Topuria moves top of men's pound-for-pound rankings
The pair traded words before Topuria shoved Pimblett, building speculation about a potential title bout between the pair.They have been rivals for over three years after Pimblett threw a bottle of hand sanitiser at Topuria during a confrontation at a London hotel.Both Topuria and Pimblett have said they want the fight, but second-ranked Armenian Arman Tsarukyan and fourth-ranked American Justin Gaethje are also contenders.Britain's Tom Aspinall, who was upgraded to undisputed heavyweight champion after Jon Jones retired last week, is ninth in the pound-for-pound rankings.Brazil's Alexandre Pantoja, who beat New Zealand's Kai Kara-France on Saturday to make the fourth defence of his flyweight belt, has moved up to fifth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Gonzalo García downs Juventus to send Real Madrid to Club World Cup quarters
Kylian Mbappé at last made his debut at this Club World Cup as the competition enters the knockout phase, coming on to face Juventus two weeks and four games after he was hospitalised with a stomach virus that saw him lose five kilos. But while the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami chanted the Frenchman's name, roaring as he made his way to the halfway line, and stood to hand him an ovation when he entered the fray, the excitement overflowing, it was the kid heading in the other direction for whom Rita Hayworth is family but most of them had not heard of a month ago, who had taken Real Madrid into the quarter-final. For all the focus on the most famous names, for all that this month, this experimental event, needs them, every tournament has its revelation: this World Cup has a 21-year-old madrileño. 'I knew this competition was the opportunity of my life,' Gonzalo García said after he again showed that it is one he is determined, and equipped, to take hold of. The Real Madrid academy striker, who had never started a game before arriving in the United States, scored his third goal here with a superb thumping header from a delicious Trent Alexander-Arnold delivery, doing what no one else could over 90 minutes here: beating the Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. A family of rugby players, bullfighters, and perhaps the most famous actor there ever was – García's grandfather was Heyworth's cousin – has a footballer too, and he looks like being some player. Good enough, says the Spain Under-17s coach, Hernán Pérez, to be Madrid's striker for a decade to come. With the permission of Mbappé, of course. Xabi Alonso likes him, that's for sure, even if he admitted that he never expected three goals from him, and García has been superb stateside. On a wet but mercifully lightning-free afternoon in Miami where a Madrid team that are progressing well kept hitting a wall, he was decisive once more, setting up a meeting with Borussia Dortmund – hi Jude, hi Jobe – or Monterrey – hi, Sergio Ramos – in the next round. In the end, Madrid deserved it, far the better side, Alonso praising his team's ability to understand 'when to speed up, when to slow down, how to control the game'. That said, it did take a while to gain control and the early moments of illumination came mostly from another kid, Juventus's Kenan Yildiz, who combined often with Andrea Cambiaso and Randal Kolo Muani. The 20-year-old – left footed, small, socks half down, backside low – has been described by Kolo Muani as 'magic' and there were moments he left his mark here. He played a key part in what might have been the opener after six minutes, combining with Kolo Muani on a move that began way back by the Juventus penalty area and reached Madrid's. There, alone before Thibaut Courtois, Kolo Muani scooped over him but fractionally over the bar too. Next a neat turn saw Yildiz's shot deflected wide, there was the time he slipped the ball between Alexander-Arnold's legs, and smart footwork later took him away from the former Liverpool defender and Antonio Rüdiger for Cambiaso to cross. From another Cambiaso delivery, Francisco Conceição headed Juve's second chance at Courtois. Madrid, playing with three central defenders, had control if not a huge amount of incision in those early phases. As the half went on though, openings appeared and increasingly often. In the middle of it all, Fede Valverde, as ever, was everywhere firing off shots. By the time he was withdrawn, exhausted, to applause in the 89th minute, the Uruguayan had racked up seven. 'He makes life easier,' Alonso said. From one of them in the first half, Di Gregorio dived full length to save and the keeper would have a busy afternoon, sticking out a leg when Valverde got deep into the area and pulled back soon after. Next Arda Guler, growing into this in the playmaker role that looks increasingly like becoming his permanent place, lifted over his marker and almost got the ball across. Just before the break, Alexander-Arnold did, but his delivery raced right though the six-yard box. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion The second half began with Jude Bellingham setting up Valverde's volley, which skidded and spun just wide. And although Antonio Rüdiger and Courtois kicked each other as they swiped at a clearance, Alonso's side got on top, soon dominating entirely. Trent fired over, Manuel Locatelli blocked Vinícius Júnior, and Bellingham and Dean Huijsen drew saves from Di Gregorio. Then the goal came, Alexander-Arnold's lovely soft-shoed cross meeting García's leap. Turning his neck, he thudded past Di Gregorio who could not fling up his arms fast enough. Madrid kept coming but the Italian pushed away Valverde's overhead kick and stuck out a leg to stop Guler's shot after Vinícius and Mbappé had opened up Juventus. When he reached Aurélien Tchouaméni's late low drive, it took him into double figures but there was no reward. The one time he was beaten was enough, Madrid's revelation there again.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Women's Euro 2025: Guardian writers' predictions for the tournament
It feels as if Spain and a revitalised Germany have the wind in their sails to meet in Basel, even if Aitana Bonmatí's illness is a real worry for the world champions. Spain will win out on the night. England know the ropes and cannot be ruled out but their path to glory looks complicated. Nick Ames I am going England-Spain, a rerun of the 2023 World Cup final. It would mean England finish second in Group D to go in the other half of the draw. Between those two, head says Spain; heart, of course, says England. Sophie Downey Spain against Germany is the most logical final. Although England could disrupt that if they click, my instinct says Spain-Germany. Spain should get the job done and win their first Euros. They have never reached the final but have the strongest squad, in terms of technical skill, a relatively kind group draw and more days to rest and recover than their rivals in Groups C and D, so this should be Spain's year. Tom Garry I'll go for Spain to win it, and it'll be Germany, England or the Netherlands. Those are the four best teams in the tournament. Emma Hayes Spain to beat Sweden in a disappointingly mid-paced final that feels like something of an anticlimax after their all-time classic against Germany in the semis. Jonathan Liew France and Italy with the former winning. France are serial underachievers but they have been in hot form under Laurent Bonadei and, combining technical excellence with pace-suffused fluidity, are more dynamic than many rivals. They possess the weapons to win a first major tournament. Italy – much improved under Andrea Soncin's management – look classic dark horses. Louise Taylor Don't make me do this. I have a terrible feeling England will finish second in the group and face Germany in the quarter-finals. That will be a tricky test but I'd back them to get past it and go all the way to the final, where they would meet Spain and lose to the world champions. Suzanne Wrack Lea Schüller remains a formidable spearhead for Germany and, in a side who have carved recent opponents wide open, should add healthily to her tally in Switzerland. Alessia Russo could challenge her but may find England's assignments too nip-and-tuck. NA Clàudia Pina – one of the most natural strikers in the competition. This is the 23-year-old's time to shine on the back of a brilliant season for Barcelona, where she finished as the top goalscorer in the Champions League. SD Pina could blow defences away. Even if she isn't chosen to start every game, she could be even more lethal coming off the bench against tiring defences. A tally of five or six goals may be enough for the Golden Boot and I would back Pina to notch at least four during the group stage on the form she displayed towards the end of the club season. TG I'm going to say Alessia Russo. I think Alessia is in a great place and I think since Renée Slegers has taken Arsenal on, she and Kelly Smith deserve huge credit for the development of Alessia. EH Sandy Baltimore: bit left-field (pun intended), but hear me out. Played as a wing-back for much of her career but now adding goals to her game: five for France and a brace in the FA Cup final. France's stacked frontline will allow her plenty of space to operate and she could easily go on a run. JL Marie-Antoinette Katoto. The Lyon striker – she joins from PSG on Tuesday – has 38 goals in 55 appearances for France and combines precision finishing with often unplayable physicality. After rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in the group stage of Euro 2022, then missing the 2023 World Cup, this could finally be the 26-year-old's moment in the sun. LT If you're predicting Spain to win then it's hard not to predict Pina to pick up the Golden Boot. She's been in formidable form and, although goals can come from a variety of Spain players, I think Pina will do very well. Were the Netherlands not drawn in such a tricky group I'd have fancied Vivianne Miedema. SW Iceland look strong, reliable and more than well placed to compete seriously in a winnable Group A. They have a habit of staying in games and, if they were to avoid Spain in the last eight, could travel far. It is also worth watching out for a hugely improved Italy. NA Italy are my dark horses. Andrea Soncin has overseen something of a rebuild and refresh since he took over in 2023. They have been in steady form since, taking the scalps of Spain and Germany among others. Roma's playmaker Manuela Giugliano is one to watch. SD At least one of the seven teams in Group A and B who are not Spain will reach the semi-finals. That's guaranteed, so while that won't be a 'surprise', whoever makes it from that relatively low-ranking set will be an unlikely name for a semi-finalist. There is little between the seven but I am leaning towards Italy, who have recorded some excellent results since the World Cup. TG You have to talk about the French, while Italy are a good side and Belgium have the qualities to be disruptive. EH Italy have claimed some big scalps in the past 12 months and if they escape a tough group the draw could easily open out for them. JL Wales. The NWSL title in the United States is notoriously hard to win but the Wales coach, Rhian Wilkinson, pulled that feat off at Portland Thorns in 2022. Wilkinson has turned a highly motivated Wales into extremely awkward opponents and, with Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle in a high-calibre midfield, they look capable of reaching the quarter-finals of their first major tournament. LT Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Is this Norway's time to not be disappointing? The draw has certainly helped them and if they top the group that should give them momentum going into the knockouts. I don't expect them to go far, but with Ada Hegerberg, Guro Reiten, Caroline Graham Hansen, Frida Maanum, etc the quality is there. SW Nobody with any handle on the England setup is blind to the prodigious talent of Aggie Beever-Jones. Now Europe should discover the Chelsea striker's gifts first-hand. She has made a flying start at international level and should prove an explosive option from the bench. NA Beever-Jones will bring the impact from the bench. The 21-year-old is playing in her first major tournament and has just enjoyed the season of her young career. If the Lionesses need a goal, they know they have someone in the ranks with an instinctive eye for one. SD For the viewer who may not be a women's football diehard, this should be the tournament when Cláudia Pina breaks into the mainstream and receives wider recognition. Meanwhile, England's Michelle Agyemang can go into this tournament with no fear and if she gets a chance off the bench she can show she is a future superstar. TG Pina is someone who has got huge, huge potential. For England, we could talk about Grace Clinton for example, but I'm always going to say Beever-Jones, because if England need a different type of goalscorer in another moment in a game, I think she's capable of delivering on that front. For Germany, watch out for Jule Brand; she is so exciting to watch. EH Vicky López. Still only 18 but long regarded as one of Europe's most promising talents, López went to last summer's Olympics for Spain but didn't play. Has featured more often for Barcelona this season and this could be the tournament that puts her name in lights. JL Manuela Giugliano. The Roma playmaker says she models her game on that of Andrea Pirlo but, at 27, is still to see her lofty domestic standing transposed on to the international stage. That could be about to change for a dead-ball wizard blessed with superior vision, a stellar passing range and a knack of making impeccable defensive interceptions. LT Lauren James has had an injury-hit season for Chelsea but when fit she has looked sublime. The forward seems to have matured her all-round game, her defensive work rate as impressive as her attacking, and this could be the tournament where she really stamps her name on the international stage. In training she has looked phenomenal and her assist against Jamaica on Sunday, after coming on for her first minutes in three months, showed her importance to England from a creativity point of view. SW Further evidence that standards at the game's elite level continue to reach new heights – in a country that should be perfectly set up to host a smooth, joyful summer tournament. NA I think the next month will be the best illustration of how far European football has continued to develop over the past three years. Any of five or six teams could win it and no side are infallible. In terms of the tournament, I am looking forward to seeing everything that Switzerland has to offer. This is a huge moment in their women's football journey and I am sure they will seize it. SD The three group matches between England, France and the Netherlands – all three of whom are capable of going all the way – should make for blockbuster viewing. The pressure riding on those early fixtures will be immense; they are akin to semi-finals, in terms of standard, but they are going to be entertaining us inside the first 11 days. I'm also looking forward to the mountainous scenery from the window seat of a Swiss train. It is a beautiful country. TG Nowadays players have got more access to the support they need to be the best versions of themselves, so the quality is going to be so much higher. There may be a bit of a shifting of the order, too; this may be a tournament where we talk about a Belgium or an Italy and not a Sweden and a Norway. That's not to say that will happen, but there could be a shift. EH The Dutch fans. Obviously. JL You mean apart from the Swiss chocolate museum in Lucerne? Watching Wales and their 38-year-old, but still world-class, midfielder Jess Fishlock at their first major tournament. The final Group B game between Italy and Spain in Berne looks intriguing, too. Off the pitch, seeing Lake Lucerne, the Alps and the Abbey Library in St Gallen, said to be one of the world's oldest and most beautiful. LT A cheese fondue. Does that need elaboration? It's all I've been thinking about for months. On the pitch, Spain are obviously the favourites but the fact any one of several teams (Spain, England, Germany, France, Sweden, the Netherlands …) could win this tournament makes it hugely exciting. Set against the backdrop of stunning Switzerland, it will be memorable. SW
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Alexander-Arnold pays back Real signing fee - and the 'new Raul'
There were plenty of eyebrows raised when Real Madrid paid Liverpool £8.4m for Trent Alexander-Arnold when they could have got him for free just a month Alonso's side were determined to sign the right-back in time for the start of their Club World Cup campaign, and they opted to pay the fee to release the 26-year-old from his contract was certainly a bonus for Liverpool, who looked like losing their prized asset for - on the day Alexander-Arnold would otherwise have been able to sign for the Spanish club - his first month with them has more than paid for their calculated started every game in Real's Club World Cup campaign, Alexander-Arnold provided his first assist as 21-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcia further enhanced his growing reputation by heading home his cross to send them past Juventus and into the goal alone was worth an extra £10m for Madrid, with the club having already received about £43m for just reaching the last will meet either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals, and could earn up to £125m if they go on to win the tournament."Of course it was worth paying the extra money," former France centre-back Gael Clichy told Dazn. "You don't have time in football, but this competition has given Real Madrid and Trent extra time."This has allowed Trent to get used to Real Madrid. He has to be excited by what is to come - and so will Real Madrid." How has Alexander-Arnold performed? This was the second time Alonso has deployed his preferred 5-3-2/3-5-2 formation since he replaced Carlo Ancelotti as Madrid coach, and his new charges - including Alexander-Arnold - certainly appear to be adjusting to the new who impressed his new employers with his Spanish abilities at his unveiling, has played the full 90 minutes in his past two appearances, growing in confidence with each endured a mixed start on his debut against Al-Hilal, who caught him out of possession on several occasions and almost scored after the former Liverpool man lost possession near the halfway line. He also won only one of his five duels in that looked vulnerable at times in his second game of the tournament against Pachuca, but in the 3-0 win over Salzburg - his first in the wing-back position - he was involved in Madrid's third goal late in the second half and has now repaid Alonso's faith with his first assist for the club."It was a fantastic delivery from Trent," former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel told Dazn. "We know he can do that - even though there are still questions defensively. It's good to see him settle. We knew it would take him time."Ex-Netherlands midfielder Edgar Davids echoed those sentiments, saying: "I think he is a good fit for Real Madrid and he will get better."If you want to have attacking full-backs, he is one of the key figures in that position in the world. If you want that and you have the speed in front of you, it is ideal."Questions remain about some of his defensive work though, as he only won two of his five duels and one of his two tackles. Garcia assist a sign of things to come? Alexander-Arnold endured a quiet first half against Juventus, spending much of it playing short or backwards passes - rather than the raking balls Liverpool fans grew accustomed to. He carried more of an attacking threat as the game progressed, however, finishing the match on eight crosses - more than any other Madrid flashed a delivery across the six-yard box in the first half, which somehow evaded everyone in the area, but his cross for Garcia eight minutes into the second period allowed the 21-year-old to thump a powerful header beyond Juventus goalkeeper Michele de Gregorio."He could have had many more assists already," said Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois. "In training, he is horrible to play against. His corner kicks are another level."I don't think I have seen a guy like this with such quality. As a goalkeeper it is a nightmare, but it will help make me better."Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown, however, says it is unreasonable to expect too much, too soon from the England international."He has to adapt into a system that is totally different," Brown told Dazn. "He doesn't have Mo Salah right in front of him and needs to be patient, not just cross the ball if no-one is there. It will take time to get used to it."But what does the man himself make of his new role under Alonso?"I enjoyed it [playing as wing-back]," Alexander-Arnold said after the Salzburg game. "Adapting to a new role in a new team is always going to be a challenge, but I enjoy challenges. It gets the best out of me personally."There's still work to do, but it's good signs and our best game so far. I'm enjoying being a part of this team and I love playing football, no matter where I play." The new Raul? Garcia lighting up Club World Cup If you hadn't heard of Garcia prior to the Club World Cup, you will have young Madrid forward has led the line in the absence of Kylian Mbappe - who made his comeback from gastroentiritis against Juventus - and has taken his chance with both three goals in four games, Garcia is Los Blancos' top scorer at the tournament and is behind only Benfica's Angel di Maria in the overall from a one-year spell away from the Spanish capital with Mallorca in 2018-19, the 21-year-old has been part of the Madrid set-up since the age of rose through the ranks and made his first appearance with Madrid's B team, Castilla, in March Spanish forward made his first-team debut in the November of that year but was still predominantly playing with Castilla, eventually scoring his first senior goal in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals against Leganes in February Real's 3-0 victory over Salzburg, in which Garcia scored his second goal at the tournament, Alonso likened his attributes to that of the legendary Raul Gonzalez."What he's doing isn't a surprise. He's done it many times at Castilla," he said."He's the typical number nine, who knows how to wait for his opportunity, who moves well."He has Raul qualities in his movements. There are no decisions regarding the start of next season."Mikel believes Garcia has earned his chance to start, even with Mbappe's return to fitness."Who needs Mbappe when you have Garcia?" Mikel told Dazn."I'm pushing for the young lad, he has been on fire. This is what we love to see - young players getting opportunities."He has taken his opportunity. Yes, Kylian Mbappe is a fantastic finisher and a fantastic player, but you have to give the young man his chance - he has been brilliant in this tournament."
