29/07/2025

SPORTS TUESDAY | JULY 29, 2025

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Bayern agree deal to sign Liverpool’s Diaz

Wiegman hails Lioness Lioness

‘Business as usual’ for Magpies after Arsenal defeat MARTIN ODEGAARD scored the winner from the spot in the 84th minute as Arsenal beat Newcastle 3-2 in a pre-season friendly in Singapore on Sunday. Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish international striker signed on Saturday from Sporting Lisbon, was introduced to the crowd of more than 38,700 before kickoff. He watched from the bench as his new club won an entertaining encounter in the Singapore heat. The 27-year-old could make his debut when Arsenal take on Tottenham in Hong Kong next Thursday in another friendly. “We are increasing the quality of the squad all the time, so we’re super happy to have Viktor with us,” said manager Mikel Arteta.“It has been a long journey to get him here. “Playing against Newcastle today wasn’t just a friendly. It was a real test,” said Arteta. “It gave us the chance to raise our competitiveness and physical level. There are still things we need to work on, like how we compete, understand our positions and show the willingness to win.” Meanwhile, Newcastle players are professionals who will not let ongoing speculation linking striker Alexander Isak with a move away from St. James’ Park affect their focus as they prepare for the Premier League season, manager Eddie Howe said. After Newcastle’s defeat in Singapore on Sunday, Howe told reporters the tour was“business as usual”for the players. “You don’t get a chance when you come on to these tours to think of anything other than training, the next game, the level is so high that even in these games we have to be very well prepared,” he added. “We have to try and be at our best. So naturally, I think we’re going to miss a player of Alex’s quality and the group are going to feel that. There’s no denying that. “And I can’t sit here and claim that they (the players) won’t. But they’re a very professional group of players and they’re doing brilliantly as far as I can see in terms of managing the situation.” Newcastle, who qualified for Champions League football after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, are next in action against a K-League XI in South Korea tomorrow. – Reuters GERMAN champions Bayern Munich have agreed to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in a £65.5 million (RM372m) deal, according to multiple reports yesterday. Bayern had an initial offer of £59 million (RM335m) rejected by the Premier League champions last week, but their improved bid looks set to bring the Colombia international to the Allianz Arena. Diaz has reportedly been given permission to leave Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia in order to complete a medical with Bayern. He joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 and won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield. The 28-year-old made 50 appearances and scored 17 goals in all competitions last season as Arne Slot’s team clinched the English title for the first time in five years. Diaz was left out of Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly defeat against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday as speculation mounted over his future. “In Lucho’s (Diaz’s) situation, there’s a lot of rumours around him lately and I cannot go into that,” Slot said after the Milan match. “He’s training really well with us but we have decided for now not to play him yet. “I’m used to talking to most of my players on a regular basis. I cannot comment much more about that.” Diaz’s impending signing gives Bayern a quality replacement for Germany forward Jamal Musiala, who has been ruled out for a “long period” after he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle at the Club World Cup this month. – AFP

England players hold up the trophy to supporters as they celebrate winning in the Uefa Women’s Euro 2025. – AFPPIC

Defending champions England beat Spain on penalties to win Women’s Euro 2025 S ARINA WIEGMAN broke into a celebratory dance when Chloe Kelly struck the winning penalty in yesterday’s shootout to help England clinch a first game there was chaos… turns out we love football chaos!” a jubilant Wiegman said. Asked how she plans to celebrate, she said: “Maybe with some more dancing. I might have a drink but I will not be drinking as much as the players.” player of the match on Sunday after saving two penalties from Spanish players and making several other key saves.

“Every player has their one story and journey and hers has been incredible,” Wiegman said. “Starting the tournament and losing the first game, there was so much riding on every game, we had five finals. She had to step up and I think she has been amazing. “It’s a little bit like a fairytale to stop those two penalties (during the shootout) in the final.” England lost their opening game to France, but preached about confidence and not giving up since that night, and their tournament was a remarkable show of resilience. They led for a total of just four minutes through their three knockout matches. “It’s been incredible,” Wiegman said. “Around in the camp, the training sessions, everything about the team was very calm. “Just the games were chaotic and very close and tight and we were behind in a lot of games. We lost the first game, but then afterwards it was all very calm.” Michelle Agyemang, the 19-year-old who scored late goals in the quarterfinal and semifinal, won the Young Player of the Tournament award. – Reuters been better on the pitch, not on penalties,” she said. The 27-year-old apologised to the Spanish people for not being able to deliver a victory against an England side that was no match for them in terms of skill, but who refused to give up. “I assume my part of my responsibility, I play for the team and for many more people. There is no point in playing a better game and missing penalties,” she said. “For me, England is a team capable of not playing well and winning. There are teams that don’t need much to win.” England took the chance they were offered and though Spain found themselves on the losing side, Bonmati was philosophical. “We haven’t lost a game (in 90 minutes), we have received support and I feel bad about that too. We have won off the field of play and that is valuable too,” she explained, before promising to come back stronger. “We are a trained team, we have already shown that we know how to overcome. We hope to reach (Euro) 2029 at full capacity and try again.” – Reuters

second consecutive Women’s Euros title, capping a wild ride that the coach called the most chaotic tournament ever. The 55-year-old, who is under contract with England through 2027, had already made history by becoming the first football manager to coach in five consecutive major tournament finals. Euro 2025 proved to be a roller-coaster of emotions for Wiegman, with England fighting back to win all three knockout games in

Wiegman’s players had raved about her motivational speeches throughout the tournament, and she must have delivered another memorable one yesterday. “The main message was enjoy it,” said Wiegman, who completed a hattrick of Euro triumphs having also guided her native Netherlands to the 2017 title. “We’ve got so far now in this tournament. I think we all created something again together. So these are the moments where you dream of, well some couldn’t even dream of because it wasn’t possible when they were little kids. “But go out there and enjoy it and play your very best game.” There was controversy in the weeks leading up to the tournament after Euro 2022 winning goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her international retirement. She had recently lost her starting job to Hannah Hampton. But Hampton was brilliant in Switzerland, including in the two shootouts and was named

extra time or a shootout, including the final in which they beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. “This has been the most chaotic tournament, from the

Bonmati crushed after Spain’s Euro defeat

Aitana Bonmati. – AFPPIC

SPAIN playmaker Aitana Bonmati cut a disconsolate figure as she picked up her Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2025 yesterday, minutes after her side finished as runners-up after losing a penalty shootout to England in the final. Bonmati bounced back from a meningitis scare ahead of the tournament to play a crucial role in Spain’s progress to the final. However, on Sunday Spain struggled to unlock the England defence and Bonmati missed her spot-kick in the shootout as she slumped to another painful defeat following her club side Barcelona’s Champions League final loss to Arsenal in May. “It’s hard to see you right now,” she told reporters. “Two months ago I found myself in this situation with the club. You have to value more when things are going well, we have