Alonso was coy over the details of the conversation but confirmed contact was made with Fernandez after Real Madrid publicly denied interest in the midfielder

The World Cup spotlight causes single games to live longer in the memory than any other. The remaining teams at this tournament face defining momentsWorld Cup games mean more. England have only ever played 80 games in the finals, which is to say, not much more than two Premier League seasons in the 76 years since they first entered. Those games draw huge …

Defending champions will pose a threat with Messi’s genius, but their lack of width and energy in the midfield offers encouragement for Thomas TuchelSwitzerland knew how to deal with Lionel Messi. They congested the centre of the pitch and made it impossible for him to find angles for threaded passes or rapier finishes. One of Messi’s trademark moves, …

A Wimbledon star opted for a change after crying at her press conference.

Norway were left furious but England have finally been vindicated.

Clark tried to defend the Aces' Chelsea Gray during the second quarter of her team's 109-75 victory but, as Clark tried to stop Gray from getting her shot away, she took an elbow to the midriff.

The 22-year-old Brazilian has signed a five-year contract until June 2031 with the option to extend it by another year.

Top Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died, aged 38, weeks after he was dropped from the World Cup over a sexual assault arrest in the United Kingdom.

Brendon McCullum has apologised to England fans for the poor string of Test results that led to his dismissal and said he will work alongside his replacement to ensure all three formats are prioritised in the new setup.

Rory McIlroy has been grouped alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick for the first two rounds of The 154th Open, with Scottie Scheffler on the opposite side of the draw at Royal Birkdale.

Brendon McCullum gives his thoughts after being sacked from his role as head coach of the England Test side.

Head coach Charlotte Edwards has made getting more red-ball cricket into her England side a priority following their Test thrashing by India as they build towards the home Ashes in 2027.

Which Premier League clubs have carried the biggest World Cup workload?

Croatia reappoint former defender Slaven Bilic as the manager of their men's national team.

Police urge England fans at home to follow the example of supporters in the United States after several incidents over the weekend.

Former England captain and World Cup winner Heather Knight says she is "really content" after calling time on her international career.

England's young stars Henry Pollock and Noah Caluori are targeting starting for their country after scoring tries in Saturday's 73-8 thrashing of Fiji.

Andoni Iraola wants to give Liverpool fans "a team that they can be proud of" and says he is ready for the responsibility of such a big job.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock withdraws from this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after injuring his hand in training.

Joe Dean jokes he may have to camp by the practice putting green after winning The Open's inaugural Last Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale.