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FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers: England maintains perfect record with a win over Iceland  Alessia Russo scored the only goal to earn England a 1-0 victory in Iceland on Saturday and a fourth win in as many 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying games.The Arsenal striker picked out the far corner with a precise low shot midway through the first half in Reykjavik after an excellent burst from Lauren Hemp, who supplied the pass for Russo.The Lionesses were also indebted to goalkeeper Hannah Hampton for three crucial saves in the second half, which preserved England’s 100 percent record and kept them three points clear of Spain.Two-time European champion England moved above Spain in Group A3 earlier in the week after beating the World Cup holders 1-0 at Wembley. Only the top team progresses automatically to the tournament in Brazil next year.“The most important thing is that we have played four and have 12 points. No game is easy, we don’t take anything for granted and we’re in a really good position,” England boss Sarina Wiegman told        ITV.“We know how good Spain are, and Ukraine too. I am happy with six points (from this week’s two fixtures). The players go back to very important games with their clubs and then we go again in June.”France is playing catch-up to the Netherlands in Group A2 after a 1-1 draw in Auxerre. France took the lead late in the first half through Marie-Antoinette Katoto, but the Dutch levelled when Wieke Kaptein scored with 14 minutes to play.The Netherlands is top on eight points, having beaten France 2-1 at home on Tuesday.        Les Blues are a point behind, while the Republic of Ireland has fought its way back into contention with two wins over Poland this week.Germany dropped its first points in Group A4 after drawing 0-0 away to neighbour Austria. Norway is just a point behind after Signe Gaupset grabbed a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory in Slovenia.Leader Denmark was held 0-0 at home by Italy in Group A1, which allowed Sweden to close to within a point after a 1-0 win over Serbia.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #FIFA #Womens #World #Cup #qualifiers #England #maintains #perfect #record #win #Iceland

FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers: England maintains perfect record with a win over Iceland

Alessia Russo scored the only goal to earn England a 1-0 victory in Iceland on Saturday and a fourth win in as many 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying games.

The Arsenal striker picked out the far corner with a precise low shot midway through the first half in Reykjavik after an excellent burst from Lauren Hemp, who supplied the pass for Russo.

The Lionesses were also indebted to goalkeeper Hannah Hampton for three crucial saves in the second half, which preserved England’s 100 percent record and kept them three points clear of Spain.

Two-time European champion England moved above Spain in Group A3 earlier in the week after beating the World Cup holders 1-0 at Wembley. Only the top team progresses automatically to the tournament in Brazil next year.

“The most important thing is that we have played four and have 12 points. No game is easy, we don’t take anything for granted and we’re in a really good position,” England boss Sarina Wiegman told ITV.

“We know how good Spain are, and Ukraine too. I am happy with six points (from this week’s two fixtures). The players go back to very important games with their clubs and then we go again in June.”

France is playing catch-up to the Netherlands in Group A2 after a 1-1 draw in Auxerre. France took the lead late in the first half through Marie-Antoinette Katoto, but the Dutch levelled when Wieke Kaptein scored with 14 minutes to play.

The Netherlands is top on eight points, having beaten France 2-1 at home on Tuesday. Les Blues are a point behind, while the Republic of Ireland has fought its way back into contention with two wins over Poland this week.

Germany dropped its first points in Group A4 after drawing 0-0 away to neighbour Austria. Norway is just a point behind after Signe Gaupset grabbed a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory in Slovenia.

Leader Denmark was held 0-0 at home by Italy in Group A1, which allowed Sweden to close to within a point after a 1-0 win over Serbia.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#FIFA #Womens #World #Cup #qualifiers #England #maintains #perfect #record #win #Iceland

Alessia Russo scored the only goal to earn England a 1-0 victory in Iceland on Saturday and a fourth win in as many 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying games.

The Arsenal striker picked out the far corner with a precise low shot midway through the first half in Reykjavik after an excellent burst from Lauren Hemp, who supplied the pass for Russo.

The Lionesses were also indebted to goalkeeper Hannah Hampton for three crucial saves in the second half, which preserved England’s 100 percent record and kept them three points clear of Spain.

Two-time European champion England moved above Spain in Group A3 earlier in the week after beating the World Cup holders 1-0 at Wembley. Only the top team progresses automatically to the tournament in Brazil next year.

“The most important thing is that we have played four and have 12 points. No game is easy, we don’t take anything for granted and we’re in a really good position,” England boss Sarina Wiegman told ITV.

“We know how good Spain are, and Ukraine too. I am happy with six points (from this week’s two fixtures). The players go back to very important games with their clubs and then we go again in June.”

France is playing catch-up to the Netherlands in Group A2 after a 1-1 draw in Auxerre. France took the lead late in the first half through Marie-Antoinette Katoto, but the Dutch levelled when Wieke Kaptein scored with 14 minutes to play.

The Netherlands is top on eight points, having beaten France 2-1 at home on Tuesday. Les Blues are a point behind, while the Republic of Ireland has fought its way back into contention with two wins over Poland this week.

Germany dropped its first points in Group A4 after drawing 0-0 away to neighbour Austria. Norway is just a point behind after Signe Gaupset grabbed a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory in Slovenia.

Leader Denmark was held 0-0 at home by Italy in Group A1, which allowed Sweden to close to within a point after a 1-0 win over Serbia.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

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Deadspin | Luke Kennard scores 27, Lakers take Game 1 against Rockets <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763833.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763833.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) shoots the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Luke Kennard scored 27 points and LeBron James added 19 points with 13 assists as the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers earned a 107-98 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Saturday in Game 1 of a Western Conference first-round playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Deandre Ayton scored 19 points with 11 rebounds and Marcus Smart added 15 points with eight assists as the fourth-seeded Lakers won with leading scorers Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) watching from the bench.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>In just his seventh start since joining the Lakers from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline, Kennard went 9 of 13 from the floor and 5 of 5 from 3-point range while delivering a season high in points to fill the scoring void at guard.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Alperen Sengun scored 19 points while Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard each added 17 for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who were playing without leading scorer Kevin Durant (knee).</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Jabari Smith Jr. scored 16 points with 12 rebounds and Tari Eason also had 16 points for Houston, which has lost three consecutive road games to Los Angeles since the middle of March.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Lakers shot 60.6% from the floor and 52.6% from 3-point range, while the Rockets shot 37.6% and 33.3% respectively.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Kennard helped put the Rockets away with three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. His second of the final period capped a 13-3 run and gave the Lakers an 88-72 lead with 7:58 remaining.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>James made a turnaround hook inside with 4:43 remaining to put Los Angeles up 96-80. The 41-year-old added a fadeaway jumper with 2:57 remaining for a 98-84 lead.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Houston was within 100-91 with 1:40 remaining on a dunk from Thompson before Ayton put the game away for Los Angeles on a three-point play with 1:04 left for a 105-93 lead.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The Lakers shot 70.6% from the floor in the fourth quarter and 56.2% in the second half.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Rockets finished with a 44-35 rebounding advantage.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The Lakers got off to a fast start, leading by eight points in the first quarter, when James had eight assists, and took a 33-29 lead after the opening period. Los Angeles led 50-48 at the half on 64.7% shooting from the floor as Ayton scored 12 points. Sengun had 11 at the half for Houston.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Luke #Kennard #scores #Lakers #Game #Rockets

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Deadspin | Mike Malott TKOs Gilbert Burns, forces abrupt retirement <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/27365838.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/27365838.jpg" alt="MMA: UFC Fight Night - Vancouver: Holland vs Malott" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Oct 18, 2025; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Mike Malott (blue gloves) reacts during the fight against Kevin Holland (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The UFC Winnipeg main event on Saturday night featured Canada’s headliner Mike Malott stopping former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns of Brazil to cap off an entertaining UFC Fight Night card. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>A third-round left hook was the beginning of the end, securing the TKO at 2:08. Malott (14-2-1) extended his winning streak to four, improving his UFC stint to 7-1.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“I’m on top of the world right now,” Malott said following the win.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Malott paid respect to Burns (19-10), calling him a “legend” as the Canada Life Centre crowd exploded in jubilation.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>As for what’s next, Malott kept it simple. He has no preferences regarding an opponent, just enjoying the journey as it comes.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Burns, meanwhile, took his gloves off while holding back his emotions and opted to retire after his fifth straight loss.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>“I worked so hard,” the 39-year-old said, praising the UFC. “I think that’s it. But I am content.”</p> </section> <section id="section-13"> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>A bantamweight co-headliner saw Canadian fan favorite Charles Jourdain win a unanimous decision over Kyler Phillips of the United States in an entertaining, back-and-forth affair. Jourdain (18-8-1) is 3-0 since moving to bantamweight, defeating Phillips (12-5), who has lost his last three. Jourdain swept the cards 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, nearly securing a kimura submission from his back in the closing minutes of Round 3. </p> </section><section id="section-15"> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Lightweight veteran Jai Herbert of England survived an early flurry from UFC newcomer Mandel Nallo of Canada, silencing the pro-Canadian crowd with a first-round TKO at 2:05. </p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Herbert initially dropped Nallo just a minute before the final sequence, securing his second UFC KO/TKO to move a step closer to .500 in the Octagon. Herbert (14-6-1) made it clear he wants to be more “active,” praising Nallo’s toughness and resolve. Nallo (14-4) had won five straight entering his promotional debut.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Women’s flyweights Jasmine Jasudavicius and Karine Silva got the better of each other in a grappling-heavy affair, with Canada’s Jasudavicius earning a unanimous decision win over her Brazilian opponent. </p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Jasudavicius (15-4) took the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, sending Silva (19-7) back to the drawing board. Jasudavicius has won five of her last six, while Silva fell to 1-3 in her last four after starting her UFC run 4-0 dating to June 2022.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>Lightweights Gauge Young and Thiago Moises entertained the crowd in a 15-minute slugfest, with Young (11-3) earning a split decision victory (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Young stole the last two rounds, knocking Moises down and nearly finishing him in Round 3 to open the five-fight main card. Young earned his third UFC win, whereas the loss for Moises (19-10) marked his 17th Octagon appearance.</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Mike #Malott #TKOs #Gilbert #Burns #forces #abrupt #retirement

Deadspin | Struggling Storm aim for bright spot with visit to Fever  Jul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images   The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.  The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.  “I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”  All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.  Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.   The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.  “We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”  Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #FeverJul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.

The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.

“I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”

All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.


Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.

The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.

“We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”

Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever">Deadspin | Struggling Storm aim for bright spot with visit to Fever  Jul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images   The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.  The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.  “I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”  All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.  Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.   The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.  “We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”  Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever

But before we see what comes next, we need to understand how this chaos somehow topped the last meeting between these two nations, why we’re in the Middle East in the dead of winter, and what a win would mean for two of the game’s top stars, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. For Mbappé, a victory would further solidify his status as one of football’s best, adding a second World Cup to his very young, promising career. For Messi, it could very well be his last World Cup in a career filled with countless accomplishments, yet a trophy that’s eluded him for years.

#greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind">The greatest World Cup Final ever needs a deep rewind  This is simply incredible. After 120+ minutes of thrilling football, Argentina and France find themselves in a penalty shootout with the World Cup on the line. After going through a phenomenal group stage and thrilling knockout rounds throughout this tourney, it really doesn’t get any better than this.But before we see what comes next, we need to understand how this chaos somehow topped the last meeting between these two nations, why we’re in the Middle East in the dead of winter, and what a win would mean for two of the game’s top stars, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. For Mbappé, a victory would further solidify his status as one of football’s best, adding a second World Cup to his very young, promising career. For Messi, it could very well be his last World Cup in a career filled with countless accomplishments, yet a trophy that’s eluded him for years.  #greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind

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