Playing off the last defender, it’s the big-man-little-man partnership of football and funnies
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME NO SAVING THAT
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Mary Earps had a fine World Cup for England in the summer, but you could almost see the swear words forming in her mouth as Sam Kerr’s rocket found the top corner during the semi against Australia. The goal earned Kerr a Puskas Award nomination, but the Lionesses still triumphed 3-1.
“OK, WE’RE AWAY AT FOREST TODAY, LADS”
SANTA CECILIA, MEXICO
If being in the middle of a forest wasn’t weird enough, this pitch on the outskirts of Mexico City is also perched in a volcanic crater. Thankfully, the Teoca volcano is inactive and the local amateur teams can play without fear of imminent incineration. Phew...
A TREBLE TREBLE
DORTMUND, GERMANY
In just his 14th game for Bayern Munich, at Dortmund no less, came Harry Kane’s third treble. In Germany, not all were seen as hat-tricks: there, that’s three goals with no other scorers in between, but Kane didn’t care, grabbing the ball and legging it.
PRETTY IN PINK
FORT LAUDERDALE, USA
Lionel Messi had a pretty good club career in Europe, but he hadn’t faced the ultimate test: could he do it on a reasonably warm Friday night in Florida? OK, the answer was yes: on his Inter Miami debut, he curled in the winner against Mexicans Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
FACE, MEET BALL
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
The World Cup didn’t go to plan for USA forward Sophia Smith – not only were her side knocked out in the last 16, but she was also smacked in the face by a football against Portugal. USA drew that group game 0-0 – in four matches, their only victory was against Vietnam. Oops...
“VA FA NAPOLI!”
NAPLES, ITALY
In Friends, Joey liked to use the above phrase to insult Chandler – literally ‘Go to Naples’, but also meaning ‘Go to Hell’. This May, Naples was more like Heaven – supporters partie
