Former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen has claimed Bruno Fernandes would be "perfect" for Real Madrid.
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Fernandes tipped for Real Madrid moveSubject of failed Saudi Pro League bidHas been at Old Trafford since 2020Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former United assistant manager Meulensteen has claimed Fernandes would be the "perfect" addition to Real Madrid's squad this summer after a move to the Saudi Pro League failed to materialise.
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The Portugal international was the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia shortly after the Red Devils lost the Europa League final, ending their hopes of Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign. However, Fernandes ultimately decided to reject the lucrative contract on offer and remains a United player. Real Madrid have not been linked with a move for the 30-year-old, but Meulensteen believes he would be a great signing for Xabi Alonso.
WHAT MEULENSTEEN SAID
Speaking to YaySweepstakes.com, Meulensteen said: "Bruno Fernandes is a family man and might not have wanted to move them all so far away to Saudi, but if Real Madrid had come knocking? I think it would’ve been a different story.
"It would’ve been interesting to see if he would want to leave, players all want to play at the very highest level and win the biggest trophies.
"Real Madrid have a very, very good team for next season and I think he’d play the perfect role in it. Okay, you can go to Saudi and earn substantial money, but I think his family values kept him from that move."
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?
United are looking to strengthen their squad after a finish of 15th in the Premier League last season. Matheus Cunha has already arrived from Wolves, while Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo is another major target.
Leeds United have conducted some phenomenal pieces of business in the transfer market over the last couple of years, aiding Daniel Farke’s attempts of taking the club back to the Premier League.
Dropping back into the Championship was a huge disappointment for the Whites, but the German has done an excellent job of building a side capable of challenging for promotion.
Manor Solomon arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, with the club bagging themselves a top-flight level talent to bolster their attack in 2024/25.
Leeds United'sManorSolomoncelebrates scoring their first goal
The Israeli international has produced the goods consistently this campaign, notching a total of seven goals and seven assists, helping the club sit top of the table.
However, his limelight has often been stolen by another player who has thrived beyond all imagination after his summer move to Elland Road in 2024.
Ao Tanaka’s stats for Leeds United in 2024/25
Japanese international Ao Tanaka joined Leeds in a £3.5m deal from German outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf, with not many knowing what to expect, arriving as an unknown quantity.
However, when he got his chance as a regular starter, he took it with both hands, now being an integral part of Farke’s side’s success throughout this campaign.
The 26-year-old has started 30 times in the Championship this campaign, notching four goals and two assists, but it’s his underlying stats that have been even more impressive.
The central midfielder has registered a 90% pass completion rate, whilst winning 1.7 tackles per 90 and making 1.6 interceptions per game – being the perfect box-to-box option at the heart of the Whites side.
There’s no denying that he’s a strong contender for the division’s signing of the season award, but one other first-team member has greatly impressed, often being caught in Tanaka’s shadow given his form in Yorkshire.
The Leeds star who could battle Tanaka for the signing of the season
After failing to win promotion in the play-off final last season, it was pivotal Leeds came back with a vengeance to write the wrongs, but also bolstered the squad to increase their chances of promotion.
Leeds United star Archie Gray
However, the defeat saw numerous big-money talents depart the club, including academy graduate Archie Gray, who operates out-of-position for large spells, featuring on the right-hand side of the Whites’ backline.
Such a transfer may have injected huge money into the club, but saw them lose one of their key components to why they were so successful during Farke’s maiden campaign.
Despite the sale, such worries have been pushed aside, with Jayden Bogle nailing down the right-back role this season after his £5m move from Sheffield United last summer.
The 24-year-old has featured in 36 of the 38 league outings in 2024/25, having a real positive impact at both ends of the pitch, providing the quality that was needed in such an area.
He’s managed to register five goals and two assists despite his defensive position, with his latest effort coming in the 2-2 draw with QPR before the international break.
However, defensively he’s been just as impressive, winning 62% of the tackles he’s entered to date, whilst also winning a staggering 5.9 duels per 90, helping the club boast the second-best defensive record in the division.
Games played
36
Goals & assists
7
Pass accuracy
76%
Tackles won
62%
Duels won
5.9
Duel success rate
53%
Times dribbled past
0.8
Bogle, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, has come out on top in 53% of those duels, with his defensive solidity being demonstrated by being dribbled past less than once per 90 across 36 matches.
His fee, coupled with his ability to slot in and seamlessly nail down the position is what has made his time at Elland Road so impressive, certainly going under the radar.
If it wasn’t for Tanaka’s form in Yorkshire, the full-back would certainly be a huge favourite for the award, still having bags of time to improve further under Farke’s guidance.
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Moeen Ali was batting on one leg by the time he arched his bat and upper-cut Pat Cummins for four over Alex Carey’s head, and Australia seemed to have let their opportunity to take control of the fifth Test slip away.Cummins had finally won a toss, his first of the series, and asked England to bat first under thick cloud cover, with the floodlights turned on shortly after the lunch break. Australia had reduced England to 73 for 3 but dropped three catches and missed a run-out chance; Harry Brook and Moeen had brought up a 100-run stand in 17 overs.Enter Todd Murphy, long sleeves pulled up, top-button clasped and up-turned collar flopping down. At 22, Murphy is a boy in a team of men, the youngest player in this Australian XI by seven years. He has played as many Tests as Sheffield Shield games (six of each), and in most of those he has been Victoria’s second spinner.But here he was, standing at the Vauxhall End and trying to burgle a wicket for a group of team-mates at a completely different stage in life to him. This Australia team will undergo a near-total regeneration before its next tour here in four years’ time and these five days are about securing a legacy for most of them. Murphy is still making his way.Related
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His first ball was a fraction short, and Brook punched it away through point to get off strike. His second was even shorter. Moeen rocked back and pulled him away through midwicket for four. Cummins told short leg to move to midwicket, fearing that Murphy had already underlined the reason for his non-selection in Manchester last week.But Murphy’s next ball was a braver one: much fuller, drifting in with the around-the-wicket angle. It was quick (58mph/93kph) and hardly turned, but had enough drop on it to sneak underneath Moeen’s bat as he swung wildly, lining up a swipe into the leg side.Murphy hardly celebrated, wearing the expression of a bowler still annoyed at himself for the previous ball. Perhaps, too, he was conscious of what is to come: Moeen’s wicket brought Ben Stokes in at No. 6, the man who crashed him for five sixes at Headingley before eventually holing out to long-on.And yet Murphy fared well against Stokes, tossing the ball up and conceding only two singles from the 11 balls he bowled to him. He beat him on the cut, cramping him for room, and responded by dragging his length back when Stokes skipped out of his crease.He was whipped out of the attack after Stokes fell, losing his off stump to Mitchell Starc when looking to break the scoring pressure by turning him into the leg side, then returned for a token over before tea.After the interval, Murphy’s second ball was full and flighted, and scythed over point for four by Mark Wood. It was one of two boundaries he conceded, and just as he had after lunch, he responded by taking a wicket with his next ball: Wood cleared his front leg, and Murphy’s offbreak crashed into the top of his middle stump.There was a brief celebration this time, punching the air and roaring, “yeah! Come on!” before giving David Warner – 14 years his senior – a high-ten. Wood’s partnership with Chris Woakes was worth 49, the third-highest partnership of England’s innings; it was Murphy who broke two of the three substantial stands.He finished with 2 for 22 from his six overs – and it should have been three-for, but for a fluffed caught-and-bowled chance when Woakes chipped one back to him. Thrown into away tours in India and England, Murphy has 17 wickets at 24.94 in his first five-and-a-bit Tests.Moeen Ali was bowled by Todd Murphy for 34•Getty Images
“Since he started in his Test career he’s been really good for us, through India,” Starc said. “He didn’t play a heap of a role at Headingley – [he was] used pretty sparingly there – but he’s come back and played a job today. He’s going to learn from those experiences, his first Ashes tour on the back of his first Indian tour.”Murphy has had a walk-on role in this series and it is clear that Cummins does not trust him to the same extent that he does Nathan Lyon. And how could he be expected to? Lyon is a veteran of 122 Tests; Murphy is playing the 14th first-class game of his career.”Obviously coming in and trying to fill Nathan’s boots is a big deal as it is,” Starc added. “Nathan has obviously bowled quite well here in the past; did in the Test final. Todd’s gone off the back of that and bowled some really good overs today with a couple of crucial wickets. We’ll look for him to play another part in the second innings.”Starc predicted that Murphy is “going to be a quality spinner for us for a long time,” and Australia will hope that he can be Lyon’s long-term successor. Whether that proves to be the case or not, he is fulfilling a role well enough that he could help some of Australia’s modern greats tick one final achievement off their bucket lists.
Historically, the Gold Cup has been a springboard for success for a number of USMNT legends – who will be next?
The U.S. men's national team will not be at full strength this summer. Christian Pulisic is out. So, too, are Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, Tim Weah and Yunus Musah. For many within the player pool, though, this opportunity means everything – and history tells us that this Gold Cup will be a launching pad for at least one player's stunning World Cup rise.
Going back to the 1994 World Cup cycle, a total of 12 players entered the Gold Cup with fewer than five caps and proceeded to represent the USMNT in the subsequent World Cup. That list includes both USMNT legends in the making and players who caught lightning in a bottle, but all involved parlayed a Gold Cup into a World Cup dream.
DaMarcus Beasley had just three caps before emerging at the Gold Cup in January of 2002. Same for Pablo Mastroeni, who had two appearances entering that tournament. Stu Holden had yet to feature for the USMNT prior to the 2009 Gold Cup, while Oguchi Onyewu launched his USMNT career four years prior with a run at the 2005 tournament.
More recently, both Matt Turner and Shaq Moore entered the 2021 Gold Cup with six caps between them. Both ended up in Qatar.
The point is this: roster decisions and player absences and outside noise notwithstanding, the USMNT's upcoming friendlies and Gold Cup matter from a player development and visibility perspective, beyond overall team performance – particularly to the newcomers, and for coach Mauricio Pochettino.
This summer's roster features a dozen players with fewer than five caps, including six who have yet to appear for the USMNT. Each of those 12 will believe that they can play their way into the World Cup squad – and that all starts now. Will history repeat itself?
GOAL looks at the top candidates in that category who could change the trajectory of their careers.
Getty ImagesDiego Luna
It's hard to believe we've only seen Luna in a USMNT shirt on four occasions, largely because he's packed so damn much into those four games. From the broken and bloodied nose to a big Nations League assist, Luna has already endeared himself to the USMNT fanbase and, more importantly, to Pochettino, who clearly appreciates the attitude the Real Salt Lake star brings.
It'll be a big summer for him. Luna won't be surprising anyone anymore and, with the World Cup just a year away, he'll fight to be one of the guys Pochettino relies on in attack. Both Luna and Malik Tillman will be relied on to do heavy lifting in the attack – thanks to those notable absence – and that could potentially lead to the starting No. 10 next summer.
It's been a quick rise for Luna, and the 21-year-old's exploits in MLS may just be the beginning.
AdvertisementAFPJack McGlynn
McGlynn does something better than just about anyone else in the player pool: pass the ball. His vision is incredible, as is his touch, allowing him to set the tempo or dictate games from dead-ball situations. A player such as James Ward-Prowse has ridden a similar style all the way to the England team and, while McGlynn may not be at that level, it's easy to see why any club could find a use for him.
There's still one looming question: Does he have the athleticism or defensive instincts to compete at the international level? He can hit a ball, for sure, but the international game requires a different caliber of speed. Through his first four caps, McGlynn hasn't seen that challenged often, but this summer will give him the chance to answer those questions.
With the likes of McKennie and Musah out of the picture for the Gold Cup, due to Club World Cup commitments, McGlynn has a chance to show why he should be joining them in the USMNT midfield.
Getty Images SportDamion Downs
Downs is perhaps the biggest wild card in the USMNT squad – for multiple reasons. The first of which is his position, which is always more form-based than others. The second? Few who follow the USMNT have seen him play.
The 20-year-old German-born striker broke out with FC Koln this season, netting 10 goals in 26 games to help his club win the 2. Bundesliga. That came after he scored twice in the Bundesliga as a teenager, ending against Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin last season before Koln went down to the second division.
Internationally, this isn't Downs' first experience with the U.S., having previously spent time with the U23s, but a bulk of his games have been with Germany. That makes a pre-Gold Cup call-up all the more interesting as it indicates that Downs knows where his future lies: with the USMNT.
A striker spot won't be easy to win with the likes of Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent all in contention next year. Other newcomers Patrick Agyemang and Brian White, are in the mix, too. Downs, though, has a realistic path to the 2026 World Cup, particularly if he impresses this summer and in Koln's Bundesliga return next season.
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GettyAlex Freeman
The right-back spot seems sorted with Sergino Dest and Joe Scally in the mix, but there's a reason why so many people are high on Freeman. Orlando City's rising star is with the USMNT for the first time, having more than earned his place in MLS.
He's a modern attacking fullback, one who creates chances at an elite level in MLS. It's why teams in Europe are reportedly eyeing him just a few months into his first real run at senior soccer.
Pochettino will love him, too, particularly as a like-for-like replacement for Dest should that be required. Freeman has the skillset to really make a difference for the USMNT and, at just 20, it's clear that there's plenty of room to develop.
Former Tottenham Hotspur scout Bryan King is “sure” two players will be trying to convince an “exciting” midfielder to move to north London in the summer.
Tottenham eyeing summer move for midfielder
Tottenham were forced into action during the January transfer window, with Ange Postecoglou in need of reinforcements in light of the injury crisis the manager has been forced to deal with over the past few months.
To ensure a similar situation does not arise again, however, Postecoglou may feel he needs more squad depth, and Spurs are thought to be pursuing a new central midfielder, identifying a number of targets.
Johnny Cardoso is thought to be of particular interest, with the Real Betis midfielder set to be available for the relatively low fee of £21m due to a release clause in his contract, which the Lilywhites are planning to activate.
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Emilio Galantini
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Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson is another long-standing target for Tottenham, who has also attracted attention from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, and there has now been a new update on the pursuit of the midfielder.
Former Spurs scout King has now claimed Swedish duo Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall will play a pivotal role in convincing the midfielder to move to N17 this summer when they link up with Larsson on international duty.
King said: “They have already brought Bergvall in, for a lot less of course. Larsson moved out of Sweden before Bergvall did and he has since established himself in Germany. Spurs should be looking at these players before they make the move to Holland or Germany.
“However, I’m sure that Kulusevski and Bergvall will be recommending the club to Larsson to help get a transfer across the line. They’ll obviously meet up on international duty, and I imagine they will be selling life at Tottenham to Larsson.”
"Exciting" Larsson impressing in Germany
Although he is still just 20-years-old, the Swedish maestro has established himself as a key player for Frankfurt this season, making 31 appearances in all competitions, during which time he has amassed five goals and one assist.
Sky Sports Germany journalist Kerry Hau has been full of praise for the youngster, in light of his top-drawer performances, saying: “Hugo Larsson is one of Eintracht Frankfurt’s shooting stars and is currently one of the most exciting midfielders in the Bundesliga,”
Of course, it would be useful for Tottenham if Bergvall and Kuluveski make an attempt to lure their compatriot to north London this summer, but the truth is it will still be very difficult to win the race for his signature.
Barring a Europa League triumph, it seems very likely Spurs won’t have European football on offer next season, which could play a big part in Larsson’s decision-making, amid interest from Arsenal, Bayern and a number of other clubs who are set to be in the Champions League.
Visitors go to stumps at 102 for 4, trailing by 409 runs and their hopes of levelling the series fading
Tristan Lavalette09-Dec-2022
Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head added 297 runs for the fourth wicket•Getty Images
An accurate Australia attack menaced with the pink ball under lights to leave West Indies in disarray after day two of the second Test in Adelaide.In response to Australia’s mammoth first innings, set up by big centuries from Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, West Indies limped to stumps at 102 for 4 with their hopes of a series-levelling victory appearing forlorn.After a memorable debut 12 months ago in the Adelaide Ashes Test, recalled Michael Neser was relentless with his accuracy outside off stump and he was rewarded with the wickets of captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Shamarh Brooks.Unlike West Indies’ uninspired attack, who claimed just seven wickets in 137 overs, Australia consistently threatened with quicks Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc unlucky not to breakthrough.Only Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of legendary batter Shivnarine, defied the attack through patience and well-judged leaves against probing seam bowling from Australia’s quicks.Related
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After an impressive debut with scores of 51 and 45 in the first Test, Chanderpaul continued to dig in and occasionally showed flair, including a sweep for six against spinner Nathan Lyon.With his confidence increasing, Chanderpaul unleashed a bold counterattack before stumps and smashed a couple of short deliveries from allrounder Cameron Green to the boundary .Chanderpaul again upstaged his senior batters as West Indies’ chances of a strong reply nosedived. Their hopes had rested on in-form openers Chanderpaul and Brathwaite, who had gutsy partnerships of 78 and 116 in Perth.Brathwaite was particularly outstanding with scores of 64 and 110, but this was a different challenge against the pink ball under lights.Despite having a penchant for swing, Neser was held back until the 10th over but he made an impact quickly by having Brathwaite caught behind off a perfect line and length delivery.Neser almost added another but dropped Brooks in a tough one-handed return chance after diving to his left. It didn’t matter with Neser shortly after removing Brooks, who played as a concussion sub in the first Test, with an almost identical delivery that dismissed Brathwaite.Lyon came into the attack in the 21st over and immediately looked far more threatening than counterpart Roston Chase, who did little bar release the pressure seemingly every time he bowled in Australia’s first innings.Lyon got among the wickets by removing Jermaine Blackwood with a return catch, while Green bowled debutant Devon Thomas shortly before stumps to strengthen Australia’s stranglehold after a mighty batting effort earlier.Michael Neser took two key wickets before stumps•Getty Images
Stand-in skipper Steven Smith ended Australia’s first innings shortly before tea in their third straight declaration in this one-sided two-Test series.Head and Labuschagne dominated an underwhelming West Indies attack with big centuries in a 297-run stand, the third highest fourth wicket partnership for Australia against West Indies.Coming together with Australia at 131 for 3, after the quick wickets of Usman Khawaja and Smith for a duck, Head and Labuschagne were almost flawless on a batting-friendly Adelaide Oval surface.Such was their ease, it seemed like a formality that Head and Labuschagne would reach double centuries but they both surprisingly missed out.Labuschagne fell for 163 late in the first session when he was caught behind off Thomas, whose handy seamers were a revelation, while Head was run out on 175 just after the dinner break.Hometown hero Head had cruised past his highest Test score of 161 but disaster struck when he was involved in a mix up with Green.Head’s fifth Test ton was marked by belligerence, continually plundering boundaries through the off side, while Labuschagne was technically sound and didn’t require good fortune which he sometimes seems to have in spades.Labuschagne hit his third straight ton to start the series and also passed 3000 Test runs in just his 51st innings with only Sir Donald Bradman reaching the landmark faster for an Australia batter.West Indies had no answers and once again rued sloppy bowling, while Brathwaite’s tactics were rather puzzling underlined by often not implementing a gully in a conservative move.He was generally reactionary, but a second-string attack didn’t help his cause. Without injured spearheads Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales, debutant quick Marquino Mindley only bowled two overs after suffering a hamstring injury early on day one.It was hard-luck for an exhausted Mindley, who had arrived in Adelaide from the Caribbean just 48 hours before the Test as injury cover.With injuries piling up and outclassed over two days, West Indies are spiralling to an inevitable defeat unless their rising star Chanderpaul can conjure something miraculous on day three.
Pakistan have kept their semi-final hopes alive with victory in a rain-reduced, must-win match over their favourite opponents: South Africa. They’ve met four times at T20 World Cups and Pakistan have won all four encounters. With this latest result, there are now no unbeaten teams left at this World Cup.On a chilly Sydney evening, against the express pace of Anrich Nortje and the craftiness of Lungi Ngidi’s slower ball, Pakistan recovered from 95 for 5 to post their fifth-highest score against South Africa, and highest at World Cups. While their top order failed to fire once again, Iftikhar Ahmed and then Shadab Khan scored half-centuries to get Pakistan to a competitive score. They were helped by a sloppy South African fielding performance. They dropped five catches – more than they have in the other three matches in the tournament combined – and there were several fumbles on a slippery outfield.Pakistan were set up with the bat, but won the match with the ball. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw cheaply but Temba Bavuma played his best innings of 2022 and the chase was going well until the start of the eighth over. South Africa were 65 for 2, ahead of the DLS par of 58 at the time, when Shadab found Bavuma’s edge. At the fall of the wicket, the DLS par went up to 66 and it increased to 77 two balls later when Aiden Markam was dismissed. By the time play was interrupted after nine overs, South Africa needed to be on 85 to win, but were 69 for 4.An hour’s interruption cut six overs off the chase, and when play resumed South Africa needed 75 runs off the remaining five overs. Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klaasen – who came in for David Miller, who was out with back spasms – biffed it around a bit but the ask was always going to be too tall. South Africa remain second on the Group 2 points table behind India, and need to beat Netherlands on Sunday to keep their fate in their own hands.Haris’ hit out Mohammad Haris was parachuted into the Pakistan XI after Fakhar Zaman suffered a tournament-ending recurrence of the knee injury that he has struggled with this year, and he made an immediate impact. He was hit on the grille the second ball he faced – a Wayne Parnell short ball – and that seemed to spark him into action. He tucked into Kagiso Rabada’s opening over, and sent a half-volley over deep backward square for six, then a pull over fine leg for six more before creaming another short ball through square leg to cost South Africa their most expensive over of the tournament so far: 17 runs.Haris demonstrated a clear strength playing the ball on the leg side, complete with a shuffle across the stumps, and it was his undoing too. He missed an Anrich Nortje delivery, was hit in line with off stump, and given out lbw. His 28 off 11 balls gave Pakistan’s Powerplay some impetus, and they finished with the highest Powerplay score of the tournament, 42, even though they lost their top three.Anrich Nortje took four wickets but took a hammering in the end overs•Getty Images
Nawaz: out or not-out? Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz helped Pakistan recover from 43 for 4 with a 52-run fifth-wicket stand. They had some nervy moments up front, when Iftikhar gloved the ball skywards, to Quinton de Kock’s right. De Kock made a valiant one-handed effort and could not hold on. Two balls later, Nawaz got a thick edge wide of de Kock, but the pair didn’t look back from there.Iftikhar took advantage of misfired lines and lengths from Rabada and Nawaz got hold of Ngidi and then Shamsi. He slogged Shamsi over deep midwicket and then shaped up for the sweep but missed and was struck on the front pad. Nawaz set off a for a run as he was given out, and then Lungi Ngidi’s direct hit found the stumps. Nawaz must have thought he was run out and didn’t review. Replays showed he got a thick bottom-edge, and also that he made a mistake. The ball would have been dead the moment the umpire raised his finger – before Ngidi’s throw – according to law 20.1.1.3. Nawaz would have been not out.But maybe not such a bad thing Nawaz’s dismissal brought Shadab Khan to the crease and Pakistan could not have asked for anything more. Shadab took a liking to Shamsi and scored 13 runs off his final over, which cost 15 in total, before launching an Ngidi full-toss to deep backward square for four, driving Nortje through mid-off for four more and uppercutting him for six. Nortje chose to bowl full at the end and got an attempted yorker wrong. Shadab sent the full-toss into the stands and then another over long-on, to bring up fifty off 20 balls – Pakistan’s second-fastest fifty in T20I cricket. He put Pakistan in touching distance of 200 but then went big once too many times, was dropped by Aiden Markram at long-on and then caught by Tristan Stubbs at deep midwicket.Overall, Pakistan scored 90 runs off the last seven overs.Shaheen Shah Afridi pegged South Africa back with the early wickets of Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw•Getty Images
Pakistan’s frantic finish Shadab’s dismissal set in motion an intense end to the innings in which Pakistan lost four wickets for eight runs as Pakistan tried to breach the boundary with every ball. Mohammad Wasim top-edged Nortje and Bavuma zooted in from the ring to take a running catch. In the last over, Iftikhar opted to take on Rabada and hit him to long-on where Rilee Rossouw took a superb catch. And Haris Rauf was run-out off the last ball, as Pakistan scrambled to run a fourth. Bavuma was the man who broke the stumps.Afridi’s amazing start Pakistan’s ace had a quiet start to the tournament, with just one wicket from the first three matches, and explained he was working his way to a full head of steam after returning from injury. He got there in this match, when he started with a series of back-of-a-length deliveries to de Kock, who was eyeing the midwicket area but not finding it. De Kock got there off the last ball of the over, but toe-ended his effort to Haris on the edge of the ring. De Kock was dismissed for a duck. In his next over, Afridi pulled in South Africa’s big fish, Rossouw, with a ball that did not deserve a wicket. It was short, wide and screamed “hit me”, and Rossouw obliged. He slashed to deep third where Naseem Shah ran around to take the catch. South Africa were 16 for 2.Shadab’s double strike Bavuma played his most pleasing and profitable innings of 2022, and scored 36 off 18 balls (which included a scoop for six, which he tried and failed to pull off earlier in the tournament) and the hoodoo seemed to be broken. But Shadab continued to own the night when he was brought on in the eighth over. He delivered a stock-standard legbreak, Bavuma opened the face of the bat to try and hit to third, and nicked off. This strike was crucial, because with rain looming, it put South Africa behind on DLS. After 7.1 overs, at two down, the DLS par was 59. With three down, it jumped to 66. South Africa were on 65 at the time. And it got worse for them. Two balls later, Shadab bowled Markram with a topspinner, as the batter went back to try and cut, and South Africa were 66 for 4. The teams were taken off nine balls later, and it was clear that Shadab had had a decisive hand in this match.
A equipe sub-20 do Botafogo estreia pelo Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20 nesta quarta, às 15h, no CT Evaristo de Macedo, em Camaçari-BA, contra o Bahia. Nesta edição, a competição terá um regulamento diferente das temporadas anteriores com 20 clubes divididos em dois grupos de 10 times casa.
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Com isso, o critério de divisão de grupos utilizado pela CBF seguiu o critério de proximidade geográfica e as colocações do Ranking Nacional de Clubes. Os meninos da base estão no Grupo A com os seguintes adversários:América-MG, Atlético-MG, Bahia, Ceará, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Fortaleza, Palmeiras e São Paulo e terá quatro jogos como mandante e cinco como visitante.
+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro
Desse modo, avançam para a próxima fase os quatro melhores colocados de cada grupo para a disputa das quartas de finais (Cruzamentos:1ºA x 4ºB, 2ºB x 3ºA, 2ºA x 3ºB e 1ºB x 4ºA). Em seguida, terão as semifinais no sistema de ida e volta, mas a decisão será em partida única, com mando de campo do time com a melhor campanha.
A equipe comandada pelo técnico Ricardo Resende também está no Campeonato Carioca e mede forças com o Flamengo pelas quartas de finais. O zagueiro Reydson analisou a expectativa da estreia em entrevista ao site oficial do clube.
+Da euforia às vaias: Botafogo não se impõe em casa e gera primeira tensão com a torcida na ‘era Textor’
– Esperamos começar bem, com uma vitória já na primeira rodada. O time está em processo de formação, chegaram muitos reforços para qualificar ainda mais nosso elenco. Porém, iremos entrar com foco total no Campeonato Brasileiro, que ficou ainda mais difícil com dois grupos de 10 times, com menos jogos nessa primeira fase. E também não podemos perder o foco no Carioca, em que estamos classificados para a próxima fase. Serão grandes jogos e vamos em busca do título nas duas competições – explicou o defensor do Glorioso.
So far, Rafael Fernandes, a 22-year-old centre-back is the Light Blues’ sole winter arrival, despite the fact Philippe Clement’s side sit a whopping ten points adrift run-away Premiership leaders Celtic, having played a game more.
Rangersmanager PhilippeClement
Their title hopes are all but mathematically over, but there’s still plenty to play for, given the Gers’ involvement in the Scottish Cup and the Europa League, welcoming Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to Ibrox for a crucial European tie on Thursday.
Due to numerous injuries, Clement has been forced to name makeshift back-lines on multiple occasions this season, so could Rangers re-sign a former centre-back to bolster his options?
Rangers looking to re-sign a defender
According to Timo Rizzi of Swiss online newspaper Watson, Rangers have now ‘made an offer’ to FC Zürich, as they attempt to re-sign defender Nikola Katić, who ‘wants to leave’ Switzerland this month.
Zürich boss Ricardo Moniz claims his side are yet to receive any offers for Katić, but former Rangers defender Craig Moore urges his former club to re-sign the “big, solid defender” who he describes as a former “fans’ favourite” from his time in Glasgow.
Katić was one of the very first players signed by Steven Gerrard when he took over as Rangers manager in 2018, arriving from Slaven Belupo Koprivnica for a reported fee of £2m.
The highlight of his Rangers career, unquestionably, was heading home the winner at Parkhead in 2019, as the Light Blues won an away Old Firm derby for the first time in nine years.
Nikola Katic
How Nikola Katić's return could help Rangers
In total, Katić made just 59 appearances across four seasons in Govan, not featuring at all between 8 March 2020 and 11 August 2021, a period of 521 days, after suffering a “career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament”, thereby loaned out to Hajduk Split the same month as his return, before joining Zürich a year later, upon the expiration of his contract.
Since the centre-back was last bedecked in red, white and blue, a lot has changed, not least his nationality.
Transfer Focus
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Katić earned one cap for Croatia, featuring during a friendly against Mexico at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in May 2017.
However, he was then never called up again so, in 2024, he switched his allegiance to Bosnia & Herzegovina, the country of his birth, debuting against England in a pre-Euros friendly at St James’ Park, starting all six of the Golden Lilies’ fixtures in June, September and October, before sitting out the November’s Nations League double-header.
Meantime, he’s made 86 appearances for Zürich across the last two and a half seasons, established as a regular in their defence, albeit he’s sat out their last two Swiss Super League matches, against Yverdon Sport and Luzern, potentially due to ongoing transfer speculation.
So, could the now-Bosnian defender be returning to Govan and would he be a good signing? The answer is yes.
As alluded to earlier, Rangers have not had a settled centre-back pairing all season, yet to properly replace Connor Goldson, who departed for Aris Limassol in the summer.
When fit, John Souttar would be first choice, with veteran Leon Balogun or summer signing Robin Pröpper his most frequent partner, so let’s examine how Katić compares to that duo.
Katić vs Balogun & Pröpper (2022/23-present)
Statistics
Katić
Balogun
Pröpper
Appearances
86
54
109
Minutes
7,512
3,739
9,037
Pass completion %
85%
75.6%
82.5%
Ball recoveries per 90
0.39
2.33
0.37
Interceptions per 90
1.3
2
1.6
Tackles won per 90
1
1.3
1.2
% of dribbles tackled
50%
73.3%
57.1%
% of aerial duals won
72.2%
58.5%
50%
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and FBref.com
As outlined in the table, since the start of the 2022/23 season, Katić comes out on top when it comes to passing and % of aerial duals won, and he compares favourably to both Balogun and Pröpper in most metrics, such as tackles, interceptions and ball recoveries.
Also, during this very long timeframe, the Bosnian has racked up almost twice as many minutes as the Nigerian suggesting, unlike his previous stint in Glasgow, he can be available for a prolonged period, a valuable ability considering Rangers’ constant defensive injury crisis.
Katić’s aerial prowess particularly stands out so, if Rangers are able to re-sign the centre-back this month, it appears to be a move worth making.
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A pouco mais de seis meses para o início da Copa do Mundo de 2022, a Seleção Brasileira segue na preparação para o Mundial do Qatar, que acontecerá entre novembro e dezembro. E nesta quarta-feira, na sede da CBF, o técnico Tite anunciou a lista de convocados para os próximos amistosos da Canarinho. Ao todo, 27 atletas foram chamados e a grande novidade ficou por conta do volante Danilo, do Palmeiras.
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A Seleção Brasileira enfrentará Coreia do Sul e Japão nos dias 2 e 6 de junho, respectivamente. Contra os sul-coreanos e os japoneses, o Brasil atuará no país do time adversário. A princípio, teria um amistoso contra a Argentina no dia 11, mas que foi cancelado. Veja aqui os detalhes e os horários das partidas.
+ Veja os grupos da Copa do Mundo de 2022
Tite chamou pela primeira vez o volante Danilo, do Palmeiras. Além do meio-campista alviverde, o treinador promoveu o retorno de Gabriel Jesus, que faz grande final de temporada no Manchester City. Os atletas se apresentarão no dia 26, na Coreia do Sul. Os atletas que disputarem a final da Champions League chegam no dia 28.
Marcelo Paz, presidente do Fortaleza, será o chefe de delegação da Seleção Brasileira nesta Data-Fifa.
+ Veja os jogadores brasileiros praticamente certos e os que estão na briga por vaga na Copa do Mundo
CONFIRA A LISTA COMPLETA DE CONVOCADOS
Goleiros: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City) e Weverton (Palmeiras);
Laterais: Danilo (Juventus), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Alex Telles (Manchester United), Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG) e Alex Sandro (juventus);
Zagueiros: Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Éder Militão (Real Madrid) e Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal);
Meio-campistas: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Danilo (Palmeiras), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Lucas Paquetá (Lyon) e Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa);
Atacantes: Neymar (PSG), Raphinha (Leeds), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Vini Jr. (Real Madrid), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Richarlison (Everton), Rodrygo (Real Madrid) e Matheus Cunha (Atlético de Madrid).