Caroline Weir scored a magnificent hat-trick as Scotland thrashed Israel 6-0 in Budapest to boost their Women’s World Cup qualification hopes, though the victory was marred by a serious knee injury to Erin Cuthbert.
The Real Madrid playmaker was instrumental throughout the contest, contributing an assist alongside her treble.
Victory significantly enhances the national team’s goal difference to 18, moving them 10 clear of group rivals Belgium.
Securing top spot in League B Group 4 is vital as it guarantees a seeding for the upcoming qualification play-offs and a return to League A.
Weir dominates as Cuthbert suffers injury
The Chelsea midfielder originally opened the scoring in the 17th minute, firing home from the edge of the area after being teed up by Weir.
However, the opening goalscorer was carried off late in the match with what appeared to be a severe knee issue.
Just three minutes after the opener, Weir doubled the advantage with a spectacular solo effort.
The former Manchester City star shifted the ball effortlessly between her feet to evade two defenders before finding the net through a crowded penalty area.
Late flurry secures commanding goal difference
An intricate passing sequence allowed the 28-year-old to slot home her second goal shortly before the hour mark.
She subsequently completed her hat-trick from the penalty spot 10 minutes later to put the game firmly beyond doubt.
Melissa Andreatta’s side continued their relentless pressure in the closing stages to fully capitalise on their dominance.
Lauren Davidson and Kirsty Hanson both added late strikes to complete the comprehensive rout.
The squad will now prepare to face the same opposition next week, knowing another decisive victory will all but secure top spot.
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has identified Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as his primary transfer target, with the club preparing an opening bid in the region of £40m.
Rebuilding the Reds
The Spanish tactician recently signed a two-year contract at Anfield following the sudden dismissal of Arne Slot.
Slot was relieved of his duties last week after guiding the Merseyside club to a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Premier League.
A significant squad overhaul is now underway, with established stars Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate all set to depart this summer.
Iraola is eager to reinforce a midfield that frequently looked overrun during the previous campaign despite heavy investment.
Valuation gap remains
The south coast club are reportedly demanding a fee of £60m to part ways with their prized midfield asset.
However, Liverpool are hoping to negotiate a compromise and secure the 22-year-old for a significantly lower figure.
Bournemouth are understandably desperate to retain the highly-rated prospect and plan to offer him a lucrative new contract.
Despite their efforts, it is understood the energetic playmaker is open to embarking on a new challenge away from the Vitality Stadium.
A familiar face for Iraola
Securing the England Under-20 international would provide the new Anfield boss with a player who already understands his demanding tactical system.
Curtis Jones is currently entering the final year of his contract and has been heavily linked with a move away from the club.
The arrival of the former Bristol City youngster would serve as a direct, high-quality replacement in the centre of the park.
Liverpool are also aggressively monitoring the market for elite wide players as they prepare for life without their Egyptian talisman.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has urged the club to make Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes his primary target ahead of the summer transfer window.
Spurs are planning a significant squad overhaul after a dismal Premier League campaign that saw them finish 17th for a second successive season.
The North London side barely escaped relegation, leaning heavily on the experience of Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha during the closing weeks.
Now, the Italian head coach is demanding high-calibre upgrades to execute his tactical vision and propel the team back up the table.
Newcastle captain viewed as ideal target
De Zerbi has reportedly identified the Brazil international as a dream addition to his midfield setup.
Prising the 28-year-old away from St James’ Park will prove difficult, despite the Magpies’ own disappointing 12th-place finish.
However, Newcastle face well-documented Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) pressures, which could force further departures.
Anthony Gordon has already completed a high-profile switch to Barcelona to alleviate some financial strain on the Tyneside club.
Securing the Brazilian playmaker would signal immense ambition from Tottenham as they look to leave their recent struggles behind.
Palhinha future remains uncertain
Alongside the pursuit of new faces, securing existing talent remains a priority for the Tottenham hierarchy.
De Zerbi has made no secret of his desire to retain Bayern Munich loanee Palhinha on a permanent contract.
Recent reports suggest the 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder would prefer to remain in London due to his strong relationship with the head coach.
Should negotiations with the German giants collapse, Sporting Lisbon are reportedly waiting to bring their former player back to Portugal.
Martin O’Neill has agreed to become the permanent manager of Celtic on an initial one-year deal following successful talks with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.
The 74-year-old has given the green light to remain at Parkhead after guiding the club to a spectacular domestic double last season.
The decision follows extensive discussions with Desmond, who had also spoken to former striker Robbie Keane regarding the managerial vacancy.
However, the potential appointment of the Republic of Ireland legend drew significant criticism from various supporter groups.
A remarkable return to Parkhead
The veteran coach initially stepped in on an interim basis following the unexpected departure of Brendan Rodgers.
He later returned to replace Wilfried Nancy until the end of the campaign, culminating in a dramatic final-day Scottish Premiership title triumph.
That monumental season was capped off by lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park earlier this month.
Overcoming initial reluctance
Following that cup final victory, the former Leicester City boss had cast doubt on his long-term future in Glasgow.
He previously stated he felt the Hoops could be “looking at somebody younger” as they searched for a permanent successor.
Instead, the experienced tactician will now attempt to defend Celtic’s domestic crown while preparing for another gruelling campaign.
Bayern Munich are exploring a surprise summer transfer for Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha as the German club look to bolster their attacking options.
The Bundesliga giants have identified the highly-rated forward as a primary target for the upcoming transfer window.
Interest from the Bavarian side comes at a transitional period for the Merseyside outfit, who recently appointed Andoni Iraola as their new manager.
Rebuilding the Anfield attack
Iraola is already facing a significant squad rebuild following the high-profile summer departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
The Reds are determined to strengthen their frontline rather than sanction further exits.
To fill the substantial void left by Salah, the six-time European champions are actively pursuing RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
Positive discussions have reportedly taken place regarding the Leipzig attacker, placing the Premier League club at the front of the queue for his signature.
Bayern seek to capitalise
Despite Liverpool’s reluctance to lose more attacking talent, Bayern remain keen to test their resolve over Ngumoha.
The German heavyweights are eager to refresh their own forward line ahead of the new campaign.
It remains to be seen whether the Anfield hierarchy will entertain any bids for the promising winger during this period of significant squad upheaval.
Incoming manager Xabi Alonso has visited Chelsea’s Cobham training ground this week to begin preparations alongside his coaching staff ahead of officially taking charge on 1 July.
The Spaniard was appointed as the permanent successor to Liam Rosenior and is already familiarising himself with his new surroundings.
It is understood the former midfielder held discussions with current backroom members regarding the upcoming pre-season campaign.
Dialogue with the sporting directors concerning recruitment and potential summer transfers has also been ongoing for several weeks.
Assembling the backroom team
The highly sought-after tactician was accompanied on his initial reconnaissance by his core coaching entourage.
Alberto Encinas, Sebastian Parrilla, Benat Labaien and Ismael Camenforte Lopez all toured the Surrey base.
They will integrate with the existing staff structure independently employed by the West London club.
This setup includes head of goalkeeping Ben Roberts and specialist set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva.
Restoring former glories
Calum McFarlane, who previously served as caretaker head coach, will remain part of the setup working under the new regime.
The Blues have endured a highly frustrating domestic campaign and are relying on their new boss to revitalise an underperforming squad.
McFarlane insists the latest managerial arrival possesses the requisite pedigree to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
“[He is] very talented, massive pedigree. Yeah, really excited for the club,” stated McFarlane.
“We’re all looking forward to working with them.”
“It’s a massive club. I think we’ve got really exciting players coming to play here.”
“Even though it’s a disappointing season, they are showing at times this year the kind of quality that we have.”
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter will represent the United States at the World Cup, completing a remarkable rise two years after his father Gregg was sacked as national team manager.
The dynamic midfielder is set to feature when the Americans open their tournament against Paraguay on Friday night.
His inclusion follows a breakout 2025 season in Major League Soccer, culminating in an All-Star appearance and runs to both the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup finals.
A family legacy redefined
During the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the combative player travelled solely as a fan to support his father from the stands.
Gregg Berhalter managed the national side during that campaign but was dismissed in 2024 following a disappointing tournament exit.
The managerial change ultimately removed any conflict of interest, allowing the former Columbus Crew prospect to be judged purely on his own merit without external pressure.
“It’s pretty ridiculous,”
The Vancouver playmaker said regarding the surreal conversations he now shares with his father, who also represented the US in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
“It’s pretty funny — sometimes we’ll have moments where we’re like, ‘I can’t believe we’re talking about this right now.’ I feel super fortunate to have a dad who understands.”
From fringe player to MLS star
The journey to the highest level of international football has been a slow burn for the American talent.
His club career appeared stalled just a few years ago following an underwhelming loan spell at Austin FC.
He was subsequently traded to the Whitecaps for a mere $50,000 in guaranteed allocation money, which represents the lowest permitted fee in the North American top flight.
However, an intensified focus on attacking under the guidance of head coach Jesper Sørensen saw his output and confidence explode.
“I think he was always a powerful force for us,”
Vancouver teammate Thomas Müller told reporters last month, praising his colleague’s relentless energy and dangerous set-piece delivery.
“From one to 90, every minute he is on the pitch, he gives everything. Overall, he is a very important player for us, not only on the field but also in the locker room.”
AC Milan winger Rafael Leao has issued a public plea for a transfer to the Premier League or La Liga following a frustrating domestic season in Italy.
The Portugal international, who helped secure the Serie A title in 2022, is actively seeking a move away from the San Siro despite having two years remaining on his contract.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both reportedly monitoring the situation as the electric forward puts himself in the shop window ahead of the World Cup.
Turkish giants Galatasaray have already submitted a considerable offer, but the player has his heart set on a switch to England or Spain.
Seeking a new challenge
The prolific attacker believes his dynamic playing style is perfectly suited to the intense demands of English or Spanish top-flight football.
“I need a new challenge,” Leao said.
“I already won two trophies in Italy and have been there for a while.”
“The league is evolving, but for my style of football, I think the Premier League or La Liga would make more of my talent, as a player.”
Frustrations under Allegri
The Rossoneri endured a difficult campaign, faltering to a fifth-place finish and consequently missing out on Champions League qualification.
The Portuguese star blamed this underperformance on the tactical philosophy of recently sacked manager Massimiliano Allegri.
He also revealed that he played through the pain barrier with a severe groin inflammation for up to five months.
“It was a difficult season,” he added.
“I played while injured for 4-5 months with a groin inflammation, in a position that was not suited to me.”
“The tactical system did not help me. I felt that I could make the difference, but the way the team played didn’t put me in a condition to do that. At the end of the day, it wore me down.”
World Cup showcase
Any potential transfer is likely to be delayed until after Portugal conclude their upcoming World Cup campaign.
However, the highly-rated forward made his ambitions for the immediate future crystal clear.
“If a Premier League opportunity were to come along, I would be very happy,” he explained.
“Playing in that kind of a league really gets the best out of a player.”