Daily Mail Sport Reporters Celebrate the Most Unforgettable Sporting Moments Across the World in 2025 Highlighting Triumphs in Golf Football Rugby and Motorsport

As the calendar flips to 2026, it’s hard not to pause and remember just how extraordinary 2025 was in sport.

From jaw-dropping triumphs to near-impossible comebacks, the past year has delivered stories that felt bigger than life.

There were champions crowned, records shattered, and moments that made us cheer, gasp, or simply shake our heads in disbelief.

Daily Mail Sport reporters who were at the heart of the action have picked their standout moments.

Here’s a stroll through the highlights that defined the year, from golf’s drama to football’s most thrilling finals.

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Rory McIlroy’s Ryder Cup Brilliance

For Oliver Holt, nothing captured the drama of 2025 like Rory McIlroy’s performance at the Ryder Cup.

Leading Europe to a historic victory on American soil for the first time in 13 years, McIlroy faced relentless jeers from the New York crowd.

At one point, the intensity escalated to the point where state troopers and police dogs were stationed along the fairways.

Yet under immense pressure, McIlroy remained unflappable.

Holt recalls the moment that defined the weekend: with a narrow lead on the 16th hole, an American spectator shouted to distract him.

McIlroy’s retort—“Shut the **** up”—was sharp, but his focus never wavered.

He landed the shot within three feet of the pin, sealing a moment of sheer courage and composure.

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Chelsea’s Club World Cup Surprise

Kieran Gill highlights the surreal scene at MetLife Stadium, where Chelsea lifted the Club World Cup.

Amid bemused glances from players and even Donald Trump holding the trophy, the Blues’ triumph over Paris Saint-Germain stunned many.

Despite skepticism over the tournament’s legitimacy, Chelsea’s journey across the U.S. revealed the competition’s intensity.

Cole Palmer’s standout performances cemented the victory as a genuine achievement.

Gill remembers it as a day that combined a touch of absurdity, top-level football, and pure celebration.

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Lionesses Retain European Glory

Ian Herbert points to England’s women defending their European Championship title as a defining moment.

Down a goal to Spain in Basel, the team seemed trapped, yet Chloe Kelly’s heroics changed everything.

Kelly, who had faced personal and professional struggles, stepped up in the penalty shootout, calmly converting the decisive kick.

Herbert sees her story as inspirational, a reminder of sport’s power to lift spirits and give hope to those fighting their own battles.

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Northampton’s Stunning Upset

Nik Simon recalls Northampton Saints’ incredible Champions Cup semi-final win over Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

The Saints were massive outsiders, yet their cohesion and determination stunned the Irish giants.

Tommy Freeman’s hat-trick was memorable, but Simon highlights Henry Pollock’s try, where he sprinted down the wing and celebrated with a check of his pulse—a perfect symbol of the team’s audacity.

The victory may not have had the grandeur of the Lions Tests, but it delivered raw emotion and a sense of historic achievement.

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Red Roses Conquer Twickenham

Alex Bywater celebrates England’s women winning the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham.

With 81,885 fans in attendance and millions more watching on TV, the 33-13 victory over Canada showcased not just skill but the growing prominence of women’s rugby in England.

Ellie Kildunne’s first-half try electrified the crowd, and the win symbolized more than just silverware—it reflected the rapid rise and recognition of female sport across the nation.

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McIlroy’s Augusta Masterclass

Both Riath Al-Samarrai and James Sharpe pay tribute to McIlroy’s career Grand Slam, completed at Augusta.

Beyond the technical brilliance, it was the drama—the near-misses, risky shots, and sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose—that made the victory unforgettable.

Al-Samarrai calls it “quintessential McIlroy,” blending genius and human frailty in a single round, while Sharpe emphasizes the decade-long journey of anticipation and near heartbreak that made this triumph resonate for everyone following the story.

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Maguire’s Last-Gasp Heroics

Chris Wheeler remembers Harry Maguire’s decisive header at Old Trafford, securing Manchester United’s passage to the semi-finals in dramatic fashion.

With extra-time chaos and the scoreboard threatening doom, Maguire’s header sparked pandemonium in the stands—a moment of pure, unfiltered football exhilaration.

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Crystal Palace’s FA Cup Glory

Matt Barlow reflects on Crystal Palace’s stunning FA Cup win, a victory that reminded fans why football is more than money and power.

The match-winning goal, scored by a player at his peak, brought joy to supporters long denied such moments, encapsulating the magic and accessibility of English football’s oldest competition.

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Wrexham’s Historic Promotion

Nathan Salt celebrates the hometown heroes of Wrexham, achieving three consecutive promotions to reach the Championship for the first time in 43 years.

Once a source of ridicule, the club’s rise now represents ambition, belief, and the realization of bold dreams once supported by celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

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Willie Mullins’ Grand National Mastery

Dominic King witnessed an unforgettable day at Aintree, where Willie Mullins’ stable swept the Grand National, including a surprise victory by Nick Rockett on a 33/1 shot.

With multiple horses finishing in the top positions, the event was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of dominance and family triumph.

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Woakes’ Courageous Cricket Finale

Lawrence Booth highlights Chris Woakes’ heroic display at The Oval, contributing to England’s Test win against India despite a dislocated shoulder.

Woakes’ grit exemplified teamwork and resilience, and his final act on the pitch became a poignant farewell to international cricket.

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England’s T20 Record-Breakers

Richard Gibson recalls England’s Twenty20 exploits against South Africa, including Phil Salt’s blazing 141 not out and the team’s record 304-run total.

It was a thrilling showcase of precision and power hitting, marking the continued rise of England’s white-ball dominance.

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Lando Norris Joins British Motorsport Elite

Jonathan McEvoy spotlights Lando Norris clinching his first Formula 1 world championship in Abu Dhabi.

Battling Verstappen and a demanding season, Norris finished third in the finale to secure the title, declaring afterward, “I did it my way.”

The victory cemented his status among Britain’s sporting greats.

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