The final of FIFA's expanded tournament – beyond the actual result – was high on ambition but confusing in execution
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – No one really knows who Robbie Williams is in America. But the English singer appeared here all the same on Sunday, clad in a white spangled suit, singing a tune no one knew, the lyrics of which didn't really make sense. He was soon joined by Laura Pausini, the Italian popstar who is equally unknown in the U.S.
They sang about "overcoming fury" and "love in slow mo."
Their confusing performance perfectly summarized what was a curious and often baffling vibe surrounding the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. FIFA president Gianni Infantino pitched this competition as a wonderful collision of the world, different parts of cultures handpicked and meshed together in the melting pot of America – kind of like, well, a World Cup.
And in theory, that should work. PSG and Chelsea are both European powers. They have met eight times in the Champions League over the years, including two straight seasons from 2014-2016. Just five weeks ago, the Parisians beat Inter to become Champions of Europe. Putting these two on the same pitch and allowing them to play football – with the fat trimmed off – should work in isolation.
But take a tournament in his gestation period, still finding its feet in a country still formulating its soccer passion, and the result can feel forced, overdone, even a little silly at times. Such was the case with this Club World Cup final: a mixture of everything – different cultures, different stimuli, different teams, different people, different music, different cultures – colliding together in an awkward manner.
GOAL
'It can't be the only way'
Penn Station was crowded. This is, effectively, the unofficial hub of the Club World Cup, the train station in midtown Manhattan that has mainlined tens of thousands of fans to MetLife Stadium nine times this summer. On previous occasions, it has been blessed with the roars of Palmeiras fans, the chant of Fluminense supporters flooding it ahead of the semifinals, and the chatter of the Real Madrid faithful.
On a debilitatingly humid Sunday afternoon, though, it was simply chaos. One supporter in Chelsea blue was hurried down a thronged staircase, and remarked, to no one in particular, that "it can't be the only way" to the train – such was the clash of bodies down a narrow passage.
The train ride, an awkward journey that requires one change at the dull concrete of Secaucus junction, was even more packed, a mixture of confused day-trippers unaware there was a soccer match to worry about, Chelsea fans, and a handful of very vocal Fluminense support, having presumably bought a ticket to the final assuming that their side would beat the London club in the semifinals.
Their chatter brought some noise that was otherwise lacking pre-match.
The globalization of the tournament was clear on the ride, though. This tournament was meant to have global appeal, and it was certainly thriving. One Chelsea supporter was traveling from nearby Long Island. He had paid a "not bad" $240 for tickets in the second level of the bowl. Another had saved up his credit card points to watch his first football match in the United States (he is a Manchester United fan).
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Tom Hindle
Coronas, water, and more Coronas
Coronas, water and more Coronas were on offer. At least, that's what the lady yelling in Spanish insisted. The parking lot vibe was always going to be awkward. Neither club has a history of tailgating like the 90,000 fans who show up to watch an NFL game at this stadium – home of both the New York Jets and the New York Giants – or barbecuing like so many South American supporters who have shown up throughout the tournament. Instead, it was a cultural collision of sorts. Fans flooded off the train.
Hopeful fruit sellers waited for takers. A man in a Fluminense shirt stood around wearing a wizard's hat for no apparent reason. Unofficial Chelsea headware was flogged ("normally $25, but for you, my friend, $20," GOALwas informed). A South American financial company, Grupo Promerica, handed flyers out promising "experiencias fenomenas."
Everything else was rather subdued. The faint thud of Parisian drums from the 500 PSG ultras that had made the trip could be heard from outside the stadium as kickoff approached. But otherwise, there was still a distinct Americanness about it all. The move to the stadium was less of a march and more of a stroll. There was little urgency to be found. That signature pre-match buzz that so often defines big games was lacking.
Getty Images
'Lots of local supporters backing our team'
There was a fair share of uncertainty as to how packed the stadium would be before the game kicked off. New Jersey governor Phil Murphy promised a sellout just a few days before kickoff. A PSG spokesperson guaranteed 500 ultras from France, 1,000 followers from academies and fan clubs, and "lots of local supporters backing our team."
But.
The Parisian support occupied only a tiny pocket of the stadium. Otherwise, there was a remarkable pro-Chelsea contingent, despite the club referring queries about fan attendance to FIFA. And they all gathered to see a baffling pre-match ritual.
A giant replica of the CWC trophy was shuffled onto the field. A drum line accompanied it, as did blow-up badges of the two clubs playing. U.S. President Donald Trump was said to be attending, and indeed he showed up just before the Williams' pre-game performance, scowling and cheering from a box high in the stands, Infantino by his side. This isn't, you'd imagine, Mr. President's kind of fun.
And then Williams showed up to sing. There was some polite applause from the English fans in the crowd, but those in attendance seemed largely anxious as the pre-match rituals dragged on and on. The individual introductions, which require long walks across from the temporary tunnel to the opposite dugout near the two benches, were greeted with far less enthusiasm than they were at the start of the tournament, despite the fact that legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer belted each name with gusto. "Let's get ready to rumble!"
The box office was still open before the match, and it seemed there were still a few empty seats dotted around the concrete bowl as the whistle blew.
Getty Images
'Let's go Chelsea!'
The redeeming factor, in all of this, was that – somewhat surprisingly – the two sides played out a remarkably compelling football match. PSG had just beaten Real Madrid, 4-0, in the semifinal, and were favorites by some distance to replicate a similar kind of romp. Their manager, Luis Enrique, had insisted before the match that Chelsea shouldn't be taken lightly – and it turns out he was correct in his summation.
The Blues battered PSG for 45 minutes. Cole Palmer was terrific throughout, dropping into pockets of space and finding all sorts of deadly angles in and around the box. He should have scored after eight minutes, but found only side netting. Still, Chelsea pressed on.
He didn't miss on the second time of asking, though, tucking a tidy pass into the corner on 22 minutes. They continued to play stellar football, Palmer providing a near carbon copy to make it two, before a delightful chip from new signing Joao Pedro saw them head into half time leading 3-0.
The Chelsea fans were in full voice by then, a cacophonous chant "Let's go Chelsea!" echoing around the humid concrete bowl. The Parisians, usually so disciplined in their press and energized in their football, went flat. Their ultras fell largely silent.
And they rather strolled through the second half, too. If the first was an attacking display of the highest order, the second was a fine defensive rear-guard showing. They had less of the ball, but were content to defend. And the fans were happy to defend with them, too, applauding every tackle and shouting at every clearance. Their side were deserved winners here, and they knew it.
Four Bangladesh batters also scored fifties, with Mahmudullah and Jaker adding an unbeaten 150 for the sixth wicket, but in vain
Mohammad Isam12-Dec-2024Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten 104 and Keacy Carty’s 95 helped West Indies scale a 322-run chase against Bangladesh in St Kitts. They won the series 3-0 after Jangoo became the first West Indian in 46 years to score a century on ODI debut. He guided the side with two rapid partnerships. It is also the fourth time that West Indies successfully chased a 300-plus target in ODIs.Jangoo added 132 runs for the fifth wicket with Carty, and after West Indies lost two wickets in quick succession, he combined with Gudakesh Motie for an unbroken 91-run partnership for the seventh wicket to take them home. Motie remained unbeaten on 44 off 31 balls, hitting three sixes and as many fours. Jangoo’s innings was resplendent with six fours and four sixes.Related
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Bangladesh had posted 321 for 5 on the back of four fifties. Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali added 150 runs in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand, a Bangladesh record. Bangladesh also struck 12 sixes in the innings, their second most in ODIs.Brandon King picked up where he had left off in the second ODI, cracking two fours and a six off Nasum Ahmed in the second over of the chase. His innings, however, was cut short in the same over after a mix-up with his opening partner Alick Athanaze over a non-existent run. Athanaze himself did not last long, getting yorked by Nasum in his next over.Keacy Carty was instrumental in the chase•Randy Brooks
Hasan Mahmud then had Shai Hope caught at slip for three before Sherfane Rutherford and Carty stabilised the innings with a 55-run fourth-wicket stand. Taskin Ahmed dealt West Indies a further blow when he dismissed Rutherford for 30.Carty, though, was steady at the other end, already having struck two fours. Afif dropped him on 22 before Carty went after the Bangladesh spinners in the middle overs. He struck Rishad Hossain for consecutive fours in the 18th over, before hammering Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six and a four in the 21st over. Jangoo hit Nasum for three fours in a short span before lofting Afif for his first six.It was in the 34th over that Bangladesh, perhaps, let the game slip. Jangoo had miscued one off Rishad, only to see substitute fielder Parvez Hossain Emon drop the chance while running back ffrom mid-off. Rishad did dismiss Carty next ball, with Soumya taking a low catch at point, but Jangoo’s miss came back to haunt them.Immediately after Roston Chase’s dismissal, Jangoo slogged Mehidy for his second six, before Motie and Jangoo struck Mahmud for a six each in the 43rd over. They struck one four each in the following over bowled by Taskin, before the pair completed the chase.Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Soumya Sarkar added 136 runs for the third wicket•Randy Brooks
The day could have belonged to Bangladesh given how they batted. After a disastrous start, having lost both Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das in the third over to be reduced to 9 for 2, Soumya and Mehidy resurrected the innings with a 136-run stand for the third wicket. Alzarri Joseph hurried Tanzid with a bouncer with the left-hander top-edging a pull. Litton’s horror run in ODIs continued when he edged a wide one to King at first slip.Mehidy was positive from the outset, hitting five boundaries in the powerplay. Soumya, who was dropped on nought, opened up after the powerplay. He played the upper-cut against Romario Shepherd for a six, before pasting Chase and Motie for a six each in consecutive overs.Shortly after Soumya was dropped for a second time, on 45 by Jangoo, Mehidy struck debutant Jediah Blades for a four a six. Soumya added a four to take 16 runs off the over, before getting two more fours off his next. Soumya was on a roll when he struck Motie for his fourth six, but fell next ball when the left-arm spinner trapped him in front. Soumya’s 73 came at a run a ball, including six fours and four sixes.Six overs after Soumya’s dismissal, Rutherford’s accurate throw from point found Mehidy short at the striker’s end as he fell for 77 off 73 balls. Rutherford then had Afif Hossain caught at the midwicket boundary for 15, as Bangladesh again lost two wickets in quick succession.But Jaker and Mahmudullah dominated the end overs. After having added 96 in the first ODI, they bettered it this time. After Jaker struck his first two fours, Mahmudullah crashed Motie down the ground for his first six, before hitting Chase for his second, over long-off.Jaker joined the party when he slammed Shepherd over cover and then Mahmudullah dragged Rutherford from outside off over square-leg for six. Bangladesh scored 59 runs in the last four overs to push their total past 320, but it was not enough on the day.
da lvbet： While it certainly wasn’t a disaster, it would be fair to say that Arsenal’s season was something of a failure this year.
da stake casino： A combination of injuries, suspensions and a lack of cutting-edge coalesced to see Mikel Arteta’s side end yet another campaign without a major trophy to their name.
Yet, there were at least a few positives, most notably the continued development of Bukayo Saka.
Saka’s 24/25
Appearances
37
Minutes
2619′
Goals
12
Assists
14
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
Minutes per Goal Involvement
100.73′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, even though he missed over three months of action with a hamstring injury, the talismanic number seven was still able to amass a sensational tally of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 appearances.
So, fans should be seriously excited about recent reports linking the club to a Premier League star who could help the Englishman become even more unplayable next season.
Arsenal looking at big-money Premier League star
With how lacklustre the rest of Arsenal’s attacking options were this season, it’s not been a surprise to see the majority of links in recent weeks concern strikers and wingers like Benjamin Sesko and Rodrygo.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
A deal to sign the former, who produced 27 goal involvements in 45 games this season, seems to be moving closer and closer now, with reports from earlier this week claiming that an agreement has been reached on the player’s side and that an offer of between £68m to £85m will be enough to tempt RB Leipzig into selling.
Regarding Rodrygo, talks reportedly took place between the Gunners and the player’s representative last month, while reports from this week claim that a fee of around £77m could be enough to secure his services, and while that is a lot of money, it would likely be worth it, as he’s managed to 14 goals and provide 11 assists in 52 appearances for Real Madrid this term.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
However, while both players would help alleviate some pressure on Saka in the frontline, a new creative force in midfield would surely be the best way to help boost his numbers, which is where Morgan Rogers could come in.
Yes, according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are seriously interested in the Aston Villa star.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners have already made contact and inquired about the possibility of bringing the young Englishman to the Emirates this summer.
However, on top of potentially having to deal with competition from Chelsea, the North Londoners would also have to stump up a fee of around £90m to land the 22-year-old, who has five years left to run on his £75k-per-week contract at Villa Park.
It looks like it would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rogers’ immense ability and potential, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he could help Saka become even more dangerous.
How Rogers could make Saka even better
Now, while there is likely a whole array of ways in which Rogers could help Saka to get even better, from covering for him when he needs a rest, to building an even stronger understanding of one another’s game on international duty, there is one reason more important than the rest: his output.
Morgan Rogers
For example, in 54 appearances for Villa this season, the “unstoppable” midfield maestro, as dubbed by Jamie Carragher, scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.86 games.
Just imagine how many more goals the Gunners’ number seven could score next season with a number ten as effective as that behind him.
Moreover, with the Villa ace being such a goal threat in his own right, there is every chance that the Hale End icon could see his own assist tally soar as well as having more space to himself with opposition defenders having to pay more attention to the Halesowen-born “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell.
You can also get a good idea of just how dangerous a ten the former Middlesbrough ace is by comparing him to some of the other leading attacking midfielders in the Premier League, like Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White and the North Londoners’ own Martin Odegaard.
Rogers vs Palmer vs Gibbs-White vs Odegaard
Players
Rogers
Palmer
Gibbs-White
Odegaard
Appearances
54
47
38
45
Goals
14
15
7
6
Assists
15
12
10
12
Goal Involvements per Match
0.53
0.57
0.44
0.4
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Impressively, only the Chelsea ace does marginally better than the Claret and Blue star, but given how he is the talisman of that side, and almost all attacks seem to flow through him, that’s not much of a surprise.
Moreover, if you’re achieving numbers only marginally worse than a player as talented and highly rated as he is, that can only be a good thing.
Ollie Watkins celebrates with Morgan Rogers for Aston Villa.
Ultimately, while the focus of this summer should be on the frontline for Arsenal, they should also do what they can to sign Rogers, as he’d undoubtedly improve the midfield and help make Saka even more unplayable.
Arsenal told key Benjamin Sesko transfer condition as agent makes statement
He’s expressed what it will take for the Slovenian to leave Leipzig this summer.
Celtic’s season came to an end on Saturday when they were beaten by Aberdeen on penalties in the final of the SFA Cup at Hampden Park, which put an end to their hopes of clinching the treble.
It was still a successful season for the Hoops, though, as they won the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup, beating Rangers on penalties in the final of that competition.
All eyes will now turn to the summer transfer window, and Brendan Rodgers has already got one signing coming through the door, as Kieran Tierney will arrive on a free transfer from Arsenal at the end of June.
The Scotland international is not the only free agent who appears set to make their way to Parkhead, however, as the club are reportedly closing in on another bargain deal.
Celtic set to make second summer signing
According to The Press & Journal, Celtic have agreed a pre-contract deal with Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan to return to the club in the upcoming summer transfer window as their second signing after Tierney.
The report claims that the Scottish shot-stopper is out of contract this summer and that the Hoops have already wrapped up a transfer to bring him back to Glasgow, having come up through the academy at Paradise.
It states that Doohan, dubbed “brilliant” by teammate Graeme Shinnie, is poised to replace veteran goalkeeper Scott Bain, who could be on his way out of the club with 12 months left on his contract, and that it is a move with homegrown restrictions in Europe in mind.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Celtic need four homegrown academy graduates in their matchday squad in Europe, and the Aberdeen titan would fill one of those spots, which is why he could be a shrewd signing.
Why Ross Doohan could be Luke McCowan 2.0
Signing a back-up goalkeeper on a free transfer may not be a particularly exciting addition, in comparison to a big-money signing from abroad, like Arne Engels, but it is one that has shades of the move for Luke McCowan last summer.
Celtic signed the central midfielder from Dundee last year for a reported fee of £1m, and it turned out to be a terrific piece of business as a low-cost addition who was already proven in the Premiership.
The 27-year-old star hit the ground running, as he did not need time to adapt, and ended his first year at the club with seven goals and nine assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.
24/25 Premiership
Ross Doohan
Appearances
15
Saves
33
Successful run-outs
20
Penalties saved
1/1
Duel success rate
100%
Clean sheets
2
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Doohan made 15 appearances in the Premiership this season and is set to arrive at Celtic as a proven quantity at that level, making him an ideal signing as a back-up to Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.
Like McCowan, the free agent signing will not join the Hoops as a regular starter or as a big-name signing, but he could be a dependable option when needed throughout the season as a Premiership-proven star who does not need any time to adapt to the league.
Therefore, this is a move that makes a lot of sense and one that could be a shrewd deal for Celtic, despite it not being one that is likely to excite many.
He'd take Engels to the next level: Celtic expected to move for £10m star
Celtic are expected to make a move to sign a star who could take Arne Engels to the next level.
Curran or Billings? Ingram or Gregory? There are several difficult calls for head coaches ahead of Thursday’s local icon draft
Matt Roller02-Oct-2019
Ageas Bowl
There are plenty of sensible options available to the Southampton-based team, including Mason Crane, Liam Dawson and Tymal Mills, but their best option is to recruit a ready-made opening partnership.James Vince and Phil Salt are both off to the Big Bash this winter to further their franchise T20 experience, and should complement each other very well. In T20 since January 1, 2017, Salt has been immense against pace (SR 169), while Vince cruises against spin (SR 145, av. 48.2).Most importantly in a competition with an abbreviated format, neither wastes time getting going: Vince’s strike-rate after five balls of an innings in the 2019 Blast was 122.22, while Salt’s was 142.85.
Cardiff
The Cardiff team would be foolish not to lock Tom Banton down after his stunning breakthrough season, and will hope that he opens the batting for several years to come.Tom Banton should be picked up as a local icon for the Cardiff team•Getty ImagesIt is understood that Glamorgan’s Colin Ingram is likely to be the team’s second local icon, and he could well end up captaining the side. Ingram has been a prolific run-scorer in domestic T20 over the past few years, but has showed some signs of decline in the past six months, with a relatively lean run across the IPL, the Blast and the CPL.Instead, it might have made more sense to pick Somerset’s Lewis Gregory. He is one of the few specialist finishers in the English game, and has a strike rate of over 200 at the death against pace in the past three years. There is evidence that he is relatively weak against spin, but the sample size is small, and teams continue to see it as a risk to hold back spinners until the final few overs.If Gregory isn’t snapped up at this stage, expect him to be an early pick in the main draft.
Edgbaston
Adam Hose and Ed Pollock will prove shrewd signings in the main draft, but in the local icon draft the Edgbaston team would be remiss not to pick up the best player available in Moeen Ali.T20 analysts regularly highlight players who can bowl four overs of spin and bat in the top order as the most valuable, and Moeen fits that profile perfectly. His strike-rate of over 165 against both pace and spin means he has no obvious weakness, and he would be an ideal captain and posterboy for the new team.For their second pick, the Birmingham side should plump for Pat Brown, a death-specialist who could be relied upon to bowl the final ten balls of an innings. No-one comes close to Brown in the wickets charts at the death in the Blast over the last two years, and his (knuckle)balls of steel have earned him a place in England’s T20I squad for the New Zealand tour.
Headingley
Again, there are two obvious picks for the Leeds-based team, and there should be few dilemmas. David Willey is an obvious pick given his prowess with the new ball – he could bowl 15 balls in the 25-ball powerplay – and can give it a whack with the bat too, while Adil Rashid will be one of the best legspinners in the competition regardless who ends up entering the draft.Adil Rashid and David Willey could be reunited at the Leeds-based team•Getty ImagesTom Kohler-Cadmore or Scott Steel might be attractive alternatives if a low salary band cannot be negotiated, but Darren Lehmann shouldn’t be kept up at night thinking about this stage of the draft.
Lord’s
Eoin Morgan is a likely pick despite his slightly underwhelming recent T20 record, not least because of his nous as a captain and the fact his face will be plastered all over North London for marketing and branding, but the team’s second selection is less clear.There are no realistic options from Northants – though Josh Cobb could be an interesting main draft selection – and both Essex and Middlesex were expensive with the ball throughout 2019, but there are three batsmen with three relatively different profiles who must be considered.Dawid Malan is an impressive player, but he is pedestrian at the start of an innings (powerplay SR 122 since 2017) and might eat up too many balls at the top of the order given the fielding restrictions are lifted so soon (after 25 percent of the innings, rather than 30 percent in T20). Ravi Bopara starred under pressure in the second half of the Blast, but similarly takes ten balls to bed in, and has a more obvious weakness, as a slow-scorer against spin.That opens up Dan Lawrence as an option, who would likely be cheaper than the other two. Lawrence is exceptional against spin (SR 154, av. 36.3 since 2017) and useful against pace (SR 148, av. 26.35), and bowls useful offspin to boot; he is the perfect man to keep things moving in the middle overs.
Old Trafford
The two obvious picks from the Lancashire squad are Liam Livingstone and Matt Parkinson, and it is hard to see them being overlooked. Livingstone had an underwhelming 2019 Blast but is a bully against pace and can tick over against spin, while Parkinson has been the most prolific spinner in domestic white-ball cricket over the last three seasons.Richard Gleeson and Saqib Mahmood are slightly less expensive alternatives, but the Old Trafford team has a fairly simple set of decisions to make.
The Oval
With arguably the best pool of stars to pick from, the South London team’s choices will depend as much on which player offers themselves up at the most competitive price as anything else.Jason Roy is probably a lock, given his T20 pedigree, leaving a shoot-out between Sam Billings, Tom Curran and Joe Denly for the final spot.Tom and Sam Curran could link up for the South London team•Getty ImagesAll three have such different profiles that it is hard to compare them, but death bowlers should prove to be sufficiently valuable that it is worth locking Curran down before the main draft.
Trent Bridge
With the exception of Wayne Madsen, it is hard to think of a player from either Derbyshire or Leicestershire’s squads who would get close to a first-choice Notts XI, and there are two clear stars that Stephen Fleming should swoop for.Alex Hales is among the best English batsmen against pace in all T20, and hammers spin at Trent Bridge with a strike-rate above 200 against slow bowlers there since 2017. If he is weaker against it on bigger playing surfaces, he is still worth picking up at this stage.Harry Gurney, meanwhile, has become one of the most sought-after death bowlers of the T20 circuit over the past few years, and is another man who could feasibly bowl the final ten balls of an innings. He is increasingly impressive in the middle overs too, especially on slower wickets, as demonstrated in this year’s IPL for KKR.
da betcris： O momento do Santos no Brasileirão não está fácil e isso não é novidade para ninguém. Entretanto, na esperança de sair da zona de rebaixamento nesta rodada, o Peixe irá encarar o Cruzeiro, que não vence uma partida há um longo tempo.
da realsbet： O último triunfo da Raposa aconteceu contra o Vasco, por 1 a 0, no dia 8 de julho, ou seja, a equipe mineira não conquista os três pontos na competição nacional há mais de dois meses.
+ Já atualizou sua camisa de 2023? Confira os novos uniformes do Peixe!
Desde essa vitória, o time do Ronaldo Fenômeno disputou oito partidas, não conquistou vitórias, realizou cinco empates e sofreu três derrotas.
Para mudar o cenário, a principal aposta da diretoria do Cruzeiro foi a demissão do técnico Pepa e a contratação do treinador Zé Ricardo.
SANTOS É O PIOR TIME DO BRASILEIRÃO NAS ÚLTIMAS 10 RODADAS
De acordo com o levantamento da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) e contabilizando o triunfo do Internacional que já jogou nesta rodada, o Peixe é o pior clube da competição nacional nas últimas rodadas disputadas.
Em 30 pontos abertos para disputa na liga, a equipe do litoral paulista conseguiu garantir apenas 8 pontos.
AGORA O ALVINEGRO EMBALA?
Diante da sua torcida, frente a um adversário que não vence dentro da Vila Belmiro há cinco anos, o Santos está preparado para jogar contra o Cruzeiro, às 19 horas (de Brasília), nesta quinta-feira (14).
+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades
All 15 players who played the men’s T20 World Cup in June are in the Scotland squad, to be led by Richie Berrington
ESPNcricinfo staff14-Aug-2024Scotland have called up right-arm quick Charlie Cassell and medium pacer Jasper Davidson for their first-ever bilateral men’s T20I series against Australia this September in Edinburgh. The 15 players who played the men’s T20 World Cup in June make up the rest of the squad, which will be captained by Richie Berrington.Cassell made a sensational start to his international career, taking 7 for 21 – the best ODI haul on debut – against Oman in the Cricket World Cup League 2 in July. He’s played two ODIs for Scotland so far and was also recently part of three matches in the One-Day Cup for Somerset.Davidson also made his ODI debut in the CWC League 2, against Oman, and took four wickets in that game.”After coming into the squad at CWCL2 and doing so well, it’ll be great for Jasper and Charlie to have the experience of what it’s like playing against the best, in front of a fairly large crowd,” Doug Watson, Scotland’s head coach, said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to play one of the best teams in the world, and I’m pretty sure that our players won’t need any motivating for this series. It’s a great opportunity for them to share the field with world-class players. They’re wanting to put in some huge performances and compete, and really push this Australia team.”The goal for us is to win this series. The first game is really important – if we can win that, it’ll set up the next two matches. The whole week will be brilliant for the squad, staff, supporters, and all of Scotland.”It will be Australia’s first tour of Scotland in 11 years. The sides will meet just three months after their T20 World Cup 2024 game in St Lucia, where Australia won a close match by five wickets. The games will be played at The Grange on September 4, 6 and 7.Scotland T20I squad vs AustraliaRichie Berrington (capt), Charlie Cassell, Matthew Cross, Brad Currie, Jasper Davidson, Chris Greaves, Ollie Hairs, Jack Jarvis, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Charlie Tear, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is very keen to land one of his transfer targets before July 23, with a report this week sharing exactly why and lifting the lid on their plans to submit a new bid for the player.
He's more exciting than Zubimendi: Arsenal looking to sign £70m "superstar"
Arsenal could make an even more exciting signing than Martin Zubimendi.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 24, 2025
The Gunners will confirm their first signing of the summer very soon.
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi travelled to London last week as he finalised a switch to Arsenal and put the finishing touches on his contract, while fellow Spaniard and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is also poised to join Arteta after being deemed surplus by Chelsea.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Both men are set to be followed by a striker too, but debate still surrounds who that might be.
Arsenal have been working on deals for both RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, as per numerous reports, including the BBC, but there is a growing belief among some media outlets that the latter is currently in pole position to join Arteta’s side.
“Sporting are going to play hardball, there’s been a fallout between Gyokeres and the club because his agent has suggested that they had a gentleman’s agreement he could leave for £60million, I think they’re looking for nearer £80m,” said talkSPORT’s Alex Crook last week.
“Arsenal are juggling both him and Benjamin Sesko, they’ve opened talks with Leipzig as well but at the moment, I would say Gyokeres looks the more likely.”
Reports in Portugal have claimed that Arsenal saw a £55 million bid rejected for Gyokeres turned down recently. However, they’re expected to go back in with another offer closer to Sporting’s valuation.
Arsenal prepare new Viktor Gyokeres bid as Mikel Arteta pushes
As per another Portuguese source, the newspaper Correio de Manha, Arsenal are “prepared to make another offer” for Gyokeres, with Arteta pushing to sign the prolific 27-year-old in time for their pre-season tour of Asia – which kicks off in Singapore against AC Milan on July 23.
So, in short, if Arsenal decide to go all in for the Sweden international over Sesko, Arteta is keen for Gyokeres to be signed within the next month, and it isn’t exactly hard to see why Coventry City’s ex-star is high on the Gunners’ transfer shortlist.
Sporting Club's Viktor Gyokeres.
He spearheaded Rui Borges’ side to their first domestic double in two decades with an outstanding 54 goals in all competitions last season, but they face stiff competition from Man United.
Gyokeres would prefer Arsenal ahead of a move to Old Trafford, as confirmed by the likes of Fabrizio Romano, but he still hasn’t completely snubbed United either.
“Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions,” said reliable journalist Ben Jacobs on X in the last 10 days.
“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed for #MUFC. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m.”
Liam Dawson returned 50 wickets in a Vitality County Championship season for the first time after scoring an eighth fifty of the season as Hampshire closed in on victory over Worcestershire.Spinning all-rounder Dawson reached a half-century of scalps by adding Kashif Ali and Adam Hose to his tally – in doing so beating the 49 wickets he claimed last season – with no spinner in the country taking more this year.Along with his bowling exploits, no one has passed 50 more times than Dawson in Division One in 2024, as he moved to 907 runs with a 51 which set Worcestershire 394 runs to win.The visitors ended the day five wickets down, still 277 runs short of victory – but with Jake Libby still undefeated on 55.Both sides are now only playing for positions after Hampshire’s improbable title challenge ended with Surrey’s victory over Durham, and Worcestershire’s survival already secured.Having elected against enforcing the follow-on the previous evening, Hampshire’s second innings was ramshackle and lacking in fluency, but still ended up at in the vicinity of the destination they would have aimed.The inability to score runs quickly was largely due to Joe Leach’s expertise with a nipping ball, taking three for 17, with six pressure-building maidens, across his first two spells.The 33-year-old is retiring after next week’s fixture against Lancashire, but proved he was still as skilful as ever to pick up Hampshire’s top three – although none of the wickets were classic dismissals.Toby Albert fell in the second over of the morning when he was strangled down leg and was caught behind, Fletcha Middleton lasted a further four overs before he was caught and bowled while playing across one, and first innings double centurion Nick Gubbins was caught at slip after the ball had looped off the wicketkeeper’s glove.Ben Brown quickly followed when Amar Virdi straightened one to pin him, but James Vince was keeping the scoreboard progressing with an often sketchy, sometimes glorious 44.Vince dragged Virdi onto his own stumps while sweeping but after lunch Tom Prest and Dawson returned with a lucidly attacking game plan to whip up a 72-run partnership at a whisker under a run-a-ball.Dawson followed his first innings century and five-wicket haul with a 63-ball fifty but fell soon after when Logan van Beek destroyed his stumps.Things turned frenetic again as James Fuller swished behind, Prest was leg before when stuck on the crease to Virdi, Kyle Abbott was bowled on the swing and Felix Organ was run out after a strike confusion with Mo Abbas – which prevented Virdi from a second career 10-wicket haul.With an imposing, but not impossible target, Gareth Roderick failed to show the resolve of the first innings by getting bowled by Abbott in the sixth over.Kashif Ali played for turn that didn’t come from Dawson to fall lbw in the 14th over before two fine slip catches from Vince accounted for Rob Jones and Adam Hose – the latter was Dawson’s 50th wicket of the season.Jake Libby had staunchly battled to 49, but when initially trying to reach the milestone, he ran out his partner Brett D’Oliveira, before eventually getting to a 47th first-class fifty with a less risky ambled single off 106 balls.Libby remained unbeaten at close, with Ethan Brookes hanging on alongside him.
أكد فلوريان فيرتز، نجم نادي ليفربول، على سعادته الكبيرة بمساهمته التهديفية الأولى له مع النادي الإنجليزي، موضحًا أنه يعلم أنه يستطيع أن يقدم أداء أفضل مع الريدز خلال الفترة المقبلة.
وحصل نادي ليفربول على توقيع فيرتز خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، قادمًا من صفوف نادي باير ليفركوزن مقابل أكثر من 120 مليون يورو.
لكن وعلى عكس التوقعات لم يستطع فيرتز تقديم المستوى المطلوب منه رفقة ليفربول وبقى اللاعب محل النقد بالفعل.
وفك فيرتز نحسه مع ليفربول وقدم مباراة جيدة وصنع هدفين مساهمًا في انتصار الريدز على حساب آينتراخت فرانكفورت بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد يوم أمس الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات مرحلة الدوري من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
أقرأ أيضًا .. إعلان التشكيل المثالي للجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا.. ضم لاعب ليفربول
وأكد فيرتز في تصريحات إلى شبكة دازن، أنه يشعر بالارتياح بعد مساهتمه التهديفية الأولى له رفقة ليفربول.
وقال فيرتز: “لم أجر مقابلة بعد مباراة بمثل هذا الوقت المبكر من قبل، إن لم تخني الذاكرة كنا متأخرين بنتيجة 1-0 ، عدنا إلى أجواء المباراة وقلبنا الطاولة، في الشوط الأول صعبت على نفسي إيجاد المساحات المناسبة”.
وأضاف فيرتز في حديثه: “ثم كان من سوء حظي أن أفقد الكرة قبل أن نستقبل هدفًا لكن بشكل عام، كان الأمر جيدًا، حاولت إيجاد مساحات أفضل في الشوط الثاني”.
واختتم الدولي الألماني: “أعلم أن بإمكاني تقديم أداء أفضل بكثير، أعتقد أن الشوط الثاني كان رائعًا ومن الجميع أيضًا، لذا، أنا راضي عن فوزنا اليوم وعن مساهمتي في إحراز الأهداف”.