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NASA's Artemis II mission has achieved a major milestone with the successful return of its four astronauts to Earth, marking the end of a 10-day journey that took them farther into space than any human has gone before. The crew, comprising NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, completed a parachute landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 pm Pacific time (00:07 GMT). This mission is a critical step towards future lunar exploration, particularly Artemis IV, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. The Artemis II mission tested essential technologies for deep space travel, including the performance of the Orion capsule's heat shield, navigation systems, and life-support technology. The mission also marked several historic firsts: Glover became the first person of color to travel around the moon, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first non-American. During their journey, the crew witnessed a solar eclipse and meteorite impacts, and shared vivid descriptions of the lunar surface. Mission commander Wiseman reflected on the mission's significance, stating, "what we really hoped in our soul is that we could, for just a moment, have the world pause — and remember that this is a beautiful planet in a very special place in our universe".

I Am Maximus is now being considered for a potential run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next year, with its connections eager to see it compete at the highest level once again. The horse's unpredictable nature and impressive performance have made it a fan favorite, drawing comparisons to legendary horses like Red Rum and Tiger Roll.

The Masters 2026 is heating up on day three, with Rory McIlroy maintaining his six-shot lead at the top of the leaderboard. McIlroy's performance has been impressive so far, and he looks set to continue his dominance. Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, started the day 12 shots off the lead but has since closed in to within six shots. He achieved an eagle on the second green, which has helped him move up the standings to -2. The leaderboard currently looks like this: -12: McIlroy -6: Burns, Reed -5: Rose, Lowry, Fleetwood -4: Clark, Hatton, Li, Reitan, Day, Young -3: Gotterup, Koepka, Griffin -2: Gerard (4), Scheffler (4), Homa, Knapp, Schauffele, Matsuyama Meanwhile, several big names have missed the cut, including Danny Willett, JJ Spaun, Bubba Watson, and Bryson DeChambeau. The day's play is expected to get underway at 6pm BST, with the course conditions likely to become increasingly challenging as the day progresses.

The County Championship saw several standout performances on its second day of action. Ben McKinney of Durham hit 214 not out against Gloucestershire, making him the youngest double centurion for Durham in history. McKinney and Alex Lees added 305 runs for the first wicket in just 58 overs.Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith of Surrey continued their impressive form, with Pope scoring 103 and Smith 166. Their partnership of 200 runs against Leicestershire has Surrey looking strong in the competition.Other notable performances included Jack Haynes's hundred for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, and Shoaib Bashir's four-wicket haul for Derbyshire against Lancashire.The day also saw Essex bowled out for 149, with Somerset facing similar challenges but for Craig Overton and James Rew's efforts.

Leinster have booked their 17th semi-final appearance in the Champions Cup with a dominant performance against Sale, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Toulon at the Aviva Stadium in two weeks' time. The Irish side, despite struggling to impress, managed to secure a convincing victory over a Sale team missing several key players. Four tries in the last 30 minutes sealed the win, but Sale's determination kept them in the game for a respectable 50 minutes. The match began with Sale causing problems for Leinster, particularly at the set piece, where they held their own at the scrum and lineout. However, their efforts were hindered by two crucial yellow cards, one on either side of halftime, which shifted the momentum in Leinster's favor. Dan Sheehan opened the scoring with a try in the 10th minute, but it wasn't until the second half that Leinster truly took control. Two yellow cards for Sale players – Dan du Preez and Si McIntyre – proved pivotal, as Leinster capitalized on their numerical advantage. The turning point came when Harry Byrne's beautiful pass sparked Leinster's second try, scored by Hugo Keenan. From there, Leinster's superior firepower took over, with tries from Rieko Ioane, Garry Ringrose, Tommy O'Brien, and Jamie Osborne securing a comfortable victory. Despite Sale's first meaningful attack leading to a try for Alex Wills, it was too little, too late. Leinster's 23-point lead with 10 minutes remaining ensured a stress-free finish. While Leinster celebrated their semi-final berth, they remain aware that Toulon will pose a significant challenge in their upcoming match. The French side, known for their physicality, will look to exploit any weaknesses in Leinster's game.

Tyson Fury successfully completed his comeback to professional boxing with a dominant performance against Arslanbek Makhmudov, winning by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. The former world heavyweight champion showcased his superior skill and technique, outclassing the Russian fighter. Fury's victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated bout against Anthony Joshua. Immediately after the fight, Fury called out Joshua, who was present at the event. Joshua responded cautiously, stating that contracts are being sent over and a fight between them is likely. The match against Makhmudov was Fury's first bout in 16 months. He began the fight with a tribute to Ricky Hatton, a fellow boxer who passed away last year. Fury's performance was characterized by his fluid movement and accurate punching, highlighting the significant skill gap between him and his opponent. Makhmudov, known for his powerful striking, was unable to land a decisive blow against Fury. Despite his rugged appearance and aggressive style, Makhmudov was ultimately outmaneuvered by the more experienced and technically sound Fury. In related news, Conor Benn secured a victory over Regis Prograis in a 10-round contest on the undercard, winning by a unanimous decision of 98-92 on all three scorecards. Benn's performance, while dominant, did not overly impress, as he faced a veteran opponent who announced his retirement after the fight.

After a turbulent week that saw Liverpool suffer cup defeats to Manchester City and Paris Saint‑Germain, manager Arne Slot finally found a morale boost when 17‑year‑old winger Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring on his second Premier League start. Ngumoha’s strike, followed by a second‑half finish from Mohamed Salah, secured Liverpool’s first league win since February. Fulham, under Marco Silva, were passive and struggled to create clear chances, allowing Liverpool to dominate possession and reach the historic milestone of 1,500 league victories at Anfield. The win marked only the second triumph in six matches after a demanding Champions League away fixture, offering a needed lift before the upcoming quarter‑final second leg against PSG. Slot praised Ngumoha’s performance, saying, "He has a special quality that you don’t see very often in football any more – dominating the one‑on‑one." The manager added that the teenager’s power and finishing have been evident in training, making his impact on the pitch "pleasing". Outside the stadium, a banner reading ‘No to ticket price increases’ was displayed on the Kop, reflecting fan unrest after the club announced ticket hikes tied to inflation for the next three seasons. The protest underscored concerns that Liverpool could alienate its traditional fanbase in favour of a more tourist‑focused model. The opening half saw early chances from Jeremie Frimpong and Salah, but it was Ngumoha who changed the complexion of the game. After a loose ball from Florian Wirtz, Ngumoha received the ball on the left, dazzled Timothy Castagne with a series of step‑overs, and curled a precise shot around Joachim Andersen into the far corner. The goal was historic: at 17 years and 225 days, Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest league scorer at Anfield, breaking a 14‑year record previously held by Raheem Sterling. The achievement highlighted the club’s emerging talent pipeline at a time when senior players are under intense scrutiny. Slot hinted that Ngumoha could feature in the upcoming Champions League tie, noting, "I think he’s ready. The question is can he do it again two days later? But would he be able to perform at that level? Yes." The manager’s confidence reflects a strategic shift as he balances youth integration with the demands of elite European competition. Six minutes after the break, Ngumoha assisted Cody Gakpo, whose cross was turned home by Salah for Liverpool’s second goal, cementing a comfortable two‑goal cushion. Fulham attempted to revive their game with substitutions, introducing Emile Smith Rowe and Sasa Lukic, but Liverpool’s dominance persisted. A further setback for Liverpool came when Curtis Jones suffered a groin injury, forcing a halftime substitution and likely ruling him out of the PSG match. Silva admitted his side’s lack of aggression, stating, "The game was decided in five minutes and by our approach in the first half." The result not only restores confidence for Liverpool but also sets the stage for a high‑stakes encounter with the European champions.

In a match that encapsulated both drabness and pulsating action, Brentford and Everton played out a 2-2 draw, keeping both teams' dreams of European football alive. Igor Thiago scored twice for Brentford, including a fortunate second goal where his thigh deflected a shot past Jordan Pickford. However, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had the final say, scoring a late equalizer for Everton.The draw leaves both teams with a shared tally of points, occupying seventh and eighth place respectively. Brentford has drawn four of their last five Premier League matches, while Everton managed to claw their way back into the game after initially struggling.Igor Thiago's performance was particularly notable, as he reached 21 goals in the Premier League this season, positioning him just one goal behind Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race. His tally also made him the first Brazilian to score 20 goals in a single English top-flight season.Despite Keith Andrews expressing disappointment at conceding the late equalizer, David Moyes was more measured in his assessment, stating that securing a draw was a positive outcome given the circumstances.

Chelsea FC has suspended midfielder Enzo Fernández for two games following his comments about potentially joining Real Madrid. Fernández, along with teammate Rodri, expressed interest in moving to the Spanish club during the international break.Fernández's statements, while not unusual in the football world, were deemed to have 'crossed a line' by Chelsea, leading to the suspension. The midfielder's comments included expressing admiration for Real Madrid players Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and stating that Madrid's lifestyle is similar to his hometown of Buenos Aires.The suspension comes at a critical time for Chelsea, who are vying for a top-five finish in the Premier League and a spot in the Champions League. The team's players reportedly petitioned manager Liam Rosenior to allow Fernández to play in the upcoming match against Manchester City.The incident highlights the challenges faced by Chelsea in retaining top talent, particularly under the ambitious project led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake. The club's strategy of signing young players to long contracts with performance-based incentives may be flawed, as top players often seek better opportunities or more lucrative deals as they develop.Fernández's situation serves as a microcosm of the broader issues in football, where player loyalty and contract commitments are frequently tested by the allure of top clubs and better offers. The incident also underscores the differing approaches of Chelsea and other top clubs, such as Manchester City, which seem more tolerant of players expressing their aspirations.