2025 in pictures: Sporting moments captured through the lens

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with the fans as they celebrate the team's victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with the fans as they celebrate the team's victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League titleCarl Recine / Getty Images via AFP

As 2025 draws to a close, it's time to reflect on some of the year's most significant moments in sport.

Master McIlroy

Rory McIlroy celebrates winning the 2025 Masters after the first play-off hole at Augusta National Golf Club
Rory McIlroy celebrates winning the 2025 Masters after the first play-off hole at Augusta National Golf ClubRichard Heathcote / Getty Images via AFP

The Masters has eluded Rory McIlroy throughout his glittering career, but that all changed in April at Augusta National in Georgia.

The Northern Irishman won the tournament with a birdie on the first play-off hole against England's Justin Rose.

In doing so, he became just the sixth player in the modern era to record the career grand slam by winning all four majors.

PSG's Champions League delight

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique lifts the trophy and celebrates winning the 2025 Champions League final
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique lifts the trophy and celebrates winning the 2025 Champions League finalIPA / Sipa Press / Profimedia

Paris Saint-Germain had gone through 12 straight knockout stage exits in the Champions League until finally going all the way to win the title for the first time in their history.

Luis Enrique's star-studded squad romped towards the trophy in Munich, dispatching Inter Milan 5-0 in one of the greatest all-time European performances.

Djokovic in Paris

Novak Djokovic in action at the 2025 French Open semi-finals
Novak Djokovic in action at the 2025 French Open semi-finalsReuters / Stephanie Lecocq

The timeless Novak Djokovic may not have added a 25th Grand Slam title to his wonderful trophy cabinet, but he reached a record-extending 51st major semi-final at the French Open in Paris.

Trump gatecrashes Chelsea celebrations

Chelsea's Reece James holds the Club World Cup trophy aloft alongside US President Donald Trump
Chelsea's Reece James holds the Club World Cup trophy aloft alongside US President Donald TrumpDiaEsportivo / Actionplus / Profimedia

Chelsea became the first winners of the expanded Club World Cup in July after cruising past Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

US President Donald Trump attended the match with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and was part of the traditional trophy ceremony on the pitch.

The 79-year-old handed the plate to Chelsea captain Reece James and ended up staying on stage with the Blues for the trophy lift.

Norris realises F1 dream

McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates becoming Formula 1 world champion after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates becoming Formula 1 world champion after the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixXavier Bonilla / DPPI via AFP

Britain's Lando Norris fended off charges from Red Bull's Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to become a Formula 1 world champion for the first time in his career.

The title fight went down to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and a third-place finish was enough for 26-year-old to win the championship just two points ahead of Verstappen.

Football mourns Jota

Liverpool players attend Diogo Jota's funeral
Liverpool players attend Diogo Jota's funeralReuters / Pedro Nunes

Football mourned the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who passed away in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva on July 3rd in Spain.

Hundreds of relatives, friends and sporting figures attended the funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, with Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson pictured carrying floral tributes dedicated to the brothers.

Tour de France views

General view of riders during the 2025 Tour de France
General view of riders during the 2025 Tour de FranceReuters / Abdul Saboor

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France for the fourth time in his career.

Spectators packed the narrow, winding cobbled streets to catch a piece of the action during the 21st stage as the riders ascended.

Lionesses roar during Euros

Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang of England celebrate with the trophy after their team's victory in the Women's Euro 2025 final
Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang of England celebrate with the trophy after their team's victory in the Women's Euro 2025 finalMatthias Hangst / Getty Images via AFP

England successfully defended their crown by winning Women's Euro 2025 in Switzerland, but had to do it the hard way by beating Spain in a penalty shootout.

Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty, while goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved two of Spain's spot kicks.

Salah's title-clinching selfie

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with the fans as they celebrate the team's victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with the fans as they celebrate the team's victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League titleCarl Recine / Getty Images via AFP

Mohamed Salah celebrated with Liverpool's fans by taking a selfie after scoring in their 5-1 win over Tottenham, which helped the club clinch its second Premier League title.

Salah netted Liverpool's fourth goal and as part of his celebration, he borrowed a phone and snapped a photo of himself in front of the saluting Anfield faithful.

Eagles gain Super Bowl revenge

The Philadelphia Eagles celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after their team won NFL Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs
The Philadelphia Eagles celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after their team won NFL Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City ChiefsČTK / AP / David J. Phillip

The Philadelphia Eagles avenged their defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs from two years ago by winning 40-22 to triumph in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

It marked the Eagles' second Super Bowl victory as they stopped the Chiefs from winning their third title in succession.

Ovechkin beats Gretzky's NHL goal record

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals speaks during the celebration of his 895th career goal during the second period against the New York Islanders
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals speaks during the celebration of his 895th career goal during the second period against the New York IslandersBruce Bennett / Getty Images via AFP / Profimedia

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin became the NHL's all-time leading scorer on April 6th by netting the 895th goal of his career.

Ovechkin scored the historic goal in a 4-1 defeat against the New York Islanders, breaking the record which had been held by the legendary Wayne Gretzky for 31 years.

Lowry retains Ryder Cup for Europe

Shane Lowry of Team Europe celebrates after his putt to halve the hole and retain the Ryder Cup
Shane Lowry of Team Europe celebrates after his putt to halve the hole and retain the Ryder CupRichard Heathcote / Getty Images via AFP

Ireland's Shane Lowry sank a putt to earn a half-point and help Team Europe retain the Ryder Cup as they survived a Team USA fightback on the final day at New York's Bethpage Black.

Lowry holed from six feet to tie his match with Russell Henley, before Tyrrell Hatton's result ensured Europe won it outright 15-13.

Duplantis ascends

Sweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the men's pole vault final during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
Sweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the men's pole vault final during the World Athletics Championships in TokyoPawel Kopczynski / Pool / AFP

Sweden's pole vaulting star Armand Duplantis broke the world record for a 14th time and won his third straight world title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

'Mondo' cleared 6.30m on his final attempt to mark a new record, making it the fourth time in the year that he set a new bar.