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Scott Boland could not hide the smirk on his face.Not long after he had scythed through New South Wales to take a match-winning 5 for 67 to go with his 3 for 59 in the first innings to help Victoria claim a thrilling Sheffield Shield win at the Junction Oval, Boland was asked the obvious question in his post-match conversation with a group of reporters.Boland was asked if he had seen former England captain Michael Atherton write in the that he “holds no fear” for England’s batting line-up based on how they played him in England two years ago.”I saw it. My cousin sent it to me. He [Boland’s cousin] was taking the piss,” Boland said. “I’m sure there’s going be so much banter between the former players in between now and the first Test and even the end of the summer.”Related

• Konstas wins the battle, Boland wins the match for Victoria

• Stuart Broad: 'Worst Australian team since 2010-11'

• Boland's MCG heroics more relevant than 2023 Ashes blip

• Cummins 'running out of time' as Perth D-day looms

He was asked if it motivated him at all ahead of the Ashes.”Not really,” Boland said. “I’ve got my own internal motivations for what I want to do for the summer. I’ve never gone into a game where I’m just middling along. I guess there’s always some motivation for me to try and either come into the team and try to put in a really good performance, to try and keep my spot. There’s so many good fast bowlers in Australia that you just don’t want to give anyone an inch. So that’s sort of my goal when I’m playing Test cricket.”Boland, 36, always speaks like a man on the outside looking in. But right now, he is actually an incumbent in Australia’s Test XI having played in their last Test match in Jamaica in place of Nathan Lyon as part of a four-man pace attack. In fact, he took a Test hat-trick in the last Test over he bowled.And it’s looking increasingly likely that he will retain his spot even though Lyon is set to return for the first Test against England in Perth, with skipper Pat Cummins saying it’s “less likely than likely” he will be fit to play as he continues a slow recovery from a back injury.Boland said he had not spoken to Cummins in several months. But he was not expecting the skipper to miss all five Tests.”Patty’s so resilient,” Boland said. “He can play through a little bit of pain if he has some. Those guys play so much cricket there’s bound to be games where someone misses out. But if Pat happens to not play the first game, we’ve got a pretty handy incoming in at some stage during the summer.”Boland is primed if he is called upon for the first Test. Like a prized race horse ahead of the Melbourne Cup, he seems to have timed his preparation down to the minute. He is pain free and without strapping on his knees for the first time in several years after a block of strength work in the gym following the Caribbean tour. His former Victoria team-mate and now Australia coach Andrew McDonald had challenged him to rethink the way he trained to become even more resilient as he ages.He bowled impressively in the opening Shield game of the summer against South Australia at Adelaide Oval last week and then backed it up with eight wickets at the Junction Oval. But he was frustrated with his performance this week having been far more expensive than usual. He conceded a tick over 4.1 runs per over across 30.4 overs in the match as the New South Wales batters looked to attack him, with Sam Konstas reverse ramping him for six in the second innings.With 0 for 54 to his name from 9.5 overs in the second innings, Atherton’s words felt prescient. But Boland found another gear, snaking a stunning delivery back through the gate to bowl the dangerous Oliver Davies for 64. He took 5 for 13 from his final 35 deliveries, including clattering the stumps twice more, to win the game for his state.”I knew the game was on the line,” Boland said. “I didn’t feel like I’d… not that I’d let the team down, but I hadn’t bowled as well as I wanted to for the whole week.”I just think it’s just a minor thing in my run up. I’m probably just stressing a little bit too much from what I usually do. But I know sometimes that just happens. I just want to find my rhythm as quick as I can in the game. And sometimes it happens in half a spell. Sometimes it takes a bit longer. This game just took a little bit longer, but I still felt like I was able to hang in there enough to bowl some spells when I’m getting wickets for the team.”Scott Boland took eight wickets for Victoria in their last Sheffield Shield game•Getty Images

He also showed a rare sign of raw emotion. After knocking over Davies, he charged past him and glared at him with a guttural roar. It was out of character for a man who barely celebrated a Test hat-trick and it caught the eye of veteran New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd.”Yeah, interesting, wasn’t it,” Shipperd said. “I don’t know what might have led up to that, but it’s not the Scotty Boland I know.”Victoria coach Chris Rogers said Boland and Davies had some history and that Davies “likes to give as much as he gets” but Boland played a straight bat.”I was just excited to get a wicket,” Boland said. “I hadn’t got one for a while. But I know we’ve had some good contests. I played an Aussie A game with him last year. Really enjoyed his company. So nice fellow. We had some nice words for each other after the game.”Boland is set to rest from Victoria’s next Shield game against Tasmania but will return for round four against New South Wales at the SCG in a game that is likely to feature Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Lyon.”I’ve got two really good games of work into my body now,” Boland said. “My body’s feeling really good. No issues with any my knees or anything like that that have been little niggles in the past. So I’m really happy with how it’s tracking. It’d be nice to have a few days off now and get some strength back in, because I know that when I’m doing that, my body’s feeling great, and I feel like I can get through as many games as needed for the summer.”

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Novo executivo de futebol do Corinthians, Fabinho Soldado foi apresentado neste sábado (10), em coletiva realizada no CT Joaquim Grava. O profissional, que trabalhou durante anos na gestão de futebol do Flamengo, chega para ocupar a vaga deixada por Alessandro.

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Questionado sobre a chegada de reforços, Soldado admitiu que o clube enfrenta dificuldades no mercado. Na visão do dirigente, o Timão precisa trabalhar de maneira criativa para encontrar soluções dentro das condições da instituição.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

➡️ Falta de fluxo de caixa tem atrapalhado o Corinthians no mercado

– A dificuldade ela existe, de mercado. Vamos precisar ser criativos, já estamos sendo, pensar em soluções dentro das nossas condições para que a gente consiga reforçar a equipe, fazendo contratações pontuais e importante para que tenhamos um elenco mais qualificado. Isso vai passar pelo nosso treinador, tenho uma reunião com ele após o treino. Para olhar para dentro do nosso elenco, formatação em relação a quantidade, posição e até mesmo qualidade – afirmou Soldado.

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Na sequência, ele explicou as negociações com Matheuzinho e Igor Coronado. O lateral, que chegou a realizar exames médicos no clube, já tem um acordo há dias para assinar vínculo válido por quatro anos e aguarda detalhes finais para ser anunciado.

As negociações por Coronado estão em um estágio menos avançado. O meia tem interesse em vestir a camisa do Timão, mas as partes ainda discutem valores e tempo de contrato.

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– Matheuzinho está muito aberto. Tem o interesse no atleta, importante falar que o atleta está muito fechado com a gente, quer o Corinthians e estamos por detalhes. Estamos conversando com o Flamengo e esperamos resolver a situação. O atleta está com muita ansiedade em estar com a gente. Temos o desejo, o Flamengo também, mas enquanto não tem acerto não posso comentar – disse o dirigente.

– Sobre o Igor, a gente fala daquilo que está acerto. Não sei o que o a gente tem postado. A gente passa por vários nomes, o Igor é analisado como tantos atletas. A gente tem o trabalho proativo. Quando tiver algo concreto e fechado vou vir e comunicar para todos vocês – completou.

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CorinthiansFutebol Nacional

Arsenal are now looking to get ahead in the race to sign Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong, amid widespread interest from some top Premier League clubs.

The Gunners made it nine wins on the bounce in all competitions on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a 2-0 victory at Burnley, with their backline once again looking very strong, limiting the Clarets to an xG of just 0.41.

Goals from Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres secured all three points, with the latter bagging his first Premier League goal since September, displaying his striker’s instincts by nodding home from close range.

Mikel Arteta is very well-stocked in attacking areas on paper, although Gabriel Jesus has suffered persistent injury issues and Kai Havertz has featured just once in the Premier League this season due to a knee problem.

As such, it could make sense to bring in a new striker to compete for Gyokeres’ starting spot, and the north Londoners are now looking to sign a highly-rated young forward.

Arsenal looking to get ahead in Etta Eyong race

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal are now looking to get ahead in the race to sign Levante striker Etta Eyong, who is being targeted by a number of the Premier League’s top clubs, with Manchester City and Manchester United also keen.

Signing a new striker isn’t a priority for the Gunners, but the 22-year-old is of interest, and a release clause of around just €40m (£35m) means he would be an affordable option.

Ideally, however, the forward would prefer to play in La Liga, so it remains to be seen whether the interested English clubs are able to tempt him into a move.

Stan Kroenke & co clearly mean business, having set out to sign another striker, despite Arteta already having the likes of Gyokeres, Havertz and Jesus to choose from.

With Arsenal looking to compete on all fronts, however, it makes sense to have squad depth, and the Levante star could be an exciting addition, having been lauded as “powerful” by journalist Kai Watson.

The Cameroonian has certainly hit the ground running at Levante since arriving from Villarreal in the summer, scoring five goals in his opening seven games for the La Liga side, while he also has three assists to his name this season.

There are question marks over whether Etta Eyong would be a necessary signing, but he is showing very promising signs in La Liga, and £35m would be a reasonable fee.

Viktor Gyokeres named as one of the best strikers in the world Related The Best 15 Strikers in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the best number nine right now?

Posts ByCharlie Smith Nov 20, 2025

“There was a bit of confidence in our group when they only got 200 [203], thinking we’ve dragged them back here,” Hopes said

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-20251:53

Moody: Shreyas identified key moments to go into the fifth gear

The Punjab Kings [PBKS] batting unit, led by Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off 41 balls, will get all the plaudits after they topped Mumbai Indians’ [MI] 203 with an over to spare. But bowling coach James Hopes was also effusive in his praise of the PBKS bowling group, particularly the way they “just hung in there the whole night” on a belter of an Ahmedabad surface in Qualifier 2.Sent into bat, MI had raced to 65 for 1 inside the powerplay and regularly went at better than ten runs an over through the middle phase. But the PBKS bowlers struck at regular intervals to prevent the death-overs assault.”There was a stage where I reckon they [MI] were looking at 220, 225 and we just kept pegging them back at the right time,” Hopes said in a press conference after PBKS qualified for their first IPL final in 11 years. “We never went for that big over of 18, 19. We kept pegging them at 10, 11 knowing that we got Arshdeep [Singh] coming at the end and Azmatullah [Omarzai] bowled beautifully as well.Related

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Shreyas Iyer on his Qualifier 2 classic: 'I love big occasions'

The night MI felt the full force of Shreyas' ire

Hardik, Santner not completing quota 'an opportunity missed'

“We gave them a few extra runs, yeah, but that’s why I was saying I thought they were going to get 220. There was a bit of confidence in our group when they only got 200 [203], thinking we’ve dragged them back here. You could even tell our first over batting the way the ball came off the bat, it was just skipping off the bat a little more and you could tell there was just a little bit of dew, a little bit of wetness out there, that was going to help us, and it did.”Chasing 204 against five-time champions MI, who had never before lost a game defending a score in excess of 200, was going to be a tough ask. Especially when the bowling group was led by Jasprit Bumrah, who was coming into the game with an economy rate of 6.36.But Josh Inglis was determined to not let Bumrah settle down, crashing him for two sixes and two fours in his opening over – the fifth of the innings – to give the chase the momentum it needed.”The way Josh Inglis attacked Boom [Bumrah] up front to get him off his game a little bit… if you’d told us we were chasing 200 at the start of the day and we were going to take 40 off Jasprit, we would have taken that every day of the week and liked our chances,” Hopes said. “Josh has got a pretty good record against him in short-form cricket. He plays him well.”I don’t think it was a conscious decision to go after [Bumrah in that] over. He just got some balls and he put them away, and on another day, those balls go to the fielder and he’s not taking what he did off that over. So doing that to him in the first over not only has a flow-on effect for his bowling but has a flow-on effect for the rest of their team as well.2:31

‘Such a big over’ – Aaron on Inglis taking 20 off Bumrah in the fifth

“We were having the chats at half-time that if Bumrah bowls four overs for 26, what do we need off the other 16 overs? So there’s just an expectation he’s going to be at a certain level every game, and even tonight he bowled well.”Varun Aaron and Tom Moody agreed that Inglis’ assault on Bumrah formed the base of PBKS’ successful chase. That they were all “cricketing shots” and Inglis was not “trying to just hit the cover of the ball” was the highlight.”Big over, such a big over,” Aaron said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out. “It was down to someone to take him [Bumrah] on tonight. These are those big games where somebody has to show up and be like, ‘you know what, I’m going to take the bull by the horns and I’m going to take down their biggest bowler’, and that’s Jasprit Bumrah, and he did that so well. Just played cricketing shots.”Moody pointed to Inglis’ technical acumen against Bumrah.”He [Inglis] has got a really good technique,” Moody said. “So when it comes to playing high-quality bowling, like Jasprit Bumrah, he’s got the ability to play proper cricketing shots that have penetration – whether that be the cover drives, the shot down the ground; the six he hit, it was the slower ball, he was technically in perfect position [to play it].Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings’ chase with a composed half-century•Associated Press”So it’s not like he is trying to just hit the cover of the ball. Just identified it was an off-pace delivery and hit straight through it. And most batters when they are facing Bumrah, they are more in the defensive position. He is still engaged in the contest – ‘okay, you’re bowling it short, I am still comfortable because I back myself to get into that position; if you’re slightly fuller, I’ll take advantage and cover drive; slower ball, I’m hitting you over the top’.”‘Shreyas a sensational captain, a sensational player’While Inglis’ 21-ball 38 put PBKS’ chase in top gear, it was captain Iyer who formed the spine of the innings with a clinical knock. He measured his innings, rotated the strike well, before going on an all-out attack. Hopes, who has worked with Iyer previously at Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2020, said that his calmness stood out.”He doesn’t get flustered very easily and he knows his match-ups,” Hopes said. “He knows what he has to do at certain times and he’s prepared to take that risk. When he was a younger player in Delhi, he was a little bit more explosive and gung-ho, but he scores at a high strike rate now strictly because he knows when a bowler comes on that that’s his match-up and he’s going to take it and with his captaincy.”Tonight we kept them to 200 when I reckon they could have got 220, 230 and just because the way he pulls the strings out there and manoeuvres bowlers around. We had [Vijaykumar] Vyshak with one over left. He took his gut call to bowl Azmat. He’s a sensational captain and he’s a sensational player.”

Fellow Trinidadian Jyd Goolie also unable to travel after new entry requirements come into force

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jun-2025 • Updated on 07-Jun-2025Akeal Hosein, West Indies’ left-arm spinner, will arrive in time for the second T20I against England in Bristol on Sunday*. He missed the series opener at Chester-le-Street after he and his fellow Trinidadian, Jyd Goolie, were unable to secure the necessary visas to enter the UK.Both men were unable to travel to the country following recent changes to UK visa entry requirements for Trinidad and Tobago citizens, which came into effect on April 23 and May 12, 2025. These changes required the players to submit visa applications and attend mandatory in-person appointments.However, Hosein was initially unable to meet these requirements after being given permission by Cricket West Indies to remain with Quetta Gladiators until the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League late last month. His late arrival was confirmed on Saturday evening by CWI.Goolie, meanwhile, had been named as a late replacement for West Indies’ tour of Ireland last month, in the wake of Roston Chase’s appointment as Test captain, but was unable to secure a visa waiver at such short notice. Chase is due to leave for a training camp in Barbados, ahead of the forthcoming home series against Australia, after his involvement in the England series.Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, explained the situation. “As soon as the updated visa requirements were announced, CWI began the necessary application processes,” he said. “This was only possible after Akeal returned to Trinidad, and following the confirmation of Jyd’s selection to the Ireland squad.”Akeal, who was selected for both the England and Ireland legs of the tour, was granted permission to fulfill his commitments with the extended Pakistan Super League until mid-May.”Jyd was called up for the Ireland series … however, [he] was unable to secure the required visa waiver, as the transition period for Trinidad and Tobago residents had already expired.”CWI confirmed that formal efforts had been made the expedite the process for both players. “These processes are ultimately governed by UK immigration authorities and remain outside of CWI’s control. CWI remains optimistic that the matter will be resolved in the coming days, allowing Hosein to join the squad for the remaining matches.”The situation comes in the wake of concerns raised by Major League Cricket about the potential exclusion of Afghanistan cricketers from this season’s tournament, which begins on June 12, following a recent travel ban implemented by the Trump administration.June 6, 1900 BST – This story was updated with confirmation of Hosein’s arrival

Visitors graft their way to 228 before Mohammad Abbas removes both Yorkshire openers

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-May-2025Nottinghamshire’s Ben Slater and Joe Clarke posted battling half-centuries and new England Lion George Hill claimed five more wickets for Yorkshire during a fascinating opening day of Rothesay County Championship cricket at Headingley.Division One leaders Notts, inserted, were bowled out for 228 by a White Rose side who sat second-bottom ahead of this seventh fixture of the summer.Opener Slater made 52 off 111 balls and Clarke 64 off 151, while Hill’s seam accounted for 5 for 40 from 20 overs – his third haul of five wickets or more in as many matches. He is now the joint-leading wicket-taker in the country with 32.Yorkshire closed on 10 for 2 from 12 overs in reply, Mohammad Abbas striking twice.If things go well for Notts over the next few days, and if they go on to prise the title away from Surrey, this could be a pivotal day. That wasn’t because they dominated. Instead, they showed impressive fortitude in challenging conditions. They could quite easily have been bowled out for 150.Yorkshire constantly challenged, with Jordan Thompson claiming three wickets and new-ball seamer Jack White an excellent 2 for 23 from 16.2 overs.Yes, Notts had some luck. They continually played and missed. But they made decent use of it, and it feels like a useful total even though they lost their last five wickets for 36. Just how useful will become clear on day two.With Clarke and Lyndon James together in a sixth-wicket partnership of 71 either side of tea, that was when the visitors looked most secure.Dom Bess won his first toss in charge as Jonny Bairstow’s replacement. This was the first time in seven matches this season that Yorkshire haven’t batted first. And they started well, with White removing visiting skipper Haseeb Hameed, brilliantly caught one-handed at point by James Wharton diving low to his right – 9 for 1 in the sixth over.Even with a score of 6, Hameed became the first man in Division One to pass 700 runs.With 12 millimetres of grass left on the pitch for Yorkshire’s second home game running, the seamers got plenty of assistance. But Slater repelled the new ball and shared 56 for the second wicket with fellow left-hander Freddie McCann through to late morning. Slater reached his fifth fifty of 2025 off 109 balls.McCann fell just before lunch with the score on 65, caught low down at first slip off Thompson for 28. And when the same bowler clipped Slater’s off-stump shortly after lunch, two balls after he reached 50, the score slipped to 102 for 3 in the 38th over.That was the first of three wickets to fall for 19 runs inside nine overs, with Notts now 121 for 5 in the 47th. Hill bowled Jack Haynes shouldering arms and shortly afterwards bowled South African Kyle Verreynne through the gate.Yorkshire came into this fixture with some significant selection headaches, not least losing captain Bairstow to the Mumbai Indians for the latter stages of the IPL. Hill and White were the standout bowlers. They shared 13 of 25 maidens Yorkshire bowled. Thompson also impressed.Clarke reached his fifty off 123 balls and, with the help of 29 from James, advanced Nottinghamshire’s cause. But Yorkshire hit back to limit the damage.The 71-stand between Clarke and James was broken by Thompson’s third wicket – the latter caught behind by wicketkeeper Harry Duke following a top-edged pull.In the next over, Liam Patterson-White offered Duke a more regulation catch off Hill – 197 for 7 after 73 overs. Hill then had Brett Hutton caught at second slip and Clarke brilliantly caught by Thompson on the run at third-man following an attempted reverse scoop.White wrapped things up by bowling Dillon Pennington after he had heaved a four and six.The visiting overseas seamer Abbas then had openers Adam Lyth and Fin Bean caught behind for 2 apiece before close, and the concern for Yorkshire is that in Pakistani Test star, Notts have the perfect bowler for these conditions.

West Ham United boss Graham Potter is walking on increasingly thin ice after a lacklustre start to the campaign, with pressure on the tactician at an all-time high after their London derby defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.

Potter’s side put in an impressive performance away to Nottingham Forest just prior to the international break, winning 3-0 at the City Ground courtesy of goals from Lucas Paqueta, Callum Wilson and Jarrod Bowen, but were on the receiving end of the same scoreline against Spurs.

Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven rounded off a routine win for Thomas Frank’s men at the London Stadium, whilst piling the misery on Potter, who has recorded the second-worst win percentage of any West Ham manager in Premier League history.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12, Graham Potter

27.3%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Since the former Chelsea and Brighton boss was appointed on January 9, West Ham also have the worst top flight record of any Premier League side outside Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town — who were all relegated last term.

They’ve also conceded 11 goals already, the highest number of any West Ham side at this stage of a Premier League season since Avram Grant’s Hammers were relegated in 2011.

The numbers make for extremely grim reading, and reports suggest that West Ham are internally discussing replacements for the under-fire Potter.

Nuno Espirito Santo is allegedly being considered by West Ham and chairman David Sullivan is a fan of the Portuguese, according to journalist Alan Nixon, with the ex-Wolves and Tottenham boss readily available after leaving Forest.

It is also claimed that West Ham have approached Coventry City boss and ex-player Frank Lampard, who has resurrected his managerial career in the West Midlands and came close to promotion from the Championship last season.

Kretinsky could push for "natural winner" to replace Potter at West Ham

The West Ham shareholder may push for a manager with a fantastic track record to replace Graham Potter.

ByDominic Lund Sep 16, 2025

Even serial winner Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move to east London after departing Fenerbache, but this trio of intriguing names have now been joined by Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna on West Ham’s managerial target list.

Kieran McKenna emerging as frontrunner for West Ham job

That is according to journalist Wayne Veysey and Football Insider, who report speculation is mounting that McKenna is emerging in pole position for the West Ham job after a development.

Veysey writes that McKenna was a surprise guest in the West Ham boardroom during their 3-0 loss to Spurs after being invited to attend.

It is unclear right now what the 39-year-old’s stance is on leaving Portman Road for the English capital, but there is reason for West Ham to consider him as an option.

Why Kieran McKenna could be a good appointment for West Ham

Ipswich’s boss guided them to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, before they were unfortunately relegated last campaign, and reports suggest that McKenna was actually a top Chelsea target to replace Mauricio Pochettino before they hired Enzo Maresca.

The coach, who once played for Tottenham reserves and the Lilywhites youth teams before hanging up his boots due to a hip injury, is regarded as one of England’s most promising young managers.

It’s been a slow start to 25/26 for the Tractor Boys, who’ve just recorded their first win of the Championship season with a 5-0 win over Sheffield United, and McKenna may well be tempted by the prospect of an immediate switch back to the top flight.

He’s also coached Man United and Spurs at junior level, with Liverpool legend John Barnes calling him a “sensational” tactician.

Sadio Mane was able to show off his absolute skill as he led Al Nassr to a 2-0 win over Karim Benzema's Al Ittihad in a top of the table clash. Cristaino Ronaldo also got onto the scoresheet while his former Real Madrid teammate, Benzema, failed to turn up to the event. Al Nassr have now drawn out a three-point lead atop the Saudi Pro League standings.

• TELL ME MORE

  Al Nassr and Al Ittihad have been faultless so far this season in the Saudi Pro League as the two sides are top of the table heading into this game with three wins in three games. Joao Felix has surprisingly been eclipsing Ronaldo on the scoresheet as of this moment as the former Barcelona and Chelsea star has scored five goals for Jorge Jesus' side.

  Heading into the match at Alinma Stadium, it was expected to be a tight affair; however, Al Nassr absolutely stormed Al Ittihad in the opening 30 minutes to take a secure 2-0 lead in the game. They bagged their opener after Felix's tidy footwork allowed Kingsley Coman to float in a cross, which was met by an acrobatic volley from Mane to give the visitors a thunderous goal. The second goal once again featured some ridiculous technique from the Senegalese forward to find Ronaldo's head barely five yards from goal.

  The second half saw much of the same from Jesus' men as they dominated the proceedings and barely allowed Al Ittihad any chances to get into threatening spots. Ronaldo had the best opportunity before the hour mark to bury any chances of an Al Ittihad comeback when he received a pass right on the penalty spot with the goalkeeper out of position. However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner skied his chance despite no pressure. The hosts then slowly started to grow into the game, with Benzema getting the best chance of the game, which he failed to convert. The game ended 2-0 in favour of Al Nassr as they are now clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE MVP

  It was not expected that Mane could be the major deciding factor against Al Ittihad, with the in-form Felix and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo on the field. However, the Senegalese, who has struggled this season, turned it back to his Premier League glory days as he scored a spectacular volley and produced a brilliant assist for the second goal.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIG LOSER

  Former France coach Laurent Blanc was not able to work his magic on Al Ittihad's setup, as he was thoroughly outclassed by Jesus through the 90 minutes. Despite clear signs that a low-block and possession-based football did nothing to break down Al Nassr, the French coach stuck to his guns, as Al Ittihad trickled to a slow death.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Al Nassr will return to their AFC Champions League Two duties next week when they face off against Iraqi side Al Zawraa. Meanwhile, Al Ittihad will face the UAE side Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in the AFC Champions League Elite.

حقق منتخب بوركينا فاسو الفوز على نظيره إثيوبيا، بنتيجة بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، في مباراة الجولة الأخيرة من عمر منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

ليختتم منتخب بوركينا فاسو مواجهات في التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلي كأس العالم محتلًا المركز الثاني في المجموعة الأولى، برصيد 21 نقطة.

وتضم المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، كلاً من مصر وبوركينا فاسو وجيبوتي وإثيوبيا وسيراليون وغينيا بيساو.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة منتخب مصر في تصفيات كأس العالم 

وفي مباراة أخرى ضمن نفس الجولة ولنفس المجموعة، حقق منتخب سيراليون الفوز على منافسه جيبوتي بنتيجة 2-1.

لينهي منتخب سيراليون تصفيات كأس العالم متواجدًا في المركز الثالث برصيد 15 نقطة، بينما جيبوتي يتذيل الترتيب بنقطة واحدة.

وحسم منتخب مصر التأهل الرسمي إلى نهائيات كأس العالم من المجموعة، بعد تصدره برصيد 26 نقطة من الفوز في 8 مباريات والتعادل في مواجهتين.

Liverpool’s summer rebuild continues to gather momentum, with Arne Slot looking to add quality and depth across multiple positions.

Defence is the focus for the time being, as the club push to secure Parma’s Giovanni Leoni and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

The need for defensive reinforcements grew after Jarell Quansah’s sale to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez’s calf injury, leaving Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk as the only fit senior centre-backs.

Alongside this, Liverpool’s recruitment team have also been monitoring the Isak situation at Newcastle.

If any encouragement is given, they’re ready to return with another bid for the Sweden international.

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Buy Premium Now Liverpool targeting new midfielder

The club are targeting reinforcements in another area of the pitch: midfield.

The player in question has drawn comparisons with some of Europe’s most refined passers, instead of the usual industrious English midfielders.

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To some, he is a throwback to the days when Xabi Alonso dictated the tempo at Anfield, switching play with metronomic precision and breaking lines with his vision.

That player is Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace’s rising star, described by Henry Winter as a “pressing machine” and by Oliver Glasner as someone whose “decision-making is amazing.”

Wharton first came to wider prominence after signing from Blackburn Rovers for an initial £18m in January 2024.

His adaptation to Premier League football has been seamless when fit.

Although a groin injury sidelined him for 17 games last season, he still made 27 appearances across all competitions, providing two league assists and showing the kind of game intelligence more often associated with one of La Liga’s most cultured midfielders.

His influence was particularly evident during Palace’s run to the FA Cup final, with his semi-final display against Aston Villa underlining his ability to dominate a game without fuss.

Liverpool are far from the only suitors. Indeed, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, Real Madrid are understood to be monitoring the 21-year-old, while Tottenham made an inquiry before May’s FA Cup final.

Manchester United and Manchester City are also in the mix, though Liverpool’s long-standing admiration makes them one of the front-runners should Palace decide to sell.

Adam Wharton: Shades of Alonso

The Xabi Alonso comparison isn’t a lazy one.

Both players share a deep-lying playmaker’s instinct, operating where the pitch is in front of them, scanning before receiving, and hitting passes that slice through pressure.

Alonso’s Anfield legacy rests on his technical elegance and tactical intelligence.

Wharton is shaping into a midfielder of the same mould, blending defensive awareness with creativity. Statistically, the resemblance is striking.

According to Fbref, Wharton ranked in the 91st percentile for key passes per 90 (1.78), the 91st percentile for progressive passes per 90 (7.31), and the 93rd percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 last season (4.03).

Those numbers place him among Europe’s most incisive passers, with the 86th percentile for long passes completed (4.78 per 90) hinting at the kind of diagonal switches Alonso once made a trademark.

Wharton also ranked in the 93rd percentile for dribblers challenged successfully (3.00 per 90) and the 96th percentile for ball recoveries (6.97 per 90).

He presses with purpose, tackles decisively, and anticipates danger early.

Liverpool’s current options in midfield – Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch – all bring individual strengths, but Wharton offers a rare combination.

The defensive capability to shield a back line and the technical vision to dictate from deep.

In that sense, he could be the missing link in transitioning Liverpool from one phase of play to the next, something Alonso did under Rafael Benítez.

There’s also a psychological element at play. Alonso was never flustered, and Wharton carries the same air of composure.

In big moments – like Palace’s equaliser in the Community Shield against Liverpool, which he set up – he seems to make the right choice more often than not.

That knack for calm decision-making in high-pressure situations is precisely what Liverpool need as they look to build on last year’s title.

The price tag could be the sticking point. Palace know they have a valuable asset, and interest from Madrid and multiple Premier League rivals will only drive his valuation up.

His current market value according to Transfermarkt is around £40m, but any deal would likely require a figure well beyond that, especially given his age and home-grown status. Some reports suggest the Eagles value him at £100m.

For Liverpool, the question becomes whether the cost is worth the potential Alonso-esque impact.

For now, Liverpool’s attention may remain divided between defensive targets and the Isak chase, but the temptation to secure their new Alonso will be hard to resist.

In Wharton, they wouldn’t just be buying talent – they’d be investing in a playing style that once underpinned one of the club’s most successful modern sides.

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