Wales beat New Zealand 35-28, their first win over the All Blacks since 1953

The stories

28 on this beat today.

Every story told the same way: what happened, who is involved, why it matters, how it works, the truth and the good news.

1. 01

   Wales beat New Zealand 35-28, their first win over the All Blacks since 1953

   35-28

   Wales' winning score against New Zealand in Cardiff

   their first win over the All Blacks since 1953 [1]

   346

   tackles Wales made to keep their lead

   lock Dafydd Jenkins made 38 of them [6]

   55,152

   fans in the ground, the fewest for this match in Cardiff

   the Guardian counted 20,000 empty seats [7]

   £26m to £20m

   the Welsh union's cut to professional rugby by 2028

   after recent losses of £18m [9]

   What happened

   • Wales beat New Zealand 35-28 in Cardiff on Saturday, their first win over the All Blacks since 1953. [1]
   • It ended a run of 34 straight defeats to New Zealand. [1]
   • Wales scored five tries, the most they have ever scored against New Zealand. [2]
   • Wales led 14-0, 21-7 and 35-21 before New Zealand pulled back to 35-28. [1]
   • New Zealand had drawn level at 21-21 by half-time. [1]
   • In the second half Wales held New Zealand up over the try line three times. [6]
   • Wales made 346 tackles, and lock Dafydd Jenkins made 38 of them. [6]
   • Early figures had Jenkins' 38 tackles level with the world record Thierry Dusautoir set against New Zealand in 2007. [4]
   • Steve Tandy coaches Wales, and captain Dewi Lake scored one of the early tries. [1]
   • New Zealand's coach, Dave Rennie, made 8 changes from the team that beat Scotland. [2]
   • Beauden Barrett captained New Zealand for the first time, in his 149th Test match. [1]
   • Some bookmakers offered odds of 20-1 against a Wales win before the game. [1]
   • Wales had won 5 of 31 Tests since the last World Cup. [3] None of those wins came against a top-eight team. [3]
   • Wales had fallen to 12th in the world rankings, former captain Sam Warburton said. [4] New Zealand were ranked 2nd. [5]
   • The crowd of 55,152 was the smallest of the 14 Wales v New Zealand games at the stadium. [1]
   • The Guardian put the empty seats at 20,000, "such was the level of expectation". [7]
   • Wales' First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, wrote: "This has been decades in the making." [8]
   • The Welsh Rugby Union, which runs the sport in Wales, has reported recent losses of £18m. [9]
   • It must cut its spending on professional rugby from £26m to £20m by 2028. [9]
   • So it plans to drop 1 of its 4 professional clubs by 2028. [9]

   Who is involved

   • Steve Tandy Wales' head coach, a Welshman; his team ended the 73-year wait
   • Dewi Lake Wales' captain; scored one of the two tries in the first six minutes
   • Dave Rennie New Zealand's head coach since the start of this year; made 8 changes for the game
   • Dafydd Jenkins Wales lock; made 38 tackles, equal to the world record

   How it unfolded

   1. Early on 14-0 to Wales
   2. First half 21-7 to Wales
   3. Second half 35-21 to Wales
   4. 1953 Wales last beat New Zealand [1]
   5. A year ago New Zealand beat Wales 52-26 [5]
   6. Last week Wales scrape past Japan 28-21 [1]
   7. Saturday Wales beat New Zealand 35-28 [1]

   Why it matters

   The win lands on a union that is cutting a club to save money. [9]

   New Zealand still went top of the southern table, on 2 bonus points, not the 5 a big win brings. [3]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      What does this result set up?

      The Guardian argued England could now be slight favourites to beat New Zealand in London next weekend. [11]

   2. 2

      Did New Zealand lose it by resting players?

      Rennie said "We had a good enough side on the field to win". [6] Warburton credited the Welsh defence instead. [4]

   3. 3

      So why were so many seats empty?

      Few expected a win, and the Guardian tied the 20,000 empty seats to that expectation. [7]

      Odds of 20-1→Defeat expected→20,000 seats empty
   4. 4

      What is Welsh rugby short of?

      Each of Wales' 4 professional clubs gets about £6.5m from the union, and one will be cut. [9]

      £6.5mwhat each Welsh professional club gets from the union

   5. 5

      Could Wales fall out of this top competition?

      From 2030 the Nations Championship must let teams drop to a second tier. [10] Wales and Italy reportedly want protection from that. [10]

      2030: relegation starts→Bottom team drops a tier→Wales and Italy want protection
   6. 6

      Was Saturday a sign the gap is closing?

      England beat Japan 78-15 the same day. [12] The Guardian's rugby writer said the gap below the top ten is widening. [13]

      35-28Wales v New Zealand

      vsvs

      78-15England v Japan
   7. 7

      So who holds the power in this competition?

      The 10 biggest unions hold it: they now sell their own TV rights through a company called F10. [10] Wales is one of the ten. [10]

   How it works

   Sports economists call it the uncertainty of outcome: fans pay more to watch a game whose result is in doubt.

   With Wales at 20-1, Cardiff drew its smallest crowd for this fixture. [1]

   Seen it before

   A school race where one runner always wins draws few watchers, but a close race fills the fence.

   The truth

   • What is really going on Wales beat New Zealand in front of 20,000 empty seats, while their union cuts professional rugby spending from £26m to £20m and plans to drop a club. [7][9]
   • Why it works on people A 73-year wait ending makes one result feel bigger than one game, however many changes the other side made. [1][2]
   • Rennie defended his 8 changes. [6] The Guardian's writer said the changes made New Zealand vulnerable. [3]
   • Nobody knows yet

     Whether the win changes the plan to cut a Welsh professional club.

     The union will decide which club goes by next summer, and the Ospreys' own report argues against any cut. [9]

   • Nobody knows yet

     Whether Dafydd Jenkins really equalled the world tackle record.

     The BBC based it on initial statistics, which can change when the final count is done. [4]

   Good news

   • Commentator Huw Llywelyn Davies watched the 1953 win aged 8, and Saturday's aged 81. [4]

   What comes next

   New Zealand play England in London next weekend. [11]

1. 02

   England crush Japan 78-15

   What happened

   • England beat Japan 78-15 at Twickenham on Saturday, scoring 13 tries. [12]
   • Wing Will Joseph scored 5 of them in only his second Test, equalling England's record. [11]
   • Japan's lock Harry Hockings was shown a red card in the first minute. [11]
   • England led 49-10 at half-time. [11]
   • Twickenham was full, and junior tickets were on sale at £15. [12]

   Who is involved

   Japan's coach is Eddie Jones, who coached England for 7 years. [12]

   • Eddie Jones Japan's coach, once England's

   Why it matters

   The Guardian's rugby writer said the result showed how few teams can now trouble the top nations. [13]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      Why can't teams like Japan catch up?

      The top ten unions sell their TV rights through their own company, F10. [10] The second tier has 13 TV deals to their more than 80. [10]

      Top tier80 TV deals

      Second tier13 TV deals
   2. 2

      So where does that leave Japan?

      Japan are invited guests only until 2030, when relegation must begin. [10] Meagher wrote that Jones knows the gap will only get wider. [13]

   How it works

   Economists call a rule that keeps newcomers out of a market a barrier to entry.

   Japan and Fiji play the top tier only as invited guests, while its 10 founders sell the rights. [10]

   Seen it before

   Older kids who own the ball pick the teams, so the younger ones rarely get a turn.

   Why a match everyone expects to be one-sided leaves seats empty

   Sports economists say fans pay to watch a game whose result is in doubt, so a game everyone thinks is settled sells fewer seats.

   The twist

   People buy tickets for a game they cannot call in advance. The more certain the winner looks, the more seats stay empty.

   The picture

   55,152 fansWales v New Zealand

   vsvs

   81,552 fansEngland v Japan

   Step by step

   1. 1 Fans pay to watch a game whose winner is not yet known
   2. 2 A big favourite makes the result look settled
   3. 3 Fewer people buy tickets for a result they think they know
   4. 4 Sellers leave seats empty or cut prices to fill them
   5. 5 An upset shows the doubt was real all along

   The same force, elsewhere today

   Where this chain is also running, in today's other stories.

   • England crush Japan 78-15

     The result was settled in the first minute, and Twickenham filled its seats with junior tickets at £15.

   • Georgia pull clear in a year of close teams

     In a season of close teams, three big wins have turned the title race into Georgia against the field.

   Where you've seen this

   Football leagues

   a league one club wins every year struggles to sell its other games

   Election nights

   a result everyone predicted draws fewer viewers than a close count

   Boxing

   a mismatch has to be sold on a famous name, because nobody doubts the result

   The catch

   Doubt is not the only thing people pay for: Twickenham sold out for a one-sided game because tickets were cheap and the day was fun.

   And the whole of it

   The fans who stayed home in Cardiff made a sensible guess from the odds. Anyone deciding whether a game is worth the ticket makes the same guess, and on Saturday it was wrong.

   The truth

   • What is really going on The ten unions that run rugby's new top competition sell their own TV rights, and Japan and Fiji play in it only as invited guests until 2030. [10]
   • Nobody knows yet

     Whether the top ten unions will try to stop relegation in 2030.

     Changing the rule would need a new World Rugby Council vote, and the Six Nations says relegation will start as planned. [10]

   Good news

   • England sold 9,864 under-16 tickets for their Test against Japan, thought to be a record for juniors at a men's Test at Twickenham.

1. 03

   Spirit reach a third straight NWSL final

   What happened

   • The Washington Spirit beat the Utah Royals 2-1 to reach the final of the NWSL, the top US women's league. [23]
   • It is the Spirit's 3rd final in a row and their 5th in all. [23]
   • Utah scored straight from a corner in the 2nd minute, the fastest goal in NWSL playoff history. [24]
   • Sofia Cantore levelled in the 8th minute. [23] Clara Luvanga scored the winner in the 57th. [23]
   • Luvanga joined from Saudi club Al-Nassr in September. [23]

   How it unfolded

   1. Minute 2 Utah score
   2. Minute 8 Cantore levels
   3. Minute 57 Luvanga's winner

   Why it matters

   The final is on 21 November in Washington. [25] The Spirit won the right to host it in June. [23]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      Who will they play?

      Gotham or Kansas City, who meet on Sunday at a 5,000-seat athletics ground. [25]

      5,000seats at Sunday's semi-final ground

   2. 2

      Why does hosting the final matter?

      Spirit keeper Sandy MacIver said they "couldn't ask for a better venue". [23]

   How it works

   Sports economists call it home advantage: teams win more often at home, helped by the crowd and no travel.

   The Spirit won Saturday's semi-final in front of another sold-out crowd at Audi Field. [24]

   Seen it before

   A school team playing on its own field knows every bump in the grass.

2. 04

   Andreeva reaches the WTA Finals title match

   What happened

   • Mirra Andreeva, 19, beat Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 to reach the WTA Finals title match. [26]
   • The WTA Finals are at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden this year. [26]
   • Andreeva has lost just 18 games in 4 matches this week, without dropping a set. [26]
   • She plays Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who beat Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-0. [26]
   • Aryna Sabalenka, beaten by Svitolina on Friday, apologised on Saturday for an outburst on court. [27]
   • Sabalenka said her comment "was not directed at Elina", but at spectators cheering her mistakes. [27]

   Who is involved

   • Mirra Andreeva Russian, 19
   • Elina Svitolina Ukrainian, beat Noskova

   Why it matters

   Svitolina has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. [27]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      What does this week do for Andreeva?

      The week lifts her to world No 2 on Monday, with No 1 a realistic target early in 2027. [26]

      1

      123

      world ranking

      1. 1Andreeva on Monday2 world ranking
   2. 2

      Why did the crowd matter to Sabalenka?

      Svitolina said many Ukrainians came with flags, wanting her to win that match. [27]

   How it works

   Tennis rankings count the points a player won over the past year, so last year's results must be won again.

   Elena Rybakina and Sabalenka both have many Australian Open points to defend, after meeting in this year's final. [26]

   Seen it before

   A class captain chosen each year keeps the job only by being picked again.

3. 05

   Denmark thrash Portugal after Ronaldo

   What happened

   • Denmark beat Portugal 4-1 in Braga on Saturday in the Nations League. [14]
   • It was Portugal's first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football. [14]
   • Ronaldo scored 146 goals in 246 games for Portugal over 23 years. [15]
   • Portugal changed how the No 7 is drawn on its shirt, saying "there's one that will be eternal". [15]
   • Rasmus Hojlund, a Napoli striker, scored 2 of Denmark's goals. [14]

   Why it matters

   Denmark now need only a draw against Norway on Tuesday to reach the last eight. [14]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      What does the defeat cost Portugal?

      Nothing in the table: Portugal had already qualified, after winning all 4 earlier games. [14]

      4 of 4

      Portugal's earlier group games won

   2. 2

      So who needed this game more?

      Denmark did: they reached 9 points to Portugal's 12, and closed in on the last eight. [14]

      Portugal12 points

      Denmark9 points

   How it works

   Economists call it incentives: people try hardest where the reward is biggest.

   Portugal were already sure of a place, while Denmark still needed the points to go through. [14]

   Seen it before

   A pupil who has already passed a course often works less hard for its last test.

4. 06

   Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in Singapore

   What happened

   • Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly in Singapore. [16]
   • Japan led 2-0 inside 20 minutes through Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura. [16]
   • Vinicius Junior scored in the 33rd and 75th minutes to make it 2-2. [16]
   • Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored Japan's winner in stoppage time. [16]
   • Raphinha, Barcelona's captain, had been taken off after 71 minutes. [16] He was then sent off for protesting the winner. [16]
   • Brazil's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was also sent off. [16]

   Who is involved

   • Carlo Ancelotti Brazil's coach, sent off
   • Raphinha sent off from the bench

   How it unfolded

   1. Minute 20 Japan 2-0 up
   2. Minute 33 Vinicius scores
   3. Minute 75 Vinicius levels

   Why it matters

   Brazil ended a friendly with both its coach and a senior player sent off. [16]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      Why did Brazil lose their heads?

      The Guardian called Sakamoto's winner controversial, and protests against it brought the red cards. [16]

      Late winner→Called controversial→Red cards
   2. 2

      Was it a bad week for South America's giants?

      Argentina lost too, 2-1 at home to Uruguay, in their first game since Lionel Messi retired. [16]

      2Uruguay

      vsvs

      1Argentina

   How it works

   Football's laws call protesting a referee's decision dissent, and it can be punished off the pitch too.

   Raphinha was already off the pitch when he was shown red for protesting. [16]

   Seen it before

   In a school match, a player shouting at the umpire from the bench can still be sent away.

5. 07

   Spain's coach says there is no racism in Spain

   What happened

   • Spain, the world and European champions, play England in Madrid on Sunday night. [20] England reached the last World Cup's semi-finals. [20]
   • Tuchel said: "Maybe we take our five minutes to inform the players about the protocol." [19]
   • Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, replied: "Tell Thomas there is no racism." [19]
   • Spain were fined after chants about Muslims at a game against Egypt in Barcelona in March. [19]
   • Tuchel later accused journalists of making up a row. [19]

   Who is involved

   • Spain world and European champions
   • England World Cup semi-finalists

   How it unfolded

   England's black players were racially abused at a match in Madrid in 2004. [19]

   1. 2004 abuse at a match in Madrid
   2. Sunday England's first game back in Madrid

   Why it matters

   The words land on England's black players, who return to the city where the 2004 abuse happened. [19]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      Has England been back to Spain since then?

      Yes, 3 times without trouble: twice in Seville and once in Alicante. [19]

      3 of 3

      England visits to Spain since 2004 without trouble

   2. 2

      So why is it news now?

      It is England's first game in Madrid since 2004, and Tuchel was asked about it on Friday. [19]

      3 calm visitsSeville and Alicante

      vsvs

      first since 2004Madrid
   3. 3

      What else is Spain's coach dealing with?

      A row over Lamine Yamal: some said the Barcelona teenager got special treatment in the squad. [20]

   How it works

   Economists separate price, what a buyer pays, from value, what a thing is worth to the person using it.

   De la Fuente said a Spanish player costs half what an English club pays. [19] He said the English price is not the real value. [19]

   Seen it before

   A football shirt costs more at the stadium shop than online, though it is the same shirt.

6. 08

   Hatton leads as the Race to Dubai tightens

   What happened

   • Tyrrell Hatton leads the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai at 9 under par. [28]
   • Rory McIlroy shot 72, level par, and fell 4 shots behind. [28][29]
   • McIlroy wants an 8th Race to Dubai title, the season-long prize, to equal Colin Montgomerie's record. [28]
   • Eugenio Chacarra, 26, leads the season standings and is tied with McIlroy at 5 under. [29]
   • If positions hold, Chacarra wins the Race to Dubai for the first time. [29]

   Who is involved

   • Eugenio Chacarra leads the season, 5 under
   • Rory McIlroy chasing, 5 under

   Why it matters

   Sunday's final round decides both the tournament and the season title. [28]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      Can McIlroy still win the season title?

      A win guarantees it, and a top-4 finish could do it if Chacarra drops down the order. [28]

      1

      15.510

      finishing place

      1. 1McIlroy needs a top4 finishing place
   2. 2

      What does Chacarra stand to lose?

      Little, he says: he won 3 times this season and is going to the US PGA Tour. [29]

      3 of 3

      tournaments Chacarra won this season

   How it works

   Golf's Race to Dubai is a points race: the title goes to whoever earns the most points all season.

   McIlroy began the week more than 500 points behind Chacarra, so only a big finish moves him past. [28]

   Seen it before

   A school house-points race can still change on the last sports day.

7. 09

   India win the Under-19 Asia Cup off the last ball

   What happened

   • India beat Pakistan by 1 wicket off the last ball to win the Under-19 Asia Cup. [39] The final was in Muscat, Oman. [37]
   • India chased 338 and finished on 339 for 9. [39]
   • They needed 3 runs from the final ball, and Mohit Ulva hit a boundary. [38]
   • Ulva had come in to bat at No 10. [38] He made 49 runs. [37]

   Who is involved

   • India won by 1 wicket
   • Pakistan defending champions

   How it unfolded

   Pakistan were the defending champions, and had beaten India earlier in the tournament. [37]

   India were already the most successful team in the event, with 8 titles. [37]

   Why it matters

   The title goes to a young side whose captain, Lakshya Raichandani, anchored the chase. [39]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      How did India stay in a chase of 338?

      Captain Raichandani said they bat almost all 11 players, so they always believed. [39]

      11 of 11

      players who can bat, the captain says

   2. 2

      Why did a No 10 think he could finish it?

      Ulva said he always saw himself as an all-rounder, a player who bats and bowls. [38]

   3. 3

      What has the final done for Ulva?

      Saurashtra, a domestic team, added him to its squad for the SMAT tournament after the final. [55]

      Last-ball boundary→Saurashtra call him up

   How it works

   Cricket coaches call it batting depth: how far down the order a team's players can still score runs.

   India lost their 8th wicket at 252. [37] Their No 10 then finished the job. [38]

   Seen it before

   A relay team where even the slowest runner can sprint still has a chance on the last leg.

8. 10

   Red Sox pay $58m and draft picks for Bauers

   What happened

   • The Boston Red Sox signed first baseman Jake Bauers to a 4-year, $58 million contract. [50]
   • Bauers, 31, was named the best player of the National League's playoff final last month. [50]
   • He helped the Milwaukee Brewers win their first World Series. [50]

   How it unfolded

   After 2024 the Brewers dropped him from their roster, and he had planned to retire. [50]

   He had played for 7 teams by the age of 29. [50]

   1. 2024 dropped by the Brewers
   2. Last month playoff series MVP
   3. This week $58m from Boston

   Why it matters

   The signing costs Boston their 2nd- and 5th-highest draft picks and $1 million to sign young foreign players. [51]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      Why do the Red Sox accept that?

      Boston have good young players under contract for years, so they can spare the picks, the Athletic says. [51]

   2. 2

      What else hangs over baseball's winter?

      A lockout, expected from 1 December, leaves teams unsure how to build their rosters. [52]

   How it works

   Baseball's qualifying offer is a one-year deal a team offers its own star free agent before he leaves.

   Bauers turned his offer down, so the team that signed him gives up draft picks. [51]

   Seen it before

   Swapping for a friend's best card can cost you two of your own.

9. 11

   Indiana beat USC to near a playoff place

   What happened

   • Ninth-ranked Indiana beat 18th-ranked USC 27-13 on Saturday in US college football. [42]
   • Indiana are the defending national champions and now have 9 wins and 1 defeat. [42]
   • Quarterback Grant Wilson threw for 305 yards and 2 touchdowns. [42]
   • Two late interceptions, passes caught by Indiana's defence, sealed the win. [42]
   • Coach Curt Cignetti said he chose Wilson the night Indiana beat Minnesota. [43]

   Who is involved

   • Curt Cignetti Indiana's coach, picked Wilson

   Why it matters

   USC's third defeat adds pressure on their coach, Lincoln Riley. [42]

   Think it through

   1. 1

      What does the win get Indiana?

      With Washington and Purdue left, it all but books a playoff place, Sporting News said. [42]

      Beat USC→Washington and Purdue left→Playoff place nearly sure
   2. 2

      What is left for USC?

      With 3 defeats, USC can mostly play spoiler now, Sporting News said. [42]

      3defeats for USC this season

   How it works

   College football's playoff teams are picked from a committee's ranking, not from results alone.

   Indiana dropped 5 places in last week's ranking, so this win is insurance for a top-12 place. [42]

   Seen it before

   A talent show picked by judges can drop an act even after a good night.

10. 12

    Georgia pull clear in a year of close teams

    What happened

    • Georgia beat Missouri 48-21 on Saturday in US college football. [45]
    • They are the 8th team ever to beat 3 ranked teams in a row by 17 points or more. [45]
    • The last team to do it, Georgia in 2021, won the national title. [45]
    • Georgia's defence has allowed 12 points a game over those 3 games. [45]

    How it unfolded

    1. 2021 Georgia do it, win the title
    2. Now Georgia do it again

    Why it matters

    CBS calls this a season of parity, where many teams are about equal. [45] Now it says the race looks like Georgia against the field. [45]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Why did people doubt Georgia?

       They lost to Auburn before a week off, which raised serious questions. [45]

    2. 2

       Were the wins since then against weak teams?

       No: Ole Miss and Missouri came in averaging more than 30 points a game. [45]

       30points a game Ole Miss and Missouri averaged

    How it works

    Analysts use point differential, points scored minus points allowed, to judge how strong a team really is.

    Georgia are plus 81 over their 3 games against ranked teams. [45]

    Seen it before

    In a school league, a team that wins by big margins is usually stronger than one that edges games.

    In a season of close teams, three big wins have turned the title race into Georgia against the field.

    The idea, in story 02: Why a match everyone expects to be one-sided leaves seats empty →
11. 13

    Michigan lose 31-7 at Oregon

    What happened

    • Michigan lost 31-7 at Oregon on Saturday. [44] A week earlier they lost 15-6 at home to Michigan State. [44]
    • Michigan have failed to reach 10 points in both games. [44]
    • Coach Kyle Whittingham is in his first season, after 20 years in charge at Utah. [44]
    • He signed a 5-year, $41 million contract this year. [44]
    • Firing him after one season would cost Michigan about $24.75 million. [44]

    Who is involved

    • Kyle Whittingham first season at Michigan

    How it unfolded

    1. A week ago lost 15-6 to Michigan State
    2. Saturday lost 31-7 at Oregon

    Why it matters

    The choice lands on a school whose athletic director, Warde Manuel, steps down before 2027. [44]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Why would firing him be cheap?

       His buyout is 75% of what he is owed, one of the lowest in his conference, the Big Ten. [44]

       75 of 100

       share of his pay Michigan would owe

    2. 2

       What would Michigan get for the money?

       CBS says paying about $25 million would make Michigan the best open job this winter. [44]

    The truth

    • Nobody knows yet

      Whether Michigan will pay about $25 million to fire Kyle Whittingham.

      The choice is Michigan's, and its athletic director, Warde Manuel, steps down before 2027. [44]

12. 14

    NFL moves referees after the US flight stop

    What happened

    • The NFL kept all of Sunday's games on schedule after Friday's nationwide US flight stoppage. [47]
    • The league moved referees to games within driving distance of their homes instead. [47]
    • 3 backup officials will step up to referee, the official who leads each crew. [47]
    • One, Don Willard, is due to referee games in Indianapolis and Cincinnati on the same day. [47]
    • Willard's games are about 110 miles apart, at 1pm and 8:20pm. [47]

    Who is involved

    The stop was ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration, which runs US air travel. [48]

    How it unfolded

    In college football, Ole Miss's game at Oklahoma moved from Saturday to Sunday. [48]

    1. 1pm Indianapolis
    2. 8:20pm Cincinnati

    Why it matters

    TV coverage by Fox, CBS and NBC goes ahead as planned. [47]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Which teams escaped the disruption?

       The Patriots and Lions, who play in Munich, had flown there before Friday's stoppage. [47]

       Patriots and Lions fly to Munich→Friday: US flights stopped→Their game unaffected
    2. 2

       How can a backup simply step in?

       Each of the NFL's 17 crews has a backup referee who trains all year for the job. [47]

       17 of 17

       NFL crews with a trained backup referee

    How it works

    Safety engineers call a trained spare a redundancy: a backup ready the moment the main part fails.

    Because each crew already had a trained backup, the NFL could swap referees without moving a game. [47]

    Seen it before

    A school keeps a supply teacher on call, so lessons go ahead when a teacher is stuck at home.

13. 15

    Norway leave Wales facing a play-off

    What happened

    • Norway beat Wales 3-1 in Oslo on Saturday in the Nations League. [14]
    • Erling Haaland scored a penalty, his 23rd goal in the competition, a record. [14]
    • Wales will finish bottom of their group, whatever happens against Portugal on Tuesday. [17]
    • They will almost surely play a two-leg play-off in March to avoid dropping a tier. [17]

    How it unfolded

    In the Nations League, national teams play in tiers, from League A down. [17]

    1. 20 November play-off draw
    2. March 2 legs to stay up

    Why it matters

    Finishing bottom also costs Wales a top seed in the draw for Euro 2028 qualifying. [17]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Could Wales drop straight down?

       Unlikely: Wales have 3 points, and 3 rivals have 0. [17] Only the 2 worst sides drop automatically. [17]

       Wales3 points

       Turkey0 points

       Czech Republic0 points

       Serbia0 points
    2. 2

       So what does bottom place do to Wales?

       A harder draw: Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal are already top seeds. [17]

       5 of 5

       teams already sure to be top seeds

    How it works

    Tournament organisers call it seeding: the strongest teams are spread across the groups, so they meet late.

    Without a top seed, Wales could be drawn alongside one of Europe's heavyweights. [17]

    Seen it before

    At sports day the fastest runners go in different heats, so no heat is easy for the others.

    What comes next

    The play-off draw is in Nyon, Switzerland, on 20 November. [17]

14. 16

    Northern Ireland one draw from the top tier

    What happened

    • Northern Ireland beat Ukraine 1-0 in Belfast to stay top of their Nations League group. [14]
    • Terry Devlin, a 23-year-old Portsmouth defender, scored his first international goal. [18]
    • Northern Ireland have not conceded in 5 games in a row, for the first time since 2017. [14]

    Who is involved

    • Terry Devlin scored the winner

    Why it matters

    A draw in Hungary on Tuesday would take them up to the top tier for the first time. [18]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Who stands in their way?

       Hungary, who beat Georgia 2-0 earlier on Saturday, host the decider. [14]

       Northern Irelandtop of the group

       vsvs

       Hungaryhost the decider
    2. 2

       How has such a young team got here?

       Manager Michael O'Neill started 8 players aged 23 or younger, with an average age of 22.9. [18]

       22.9average age of Northern Ireland's starting team

    How it works

    League designers call it promotion and relegation: the best teams move up a tier, the worst move down.

    A second-tier group winner moves up, so Northern Ireland need only a point in Hungary. [18]

    Seen it before

    A school team that wins its division plays in the higher division next season.

15. 17

    Pochettino's US team beat Haiti 6-0

    What happened

    • The US men's team beat Haiti 6-0 in Miami on Saturday. [21]
    • It was the first leg of their quarter-final in the CONCACAF Nations League. [21]
    • Christian Pulisic scored 2 goals, and Malik Tillman set up 2. [21]
    • Coach Mauricio Pochettino leaves for Manchester United after the second leg. [21]

    Who is involved

    • Mauricio Pochettino leaving for Manchester United

    How it unfolded

    Hired in 2024, he had signed on to build the team through the 2030 World Cup. [21]

    1. 2024 hired by US Soccer
    2. 2030 the World Cup he signed up for

    Why it matters

    The US now needs a new coach, with Pochettino's plan only part built. [21]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Why stay for these two games at all?

       He chose to see out this camp as his US farewell, before returning to the Premier League. [21]

    2. 2

       So was his time a success?

       His early exit leaves that open to debate, Sporting News says. [21]

    How it works

    Employment lawyers call the time between agreeing to leave and leaving a notice period.

    Pochettino agreed to coach both Haiti games before starting at Manchester United. [21]

    Seen it before

    A teacher moving schools often stays until the end of term before leaving.

16. 18

    Chelsea go top of the WSL

    What happened

    • Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 on Saturday to go top of the Women's Super League, England's top division. [22]
    • Sandy Baltimore scored the goal just before half-time. [22]
    • City had scored in each of their previous 21 games, and this was their first defeat of the season. [22]
    • City's goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was sent off for a foul on Alyssa Thompson. [22]

    Why it matters

    Chelsea, coached by Sonia Bompastor, swap places with City at the top. [22]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Did the red card decide it?

       City manager Andree Jeglertz said the red card is "not why we lose the game". [22]

    2. 2

       So what did win it?

       Veerle Buurman, on for Kadeisha Buchanan after 12 minutes, kept City striker Khadija Shaw quiet. [22]

       Veerle Buurmanon after 12 minutes

       ↓→

       Khadija Shawkept quiet
    3. 3

       What does the result do to the title race?

       It blew the title race wide open, the Guardian said. [22]

       City unbeaten until Saturday→Chelsea win 1-0→Title race wide open
17. 19

    Henry's first over wrecks India

    What happened

    • New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry took 3 wickets in the first over of India's chase. [40]
    • Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer were all out without scoring. [40]
    • India were bowled out for 89, chasing 334, and lost by 244 runs. [41]
    • It was India's second-biggest defeat by runs in one-day cricket. [41]
    • Will Young had made 125 for New Zealand. [40]

    Who is involved

    • Rohit Sharma no runs
    • Virat Kohli no runs
    • Shreyas Iyer no runs

    Why it matters

    The defeat raises questions about India's batting before the 2027 one-day World Cup, the Times of India said. [41]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Why was Henry even playing?

       He had missed games with a leg injury and concussion worries, and played to prove his fitness. [41]

       Injured→Plays to prove fitness→3 wickets in an over
    2. 2

       What does it mean for India's Test plans?

       India want Test-style practice before their Tests, and Henry gave them exactly that. [40]

    How it works

    Fast bowlers call it seam movement: the ball lands on its stitched seam and darts sideways.

    Henry's first ball seamed away to find Rohit's edge. [41] Another nipped back in to hit Kohli's stumps. [41]

    Seen it before

    A ping-pong ball that clips the edge of the table jumps off in a direction nobody expects.

18. 20

    Florida end Kentucky's playoff path

    What happened

    • Florida beat Kentucky 21-14 at Kentucky's Kroger Field on Saturday. [54]
    • Kentucky led 7-2 at half-time, after a holding penalty in their own end zone gave Florida 2 points. [54]
    • A turnover at the start of the second half handed Florida a score. [54]

    How it unfolded

    Kentucky needed to win every game left to make the College Football Playoff. [54]

    Why it matters

    The defeat breaks the win-every-game path Kentucky needed. [54]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Why did one loss matter so much?

       Kentucky's only route was to win out, after scoring just 6 points against Tennessee. [54]

       6points Kentucky scored against Tennessee

    2. 2

       Why did Kentucky's defence crack late?

       It has struggled all season against quarterbacks who also run, and Florida's Aaron Philo did both. [54]

       A quarterback who runs and passes→Kentucky's weak spot→Florida score late

    The truth

    • Kentucky's own mistakes, a safety and a turnover, gave Florida its way back into the game. [54]
19. 21

    Clemson lose at home to Georgia Tech

    What happened

    • Georgia Tech beat Clemson 20-6 at Clemson on Saturday. [46]
    • They won with a largely stand-in staff, ending a 4-game losing run. [46]
    • Clemson have now lost 9 of their last 11 home games against big-conference teams. [46]
    • Coach Dabo Swinney said: "ain't nobody coming to save us, nobody cares". [46]

    How it unfolded

    Georgia Tech's coach, Brent Key, had fired several assistant coaches days earlier. [46]

    Clemson once won 40 home games in a row, from 2016 to 2022. [46]

    1. 2016 to 2022 40 home wins in a row
    2. Now 9 defeats in 11

    Why it matters

    The loss ends Clemson's hopes in the title race of the ACC, their conference. [46]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Why couldn't Clemson score?

       Clemson came in last in the ACC for total offence, with 4 touchdown passes in 10 games. [46]

       4touchdown passes in Clemson's 10 games

    2. 2

       Could Clemson afford to fire Swinney?

       Firing him this season would cost about $57 million. [46] His deal has no clause cutting that if he takes another job. [46]

       $57mto fire Swinney this season

    The truth

    • Swinney said "We're not blaming it on injuries", though both his quarterbacks ended up hurt. [46]
20. 22

    Thompson wins his last UFC fight at 43

    What happened

    • Stephen Thompson, 43, won his final fight on Saturday at UFC 334 in New York. [31]
    • The UFC is mixed martial arts' top promotion, a company that stages the fights. [30]
    • He knocked out Charles Radtke with a spinning kick at 2:54 of the third round. [30]
    • He came in on 3 straight defeats. [30]
    • He said he was retiring to spend time as a father. [30]

    How it unfolded

    He joined the UFC in 2012. [31] His first title fight, in 2016, was a draw. [30]

    1. 2012 joins the UFC
    2. 2016 title fight drawn
    3. Saturday a knockout to finish

    Why it matters

    Most UFC retirement fights only confirm that it was time for the fighter to stop. [30]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       How did he turn a level fight?

       Level after 2 rounds, he attacked a tiring Radtke until the spinning kick landed. [31]

       Level after 2 rounds→Radtke tires→Spinning kick lands
    2. 2

       Should he stay retired?

       A Forbes fight writer hopes so: "I hope he sticks to his decision." [30] He leaves on a win, with his faculties intact. [30]

    The truth

    • Thompson never won a UFC title, despite fighting for one twice. [30]

    Good news

    • Stephen Thompson, 43, ended a run of three straight defeats with a knockout in the last fight of his career.
21. 23

    Adames outpoints Warburton in Riyadh

    What happened

    • Carlos Adames beat Wales' Gerome Warburton on points in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. [32]
    • All 3 judges scored it for Adames: 100-90, 98-92 and 99-91. [32]
    • Adames holds the WBC middleweight title, one of boxing's world titles. [32]
    • It was Adames' first fight for Zuffa Boxing. [32]
    • Warburton, now 18-2-3, boxed mostly on the back foot and went the distance. [32]

    Who is involved

    • Carlos Adames won on points
    • Gerome Warburton went the distance

    Why it matters

    Adames, now 26-1-1, keeps his title while testing a heavier weight. [32]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       What does the win set up?

       CBS says he can now go back to proving he is the world's best middleweight. [33]

    2. 2

       Who does he want next?

       Adames said: "the real question is who wants to fight Carlos Adames?" [33]

    How it works

    Boxing splits fighters into weight classes, and a title is at stake only in its own class.

    Adames fought at super middleweight, one class up, so his middleweight title was not at risk. [32]

    Seen it before

    A school chess champion can play in an older group for practice and keep their own title.

22. 24

    Georgia recruit dies at 18

    What happened

    • Marcellus Young Casario, an 18-year-old high school football player, died on Friday after a medical emergency. [49]
    • He had committed to play college football for the University of Georgia. [49]
    • ESPN ranked him the number 49 defensive end in the US. [49]
    • His school, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, postponed its state semi-final game. [49]

    How it unfolded

    Casario, from Halifax in Canada, moved to the US state of Georgia to chase a college scholarship. [49]

    1. Before lives in Halifax, Canada
    2. Then moves to Georgia

    Why it matters

    His death falls on his school team and on Georgia's incoming class of 2027. [49]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       What is known about how he died?

       Only that there was an incident on Friday morning; the school gave no other details. [49]

    2. 2

       How did his school respond?

       It said it followed its emergency plan, and local medics took him to hospital. [49]

       Emergency on Friday→School follows its plan→Taken to hospital

    The truth

    • Nobody knows yet

      How Marcellus Young Casario died.

      His school released no details of the circumstances. [49]

23. 25

    Tenerife's boss calls Owono's ban light

    What happened

    • Tenerife's manager, Alvaro Cervera, said goalkeeper Jesus Owono's 12-match ban "might feel light". [53]
    • The 12 matches were the most the rules allowed. [53]
    • The committee could judge only the foul on the pitch, not its tragic outcome. [53]

    How it unfolded

    Owono was sent off for colliding with Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel on 2 November. [53]

    De Miguel died the next day, aged 30. [53]

    Why it matters

    Tenerife play Ceuta on Sunday, their first game since De Miguel's death. [53]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Does the manager want a longer ban?

       No: he said the rules do not allow anything else, and kept his own view to himself. [53]

       Rules set a maximum→Committee gives it→Manager accepts it
    2. 2

       What did the committee base its ban on?

       Only the facts written in the referee's report, the committee said. [53]

24. 26

    Meetmebythesea wins the Paddy Power Gold Cup

    What happened

    • Meetmebythesea won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, ridden by Harry Cobden. [34]
    • It was owner JP McManus's first win in the race. [34]
    • The horse started as 2-1 favourite and won by two and a half lengths. [34]
    • 5 horses were withdrawn, leaving a field of 10. [34]

    Who is involved

    • JP McManus owner, first win in the race

    Why it matters

    It is a big day for Cobden, McManus's main jockey in Britain and Ireland since May. [34]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Did the missing horses help?

       They included the highly fancied July Flower, so the favourite faced a smaller field. [34]

       5 withdrawn→July Flower out→Smaller field
    2. 2

       Why does a race like this matter to the trainer?

       Pauling said: "You don't know what you have got under the bonnet until you compete in races like that." [34]

    What comes next

    Trainer Ben Pauling would not say whether it could run in March's Cheltenham Gold Cup. [34]

25. 27

    Royal Champion keeps the Bahrain Trophy

    What happened

    • Royal Champion won the Bahrain International Trophy by a length and a quarter on Saturday. [35]
    • It was the first year the race ran as a Group 1 event. [35]
    • The win earned the horse's owners $900,000. [35]

    Who is involved

    Trainer Karl Burke is based in northern England, and the horse is 8 years old. [35]

    • Karl Burke trainer, northern England

    How it unfolded

    Jockey Clifford Lee came within a millimetre of death in a motorbike accident last October. [35]

    He was out injured for nearly 6 months, and returned to riding in April. [35]

    1. October accident
    2. April back riding
    3. Saturday Group 1 win

    Why it matters

    The win goes to its trainer and a jockey back from injury. [35]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       Who missed out?

       Former England footballer Michael Owen's stable ran 2 horses, 8th and 10th, and is still without a win there. [35]

    2. 2

       Why did waiting work?

       Burke knew other horses would set the pace, so Lee could sit back and still finish strong. [35]

       Others set the pace→Lee sits back→Late run wins

    How it works

    Horse racing grades its biggest races, and the top grade is called Group One.

    This race became a Group 1 this year, and its winner's owners earned $900,000. [35]

    Seen it before

    A school sports cup that becomes a county cup draws better teams the first year.

    Good news

    • Jockey Clifford Lee came within a millimetre of death in a motorbike accident a year ago. On Saturday he rode Royal Champion to a Group 1 win in Bahrain.
26. 28

    Taylor-Brown wins in Dubai to lead the T100

    What happened

    • Britain's Georgia Taylor-Brown won the T100 triathlon race in Dubai on Saturday. [36]
    • The race is a 2km swim, an 80km bike ride and an 18km run. [36]
    • She won by 10 seconds from New Zealand's Nicole van der Kaay, in 3 hours 35 minutes. [36]
    • She now leads the season standings by 6 points from Switzerland's Julie Derron. [36]

    Who is involved

    • Georgia Taylor-Brown leads by 6
    • Julie Derron second

    How it unfolded

    Taylor-Brown won an Olympic silver medal in 2020. [36]

    Why it matters

    The season title is decided at December's final race in Qatar. [36]

    Think it through

    1. 1

       How did one win put her top?

       Derron, the old leader, came only 3rd, more than 2 minutes behind. [36]

    2. 2

       Is last year's champion still in the hunt?

       Last year's champion, Kate Waugh, missed 2 races injured and is 8th. [36]

       8thKate Waugh's place in the standings