Euro 2025: England great Lucy Bronze had fractured tibia through entire title-winning tournament
Bronze revealed the extent of her leg injury after playing through the first period of extra time in England's eventual win on penalties over Spain. The game was tied 1-1 before England retained its title, winning the shootout 3-1.
'I'll do anything to play for England, I've always said that,' said the 33-year-old great, who knew of the injury after a May 30 game against Portugal in the Nations League.
'I knew I was in a lot of pain at the end of the season. All the England players knew,' Bronze said of the secret issue.
Bronze was praised for her inspiring 'crazy mentality' by England coach Sarina Wiegman.
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New York Times
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- New York Times
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When Luis Diaz's then girlfriend Gera Ponce posted a tribute to Liverpool supporters on social media at the end of last season, it felt like a goodbye. The words were accompanied by photographs and videos of them celebrating in front of the Kop with their young daughters Roma and Charlotte following the Premier League trophy lift in May. Diaz had the Colombian flag wrapped around his waist as his song boomed around Anfield. Advertisement 'From the first day we arrived, we felt first hand what it means to be a part of this club,' she wrote. 'What you have made my boyfriend and our entire family feel is something we carry in our souls. Thank-you for so much love, for so much dedication and for making us feel at home. This is a real bond, deep and strong, that reaffirms that we'll never walk alone.' Two months on, that farewell has been confirmed with Diaz set to complete a €75 million (£65.6m; $88.1m) move to Bayern Munich. It brings the curtain down on a three-and-a-half-year Anfield career which yielded 41 goals in 148 appearances. His impact was instant following his arrival from Porto in January 2022. With his ability to bamboozle defenders, he created a goal for Takumi Minamino just 10 minutes into his debut against Cardiff City. Jurgen Klopp said he had never met a player who smiled so much in training. With Sadio Mane moved into the centre to accommodate Diaz on the left, he quickly became a fans' favourite. They loved his direct approach with the ball at his feet and his tenacity out of possession. Diaz, who was affectionately known as Lucho by team-mates and staff, started all three finals in 2021-22 as Liverpool won a domestic cup double but suffered an agonising defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League showpiece in Paris and finished a point behind Manchester City in the Premier League. He was hampered by a knee injury the following season but in 2023-24 he was massively influential as Klopp's side lifted the League Cup again before their title challenge faded. There was the relief of his father Luis Manuel Diaz being released after being held hostage for 12 days by the National Liberation Army in Colombia. On the field, one complaint was that for all the dazzling approach play, there was a lack of end product at times. Arne Slot set about improving that last summer by getting Diaz on the ball in more central areas. Advertisement There was a first hat-trick of his professional career against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last November when he was employed in a false nine role. It was a tactic Slot persisted with when they lined up without Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota. Diaz scored twice in the 6-3 demolition of Tottenham having done likewise against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier in the season. He also cancelled out Tottenham's early opener at Anfield on the day the title was won in April. His overall return of 17 goals in all competitions was the best of his Liverpool career and only Mohamed Salah scored more than his 13 league goals for the club in 2024-25. On the face of it, agreeing to sanction the exit of such a popular figure who is at his peak is questionable, but when you dig deeper, it makes more sense. For a start, Diaz was determined to leave having twice turned down attempts by Liverpool to get him to sign a new contract. There was just too big a gap between what he wanted and what the club was willing to offer. He had initially signalled his desire to pursue a new challenge 12 months ago when he had Barcelona pursuing him, but Liverpool made it clear then that he wasn't for sale. 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Yahoo
29 minutes ago
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Yahoo
29 minutes ago
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Celebrations in store as Lionesses successfully defend European crown
The Lionesses will celebrate their historic Euros victory with an open-top bus parade in central London and a trip to Downing Street, but there are no plans for a bank holiday. England fans erupted with joy across the country as the team defended their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in the final in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, sending supporters in fan zones into raptures. The King said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' following their victory, adding: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.' The Downing Street reception on Monday is due to be hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team will then attend a homecoming celebration event on Tuesday, with a ceremony expected to take place outside Buckingham Palace. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team's triumph, saying: 'The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. 'Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country. 'It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team.' There will be an open-top bus parade along the Mall before the ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial, the FA said. Fans can attend for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky. However, it is understood Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph. Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Sir Keir watched on from the stands in Basel. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute. In a statement posted on X after the game, Charles said: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025. 'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'. 'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. 'For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.' The King added: 'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. 'Well done, Lionesses.' A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X following the presentation of the trophy to the Lionesses, with the caption 'champions of Europe'. The pair congratulated the team in a short statement, saying: 'What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England.' The statement was the first message Charlotte has personally signed on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account. Tower Bridge was lit up in red and white following the Lionesses' victory, the City Bridge Foundation said. Sir Keir was the first to congratulate England on their win – posting on X: 'Champions! Congratulations Lionesses – what a team. What a game. What drama. 'You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.' William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him – including Princess Charlotte. As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament. William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done'. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. There was non-stop applause in her home town of South Ockendon as fans saw the Arsenal forward step through a guard of honour to pick up her award. Supporters at her old club Brandon Groves AFC danced a conga line to the sounds of Vindaloo after England's victory. The club's vice-chairwoman, Paula Howes, said Agyemang will help give youngsters the 'motivation and drive' to progress from grassroots football to the top of the game. She said: 'I think she (Agyemang) has got that determination and that drive on the pitch, and the girls can connect with that. 'It is also knowing that she is a local girl as well, I think that helps give them the motivation and drive, to know that you can start at grassroots football and progress up to the higher level, if you work at it.' The National Autistic Society congratulated their ambassador Lucy Bronze on the Lionesses victory, adding: 'We hope she has inspired the next generation of autistic girls to follow their dreams.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also gave her reaction to the win, saying: 'What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.' England's path to the final was marked by late drama. They sealed their spot with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy, following a penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals after nearly crashing out in extra time.
