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Real Madrid snapped up PSG target Franco Mastantuono, but the Argentine starlet will only join after River Plate's Club World Cup campaign.

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Real beat PSG to MastantuonoWill join the club in AugustHad a release clause of €45m (£38.5m)Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

To secure Mastantuono’s signature, Real Madrid triggered the release clause in his River Plate contract, which stood at €45 million (£38.5m). The figure represents a record-breaking outgoing transfer for the Argentine club, surpassing the €44m fee they received for Enzo Fernandez when he moved to Benfica in 2022. He has signed a six-year deal with Los Blancos, which will keep him at the club until June 30, 2031.

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Paris Saint-Germain were also vying for his signature, but Madrid were always considered front-runners due to the player’s own preference. Sources close to the negotiations revealed that Mastantuono had long favoured a move to Spain over France, with his sights firmly set on donning the famous white jersey of Real Madrid if a move away from Argentina materialised.

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Mastantuono broke into River Plate’s senior team in January 2024, making his debut at the tender age of 16. That milestone placed him as the third-youngest debutant in the storied club’s history. Since then, he has amassed 61 appearances, scoring 10 goals and registering seven assists, a remarkable return for someone still in their teens.

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Mastantuono becomes Madrid’s third signing of the summer transfer window. He follows English international right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined from Liverpool, and Spanish defender Dean Huijsen, acquired from Bournemouth. All three additions are seen as part of a long-term strategy to refresh and strengthen a Madrid squad that faltered both in Spain and Europe. However, Madrid fans will have to wait a little longer to see their new starlet in action as he will be available only from August 14.

Manchester United are rumoured to have rekindled their interest in Napoli's Victor Osimhen but still face a major obstacle.

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Nigerian striker's loan with Galatasary endedPrevious reports suggest Al-Hilal agreementLofty wages could block United approachFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

A report by Footmercato has linked the Red Devils with a sensational move for the Nigerian striker. United have opened discussions with Osimhen, but are still expected to pursue the signing of Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres as their first choice striker.

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Osimhen is returning to parent club after a season on loan at Galatasaray. The Turkish giants are pursuing a permanent move, while it Osimhen has reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal, despite indications he'd agreed to terms with the Saudi club. Napoli would expect a fee in excess of €75m, while the player would require a contract worth €12m a year, which could price the Red Devils out of the deal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Osimhen proved he's still a top marksman with a prolific season in Turkey. The 26-year-old bagged 37 games in 45 appearances in the 2024-25 season, winning the Super League title in the process.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR VICTOR OSIMHEN?

Osimhen's current deal with Napoli runs out in 2026. The Nigerian striker's relationship with the club appears to have broken down completely, making a permanent move away from the Scudetto holders a priority for both parties.

His 4 for 6 rolls Rapids for 100 before defending champions splutter to target

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2023Defending champions Hampshire Hawks will face Essex in the Vitality Blast semi-final on Finals Day after Nathan Ellis razed Worcestershire Rapids with his career best.Ellis claimed 4 for 6, with Chris Wood and John Turner both picking up two scalps each in a supreme bowling performance.The Rapids had an enterprising 70-run stand between Usama Mir and Ed Pollock – but it was bookended by slumping to 29 for 6 and then losing the last four wickets for one run as they were rolled for 100.The Hawks spluttered to the target to win by five wickets and reach their 10th Finals Day and maintain their hopes of being the first team to win the Blast back-to-back.The Rapids had never played a Blast match at the Ageas Bowl, and had only faced the Hawks once in the format. On that occasion, in 2015, James Vince blitzed an unbeaten century as Hampshire totted up 196 before Worcestershire reached 58 for 2, then the floodlight-less New Road got too dark.The Rapids would have dreamed of a total eclipse of the hot evening sun and a power failure amid their first collapse, which began with a wicket in each of the first four overs.Jack Haynes lasted until the fourth ball of the innings before a leading edge was well caught and bowled by Chris Wood.The Blast’s breakthrough fast bowler John Turner added Brett D’Oliveira as his 19th victim by cartwheeling his leg stump after an attempted scoop.Mitchell Santner and Adam Hose both picked out fielders – a brilliant long on catch from Vince and spliced to square leg respectively.Two wicketless overs were a mere interlude before James Fuller’s wicket maiden accounted for Kashif Ali and Ben Cox chipped to midwicket.But Mir and Pollock salvaged things with a 70-run stand, which included 16 runs off a Liam Dawson over, with the fifty-partnership coming off 45 balls with a six over long on.The second collapse was as ugly as the first as four wickets fell in eight balls for a single run to end a sorry innings.Mir’s thick outside edge off Benny Howell was easily caught at short third before Ellis splayed the tail with three wickets in four balls – Adam Finch yorked, Dillon Pennington caught at cover and Pat Brown leg before.Aneurin Donald replaced Ben McDermott – who had a back spasm – with the gloves and at the top of the order, and crunched the first ball of the reply through the leg side but edged behind soon after.Vince was caught at cover but is now 20 runs away from equalling his 678 runs from last season – reaching that would give him the best three Blast seasons. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could better his annus mirabilis of 710 runs in 2015.Tom Prest hit three fours and a six in a happy-go-lucky 25 before he was well caught playing the reverse sweep, with Dawson falling in similar style.Joe Weatherley got the run chase within five before skying but the Hawks stayed on track for a third Blast title and condemned the Rapids to their sixth quarter-final defeat in eight attempts.

England blitzed at Chelmsford as new-look team suffer a first T20I defeat at Sri Lanka’s hands

Andrew Miller02-Sep-2023Sri Lanka 110 for 2 (Athapaththu 55) beat England 104 (Dean 34, Fernando 2-16, Dilhari 2-17) by eight wicketsChamari Athapaththu led from the front in a stunning allround display – first with the ball and then with a rampant 26-ball fifty – as Sri Lanka secured their maiden T20I victory over England in extraordinarily emphatic style: by eight wickets, and with a crushing 40 balls remaining, as Heather Knight’s new-look team were served a dramatic reality check, only two days after cruising to victory in the series opener at Hove.After winning her second toss of the series and choosing to bowl first, Athapaththu showed her team how it needed to be done by bowling the dangerous Danni Wyatt for 1 in her first over, and never let up in her leadership thereafter, as England were hustled out for 104 in 18 overs – a far cry from the 186 for 4 that they had posted in just 17 overs in Thursday’s opening fixture.Then, sensing a chance to crush England from the outset of the chase, Athapaththu climbed onto the offensive with the bat, cracking eight fours and two sixes with similarly positive support from Harshitha Samarawickrama, who sealed the contest with a massive swipe over midwicket to finish unbeaten on 30 from 35 balls.Chamari sets the powerplay toneSpeaking at the toss, Athapaththu insisted – with some justification as things turned out – there had been some “positives” to take from a one-sided series opener at Hove, but recognised that their bowling had to improve after England had romped along at close to two a ball on that occasion.And so the skipper herself added that burden to her already broadly laden shoulders, to set the tone for an astonishingly unrelentingly display. Despite one loose ball that Maia Bouchier carved for four, Athapaththu’s remit in the contest’s first over was to keep the stumps in play as much as possible, on a hybrid wicket that offered a touch of grip for her spinners, and in sunny afternoon conditions a world away from the dank misery of Hove.The gambit paid agenda-setting dividends with the sixth ball of Athapaththu’s over. A beautifully flighted offbreak lured Danni Wyatt on the drive, but a hint of dip and spin bowled her clean through the gate for 1. Suddenly a partnership that had realised 77 from 45 balls at Hove had been broken before it had begun, and that carefree youth that had so flourished in game one had a different scenario to counter.Inoshi in on the actionAlice Capsey had made a belligerent 51 from 27 on that occasion; here she was restricted to an anxious 3 from 9 as Inoshi Fernando followed her skipper’s lead in her first outing of the series. First, her tall offbreaks pinned Capsey to the crease for five consecutive dot-balls and a single, then she snapped the trap shut in the field one over later. Itching to break the shackles, Capsey lashed through the line at Sugandika Kumari and Fernando was almost blown off her feet at mid-off as she clung on well to a flat chance.Bouchier by this stage had connected well on another cuff through the covers, but Fernando’s impact was not done yet. The first ball of her second over was flapped in ungainly fashion straight to Kavisha Dilhari at extra cover, and Bouchier attempted to bend her bat around her helmet as she traipsed off for 12 from 10. Not only were England truly in the m(aia)ire at 21 for 3, but she’d missed a golden opportunity to rebuild a faltering innings, and seize the opportunity for seniority that she’s been handed in the absence of the likes of Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt.Old guard falter tooInstead, England’s hopes were reinvested in a familiar pair of middle-order stalwarts. Heather Knight and Amy Jones saw out a powerplay that, at 32 for 3, realised less than half the 66 for 0 that Sri Lanka had been subjected to at Hove, but neither batter really exuded an air of permanence in an uncompromising match situation – least of all Jones, who so nearly holed out to backward point as an attempted reverse-sweep off Fernando fell inches short.On 10, Knight successfully over-turned an lbw decision after her attempted reverse-sweep was shown to have flicked her glove before crashing into the pad, but one over later, Jones’ scratchy stay was ended in the opposite fashion – Ranaweera trapped her on the back pad, and after Atapaththu’s last-ditch decision to review, the ball was shown to be thumping the top of leg stump.Jones was gone for a run-a-ball 12, and if 41 for 4 in the eighth over was a dicey scenario, England’s issues were only just beginning. Freya Kemp picked off two singles off two legal deliveries, only to be stumped off a wide in Dilhari’s next over, as she galloped out of her crease for Sanjeewani to gather well down the leg-side and beat her despairing dive, and all hopes of a competitive total ended when Knight spooned a back-foot punch back to Ranaweera. At 48 for 6, England were fully braced for ignominy.Maia Bouchier grimaces after falling in the second T20I at Chelmsford•ECB via Getty ImagesDean digs for double-figuresOnly Charlie Dean, last out for a feisty 34 from 26, found anything like the requisite blend of endurance and aggression, including three fours in a row off Ranaweera – two firm sweeps and a well-dispatched full toss.At the other end, however, the progression continued. Danielle Gibson opted for aggression without endurance, as she survived a slash through deep third that flew inches wide of the fielder, before scuffing a reverse-sweep straight into the lap of backward square.Sarah Glenn, sporting a new cap to mark her 50th T20I appearance, then snicked off fourth-ball to give Dilhari her second wicket. Though Issy Wong hung around long enough to endure England wouldn’t be setting their new record low total in a women’s T20I, when she lashed through a drive at Prabhodhani to be bowled for 13, the end was not long in coming.Cross, Wong bear powerplay bruntIf England thought their day had hit its nadir, Athapaththu had further indignities to deliver. She signalled her intention to keep the hammer down with a second-ball drive for four off Kate Cross, and even though Sanjeewani fell in Gibson’s subsequent over (after two no-balls had hinted at England’s anxieties), Sri Lanka’s captain was only just getting warmed up.Cross’s second over was utterly taken to the cleaners – 21 runs in total, compromising three blazed fours in a row and a simply vast flog over square leg, off the roof off the Felsted School Stand and into the garden of a bemused lady looking on from her balcony. After some similarly rough treatment at the back-end of the first T20I, Cross’s figures for the series now read 4.2-0-55-0 – a reminder perhaps why her impeccable lines have been overlooked in this format since 2019.Nothing, however, was quite as gruesome as the public pillorying that Wong would endure in her first international over of the summer. Her absence from the firing line has been a bit of an ongoing mystery in recent months, given the excitement that surrounded her all-round game last summer, but here was public evidence of a player at war with her own technique.Her first over of the match lasted for ten deliveries, the first four of which amounted to a tragicomedy in themselves – a huge front-foot no-ball that Harshitha Samarawickrama flicked off her pads for four, followed by a flick to deep square leg off that most of the crowd failed to realise was a free hit . Another leg-side no-ball followed, then another catch off the free hit – an astounding one as it happens, as Cross at mid-off snaffled the ball in her outstretched right hand.By the end of it all, Wong could only grin in self-effacement as Glenn jogged down to give her a consoling pat on the shoulder, and as Sri Lanka blazed towards their victory target with barely a shot out of place, it was something of a surprise to see her reintroduced with 13 runs still needed and little left to be gained. Three more drilled boundaries duly drew the scores level, leaving Harshitha to heave Cross into the pavilion for the winning six.Wong’s inclusion for this match had come at the expense of England’s new young thing, Mahika Gaur, and her struggles rather underlined the importance of Knight’s pre-series warning about the youth in this team. Expecting too much too soon is a dangerous thing.

The Herons will face Palmeiras next Monday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

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Messi scored his first goal of the tournamentInter Miami now has four pointsThe Herons sit in second place in Group AWatch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Following Inter Miami’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Porto – their first-ever victory at the FIFA Club World Cup – head coach Javier Mascherano opened his post-match press conference with an emotional message.

“First of all, I want to congratulate the players for the game they played,” Mascherano said. “Beyond the result, it was a source of pride to watch them play with courage, both with and without the ball. Today we’ve shown that we can compete against any team in the world.”

The win is not only historically significant for Miami, but for MLS as well. This is the first MLS club victory over a European side in an official competition.

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The Herons fell behind early, conceding a penalty goal in the eighth minute to Spain’s Samu Aghehowa. But despite the early setback, Mascherano’s squad refused to back down.

“If we have a plan and stick together – and if we dare to play – we can compete,” he said. “The way the team overcame the adversity of the match, staying true to our identity, was admirable. Everyone remained committed to what we’re trying to do.”

Mascherano called it a “historic day” for the club.

“Everyone should enjoy this in their own way. Everyone contributes their part to help this club keep moving forward. It means we’re still alive. We head into our third match with a real shot at qualifying," he said.

The Argentine coach also praised his legendary compatriot Lionel Messi, who sealed the comeback with a stunning free-kick goal in the 54th minute to make it 2-1.

“He’s the player who shows us how to compete. His hunger and desire to keep performing – at any level – guides us and shows us the path we need to follow.”

AFPWHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

Messi also joined in the celebrations and praised his team for the effort.

"A great joy, a huge effort from the whole team. We worked really well – not only did we defend, but in the first half and up until the 1-1 we managed the ball very well," he said. "I’m really happy because we were left with a bitter taste after the first match. We felt like we could’ve won it in the end – just as easily as we could’ve lost it. But today’s win is really important for us, and now it’s time to enjoy it."

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will face Palmeiras next Monday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The winner will advance as the top team in the group, although a draw would send both clubs through. In that case, the Brazilian side would move on as group leader. The loser, however, would risk elimination.

The Canadian side, which spent big to bring in two designated players in 2022, have parted ways with both

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Insigne, Bernardeschi to leave Toronto FCDP duo among the highest paid players in MLSToronto now has two open spots to restructureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi have both agreed to mutually terminate their contracts with Toronto, according to . The two wingers are among the highest paid players in MLS, and were part of a difficult era in Toronto in which the club failed to make the playoffs for three straight seasons.

Toronto are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, with only four wins in 19 matches this season.

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Insigne, in particular, has been a disappointment for Toronto. According to the latest MLS salary guide, released last month, the Italian has the second highest salary in the league, a deal he agreed after leaving his boyhood club Napoli in 2022.

His $15.4 million intake is more than the total spend of nine MLS clubs this year. Bernardeschi, too, was taking up a significant portion of the team's payroll, with a guaranteed compensation of $6.3M.

Insigne has 15 goals in 66 MLS games. Bernardeschi had 25 goals and 12 assists in 88 MLS appearances for Toronto.

Getty ImagesWHAT TORONTO FC SAID

The Canadian club confirmed that they had parted ways with Bernadeschi in an official statement.

"After internal discussions with Federico, we were aligned that this was the correct moment to part ways," said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. "We would like to thank Fede for his contributions to Toronto FC over the past three years and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career."

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The MLS club now have two DP slots open, and can begin rebuilding a roster that has struggled in MLS of late.

Brilliant century in partnership with Vince all but seals title for Surrey, as fielding lapses cost hosts

Andrew Miller22-Sep-2023Less than a week has elapsed since Hampshire were hunting down a teasing target of 267 against Leicestershire at Trent Bridge in the Metro Bank Cup final, and somehow contrived to trip up with victory at their mercy. At Chelmsford, they made amends in thrilling final-over fashion – and in the process all but settled another tussle for silverware, albeit not their own – as Essex’s valiant bid for the County Championship title crumbled in the face of a brilliant Liam Dawson century.Dawson, whose dismissal for 57 at Trent Bridge on Saturday had been the turning point of that tense contest, once again fell short of sealing the deal when, with 20 runs still needed from 23 balls, he crashed Matt Critchley into Nick Browne’s midriff at short cover, to offer Essex the most slender of late lifelines.Hampshire’s tail, however, wasn’t about to let two chases slip in a week – not even when Keith Barker, the man who couldn’t connect for Saturday’s winning hit, ran past a slog for glory with two runs needed. Instead, Ben Brown did the needful with a thump to deep midwicket off Simon Harmer, to seal the contest with five balls remaining, and trigger a wave of euphoria in Surrey’s dressing-room down at The Oval, where they had spent much of the day watching their season’s work flash before their eyes.With no dog in that particular fight, however, Dawson’s own mission for the day had long since been completed: in racking up 119 from 150 balls, his third century of a stellar Championship season, he not only rescued Hampshire from a sickly 32 for 4 with a pivotal fifth-wicket stand of 184 with James Vince, but oversaw a momentum swing at the top of the Championship standings that would have given less resolute characters motion sickness.The tale of the tape was thus: Essex had begun the penultimate round with a deficit of 18 points, and with scant hope of closing the gap given that Surrey were at home to the relegation-bound Northants. And yet, after a clatter of morning wickets at the Kia Oval had condemned Surrey to the follow-on, Essex seemed dead-certs to capitalise on the champions’ missed moment with their seventh win on the bounce, and slash that deficit to a meagre four points.Instead, they were left to rue a fielding display studded with errors, including a huge let-off apiece for each of Hampshire’s main men: Vince on 16, dropped in the deep by Critchley off Harmer, whose three habitually early wickets had left his opponents punch-drunk, and then critically, Dawson on 50, a leaping edge to slip off Critchley himself, where Alastair Cook – a key focus of attention amid reports of his impending retirement – couldn’t recover as the chance clanged off his chest.If the Vince reprieve, at 52 for 4, helped to snap Hampshire’s game-brains back into place, then Dawson’s let-off, 97 runs later, was the moment that Essex’s belief visibly ebbed from their performance. Blow by blow, they were beaten back by two World Cup winners – men who were present in the dressing-room through England’s 2019 triumph, and who know full well, by osmosis as much as through their own clear abilities, how to pace a chase that never threatened to tick over a run a ball. “It’s just a different colour ball,” as Paul Collingwood, England’s assistant Test coach, put it recently when describing the ever-converging methods of the red- and white-ball games.Dan Lawrence made a swashbuckling half-century•Getty ImagesVince’s first shot in anger had been a dismissive drive back over Harmer’s head for six, but after his let-off, he shelved the aerial strokeplay and set about taking lumps out of his team’s target with a volley of five stroked fours before tea that took him to an ominous 43 from 30, with 179 still needed in 39. In theory, it was in Essex’s interest for Hampshire to have an incentive, but such was the pair’s poise on the resumption that the requirement seemed to drain away by stealth. The mood around Chelmsford was hardly aided by news of Surrey’s dour dead-batting down at The Oval, and Dawson duly slapped Sam Cook through point to bring up the century stand at almost the precise moment that Northants shook hands on their relegation-inducing draw.With his century in sight, Vince hoisted Cook handsomely over long-on for his second six, only to come unstuck in Critchley’s subsequent over, hacking a skewed drive to Dan Lawrence in the covers. But even that seemed too little too late for Essex, especially when Umesh Yadav’s brilliant sprawling effort at backward square off Dawson, on 97 at the time, was deemed to have been a bump-ball. Two balls later, Dawson crunched Critchley down the ground for his 14th four, and celebrated with a raise of the arms to put the seal on a truly mighty all-round season.In the final analysis, Essex will know, however, that they blew a golden opportunity to take the title to a straight shoot-out. They claimed nine Hampshire wickets in the course of the day’s play, after all, two of which had come in a perfunctory round-up of their first innings, seven hours and several lifetimes earlier in the day.At that early stage of proceedings, with Chelmsford’s replay screen gleefully showing footage of Surrey’s slide towards their follow-on, Essex could smell the unease emanating from south London. Even as he was flicking off Tom Prest’s bails to end an excellent knock on 108 and give Harmer his sixth wicket of the innings, Adam Rossington began sprinting for the pavilion to pad up, in a clear sign of how Essex intended their second innings to pan out.Sure enough, Rossington re-emerged ten minutes later in a gambit for quick runs, but instead served up a tame three-ball duck that rather set the tone for a nondescript first ten overs of the declaration push, a passage that was coloured – perhaps inevitably – by the play within a play.The notion of Cook’s impending retirement had been shot down by Essex in a snotty statement on Thursday afternoon (the tone of which had perhaps been informed by their sudden realisation that the title was back up for grabs). However, that hardly discouraged a knot of photographers from congregating at the foot of the stairs to greet his (final?) emergence from the Chelmsford pavilion.And for 38 deliveries spanning 45 minutes, Cook captured the attention – if not the zeitgeist – in a poignantly out-of-kilter display. Were this officially a valedictory innings, one might suggest it was an apt metaphor for Cook’s raging-against-the-light career, as he fought valiantly against his natural inclinations, seeking to raise the tempo in the T20-prescribed fashion, only to lose his shape, and ultimately his wicket, in the process.Cook thrashed and he yanked and, just once, he connected with a meaty lump through the line off Kyle Abbott as Essex finally reached the boundary from the first ball of the seventh over – a powerplay it had not been. But then, two balls after connecting on a cut that burst through Prest’s hands at point, Cook wound into a cramped pull off Abbas, and under-edged through to the keeper.His departure was another dead-pan vignette: an old cricketer leaving the crease, almost visibly resisting the urge to raise his bat as an uncertain tribute gathered momentum around the ground, before allowing himself just the hint of a grimace as he disappeared into the dressing-room. Whatever it is that remains of his storied career, he’d be giving nothing away just yet.With the prologue done, then, the declaration push could begin in earnest, as a man rather better equipped for such a situation strode out for a Chelmsford farewell that had fewer caveats. Lawrence duly inside-edged his second ball through fine leg for four (it’s how many, not how, as Cook would doubtless agree), but thereafter he batted like a man with a very personal reason to swipe some silverware from under the noses of his future employers.Were it not for Essex’s Championship ambitions, Lawrence might well be up at Trent Bridge right now, preparing for England’s ODI against Ireland on Saturday. Instead he did his international prospects no harm at all in absentia, unfurling a range of preposterous cross-court forehands, including a full-blown helicopter whip for six off Abbott, to inject the impetus that Essex urgently needed. His 45-ball half-century drove the agenda in an 83-run stand in exactly 12 overs with Tom Westley, whose 45 from 49 ended when he launched Abbott to deep cover on the stroke of lunch.Alastair Cook walks up the steps to the dressing room after being dismissed•Getty ImagesThe lead at that stage was a handy but still skinny 225, so more leverage was required. Enter Paul Walter at No. 4, who clouted Dawson over midwicket for six before being bowled next ball for 13, and Umesh Yadav, who bashed his first two balls over the Tom Pearce Stand for his fifth and sixth sixes of the match, then immediately holed out to long-on in search of a seventh. In between whiles, Critchley and Harmer misfired to deep cover to give Abbott a four-wicket haul, as the contest reset for round four.Meanwhile, down at The Oval, Surrey by now were deep into their go-slow, with Rory Burns and Dom Sibley setting themselves to defend their title advantage at any cost, so Essex seized their chance to hurtle back into contention. Rossington set the standard with a wonderful grab down the leg-side, stretching with his left glove to prise out Tony Albert from Sam Cook’s fourth ball, and then it was over to the inevitable Harmer.The mere act of Harmer stepping up at the River End seemed to spook Fletcha Middleton, whose third-ball sweep was a harbinger of his imminent demise as it ballooned off a top-edge into space at square leg. Three overs later, he connected better – and worse – as Jamie Porter stooped at square leg to cling on, and Harmer made it two in the over when Nick Gubbins closed his face too early and chipped a leading edge to cover for 9.Another harbinger followed, however, in Harmer’s next over. Prest, yet to settle after his first-innings efforts, hacked impetuously down the ground but Walter at long-on couldn’t cling on. This time, however, it didn’t seem to matter; Harmer merely turned at the top of his mark and induced Prest into a flinch off the pads to short leg to leave Hampshire 32 for 4 and floundering.And yet, Dawson’s arrival to join Vince, allied to Essex’s crucial lapses, would turn the afternoon’s expectations upside-down.

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka face each other in a crucial game for their semi-final ambitions

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Oct-20231:57

Moody: India’s bowlers relentless with their lengths

–Fixtures | Squads | Points table | Tournament IndexTop Story: Shami and Bumrah demolish England to make it six out of six for IndiaMohammed Shami ripped the heart out of England as India defended a modest total in Lucknow to maintain their unbeaten World Cup run and condemn their opponents’ campaign even further.Shami claimed 2 for 4 from three overs inside the first powerplay in a breathtaking spell and Jasprit Bumrah 2 for 17 from five as England lurched to 40 for 4 after 10 overs chasing 230 for just their second win of the tournament. Shami claimed two more and Bumrah one to ensure that wasn’t to be as none of England’s batters passed Liam Livingstone’s 27 and India romped to a 100-run victory with 15.1 overs to spare.Click here to read the full reportMatch analysis: Shami to Stokes: Ten balls from hellJasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami ripped through England•Associated PressNine balls, nine dots, no runs. Five balls on a good length, three a fraction shorter and one a little fuller. One leave, two charges, three balls that connected with Ben Stokes’ bat. Fifteen balls since England last scored a run. 197 to win in 42.1 overs, eight wickets in hand. Six games, five defeats, two points. 32 nights since England’s players left home, 14 more until they are finally put out of their misery.Which of those numbers passed through Stokes’ head when he made the calculation that the final ball of Shami’s second over had to go? Maybe none; maybe so many that his mind was scrambled. Stokes planted his front foot outside leg stump, looking to make room to force the ball through the off side for four. The ball nipped in off the seam, skidded through off the pitch and clattered into his middle and leg stumps.Click here to read the full analysis from Matt Roller in LucknowMust Watch: Time for an England rethink?2:32

Should England rethink their brand of cricket in this format?

News headlines The top seven sides at the end of the league stage of the ongoing ODI World Cup in India will qualify for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, along with hosts Pakistan, to compete in the eight-team event meaning England could miss out
Lahiru Kumara has been ruled out of the World Cup after hurting his left thigh during training in Pune, where Sri Lanka play their next game of the tournament, against Afghanistan on Monday..India are hoping to get further clarity on Hardik Pandya’s fitness over the next few days, ahead of their match against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on November 2Match previewAfghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Lucknow (2pm IST; 8.30am GMT; 7.30pm AEDT)2:57

Shahidi: This is Afghanistan’s best-ever World Cup

While this World Cup has only belatedly started offering up some nail-biters, it’s been rather more generous in terms of unexpected results. As a result, despite the sides currently occupying the top-four spots in the points table being the likeliest to make it through to the knockouts, there’s a cluster of teams just below them ready to capitalise on any potential slip-ups.For Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, three wins from their final four games in the league stage will leave them on ten points, which would give them a genuine shot at a semi-final berth. But of those four games, Afghanistan will face Australia and South Africa, while Sri Lanka still have to take on India and New Zealand.Click here for the full previewTeam newsAfghanistan (possible) 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiSri Lanka (probable) 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera/Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk) 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Angelo Mathews 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Kasun Rajitha, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Dilshan Madushanka

The Argentine scored two outstanding goals to secure all three points in Miami's return to MLS from the Club World Cup

Lionel Messi shook off an early miscue to score a brace and hand Inter Miami a crucial three points on the road Saturday evening as the defeated CF Montreal 4-1 in their first match back from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The Argentine, who scored twice during the victory, was joined on the scoresheet by winger Tadeo Allende and midfielder Telasco Segovia as the South Beach club stormed the Canadian side's stadium to secure the win.

The hosts opened the scoring on the evening, finding the back of the net just two minutes into the match after Messi gave the ball away just outside Miami's box. Montreal forward Prince Owusu capitalized, putting the ball in the back of the net with ease. From there on out, though, it was all Miami.

The drew level with Allende off a Messi assist in the 33rd minute after an onslaught of pressure, and then Messi himself found his first of the match – the game-winner – on the cusp of halftime.

The Argentine, fed by a Luis Suarez header, dribbled past two defenders before curling home into the side netting to give Miami a 2-1 lead in the 40th minute. In the second half, the South Beach club continued to put pressure on, and the third arrived in the 60th minute from Segovia, who scored an outstanding curling strike to give them a two-goal lead with 30 minutes to spare.

Just two minutes after Segovia's lovely effort, Messi found himself on the ball again and proceeded to produce a true moment of magic. The Argentine, fed by Suarez again, dribbled past the entire Montreal defense with delightful footwork to find the back of the net for his second of the night — with what might be his best goal of the season so far from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Following that moment, Miami would coast through the remainder of the contest to secure the result and all three points.

With the result, the moved to 32 points on the season with 17 matches played.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Stade Saputo…

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Oscar Ustari (6/10):

Not much he could do about the opener, but no goalkeeper will be thrilled seeing a ball go through their legs. Reliable in net otherwise.

Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):

Miscommunication with Messi led to Montreal's opener, but he recovered well otherwise.

Maxi Falcon (8/10):

Really solid performance at center back, highlighted by his aggression on and off the ball. Miami's best defender all night long.

Tomas Aviles (7/10):

Good on the ball while playing out of the back, and quietly played his role effectively. Overall, a great performance.

Jordi Alba (6/10):

Helped progress the ball up the pitch well in moments, but never found his groove on the front foot. Quiet going forward, but composed defensively.

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Telasco Segovia (8/10):

World-class finish for Miami's third. He had a quiet performance all night until his otherworldly strike midway through the second half.

Benjamin Cremaschi (7/10):

A quiet evening in a more defensive role. Played as a box-to-box midfielder alongside Busquets and fit comfortably. Well-rounded performance.

Sergio Busquets (6/10):

Solid at the No. 6 spot, didn't put a foot wrong all evening.

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Lionel Messi (9/10):

Two incredible goals from the Argentine saw him at his best in and around the box for Miami. A truly magical performance.

Luis Suarez (7/10):

Two great assists for both of Messi's goals, but rather ineffective inside the box otherwise.

Tadeo Allende (8/10):

Fantastic performance. Brilliant strike to open the scoring for Miami, and was lively all evening on the wing.

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Federico Redondo (N/A):

Brought on in the closing stages to run the midfield.

Hector Martinez (N/A):

Introduced with 18 minutes to spare, helped close out the match with a solid defensive performance.

Baltasar Rodriguez (N/A):

Handed surprising minutes late with Miami up three goals. He looked confident on the ball in his cameo.

Fafa Picault (N/A):

Subbed on with seven minutes to spare.

Ryan Sailor (N/A):

Brought on with four minutes for his first appearance since May.

Javier Mascherano (8/10):

No complaints, really. One can ask why he kept both Messi and Suarez in the game while up three goals, but both left the pitch without injury. That could backfire in the future, though. Overall, a good performance and a proper three points on the road. Good result upon return from the Club World Cup.

Former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has declared that the club have been "cheated" by rival clubs and players in transfer fees and salaries.

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Serbian criticises club's transfer dealingsFormer captain believes Woodward lacked experienceThinks United should have hired former playersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Vidic was speaking on , brought to you by Sky Bet, about United's failure to win a Premier League title since 2013 and he said the club's poor recruitment was a key factor in their struggles.

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"I think sometimes with the salaries and the money we’ve paid to certain players, we’ve been cheated. That for me is the problem," Vidic said. "Recruitment is the biggest thing, bringing in good football players, coaches, medical staff, and I think that they should be careful with what kind of people they bring into certain places. To be at Manchester United you have to be one of the best in the market, and you have to invest in that – maybe even more than in the players and I think that we haven’t done that well."

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Vidic said that United suffered from the twin departures of Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill in 2013 and he believes that Ed Woodward, who succeeded Gill, was out of his depth in the transfer business. "My feeling is that Sir Alex Ferguson left but so did David Gill as well – that’s two big personalities who had been with the club for 25-years. They’re difficult to replace and Ed Woodward taking that position, I think was above his knowledge and his capability – that’s my opinion. Obviously, he did fantastic for the club in terms of the marketing and bringing money in, but dealing with agents and players, that role needs someone with experience."

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Vidic believes United should have hired former players to work in recruitment as they know how footballers and agents work. He said: "Even having some ex-footballers around to understand how the players think and how the agent thinks [would have helped]. At the time, the club didn’t help themselves in terms of not bringing in the knowledge of ex-players like yourself [Gary Neville], Paul Scholes, or Ryan Giggs – someone who has experienced talking with agents."