Saturday's briefing: Saying goodbye to Diogo Jota and England start Euros
On the pitch, England and Wales both launch their Euro 2025 campaigns in Switzerland with the defending champions in action after Rhian Wilkinson's finals first-timers.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is facing a court appearance after being charged with five counts of rape.
Mourners pay respects to Diogo Jota
The funeral of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva will take place in Portugal on Saturday morning.
Mourners will gather to pay their respects to the two men at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar at 10am a day after a wake was held at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao.
Jota, 28, and his 26-year-old brother died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Their deaths prompted an outpouring of sympathy for Jota's wife Rute, who he married less than two weeks ago, their three children and the wider family from the football world and beyond.
Lioness Leah raring to go
England captain Leah Williamson revealed she finally felt free to let go of 'anxiety' on the eve of the Lionesses' European Championship opener against France in Zurich.
The Arsenal defender, who famously lifted the trophy in 2022, was forced to miss England's first run to a Women's World Cup final two summers ago in Australia after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
'I've probably held some anxiety, I suppose, up until this moment,' said Williamson, when asked if missing the World Cup and her recovery had given her a new appreciation for this opportunity.
'I wanted to experience another tournament for England, and being away from home is special. It's a bit different to England in 2022, so I'm just taking everything in. I'm very excited. Obviously so much has changed, so I'm intrigued to come back and enjoy that tournament football.'
The time has come for Wales
Rhian Wilkinson is confident Wales are ready for their 'watershed moment' on a first major tournament stage at Euro 2025.
While few expect Wales, who kick off their campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on Saturday evening as the lowest ranked team in the competition, to progress from a daunting group which also includes England and France, Wilkinson believes the game has changed in the country forever.
Speaking at her pre-match press conference, she said: 'This is a wonderful team, great people, fantastic footballers, and we're going to be tested against some of the best in the world.
'That's what we've been wanting. To showcase Wales as a country, this team and their talent.'
Thomas Partey charged
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with raping two women.
The Metropolitan Police said the Ghana international, whose contract at the Emirates Stadium expired on June 30, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following alleged offences between 2021 and 2022.
Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said he 'denies all the charges against him', adding: 'He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.'
The player, who is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5, is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts of rape against another. The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, police added.
What's on today?
European champions England launch their defence with a tough Group D opener against France in Zurich.
Debutants and group rivals Wales also get under way when they face the Netherlands in Lucerne looking to gain a foothold in the competition.
At the Club World Cup, Champions League winners Paris St Germain go head-to-head with Bayern Munich in Atlanta with a semi-final against either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund, who meet at the MetLife Stadium, at stake.
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The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘He was there with me today' – Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks out after first game since Diogo Jota's tragic death
TRENT Alexander-Arnold dedicated his performance in Real Madrid's Club World Cup win to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota. Alexander-Arnold took to the field for the first time since Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident on Thursday. 5 5 And the ex-Reds star created the second goal for fellow wing back Fran Garcia as Real raced into a 2-0 lead before surviving a Borussia Dortmund fightback in stoppage-time to win 3-2. Alexander-Arnold said: 'No matter how difficult it was and how difficult it is, I still have a job to do do. 'As hard as it was, I had to try to push it to the back of my mind. 'It was difficult, I'm not going to lie about that. 'I've done it in honour of my close friend. 'That's what I'm sure he would have wanted me to do and we would have had a laugh and a joke about the assist. 'That was in some way in memory of him. He was there with me today I'm sure.' Alexander-Arnold bravely decided to speak in public about Jota after previously paying tribute via social media. 5 Visibly emotional, the England star who joined Real in order to play in the Club World Cup told DAZN: 'First and foremost I want to send my condolences, my love, my thoughts and prayers to the family of a close friend of mine. 'It's been very very difficult for me and all the ones that knew him - not just team-mates, friends and family, but the footballing world. 'It's been very emotional and heartwarming to see the football world unite and come together to show their love and support to him and his family and his brother as well. 'Although it's been difficult, it's been a nice showing out from everyone, all clubs and all people uniting to show love and support in what must be a mind-blowingly hard time for the family. 'I've been in and around him and his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his parents, his amazing three children, so it's truly truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that. 'It's something you would never ever expect. 'He was a very close friend, someone who lit up a room when he was in it. I shared a dressing room with him for five years, amazing memories on and off the pitch with him. 'He will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in our memories for the man and player he was.' 5
The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
George Ford is conductor supreme as England land on formula for the future in Argentina win
If England can combine the defensive resilience they showed in the opening 40 minutes against Argentina in La Plata with the incisive attack produced in the first seven minutes of the second, Steve Borthwick might just have a formula to carry him to the World Cup. Taking on Los Pumas in a two-Test series without 13 British and Irish Lions, the odds seemed stacked against England, with Borthwick at pains to point out that his team entered this first clash as underdogs. But when you have a fly half as classy as George Ford running the show, anything is possible, and there was so much to enjoy on both sides of the ball in England's 35-12 success. Ford, on the occasion of his 100th cap, showed just why he was able to tear up the England first team in training during this year's Six Nations, but only after his teammates had repelled wave after wave of Argentinian pressure in the first half. The only score of those 40 minutes at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi was a Ford drop goal, reminiscent of the three he landed to down Los Pumas at the World Cup two years ago. It is curious in many ways that there are three English fly-halves currently in Australia with the Lions, and yet Ford is probably the best playmaker of them all and finds himself more than 12,000 kilometres away. He had been treated to a tribute video organised by co-captain Jamie George that featured Frank Lampard, a nod to his support of Chelsea, a host of long-time England colleagues and most bizarrely Tony Blair – apparently a No.10 before he moved into No.10. That celebration on the eve of the match will now be matched by those after this success, although Ford was typically modest in his assessment of his own performance. He said: 'We just wanted to perform well and win. It is all about the team as always. We understand how difficult it is here in Argentina so it is a great win for us. 'We were under pressure in the first half; we gave away too many penalties and could not get out of our half. 'We had to make sure second half we got out of our half and create some try-scoring opportunities, which we did early in the second half. We have to back it up next week and we know Argentina will come back at us. Another challenge that we will look forward to.' England spent the vast majority of the first half defending for their lives. Three times they held up Argentina in the in-goal area, while they also came through spells with 14 and even 13 men. That was following a yellow card for Alex Coles for an upright tackle on Facundo Isa and then a trip to the bin for debutant Seb Atkinson after referee Angus Gardner finally ran out of patience with the penalty county from the visitors. Still, Argentina could not find a way through despite overwhelming territorial dominance – a big tick for defensive coaching duo Joe El-Abd and Byron McGuigan, the latter here on secondment from Sale. The way they rushed Argentina time and again looks a promising blueprint that could be used once the likes of Maro Itoje return. Not that any English Lion will find it easy to walk straight back into a starting role. Atkinson, Will Muir and Guy Pepper all made their debuts in this one but to a man, England's players looked at home in the hostile atmosphere of Estudiantes' home ground. Having withstood a barrage in the first half, they then cut loose early in the second, Tom Roebuck grabbing two tries either side of one for Freddie Steward – Ford inevitably at the heart of those incisive attacks. Trailing 22-0, Argentina responded, Pablo Matera and Pedro Rubiolo both scoring, the latter finishing off the try of the game following brilliant hands from forwards and backs. But two Ford penalties, the second from distance, put the game beyond reach before Cadan Murley made it four second-half tries five minutes from time. Given the absentees and the scale of the challenge – albeit Argentina were missing six of the players who started their win over the Lions – it is the sort of performance from which Borthwick can build. Firstly in San Juan next week to complete a series victory, but more importantly over the next two years leading into the World Cup. From a second-place finish in the Six Nations which ended with four successive victories, England's upward trajectory is showing no signs of tailing off. The question now is just how far this formula can take them.
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Meet the glamorous Formula One WAGs gearing up to cheer on their men at Silverstone: The daughter of a controversial three-time champion, a TikTok fashion sensation - and a professional golfer who met her beau after bingeing Drive to Survive
The rich and the famous are set to descend upon Northampton this week as the F1 calendar reaches its peak for most British fans. Silverstone is a major day in the schedule for all drivers, especially those from these shores who dream of adding their name to a short list of British men to claim their home race. And in the case of many of the stars set to dual on the track, they'll be supported by faces just as glamourous as the celebrities who routinely try to avoid Martin Brundle when flouting their VIP access just minutes before lights out. Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the stunning WAGs to look out for this weekend as the F1 circus pulls into the UK. Kelly Piquet Dating Max Verstappen Verstappen and Piquet welcomed their first child together earlier this year. The F1 star announced the birth on Instagram, where he wrote: 'Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.' While Lily is Max's first child, model Piquet, 36, already has a daughter, Penelope, born in 2019, from her previous relationship with Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat, 30. Kelly is a 35-year-old model from Brazil and hasn't just bagged herself a boyfriend who is a four-time world champion, but also happens to be the daughter of one too - with her father, Nelson Piquet, having the same badge of honour himself. Nelson is a controversial figure and was fined £780k for racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton two years ago. In an interview in November 2021, Piquet, 72, used a Portuguese racial slur in reference to the seven-time world champ. Hamilton called for action to change 'archaic mindsets' after footage of the interview surfaced. Piquet then apologised but argued that his comments were mistranslated. The judge in the case, Pedro Matos de Arrudo, said the compensation was 'so that, as a society, we can someday be free from the pernicious acts that are racism and homophobia'. Kelly and Max have been dating since January 2021 and are often spotted with Kelly's daughter, Penelope. The model recently pleaded with social media fans to stop spreading rumours about her after facing 'a strange and upsetting wave of accusations' in the last three years, some of which relate to her previous relationships. Alexandra Saint Mleux Dating Charles Leclerc Alexandra Saint Mleux is a TikTok influencer who stole the heart of her beau, Charles Leclerc over a year ago, with the two having made their first public appearance in March 2023. In May of the same year, her racing driver love confirmed the budding romance. Since then, the pair have only gained in strength and even appeared at the Monaco Grand Prix gala dinner with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene following Charles's home-race victory earlier this year. When she's not cheering her super speedy boyfriend on, she's filming lifestyle and home videos for her 886.900 TikTok followers. Her glamorous videos are the hallmark of an F1 WAG with her feed full of luxury travel locations, designer outfit fit checks and the odd few on glamorous yachts. Alex isn't just beautiful in herself, but is a fan of all things cultural, being a passionate art historian. Francisca Gomes Dating Pierre Gasly According to People magazine, Pierre, 27, has been dating model Francisca since 2022. The couple however didn't go Instagram official until 2023, when the driver shared a photo of the pair bringing in the new year together in Dubai. 'Let's hope for a year with good health, filled with love, dopamine, adrenaline and many TROPHIES!' he wrote in the post. 'I wish you all an incredible year to you and with your loved ones. Let's make it one to remember.' They have since made glamorous public appearances at events like Cannes Film Festival and Wimbledon - and as reported by People, Pierre has even called Francisca his 'lucky charm'. As well as being a model and influencer, Francisca - who is from Portugal - also appears to be a keen traveller. She often documents her adventures on Instagram, where she has 818,000 followers. Carmen Montero Mundt Dating George Russell Carmen Montero Mundt has been in a relationship with George Russell, 26, since 2020 - and as reported by GP Blog, the couple happily live in Monaco together. According to the outlet, 27-year-old Carmen has previously worked in finance - as an investor relations associate at Ruffer LLP in London - but recently announced that she is going back to studying. The driver's very glamorous girlfriend - who is originally from Spain and moved to the UK aged 18 - has a business degree from the University of Westminster. Carmen has more than 409,000 followers on Instagram, and often shares snaps of her luxury travels and enviable style online. The couple are understood to have met through friends in London, and have made a number of public appearances since first getting together. Lily Muni He Dating Alexander Albon Lily Muni He and Alexander Albon are a sporty couple match made in heaven - as both are accomplished athletes. Lily, 26, is professional golfer from China, who plays on the US-based LPGA Tour, while Alexander, 29, has been praised for his success in racing. As reported by NBC Sports, Lily was introduced to golf when she was only five years old, by her father. She grew up in Vancouver, Canada before moving to the US, and now is based in Los Angeles. In 2018, she opened up about her strategy for success throughout the Q-Series - not paying attention to her ranking during or after any of the final stage of the LPGA's qualifying tournament. She told as reported by NBC Sports: 'I didn't know I made it until everyone started congratulating when we were all done. 'It's the first time I've ever done that, not look where I stand on the leaderboard.' However, she admitted halfway through, her father accidentally let her know her place on the leaderboard. She and Alex started dating in 2019, after Lily watched a Netflix documentary on F1. 'I was in a slump. I was in a really bad place mentally. It was my rookie year and I wasn't playing well at all. A friend of mine convinced me to watch a (Formula One) documentary on Netflix called Drive to Survive'. They said, "I think you'd really like it. It helps you to see another perspective of a sport that's under so much pressure", she told Golf Week in 2021. 'So I watched the whole entire season in one day. I know as bizarre as this might sound, it got me really motivated in golf instantly.' After getting more curious about F1, Lily started following Alex on Instagram and 'really didn't think that much of it'. However, unbeknownst to her Alex was also getting into golf at the same time - and so followed her. 'I guess that's how we technically met,' she explained. 'We started talking on the phone. We were both rookies in 2019 and I thought that was extremely cool. 'Eventually he had an event in the States and afterwards, he and his friend took a little break in LA and that's how we properly met for the first time.' Rebecca Donaldson Dating Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz started his relationship with Rebecca Donaldson in 2023, with the pair first becoming an item in June two years ago. The 29-year-old Scottish model has been sighted at races with her beau, including at the Las Vegas GP, which he came incredibly close to winning in 2023. Donaldson has appeared on the covers of high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire since winning a beauty pageant aged 17, when she was a student at the prestigious Perth Academy, dreaming of breaking into the fashion industry. 'My mum entered me and I was really surprised when I found out,' she said at the time. 'I am really excited to have won and am really looking forward to entering the Top Model UK competition.' Rebecca was first linked to Keeping Up With The Kardashians star and Kourtney Kardashian's ex Scott Disick when the pair attended the premiere of a new series of the show in 2022. They dated for two months before splitting up in June of that year. Donaldson has appeared on the covers of high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire since winning a beauty pageant aged 17, when she was a student at the prestigious Perth Academy, dreaming of breaking into the fashion industry. Pictured with Carlos in June 2024 She founded the activewear fashion label Muse in 2020 during the pandemic, explaining: 'I knew I wanted to create something that not only I would wear and be proud of putting my name against, but also something that was missing from the market.' The couple were first seen out together in Milan in June 2023, then fans started to think they were an item when they appeared at a golf course in Amsterdam in late August. One of Sainz's sisters began following her on Instagram, adding fuel to speculation about a romance, before Donaldson took to the catwalk at Madrid Fashion Week last month in front of members of the driver's family. While the pair haven't posted any shots of them together on their social media, they do comment on each other's posts regularly. Lily Zneimer Dating Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri, 23, enjoyed an impressive debut season on the grid in two years ago as he racked up 97 points and secured a creditable ninth-place finish in the drivers' standings. The Australian's private life has generally been kept quiet since he came into the F1 world, but he has shared snaps with childhood sweetheart Lily Zneimer on social media. In their most recent snap together, the pair could be seen on a trip to Japan. The pair met at school and have been dating for nearly five years, with Zneimer regularly supporting the Australian at events. She is reportedly still a student and the pair were also pictured together at the Autosport Awards. Lando Norris Margarida Corceiro After Lando split from Luisinha Oliveira in 2022, he has been enjoying a lowkey romance with Portuguese model and actress, Margaradia Corceiro. The pair were first seen together in May 2023 in a video on social media showing the 25-year-old driving his Fiat Jolly with her in the back of the classic car after she split from Barcelona star Joao Felix. They were later spotted together at the Monte Carlo Masters last April but have predominantly kept their on-off relationship out of the spotlight. Margarida is no stranger to flaunting her figure in scantily clad bikini snaps, sharing images from her trip to The Maldives. The McLaren star - who had held the record for most podiums without a race win - ended his barren run by beating triple world champion Max Verstappen to victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2024. Corceiro has appeared on a number of Portuguese television shows and as per Portuguese outlet Maria, was a contestant in the country's version of Dancing with the Stars back in 2020. Norris and Corceiro continued to attend events together throughout much of last year before reports claimed that the pair had ended their short-term relationship. Confirming the news ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris coolly stated on-stage amidst a packed crowd after being asked if he would like a dog: 'If I do I need a girlfriend, and I don't have one.' However, it appeared the pair have rekindled their romance after Corceiro was spotted by TV cameras during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Flavy Barla Dating Esteban Ocon Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 Barla, a 22-year-old medical student and compatriot of Ocon, has amassed a large social media following Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 following the breakdown of his five-year partnership with Italian model Elena Berri. Barla, a 22-year-old medical student and compatriot of Ocon, has amassed a large social media following in addition to appearances in several beauty pagents. The French stunner won the coveted Miss Cote d'Azur in 2022 and finished as fifth runner-up in the 2023 Miss France contest. Barla has made a few appearances at Grand Prix to support her beau, with her first coming during the 2023 season finale in Abu Dhabi after she and Ocon were spotted in the paddock together.
