Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Top 100 sporting moments of 2023: 40-31

sportsmole.co.uk, 31 December 2023, 07:30
The year 2023 has been another hugely eventful one across sport, with countless records set, new ground broken and non-stop drama and controversy along the way.

From World Cups in rugby union, women's football, cricket and netball to rarely-seen feats in darts, formula 1 and MMA, the past year has contained thrills and spills to keep any sports fan entertained, regardless of what they are interested in.

GOATs have been crowned, sporting perfection has been achieved and a plethora of prestigious honours and trophies have been hoisted aloft.

Here, Sports Mole takes on the sizeable task of narrowing the last 365 days down to the 100 greatest sporting moments from across the spectrum, based on a ranking system which takes into account prestige, drama, history, newsworthiness, quality and importance.

So sit back and raise a glass to another historic year of sport with the conclusive list of the 100 greatest moments, continuing with numbers 40 to 31.

Top sporting moments of 2023: 100-91

Top sporting moments of 2023: 90-81

Top sporting moments of 2023: 80-71

Top sporting moments of 2023: 70-61

Top sporting moments of 2023: 60-51

Top sporting moments of 2023: 50-41

40. Fluminense win first Copa Libertadores title (November 4)

Having watched on as their bitter rivals Flamengo were crowned South American champions twice in four seasons - as well as reaching another final in that time - it was finally Fluminense's turn in the Copa Libertadores final this year.

The Rio de Janeiro-based outfit had the advantage of playing the final in their home stadium of the Maracana, although they had never lifted the trophy before and were up against Boca Juniors - six-time champions and a club that had reached the final more often than any other.

Brazilian clubs have dominated the competition in recent years though, and Fluminense continued that trend in dramatic fashion as they claimed their first-ever title via extra time.

German Cano gave the effective home side the lead in the first half before Luis Advincula's equaliser forced the two sides into an extra 30 minutes.

However, John Kennedy wrote his name into Fluminense folklore with the winner in the 99th minute and, while his celebration in the crowd earned him a second yellow card, that did not come back to bite the Brazilian outfit, with Boca also ending the match with 10 men courtesy of Frank Fabra's sending-off for a slap on Nino.

Front and centre of the celebrations was 35-year-old Marcelo, who joined an exclusive group of players to have won both the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores, hailing the latter with his boyhood club as the most important title of his decorated career despite winning the European equivalent five times with Real Madrid.

39. Benfica win record-extending 38th title on final day (May 27)

Benfica will have felt that they should have had the 2022-23 Primeira Liga title sewn up long before the final day, but with three of their four defeats all season across all competitions coming in April, their celebrations were delayed.

Porto were the team waiting in the wings, and any slip-up from Benfica on the final day would have opened the door for their bitter rivals to leapfrog them with a win, courtesy of Porto's superior head-to-head record.

However, unlike others across Europe, Benfica avoided falling at the last hurdle, comfortably seeing off already-relegated Santa Clara 3-0 to seal a record-extending 38th Portuguese top-flight crown.

For their part, Porto did what they could to keep the pressure on with a 3-0 win of their own, but it was not enough to deny Benfica a first title since 2018-19.

38. Luca Brecel wins historic Snooker World Championship title

Mark Selby hits first-ever 147 in World Championship final (April 30)

From Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ray Reardon to Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis, snooker's very best ever had all tried and failed to make a 147 break on the grandest stage - the World Championship final at the Crucible in Sheffield.

However, Mark Selby wrote his name into the history books during this year's tournament by claiming the maximum in the 16th frame of his final against Belgium's Luca Brecel.

The Englishman's achievement was met with a standing ovation as he became the first player to ever make a 147 break in the World Championship final, and only the 10th player ever to do so at the Crucible, regardless of the round.

Kyren Wilson had become the ninth player earlier in the tournament, with the duo joining an exclusive club alongside Cliff Thorburn, Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, Ali Carter, John Higgins and Neil Robertson.

Luca Brecel wins historic snooker World Championship (May 1)

Belgian Luca Brecel had already punched above his weight to become the first-ever player from mainland Europe to reach the final of the snooker World Championship, and he once again found himself as the underdog against four-time champion Mark Selby.

Brecel became the youngest player in the tournament's history in 2012 but had never won a single match at the Crucible heading into 2023, crashing out in the first round five times.

A narrow win over Ricky Walden in round one ended that hoodoo, though, and he went on a fairytale run to the final which included dumping out seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and launching a record comeback against Si Jiahui.

Brecel led for much of the final too, but was forced to hold off a couple of Selby fightbacks - including the first-ever World Championship final 147 - before eventually winning 18-15 in Sheffield.

The 28-year-old became the first ever player from mainland Europe to lift the trophy, the first overseas player since 2010 and just the fourth non-British winner ever.

37. Australia win Women's T20 World Cup (February 26)

Having already established themselves as one of the most dominant teams in sport, Australia's women's cricket team further underlined their legendary status with victory in the Women's T20 World Cup in February.

Their latest triumph was by no means unexpected given that they were the two-time defending champions and had reached each of the last six finals prior to their trip to South Africa.

Even so, they were forced to negotiate a raucous home crowd as South Africa shocked many to reach their first World Cup final in either men's or women's cricket, with Australia eventually winning by 19 runs.

Beth Mooney starred with an unbeaten 74 as Meg Lanning's side lifted the trophy for the third time in a row and the sixth time in the last seven editions of the tournament, adding the T20 World Cup crown to the 50-over equivalent and Commonwealth Games titles that they already held.

36. Australia beat England to win Netball World Cup (August 6)

Hopes of a first-ever Netball World Cup title were high for England heading into their final against Australia, having already beaten the tournament's top two sides en route to the showpiece event.

A rare win over Australia in the group stage was followed up by victory against New Zealand in the semi-final, earning them another shot at the same Aussie side they had beaten just days earlier.

It was to be a different story second time around, though, as Australia - who have competed in every single Netball World Cup final - showed just why they are the most successful nation in the sport's history.

They ran out comfortable 61-45 winners in the final in Cape Town, securing the trophy for a 12th time out of a possible 16 stretching back to 1963.

England had to make do with the relative disappointment of the silver medal, although that still surpassed expectations and equalled their best-ever result at a World Cup from 1975.

35. Novak Djokovic wins record 23rd Grand Slam at French Open (June 11)

With Rafael Nadal absent through injury and Carlos Alcaraz dispatched of in the semi-finals, the stage was set for Novak Djokovic to move out on his own as the most successful male tennis player ever in the final of the French Open.

Casper Ruud stood in his way, and early on it looked as though the underdog might upset the script when he broke at the first available opportunity and raced into a 3-0 lead.

However, Djokovic soon began to show his championship quality, eventually earning a straight-sets 7-6[1] 6-3 7-5 win to rise above Nadal with his 23rd Grand Slam title.

It was also the Serbian's third title at Roland Garros, after 2016 and 2021, making him the first man in history to win the career Grand Slam three times over.

34. Manchester City win Premier League title for third successive season (May 20)

Having strung together their seemingly-annual relentlessness at the end of the season, Manchester City hauled Arsenal in with a run of 11 successive wins during the closing months of the Premier League campaign and went into the penultimate weekend knowing that the title was within their grasp.

As it was, they did not even need to play again to wrap things up once and for all, with Arsenal losing against Nottingham Forest to hand Pep Guardiola's men the trophy ahead of their match against Chelsea the following day.

It was a ninth English crown overall and a third successive title for the Citizens, a feat only previously achieved by four clubs in English top-flight history: Huddersfield Town (1924-26), Arsenal (1933-35), Liverpool (1982-84) and Manchester United, who did it twice under Sir Alex Ferguson (1999-2001 and 2007-09).

Five of Man City's nine titles overall had now come in the last six seasons, while seven of them have come since the club was taken over by Abu Dhabi.

33. Chelsea win record fourth successive WSL title (May 27)

The 2022-23 WSL title race was the most competitive in the division's history, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal all in contention heading into the latter stage of the season.

Those four had been whittled down to two by the final day, which Chelsea entered knowing that their fate was firmly in their own hands - victory over bottom-of-the-table Reading would seal the title, while also relegating their hosts.

Any slip-up would have opened the door for Manchester United to leapfrog them, but there rarely looked like being any danger of that happening as goals from Sam Kerr (2) and Guro Reiten sealed a comfortable 3-0 win.

31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Top 100 sporting moments of 2023: 50-41
The year 2023 has been another hugely eventful one across sport, with countless records set, new ground broken and non-stop drama and controversy along the way.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Top 100 sporting moments of 2023: 60-51
The year 2023 has been another hugely eventful one across sport, with countless records set, new ground broken and non-stop drama and controversy along the way.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Top 100 sporting moments of 2023: 70-61
The year 2023 has been another hugely eventful one across sport, with countless records set, new ground broken and non-stop drama and controversy along the way.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Top 100 sporting moments of 2023: 80-71
The year 2023 has been another hugely eventful one across sport, with countless records set, new ground broken and non-stop drama and controversy along the way.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Top 100 sporting moments of 2023: 90-81
The year 2023 has been another hugely eventful one across sport, with countless records set, new ground broken and non-stop drama and controversy along the way.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Top 100 sporting moments of 2023: 100-91
The year 2023 has been another hugely eventful one across sport, with countless records set, new ground broken and non-stop drama and controversy along the way.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Everton
In possibly the most turbulent year of their history, Everton have overcome adversity to maintain their status as a Premier League club, and now look set to kick on under the guidance of Sean Dyche.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Sunday's Transfer Talk Update: Dusan Vlahovic, Romelu Lukaku, Ivan Toney
The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
New Year's Eve's Premier League predictions including Fulham vs. Arsenal
Fulham vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 2.00pm) Seeking to bounce back from midweek defeats, London rivals Fulham and Arsenal do battle at Cravan Cottage in their final Premier League match of 2023 on New Year's Eve. The two teams meet for the first time since August when Joao Palhinha netted an 87th-minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Arsenal 'draw up high-profile three-man shortlist of Ivan Toney replacements'
Arsenal have reportedly produced a three-man shortlist of Ivan Toney alternatives, including Victor Osimhen, Lautaro Martinez and Victor Boniface.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Morecambe vs. Harrogate Town - prediction, team news, lineups
Morecambe and Harrogate Town get underway in the second half of the 2023-24 League Two campaign when they square off at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on New Year's Day.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Portsmouth vs. Stevenage - prediction, team news, lineups
Portsmouth will attempt to end a four-game winless run in all competitons when they welcome Stevenage to Fratton Park on Monday.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur 'closing in on Conor Gallagher agreement'
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered advanced talks with Chelsea over the signing of Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window.
31 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur 'closing in on Conor Gallagher agreement'
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered advanced talks with Chelsea over the signing of Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Derby County vs. Peterborough United - prediction, team news, lineups
Two League One promotion hopefuls will commence battle when Derby County welcome Peterborough United to Pride Park on Monday.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Accrington Stanley vs. Salford City - prediction, team news, lineups
Accrington Stanley and Salford City will be hoping to get 2024 started on a winning note when they face off at Wham Stadium in League Two on New Year's Day.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Sutton United vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups
Sutton United and Newport County take to the pitch for the first time in 2024 when they go head to head at the VBS Community Stadium in round 26 or the League Two on Monday.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Wycombe Wanderers vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups
New Year's Day in League One will see Wycombe Wanderers look to end a dismal run of results when they take on Bristol Rovers at Adams Park.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Stoke City vs. Ipswich Town - prediction, team news, lineups
Looking to continue their unbeaten run since the appointment of Steven Schumacher, Stoke City will host Ipswich Town at the bet365 Stadium on New Year's Day in the Championship.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Forest Green Rovers vs. AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups
Forest Green Rovers and AFC Wimbledon get their respective 2024 involvements underway with a meeting at the New Lawn on Monday afternoon.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Shrewsbury Town vs. Fleetwood Town - prediction, team news, lineups
Shrewsbury Town and Fleetwood Town will face off in their second consecutive New Year's Day battle when they meet at the Croud Meadow on Monday afternoon.
30 December 2023
talksport.com
Erik ten Hag insists he's the right man to lead Man United under Jim Ratcliffe
Erik ten Hag insists that he's the man to lead Manchester United under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority ownership.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Coventry City - prediction, team news, lineups
In a repeat of last season's playoff semi-final, Middlesbrough will welcome Coventry City to the Riverside Stadium on New Year's Day, with both sides chasing down the top six.
30 December 2023
talksport.com
Littler destroys idol Van Barneveld to reach last 8 of World Darts Championship
Luke Littler's fairytale continues after seeing off his childhood hero Raymond van Barneveld at the PDC Darts World Championship.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups
Whilst their search for a permanent successor to Michael Duff rumbles on into the New Year, Swansea City will welcome promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion to the Swansea.com Stadium in the Championship.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Leeds United vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups
Looking to keep their hopes of an immediate return to the Premier League via the automatic promotion spots alive, Leeds United will welcome a misfiring Birmingham City side to Elland Road on New Year's Day in the Championship.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Colchester United vs. Gillingham - prediction, team news, lineups
Colchester United and Gillingham lock horns in a League Two clash on New Year's Day at JobServe Community Stadium, with both sides aiming to kickstart their year on a positive note.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Tranmere Rovers vs. Notts County - prediction, team news, lineups
Tranmere Rovers and Notts County take to the pitch for the first time in 2024 when they square off at Prenton Park in a thrilling New Year's Day showdown.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Crawley Town vs. Swindon Town - prediction, team news, lineups
Round 26 of the 2023-24 League Two season sees Crawley Town and Swindon Town square up against each other at the Broadfield Stadium on New Year's Day.
30 December 2023
talksport.com
Man United and Ten Hag must take responsibility for Antony form
Gary Neville believes that Manchester United are to blame for the criticism being taken by Antony and Casemiro, saying that they 'panicked' to sign them.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Bradford City - prediction, team news, lineups
Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City kickstart their year on Monday when they go head-to-head at Gresty Road in round 26 of the League Two season.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
JapanJapanvs.ThailandThailand
Japan and Thailand begin their Asian Cup preparation with a tune-up game at the Japan National Stadium on New Year's Day.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Preview: Doncaster Rovers vs. MK Dons - prediction, team news, lineups
Doncaster Rovers and MK Dons will both be looking to make a winning start to 2024 when they lock horns at the Eco-Power Stadium on Monday.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Erik ten Hag reacts to Manchester United's 14th defeat of the campaign
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that his team will get better once the players currently unavailable for selection through injury have returned.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United make worst start to a season since 1930-31
Manchester United have lost 14 times in the first half of a season for the first time since the 1930-31 campaign.
30 December 2023
sportsmole.co.uk
Fulham looking to end 11-year winless run in Arsenal clash
Fulham will attempt to end an 11-year winless run in head-to-head meetings with Arsenal when they welcome Mikel Arteta's side to Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Show more

Top News

12 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester City are closing in on an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for forward Omar Marmoush, talkSPORT understands. 12 January 2025 talksport.com Dutch hero Patrick Kluivert has announced the big plans he has in store after returning to the dugout on the international stage. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has both the best and worst kind of attacking dilemma to solve for Tuesday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to revert to his regular 'A' team for Tuesday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the upper echelons of the Premier League table, Chelsea and Bournemouth endeavour to build on emphatic FA Cup victories in Tuesday's top-flight battle at Stamford Bridge. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Six-time Spanish champions Valencia will be bidding to avoid an upset against third-tier outfit Ourense CF when they take to the field in the last-16 stage of the 2024-25 Copa del Rey on Tuesday night. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to stay within close range of the Serie A summit, Atalanta BC will host a misfiring Juventus side on Tuesday evening. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker is not expected to be involved when the Premier League champions travel to Brentford for Tuesday's top-flight contest. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford left-back Rico Henry is in line for his first Premier League appearance since September 2023 when the Bees host Manchester City at the Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, viewing the Sweden international as the ideal long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Kicking off a three-game road trip in the English capital, a revitalised Manchester City seek a fourth win on the spin in Tuesday's Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani, with Aston Villa potentially emerging as the favourites for the France international. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic could reportedly be offered a route back to the Premier League by newly-promoted Ipswich Town. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund are reportedly making 'a concerted effort' to acquire Marcus Rashford, while Napoli are said to have emerged as genuine contenders to sign the Manchester United attacker before the end of the January transfer window. 12 January 2025 talksport.com There was no room for Gianfranco Zola, Frank Lampard or John Terry in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's ultimate five-a-side team of former teammates. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Playing catch-up in the race for a top-four finish, AC Milan will seek their first Serie A win of the year when they make the short trip to Como on Tuesday. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh from snapping a four-game winless sequence, Chelsea endeavour to get back on track in the Premier League when they square up to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk An extremely stern examination of Liverpool's Premier League title credentials awaits on Tuesday night, when the Reds visit high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On the hunt for a fourth successive victory across all competitions, a rejuvenated Manchester City head down south to tackle Brentford in Tuesday's Premier League affair. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk For the first time in over 45 years, Monaco will visit Stade Auguste-Delaune for a Coupe de France fixture against Reims with a spot in the round of 16 at stake on Tuesday. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe have one final chance to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Sivasspor vs. Alanyaspor (Sunday, 10.30am) Sivasspor will look to arrest their alarming slide when they host Alanyaspor in round 19 of the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk FC Twente vs. Willem II (Sunday, 11.15am) FC Twente will be hoping to get 2025 off to a winning start when they face fellow top-half opponents Willem II at De Grolsch Veste in Sunday's early kickoff in the Eredivisie. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Le Havre vs. Lens (Sunday, 2.00pm) Seeking their first victory since November, Le Havre will aim to close the gap between themselves and relegation when they host Lens on Sunday at Stade Oceane. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig vs. Werder Bremen (Sunday, 2.30pm) RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose will hope to leave the rumours of his potential dismissal behind in 2024 and start 2025 with a win in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen at home on Sunday at Red Bull Arena. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Genoa vs. Parma (Sunday, 11.30am) Separated by one point in the Serie A standings, both Genoa and Parma will seek their first win of 2025 in Sunday's lunchtime kickoff, as they meet at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Las Palmas vs. Getafe (Sunday, 1.00pm) Las Palmas will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run in La Liga to five matches when they welcome Getafe to Estadio Gran Canaria on Sunday afternoon. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aberdeen vs. Hearts (Sunday, 3.00pm) Aberdeen, looking to end a horrific 10-game winless run in the Scottish Premiership, are set to welcome Hearts to the Pittodrie Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Hull City vs. Doncaster (Sunday, 12.00pm) As part of this weekend's FA Cup Third Round action, Championship Hull City are set to host League Two Doncaster Rovers on Sunday at The MKM Stadium. 12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Despite the financial obstacles, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that he will try to work out a way of bringing Marcus Rashford to AC Milan this season.