by 20) 50 photos that recreated sport
Pain, victory, disaster – and a pair of strained testicles. The desk picked a picture over many images that changed the way we see sport forever.
19) Sweden stun USA on penalties at Women’s World Cup – live
The first of several entries from the Women’s World Cup finals, in which the USA had every chance in normal and extra time, but Lina Hurtig scored the decisive kick to crown the champions in dramatic fashion.
18) South Africa wants the All Blacks to win the Rugby World Cup – live
Lee Calvert guides you through minute-by-minute updates of the final in Paris as the Springboks battle for the narrowest of glory. “They are absolute masters of the smallest but most powerful moments,” he wrote. He was not wrong.
17) South Africa pip England in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup
After a great weekend of quarter-finals in France, the World Cup semi-final delivered another thriller as the Springboks got the better of England. again.
16) England deny Colombia a place in the World Cup semi-finals – live
A nervy outing from Sarina Wiegman but they booked their place in the semi-final against co-hosts Australia with this 2-1 comeback win at Stadium Australia.
15) Australia beat England in an exciting first Ashes Test – live
England were closing in with just two wickets needed, but Pat Cummins led a rearguard action to get Australia over the line at Edgbaston, detailed in our extra coverage.
14) England edge out Nigeria on penalties at World Cup – live
Lauren James was sent off for stamping on Michelle Alozie, but England held firm defensively and won. As Rob Smyth wrote: “After mum, dad and extended family panicked, England are in the quarter-finals!”
13) England won the fifth series Draw Series Ashes Series – live
England ripped through Australia’s batting on day five and Stuart Broad ended his storybook with the last two wickets. The tourists kept the urn.
12) Sparks kiss Rubiales outrage after the World Cup final
The Spanish football president at the time, Luis Rubiales, denied the very obvious fact that it was inappropriate to kiss World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the post-final ceremony. It didn’t end well for him.
11) Australia beat France on penalties in the World Cup – live
The Matildas won the Women’s World Cup, beating France in a penalty shootout after 120 goalless minutes in Brisbane.
10) How Dunne turned the male gaze into a gymnastics empire
Gymnastics asks its most promising athletes to give their all. As Lauren Mechling’s feature explained, the LSU star has replanted herself in the lucrative main event.
9) Alcaraz beat Djokovic in the Wimbledon final for the ages
Tumaini Carayol reported from Center Court on Carlos Alcaraz’s win over Novak Djokovic: “It was a great game and performance, a victory that required all immeasurable self-belief and sustained shot-making of the highest quality from Alcaraz playing at a level intensity. he’s never experienced five series.”
8) Australia won the Cricket World Cup by beating India – live
Travis Head’s stunning 137 shattered the dreams of a billion home fans and made the Australian men world champions for the sixth time. Our report overstated India’s desperation on home turf.
7) Vondrousova defeats Jabeur to win the Wimbledon title
The unseeded Marketa Vondrousova ended a magical fortnight with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ons Jabeur to become a grand slam champion for the first time at SW19.
6) Match of the Day on air without a presenter or pundits
Back in March, the BBC suspended Gary Lineker for breaching impartiality guidelines after criticizing the government’s asylum policies. Cue the hasty plans for that Saturday’s Match of the Day. Returning shortly afterwards, Lineker later told Sid Lowe: “I kept thinking: ‘Am I missing something? Why are these six days of reporters outside my door, to be on the front pages of every single newspaper every day? These are nuts!’ It’s so disproportionate to what I’ve done.”
5) The best male footballers in the world 2022
Last winter’s World Cup in Qatar was delayed until 2023, and Lionel Messi topped our annual rundown of the world’s best male footballers. But he didn’t stay there in 2023.
4) Alcaraz dethrones Djokovic to win Wimbledon title – live
The curtain came down on a dramatic fortnight at Wimbledon match-by-match updates from the men’s singles final, when Carlos Alcaraz destroyed Novak Djokovic.
3) Hermoso did not consent to kiss Rubiales
As the disgraced Rubiales desperately tried to change history the world had seen, Spain’s women’s national team announced they would not play until he was sacked. He was gone several weeks later.
2) Spain 1-0 England, Women’s World Cup final – live
So close but so far for the Lionesses, but a historic victory for La Roja, as reported by Sarah Rendell with her minute-by-minute coverage of the World Cup final. Captain Olga Carmona scored the only goal and, despite Mary Earps’ dreams, it was not in vain for the European champions. Reader Beau reached out to sum things up: “This game has two sad notes. Firstly, Spain may be the first side in history where we say: ‘Congratulations, but please fire your coach.’ Second, England only dropped a level or two after conceding. But it’s a performance from Spain.”
1) Australia 1-3 England, Women’s World Cup semi-final – live
In our most read piece since 2023, live coverage of the World Cup semi-final as the Lionesses take on the co-hosts.
