Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best sports images from the last seven days. This week, the World Cup craziness continues — but at least there were no more run-ins with the Rocky curse. On Monday, a powerful thunderstorm temporarily halted the fun in South Philly during the France-Iraq match, but fans — and even a French radio crew — weathered the storm and finished the game.
Across the street, the Phillies hosted the Mets before heading down to Washington for a couple of their craziest games of the season. And out in Amish country, we learned that volleyball is taken very seriously. Here’s a look back at some of our favorite photos from the week:
An Amish woman serves the ball during a volleyball match at the Heritage Days Co-ed 6’s Volleyball Tournament at Intercourse Community Park in Gordonville, Pa.Teams high five and shake hands after a volleyball match during day one of the Heritage Days Co-ed 6’s Volleyball Tournament at Intercourse Community Park.Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm backs off from a inside pitch from Mets reliever Austin Warren in the fifth inning of Sunday’s 6-2 win.Bryce Harper celebrates his triple against the Mets Saturday that clinched the first cycle of his career. Kaamil Nelson (left), a strong safety and wide receiver at Pennwood High School, and Semaj Pridgen (second from left), a wide receiver and defensive back at Vaux Big Picture High School take part in a friendly tug of war. The two 17-year-old Philly natives were on hand for the Open Door Abuse and Prevention youth football clinic at Mastery Charter on Saturday.Kamden Cintron, 11, ran the 40-yard dash in 6.3 seconds at the clinic, which featured an appearance from Eagles first-round pick Makai Lemon.On the USS New Jersey, Pisey Tan (top), 46, of South Philadelphia, a sergeant in US Army, has James Mevoglioni, 26, of North Jersey in an arm lock during their Jiu Jitsu match at an event on Saturday for the We Defy Foundation in Camden.France star Kylian Mbappé walks off the field during a weather delay at the end of the first half of his team’s win over Iraq Monday. The delay lasted over two hours.Prior to the rain arriving, France took a 1-0 lead over Iraq, causing Jimmy Coilliot of Lille, France, to dance in celebration.Brazil fans Miguel Sosa and his son, Enzo, of Nebraska, were in Philly for the team’s win over Haiti on Friday night.Fans cheer for Iraq from the stands before their team’s game against France.Haiti fans Roby and Mama Cristin, of New York, attended Friday’s game against Brazil in South Philly.Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker makes a save in the second half as Brazil beats Haiti, 3-0.
Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best sports images from the last seven days. This week, it should come as no surprise that you’ll find lots of World Cup photos — especially after Ecuadorian fans rallied on the steps of the Art Museum, and fell victim to the Rocky curse the next night against Ivory Coast. Brazil fans, whose team plays Friday night in South Philly, took precautions to avoid that fate.
Elsewhere, the Phillies took the field against some divisional foes, a state champion returned to the track, and dodgeball got serious. Here’s a look back at some of our favorite photos from the week:
The Phillies used eight pitchers — technically seven and cathcer Garrett Stubbs — in Wednesday’s loss to the Marlins.Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott looks to the dugout after hitting a triple in the first inning of Tuesday’s 8-2 win over the Marlins.Winslow Township High School sophomore Jasmine Jackson recently won a state championship in the 100-meter hurdles and earned an invite to the Brooks PR Invitational.Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez allowed the game-deciding goal by Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo in the 90th minute of their World Cup Group E match on Sunday.Ecuador fans were shocked by their team’s World Cup loss to Ivory Coast on Sunday in Philadelphia.Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo (center) is surrounded by his teammates after scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in the World Cup on Sunday in Philadelphia.Ecuador forward Enner Valencia (center) and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Agbadou (right) battle for the ball during their World Cup match on Sunday in Philadelphia.Ecuadorian fans cheer during their World Cup match against Ivory Coast in Philadelphia.Ivory Coast’s soccer team practice as the sprinklers began operating last Friday at Subaru Park in Chester. They faced Ecuador in Philadelphia that Sunday.Members of the Empire, a women, trans, and nonbinary dodgeball team, prepare to throw while taking on team Sirens during the “Beast Coast” championship Saturday at Ben Franklin High School.Members of the Sirens celebrate after beating Empire in a WTNB dodgeball quarterfinal.A young Ecuadorian soccer fan sits under the Ecuadorian flag during a flag-waving event on Saturday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, before the team faced Ivory Coast in the World Cup.
Covering Phillies spring training offers sports photographers an opportunity to stretch beyond everyday game coverage. On one of my first mornings at the training facility in Clearwater, Fla., I noticed pitcher Taijuan Walker stretching behind a palm tree. I knew it could make a picture, but it didn’t line up naturally. Every morning, he stretched. Every morning, I tried again. Finally, I made the picture on my last day in the Sunshine State. When I made the photo of bench coach Don Mattingly, I looked for a way to eliminate all other visual distractions. The morning light created a unique pattern on the tarp that put the attention on Mattingly. Using red as the dominant color holds the image of pitcher Kyle Backhus together. I again took advantage of the morning light to capture the shadow and fill the negative space. The portrait of manager Rob Thomson was a combination of a little planning and a lot of luck. I knew there would be a small window at sunrise when the sky would add some visual drama. Luckily, it was when Thomson was ready for his photo. The Phillies outfielders are seen through palm fronds during a game. The contrast of the mostly green palette with the red in the Phillies uniforms encourages the viewer to search into the image. For the photo of catcher Rafael Marchán jogging from the clubhouse, the pattern on the background caught my eye first. I then waited for someone to come into the space. The bubble gum gave the photo an extra pop.
On Feb. 22, pitcher Tijuan Walker warms up behind the truck of a palm tree.Outfielders Dante Nori (from left), Dylan Campbell, and Pedro León are seen through a palm tree during a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Feb. 22. Catcher Garrett Stubbs with a playful pose on photo day.Manager Rob Thomson poses as the sun rises on photo day Feb. 19.Pitcher Andrew Painter poses on Feb. 19 for photo day.On Feb. 21, bench coach Don Mattingly watches as players warm up.Pitcher Kyle Backhus warms up on Feb. 17.Pitcher José Alvarado warms up Feb. 20.Alec Bohm (center) is silhouetted with teammates as they watch a drill Feb. 18.A light refection from a bat in the dugout casts a glow around first baseman Bryce Harper at batting practice Feb. 20.Aroon Escobar (from left), Dylan Moore, and Bryan Rincon leave after completing a drill Feb. 19.
The Eagles won the Super Bowl, of course, and the Phillies captured the NL East title before falling out of the playoffs in excruciating fashion. These were the biggest stories for Philadelphia fans in 2025, but there was much more.
Dazzling rookie VJ Edgecombe brought new hope for the Sixers, while the downtrodden Flyers showed new fight under coach Rick Tocchet. The city’s iconic events, the Broad Street Run and the Philadelphia Marathon, were as thrilling as ever. The PGA Tour paid a visit this summer. And the NCAA wrestling championships brought a different vibe to the city.
The Inquirer’s photographers were there to capture it all. Here’s a look at our best photos of 2025.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Rams safety Jaylen McCollough during their playoff matchup on Jan. 19. The Eagles won, 28-22.A reveler climbs a pole on Broad Street near City Hall as Eagles fans celebrate the NFC championship rout of the Washington Commanders on Jan. 26.
A tailgater makes use of a personal porta-potty in a Lincoln Financial Field parking lot on Jan. 19. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni gets a Gatorade shower from DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown late in the Super Bowl rout of the Kansas City Chiefs.Eagles players are reflected in the Lombardi Trophy after the 40-22 win against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9.Fireworks fly at the Art Museum at the conclusion of the Super Bowl LIX victory parade on Feb. 14.Imhotep Charter star RJ Smith (1) celebrates with his teammates after they beat Samuel Fels High, 71-66, in the Public League championship game on Feb. 23. Fans sramble to avoid a foul ball during a Phillies spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Feb. 25 in Port Charlotte, Fla.St. Joseph’s guard Laura Ziegler (left) is mobbed by Paula Maurina (right) and teammates after her game-winning shot against Richmond in the Atlantic 10 semifinals on March 8.La Salle’s retiring basketball coach, Fran Dunphy (left), receives a six-pack of beer and other mementos from St. Joseph’s coach Billy Lange on March 8.
Brandon Graham hugs his daughter Emerson after his retirement announcement at the NovaCare Complex on March 18. The Eagles defensive end unretired and is playing again this season. Oklahoma State heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson celebrates after defeating Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson of Minnesota during the NCAA wrestling championship at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22.Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards grabs a rebound between a fallen Quentin Grimes and Adem Bona of the Sixers on April 5. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley looks at President Donald J. Trump during the Super Bowl champions’ visit to the White House on April 28.
Runners pass a beer sign near Windrim Avenue during the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run on May 4.PGA player Keegan Bradley hits a challenging shot from a hill at the par-4 17th hole during the Truist Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club on May 9. Bradley shot a double bogey on the hole.
Edmundo Sosa of the Phillies is tagged out at the plate by Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson during the fourth inning on July 4. Baseball’s greatest entrance: Newly acquired closer Jhoan Duran making his Phillies debut to finish off the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 1.
Phillies shortstop Trea Turner leaps into the celebration after his game-winning hit against the Braves. The Phillies beat Atlanta, 3-2, in 10 innings on Aug. 30.Wendy Cooper of Reading takes in the scene at the TrueFan tailgate party before the Eagles played the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 4.Phillies outfielders Nick Castellanos and Harrison Bader greet each other with their ring fingers before a game against the Mets on Sept. 9.Kyle Schwarber acknowledges the crowd at Citizens Bank Park on Sept. 9 after he hit his 50th home run of the season in a game against the Mets.Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering shows his dejection as the Dodgers celebrate their series-clinching playoff win on Oct. 9 in Los Angeles.
Weston Wilson (left) and Edmundo Sosa console Orion Kerkering after the reliever’s 11th-inning error handed the Dodgers a walk-off win in the NL Division Series. Temple’s Peter Clarke reacts after quarterback Blake Horvath’s 51-yard touchdown run lifted Navy past the Owls, 32-31, on Oct. 11 at the Linc. Au’vion Horton hangs on during the bull riding event at the 8 Seconds Rodeo inside the Liacouras Center on Oct. 11. Flyers captain Sean Couturier leaps over Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov during the team’s 5-2 win over the defending champs on Oct. 13.The Eagles defense celebrates after linebacker Jalyx Hunt’s interception return for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 19. Eric McGarry of Manayunk talks to his wife, Gwen Jones, on the phone after finishing the Philadelphia Marathon on Nov. 23. It was his first marathon and he was most excited about running through his neighborhood, where his wife and friends were there to cheer him on.Central High’s players celebrate after they won the annual Thanksgiving Day rivalry game against Northeast, 22-14.
