Category Uncategorized

La Liga giants Barcelona have opened initial talks with the representatives of a Tottenham star as Hansi Flick’s side register a serious interest ahead of the looming summer window.

Tottenham face losing key first-team players this summer

Alongside the uncertain future surrounding their manager, Ange Postecoglou, a few key first-team players could also be on their way out.

Tottenham seal "major coup" in "dramatic" shake-up, raises Levy question

It’s been officially confirmed.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 12, 2025

Recently, Atlético Madrid have become increasingly keen on defender Cristian Romero, with reports from Argentina even claiming that Diego Simeone has already reached out to him personally in an attempt to sway him towards the Wanda Metropolitano.

The 26-year-old, for his part, is keen to leave Spurs for pastures new this summer (Graeme Bailey), which has resulted in chairman Daniel Levy postponing talks over a new deal for Romero.

Wolves (away)

Today

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Liverpool (away)

April 27th

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

As well as Romero, Man City are also posing a real threat when it comes to left-back Destiny Udogie, with Pep Guardiola’s side adding the Italian to their shortlist of potential new left-back signings.

Further upfield, Atlético have also been keeping an eye on mainstay Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who is now attracting interest from Barcelona.

Barcelona open talks with Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur

That is according to a report from The Boy Hotspur, with the outlet claiming that Barca have reached out to Bentancur’s camp for early transfer talks, alongside Simeone’s side.

The Uruguay international is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Spurs, prompting Levy to open talks over an extension for the midfielder, but the European heavyweight duo are threatening to turn Bentancur’s head by making contact.

Keeping him at the club should be considered a top priority for Spurs, as the 27-year-old is a consistent performer when fit and available, not to mention one of the more senior players in a relatively young squad.

Bentancur has been praised for his performances since joining the club from Juventus, with former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson calling him “sensational” (Football Insider), and while the club haven’t put a recent price on Bentancur, some sources in the past have suggested they value him at up to £50 million.

“Him and Kulusevski have been fantastic signings,” said Robinson in 2022.

“Players take different amounts of time to settle into the Premier League. Bentancur was given a berth in the team early and has since made himself undroppable. He is one of the first names on the teamsheet. He has offensive and defensive capabilities.

“Bentancur is a player that goes under the radar, but he’s been sensational. His all-round performance is excellent, it really is.”

Apart from a seam quartet, the squad also includes five spin-bowling options, including the ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis

Madushka Balasuriya12-Feb-2024Sri Lanka have brought in left-arm fast bowler Binura Fernando in place of the injured Dushmantha Chameera for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The 16-member squad is otherwise unchanged from the one that faced Zimbabwe last month.Chameera has been out of action since injuring his left quadricep in the first ODI against Afghanistan, which Sri Lanka had won by 42 runs. At 6ft 7in, his replacement Binura is a rare breed as far as quick bowlers go, but his time with the Sri Lankan national side has been punctuated too by injury lay-offs.Binura had last played for Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup game against Australia in October 2022, but was forced off after just five deliveries with a hamstring injury. But since regaining fitness, he has made a significant impression on the franchise circuit during stints with Jaffna Kings and Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League and the Abu Dhabi T10, respectively.Related

Mujeeb out of SL T20Is due to injury; Rashid continues recovery from back surgery

Asalanka pitches for batting-friendly tracks in Sri Lanka

Nissanka, Sri Lanka's first double-centurion? Who'd have thought?

Binura will be part of a seam quartet that also includes Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana. The spin-bowling department, meanwhile, will be led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, with Akila Dananjaya as back-up. The ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis, and the offspinner Dhananjaya de Silva, are also available as spin options.The batting unit, though, takes on a familiar flavour, with Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka all included in the squad.The three-match T20I series gets underway on February 17, with the second and third games scheduled to be played on February 19 and 21, respectively. All matches will be staged in Dambulla.Sri Lanka T20I squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (capt), Charith Asalanka (vice-capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Akila Dananjaya, Kamindu Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama

Chelsea made a huge leap towards the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League last night, claiming a 2-1 win against FC Copenhagen despite not being at their best.

Reece James and Enzo Fernández got themselves on the scoresheet during the victory, handing Enzo Maresca’s side a slim lead ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge next week.

The victory maintained the Blues’ 100% record in Europe this campaign, extending their run to nine games in which they have won without tasting defeat – the only side to achieve such a feat this season.

Maresca made several alterations to his first-team side for the meeting yesterday, multiple of which certainly worked in his favour, allowing the side to claim a vital win despite struggling in the first half.

Numerous players impressed during the triumph, undoubtedly demonstrating that the manager made the right call for the key European meeting in Copenhagen.

Chelsea’s star performers against Copenhagen

Fernandez may not have started the encounter last night, but the Argentine midfielder would end up having a huge say on the result, tipping the game in Chelsea’s favour.

The 24-year-old came off the bench at half-time, scoring the Blues’ second goal, which would prove to be the winner after Gabriel Pereira’s late efforts for the hosts.

He also managed to complete 100% of the 43 passes he attempted during the triumph, being the only player who featured for 45 minutes or more to achieve such a feat.

Tyrique George was another player who grabbed his opportunity with both hands in Copenhagen, staking his claim for a regular starting role after his showing last night.

The academy graduate registered an assist and completed 95% of his passes, making himself a nuisance in attacking areas by completing 100% of his dribbles.

The teenager wasn’t the only player to showcase their talent after their recall to the side, with one other first-team member now looking undroppable after their own impressive display.

The Chelsea star who now looks as undroppable as Palmer

Over the last couple of seasons, Cole Palmer has made himself a key player for Chelsea, which is understandable given his record of 60 combined goals and assists in 76 outings since joining.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

His importance to Maresca cannot be understated, as seen by the Italian’s decision to include him in the squad for the knockout stages after leaving him out of the group phase.

The Englishman started the game but was unable to register a goal or assist for an eighth successive game, being outshone by fellow compatriot James after his return to the side.

The 25-year-old has had his battles with injuries over the last couple of months, returning to the side for the clash last night, but operating in a slightly unnatural midfield role.

James starred throughout, producing a perfect captain’s display at the heart of the side, firing home the opener with a long-range effort for Maresca’s men.

He featured for the entirety of the clash, managing a total of 97 touches and completing 82 passes at a completion rate of 95% – highlighting his impressive display on the ball.

The academy graduate also managed to win three duels, completed a tackle and won two fouls, producing a phenomenal display despite his unfamiliar role.

Reece James’s stats for Chelsea against Copenhagen
Statistics	Tally
Minutes played	90
Touches	97
Passes completed	82/86 (95%)
Duels won	3/5 (60%)
Tackles won	1
Fouls won	2
Goals scored	1
Stats via SofaScore

As a result of his showing, James was handed a 7/10 match rating by the Evening Standard’s Malik Ouzia, further demonstrating how impressive he was – with Maresca simply unable to drop him after such a showing.

The manager decided to operate with the Englishman over £106.8m signing Fernandez, showcasing the trust in his captain to thrive, albeit in a position he’s rarely featured in.

Maresca can’t drop James after his impressive outing, giving him a potential selection headache at the heart of the side ahead of the Blues’ clash with Leicester City on Sunday.

Saved by James & Enzo: Chelsea dud must not start again after 4/10 display

Chelsea claimed a 2-1 win against FC Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League tonight.

By
Ethan Lamb

Mar 6, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

da gbg bet： A eliminação do São Paulo contra o Água Santa no Campeonato Paulista não complicou a equipe somente na temporada, mas pode ter custado uma das principais peças do elenco tricolor. Ainda no primeiro tempo, Giuliano Galoppo sentiu o joelho e deixou o gramado em prantos. Pela reação do atleta, aparenta ter sido algo sério.

RelacionadasSão PauloApós perder pênalti decisivo em eliminação do São Paulo, Méndez assume culpa: ‘Foi minha vez de errar’São Paulo14/03/2023São PauloJustiça pede bloqueio de valor milionário em conta de Arboleda, do São PauloSão Paulo14/03/2023São Paulo‘Sofremos muito com as lesões’, lamenta Ceni ao apontar dificuldades do São Paulo para avançar no PaulistãoSão Paulo14/03/2023

da spicy bet： Artilheiro da equipe, ainda não é certo quanto tempo ficará afastado. Os próximos passos serão uma bateria de exames para diagnosticar a verdadeira gravidade da lesão. A suspeita é que tenha sido algo no ligamento cruzado. Se confirmado, pode ficar desfalcado de seis a oito meses.

ATUAÇÕES: São Paulo vive noite de horrores no ataque e não se garante nos pênaltis em eliminação no Paulistão

Veja tabela do Campeonato Paulista e simule os próximos jogos

Ainda durante a partida, o jogador deixou o banco de reservas do Allianz Parque, rumo ao vestiário, carregado por membros da comissão técnica do Tricolor. Até então, não havia se pronunciado. Porém, se manifestou em suas redes sociais e falou sobre sua situação.

Segundo as palavras do argentino, está de ‘alma partida’. Galoppo agradeceu ao apoio dos torcedores são-paulinos e afirmou que vai dar tudo de si para superar este problema.

– Minha alma se parte! Não sei o que dizer numa hora dessas. Agradeço a todos os torcedores são-paulinos por todo o carinho que me dão! E dizer a eles que confiem que tanto por mim e minha família quanto por vocês vou dar tudo de mim como sempre dei e vou superar essa lesão e voltarei muito mais forte do que antes – disse.

O meia foi oquarto jogador seguido do clube do Morumbi a deixar o campo sintético da arena do rival Palmeiras contundido. Neste ano, no clássico pela fase de grupos do Estadual, Ferraresi e Rafinha também se lesionaram. Nenhum voltou ainda. No ano passado, Miranda também se machucou no estádio. Na partida desta segunda-feira (13), Welington também sentiu o tornozelo.

Veja a postagem realizada por Giuliano Galoppo:

Mumbai Indians head coach says they controlled the game for 38 overs, but last 12 balls cost them the final

S Sudarshanan16-Mar-20244:17

Edwards: ‘We didn’t control the last 12 balls and that cost us’

Moments after Mumbai Indians’ WPL 2024 campaign came to a crashing halt, with a five-run defeat in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, captain Harmanpreet Kaur termed her wicket as the turning point. Head coach Charlotte Edwards seconded that but backed her to “take that shot on”.Needing 16 off 13, Harmanpreet danced down the track to Shreyanka Patil and holed out to long-on. From there, Mumbai could just manage 10 for 2 in the last two overs and fell short to relinquish their title.”You could see the lift [Harmanpreet’s wicket] gave the RCB,” Edwards said after the match. “Equally we would back Harman to take that shot on. If it goes for six, we need 12 [10] in the last two and we are in the driving seat. I thought it had gone for six when she had hit it.Related

• RCB spinners and Perry stun Mumbai to seal berth in WPL 2024 final

• Harmanpreet: 'Batters couldn't hold nerve after my wicket'

• How nerveless Shreyanka Patil lured Harmanpreet Kaur to turn the game

“You’ve just got to back the player to do what they think is the best in that situation. Who am I to tell Harmanpreet Kaur what’s the right thing to do when she has performed the way she has in this tournament? At that point that’s her shot, that’s her strength. If she hits it for six, we’d be sitting on our seats… but still, with 16 needed off two overs, we should still win that game. It was a pivotal moment in the game.”Harmanpreet had already survived a stumping chance first ball of the 18th over after she charged down and swung at a tossed-up ball from Patil. But four balls later Patil managed to outfox her India captain.”For 38 overs of the game we controlled it, we just didn’t control the last 12 balls of the game and ultimately that cost us a finals’ spot,” Edwards said. “We would have taken 135 at the start of the game with the short boundary on that [off] side. We got to give credit to RCB because they fought back and never gave up. The game is won or lost on small margins sometimes – if Harman hits that for six, it is our game. Unfortunately, it was not to be tonight. It’s bitterly disappointing, and harder for the players. They are going to re-live those moments for a number of years.”I am just disappointed because we played well. We responded well from the other day and played good cricket for 38 overs and probably let ourselves down in 12 balls.”Edwards also heaped praise on Harmanpreet’s captaincy and credited her for bringing the best out of her players.”She is very calm. She is very quiet,” Edwards said. “She doesn’t say too much. But when she does speak it is very much worth listening to. That’s why I love working with her. She is very good around the players, and it is very sad that our tournament has ended the way it has. You can, kind of, cope with it when you have not played very well. But I think we played well today, we put a lot of things right from the other day. But wasn’t quite good enough, and that’s the end of our tournament.”Captain Harmanpreet Kaur wore a dejected look after the loss•PTI

After Harmanpreet’s dismissal, S Sajana was stumped trying to take on Sophie Molineux while Pooja Vastrakar missed a legspinner from Asha Sobhana to be out in the same manner. Amelia Kerr, batting at No. 5, stayed unbeaten on 27 off 25 but Mumbai failed to hit a single boundary in the last three overs. It was only the second loss for Mumbai in a run-chase across two seasons of the WPL in 11 attempts.”For some of these players, we quite quickly forget, someone like Sajana has only played domestic cricket,” Edwards said of the learnings for the less-experienced players. “This is the biggest stage these players play on. This is the WPL semi-final. Pressure does take a toll, and that’s why you want your top players there at the end of the game. It was not to be today. The players will be better for this experience, but it is not easy because we have lost a game we should have won. The players in the dressing room are hurting now but will definitely learn from this and be stronger.”Edwards didn’t think the lower-order’s lack of game time in the middle was a possible reason for the defeat.”They have all had opportunities throughout the season. Sajana opened the batting the other day. So, they are not short of batting practice. They have all had some time out in the middle. That is not the reason we lost today. Again, we didn’t play the final 12 balls as well as we should have. I am proud of the team, we fought back pretty well with the ball and were in control with the bat.”Edwards spoke highly of Patil, who picked up 2 for 16 in her four overs, while talking of the Indian players who impressed her across this season.”I loved the opening bowler from Gujarat, Shabnam Shakil. Bright talent, 16 years old, I thought she performed brilliantly. Titas [Sadhu] from Delhi… I think the fast bowlers really stand out for me, because I think that is something India will look at moving forward.”Shreyanka Patil, I love the way she plays her cricket. She comes to the wicket and you always feel like you are in a battle with her. Yastika [Bhatia] for us, I think she has got a fine future ahead. The more [the WPL] is seen across India, more girls are going to be inspired to play the game.”

Barcelona have sought to ease any contract fears surrounding Lamine Yamal, with the 17-year-old "genius" ready to emulate Lionel Messi once again.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Can sign senior deal when turning 18
• Paperwork has been prepared
• Blaugrana expect to keep top talents

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The record-breaking youngster has been following in Messi’s illustrious footsteps since stepping out of the same La Masia academy system in Catalunya. He is already a European Championship winner with two La Liga title triumphs to his name.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Yamal is considered to have become one of the best players on the planet, with Ballon d’Or recognition seemingly only a matter of time. Questions have, however, been asked of his long-term future.

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Barca are understandably keen to bring that debate to a close, with Yamal free to sign a lucrative senior contract once turning 18 in July. Paperwork is ready to be signed, with Joan Laporta confident that another homegrown star will snub any interest from afar – as Argentine icon Messi once did.

• WHAT JOAN LAPORTA SAID

  Blaugrana president Laporta told of Yamal: "He is a genius who enjoys Barca, who has friends at Barca and who, in addition, is part of this generation that has lived with his team-mates a lot. He is a player of superlative individual talent, but he is also a team player and he is comfortable.

  "He also has an agent, Jorge Mendes, with whom we have easy communication. His renewal is practically already agreed, it only requires its ratification.

  "At Barca we pay players to the right extent of their abilities. We are a club that pays well. We also say that there is nowhere better than Barca. Another thing is the analysis that they can’t all play in the same team and you can’t have all the good players in the world. And that’s where the key to the team lies.

  "Lamine is a player who can succeed anywhere. We know. It happened to me with Leo Messi, who Inter wanted. And we ended up deciding together, including Leo’s father, that Barca would have the best project. And so it has been because he became the best in history. Lamine, at 17 years old, is one of the best in the world. He is comfortable and so is his family."

Even with an 18-point lead at the top of Division One and facing bottom-of-the-table Northamptonshire at home, Surrey arrived into this penultimate match of the season wary of complacency. At the Kia Oval, in weather confirming summer was really over, it was Tom Lawes, one of their own, who stepped up to maintain standards.Northamptonshire closed on 171 for the loss of 6, Lawes’ nagging, surprisingly brisk seamers responsible for half of them. A simple equation is two wins give Surrey the title, which is all they care about. The fine print for the rest of us is that victory with three bonus points puts the onus on second-place Essex to win to keep the County Championship alive. Across a bitty 63.4 overs, when the usually reliable senior figures were a little off with the ball, Lawes’ 3 for 47 has not only helped bag two of those bonus points but moved the game along with rain set to play its unwelcome part for the rest of the week.Rory Burns won his first toss in five, inserting the visitors in as grim conditions as possible without being bad enough to prevent play from starting on time. The skies were overcast enough to require the floodlights at full beam at 10:30am. And the sharp winds that persisted throughout the day were fierce enough for the flags sitting atop the Micky Stewart Pavilion to be brought down.At another time, Burns would have needed to reinforce his hairband before heading out onto the field. Alas, the flowing 14-inch locks are no more, shorn for a good cause to make a natural wig for The Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or to other conditions.Related

• Kohler-Cadmore marks ODI call-up with eight sixes in 31 balls

• Prest's maiden ton holds up five-star Harmer

• Second-day washout increases Kent relegation worries

• Matt Critchley makes 99 as Essex pile on the runs before rain frustrates title bid

• Adam Rossington hundred lays platform for title-chasing Essex

Given the climes, and prolific new-ball duo of Kemar Roach and Dan Worrall going up against a batting line-up that has only managed four bonus points all season, this was surely going one way. And yet 13 overs in, neither had caused Hassan Azad or Emilio Gay any discomfort, barring a delivery from Worrall that leapt off a length and clocked Azad on the jaw of his grille.At 29 for no loss, both left-handed openers would have been satisfied with their early work. But Surrey are not where they are because of the work of just two bowlers. Enter Jordan Clark, who needed just four deliveries to move to the top of the club’s wicket-taking charts with a 47th dismissal of the season as Gay flicked down the leg side to Ben Foakes.Azad, however, trucked on, typically barnacle-like in approach. He has long been about accumulation through survival, but that throwback approach has been found wanting this season, as per the average of 16.15 from 14 innings heading into this match. Nevertheless, on a day like today, stickability was the name of the game and, together with Karun Nair – one of two Indian batters in this match after Sai Sudharsan was handed a debut in place of Jamie Smith away on England duty – compiled a 55-run stand from 24.2 overs.There was a whiff of general sadness when Azad fell, short-arming Worrall behind with an apologetic pull, wary of the man lurking around the corner at leg gully. Not for the first time this season, the short-ball did for him, two shy of a second half-century of the season.Nair, meanwhile, was able to bring up his own in 108 deliveries, and will recommence his innings on Tuesday thanks largely to a life given to him by Jamie Overton when on 11, off the bowling of Worrall. That is likely to be more stop-start than day one, which featured just one shower stopping play for two hours from 1:30pm.Nevertheless, a relatively frustrating day for Surrey carried cheer beyond the wickets. Overton pulled up five deliveries into his second over with what looked like a twinge to his left groin. In the immediacy, their depth covered for the loss as he walked off and Burns brought himself on to send the final delivery down the leg side. Lawes plugged the gap from the Vauxhall End, eventually prising out Luke Procter with a length delivery that lifted and left the visiting skipper.By then, Overton had returned to the field, taking a regulation catch at second slip. And just to reiterate his bloody-mindedness, he was back bowling by the 57th over, rapping Saif Zaib on the hand before nicking him off two deliveries later with a full ball that arched away late.It was the second of three dismissals in 25 deliveries, sandwiched between Lawes removing Keogh – another catch for Overton – and yorking Lewis McManus. Overton should have had a third when Justin Broad fended some extra bounce behind, which Foakes could only tip over the bar.At 5:22pm, bad light stopped play and no doubt Surrey were rueing what looked set to be a procession of the remaining Northants wickets to make up for the early, Zaib-led resistance as they walked off. Remarkably, the clouds had parted enough to allow through what remained of the sun to give us a 5:38pm restart, with an optimistic 12 overs remaining.Six minutes later, back came the clouds and off went the players. The only play of note was a ninth boundary to Nair, driven through extra cover, to take him to a second half-century for Northants.

After opting to bat first, South Africa were 24 for 4 in the 12th over, and then allowed Australia to score 74 for 2 in the first ten overs of the chase

Vishal Dikshit16-Nov-20232:11

Where did South Africa fall short?

It was the first ten or so overs in either innings that decided the semi-final in Kolkata on Thursday. Being 24 for 4 in under 12 overs after opting to bat and then letting Australia race away to 74 for 2 in ten overs in a chase of just 213 decided, or turned, the game away from South Africa, in Temba Bavuma’s opinion. Bavuma lauded Australia’s “outstanding” performance in their tense three-wicket win in the World Cup semi-final, and conceded that South Africa fluffed their lines “quite badly” in those few overs.”Quite hard to put into words,” Bavuma said on the official broadcast after the game. “They were outstanding for a large part of the game and thoroughly deserved victory. Looking at the result, I think the way we started with the bat and the ball was probably the turning point. We lost it quite badly there and we always had to play catch-up to get ourselves back into the game.”Was it the conditions? Nerves? The quality of Australia’s attack? Bavuma said, “The conditions, combined with the quality of the attack. I thought [Josh] Hazlewood as well as [Mitchell] Starc upfront were ruthless. They exploited every bit of advantage that was presented to them with the conditions and they really put us under pressure. When you’re 4 for 24, you’re always going to struggle to get a competitive total.”Related

• 'It's a bit hollow' – South Africa's search for World Cup glory continues

• Australia are what Australia are, indefatigable and unyielding

• For South Africa, everything isn't enough

• Starc credits 'incredible' Hazlewood for helping assert Australia's powerplay dominance

• Australia edge low-scoring thriller to book spot in eighth ODI World Cup final

South Africa had opted to bat at Eden Gardens in pretty overcast conditions following a light drizzle. Australia’s quicks found some swing and bounce along with seam movement that helped them strike early, and keep striking. South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter, however, said it wasn’t easy to predict how the pitch would play out in the first hour or so of the game, and they were planning to put up a score much higher than 212.”To be honest, even the commentators that I’ve spoken to, no one could predict the pitch would play like that for the first 12 overs,” Walter said at the post-match press conference. “And had it played as we expected it to, then we would have backed ourselves to get 270. And once we got 270, because it was turning – you saw how much it spun in the evening – we knew that that was going to be our in into the game. And ultimately it was really, so we just didn’t have enough runs to work with so… Had those first ten overs looked a little bit different – it’s easy to say at the back end of losing – but I think the contest would have been a touch closer than it already was.”Even though South Africa were defending a modest total, they ran Australia close when their frontline spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj dismissed Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in a spell of high-class bowling that featured considerable turn. In that phase, Bavuma himself moved in as a close-in fielder under the helmet, and the ball flew off the edges at times.But before that, substitute fielder Reeza Hendricks had dropped Head on 40 in the 12th over and Quinton de Kock had nearly held on to a very tough chance off Steven Smith’s bat off Shamsi in the 18th over. There were two half-chances in the dying moments of the chase, too, off Aiden Markram’s bowling, when Australia were seven down. The first was when a push from Mitchell Starc landed short of Markram and the second was when Pat Cummins chipped the ball to midwicket and it landed just short of a diving David Miller.1:43

Steyn on Coetzee’s lion-hearted performance

“Definitely, we had chances, tough chances that we put down,” Bavuma said. “There were half-chances as well, but [they] bounced in front of us, maybe we could have been more proactive, getting guys in a bit closer, but I guess when the margins are like that, you need things to go your way. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that Australia put a good display of cricket out there.”While batting, South Africa were lifted by Miller after a wobbly start, as he carried them from 24 for 4 to 203 for 9 with a fighting 101 off 116 balls in which he sent Adam Zampa for four sixes. While lauding Miller’s effort, Bavuma also said he would have liked Heinrich Klaasen to get a bigger score than his 47 – Klaasen had a fifth-wicket stand of 95 with Miller and gave South Africa hopes of a more competitive total.”We were gaining some momentum with that partnership between David Miller and Klaasy,” Bavuma said. “We would have liked Klaasen to go on longer and we’ve seen how destructive he can be when he gets to the latter part of the innings. David Miller’s innings was superb, really captures the character of our team and for him to go and play like that in that pressure situation in a World Cup speaks about the player, not just his talent but his mental capacity.”Bavuma also saved special praise for 23-year-old fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, South Africa’s top wicket-taker in this World Cup with a tally of 20 at an average of 19.80. Coetzee had leaked 15 in his first over but his second spell saw a different side to the bowler, as he sent down eight overs for just 32 runs and picked up the wickets of Smith and Josh Inglis. That second spell showed that he could be a frontline bowler for South Africa in the coming years. He breached the 150kph barrier consistently, bowled variations with slower balls and sharp yorkers, and troubled batters with the around-the-wicket angle, and banged in some bouncers too.1:43

Moody: ‘Bavuma’s form a big hole in South Africa’s campaign’

“As a young guy, he really was the warrior for us,” Bavuma said of Coetzee. “I think at that time for the seamers there wasn’t much happening for him to be able to come around the wicket and bowl with the intensity and pressure that he did, and obviously get the big wicket of Steve Smith, get us back into the game, and him not wanting to let go off the ball. He kept on going, he was cramping but he kept going. He’ll be a big asset for South African cricket going forward.”There have been question marks around Bavuma – the batter, mainly, and the captain too – and they may not stop after he averaged just 18.12 in this World Cup while scoring 145 runs, that too with a strike rate of just 73.60. His top score was just 35 in eight innings and his four-ball duck in the semi-final won’t work in his favour. But he has the backing of Walter for the way he led South Africa.”I just told him how proud I am of him. You know, he marshalled the troops this evening unbelievably well. To get the game close, I thought strategically the way he operated along with obviously the sort of the senior heads around him on the field, the different pressures created through the field positions, I thought it was an excellent effort to defend that score,” Walter said. “But, beyond that, you know, sometimes [it’s] not easy to walk through a tournament when you aren’t delivering yourself but the batters around you are, but the important thing is that we operate as a unit. He was the lead man that got us into this tournament in the first place, I think people forget that, so I just wanted to make sure that he was aware of how important he is in this team and how proud I am of his efforts and the way he led throughout the tournament.South Africa still haven’t reached an ODI World Cup final despite reaching the semi-finals in 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and now, in 2023.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly demanding €98 million (£82.5m/$109m) from Kylian Mbappe for his "delaying tactics" as their court battle continues.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Mbappe claiming €55m in unpaid wagesPSG file lawsuit demanding €98mTrial to take place on May 26Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to PSG filed a counterclaim in the Paris Judicial Court on Monday, requesting the cancellation of a €55m (£46m/$60m) seizure order that Mbappe had successfully placed on his former club’s accounts in April. Lawyers representing PSG argued that the legal basis for the seizure was flawed, as they believe Mbappe failed to demonstrate that the debt was clearly owed or that there was an imminent risk of non-payment.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

In response, Mbappe’s legal camp defended the precautionary seizure and reiterated that only a fraction of the amount owed had been recovered. According to his lawyer, Thomas Clay, just €14m out of the claimed €55m had been retrieved during the process, and the rest needs to be paid up.

WHAT ARE THE TWO PARTIES SAYING

Renaud Semerdjian, one of the club’s legal representatives, told that the new €98m demand was not necessarily intended to be enforced. Rather, it was meant to challenge the legitimacy of Mbappé’s initial claim.

"Kylian Mbappe owes PSG money through the delaying tactics that have caused him harm," he said. "He has not provided sufficient evidence of an apparent debt and failed to demonstrate any threat to recovery. The purpose is not to recover the €98m but to show that if he owes us money, his claim is unfounded. Mbappe demanded the world from PSG, received it, and then tried to run away and steal it all, hoping no one would notice. Simply because he is Kylian Mbappe. The great irony is that the player mocked the club that gave him everything, saying he was not 'Kylian Saint-Germain'."

However, his legal team fired back and Clay has asked: "Where is the money? It wasn't that easy to seize; the banks refused. We are dealing with the sovereign state of Qatar that permanently finances this club. There is a risk of recovery when there is a lack of transparency in the accounts, and we know the difficulties with the states."

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR PSG & MBAPPE?

After months of back-and-forth accusations and legal manoeuvres, the end of the saga may finally be in sight. The Paris Judicial Court is expected to deliver its ruling on May 26, a decision that could either vindicate Mbappe’s financial claims or validate PSG’s defence and counterclaim.

With Australia now holding an eight-points-to-nil lead, the best England can hope for is to win both remaining T20s and the Test to draw the series

Valkerie Baynes20-Jan-2025

Beth Mooney acknowledges her half-century•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Injury-hit Australia retained the Women’s Ashes after Beth Mooney’s assured innings led them to a thumping 57-run victory in the first T20I at the SCG.A spirited 59 off 30 balls by Sophia Dunkley kept England in the contest with superb placement and power after they were asked to equal their highest successful run chase in T20Is. But spin duo Alana King and Georgia Wareham claimed five wickets between them as England were bowled out for just 141 in 16 overs.The hosts were missing regular captain and keeper Alyssa Healy, who was ruled out with an injury to the same right foot in which she ruptured the plantar fascia at the T20 World Cup in October, and Ashleigh Gardner, the star of their 3-0 ODI series sweep, to a calf strain.It was the first time Australia had played a T20I without both Healy and Gardner in their XI in 12 years and the first international match both had missed since an ODI in February 2016. That gave young opener Georgia Voll her T20I debut after she had impressed in Australia’s ODI series against India in December, replacing Healy who had a knee injury at the time.But it was Mooney, also standing in as wicketkeeper for Healy, who anchored Australia to an impressive 198 for 7 in their 20 overs with her 51-ball 75 amid a spate of sloppy fielding from England. Tahlia McGrath was Australia’s next-best batter with a rapid-fire 26 from nine deliveries. Mooney also claimed two catches.With Australia now holding an eight-points-to-nil lead, the best England can hope for is to win both remaining T20s and the Test to draw the series, which would still see the hosts retain the trophy.While a crowd of 9,279 turned out on a pleasant Monday night in Sydney during the summer school holidays, the lopsided Ashes contest overall doesn’t auger particularly well for Cricket Australia’s hopes of luring a big crowd to the MCG for a day-night Test that could well be a total dead rubber.Handy replacementVoll planted her front foot and heaved the fourth ball she faced in T20Is – off Freya Kemp – powerfully over mid-on for four. A couple of fielding errors by England were exacerbated when Lauren Bell dropped Voll on 13. Bell couldn’t look as the ball ran down to fine leg for a second of three consecutive fours off Charlie Dean, bookended by two convincing slog-sweeps through square leg.But Bell made amends when she pinned Voll in front of leg stump for 21 off just 11 balls in the next over with the Australian burning a review in the process. Voll’s exit brought Phoebe Litchfield to the crease and, as she foretold in the lead-up to the match, she took a liking to England’s spin attack. She slammed legspinner Sarah Glenn’s third ball through cover for four, followed immediately by a stunning switch-hit for six over cover point.Beth Mooney swings into the leg side•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Mooney shinesMooney, meanwhile, rode her luck, dropped by wicketkeeper Amy Jones on 16 after overturning an lbw decision, she skied the last ball of Glenn’s opening over towards cover only to see the two close-by fielders watch it fall to the ground between them. But then Heather Knight saved England’s blushes straight after the drinks break with an excellent direct hit from mid-off to remove a diving Litchfield at the non-striker’s end as she chanced a single.England’s fielding picked up for a time, albeit from a low base, with Jones completing a sharp stumping to remove Ellyse Perry, Danni Wyatt-Hodge proving reliable running in from deep midwicket as Annabel Sutherland holed out and Maia Bouchier almost coming to grief with a good diving effort at long-off to prevent a four by McGrath. Bouchier appeared to hurt her shoulder badly but recovered to remain on the field. All the while, Mooney kept the Australian innings going apace. She brought up her fifty off 37 balls and she and McGrath helped themselves to 17 runs off Bell’s third over. While Sophie Ecclestone ended McGrath’s innings with an excellent delivery that dipped and skidded onto the stumps between the batter’s legs, Mooney pressed on until she was stumped strolling past a Kemp delivery, by which point, her work was done.Georgia Wareham and Alana King took five wickets between them•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Dunkley keeps England in itEngland’s pursuit began poorly when Bouchier sent the second ball of the innings, from Megan Schutt, straight to deep backward square and Wyatt-Hodge followed driving a Kim Garth outswinger to Litchfield in the slips. Dunkley picked off three sixes and 22 runs in all off Garth’s next over though. King, playing her first T20I in nearly two years, struck with her first ball, a short legbreak that beat Nat Sciver-Brunt’s attempted pull and clattered into middle stump. But Dunkley’s timing was superb as she picked gaps with precision and cleared the boundary four times. She raised her fifty off just 24 balls, the second-fastest scored against Australia in T20Is and equal to second-fastest in the format.King claimed her second wicket straight after drinks when Australia appealed to the DRS to remove Knight lbw trying to reverse-sweep and McGrath’s cutter crashing into Dunkley’s leg stump felt like the end for England. So it proved as the visitors lost their last five wickets for 25 runs in 3.1 overs with Wareham removing Jones, Ecclestone and Dean.