Author: WTX Sports Team

The Sports Team is responsible for delivering your Sports Brief. Weekly roundup to cover all things Football, Cricket, Tennis Formula 1, Boxing and Olympics and more.

Cliff Notes – Lionel Messi and wife caught on Coldplay kiss cam Lionel Messi attended Coldplay’s final U.S. concert at Hard Rock Stadium with his family, sharing moments on Instagram. The football star was introduced by Chris Martin, leading to enthusiastic chants of “Messi! Messi!” from the crowd. Messi missed Inter Miami’s recent match due to a one-match ban for skipping the MLS All-Star Game. Lionel Messi and wife caught on Coldplay kiss cam Lionel…

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Red Bull takes blame for Tsunoda strategy failure in F1 Belgian GP F1

Tsunoda’s Strategy Woes: Red Bull Takes Blame at Belgian GP Yuki Tsunoda’s promising seventh-place qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix quickly soured due to a strategic misstep by Red Bull Racing, which resulted in a disappointing race outcome for the young driver. After enjoying a significant upgrade to his RB21, the team conceded responsibility for a late pit call that hindered Tsunoda’s chances to fight for points on Sunday. Red Bull’s Pit Strategy Misstep Tsunoda’s…

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Cliff Notes – Pakistan fan ‘asked to cover shirt’ during England-India Test Lancashire is investigating an incident where a fan was requested by security to cover a Pakistan shirt during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, citing potential nationalistic concerns. The fan, Farooq Nazar, recorded his interactions with security and police, ultimately choosing to leave the venue rather than comply with the request. The incident occurs amid heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan, impacting…

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Antonelli reveals Hamilton’s empowering words amid Belgian GP nightmare F1

Hamilton’s Support Shines Amid Antonelli’s Belgian GP Struggles Andrea Kimi Antonelli faced a challenging weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, struggling in qualifying and ultimately finishing 16th in the main race. However, the young driver found solace in unexpected support from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who delivered words of encouragement following Antonelli’s difficult outing. Antonelli’s Belgian GP Qualifying Setback In an underwhelming qualifying session, Antonelli was outperformed by teammate George Russell for the eighth…

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Cliff Notes – How Arsenal new boy Viktor Gyökeres became Europe’s top striker Viktor Gyökeres transformed from a struggling player to one of Europe’s leading strikers, scoring 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP after a €20 million move from Coventry City. His impressive performances led Arsenal to secure his signature for €63 million, highlighting his rapid ascent in the football world. Gyökeres’ development was aided by a strong mentality and coaching, allowing him…

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Cliff Notes – The best soccer teams of the past 25 years ranked from 25 to 1 Chelsea’s recent victory in the Club World Cup final signifies the conclusion of the 25th European soccer season of the century, prompting a retrospective ranking of the top 25 club teams since 2000. The methodology for ranking these teams combines points per game and goal differential, with adjustments for league difficulty and Champions League performance, reflecting the evolution…

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Cliff Notes – Down but not out: India’s greatest Test escapes of the 21st century India showcased remarkable resilience at Old Trafford, with key performances from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and KL Rahul to secure a draw despite early setbacks. Historical escapes include the 2001-02 Test in Gqeberha, where Deep Dasgupta and Rahul Dravid’s partnership helped India fend off defeat amid challenging conditions. In the 2020-21 Sydney Test, R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari’s…

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Cliff Notes – ‘The partnership Rahul and I had ignited the spark’ – Gill savours Manchester draw Shubman Gill praised India’s resilience in securing a draw after a challenging start, highlighting a crucial 188-run partnership with KL Rahul that stabilised the innings. Gill’s century marked his fourth of the series, equalling records held by Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar, while his aggregate of 722 runs is just 52 short of Gavaskar’s all-time record for an…

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Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris racing like champions – McLaren boss F1

Piastri and Norris Race Like Champions, Says Mclaren Boss McLaren team principal Andrea Stella lauded Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for their champion-like performances as the Formula 1 season heats up, hinting that the title race may ultimately hinge on minute details and individual brilliance. The two teammates are locked in a fierce competition for the title, just 16 points apart, with Piastri emerging victorious in Belgium, marking his sixth win of the season and…

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Cliff Notes – Warming Heady’s seat – Maxwell expects opening role will be short-lived Glenn Maxwell anticipates his stint as an opener in the T20I series against West Indies will be temporary, with Travis Head expected to return for the home series against South Africa in August. Maxwell’s recent performances at the top of the order have been promising, but he acknowledges that the team’s preferred line-up will likely see Head and Mitchell Marsh as…

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Cliff Notes – cricket must be played by the rules, not Stokes’ moral code Cricketers often exhibit a double standard, accepting aggressive tactics like sledging while being offended by actions within the laws of the game, such as running out a batter backing up. Ben Stokes, despite being a fierce competitor and a respected player, displayed moral posturing by insisting on a draw offer from India, which contradicted the game’s rules and spirit. The incident…

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Mercedes to hold “big meeting” over F1 performance drop F1

George Russell to Hold “Big Meeting” with Mercedes Over Dip in Performance George Russell is set to engage in a crucial meeting this week with Mercedes officials to dissect the team’s worrying decline in performance in the Formula 1 season. Following a lacklustre showing at the recent Belgian Grand Prix, where Russell finished fifth after starting from a promising position, the British driver is keen to address the challenges that have seen the once-dominant team…

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Cliff Notes – Weary England show their frustrations as Test ends on sour note Ben Duckett’s sarcastic remark about Jadeja and Sundar’s quest for centuries highlights England’s frustration, with Zak Crawley calling the situation “embarrassing” as the match concluded in a draw. Despite England’s irritation, Jadeja and Sundar’s impressive rearguard performance was celebrated by a predominantly Indian crowd, showcasing India’s resilience in the face of adversity. England’s bowling unit struggled to create opportunities, with missed…

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Dominant Oscar Piastri wins Belgian GP; extends F1 championship lead F1

Oscar Piastri Dominates Belgian GP, Extends Championship Lead SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Oscar Piastri showcased remarkable control and strategy to clinch victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, besting teammate and title rival Lando Norris by 3.41 seconds. This triumph marks Piastri’s sixth win of the season and elevates his championship lead to 16 points, while also thwarting Norris’s bid for a third consecutive victory. Race Overview Piastri’s victory was secured with a decisive early overtake, a…

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Cliff Notes – Jess Carter starts for England against Spain Jess Carter returns to England’s starting XI for the Euro 2025 final, replacing Esme Morgan in defence after being dropped for the semifinal. Lauren James has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to start, alleviating concerns over her fitness following the semifinal. Spain has made two changes to their lineup, with Laia Aleixandri returning from suspension and Athenea del Castillo coming in for…

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Cliff Notes – Gill, Rahul keep India alive and kicking through wicketless session Shubman Gill and KL Rahul navigated a challenging middle session without losing a wicket, reaching 86 for 2 at tea, still trailing England by 225 runs. Ben Stokes’ century propelled England to a formidable total of 669, marking their fifth-highest score in Test history, while Chris Woakes claimed two early wickets to set the tone for the innings. Gill, Rahul keep India…

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The Red Bull gamble which boosted Tsunoda in Belgian GP qualifying F1

Tsunoda Thrills with Q3 Performance at Belgian GP After Red Bull Upgrade Yuki Tsunoda secured a remarkable seventh-place qualifying position at the Belgian Grand Prix, following a crucial upgrade to his car that reflects Red Bull’s renewed commitment to the Japanese driver’s Formula 1 campaign. This development comes amid ongoing struggles for Tsunoda, who has faced challenges since taking over the RB21 from Liam Lawson earlier this year. Red Bull’s Strategic Gamble In a bold…

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Cliff Notes – Viktor Gyökeres joins from Sporting CP Arsenal has signed striker Viktor Gyökeres for €63 million, with potential add-ons of €10 million, on a five-year contract. Gyökeres, who scored 54 goals last season, is expected to enhance Arsenal’s attacking options following a challenging previous season marred by injuries. Arsenal transfers: Viktor Gyökeres joins from Sporting CP Arsenal have completed the signing of highly sought-after striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, the club announced…

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Belgian GP: Lando Norris leads McLaren 1-2 in Spa qualifying F1

Norris Secures Pole Position at Belgian Grand Prix with Mclaren 1-2 Lockout Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at Spa-Francorchamps, clinching pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix and leading a remarkable 1-2 for McLaren. With a blistering lap time of 1:40.562, Norris outpaced his teammate Oscar Piastri, who was just 0.085 seconds behind, setting the stage for an exciting race on Sunday. Dominant McLaren Performance In a display of supremacy, McLaren’s Norris and Piastri…

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Is Piastri right to be worried about the “worst place” to start on Spa F1 pole? F1

Piastri Cautious Ahead of Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Despite Pole Position Oscar Piastri’s impressive performance secured him pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix, but the Mclaren driver tempered his excitement with concerns about the challenges posed by Spa-Francorchamps. “Spa’s probably one of the worst places to have pole position,” Piastri remarked after outpacing Max Verstappen and teammate Lando Norris. As the anticipation builds for Saturday’s sprint race, Piastri faces a formidable task to maintain…

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Cliff Notes – Euro 2025: England blocking out pressure ahead of final Toone Ella Toone emphasised that England is focusing on their own performance, blocking out external pressures ahead of the Euro 2025 final against Spain. Toone highlighted the importance of Sarina Wiegman’s motivational speeches in fostering team confidence and unity throughout the tournament. Euro 2025: England blocking out pressure ahead of final – Toone Ella Toone has said England are blocking out any talk…

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Belgian GP: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on pole for sprint race F1

Piastri Claims Pole at Belgian Grand Prix Ahead of Sprint Race SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Mclaren’s Oscar Piastri will start from pole position in Saturday’s sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix, following a dramatic qualifying session that saw him outpace championship rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Piastri registered a lap time of 1:40.510, showcasing his remarkable form as he aims to bolster his lead in the championship standings. Piastri’s Thrilling Qualifying Performance Piastri’s journey…

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Cliff Notes – India’s tactics, selection and bowling depth all fail them in Manchester India conceded 500 runs in a Test match outside Asia for the first time in over a decade, highlighting a significant decline in their bowling performance. 💧 Debutant Anshul Kamboj’s disappointing pace and ineffective spells raised questions about selection decisions, as he failed to deliver on the expectations set by his previous performances. The team’s lack of clarity in strategy and…

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Cliff Notes – Man United boss Amorim offers way back for squad outcasts Ruben Amorim has stated that outcasts like Alejandro Garnacho will be reintegrated into Manchester United if suitable transfer offers do not materialise before the deadline. Players such as Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia are currently excluded from the summer tour, while Marcus Rashford has been loaned to Barcelona. Amorim emphasised the importance of competition for places, noting that players must…

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Cliff Notes – Root and Pope cement England’s command on Manchester Test Joe Root ascended to third on Test cricket’s all-time run-scoring charts, surpassing Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis, as he remains unbeaten on 63 runs. Root and Ollie Pope established a formidable partnership, with their stand of 135 marking their sixth century partnership under Ben Stokes’ captaincy. India’s bowling struggled with consistency, highlighted by missed opportunities and errors, as they faced the prospect of…

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