Jasmine Paolini delivered an outstanding performance to lead Italy to their fifth Billie Jean King Cup title, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 in the second singles match. This victory secured a 2-0 win for Italy over Slovakia in the final held on Wednesday. After a disappointing loss to Canada in last year's final and more than a decade since their last championship in 2013, Paolini's dominant display against Sramkova was a moment of redemption. Following her victory, she celebrated exuberantly with her teammates and the enthusiastic Italian crowd, which included men's world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Lucy Bronze played a pivotal role in Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Celtic, securing their place in the knockout stages of the Women’s Champions League with two matches remaining. The match, held at Stamford Bridge, saw Chelsea, last year's semi-finalists, dominate with first-half goals from Bronze and Wieke Kaptein, followed by a penalty from Ève Périsset in the 95th minute. This win marked Chelsea's impressive 11th consecutive victory. Under the leadership of Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea has enjoyed a remarkable start to the season, remaining unbeaten across all competitions. They entered the match at the top of the Women’s Super League and leading Group B in the Champions League. With Real Madrid's earlier win over Twente, Chelsea only needed a draw to secure their advancement to the quarter-finals.

Céline Haidar, a 19-year-old Lebanon youth international football player, remains in an induced coma following an Israeli airstrike that occurred on Saturday. She was struck by shrapnel in Chiyah, located in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Haidar's condition has raised concerns as she is now one of several athletes affected by the ongoing military actions in both Gaza and Lebanon. Currently, she is receiving intensive care in the hospital, and her situation continues to be closely monitored.

Juan Mata is set to make his mark in Major League Soccer (MLS) as he joins the ownership group of San Diego FC, following in the footsteps of David Beckham. The former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder, who currently plays for Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia’s A-League Men, has become the first active player to invest in a U.S. franchise. San Diego FC is scheduled to join the Western Conference in 2025. The announcement of the expansion team was made in May 2023, with San Diego selected over Las Vegas, which had the backing of Aston Villa's owners. Although Mata will not be able to participate as a player in the new franchise, having signed with Sydney after being released by Vissel Kobe in January, he has secured a small ownership stake while continuing his professional career. This contrasts with Beckham's situation, where his ownership of Inter Miami was included in his contract with MLS when he joined LA Galaxy, but was only revealed after his retirement. Mata expressed his excitement about the opportunity, hoping to "build something special" with San Diego FC.

Pep Guardiola is set to face new challenges following his decision to extend his tenure as Manchester City’s manager with a new one-year contract. This move reflects his determination and ambition, reminiscent of the iconic phrase from Apollo Creed in Rocky III, urging Rocky Balboa to regain his competitive edge. Guardiola is eager to tackle the numerous obstacles currently facing his team and club, reaffirming his status as a footballing genius. The factors that might have prompted Guardiola to consider leaving at the end of the season are likely the same ones that have fueled his resolve to remain. At 53 years old, his choice to stay comes at a pivotal moment in what has been an era-defining eight-and-a-half-year period at the club. As he embarks on this new chapter, Guardiola will need to navigate a series of challenges, including a string of recent defeats, an aging squad, and various off-field issues. His commitment to Manchester City signals not only his loyalty but also his ambition to continue achieving success and to prove his mettle once again.

England is making adjustments to Tom Curry's playing technique to prioritize his safety as he prepares to return for the upcoming match against Japan following a recent concussion. Curry missed last weekend's game against South Africa after suffering a head injury during a collision with Australia's Rob Valetini in the previous match against the Wallabies. At just 26 years old, Curry has faced significant challenges, including a serious hip injury that nearly led to his retirement, and he has a history of concussions, having sustained one in the opening match of the season with Sale against Harlequins. The changes to his technique aim to reduce the risk of further head injuries as he reenters the game.

Julen Lopetegui is under significant pressure at West Ham, facing two crucial matches that could determine his future with the club. The Hammers have been using the international break to assess potential managerial replacements, indicating that confidence in Lopetegui is waning. The upcoming fixtures against Newcastle and Arsenal are pivotal for the Spaniard. A poor performance, particularly against Newcastle on Monday, could lead to serious consequences, including the possibility of his dismissal. With West Ham struggling at the start of the season, the stakes are high, and a heavy defeat could prompt the club to make a swift decision regarding his position. Among the names being considered as potential successors is Edin Terzic, the former manager of Borussia Dortmund. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how West Ham performs in these critical matches, which could ultimately shape the club's direction moving forward.

Chelsea vs. Celtic: Women’s Champions League – Live Updates Welcome to our coverage of the Women’s Champions League, featuring the match between Chelsea and Celtic. The game kicks off at 8pm GMT. Last week, the two teams faced off, with Chelsea securing a 2-1 victory. However, Celtic put up a strong fight and demonstrated their ability to challenge Chelsea effectively. They particularly excelled in counter-attacking situations, a strategy they are likely to employ again tonight. Stay tuned for live updates and insights as the match unfolds!

Uefa has awarded Kosovo a 3-0 defeat following their decision to leave the field during a Nations League match against Romania in Bucharest. The game, which was nearing its conclusion, was abandoned after Kosovo chose not to return to play. The incident occurred during second-half stoppage time when Kosovo players reacted to pro-Serbia chants from the home crowd. The match was temporarily suspended, and when it became evident that Kosovo would not resume, the game was officially called off. This ruling by Uefa may prompt Kosovo to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Henrique Hilário has departed from Chelsea after an 18-year tenure to take on the role of goalkeeping coach for the England national team under Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel, who previously collaborated with Hilário during his time at Stamford Bridge, is set to officially start his new position on January 1. The vacancy for the goalkeeping coach arose after Martyn Margetson left following Gareth Southgate's resignation as manager last summer. Tuchel quickly identified Hilário as a key addition to his coaching staff, preferring a streamlined team. Chelsea was hesitant to allow Hilário to split his time between the club and the national team, which ultimately led him to submit his resignation. Chelsea is not expected to seek a replacement for the former Portugal goalkeeper.