Sports
British F1 icon Hamilton condemns Gaza child deaths, urges truce
Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton on Saturday condemned the deaths of children from hunger and malnutrition in Gaza under Israel’s blockade, calling the situation “inhumane” and urging, “We can no longer stay silent.”
In a social media story ahead of this weekend’s race in Belgium, Hamilton shared a UNICEF post that mentioned that “More than 100 children were killed in intensified strikes in Gaza during the first week of July, according to reports. The killing of children has continued every day since. Ceasefire now.”
“We can no longer stay silent,” Hamilton stated in a social media post.
Deaths from hunger and malnutrition, particularly among children, are also increasing due to the blockade of the Gaza Strip, along with Israeli attacks.
The Palestinian Health Ministry announced Friday that the number of Palestinians who died from hunger and malnutrition during Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, has reached 122, including 83 children.
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza, killing over 59,600 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh obliterated her rivals to win the world 400-meter women’s freestyle gold Sunday, with American great Katie Ledecky third.
The 18-year-old McIntosh romped home in 3 minutes 56.26 seconds, nearly 2 seconds clear of China’s Li Bingjie, who was followed by Ledecky in bronze.
It was the world record holder’s first world title in the event as she pursues five individual golds in Singapore.
On the opening night of the meet, McIntosh and Ledecky, 28, renewed their rivalry from the Paris Olympics last summer.
They will also meet in the 800-meter freestyle, billed as the most eagerly anticipated race of the championships.
McIntosh took the lead early on and never looked back to demolish the rest of the field, pulling increasingly clear as the race progressed.
McIntosh came to Singapore in red-hot form.
She smashed the 400-meter freestyle world record at the Canadian trials in 3:54.18 in June.
The three-time Olympic gold medallist sliced more than a second off the previous world record of 3:55.38 set by Australian Ariarne Titmus at the 2023 world championships.
Olympic champion Titmus is not in Singapore because she is taking a season off before she dives back in to prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
McIntosh won gold in the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter medley and 400-meter medley at the Paris Olympics. She took silver in the 400-meter free.
The McIntosh family’s passion for sport runs deep: their mother Jill competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and older sister Brooke is a top pairs figure skater.
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday led national celebrations after Nigeria’s women’s football team staged a dramatic comeback to clinch a record-extending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.
The 3-2 victory against hosts Morocco in Rabat confirmed the West Africans as the queens of women’s football in Africa as they pulled off a 10th title in 13 editions.
Tinubu said the team’s “spectacular performance… exemplifies the determination that defines the Nigerian spirit”.
The Super Falcons staged a remarkable comeback from being two goals down to beat Morocco on Saturday night.
Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi led the fight back at Rabat’s Stade Olympique before substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home an 88th minute winner.
Morocco skipper Ghizlane Chebbak and dribbling winger Sanaa Mssoudy scored in the first half hour to see the home team take a surprise lead as they sought to become only the fourth country to take the continental title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
A capacity crowd saw Chebbak increase her tournament tally to five goals as she fired home from the edge of the area in the 12th minute after Nigeria had failed to clear properly.
Mssoudy’s goal came 12 minutes later, after Morocco striker Ibtissam Jraidi had crashed into centre back Marvis Ohale and the ball spilled out for Mssoudy to cut in and finish, but the referee determined there was no foul play and let the second goal stand.
Nigeria dominated play thereafter and forced a succession of set pieces, but it took some good fortune to begin their comeback.
Ijamilusi’s cross struck defender Nouhaila Benzina on the than,d but Nigeria were only awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Okoronkwo tucked away the spot kick to reduce the score in the 64th minute.
Seven minutes later, they were level as Okoronkwo powered her way through the Moroccan defense before unselfishly squaring for Ijamilusi to tap the ball home.
Morocco were then awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining in another contentious handball call but this was overturned after the referee was asked to review.
A crestfallen home team were then caught out as Echegeni raced onto the ball and tucked it away from close range for a dramatic winner.
‘Lifted our spirits’
Nigeria have now reestablished their continental dominance after having ceded the title to South Africa at the last edition in 2022.
“You have lifted our spirits. You are a pride to your generation,” Tinubu told the team in a post-match video call.
“You have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for. Nigeria celebrates you.”
Dubbed Mission X, the WAFCON title was a tonic for many Nigerians enduring the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation as the government carries out reforms.
Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver who relocated to the northern city of Kano to escape the violence of Borno state, the epicentre of the jihadist insurgency, hailed the Falcons for helping Nigerians to “momentarily forget our common problems”.
“Everywhere people erupted in celebration after the final whistle. All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win,” Awwal told AFP.
“Last night all the problems tormenting us – the high cost of living, banditry and Boko Haram violence – disappeared.
“It was a great relief, thanks to the Falcons,” he said.
Abuja housewife Comfort Zamani agreed: “Life has not been easy, but at least the girls helped us to forget the hardships even if for only a few hours,” she told AFP.
“They have given us some hope that we should keep fighting and not give up even when things are rough.”
In the densely populated neighborhoods of Dako, Kabusa and Galadimawa of the Nigerian capital Abuja, loud cheers tore through the late night to celebrate Nigeria’s two comeback goals.
But the loudest cheers were heard when substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home a free kick with only two minutes left on the clock for the championship-winning goal, and then at full time.
Sunday newspaper carried front page headlines such as “Unstoppable Falcons win 10th WAFCON from two goals down” and “Super Falcons rule Africa again.”
Chairman of the country’s supporters club Vincent Okumagba further congratulated the players “for accomplishing ‘Mission X'” and for “not giving up when they were down.”
Lewis Hamilton has vowed not to become just another Formula One champion who falls short at Ferrari, declaring he’s making “a big, big push” behind the scenes to steer the Scuderia back to title glory.
Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion and all-time race wins leader emphasized his determination to break Ferrari’s long-standing drought – a drivers’ title the team hasn’t claimed since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
Hamilton, who made a high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari this season, has yet to reach the podium after 12 races with Formula One’s most storied team.
“I see a huge amount of potential within this team,” Hamilton told reporters Thursday. “The passion – nothing comes close to that. But it’s a huge organization with a lot of moving parts.
“And not all of them are firing on all the cylinders that they need to be. That’s ultimately why the team has not had the success that I think it deserves.
“So, I feel that it’s my job to challenge absolutely every area, to challenge everybody in the team – particularly the guys that are at the top who are making the decisions.”
Hamilton named Raikkonen – apparently forgetting that the Finn won his sole title with Ferrari – along with multiple world champions Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, as part of a list of drivers who ended up frustrated in red.
“I refuse for that to be the case with me,” said the 40-year-old Briton, who is chasing an eighth title but knows time is not on his side. “So I’m going the extra mile.
“I think if you take the same path all the time, you get the same results. So I’m just challenging certain things. They’ve been incredibly responsive. We’ve been improving in so many areas.”
Hamilton said he had been busy at the factory since his home grand prix at Silverstone, where he finished fourth, holding meetings and going over everything he felt needed to change.
He has called meetings attended by leaders from various departments, as well as team principal Fred Vasseur.
“I’ve sent documents. After the first few races, I did a full document for the team. Then during this break, I had another two documents that I sent in, and then I come in and want to address those,” he said.
“Some of it’s structural adjustments that we need to make as a team in order to get better in all the areas we want to improve.
“And the other one was really about the car – the current issues that I have, some things that you do want to take on to next year’s car, and some that you need to work on changing.”
Hamilton is sixth in the standings, 16 points behind fifth-placed teammate Charles Leclerc. He has so far beaten the Monegasque only twice in regular grands prix.
The Briton won in Belgium last year – his 105th and most recent career victory.
Two years after their heartbreak in Sydney, England have a shot at redemption, but for Spain, Sunday offers a chance to make history.
The 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship final will see reigning European champions England clash with world champions Spain in Basel.
It’s a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final, which La Roja edged 1-0, and a chance for the Lionesses to reclaim the narrative.
Should England win, they’ll become the first non-German team to successfully defend the European crown since the tournament began in 1984.
It would be their second major title in three years, following their breakthrough triumph at Euro 2022, and would reinforce Sarina Wiegman’s team as a powerhouse in the women’s game.
Spain, meanwhile, are chasing their first European title.
A win would not only complete a historic treble – following their World Cup and Nations League victories – but also make them just the third nation to simultaneously hold both the Euro and World Cup titles, after Norway in 1995 and Germany from 2003 to 2011.
England’s hunger and Spain’s patience
England’s path to the final has been defined by late drama and emerging talent.
Against Italy in the semifinals, the Lionesses needed extra time and a spark from the bench.
Michelle Agyemang, just 19, and Chloe Kelly once again proved invaluable as impact substitutes.
Beth Mead, who replaced the injured Lauren James at halftime, won the decisive penalty that sent England through.
Spain’s semifinal win over Germany came in the 113th minute, courtesy of Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.
After being held goalless for more than 90 minutes, Spain found their breakthrough following a pass from Athenea del Castillo, who made an impact off the bench alongside Salma Paralluelo.
The Spaniards managed nearly 67% possession against Germany, but the match exposed their vulnerability when forced to abandon their usual rhythm.
For the first time in the tournament, Spain showed signs of frustration – a psychological crack that England may look to exploit.
Tactical decisions and key absences
Sarina Wiegman now faces several selection dilemmas.
Lauren James is a doubt after an ankle injury forced her off at halftime in the semifinal.
If she fails to recover, Mead is likely to start again.
Chloe Kelly and Agyemang have both made compelling cases for inclusion, though Wiegman is known for sticking with a consistent starting XI.
Esme Morgan was the only change in the semifinal lineup, coming in for Jess Carter in defense.
Leah Williamson returned from injury and played 85 minutes, with her substitution believed to be tactical.
Spain’s lineup, meanwhile, remains relatively settled.
Goalkeeper Cata Coll has returned strongly from illness.
In defense, Maria Mendez replaced the suspended Laia Aleixandri and partnered with captain Irene Paredes with assurance.
Esther Gonzalez, an unused substitute in the 2023 World Cup final, is now among the tournament’s standout performers and leads the Golden Boot race.
Montse Tome, who replaced Jorge Vilda after the World Cup, has largely preserved Spain’s tactical identity.
With Bonmati and Alexia Putellas anchoring midfield, La Roja continue to dominate possession, though their semifinal showed they can be rattled.
Rivalry with new stakes
While Spain triumphed in the last major final between the two sides, England boast the better overall head-to-head record. They’ve won seven of the 14 competitive matches, drawing three. Spain have claimed victory four times – most recently in a 2-1 Nations League win on June 3.
England’s most recent win over Spain came in February at Wembley, the last team to beat them.
That history will matter little once the whistle blows in Basel, but it adds intrigue to a rivalry that continues to grow in intensity and significance.
Seven players who started the 2023 World Cup final returned for England’s semifinal this week. But this is also a “new era” for the Lionesses. In the lead-up to the tournament, they lost key veterans Mary Earps, Fran Kirby, and Millie Bright – all ruled out due to retirement or injury. It’s been a transitional summer, but one that has produced fresh heroes.
Michelle Agyemang is one of them. Having only received her first cap earlier this year, the teenager has become a trusted weapon off the bench. The squad, as a whole, has shown resilience and adaptability, with pressure mounting on a team now expected to deliver.
Real Madrid have handed their iconic No. 10 jersey to Kylian Mbappe – snubbing rising star Arda Güler and sparking a wave of backlash across Spain, Türkiye, and beyond.
The announcement, confirmed by Spanish outlet Marca on Tuesday, means Mbappe will wear the prestigious number once worn by club legends like Luka Modric, Zinedine Zidane, and Luis Figo when he takes the field for the 2025-26 season.
The move comes just weeks after Luka Modric – who wore No. 10 for eight years – departed for AC Milan and symbolically handed the shirt to Güler during his emotional farewell at the Bernabeu.
Güler, the 20-year-old Turkish phenom viewed by many as Modric’s natural heir, was widely expected to inherit the jersey.
But in a calculated pivot, Real Madrid opted for Mbappe, who now becomes the commercial face of a new “KM10” brand.
Marketing over merit?
Spanish and French media report the club’s choice was driven less by on-field positioning – Mbappe is a forward, not a playmaker – and more by image and income.
Club sources estimate that assigning the No. 10 to Mbappe could bring in tens of millions of euros in shirt sales, a key move in competing with Barcelona’s rising merchandising star, Lamine Yamal.
The Frenchman scored 44 goals in his first season at Madrid and helped lead the team to La Liga and Champions League titles under Xabi Alonso.
His leadership and global reach, not to mention his history wearing No. 10 for France, made him an appealing commercial centerpiece.
“Mbappe is the face of Real Madrid’s new era,” one source told Defensa Central. “This decision wasn’t just tactical – it was strategic.”
Güler’s role
While Güler will continue to wear No. 15, his importance within the squad is growing.
The Turkish international impressed in the 2025 Club World Cup, registering two assists in a win over Borussia Dortmund, and has earned Alonso’s trust as a central midfielder. Still, he made no secret of his desire to wear the No. 10.
“I would love to be the number 10 of this club,” Güler said in a May interview with The Players’ Tribune. That dream is now on hold, though he has responded diplomatically: “I just want to play. The club decides these things.”
Despite the disappointment, Güler remains a key part of Madrid’s long-term vision.
Club insiders believe he is simply too young to carry the “burden of the 10” right now, and that his time will come.
Outrage and division
The decision has polarized fans, especially in Türkiye, where Güler is a national gem.
Turkish outlets Fanatik and Sporx called the move a “marketing betrayal,” while social media erupted with frustration over the perceived sidelining of Modric’s symbolic gesture.
In Spain, fans and pundits are split – some argue that Güler’s technical style fits the No. 10 mold better than Mbappe’s, while others see the Frenchman’s star power as too strong to ignore.
Modric’s farewell adds weight
The controversy is intensified by Modric’s highly public farewell, during which he personally handed the No. 10 jersey to Güler in front of a packed Bernabeu crowd.
The moment was seen as a passing of the torch – one now seemingly dropped by the club hierarchy.
For now, Arda Güler will wait his turn. With no signs of tension between him and Mbappe, and Alonso giving him increasing minutes in a pivotal midfield role, Güler remains one of Madrid’s brightest young stars.
If his upward trajectory continues, the No. 10 could still be his in the near future.
Galatasaray continued its unbeaten preseason run with a commanding 3-1 victory over Serie A side Cagliari in Austria on Wednesday, as Arda Ünyay’s towering header capped a well-rounded team display that had head coach Okan Buruk beaming with confidence.
Despite falling behind in the 16th minute to Michel Adopo’s strike, the Lions roared back swiftly – Roland Sallai leveled four minutes later, Barış Alper Yılmaz put them ahead on 30 minutes, and Ünyay’s 58th-minute header sealed the deal at Linz’s Raiffeisen Arena.
The win marked Galatasaray’s third consecutive preseason triumph, following earlier victories over Ümraniyespor (5-2) and Admira Wacker (2-1).
The team is set to return to Istanbul, where they will host Strasbourg on July 26 and Lazio on August 2 at RAMS Park in their final summer tune-ups.
Post-match, Buruk lauded his squad’s discipline and energy, emphasizing that “concentration, hunger, and harmony” are all in place ahead of a pivotal season.
“Winning isn’t everything in friendlies, but it builds morale,” he said. “We controlled every phase, pressed intelligently, and rotated the squad well.”
Among those rotations, 18-year-old defender Arda Ünyay stood tallest – literally and figuratively.
The youngster, who joined midseason last year and only played one game, has quickly impressed during camp. “He looked like he’s been part of this team for years,” Buruk said, praising his pace, positioning, and maturity. “We must keep developing him – he’s a gem.”
Buruk confirmed Leroy Sane will join training tomorrow and expressed satisfaction with Mauro Icardi’s return from injury.
“This was our first real test with such a deep squad,” he noted, adding that several players – including Barış – were deployed in alternative roles as the club continues to assess forward options. He hinted at a pending decision: “We’re waiting on Victor Osimhen. Icardi’s fitness is coming along. Morata’s status is still up in the air.”
Midfielder Roland Sallai, who opened his goal account for the club, echoed Buruk’s optimism. “We’re winning, improving, and blending youth with experience,” said the Hungarian. “The young players like Arda are thriving – credit to the academy and the coach.”
The 28-year-old also weighed in on his positional versatility, saying he prefers attacking roles but is ready to contribute wherever needed. “The atmosphere in Türkiye and Galatasaray is unreal,” he added. “It’s one of the best I’ve experienced in my career. We’re chasing more trophies.”
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