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Andy Zaltzman25-Feb-2013

Virender Sehwag, not for the first time in his extravagant career, stands on the cusp of history. To break Brian Lara’s Test innings record, the Delhi Devastator needs another 117 runs – equating to approximately 23 minutes’ batting at his standard scoring rate.I speculated in my first World Cricket Podcast exactly what bowlers must feel when attempting to combat Sehwag on a good batting pitch. Suffice it to say that if this innings continues long into day three, the International Court of Human Rights may become involved, and the phenomenal Indian opener may find himself charged with crimes against bowling humanity.For all the splendour Sehwag has once again given to the cricket-watching world, all record of this innings must be surreptitiously destroyed. What if impressionable young bowlers were to stumble upon evidence of the kind of abuse they may endure? What right-thinking parent would want their precious little baby bowler to grow up in such a heartless universe? Even bowling machines might refuse to bowl.How cricket has changed. As a schoolboy, I was an opening batsman. Not a good opening batsman but an opening batsman nonetheless. And, more importantly, an excruciatingly tedious one. I viewed it as my specific responsibility not to score runs, and to not score them over as long a period as possible.Steve Waugh used to talk of the “mental disintegration” of opponents. My approach to this task was to block full-tosses, leave wide half-volleys and pad up to long-hops until the opposition bowlers and fielders were on the verge of either tears or retirement. Sehwag embodies everything I could not even have imagined being possible as an opener.In fact, cricketing orthodoxy at the time was such that a boy was expelled from my school for scoring a run-a-ball 50, bringing disgrace to the school’s proud cricketing tradition with his morally wanton strokeplay. That story is not true, but it might as well have been, so it’s staying in the blog. No arguments.Sehwag may well break Lara’s record, but Angelo Mathews has already claimed his place in the record books, with the narrowest failure to score a century in Test history. Mathews was run out by approximately half a millimetre, after an agonising delay as the third umpire subjected the video footage to more intensive scrutiny than any piece of film since the JFK assassination.Being out for 99 is a strange form of personal sporting failure − you have basically succeeded, but the moment of disappointment is all the greater than if you had in fact properly failed. And being run out for 99 adds a piquant element of avoidable silliness to the failure.Mike Atherton suffered this partially abominable fate at Lord’s in 1993, when, turning for a seemingly simple third run, he was sent back by Mike Gatting, who had been temporarily transfixed by a supernatural vision of the world’s largest banoffee pie. Atherton slipped, Ian Healy Australianly whipped the bails off, and Gatting licked his lips, mumbling, “I have seen the future. And it’s covered in toffee and bananas.”Steve Waugh became an associate member of the Missing Out On A Test Century Due To Between-The-Wickets Incompetence in spectacular fashion, in the Perth Ashes Test of 1994-95. Twin brother Mark was acting as runner for Craig McDermott, went for an imbecilic single, ran himself/McDermott out, and left Steve one run short of another scrawling on another honours board. What were the brothers thinking to each other as they trudged off? The official Confectionery Stall guess is as follows:Mark: “That’ll teach you to make your Test debut four years before me.”
Steve: “Looks like I’ll be forgetting your birthday this year. I don’t care how easy it should be for me to remember it.”
Mark: “You’ve got to admit, it was objectively the funniest run-out in cricket history.”
Steve: “I’m going to tell Mum. You’re in trouble. I want my teddy.”
Mathews’ dismissal was the 67th time a batsman has been out for 99 in Test cricket, and the 14th time one has missed out on three-figure glory by virtue of being run out. Fourteen out of 67 – this is an extraordinary ratio, which illustrated the madness that can envelop the human soul when the tastily steaming baguette of personal triumph is within nibbling distance. Also, 20.9% of batsmen out for 99 have been run out – yet of the 59,237 Test dismissals that had occurred as of 5pm GMT on December 3, 2009, only 3.5% have been run-outs.Batsmen on 99 are thus six times more likely to run themselves out (or, perhaps, have a sadistic team-mate run them out), than batsmen who aren’t already mentally picturing charging around with their arms in the air, kissing their helmets, waving their bats at any available camera, and cuddling the non-striking batsman.There are statistics and there are statistics. And this statistic reveals the inherent nature of the human condition, and the potentially fatal pitfalls of personal ambition, as much as any play by Shakespeare. Arguably. Expect it to be on all school curriculums around the cricket-speaking world within months.

West Indies have created opportunities in both of their last two matches, but perhaps the memory of winning against a big team is too hazy for them to remember how to get over the line

Dileep Premachandran at the MA Chidambaram Stadium20-Mar-2011In May 2006, after India had edged a close game in Jamaica at the start of the one-day series, Greg Chappell, then the coach, suggested that West Indies had forgotten how to win. It prompted a furious response, and some West Indies players indicated that it had been the inspiration for a rousing comeback that sealed the series 4-1.Those were hardly glory days for West Indies – the subsequent Test series was lost in Kingston – but continuing poor results have meant that even the players have begun to acknowledge that the winning habit is a hazy memory.The task at Chepauk was not a straightforward run chase, especially with no Chris Gayle at the top of the order. But having done the hard work, with Devon Smith particularly impressive in crafting 81, the match was there to be won. When you are 154 for 2, needing less than a run a ball from the last 20 overs, it takes some pretty inept batting to throw it away.Darren Sammy is now as used to answering the collapse question as he is to losing tosses. “We created another opportunity, but couldn’t capitalise,” he said wearily. “It’s a good thing it didn’t happen in the knockout stage. If it had, we would be going home. It is worrying for us, but I back the calibre of players that we have.”Smith is exempt from criticism, bowled by a beautiful slower delivery from Zaheer Khan, but as India scented an opportunity, West Indies drilled holes instead of plugging leaks. Kieron Pollard, batting with a dislocated finger, went for the glory shot before he’d settled, and Sammy was run out in a comedy of errors involving him, Suresh Raina and Munaf Patel.Those left showed no inclination to take the game to the wire, and Ramnaresh Sarwan’s desperate swipe at Zaheer in the batting Powerplay summed up the collective lack of belief. There have been murmurs about the exclusion of Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the last two games, but it’s optimistic to see a man averaging 23.33 in the tournament, with a strike-rate of 58.82, as the panacea to batting ills.Ravi Rampaul’s five-wicket haul was one of the few positives from the game for West Indies•AFPSpare a thought for Ravi Rampaul. A benchwarmer until fever ruled Kemar Roach out, he produced a magnificent spell of bowling on a pitch that offered little more than some early bounce. Back in June 2009, when West Indies last beat a top-ranking nation [India, in Jamaica], Rampaul had taken 4 for 37. On Sunday, he topped that with 5 for 51.The reverse-swing special to get rid of a well-set Virat Kohli was eye-catching, as was the yorker with which he nailed Yusuf Pathan. It was yet another reminder to the line-and-length school of coaching that bending your back and bowling genuinely quick comes with its own rewards.Afterwards, Sammy admitted that Rampaul’s performance was one of the few things to take away from the defeat. “He has been on the bench, but he’s come in and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. That’s what you want from your team setup.”What you don’t want is to give dangerous batsmen too many reprieves. “We got success early on, and could have had Yuvraj [Singh] too,” Sammy said. “I was the culprit who dropped him both times.”Yuvraj had made just 9 and 13 when those chances went down, and his 122-run partnership with Kohli transformed the game. With Pakistan having played one of their best games of the tournament against Australia, such generosity is likely to be severely punished in Mirpur on Wednesday, when West Indies face them in the first quarter-final.Sammy is well aware of the threat. “Their captain [Shahid Afridi] has been performing, and some of the others have too. Hopefully, they’ll have their bad match against us, and we’ll bring our A game.”It’s been a long time since anyone saw it. But as they head to Bangladesh, the players could do worse than ask Richie Richardson, the manager, to tell them about 1996. Then too, West Indies qualified fourth out of their group and were given next to no chance against a rampant South Africa.A Brian Lara epic followed, and Sammy will hope that a fit-again Chris Gayle or a Darren Bravo can emulate him as a once-great side tries to rediscover the winning feeling.

For all the flaws in the Asia Cup, there lies a positive for India: it provides their fast bowlers with a constructive challenge

Sidharth Monga in Karachi01-Jul-2008

For all the flaws in the Asia Cup, there is a positive for India: it provides their fast bowlers with the challenge of improving their bowling on cruelly lifeless subcontinental pitches. There will be no better place to learn than in Karachi: nine of the last 14 ODIs here have featured totals over 300, and three over 280. With this tournament in off-season conditions, the pitches have lacked the little life they usually do. The heat has rendered the bowlers even more ineffective and the evening breeze has rarely brought swing.In all this the Indian fast bowlers, who look close to being the best bowling attack on helpful pitches outside the subcontinent, somehow lack the nous required to prise out wickets. It might be a harsh criticism but this is one of the weaknesses of an Indian team that has threatened the world order with its recent performances. “After all they are the same bowlers who did exceptionally well in Australia in conditions more conducive to bowling,” Gary Kirsten, India’s coach, said after the training session at the National Bank of Pakistan Stadium ahead of Wednesday’s Super Four clash against Pakistan.A case in point was RP Singh’s transformation from being incisive in Australia to innocuous in home Tests against South Africa. Admittedly the pitches, bar the Kanpur Test, were not great, but that is the area where the great subcontinental fast bowlers manage to play a role. While Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar haven’t played enough in the subcontinent, the statistics of RP, Sreesanth and Zaheer Khan are revealing: in 30 ODIs in Asia RP has given away runs at 5.43 per over, while in 10 matches in Europe his economy-rate comes down to 4.50. Zaheer’s economy-rate of 5.10 in Asia comes down to 4.47 in Africa and 4.67 in Australia and New Zealand. In England and Ireland, though, he has given away runs at 5.01 per over.In Tests, the contrast becomes even more stark. RP averages 47.33 in Tests in the subcontinent, as opposed to an overall 39.10. The corresponding figures for Zaheer are 37.46 and 33.60. Although Sreesanth has more consistent stats for ODIs, he averages 38.84 in Tests in Asia. His overall average is 31.46. Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, two of the greatest bowlers to have come from the subcontinent, managed to stay just as good in Asia as outside – their stats in fact were better in Asia.”The wicket is very flat,” Kirsten said. “It is not easy to strike on this wicket. But yes we have come up with certain ideas on what we need to do. We have spent some time with the bowlers, and we believe in these bowlers. We need to do some hard work on these wickets, and we are sure the bowlers will do that.”This new crop of Indian fast bowlers is an antithesis of their predecessors, who were good at home, but were unable to use the conditions as well as opposition bowlers when away. One of the reasons could be that most of the current lot were picked at a fairly young age, not having had to bowl for hours on flat pitches in domestic cricket. There are tricks to be learnt in domestic cricket that they might have missed out on. Also, their forte has been the conventional swing, as opposed to reverse-swing. And in the subcontinent conventional swing at times doesn’t even last ten overs, which in part explains India’s problems once the ball in 30-overs old.These bowlers have now been thrown into the worst possible conditions for pace bowlers. In 72 overs so far in the Asia Cup, they have given away 398 runs, and have taken only six wickets between them. They haven’t looked like getting early breakthroughs at all, but surely by the end of this they would have learned a thing or two about bowling in the subcontinent. Wasim and Waqar are doing commentary, and shouldn’t mind their brains being chewed either.India were the favourites going into the tournament, and going into the final stages they have lived up to the billing. The only concern has been the bowlers, and if they do manage to win on Wednesday, it will be a sweeter feeling if it’s the fast bowlers who set it up.

The Italian media has blasted Virgil van Dijk for his failure to control Rafael Leao during Milan's 4-2 pre-season win over Liverpool in Hong Kong.

Leao provided a goal and an assistVirgil given 4.5/10 for performance.Slot insists Liverpool are solid at the backFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

were harsh in their criticism of the Dutch centre back, giving Van Dijk a rating of 4.5/10 for his performance in Saturday's loss. Liverpool did struggle to contain Leao's threat, with the Portuguese star scoring once and setting up another goal for the Rossinieri. named Leao as the player of the match for his performance.

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Italy's leading sports paper said the Portugese "demolished" van Dijk. Typically operating on the wing, the makeshift striker impressed nonetheless, with Gazzetta writing, "He [Leao] hasn’t yet become a natural centre-forward, but not even Van Dijk was able to stop him when he sprinted."

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool's strength at centre half has been brought under question. Van Dijk started the game alongside Ryan Gravenberch, while Ibrahima Konate spent the second half in a makeshift partnership with left back Kostas Tsimikas. The sale of Jarrell Quansah, Joe Gomez's persistent injury woes and a rare sub-par performance from Van Dijk are causes for concern. Arne Slot, however, insists the Reds are suitably stocked at centre half for their Premier League title defence. He told reporters: "I don’t think we have a concern at centre-back."

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Liverpool will look to put the disappointing result behind them when they finish their pre-season tour of Asia with a tie against Yokohama FC on Wednesday.

Leao and Milan can build on a promising performance when they square off with Perth Glory on Thursday.

Neymar has contradicted Carlo Ancelotti’s explanation for his Brazil absence, claiming that snub has “nothing to do with my physical condition”.

• Santos superstar overlooked for qualifiers
• Eager to grace World Cup finals next summer
• Adamant that he is nursing on injury issues

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 33-year-old superstar was one of several household names to be left out of the latest Selecao squad. Neymar is back in his homeland at Santos and eager to grace the World Cup finals next summer.

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  He will not be gracing the final rounds of qualifiers ahead of that event, with Brazil already assured of their tickets to FIFA’s flagship event, with the decision taken to leave him out of meetings with Chile and Bolivia.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ancelotti claimed that Neymar was overlooked due to another knock, with the Italian coach saying: “Neymar isn't in this second squad because he had a minor problem last week, but he doesn't need to prove anything. Everyone knows Neymar, the national team, and all the Brazilian fans. Neymar, like everyone else, needs to be in good physical shape to help the team perform well and try to give their best at the World Cup.”

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  WHAT NEYMAR SAID

  Neymar insists he is fully fit, telling reporters after lining up against fellow Brazil legend Thiago Silva in Santos’ goalless draw with Fluminense: “I had swelling in my adductor muscle. It was annoying, but nothing serious, I even played today. Against Bahia, I wasn't going to play (suspension) so they preferred to keep me out of training so I could recover.

  “I think I was left out (by Brazil) for technical reasons, I think it has nothing to do with my physical condition.”

GOAL breaks down expectations for U.S. Internationals ahead of the upcoming European season, with a look at Germany's top flight

Americans and the Bundesliga – there's so much history there. When many of Europe's top leagues were afraid to take chances on American soccer's top stars, Germany never shied away. It's why so many careers  started in Germany's top flight and why so many U.S. men's national team stars will have fond memories of big Bundesliga matches.

Things have changed, of course, but some stayed the same. Heading into the new season, there are plenty of Americans scattered throughout the Bundesliga and, while there may be fewer by the time the transfer window closes, Germany's top flight remains one of the best proving grounds for the USMNT's best players.

From World Cup veterans to young stars itching for a breakout, there's no shortage of storylines to watch this season. There's a focus on who has arrived and who may still leave, but this season should be another dynamic one on the field, given the sheer variety of American players all over the league.

Ahead the European season, GOAL takes a closer look at the expectations for Americans Abroad. Next up: the Bundesliga.

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Getty ImagesMalik Tillman, Bayer Leverkusen

After making his big summer move from PSV, Malik Tillman will be feeling the weight of expectations as he's tasked with helping replace a superstar.

Tillman alone can't replicate what Florian Wirtz provided. Few can, which is why Liverpool broke the bank to sign him. Tillman, though, is one hell of an attacking midfielder, one that seemingly gets better every year – and that's why Bayer Leverkusen used a chunk of that Wirtz to bring the midfielder over to Germany.

Now, Tillman will join a legitimate Bundesliga contender, one that knocked Bayern off their perch just two seasons ago. Much has changed since, both on the field and on the sidelines with Xabi Alonso's departure this summer, but make no mistake: Leverkusen is up near the top of this league.

It'll now be up to Tillman to show he is, too. He stepped up massively with the USMNT at this summer's at the Gold Cup, which should give him a confidence boost heading into the season, despite some fitness issues. Tillman is now on a bigger stage than he was before, one that could allow the 23-year-old midfielder – coming off a breakout Gold Cup performance – to blossom into a legitimate World Cup starter.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportJoe Scally, Borussia Monchengladbach

Scally was part of that group of regulars left off the USMNT squad this summer, and that'll likely light a fire under him. Not that he really needs it in the Bundesliga, to be fair, as he's been a steady defender in Germany's top flight for several years now.

Just 22, Scally already has 120 Bundesliga appearances for Gladbach. He's proven time and time again that he's a player who can play at this level. More specifically, he's proven he can defend at this level, which is his No. 1 task at Gladbach. As a mid-table team, Gladbach doesn't need anything particularly flashy, they just need stability.

Scally, by and large, provided that for the USMNT, but the U.S. also needs something a bit more. It's why the return of Sergino Dest is so anticipated. Stylistically, Scally and Dest are polar opposites, which is what makes that fullback situation so interesting. To remain in that battle, Scally likely has to just continue what he's always done but, if he can add a bit more on the attacking end this season, that would go a long way.

GettyGio Reyna, Cole Campbell and Mathis Albert, Borussia Dortmund

Get your bets in, everyone. Which of these three is most likely to actually play for Dortmund this season?

It may not be Reyna, who has been due for an exit for a long time. He played just 12 minutes at the Club World Cup this summer after playing just 341 league minutes last season.

His progress has been stunted by a series of injuries and a lack of minutes, which is why he's been so widely linked with a Dortmund exit all summer long. When that exit comes is anyone's guess but, after seeing his No. 7 given to Jobe Bellingham, the writing is on the wall: Reyna's time with the club is over.

Campbell's may be too, as he is also linked with an exit. Stuttgart are reportedly ready to give him the first-team opportunity he isn't expected to get with his current club this season, but Dortmund still have high hopes for him down the line. It's a tricky scenario, one that could end with Campbell leaving the club for playing time, either on loan or permanently.

And then there's Albert, the 16-year-old rising star who was the youngest player at this summer's Club World Cup. He recently signed a new deal and is expected to spend this season with Dortmund's second team, having previously done well for the club's youth sides.

Can he earn a debut by season's end? It would be a huge rise, but not one that's impossible for the teenage winger.

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Getty Images SportKevin Paredes, Wolfsburg

It was a unfortunate, but injuries essentially wiped out Paredes' last season. Riding high off an Olympic run, he missed eight months, only returning for two appearances towards the tail end of Wolfsburg's season. It could have been a breakout year for the now-22-year-old winger. Instead, it was spent rehabbing in pursuit of a return to the field.

So what can he make of this season, then? Now fit, can Paredes now make his late push towards a World Cup spot?

It's certainly possible. Able to play anywhere on the left-hand side or even centrally in a pinch, Paredes is someone who can add plenty to a USMNT pool lacking difference-makers out wide. To be that player, he'll have to first show that he can do it with his club after missing his chance to do so last season.

The new system will have the TV umpire and Hawk-Eye operators in the same room, with more split screens, better frame rates and a less rigid process

Nagraj Gollapudi19-Mar-2024

To increase the accuracy and speed of decision-making, IPL 2024 will have the Smart Replay System.ESPNcricinfo has learned that under the Smart Replay System, the TV umpire will receive inputs directly from two Hawk-Eye operators who will be sitting in the same room as the umpire and provide him with images captured by Hawk-Eye’s eight hi-speed cameras across the ground. The TV broadcast director, who used to be a conduit between the third umpire and the Hawk-Eye operators until now, will no longer be involved under the new system.It is understood that the Smart Replay System will allow the TV umpire to refer to more visuals than they previously had access to, including split-screen images. Take the example of a relay catch taken mid-air by the first fielder on the boundary rope. In the past, the broadcaster was unable to provide a split screen of the fielder’s feet and hands at the precise moment when the ball was caught. Under the new system, a split screen can show the umpire when the ball was caught, or released, alongside synchronised footage of the feet.Related

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Similarly, a split screen can now show, in case of an overthrow that goes for four, whether the batters had crossed or not when the fielder released the ball (think 2019 World Cup final for an example of a specific use case). Previously the TV umpire did not get such clear visuals, primarily because the broadcaster couldn’t marry the two images.There are eight Hawk-Eye cameras at any match: two on each side of the ground on the straight boundaries and two on each side square of the wicket. Until IPL 2023, Hawk-Eye cameras were mainly used for ball tracking and UltraEdge. So, outside of checks for lbws and edges, the broadcaster largely used footage from their own cameras for any on-field referral. That included referrals for stumpings, run-outs, catches and overthrows.In the case of a stumping referral, under the Smart Review System, the TV umpire can ask the Hawk-Eye operators to show him the split screen. In case there is a visible gap when the ball passed bat, he will not ask for the UltraEdge (to see if it was a caught behind) and instead directly proceed to check the side-on replay for the stumping. If the TV umpire doesn’t see a clear gap between bat and ball, only then he will refer to UltraEdge.For stumpings, the new system will show the TV umpire tri-vision – essentially footage from side-on cameras as well as from front-on in a single frame. The front-on camera angle is important because it gives an accurate picture of bails being removed. Previously the broadcaster would show the side-on angle from each side along with footage from Stump Cam. But Stump Cam records the action at a low speed of approximately 50 frames per second, as opposed to the Hawk-Eye cameras which record at approximately 300 frames per second, meaning there will now be more accurate footage for the umpires to base their decision on.The Smart Review System is also likely to provide more clarity in the case of a catch taken inches off the turf. Such referrals have in the past sparked debate over the TV umpire’s decision, with the video evidence upon which that decision was based seemingly not conclusive. Under the old system, the TV umpire would ask the TV director to provide him with the best angle available to provide clarity on whether the ball bounced before the fielder pouched it or if the fingers were under the ball. Even the zoomed-in visuals did not always provide conclusive evidence.Now, under the Smart Review System, Hawk-Eye will show a single frame straightaway with images from front-on and side-on angles. The TV umpire can then choose to zoom in from a particular angle.It is understood that the conversations between the TV umpire and the Hawk-Eye operator are likely to be aired live, allowing the viewer to understand the thought process behind decisions better.Speed of play is critical in T20 cricket, and the Smart Review System aims to hop over unnecessary steps to arrive at the right decision in the smallest amount of time. One good example is lbw reviews. The protocol so far involves the TV umpire being provided initially with Spin Vision, which comes from a camera that is positioned in front of the wickets outside the boundary on each side of the pitch. If the ball is close to the bat, the TV umpire would then ask to check UltraEdge. Once satisfied there was no bat involved, he would then proceed to check ball tracking. Under the Smart Review System, if the Hawk-Eye operator spots that the ball had pitched outside leg, he will tell the TV umpire immediately and they will then prioritise ball tracking.The ECB has previously trialled a similar referral system in the Hundred.The BCCI conducted a two-day workshop on the new system in Mumbai on Sunday and Monday for select umpires. It is learned that about 15 umpires, comprising both Indian and overseas umpires, will work with the Smart Replay System during IPL 2024 which starts on March 22.

England striker and captain Harry Kane has delivered a powerful message of support to the Lionesses as they prepare to launch their UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 title defence. Kane expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to bounce back from World Cup disappointment and reclaim their dominance on the European stage. The women’s national team begins their tournament with a high-stakes encounter against France in Zurich.

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• Lionesses set for Euro title defence
• Tough group stage fixtures await
• Kane backed them to conquer Europe again

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Group C, which England shares with former European champions the Netherlands and first-time participants Wales, has been dubbed the "group of death." Every fixture poses a serious test for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who will need to be at their absolute best to navigate the early stages.

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  Kane recalled with pride the historic scenes at Wembley Stadium during the Euro 2022 final when England defeated Germany 2-1 after extra time, with goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly ensuring their first-ever major tournament victory. Drawing inspiration from that historic triumph, he believes that the current squad has the same mentality and talent not only to emerge from the group but also to go the distance and retain their European crown.

• WHAT KANE SAID

  Speaking to Kane said: "I was at Wembley for the Euro 2022 Final and saw the Lionesses lift the trophy. They were amazing scenes, and the ground was rocking at the final whistle. I was incredibly proud of what they achieved. Knowing how much hard work goes into being a professional athlete, for them to be able to bring it home was special.

  “We saw what that did for the game and how it brought the entire country together. It was brilliant to see the nation coming together when they made it to the World Cup final, too."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  While England soared to new heights in the 2022 European Championship, their recent World Cup journey ended in heartbreak. The Lionesses reached the final in Sydney, only to be narrowly beaten by Spain, thanks to a decisive first-half strike from Olga Carmona.

  "It was a shame about the result that day, but I’m sure they will do well at this summer’s tournament," he said.

  "I’d love to see them win the Euros for a second time and defend the trophy. I wish them all the best and hope they can bring it home. I’ll be watching and cheering them on. They deserve it.”

Joao Pedro has made his preference clear amid a high-profile tug-of-war between Chelsea and Newcastle. The £60 million-rated Brighton star is leaning toward a move to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea intensifying negotiations after their initial £58 million bid was rebuffed by the Seagulls. The Brazilian forward is now the Blues’ top target after they seal the deal for Jamie Gittens.

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Chelsea and Newcastle show interest in PedroBrighton star would prefer move to ChelseaChelsea pushing for second bid for the forwardFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Pedro is edging closer to a Chelsea transfer after making the Blues his preferred destination, as per The Daily Mail. Newcastle made two separate approaches earlier this summer, but both were turned down by Brighton. Chelsea’s latest bid of £58 million was also rejected, yet talks remain ongoing with optimism that a deal could be struck above the £60 million mark, while the Seagulls continue to hold out for £60 million ($82m).

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Chelsea are focused on securing Pedro’s signature as part of their aggressive summer overhaul as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Blues have almost finalised a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Gittens and previously brought in Liam Delap. Newcastle remain interested but face losing out due to Chelsea’s momentum and Pedro’s clear preference. Brighton, meanwhile, are preparing for life without their star attacker.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pedro joined Brighton from Watford in 2023 and has since emerged as one of the Premier League’s most versatile young forwards. In 70 appearances for the Seagulls, he has scored 30 goals across all competitions, showcasing an ability to play as a striker, second forward, or wide attacker. Additionally, the Brazilian has scored 20 goals in all competitions in the 2024/25 season, including 10 in the Premier League — his best domestic return to date.

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Chelsea will now aim to reach an agreement with Brighton by sweetening their offer and finalising personal terms with the player. With Newcastle’s interest fading and Pedro pushing for the move, a deal could be finalised swiftly. Brighton, for their part, are unlikely to budge on their £60m valuation as they look to maximise the fee for one of their top assets.

The Herons shared the spoils with the Egyptian giants in a chaotic opening to FIFA's hallmark club tournament

Lionel Messi hit the post twice, and his goalkeeper saved a first half penalty at the other end, but neither side found the net as Inter Miami and Al Ahly opened the Club World Cup with a 0-0 draw that certainly didn't lack excitement.

"We fought until the end. We showed great character," head coach Javier Mascherano told DAZN after the match.

It was very much a tale of two halves, the Egyptian giants dominating the first, before Miami took over in the second. Still, a crucial moment of quality never arrived, and the teams settled for what might be an agreeable point.

Al Ahly should have taken the lead early, but Oscar Ustari made back-to-back saves after well-crafted moves from the Egyptian side. The veteran Argentine was called upon a third time after 32 minutes, making an instinctive stop from a free header to keep things level. Trezeguet had a chance to take the lead shortly before the half with a penalty after being fouled by Telasco Segovia, but Ustari came up with another massive moment – denying him from the spot.

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woke up in the second half. They looked like a far more disciplined unit after the break, with Lionel Messi at the center of it all. The Argentine orchestrated the remainder of the proceedings. He came close midway through the second half, curling a free kick just outside the post.

Miami had further chances. Fafa Picault forced a wonderful save out of the keeper. The Al Ahly keeper provided again in stoppage time, denying first Messi and then Maxi Falcon from back-to-back corners.

"Obviously, we wanted to win, because we know how important it is to start with a win. But I am happy with the performance of the team," Mascherano said.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Hard Rock Stadium…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Oscar Ustari (8/10):

Made a few ridiculous saves in the first half and stopped a penalty to keep his side in it. Wonderful in goal.

Ian Fray (7/10):

Outrun and outmatched for half an hour, but settled in thereafter.

Maxi Falcon (6/10):

Chaotic and frenetic throughout. Came up with some big tackles, yet also almost cost his side on numerous occasions due to some woeful positioning.

Tomas Aviles (5/10):

Did an excellent job of trying to get himself sent off. Deservedly removed at the break after turning in a night to forget.

Noah Allen (6/10):

A tidy performance on the left, as Al Ahly had little joy down his wing.

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Federico Redondo (7/10):

Work rate cannot be questioned. The loss of Yannick Bright wasn't too badly felt.

Sergio Busquets (6/10):

Easily bypassed in the midfield in the first half. More in control after, and linked up with Messi.

Telasco Segovia (5/10):

Gave away a mind-numbingly silly penalty, which was pretty much his only impact on the game. Fortunate that Trezeguet missed.

Tadeo Allende (5/10):

Not his best showing. Didn't really get involved until after the break and went off without making too much of an impact.

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Lionel Messi (8/10):

Absolutely clattered on a couple of occasions in the first half. Ran the game in the second and was unfortunate not to score a winner.

Luis Suarez (6/10):

Showed a few moments of quality, but was otherwise sparingly involved.

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GettySubs & Manager

Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):

He wasn't exactly composed, but Miami was better defensively with his influence after the break

Benjamin Cremaschi (5/10):

Didn't offer much other than fresh legs.

Fafa Picault (N/A):

Had a strong chance in front of goal but saw his header tipped over the bar late.

Javier Mascherano (6/10):

Watched his side get absolutely battered in the first half. Got a much better performance out of them in the second, and will feel that his team deserved three points.