ferdinand, and while he clearly still sees Dalglish as a hero of his own, there is no question that selling his former attacking teammate was a bad call looking back.

Ferdinand and Shearer were devastating together, with both scoring in the iconic 5-0 win at home to Manchester United in the Premier League in 1996, and the former still had plenty of years left in him.

Granted, the Englishman was 30 years of age when Newcastle opted to move him on to Tottenham, but he showed over a six-year spell in north London that he could have continued scoring goals for the Magpies.

Newcastle signing Nick Woltemade names Arsenal star as his favourite player

He dropped a surprising name…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 6, 2025

Dalgilsh’s playing and managerial careers are legendary ones, with the Scot considered by many as the greatest player in Liverpool’s history, but it never worked out for him as Newcastle boss, which was a huge shame, especially for Shearer.

The quick took five wickets in 18 balls and changed the complexion of the day. But his send-off of Steven Smith could attract unwanted attention, again

Firdose Moonda in Port Elizabeth09-Mar-20184:02

Holding: Rabada needs to control himself little bit

If this is the last we see of Kagiso Rabada in this series, at least he would have exited in style.Bowling up the hill at St George’s Park, Rabada’s mid-afternoon blast torched through Australia and was the difference between a day South Africa could be fairly pleased with and one that might have reminded them of the first innings in Durban. His spell was one for ages, and will be remembered for single-handedly dragging his side back into an innings that could easily have got away from them.South Africa had started in pristine fashion on Friday morning and only conceded 23 runs in the first hour, largely thanks to Vernon Philander’s opening spell of 7-3-5-0. But they stained the morning session with their performance in the second hour, in which they leaked 48 runs in five overs as Rabada and Lungi Ngidi dished out half-volleys.Post-lunch, South Africa were more disciplined and rewarded with the wickets of Usman Khawaja and David Warner but it was not until Rabada angled a delivery into a shuffling Steven Smith, who missed the inside edge and was hit on the back pad, that South Africa were truly back in the game.The dismissal had a greater impact than merely removing Australia’s captain because Rabada followed up with animated send-off and was obviously pumped up. In his next over, he got Shaun Marsh, also lbw looking to flick, and three balls later, an ill Mitchell Marsh nicked off against a reverse-swinging delivery. Rabada took three wickets in six balls to signal tea. Immediately after the interval, he removed Pat Cummins with one that moved away and bowled Mitchell Starc – that moved away, too, and clipped off stump.The key to Rabada’s destruction was that he pitched the ball up and got it to move both ways. In just 18 balls – three overs – he changed the complexion of the day and underlined his own greatness. He is only 22, but we can call him that because Rabada is already in elite company.He has the second-best figures (13 for 144) by a South African bowler in a Test match, behind Makhaya Ntini’s 13 for 132, and is the joint-third fastest South African as well as the youngest South African to 100 Test wickets. Now, he is also third best for taking five wickets in the least number of balls. Rabada’s five came in the space of 18 balls; Jacques Kallis needed 12 against Bangladesh in 2002, and Steyn 16 against West Indies in 2010.Not even Steyn, who had taken 4 for 55 in a searing reverse-swinging second-innings spell to win the match for South Africa against Australia at this venue four years ago, enjoyed the Park Drive End. He admitted as much in a congratulatory tweet to his team-mate: “Never easy bowling up the hill at St George’s Park. KG just killed it! Only other player who ever enjoyed that end was the infamous @RustyTheron #MenWhoDoItTheHardWay.”Theron, who is currently studying in the USA, played his domestic cricket at this venue, and though he became known as a white-ball, death-bowling specialist, he spent many a summer snaffling wickets from the more difficult end of the ground with reverse swing. Rabada is a few clicks quicker than Theron, which only makes him more dangerous.”The thing with reverse swing is once you have a bit of pace on it, you are always going to be threatening,” Vernon Philander said. “I don’t think it went big today – there was a hint of it but KG hit his lengths well, which was key on this wicket.”Before this match, Faf du Plessis named Rabada as the only member of his attack who can exploit a reverse-swinging ball. South Africa need him, but they might not have him when they need him the most in this series.Rabada came into this match, having accumulated five demerit points over the last 13 months. A further three points before February next year will see Rabada suspended for two Test matches. After a shoulder brush with Australian captain Smith, Rabada could be charged with a Level 2 offence for making inappropriate and deliberate contact with another player. If found guilty, he will earn a minimum of three demerit points…AFPEven if he isn’t charged, Rabada now needs to take serious stock of his celebrations. For the third time since July, he has been overly enthusiastic in sending a batsman off.In the first Test against England at Lord’s, Rabada told Ben Stokes to “f*** off” after dismissing him. There was history between them after Stokes had sledged Temba Bavuma – Rabada’s former Lions’ team-mate and close friend – in the series in South Africa in early 2016. Although Rabada insists him and Stokes are “cool” off the field, they are hot on it. Rabada earned a one-Test ban after that because he already had three demerit points from a shoulder barge on Niroshan Dickwella from earlier in the year.Then, at this very ground in an ODI against India last month, Rabada waved Shikhar Dhawan off before spitting out the same expletive. Another demerit point.At Kingsmead, Rabada gave David Warner a send-off but it did not appear to include swearing; he passed his arm over his mouth as he completed his sentence. Here, he didn’t. Shouting “Yes, yes,” in Smith’s face may not be particularly threatening, but the shoulder contact that followed might attract the ICC’s attention. The consequences could be serious.South Africa seem to know as much because they did not bring him to the post-day press conference for fear he would be asked about his indiscretion and his answer would be incriminatory. Instead, Rabada could now spend the evening pondering the words of Michael Holding, who has tried to impress him on the need to keep himself in check.”Kagiso gets a little bit carried away. I have spoken to him a few times about it to try and get him to relax a bit,” Holding told ESPNcricinfo in his post-day analysis. “He’s very emotional; he wears his heart on his sleeve. Everything he does, he wants people to see him being very involved. He has to just try and control himself a little bit. Shouting yes, brushing close to a player, that’s not quite the way to go. You can shout and go after your team-mates and hug them or kiss them or whatever you want to do. But leave the opposition alone.”Except with the ball.

Bangladesh’s campaign in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa has been hit with allegations of a spot-fixing approach made to one of their players by another cricketer.Dhaka-based carried audio recordings of a conversation allegedly between two Bangladesh cricketers, one of whom is claimed to be with the squad in South Africa. ESPNcricinfo understands the player reported the approach to authorities as is required by the anti-corruption code of conduct.The BCB’s chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told ESPNCricinfo, “The ICC’s anti-corruption unit looks after these matters. Our players are aware of their dos and don’ts. If there’s been an approach, they know that they have to inform the ICC ACU according to the event’s protocol. It is not a matter for the BCB’s investigation. We cannot react or talk about a news report. It is very sensitive in nature.”On Tuesday, Jamuna TV reported an audio conversation between two female cricketers, the first allegedly in Bangladesh and the other with the team in South Africa. The one in Bangladesh is alleged to be the intermediary between another person and the T20 World Cup squad member.”I am not forcing anything,” the cricketer in Bangladesh is heard telling the one in South Africa. “You can play if you want. The fact that I told you, you can play this time or not. You choose which match you want to play. You can offer the match. It is your wish. You did well in one match, you can play the next game or not. The team management will let you do that.”In reply, the player reportedly in South Africa said: “No my friend, I am not involved in these things. Please don’t tell me these things. I won’t be able to do these things ever. I request you not to tell me these things, please.”The ICC did not offer a comment when contacted.Bangladesh lost their first two games in Group 1 to Sri Lanka and Australia, and play New Zealand next in Cape Town on February 17.

Unbeaten 153 drives home first-day advantage before bowlers cement dominance

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Feb-2023

Joe Root says he “owed” England his 29th Test century after finishing unbeaten on 153 at Wellington on day two of the second Test against New Zealand.Root’s innings, the 14th time he has gone past 150 in Tests, has now put his average back above 50. It allowed England to declare on 435 for 8 and have two cracks at the New Zealand batting order before and after lunch. The hosts were reduced to 138 for 7 before the rain came to wash out the final two hours of play, for the second day in succession.This was Root’s fourth century under Ben Stokes’ and Brendon McCullum’s tenure, but it came after he had admitted to struggling to find a balance between contributing and doing so in a manner which aligns with the new attacking approach of this side. The way he went up the gears on this occasion – his last 103 runs took just 102 balls – was very much the Root of old. He credits Harry Brook, who only added two to his overnight score before being caught and bowled for 186 by Matt Henry, for bringing it out of him. The Yorkshire pair added 302 for the fourth wicket, having come together at 21 for 3.”I felt like I owed that to the group,” Root said. “It’s been a while since I made a solid contribution. To be part of such a big partnership was really pleasing and I think the best thing was I had the best seat in the house to watch Harry go about his business. It’s a joy to watch him play at the minute. He certainly made my life a lot easier out there, the way he manages to wrestle momentum in our favour and constantly put bowlers under pressure.”When he comes and plays as he does – if you slightly over-pitch he hits you over your head, if you miss short he goes midwicket, he’ll back away and hit you through the off side – it’s difficult to know where to bowl with him. When you get down the other end it just feels like there’s less pressure on you, and more opportunity to get him back on strike and down the business end.”I felt we had a really good understanding, we negated a few modes of dismissal by getting down the crease. We fed off each quite nicely and made it difficult for them to bowl one length for us.”Root also credited Stokes for the timing of the declaration, allowing James Anderson to remove Devon Conway and Kane Williamson before lunch, before the rest of the top five were dismissed with just 77 on the board. Without the weather intervening, there was a strong chance of all 10 wickets before the scheduled close of play.Related

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James Anderson, Jack Leach share six as England capitalise on attacking declaration

“I think it was a brilliant call from Ben,” Root said. “It felt like that 40 minutes before the break, the sun was out and with 40 minutes of sun, a heavy roller and 40 minutes of sun at lunch, it might have changed the wicket.”It didn’t work out like that, it gave a better opportunity to make the most of conditions. The way we’re playing at the minute with the confidence we’ve got, seeing the ball move around with the No. 1 Test bowler, the two leading wicket-takers we’ve ever had, it just seemed a very brave and attacking option. Full credit to Ben, as you’d expect, for taking it on.”He’s just walked so naturally into the role, he’s managing the game really well and everyone is responding to it. I just think was a brilliant call from him, it would have been very easy for us to keep going and we might not be sat here with them seven-down tonight. Credit to him, he’s doing a great job.”As for the match going forward, a follow-on could be on the cards, given the likelihood of more rain interruptions and the relatively light workload of England’s bowlers so far. Either way, the result will decide whether this century ranks as one of Root’s best since the start of last summer.”Potentially,” he answered when asked whether this one was top of the four, the others having come in the opening matches of last summer, including two successful run-chases at Lord’s and Edgbaston. “We’ll see how the game turns out. You always judge how well you’ve played off the back of a result and I’m certainly sat here in this position, at the end of day two, having them seven-down with a huge lead is very satisfying right now. Hopefully we can follow through on it and continue all the good cricket we’ve played up to now.”