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Lamine Yamal sends message to Ballon d’Or rival Ousmane Dembele after Spain beat France
Lamine Yamal sent a subtle message to Ballon d’Or rival Ousmane Dembele after helping Spain knock France out of the Nations League.
The two European heavyweights produced a pulsating clash in Germany, with the reigning Euros champions coming out on top in a nine-goal thriller.
Leading by two after the first half, Yamal took centre stage. The Barcelona forward has enjoyed another remarkable season at club level and scored twice – either side of Pedri’s well-taken finish – to move Spain 5-1 ahead.
But Luis de la Fuente’s side were made to sweat after a late three late goals threatened a miraculous French comeback in the dying moments.
Having been withdrawn with 15 minutes remaining, Paris Saint-Germain winger Dembele could only watch from the sidelines as his side came up just short in a thrilling 5-4 defeat.
Despite an incredible domestic campaign, which saw the forward guide PSG to a famous treble, it was a quiet night for the Frenchman in Stuttgart as Yamal outshone the 28-year-old to take centre stage.
The two mesmerising wide players are amongst the favourites to win be named Ballon d’Or winner later in the year, and Yamal was quick to joke that tonight’s performance may give him the nod in the eyes of the judges.
‘I always tell my mother, what motivates me and what I get up for in the morning is to play football,’ the 17-year-old told RTVE post-match.
‘The best thing is to talk on the pitch. Dembele is a great player, but we are in the final.’
And it was not just Yamal making the claim, with former World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger also suggesting the teenager’s impressive display could well have helped him secure the Ballon d’Or.
‘Ballon d’Or? Lamine Yamal has to be put higher than Dembele,’ he told SWR. ‘Lamine Yamal was better tonight.’
Yamal played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 win last summer, breaking the record for the youngest-ever finalist at 16 years 338 days.
And the teenager can now look to write his latest chapter in Spain’s rich football history by helping his nation retain their Nations League crown in Sunday’s final against Portugal.
On the win more generally against France, the Barcelona forward said: ‘France is a great team, they make you suffer, it’s normal. They are players who make you suffer until the end. But we are very happy with the victory.’
Asked about Sunday’s match-up with Portugal, he added: ‘It will be the same as this match, with players of great world class. We are very good teams and I hope to take the Cup to Spain.’
Who do you think should win the Ballon d'Or?
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Lamine Yamal
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Ousmane Dembele
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Someone else (comment below)
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World’s sexiest volleyball star Kayla Simmons spills out of tiny bikinis as fans hail ‘dreamy girl in a dreamy world’
KAYLA SIMMONS left little to the imagination with her latest steamy social media posts.
The social media and volleyball sensation is a regular sharer of risque photos and videos on her Instagram and TikTok pages, which have a combined TWO MILLION followers.
But the American nearly caused an international incident with her latest IG photo dump, which well and truly set her followers’ pulses racing.
On Wednesday, Simmons shared a series of snaps of herself at the beach along with two eye-popping selfies in a viral post.
Simmons donned multiple barely-there bikinis, which struggled to contain her assets, in the snaps, which received thousands of likes.
Her accompanying caption for the post read: “Recent favs.”
Scores of the blonde bombshell’s followers flooded the comments section to relay their amazement at her sizzling snaps.
One commented: “Dreamy girl in a dreamy world.”
Another said: “Unbelievably gorgeous as always, Kayla!!!”
And another said: “Hands down second to none.”
One remarked: “You’re absolutely amazing.”
Another chimed in: “Such a goddess.”
Simmons rose to global fame during her time on Marshall University’s volleyball team.
She has since become a successful model and regularly shares snaps of her heart-racing shoots on her social media pages.
Simmons also gives her most loyal supporters the chance to interact with her on OnlyFans.
Simmons isn’t all about self-promotion on social media, regularly using her platforms to raise awareness of social and world issues.
In 2023, she called on her followers to do their bit to help combat the oceans.
She said: “Our oceans are threatened by pollution, overfishing and climate change.
“The ocean covers 70 per cent of our planet, but only EIGHT per cent is protected.
“Let’s all do what we can to make a difference.”
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Russia’s ambassador to the UK ‘blames Britain’ for Ukraine’s daring drone attack & warns of ‘WWIII’ risk
RUSSIA’S ambassador to the UK has blamed Britain for Ukraine’s “historic” drone attack – and chillingly warned of World War Three.
Moscow diplomat Andrei Kelin said that Ukrainian attacks “are bringing the conflict to a different level of escalation”.
Over the weekend, Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Ukraine’s daring drone blitz on Russian airbases as one for the “history books”.
It marked Kyiv’s longest range operation of the conflict so far with at least 40 aircraft being attacked as part of the expert operation codenamed “Spiderweb”.
In an embarrassing result for a raging Vladimir Putin 34 per cent of his cruise missile carriers at the targeted airfields were blasted, Zelensky said.
A £260million AWACS aircraft and bombers capable of dropping nuclear weapons were also struck.
Ukraine said the sneak attack was worth $7bn (£5.2bn) in damage to Russia.
But Russian ambassador to the UK Kelin warned that Kyiv shouldn’t “try to engulf World War Three” in an interview with Sky News.
He also seemingly blamed the UK for potentially providing Ukraine with weaponry that could have been used during the weekend attacks.
He said: “[This] kind of attack involves, of course, provision of very high technology, so-called geospaced data, which only can be done by those who have it in possession.
“And this is London and Washington.
“I don’t believe that America [is involved], that has been denied by President Trump, definitely, but it has not been denied by London.
“We perfectly know how much London is involved, how deeply British forces are involved in working together with Ukraine.”
US President Donald Trump has spent the past few months since he returned to office trying to balance his relationship with both Moscow and Kyiv.
In his latest attempt to draw both sides closer to a ceasefire he spoke with Putin over the phone in a 75 minute call.
Trump revealed that the despot made it clear he feels he “will have to respond” to the audacious drone assault.
It comes as The Sun laid out the six possible methods Putin may use to respond to the enemy.
The tyrant could retaliate with one of his terrifying tactical nukes, launch a deadly 7,600mph missile or even order a renewed 50,000 troop assault to overpower his enemies.
The Kremlin gave a chilling response earlier today regarding how they may respond.
A spokesperson said: “Russian Federation will respond to the attack on airfields when and in the way that the military deems appropriate.”
And overnight, Vlad already launched his first retaliatory strikes on several residential regions.
The worst saw a baby, their mum and grandma all killed due to a Shahed kamikaze drone blast which caused their home to collapse.
Two others were also found dead in Chernihiv with another 17 seriously wounded in Kharkiv.
Olympic bronze medalist Lewis Richardson, 28, set for professional boxing debut at stadium where he used to sell pies
LEWIS RICHARDSON flogged Pukka Pies as a schoolboy in the same Ipswich stadium he’ll earn his first real crust in on Saturday.
The 2024 Olympic bronze winner helped put himself through his GCSEs and A-levels by serving up grub to hungry Tractor Boys at Portman Road over a decade ago.
And the Colchester southpaw will break into the paid ranks by filling in Dmitri Protkunas, just down the road from his family home in a dream debut.
He told SunSport: “Despite it being so close, this is probably the first time I have been in Ipswich for a year.
“I came for one night out here when I was younger but I quickly realised that I had to stay true to my roots back in Colchester.
“I did do some matchday shifts here, though, serving up the Pukka Pies.
“I did the same job at Colchester when I was around 16 and when Ipswich were short staffed a few times, we got the call to come over – and now I am boxing here, it’s crazy.
“I thought a London debut at York Hall or Wembley Arena was going to be a perfect start but Ipswich football stadium is unreal.
“All the friends and family who have talked about attending my first pro fight would have had to book trains or hotels.
“But we don’t even need to arrange minibuses for anyone, it’s a 29 minute drive from my front door, so everyone is happy sharing taxis for a great night.”
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Richardson turned 28 on Wednesday but had to bin his birthday plans to make the middleweight limit for this weekend.
The spicy celebrations have been pushed back but the silky southpaw plans to put in a curry order worthy of a Gavin and Stacey special, to make up for the diet.
“The birthday is postponed for four days,” he revealed to us. “The party is pushed back to Sunday.
“I have a curry house booked in Colchester for 15 of us and my mouth is watering just talking to you about it now.
“I can’t even think about my order now.
“But I can say for sure that I will sound like Smithy with the number of bhunas and naans and rice types I am going to order.”
‘We’re talking’ – Liverpool star Luis Diaz opens door to £70m Barcelona transfer with bombshell statement
LUIS DIAZ opened the door to a shock £70million Barcelona move by confessing he is in talks with other clubs.
Liverpool yesterday rejected an approach from the Spanish giants to speak to their Colombian winger.
But Diaz, who has two years left on his Anfield contract, declared: “The market is open and we’re trying to sort out what’s best for us.
“We’re talking with other clubs. It’s the transfer window, it’s normal.
“I’m very happy at Liverpool. From day one, they’ve made me feel really welcome.
“Right now we’re in contact with them because we’re speaking with other clubs.
“I am just waiting to see what happens. If Liverpool don’t make a good offer, I still have two years left with them, I would be happy to stay there.
“It’s up to them. I am just waiting to see what happens. Everything depends on them.
“Obviously, it’s up to me to decide what’s best for the future.”
Diaz’s bombshell comments came after Liverpool posted a picture of him kissing the Premier League trophy on their official X page, accompanied with the caption: “He’s from Barrancas and he plays for Liverpool.”
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
And his statement is bound to infuriate Kop boss Arne Slot.
Diaz, 28, was a key part of Liverpool’s Prem title triumph last season, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists.
He joined the Reds from Porto in January 2022 in a deal worth up to £49m.
The Colombian has scored 41 goals in 148 appearances for the Reds, winning the Prem, FA Cup and two League Cups.
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, contacted Liverpool on Wednesday to discuss the deal but was told the Kop club do not want to sell.
Dutchman Slot wants to keep Diaz for next season’s title defence as he plans a £200m reboot that will include the £126m arrival of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
Barca want Diaz to slot in alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in their front three.
But he is also Saudi club Al-Nassr’s top target.
His partner, Gera Ponce, posted an emotional Instagram message which some fans believe is a farewell.
She wrote: “Thank you for so much love, for so much dedication and for making us feel at home.
“This is a real bond, deep and strong, that reaffirms we’ll never walk alone.”
Dismay as Ed Miliband’s flagship Net Zero plan spared ahead of spending review
A FLAGSHIP Net Zero plan has been spared ahead of next week’s spending review — to opponents’ dismay.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has ensured his £13billion warm homes scheme will not be downgraded after negotiations with the Treasury.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided not to cut the cash which allows heating upgrades through better insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.
But the move will be a boost to the Reform Party who has vowed to scrap reaching the Net Zero target by 2050.
The party’s deputy leader Richard Tice said: “Net Stupid Zero defeats common sense again, meaning higher bills and higher cost of living.
“Jobs and industries are being destroyed by the month.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has already stated that reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 is “impossible”.
Shadow Cabinet Minister Andrew Bowie added: “Once again it looks like Ed Miliband’s net zero by 2050 zealotry is running this government.
“When vital services like police forces, are facing the squeeze – thanks to Labour’s economic mismanagement – it is shameful Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have kowtowed and decided to splash taxpayer cash on this ideological obsession,
“Kemi Badenoch and I have told the truth about the cost of net zero by 2050. It is shameful Labour are still not prepared to do the same. Families deserve so much better than being punished with higher costs and higher bills.”
Mr Miliband and the Chancellor are understood to have now tied down his department’s spending three-year spending plans, The Telegraph reported.
Any spending cuts would have slowed down the government’s bid to hit Net Zero and also the pledge to bring down energy bills by £300 by the end of the decade.
The Home Office and Angela Rayner’s housing department are still grappling with the Treasury over cash.
Beyonce kicks off huge UK Cowboy Carter shows with biggest performance yet – but fails to sell out stadium gigs
FORGET the mighty Tottenham Hotspur, last night North London belonged to Beyonce.
She kicked off her run of six shows in the Europa League winners’ stadium.
As I walked up Seven Sisters High Road, Lilywhite football shirts had been replaced by a sea of cowboy hats.
The US superstar’s fans, complete with glittery boots and T-shirts, paid homage to her No1 album Cowboy Carter.
Some weren’t happy after being told they had to bin their brollies, but they cheered up as they heard Beyonce tunes pumping out of the stadium.
The stadium lit up too, thanks to the Cowboy Carter glowing wristbands dished out on entry.
This isn’t your average show, but a moment of theatre.
Beyonce is making a huge point of celebrating the genre’s black roots and reclaiming country music as her forte with the finesse you’d expect from a global megastar.
As she begins the mammoth seven-act show, which lasts almost three hours, Beyonce’s trademark megawatt smile lights up the stadium.
When the music strikes up, Beyonce lookalikes walk out on to the diamond- shaped stage dressed in gold capes and cowboy hats.
She nails the opener, American Requiem, while gold fireworks blast around her.
Dressed in white tasselled chaps and shades, her voice is unparalleled and the crowd are hooked on every word.
“Ya’ll look so beautiful,” Bey tells the audience. “I feel so honoured to be standing on this stage.
“Thank you for the support over so many years.”
Referencing Blackbird, she adds: “This song is dedicated to all the beautiful blackbirds who came before me.
“I want to thank Paul McCartney for writing this song and I’m going to sing it for y’all.
“I want ya’ll to have a good time. The rain won’t stop us.”
Beyonce smashes through The Star- Spangled Banner into Freedom, using the stage as her catwalk, before ripping into a Ya Ya mash-up with her 2008 track Why Don’t You Love Me — a big screen in front of the stage showing the lyrics to keep her word perfect.
Daughter Blue Ivy’s killer solo choreography on America Has A Problem, where she wears a newspaper-print outfit to match her mum, is insanely good.
She gives a wry smile to the cameras as she notices the whole crowd are up on their feet screaming for her.
It’s easy to forget she’s only 13.
‘FAMILY AFFAIR’
And it’s not hard to see where Blue gets it from.
Bey’s choreo is, as always, high-energy and she doesn’t put a step out of place.
Formation gets a rapturous reaction, as well as Cuff It, Thique and Jolene.
The show nods to her Renaissance tour, which saw her playing five shows right here in 2023.
Beyonce throws in fan-favourite hits to support the tracks from her latest No1 record, including Texas Hold ’Em, which has nearly every person in the 62,000-seater stadium singing in unison.
Youngest daughter Rumi makes the most of her big UK stage debut, appearing on stage after Beyonce started singing Protector, and tossing off a cowboy hat before sitting on her mum’s lap.
The stadium roars as Rumi waves to fans while video clips of her and twin brother Sir Carter from Beyonce and husband Jay-Z’s personal archive are shown on screens.
It’s a real family affair for the Single Ladies singer, with ads for her Cecred beauty line and Jay-Z’s SirDavis whisky everywhere.
Meanwhile, her mum Tina is in the audience.
The concert’s staging is impressive, with Beyonce reclining on a throne as a robotic arm pours her a whisky at one point.
Another moment sees her riding a mechanical bull, a move that whips the crowd up into near hysteria, just like when she rode Reneigh, her sparkly disco steed, the last time she was here.
It is a spectacle from start to finish and even the rain, which had thundered down in North London, can’t wash the shine off Beyonce’s crown.
Bizbit
THEY bonded as Deadpool and Wolverine, and now Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are going into business together after buying into an Aussie sailing team.
The duo said Hugh is an avid fan, adding: “He’ll also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride.”
MADGE’S RAY REMIX 25 YRS ON
MADONNA has delighted fans by announcing the release of her Ray Of Light remix project – more than 25 years after she shelved it.
Veronica Electronica features eight remixes inspired by her 1998 album.
The singer put it on ice due to the success of the original.
But you will finally get the chance to own it on vinyl and listen online when it is released on July 25, while the first taste, Skin (The Collaboration Remix Edit) came out yesterday.
Elsewhere, Faithless have released Forever Free, featuring the final recorded vocal from their late frontman Maxi Jazz.
It is also the title of the first instalment of their eighth album Champion Sound, which will be out in full later this year.
Also released today is Ellie Goulding And Marshmello’s summery dance banger Save My Love, Sabrina Carpenter’s Manchild and Newton Faulkner’s Hunting Season.
And Mimi Webb has dropped Love Language, from her second album Confessions, which will be released on September 12.
Bizbit
JODIE COMER says fans heading to see Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, in which she stars, should pack extra undies.
She said of the film, out on June 20: “I was scared. There is a kind of tension.
“When you are in these high-intensity situations, it’s exhilarating, thrilling, terrifying.”
HAVE AN APPY TIME AT GLASTO
IF you are heading to Glasto this year, Vodafone has created a free app to help crowds on the ground – and it sounds brilliant.
Its Official Glastonbury Festival App will allow users to share which acts they are watching with friends.
And because it updates automatically, you will always be able to know where they are at Worthy Farm.
A map has been added too, which helps you track down new stages and merch stands, and it will count your steps so you can compare notes at the end.
Last year the Bizarre team clocked up 160,000 steps each in Somerset – and we’ll be sure to do more this year.
Bizbit
PIXIE LOTT and Rizzle Kicks have been confirmed in the entertainment line-up for this summer’s Formula E racing finale.
The artists will take to the stage at Excel in London on Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27, as the World Champion-ship reaches its climax.
Pixie said: “I’m very excited that the finale is in my hometown of London.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
SLAYER’S SABBATH THRILL IN UK RETURN
METAL fans rejoice – it’s International Day of Slayer.
And to celebrate, the US thrash metal band’s guitarist Kerry King spoke to me about returning to the UK for two huge shows this summer.
The rockers were last on our shores during their 2019 Farewell tour, but will now play Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields on July 3 and London’s Finsbury Park on July 6.
Kerry admits they were inspired to come back after agreeing to play at Ozzy Osbourne’s huge farewell show with Black Sabbath‘s at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5.
“It’s an honour just to be mentioned in the same breath as the people playing that event,” Kerry tells me.
“Even if Slayer had never come back to do any shows,
“I would’ve really pushed to come back just for this one.
“Sabbath means a lot to me musically, they’re where I come from.
“They’re my heroes. To be part of their final show and perform one of their songs is just massive.
“I’ll be there early, watching every performance, hearing songs I’ve loved for decades.
“So all our shows are anchored with the Black Sabbath date.”
Each of the bands performing, including Metallica, Pantera And Anthrax, will all play one of Black Sabbath’s songs in tribute to the group.
But Kerry is staying tight-lipped, as when I ask if he could give me a clue about their performance, he laughs and says: “Of course not.
“I think Sharon Osbourne would cut my tongue out if I said anything.”
He’s got a point.
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Greggs launches menu shake-up with two new items TODAY
GREGGS has rolled out two brand-new menu items which fans can snap up at 20 locations across the UK.
The popular British bakery chain introduced the £4 sandwiches today as part of a trial.
From today, fans can enjoy Greggs’ new Pulled Pork Sandwiches and BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Slaw.
The sandwiches, costing £4 each and currently available in 20 stores across the northeast, could be rolled out nationwide if they prove popular.
The first option is a classic pulled pork with apple sauce and crispy onions, served in a soft corn-topped roll, containing 469 calories.
The second is a BBQ pulled pork sandwich with slaw, slightly lighter at 430 calories.
The new sarnies are available to order at the counter as part of Greggs’ hot sandwich deal.
They can also be ordered through delivery via Just Eat and Uber Eats, or through Click + Collect on the Greggs App in participating trial shops.
These 20 Greggs stores are trialling Pulled Pork Sandwiches:
- Sunderland, U1 Union Street
- Greggs @ Tesco Extra Kingston Park
- Gretna, U67B Caledonia Park, Glasgow Road
- Spennymoor U23 Festival Walk
- Workington, 19 Murray Road
- Kelso, 47 The Square
- Egremont, 50 Main Street
- Barnard Castle, 11 Horsemarket
- Gateshead, Metrocentre, Yellow Mall
- Ferryhill, 17 Market Street
- Catterick, Richmondshire Wlk Shopping Centre
- Jarrow, 17 Bede Precinct
- Felling, U5 Booth Street
- Durham, 1B Dryburn View
- Killingworth, U35 Killingworth Shopping Centre
- Seaham, Byron Pl Shopping Centre
- Darlington, 289 Yarm Road
- South Shields, 285 Prince Edward Road
- Team Valley, U4 Maingate
- Thornaby, U6 Fleck Wy, Teesside Industrial Estate
This isn’t the only change Greggs has made this month – the bakery chain has also shaken up its loyalty app.
On Monday, Greggs launched a new month-long promotion offering double stamps on selected items bought between 11am and 2pm.
The offer runs in weekly phases, with a different product category featured each week.
This week (June 2–8), all hot, cold and made-to-order sandwiches qualify for double stamps – like baguettes, wraps, flatbreads, burgers and rolls.
Customers buying a meal deal during the promo window will also earn stamps on eligible items in their basket.
From June 9 to 15, the offer shifts to “Hot Snacks”, followed by Greggs’ popular bakes from June 16 to 22 – though the famous Sausage Roll and Vegan Sausage Roll are excluded.
The final week, 23 to 29 June, will focus on iced drinks.
Customers collect one stamp per eligible purchase in a category, and after nine stamps, can claim a free item in that category.
During the promotion, purchases made within the time window earn two stamps, making it quicker to earn a free item.
To take part, shoppers need to scan the Greggs App in-store or order via Click + Collect.
Full list of eligible items:
- Sandwiches (June 2–8)
- Baguettes
- Sliced bread sandwiches, stotties and made-to-order
- Oval Bites and Rolls
- Flatbreads
- Wraps
- Burgers
(Excludes breakfast rolls/baguettes and sandwich platters) - Hot Snacks (June 9–15)
- Southern Fried Chicken Goujons
- Southern Fried Potato Wedges
- Spicy BBQ Chicken Bites
- BBQ Bites Meal Box
- Crispy Chicken Bites
- Mozzarella & Cheddar Bites
- Bakes (June 16–22)
- Steak Bake
- Cheese & Onion Bake
- Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt
- Vegetable Bake
- Corned Beef Bake
- Chicken Bake
- Red Pepper, Feta and Spinach Bake
- Scotch Pie
- Haggis Pie
- Bacon & Cheese Wrap
- Savoury Mince Pie
(Excludes Sausage Rolls and Vegan Sausage Rolls) - Iced Drinks (June 23–29)
- Iced Latte
- Iced Caramel Latte
- Iced Vanilla Latte
- Iced Caramelised Biscuit Latte
- Iced Americano
- Cloudy Lemonade
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Mint Lemonade
- Peach Iced Tea
- Mango & Strawberry Cooler
