The Great Britain women’s team have missed out on their first chance to qualify for flag football’s Olympic debut but will have another opportunity on Sunday.

The non-contact version of American football will make its Olympic bow at Los Angeles 2028 and two spots are available for both men and women at this weekend’s World Championships in Germany.

After reaching the quarter-finals as group winners, GB faced Panama on Saturday and came from behind to win 26-20 and set up a semi-final clash with the USA.

Victory would have secured a spot at LA28 and GB led 21-7 in the first half after touchdowns by Grace Conway, Angelica Tait and Emily Kemp.

But the defending champions fought back to win 27-21, while Canada beat Mexico 20-6 to reach their first final since 2014.

However, since the USA qualify automatically for LA28 as hosts, whoever wins Sunday’s bronze-medal game (11:30 BST) will secure the other Olympic spot on offer in Dusseldorf this weekend.

GB are third in the world having won the past two European Championships but Mexico are ranked top having lost the past two World finals to the USA while beating them in the 2022 and 2025 World Games finals.

It will be two years before the other Olympic spots are available.

The GB men’s team lost 50-35 to Switzerland in their first ranking game on Saturday but then beat Austria 28-20 for their first win of the tournament.

They will face Brazil on Sunday to determine who will finish in 13th and 14th place.

The USA face Italy in the final, with Canada taking on Mexico in the bronze-medal game.

Once they are into the meat of the season, few at Old Trafford will remember this day.

However, depending on how the situation unfolds before the transfer window closes on 1 September, it could be very significant in one way.

With an hour gone, Marcus Rashford was introduced by Carrick as one of six substitutes.

It was his first appearance for his boyhood club since Viktoria Plzen away in the Europa League on 12 December 2024, after which he was effectively banished by Amorim and loaned out, first to Aston Villa and then Barcelona, from where he was not expected to return.

Carrick had enough opportunities when he spoke to UK media in Maynooth on Thursday to say so if it was certain Rashford will be staying beyond this month.

United officials were quick to make it known the number nine shirt Rashford wore in Poland was not permanent, to stave off any complaints from those tempted to buy one.

The 28-year-old looked relaxed enough throughout.

When he was sent out for his first warm-up during the game, he applauded the positive reception he got from United supporters in the corner he was running towards. Although, within seconds, Samuel Chukwueze was tapping home AC Milan’s first equaliser at the same end of the pitch.

Rashford was out later than most of his fellow substitutes for a second-half warm-up, but he still had time for a couple of passing tricks with Martinez – a World Cup semi-final rival a month ago.

Once the England attacker came on, it was noticeable he stayed wider than Patrick Dorgu, the man he replaced on the left. For the record, Dorgu and Harry Maguire were United’s men on the scoresheet in this latest tune-up.

Rashford’s first run ended with him conceding a foul, but it wasn’t long before a brilliant piece of play by the corner flag took him past an opponent.

Not surprisingly, that brought the crowd to its feet.

As reintroductions go, it was solid, not spectacular. But it didn’t need to be anything more.

Premier League games at Hull and against Ipswich will offer a greater insight into Carrick’s thinking. The transfer deadline will bring permanence to what remains an uncertain situation.

TORONTO — The Aaron Judge watch is officially on.

The star right fielder played catch Friday for the first time in months, his biggest step toward returning from an injury that has sent the New York Yankees’ season into a tailspin.

Judge hasn’t been in the Yankees’ lineup since May 31, recovering from a stress fracture in his first right rib.

“Part of the ramp-up of the baseball activities,” manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday afternoon’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.

The move was significant for Judge, who’s battling against time. The regular season ends Sept. 27.

The Yankees woke up Saturday in second place in the American League East, 6 1/2 games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. But the Yankees also held a three-game lead for the top wild-card position.

Boone was asked if Judge could return in a month, or by Sept. 15.

“I don’t know,” he said. “We expect him back. Hopefully things continue to go well.”

Boone said that he had spoken to Judge on Friday and that the throwing session went well, though he didn’t know what Judge would do next.

Doctors didn’t require Judge to undergo a new round of testing before allowing him to throw Friday, Boone said. It’s still possible that he’ll undergo another MRI to assess his healing, the manager added.

It was unclear whether doctors consider Judge simply healthy enough to play or if the Yankees are running out of time to get him ready.

“There’s still healing to go,” Boone said. “But he’s at the stage where he’s able to start ramping up.”

The Yankees’ offense has been a mess without Judge, who has won the last two American League MVP awards and three total.

They were fourth in the majors in runs scored (305) and second in wRC+ (117) before Judge’s last game on May 31. Since June 1, they are 26th in runs scored (241) and 28th in wRC+ (87).

The Yankees were also only 1 1/2 games back in the AL East when Judge last suited up.

Their season may hinge on whether Judge is fully healthy and has enough time to round into postseason shape with so few regular-season games remaining.

Yankees awaiting the return of several other stars

Left fielder Cody Bellinger (left hamstring strain) sprinted in the outfield at the Rogers Centre on Saturday and could start a rehab assignment sometime next week, Boone said. Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain) ran the bases and hit on the field Friday, though Boone said he didn’t have a timeline for when the designated hitter could return. Lefty starting pitcher Carlos Rodón (elbow inflammation) has made two rehab starts, and Boone said the Yankees haven’t decided whether his next start will be in the majors or if he’ll need another rehab outing.