Australia's Matildas captain Sam Kerr and her partner Kristie Mewis from West Ham United are expecting their first child in 2025, sharing this personal joy amidst facing homophobic abuse. Known for their efforts to normalise love between women, the couple received both significant support and hateful remarks on social media, igniting discussions on prejudice within sports communities. Kerr, sidelined due to injury, continues to inspire as Australia's top goalscorer, while Chelsea Pride condemns the intolerance.
Croatia and Portugal played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in the UEFA Nations League 2024-25, securing both teams' progression to the quarterfinals. The match saw Joao Felix and Josko Gvardiol score for Portugal and Croatia, respectively, in a closely contested encounter. The result confirmed Portugal as group winners of League A Group 1, while Croatia advanced as runners-up, setting the stage for thrilling quarterfinal matches.
San Marino, traditionally seen as one of the lowest-ranked international football teams, has achieved an unprecedented promotion to League C of the UEFA Nations League. On 18 November 2024, the team made history by securing their first-ever away win against Liechtenstein with a 3-1 scoreline, also marking the first time they have scored three goals in a competitive match. This victory was driven by second-half goals from Lorenzo Lazzari, Nicola Nanni, and Alessandro Golinucci, securing San Marino the top spot in Group D1 with seven points and ending their winless streak. Coach Roberto Cevoli commends his team's resilience and hard work, as they now look forward to competing against stronger teams in the next edition of the Nations League.
Israel secured a surprising 1-0 victory against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League at the Bozsik Arena. Yarden Shua's late goal ended Israel’s winless streak and delivered an unexpected blow to Belgium, whose struggles were highlighted despite dominating the first half. Israel was relegated despite the win, illustrating the dramatic shifts in European football dynamics.
17-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler triumphantly won the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, marking a landmark victory in his remarkable debut year as a professional. Ranked fifth in the PDC Order of Merit, Littler delivered a stunning performance with a 16-3 win over Martin Lukeman in the final, demonstrating extraordinary talent and resilience. His journey featured a dramatic semi-final comeback against Gary Anderson, further establishing him as a formidable contender in the darts world. Littler's victory solidifies his rising status, setting his sights on further success and higher rankings as he approaches the World Championships.
In a memorable moment for both family and football, Roy Keane's future son-in-law, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, scored on his England debut, contributing to a 5-0 victory over Ireland at Wembley. The event was made all the more interesting as Keane offered humorous yet supportive commentary as part of the ITV punditry team.
France clinched a top position in UEFA Nations League Group A2 after defeating Italy 3-1 at San Siro on November 17, 2024. Celebrating Adrien Rabiot's 50th appearance, France avenged their earlier defeat with a resounding victory, thanks to goals from Rabiot and a decisive own goal by Italy's goalkeeper. Despite a spirited Italian comeback, France's defence, led by goalkeeper Mike Maignan, held firm to finish the group stage ahead on goal difference, advancing alongside Italy to the quarter-finals.
Lee Carsley ended his interim role as England's head coach with a decisive 5-0 win against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley, ensuring the team's promotion to the UEFA Nations League's top tier. The match saw a pivotal second half following a sluggish start. Liam Scales' sending off for a foul on Jude Bellingham led to a breakthrough penalty converted by Harry Kane. Subsequent goals from Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis secured the victory. Carsley reflected positively on his tenure and the promising future under incoming coach Tuchel.
Barry McGuigan, the former Irish boxing champion, known as 'The Clones Cyclone,' is set to enter I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024. McGuigan, beloved for uniting fans in Northern Ireland, held major boxing titles and has now turned to managing and promoting boxing. With a personal life marked by tragedies and triumphs, including the loss of his daughter, McGuigan's move to the jungle brings both anticipation and heartwarming gestures, such as his recent donation in Donegal.
Mike Tyson returned to professional boxing on November 15, 2024, facing off against Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Though the event was highly anticipated and streamed live on Netflix, it was considered more spectacle than sport. Paul won by unanimous decision, earning $40 million compared to Tyson's $20 million. The match generated record ticket sales, but failed to meet competitive expectations and faced criticisms over Netflix's technical issues. While Tyson viewed the fight as a chance for personal glory rather than financial gain, Paul's victory solidified his notable rise in boxing. The event highlighted the growing trend of streaming platforms hosting celebrity boxing events.