Northern Ireland's Women's U17 Euros leave a wider football legacy
Seventeen matches across Belfast, Larne and Coleraine brought leading young European players to local grounds and gave the hosts a landmark victory.
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Recent reporting and significant records from the Herald archive.
Germany hold off France at Windsor Park to lift Women's U17 European title
Marie Kleemann's first-half goal settled a closely contested Belfast final as Germany completed their run to a ninth European crown.
Germany edge Spain on penalties after tense Windsor Park semi-final
Goalkeeper Mirja Kropp made a decisive shootout save as Germany won 4-3 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes in Belfast.
Northern Ireland show resolve but Norway take points in Coleraine
First-half goals from Davis Lundhaug and Isa Lund put Norway in control before Stine Solemdal completed a 3-0 win at the Showgrounds.
Spain open Women's U17 campaign with commanding win over Finland in Larne
Two early goals set Spain on the way to a 4-0 Group B victory at Inver Park as the European finals continued across Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland score four against Malta to make winning start under McArdle
Keri Halliday struck twice as Northern Ireland secured a 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory at Mourneview Park.
In Gaelic football, the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship concludes with Mayo defeating Kerry in the final to end one of sport's longest-running droughts and a…
In Gaelic football, the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship concludes with Mayo defeating Kerry in the final to end one of sport's longest-running droughts and a 75-year wait for the title.
In association football, England beats France 6–4 in the highest-scoring third-place playoff in FIFA World Cup history
In association football, England beats France 6–4 in the highest-scoring third-place playoff in FIFA World Cup history, securing their best result since winning the tournament in 1966.
At the London Athletics Meet, British runner Josh Kerr sets a new world record of 3:42.66 for the mile.
At the London Athletics Meet, British runner Josh Kerr sets a new world record of 3:42.66 for the mile. The previous record of 3:43.13 by Hicham El Guerrouj had been set in 1999.
Quarterfinals end with the four highest-ranked teams in the FIFA Men's World Ranking (Argentina, Spain, France, and England) advancing to the semifinals
The quarterfinals end with the four highest-ranked teams in the FIFA Men's World Ranking (Argentina, Spain, France, and England) advancing to the semifinals, the first time this has happened since the rankings were introduced in 1992.
In association football, amid the expulsion of Southampton F.C. due to the espionage incident
In association football, amid the expulsion of Southampton F.C. due to the espionage incident, Hull City beat Middlesborugh at Wembley Stadium in London 1–0 in the play-off finals to secure promotion to the English Premier League for the next season.
In association football, Manchester City beat Chelsea 1–0 at London's Wembley Stadium, through a 72nd-minute goal from Antoine Semenyo, to win their 8th FA Cup title
In association football, Manchester City beat Chelsea 1–0 at London's Wembley Stadium, through a 72nd-minute goal from Antoine Semenyo, to win their 8th FA Cup title.
Ukrainian Premier League's FC Chornomorets Odesa announces on Telegram that its match against FC Kolos Kovalivka is postponed
The Ukrainian Premier League's FC Chornomorets Odesa announces on Telegram that its match against FC Kolos Kovalivka is postponed after its home stadium was hit by a Russian strike.
In basketball, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) announces that the expansion team in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., will be called the Sirens.
In basketball, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) announces that the expansion team in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., will be called the Sirens. The organization will debut in 2028.
In tennis, Alexandra Eala becomes the first Filipino player and the first player from Southeast Asia to win a WTA Tour title after defeating Jessica Pegula 4–6, 6–4
In tennis, Alexandra Eala becomes the first Filipino player and the first player from Southeast Asia to win a WTA Tour title after defeating Jessica Pegula 4–6, 6–4, 6–0 to win the women's singles title at the 2026 Washington DC Open.
UEFA gives FIFA president Gianni Infantino an ultimatum to resign or face an emergency no-confidence vote following Infantino's plan to sell stakes in FIFA Forward Enterprise
UEFA gives FIFA president Gianni Infantino an ultimatum to resign or face an emergency no-confidence vote following Infantino's plan to sell stakes in FIFA Forward Enterprise, which he has rescinded amidst backlash.
Infantino reverses his plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup amidst backlash
Infantino reverses his plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup amidst backlash.
In association football, UEFA announces that it will boycott the 2030 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by current champions Spain along with Morocco and Portugal
In association football, UEFA announces that it will boycott the 2030 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by current champions Spain along with Morocco and Portugal, if FIFA president Gianni Infantino proceeds with plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
FIFA opens an investigation into the Argentina national football team over altercations during the World Cup final and the display of a banner of the Falklands
FIFA opens an investigation into the Argentina national football team over altercations during the World Cup final and the display of a banner of the Falklands.
In association football, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger submit joint bids to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations under the Alliance of Sahel States
In association football, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger submit joint bids to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations under the Alliance of Sahel States.
In association football, Chelsea sign attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British record transfer fee of £117 million
In association football, Chelsea sign attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British record transfer fee of £117 million.
After winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain becomes the first country to hold both the men's and women's World Cups, having won the latter in 2023.
After winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain becomes the first country to hold both the men's and women's World Cups, having won the latter in 2023. The men's team extends their international football record of 38 consecutive unbeaten matches, surpassing Italy's record of 37. It also becomes the first team to field two teenagers, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, both 19-year-olds, in a FIFA World Cup final.
In association football, Spain win their second FIFA World Cup title after defeating the defending champions Argentina 1–0
In association football, Spain win their second FIFA World Cup title after defeating the defending champions Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. Spain's captain Rodri is awarded the Golden Ball.
In esports, Dplus KIA defeats Karmine Corp 3–0 to win the League of Legends title at the 2026 Esports World Cup
In esports, Dplus KIA defeats Karmine Corp 3–0 to win the League of Legends title at the 2026 Esports World Cup, extending South Korea's winning streak to three years and securing its first international title since 2020.
Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente also becomes the oldest manager to win a World Cup title at 65 years old
Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente also becomes the oldest manager to win a World Cup title at 65 years old.
French footballer Kylian Mbappé scores twice to become the highest-scoring player in World Cup history
French footballer Kylian Mbappé scores twice to become the highest-scoring player in World Cup history, and the first player to score 10 goals in a single World Cup since Germany's Gerd Müller in 1970.
In association football, Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first player to reach 10 assists in FIFA World Cup matches since records began in 1966
In association football, Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first player to reach 10 assists in FIFA World Cup matches since records began in 1966.
International Olympic Committee lifts its ban on Russian athletes, allowing them to take part in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States,
The International Olympic Committee lifts its ban on Russian athletes, allowing them to take part in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States, after previously being banned from competing under its own flag for doping and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In association football, Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first player to score in nine consecutive World Cup matches (including the previous edition)
In association football, Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first player to score in nine consecutive World Cup matches (including the previous edition), after scoring in the team's 3–2 victory against Egypt in the round of 16.
Switzerland advances to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1954 after beating Colombia in a penalty shootout in the round of 16
Switzerland advances to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1954 after beating Colombia in a penalty shootout in the round of 16.
In association football, Spain records its sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Portugal in the round of 16, setting a tournament record
In association football, Spain records its sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Portugal in the round of 16, setting a tournament record, while goalkeeper Unai Simón extends his scoreless streak to 609 minutes.
Third edition of the Esports World Cup opens in Paris, France
The third edition of the Esports World Cup opens in Paris, France.
In association football, FIFA declares American forward Folarin Balogun eligible to face Belgium following an intervention by U.S. president Donald Trump.
In association football, FIFA declares American forward Folarin Balogun eligible to face Belgium following an intervention by U.S. president Donald Trump. FIFA suspends his ban under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, placing it on a one-year probationary period while allowing the red card itself to stand. It became the first time since the introduction of FIFA's automatic suspension system that a World Cup red card suspension is overturned rather than served.
Norway advances to the quarterfinals of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Brazil 2–1 in the round of 16.
Norway advances to the quarterfinals of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Brazil 2–1 in the round of 16. Brazil's loss also marks the team's earliest elimination from the tournament since 1990.
In tennis, Alexandra Eala becomes the first Filipino singles player to reach the fourth round of a major tournament
In tennis, Alexandra Eala becomes the first Filipino singles player to reach the fourth round of a major tournament after defeating defending champion Iga Świątek in the third round of the Wimbledon Championships women's singles.
Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first player to make 30 FIFA World Cup appearances, score 20 World Cup goals
Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first player to make 30 FIFA World Cup appearances, score 20 World Cup goals, and score in eight consecutive World Cup matches (including the previous edition), after scoring in the team's 3–2 victory against Cape Verde in the round of 32.
In association football, Egypt advances to the round of 16 of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Australia 4–2 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw
In association football, Egypt advances to the round of 16 of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Australia 4–2 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw after extra time, in the round of 32.
In tennis, Alexandra Eala becomes the first Filipino woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament
In tennis, Alexandra Eala becomes the first Filipino woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament after defeating Australian player Maya Joint in the Wimbledon women's singles tournament. She will face reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Świątek next.
In association football, the Mexican soccer team defeats Ecuador, winning their first game in the knockout round of a FIFA World Cup since 1986
In association football, the Mexican soccer team defeats Ecuador, winning their first game in the knockout round of a FIFA World Cup since 1986.
Paraguayan president Santiago Peña declares a national holiday after Paraguay defeated Germany 4–3 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw, in the FIFA World Cup round of 32
Paraguayan president Santiago Peña declares a national holiday after Paraguay defeated Germany 4–3 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw, in the FIFA World Cup round of 32.
Palestinian Football Association confirms that Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Khader Al-Ashqar was killed by Israeli forces in the Khan Yunis Governorate town of Al-Qarara
The Palestinian Football Association confirms that Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Khader Al-Ashqar was killed by Israeli forces in the Khan Yunis Governorate town of Al-Qarara.
In association football, Paraguay defeats Germany in penalty shoot-outs during the round of 32, the largest upset since 2018 and the fourth-largest in World Cup history
In association football, Paraguay defeats Germany in penalty shoot-outs during the round of 32, the largest upset since 2018 and the fourth-largest in World Cup history.
In association football, World Cup co-hosts Canada advance to the round of 16 of the tournament for the first time after defeating South Africa 1–0 in the round of 32
In association football, World Cup co-hosts Canada advance to the round of 16 of the tournament for the first time after defeating South Africa 1–0 in the round of 32.
In association football, Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first male player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches (including matches…
In association football, Argentine forward and captain Lionel Messi becomes the first male player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches (including matches from the previous edition) after scoring in the team's 3–1 win against Jordan in their final group-stage match.
DR Congo qualifies for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after winning 3–1 over Uzbekistan in their final group-stage match to finish
DR Congo qualifies for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after winning 3–1 over Uzbekistan in their final group-stage match to finish as the best third-place team in the round.
Egypt qualifies for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after drawing 1–1 with Iran and finishing their group stage in second place
Egypt qualifies for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after drawing 1–1 with Iran and finishing their group stage in second place.
In association football, debutants Cape Verde becomes the smallest nation to qualify for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup after finishing Group H in second place
In association football, debutants Cape Verde becomes the smallest nation to qualify for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup after finishing Group H in second place.
In association football, Ivory Coast reaches the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Curaçao 2–0 to place second in Group E
In association football, Ivory Coast reaches the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Curaçao 2–0 to place second in Group E.