Sports

A guide to the 2019 World Cup Final

Published

6 years ago

October 31, 2019

This year’s Rugby World Cup hasn’t been short of drama, but at last, we reach the climax as England take on South Africa for the Web Ellis Cup. Ahead of the match, England is the favourite in Rugby World Cup winner odds. Eddie Jones’ men have had a successful campaign, but have one final hurdle. Here’s all you need to know ahead of what will be a thrilling final.

The road to Yokohama

England finished top of Pool C, despite Typhoon Hagibis cancelling their final group game against France. Jones’ side won their other three games against Tonga, the USA, and Argentina, and gained two points in their cancelled game, which counted as a draw.

In the quarter-finals, the Red Roses took on Australia, who finished runners-up in Pool D. It proved to be a demolition, with England victorious 40-16, and it was enough for the Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika to resign from his post. New Zealand was the opponent in the semis, and again, it was a comfortable win. The All-Blacks were looking to retain their title for a third successive World Cup but were completely overwhelmed from the opening minute.

South Africa were runners-up to the All-Blacks in Pool B, having lost their opening clash against the holders. But they went on to win their final three games against Namibia, Italy, and Canada, conceding as few as 13 points. Rassie Erasmus’ side scored the most points (185) in the Pool stages.

The Springboks took on the hosts in the quarter-finals, ending the Brave Blossoms party with a dominant victory. The Boks had to withstand some heavy pressure and it was a low-scoring first half, with South Africa winning 5-3. Unable to add to their tally in the second half, Faf de Klerk et al crushed the Blossoms’ dreams. Their semi-final against Wales was a lot closer, with the Boks holding a slender lead of 9-6 at half time – but they continued to hold on and triumph 19-16.

Team previews

England will remain unchanged for the final, with Eddie Jones adamant his side will produce their finest performance when it matters. Captain Owen Farrell, leading try-scorer Jonny May and Kyle Sinckler have all overcome their knocks from the semi-final.

Ahead of the clash, Jones said: “That was always our aim, to be here on 2 November in the Yokohama Stadium. So, we’ve achieved one goal, but we know what’s at stake in the final, and we’re well prepared.

“We have to make adjustments, but we’re ready for the brutality of the game. Our players have had the will to prepare. They’ve pushed themselves through some tough physical tasks.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus makes one change to the Boks line-up, with Cheslin Kolbe returning to the squad, replacing Sbu Nkosi, who drops out of the 23. SiyaKolisi will lead the side out for the 20th time, as he earns his 50th cap. On his decision to drop Nkosi, Erasmus said: “We have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency and although we know there are things we can do better this is a fit, well-practised set of combinations.”

They’ve met before

The Springboks and Red Roses contested the 2007 World Cup Final held in Paris. It was back-to-back finals for England, who had won the 2003 World Cup in Australia. But this time it wasn’t to be and South Africa won their second Webb Ellis Cup.

It was a low-scoring final, with no tries scored, although both sides had an opportunity each. Instead, South Africa scored five penalties, with England’s Jonny Wilkinson scoring two. Although England held long spells of possession, they were unable to break South Africa down.

Jones was on the Boks coaching team in 2007 and was accredited with masterminding their success in France. There’s no doubt he will be aiming for the trophy again as his England side look to avenge South Africa in Yokohama.

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Looking back at their previous meetings, South Africa has a decent record over England. They have won 25 of their 42 encounters, most recently winning the 2018 test, held in South Africa. But England was victorious in last year’s autumn international – and as we’ve seen at the World Cup, anything can happen.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.