England routs Croatia as nation attempts to move past World Cup heartbreak - The Japan Times

Open this photo in gallery:Canada’s women’s rugby team is practising in Burlington, Ont., this week ahead of facing England in a World Cup rematch on Friday in Toronto. Nick Iwanyshyn/The Canadian PressIt’s been more than 12 months since Canada and England met in the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in London. Canada had set the tournament alight, obliterating both Australia and defending champion New Zealand before taking a fifth-minute lead in the final, with Asia Hogan-Rochester touching down on the hallowed turf of Twickenham in front of a world-record crowd. But as the host team and the beneficiary of much of the 82,000 fans in the stadium – to say nothing of 32 consecutive victories – England proved too strong, powering back for a 33-13 win and its third world title. It’s a memory that, despite the intervening 381 days since Canada reached the final for just the second time in its history, still lingers for Canada’s Sophie de Goede. “There’s something very raw there that’s still bubbling away,” she said.

Porto striker Samu Aghehowa has opened up about the emotional torment of missing Spain's World Cup campaign following a devastating knee injury. The 22-year-old forward faced a gruelling 223-day rehabilitation process after rupturing his cruciate ligament, leaving him psychologically unable to watch matches as La Roja pursued glory in North America.