SPORTS

Jack Wilshere scored one of England’s top 10 goals in the victory over Slovenia, says ex-captain Gary Lineker. The midfielder, 23, scored twice as England came from behind to win 3-2 in Ljubljana – his second a superb 25-yard strike. Lineker told BBC Radio 5 live: “Jack Wilshere scored two breathtaking goals. I’m sure he hit the same square of ...

The man entrusted to lead Fifa out of its latest crisis has appeared to warn outgoing president Sepp Blatter not to rethink resigning. Domenico Scala, chairman of Fifa’s audit and compliance committee, said it was “indispensable to follow with the initiated process of the president’s change as has been announced”. The statement was in response to a report that Blatter ...

Deontay Wilder defended his WBC heavyweight title with a ninth-round knockout of Eric Molina in Alabama. The 29-year-old, who beat Bermane Stiverne in January to become the first American to hold a heavyweight title since 2007, is unbeaten in 34 fights. Molina, 33, who had lost two of his 25 bouts, was knocked down in the fourth round and twice ...

Head coach Mark Sampson described Fran Kirby as a “mini Messi” after her goal set England on their way to a 2-1 win over Mexico in the Women’s World Cup. Kirby, 21, scored in her first start at a major tournament, four years after depression led her to quit the game following her mother’s sudden death. “Special players step up ...

World number one Rory McIlroy has been paired with defending champion Martin Kaymer of Germany for the first two rounds of the US Open at Chambers Bay. They will be joined by US amateur champion Gunn Yang of South Korea when the season’s second major gets under way near Seattle on Thursday. Northern Irishman McIlroy, 26, won the title in ...

Liverpool have signed Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan on a free transfer after personal terms were agreed. The Hungary international, 27, will join the Premier League club on 1 July when his Bolton contract expires. Bogdan made 120 appearances for the Championship side after signing for the Trotters in 2007. He will provide competition for first-choice keeper Simon Mignolet after ...

Five-time champions Brazil limped into the Fifa Under-20 World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday after a penalty shoot-out with Uruguay, while fellow heavyweight Germany eased through without even hitting top gear. Host nation New Zealand gave two-time tournament winners Portugal an almighty scare before succumbing to a late goal, and Uzbekistan eliminated Austria 2-0. Germany maintained the ominous form that saw ...

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 33-year-old, who won 79 Test caps, helped England to three Ashes series victories between 2009 and 2013. The Sussex keeper has not played any cricket since July 2014 because of a recurring Achilles tendon injury. “I was expecting to be fit for the 2015 season,” Prior ...

Emmanuel Adebayor has broken his silence by claiming his availability for Togo’s Afcon qualifying match with Liberia on Sunday. The Togo national team captain together with two other colleagues refused to join the rest of the team called by new coach Tom Saintfiet for their preparations towards the opening Nations Cup qualifier with no official explanation. And the striker who ...

Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi has moved a step closer to being tried for tax evasion after a Spanish high court rejected his latest appeal. Messi and his father Jorge are both accused of defrauding the authorities of more than €4m (£3.1m; $5m). The court ruled that Messi should not be granted impunity for not knowing what was happening ...