Sport Updates
Same-day news, records, transfers and retirements from across the sports you follow.
Carlos Baleba Progressing Toward Man United Debut, October Return Targeted
Carlos Baleba is progressing well in his recovery from an ankle ligament injury, with Manchester United boss Michael Carrick confirming the midfielder should return to full training soon, though his debut is not expected until after the international break. "He'll be back with the squad in the next week or so. After the international break, he should be in good shape," Carrick said, as Baleba continues rehabilitation work at Carrington, having been pictured back out on the grass following the injury sustained during a pre-season friendly against Strasbourg while still at Brighton. The £70m signing has yet to make a single appearance since his move, missing all of United's matches so far this season. Reports suggest United's home fixture against Tottenham on October 10 has been earmarked as a realistic target for his first appearance. Once fully fit, Baleba is expected to compete with Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans for a starting role in central midfield, adding much-needed depth and physicality to a United side that has often looked light in that area of the pitch this season.
Europa League Phase Begins as UEFA Confirms Allianz Arena and Camp Nou for Future Finals
UEFA's club competitions enter a new phase this week, with the 2026-27 Europa League league stage kicking off today, headlined by AC Milan hosting Benfica at the San Siro, while European football's governing body has also confirmed venues for the next round of major finals. Benfica arrive unbeaten in their last five matches, including two Europa League qualifying wins over AGF, while Milan head into the tie on the back of a 1-1 draw at Juventus, looking to build on a run that has yielded ten goals in their last five outings. The Europa League field this season includes heavyweights such as Milan, Juventus, Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad, competing across an expanded league-phase format. Separately, UEFA confirmed at an Executive Committee meeting in Thessaloniki that Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena will host the 2028 Champions League final, returning to the venue for the first time since 2012, while Barcelona's rebuilt Camp Nou will stage the 2029 final, its first showpiece since the famous 1999 final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich. The Europa League finals for those years were also awarded to Bucharest and Belgrade respectively, with the Women's Champions League finals heading to Lyon in 2028 and Cardiff in 2029.
Harry Brook Becomes First Full Member Captain With Two T20I Centuries in a Calendar Year
Harry Brook has become the first captain from a Full Member nation to score two T20I centuries in the same calendar year, after his unbeaten 114 against Sri Lanka followed his maiden format hundred scored earlier this year against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup. Brook's first century as captain came in February, a memorable 100 off 51 balls in the Super Eights that helped England reach an unprecedented fifth consecutive World Cup semi-final, a knock that was itself the first century by a captain in the tournament's history. His second, an explosive 114 not out off 49 balls in Southampton this week, underlined the remarkable consistency he has shown since being handed England's white-ball captaincy following Jos Buttler's resignation after the 2025 Champions Trophy. The milestone adds to an extraordinary run of leadership form for the 27-year-old, who has already collected Test centuries, ODI hundreds and now multiple T20I tons while juggling captaincy responsibilities across all three formats. With England's white-ball revival continuing to gather pace under his leadership, Brook's record-breaking year shows little sign of slowing down as the side builds toward next year's assignments.
Liverpool Beat Tottenham as Arsenal's Max Dowman Matches Rooney Record at Ipswich
Liverpool eased into the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 3-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield, continuing Spurs' miserable start to the season, while at Ipswich, Arsenal's 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman stole the headlines with a stunning individual display in a 4-2 win. Dowman scored twice and set up another in a man-of-the-match performance, matching a record held by Wayne Rooney for a two-goal haul in a match at that age. It continues a remarkable rise for the Hale End academy product, who is already the youngest-ever Premier League and Champions League player, with Mikel Arteta having promised the teenager more minutes this season provided they are earned. Liverpool's win extended Tottenham's dismal run under Roberto De Zerbi, who left wantaway forward Richarlison out of the squad once again despite his eligibility for cup competition. Both results confirm Liverpool and Arsenal's places in Wednesday's fourth-round draw, which follows the conclusion of Manchester United's home tie against Brighton, one of three more all-Premier League ties on the night alongside Coventry vs Aston Villa and a rescheduled Everton vs Wolves.
Brook's 114 and Buttler's Six-Hitting Record Power England to 119-Run Win Over Sri Lanka
England made an emphatic start to their T20I series against Sri Lanka , winning the opener by 119 runs at the Rose Bowl in Southampton behind a sensational century from Harry Brook . Brook reached his hundred off just 42 balls and finished unbeaten on 114 from 49 deliveries , continuing his extraordinary red-hot form in the format. Captain Jos Buttler provided the perfect foil with a rapid 80, a knock that also moved him past Rohit Sharma into second place on the all-time list for most sixes in men's T20I cricket. The pair's explosive stand propelled England to a daunting 254 for 4, comfortably their platform for victory before a ball had even been bowled in Sri Lanka's reply. Sri Lanka's chase never got going against a total of that magnitude, with the tourists bowled out well short as England cruised to a statement win to open the three-match series. Kevin Pietersen watched on in his first outing as England's new white-ball mentor, with the series continuing in Cardiff on Thursday before concluding at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Renshaw's Maiden Century and Ellis' Five-For Give Australia 1-0 Lead Over Zimbabwe
Australia began their return to Zimbabwe after 12 years with a 59-run win in the first ODI at Harare Sports Club, powered by Matt Renshaw's maiden century and a career-best five-wicket haul from Nathan Ellis , to take a 1-0 series lead. After being sent in, Australia recovered from a wobble at 107 for 4 as Renshaw anchored the innings, sharing stands of 72 and 74 with Alex Carey and Oliver Peake to reach 109 off 94 balls , his maiden ODI hundred and the first century by an Australian against Zimbabwe since Michael Clarke's 105* in 2004. It also marked the first century by an Australian batting at number six or lower against Zimbabwe. Australia posted 294 for 8, with 20-year-old Newman Nyamhuri the pick of the bowlers, claiming his maiden ODI five-wicket haul with figures of 5 for 62, removing both Renshaw and Mitchell Marsh among his five victims. In reply, Zimbabwe were undone by Nathan Ellis , who struck twice in his very first over to leave the hosts reeling at 44 for 3. Craig Ervine (59) and captain Sikandar Raza (57) shared a defiant 98-run stand to briefly rekindle hope, but Spencer Johnson's yorker to bowl Raza swung the match firmly back in Australia's favour. Ellis returned to mop up the tail, finishing with 5 for 31 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235 with 4.5 overs unused. The second ODI follows later in the series as Australia look to seal victory with a match to spare.
Sanju Samson's Fastest T20I Fifty Seals 7-Wicket Win as India Go 2-0 Up vs Afghanistan
India wrapped up the second T20I with plenty to spare, chasing down 160 with a 7-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to move 2-0 up in the three-match series against Afghanistan . Afghanistan were sent in to bat after India won the toss, and once again it was Rahmanullah Gurbaz who fell cheaply, chopping on in the first over. Ibrahim Zadran (37) and Darwish Rasooli (26) provided some resistance, but the middle order never quite got away, with Nitish Kumar Reddy the pick of the bowlers at 3/24 . A late flourish from Rashid Khan (28) and Mohammad Nabi (20) lifted Afghanistan to a competitive 159/8 . India's reply was every bit as brutal as the series opener. Sanju Samson smashed his fastest T20I fifty off just 22 balls on his way to 57 , adding 88 with Abhishek Sharma (39) inside the powerplay, in which India raced to 82. Rashid Khan pulled things back with 3/36 , removing both openers and Shreyas Iyer, but Ishan Kishan (38 not out) and Tilak Varma (15 not out) closed it out with more than five overs unused. With the series already sealed, the third and final T20I will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Atletico Madrid and Juventus Monitoring Arsenal's Noni Madueke Ahead of January
Atletico Madrid and Juventus are monitoring Arsenal winger Noni Madueke ahead of the January transfer window, with both clubs considering a loan move, potentially including an option to buy, should his lack of playing time at the Emirates continue. Madueke has made just two substitute Premier League appearances so far this season, managing barely 100 minutes across Arsenal's opening six matches, with Bukayo Saka's return to full fitness pushing him further down the pecking order. He did feature for 18 minutes off the bench in Arsenal's 1-0 Champions League win over Napoli, suggesting Mikel Arteta still views him as part of his plans, but sources close to the agents' industry indicate no formal negotiations have yet taken place between the clubs. Arsenal paid Chelsea £52 million for Madueke last summer, with the England international contributing 8 goals and 4 assists in 43 appearances during a productive debut season that ended in Premier League and FA Cup glory. Atletico are said to see him as a player who could add pace and directness to Diego Simeone's attack, though Arsenal have shown no indication they are willing to sanction a sale midway through a campaign in which they are competing on multiple fronts.
Newcastle Fear Worst as Jaissle Says Elanga's Injury "Doesn't Look Good"
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle has delivered a worrying update on Anthony Elanga's injury, admitting after Monday's 4-1 defeat at Leeds that the winger's problem "doesn't look good," suggesting a potentially extended spell on the sidelines. Elanga failed to travel with the squad for the Leeds match after picking up the issue, joining Joelinton, William Osula, Dan Burn and Ewen Jaouen on the absentee list, with Jacob Murphy deputising in his place. Jaissle had already sounded a note of caution before kickoff, telling Sky Sports: "Unfortunately, he is injured. We need to investigate further and in more detail to find out how long he will be out. We will miss him and hope he is back to play quickly. It could be long-term. We hope not." The club has confirmed Elanga will undergo a further MRI scan next week to determine the full extent of the problem, with no timeline currently in place. The setback comes after an outstanding start to the season for the Sweden international, who scored against both Liverpool and Tottenham and was named the Premier League's August Guinness Goal of the Month winner. His injury already rules him out of this weekend's match against Hull City, and with Sweden's upcoming international fixtures also now in doubt, Newcastle face the prospect of missing one of their most in-form attacking players for a significant stretch.
Inter Complete Second Straight Comeback to Beat Udinese 5-3, Betis Continue Fairy-Tale Run
Inter Milan produced a stunning fightback to beat Udinese 5-3 at San Siro, recovering from two goals down inside 16 minutes to maintain their perfect start to the Serie A season and move level with league leaders Roma on 12 points. James Abankwah and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp put Udinese ahead early, but Carlos Augusto and Nicolo Barella restored parity before half-time. Marcus Thuram completed the turnaround early in the second half, before Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny extended the lead, with Idrissa Gueye's late strike proving mere consolation for the visitors. It marked the second consecutive match in which Inter had recovered from a two-goal deficit, having done the same against Napoli previously. Elsewhere in Europe, Real Betis continued their remarkable start to the season, beating Villarreal 2-1 away through goals from Cucho Hernandez and Natan, a result that arrived just ten days after beating Real Madrid and less than a week after winning their first Champions League group-stage match since 2005. The win lifts Betis level on points with Real Madrid in second place, three points behind leaders Barcelona, while Villarreal remain winless and third-from-bottom after five matches.
Varun Chakaravarthy Ruled Out of Remaining Afghanistan T20Is, Asian Games in Doubt
Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the remainder of India's T20I series against Afghanistan with a side strain, with his participation at the Asian Games later this month also now in doubt. The timing is harsh for the spinner, who had just worked his way back into India's white-ball plans on the back of a strong T20 World Cup campaign, finishing as one of the tournament's standout performers with 14 wickets, and a dominant IPL season as a middle-overs enforcer. His variations, sliders and carrom balls had repeatedly broken up top-order batting units, helping him re-establish himself as an near-automatic pick in India's white-ball setup. India play a historic first-ever T20I against Japan on September 22, before their Asian Games campaign begins in Nisshin on September 28, where India go in as defending champions under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy. With Chakaravarthy's fitness now uncertain heading into that tournament, the team management will need to assess replacement options across the squad's spin-bowling resources in the coming days.
Kevin Pietersen Rejoins England Setup as White-Ball Mentor Through 2027 World Cup
Kevin Pietersen has officially rejoined the England fold, appointed as a specialist mentor for the men's white-ball teams through to the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, more than a decade after his international career ended in acrimonious circumstances. Pietersen links up with Brendon McCullum's coaching staff starting with the ongoing T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, joining a group that already includes Marcus Trescothick, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel and Sarah Taylor. He will miss England's ODI tri-series in Pakistan in October but will be involved on winter tours to Australia and South Africa, before home series against Pakistan and New Zealand next summer leading into the World Cup itself. "Putting on the England uniform again for the first time since 2014 is a profound honour and a deeply special moment," Pietersen said. His international career ended following the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash amid what then-director of cricket Andrew Strauss described as a "massive trust issue" with the ECB, with Strauss revealing at the time that Pietersen had actually turned down a similar white-ball advisor role back then. The 46-year-old scored nearly 14,000 international runs across 104 Tests, 136 ODIs and 37 T20Is, and was Player of the Tournament when England won the 2010 T20 World Cup, with the ECB citing his South African upbringing as valuable local knowledge ahead of next year's tournament.
Tottenham's Injury List Grows With Tonali Knock, Richarlison Frozen Out for Liverpool Tie
Tottenham head into Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie at Liverpool with a growing injury list, after head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Sandro Tonali has picked up a knock in addition to five other unavailable players, while wantaway forward Richarlison remains frozen out despite being eligible to feature. "Kulusevski not available, Pedro still not available, Udogie yes. No Sandro Tonali, he felt a knock," De Zerbi told reporters. Tonali joins Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Pedro Porro (muscle), Mykhailo Mudryk (ankle), Xavi Simons (knee) and Wilson Odobert (knee) on the sidelines, though there was a boost with Destiny Udogie confirmed available again after a minor muscular issue. On Richarlison, who is not registered for Premier League duty but remains eligible for cup competitions, De Zerbi was unequivocal: "Richarlison, you already know everything, so nothing changes with the Carabao Cup or Premier League. I said last press conference. I know what happened in the last 45 days." The Brazilian had pushed for a move away over the summer, with proposed transfers to Everton, Trabzonspor and Vasco da Gama all collapsing before the window closed. Spurs arrive at Anfield without a Premier League win this season, having taken just two points from four matches, their only victory so far coming in a 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic.
Leeds Thrash Newcastle 4-1, Hand Jaissle First Defeat, Climb to Third
Leeds United handed Newcastle a 4-1 thrashing at Elland Road, inflicting Matthias Jaissle's first defeat as Magpies boss and climbing to third in the Premier League, their highest position at this stage of a season since 2000-01. A fortunate opener arrived in the 32nd minute when Ao Tanaka's shot took a double deflection before falling to Lewis Miley, who turned it into his own net. Leeds struck again just 162 seconds later, with a Jayden Bogle effort making it two, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin further extended the lead deep into first-half stoppage time to make it 3-0 at the break. Noah Okafor completed the rout with a well-struck effort in the 59th minute, with Newcastle's Bazoumana Toure grabbing a stoppage-time consolation for his first Premier League goal. Newcastle's afternoon was further disrupted when Nico Gonzalez had to be withdrawn as a concussion substitute inside the first 20 minutes, leaving 18-year-old Sean Steur and 20-year-old Miley to shoulder responsibility in central midfield without their senior partnership. "It was clear from the start and I said that many times that we will have ups and downs, challenges along the way," Jaissle said afterward. "We faced that challenge and it's tough, it's really tough." The result drops Newcastle to 12th with a negative goal difference, while Leeds maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Aston Villa Raise Concerns Over Premier League's New 60-Second Treatment Rule
Aston Villa have contacted refereeing chiefs Pro Ref to raise concerns over new Premier League rules introduced this season around injuries and substitutions, after being affected by the regulation in recent matches. Under the changes brought in for 2026-27, any player who receives medical treatment on the pitch must leave the field and remain on the sidelines for 60 seconds , an increase from the previous 30-second period, temporarily leaving his team down to ten players regardless of the injury's severity. A similar rule states that if a substituted player takes longer than 10 seconds to leave the pitch, his replacement must wait until the first break in play after the 60-second period before entering. Villa's concerns stem partly from an incident involving Matty Cash , and the club, along with several other Premier League sides, believe officials need greater discretion in applying the rules, particularly in distinguishing genuine injuries from deliberate time-wasting. "It is difficult, but we will train now in the afternoon and we will check him in case he is getting better. It is a small injury, and he needed a few days," said head coach Unai Emery of Cash's fitness. The rule changes form part of wider measures introduced this season to improve the flow of matches, including a five-second countdown on throw-ins and goal-kicks, but have already drawn scrutiny from clubs during the season's opening weeks.
Mamardashvili to Start Over Alisson as Joe Gomez Returns for Liverpool's Spurs Clash
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal ahead of Alisson for Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Tottenham at Anfield, with Joe Gomez also available after returning to full training. "I rate Giorgi very highly, I know him from his years also in Spain. We told him we tried to sign him for Bournemouth before I came here, he is a very good keeper. He is going to start tomorrow," Iraola said, while stressing there were "little doubts" over Alisson's continued status as first choice. Gomez, sidelined since suffering a muscle injury in a pre-season friendly against Sunderland, has been declared fit and available, though Iraola added: "It's a matter of deciding how much he can play, or what the best thing is for him." Conor Bradley remains unavailable, with the head coach confirming he "is not close to training with the team." Iraola is expected to make wholesale changes to freshen up his side, with Trey Nyoni, Wataru Endo, Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas among those who could feature or start, as Liverpool look to bounce back from a goalless draw with Fulham and continue their unbeaten start to the season across all competitions.
Aneurin Donald Handed England T20I Debut Against Sri Lanka, Archer Rested
Aneurin Donald will make his England T20I debut in the series opener against Sri Lanka at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, opening the batting alongside Jos Buttler after being handed a surprise call-up by white-ball coach Brendon McCullum. The 29-year-old Derbyshire batter comes in for the injured Phil Salt, who is out with a quadriceps issue, with Jacob Bethell (knee) and Sam Curran (groin) also unavailable. Donald earned his promotion off the back of an explosive Vitality Blast campaign, striking 489 runs at a rate of 214 with a tournament-high 37 sixes, and further caught McCullum's eye with a blistering 38 off 19 balls for Trent Rockets in last month's Hundred final. The Swansea-born wicketkeeper-batter, who previously played for Glamorgan and Hampshire before joining Derbyshire in 2023, becomes the county's first homegrown England men's international since Simon Jones in the 2005 Ashes. At 29, he becomes England's oldest batter to make a maiden T20I appearance since David Malan in 2017 . Jofra Archer has been rested after playing all three Tests in England's recent 3-0 sweep of Pakistan, with Josh Tongue retained in the T20I squad despite also featuring throughout that series. Sonny Baker is set for just his second T20I cap. The three-match series continues in Cardiff on Thursday and concludes in Manchester on Saturday, before both sides switch to a three-match ODI series beginning September 22.
Leeds Host Unbeaten Newcastle With Both Sides Level on Five Points
Leeds United host Newcastle United at Elland Road on Monday night, with both sides level on five points from their opening three Premier League matches and both unbeaten so far this season. Daniel Farke's Leeds side have won once and drawn twice in the league, conceding just twice in the process, and can become only the fourth Leeds team to go four Premier League games unbeaten to open a season, last achieved in 2001-02. That form came despite a 6-3 Carabao Cup exit at Chelsea in midweek, in which Farke heavily rotated his side after leading 2-0. Newcastle , unbeaten in six successive meetings with Leeds under new head coach Matthias Jaissle , head into the match having recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth last weekend, continuing a run of scoring at least twice in every league match so far this season. The Magpies are looking to win their first two away league matches to open a campaign for the first time since 1995-96, while Leeds will be targeting a first clean sheet of the season against a side that has found the net in every fixture so far.
Arsenal Assess Ben White's Groin Injury, Academy Defender Salmon in Contention
Arsenal are assessing Ben White after the defender suffered a fresh groin injury during Saturday's 2-0 win over Sunderland, with 17-year-old academy prospect Marli Salmon now in contention for a surprise Carabao Cup opportunity against Ipswich Town. White was seen clutching his left groin late in the first half before being replaced by Jurrien Timber at the interval. It is a frustrating setback for the defender, who had only recently returned from the MCL damage that ended his previous season early and cost him a place at the World Cup. Early assessments suggest the injury could range from simple muscle tightness, which might see him fit within a week, to a more serious adductor strain that could sideline him for one to three weeks. With Timber only just back from his own lengthy groin issue and Cristhian Mosquera still working his way back from a hamstring strain, Mikel Arteta could turn to Salmon , who has trained regularly with the senior squad and is capable of playing both centre-back and right-back, for Tuesday's third-round tie. William Saliba remains Arsenal's only long-term absentee, continuing his recovery from a back injury that flared up during the World Cup.
Pro Ref Admits VAR Error Over Haaland's Derby Winner, Result to Stand
Pro Ref , English football's referees' body, has admitted an "error of judgment" over the VAR decision that allowed Erling Haaland's winning goal to stand in Manchester City's 1-0 derby victory over Manchester United, though the result itself will not be overturned. Haaland's 60th-minute strike came from Josko Gvardiol's deflected cross, with the on-field call of offside against the Norwegian overturned by VAR. The bigger issue centred on Enzo Fernandez , who was in an offside position closer to goal and moved toward the ball without touching it. Pro Ref confirmed that "the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position" on United defender Lisandro Martinez, and should have sent referee Michael Oliver to conduct an on-field review rather than allowing the goal directly. "Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement," the body said, confirming a formal review of the incident will follow. United manager Michael Carrick called the explanation "confusing" and said it was "worrying" that a team of officials reached that conclusion, while Martinez , who had stayed with Fernandez rather than tracking Haaland, branded the outcome an "injustice." The goal proved decisive in a match City won despite playing more than an hour with ten men following Phil Foden's red card, extending the fallout from what was already a controversial afternoon at Old Trafford.
Ferran Torres Fires PSG to First Ligue 1 Win, Matches Club Record With Six Goals in Five Games
Paris Saint-Germain claimed their first Ligue 1 win of the season, beating Brest 1-0 away thanks to another goal from summer signing Ferran Torres , who has now matched a club record with six goals in his opening five appearances. Torres put PSG ahead inside five minutes, intercepting a loose pass from Joris Chotard before exchanging passes with Ousmane Dembele and curling home from the edge of the box. It continued a remarkable start for the World Cup-winning Spaniard following his move from Barcelona, having also scored a hat-trick in midweek during PSG's 6-1 Champions League thrashing of Slovan Bratislava. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic has previously managed six goals in his first five PSG appearances. Brest pushed hard for an equaliser throughout, with goalkeeper Matvey Safonov called into repeated action, including a crucial fingertip save to deny Pathe Mboup late on, while Achraf Hakimi was forced off with a muscular issue in the first half. The win ends a sluggish start to the domestic season for Luis Enrique's side, who had taken just two points from their opening three league matches following a shock defeat to Monaco, restoring confidence heading into the coming international break.
Harry Kane Reaches 150 Bayern Goals in 153 Games, One Shy of Bundesliga Century
Harry Kane reached a remarkable milestone of 150 goals for Bayern Munich in just 153 appearances across all competitions, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory at newly promoted Elversberg that also doubled as his 99th Bundesliga goal. Bayern led through Lennart Karl's early tap-in after a fortunate deflection off Kane, before Elversberg's Maurice Krattenmacher levelled with a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box. Kane settled the contest in the closing stages, latching onto a ball in the box and firing a powerful shot past goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof at his near post, his 99th Bundesliga strike in just 97 appearances and his first league goal of the new season. The milestone continues an astonishing scoring rate since his £100m move from Tottenham in August 2023, having already broken the record for fastest to 50 Bundesliga goals in just 43 appearances. He now sits on the verge of a century of league goals, with Dieter Muller's long-standing record of reaching the mark in 129 games well within reach. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Kane has scored ten more goals than any other player across Europe's top five leagues, a run of consistency that has made him one of the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, to be awarded in London this October. The result also saw Joshua Kimmich make his 500th Bayern appearance, drawing him level with Bastian Schweinsteiger, and extended Bayern's unbeaten away run in the Bundesliga to 28 matches.
Yamal's Brace Helps Barcelona Survive Levante Scare to Stay Perfect in La Liga
Barcelona survived a nervy finish to beat Levante 4-2 away from home, with a Lamine Yamal brace helping the league leaders make it five wins from five to open their La Liga title defence. Barcelona flew out of the blocks, with 19-year-old Xavi Espart scoring his first senior goal just five minutes in, driving home from the edge of the box after a slick passing move. Yamal doubled the lead in the 19th minute, tapping in after Raphinha dribbled past the goalkeeper, before the winger struck again shortly after the restart, converting a penalty won by his own driving run to make it 3-0. With the game seemingly settled, Hansi Flick made changes at the hour mark, resting both Yamal and Pedri. Levante refused to fold, however, hitting back through Ivan Romero after an Espart error, before Roger Brugue burst through to make it 3-2 and set up a tense finish. Karim Adeyemi settled matters in stoppage time, beating a defender with a backheel before finishing calmly to complete the scoring. The win takes Barcelona to a perfect 15 points from five matches, three clear of Real Madrid in second, who beat Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day. Barcelona's winning run now extends to six matches across all competitions, with Racing Santander up next at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
South Africa Complete 3-0 ODI Sweep of Namibia With Emphatic Nine-Wicket Win
South Africa completed a dominant 3-0 ODI series sweep of Namibia , cruising to a nine-wicket win in the third and final match at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. Put in to bat, Namibia never got going against South Africa's disciplined attack, slipping to 19 for 2 early on before Alexander Busing-Volschenk (31) and Louren Steenkamp (23) added 53 to steady things. Bjorn Fortuin then took control, breaking the stand and triggering a middle-order collapse that saw Namibia's captain Gerhard Erasmus fall for just 3. The left-arm spinner finished with career-best figures of 4 for 33 , with Zane Green's 33 the only real resistance as the hosts were bowled out for 156. South Africa's chase was a formality from the start, with openers Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen putting on 150 in just 21 overs. Hermann struck 13 boundaries in a rapid 77 off 59 balls before falling with the target almost complete, while Esterhuizen finished unbeaten on 68 off 68 balls. Dewald Brevis sealed victory in style, launching his second ball for six as South Africa reached 157 for 1 with more than 29 overs to spare. The result caps a near-perfect tour of Namibia for South Africa's experimental squad, having also swept the earlier T20I tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe, giving the national selectors plenty to consider ahead of future assignments.
Stuttgart Confirm Angelo Stiller Avoided Serious Injury After Hoffenheim Scare
VfB Stuttgart have confirmed Angelo Stiller avoided serious injury after a worrying collision during Saturday's 2-1 Bundesliga defeat at Hoffenheim, with the club describing the diagnosis as merely a contusion. The Germany international was forced off in the 35th minute after taking a knee from Hoffenheim's Ozan Kabak inside the penalty area, initially attempting to continue before signalling he could no longer play. Head coach Sebastian Hoeness had feared a hematoma immediately after the match without being able to offer a firm diagnosis, but the club has since confirmed the injury is not serious, calling it "fortunate under the circumstances." The incident also fuelled a wider VAR controversy from the match, with both Hoeness and sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth publicly questioning why no penalty was awarded for the challenge, with referee Sven Jablonski reportedly telling Hoeness he had not seen the incident live. The positive medical update is a timely boost for Stuttgart, with Stiller having started all five of the club's competitive fixtures this season and considered a strong candidate for new Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp's first squad selection this week. Stuttgart host Borussia Dortmund next Saturday.
Brighton Move Into Top Four With 5-0 Thrashing of 10-Man Coventry
Brighton thrashed 10-man Coventry 5-0 at the CBS Arena to move into the Premier League's top four, leaving Frank Lampard's newly promoted side rooted to the bottom of the table without a point or a goal after four matches. Charalampos Kostoulas put Brighton ahead late in the first half before Malick Yalcouye doubled the lead early in the second. Coventry's afternoon then fell apart when Taiwo Awoniyi was sent off in the 53rd minute for elbowing Maxim De Cuyper in the face, a decision checked and confirmed by VAR that leaves the Nigeria international facing a three-match ban. Brighton made the numerical advantage count, with Pascal Gross converting a penalty for his 50th Premier League assist, Lewis Dunk curling in a stunning 25-yard strike, and Yasin Ayari completing the rout in stoppage time. The result marks just Brighton's second win of the season, lifting Fabian Hurzeler's side into fourth, while Coventry remain without a Premier League goal since their return to the top flight, still searching for their first goal since 2001 in the competition. Lampard's side next host Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup before facing Nottingham Forest in the league, hoping to end their winless start.
Haaland's Ninth Derby Goal Sinks 10-Man City Past United, Level with Arsenal
Manchester City won the 199th Manchester derby 1-0 at Old Trafford despite playing more than an hour with ten men, as Erling Haaland struck what proved the winner in the 60th minute for his ninth career goal in the fixture, taking him clear as the fixture's all-time top scorer. The contest turned on a moment of madness from Phil Foden , sent off in just the 22nd minute after kicking out at United captain Bruno Fernandes' back, a decision confirmed by VAR. Rather than sit back for a point, City boss Enzo Maresca , in his first derby in charge following Pep Guardiola's exit, kept his side committed to attack, and it paid off when Haaland's tight finish found the net after United failed to clear a Josko Gvardiol delivery, with the goal initially flagged offside before VAR ruled Enzo Fernandez had not interfered with play. United, who enjoyed more than 67 minutes with a numerical advantage, could muster just three shots on target against Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Bryan Mbeumo's stoppage-time effort the closest they came to an equaliser. The result takes City level with Arsenal on 12 points from four matches, while Michael Carrick's United remain stuck on four points and slip to 13th in the table, a damaging result for a manager already under early-season pressure.
India Win Record 8th Women's Asia Cup as Shafali-Mandhana Shatter Opening Stand Record
India won a record eighth Women's Asia Cup title, beating Sri Lanka by 70 runs in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, powered by a record-breaking opening stand between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana . Batting first, the pair put together a 129-run opening partnership , the highest in Women's Asia Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 128 set by Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma against the UAE in 2022. It also stands as the highest opening stand in the final of any women's T20I tournament ever played. Shafali was the standout, smashing 68 off 39 balls with nine fours and two sixes, reaching her fifty in just 24 balls , the fastest half-century in Women's Asia Cup history, beating Mandhana's own record of a 25-ball fifty from the 2022 edition. Mandhana added a fluent 59 off 39 balls at the other end, as India posted 183 for 5. Sri Lanka's reply never got going, with Shree Charani the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 20 in her four overs, ably supported by Deepti Sharma's 3 for 19, as the defending champions were bowled out well short of the target. The win crowns a dominant tournament for Shafali, who finished as the leading run-scorer with 236 runs in five innings at an average of 47.20 and a strike rate of 171.01, registering three fifties, the joint-most in a single edition alongside Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu. It also extends the remarkable partnership numbers for Mandhana and Shafali, who have now amassed 3,909 runs together in Women's T20Is, the most by any pair in the format's history.
India Women Crowned Women's Asia Cup 2026 Champions After 72-Run Final Win Over Sri Lanka
India Women completed an unbeaten campaign to win the Women's Asia Cup 2026 , thrashing Sri Lanka Women by 72 runs in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sent in to bat after winning the toss, India put on a batting masterclass. Shafali Verma (68 off 39) and Smriti Mandhana (59 off 39) blazed through the powerplay with a 129-run opening stand, before a late flourish from Gunalan Kamalini (15* off 5, including the final-over six) took India to a formidable 183/5 — the second-highest total ever in a Women's T20I tournament final. Sri Lanka's chase never got going. Chamari Athapaththu (36) and Vishmi Gunaratne (20) added 58 for the second wicket, but once that stand was broken, wickets tumbled steadily. Shree Charani ran through the middle and lower order with 4/20 , while Deepti Sharma chipped in with 3/19, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 , never threatening the chase. Shree Charani was named Player of the Match for her spell. The win completes a perfect tournament for India, who won all six of their matches without dropping a single game, lifting the Women's Asia Cup trophy in style.
Abhishek Sharma's 82 Powers India to 7-Wicket Win Over Afghanistan in T20I Opener
India made a winning start to the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan , chasing down 157 with a 7-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, powered by a blistering 82 from Abhishek Sharma . Put in to bowl after winning the toss, India's attack pegged Afghanistan back early when Jasprit Bumrah struck in his first over, before a middle-order collapse left the visitors 43/5 inside 10 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai then rescued the innings with a counter-attacking 64 not out off 44 balls , adding 47 with Mohammad Nabi (33) and a late 25 with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, dragging Afghanistan up to 156/8 . Arshdeep Singh was the pick of India's bowlers with 3/19 . India's chase never looked in doubt. Abhishek Sharma tore into Afghanistan's bowling with 82 off just 32 balls , striking seven fours and seven sixes, sharing a 121-run stand with Ishan Kishan (42) that effectively settled the contest inside the first 11 overs. Both fell in quick succession to Mohammad Nabi, but Shreyas Iyer (8*) and Tilak Varma (3*) saw India home in just 13.4 overs . The result gives India a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second T20I to be played at the same venue on September 15 .
Borussia Monchengladbach Sack Eugen Polanski After Winless Start to Season
Borussia Monchengladbach have sacked head coach Eugen Polanski after a disastrous start to the Bundesliga season left the club bottom of the table without a single point from three matches. The final straw came with a humiliating 5-0 defeat at SC Freiburg , following earlier losses to RB Leipzig (3-0) and newly promoted Elversberg (4-3) at home. Gladbach have scored just three goals while conceding twelve across their opening three fixtures. Assistant coach Tobias Trulsen was also relieved of his duties, with former Mainz coach Jan-Moritz Lichte taking interim charge ahead of next Saturday's Matchday 4 fixture against Mainz. "Despite a good pre-season and positive signs, the team have not managed to achieve the desired results in the Bundesliga," said sporting director Rouven Schroder. "Recent performances led to the decision to relieve Eugen of his duties with immediate effect." Polanski, a boyhood product of the club's academy, had only been appointed permanently in November 2025 after initially taking interim charge when Gerardo Seoane was sacked last September, and had signed a contract through 2028. "Borussia Monchengladbach was and remains my club. That is why it hurts so immensely that things have turned out this way," Polanski said in a statement. The dismissal marks the first managerial change of the new Bundesliga season, mirroring the club's own timeline from a year earlier.
Chelsea Women Thrash Manchester United 5-0 for First WSL Win of the Season
Chelsea Women claimed their first Women's Super League win of the season in ruthless fashion, thrashing Manchester United Women 5-0 at Leigh Sports Village to hand new United boss Eva Olid a second straight defeat. Sjoeke Nusken opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Keira Walsh doubled the lead 11 minutes later, giving Chelsea a commanding half-time cushion. The visitors continued to dominate after the break, with Lauren James , the player of the match and a former United academy product, getting on the scoresheet in the 61st minute, before Ellie Carpenter and Lucy Bronze completed the rout either side of the hour mark, the latter arriving with the final kick of the game. United struggled to escape their own half for long periods as Chelsea's relentless pressing exposed a fragile home defence, continuing a difficult start under Olid, who was only overseeing her second league match in charge. Chelsea, responding emphatically after being held to a draw on the opening weekend, delivered exactly the kind of ruthless performance head coach Sonia Bompastor had demanded, moving the Blues back into serious title contention as United's wait for a first league win goes on ahead of a tough trip to Arsenal next.
Luke Shaw in Contention for Man Utd Despite Injury List Ahead of Derby
Manchester United head into Sunday's derby against Manchester City with Luke Shaw in contention despite fresh fitness concerns, while a lengthy list of other absentees continues to limit Michael Carrick's options. Shaw missed Thursday's 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah, with Patrick Dorgu deputising impressively at left-back and earning UEFA's player of the match award. Shaw is expected to be included in the squad for the derby, though it remains unclear whether he will be fit enough to start against a City side built around relentless movement, or whether he'll instead be eased back from the bench. Carlos Baleba remains unavailable and has yet to make his United debut since his £70m move from Brighton, still working his way back from the ankle ligament injury he picked up in a pre-season friendly against Strasbourg. Amad Diallo also remains out, while Matthijs de Ligt is nearing a return and Manuel Ugarte continues as a longer-term absentee. Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is unavailable through a hamstring issue picked up in pre-season, though his absence is not expected to shape team selection. With the squad already thin, United will be relying on fringe players to step up once again, having successfully done so against Sabah in midweek.
Man United Fans Plan Derby-Day Protest Over Ticketing Crackdown
Manchester United supporters are staging a visible protest during Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester City, after the club confirmed 685 season-ticket accounts had been banned following a summer-long investigation into organised ticket touting. Fan group The 1958 has organised the demonstration, urging supporters to "stand united" against what it called the "season ticket ban fiasco," with a gathering planned outside the Bishop Blaize pub near Old Trafford ahead of kickoff. Separately, the club's official supporters' group, the Red Army , announced it would scrap its usual flag display in the Stretford End for the match, replacing it with a single banner above the players' tunnel reading: "The way you treat us is a disgrace." United's investigation, launched in July, reviewed 1,617 accounts flagged for unusual activity, ultimately banning 685 and issuing reduced sanctions or warnings to a further 464. The club said bans were reserved for cases of "significant misuse of the ticketing system for financial gain," including organised networks controlling and reselling tickets across hundreds of accounts, while acknowledging the process had "caused significant concern and distress for some supporters" and admitting it had underestimated how common password-sharing was among genuine fans. With derby day tensions already running high, the protest adds an extra layer of friction to one of the season's marquee fixtures.
Mbappe's Double Fires Real Madrid Past Rayo as Dortmund and Freiburg Stay Perfect
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid bounced back from their first defeat of the season to beat Rayo Vallecano 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, taking his tally to seven goals in six appearances across all competitions this term. Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Florian Lejeune's rash challenge on Alvaro Carreras, then turned provider moments later, setting up Carreras to make it 2-0 after intercepting another loose Lejeune pass. Jude Bellingham added a third before the break, but Rayo hit back through Sergio Camello early in the second half and gave Jose Mourinho's side an uncomfortable finish, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois called into repeated action. Mbappe settled matters with a stoppage-time strike to complete the scoring. Elsewhere in Europe, Borussia Dortmund maintained a perfect start to the Bundesliga season, beating Paderborn 3-0 as Felix Nmecha scored twice, including a spectacular bicycle-kick finish he called "the best goal of my career." Freiburg also remain unbeaten, thumping Borussia Monchengladbach 5-0 with braces from Yannik Engelhardt and Igor Matanovic to sit top of the table on goal difference, with Gladbach reduced to ten men in the rout.
Raya's Penalty Save Sparks Guimaraes Stunner as Arsenal Beat Sunderland to Go Top
Arsenal survived a fierce Sunderland fightback to win 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, remaining perfect through four Premier League matches and moving above Manchester City to the top of the table, in a game defined by a stunning two-minute swing midway through the second half. With the score goalless in the 56th minute, Sunderland were awarded a penalty after Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have fouled Dan Ballard, a decision that infuriated Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. David Raya produced a brilliant save to tip Enzo Le Fee's spot-kick onto the post, and just 121 seconds later , substitute Bruno Guimaraes punished the hosts at the other end, crashing a stunning strike into the roof of the net from outside the box for his first Arsenal goal since his summer move. The Brazilian, jeered throughout by home supporters due to his ties to bitter rivals Newcastle, wore a smile as he silenced the crowd. Raya was called into action again to deny Nordi Mukiele with another sharp save, extending his fine early-season form in goal, before Bukayo Saka added gloss to the scoreline deep into stoppage time, converting a penalty after Reinildo was sent off for a second yellow card. The win keeps Arsenal's flawless start intact heading into a testing run of fixtures, with Ben White's first-half withdrawal through injury the only concern from an otherwise complete team performance.
O'Reilly Fit, Doku Out for Man City Ahead of Manchester Derby
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed Nico O'Reilly is fully fit for Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester United , though Jeremy Doku will remain sidelined with the calf injury he picked up during the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. O'Reilly missed City's win over Coventry after suffering a back issue in the warm-up and also sat out the midweek Champions League victory at Porto, but Maresca put any fitness doubts to rest on Friday. "Nico is 100% available. Jeremy, I think he needs some more days," the head coach said, with Doku having now missed City's opening three league matches. In the Belgian's continued absence, Maresca is expected to turn to Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden out wide in support of Erling Haaland, with deadline-day signing Iliman Ndiaye also in contention for involvement. The fixture marks Maresca's first Manchester derby since replacing Pep Guardiola over the summer, arriving at Old Trafford against a Michael Carrick side who played as recently as Thursday night in the Champions League, a scheduling quirk Carrick flagged publicly this week, though Maresca dismissed suggestions of any unfair advantage. Sunday's clash carries early-season significance for both sides as they look to build momentum in the Premier League table.
Tottenham's Goal Drought Continues in Goalless Draw With Everton, Pressure Mounts on De Zerbi
Tottenham extended their miserable start to the Premier League season, held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at home to remain without a league goal through four matches, a run stretching well over seven hours of football and intensifying scrutiny on head coach Roberto De Zerbi . Spurs dominated large spells of possession but continued to lack a final product, with boos ringing around the stadium as the frustration of the home crowd boiled over. It marks the first time since 1975 that Tottenham have failed to score in their opening three league matches, a run now extended to four following this latest stalemate, and leaves them one of only a handful of Premier League sides yet to find the net this season. Everton, by contrast, remain unbeaten in five matches across all competitions, having drawn 2-2 with Manchester United in dramatic fashion the previous weekend courtesy of Ainsley Maitland-Niles' stoppage-time strike. With a heavy summer outlay having so far failed to translate into goals, pressure is mounting on De Zerbi to find a solution before Tottenham's early-season struggles become a deeper crisis.
Hull Hold Chelsea, Liverpool Frustrated by Fulham as Forest Beat Villa
A weekend of Premier League draws saw Liverpool held goalless by Fulham at Anfield, their third stalemate in four league matches, while Chelsea were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by an unbeaten Hull City at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea took an early lead through Morgan Rogers, only for Mohamed Belloumi to score twice in quick succession, first volleying home after Jorrel Hato was caught out by a cross, then converting a deflected effort after Hull won a corner. Joao Pedro hauled Chelsea level just after the hour, drilling home a Cole Palmer cross, but the Blues could not find a winner as Hull's fine start to life back in the top flight continued, with only Arsenal and Manchester City above them in the table. Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, with a long-range strike from £45m summer signing Liam Delap , who joined from Chelsea after failing to make the grade at Stamford Bridge, settling the contest despite Alisson's header giving Villa their first league goal of the season. The result leaves Unai Emery's Villa without a win through four matches. Ipswich also picked up a big win, beating 10-man Crystal Palace 3-2 after Axel Disasi's red card turned the tide, continuing Glasner's difficult start at Selhurst Park.
Joe Root Surpasses Tendulkar for Most Test Fifties, Reaches 110 Scores of 50-Plus
Joe Root etched his name into the record books once again, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar for the most half-centuries in Test cricket history during England's series-sealing win over Pakistan at Edgbaston. Root brought up his fifty off just 39 balls, striking nine fours, and stayed unbeaten on 62 as England chased down 130 to complete a 3-0 sweep of the series. The knock took his tally of Test fifties to 69 , one clear of Tendulkar's long-standing mark of 68, a record the Indian great had held since retiring from international cricket. Root had actually drawn level with Tendulkar back at Headingley in the series opener, before finally moving past him in the decider. Combined with his 41 Test centuries, the milestone also means Root has now recorded 110 scores of fifty or more in his Test career. The list behind him reads like a who's who of batting greats: Shivnarine Chanderpaul sits third with 66 fifties, Allan Border and Rahul Dravid share fourth on 63 apiece, and Ricky Ponting rounds out the top six on 62. Root also ticked off another landmark in the same innings, becoming the first batter ever to pass 1,000 Test runs at Edgbaston , joining Lord's, Old Trafford and The Oval as venues where he has crossed the milestone. With 14,278 Test runs to his name, Root now sits second on the all-time run-scoring list behind only Tendulkar's 15,921, keeping alive the conversation about just how far the England captain's remarkable consistency might ultimately take him before his career is done.
Pakistan's Troubled England Tour Ends in 3-0 Whitewash Despite Late Fightback
Pakistan's troubled tour of England ended in a 3-0 series whitewash , falling to an eight-wicket defeat in the third Test at Edgbaston despite a spirited late fightback that briefly threatened to extend the match into a tense finish. The tourists never recovered from a chastening first-innings collapse to 133 at Edgbaston, following similarly one-sided defeats at Headingley and Lord's earlier in the series. A mid-series overhaul that saw seven players dropped, five uncapped cricketers introduced and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed sacked in favour of white-ball coach Mike Hesson failed to arrest the slide, though it did produce a rare bright spot in debutant Razaullah , whose sensational 81 off 63 balls with nine sixes, on the back of a four-wicket haul with the ball, offered a genuine highlight amid the wreckage. Mohammad Abbas was named Pakistan's standout performer across the series, sharing the Player of the Series award with England's Ollie Robinson, a rare individual recognition in an otherwise deeply disappointing tour. Pakistan will now have plenty to reflect on during the off-season, with the whitewash raising fresh questions about the squad's depth and preparation heading into the format's next major assignments, even as promising performers like Razaullah offer some hope for the future.
England Complete 3-0 Whitewash of Pakistan, Robinson Named Player of the Series
England completed a dominant 3-0 series sweep of Pakistan, chasing down the modest target of 130 with an eight-wicket win in the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston. Having bowled Pakistan out for 133 in the first innings and posted 453 in reply, England were given a stern late fright by debutant Razaullah's record-breaking 81 that pushed the tourists to 449 second time around, but the 130-run target was always likely to be within reach for the world's most dominant home Test side of the summer. Dan Lawrence was named Player of the Match, contributing a first-innings 65 alongside figures of 2 for 17 with the ball, continuing the all-round contributions that have defined England's series. Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Series after an extraordinary campaign with the ball, finishing with a series haul that took his tally to 21 wickets at an average of 6.66, one of the most dominant bowling performances by an Englishman in home Test cricket in recent memory. The award was shared with Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas , whose experience and control were among the few consistent positives for the tourists across a lopsided series. The result caps a perfect home summer for England, who won all three Tests comfortably at Headingley, Lord's and Edgbaston, continuing their strong recent home form and setting up a promising platform heading into the winter's international assignments.
Aasif Sheikh's Century Powers Nepal to ACC Premier Cup Title, 2027 Asia Cup Spot
Nepal beat the UAE by 44 runs in the final of the ACC Men's Premier Cup at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, securing the title and a place at the 2027 Asia Cup , to be hosted in Bangladesh. Opener Aasif Sheikh anchored Nepal's innings with a superb 102 off 106 balls, his second ODI century, sharing a 97-run opening stand with Arjun Kumal (43) before Gulshan Jha provided a late flourish with 52 off just 38 balls. Nepal posted a competitive 313 for 9, with captain Rohit Paudel also chipping in with 40. Chasing 314, the UAE were undone by a batting collapse despite a battling unbeaten century from Rahul Chopra , who could not find enough support at the other end as his side were bowled out for 269 in 49.1 overs. Karan KC led Nepal's attack with 3 wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi took two, with captain Sandeep Lamichhane among five other bowlers to chip in with a wicket apiece. Sheikh was named Player of the Match for his century, continuing his standout tournament with the bat. The win marks Nepal's second ACC Premier Cup title after their 2023 triumph, extending their record of Asia Cup qualifications to two, while the UAE, who had entered the final unbeaten, will miss out on the continental tournament having failed to defend their previous qualification.
Razaullah's Record-Breaking Debut Ton-Up Drags Test Into Day Four at Edgbaston
Razaullah produced one of the most sensational Test debuts in recent memory, smashing 81 off 63 balls with nine sixes to drag Pakistan to 449 and force the series-deciding third Test against England into a fourth day at Edgbaston. The 21-year-old walked out with Pakistan reeling at 318 for 8, still trailing and staring down another innings defeat. He brought up Pakistan's fastest-ever fifty on Test debut in just 43 balls, smashing back-to-back sixes off Jofra Archer, before continuing to target the boundary with remarkable clarity, striking three sixes off Gus Atkinson in the space of four balls. His nine maximums equalled Tim Southee's 18-year-old world record for most sixes hit by a player on Test debut, while also matching Ben Stokes' mark for most sixes in a Test innings on English soil. He shared a defiant 121-run ninth-wicket stand with Mohammad Abbas (42) before being stumped off Dan Lawrence, having briefly forgotten to review an earlier lbw decision. Remarkably, the innings was merely the second act of an extraordinary debut. Razaullah had already made his mark with the ball in England's first innings, finishing with figures of 4 for 148 , with his maiden Test wicket coming in the form of Joe Root himself. "That was simply sensational," said Sky Sports' commentary team. "A perfectly written first chapter of his Test career... He's come off the plane and has absolutely no baggage." The rescue act, backed by fifties from Shan Masood (95), Babar Azam (76) and Azan Awais (59), leaves England needing 130 to complete a 3-0 series sweep on day four, a target well within reach but one that arrives only after Pakistan's most spirited display of an otherwise one-sided series.
Barcola Set to Be Available for Fulham Clash, But Gakpo Remains a Doubt
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed Bradley Barcola should be available for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham, allaying fears over an injury after the £123m signing was substituted late in the midweek Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. "Barcola was just cramps," Iraola said. "Obviously he finished tight in the game and then we have to evaluate how things are today, but there's no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal." The winger had made his first start for the club in that match after joining from PSG, with the withdrawal coming as a precaution rather than due to any fresh problem. Cody Gakpo , however, remains a doubt after missing the Atletico win entirely with what Iraola described as "adductor issues," an injury he picked up during last week's win at Ipswich. The Dutch international had not returned to training as of Thursday, with Liverpool set to make a late assessment before deciding on his involvement. Gakpo has been in excellent form this season, assisting all three of Alexander Isak's Premier League goals so far. Elsewhere, Joe Gomez is close to a first involvement of the season, while Federico Chiesa, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable.
Michail Antonio Returns to English Football, Signs One-Year Deal With Watford
Michail Antonio has completed a return to English football, signing a one-year deal with Championship side Watford , nearly two years after the near-fatal car crash that ended his decade-long West Ham career. The 36-year-old Jamaica international broke his femur in four places when his car hit a tree in Epping Forest in December 2024, an accident that left him hospitalised for three weeks. He had been training with Watford's squad for a month before the move was confirmed, and could make his debut against Stoke City this weekend pending international clearance, though the club expects he is still around a month away from being able to meaningfully contribute. "Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can," Antonio said. "I've scored a few goals against Watford, so hopefully I can score some for Watford now when I'm fully up to speed." He leaves West Ham as their record Premier League goalscorer with 68 league goals in a decade at the club, having also won the Europa Conference League in 2023. Antonio had previously played briefly for Qatari side Al-Sailiya following his release from West Ham, and had been close to moves to Leicester City and Brentford before completing his switch to Vicarage Road.
India's Three-Match T20I Series Against Afghanistan Begins Tomorrow in Delhi
India's three-match T20I series against Afghanistan gets under way tomorrow, September 13, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with the remaining two matches following on September 15 and 17 at the same venue. Shreyas Iyer leads the side with Tilak Varma as his deputy, in a squad that includes Jasprit Bumrah's return from injury, subject to fitness, alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. The series arrives at a busy time for India, coming just days before the squad shifts focus to defending their men's cricket gold at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, under head coach VVS Laxman. Afghanistan , led by Ibrahim Zadran, bring a dangerous spin-heavy attack featuring Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad, and will look to cause an upset against a full-strength Indian side fresh off a dominant run at the Women's Asia Cup. The series offers both sides a final tune-up opportunity before the Asian Games, with several fringe India players looking to cement their T20I credentials ahead of the tournament.
Chelsea's £47m Deal for Monaco's Lamine Camara Collapses After Deadline-Day U-Turn
Chelsea's proposed £47 million deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara collapsed on deadline day after the Ligue 1 club refused to submit the required deal sheet before the 11pm deadline, leaving the Blues without a direct replacement for Enzo Fernandez. Camara had completed his medical and was set to sign a six-year contract, having already had two earlier Chelsea offers of €45m and €50m rejected before the clubs finally agreed a fee. However, Monaco reneged on the agreement after their own deal to sell Folarin Balogun to Everton fell through at the last minute, leaving the French club unwilling to lose both players and in need of the funds a Balogun sale would have brought. Chelsea were left "deeply unimpressed" by the timing of Monaco's U-turn, having informed the Blues of their decision in writing just after the deadline passed. The Senegal international's agent publicly criticised Monaco's handling of the situation, while reports suggested Liverpool have already made contact with Camara over a potential move in 2027 if a fresh opportunity arises. Chelsea, who received a joint British-record £125m for Fernandez's move to Manchester City, were left a central midfielder short following the collapse, despite choosing to honour the Fernandez sale regardless.
Juan Mata Ends Melbourne Victory Playing Career, Takes Up Ownership and Football Committee Role
Juan Mata has ended his playing career at Melbourne Victory after a standout debut A-League season, but has stopped short of formally retiring from professional football, choosing instead to weigh up his next steps from his home in Europe. The 38-year-old will not return for the 2026-27 A-League Men campaign, with Victory confirming his on-pitch commitments have concluded. Mata's involvement with the club will continue off the field, however, through the ownership stake he acquired earlier this year and a new role as chair of Victory's football committee. "I loved every minute and thoroughly enjoyed everything we achieved last season," Mata said. "I rediscovered my love for football in such a special place, in a wonderful city that I was honoured to call home." The Spanish World Cup and Champions League winner produced one of the most impressive individual seasons in A-League history after joining from Western Sydney Wanderers, contributing five goals and 13 assists to earn the Johnny Warren Medal as the league's best player. "Juan's 2025-26 season will live long in the memory of Victory fans," said director of football John Didulica. "Everyone at the club is excited that he is part of our ownership group and, in the future, looks forward to his football intelligence leading our football committee." Victory, now under new head coach Giovanni Savarese, remain unbeaten as they prepare for the Australia Cup final.
Mumbai Cricket Association Commits ₹500 Crore Corpus Fund for Grassroots Cricket
The Mumbai Cricket Association has committed to building a ₹500 crore corpus fund for grassroots cricket over the next 10 years, a fivefold increase from the ₹100 crore fund set up just last year. MCA president Ajinkya Naik announced the decision following the association's 87th Annual General Meeting at Wankhede Stadium. "We looked at a corpus fund of Rs 500 crore which was Rs 6 crore to start with, then Rs 10, then Rs 12 crore in the last three years," Naik said. "In the last AGM, we raised it to Rs 100 crore, but this time we did it Rs 500 crore for our grassroots cricketers, including maidan clubs, schools and colleges." The fund will operate as an endowment, with the MCA contributing ₹40 crore annually to build the corpus while keeping the principal invested in fixed deposits. Only the interest generated will be distributed to affiliated maidan, school and college clubs, providing a sustainable, recurring source of funding rather than a one-off grant. The money can be used flexibly by clubs for equipment, playing kits, logistics and other facilities, marking one of the most significant grassroots cricket investments undertaken by the MCA in a city whose maidan cricket culture has long served as a pipeline for producing elite Indian cricketers.
Kobbie Mainoo Reasserts Himself as Key Man United Midfielder Ahead of City Derby
Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a key figure for Manchester United heading into Sunday's derby against Manchester City , reasserting himself in the side despite a £155m midfield rebuild this summer that brought in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. The 21-year-old endured a frustrating World Cup over the summer, failing to play a single minute as Thomas Tuchel repeatedly left him out despite England reaching the semi-finals. But with Baleba still working his way back from injury, Mainoo has been outstanding in each of United's matches since the season-opening win at Hull, starting against Ipswich, Everton and in Thursday's Champions League return against Sabah. Over his last three appearances, he has completed 201 of 211 attempted passes, a mark of the composure and control he has brought to United's midfield. Head coach Michael Carrick now faces a selection dilemma over who partners Mainoo in front of the back four for the derby, with the academy graduate having gone from a fringe figure to indispensable in the space of a few weeks. United have won just once in their last six Manchester derbies across competitions, adding extra significance to Mainoo's role as Carrick looks to end that run at Old Trafford.
Richarlison's Vasco da Gama Move Collapses Over Personal Terms on Deadline Night
Richarlison's proposed move to boyhood club Vasco da Gama has collapsed on deadline night, with Tottenham having agreed a fee with the Brazilian side before personal terms proved impossible to finalise before the window's close. Tottenham reportedly lowered their valuation from an initial £40m to around £17m to get a deal over the line, but wage expectations between Richarlison's camp and Vasco ultimately could not be bridged. The forward, who watches Vasco matches into the early hours and has long declared his support for the club, is now expected to remain at Tottenham until at least January, unable to play in the Premier League after being left out of the club's 25-man squad. The saga adds to a turbulent few weeks for the 29-year-old, following the earlier collapse of a proposed £35m deadline-day return to Everton. Richarlison and Tottenham remain locked in a dispute over the remaining nine months of his contract, with the forward reportedly exploring a FIFA appeal to terminate his deal early, hoping to follow the precedent set by Renan Lodi. Tottenham, however, retain the option to trigger a 12-month extension, complicating any such move. Asked about the situation, head coach Roberto De Zerbi declined to comment, saying only: "I know very well what the club has done for Richarlison and what Richarlison has done for the club."
Mykhailo Mudryk Ruled Out 6-8 Weeks With Ankle Injury Days After Tottenham Return
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed Mykhailo Mudryk will be sidelined for 6 to 8 weeks after suffering an ankle injury in training, just days after making his first competitive appearance in nearly two years following a doping ban. Mudryk, who joined on deadline day on a season-long loan from Chelsea, made his return from a 22-month suspension as a substitute in last weekend's goalless draw with Nottingham Forest. De Zerbi described the fresh setback as "stupid," saying: "A stupid injury but we are not stupid. When we signed Mudryk, we already knew it could be difficult to come back straight away as a normal player." He is expected to be out until after the international break, ruling him out of the Everton match, the Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool, and the league game against Aston Villa. There was better news on James Maddison , who returns to available after a shoulder issue, while Pedro Porro is a doubt for the Everton match with a muscular issue, though most other fitness concerns from the Forest match, including Savio and Destiny Udogie, are not considered serious. Dejan Kulusevski continues to be managed carefully following a minor setback in his long-term recovery, while Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain long-term absentees from ACL injuries.
Pedro Neto Signs New Chelsea Contract Through 2032, Rebuffing Man City Interest
Pedro Neto has signed a new contract at Chelsea running until June 2032 , with an additional option for a further season, ending interest from Manchester City and other suitors who had circled the winger over the summer. The new deal adds a year onto his previous contract, which had been set to expire in 2031, and comes with a significant pay rise reflecting his growing importance under new head coach Xabi Alonso . Neto has been reinvented as a right wing-back in Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system and has started the season strongly, scoring twice already, including the goal that completed a dramatic comeback in Chelsea's 6-3 Carabao Cup win over Leeds United. "It's an unbelievable moment," Neto said. "From when I arrived, I have always felt like the people here helped me a lot. I feel at home here. I feel like I want to achieve more things here." Since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £54m in 2024, the Portugal international has made 108 appearances and contributed 40 goals and assists, playing a key role in Chelsea's Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs in 2025. The extension continues a busy period of contract renewals at Stamford Bridge, following similar upgrades for Joao Pedro, Reece James and Moises Caicedo this year.
Harry Kane Scores in Eighth Consecutive Champions League Match, Joins Elite Company
Harry Kane has now scored in eight consecutive Champions League matches , joining an elite group of forwards to have managed the feat, after continuing his prolific European form into the new season with Bayern Munich. The England captain ended last season's campaign by matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record of six consecutive knockout-stage matches with a goal, a streak that began with a brace against Atalanta in the round of 16 before continuing through two-goal returns against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals and strikes in both semi-final legs against PSG. Kane has now extended that run further into the new campaign, joining Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski , whose goalscoring records Kane has repeatedly matched or surpassed since his move to Bavaria in 2023, in the competition's record books. The milestone continues a remarkable individual trend for the 32-year-old, who has broken a string of Bayern and Bundesliga scoring records since leaving Tottenham, despite the Champions League title itself continuing to elude both player and club. With Bayern having opened this season's league phase with a dominant 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt, Kane's red-hot scoring form offers another reminder of the consistency that has made him one of the most feared strikers in the competition's modern history.
Esterhuizen's Maiden ODI Century Seals Series Win for South Africa Over Namibia
South Africa clinched their ODI series against Namibia with a match to spare, thrashing the hosts by 157 runs in the second ODI in Windhoek to go 2-0 up, with Connor Esterhuizen striking his maiden ODI century in the victory. The result continues a dominant tour of Namibia for South Africa's experimental squad, following their earlier triumphs in the T20I tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe. Esterhuizen, who had already enjoyed a breakout few weeks with the bat across formats, converted his growing white-ball form into a maiden century at the 50-over level, anchoring South Africa to a commanding total that Namibia never got close to chasing down. The result seals the series for South Africa ahead of the third and final ODI on September 13, capping an outstanding week for a South African touring party that has used the assignment to test fringe players across both white-ball formats, with several individuals pushing their case for future international selection.
Pakistan Fight Back to 449 All Out, Leave England Needing 130 to Complete Whitewash
Pakistan staged a stunning fightback on the fourth day of the series-deciding third Test at Edgbaston, rallying from a dire position to be bowled out for 449 in their second innings, leaving England needing just 130 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Having been reduced to 52 for 2 in reply to England's first-innings 453, Pakistan's much-changed batting order showed far greater resolve than in their first-innings capitulation to 133, with the tourists building a substantial total that at least restored some pride after a series dominated by the hosts from the outset. The recovery, while falling well short of saving the match, ensures Pakistan avoid the ignominy of an innings defeat and gives England a small target to chase down. England will resume their pursuit of the 130 runs required with confidence, having already wrapped up the series with wins at Headingley and Lord's. A win here would complete a first home whitewash of Pakistan for the hosts, capping a dominant summer in familiar fashion after the tourists' mid-series overhaul, which saw seven players dropped and the head coach sacked, failed to arrest the tide.
India vs Sri Lanka Set for Women's Asia Cup 2026 Final Showdown
The Women's Asia Cup 2026 final is set: India Women will take on Sri Lanka Women at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 13 , with both sides arriving unbeaten in their group stages before contrasting semi-final routes. India have been the standout side of the tournament, winning all five of their matches so far, headlined by Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124 and Shafali Verma's blistering 64 in the semi-final win over Bangladesh. They will start firm favourites, having not dropped a single game across the competition. Sri Lanka topped Group B unbeaten before needing a nervy 4-wicket chase to see off Pakistan's Fatima Sana in the semi-final, with Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari steering them home. Captain Chamari Athapaththu's side will look to their strength in depth and spin bowling to trouble an in-form Indian batting line-up. The final promises to be a fitting climax — a clash between the tournament's two form teams, with the trophy and continental bragging rights on the line in Dubai.
Sri Lanka Edge Past Fatima Sana's Fireworks to Reach Women's Asia Cup Final
Sri Lanka Women survived a scare from Pakistan Women's Fatima Sana to reach the Women's Asia Cup 2026 final , chasing down 131 with a 4-wicket win in Dubai. They will face India in Sunday's final. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl, but Pakistan recovered from an early wobble thanks to captain Fatima Sana , who blasted an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls in a rescue act that took Pakistan to a competitive 130/5 . Chamari Athapaththu picked up 2/24 with the ball. In the chase, Sri Lanka lost both Athapaththu and Sanjana Kavindi inside the second over, but Harshitha Samarawickrama (36) and Kavisha Dilhari (33) put on a crucial 67-run stand to steady the innings. When both fell in quick succession with the target still 25 away, Nilakshika Silva (18* off 10) and Kaushani Nuthyangana (10* off 4, including the winning six) finished the job with 8 balls to spare. Remarkably, Fatima Sana also picked up a career-best 4/38 with the ball despite the defeat, and was named Player of the Match for her all-round effort. Sri Lanka now set up a final showdown with unbeaten India Women on September 13 in Dubai, in what promises to be a fitting climax to the tournament.
Richarlison Trains at Tottenham as Vasco da Gama Race to Beat Brazil's Deadline
Richarlison has returned to first-team training at Tottenham despite being formally excluded from the club's Premier League squad, as Vasco da Gama continue working to complete a move before Brazil's domestic transfer window closes. The Brazilian, a self-declared lifelong Vasco supporter, has been the subject of a vocal fan campaign urging the club to sign him, with the forward previously admitting he watches Vasco matches late into the night and arrives at training tired as a result. Vasco have made contact before, including a previous attempt at a loan deal that was turned down, but with Richarlison now out of Tottenham's plans and his other transfer avenues, including Trabzonspor, having collapsed, the door to a return to Brazil appears more open than at any previous point in his career. Any deal would need to be finalised before Brazil's transfer deadline, with time running short. Richarlison remains under contract at Tottenham until 2027, and head coach Roberto De Zerbi has made clear he does not currently factor into the club's first-team plans, leaving Saudi Arabia's still-open Pro League window as another possible destination should the Vasco move fail to materialise in time.
Manchester United Ban 685 Season-Ticket Holders Over Organised Ticket Touting
Manchester United have confirmed that 685 season-ticket holders have been banned following an investigation into organised ticket touting, with a further 464 supporters receiving lesser sanctions or formal warnings. The crackdown began in July, when the club started contacting fans who had accessed accounts using six or more devices, or who appeared to be forwarding tickets in patterns consistent with resale operations. The process sparked significant backlash, with supporter groups accusing the club of being heavy-handed and of treating long-standing fans "as suspects without clear evidence." Some supporters were given just three days to appeal, despite the club's usual 14-day policy, and one investigation reportedly uncovered 1,088 accounts accessed on a single device. United acknowledged that "some innocent supporters may have been affected" during the process and apologised for the distress caused, while maintaining that the operation had uncovered "significant and organised touting" that would help return tickets to genuine fans. The club said any revoked season tickets tied to legitimate supporters would be reissued, with an appeals panel continuing to review contested cases. Other Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester City, have run similar crackdowns this season amid a growing focus on curbing unauthorised ticket resale across the league.
Joao Pedro Wins Official Premier League Player of the Month Award for August
Joao Pedro has been named the official EA Sports Premier League Player of the Month for August 2026, his first Premier League Player of the Month honour and the first time a Chelsea player has won the award since Cole Palmer in September 2024. The Brazilian topped an eight-man shortlist after registering four goal contributions across Chelsea's opening two league matches. He struck just 31 seconds into Chelsea's 3-2 win at Fulham with a flick over goalkeeper Bernd Leno, before setting up Cole Palmer's winner. He repeated the trick in Chelsea's 4-3 home win over his former club Brighton, scoring the third goal before again teeing up Palmer for the decisive strike. Pedro finished ahead of teammate Palmer and six other shortlisted players, including Riccardo Calafiori, Rayan Cherki, Bruno Fernandes, Mamadou Sangare, Konstantinos Tzolakis and Yoane Wissa, with the winner determined by a combination of public voting and a panel of football experts. He becomes the seventh Brazilian to win the award, following Juninho, Edu, David Luiz, Lucas Moura, Rodrigo Muniz and Igor Thiago, continuing his hot start to life under new head coach Xabi Alonso following his move from Brighton.
Lewis Hall Signs New Newcastle Contract Through 2031, Ending Man United Interest
Lewis Hall has agreed a new contract at Newcastle United , running through 2031 , ending any immediate prospect of a move to Manchester United who had been tracking the left-back throughout the summer. The extension is understood to be in the final stages of formalisation, with significantly improved terms reflecting Hall's rise to become one of Newcastle's standout performers, having pushed his way into England's World Cup conversation at left-back over the past year. United had been prepared to pay up to £60m for Hall, with reports suggesting talks were progressing before the Old Trafford club ultimately pulled back, reportedly due to concerns the move could create issues within the squad. The 21-year-old, who arrived from Chelsea in 2024, has established himself as first-choice at left-back under Newcastle's new setup, and the fresh terms underline the club's determination to keep hold of one of their brightest academy graduates rather than cash in amid continued transfer interest.
Clearlake Capital Closing In on Buyout of Boehly and Walter's Chelsea Stakes
Clearlake Capital is reportedly closing in on a deal to buy out the Chelsea stakes held by co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter , a move that would take the private equity firm's ownership of the club to roughly 87% . Clearlake currently holds a 61.5% majority stake in Chelsea, with Boehly, Walter and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss each owning 12.8% of the remaining shares. Talks between the parties have gathered momentum in recent weeks, according to the Financial Times, with Boehly and Walter valuing the club at more than £5 billion, a substantial rise from the £2.5 billion the consortium paid to purchase Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in 2022. The move would effectively end years of boardroom tension between the two camps, with restrictive clauses in the original 2022 ownership agreement limiting Boehly and Walter to selling their stakes only to Clearlake or Wyss during the first decade of ownership. Boehly's five-year term as chairman is set to conclude this year regardless, with leadership due to transition to Clearlake next May. Walter's willingness to exit comes shortly after he agreed to sell his stake in the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers for $12 billion, though it remains unclear whether Wyss intends to sell alongside his partners.
JJ Gabriel Scores Hat-Trick on UEFA Youth League Debut, Becomes United's Youngest Scorer
JJ Gabriel , Manchester United's highly-rated 15-year-old academy forward, scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut this week, becoming the club's youngest-ever scorer in the competition's history. Nicknamed "Kid Messi" after his youth highlight videos went viral, Gabriel has been fast-tracked through United's age groups after becoming the youngest player ever to feature for the club's U18s at just 14. He already holds the record as United's youngest-ever scorer in FA Youth Cup history, netting the winner on his Old Trafford debut against Peterborough in December, and has been in electric form this season, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 demolition of Liverpool's U18s. The milestone comes in the same week United's first team returned to senior Champions League action for the first time since December 2023, with the club's academy pathway continuing to produce standout performances alongside the senior side's European return. Gabriel, who signed a Nike boot deal at just 11 years old, remains too young to make his first-team debut this season under Premier League rules, but is tipped to break United's youngest-ever player record, currently held by David Gaskell since 1956, once he turns 16 this October.
Joe Root Extends Test Cricket Record for Most Catches to 220
Joe Root has extended his own men's Test cricket record for most catches by a fielder, taking his tally to 220 during the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston. Root first broke Rahul Dravid's long-standing record of 210 catches back in July 2025, before briefly being drawn level by Australia's Steve Smith and reclaiming outright ownership of the record during the first Test of this series against Pakistan at Leeds in August, when he reached 219. The latest addition to his tally further cements his position at the top of a list that also includes Mahela Jayawardene (205), Smith (200) and Jacques Kallis (200). The milestone adds to an extraordinary summer for the England captain, who also entered this Test level with Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time record for most Test half-centuries. Root's combination of longevity, consistency in the slip cordon and sustained excellence with the bat continues to place him among the greatest all-round contributors the format has ever produced, with the 35-year-old showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches the twilight of a career already among England's finest.
England Lead Pakistan by 268 Runs Heading Into Day 3 at Edgbaston
England head into Day 3 of the series-deciding third Test firmly in control, leading Pakistan by 268 runs with the tourists reduced to 52 for 2 in their second innings at Edgbaston. Having bowled Pakistan out for 133 on day one before piling on 453 in reply, England will look to press home their advantage on day three and push toward a series-clinching victory. Pakistan's overhauled batting order, missing several senior names after a mid-series shake-up, face a daunting task to bat out the remainder of the Test and salvage anything from a series they already trail 2-0. A win here would complete a 3-0 clean sweep for England, continuing their dominant home summer, while anything less than a determined rearguard from Pakistan's reshuffled top order looks unlikely to prevent the hosts from wrapping up victory well before the scheduled close on day five.
Man United Thrash Sabah 4-0, Bayern Hammer Bodo/Glimt 5-0 as Champions League Matchday 1 Concludes
Manchester United made a perfect return to the Champions League , thrashing debutants Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford in their first appearance in the competition since December 2023. Bayern Munich were similarly dominant, crushing Bodo/Glimt 5-0 at the Allianz Arena, with the Norwegian side reduced to ten men during the rout. In an entertaining clash elsewhere, Lens came from behind to beat Slavia Praha 3-2 away from home, with the Czech side also finishing the match with ten men after a red card. Como marked their historic first-ever Champions League appearance in style, beating RB Leipzig 4-1 to complete a big night for home and away wins alike. The results complete Matchday 1 of the newly expanded 36-team league phase, with the biggest European clubs largely making winning starts to their continental campaigns. Attention now turns to the coming weeks of domestic action before Matchday 2 arrives on October 13-14.
Robinson's Early Double Strike Extends England's Dominance Over Pakistan at Edgbaston
England moved firmly in control of the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, posting 453 in their first innings before reducing the tourists to 52 for 2 in their second innings, a lead of 268 with eight wickets standing. Ollie Robinson continued his remarkable summer with the ball, striking twice in his very first over of Pakistan's reply to leave the tourists reeling early. The wickets took his tally for the series to an extraordinary 21 , at an average of just 6.66 , underlining the dominant role he has played since his recall to the side this summer after a lengthy absence from the Test setup. Pakistan's overhauled batting lineup, already reeling from a first-innings collapse to 133 on day one, now face an uphill task to avoid a series whitewash, with England's substantial first-innings total putting them in a commanding position heading into the remainder of the Test. The tourists' revamped squad, put together after seven players were dropped and the head coach was replaced following the Lord's defeat, will need a big rearguard effort to keep the match, and the series, alive.
Shafali Verma's 64 Powers India Past Bangladesh Into Seventh Straight Asia Cup Final
India Women continued their remarkable run in the Women's Asia Cup , beating Bangladesh Women by 40 runs in Semi-Final 1 to reach a seventh consecutive final of the tournament — a streak stretching back to its very first edition. Sent in to bat after Bangladesh won the toss, India were powered by a stunning 64 off 40 balls from Shafali Verma , laced with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Contributions from Pratika Rawal (20), Richa Ghosh (21) and an unbeaten 24 from captain Harmanpreet Kaur pushed India to 149/6 on a surface that offered plenty for the spinners. Bangladesh got starts throughout the order — Dilara Akter (21), Juairiya Ferdous (14), Sobhana Mostary (18) and Nigar Sultana (19) all made contact but couldn't convert. Deepti Sharma was the pick of India's bowlers with 3/26, and Nandani Sharma returned to finish things off with two wickets in the final over as Bangladesh fell to 109/7 . Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match. India now await their final opponents, to be decided when Sri Lanka face Pakistan in Semi-Final 2 on September 11, with the final scheduled for September 13 in Dubai.
Yash Thakur Replaces Harshit Rana in India's T20I Squads for Afghanistan and Asian Games
Yash Thakur has replaced Harshit Rana in India's T20I squads for both the upcoming series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games , the BCCI has confirmed. Rana had originally been named in both squads subject to fitness clearance, and his replacement suggests he has not recovered in time for either assignment. Thakur, who has previous India T20I experience, steps in as a fresh pace-bowling option across both commitments, with the same swap applying to the Afghanistan series in New Delhi (September 13, 15 and 17) and India's title defence at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The change comes with Shreyas Iyer continuing to lead the side and Tilak Varma as vice-captain, in a squad that also includes Jasprit Bumrah's return from injury, subject to fitness, alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. India go into the Afghanistan series fresh off a dominant run at the Women's Asia Cup, before shifting focus to defending their men's cricket gold from the 2023 Asian Games under VVS Laxman's Asian Games coaching setup.
Serge Gnabry Returns to Bayern Training, Could Feature Against Bodo/Glimt
Bayern Munich have received a timely boost with Serge Gnabry returning to full training after more than four months out, putting him in contention for a possible involvement against Bodo/Glimt in Bayern's Champions League opener. Gnabry has been sidelined since suffering a torn adductor in his right thigh in early April, an injury that also ruled him out of Germany's World Cup squad this summer. The initial recovery timeline was set at three to four months, and the 30-year-old has been working intensively on his comeback since, with the club targeting a return around preseason for the 2026-27 campaign. He finished last season with eight goals and six assists in 21 Bundesliga appearances, adding a further two goals and five assists in the Champions League. His return gives head coach Vincent Kompany a fresh attacking option as Bayern begin their European title pursuit, though it remains to be seen whether Gnabry will be risked from the start or eased back via a substitute appearance given the length of his absence. Bayern have not disclosed further specifics on his exact match fitness ahead of kickoff.
Cricket Australia Pushes Ahead With BBL Privatisation Despite Opposition, Renegades to Be Sold by Christmas
Cricket Australia has confirmed it will push ahead with Big Bash League privatisation , pressing forward with the plan despite ongoing opposition from New South Wales and Queensland, with the Melbourne Renegades set to be sold by Christmas. The decision was given the green light at a CA board meeting, with the governing body choosing Sydney as the location to announce the venture it hopes will bring hundreds of millions of dollars into grassroots cricket and player payments. In a bid to win over players amid pushback from the Australian Cricketers' Association, CA enlisted top-level men's and women's cricketers to help make the announcement. The Renegades, now being administered out of CA's headquarters following Cricket Victoria's move to merge its two Melbourne franchises earlier this year, are expected to be the first club sold under the new model. Western Australia has also joined Victoria and Tasmania in backing the plan, with the all-conquering Perth Scorchers set to be floated on the open market, partly to help fund the redevelopment of the WACA Ground. Queensland remains wary of being worse off either way, while the exact scope of which franchises will change hands and when continues to be worked through on a state-by-state basis. The privatisation push explains the increasingly active BBL free-agent market this offseason, with the competition's revised contracting rules already producing headline moves like Adam Zampa's switch to Hobart Hurricanes.
India A Name Squads for One-Day and Multi-Day Series Against Australia A
India A have named their squads for the upcoming series against Australia A , with separate captains leading the one-day and multi-day legs as selectors look to fine-tune fringe options ahead of the international season. Ruturaj Gaikwad will captain the one-day squad, with Devdutt Padikkal as his deputy, while the multi-day squad flips the leadership with Padikkal at the helm and Sai Sudharsan as vice-captain. Hardik Pandya has been included in the one-day squad, subject to fitness, as he continues his path back into the senior setup. One-Day squad vs Australia A: Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal (vc), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya*, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur. Multi-Day squad vs Australia A: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (c), Sai Sudharsan (vc), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan (wk), Nachiket Bhute, V Vyshak*. The two-format series continues the now-familiar pattern of using India A fixtures as an audition ground for fringe players across formats, with several names looking to force their way into selection conversations for the senior side over the coming months.
Manchester United Return to Champions League Against Sabah, First Since December 2023
Manchester United return to the Champions League tonight against Azerbaijani side Sabah at Old Trafford, marking their first appearance in the competition since December 2023. United's last Champions League campaign ended in the group stage of 2023-24, finishing bottom of a group that included Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Copenhagen, before missing out on qualification for the following two seasons entirely. Their return under head coach Michael Carrick comes off the back of a strong turnaround, with United finishing third in the Premier League last season after Carrick's mid-season appointment in January, picking up 39 points from 17 matches with 12 wins, three draws and just two defeats. The clash against Sabah, making their Champions League debut, kicks off United's eighth European campaign since 2013-14, with the schedule also featuring away trips to Atletico Madrid and Como, plus a home meeting with Bayern Munich on matchday seven. A win tonight would provide the perfect start as United look to re-establish themselves among Europe's elite after a difficult few seasons on the continental stage.
Brazil Name Squad With Vinicius and Raphinha for Australia and India Friendlies
Brazil have named their squad for the first international window since their 2026 World Cup elimination, with Vinicius Junior and Raphinha included as head coach Carlo Ancelotti begins a new cycle toward the 2028 Copa America and 2030 World Cup. The Selecao will play three friendlies across the window: two against Australia , on September 25 in Townsville and September 29 in Brisbane, before a historic first-ever meeting with India on October 3 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. It marks Brazil's first fixtures since their round-of-16 exit at this year's World Cup, where they were eliminated 2-1 by Norway. "With these three friendlies, we will begin a new cycle to project the national team toward the objectives of the coming years: the 2028 Copa America and the 2030 World Cup," Ancelotti said in a statement, adding that the games would be used to call up new talent and strengthen ties with the junior categories. The trip to India is a landmark occasion, representing the first-ever meeting between the two footballing nations and offering a rare opportunity for Indian fans to see Brazil's star-studded squad in person.
England Lead by 23 at Stumps After Bowling Pakistan Out for 133 on Day 1
England ended day one of the series-deciding third Test in the ascendancy, reaching 156 for 4 at stumps to lead Pakistan by 23 runs after bowling the tourists out for just 133 earlier in the day at Edgbaston. Pakistan's overhauled batting lineup, featuring three debutants after a mid-series overhaul that saw seven players dropped and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed sacked, collapsed inside 34 overs. Josh Tongue led the attack with 4 for 42, while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer claimed three wickets apiece, with Robinson's opening breakthrough bringing up his 100th Test wicket. Captain Babar Azam made just 7, and only Saud Shakeel, with 43, offered any real resistance. In reply, England made early inroads into the 23-run lead but lost four wickets along the way to finish the day in front, setting up a pivotal second day with the hosts chasing a 3-0 series sweep after already wrapping up the series with wins at Headingley and Lord's. Pakistan will need a big response with the ball on day two to peg back England's advantage and keep the Test alive.
Dejan Kulusevski Returns to Full Tottenham Training After 477 Days Out
Dejan Kulusevski has returned to full Tottenham training after 477 days out, marking a major milestone in his recovery from a serious knee injury that also cost him a place at last year's World Cup. The Sweden international marked the occasion with an emotional Instagram post, sharing a photo alongside a cake topped with the number 477 and a letter from his wife documenting his recovery. "After 477 days I came back to full team training. Everything is impossible until it is not. Want to see a miracle. Be one. See u soon," Kulusevski wrote. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed the 26-year-old would now be included in Tottenham's squad list after working "very hard" through his rehabilitation, though he noted a minor setback in recent days, saying: "Kulusevski started with us in the beginning of the week, and then the last two days, a small, small problem, stopped, but I think he's in a good way." Kulusevski's last appearance for Tottenham came in a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2025, before he underwent knee patella cartilage surgery. His return also raises hopes of a comeback for Sweden, who he has not represented since the injury, having managed five goals in 45 caps prior to the layoff. His comeback offers a timely boost to a Tottenham side still searching for their first goal and win of the new Premier League season.
Barcelona Name 23-Man Champions League Squad, Garcia Suspended for Feyenoord Clash
Barcelona have named their 23-man squad for their Champions League opener against Feyenoord, with Eric Garcia suspended following a red card in last season's quarterfinal exit to Atletico Madrid, while Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji remain sidelined through injury. De Jong continues his recovery from a medial knee ligament injury, while Bardghji is working back from a serious knee problem that is expected to keep him out for the majority of the season. Head coach Hansi Flick otherwise has no fresh injury concerns following the win over Valencia, with Jules Kounde and Joao Cancelo expected to fill the full-back roles behind a midfield anchored by Rodri , set for his Champions League debut for the club, alongside Pedri and Fermin Lopez. Lamine Yamal needs just two more Champions League goals to equal Kylian Mbappe's record of 13 continental goals before turning 21, while Raphinha arrives in sensational form, having scored in each of Barcelona's first four league matches. Barcelona's squad: Joan Garcia, Szczesny, Cancelo, Balde, Cubarsi, Espart, Christensen, Martin, Kounde, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Rodri, Olmo, Bernal, Farinas, Gabriel Jesus, Yamal, Raphinha, Adeyemi, Gordon and Abdelkarim.
Robinson's 100th Test Wicket Headlines Pakistan's Collapse to 133 at Edgbaston
Pakistan collapsed to just 133 all out on the opening day of the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston, with Ollie Robinson reaching his 100th Test wicket as the tourists' overhauled batting lineup made little impression. Recalled opener Saim Ayub fell for a duck, trapped lbw by Robinson's trademark nip-backer to bring up the milestone wicket. Jofra Archer and Robinson shared the next three wickets between them to leave Pakistan reeling at 26 for 4 inside 10 overs. Captain Babar Azam , without a Test century in nearly four years, was then bowled for just 7 by an excellent Josh Tongue delivery that jagged back off the seam, before debutant wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori fell for 4 to leave Pakistan 64 for 6. Saud Shakeel offered the only real resistance with 43 off 47 balls before Tongue removed him too, finishing with figures of 4 for 42 , with Robinson and Archer taking three apiece. The reshuffled Pakistan side, which included three debutants after seven players were dropped and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was sacked following the Lord's defeat, showed little sign the changes had addressed their batting issues, having now failed to pass 200 in five consecutive innings on the tour. England, chasing a 3-0 series sweep, reached 35 for 2 at tea in reply.
Ishan Kishan's 350-Run Match Puts East Zone on Verge of Duleep Trophy Title
East Zone all but sealed the Duleep Trophy title, extending their lead to a massive 584 runs on Day 4 of the final against South Zone in Chennai, with captain Ishan Kishan continuing his extraordinary run with the bat. South Zone were bowled out for 336 in the morning session, with captain Tilak Varma agonisingly dismissed for 99, mistiming a return catch and missing out on his ninth first-class century by a single run. Mukesh Kumar led the attack with 3 for 62, giving East Zone a first-innings lead of 372. Rather than enforce the follow-on, East Zone chose to bat again, and despite early wickets, Kishan and Shikhar Mohan (52) added an unbroken century stand, with Kishan blasting 80 off 98 balls to take his match tally to 350 runs , following his first-innings 270, itself the second-highest individual score in Duleep Trophy final history behind Raman Lamba's 320 in 1987-88. The innings also saw Kishan pass 4,000 career first-class runs, taking his tally to 4,302 with 10 centuries and 20 half-centuries in the format. With East Zone's lead now standing at 584 with five second-innings wickets in hand, South Zone face a near-impossible task to save the match, let alone chase down the target, on the final day.
Adam Zampa Signs Two-Year Deal With Hobart Hurricanes Ahead of BBL 2026-27
Adam Zampa has signed a two-year deal with the Hobart Hurricanes ahead of the 2026-27 Big Bash League , moving from Melbourne Renegades via the league's free-agent market to become just the fourth player in BBL history to represent five different clubs. The move, covering both the BBL|16 and BBL|17 seasons, was enabled by the league's revised contracting rules after the overseas player draft was scrapped, freeing up salary cap space that allowed Hobart to move for Australia's leading T20I wicket-taker. Zampa brings 138 wickets from 121 BBL appearances at an average of 23.42, the most by any spinner in the tournament's history, joining an already strong Hurricanes attack led by captain Nathan Ellis alongside Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake. "There's a lot of quality in the group and hopefully I can come in, play my role and help the team have another successful season," Zampa said, crediting his relationship with Ellis as central to the decision. "I think I've gone to a lot of teams for the people that are there, and that's always an important decision in my decision-making." Hurricanes general manager Adam Beams called him "arguably the biggest name available on the market." Zampa did note that despite the contracting overhaul, he feels overseas players continue to benefit more than local talent under the new system. The move comes as the BBL undergoes wider structural change, with Cricket Australia approving the league's privatisation on September 8, and Melbourne Renegades set to become the first franchise sold under the new ownership model.
Liverpool Host Atletico, Arsenal Travel to Napoli as Champions League Kicks Off
Liverpool and Arsenal both begin their Champions League title defences tonight, with the English pair featuring in the standout fixtures of an opening round that also sees Barcelona kick off their campaign at home to Feyenoord. Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield, arriving in good shape against opponents carrying significant attacking uncertainty: Alexander Sorloth remains out through a muscle injury, Arnau Ortiz is suspended, and while Julian Alvarez has been improving, he is not expected to be at full fitness, with new signing Jonathan David also still building match sharpness after a late arrival. Liverpool have won their last four meetings with Atletico, including a 3-2 win in their most recent encounter. Arsenal travel to Napoli with a timely fitness boost, as Jurrien Timber has been included in the travelling squad after returning from a long-term groin injury. Napoli, meanwhile, remain without Scott McTominay following a recent medical procedure. Arsenal's preparations were disrupted on the ground, however, with UK air-traffic-control issues delaying their flight to Naples and forcing the cancellation of Mikel Arteta's scheduled pre-match press conference. Barcelona open their own campaign against Feyenoord, with the two early kickoffs of matchday one completed by Stuttgart's home fixture against Viking, before the night's remaining matches get under way including PSG hosting Slovan Bratislava and Sporting CP facing Galatasaray.
Juventus Injury Crisis Deepens: Locatelli Faces Lengthy Layoff, Boga Also Sidelined
Juventus' injury crisis has deepened significantly, with the club confirming that captain Manuel Locatelli has undergone knee surgery for a meniscus tear that could rule him out until 2027, while winger Jeremie Boga faces at least a month out with a separate hamstring injury. Locatelli sustained the injury during Sunday's 1-1 draw with AC Milan and had surgery performed in Lyon to repair the external meniscus in his right knee. While Juventus have not given an official timeline, Italian reports suggest the layoff could range from three months in the best case to as long as five or six months in the worst, meaning the Italy international may not feature again this calendar year. "I am distraught, and it hurts knowing that I cannot fight for Juventus for a while," Locatelli said following the operation. Boga, meanwhile, suffered a medium-grade hamstring tear in training on Monday and will be reassessed in two weeks, though he is widely expected to miss at least a month. The two fresh setbacks mean head coach Luciano Spalletti is now without nine senior first-team players , following earlier injuries to Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram, Weston McKennie, Jeff Ekhator, Juan Cabal and Andrea Cambiaso, alongside the departure of Pape Matar Sarr on loan. The club's three-week September international break offers some respite, but the scale of absences represents a serious early-season test for Spalletti's squad depth.
Root Chases Outright Fifty Record as England Eye Clean Sweep in Series Decider
England begin the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston today, looking to complete a 3-0 clean sweep after dominant wins at Headingley and Lord's, while captain Joe Root chases a piece of history. Root arrives at Edgbaston level with Sachin Tendulkar on 68 Test half-centuries , the all-time record, after reaching the landmark during his 66 at Headingley in the series opener. One more fifty at Edgbaston would take him to the outright record, extending a run of consistency that has seen him reach 50-plus scores in 42 innings as England captain, fifth on that particular all-time list behind Graeme Smith's 61. Pakistan, already staring down a series defeat, have handed coaching responsibilities for the decider to white-ball coach Mike Hesson following sweeping mid-series changes that saw seven players dropped and five uncapped cricketers added to the squad after the heavy defeats in the first two Tests. The visitors will be desperate to avoid a whitewash on English soil as the series draws to a close.
Bangladesh Beat UAE by 34 Runs, Book Semi-Final Date With India
Bangladesh Women held their nerve to beat United Arab Emirates Women by 34 runs in Dubai, sealing a spot in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semi-finals where they will face India. Sent in to bat after UAE won the toss, Bangladesh lost both openers cheaply before Sharmin Akhter (38 off 31) and Nigar Sultana (23) rebuilt the innings. Suraksha Kotte picked up 3/11 for UAE, but Bangladesh still posted a competitive 103/7 . UAE's chase never found rhythm. Marufa Akter struck early to remove captain Esha Oza, and Rabeya Khan (3/14) and Nahida Akter (2/18) kept picking up wickets through the middle overs. Heena Hotchandani's 18 was the best of a struggling batting effort as UAE were restricted to 69/9 , falling well short of the target. The result confirms Bangladesh as the second semi-finalist from Group B, joining group toppers Sri Lanka. Bangladesh will now take on India Women in Semi-Final 1 on September 10, while Sri Lanka face Pakistan in Semi-Final 2 the following day.
Al-Nassr Suffer First Defeat of Season, Fall Three Points Behind Al-Hilal
Al-Nassr suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to rivals Al-Ittihad in Jeddah, a result that ended their four-match winning start under new head coach Ange Postecoglou and left them three points behind leaders Al-Hilal. George Ilenikhena struck twice inside the opening 22 minutes for Al-Ittihad, heading home from close range after just four minutes before doubling the lead. Angelo Gabriel halved the deficit before half-time following build-up play involving Cristiano Ronaldo, who played the full 90 minutes but could not find a way through. Al-Nassr laid siege to the Al-Ittihad box throughout the second half, but goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic produced a string of important saves to preserve the win. "It's frustrating to lose," Postecoglou said afterward. "We didn't start well, especially in the first 15 minutes, and in the second half we saw our true capabilities... What I saw, after 15 minutes, was one team creating the chances, and that was us." Tensions boiled over in the aftermath when forward Joao Felix refused to speak to reporters, telling cameras while walking to the team bus: "I won't speak to you, if I do, I'll expose this league." The result leaves Al-Nassr second on 12 points from five matches, with Al-Hilal now the league's only unbeaten side on a perfect run. Al-Nassr return to action on Wednesday against Abha as they look to respond quickly and keep pace at the top.
De Zerbi's Cautious Substitution Policy Draws Scrutiny After Forest Draw
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi revealed a pre-planned, cautious approach to managing player minutes during Saturday's goalless draw with Nottingham Forest, substituting both Savio and Destiny Udogie around the hour mark as part of an injury-prevention strategy. "Before the game the plan was Savio and Udogie, around 60 minutes. It was dangerous to play them more," De Zerbi explained. Both players were carefully managed following recent fitness issues, with Savio returning from muscle fatigue and Udogie working back to full match sharpness after starting for the first time this season. De Zerbi was notably candid about his frustration with the plan, telling reporters: "In the second half, I'm sorry because the medical team pushed to change Savio and Destiny Udogie after 60 minutes... it's not so easy to come from the bench and adapt immediately." The comments drew scrutiny from pundits, with Sky Sports' Paul Merson calling De Zerbi's willingness to publicly attribute the substitutions to his medical staff "worrying" for Spurs supporters. "You say that in the dressing room; don't come out and say it. You need to keep that in-house," Merson said, also noting De Zerbi's criticism of his forwards' decision-making in the final third. The draw secured a first point of the season for Tottenham, who remain without a Premier League goal through three matches, following back-to-back opening defeats to Brentford and Newcastle. De Zerbi praised the contributions of Rodrigo Bentancur, Sandro Tonali and Micky van de Ven in registering the club's first clean sheet of the campaign, but stressed the side must "keep more calm" in the final third to convert possession into goals.
Mourinho Dismisses Champions League Pressure Talk Ahead of Inter Clash
Jose Mourinho has dismissed suggestions he carries added pressure to finally deliver a Champions League trophy during his second spell at Real Madrid , speaking ahead of Tuesday's opening fixture against Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Champions League remains the only major trophy that eluded Mourinho during his first stint in charge between 2010 and 2013. "No, it is two different spells," he said when asked if he felt indebted to the club. "When I left in 2013, we won what we won and lost what we lost, and we gave it our all. And that was that. What I need to do now has nothing to do with the past." He pointed to the club's transformation since then, noting Real Madrid weren't even reaching the quarterfinals back in 2010, compared to six Champions League triumphs since. "We want to win every match, every competition," Mourinho added, "but you have to work to accomplish stability." Mourinho's session was followed by a far tenser round of questioning for Kylian Mbappe , who was repeatedly pressed on his relationship with Vinicius Junior and the mood inside the dressing room. "Do you have the feeling that something wasn't right last year? No, it's the same as last year. It's true we have a different coach, but it's the same," Mbappe said, pushing back on suggestions of a shift in atmosphere. The comments come with Real Madrid looking to bounce back from Friday's 1-0 defeat to Real Betis, their first loss of the season, as they open a Champions League campaign that will determine whether Mourinho can finally add Europe's biggest prize to his second spell in the Spanish capital.
India and Pakistan Advance from Group A as Women's Asia Cup 2026 Semi-Finalists Take Shape
India Women and Pakistan Women have advanced to the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semi-finals from Group A, with the group stage now complete after Pakistan's 72-run win over Hong Kong, China sealed the second spot. India finished top of the group unbeaten, winning all three of their matches — over Thailand, Hong Kong and Pakistan — to finish with 6 points and a commanding +5.471 net run rate, headlined by Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124 against Hong Kong. Pakistan take the second semi-final spot despite a shock defeat to India, bouncing back with big wins over Thailand and Hong Kong to finish on 4 points and +0.927 NRR. Nashra Sandhu's career-best 6/7 in the final group match was pivotal in seeing off Hong Kong's challenge. Thailand Women and Hong Kong, China Women are eliminated after finishing third and fourth respectively, with one win and no wins from three games. Pakistan will now face Group B toppers Sri Lanka Women in Semi-Final 2, while India await their Group B opponents, to be decided when Bangladesh take on UAE.
Nashra Sandhu's Career-Best 6/7 Sinks Hong Kong as Pakistan Seal Semi-Final Spot
Nashra Sandhu produced career-best figures of 6 for 7 — the best bowling figures ever by a Pakistan bowler in T20Is — as Pakistan Women thumped Hong Kong, China Women by 72 runs in Dubai to book their spot in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semi-finals. Sent in to bat after winning the toss, Pakistan built a competitive total on the back of a fine 47 from Shawaal Zulfiqar and 26 from Ayesha Zafar. Captain Fatima Sana finished unbeaten on 24 to power Pakistan to 143/8 , despite Joyleen Kaur picking up 4/19 for Hong Kong. Hong Kong's chase fell apart almost immediately, losing both openers for just a run inside the first over. Kary Chan fought a lone battle at No. 4, top-scoring with 30, but found little support as Nashra Sandhu ran through the middle and lower order, taking six of the last seven wickets to fall. Hong Kong were bowled out for just 71 in 19 overs , ending their campaign without a win. Sandhu was named Player of the Match. Pakistan now progress to face Sri Lanka Women in Semi-Final 2, while India Women await their opponents from Group B, to be decided when Bangladesh face UAE.
Manchester United Face Anxious Wait on Marcus Rashford After Everton Withdrawal
Manchester United face an anxious wait over Marcus Rashford's fitness ahead of their Champions League opener, after the forward was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Everton. Rashford had been one of United's brightest performers, getting the better of stand-in right-back Merlin Rohl for large parts of the game, before being replaced by Patrick Dorgu with United leading 2-1. There was no obvious external sign of injury, but head coach Michael Carrick confirmed afterward that the change was fitness-related. "He felt a little bit of something so we had to change him," Carrick said, though he declined to specify the exact nature of the issue, adding: "Just had an issue, so nothing major." Rashford has been ever-present for United since returning from his loan spell at Barcelona, starting the last two matches and featuring in all three so far this season. His potential absence would be keenly felt given United have no like-for-like replacement on the left wing, with left-back Dorgu deployed as his substitute in an emergency measure. The uncertainty comes at an awkward time, with United hosting Sabah in their Champions League opener on Thursday before a Manchester derby against Pep Guardiola's City the following Sunday, leaving little time to assess or manage Rashford's recovery.
Endrick, Tchouameni and Pitarch Return to Real Madrid Training Ahead of Inter Clash
Real Madrid received a timely fitness boost with Endrick , Aurelien Tchouameni and Thiago Pitarch all returning to full group training on Sunday, giving Jose Mourinho fresh options ahead of Tuesday's Champions League opener against Inter Milan. The trio had missed more than a month of pre-season work through injury, with Pitarch recovering from a torn medial collateral ligament and Endrick nursing a muscular problem, meaning a starting role for either against Inter remains unlikely. Their return is especially significant given Madrid's threadbare midfield options, with Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva all suspended for the match. Newly signed teenager Sergio Martinez has also been training with the first team and could be handed an opportunity to fill the gap. Endrick, who has yet to make an appearance this season, could be in line for his first involvement under Mourinho if selected, representing a potential competitive debut for the head coach. The timing is notable given Real Madrid's recent 1-0 defeat to Real Betis, their first loss of the season, adding extra motivation to bounce back strongly on the European stage. Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio all continued their individual rehabilitation programmes separately and remain unavailable.
Champions League League Phase Kicks Off: Liverpool Host Atletico, Arsenal Face Napoli
The 2026/27 Champions League league phase kicks off Tuesday, with Aston Villa opening their campaign away at Club Brugge and Manchester City travelling to Porto, before English clubs take centre stage on matchday one's second night. Tuesday's schedule also features a heavyweight clash as Real Madrid host Inter , alongside AEK Athens vs LASK, Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal and Lille vs Real Betis. On Wednesday, Liverpool begin their title defence at home to Atletico Madrid , while Arsenal travel to Napoli looking to build on their perfect domestic start. Barcelona host Feyenoord and PSG face Slovan Bratislava the same night, with Manchester United's campaign following on Thursday against Azerbaijani side Sabah. Under the expanded 36-team league phase format, each club plays eight different opponents across two matches from each of four seeding pots, with the top eight automatically advancing to the round of 16 and the next 16 entering a knockout play-off round. The league phase runs across eight matchdays through to January 27, 2027, with holders PSG drawn to visit both Manchester City and Aston Villa later in the campaign. Arsenal's continued perfect domestic form and Chelsea's defensive struggles add extra intrigue to the opening round, with all five English clubs looking to start their European campaigns on the front foot.
Arteta Backs Arsenal to Surpass Title-Winning Level as Chelsea's Defensive Woes Deepen
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal can reach an even higher level than last season's title-winning campaign, after his side came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in a statement victory that also exposed a growing defensive crisis at Stamford Bridge. "I think it was an exceptional performance. I enjoyed every minute of it from the beginning to the end, and the beginning was tough," Arteta said after goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard overturned Morgan Rogers' early opener. "It's an indication for us of how capable we are to perform at an even higher level than last season, and it depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire." The win took Arsenal to nine points from three matches, level with Manchester City, though it also marked the first goal conceded by Arteta's side this season. For Chelsea , the defeat deepened an alarming defensive slide. The Blues have now conceded seven goals in three league matches and have gone 19 consecutive Premier League games without a clean sheet , their longest such run since a 31-match sequence in the old First Division between 1960 and 1961. Rogers' early strike also made Chelsea the first team in Premier League history to score inside the first five minutes of their opening three matches of a season, but the goals continue to leak at the other end under new head coach Xabi Alonso, despite an eventful summer that saw the club make 11 signings worth £349 million.
Richarlison's Options Narrow to Saudi Arabia After Trabzonspor Move Collapses
Richarlison's transfer options have narrowed significantly after his proposed move to Trabzonspor collapsed before the Turkish deadline, with Saudi Arabia now emerging as the most viable remaining destination for the Tottenham forward. The Brazilian had agreed personal terms with Trabzonspor and received encouragement from the club's new signings Mohamed Salah and Fabinho, but the move fell through because the club "did not have room for another foreign player" under squad registration rules after their other summer business. With the transfer windows in England, Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands and MLS all now closed, Richarlison's realistic options have shrunk considerably. Saudi Arabia stands out as the clearest path forward, with the Pro League window remaining open until October 12. Portugal remains a possibility too, with Primeira Liga clubs able to sign players until September 15, while a return to his native Brazil or a move to Mexico both stay open until September 11. Tottenham are actively working with Richarlison's camp to find a resolution, having already formally excluded him from their Premier League squad. Since his £60m move from Everton in 2022, Richarlison has managed just 32 goals and 15 assists in 134 appearances for Spurs, with the club eager to move him on with a year left on his contract.
Ishan Kishan Smashes Double Century, Fifth Batter Ever to Do So in Duleep Trophy Final
Ishan Kishan smashed a stunning double century on Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy final, reaching 200 off 270 balls to become just the fifth batter in Duleep Trophy final history to achieve the feat, and the first East Zone wicketkeeper-batter to do so. Kishan, who had ended Day 1 unbeaten on 111, continued his charge into the second day, first crossing his previous best Duleep Trophy score of 112, then bringing up the milestone with a boundary off Devdutt Padikkal. It marks the third double century of his career, following a 273 against Delhi in the 2016 Ranji Trophy and a 210 against Bangladesh in a 2022 ODI. Along the way, he shared a 202-run stand with fellow centurion Kumar Kushagra , who fell for 101, before continuing to build with Anukul Roy as East Zone surged past 550 runs. Only Arun Lal (twice, in 1986-87) and Saba Karim (unbeaten, 1995-96) had previously scored double centuries for East Zone in a Duleep Trophy final, making Kishan just the third player in the zone's history and the fifth overall across the tournament's history to reach the landmark in a final. The knock puts East Zone in a commanding position, with South Zone facing a daunting task to stay competitive as the captain continues to bat freely against an increasingly tired bowling attack.
Lamine Yamal Scores Twice as Barcelona Thrash Valencia 5-0, Gabriel Jesus Debuts
Barcelona extended their perfect start to the La Liga season, thrashing Valencia 5-0 at Mestalla with Lamine Yamal scoring twice, moving three points clear at the top of the table on 12 points from four matches. Fermin Lopez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Yamal doubled the lead six minutes later. Raphinha, deployed again as Barcelona's central striker, added a third early in the second half, tapping in from close range, before Pedri made it four with a clinical finish set up by Dani Olmo. Yamal completed his brace late on, latching onto another Olmo through-ball to round off the rout, taking his tally to four goals in his last two matches following his double against Rayo Vallecano. "I think we played a fantastic game," said head coach Hansi Flick . "We controlled the game, we were dominant. This is what I want to see from the team." Midfielder Rodri made his first start since joining from Manchester City, while new signing Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited Barcelona debut, coming on as a substitute in the closing stages just days after completing his move from Arsenal, and went close to marking the occasion with a goal of his own. Defender Eric Garcia was forced off early in the first half after a collision with Rodri left him needing treatment, but the disruption did little to slow Barcelona's dominant display as they outscored their opponents 17-2 across their opening four league matches.
Bharat Arun Backs Mohammed Shami for India Comeback After 100th First-Class Match
Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has publicly backed Mohammed Shami for a potential India recall, speaking as the pacer reached his 100th first-class appearance in the Duleep Trophy final between East Zone and South Zone in Chennai. "It is actually befitting for Shami. 100 first-class matches with what he loves most, the red ball," Arun said. "He loves bowling. It doesn't matter whether it is in the nets or in the middle of a game. You give him the red ball, or any ball for that matter, he would mark his run-up and start bowling." Shami has continued to produce strong numbers on the domestic circuit despite his absence from the national side, taking 37 wickets in seven matches for Bengal in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy at an average of 16.72, along with 15 wickets in seven Vijay Hazare Trophy games. He also picked up five wickets across the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone, showing he can still bowl long, effective spells. The 36-year-old has not played for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy final, where he finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with nine scalps, having earlier taken 23 wickets in seven matches before an ankle injury and subsequent surgery ruled him out for nearly a year. His continued domestic form and Arun's endorsement will fuel speculation over a possible international return.
Ishan Kishan's Century Headlines Milestone-Filled Day 1 of Duleep Trophy Final
Ishan Kishan struck an unbeaten 111 to guide East Zone to a commanding 385 for 4 on Day 1 of the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone in Chennai, a milestone day that also saw Karnataka's Shreyas Gopal reach his 100th first-class appearance. Winning the toss and batting first, East Zone were given a solid platform by Abhimanyu Easwaran (72) and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (44), before Shikhar Mohan added a composed 85. Captain Kishan then took control in the final session, reaching his tenth first-class century off just 122 balls, striking 14 fours and two sixes, while also passing 4,000 career first-class runs during the innings. He finished the day unbeaten on 111 off 135 balls, sharing an unbroken 144-run stand with Kumar Kushagra (63 not out). The occasion doubled as a landmark for South Zone's Shreyas Gopal , who took the field for his 100th first-class match alongside East Zone's Mohammed Shami, who reached the same milestone in the same fixture. "It's pretty surreal to play a 100th first-class game, and the Duleep Trophy final makes it even more special," Gopal said, reflecting on a career that began in 2013. Chama Milind was South Zone's most successful bowler with 2 for 56, but found little else to trouble a dominant East Zone batting effort.
Maitland-Niles Scores Stunning Debut Goal as Everton Draw 2-2 With Man United
Everton snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with deadline-day signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles curling home a stunning 96th-minute equaliser on his debut to extend the Toffees' unbeaten start to the season. United led twice through Bryan Mbeumo and substitute Benjamin Sesko , with Tyrique George's first Everton goal cancelling out the opener before Maitland-Niles, summoned off the bench just 45 minutes before the transfer deadline, curled a 25-yard effort into the top corner deep into stoppage time. "A brilliant goal," said manager David Moyes , whose side had used three different right-backs during the match after James Garner went off with cramp. It was the first goal on Premier League debut for an Everton player since Richarlison in 2018. The result came despite Everton's chaotic deadline day, which saw a proposed £40m move for Folarin Balogun collapse and left Thierno Barry as the club's only recognised senior striker. United defender Harry Maguire suffered a facial injury early in the match after a collision, needing treatment for a bloodied nose, but played on through the remainder of the game with no confirmed absence yet announced. The draw marks the second successive week Everton have salvaged a stoppage-time equaliser, following James Tarkowski's late leveller at Bournemouth, as Moyes' side continue to punch above their weight despite a turbulent summer transfer window.
Arsenal Fight Back to Beat Chelsea 2-1, Join Man City Top of the Table
Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates, surviving an early scare to move level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on nine points from three matches. Chelsea stunned the home crowd inside 77 seconds when Morgan Rogers volleyed the visitors ahead, but Arsenal responded emphatically. Kai Havertz equalised against his former club in the 25th minute, and Pedro Neto hit the post for Chelsea right before the break as the sides went in level at 1-1. Five minutes into the second half, Havertz's clever dummy set up Martin Odegaard to sweep home the winner. Chelsea pushed hard for an equaliser late on, with Reece James heading over and substitute Estevao denied by a superb save from David Raya in the 89th minute. Arsenal held on through four minutes of stoppage time to seal the win. The result extends Arsenal's perfect start to the season, with five goals scored and just one conceded through three matches, while handing Chelsea their first dropped points of the campaign, leaving them on six points. It also extends Arsenal's all-time head-to-head advantage over Chelsea to 87 wins to 66 in a rivalry dating back to 1907.
Dunkley's Century Seals England's 3-0 Sweep as Ireland's Arlene Kelly Bows Out
England Women completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep of Ireland , thrashing them by 114 runs at Worcester behind a superb century from Sophia Dunkley , in a match that also marked the international retirement of Ireland stalwart Arlene Kelly . Dunkley made 119 off 100 balls, her second ODI century, surviving an early review for lbw before dominating a 110-run stand with Jodi Grewcock (35) as England posted 291. A late collapse saw the last six wickets fall for just 31 runs, but the total was always going to be competitive. Ireland were bowled out for 177 in 44.2 overs, with Amy Hunter top-scoring on 39 and Mady Villiers and Lauren Filer taking three wickets apiece for England. The result completed a comprehensive series sweep for Charlie Dean's side to close out England's international summer, with their next fixtures not until the Champions Trophy in February. The match doubled as a farewell for Arlene Kelly , who announced her retirement from international cricket after the game. The New Zealand-born all-rounder leaves with 110 caps and 135 wickets for Ireland, the third-highest tally in the country's history behind Isobel Joyce and Laura Delany, since making her debut in June 2022. "It's been an absolute privilege to represent Ireland over the past four-and-a-half years," Kelly said, adding she would return to New Zealand to be closer to family. She was named Cricket Ireland's Women's International Player of the Year in 2023 and captained the side when required in 2025.
South Africa Beat Zimbabwe by 48 Runs to Win Namibia T20I Tri-Series
South Africa completed a dominant tri-series campaign, beating Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the final at the Namibia Cricket Ground to lift the T20I Tri-Series trophy, their third win over Zimbabwe in eight days. Batting first after being sent in, South Africa posted 205 for 5 behind a blistering 24-ball fifty from opener Jordan Hermann , who finished with 53 off 29 balls in an 84-run opening stand with Connor Esterhuizen (32). Dewald Brevis (32) and Rubin Hermann (27) kept the tempo up in the middle overs to push South Africa past 200, despite the side missing Lhuan-dre Pretorius through a groin niggle. Zimbabwe's chase fell apart early, slipping to 61 for 7 before Brad Evans produced a defiant unbeaten 56 in a 52-run ninth-wicket stand with Kundai Matigimu that briefly threatened to make a match of it. But captain Bjorn Fortuin (3/24) and Duan Jansen (3/38) shared six wickets to bowl Zimbabwe out for 157 in 18 overs. Jansen finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 11 dismissals. The tri-series served as a warm-up event for co-hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, with South Africa now moving on to a three-match bilateral ODI series against hosts Namibia, with Fortuin continuing as captain.
Harshitha Samarawickrama's 48* Seals Sri Lanka's 4-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh, Books Semi-Final Spot
Sri Lanka Women pulled off a nervy 4-wicket win over Bangladesh Women in Dubai, sealing an unbeaten group stage and a place in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semi-finals alongside India. Sent in to bowl after winning the toss, Sri Lanka were given a real fight by Bangladesh, who posted 114/8 thanks to a fine 34 from Sobhana Mostary and a quickfire 26 from Dilara Akter. Chamudi Praboda , just 17, was the standout with the ball, claiming 3/21 as Sri Lanka's spinners pegged Bangladesh back after a promising middle-overs phase. The chase swung wildly. Sri Lanka slumped to 44/5 inside 10 overs as Marufa Akter ran through the top order, leaving the defending champions staring at an upset. Harshitha Samarawickrama then produced the innings of her career, combining with Nilakshika Silva in a 38-run stand before finishing unbeaten on 48 off 37 , striking two sixes in the death overs — including one off Nahida Akter in the penultimate over — to guide Sri Lanka home with 4 balls to spare at 115/6 . Samarawickrama was named Player of the Match. Both India and Sri Lanka now go into the semi-finals unbeaten, having topped their respective groups with three wins from three.
Gabriel Jesus in Line for Barcelona Debut Against Valencia
Gabriel Jesus could make his Barcelona debut against Valencia at Mestalla, with head coach Hansi Flick confirming the Brazilian is in contention for second-half minutes despite not yet being at full fitness following his deadline-day move from Arsenal. "I really liked what I saw from Gabriel during training. He's ready to play a few minutes; we'll see in the second half how the match is going," Flick said in his pre-match press conference. Jesus trained fully with the squad for the first time on Friday, having managed only a partial session on Thursday, and has been handed the number 9 shirt at his new club. The timing brings an unusual selection headache for Flick, with Jesus' return coinciding with midfielder Gavi also being available again after injury, leaving the German coach with 24 fit players for a squad that can only register 23 under La Liga rules. Reports in Spain suggest full-back Alejandro Balde could be the player left out to accommodate both returning names, alongside new goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic also included in the squad for the first time. Barcelona go into the match aiming for a fourth win from four to open their La Liga title defence, with Jesus expected to provide competition for Raphinha in attack after a €10 million move from Arsenal that was reportedly agreed within 24 hours following nine months of on-off interest.
Mohammed Shami to Play 100th First-Class Match in Duleep Trophy Final
Mohammed Shami is set to make his 100th first-class appearance for East Zone in Sunday's Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, becoming just the sixth Indian bowler to reach the milestone. The 36-year-old pacer arrives at the landmark with 382 wickets from 99 matches and career-best figures of 8/90, having played a key role in East Zone's run to the final with five wickets across two innings in the semi-final win over defending champions Central Zone. The Cricket Association of Bengal felicitated Shami ahead of the occasion, presenting him with a signed "No. 100 Bengal" jersey and a silver plaque from CAB president Sourav Ganguly, who called it "a fitting reward for the veteran pacer's remarkable longevity." "Completing 100 First-Class matches is a very special and proud moment for me," Shami wrote on Instagram. "This journey has been filled with hard work, challenges, learning and unforgettable memories." Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, where he finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with nine scalps, and remains outside the national setup while continuing to play domestic cricket in pursuit of another international recall. The final runs from September 6 to 10, with East Zone captained by Ishan Kishan and featuring vice-captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among a squad hoping to add the Duleep Trophy to Shami's landmark occasion.
Coventry Complete Signing of Yann Gboho From Toulouse Days After Deadline
Coventry City have completed the signing of winger Yann Gboho from Toulouse, three days after the transfer window officially closed, thanks to a little-known FIFA documentation rule. The deal, reportedly worth around £10.3 million , was agreed with Toulouse and submitted to the Premier League before Tuesday's 11pm deadline, but final confirmation was delayed while FIFA verified the paperwork was in order. With ratification now complete, the move is subject only to UK visa approval, and Gboho was registered in time to feature in Coventry's trip to Manchester City. Gboho, the cousin of PSG and France forward Desire Doue , made 83 appearances for Toulouse in Ligue 1, scoring 19 goals and adding 12 assists over two and a half seasons. Born in Ivory Coast and a former France youth international, he began his career at Rennes before spells at Vitesse Arnhem and Cercle Brugge preceded his move to Toulouse. The winger becomes newly promoted Coventry's 12th and final summer signing, completing their 25-man Premier League squad after a summer outlay exceeding £100 million, following a proposed move to MLS side Kansas City that fell through.
Liverpool Sporting Director Richard Hughes Departs, Successor Search Begins
Liverpool have confirmed the departure of sporting director Richard Hughes after just two years in the role, with the Scot expected to take up a similar position at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. "The process of appointing a successor is under way and the outcome will be confirmed in due course," the club said in a statement, with the search being led by Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon . Hughes departs having overseen roughly £670 million in transfer spending across five windows, including British record fees for Alexander Isak and Enzo Fernandez, plus the summer's marquee arrival of Bradley Barcola for £123m. Hughes had informed the club of his desire to leave earlier this year but agreed to stay through the transfer window, given his close working relationship with head coach Andoni Iraola , whom he had first brought in at Bournemouth before reuniting with him at Anfield. He was also the executive who appointed Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp's successor, with Slot winning the Premier League in his debut season before being dismissed following a difficult title defence. His exit follows the recent departure of longtime friend Michael Edwards as FSG's CEO of Football, continuing a period of upheaval in Liverpool's boardroom. In the interim, the club says other senior football operations figures, including FSG technical director Julian Ward and assistant sporting director David Woodfine, will maintain the department's strategy.
Tottenham Remain Winless and Goalless After 0-0 Draw With Nottingham Forest
Tottenham remain winless and without a single goal scored through three Premier League matches after a goalless 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest, though it marked their first point of the season under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi . Brazilian summer signing Savio made his full Premier League debut on the right wing and was Tottenham's most dangerous outlet, completing eight take-ons and looking the player most likely to unlock Forest's defence. Forest thought they had snatched a late winner when Neco Williams found the net, but the goal was overturned by VAR after the ball was ruled to have struck his arm in the build-up. "Disappointing for the result, but for the performance, very happy," said De Zerbi afterward. "Considering we started working together on Thursday for the first time, we played well." The result comes after back-to-back opening defeats to Brentford and Newcastle, with Tottenham having spent more than £350 million over the summer without yet finding the net in the league. New arrival Omar Marmoush had a clear sight of goal but shot wide, while Mathys Tel struggled on the opposite flank and was substituted with 15 minutes remaining. The point comes with Tottenham also formally omitting Richarlison from their Premier League squad this week, adding further pressure on De Zerbi's misfiring attacking options.
Ben Chilwell's Late Winner Gives Crystal Palace First Points of the Season
Crystal Palace claimed their first points of the season with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Fulham, with deadline-day signing Ben Chilwell marking his return to the club with a late winner. Fulham led twice through Josh King and Cesar Palacios, with Tyrick Mitchell equalising on both occasions either side of half-time to keep Palace in the contest. Chilwell, signed from Strasbourg after previously spending half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Selhurst Park from Chelsea, was introduced as a 74th-minute substitute and needed just three minutes to find the winner, sealing new head coach Pierre Sage's first victory in charge. The result offers timely relief for Palace, who have been without top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta and winger Ismaila Sarr through injury this season, with Eddie Nketiah stepping in as a makeshift option in attack. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson made several important saves throughout to keep Fulham at bay before Chilwell's decisive intervention. The win moves Palace off the foot of the table after a difficult start to the campaign, while Fulham will rue letting two separate leads slip in a match that slipped away from them late on.
Haaland's 300th Club Goal Sends Man City Top With Win Over Coventry
Erling Haaland scored the 300th club goal of his career to give Manchester City a hard-fought 1-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City, sending Enzo Maresca's side top of the Premier League with a perfect three wins from three. Haaland powered in a 26th-minute header from an Antoine Semenyo cross, with debutant Enzo Fernandez involved in the buildup after being handed a surprise start following Nico O'Reilly's warm-up injury. It was the Norwegian's 165th goal for City, adding to his tallies from Borussia Dortmund (86), Red Bull Salzburg (29) and Molde (20), and his 20th goal against a promoted Premier League side, a run of dominance broken only by Sunderland last season. Coventry, still searching for their first top-flight goal since May 2001, gave City a real fright. Taiwo Awoniyi spurned a clear one-on-one chance, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action to deny both Jack Rudoni and Ellis Simms as the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser throughout. "It is an important win, different from the other two," said City boss Enzo Maresca afterward, with fellow deadline-day arrival Iliman Ndiaye also making his full debut in the same match. Frank Lampard's Coventry remain without a point or a goal in their return to the Premier League after three matches.
Shafali Verma's Record 3,000 T20I Runs Highlights India's Demolition of Pakistan
India completed a perfect Women's Asia Cup group stage, thrashing Pakistan by seven wickets in Dubai after bowling their rivals out for just 55 , their lowest-ever T20I total, in a match that also produced a landmark individual record. Opener Shafali Verma became the youngest and fastest woman to reach 3,000 T20I runs , needing just seven off the first two balls of India's chase to get there. She achieved the milestone at 22 years and 220 days, and in just 2,182 balls faced, both records previously held by Alyssa Healy and Gaby Lewis respectively. She is now the third Indian, after Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, to reach the landmark. Pakistan's innings collapsed entirely, with Shree Charani and Prema Rawat taking three wickets apiece and Deepti Sharma adding two more. India knocked off the target in just 8.4 overs, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur unbeaten on 18 and Deepti Sharma finishing on 12 not out. The win completes a clean sweep of three wins from three in the group stage for India, having also beaten Thailand and Hong Kong, and extends their dominant head-to-head record over Pakistan in Women's T20I cricket. India now progress to the semi-finals as the tournament's in-form side, while Pakistan face a must-win match against Hong Kong to keep their own qualification hopes alive.
India Bowl Out Pakistan for 55, Cruise to 7-Wicket Win in Women's Asia Cup 2026
India Women made light work of the biggest game of the group stage, thrashing Pakistan Women by 7 wickets in Dubai to seal top spot in Group A of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 , having already qualified for the semi-finals. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and chose to bat, but the decision backfired badly. India's bowlers were relentless from the start, with Shree Charani (3/7) and Prema Rawat (3/9) sharing six wickets between them as Pakistan collapsed from 27/0 to be bowled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs — their lowest-ever T20I total. India's chase was a formality despite an early wobble. Fatima Sana struck back with the ball, picking up 3/17 including the wickets of Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana inside the powerplay. But Harmanpreet Kaur (18* off 18) and Deepti Sharma (12* off 14) steadied things, finishing the chase in style with Harmanpreet slog-sweeping the winning six in just 8.4 overs . Shree Charani was named Player of the Match. India move to three wins from three and finish the group stage unbeaten, while Pakistan will need to beat Hong Kong, China in their final group game to secure a semi-final spot.
Timber Boost for Arsenal Ahead of Chelsea Clash, But Guimaraes and Mosquera Doubtful
Arsenal could hand Jurrien Timber his first appearance of the season against Chelsea on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta confirming the Dutch defender is "in really good condition" after returning to full training following groin surgery that also ruled him out of the World Cup. Arteta faces a more uncertain picture elsewhere in his squad, with Bruno Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera both being assessed after picking up knocks during last week's 1-0 win at Aston Villa. Guimaraes, who made his competitive debut off the bench at Villa Park, missed Thursday's open training session, while Mosquera was withdrawn during the second half as a precaution. "It was more precaution than anything else, so we will have to see how he feels," Arteta said of Mosquera, with £51m signing Ezri Konsa in line to deputise if needed. William Saliba remains a longer-term absentee. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates unbeaten with three wins from three under Xabi Alonso and in free-scoring form, though they carry their own fitness concern over Moises Caicedo , who was forced off again with the same injury issue during last weekend's 4-3 win over Brighton after returning from a previous spell out. The London derby represents the toughest test yet of Arsenal's title defence, with both sides having made big-money additions to their squads over the summer ahead of Sunday's Emirates showdown.
Newcastle Fight Back From Two Down to Draw 2-2 With Bournemouth, Stay Unbeaten
Newcastle fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth at St James' Park, preserving their unbeaten start to the season under new head coach Matthias Jaissle in a dramatic finish. Bournemouth raced into a two-goal lead through Marcus Tavernier's close-range finish and a Malick Thiaw own goal, but Newcastle responded almost instantly when Harvey Barnes curled in a stunning finish just 101 seconds later. The hosts pushed for an equaliser throughout a tense second half before substitute Jacob Ramsey steered home the leveller in the 88th minute, sparking wild celebrations at St James' Park. The result extends a miserable statistical quirk for Bournemouth, who became the first side in Premier League history to score first in each of their opening three matches of a season without winning any of them, having also conceded stoppage-time goals against Manchester City and Everton in their previous two outings. "It's good that we're in situations to win games, but we have to talk about how we can finish games," said Bournemouth boss Marco Rose. For Newcastle, the draw means Jaissle remains unbeaten through his opening three matches in charge, following a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and a 2-0 win over Tottenham. "Happy for that spirit, that belief the lads were showing until the end together with the crowd," Jaissle said afterward.
Enzo Fernandez Handed Surprise Man City Debut After Nico O'Reilly's Warm-Up Injury
Enzo Fernandez made a surprise Manchester City debut from the start against Coventry City, promoted into the starting XI after Nico O'Reilly suffered a suspected lower back injury during the warm-up at the Etihad Stadium. Fernandez, City's £125 million record signing from Chelsea, had initially been named among the substitutes just four days after completing his British record-equalling move. But O'Reilly's late fitness issue forced an immediate reshuffle, with the Argentine drafted into midfield alongside fellow deadline-day arrival Iliman Ndiaye , who also made his full debut having replaced Phil Foden in the only other change from City's 4-1 win at Crystal Palace. O'Reilly had started both of City's opening two league matches and has been a key figure under Pep Guardiola since breaking through last season. His absence adds an unexpected complication for City just as they look to build early-season momentum with a revamped midfield following the departures of Rodri and Bernardo Silva. Fernandez's unplanned introduction means his first appearance in City colours arrives with minimal specific preparation for the occasion, though the club had always viewed him as a rotation option in Pep Guardiola's expensively assembled midfield alongside Elliot Anderson.
Harmanpreet Kaur Becomes First Cricketer Ever to Captain in 150 T20Is
Harmanpreet Kaur has become the first cricketer in history, male or female, to captain in 150 T20 Internationals , reaching the landmark during India's Women's Asia Cup clash against Pakistan in Dubai. India's captain since 2012, Harmanpreet entered the match on 149 games as skipper with a record of 86 wins and 57 losses. "Great achievement. But the key is to keep enjoying yourself on the field, and that is a key; I try to keep up with that," she said at the toss. She stands well clear of the next-best captains in the format: Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu (121) among women, and Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus (91) among men. The milestone came in a match already stacked with individual landmarks. It followed shortly after teammate Deepti Sharma became the leading wicket-taker in Women's T20I history, while Smriti Mandhana entered the contest just 78 runs short of overtaking Suzie Bates as the format's all-time leading run-scorer. Pakistan's Muneeba Ali also had milestones of her own in sight, two matches away from a century of T20I appearances. India had already secured their Women's Asia Cup semi-final berth prior to the Pakistan match, following wins over Thailand and Hong Kong, extending a dominant head-to-head record over their rivals that now stands at 14 wins from 17 T20I meetings.
Alexia Putellas Debuts as London City Lionesses Beat Man United 2-1 in WSL Opener
London City Lionesses made a statement start to the newly expanded Women's Super League season, beating Manchester United 2-1 at a sold-out Hayes Lane as Alexia Putellas made her competitive debut for the club. London City took the lead after just nine minutes when Alanna Kennedy's header was inadvertently turned into her own net by United's Julia Zigiotti Olme, following a tussle in the box. Danielle van de Donk doubled the lead in the 82nd minute with a clever flick to seal the points, before Simi Awujo grabbed a stoppage-time consolation for United with their only shot on target all night. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas started alongside fellow new arrivals Rosa Kafaji, Mapi Leon and Janni Thomsen, with further big-money signings Mary Earps and Kadidiatou Diani left among the substitutes, in what head coach Eder Maestre hopes signals the arrival of a genuine WSL title contender under owner Michele Kang. The club's only concern came when Lucia Corrales was forced off in the second half, later confirmed to be a rib injury. Backed by significant investment this summer, London City are targeting a first WSL title as the first fully independent club to do so, having finished sixth last season behind the established top five of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham.
Pretorius' Maiden Century Sends South Africa Into Tri-Series Final After Namibia Thriller
South Africa survived a stern chase from Namibia to win by 11 runs in a 445-run thriller at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, sealing their place in Sunday's final against Zimbabwe in the T20I tri-series. Put in to bat, South Africa exploded through a 156-run opening stand between Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen . Esterhuizen blazed 88 off just 40 balls, striking six fours and eight sixes, while Pretorius made amends for missing out on a century three days earlier against Zimbabwe (he was dismissed for 94), reaching his maiden T20I hundred with a six in the final over before falling for 101 off 53 balls. South Africa finished on 228 for 4, their fifth-highest T20I total. Namibia refused to fold under the daunting target, with Jan Frylinck (72 off 36) and Louren Steenkamp (61 off 44) putting on 119 for the first wicket to keep the hosts in touch deep into the chase. But South Africa's bowlers held their nerve at the death, with Nqobani Mokoena finishing with 2 for 43 including the crucial last wicket, as Namibia fell agonisingly short on 217 for 3. The result ends an impressive home campaign for Namibia, who had already beaten South Africa earlier in the series and pushed Zimbabwe to a last-ball finish, but it is South Africa who advance to face Zimbabwe in Sunday's decider.
Brighton's Mats Wieffer Sidelined With Freak Knee Injury
Brighton have confirmed Mats Wieffer will be sidelined until after the upcoming international break with a freak knee injury sustained during last weekend's 4-3 defeat at Chelsea. The Dutch full-back was struck in the face by the ball during the match, causing him to lose his balance and twist his knee awkwardly as he fell. "I can explain this quite easily because I also like to watch boxing," head coach Fabian Hurzeler said. "Sometimes in boxing, when someone gets hit, you see how weak his legs go and then the legs get in very strange positions, and then it might happen that your knee gets injured. It was a similar situation with Mats." Wieffer had started both of Brighton's opening Premier League matches at right-back and was considered the preferred option in the position when fit. His absence adds to an already lengthy Brighton injury list that includes Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Georginio Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood. Summer signing Costinha is the most likely option to deputise, with Hurzeler praising his fitness and tactical understanding since arriving at the club.
Real Betis Stun Real Madrid 1-0 as Mbappe Misses Stoppage-Time Penalty
Real Betis stunned Real Madrid 1-0 at La Cartuja, ending Jose Mourinho's perfect start to his second spell in charge with a dramatic finish that saw Kylian Mbappe miss a stoppage-time penalty. Madrid dominated for long spells, with Vinicius Junior striking the post from an Arda Guler pass in the first half, and Mbappe twice denied by heroic blocks from Natan and Marc Bartra. But Betis snatched the lead nine minutes from time when Troy Parrott , on his home debut since a summer move from AZ Alkmaar, fired home the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had saved Nelson Deossa's header, scoring his first goal for the club. Madrid thought they had salvaged a point when substitute Carlos Espi scored a stunning acrobatic volley from a Vinicius cross, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside in the build-up. Deep into stoppage time, Vinicius won a penalty after being fouled by Natan in the box, handing Mbappe a golden chance to rescue the game. But Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles guessed correctly and saved to his right, sparking wild celebrations at La Cartuja. "I genuinely don't know why we lost. We played so well," said Mourinho afterward. "I have nothing to reproach my players for." The defeat ends Madrid's perfect start to the La Liga season under Mourinho, while Betis pick up a major confidence boost after a difficult opening to their own campaign.
Isak's Quickfire Double Gives Liverpool First Win of the Season at Ipswich
Liverpool secured their first Premier League win of the season, beating Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road as Alexander Isak struck twice inside the opening nine minutes, with both goals set up by Cody Gakpo . Gakpo cut inside just six minutes in and slid a defence-splitting pass through to Isak, who beat goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen at his near post. Three minutes later, Gakpo produced an even better assist, curling an outside-of-the-boot through-ball for Isak to run onto and slot home again. Isak nearly completed a hat-trick before the break, converting a Florian Wirtz pass, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Ipswich rallied after the interval through Julio Enciso and Daizen Maeda, but could not find a way past Alisson. New £123m signing Bradley Barcola made his Liverpool debut as a 64th-minute substitute for Isak, receiving a warm reception from the away end. "I have no doubt with Cody. He has been very good all pre-season," said head coach Andoni Iraola afterward, praising Gakpo's versatility and continued excellent form despite interest from Manchester City and Tottenham in the closing days of the transfer window. The result moves Liverpool onto five points from three matches, ending back-to-back opening draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, and sets up a Champions League return against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Esha Oza Guides UAE to 6-Wicket Win Over Indonesia in Women's Asia Cup 2026
United Arab Emirates Women bounced back from their opening defeat, chasing down a modest target with plenty to spare to beat Indonesia Women by 6 wickets in Dubai. Sent in to bowl after winning the toss, UAE ran through Indonesia's batting with a disciplined display. Suraksha Kotte struck twice in the powerplay to reduce Indonesia to 1/2, and Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini 's battling 39 was the only real resistance as the rest of the order struggled. Esha Oza and Heena Hotchandani picked up two wickets apiece as Indonesia were bowled out for just 71 in 19.4 overs . UAE's chase was never seriously threatened. Captain Esha Oza led from the front with 30 off 29 balls, while Rinitha Rajith (22) kept the scoreboard ticking in a 45-run stand for the second wicket. Indonesia's spinners fought back briefly, with Sofia Velic and Ni Kadek Ariani sharing three wickets, but Samaira Dharnidharka saw UAE home with an unbeaten 8, finishing on 75/4 in 13.1 overs . Oza was named Player of the Match for her all-round effort (30 off 29, 2/11). UAE move to two points from two games, while Indonesia remain winless after three matches and will look to salvage pride in their remaining fixtures.
Sancho, Pogba, Ramos and Alaba Among Big-Name Free Agents Still Available
The European transfer window has shut, but a host of high-profile names remain free agents , still available to sign at any point since the free-agent market operates outside the standard transfer calendar. Jadon Sancho , 26, is available after a difficult spell tied to Manchester United, having spent the past two and a half seasons out on loan, most recently helping Aston Villa win the Europa League. He is reportedly closing in on a move to Brazilian side Palmeiras, with Borussia Dortmund and Roma also credited with interest. Paul Pogba mutually terminated his contract with Monaco after struggling with fitness, leaving the 2018 World Cup winner without a club just a year into a deal signed following his return from an 18-month doping suspension. David Alaba , 34, remains unattached after Real Madrid opted not to renew his contract, closing out a trophy-laden five years in the Spanish capital that included four Champions League titles. Sergio Ramos , now 40, has been without a club since leaving Mexican side Monterrey in December 2025 and has yet to announce his retirement, having recently led an unsuccessful attempt to acquire a controlling stake in former club Sevilla. Other notable names still on the market include Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Dani Carvajal, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jamie Vardy, who is separately being courted by Wrexham.
Liverpool Without Five Players for Ipswich Clash, Barcola Available for Debut
Liverpool remain without five first-team players for Friday's trip to Ipswich Town , head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed, though new signing Bradley Barcola is available and in line to make his debut. Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are all still sidelined through injury, with Gomez the closest to a return and expected to resume full training next week, while Leoni and Chiesa are targeting the upcoming international break. Bradley and Ekitike remain further away. Liverpool arrive at Portman Road still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Ipswich , meanwhile, have received a timely boost of their own. Striker Emersonn , withdrawn at half-time against Manchester United after jarring his knee, has trained fully all week and was confirmed fit by manager Gary O'Neil , who said there are "no concerns" over his recovery. Florentino Luis is also available for the first time this season having overcome a calf issue, giving O'Neil a fresh central-midfield option alongside Marcelino Nunez and Sasa Lukic. Deadline-day signing Zian Flemming, a £20m arrival from Burnley, is also in contention, though Azor Matusiwa, Jack Taylor and Jaden Philogene remain out. Ipswich sit above Liverpool in the table following their opening-day win over Sunderland, and will look to cause an upset against a Liverpool side yet to find their rhythm this season.
Deepti Sharma Becomes Leading Wicket-Taker in Women's T20I History With 174 Scalps
Deepti Sharma has become the leading wicket-taker in Women's T20 International history, reaching 174 wickets after adding three more scalps in India's win over Hong Kong at the Women's Asia Cup, moving clear of Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong. The milestone was first set up during India's tournament opener against Thailand, when Deepti produced a stunning spell of 3 for 0 in just 1.1 overs to move to 171 wickets and overtake Putthawong, the landmark arriving in her 150th T20I appearance. It was the most economical three-wicket haul by any Indian bowler in the format's history. She has since extended her lead further with three more wickets against Hong Kong. Deepti also became just the third Indian, after Harmanpreet Kaur (203) and Smriti Mandhana (172), to play 150 or more T20Is, and the 12th woman cricketer overall to reach that landmark. "More than 150 wickets, it's a proud feeling to wear the Indian jersey with the Indian logo. It's about doing the right things as an Indian player," she said, reflecting on the achievement. The 27-year-old off-spinner's record comes in the same tournament that has already produced Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124, giving India's spin and batting attack a share of the individual headlines as the side marches unbeaten toward the semi-finals.
India to Play Historic First-Ever T20I Against Japan on September 22
India will play a historic one-off T20I against Japan on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, marking the first-ever meeting between the two nations in international cricket. Dubbed the Suzuki Cup , the match has been organised by the BCCI and the Japan Cricket Association to launch celebrations for the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations . The fixture forms the flagship event of "Sport 75," a bilateral sporting initiative that followed a summit agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The game kicks off at 1:00 PM local time (9:30 AM IST). "The BCCI is delighted to be part of this historic occasion as the Indian and Japanese men's teams come together for a special T20 International in Japan," said BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia. JCA CEO Naoki Miyaji called the visit of the reigning world champions "a landmark moment for cricket in Japan," with organisers planning to expand the venue's usual 500-person capacity to as many as 2,000 to accommodate demand. The match effectively serves as a warm-up for Shreyas Iyer's India squad ahead of the Asian Games , where they arrive as defending gold medallists and have already secured a direct berth in the quarterfinal on September 28 owing to their higher ranking. Japan, unbeaten in eight of ten T20Is played in 2026, will be playing their first-ever match against a full ICC member nation.
Crystal Palace Confirm Sarr and Mateta Both Out for Fulham Trip
Crystal Palace head coach Pierre Sage has confirmed that Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will both remain unavailable for Saturday's Premier League trip to Fulham. "Sarr needs time to recover. He is injured at the moment," Sage told his pre-match press conference, with the winger continuing to nurse a groin problem that has kept him out since the start of the season. Sarr's situation was complicated further by a failed deadline-day exit, with Liverpool showing interest before the move collapsed. Sage addressed the fallout from a pointed statement released by Sarr's agent following the collapsed transfer, saying: "I don't really agree with this position. I just want to say that the club and the people here are respectful and we want the best for our club and players." On Mateta , who was Palace's top scorer last season with 21 goals across all competitions, Sage confirmed: "As I said last time, Mateta is injured, now for three weeks." The club's only other long-term absentee is defender Chadi Riad, with Sage confirming everyone else in the squad has recovered well following the last match against Manchester City. The extended absences leave Palace light in attack for the trip to Craven Cottage, with the club needing others to step up in the final third in the meantime.
Genoa Sign Kingsley Ehizibue on Free Transfer From Udinese
Genoa have signed Dutch-Nigerian right-back Kingsley Ehizibue on a free transfer, returning the 31-year-old to Serie A after he left Udinese as a free agent earlier this year. Ehizibue has put pen to paper on a multi-year deal through 2027, with an option for a further season to 2028. The move gives Daniele De Rossi's side a replacement at right-back following the departure of Brooke Norton-Cuffy to Hull City, with Genoa's initial target for the slot, Woyo Coulibaly, falling through in the closing hours of the window despite the Leicester full-back having already arrived in Italy for a medical. "Ehizibue brings sprint, a wide range of coverage and knowledge of the league, always a point in his favour," said Genoa's Chief of Football, Diego Lopez. "With Kingsley we've completed the roster of wide players." Ehizibue made 115 Serie A appearances across four seasons at Udinese, scoring four goals, and previously spent time at 1. FC Koln in the Bundesliga and PEC Zwolle in his native Netherlands, where he began his senior career. The signing follows Genoa's earlier free-transfer capture of Stephan El Shaarawy, continuing a summer strategy built around picking up experienced players once their contracts had expired.
Women's Champions League Draw: Arsenal Face Barcelona Test, City Land Toughest Group
The Women's Champions League league-phase draw took place in Nyon, with Arsenal drawn to face Barcelona as they look to defend the European title they won in 2025, while Chelsea and Manchester City discovered tough schedules of their own. Arsenal, seeded in Pot 1, will travel to Barcelona and Paris FC and host Lyon, Benfica and HB Koge, with Inter Milan completing their six-match slate. Barcelona , aiming to reclaim the trophy they lost to Arsenal last season, face a similarly stacked group including Bayern Munich, Roma, Paris FC, Servette and HB Koge. Chelsea , also in Pot 1, will host Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Austria Wien, with away trips to Lyon, Hacken and OH Leuven. Manchester City , drawn from Pot 3, face arguably the toughest run of any English side, taking on both PSG and Bayern Munich from the top seeding pot, alongside Real Madrid and Hacken from Pot 2, plus Austria Wien and Inter. Real Madrid will test themselves against PSG and Bayern among their six opponents, while eight-time champions Lyon face a symbolic double header against both Chelsea and Arsenal. The new 18-team league-phase format sees each side play six matches, three at home and three away, with the top four advancing directly to the quarterfinals. The opening round of fixtures gets under way on September 22/23, with the full match schedule confirmed by UEFA on September 5.
Newcastle Fear William Osula's Foot Injury Could Keep Him Out Longer Than Expected
Newcastle forward William Osula could be sidelined considerably longer than first expected after suffering a foot injury in the club's season-opening 2-2 draw with Liverpool, though head coach Matthias Jaissle has pushed back against the most alarming reports. Osula picked up the injury in a collision with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and played on before being substituted early in the second half. He has since missed Newcastle's wins over West Brom and Tottenham and has continued wearing a protective splint. A report from Denmark's Viaplay claimed the Denmark international could be out for a "long time" and cast doubt over his availability for the upcoming international break, but Jaissle responded skeptically when asked about a specific seven-week absence claim, saying "I doubt that." Newcastle have avoided the worst-case scenario of a fracture, but a clear return timeline has yet to be established. In Osula's absence, Yoane Wissa and new signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo are expected to shoulder the workload at centre-forward, with the club already managing a lengthy injury list that includes Tino Livramento, Joelinton and Dan Burn.
Joe Gomez Set to Resume Liverpool Training Next Week
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is set to resume full team training next week, head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed, edging closer to a first appearance of the season after picking up a muscle injury in pre-season. "The closest one is Joe. Joe will probably start training with us next week and it has gone normally, the recovery, from a muscle injury, more or less we were expecting the time on this. I hope we can have him before the break," Iraola said in his pre-Ipswich press conference. Gomez was injured just minutes into Liverpool's first pre-season friendly and has missed the club's opening matches of the campaign, though he remains likely to sit out the Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid. Iraola also provided updates on two other long-term absentees, with Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa both expected to resume full training during the upcoming international break. No firm timeline was given for Conor Bradley or Hugo Ekitike, who remain further away from returning. Gomez's imminent return offers Liverpool much-needed defensive reinforcement after successive 2-2 draws to open the Premier League season, with the club still working through a thin central-defensive options list following a summer window that added only Ronald Araujo on loan alongside Jeremy Jacquet.
Arsenal Women Complete Signing of France Defender Elisa De Almeida From PSG
Arsenal Women have completed the signing of France international defender Elisa De Almeida from Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent deal, adding much-needed depth to their backline before the women's transfer window closed. "I'm so excited to join Arsenal. This is a very big club and I can't wait to get started," De Almeida said following the move. "I grew up watching Arsenal and seeing French players wear this jersey, so I'm proud to take this step." The 28-year-old made 154 appearances and scored three goals across five years at PSG, and can operate at both centre-back and right-back. The move addresses a pressing need for Arsenal, who had only three fit senior centre-backs available with Katie Reid still working her way back from an ACL injury not expected to return before November. De Almeida brings significant experience at the highest level, having reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2023-24 and featured at the 2023 World Cup and 2025 European Championships for France, for whom she has won 52 caps. "She's a highly experienced and versatile centre-back who will strengthen our backline and add further depth ahead of an exciting season," said Arsenal's Director of Women's Football, Clare Wheatley, with head coach Renee Slegers also welcoming the composure and mobility De Almeida brings to the squad.
India Face Pakistan in Asia Cup Blockbuster, Already Through to Semi-Finals
India face bitter rivals Pakistan in the marquee group-stage fixture of the Women's Asia Cup on Saturday, with the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side already through to the semi-finals. India secured their spot in the last four with a dominant 137-run win over Hong Kong , built around Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124, which took her past two centuries at this year's tournament and made her the leading century-maker in women's international cricket history. Having also beaten Thailand in their opening match, India go into the Pakistan clash unbeaten and already qualified, giving them the freedom to fine-tune combinations ahead of the knockout stage. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be looking to boost their own semi-final chances and end a run without a Women's Asia Cup title, having finished runners-up on previous occasions. The India-Pakistan rivalry remains one of the biggest draws in women's cricket, with this fixture expected to be among the most-watched matches of the tournament regardless of the standings. The match takes place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 5, with the semi-finals following on September 10 and 11 and the final on September 13.
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando Ruled Out of England Tour, Asalanka to Captain
Sri Lanka have suffered a double injury blow ahead of their three-match T20I series in England, with captain Kusal Mendis and pacer Binura Fernando both ruled out, forcing Charith Asalanka into the captaincy. Both players picked up their injuries during the Lanka Premier League 2026: Mendis is still undergoing rehabilitation for a right hamstring problem, while Fernando is recovering from a back injury. Neither is expected to be fit in time for the tour, which begins September 15. Sri Lanka Cricket has responded by naming Pavan Rathnayake as Mendis' replacement and Dilshan Madushanka in for Fernando. With Mendis unavailable, Asalanka , who had been serving as vice-captain for the tour, steps up to lead the side across all three T20Is, scheduled for Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester. Mendis remains in contention to return for the subsequent ODI leg of the tour, which runs from September 22 to 27. Dasun Shanaka, who led Sri Lanka at this year's T20 World Cup, has also been recalled to the ODI squad for the first time since January 2024.
Issy Wong's Maiden Five-For Seals England Women's ODI Series Win Over Ireland
England Women sealed an unassailable 2-0 lead in their ODI series against Ireland with a comfortable six-wicket win in Derby, built around Issy Wong's maiden international five-wicket haul. Wong, playing just her sixth ODI, produced career-best figures of 5 for 33 , dismissing Ireland captain Gaby Lewis by knocking over her leg stump before running through the lower order. Ireland, who had posted 281 in the series opener, collapsed to 165 all out after losing their last six wickets for just 25 runs. Mady Villiers and Tilly Corteen-Coleman chipped in with two wickets apiece as the home attack delivered a far sharper performance than in the first match. England's chase was never seriously threatened, reaching 166 for 4 in 23 overs with 27 overs to spare. Maia Bouchier, fresh off a century in the opener, again set the tone with 45 off 31 balls, before Dani Gibson finished unbeaten on 36 to seal victory with a six. "I had a really good chat with our media man, Dean, who helped flip my mindset," Wong said afterward, crediting a shift toward bowling inswingers for her breakthrough performance. The result gives England an unassailable series lead with one match remaining, at Worcester on Sunday, as they look to complete a clean sweep of the three-match series.
FIFA Reports Record $9.89bn in Men's International Transfer Spending
FIFA has confirmed that global clubs spent a record $9.89 billion on men's international transfer fees during the 2026 mid-year window, the highest figure ever recorded for the period, with more than 12,500 international transfers completed worldwide, itself a new high. The spending surge was fuelled in part by this summer's World Cup, with clubs racing to secure players who had raised their profile on the biggest stage. England's Premier League once again led global spending, continuing a trend that has seen the English top flight dominate the international transfer market year after year. The figures represent a further escalation from FIFA's most recent full-year report, which recorded $8.59 billion in international spending across all of 2024. Women's football also posted record numbers within the same report, continuing the rapid financial growth the women's game has experienced in recent transfer windows as more clubs invest seriously in their squads. FIFA's snapshot lands just days after a frenetic deadline day across Europe that saw British transfer records fall, marquee moves completed for Enzo Fernandez, Bradley Barcola and Gabriel Jesus among others, and several clubs setting individual outgoing or incoming records of their own, underlining just how much of this year's spending was concentrated in the window's final hours.
Argentina to Pause All Domestic Matches at 10th Minute in Tribute to Messi
Argentina will pause every domestic football match this weekend at the 10th minute for a minute of applause in tribute to Lionel Messi , following his retirement from the national team. "For the upcoming matchday across all men's and women's divisions and disciplines, matches will be paused in the 10th minute of the first half for a minute of applause in recognition of Lionel Messi's career with the Argentina national team," the Argentine Football Association announced. The tribute spans men's and women's 11-a-side football, futsal and beach soccer, with the 10th-minute timing a direct nod to the number 10 shirt Messi wore for almost his entire international career. Stadiums equipped with video boards have also been directed to play a tribute video before kickoff. Messi confirmed his retirement earlier this week, revealing he had written the decision down back on July 21, just two days after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain, but held off announcing it, later citing the death of his father Jorge as further reason to step away. He leaves as Argentina's record appearance-maker with 207 caps and all-time leading scorer with 125 goals , having played a record six World Cups and made a record 34 World Cup appearances across his 21-year international career. Liga Profesional action resumes with Sarmiento hosting Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto on Friday, before ten top-flight matches follow across the weekend, including Newell's Old Boys, Messi's boyhood club, hosting Central in Rosario, the city where he was born.
Dasun Shanaka Smashes Fastest Century in CPL History, Finishes 121* Off 43 Balls
Dasun Shanaka smashed the fastest century in Caribbean Premier League history, reaching three figures off just 39 balls for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots against St Lucia Kings at Warner Park. Promoted to bat at No. 3 on the advice of captain Jason Holder and the coaching staff, the Sri Lankan all-rounder walked in with the Patriots on 89 for 2 in the 10th over and proceeded to demolish the Kings' bowling attack, reaching his century with back-to-back sixes off the first two balls of the final over. He finished unbeaten on 121 off 43 deliveries , striking 12 sixes and eight fours at a strike rate of 281.40, breaking the previous CPL record of a 40-ball century jointly held by Andre Russell, Tim Seifert and Shimron Hetmyer. The innings propelled the Patriots to 235 for 4, a total the Kings never threatened as they were bowled out for just 98 in 13.5 overs, handing St Kitts a commanding 137-run victory . "This thing was due for a long time, and really happy, you know, it came out from me today," Shanaka said afterward, revealing he had been working on his basics in the nets despite a modest run in the tournament coming into the innings. The knock continues a red-hot CPL 2026 for the 34-year-old, who has now amassed 255 runs at a strike rate of nearly 230 across seven outings, cementing his place as one of the tournament's standout overseas performers this season.
Khephren Thuram Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery, Faces Months on Sidelines
Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram has successfully undergone knee surgery in Lyon, with the club confirming he will be sidelined for several months as he battles a persistent cartilage issue. Thuram underwent a chondroplasty procedure to treat chondropathy of the patella in his right knee, performed by Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet at the Hopital Prive Jean Mermoz, with Juventus describing the operation as "a complete success." He begins his rehabilitation programme immediately, with Italian media reporting a return is targeted for early 2027, at least four months away. The 25-year-old had not featured in any of Juventus' pre-season friendlies and was left off the club's UEFA squad list for the Europa League league phase, having struggled with the knee issue since the end of last season. Juventus also confirmed a separate fresh injury to defender Juan Cabal , who has sustained a mild strain to his left thigh's semimembranosus muscle. To cover Thuram's extended absence, the club moved to sign Pape Matar Sarr on loan from Tottenham on transfer deadline day, with an option to make the move permanent. Thuram, the son of former France defender Lilian Thuram and brother of Inter Milan's Marcus, has scored six goals in 70 Serie A appearances since joining from Nice in 2024.
Vivianne Miedema Could Miss Remainder of 2026 With Fresh Knee Injury
Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema faces an extended spell on the sidelines after sustaining a fresh knee injury in training, casting doubt over her availability for the rest of 2026. The club confirmed the Dutch international "sustained a knee injury and will miss the start of the Barclays Women's Super League season," stressing the issue is separate from the recurring knee problems that have plagued her since an ACL rupture back in December 2022. While not an ACL tear, the injury is understood to be serious enough that City fear she may not feature again before the New Year. Miedema was a key figure in City's 2025-26 double-winning campaign, contributing 19 goal involvements in 25 appearances , and had returned for pre-season aiming for a fully fit year after undergoing knee surgery over the summer. Her absence leaves Gareth Taylor's side light in attack just as the newly expanded 14-team WSL season gets under way, with the club now exploring reinforcements including Jennifer Echegini and Ornella Vignola. The Netherlands international, the WSL and her country's record scorer, has endured a torrid run of injuries in recent seasons, having previously spoken out about the toll of the packed women's football calendar on player welfare.
Marcos Llorente Retires From Spain Duty Weeks After World Cup Triumph
Marcos Llorente has announced his retirement from international football with Spain , just weeks after helping the national team lift the 2026 World Cup, in a decision that caught supporters and teammates by surprise. "After spending a lot of time thinking it over, I have decided to close my chapter with the National Team," the 31-year-old Atletico Madrid star wrote in an emotional Instagram post. "I know that many of you won't understand it, and, surely, I wouldn't have understood it either from the outside. But it is a personal decision, deeply considered and, above all, deeply felt." He was clear the decision predated the tournament, adding: "Regardless of whether I had gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we had won or not, I had already made this decision." Llorente made his Spain debut in November 2020 and finishes with 27 caps , having featured at Euro 2021, the 2022 World Cup and this summer's triumphant 2026 campaign, where he backed up Pedro Porro at right-back. He started two group games but played just six minutes across the rest of the knockout rounds, though he insisted his limited World Cup involvement did not influence the decision. The Atletico Madrid star continues his club career, where his honours include two Champions League titles and a La Liga crown, having previously played for city rivals Real Madrid before switching sides in 2019.
Aubameyang Retires From Gabon Duty, Citing "Humiliation" Over AFCON Fallout
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his retirement from international football with Gabon , saying he felt "humiliated" by the treatment he received from the country's government following a disappointing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. "They humiliated and smeared me even though I played at the AFCON while injured. This is the last straw, and I'd rather stop here," the 37-year-old said in a television interview. Gabon crashed out of the tournament in the group stage after three straight defeats, prompting the government to fire the coaching staff, suspend the squad, and single out Aubameyang and veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga for exclusion, despite both later being reinstated. Aubameyang leaves as Gabon's all-time leading scorer , with 40 international goals and more than 80 caps across six AFCON tournaments. New head coach Sebastien Migne must now prepare for AFCON qualifiers against Morocco, Niger and Lesotho without his country's most decorated forward. The announcement comes in the same week as retirements from Lionel Messi, Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Llorente, capping an unusually eventful few days for international football farewells. Aubameyang will continue his club career with Deportivo La Coruna , whom he joined from Marseille in July.
Tottenham Axe Richarlison From Premier League Squad Amid Trabzonspor Pursuit
Tottenham have omitted Richarlison from their 25-man Premier League squad for the season, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirming the Brazilian had "asked too many times to leave" the club. The decision follows a collapsed deadline-day move that would have seen Richarlison return to former club Everton as part of a swap involving Iliman Ndiaye heading to Tottenham. When Richarlison rejected the personal terms on offer, the deal fell through entirely, with Ndiaye instead joining Manchester City. Richarlison responded with a fiery Instagram statement declaring "never again will anyone decide my future for me." With the Premier League window shut, his most realistic exit route now runs through Turkey, where Trabzonspor are pushing hard to complete a deal before their transfer deadline on September 4. Reports suggest Richarlison has already agreed personal terms on a contract that would roughly triple his current wages, though Tottenham had rejected opening bids of £15m and £20m and are believed to be holding out for closer to their £35m valuation. The 29-year-old finished as Tottenham's top Premier League scorer last season with 11 goals despite the club narrowly avoiding relegation, and leaves the club without a recognised senior option beyond Dominic Solanke and loan signing Omar Marmoush.
Gabriel Martinelli Completes Arsenal-Record £60m Move to Al-Hilal
Gabriel Martinelli has completed his move from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for a guaranteed £60 million , becoming a record outgoing transfer for the north London club. The fee, which also includes a sell-on clause, surpasses the £40m Arsenal received for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's move to Liverpool in 2017. Martinelli has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal, who sit top of the Saudi Pro League with a perfect record after four games. "Proud to be blue, proud to be Al-Hilal," the Brazilian said following his unveiling. The 25-year-old leaves after seven years in north London, having joined as an 18-year-old from Ituano in 2019 and gone on to score 62 goals in 278 appearances , winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield along the way. He was left out of Arsenal's opening two matchday squads this season after being informed his opportunities would be limited, a decision that drew criticism from club legend Ian Wright, who said the treatment "made me feel uncomfortable." Martinelli becomes the third former Premier League player to join Al-Hilal during the Saudi window, following Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa and Crysencio Summerville from West Ham, with Arsenal's summer player sales now exceeding £120m.
Bradley Barcola Available and in Line for Liverpool Debut Against Ipswich
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has confirmed Bradley Barcola is available and in line to make his debut against Ipswich Town on Friday night, just days after completing his £123 million move from Paris Saint-Germain. "We are very happy with Bradley. It was our priority, let's say, to sign a very, very good player in that position," Iraola said in his pre-match press conference. "I've liked from him that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He just wanted to come here and I think that's a good first sign." Asked whether the France international is ready to start, Iraola added: "I see him in a good place. He has trained with us in three trainings. It's true that he hasn't had minutes in pre-season, but he has been training normal with the group." Barcola has not featured competitively since France's World Cup third-place playoff against England on July 18, having been frozen out of PSG's matchday squads following his push for a move. That lack of match sharpness will factor into whether he starts or is introduced from the bench, with Iraola confirming he can operate on either flank, though he began his career playing predominantly on the right at Lyon. His potential involvement comes with Liverpool still searching for a first league win of the season, and Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni all remaining sidelined through injury.
Smriti Mandhana's Record 124 Makes Her Leading Century-Maker in Women's International Cricket
Smriti Mandhana smashed a scintillating 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong-China in Dubai, rewriting several pages of the record books in a single innings at the Women's T20 Asia Cup. The knock, laced with 14 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 193.75, is now the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history , surpassing Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu's unbeaten 119 against Malaysia in 2024. It also stands as the highest score by any Indian batter in Women's T20Is, and made Mandhana the first Indian woman to score two centuries in the format. The innings carried even greater significance in the context of her career: it was Mandhana's 18th international century , moving her past Australia's Meg Lanning to become the outright leading century-maker in women's international cricket history . In the same innings, she also passed Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868 international runs to become India's all-time leading run-scorer in women's cricket. Opening alongside Shafali Verma, who made 28, Mandhana anchored India to 193 for 5, a total Hong Kong never threatened as India bowled them out for 56 to win by 137 runs and seal their place in the semi-finals. True to form, the India vice-captain remained grounded afterward. "I didn't know all of this happened," she said. "It's really hard for me to play slower bowlers, but credit to them. They were really disciplined in the powerplay."
Smriti Mandhana's 124 Powers India to 137-Run Win Over Hong Kong, Seals Knockout Spot
Smriti Mandhana produced a career-defining innings as India Women thrashed Hong Kong, China Women by a massive 137 runs in Dubai, sealing India's place in the knockouts with a game to spare. Sent in to bat, India were given a blistering platform by Mandhana, who smashed 124 off just 64 balls studded with 14 fours and 7 sixes — her highest T20I score. The knock also carried huge statistical weight: Mandhana became India's all-time leading run-scorer in women's international cricket , surpassing Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868, and now has the most sixes for India Women in the format , going past Harmanpreet Kaur. Shafali Verma supported with a quickfire 28, as India posted a daunting 193/5 . Hong Kong's chase never got going. India's bowlers ran through the top order, with Deepti Sharma — playing her 150th T20I earlier in the tournament — picking up 3/9, while Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed two wickets apiece. Hong Kong lost their last six wickets for just four runs, folding for 56 in 16.2 overs . This is now India Women's second-biggest win by runs margin in T20I history. Mandhana was named Player of the Match, and India move top of Group A with two wins from two.
Expanded 14-Team Women's Super League Kicks Off, Man City Begin Title Defence
The Women's Super League kicks off its 2026-27 season this weekend in its newly expanded 14-team format , with defending champions Manchester City looking to build on a domestic double that ended Chelsea's six-year stranglehold on the title. The league has grown from 12 to 14 clubs for the first time, with Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic all securing promotion from WSL 2. Under a revamped format, the top three finishers now qualify directly for the Champions League, the bottom club is relegated outright, and the 13th-placed side faces a play-off against the WSL 2 runner-up. London City Lionesses , who signed two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas over the summer, open the campaign on Friday, September 4 hosting Manchester United, live on Sky Sports. Manchester City begin their title defence at home to newcomers Birmingham City on Sunday, part of a bumper five-match slate that also sees last season's runners-up Arsenal travel to Brighton, Tottenham host West Ham in a London derby, and both promoted sides Charlton and Crystal Palace welcome Liverpool and Everton respectively. Eight-time champions Chelsea host Aston Villa on Saturday as they look to reclaim top spot after being dethroned last season. Notably, Manchester City will not compete in the League Cup this season for the first time since 2014, owing to format changes and their Champions League commitments, as the club balances a heavier fixture list in pursuit of a domestic and European double.
Camilo Duran Stars Again as Celtic Beat Aberdeen 3-0 to Stay Perfect
Celtic continued their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead, with Camilo Duran once again the standout performer. Duran opened the scoring in the 14th minute with another spectacular strike, collecting a Benjamin Nygren pass before thumping a 20-yard drive in off the crossbar. Benjamin Nygren doubled the lead in the 34th minute, converting after Haissem Hassan's cross deflected into his path off an Aberdeen defender, and Hyun-jun Yang added a third before the break, driving home left-footed after Duran squared the ball across goal. Aberdeen's best chance came when Gavin Molloy headed a corner against the bar moments before Celtic's third goal, prompting manager Stephen Robinson to make four changes at halftime. The result takes Duran's tally to six goals in five matches since his summer move from Qarabag, continuing a remarkable start to life in Scotland for the Colombian forward. "Camilo set the tone for us, I think perhaps maybe all season he's done that. He's a really class player," said manager Martin O'Neill, who may find it difficult to accommodate top scorer Kasper Hogh out wide once he recovers from a thigh injury given Duran's central form. Celtic sit two points clear of second-placed St Mirren at the top of the table after four wins from four to open the campaign.
Hull City Condemn Racist Abuse Aimed at New Signing Robinio Vaz
Hull City have condemned "abhorrent" racist abuse directed at new signing Robinio Vaz after the club's social media post announcing his loan arrival was flooded with discriminatory messages, forcing the post to be deleted. The 19-year-old French striker joined Hull on a season-long loan from Roma on deadline day. "No individual should ever experience discriminatory abuse, and the club will provide Robinio with our full support," Hull said in a statement. "Hull City has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discrimination, and in the last 24 hours we have been in communication with the Premier League, anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out and the relevant social media companies." The club confirmed it is working with Humberside Police and other relevant authorities "to identify the accounts responsible for this disgusting abuse, so that appropriate action can be taken against those individuals," and encouraged supporters to continue reporting any discrimination they encounter. The incident comes at an otherwise positive time for the newly promoted club, who have won both their opening Premier League matches and host Aston Villa this weekend, with Vaz set to add attacking depth to Sergej Jakirovic's squad.
Liverpool Seek First League Win of the Season at Ipswich After Consecutive 2-2 Draws
Liverpool travel to newly promoted Ipswich Town on Friday, September 4, still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after opening with back-to-back 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Andoni Iraola's side sit 13th on two points, with title rivals Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea already building a four-point cushion after just two rounds. Liverpool have trailed in both games so far this season but fought back each time, with a Dominik Szoboszlai injury-time equaliser at Newcastle and a late Victor Munoz strike salvaging draws, though the Reds are yet to keep a clean sheet under their new manager and have conceded 3.88 xG through two matches. New signing Bradley Barcola is available for the trip, though Liverpool remain without Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Joe Gomez, Jayden Danns and Giovanni Leoni, with Federico Chiesa a doubt through a back issue. Ipswich head into the match having taken three points from their first two games, beating Sunderland 2-1 on the opening day before being thumped 5-2 at home by Manchester United, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick. New boss Gary O'Neil, formerly of Liverpool's academy set-up, has seen his side score in every competitive fixture so far this season, with Julio Enciso in particularly bright early-season form, and Ipswich have already spent over £200 million rebuilding their squad this summer. The two sides have met only twice in the last 15 years, with Liverpool winning both, including a 4-1 victory in their most recent meeting.
Edin Dzeko Announces International Retirement, Bosnia's Record Scorer to Bow Out Against Sweden
Edin Dzeko has announced his retirement from international football, revealing that Bosnia and Herzegovina's Nations League match against Sweden on October 2 will be his final appearance for his country. The 40-year-old Schalke forward confirmed the news in an emotional Instagram post. "Sometimes I found myself wondering when this moment would come... but I never imagined how emotional I would feel writing these words," he wrote. "Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt. Nothing." Dzeko retires as Bosnia's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer , with 151 caps and 73 goals since his debut against Turkey in 2007. He helped guide Bosnia to their first-ever World Cup in 2014 and their run to the last 32 at this year's tournament in North America. "I feel that the time has come to step aside now," he said. "If I was able to stay in the national team until the age of 40, it is because I truly gave everything I had. Every time. My all." The announcement comes just a day after Argentina great Lionel Messi confirmed his own international retirement, marking a striking week for farewells at the top of the international game. Dzeko will continue playing club football for Schalke in the Bundesliga.
VVS Laxman to Coach India Men's Team at 2026 Asian Games, Gambhir Stays for West Indies Series
VVS Laxman will coach India's men's cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, stepping in for regular head coach Gautam Gambhir , who stays back to lead the senior side through their home ODI series against the West Indies. The Sports Ministry's official list of coaches and support staff has confirmed Laxman, currently Director of Cricket at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, as the men's head coach for the Games. He will be assisted by Sunil Joshi as bowling coach, Hrishikesh Kanitkar as batting coach, and Subhadeep Ghosh , with Maroof Fajandar named team leader. It is a role Laxman knows well, having previously guided India's men's team to gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games . The arrangement stems from a direct schedule clash: India's cricket competition at the Asian Games runs September 24 to October 3 , while the home ODI series against West Indies begins September 27 , forcing the BCCI into its now-familiar split-coaching model. Gambhir will remain with the senior team for the white-ball series, while Shreyas Iyer leads the Asian Games squad under Laxman. On the women's side, Amol Muzumdar continues as head coach for the Games, assisted by bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi and fielding coach Munish Bali, with Harmanpreet Kaur set to captain that side as India defend both the men's and women's titles won in Hangzhou.
ICC Publishes Full Asian Games 2026 Cricket Guide as India Defend Both Titles
The ICC has published its full guide to cricket at the 2026 Asian Games , confirming the schedule and defending champions ahead of the sport's fourth appearance at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The women's tournament runs first, from September 17 to 22 , featuring eight teams, followed by the men's event from September 24 to October 3 with ten sides competing. Both tournaments are played in the T20I format at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture. India head into the Games as defending champions in both competitions, having swept gold in the men's and women's cricket events at Hangzhou 2023. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualified directly for the men's event as Asia's ICC Full Member nations, joined by hosts Japan and four sides who came through qualifiers in Singapore and Malaysia, including debutants Oman. In the women's competition, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualified directly alongside hosts Japan, with Thailand and Malaysia among the sides progressing through the Kuala Lumpur qualifiers. India's men's squad features star quicks Jasprit Bumrah and teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while the women's squad includes top-10 ranked batters Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, though it will be without Jemimah Rodrigues after she was ruled out with a high-grade hamstring tear. All matchdays will be double-headers, with cricket's return to the programme meaning action begins over a week before the Games' official opening ceremony on September 19.
Joe Willock's Besiktas Move Still Alive Ahead of Turkey's September 3 Deadline
Joe Willock could still leave Newcastle for Besiktas before the transfer saga finally closes, with Turkey's delayed deadline giving the Super Lig side until September 3 to complete a deal despite the Premier League window having already shut. Willock has reportedly agreed personal terms with Besiktas on a contract through 2030, and the Turkish club has offered around €20 million (£17m) to try to prise him away from St James' Park, a figure that matches Newcastle's long-stated valuation after Besiktas' earlier offers fell well short. However, the picture has shifted since new head coach Matthias Jaissle took charge, with Willock scoring on his return to first-team involvement in the 2-2 opening-day draw with Liverpool and starting the following match. Sky Sports has reported that Jaissle sees Willock as a genuine option in the number 10 role and supported Newcastle's decision to knock back Besiktas' interest, while the Daily Mail's Craig Hope has suggested Willock is now more likely to stay and could even be offered a new contract extension, with his current deal set to expire next summer. Besiktas retain a brief final window to change Newcastle's mind before Thursday's deadline, but the Magpies' stance appears to have hardened considerably since Jaissle's arrival.
Celtic Sign Chelsea Youngster Landon Emenalo on Season-Long Loan
Celtic have completed the signing of 18-year-old Landon Emenalo on a season-long loan from Chelsea, adding cover in defence and midfield as Martin O'Neill continues to reshape his squad. "Celtic's latest addition of the summer transfer window is Landon Emenalo, who joins the Hoops on a season-long loan from English Premier League side Chelsea," the club confirmed. Emenalo, the son of former Chelsea and Monaco technical director Michael Emenalo, progressed through the Stamford Bridge academy and was included in Chelsea's senior squad for their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia under Xabi Alonso. Though regarded primarily as a midfielder or central defender, he impressed at left-back during pre-season, an area Celtic have been looking to strengthen with Kieran Tierney their only recognised senior option. Born in Arizona to an American mother, Emenalo has represented both England and the United States at youth level, currently featuring for England's U18s. His arrival at Parkhead follows a string of transfer activity that has also brought in Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur, as Celtic look to build depth ahead of a Champions League play-off tie against LASK.
Brighton Complete Club-Record Signing of Femi Azeez From Millwall
Brighton have completed the club-record signing of winger Femi Azeez from Millwall, with the Nigeria international putting pen to paper on a four-year deal after a deadline-day saga that ran past the transfer window's close. The move is worth an initial £12.5 million , with the overall package potentially rising beyond £15 million through add-ons, making it a club-record sale for Millwall, surpassing the £14m Crystal Palace paid for Romain Esse last summer. Because both clubs had submitted the required deal sheet before the 11pm deadline, the transfer was confirmed the following morning once paperwork was finalised. "Sorry to keep you waiting," Azeez told fans in a clip released by Brighton. The 25-year-old joins after a breakout campaign at Millwall, scoring 11 goals and adding seven assists in 37 Championship appearances last season, form that earned him a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year and interest from Ipswich, Hull City and Crystal Palace before Brighton won the race. Sporting director Mike Cave called him "one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship," with Azeez set to add depth to Fabian Hurzeler's squad as they balance Premier League and Conference League commitments this season.
Wolfsburg and Frankfurt Stunned as Inter and PSG Complete Dramatic Comebacks in WCL Qualifying
The UEFA Women's Champions League third qualifying round produced two stunning upsets and confirmed two of the marquee sides as former winners Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt both crashed out on a dramatic night of second legs. Inter Milan pulled off the shock of the round, overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat Wolfsburg 5-4 on penalties after the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate. Elisa Polli forced extra-time with a late equaliser, before Weronika Arasniewicz thought she had sent Wolfsburg through deep into stoppage time, only for Marija Ana Milinkovic to level again in the 121st minute. Wolfsburg's Mara Alber then missed the decisive spot-kick, with Ivana Andres converting to send Inter into their first-ever Champions League league phase. PSG also came from behind, hammering four goals in extra-time against a ten-player Frankfurt side to complete a 6-2 aggregate win, with Sakina Karchaoui scoring twice as Hayley Raso's second-half red card proved decisive. Elsewhere, Chelsea completed their passage with a professional 1-0 second-leg win at Real Sociedad through a Keira Walsh strike, sealing a 6-2 aggregate victory, while Real Madrid also progressed against Ajax to reach the league phase for the sixth consecutive year . All qualified sides now learn their league-phase opponents at Friday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland, ahead of the competition proper starting September 22.
Chamari Athapaththu's Hat-Trick and 7/5 Demolish Indonesia as Sri Lanka Win by 75 Runs
Chamari Athapaththu produced one of the great individual bowling performances in Women's T20I history, claiming a stunning 7 for 5 including a hat-trick as Sri Lanka Women crushed tournament debutants Indonesia Women by 75 runs in Dubai. Sent in to bat after Indonesia won the toss, Sri Lanka were given a platform by Nilakshika Silva , who top-scored with a superb 50 off 35 balls down the order, striking three fours and a six to lift Sri Lanka to 124/7 . Ni Luh Dewi was the pick of Indonesia's bowlers with 3/32. Indonesia's chase never got going. After Athapaththu removed both openers inside the powerplay, the required rate spiralled out of reach as Sri Lanka's spinners strangled the innings. Athapaththu then produced a spell for the ages in the 19th over — Ni Kadek Ariani, Sang Maypriani and Dara A Laksmi Paramitha all fell in three balls to complete a hat-trick, wrapping up her maiden five-wicket haul and finishing with the best T20I bowling figures ever recorded by a Sri Lankan. Indonesia were bowled out for just 49 in 18.3 overs . Sri Lanka move to two wins from two, while Indonesia — playing their first-ever Women's Asia Cup match — will look to regroup for their final group game against UAE.
Everton Fans Demand Answers After Chaotic Deadline Day and Collapsed Balogun Deal
Everton supporters have demanded answers after a chaotic end to the summer transfer window, with the club's Fans' Forum issuing a public statement criticising ownership and recruitment following the collapse of a deadline-day move for striker Folarin Balogun . Everton had agreed a £40m deal with Monaco for the USA international, but the move fell apart in dramatic fashion after concerns emerged during his medical, prompting a renegotiation of the deal's structure. Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro said Balogun was "not comfortable" with how he had been treated during the process, and the striker ultimately left Everton's Finch Farm training ground without signing, despite both clubs having signed the required deal sheet before Tuesday's 11pm deadline. Alternative moves for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa's Tammy Abraham also failed to materialise. The collapse leaves David Moyes with only Thierno Barry as a recognised senior striker, after Nathan Patterson, Beto, Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam all departed within hours of each other on deadline day. Jack Grealish and Ainsley Maitland-Niles did arrive before the window closed, but that did little to calm supporters already angered by the club's handling of a proposed £40m sale of academy graduate Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, which was blocked by the board following fan backlash. "We were told there was a clear strategy... yet, once again, Everton have found themselves scrambling in the final days and hours of a transfer window," the Fans' Forum said in an open letter, adding that supporters "deserve a clear explanation of what went wrong." The episode intensifies scrutiny on owners The Friedkin Group and chief executive Angus Kinnear heading into the new season.
Enzo Fernandez Opens Up on "Not Being in a Good Place" During Difficult Final Chelsea Period
Enzo Fernandez has revealed the emotional toll of his final months at Chelsea , admitting he had "not been in a good place" before completing his British record-equalling £125m move to Manchester City. "Dear Chelsea, I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven't been in a good place," Fernandez wrote in an emotional Instagram statement addressed to supporters. "We suffered, we cried, I got angry many times, but we also celebrated titles and unforgettable victories. Together, through the good times and the difficult ones." The Argentina World Cup winner acknowledged the backlash his move to a Premier League rival would provoke among Chelsea's fanbase, appealing for understanding. "I live football the same way I live my life: with passion and with all my heart. That is why I want you to know that I understand you. I truly understand you, from the bottom of my heart. But life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions," he said, adding that Chelsea would "always have a place" in his heart. Fernandez arrived at Stamford Bridge for a then-British record £107m from Benfica in early 2023 and leaves three and a half years later reunited with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca at the Etihad, having been dropped and publicly reprimanded by the club earlier this year after casting doubt over his future during a difficult run of results.
Wrexham Make Approach to Sign Free Agent Jamie Vardy
Wrexham have made an approach to sign free agent Jamie Vardy , with owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney eyeing another eye-catching addition to Phil Parkinson's Championship squad. Vardy, 39, has been without a club since leaving Italian side Cremonese following their relegation to Serie B, and is under no pressure to decide before the transfer window closes given his free-agent status allows him to sign at any point. Reports suggest he has several other offers to weigh, including interest from West Ham, Sheffield Wednesday, MLS clubs and Sao Paulo, and is expected to take his time before committing to his next move. The former Leicester City striker retired from a 13-year spell at the King Power Stadium having scored 200 goals in 500 appearances, and was central to the club's remarkable 2015-16 Premier League title triumph. Wrexham have already spent around £25m this window, including a club-record £8m deal for goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, as they push to build a squad capable of competing at the top of the Championship following back-to-back promotions from League Two and League One.
Inter Miami Sign 19-Year-Old Brazilian Winger Riquelme Fillipi From Palmeiras
Inter Miami have signed 19-year-old Brazilian winger Riquelme Fillipi from Palmeiras, adding fresh attacking depth after a season-ending injury to Tadeo Allende. The deal is reported to involve a $4.2 million fee for 60% of the player's economic rights, with an option to acquire a further 30% for $2 million. Fillipi has signed through the end of the 2029-30 MLS season, with an extension option for a further year, and will occupy a U22 Initiative roster slot. He joins fellow Brazilian Micael in South Florida and travels to Fort Lauderdale to complete his medical and finalise the move. The right-footed winger made 80 appearances for Palmeiras' U-20 side, scoring 30 goals and adding four assists, and led the scoring charts in the 2025 Copa Libertadores U-20. He has also featured 11 times for Palmeiras' first team across senior competitions. Miami were exposed by a lack of attacking depth during an early Leagues Cup exit, and with Allende sidelined for the rest of the season, the club used MLS's Season-Ending Injury List provision to add a replacement to the senior roster outside the normal transfer mechanisms.
Bangladesh Name Full-Strength Squad for Asian Games, Litton Das Returns as Captain
Bangladesh have named a full-strength 15-member squad for the men's cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with Litton Das returning to lead the side after recovering from a hamstring injury. Najmul Hossain Shanto and pacer Hasan Mahmud have both been recalled after extended absences from the T20I format, while Towhid Hridoy has been named vice-captain. Litton missed Bangladesh's recent T20I series against Zimbabwe and Australia through injury, but resumes captaincy duties for the continental event, which begins September 17. Squad: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy (vc), Mosaddek Hossain, Yasir Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud. Bangladesh enter the tournament with direct entry to the quarterfinals alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and hosts Japan, with all matches staged at Korogi Sports Park. The side opens its campaign in the quarterfinal on September 28 against the winner of Group B, aiming to improve on their bronze-medal finish at the previous edition, where they were beaten to gold and silver by India and Sri Lanka respectively.
England Drop Brydon Carse for Final Pakistan Test Amid Police Investigation
England have left Brydon Carse out of their squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, with the seamer remaining under police investigation following an arrest outside a Derby nightclub on August 22. Carse, 31, was already omitted from the second Test at Lord's after Derbyshire police confirmed they were investigating allegations of assault. He has continued playing for Durham, taking match figures of 4-95 against Gloucestershire, but was left out of their subsequent fixture against Northamptonshire and has not been recalled to the national side. Uncapped pacer Sonny Baker , who replaced him for the Lord's Test, retains his place, while Matthew Fisher is the only change to an otherwise settled squad as England chase a 3-0 series sweep. England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue. Pakistan, meanwhile, have taken drastic action after being thrashed in the first two Tests, dropping seven players including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha , calling up five uncapped cricketers, and parting ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson stepping in for the decider starting September 9.
Towhid Hridoy Smashes Bangladesh-Record 350 Not Out for Bangladesh A
Towhid Hridoy smashed an unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom, rewriting the national first-class record book in the process. The innings, spread across 481 balls, saw Hridoy surpass Tamim Iqbal's previous Bangladeshi first-class record of 334, set for East Zone against Central Zone in the 2019 Bangladesh Cricket League. Hridoy also became the first Bangladeshi batter to score a triple-century in first-class cricket outside the country , reaching 300 from 450 balls and weathering a tense passage around the 290s when South Africa A took the second new ball to try to break his rhythm. Bangladesh A eventually declared on 676 for 8 , with Rejaur Rahman unbeaten on 31 after a crucial late partnership that allowed Hridoy to bat through to the close. He had the opportunity to push on toward 400 but opted to declare with the team's position in mind rather than chase the individual milestone further. The knock caps a breakout run of red-ball form for the 25-year-old, who has primarily been known for his white-ball exploits since debuting for Bangladesh in 2023, and adds another marker to a year in which he has also been named Bangladesh's Asian Games vice-captain.
India to Host Inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 in Mumbai and Vadodara
India will host the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 , with the six-team tournament relocated after being stripped from original hosts Sri Lanka. All matches of the maiden edition will be played across two venues: the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Vadodara, running from February 14 to 28, 2027 . The tournament was originally awarded to Sri Lanka, but was relocated after Sri Lanka Cricket continued to work through governance reforms outlined at the ICC's Annual Conference in July. The ICC evaluated Bangladesh, India and South Africa as potential replacement hosts before recommending India, a decision ratified by the ICC Board on September 1. Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka have qualified for the six-team event based on the ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings as of the July 6 cut-off, with Sri Lanka still competing as a participating nation despite losing hosting rights. The 16-match tournament will be played in the T20I format, with all six sides playing in a round-robin league stage before the top two advance to the final on February 28. ICC Chairman Jay Shah called it "an exciting new chapter for women's cricket," adding that a marquee ICC women's event now taking place every year would "build greater momentum" and "create a stronger rhythm for the women's game." It marks the fourth ICC event hosted by India in as many years, following the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup and the men's ODI and T20 World Cups.
Women's Champions League Qualifying: Decisive Second Legs Set to Confirm League Phase Lineup
The UEFA Women's Champions League third qualifying round reaches its decisive second legs today, with the final spots in this season's league phase up for grabs across nine two-legged ties. Real Madrid head into their return leg with Ajax holding a comfortable 2-0 aggregate lead from the first leg in the Netherlands, courtesy of goals from Felicia Schroder and Janou Levels. Wolfsburg are similarly well placed against Inter, having won the first leg 2-0 at home through Lara Prasnikar and Camilla Kuever, with Inter reduced to ten women in that encounter. Chelsea hold the biggest cushion of the marquee ties, having produced a stunning second-half turnaround to beat Real Sociedad 5-2 at Plough Lane, with debutant Melvine Malard scoring twice either side of a Lauren James strike after Sociedad had briefly levelled at 2-2. Elsewhere, Sparta Prague take a narrower 3-2 advantage into their second leg away at Servette after a five-goal thriller in the first meeting. The nine winners across the round will join the nine clubs already directly qualified for the league phase, including holders Barcelona, Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, PSG hopefuls and other automatic qualifiers, while the nine losing sides drop into the second qualifying round of the Women's Europa Cup. The stakes are heightened by the timing: the 2026/27 Champions League league phase draw takes place on September 4, just two days after these ties conclude, with the newly qualified sides learning their opponents almost immediately. The competition proper then kicks off with Matchday 1 on September 22/23.
Antonio Rudiger Retires From International Football After 86 Germany Caps
Antonio Rudiger has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 12-year career with the Germany national team that began back in 2014. The 33-year-old Real Madrid defender confirmed the decision in an Instagram post, finishing with 86 caps and three goals across three World Cups and multiple European Championships. "After some time to reflect, the time has come for me to end my career with the national team and make way for the younger generation," Rudiger wrote. His only major title with Germany came at the 2017 Confederations Cup, and he was capped six times at major tournaments, though the "big title" ultimately eluded him at senior level. Rudiger's final appearance for his country came in Germany's round-of-32 exit to Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup , in which he played 110 minutes. His retirement follows a day after Argentina great Lionel Messi announced his own international retirement, and comes just weeks before incoming Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp is due to name his first squad on September 17 , leaving him needing to rebuild part of a defence that has lost one of its most experienced figures. Rudiger thanked former managers Joachim Low, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann in his statement, along with youth mentor Horst Hrubesch, and said he would now "focus entirely" on his club career at Real Madrid, where his contract runs through the end of the season.
Burnley Confirm Signing of Japan International Reo Hatate From Celtic
Burnley have confirmed the signing of Japan international Reo Hatate from Celtic on transfer deadline day, with the midfielder penning a three-year deal at Turf Moor for an undisclosed fee. Hatate departs Celtic after four-and-a-half years in Glasgow, having joined from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022. He made 191 appearances for the Scottish Premiership champions, scoring 33 goals and adding 31 assists, and helped the club win five league titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. His only action this season came as a substitute in both legs of Celtic's Champions League play-off ties against LASK Linz, having submitted a transfer request at the end of last season. "This is a great move for me," Hatate said after completing the move. "It's my first time playing in England and it's a fantastic club to be joining. I'm hoping to bring my experience and knowledge to the dressing room and help the team on the pitch as much as possible to achieve our aim." The 28-year-old, who has 11 caps for Japan, now links up with Nicky Hayen's Championship squad. His departure comes alongside a busy deadline day at Celtic Park, with striker Johnny Kenny also leaving on a permanent deal to Preston North End, as the Scottish champions continue reshaping their squad following the loan signing of Parma midfielder Oliver Sorensen.
Premier League Smashes Transfer Spending Record Again as Summer Outlay Hits £3.48bn
Premier League clubs have smashed their all-time summer transfer spending record for the second consecutive year, with gross outlay reaching £3.48 billion as the 2026 window slammed shut on deadline day. The figure comfortably surpasses last summer's previous record of £3.14bn, and dwarfs the £1.13bn spent by clubs just five years ago, underlining the growing financial power of England's top flight compared to the rest of Europe. Deadline day itself provided a flurry of late activity, with Iliman Ndiaye's £60m move from Everton to Manchester City among the final deals to push the total past the previous mark. Four of the eleven most expensive signings in the history of football have happened this summer alone, with three of them Premier League deals. Manchester City's British record-equalling £125m capture of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea headlined the spree, while Chelsea's own £117m signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa and Manchester City's £116m outlay on Elliot Anderson rank as the two most expensive British players in history. The scale of spending has drawn criticism as well as attention, with some observers pointing out that much of the outlay went on mid-level reinforcements rather than genuine marquee names, and raising questions about Squad Cost Ratio accounting practices behind several deals. Still, the numbers confirm the Premier League's financial dominance heading into the 2026/27 season, with clubs once again spending more than the rest of Europe's "big five" leagues combined on a net basis.
RB Leipzig Complete £15m Signing of Marc Guiu From Chelsea
RB Leipzig have completed the signing of striker Marc Guiu from Chelsea for a reported £15 million , ending a two-year spell at Stamford Bridge in which he struggled to secure regular first-team football. The 20-year-old Spaniard has signed a five-year contract running until 2031 and will wear the number 9 shirt at Red Bull Arena. Guiu joined Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer of 2024, with the club paying his release clause of around €6 million, and made 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals, including six in six Conference League matches during a standout run in his first season. A loan spell at Sunderland was cut short by injury issues at his parent club. Chelsea retain a reported 20% sell-on clause as part of the deal, which was struck after what Fabrizio Romano described as "secret talks and zero links" before the move was confirmed. Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer praised Guiu's "intensity, tempo and incredible work-rate," adding that the club had followed his development closely since he was first on their radar during his time at Barcelona. The move gives Guiu a fresh platform in the Bundesliga, joining a Leipzig side that has also recently welcomed back fan favourite Christopher Nkunku.
Aston Villa Complete £30m Signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis From Southampton
Aston Villa have completed the signing of centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton for a package worth £30 million , filling the gap left by Ezri Konsa's earlier move to Arsenal. The deal is structured as a £25m guaranteed fee plus £5m in add-ons. Villa had seen two earlier bids rejected before Southampton finally accepted their valuation, with Emery's side pivoting to Harwood-Bellis after learning that first-choice target Joel Ordonez would face a lengthy layoff with a foot injury. The 24-year-old had been notably absent from Southampton's recent squads amid growing speculation over his future. A Manchester City academy product, Harwood-Bellis progressed through loan spells at Blackburn, Anderlecht, Stoke and Burnley before joining Southampton for the 2023-24 season, going on to make 134 appearances and win a single England cap. He becomes Villa's ninth signing of a busy summer, completing a defensive rebuild that has also seen Leon Goretzka and Zion Suzuki arrive at Villa Park.
Jack Grealish Returns to Everton on Second Season-Long Loan From Man City
Jack Grealish is returning to Everton for a second season-long loan from Manchester City , with the deal agreed and formalities being completed on transfer deadline day. The 30-year-old spent last season on Merseyside, scoring two goals and adding six assists in 22 appearances before a stress fracture curtailed his campaign in January. Grealish remained with Everton throughout his rehabilitation, but returned to Manchester for pre-season and has made two substitute appearances for City this term, in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and the 2-1 win over Bournemouth on the opening weekend. The move comes at the same time as City agreed a deal worth up to £65m to sign Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, with the two transfers negotiated in parallel though confirmed as separate transactions. Grealish, a £100m signing from Aston Villa in 2021, has largely fallen out of Pep Guardiola's plans in recent seasons despite winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at the Etihad. His return gives David Moyes' side a familiar and productive attacking option back in the building, with Everton hoping for a fully fit season from the England international after last term's injury disruption.
Man City Agree £65m Deal for Everton Winger Iliman Ndiaye
Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to £65 million for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye , with the move having reached the medical stage as deadline day negotiations moved quickly. The package is structured as a guaranteed £60m with a further £5m available in add-ons. City's interest in Ndiaye accelerated after their pursuit of Liverpool's Cody Gakpo was scuppered when the Reds refused to sell without first securing a replacement. The Senegal international had also been in advanced talks with Tottenham before City's late intervention, dealing Spurs a significant setback in the process. Ndiaye, who joined Everton from Marseille for £15m two years ago, scored six goals for David Moyes' side last season and offers versatility across the front line as a wide forward, attacking midfielder or second striker. His departure comes on the same day Everton agreed to take Jack Grealish back on loan from City, with the two deals negotiated in parallel but confirmed as entirely separate transactions. The move would be City's fourth major addition of the summer following Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Brazilian winger Allan, continuing an aggressive rebuild under Pep Guardiola after missing out on the title last season.
Man City Agree British Record-Equalling £125m Deal for Enzo Fernandez
Manchester City have agreed a British transfer record-equalling £125 million deal with Chelsea for midfielder Enzo Fernandez , with the Argentina international given permission to undergo a medical on deadline day. The fee matches the £125m Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer and sees Chelsea turn a profit of around £18m on a player they signed from Benfica for £107m in early 2023, then a British record fee in its own right. Fernandez becomes the first footballer in history to be involved in two transfers exceeding £100 million, and only the third player in Premier League history to break the British transfer record twice, following Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand. The move reunites the 25-year-old with Enzo Maresca , his former Chelsea manager now in charge at the Etihad. Fernandez had made his desire to leave clear for months, and Chelsea had set an August 14 deadline for offers before City accelerated talks in the final 48 hours, ultimately paying £5m over Chelsea's £120m asking price. He was booed by Chelsea supporters in pre-season and left out of their recent Carabao Cup and Premier League squads before this move materialised. City's midfield outlay this summer now includes Elliot Anderson (£116m) and Ayyoub Bouaddi (£95m), giving Pep Guardiola one of the most expensively assembled midfields in football history heading into the new season.
Newcastle Complete £51m Signing of Matias Fernandez-Pardo From Lille
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Belgium international Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille, agreeing a deal worth a guaranteed €60 million (around £51m) plus add-ons on transfer deadline day. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract at St James' Park after travelling to Tyneside, completing his medical and putting pen to paper before the deadline. He becomes new head coach Matthias Jaissle's third major signing since arriving at the club, and Newcastle's eighth of a busy summer window that has also brought in Nico Gonzalez, Ewen Jaouen, Amar Dedic and others. Fernandez-Pardo was a standout performer for Lille last season, starting 27 of the club's 34 Ligue 1 games and scoring eight goals as they finished third and qualified for the Champions League. He made his senior debut for Belgium in June and went on to feature at this year's World Cup, having previously switched international allegiance from Spain during his youth career. Lille had pulled him from first-team training in late August after he made clear his desire to leave, with the French club holding out for a fee well above Newcastle's opening offers before an agreement was finally struck. Jaissle described the forward as "a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game" who "can score and assist" and has "the ability to take players on." His arrival is also expected to pave the way for Nick Woltemade to leave on loan, with Juventus reported to be in direct talks over the German striker.
Gabriel Jesus Completes Deadline-Day Move From Arsenal to Barcelona for £8.6m
Gabriel Jesus has completed a permanent move from Arsenal to Barcelona on transfer deadline day, ending a four-year spell in north London for a reported fee of £8.6 million (€10m) . The Brazilian has signed a contract running through June 2029 with the Spanish champions, becoming Barcelona's sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri, Joao Cancelo and Dominik Livakovic. Jesus travelled to Barcelona on Monday, completed his medical, and even watched his new side beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at Camp Nou before the formalities were finalised. Jesus leaves Arsenal having scored 32 goals in 123 appearances since his £45m move from Manchester City in 2022, including 11 goals in his debut season. Injuries limited his output in recent campaigns, and he had fallen behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres in Mikel Arteta's pecking order, training separately from the first team as his exit was finalised. Arsenal thanked him in a statement for his contribution over four years at the club. For Barcelona, the arrival ends their short-term search for a recognised number nine following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, though the club remain interested in a future move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, who was unavailable this window. Speaking after his unveiling, Jesus said he had "always had strong faith" that a move would materialise, revealing he consulted countryman Raphinha and former Manchester City teammates Cancelo, Rodri and Eric Garcia before finalising the switch.
Brad Evans Stars as Zimbabwe Edge Namibia by 5 Runs in Tri-Series Thriller
Zimbabwe held off a stunning fightback from hosts Namibia to win by 5 runs in a thrilling third match of the T20I tri-series at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, with Brad Evans starring with both bat and ball. Put in to bat, Zimbabwe recovered from 79 for 5 through a stunning 94-run seventh-wicket stand between Ryan Burl (57 not out) and Evans (37 not out) in just 48 balls, a Zimbabwe T20I record for the wicket, to post 195 for 6 . Namibia's chase looked over when they slipped to 68 for 5, but Zane Green (54) and Alexander Busing-Volschenk (56) launched a remarkable 110-run counterattack that briefly put the hosts firmly in control. With 16 needed off the final over, Evans held his nerve despite starting with a no-ball, running out Green off a direct hit before Busing-Volschenk was superbly caught behind. Namibia lost four wickets in the final five deliveries, including two run-outs, as they were bowled out for 190 with the last ball of the match. Evans finished with figures of 3 for 41 , earning the Player of the Match award for his all-round contribution. The result keeps the tri-series wide open, with all three sides now on two points apiece after two matches, though South Africa lead on net run rate. Namibia had opened the series with an 18-run win over South Africa, while Zimbabwe's win here came after their own opening defeat.
India Announce Squad for Afghanistan T20I Series, Shreyas Iyer to Lead From September 13
India have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan , with Shreyas Iyer continuing as captain and Tilak Varma retained as his deputy. The series will be played entirely at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi , beginning on September 13 , with the second and third T20Is following on September 15 and 17. It comes at a crucial time for India, arriving just days before the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where cricket returns as a T20 medal event from September 24. The series will give the team management a final opportunity to fine-tune combinations before that continental assignment. India's squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma (vc), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana* (* subject to fitness) The squad carries several names through from India's recent T20I assignments, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continuing to build on his maiden call-up earlier this year. Frontline pacer Jasprit Bumrah is included but listed subject to fitness, alongside all-rounder Washington Sundar, batter Nitish Kumar Reddy and pacer Harshit Rana. It will be just the second bilateral T20I series between the two nations, following India's 3-0 sweep of Afghanistan across Mohali, Indore and Bengaluru in January 2024.
Ben Stokes Returns to BBL, Signs Full-Season Deal With Adelaide Strikers
Ben Stokes has officially returned to the Big Bash League, signing with Adelaide Strikers for the entirety of the 2026-27 season in what stands as a marquee coup for the South Australian franchise. The deal is worth in the region of AU$500,000 (around US$360,000) , potentially making Stokes the most expensive overseas signing in the competition's history and comfortably eclipsing the previous top contract bracket of AU$420,000. It marks the first major overseas acquisition since the BBL reintroduced a direct-signing model this season, giving clubs greater freedom to negotiate and spend on international talent. The 35-year-old all-rounder will be available for the entire campaign, a rare commitment for a leading overseas player who would typically split his time across multiple franchise leagues. The season runs from December 12 to the finals on January 26, 2027, with Stokes' full availability owing largely to his retirement from Test cricket in June 2026, which freed up his calendar with no England red-ball commitments to balance. Adelaide Strikers beat out competition from Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades to land his signature, with the South Australian Cricket Association having pursued him for some time. "I'm really excited to be joining the Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16," Stokes said in a statement. "I've always enjoyed playing in Australia, and when the opportunity came up to join the Strikers it was one I couldn't pass up." It will be Stokes' second stint in the tournament, having previously featured in four matches for Melbourne Renegades during the 2014-15 season. The Strikers have also added New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert as a further marquee signing for the campaign.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal Score Twice as Barcelona Beat Rayo 5-2; Yamal Reaches 50-Goal Milestone at 19
Barcelona made it three wins from three at the start of their La Liga title defence, coming from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at Spotify Camp Nou, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both scoring twice. Rayo stunned the hosts inside 12 minutes when Sergio Camello beat Andreas Christensen before finishing past Joan Garcia, the first goal Barcelona had conceded in the league all season. The response was swift: Raphinha levelled in the 19th minute cutting inside Pathe Ciss, and two minutes later Yamal completed the turnaround with a thumping left-footed strike into the top corner. Florian Lejeune turned a Anthony Gordon cross into his own net early in the second half to make it 3-1, before Camello headed in his second from a corner to briefly close the gap. Raphinha restored the two-goal cushion in the 71st minute finishing off a Gordon assist, and Yamal completed his brace in stoppage time with a curling finish to seal the 5-2 scoreline. The win took Hansi Flick's side back to the top of the La Liga table on goal difference, level on points with Real Madrid after both sides made it three wins out of three to open the season. Yamal's second goal doubled as a personal milestone , taking him to 50 goals for Barcelona's first team at just 19 years old, making him the youngest player in the club's history to reach the landmark. His second strike of the night moved his tally on to 51. The teenager has now been directly involved in a string of big performances for club and country since the World Cup, cementing his status as one of the standout young talents in world football.
Bukayo Saka's Second-Half Strike Gives Arsenal 1-0 Win at Aston Villa
Arsenal made it two wins from two to open their Premier League title defence, edging past Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park thanks to a second-half goal from Bukayo Saka . The breakthrough came just before the hour mark in what had been a tight, cagey affair. Half-time substitute Eberechi Eze fed Riccardo Calafiori , whose low ball across goal was turned home from close range by Saka, his second goal in as many games this season. It capped a frustrating passage for Arsenal moments earlier, after they were initially awarded a penalty when Ian Maatsen appeared to foul Saka in the box, only for VAR to overturn the decision after replays showed the contact occurred outside the area. Villa, fielding debutants Zion Suzuki in goal and new signing Nicolas Jackson up front, had chances of their own. Emiliano Buendia crashed an effort against the crossbar in the first half, while Jackson later played in John McGinn, whose effort was blocked after he failed to get his shot away cleanly. Unai Emery's side pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages but could not find a way past a resolute Arsenal defence. The result extends Arsenal's perfect start to the season and means Mikel Arteta's side have now won their opening two league matches without conceding a goal. There was also a notable milestone off the pitch, with the match marking Arteta's 250th Premier League game in charge of the club. Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa both made their first appearances for their new clubs off the bench, with Konsa receiving a mixed reception from Villa supporters on his return to Villa Park.
Bangladesh Thrash Indonesia by 71 Runs in Women's Asia Cup 2026
Bangladesh Women made a statement in their Women's Asia Cup 2026 opener, thrashing tournament debutants Indonesia Women by a massive 71 runs in Dubai. Sent in to bat after Indonesia won the toss, Bangladesh were kept quiet in the powerplay before Sobhana Mostary (40 off 42) provided the platform. Shorna Akter then produced a blistering finish, smashing an unbeaten 31 off just 18 balls in the death overs to power Bangladesh to 129/8 . Ni Kadek Ariani was the pick of Indonesia's bowlers with 3/28, including two wickets in the final over. Indonesia's reply never got going. Bangladesh's spinners strangled the chase from the start, with Nahida Akter the standout performer, finishing with 3/15 . Marufa Akter struck twice up front to set the tone, and a string of run outs compounded Indonesia's troubles as they were bowled out for just 58 in 17.3 overs — handing Bangladesh a dominant win to open their Group B campaign. Bangladesh sit top of Group B with two points, while Indonesia will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
Lionel Messi Retires From International Football, Citing Father's Death and Emotional World Cup Final Loss
Lionel Messi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to Argentina's most decorated career more than a month after his final appearance in the 2026 World Cup final. The 39-year-old shared the news on Instagram alongside a photo of a handwritten letter, revealing he had written the message on July 21, two days after the final, but held off announcing it. "After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to announce to everyone that I am retiring from the national team," Messi wrote. "It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too." In a footnote, Messi revealed the death of his father Jorge Messi , who passed away on August 8 at the age of 68, had strengthened his resolve. "Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before," he wrote. Messi leaves international football as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and the country's most successful player, having captained the side to the 2021 Copa America title, back-to-back Copa America glory in 2024, and the 2022 World Cup, ending a 36-year wait for the trophy. He added eight goals and two assists at this year's World Cup as Argentina reached the final before falling to Spain. It marks his second international retirement, having briefly stepped away in 2016 before being talked into a return weeks later. This time, with his playing career at Inter Miami still ongoing, the national team chapter appears definitively closed.
Arsenal Agree Club-Record £60m Sale of Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal
Arsenal have agreed a club-record £60 million sale of Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal , with the Brazilian winger set to undergo a medical ahead of finalising the move before Tuesday's transfer deadline. The reported fee, worth around €70 million, comfortably surpasses Arsenal's previous record sale of £35 million, received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back in 2017. Al-Hilal have offered Martinelli a lucrative four-year contract worth a reported €20 million per season, with the deal said to include a penalty clause that would make the Brazilian more expensive for any European club looking to sign him before 2030. Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian club Ituano as an 18-year-old in 2019 for a fee of around £6 million, initially arriving as a relative unknown before quickly establishing himself under Mikel Arteta. He went on to play a regular role in Arsenal's title-challenging sides over the following seasons, and was part of the squad that ended the club's Premier League title drought last season. Despite the affection the winger commands among supporters, his path to regular minutes had become increasingly difficult of late, with the club also chasing a marquee attacking upgrade to replace him. Martinelli's departure is expected to be followed by further outgoings before the window shuts, with Arsenal also reportedly closing in on deals to send Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona and Fabio Vieira to Hamburg. Speaking on the situation, Arteta acknowledged the ongoing conversations with players over their futures, saying such discussions go both ways. For Arsenal, the world-record fee represents a significant financial boost as they continue reshaping their attacking options for the season ahead.
Sri Lanka Women Crush UAE by 9 Wickets in Women's Asia Cup Opener
Defending champions Sri Lanka Women made an emphatic start to their Women's Asia Cup 2026 title defence, thrashing hosts United Arab Emirates by 9 wickets in Dubai, wrapping up the chase in just 7.5 overs for their biggest-ever win in T20Is by balls remaining. Put in to bowl first, Sri Lanka's attack gave UAE nothing to work with. Debutant Chethana Vimukthi was outstanding on her T20I debut, finishing with 3 for 16 and picking up the Player of the Match award, while Mithali Ayodhya also claimed 3 for 14. Sugandika Kumari chipped in with 2 wickets as UAE were bowled out for just 79 in 19.5 overs, with only Esha Oza (18) and Samaira Dharnidharka (17) offering any real resistance. The chase was a formality from the outset. Openers Imesha Dulani and captain Chamari Athapaththu raced to 57 in just 5.5 overs before Dulani was run out for 25. Athapaththu, however, continued in the same vein, striking 7 fours and 2 sixes for an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls , guiding Sri Lanka home at 80 for 1 with the game wrapped up in under 8 overs. Speaking after the win, Athapaththu praised her new-look pace attack, highlighting the impact of Vimukthi and Ayodhya after years of relying heavily on veteran Udeshika Prabhodini. UAE captain Esha Oza was candid in defeat, admitting her side's failure to post a competitive total left their bowlers with nothing to defend. Sri Lanka's dominant win sends an early statement in Group B, with defending champions looking every bit the team to beat as the tournament progresses.
ICC Strips Sri Lanka of 2027 Women's Champions Trophy Hosting Rights
The ICC has withdrawn Sri Lanka's hosting rights for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy 2027 , citing concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Sri Lanka had originally been selected to host the six-team tournament, scheduled for February 14-28, 2027 , which would have been the country's second ICC event in as many years following their co-hosting of the 2026 men's T20 World Cup. The tournament will now be moved to another venue, with the ICC expected to confirm the new host at its next board meeting. Prakash Shaffter, Secretary of the SLC Transformation Committee, confirmed the development, saying the event had been moved out of Sri Lanka, though the new venue was yet to be finalised. The decision stems from SLC currently being run by a government-appointed Transformation Committee, an arrangement the ICC does not recognise. The global body has refused to allow SLC representatives to attend ICC Board meetings since the committee took over, and reiterated in a July statement that elections needed to be held as soon as possible for the board to regain recognition. It is not the first time Sri Lanka has lost hosting rights over governance concerns, having also been stripped of the 2024 men's Under-19 World Cup in 2023 for similar reasons, with that tournament subsequently moved to South Africa. Beyond the hosting loss, the decision could also create uncertainty over Sri Lanka Women's own participation in the tournament, given the event is expected to feature the top-ranked sides in the world. The move is also likely to have a financial impact on SLC, which had been counting on the tournament as a source of revenue. The development comes in the midst of Sri Lanka's ongoing Women's Asia Cup campaign in the UAE, adding to a turbulent period for the country's cricket administration off the field even as the team continues to perform on it.
Rafael Leao Completes €38m Move From AC Milan to Galatasaray
Rafael Leao has completed his move from AC Milan to Galatasaray in a deal worth €38 million , bringing an end to a seven-season spell with the Serie A giants and confirming a move that had also drawn interest from Aston Villa. The Portugal international signed a four-year contract with the Turkish champions, worth a reported €10 million per season net, with Milan retaining a 20 percent sell-on clause on any future transfer. Leao arrived in Istanbul to a warm reception from Galatasaray supporters at the airport before completing the formalities of the move, expressing his excitement to link up with fellow forwards Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane at the four-time reigning Turkish champions, who have also secured qualification for this season's Champions League league phase. The 27-year-old leaves Milan having made 291 appearances across all competitions, scoring 80 goals and providing 65 assists since his €49.5 million move from Lille in 2019, which was a club-record fee at the time. Leao was the standout performer during Milan's Serie A title-winning campaign in 2021-22, when he was named the league's Most Valuable Player, and also helped the club reach a Champions League semi-final in 2022-23 and win the Italian Super Cup last season. His form and fitness had become increasingly inconsistent in recent seasons, however, coinciding with a broader dip in Milan's own fortunes. Aston Villa had also been in advanced talks to sign Leao towards the end of the transfer window, but were ultimately unable to match Galatasaray's financial package. The move represents a major statement of intent from Galatasaray as they prepare for another Champions League campaign, with Leao set to make his first appearance for the club against Lille, his former side, when the two teams meet in the league phase on October 21.
Ollie Robinson Overtakes Bumrah for Best Test Bowling Average in 112 Years
Ollie Robinson has produced one of the most remarkable statistical achievements in modern Test cricket, moving past Jasprit Bumrah to claim the best bowling average among bowlers with a minimum of 20 Tests over the last 112 years , following a four-wicket burst on day four of England's second Test win over Pakistan at Lord's. Robinson's wickets in Pakistan's second innings pushed his career average down to 19.53 from 23 Tests, edging past the previous benchmark of 19.79 held by Bumrah among bowlers who made their debuts after 2000. Wisden's managing editor Ben Gardner summed up the scale of the feat succinctly, noting that no one since the First World War has taken as many wickets at a better average. Robinson finished the match with figures of 8 for 35, his second successive Player of the Match award, and now has 99 Test wickets , just one shy of the milestone century. Applying the 20-Test qualification, which filters out bowlers from cricket's earliest, uncovered-pitch era who played only a handful of matches, Robinson now sits fifth in the entire history of Test cricket. The four names above him, W Barnes (15.54), SF Barnes (16.43), R Peel (16.98) and J Briggs (17.75), all finished their careers before the First World War, underlining just how rare Robinson's placing is by modern standards. The achievement has arrived in the middle of a stunning comeback summer for the seamer, who was recalled to the England side after a two-and-a-half-year absence. Since returning, Robinson has taken 23 wickets in his last three Tests at an extraordinary average of 8.35, a run of form that has been central to England's dominant start to the home summer against Pakistan. Bumrah's own mark of 19.79, built across 234 wickets in 52 Tests in some of the most demanding conditions in world cricket, remains far from diminished by Robinson's rise, but for now, the record belongs to the Englishman.
Pakistan's Test Losses Overtake Wins for First Time Since 1987
Pakistan's Test record has taken an unwanted historic turn, with their number of defeats exceeding their victories for the first time since 1987 , following their 194-run loss to England in the second Test at Lord's. The result leaves Pakistan with 154 Test defeats compared to 153 victories from 473 matches, with the remaining 166 games ending in draws. The last time Pakistan's losses outnumbered their wins was after a draw against England at The Oval in August 1987, when their record read 39 wins and 40 defeats from 170 Tests. Since then, Pakistan enjoyed nearly four decades in which victories consistently stayed ahead of losses, a run now brought to an end by a difficult run of results in the current era. The loss at Lord's also confirmed England's series win with a match to spare, continuing a torrid recent run for Pakistan in Test cricket, having also lost the series opener at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs. Ollie Robinson was the chief architect of both defeats, taking match figures of 8 for 35 in the second Test alone, as part of a remarkable comeback since being recalled to the England side. Pakistan's slide down the record books comes amid a broader period of transition for the side, and the numbers now serve as a stark marker of how far their fortunes have fallen since the high points of the late 1980s and early 1990s. With the third and final Test of the series still to come at Edgbaston starting September 9, Pakistan will have a chance to arrest the slide, even with the series already decided in England's favour.
Calvert-Lewin's Late Header Rescues Point for Leeds in 1-1 Draw at Brentford
Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescued a point for Leeds United with a late header, cancelling out Kevin Schade's deflected effort to earn Daniel Farke's side a 1-1 draw at Brentford . Brentford controlled much of the second half and looked to have done enough when Schade struck midway through the half, his effort taking a deflection off Jaka Bijol on the way past James Trafford. But Farke's introduction of Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson from the bench changed the game, with Gnonto's whipped cross met by a clean header from Calvert-Lewin to snatch a point in the closing stages.
Wilson Isidor's Late Goal Gives Sunderland First Win of Season, Beat Fulham 1-0
Sunderland picked up their first points of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham at the Stadium of Light, with substitute Wilson Isidor scoring the only goal of the game after coming off the bench. The Black Cats had lost their opening fixture at Ipswich and badly needed a response in front of their own fans. Regis Le Bris's side got exactly that, holding firm against a Fulham side who had looked sharp in attack, to claim a first win of the campaign.
Chelsea Survive Brighton Fightback to Win 4-3, Alonso's Home Debut Ends in Victory
Chelsea survived a spirited Brighton fightback to win 4-3 at Stamford Bridge, marking Xabi Alonso's first home game in charge with two wins from two to start the season. Chelsea raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening half hour through Romeo Lavia , Pedro Neto and João Pedro . Brighton hit back through Malick Yalcouyé before the break, and further pulled level in the second half when Pedro turned a Pascal Gross effort into his own net. Cole Palmer restored the two-goal cushion with a composed finish, but Brighton weren't finished — Gross headed home deep into stoppage time to complete a grandstand finish, though it was too late to deny Chelsea the win.
Bruno Fernandes Hat-Trick Fires Man United to 5-2 Comeback Win Over Ipswich
Manchester United claimed their first Premier League win of the season with a dramatic 5-2 comeback victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, inspired by a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick . Ipswich made the brighter start and stunned the hosts when Leif Davis fired home a superb finish after good work from Abdul Fatawu. United hit back before the break when a defensive slip from Marcelino Núñez let Matheus Cunha in to tee up Fernandes, who drilled home the equaliser. United took control after the restart. Harry Maguire's effort deflected in off Jacob Greaves for the lead, and Greaves then conceded a penalty which Fernandes confidently converted. The United captain completed his hat-trick soon after, with Ipswich unable to respond as United ran out comfortable 5-2 winners to open their account for the season.
Smriti Mandhana Becomes 2nd-Highest Run-Scorer in Women's Cricket, Deepti Sharma Plays 150th T20I
Smriti Mandhana etched her name further into the record books during India's Women's Asia Cup 2026 clash against Thailand in Dubai, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in women's international cricket , overtaking New Zealand great Suzie Bates . Mandhana needed just four runs to move past Bates' tally and reached the milestone with a boundary off Thailand spinner Phannita Maya in the second ball of India's innings. She was eventually run out for 19 off 10 balls, but the knock was enough to take her career international tally to 10,756 runs — now only behind former India captain Mithali Raj , who leads the all-time list with 10,868. The match also marked a special milestone for Deepti Sharma , who made her 150th T20I appearance — becoming only the third Indian woman after Harmanpreet Kaur (202) and Mandhana (171) to reach the landmark, and the 12th player globally to do so. Despite an explosive 64 off 36 balls from Shafali Verma, India were restricted to 159/9 by a disciplined Thailand bowling attack led by Suleeporn Laomi and Sunida Chaturongrattana, after India had raced to 108/2 at one stage before a late collapse.
India Women Thrash Thailand by 94 Runs in Women's Asia Cup 2026 Opener
India Women made a winning start to their Women's Asia Cup 2026 title defence, beating Thailand Women by 94 runs in Dubai. Shafali Verma led the way with the bat, and India's bowlers followed it up with a disciplined display in the field. Put in to bat after Thailand won the toss, India were powered by a brisk 64 off 36 balls from Shafali Verma, who struck eight fours and three sixes at the top of the order. Smriti Mandhana chipped in with 19, and Pratika Rawal added 22 on her T20I debut for the team, having been called up as a replacement for the injured Jemimah Rodrigues. India were eventually restricted to 159 for 9 , with Suleeporn Laomi the pick of Thailand's bowlers, finishing with 3 for 26. Chasing 160, Thailand never got their innings going. Kranti Gaud struck early with the new ball, and Nandni Sharma was the standout performer, taking 3 for 18 to rip through the middle order. Nannapat Koncharoenkai put up the lone fight for Thailand, top-scoring with 41 off 48 balls, but ran out of partners as wickets fell around her. Thailand were bowled out for just 65 in 16.1 overs, with Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani also among the wickets. The win gives India two points from their Group A opener and sends an early statement as the defending champions look to reclaim the title. India next face Hong Kong, China Women on September 3 , before a blockbuster group clash against arch-rivals Pakistan Women on September 5 , with both fixtures also to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
England Beat Pakistan by 194 Runs to Seal Series Win at Lord's
England beat Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test at Lord's, wrapping up the match inside four days to seal the three-match series with a game to spare, their first series win since December 2024. Set an imposing target of 389 for victory, Pakistan were bowled out for 194 around 45 minutes after tea, with Saud Shakeel leading the tourists' first real batting resistance of the series, falling agonisingly short of a century after being caught on the boundary for 97, the highest individual score for either side across the two matches so far. Pakistan were made to chase the target effectively a batter light, with opener Imam-ul-Haq unable to take any part in the innings after tearing his left calf on day one. Ollie Robinson was the architect of the win, following up his first-innings 4 for 11 with a devastating 4 for 24 on the final day for match figures of 8 for 35 , continuing his remarkable comeback summer since being recalled after a two-and-a-half-year absence from the side. Across his three Tests since returning, Robinson has now taken 23 wickets at an extraordinary average of just 8.35, and was a deserving Player of the Match for the second Test running. Jofra Archer offered strong support with the ball as Pakistan, who still haven't managed to post a 200 total in the series, once again found England's attack too hot to handle. The win means Joe Root has now won both Tests of his second stint as full-time England captain, having earlier led the side to an innings-and-103-run victory in the series opener at Headingley. It also continues an emphatic run of home form for England, whose bowlers have consistently exploited helpful conditions to dominate a struggling Pakistan batting unit throughout the series. The third and final Test doesn't get underway until September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, with England already able to approach the finale with the series safely wrapped up.
Tottenham Agree Ndiaye Deal as Richarlison Set for Everton Return in Separate Transfers
Tottenham and Everton have reached agreements in principle for two separate transfers that will see Iliman Ndiaye head to north London while Richarlison makes a return to Merseyside, according to widely reported transfer news. Spurs moved quickly after missing out on Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, who opted for a move to Manchester City instead, turning their attention to Ndiaye as an alternative attacking option. The Senegal international has rejected multiple contract extension offers from Everton over the past year, and his want-away stance left the Toffees with little choice but to negotiate an exit. Ndiaye scored 17 goals in 73 appearances since joining Everton from Marseille in 2024, and featured for the full 90 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth before the move gathered pace. Going the other way, Richarlison is poised to return to Everton, the club where he spent four productive years between 2018 and 2022 before his £60 million move to Tottenham. The Brazilian was left out entirely from Spurs' matchday squad for Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirming afterwards that the forward had made his desire to leave clear on multiple occasions. Richarlison scored 32 goals in 134 appearances during his time at Tottenham, but had grown increasingly frustrated with a lack of regular football. Both moves are structured as entirely separate transactions rather than a formal swap deal, though they have been negotiated in tandem between the two clubs. Both deals remain subject to players agreeing personal terms and passing medicals, with all parties hopeful of completing the paperwork before Tuesday's transfer deadline. The moves come amid a difficult start to the season for Spurs, who remain winless in the Premier League, adding urgency to De Zerbi's efforts to reshape his attacking options before the window shuts.
Barcelona Agree €10m Deal to Sign Gabriel Jesus From Arsenal
Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal for a reported €10 million plus add-ons , with the Brazilian forward scheduled to undergo his medical on Monday ahead of finalising the move. The transfer comes as a surprise late twist in Barcelona's search for a new centre-forward, having spent much of the summer focused on a move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, only for the Spanish club to publicly rule out any negotiation with their La Liga rivals. With Robert Lewandowski having already departed Camp Nou, Barcelona turned to Jesus as an alternative solution, moving quickly to get the deal over the line before the transfer window shuts. The reported fee represents a steep discount for Arsenal, who paid Manchester City around £45 million for Jesus back in 2022. The 29-year-old had fallen behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres in the pecking order at the Emirates, and had been training away from Mikel Arteta's first-team squad after being made available for transfer. Jesus scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists in 123 appearances for Arsenal across his time at the club, though injuries repeatedly disrupted his spells in north London. Arteta had hinted earlier in the week that both Jesus and fellow forward Gabriel Martinelli could depart before the deadline, as Arsenal continue to reshape their attacking options. For Barcelona, the move gives Hansi Flick a recognised alternative up front following their impressive start to the La Liga season, with the club having already beaten Elche 5-0 and Athletic Club 2-0 in their opening two fixtures. Jesus is expected to travel to Spain in the coming hours to complete the formalities of his move.
Manchester City in Talks With Liverpool Over £85m Cody Gakpo Deal
Manchester City have made formal contact with Liverpool over a proposed £85 million deal for forward Cody Gakpo , with the Dutchman reported to have already agreed personal terms on a move to the Etihad Stadium. Talks between the two clubs picked up steam over the weekend, with Liverpool valuing Gakpo at around £85 million, roughly double the £37 million they paid PSV Eindhoven to sign him back in January 2023. City are believed to have moved decisively after Gakpo, who had also attracted interest from Tottenham, opted to pursue a move to the Etihad instead. Sources indicate City are preparing to table their full package imminently, with the deal advancing rapidly in the closing days of the window. Liverpool's willingness to sanction the sale hinges on their ability to bring in further attacking reinforcements before Tuesday's deadline. The club have already all but completed a deal worth up to £123 million for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, and remain in the market for another wide option, having seen a £50 million bid for Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr rejected and pulled out of a pursuit of Brighton's Yankuba Minteh after the Seagulls demanded £80 million. Gakpo started Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend and set up Alexander Isak's equaliser, but head coach Andoni Iraola remained non-committal when asked about the winger's future afterwards, saying only that he expected clarity on his squad once the transfer deadline had passed. With Hugo Ekitike sidelined until 2027 through a ruptured Achilles and Isak still finding full fitness, Liverpool face a delicate balancing act between cashing in on Gakpo and maintaining sufficient attacking depth for the season ahead.
Chelsea Complete £7.5m Signing of Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez From Aston Villa
Chelsea have officially completed the signing of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa on a three-year deal, in a transfer worth a reported £7.5 million , a day before the summer window closes. The 33-year-old Argentina international joins after six years at Villa Park, during which he made 256 appearances, won the UEFA Europa League last season, and established himself as one of the Premier League's leading shot-stoppers. Martinez's exit was set in motion after Villa signed Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma earlier this month, paving the way for the veteran's departure. He becomes the second player to move between the two clubs this summer, following Nicolas Jackson's switch from Chelsea to Villa on Friday. "I'm delighted to be at this football club," Martinez said in a statement. "Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon. I want to be successful here. I'm someone who wants to win at everything I do, and I want to bring that here because it's a football club that wins titles, so I think it's a good match." Martinez arrives with a decorated international career, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and twice being named the world's best goalkeeper, picking up successive Yashin Trophies in 2023 and 2024. He also played a key role as Argentina reached the final of the 2026 World Cup before losing to Spain. At Chelsea, he is set to compete directly with Robert Sanchez, whose place had come under scrutiny following a shaky performance in the 3-2 opening-day win over Fulham, giving head coach Xabi Alonso a genuine selection dilemma in goal heading into the new season.
Joe Root Overtakes Ricky Ponting as Highest Run-Scorer in Home Tests
Joe Root has become the highest run-scorer in Test cricket on home soil, overtaking Ricky Ponting's long-standing record during the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's, despite managing just 24 in the innings. Root now has 7,594 runs in home Tests for England, moving past Ponting's mark of 7,578 runs, which the Australian great compiled across 92 Tests on home soil in Australia. The milestone comes in fewer matches than Ponting needed, with Root reaching the tally in 87 home Tests, underlining the remarkable consistency he has shown throughout his career at English venues. Sachin Tendulkar sits third on the all-time list with 7,216 runs in home Tests for India, with Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and South Africa's Jacques Kallis rounding out the top five. Root reached this new landmark needing just 79 runs coming into the series against Pakistan, having entered the campaign at Headingley with 7,500 home runs already banked, and duly crossed the mark during the tour. The achievement adds to an extraordinary year of milestones for the England captain, who earlier this year also became the second-highest run-scorer in Test history overall, moving past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ponting on the same day during a century against India at Old Trafford, leaving only Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921 runs ahead of him. Root's form with the bat has been a matter of some scrutiny of late, but the numbers continue to tell their own story. Now the outright leading run-scorer in home Tests in the format's history, Root adds yet another significant chapter to a Test career already regarded as one of the greatest of the modern era, with England looking to build on their series lead over Pakistan at Lord's.
Rain-Hit Day 3 at Lord's: England Stretch Lead to 357 Despite Repeated Interruptions
Persistent rain and bad light cut short day 3 of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's, but the hosts still managed to stretch their lead to a commanding 357 runs before play was abandoned for the day. Play didn't get underway until 2:20pm local time after morning showers delayed the start. England resumed their second innings on 81 for 3, with Emilio Gay unbeaten on 30 and Harry Brook not out on 7. The hosts lost their fourth wicket within the first ten balls after the restart, with Gay dismissed shortly after play resumed. Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, picking up 3 wickets for 48 runs and giving the tourists something to cheer amid tough batting conditions for England. Dan Lawrence anchored the innings from the other end, battling through the difficult, overcast conditions to reach an unbeaten half-century by the close. England finished the day at 290 and 177 for 7 , with Pakistan's first-innings 110 now well behind them. Bad light forced the umpires to call an early end to play at 6:32pm, with Pakistan facing an increasingly daunting target heading into the remaining two days. England lead the three-match series 1-0 , having already sealed a dominant innings-and-103-run win in the series opener at Headingley. With two days still to play, Pakistan will need something special with both bat and ball to avoid falling further behind in the contest at the home of cricket.
Fulham Close In on Ratiu, Tottenham Reject Sunderland Loan Bid for Danso
With the transfer deadline just days away, two Premier League clubs made headlines on separate deals involving defenders on Saturday. Fulham are in advanced talks with Spanish side Rayo Vallecano over a move for right-back Andrei Ratiu . According to reports from journalist Matteo Moretto, personal terms are already agreed between the Romania international and Fulham, and the player is fully open to making the move to the Premier League. The only thing left to sort out is the transfer fee between the two clubs. Ratiu has a release clause of around €25 million, but Rayo Vallecano are said to want the full amount rather than a lower fee, so there is still work to do before the deal can be completed. The 28-year-old has been a regular for Rayo since joining in 2023 and was previously linked with a move to Tottenham last summer, though that deal fell through. Tottenham , meanwhile, have turned down a loan approach from Sunderland for centre-back Kevin Danso . The Black Cats made a season-long loan offer for the 27-year-old Austria international, but Spurs said no. Danso only just made his first appearance of the season this week, coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup win over Charlton, where he also scored his first goal for the club. However, with new signings Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke arriving this summer, and Micky van de Ven now club captain, Danso finds himself down the pecking order at centre-back. Reports suggest his representatives have also been speaking with Aston Villa about a possible move there instead, so his Tottenham future still remains uncertain with the deadline fast approaching.
William Osula Faces Weeks Out With Foot Injury After Liverpool Draw
Newcastle United will be without striker William Osula for the next few weeks after he picked up a foot injury during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Osula started up front and had a strong game, setting up Anthony Elanga for the opening goal inside the first five minutes. But he took a knock in a collision with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, and it soon became clear he was struggling. He tried to carry on, hobbling around the pitch for a while, before the pain became too much and he was substituted just after half-time. Head coach Matthias Jaissle confirmed that scans have ruled out the worst outcome, a broken foot. But he stopped short of giving an exact return date, as Osula still needs further tests. Asked if the striker would miss around two weeks, Jaissle simply said, "Yeah, most likely." Osula missed Newcastle's midweek match against West Brom because of the injury, with 19-year-old Sean Neave drafted into the squad in his place. Newcastle won that game 3-2. With Osula out, the main striking duties are expected to fall on Yoane Wissa , though Nick Woltemade also offers an option up front. The injury is a blow for Newcastle, who have already dealt with several fitness problems just one week into the new Premier League season. Osula was a key attacking option last season, scoring nine goals, and Jaissle will be hoping to have him back as soon as possible.
Sri Lanka Thrash UAE by 9 Wickets in Women's Asia Cup 2026
Sri Lanka Women made a statement in their Women's Asia Cup 2026 opener, thrashing United Arab Emirates Women by 9 wickets in just 7.5 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium — their biggest win by balls remaining in T20I history. Put in to bat after Sri Lanka won the toss, UAE never found any rhythm against a disciplined Lankan attack. Mithali Ayodhya (3/14) and Chethana Vimukthi (3/16) shared six wickets between them as UAE lost regular wickets throughout, with only Esha Oza (18) and Samaira Dharnidharka (17) managing to get starts. UAE were bowled out for just 79 in 19.5 overs. The chase was a formality. Openers Imesha Dulani and captain Chamari Athapaththu raced to 57 inside six overs before Dulani was run out for 25. Athapaththu carried on regardless, finishing unbeaten on a blistering 48 off just 25 balls with seven fours and two sixes, sealing the win alongside Sanjana Kavindi to wrap up the chase in 7.5 overs. Sri Lanka open their Group B campaign with two points and a massive net run rate boost, while UAE will look to regroup when they face Indonesia Women next.
Munoz Rescues Point as Liverpool Draw 2-2 With Nottingham Forest, Still Winless
Liverpool remain without a Premier League win after two matches, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Nottingham Forest at Anfield, with substitute-turned-starter Victor Munoz rescuing a point deep into the second half on his home debut. Dan Ndoye gave Forest a deserved lead midway through the first half, capitalising after Liverpool struggled to deal with the visitors' direct approach, with goalkeeper Alisson forced into a superb save just before the break to deny Igor Jesus doubling the advantage. Liverpool improved after the restart and drew level on the hour through Alexander Isak , who tapped home from close range after a driving run and low cross from Cody Gakpo, his first goal of the new season. Forest hit back with 20 minutes remaining when Morgan Gibbs-White converted a contentious penalty, awarded after Alisson was adjudged to have fouled Neco Williams, putting the visitors back in front and threatening to condemn Andoni Iraola to defeat in his first Anfield match in charge. But Liverpool found a way back through summer signing Victor Munoz , whose deflected strike from the edge of the box eight minutes from time squirmed beyond Forest's goalkeeper to level the score and spare the new head coach further frustration. The result means Iraola is still searching for his first win since taking over at Anfield, having also come from behind to draw 2-2 at Newcastle the previous weekend. Liverpool sit with just two points from their opening two matches, while Forest, freshly beaten twice by Leeds in Oliver Glasner's first week in interim charge, will take real encouragement from a much-improved showing on the road, picking up their first point of the new campaign in the process.
Prasidh Krishna Named India's Impact Player of the Series Against Sri Lanka
Prasidh Krishna has been named India's Impact Player of the Series following the team's 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka, recognised for a standout showing with the ball across the two-match tour. The pacer finished with seven wickets at an average of 24.57 , with best figures of 3 for 52, playing a crucial role as India's leading fast-bowling option in the absence of the injured Jasprit Bumrah. He picked up three wickets in the first innings of both Tests, repeatedly breaking key partnerships for Sri Lanka despite bowling for long spells in demanding subcontinental heat. The award was presented by Team India's Performance Analyst Hari Prasad Mohan , who praised the seamer's discipline and analytical approach off the field. "The impact player of the series goes to someone who had put the hard yards, made the ball talk, kept asking the right questions to the batters, even in these adverse conditions," Mohan said, adding that Prasidh had constantly sought out data throughout the tour to refine his bowling strategies, joking that he could have a second career as an analyst. Receiving the honour, Prasidh was quick to credit the wider squad and support staff for their efforts behind the scenes. "Nothing would be possible without each one of you," he said, pointing to the demanding practice sessions held in Galle and Colombo throughout the tour. Former India spinner R Ashwin also separately singled out Prasidh as the standout positive for India from the series, rating his contribution above both Devdutt Padikkal's twin centuries and Manav Suthar's impressive Test debut, given the added difficulty of bowling pace on subcontinental surfaces with limited prior experience in Indian conditions. India's spin department also played a major role in the series win, with Manav Suthar finishing as the standout wicket-taker overall with 16 scalps including a memorable 10-wicket haul on debut, while Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with eight wickets across the two Tests.
Thailand Beat Hong Kong by 6 Runs in Women's Asia Cup 2026 Opener
Thailand Women got their Women's Asia Cup 2026 campaign off to a winning start, edging past Hong Kong, China Women by 6 runs in the tournament opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sent in to bat after Hong Kong won the toss, Thailand were pegged back early but recovered thanks to a fighting knock from captain Naruemol Chaiwai , who top-scored with 43 off 31 balls , hitting four fours and two sixes. Wicketkeeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai chipped in with 27, but a mini-collapse in the death overs saw Thailand slip from a promising position to finish at 120 for 9 . Marina Lamplough was the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers, picking up a superb 4 for 11 , while Alison Siu took three. Chasing 121, Hong Kong were kept in the hunt by useful contributions through the order. Kary Chan and Yasmin Daswani both made 28, and Marina Lamplough added a quickfire 22 off just 11 balls to keep the required rate down. But regular wickets from Onnicha Kamchomphu , who finished with 3 for 27, meant Hong Kong were always chasing the game in the closing stages. Despite a late flurry from Shing Chan Dorothea, they fell short at 114 for 7 , with Thailand holding their nerve to seal the win. The result gives Thailand two points to open their Group A campaign. Thailand next face India Women on September 3, while Hong Kong will look to bounce back against Pakistan Women.
Chelsea's Mamadou Sarr Completes Season-Long Loan to Real Sociedad
Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr has completed a season-long loan move to Real Sociedad , giving the young centre-back a fresh opportunity to secure regular first-team football in La Liga. The 20-year-old Senegal international arrived in San Sebastian to undergo his medical before the move was finalised, with the loan carrying no option to buy. Sarr joined Chelsea from Strasbourg last summer in a deal worth around €14m, but featured just seven times for the Blues, including one appearance during their triumphant FIFA Club World Cup campaign, before being squeezed out by Chelsea's crowded central defensive options. With Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato and Aaron Anselmino all ahead of him in Xabi Alonso's pecking order, a loan move away was seen as the best path forward for Sarr's development. Real Sociedad had also been tracking Nayef Aguerd before turning their attention to the Chelsea academy graduate, taking advantage of head coach Alonso's connections at the club to get the deal done. Sarr will now compete for a starting role at the heart of Pellegrino Matarazzo's defence, with the Basque club also able to call on him in the Europa League and Copa del Rey this season.
Man United's Carlos Baleba Out Up to Three Weeks With Ankle Injury, Amad Diallo Also Unavailable
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed that new signing Carlos Baleba is set to be sidelined for up to three weeks with an ankle injury, delaying his debut following his £70m move from Brighton. "He's got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks," Carrick told reporters. "We knew that before, so it's no major issue but it'll be great to have him back when we can." The injury means Baleba, unveiled as a United player earlier this week, could be in line to make his bow against his former club after the international break. Amad Diallo also remains unavailable, with Carrick unable to put a firm timeline on his return. "Amad won't be involved this week. He'll be out for a little bit longer," Carrick said, though he added that Mason Mount has returned to training after being forced off during pre-season, offering some positive news amid the fresh injury concerns. The setbacks come as United look to bounce back from a 2-0 opening-day defeat at newly promoted Hull City, with Carrick keen to build momentum before the international break disrupts the early-season schedule.
West Ham Confirm Exits of James Ward-Prowse and El Hadji Malick Diouf
West Ham have confirmed the departures of two first-team players in one day, with James Ward-Prowse returning to Southampton and El Hadji Malick Diouf joining Brentford. Ward-Prowse , who left Southampton for West Ham in a £30m deal back in 2023, returns to St Mary's for a nominal fee reported at under £1 million , three years on from his original departure. The 31-year-old spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and Burnley, and was frozen out of Nuno Espirito Santo's plans at the London Stadium, missing out on selection even for a heavily rotated Carabao Cup squad against Southampton this week. He returns to the club where he made 409 appearances and scored 55 goals, and could feature again as soon as Millwall's visit to St Mary's this weekend. Diouf , meanwhile, completes a move to Brentford worth a reported £35 million plus £5 million in add-ons, having previously been given permission to undergo his medical. The Senegalese full-back becomes another significant sale for West Ham as Nuno continues to reshape his squad heading into the final days of the transfer window. Both exits reflect a busy end to the window at the London Stadium, with West Ham balancing squad rebuilding against raising funds through player sales.
Aston Villa Agree €55m Deal in Principle for PSG Winger Ibrahim Mbaye
Aston Villa have reached a €55 million agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign 18-year-old winger Ibrahim Mbaye , adding another major piece to Unai Emery's reshaped attack. The deal comes just hours after Villa lost out on Rafael Leao, who instead gave Galatasaray the green light for a move. According to reports, the relationship between Villa owner Nassef Sawiris and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi proved decisive in getting the transfer over the line, with Liverpool having stepped aside from the race earlier in the window due to the cost involved. Mbaye holds the record as the youngest player to start a competitive match for PSG and has since become a regular for Senegal, having switched allegiance from France. He started three of Senegal's four matches at this year's World Cup, scoring against France in the opening fixture to become the youngest African player to score at a World Cup. The move would be Villa's ninth signing of a hugely active summer, arriving alongside Nicolas Jackson's move from Chelsea as the club looks to replace the goals and creativity lost with Morgan Rogers' British-record £117m departure to Chelsea and Ollie Watkins' expected exit to Al-Hilal.
Bradley Barcola Set for Liverpool Medical as €140m PSG Deal Nears Completion
Bradley Barcola is set to fly to England this Saturday to complete his medical, with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain having agreed a deal worth around €140 million (£120m) for the French winger. According to French outlet L'Equipe, the package breaks down to roughly £98.5m fixed plus £21.4m in add-ons, with the exact bonus structure only finalised in the last few days. Barcola is expected to sign a five-year contract through to 2031, and could feature for Liverpool as soon as their trip to Ipswich on September 4 if the move is completed in time. The move ends a protracted saga that has run through most of the summer, with the fee reportedly talked down from PSG's initial valuation more than once. Liverpool have made just three signings so far this window in Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo, and Barcola would represent their marquee addition, arriving fresh off a World Cup with France. The 23-year-old finished PSG's treble-winning 2024-25 campaign as the club's second-highest scorer, though he found himself behind Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in Luis Enrique's pecking order for the biggest games. A move to Anfield now gives him the fresh start and regular football he has been seeking.
England Bowl Pakistan Out for 110 at Lord's to Seize 180-Run Lead
England seized total control of the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's, bowling the tourists out for just 110 on day two to take a commanding 180-run first-innings lead . Having been dismissed for 290 themselves earlier in the morning session, England's seam attack made short work of Pakistan's reply, wrapping up the innings in just 37.2 overs. Ollie Robinson was the standout performer, returning superb figures of 4 for 11 from 13 overs that included six maidens. Jofra Archer backed him up with 3 for 26 , while Josh Tongue chipped in with two wickets. Pakistan's batting fell apart around a lone rearguard effort from opener Azan Awais , who top-scored with 46 off 102 deliveries. It was a marked improvement for the young batter after scores of 0 and 9 in the first Test defeat at Leeds, and his effort stood out all the more given the next-highest contribution on the scorecard was 20 extras. Captain Babar Azam, playing his first innings back from injury, fell to Tongue after getting off the mark with a couple of boundaries, while Saud Shakeel's 16 was the only other score in double figures. Adding to Pakistan's troubles, opener Imam-ul-Haq was unable to bat after picking up a low-grade calf strain while fielding on day one, leaving the tourists effectively a batter short throughout their innings. His fitness for the remainder of the Test remains a concern. With a 180-run cushion in hand, England will resume day two firmly in the driving seat, looking to extend their lead and set up a strong platform to level or seal the three-match series after their innings-and-103-run win in the series opener at Headingley.
Namibia Stun South Africa by 18 Runs in Tri-Series Opener, Jonathan Smit Stars
Namibia pulled off an 18-run win over South Africa in the opening match of the T20I tri-series at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, also featuring Zimbabwe. Put in to bat after South Africa won the toss, Namibia posted 163 for 9 in their 20 overs. Jan Frylinck anchored the innings with a run-a-ball 41, while Louren Steenkamp gave the hosts a brisk start with 20 off just 13 balls at the top of the order. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus also chipped in with bat and ball, taking a wicket during South Africa's chase. South Africa, fielding IPL stars Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius alongside senior campaigners Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks , never quite got the chase under control. They finished on 145 for 9 from their 20 overs, falling well short despite a late flurry from Duan Jansen , who made an unbeaten 25 off 17 balls in a losing cause. Jonathan Smit was the pick of the Namibian bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 31 from his four overs to peg back South Africa's middle order at a crucial stage. His all-round contribution with bat and ball earned him the Player of the Match award. The result gives Namibia an early lead at the top of the points table with two points from their first outing, while South Africa start the series pointless. It continues Namibia's recent good form against their higher-ranked neighbours, having also won their last completed meeting between the two sides in October 2025. Namibia will look to build on the win when they face Zimbabwe next, while South Africa get a quick chance to respond when they take on Zimbabwe on Saturday. The tri-series runs through to its final on September 6, with seven matches in total across the group phase.
Liverpool Continue Ismaila Sarr Pursuit After Crystal Palace Reject £50m Bid
Liverpool remain keen on signing Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr despite an initial £50 million offer being rejected by the Eagles, with the Reds continuing their pursuit of attacking reinforcements before Tuesday's transfer deadline. Palace made clear they had no intention of selling Sarr this summer, having already turned down two separate approaches from Galatasaray earlier in the window. The Senegal international, who has three years remaining on his contract, enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, scoring 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions and playing a starring role in Palace's Europa Conference League triumph, where he was named both the tournament's top scorer and best player. Sarr has also proven a persistent threat against Liverpool specifically, with seven goals in ten appearances against the Merseyside club across his time at Watford and Palace. The interest in Sarr comes as Liverpool continue searching for a new right-sided attacking option following Mohamed Salah's departure this summer. The club had previously pursued Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, but walked away after the Seagulls demanded £80 million for the Gambian winger, having already seen two lower bids rejected. Liverpool are also continuing to negotiate a separate deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, with sources suggesting an agreement worth around £120 million has been reached for the Frenchman, leaving head coach Andoni Iraola still hopeful of adding further attacking depth alongside that deal. Sources close to the situation have indicated that reaching personal terms with Sarr would not be a stumbling block should Liverpool return with an improved offer, with the player himself said to be keen on the move. With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Liverpool face a decision on whether to test Palace's resolve further or turn their attention elsewhere in the market.
Enzo Fernandez Agrees Personal Terms With Manchester City as Move Advances
Enzo Fernandez's move to Manchester City has advanced significantly, with the midfielder reported to have agreed personal terms on a contract at the Etihad as City work to finalise a club-to-club deal around Chelsea's £120 million valuation. According to multiple reports, Fernandez has given the green light to a move, with sources indicating the World Cup winner has already agreed terms on a long-term contract with City. The remaining hurdle is now a fee agreement between the two Premier League clubs, with City expected to submit a formal bid before the transfer window closes on September 1, potentially making Fernandez the most expensive signing in Premier League history. The developments follow Fernandez's continued absence from Chelsea's matchday squad, including Thursday's Carabao Cup win over Luton Town, despite head coach Xabi Alonso initially suggesting he expected the midfielder to be involved. City are believed to be exploring ways to help fund the deal, including through the potential departures of Rodri, who has been in talks with Barcelona, and Tijjani Reijnders, linked with a move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Qadsiah. Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a then-club-record fee in January 2023, has grown increasingly frustrated with the club's recent struggles, including missing out on European football entirely this season. He has previously been linked with a move to Real Madrid, though that switch failed to materialise. Should the move to City go through, it would reunite Fernandez with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who has already overseen a significant midfield rebuild at the Etihad following Rodri's own summer exit.
Danny Welbeck Scores on Chelsea Debut in 2-0 Carabao Cup Win Over Luton
Danny Welbeck marked his Chelsea debut with a goal as the Blues eased past League One side Luton Town 2-0 in the Carabao Cup second round at Stamford Bridge, booking a third-round tie against Leeds United. Xabi Alonso named a strong side for his first competitive home game in charge, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Reece James all starting. Luton, unbeaten in 15 matches across all competitions coming in, frustrated Chelsea for a goalless first half, with Rogers striking the crossbar and Estevao also going close. The breakthrough arrived five minutes into the second half, when Malo Gusto delivered an inviting cross for the 35-year-old summer signing from Brighton to rise above the Luton defence and head home his first goal for the club. Estevao doubled Chelsea's lead in the 70th minute, driving into the box and sending a dangerous low ball across goal that deflected in off Luton defender Hakeem Odoffin for an own goal. The result extended Chelsea's unbeaten start under Alonso to two matches from two, following Monday's 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham, and ended Luton's long unbeaten run, the longest in England's top four divisions at the time. Welbeck, who arrived at Stamford Bridge on a free transfer after his Brighton contract expired, had remained an unused substitute in the Fulham win before getting his chance here. "Really special to score on my debut, more importantly to get through to the next round," Welbeck said afterward, adding that he was excited about the project under Alonso and eager to contribute wherever called upon. The result came with the added subplot of Enzo Fernandez's continued absence from the matchday squad, amid swirling reports of an imminent move to Manchester City.
Full Fixture List Out for Cricket at Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Men's and Women's Events
The complete schedule for cricket's return to the Asian Games has been released, with both the men's and women's competitions set to be played at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin , near Nagoya, Japan. The men's event runs from September 24 to October 3 , while the women's tournament gets underway earlier, from September 17 to September 22 . On the men's side, six teams start out in a round-robin group before the knockouts begin. Japan face Afghanistan in the opener, with Hong Kong, China taking on Malaysia later the same day. The other group fixtures pit Hong Kong, China against Oman , Afghanistan against Nepal , Japan against Nepal and Malaysia against Oman . India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have all been handed direct entries into the quarter-finals, a continuation of the arrangement first confirmed for this edition, and will face the four group toppers on September 28 and 29. The women's draw skips the group stage entirely and goes straight to the last eight. Japan Women face India Women and Bangladesh Women take on China Women on September 17, followed by Malaysia Women against Sri Lanka Women and Pakistan Women against Thailand Women a day later. Both semi-finals are scheduled for September 20, with the third-place play-off and final rounding things off on September 22. The men's knockouts follow a similar arc, with the semi-finals on October 1 and the medal matches on October 3. All matches across both events are being played as T20s, and every fixture at this stage will be updated on GameOnField as the group standings and knockout line-ups are confirmed.
Rangers Crash Out of Europe on Penalties Against Jablonec
Rangers are out of Europe entirely for the first time since 2017, losing on penalties to Czech side Jablonec in the Europa Conference League play-off round after a wretched display in the second leg. Derek McInnes' side travelled to the Czech Republic holding a slender 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg at Ibrox, but were unable to protect it as Jablonec fought back to level the tie through Vakhtang Tchanturishvili in the 73rd minute. Neither side could find a winner across the remaining normal time or extra time, sending the tie to penalties. The shootout proved decisive in Jablonec's favour. Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur saved from Filip Zorvan to give the Scottish side a way back in, but Findlay Curtis fired over and James Penrice was denied by Jan Hanus, leaving Jan Chramosta to convert the decisive spot-kick and send Jablonec through 4-3 on penalties. The exit means Rangers will be without European group-stage football for the first time in almost a decade, having already been eliminated from Europa League qualifying by Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok earlier in the summer. It marks another setback for McInnes as his rebuild at Ibrox struggles to gain traction.
Chelsea Close In on Double Deal for Honest Ahanor and Emiliano Martinez
Chelsea are closing in on a double signing before the transfer window shuts, reaching verbal agreements for Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez . Chelsea have struck a deal with Atalanta worth around £40 million for the 18-year-old Ahanor, a versatile defender who can play centre-back or full-back. Personal terms are in place on a long-term contract, with the player given permission to travel for a medical. Chelsea are expected to decide on the best pathway for him, with a loan to another Premier League club considered a real possibility before he returns to Stamford Bridge. Martinez , meanwhile, has given the "green light" to a move after being offered to Chelsea following Aston Villa's signing of Zion Suzuki as their new number one. A club-to-club agreement worth £7.5 million for a permanent transfer has been reached, with the Argentina international expected to sign a two-year deal with the option of a third season. The 33-year-old would provide an immediate upgrade in goal as Chelsea look to move on from Robert Sanchez. Both deals are expected to be finalised before next week's transfer deadline, continuing an active summer at Stamford Bridge that has already brought in 11 signings under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Enzo Fernandez Left Out of Chelsea Squad as Manchester City Interest Intensifies
Enzo Fernandez was left out of Chelsea's Carabao Cup squad for Thursday's tie against Luton Town, adding fuel to Manchester City's long-running interest as the transfer deadline approaches. The decision came as a surprise after head coach Xabi Alonso had said a day earlier that he expected the Argentine to be involved. "We assessed situations, individual and collective, and we have decided he is not in the squad for today," Alonso told Sky Sports before kick-off. Fernandez had featured off the bench in Chelsea's Premier League opener at Fulham. City missed an informal deadline earlier this month to bid for the World Cup winner but are now expected to return with a formal offer before the window closes on September 1. Chelsea are holding out for a fee in the region of £120 million , which would make Fernandez City's record signing, surpassing the fee paid for Elliot Anderson this summer as part of a midfield rebuild that has already cost the club close to £200 million. Fernandez has six years left on his Chelsea contract but has been repeatedly linked with a move away, having previously admitted he would welcome living in Madrid. Chelsea are reportedly prepared to move for Bournemouth's Alex Scott as a replacement should the Argentine depart.
England Reduced to 248/9 on Rain-Hit Day 1 of Second Pakistan Test at Lord's
England were reduced to 248 for 9 on a rain-affected first day of the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's, with half-centuries from Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith rescuing the hosts after a shaky start. Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, with captain Babar Azam back in the side after being rested for the series opener. A deluge of rain postponed the start of play until early afternoon, and England's day got off to a torrid beginning once it did get underway, slipping to 36 for 3 inside the first 11 overs as Pakistan made full use of overcast conditions at Lord's. Mohammad Abbas was the chief destroyer with the new ball, finishing with 4 for 56 , while Mohammad Ali chipped in with 3 for 67 as England's top order, including captain Joe Root for just 4, struggled to find any rhythm. England hit back as conditions eased, with Jordan Cox making a fighting 55 and Jamie Smith playing his way back into form with a composed 61, the pair sharing a crucial partnership to drag the innings past 200. Smith, who had endured a lean run of scores recently, credited a recent stint playing Championship cricket for Surrey with helping him rediscover a different method at the crease. Despite the fightback, England lost regular wickets throughout the afternoon and finished the day nine down at the close, with Gus Atkinson unbeaten on 34 alongside Josh Tongue. Pakistan's fielding did let them down at times, with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and the slip cordon standing unusually deep and seeing a handful of chances go down short of the target. Even so, it was a much-improved performance from the tourists following their innings-and-103-run defeat at Headingley last week, and Pakistan will resume day two well placed to wrap up the England innings cheaply and build a first-innings advantage at the home of cricket.
Barcelona Beat Athletic Club 2-0 as Rodri Makes Long-Awaited Debut
Barcelona made it two wins from two at the start of their La Liga title defence, beating Athletic Club 2-0 at Camp Nou in their first home match of the season, with goals from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez either side of a much-anticipated debut off the bench for new signing Rodri . Barcelona dominated for long spells but were repeatedly denied by a superb performance from Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon , who made a string of important saves to keep the visitors in the contest. The breakthrough eventually came in the 37th minute, with Pedri splitting Athletic's defence with an outrageous through-ball to send Raphinha clear, and the Brazilian rounded Simon to finish confidently for his third goal in Barcelona's opening two league matches of the season. Chances continued to fall Barcelona's way after the break, with Lamine Yamal hitting the crossbar and Fermin twice denied by Simon, before the hosts finally wrapped up the win eight minutes from time. New signing Karim Adeyemi supplied a low cross from the left that caused chaos in the Athletic box, with Fermin pouncing to smash home the second and settle the contest. The result stretched Barcelona's home winning streak in La Liga to 20 matches , their longest such run since a 25-game streak between November 2012 and January 2014. The night's headline moment, however, arrived in the 63rd minute, when Rodri was introduced from the bench to make his long-awaited Barcelona debut following his move from Manchester City. The World Cup winner slotted into a deep-lying midfield role, showing neat distribution and a calming defensive presence that added stability as Barcelona saw out the win. With two wins from two and maximum points to open the campaign, Hansi Flick's side head into Monday's clash with Rayo Vallecano in ominous early-season form, with Rodri potentially in line for his first start.
Pratika Rawal Named India's Replacement for Injured Jemimah Rodrigues in Asia Cup Squad
The BCCI has confirmed Pratika Rawal as the replacement for the injured Jemimah Rodrigues in India's squad for the ACC Women's Asia Cup 2026, following the news that Rodrigues would miss the tournament with a high-grade right hamstring tear. Rodrigues sustained the injury on August 3 while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred in England, and a subsequent clinical assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru confirmed she would be sidelined for an extended period, ruling her out of both the Asia Cup and the Asian Games in Japan. Rawal now steps in for the continental event, earning her maiden T20I call-up after previously representing India only in ODIs and Tests, including as part of the side's triumphant 2025 Women's ODI World Cup campaign before an ankle injury forced her out ahead of the semi-final. Rawal was in the middle of a stint with Warwickshire Bears in the Women's One Day Cup in England when the call-up came through, and will now link up with the squad for the tournament in the UAE. Separately, wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini has been added to India's Asian Games squad as a replacement for Yastika Bhatia, continuing as backup gloveperson behind Richa Ghosh. India's Asia Cup squad continues to be led by Harmanpreet Kaur , with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The defending champions begin their campaign against Thailand on August 30, before facing Hong Kong on September 3 and old rivals Pakistan in the standout group fixture on September 5, with the tournament running in Dubai from August 28 through to the September 13 final.
Asian Games 2026 Set for September 19 Start in Nagoya, Japan
The 20th Asian Games get underway on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running through October 4 across 43 sports. It marks Japan's third time hosting the Games, following Tokyo 1958 and Hiroshima 1994. The Olympic Council of Asia's flagship multi-sport event brings together thousands of athletes from across the continent, competing for medals in disciplines ranging from Olympic staples like athletics, swimming and gymnastics to sports with deep roots in Asian sporting culture, including kabaddi, sepak takraw and wushu. Esports and breaking, which made their official medal debut at Hangzhou 2022, return again this edition. China arrives as the overwhelming favourite to top the medal table, having done so at every edition since 1982, a run of dominance that has held since Japan's own streak at the top ended that year. India , the inaugural hosts back in 1951, will be looking to build on a landmark showing at Hangzhou 2022, where they became just the fourth nation in Games history to cross 100 medals at a single edition. Cricket at these Games continues to be run through the sport's regular tournament pipeline rather than as standalone medal events, following the same setup used at recent editions. With the countdown now under three weeks, full sport-by-sport schedules and squad announcements are expected to firm up in the coming days as nations finalise their travelling contingents.
Emery Confirms Ollie Watkins' £51m Al-Hilal Move as Villa's Record PL Scorer Departs
Unai Emery has confirmed that Ollie Watkins is leaving Aston Villa for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a deal worth £51 million , ending a six-year spell that saw him become the club's all-time leading Premier League scorer. Watkins departs with 91 Premier League goals for Villa and 108 in all competitions across 278 appearances since his £28m move from Brentford in 2020. He is now expected to travel to Riyadh to complete a medical and sign terms in Saudi Arabia. Emery also addressed Watkins' apology for making himself unavailable for Villa's opening-day defeat to Brighton. "He told us after the Brighton match he was sorry and that he had made a mistake," Emery said. "He was wrong, but we accepted it. His commitment and his behaviour was fantastic. He's a fantastic guy, even more than a player." Villa have moved quickly to address the gap up front, with Nicolas Jackson's £65m arrival from Chelsea already finalised as Watkins' direct replacement. Emery framed the sale as part of a necessary squad rebuild after a summer that has also seen Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne depart Villa Park. "We took decisions because it's good for the club," he said. "We have to rebuild the team as fast as possible."
Barcelona Officially Sign Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic From Fenerbahce
Barcelona have officially confirmed the signing of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic from Fenerbahce, adding a proven international presence to Hansi Flick's goalkeeping options. The 31-year-old has signed a four-year contract running until June 2030 . Barcelona are paying an initial fee of €2 million , with a further €2 million available in add-ons. Livakovic passed his medical and completed the formalities in Barcelona earlier this week before the club made the move official. Livakovic is expected to serve as backup to first-choice keeper Joan Garcia , with veteran Wojciech Szczesny also in the squad following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's loan move to Ajax earlier this summer. His exact role for the season, including whether he stays at Camp Nou or heads out on loan, is still being worked out. The Croatia international impressed at this year's World Cup and returns to La Liga for a second spell, having previously spent time on loan at Girona. He becomes Barcelona's sixth signing of a busy summer window, following the arrivals of Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri and Joao Cancelo among others, with the club still weighing a further move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez before the window shuts.
Champions League 2026/27 League-Phase Draw: Arsenal Get Real Madrid and Bayern, Man City Draw PSG
The 2026/27 Champions League league-phase draw took place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday, throwing up a set of blockbuster fixtures for England's five representatives. Arsenal face two of the tournament's traditional heavyweights, drawn against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich among their eight opponents. Manchester City also get a glamour tie, paired with holders Paris Saint-Germain . Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool make up the rest of England's contingent in the 36-team field, with Celtic missing out this year after a play-off exit to LASK. Under the format introduced two seasons ago, each of the 36 clubs plays eight different opponents across a single league table, two from each of four seeding pots, rather than the old group-stage format. Every club plays four matches at home and four away. The league phase runs across eight matchdays, kicking off with matchday one on 8-10 September 2026 and concluding in late January 2027, before the top eight advance directly to the round of 16 and the rest head into a knockout play-off round. With the pots finalised only after this week's play-off round, the draw brought together the last of the 36 qualifiers, including newcomers LASK and Sabah , who reached the league phase for the first time following dramatic play-off wins over Celtic and Hapoel Be'er Sheva respectively.
Manav Suthar's 16 wickets, Dhruv Jurel's maiden ton headline India's series depth in Sri Lanka
Devdutt Padikkal's Player of the Series award grabbed the headlines, but India's 1-0 win in Sri Lanka was built on contributions across the squad. Manav Suthar was the standout with the ball, finishing the two-Test series with 16 wickets . He picked up a maiden Test 10-wicket haul in the series opener, running through Sri Lanka's second innings, and followed it up with 6 more wickets in the drawn 2nd Test. Dhruv Jurel also had a series to remember with the bat. After starting with useful contributions in the 1st Test, he made his first Test century in the 2nd Test, an unbeaten 115 that helped push India past 500 and set up the eventual declaration. His overall tally read 173 runs from three innings. Rishabh Pant showed his usual fight despite carrying a wrist injury picked up on Day 1 of the 2nd Test. He continued to bat through the pain and still finished with 168 runs across the series, including a fighting 66 in the series opener. Between Suthar's wickets, Jurel's maiden hundred and Pant's resilience, India's squad depth was a big factor behind Padikkal's headline series and the eventual 1-0 series win.
Sonal Dinusha's twin centuries help Sri Lanka save 2nd Test, India take series 1-0
Sri Lanka batted out the final day in Colombo to draw the 2nd Test against India, thanks to a remarkable match from Sonal Dinusha . Following on after India declared at 503/9 , Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290 in their first innings before Dinusha led the fightback in the second, finishing unbeaten on 133 as Sri Lanka reached 429/9 before declaring themselves. It capped a stunning individual effort. Dinusha had also top-scored with 103 in the first innings, giving him twin centuries in the same Test, and he was named Player of the Match for the knocks. Pasindu Sooriyabandara made 92 and Kamindu Mendis 55 in support, while for India, Manav Suthar (3 wickets) and Ravindra Jadeja (3 wickets) shared the bulk of the bowling workload across the marathon innings. Asitha Fernando held firm at the other end to see Sri Lanka through to safety. With the match drawn, India win the two-match series 1-0 , having taken the series opener by 165 runs. Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Series after a prolific run with the bat, finishing with 328 runs at an average of 109.33, including twin centuries of his own across the two Tests.
Women's Asia Cup 2026 Preview: Tournament Begins August 28 in Dubai
The Women's Asia Cup 2026 gets underway on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with the tournament opener between Thailand and Hong Kong, China kicking off three weeks of T20 cricket across the region's leading women's sides. Eight teams have been split into two groups for the tournament, with Group A featuring holders India , Pakistan , Thailand and Hong Kong, China , while Group B brings together Sri Lanka , Bangladesh , the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia . India enter as defending champions, having lifted the trophy at the previous edition, and open their campaign against Thailand on August 30, before a high-profile group clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on September 5. The tournament runs entirely on the group-stage format through to September 8, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the knockout stage. Semi-Final 1 is scheduled for September 10, followed by Semi-Final 2 on September 11, before the tournament concludes with the final on September 13 , all matches to be played at the same Dubai venue. With all 15 matches, including the final, being played at a single venue, conditions and dew factor are likely to play a significant role as the tournament progresses into its business end, particularly for teams chasing under lights. As always with the Asia Cup, the India-Pakistan fixture on September 5 is likely to be one of the standout draws of the group stage, though with two semi-final spots up for grabs in each group, plenty of other sides will have genuine chances of a deep run in this year's edition.
Savio Scores on Tottenham Debut as Spurs Thrash Charlton 5-1 in Carabao Cup
Tottenham booked their place in the Carabao Cup third round with a comfortable 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic , with new signing Savio scoring on his debut after coming off the bench in a much-needed feel-good night for Roberto De Zerbi's side. Spurs, still smarting from Saturday's 3-0 opening-day defeat at Brentford, took control before the break through Mikey Moore , who cut inside and crashed a left-footed strike through the hands of goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks in the 41st minute. Dominic Solanke doubled the lead three minutes later, rifling home after Charlton failed to deal with a corner, sending the sides in 2-0 up at half-time. Charlton's afternoon had already been disrupted by injury before then, with defender Collins Sichenje stretchered off with a potentially serious knee issue and Billy Koumetio also forced off inside the first 15 minutes. Tottenham eased through the second half, with substitute Kevin Danso heading home his first touch off the bench to make it 3-0. Spurs then completed the club's £85 million signing of Savio from Manchester City on transfer deadline day, and the Brazilian winger marked his introduction in style, coming on in the 71st minute and getting off the mark for his new club with a fizzing low finish into the bottom corner in the 82nd minute. Three minutes later, another Savio effort deflected in off Ben Davies to make it five, before Lloyd Jones grabbed a late consolation for Charlton in the 87th minute. The result gives De Zerbi his first win in charge of Tottenham and offers an immediate reason for optimism around Savio, whose lengthy pursuit finally came to fruition on deadline day. With no European football to distract from this season, a strong run in this competition would be a welcome boost for a Spurs side eager to put their difficult start to the Premier League campaign behind them.
Bradford City Stun Burnley on Penalties in Carabao Cup Upset
Bradford City pulled off one of the night's biggest Carabao Cup upsets, eliminating Championship side Burnley on penalties after a goalless draw at Valley Parade, continuing the League One side's impressive unbeaten start to the season. Burnley, who made nine changes from their weekend defeat at West Brom, started the brighter of the two sides, forcing an early save from Bradford goalkeeper Jon McCracken , who tipped over a well-struck effort before denying another shot from 25 yards. Bradford, who had not conceded a goal in their first three games of the season, defended solidly throughout, with defender Reece Welch making a crucial block to deny Zeki Amdouni from close range. Both sides created half-chances as the game wore on, but neither could find a breakthrough across the 90 minutes. The tie went to penalties, where Bradford held their nerve. Amdouni struck the post with Burnley's first spot-kick, and McCracken then saved from Jacob Bruun Larsen, as Bradford converted their remaining kicks to seal a 4-2 shootout win and book their place in the third round. The result compounds an uncomfortable start to the season for Burnley under head coach Nicky Hayen, who guided the club back to the Championship after relegation from the Premier League last season. It marks the second successive round the Clarets have needed penalties just to stay level, having also required a shootout to see off fellow League One side Notts County in the previous round, before falling this time to Bradford's resilience on home turf.
Thierno Barry's First Everton Hat-Trick Sends Toffees Past Preston 4-0
Everton cruised into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale, with striker Thierno Barry scoring his first hat-trick for the club and adding an assist for good measure. Barry, who opened his account for the season in Saturday's Premier League win over Crystal Palace, wasted no time adding to his tally, opening the scoring before doubling Everton's lead in the first half. He completed his hat-trick after the break, capping a man-of-the-match display with eight goals in 41 games during the 2025/26 season already halfway matched in just his first few matches of the new campaign. The French forward's afternoon wasn't done there, as he turned provider for a fourth goal, teeing up new signing Brennan Johnson to net his first goal in 35 games, a welcome return to form for the Wales international. Preston, who have lost their opening two Championship fixtures this season, offered little going forward beyond a smart overhead kick from substitute Callum Lang that was well saved by Jordan Pickford, with Everton dominant and in control throughout. The win extends what looks to be a breakthrough run of form for Barry, who had endured a difficult adjustment period to English football since his big-money move from Villarreal. Manager David Moyes, back at the club where he made his name as both player and manager, will take real encouragement from the growing understanding between Barry and his new teammates. Everton, who have not progressed beyond the third round of the Carabao Cup since 2023/24, have been drawn to face Wolves in the next round as they look to build on a promising start to the season.
Newcastle Complete £52m Signing of Nico Gonzalez From Manchester City
Newcastle United have officially completed the signing of Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City on a long-term deal, in a package reported to be worth up to £52 million . The 24-year-old, a product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, will wear the number six shirt at St James' Park and becomes the seventh senior addition to Newcastle's squad this summer. Newcastle are paying an initial £48 million, with a further £4 million in potential add-ons, for a player City themselves signed from Porto for a similar fee back in January 2025. Gonzalez's time at City lasted 18 months and yielded 59 appearances and 4 goals, but his path to regular football became increasingly difficult following the arrivals of Elliot Anderson for a club-record £116 million and, separately, City's continued pursuit of further midfield reinforcements. He was an unused substitute in City's Premier League win over Bournemouth and played just 11 minutes in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, form that ultimately convinced him his future lay elsewhere. For Newcastle, the signing addresses a pressing need in midfield following the high-profile departures of club captain Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon over the summer. Head coach Matthias Jaissle described Gonzalez as a proven winner who is still young and hungry to develop further, while sporting director Ross Wilson said the club had worked patiently on the transfer for several weeks, calling it the one they wanted. "I love the black and white shirt already and I can't wait to start wearing it on the pitch for this club," Gonzalez said following the move, adding that he had already experienced the intensity of playing at St James' Park as an opponent and was excited to do so as a home player.
Mbappe's Hat-Trick Powers Real Madrid Past Real Sociedad on Mourinho's Bernabeu Return
Kylian Mbappe struck a brilliant hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, marking Jose Mourinho's first home match in charge of the club since his previous spell as manager more than 13 years ago. Mbappe opened the scoring in the 40th minute, latching onto a fine defence-splitting pass from Federico Valverde and firing into the top corner. Real Sociedad hit back almost immediately, with Luka Sucic capitalising on a goalmouth scramble to level the score four minutes later, sending the sides in level at half-time despite a tense opening period for the hosts. The second half belonged entirely to Madrid. Mbappe restored the lead in the 60th minute, combining with Jude Bellingham for a slick one-two before finishing low past Alex Remiro. Bellingham then turned provider eight minutes later, his pressing winning back possession before setting up Vinicius Junior to make it 3-1. Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, latching onto another delightful pass from Vinicius to seal a dominant win and cap the perfect night for Madrid's front three. The victory made it two wins from two for Mourinho's Madrid, following their late 2-1 win at Espanyol in his first match back in charge last Saturday. Before kickoff, Spain World Cup winner Marc Cucurella, now a Real Madrid player following his summer move from Chelsea after helping Spain lift the trophy, presented the World Cup to the Bernabeu crowd, adding to the occasion of Mourinho's emotional homecoming. With Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham all firing in the same match, Mourinho's men have sent an early warning to the rest of La Liga, including rivals Barcelona, who themselves made a strong start to the season with a 5-0 win over Elche. The result suggests Mourinho may already be finding a way to get his three biggest attacking talents firing together, something he had flagged as tricky but not impossible before the match.
Dean Elgar to Retire From Professional Cricket at End of 2026 Season
Dean Elgar has announced his retirement from all professional cricket at the end of the ongoing 2026 season, bringing the curtain down on a decorated 21-year career in the professional game. The former South Africa Test captain, now 39, had already retired from international cricket back in January 2024, walking away after his 86th and final Test appearance against India at Newlands in Cape Town. Across his international career, Elgar amassed 5,347 runs for South Africa at an average of 37.92, including 14 centuries and a best score of 199 against Bangladesh in 2017. He also captained the Proteas in 18 of those Tests. Since then, Elgar has continued playing county cricket for Essex, where he arrived in 2023 to fill the void left by Sir Alastair Cook's retirement. He has been the club's leading run-scorer on multiple occasions and remained a senior, experienced presence in the dressing room, helping develop the county's younger players alongside his own on-field contributions. Reflecting on his career, Elgar cited family priorities as the main reason behind his decision, saying it was time to be present at home for his partner and children after years spent on the road. He also looked back fondly on captaining South Africa, singling out a series win over England at Lord's as one of the proudest moments of his career. Essex director of cricket Chris Silverwood praised Elgar's longevity and resilience, calling him an extremely important figure for the club during his time at Chelmsford. Elgar said he hopes to take a sabbatical from the game once his playing days are done, before deciding what comes next in his post-retirement chapter.
Mitchell Starc Overtakes Jasprit Bumrah to Become No. 1 Test Bowler
Mitchell Starc has moved to No. 1 in the ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings, leapfrogging Jasprit Bumrah for the first time in a while after a sensational run of form that has included back-to-back match-winning performances against Bangladesh. Starc now sits on 872 rating points , edging ahead of Bumrah, who slips to second on 862 having held top spot for an extended period. The Australian left-armer's rise has been fuelled by a stunning start to the home summer, highlighted by his 6 for 12 and 4 for 39 in the second Test against Bangladesh at Mackay, a match haul of 10 for 51 that also brought up his 600th international wicket milestone and saw him named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Matt Henry of New Zealand rounds out the top three on 861, just a single point further back, keeping the top of the bowling charts extremely tight. Pat Cummins has also risen to fourth on 841, continuing a strong period for Australia's pace attack collectively, while Marco Jansen of South Africa completes the top five on 825. Further down the list, Kagiso Rabada has climbed to sixth, and Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has moved up to 10th on 731 points, having also recently reached the milestone of 600 international wickets in the same Mackay Test. England's Ollie Robinson continues his rise too, up to 11th following his Player of the Match display against Pakistan at Headingley. With Bumrah having played a reduced schedule through careful workload management, and Starc in the form of his career, the battle for the top Test bowling spot looks set to remain a closely fought contest between the two spearheads over the coming months.
Rain Halts Play as Sri Lanka Lead India by 16 Runs at Day 4 Stumps in Colombo
Rain cut short play on day four of the second Test in Colombo, with Sri Lanka closing on 229 for 6 in their follow-on innings, leading India by just 16 runs as the match heads into a rain-threatened final day with all three results still possible. Following on 213 runs behind, Sri Lanka showed far greater resilience second time round. Pasindu Sooriyabandara continued his fine series with a battling 92 off 173 balls, sharing a crucial 115-run stand with Kamindu Mendis , who made a breezy 55 including three sixes. The pair looked to be steering Sri Lanka towards a healthy lead before Mendis fell attempting an aggressive shot, with captain Shubman Gill completing an excellent running catch near square leg, a wicket that swung momentum firmly back India's way. From there, India clawed their way back into the contest, picking up three wickets in the final session to keep Sri Lanka's lead in check. Manav Suthar (2/81) accounted for both Sooriyabandara and Dhananjaya de Silva, while Saransh Jain added the wicket of Niroshan Dickwella, lbw for just 6, leaving the hosts six down at the close. Sonal Dinusha remained unbeaten on 7, with Keshara Nuwantha keeping him company on 3 as bad light and then heavier rain forced an early end to proceedings, with play called off at 16:50 local time. India will resume the final morning needing just four more wickets to wrap up the match, with the second new ball due inside the first eight overs of day five. Rain is forecast to be a factor again on the final day, but there should still be sufficient playing time for a result if the weather cooperates. Having already sealed a 165-run win in the series opener at Galle, India remain firm favourites to close out both the Test and a 2-0 series sweep, though Sri Lanka's second-innings fight offers some hope of salvaging a draw.
Manchester City Complete Record £86m Signing of Teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi
Manchester City have completed the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal worth £86 million , making the Morocco international the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history. City are paying a fixed fee of £81.3 million plus a further £4.3 million in potential add-ons for the highly-rated midfielder, who has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2031. The move surpasses the £58.9 million Manchester United paid Lille for Leny Yoro in 2024, underlining just how highly Bouaddi is regarded across Europe. Bouaddi made his Lille debut in October 2023, just three days after turning 16, and went on to make 88 appearances for the French club, helping them finish third in Ligue 1 last season. He further enhanced his reputation with a standout showing for Morocco at this year's World Cup, drawing particular praise for his performance against Brazil in the group stage. The teenager arrives at City as a direct response to Rodri's departure to Barcelona, with head coach Enzo Maresca overseeing a significant rebuild of his midfield options this summer, which has already included the club-record £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. "Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world," Bouaddi said following his move. "I grew up with Manchester City under Guardiola, and what he did was just amazing. I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be, and I know I still have plenty of improving to do. This club demands trophies, and I will give everything to make sure we are challenging for every title." Despite the marquee arrival, City remain in the market for further midfield reinforcement, with reports continuing to link the club with a move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez before the transfer window closes. For now, though, the capture of one of European football's most exciting young talents gives Maresca a genuine statement signing to build his new-look midfield around.
India Enforce Follow-On After Bowling Sri Lanka Out for 290 in Colombo
India enforced the follow-on against Sri Lanka on day four of the second Test in Colombo, after bowling the hosts out for 290 in reply to their mammoth first-innings total of 503 for 9 declared, a lead of 213 runs. Sri Lanka's innings was built around a defiant knock from Sonal Dinusha , who continued his remarkable run against India with a century, 103 off 162 balls , striking eight fours and three sixes to drag the hosts past the 200-run mark almost single-handedly. Pasindu Sooriyabandara also chipped in with a fighting 80, and the pair shared a 34-run stand for the sixth wicket, but Sri Lanka lost regular wickets around them, with the tail offering little resistance once Dinusha eventually fell to Saransh Jain, caught by KL Rahul. India's bowling was shared around effectively, with Prasidh Krishna (3/52), Manav Suthar (3/85) and Saransh Jain (2/69) doing the bulk of the damage, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with a wicket apiece. With a lead well in excess of 200, captain Shubman Gill had little hesitation in sending Sri Lanka back out to bat again rather than enforce a batting effort of his own. Sri Lanka got off to a solid enough start second time round, reaching 4 without loss after three overs at the fall of play, with Kamil Mishara and Lahiru Udara at the crease. Having already gone 1-0 up in the series with a 165-run win in Galle, India are firmly in control of this Test too, with Sri Lanka needing something special across the remainder of the match to save the game and keep the series alive.
Leeds Beat Forest Again in Carabao Cup, Brentford Thrash Birmingham 6-1
Leeds United beat Nottingham Forest for the second time in four days, winning 2-0 in the Carabao Cup second round at the City Ground, while Brentford produced the night's standout scoreline with a 6-1 demolition of Championship side Birmingham City . Leeds followed up Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win at the same venue with another victory over Oliver Glasner's Forest, with Dan James breaking the deadlock in the 50th minute before a Neco Williams own goal sealed the tie. It continued a remarkable turnaround for Daniel Farke's side at the City Ground, a venue where Leeds had not won at all since 1972 before this week, and made Forest the only Premier League club eliminated on the night, with Glasner's tricky start in interim charge showing little sign of improving domestically. Brentford , fresh off their own eye-catching 3-0 win over big-spending Tottenham at the weekend, were similarly ruthless at St Andrew's. Callum Wilson opened the scoring just six minutes into his full debut for the club, and although Birmingham hit back through Demarai Gray to briefly level things, Brentford took total control before half-time through quickfire goals from Aaron Hickey and captain Nathan Collins . Mikkel Damsgaard added a fourth, before Collins completed his brace and Igor Thiago rounded off the rout to make it 6-1. Elsewhere on a busy night of Carabao Cup action, newly-promoted Hull City followed up their shock weekend win over Manchester United by edging past Stoke City 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while League One side Peterborough pulled off the upset of the round, thrashing Championship outfit Watford 5-1 away at Vicarage Road. With the second round now largely complete, attention turns to the third-round draw as the competition heads towards its business end later in the season.
LASK Complete Stunning 5-4 Comeback Over Celtic as Sabah and Bodo/Glimt Also Qualify
The Champions League play-off second legs delivered one of the great European comeback nights, with LASK staging a stunning turnaround against Celtic , while Sabah and Bodo/Glimt both booked their places in the league phase for the first time and second time running respectively. The night's headline story came from Linz, where LASK beat Celtic 5-1 after extra time to complete an extraordinary 5-4 aggregate win, having trailed 3-0 from the first leg. Celtic looked to have the tie wrapped up when Callum McGregor's deflected effort extended their aggregate lead to four goals early on, but LASK responded with a three-goal salvo through Moses Usor, Robert Ljubicic and Samuel Adeniran to level the tie on the night, before a stoppage-time header from substitute Florian Flecker forced extra time. Adeniran struck again in the second period of extra time to complete the turnaround, sending Celtic crashing out of the competition and into the Europa League instead, in one of the most dramatic collapses in the Scottish club's European history. Sabah also required extra time to get the job done, beating Hapoel Be'er Sheva 5-2 to seal a 6-4 aggregate win and reach the Champions League league phase for the very first time in the Azerbaijani club's history. In Norway, Bodo/Glimt made home advantage count in more routine fashion, beating a 10-man NEC Nijmegen 3-0 through goals from Fredrik Andre Bjorkan, Sondre Auklend and a Deveron Fonville own goal, sealing a 6-1 aggregate triumph to reach the league phase for a second consecutive season. With three of the seven play-off ties now decided, the remaining four second legs take place on August 26 , before the Champions League league-phase draw is held on August 27 once all the qualifiers are confirmed. LASK, Sabah and Bodo/Glimt now await to discover their opponents in a revamped format that promises a fascinating group of newcomers alongside Europe's traditional heavyweights this season.
Sonal Dinusha Becomes Second Sri Lankan to Score 50-Plus in First Three Test Innings vs India
Sonal Dinusha continued his remarkable start to Test cricket against India, following up an unbeaten 84 in the second Test at Colombo with a fighting unbeaten 85 as Sri Lanka fought to save the follow-on. The knock made him just the second Sri Lankan batter in history , after Duleep Mendis , to record a fifty-plus score in each of his first three Test innings against India. Dinusha's series against India has been a story of consistent defiance in a tour otherwise dominated by the visitors. He began with a maiden Test century, 100 off 168 balls, in the first innings at Galle, followed that with 84 in the second innings of the same match, and has now added an unbeaten 85 in Colombo, walking in with Sri Lanka reeling at 137 for 5 against India's mammoth first-innings total of 503 for 9 declared. The left-hander showed patience and composure throughout his latest innings, using the sweep effectively against India's spinners while finding support from the tail. He shared a 57-run eighth-wicket stand with Keshara Nuwantha before adding a further 35 with Lahiru Kumara, ultimately helping Sri Lanka reach 265 for 8 at the close of day three, still 238 runs behind, before rain and fading light forced an early end to play. India's bowlers, led by Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar with three wickets apiece, continued to squeeze the innings throughout the day, but found Dinusha impossible to shift. With Sri Lanka needing to bat out the remainder of the match to avoid the follow-on and salvage something from the Test, the young all-rounder's growing reputation as India's chief tormentor on this tour continues to build.
Frattesi's Early Strike Gives Gattuso Winning Lazio Debut Against Bologna
Lazio made a winning start to the Gennaro Gattuso era, edging out Bologna 1-0 away at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara thanks to an early strike from summer signing Davide Frattesi , handing the new head coach his first competitive victory in charge. It took just four minutes for the breakthrough, as Boulaye Dia sent Frattesi through with a clever flick around the corner, and the Italy international made no mistake, finishing first-time past Lukasz Skorupski for his maiden goal in Lazio colours. It proved to be the only real moment of quality in an otherwise scrappy, tightly-contested affair at the Dall'Ara. Bologna, under new head coach Domenico Tedesco, had the ball in the net through Boulaye Dia's opposite number on the night, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside, and pushed hard for an equaliser throughout the second half. Roberto Piccoli, handed his first league start up front, went close on more than one occasion, while a well-worked move late on saw Dovbyk turn goalward off a deflection, only for goalkeeper Christos Mandas to produce a superb save with his legs to preserve the clean sheet and see out the win. The result erases the disappointment of Lazio's shock Coppa Italia exit at the hands of second-tier side Mantova last weekend, and gives Gattuso the perfect platform to build on as he begins life in Rome. For Bologna, the defeat means Tedesco is still searching for his first win in charge, with the club having now won just one of their last ten Serie A opening-round fixtures, and attention turning to a tricky away trip to Atalanta next.
Malen Hat-Trick, All Set Up by Dybala, Sends Roma Top With 4-0 Win Over Fiorentina
Roma opened their Serie A campaign in ruthless fashion, thrashing Fiorentina 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico as Donyell Malen struck a hat-trick with every goal set up by Paulo Dybala , sending Gian Piero Gasperini's side top of the early standings. Roma broke the deadlock after 27 minutes when Dybala drove into the box and squared for Malen, who beat Dodo before squeezing a finish into the bottom corner. The Dutch forward doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half, again teed up by Dybala, before completing his hat-trick on the hour mark when Dybala burst into the box down the right and laid the ball on a plate. Substitute Niccolo Pisilli added a fourth late on, converting after a fortunate ricochet off Rolando Mandragora to round off a one-sided contest. It was the first hat-trick of assists for a single teammate in Serie A since Emanuel Vignato did so for Rodrigo Palacio in May 2021, fittingly also against Fiorentina. The performance underlined Roma's dominance throughout, with the hosts finishing with 61% possession, 17 shots to Fiorentina's nine, and 39 touches in the box compared to just four for the visitors. It capped a difficult opening-day experience for new Fiorentina head coach Fabio Grosso, who endured a tough Serie A managerial debut having replaced Paolo Vanoli over the summer, with the Viola offering little going forward beyond isolated moments from loanee Franco Mastantuono. The result extends Roma's fine recent form, with the club now unbeaten in their last six Serie A matches, scoring at least two goals in each and keeping five clean sheets over that stretch. Off the pitch, the club were also busy finalising a loan deal for Fenerbahce's Jayden Oosterwolde, continuing an active summer as Gasperini looks to build on last season's return to Champions League football.
Naveen-ul-Haq Returns to Afghanistan Squad for India T20I Series, Zadran Named Captain
Naveen-ul-Haq has returned to Afghanistan's T20I squad for the first time in almost two years, named in the 15-member group for the upcoming three-match series against India, which will mark Ibrahim Zadran's first assignment as the side's full-time T20I captain. The fast bowler last turned out for Afghanistan in December 2024, having missed the T20I series against West Indies and this year's T20 World Cup due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder. His return, after more than eight months on the sidelines, adds an important boost to Afghanistan's pace attack alongside Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi also returns to the group, having sat out Afghanistan's recent ODI series against Ireland due to CPL commitments, while uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman earns a maiden call-up. Rashid Khan , who led the side through the T20 World Cup earlier this year, hands over the captaincy to Zadran but remains part of the squad as a frontline spinner, joined by Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to round out a strong spin-bowling department. The three-match series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17 , marking the first time Afghanistan will host India on Indian soil, continuing the arrangement that sees Afghanistan's "home" fixtures played in India or the UAE. It will be Afghanistan's first T20I series since their group-stage exit at this year's T20 World Cup. Afghanistan squad: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Naveen-ul-Haq.
Zimbabwe Name Squad for T20I Tri-Series Against South Africa and Namibia
Zimbabwe have named a 15-member squad for the T20I tri-series against hosts Namibia and South Africa , to be played in Windhoek from August 28 to September 6, with Sikandar Raza continuing as captain. The headline inclusion is veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer , who returns to the setup after recovering from a left-arm injury that had ruled him out of Zimbabwe's recent home series against Bangladesh and India. Uncapped pacer Kundai Matigimu , who has one Test appearance to his name, has also been included in the squad. Veteran batter Brendan Taylor misses out, with his last T20I appearance for Zimbabwe having come against Oman at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Zimbabwe will, however, be without two key fast-bowling options. Richard Ngarava , the side's Test and ODI captain, continues his recovery from a lower-back injury, while Tanaka Chivanga remains out after undergoing surgery for an Achilles tendon injury sustained during a practice session. Zimbabwe open their campaign on August 28 against South Africa , before facing hosts Namibia on August 31. The tournament follows a double round-robin format, with each side facing the others twice before the top two teams meet in the final on September 6. South Africa have named a second-string squad for the tournament, led by Bjorn Fortuin, while Namibia will be captained by Gerhard Erasmus. Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga.
Brydon Carse Withdrawn From England Squad as Cricket Regulator Investigates Derby Incident
Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's after being involved in an incident outside a nightclub in Derby, with the independent Cricket Regulator now investigating the matter. Footage emerged of Carse being led away by police in handcuffs on Saturday night, after Durham's players had gone out to celebrate their County Championship win over Derbyshire. A statement from Derbyshire Police confirmed a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Derby city centre, before being de-arrested shortly afterwards having agreed to leave the area. The ECB confirmed the incident had been referred to the Cricket Regulator, an independent body that now oversees discipline in English cricket. In a statement, the board said Carse would "no longer be available for selection for the Second Men's Rothesay Test Match while this investigation is ongoing and the full facts are obtained," with Hampshire seamer Sonny Baker called up as his direct replacement. Baker, who made his solitary Test appearance to date against New Zealand at The Oval in June, joins the squad as bowling cover for the pivotal clash starting Thursday. The timing is awkward for England, coming just under two weeks after new captain Joe Root confirmed the team's midnight curfew, introduced following a string of drink-related incidents on the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia, had been relaxed. Carse, who made his Test debut in late 2024 after serving a ban for historic betting offences, did not feature in England's dominant innings-and-103-run win over Pakistan in the series-opening Test at Headingley, having been released to play for Durham in the interim.
Chelsea Beat Fulham 3-2 to Give Xabi Alonso a Winning Premier League Debut
Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a thrilling 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night, with Joao Pedro , Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all on the scoresheet in a west London derby that lived up to its billing. Pedro set the tone inside the first minute, latching onto a clever flicked pass from Palmer and lifting a fine finish over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno after just 31 seconds. Fulham hit back through Josh King , whose effort squirmed through goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, before club-record signing Morgan Rogers restored Chelsea's lead on his debut just before half-time, sweeping home a low cross from fellow debutant Maxence Lacroix. Palmer added a third early in the second half, finishing off a slick move involving Rogers and Pedro, only for Fulham to pull one back almost immediately through Gonzalo Garcia, who headed home after Sanchez could only parry a low Timothy Castagne strike. Chelsea held on through a nervy finish to seal the win, giving Xabi Alonso a perfect start to life as Chelsea head coach in what was also a reunion of sorts, with Alonso outdoing former Real Madrid teammate and now Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa on the touchline. Rogers, who arrived from Aston Villa this summer to become the most expensive British player in history, impressed alongside close friend Palmer, who looked determined to bounce back from a difficult previous campaign that saw him miss out on England's World Cup squad. Alonso did have to make do without a couple of key names for the trip to Craven Cottage, with Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo both missing out through minor fitness setbacks. Despite their absence, Chelsea's front three took the headlines on a dramatic opening night, giving the new head coach reason for optimism as he looks to lead the club back into contention following a difficult 10th-place finish last season.
India Declare on 503/9 as Dhruv Jurel Hits Unbeaten Century in Colombo
India declared their first innings on 503 for 9 late on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, with Dhruv Jurel 's unbeaten 115 anchoring a mammoth total that leaves the hosts facing a daunting deficit of 503 runs. India resumed the morning session with Devdutt Padikkal's overnight century behind them, and continued to pile on the runs through the middle order. Rishabh Pant made a fighting 63 on his return from a wrist injury, adding 112 for the sixth wicket with Jurel in a stand that formed the backbone of the innings. Jurel, promoted to bat as a specialist at No. 6, made the most of his opportunity, reaching his second Test century and going unbeaten on 115 off 177 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes along the way. The lower order chipped in too, with debutant Saransh Jain making a quickfire 6 and Manav Suthar adding a useful 18, before India called a halt to their innings with the score on 503 for 9 in 138 overs. Asitha Fernando was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with 4 for 106, while Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha shared two wickets apiece, with Sri Lanka's spin duo left underwhelmed by their overall returns on a good batting surface. With rain briefly interrupting play, Sri Lanka were left with just a few overs to survive before the close, sending out a new-look opening pair of debutant Kamil Mishara and Lahiru Udara to face Mohammed Siraj's opening burst. India, 1-0 up in the series after their win in Galle, will feel they have more than enough runs on the board to push for a series-clinching result, with the game now firmly in their control heading into day three.
Shoriful Islam's 7/48 Makes Him First Visiting Bowler in 33 Years With a Seven-For in Australia
Shoriful Islam produced a career-defining spell on day two of the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Mackay, taking career-best figures of 7 for 48 to become the first visiting bowler in 33 years to claim a seven-wicket haul in a Test on Australian soil. The left-arm pacer's effort helped bowl Australia out for 210 on day two, after the hosts had earlier skittled Bangladesh for just 64. Shoriful repeatedly found ways to break through Australia's middle order after the hosts had briefly threatened to pull away from 41 for 3, extracting movement and attacking the stumps throughout a relentless spell of 15 overs. It also produced what many observers called the ball of the series, a delivery that castled Cameron Green. The 7 for 48 places Shoriful alongside West Indies great Curtly Ambrose , who was the last visiting bowler to take seven wickets in a Test in Australia, with figures of 7 for 25 against Australia at the WACA in Perth back in 1993. It's also the first seven-wicket haul by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia in Test cricket, and the best figures by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test, surpassing Taijul Islam's 7 for 138 against Zimbabwe earlier this year. It even beats the previous benchmark set by his own teammate just one match earlier, with Hasan Mahmud's 6 for 55 in the Darwin Test having briefly held the record for best figures by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia before Shoriful bettered it in Mackay. Despite his heroics, Bangladesh's overall position in the match remained precarious given their first-innings collapse, with the tourists still trailing by over 100 runs after Australia's reply. Shoriful's spell nonetheless stands as one of the standout individual performances of the series, a rare bright spot with the ball for Bangladesh in a Test that has otherwise been dominated by Mitchell Starc at the other end.
ICC Sanctions Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando Over On-Field Altercation
India's Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando have both been sanctioned by the ICC following an on-field altercation on day one of the second Test in Colombo, with each player fined 25 percent of their match fee and handed a demerit point. The incident occurred in the 17th over of India's innings, moments after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45. As Jaiswal walked back towards the pavilion, he appeared to change direction and approached Fernando, who was in the middle of Sri Lanka's celebratory huddle. Words were exchanged between the two, and Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal, prompting Jaiswal to lean in as well, resulting in the two players making contact. Both players were found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC's Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel . In simple terms, this article covers inappropriate physical contact with another player, official, or any other person during an international match, essentially barring behaviour like pushing, shoving, or headbutting in the heat of the moment, even when it falls short of anything more serious. It's classified as a Level 1 offence, which carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points. Both players admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, meaning no formal hearing was required. Neither Jaiswal nor Fernando had committed a similar offence in the 24 months prior, so the punishment was applied at the lower end of the scale. India go into the match 1-0 up in the two-Test series following their win in Galle, with the Colombo Test continuing at pace despite the day-one flashpoint, which briefly overshadowed what had otherwise been a dominant batting display from the tourists.
Rishabh Pant Overtakes Dhoni as India's Leading Wicketkeeper Run-Scorer Away From Home
Rishabh Pant made a stirring return from injury on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, scoring a fluent 63 off 89 balls to go past MS Dhoni's tally and become India's leading run-scorer among wicketkeepers in away and neutral Tests. Pant had retired hurt on the first day after being struck on the wrist by a Lahiru Kumara bouncer, having managed just 3 off 15 balls at the time. He returned to the crease after debutant Saransh Jain was dismissed early on day two, and picked up right where he left off, striking two sixes and six fours before eventually falling caught at long-off off Keshara Nuwantha, having added 112 with Dhruv Jurel in a stand that formed the backbone of India's morning session. The knock, his 21st Test half-century and a second successive one after his fifty in the second innings at Galle, took him to 2,534 runs as a wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests , moving him past Dhoni's tally of 2,496 and also past former South Africa gloveman Mark Boucher's 2,514. Farokh Engineer (1,209) and Syed Kirmani (1,109) round out the top Indian names on the list, both well over 1,300 runs behind Pant's new benchmark. Among all wicketkeepers globally in this category, Pant now sits third, behind former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (2,696) and Australia great Adam Gilchrist (2,634). The innings also pushed Pant to 2,948 runs in World Test Championship history, leaving him just 52 shy of becoming the first Indian to reach 3,000 WTC runs. With India well placed in Colombo and Pant back among the runs after a scare with the wrist injury, the milestone adds another significant chapter to a Test career that continues to be defined by fearless strokeplay under pressure.
Harry Kane Named Germany's Player of the Year, Kompany Wins Coach of the Year
Harry Kane has been voted Germany's Player of the Year for 2026 , while Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany claimed the Coach of the Year award, capping off another outstanding season for the Bavarian giants. Kane enjoyed a stunning campaign, scoring 61 goals across all competitions as Bayern defended their Bundesliga title and added the German Cup, with the England captain scoring a hat-trick in the final against Stuttgart. The England forward comfortably topped the yearly poll, organised by Kicker magazine among 659 members of the Association of German Sports Journalists, gathering 272 votes ahead of teammate Michael Olise on 203. Stuttgart's Deniz Undav finished third with 61 votes, followed by Bayern's Joshua Kimmich and Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Vincent Kompany collected close to half the votes cast for the coach's award, comfortably ahead of Freiburg's Julian Schuster, who had won the honour the previous year. It continues a remarkable turnaround for the Belgian, who arrived at Bayern in 2024 and has since guided the club to sustained domestic success, with Florian Wirtz having claimed the player's prize the year before Kane's win. The awards also extended to the women's game, with Bayern's Giulia Gwinn named Women's Player of the Year, giving the club a rare sweep of both the men's and women's top individual honours in the same year. Club president Herbert Hainer hailed the achievement, calling it the first time a club has won both awards simultaneously and a reflection of Bayern's strength across the men's and women's game alike. The player of the year award has been handed out since 1960, with Franz Beckenbauer the record holder on four wins, while the coach's prize has been awarded since 2002.
Ferran Torres' Debut Brace Rescues PSG in 2-2 Draw at Rennes
Ferran Torres marked his PSG debut with a stunning late brace to rescue a 2-2 draw away at Rennes in the Ligue 1 season opener, coming off the bench to spare Luis Enrique's side an opening-day defeat. Rennes made a dream start at the Roazhon Park, going ahead in the 9th minute when Sebastian Szymanski's shot cannoned in off the post from 25 yards. PSG failed to respond, and were dealt a second blow just before the break when Esteban Lepaul converted a Przemyslaw Frankowski cross to make it 2-0, leaving the reigning champions with a mountain to climb after a below-par first-half display, with the fixture only taking place at Rennes due to the poor state of the Parc des Princes pitch. Ferran Torres, a summer signing from Barcelona, was introduced at half-time alongside Mika Godts and transformed the game. He pulled one back in the 71st minute, latching onto a Fabian Ruiz through-ball, before completing his brace 11 minutes later, glancing home another Ruiz delivery to level the score. Willian Pacho then produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Rennes a late winner as PSG held on for a share of the points, finishing with 69.6% possession and 19 attempts to Rennes' nine. The result means PSG's Ligue 1 title defence begins with a draw, following on from a difficult pre-season that also saw them lose the Trophee des Champions to Lens. Ferran Torres's introduction offers an encouraging sign for Luis Enrique going forward, with the Spaniard now level with two other players as PSG's leading scorer in the fledgling campaign after such an eye-catching start to life in Paris.
Barcelona Thrash Elche 5-0 in La Liga Title Defence Opener
Barcelona made an emphatic start to their La Liga title defence, thrashing Elche 5-0 away at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, with braces from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez and a debut goal from new signing Karim Adeyemi . Raphinha broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, converting a penalty after being brought down in the box, before Adeyemi doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, latching onto a Lamine Yamal pass to slot home on his league debut following his summer move from Borussia Dortmund. Barcelona were forced into an early reshuffle before the break when Gavi had to be replaced due to a knee issue, but continued to dominate after the interval. Raphinha added his second and Barcelona's third after the hour mark, teed up by fellow debutant Anthony Gordon, who had come on at half-time and looked lively throughout. Fermin Lopez then struck twice in quick succession, first tapping in after more good work from Gordon before rounding off the scoring with a stunning turn-and-finish from the edge of the box. Hansi Flick's side were missing several key names, including new marquee signing Rodri, who was left out of the matchday squad entirely as he continues to build fitness. The result gives Barcelona the perfect start as they chase a third straight La Liga title, with the Catalans looking sharp in attack despite a rotated lineup, and sends an early statement to the rest of the division ahead of what promises to be another closely fought title race in Spain this season.
Gvardiol's Stoppage-Time Winner Gives Maresca Winning Man City Debut
Manchester City produced a dramatic late fightback to snatch a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, handing new head coach Enzo Maresca a winning start in his first Premier League match since succeeding Pep Guardiola. Bournemouth, themselves under a new manager in Marco Rose , took a shock lead in the 26th minute through Marcus Tavernier , who slotted home at the back post to threaten a memorable opening-day upset. City created plenty of chances throughout, with Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo all going close, but couldn't find a way through until deep into the second half. The equaliser finally arrived six minutes from time when Marc Guehi rose to head home a Rayan Cherki corner, sparking hope of a City turnaround. That turnaround was completed a minute into stoppage time, when Josko Gvardiol latched onto another Cherki assist to fire home from close range. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a lengthy VAR check overturned the decision, sending the Etihad into raptures and completing a dramatic late win. The result offers real relief for Maresca, whose first home game in charge threatened to end in disappointment against a well-organised Bournemouth side that had Rose five minutes away from becoming the first Bournemouth manager to win at the Etihad. Instead, City's pressure and resilience were rewarded at the death, giving the new boss the perfect start to life after Guardiola as the post-Pep era at City begins with a hard-fought three points.
Brighton Thrash 10-Man Aston Villa 4-0 as Joao Gomes Sees Red on Debut
Brighton produced one of the most one-sided opening-day performances in recent Premier League history, hammering Aston Villa 4-0 at the Amex Stadium in a first half that saw Villa concede four goals in just 31 minutes and finish with 10 men. The rout began when a wayward Pau Torres back-pass gifted Brighton an early lead via an own goal, before Maxim De Cuyper doubled the advantage soon after, converting a Georginio Rutter cross. Brighton then produced a devastating quickfire double through Jack Hinshelwood , scoring in the 30th and 31st minutes to put the game to bed inside the opening half hour, with Villa's summer rebuild already under serious scrutiny. Villa's afternoon got even worse five minutes before the break. New signing Joao Gomes , a £38 million arrival from Wolves making his competitive debut, was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for kicking out at Rutter, having already been booked earlier in the half. It made him the first player to receive a first-half red card on his Premier League debut for a club in more than 14 years, with former QPR midfielder Samba Diakite the last to suffer a similar fate, back in February 2012. Gomes had also been directly involved in the buildup to Brighton's fourth goal, losing possession on the edge of his own box moments before Hinshelwood struck. The result leaves Unai Emery's heavily rebuilt Villa side with plenty of questions to answer after a chastening start, having also been without a recognised centre-forward with Ollie Watkins left out of the squad amid transfer interest from Saudi Arabia. For Brighton, it's about as perfect a start to the season as they could have hoped for, with the Seagulls firing on all cylinders in what was an emphatic statement result against one of last season's top-four contenders.
Bangladesh Climb to All-Time High No. 6 in ICC Test Rankings
Bangladesh have climbed to No. 6 in the ICC Men's Test team rankings, their highest-ever position, despite losing the second Test to Australia by an innings and 51 runs in Mackay. The Tigers jumped three places, moving past West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the back of their historic first-ever Test win in Australia, achieved in the series-opening Darwin Test. Bangladesh now sit on 78 rating points from 24 matches, marking the first time the side has ever risen above the No. 9 spot in the format's history. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto called it a "huge achievement" after the defeat in Mackay, while acknowledging the side's own inconsistency, noting it would have been better if they had played better cricket in the Test itself. He also pointed to the challenges of touring Australia so infrequently, with most of the squad never having previously played in the conditions. The wider table remains topped by Australia , unaffected by their earlier Darwin defeat, with 126 rating points from 27 matches. Bangladesh's rise means Sri Lanka (76 points) and Pakistan (75 points) have both been overtaken, while West Indies also slip below the Tigers in the standings. The result also has implications in the World Test Championship 2025-2027 standings, where Bangladesh remain fourth, one place above India, having recorded three wins, two losses and a draw from six matches in the cycle. The Darwin win proved decisive for both metrics, with the Mackay defeat doing little to dent the historic rankings rise that followed it.
Nathan Lyon Reaches 600 International Wickets, Fifth Australian to the Milestone
Nathan Lyon reached the milestone of 600 international wickets during Australia's innings win over Bangladesh in the second Test at Mackay, becoming just the fifth Australian bowler in history to the mark, and only the second Australian spinner after Shane Warne to get there. Lyon got there with figures of 3 for 25 in Bangladesh's second innings, having not been needed at all in the tourists' meagre first-innings total of 64. The veteran off-spinner now has 601 wickets from 174 international matches at an average of 31.00, with 24 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket hauls to his name, and career-best figures of 8 for 50. The vast majority of his wickets have come in the Test arena, where he has taken 571 scalps in 143 matches at an average of 30.20. Lyon now sits fifth on Australia's all-time international wicket-taking list, behind only Shane Warne (999 wickets), Glenn McGrath (948), Mitchell Starc (771), who himself completed a 10-wicket match haul in the very same Test, and Brett Lee (718). It caps a landmark match for Australia's bowling attack, with Starc's dominant display taking the headlines while Lyon quietly ticked over yet another significant career milestone in the background. Having made his Test debut back in 2011 with a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Galle, Lyon's longevity and consistency have made him one of the most reliable spin options in world cricket for well over a decade. Reaching 600 international wickets extends an already extraordinary legacy, and cements his place among the finest bowlers Australian cricket has produced.
Devdutt Padikkal Hits Back-to-Back Test Centuries With 117 in Colombo
Devdutt Padikkal struck his second Test century in as many matches, top-scoring with a brilliant 117 off 193 balls on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the SSC in Colombo, continuing a red-hot run of form on the tour. Padikkal, who arrived in Colombo on the back of a match-winning 167 in the series-opening win at Galle, batted with the same fluency here, striking 12 fours in a knock that anchored India's innings after they were put in to bat first. He shared useful stands through the middle order, including a lively 60-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who made 50, before eventually being bowled by Keshara Nuwantha, undone by a quicker, flatter delivery that snuck past the outside edge and clattered into off stump, with India well placed at 281 for 4 at the time of his dismissal. The century is a continuation of the kind of form that has made Padikkal one of the standout performers of India's tour so far. Having struggled for a settled place in the side over recent years, back-to-back hundreds in his last two Test innings mark a significant statement, and go a long way toward cementing his position in the middle order heading into a busy home season. India, chasing a series win having already gone 1-0 up in Galle, will look to build a big first-innings total on the back of Padikkal's knock, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (45), KL Rahul (18) and Gill (50) all getting starts earlier in the day without going on to make it count. Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel were at the crease as play continued, with India well placed to post a substantial total on a good batting surface in Colombo.
Saransh Jain Makes Test Debut at 33 After Decade-Long Domestic Wait
Saransh Jain has made his Test debut for India in the series-deciding second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, capping off a remarkable domestic career that has spanned more than a decade before finally earning international recognition at the age of 33. The Madhya Pradesh off-spinning all-rounder, who is also employed with India Post, made his first-class debut for the state all the way back in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy against Tamil Nadu, claiming a five-wicket haul on debut. Since then, he has built a reputation as one of Indian domestic cricket's most reliable dual threats, a rare off-spinning all-rounder in a system that has traditionally produced far more left-arm orthodox options. If he takes the field, Jain will be the first India player to debut at age 33 since Robin Singh back in 1998. Jain's rise to a maiden call-up has been built on standout performances across multiple domestic competitions. He was the hero of Madhya Pradesh's maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2022, taking 13 wickets and scoring a half-century in the final. In the 2024 Irani Cup, he claimed a six-wicket haul against Mumbai, dismissing Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shardul Thakur and Shams Mulani in a single spell. His most productive season came in 2025-26, when he became one of only four Indian players to complete the rare double of 300-plus runs and 40-plus wickets in first-class cricket over a 12-month period, finishing with 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and 30 wickets at 20.43 in his last Ranji season alone, while also topping the wicket charts among all off-spinners in the country with 44 scalps. His stock rose further still in the recent Duleep Trophy, where he was named Player of the Series for Central Zone after scoring two half-centuries and taking 16 wickets across two games, including a match-winning 5 for 49 in the final against South Zone that sealed Central Zone's first Duleep title in nearly 11 years. That form, combined with a strong showing for India A in Sri Lanka, ultimately paved the way for his maiden Test call-up. Jain now gets his chance on the biggest stage, coming in for Kuldeep Yadav in a Sri Lankan spin-friendly setting tailor-made for his skill set.
Starc's 10-Wicket Haul Seals Innings Win for Australia, Series Levelled 1-1
Mitchell Starc produced a career-defining performance to seal a commanding win over Bangladesh in the second Test in Mackay, taking his fourth career 10-wicket haul in Test cricket as Australia won by an innings and 51 runs inside just two days to level the series 1-1. Bangladesh, who had stunned the cricket world with a 9-wicket win in the series opener at Darwin, were completely undone by Starc's new-ball burst on day one, bowled out for just 64 as he claimed 6 for 12 . Australia's reply was far from serene, stumbling to 165 for 8 at one stage as Shoriful Islam hit back with 6 for 35, before Cameron Green's gritty unbeaten 67 and useful support from the tail lifted the hosts to 210 all out , a lead of 146. Bangladesh's second innings brought little relief. Starc struck twice more early, and though Najmul Hossain Shanto (31) and Mushfiqur Rahim (29 not out) briefly offered resistance, the tourists were bowled out for 95 , handing Australia the win comfortably inside the second day. Starc finished with match figures of 10 for 51 , and Pat Cummins chipped in with 3 for 10 in the second innings as Bangladesh's batting fell away for the second time in the match. Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match for his 10-wicket haul, and also collected the Player of the Series award for his all-round body of work across both Tests. It's a stunning turnaround after Bangladesh's historic win in Darwin, and the result levels the two-match series at 1-1, with both sides sharing the spoils in what turned out to be a dramatic, fast-moving contest played out largely across just three days combined.
2nd Test XI Changes: Saransh Jain Debuts for India, Sri Lanka Field Mishara and Sooriyabandara
Both India and Sri Lanka have made changes to their playing XIs for the second and final Test of the series at the SSC in Colombo, with the hosts forced into reshuffles through injury and India opting for a like-for-like spin swap. India have made one change, bringing in off-spin all-rounder Saransh Jain for his Test debut in place of Kuldeep Yadav . Kuldeep had a relatively quiet outing with the ball in Galle, and despite public backing from spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule during the buildup, the team management has opted to hand Jain his first cap. The rest of the winning combination from Galle has been retained, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, captain Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna all keeping their places. Sri Lanka have made two enforced changes to their XI. Kamil Mishara comes in for his first Test cap in place of Nishan Fernando, who had a quiet outing in Galle filling in for the injured Pathum Nissanka. The bigger change is enforced: Dinesh Chandimal misses out after entering concussion protocols following a blow sustained on day four in Galle, with the mandatory stand-down period ruling him out. Pasindu Sooriyabandara , who deputised for Chandimal as a concussion substitute in the first Test, has now been named in the starting XI on merit for Colombo. Sri Lanka remain without regular gloveman Kusal Mendis, sidelined by a hamstring injury, with Niroshan Dickwella continuing behind the stumps. With Sri Lanka needing a win just to keep the series alive, the changes reflect a squad under pressure from both form and fitness, while India have shown faith in personnel by making only the one alteration to a side that delivered a convincing 165-run win in the series opener.
Ravindra Jadeja Set to Become First Indian and Asian to Play 50 WTC Matches
Ravindra Jadeja is set to become the first Indian, and the first Asian, to play 50 World Test Championship matches , reaching the milestone in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the SSC in Colombo, starting August 23. Jadeja has been a mainstay of India's Test side since the WTC's inception in 2019, and his consistency across all three cycles so far has made him one of the format's most reliable performers. He remains only the second bowler in WTC history, after R Ashwin, to take 50 wickets in a single cycle, and became the first player to combine 2,000-plus runs with 100-plus wickets in the competition's history during last year's tour of England. His numbers across the WTC era reflect a rare blend of control with the ball and calm under pressure with the bat, qualities that have repeatedly bailed India out of tricky situations. The milestone comes at a significant juncture for India in the current cycle. Sitting fifth in the standings after a 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the series opener at Galle, India will be eager to seal a series win in Colombo and continue building momentum in a campaign that has been mixed so far. Jadeja's experience in Sri Lankan conditions, dating back to India's 2017 tour, makes him one of the more seasoned campaigners in the current squad alongside KL Rahul. Reaching 50 WTC appearances also underlines the remarkable longevity Jadeja has shown at the top level, spanning multiple head coaches, captains and eras of Indian cricket since the format's introduction. As India chase a series-clinching result in Colombo, all eyes will be on whether the veteran all-rounder can mark his landmark appearance with another significant contribution, the kind that has defined his career in whites for over a decade.
Joao Pedro Signs New Chelsea Contract Until 2034, Takes on No. 9 Shirt
Joao Pedro has signed a new contract with Chelsea that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2034 , with the Brazilian striker also taking on the club's No. 9 shirt as he enters his second season in west London. The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Brighton last summer and made an immediate impact, scoring in the Club World Cup final win over Paris Saint-Germain shortly after his arrival. He went on to finish his debut campaign with 20 goals and nine assists, a return that saw him overwhelmingly voted Chelsea's Player of the Season. Pedro's improved deal, on extended terms from a contract that was previously set to run until 2032, comes as recognition of that impact, with the extension reportedly seeing off interest from Barcelona, who had considered him as an alternative to Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez. Pedro takes over the No. 9 jersey vacated by Liam Delap, stepping into a shirt with a difficult recent history at the club. Since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's era, a string of high-profile attackers including Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuain and Romelu Lukaku have struggled to make a lasting impact wearing the number, a trend some fans have dubbed the "curse of Khalid Boulahrouz." Pedro is set to begin the new season as Xabi Alonso's first-choice striker, with both Delap and Nicolas Jackson made available for transfer as the club reshapes its forward options. "I always dreamed of playing for a big club, and it means a lot to me to give my long-term commitment to this club," Pedro said following the announcement. Chelsea open their Premier League campaign away to Fulham on Monday, with Pedro expected to lead the line as the club looks to build on a season that ended with the Club World Cup title in the bag.
Anton Stach's Late Free-Kick Gives Leeds 1-0 Win Over Nottingham Forest
Anton Stach curled home a stunning 88th-minute free-kick to hand Leeds United a 1-0 opening-day win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, giving Daniel Farke's side their first Premier League win at the venue since 1972. It looked to be heading for a goalless draw for long spells, with both sides struggling to find a breakthrough despite decent chances at either end. Forest, under new manager Oliver Glasner for his first match in charge, had the better of the openings, hitting the woodwork twice through Nikola Milenkovic and, later, via a free-kick that bounced back off the post from a crowded box. James Trafford, making his Leeds debut in goal, produced a smart save to deny Igor Jesus early on, while Matz Sels kept out efforts from Brenden Aaronson and Tarik Muharemovic at the other end as the game remained finely balanced. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when Milenkovic fouled Stach just outside the penalty area. The German midfielder stepped up himself and curled a low effort past Sels at his near post, sending the away end into raptures and securing a smash-and-grab victory for the visitors. It capped an ideal start for Leeds following last week's 4-0 win over Augsburg, while Forest, who fielded no new signings in their starting eleven, were left to rue their missed chances on Glasner's first outing at the helm. The result gives Leeds a perfect start to the season as they look to build on last term's survival fight, while Forest, with ambitions of a top-half finish under their new manager, will need to sharpen their finishing quickly with a Carabao Cup rematch between the two sides already on the horizon this week.
Jack Clarke's Late Winner Sinks Former Club Sunderland as Ipswich Win 2-1
Jack Clarke scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Ipswich Town beat former club Sunderland 2-1 at Portman Road, marking a triumphant Premier League return under new head coach Gary O'Neil. Ipswich, newly promoted and fielding several debutants after a summer of 12 signings, took the lead in the 24th minute when Emersonn steered home a low cross from Julio Enciso following a slick counter-attack. Sunderland, back in the top flight themselves after a strong 2025-26 campaign, levelled just before the break through a stunning Nilson Angulo free-kick from the edge of the box. The game looked set to finish level until Enciso was forced off through injury with 19 minutes remaining, with substitute Jack Clarke coming on in his place. Clarke, who made 114 appearances for Sunderland before his £15 million move to Ipswich in 2024, made an instant impact. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Sunderland substitute Omar Alderete gave the ball away cheaply, and Sasa Lukic found Clarke in space, who cut inside and curled a finish beyond goalkeeper Robin Roefs for his first-ever Premier League goal. The strike sparked wild celebrations at Portman Road and gave Ipswich a first opening-day league win since 1993-94, having lost four straight top-flight openers before this. The result also handed O'Neil a winning start in his first competitive match since replacing long-serving boss Kieran McKenna over the summer. Ipswich outshot their visitors and finished with the better expected-goals numbers on the day, a promising sign as they look to establish themselves back in the top flight. For Sunderland, there will be disappointment at throwing away a point so late, but they'll have chances to bounce back as the new season gets underway.
Everton Beat Crystal Palace 2-0 as Chadi Riad Suffers Serious-Looking Injury
Everton beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium in a Premier League opener overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Palace defender Chadi Riad , who was stretchered off in tears late in the match. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall broke the deadlock shortly before half-time with a thunderous strike into the top corner, before Thierno Barry doubled Everton's lead eight minutes into the second half, heading home a pinpoint Iliman Ndiaye cross. Palace, in Pierre Sage's first game in charge following his move from Lens, had chances of their own, twice striking the woodwork through Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta, but couldn't find a way past David Moyes' well-organised hosts. The result gave Everton their first opening-day win since 2021 and ended a run of four straight defeats to start a season without scoring. The bigger story by full time was the fitness of Chadi Riad, who appeared to twist his knee attempting to block a Vitaliy Mykolenko cross in the second half. The Morocco international was in visible distress, pulling his shirt over his head as he was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu. The 23-year-old has already endured a difficult run of injuries at Palace, having previously missed a combined 430 days through a cruciate ligament issue and other setbacks, and the club will now face an anxious wait for the results of scans before knowing the extent of the latest blow. Everton, who ended last season without European qualification after a poor run of form, will look to build on the win, while Sage and Palace turn their attention to assessing the fallout from Riad's injury ahead of their next fixture.
Hull City Shock Manchester United 2-0 to Ruin Carrick's Opening Day
Newly-promoted Hull City stunned Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium, ruining Michael Carrick's first game in charge of United's opening-day campaign and delivering one of the shock results of the Premier League's opening weekend. Hull, back in the top flight for the first time since 2017, were without 10 players through injury but still put in a vibrant, disciplined display under manager Sergej Jakirović. The hosts took the lead in the first half through defender Semi Ajayi , who capitalised on defensive hesitancy from United to poke the ball home from close range. They doubled their advantage before the break when centre-back Nobel Mendy headed home from a free-kick in the 38th minute, leaving United with a mountain to climb after just over half an hour. United huffed and puffed after the interval without ever really threatening a way back into the game. Bryan Mbeumo had United's best chance when he broke through one-on-one, only to be denied by Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis . Carrick made changes at the break, bringing on Marcus Rashford for a struggling Patrick Dorgu, and later introducing Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko as United chased the game, but they lacked a cutting edge throughout and Hull comfortably held out for a memorable win. Hull even had late chances of their own to add a third, with Cody Drameh's effort drifting just wide. It is a chastening start for Carrick, who takes charge with United expected to challenge for the title after finishing third last season. The result leaves the Red Devils under early pressure following a dismal afternoon on Humberside, with fans already calling for further defensive reinforcements before the transfer window shuts. For Hull, it is a dream return to the Premier League and an immediate statement that they won't be there just to make up the numbers.
Starc's 6/12 Bowls Out Bangladesh for 64, Enters Top 10 Wicket-Takers as Australia Stumble to 50/3
Mitchell Starc completed a stunning spell to finish with 6 for 12 as Bangladesh were skittled for just 64 in 34 overs on day one of the second Test in Mackay, extending the destruction that had already left the tourists reeling at 35 for 6 at the lunch break. Starc struck with the first ball of the match for the fourth time in his career, removing Shadman Islam, and continued to run through the top and middle order as Bangladesh, who arrived in Mackay leading the series 1-0 after their historic Darwin win, endured a horror reply. Four batters, including Darwin centurion Tanzid Hasan and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, failed to open their account. It was the sixth-fastest five-wicket haul in Test history, with the six-wicket haul completing one of the most destructive new-ball spells seen in Australia in years. The performance moved Starc to 440 Test wickets , taking him into the top 10 wicket-takers of all time and past South African great Dale Steyn's mark of 439. He now sits just behind Nathan Lyon among Australians, with only James Anderson, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Stuart Broad and Glenn McGrath ahead of him on the all-time list, an extraordinary achievement for a bowler who came into the series just one wicket shy of Kapil Dev's tally. Australia were far from untroubled in their reply. Despite the huge first-innings advantage, the hosts stumbled to 50 for 3 at stumps, losing three wickets in the final session to leave the game finely poised heading into day two, only 14 runs ahead of Bangladesh's meagre total. Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw and Travis Head all fell relatively cheaply as Bangladesh's bowlers fought back after their batting horror show, keeping the tourists' hopes of a series-levelling turnaround alive on a lively Mackay surface being used for Test cricket for the first time.
Arsenal Open Title Defence With 3-0 Win Over Coventry, Arteta Reaches 150 PL Wins
Arsenal made the perfect start to their Premier League title defence, beating newly-promoted Coventry City 3-0 at the Emirates in the season opener, with Kai Havertz , Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all on the scoresheet. Havertz opened the scoring after 15 minutes, converting from a Riccardo Calafiori cross after Coventry gifted possession away cheaply. Saka doubled the lead eight minutes later, turning in a low cross from debutant winger Christos Tzolis, who impressed throughout with two assists on his first Premier League appearance. Odegaard added a third four minutes into the second half, finishing off a move involving Saka and Ben White to put the game to bed. Coventry, back in the top flight after 25 years away, struggled throughout and became the first side since 2007 to have no touches in the opposition box or make a single tackle in the first half of a Premier League game. The win also brought up a personal milestone for manager Mikel Arteta , who recorded his 150th Premier League victory in just 249 games in charge, making him only the fifth manager in the competition's history to reach 150 wins in fewer than 250 matches, joining an elite list that includes Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Sir Alex Ferguson. Arsenal did have one significant absence. Summer signing Bruno Guimaraes , a £75 million arrival from Newcastle, missed out after picking up a groin injury during last week's Community Shield win over Manchester City. The issue was later described as a slight tension rather than anything more serious, offering some relief after early concern, though he wasn't risked for the opener. New defensive signing Ezri Konsa was presented to the crowd before kickoff but had to settle for watching from the stands on his big unveiling, with his debut still to come. With the win, Arsenal open their title defence in the manner they'll have wanted, and will be targeting a first successful defence of the English title since the 1930s as the new season gets underway.
WTC Table Update: England Climb After Win, Pakistan Drop to Last Place
England's innings-and-103-run thrashing of Pakistan at Headingley has shaken up the bottom of the World Test Championship 2025-2027 table, with the result lifting the hosts and dropping Pakistan to last place. England move to 50 points from 14 matches, with a points percentage climbing from 24.36 to 29.76 , though the win wasn't enough to shift them off 7th spot. Their overall record in the cycle now reads 5 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw, a reminder of how far off the pace England remain in this WTC cycle despite the resounding win to open Joe Root's second stint as full-time captain. The bigger shake-up came at the very bottom. Pakistan drop to 9th and last place in the table, their points percentage falling to 19.05 from 7 matches, with 2 wins and 5 losses recorded so far. The defeat sees them swap places with West Indies , who move up to 8th on 20.83 percent from 12 matches, having played far more Tests in the cycle without adding to their points tally in this particular update. At the top of the standings, there's no change: Australia continue to lead comfortably with 84 points and a 77.78 PCT from 9 matches, with South Africa (75.00), New Zealand (72.22) and Bangladesh (66.67) rounding out the top four. India remain 5th on 53.33 percent, and Sri Lanka hold 6th on 33.33 percent. With Pakistan now needing a response in the second Test at Lord's, starting next Thursday, and England looking to build on their strong start under Root, both sides have plenty to play for as they look to climb away from the foot of the table before the business end of the cycle arrives.
Pakistan Set Unwanted Record: First Team to Lose First Wicket for 0 in Both Innings
Pakistan set an unwanted new Test record during their innings-and-103-run defeat to England at Headingley, becoming the first team in Test history to lose their first wicket for 0 in both innings of the same match . The pattern was set inside the very first ball of the Test, when opener Azan Awais was dismissed by Ollie Robinson without scoring, becoming the first Pakistan batter ever to fall on the opening delivery of a Test match. Awais at least avoided a king pair, surviving Robinson's next over, but Pakistan slid to 0 for 1 for the second time in the match when Jofra Archer struck in the second innings, having Imam-ul-Haq caught behind for a duck as he tried to evade a short delivery. Archer completed a double blow soon after, removing Awais himself for 9 to leave Pakistan reeling at 13 for 2 in the second innings, a mirror image of their first-innings capitulation. From there, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue once again did the bulk of the damage, having shared all 10 wickets in the first innings, this time combining for six more as Pakistan folded for just 135 in 37.3 overs, having managed only 171 first time round. The result rounded off a chastening return to Test cricket for Pakistan, who lost 20 wickets across the match in under 86 overs and have now gone 16 innings without adding 100 runs after losing half their side. It was also the joint-second fastest of Joe Root's 66 Tests as England captain, wrapping up in just three days as the hosts opened the new era under Root and interim coach Marcus Trescothick with a statement win. Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Match for his eight wickets, edging out Josh Tongue, who also finished with eight. Pakistan now face an anxious wait before the second Test at Lord's, which begins next Thursday, as they look to arrest a slide that has left their batting fundamentals under serious scrutiny.
Mitchell Starc's 5/11 Burst Leaves Bangladesh 35/6, Bowler Passes Dale Steyn's Wicket Tally
Mitchell Starc ripped through Bangladesh's top order on day one of the second Test in Mackay, taking 5 for 11 in just 22 balls to leave the tourists reeling at 35 for 6 at lunch, one of the most destructive opening spells of his career. Starc struck with the very first ball of the match, having Shadman Islam edge behind to gully, and barely let up from there. He removed both openers, then captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper Litton Das for ducks to leave Bangladesh reeling at 12 for 5, before completing his five-for inside the opening hour. Pat Cummins chipped in from the other end, removing Mushfiqur Rahim for 5 on a pitch likened to a typical Gabba surface. It's the sixth-fastest five-wicket haul in Test history, with Starc himself holding the outright record, having taken five wickets in just 15 balls against West Indies in Kingston last year. The spell also carried him past a significant career mark. Starc entered the Mackay Test on 435 Test wickets, and his burst here takes him to 440 , moving him past South African great Dale Steyn's tally of 439 and into the top five fast bowlers in the history of the format, behind only James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh. It continues a remarkable few weeks for the left-armer, who had already gone past Rangana Herath to become the most prolific left-arm bowler in Test history, and past Kapil Dev to enter the top 10 wicket-takers of all time, both during the series-opening Darwin Test. Bangladesh arrive in Mackay leading the series 1-0 after a famous win in Darwin, but were made to pay for a horror start on a lively surface at Australia's newest Test venue. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (11 not out) and Hasan Mahmud (8 not out) steadied things briefly at the other end, but the tourists will need something special to recover from such an early collapse and keep the series alive.
England Thrash Pakistan by an Innings and 103 Runs in Root's Captaincy Return
England thrashed Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs inside just three days at Headingley, Leeds, to make the perfect start to the first Test of the series and, with it, Joe Root's first Test back as full-time England captain. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, but were skittled for just 171 , with Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson both claiming five-wicket hauls, the first time two England bowlers have taken five-fors in the same innings since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar managed it back in 2006, also against Pakistan. England's reply was built around contributions right through the middle order. Harry Brook led the way with 91, Jordan Cox made 73, captain Joe Root chipped in with 66 on his first day back in charge, and Dan Lawrence added 51, as England posted 409 , a first-innings lead of 238. Mohammad Usman was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers with 5 for 92, showing plenty of fight despite the lopsided contest. Set an improbable task of avoiding an innings defeat, Pakistan folded again in their second innings, bowled out for just 135 in only 37.3 overs. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 41, but there was little else to shout about as Robinson (3/29), Tongue (3/43) and Jofra Archer (3/50) shared the wickets and wrapped up the innings before tea. Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Match for a superb all-round performance, finishing with match figures of 5 for 51 and 3 for 29. The win also saw Joe Root break the record for most catches by a fielder in Test history, moving past Steven Smith's mark of 218. With Pakistan left with plenty to ponder, attention now turns to the second Test at Lord's, starting Thursday, as Root's new-look England side look to seal the series.
Australia vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Preview: Tigers Eye Series Win in Mackay
Australia and Bangladesh return to action on Saturday for the second and final Test of their two-match series, with Bangladesh leading 1-0 after a historic win in the series opener at Darwin. The second Test gets underway at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay , Queensland, marking the venue's first-ever men's Test match and its elevation to become Australia's 12th Test ground. Play begins at 10am local time and runs across five scheduled days, from August 22 to 26. Bangladesh's win in Darwin was a landmark result for the touring side, and they now have the chance to complete a first-ever series win in Australia if they can back it up in Mackay. A win, or even a draw, would seal the series for the Tigers, while Australia must find a way to level things up on unfamiliar territory to keep the series alive. Australia have made a change to their top order for the pink-ball-free red-ball assignment, recalling Matthew Renshaw in place of Jake Weatherald , who has been dropped following the opener. Renshaw arrives with a strong record at the Mackay venue itself, having previously scored first-class centuries there, and the hosts will be hoping his experience can help stabilise an opening combination that has been unsettled through the past few series. With home advantage and a venue debut on the line, the Mackay Test carries plenty of intrigue beyond just the series result. A new ground stepping up to Test status always brings its own storylines around pitch behaviour and conditions, and how both attacks adapt to a surface with little historical red-ball data will likely play a big role in how the match unfolds. Bangladesh will sense a genuine opportunity to complete a famous series win away from home, while Australia know anything less than victory ends their hopes of squaring the ledger.
Joe Root First Player to 3,000 WTC Runs as Captain
Joe Root has become the first player in history to reach 3,000 runs as captain in the World Test Championship , reaching the landmark during the first Test between England and Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds. The milestone came as England piled on the runs in reply to a below-par Pakistan total, with the hosts closing day two on 366 for 8 in their first innings, having earlier bowled Pakistan out for just 171 to seize control of the match. This is a different mark to the overall 3,000-WTC-runs landmark Root reached back in 2022, which counted all his runs across WTC cycles regardless of leadership status. This latest record is specific to runs scored purely in matches where Root was leading the side, underlining just how central he has been to England's Test fortunes across his various stints in charge. Root first took over the England Test captaincy in 2017 and led the side for the best part of five years before stepping down in 2022, handing the reins to Ben Stokes. Even after giving up the armband, Root has continued to captain England in select matches when Stokes has been unavailable through injury, adding further to his overall leadership tally and, evidently, his WTC runs column as captain. Root's numbers as a batter have remained extraordinary regardless of leadership duties. He continues to be one of the most consistent run-scorers in the world across formats, and this latest landmark adds another layer to a Test career already built on volume, longevity and a rare weight of runs across different eras of WTC cricket. With England well on top against Pakistan at Leeds, Root will be hoping to add plenty more to this new record before the innings, and the match, are done.
Champions League Play-Offs: Celtic and Bodø/Glimt Take Control in First Legs
Wednesday's Champions League play-off first legs saw both Celtic and Bodø/Glimt take control of their ties with convincing away-goal buffers, after Tuesday's three fixtures had all ended level. Celtic 3-0 LASK : Celtic put in a ruthless finishing display at Celtic Park to seal a commanding first-leg lead over the Austrian champions. Benjamin Nygren curled home the opener after LASK had twice had the ball in the net in the opening minutes, both efforts ruled out for offside. Camilo Duran then struck twice, first turning in a Kieran Tierney cross before sidefooting home a second after a one-two, to complete the scoring. LASK, unbeaten in eight games across all competitions coming in, huffed and puffed but could not find a way past a resolute Celtic defence. The second leg follows in Linz next Tuesday. Bodø/Glimt 3-1 NEC Nijmegen : The Norwegian side made history with their first-ever away win in a Champions League qualification play-off, moving them to the brink of a return to the league phase. Sondre Fet opened the scoring after a slick move involving Jens Petter Hauge, before Andreas Helmersen doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time. Haitam Aleesami added a third early in the second half to put the tie to bed, and though Clement Bischoff pulled one back late for NEC, it did little to change the complexion of the contest. The return leg takes place in Norway next week. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Slovan Bratislava and Celje played out a 1-1 draw, leaving that tie finely balanced heading into the second leg. With two of Wednesday's three ties now well in the control of the away underdogs turned first-leg favourites, the return fixtures promise to be decisive for spots in this season's Champions League league phase.
Manav Suthar Becomes Youngest Indian Spinner to Take 10-Wicket Haul in an Away Test
Manav Suthar has etched his name into the record books, becoming the youngest Indian spinner to claim a 10-wicket haul in an away Test, at just 24 years and 16 days . The left-arm orthodox spinner produced match figures of 10 for 131 in Galle, picking up 4 wickets in the first innings and a superb 6 for 55 in the second, as India sealed a 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the series opener. Suthar's feat takes him past Harbhajan Singh , who was 28 years and 28 days old when he took 10 for 153 against Sri Lanka at the same venue back in 2008. Ravichandran Ashwin also managed the feat in Galle, aged 28 years and 11 months, when he took 10 for 160 in 2015. Further back, Bishan Singh Bedi was 31 years and 3 months when he claimed 10 for 194 against Australia in Perth in 1977-78, while Bhagwat Chandrasekhar took 12 for 104 in the same series at the age of 32 years and 7 months. Suthar now stands as the youngest of this group of Indian spinners. It's worth noting the wider record among all Indian bowlers, not just spinners, still belongs to Irfan Pathan , who took 11 wickets against Bangladesh in Dhaka in December 2004 at 20 years and 44 days. Suthar's mark applies specifically to spin bowlers picking up a 10-wicket haul away from home. The Galle Test was only Suthar's second appearance in whites. He had already made a mark on debut against Afghanistan in June, taking a 7-wicket match haul including 6 for 33 in the first innings. With his 6-wicket second-innings return in Galle, he became just the second Indian bowler after Narendra Hirwani to take a six-wicket haul in each of his first two Tests, and the fourth Indian overall to pick up 10 wickets in a match within his first two Tests. Suthar now has 17 wickets from just two Test matches, at an outstanding average of 11.35. India captain Shubman Gill praised the youngster after the win, saying he had bowled magnificently both on debut against Afghanistan and again in Galle, calling him a promising talent who could play for India for a long time. Attention now turns to the series decider in Colombo, starting August 23, where Suthar will look to continue his remarkable start to international cricket.
Justin Greaves Named ICC Men's Player of the Month for July 2026
West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves has been named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for July 2026 , edging out fellow nominees Harry Brook and Tanzid Hasan after a month of standout performances with both bat and ball in Test cricket. Greaves' month began against Sri Lanka in North Sound, where the visitors had posted a daunting 549/9 declared in their first innings. With West Indies reeling at 144/4, Greaves walked out and produced a magnificent 180 , striking 14 fours and two sixes to steady the innings and help the hosts close the gap on Sri Lanka's total. His knock ensured West Indies batted out time to secure a draw, which was enough to seal a 1-0 series win at home and collect valuable WTC points. He also featured in two ODIs against New Zealand during the month, opening the batting and scoring 32 runs at a strike rate of 114.28, before returning to the Test arena for the series against Pakistan in Tarouba. There, Greaves delivered arguably his most complete all-round performance of the year, claiming his maiden Test five-wicket haul with figures of 5/27 in the first innings, including a remarkable spell of five consecutive wicket-maidens. He followed it up with 2/12 in the second innings to help West Indies close out the match. Across the month, Greaves finished with 215 runs from two Tests at an average of 71.66, and eight wickets at a superb average of 10.25. "I have had a memorable month playing at home, and to have contributed with both bat and ball against Sri Lanka and Pakistan has been particularly special for me," Greaves said after receiving the honour. He added that impactful Test performances in front of home fans were something he would always cherish. Greaves saw off competition from England's Harry Brook, who was outstanding across the home T20I series against India, and Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan, who was the leading run-scorer in white-ball series against Zimbabwe. The award continues the ICC's monthly recognition series, running since the start of 2021, with winners chosen by a panel of respected journalists and former cricketers.
Harry Brook Reclaims No. 1 Test Batting Spot, Bumrah Stays Top Among Bowlers
Harry Brook has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings, moving above Joe Root after a string of strong performances that have kept England's middle order firing. Brook now sits on 852 rating points , with Joe Root close behind in second on 840. It's the latest twist in what has been a closely fought battle for top spot between the two England batters over the past few months. Steven Smith holds third place with 833 points, followed by Travis Head in fourth on 819, though Head has slipped a place after a recent dip in returns. Temba Bavuma rounds out the top five for South Africa. Among Indian batters, Shubman Gill is the highest-ranked at 7th with 743 points, with Yashasvi Jaiswal at 9th and Rishabh Pant climbing to 13th on the back of his recent form in Sri Lanka. In the bowling charts, there's no change at the summit. Jasprit Bumrah continues to hold the No. 1 spot among Test bowlers with a rating of 870 , comfortably ahead of the chasing pack despite playing a reduced workload through careful management of his fitness. New Zealand's Matt Henry is closest in second on 861, with Mitchell Starc third on 826. Marco Jansen has been the standout mover, climbing to fourth on 825 points and edging closer to Starc's mark, while Pat Cummins has dropped to fifth after a quieter run with the ball. India's other frontline pacer, Mohammed Siraj , sits joint-14th alongside Kuldeep Yadav on 695 points. Both rankings remain fluid with a heavy Test calendar still to come, including India's series decider against Sri Lanka in Colombo and Australia's ongoing assignment against Bangladesh. Any big performances from the contenders below Brook and Bumrah could shake up the top of the charts before the year is out.
India Beat Sri Lanka by 165 Runs in Galle, Take 1-0 Series Lead
India wrapped up the first Test against Sri Lanka in style, winning by 165 runs in Galle to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Match for his twin knocks of 167 and 44 , a performance that shaped the game from the very first day. Sent in to bat after winning the toss, India piled up 462 in their first innings. Padikkal's 167 was the standout, but he had support all around him. KL Rahul made 82, Dhruv Jurel chipped in with 51, and Rishabh Pant added a brisk 39. Sri Lanka hit back through Prabath Jayasuriya , who picked up 4 wickets, but the total gave India a platform they never really gave up. Sri Lanka's reply fell well short. Sonal Dinusha was the one shining light with a fighting hundred, but the rest of the batting couldn't build around him, and the hosts were bowled out for 284, handing India a lead of 178 runs. India didn't let up in their second innings either. Padikkal's second-innings 44 and a quickfire 66 from Rishabh Pant helped set Sri Lanka a target of 372, well beyond what the hosts had shown they could chase on a wearing surface. Asitha Fernando was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 4 wickets in that innings. Sri Lanka fought hard in the fourth innings. Dinusha made his second half-century plus fifty of the match, and Niroshan Dickwella played a lively 80 to keep India waiting. But Manav Suthar had other ideas, ripping through the tail with a maiden Test 10-wicket haul across the match to seal victory for India well inside the fifth day. The result puts India firmly in charge of the series with one Test to go. Attention now shifts to the second and final Test, starting August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo , where Sri Lanka will look to level the series and India will aim to close it out.
India Climb to 5th in WTC Table After Galle Win Over Sri Lanka
India's 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle has lifted them to 5th place in the World Test Championship 2025-2027 standings. The victory takes India to 64 points from 10 matches, with a points percentage of 53.33 , built on 5 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw in the cycle so far. It's been a mixed campaign for India in this WTC cycle, but the Galle result gives them some momentum with a second and final Test against Sri Lanka still to come. A win in Colombo would push their tally further and put them in touching distance of the top four, who currently occupy the spots that matter most heading into the business end of the cycle. At the top of the table, Australia continue to lead the way with 84 points from 9 games and a healthy 77.78 PCT, having won 7 of their 9 Tests. South Africa sit second on 75 PCT despite having played just 4 matches, while New Zealand are third on 72.22 PCT with 4 wins from 6. Bangladesh , buoyed by their recent form, are fourth on 66.67 PCT. Below India, Sri Lanka remain 6th on 33.33 PCT after the Galle defeat, with England , Pakistan and West Indies rounding out the table, all struggling to keep pace after a heavy run of Test defeats. With the cycle running through mid-2027 and plenty of cricket still to be played across all nine teams, the standings remain fluid. India's next Test, the series decider against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo starting August 23 , offers a chance to climb further before attention turns to the home season ahead.
Champions League Play-Offs: All Three First Legs End in Draws
The Champions League play-off round got underway on Tuesday, and all three first legs ended level, leaving every tie wide open before the return matches. In Istanbul, Fenerbahçe and Lyon played out a 1-1 draw . Lois Openda put Lyon ahead with a headed goal, his first for the French club. Fenerbahçe hit back after the break through Mason Greenwood , who scored a fine equaliser to level things up. Neither side could find a winner after that, so the tie is finely poised going into the second leg in France. Dinamo Zagreb and Viking shared a wild 2-2 draw in Croatia. The hosts raced into a two-goal lead inside the first ten minutes through Dion Beljo and Mateo Lisica. Viking, though, hit back before half-time with goals from Peter Christiansen and Zlatko Tripić to level the score. It is a big result for the Norwegian side, who are playing in the Champions League for the first time in 34 years and are chasing a first-ever spot in the league phase. In Bulgaria, Levski Sofia and AEK Athens could not be separated either, playing out a goalless 0-0 draw . AEK's Luka Jović came closest to scoring, but his effort came back off the crossbar. Levski goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha also made a couple of key saves to keep the visitors out. All three second legs are set for next week, with the winners securing a place in the Champions League league phase and the losers dropping into the Europa League play-offs.
Barcelona Complete Double Transfer Swoop: Rodri and Cancelo Both Signed
Barcelona have completed two big transfers in the same week, adding both Rodri and João Cancelo to Hansi Flick's squad. Rodri's move from Manchester City is now fully done. The Spain midfielder has signed a deal until June 2030 . Barcelona are paying City around €76.5 million for the World Cup winner, who is set to wear the No. 16 shirt. Rodri was seen as the best defensive midfielder in the world at City, and his arrival gives Barcelona even more strength in an already stacked midfield. Real Madrid had also chased Rodri hard this summer, so losing out on him is a blow for them too. Cancelo's return is a different kind of deal. He is coming back to Barcelona for a third time, but this time on a permanent, free transfer . He had been on loan at the club from Al-Hilal for the second half of last season and became a key part of the side, playing mostly at left-back. To make the move happen, Cancelo agreed to end his contract with the Saudi club early, giving up a large chunk of his pay in the process. He has now signed a new three-year contract with Barcelona, running until 2029. Both deals show how serious Barcelona are about building on their recent success. The club has already won the league title in back-to-back seasons, and adding a world-class holding midfielder plus a versatile, experienced full-back gives Flick even more depth and quality to work with heading into the new campaign. Barcelona's business does not appear to be over either, with reports linking the club to more late moves before the transfer window shuts.
Australia Drop Jake Weatherald, Recall Matt Renshaw for Second Bangladesh Test
Australia have made one change to their squad for the second Test against Bangladesh, dropping opener Jake Weatherald and bringing in Matt Renshaw as his replacement. The match starts Saturday at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, a venue making its Test debut. The call comes after Australia's shock nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the series opener in Darwin. Weatherald managed just 23 and a duck in the match, extending a lean run that has now cost him his spot after only one Test since his recall. His career average across 12 innings stands at 20.36. Renshaw, a left-hander like Weatherald, is set to open alongside Travis Head , breaking up the pairing that had put together strong stands during Australia's 4-1 Ashes series win. He has previously scored two first-class centuries at the Mackay venue, and remains in Australia's white-ball setup after making his ODI debut in October last year. Marnus Labuschagne keeps his place in the squad for now, though coach Andrew McDonald has said he needs more runs to secure his spot. Australia must win in Mackay to keep the series alive after Bangladesh's win in the opener. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw , Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
Root Begins Second Stint as England Captain, Pakistan Turn to Salman Agha as Babar Sits Out
A new era begins for England as the three-Test series against Pakistan gets underway today at Headingley. It's the hosts' first Test assignment since Joe Root took over the captaincy again following Ben Stokes' retirement, marking the start of his second stint in charge of the side. Root already holds the record for the most Tests captained by an England player, with 64 in his first spell plus an interim game against New Zealand in June. A full run through to the next Ashes would take him level with Stephen Fleming's 80, third on the all-time list. Pakistan arrive without their own captain. Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opener with a right-hand injury picked up during the tour warm-up game, the same hand he was struck on during the West Indies series last month. Scans have ruled out a fracture, but he wasn't considered fit to play or lead the side in Leeds. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has handed the captaincy to Salman Ali Agha for the first Test. It will be his first Test as Pakistan captain, though he already leads the side in T20Is and has plenty of experience within the leadership group. Babar's absence is expected to be limited to this Test, with hopes he recovers in time for the second match at Lord's. Pakistan are playing a Test series in England for the first time in six years, having lost 1-0 on their last visit in 2020. Both sides go into the contest under pressure in the World Test Championship table, making the opening exchanges at Headingley an early litmus test for two teams in transition.
Rishabh Pant Becomes Fastest to 100 Test Sixes, First Indian to the Landmark
Rishabh Pant reached a landmark of his own during his 66 off 69 balls in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. He struck two sixes in the knock, and the second of them took him to 100 sixes in Test cricket . It's a mark no batter has reached faster. Pant got there in just 89 innings , quicker than Adam Gilchrist, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, the only other three men to hit a century of Test sixes. Gilchrist had been the previous benchmark, needing 130 innings and 6,578 balls to get to 100. Pant did it in only 4,918 balls. He's also the first Indian batter to reach three figures in Test sixes. Virender Sehwag was the closest an Indian had come before this, finishing his career with 91 sixes from 104 Tests. Six-hitting has become a defining part of Pant's Test batting. He has struck at least one six in 43 of his 89 Test innings, the best such ratio among batters with a minimum of 50 innings. His sixes have also contributed nearly a sixth of his total Test runs. Pant's innings helped India post 193 in the second innings and set Sri Lanka a target of 372. Asitha Fernando took four wickets and Prabath Jayasuriya picked up a four-wicket haul as India lost their last five wickets for just 19 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja Enters an Elite Test Cricket Club
🏏 Ravindra Jadeja Enters an Elite Test Cricket Club Ravindra Jadeja has added another remarkable achievement to his Test career, becoming only the fourth player in cricket history to score 4,000+ Test runs and take 350+ Test wickets. 🇮🇳🔥 This milestone puts Jadeja alongside three legendary all-rounders — Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Daniel Vettori — highlighting his incredible consistency with both bat and ball. 📊 The Elite Club - 🇮🇳 Kapil Dev: 5,248 runs | 434 wickets | 131 Tests - 🏴 Ian Botham: 5,200 runs | 383 wickets | 102 Tests - 🇳🇿 Daniel Vettori: 4,531 runs | 362 wickets | 113 Tests - 🇮🇳 Ravindra Jadeja: 4,108 runs | 350 wickets | 90 Tests 💚 Jadeja's Test Legacy Jadeja reaching this landmark in just 90 Tests makes the achievement even more special. Over the years, he has established himself as a crucial part of India's Test team, contributing valuable runs in the middle and producing match-winning spells with his left-arm spin. His combination of batting, bowling and elite fielding has made him one of the most complete all-rounders of the modern era. 🏆 A Milestone Worth Celebrating From Kapil Dev's legendary career to Botham and Vettori's greatness, this exclusive club represents the highest level of Test all-round ability. Now, Ravindra Jadeja's name stands proudly alongside them. 🇮🇳💪 4000+ runs. 350+ wickets. One elite club. Class is permanent! 🔥 Follow Gameonfield – Field of Dreams for more cricket updates, records, stats and stories.
Premier League 2026/27 Season to Kick Off August 21 With Arsenal vs Coventry
The Premier League has confirmed its full fixture list for the 2026/27 season, and defending champions Arsenal will kick things off at home to newly promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21. The curtain-raiser at the Emirates Stadium kicks off at 8pm BST and will be shown live on Sky Sports. This is a week later than usual. The Premier League has pushed the start back to give players extra recovery time after the 2026 World Cup in North America. The final round of matches falls on Sunday, May 30, 2027, with all 10 fixtures kicking off together, as is tradition on the last day. The rest of the opening weekend is packed too. Hull City host Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime, while Newcastle United face Liverpool in Andoni Iraola's first match in charge of the Reds. There's also a London derby feel to the weekend with Brentford hosting Tottenham Hotspur , and Fulham welcoming Chelsea on the Monday night to close out the round. Three clubs return to the top flight this season: Coventry City , promoted as Championship winners under Frank Lampard, Ipswich Town , back after finishing second, and Hull City , who won the play-off final. West Ham, Burnley and Wolves make the drop the other way after being relegated from the 2025/26 season. Before a ball is kicked in the league proper, Arsenal get an even earlier look at the new campaign. They face 2026 FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
Bangladesh Stun Australia by 9 Wickets in Historic Darwin Test
Bangladesh pulled off one of the biggest results in their Test history, beating Australia by 9 wickets in the series-opening Test at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. It's their first-ever Test win on Australian soil. Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match for his match haul of 9 wickets (6/55 and 3/56). Put in to bat after losing the toss, Australia never got going on a lively opening day. Mahmud ripped through the top and middle order, finishing with 6 for 55 , while Steven Smith's fighting 71 was the only real resistance as the hosts folded for just 198. Bangladesh's reply was built around a maiden Test century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim , who made 101 off 197 balls in only his second Test. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto supported him with 84, and useful contributions from Mominul Haque (49) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (65) took the total to 426 all out , a lead of 228. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 6 for 89. Australia fought harder in their second innings, with Cameron Green striking a defiant 104 and Steven Smith adding 44. But Mehidy Hasan Miraz ran through the tail with a 5-wicket haul (5/56) , and support from Mahmud (3/66) bowled Australia out for 284, leaving Bangladesh a modest target of 57. Openers Shadman Islam (25*) and Mominul Haque (30*) knocked off the runs without much fuss to seal a 9-wicket win , sparking wild celebrations in the Bangladesh camp. It's just their third-ever Test appearance in Australia, and their first Test win in the country in any format history. Captain Shanto called it one of the proudest days of his career, while Mehidy credited the team's self-belief for turning around a tour that began with a warm-up defeat. Bangladesh will look to seal the series when the two teams meet again in the 2nd Test at Mackay, starting August 22 .
Sony Bags TV Rights for Afghanistan-India T20Is; ACB Requests Ganesh Chaturthi Fixture
Sony Sports Network has secured the linear television broadcast rights for the upcoming Afghanistan versus India T20I series, set to be played in Delhi in September. FanCode will hold the digital streaming rights for the three-match contest. ITW Universe, which holds the global media rights for the series, allotted the broadcast deal to Sony after discussions with other networks including JioStar, Zee and Unite8. The three T20Is are scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17, with Afghanistan officially designated as the home side for the series. Alongside the broadcast news, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has reached out to the BCCI requesting a modest schedule adjustment, seeking to have either the first or second T20I moved to September 14, which falls on Ganesh Chaturthi. ITW Universe founder Bhairav Shanth wrote to ACB CEO Naseeb Khan asking the board to consider the shift as a cultural gesture, noting that both proposed options would preserve the tight three-match window with only a minor change to the currently confirmed dates. The series marks a notable occasion, being the first time Afghanistan will formally host India in a bilateral series on Indian soil, and will also serve as valuable preparation for both sides ahead of the Asian Games in Japan later in September.
Afghanistan Complete 4-0 ODI Series Sweep of Ireland
Afghanistan completed a dominant 4-0 sweep of their ODI series against Ireland, sealing the whitewash with a five-wicket win in the fifth and final match at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast. Chasing Ireland's total built around a Harry Tector half-century, Afghanistan were rocked early as Ireland's McCarthy removed both openers cheaply inside the first six overs, dragging the scoring rate down below three an over. The innings was rebuilt through a marathon 201-run partnership between captain Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal, who anchored the chase before Atal fell for 98 attempting to accelerate. Shah continued unbeaten, finishing the match on 143 off 133 balls to guide his side home, with Azmatullah Omarzai chipping in with a brisk 24 late in the chase before departing in the 47th over. The result extends a commanding tour for Afghanistan, who had already sealed the series with a 42-run win in the fourth match courtesy of centuries from Atal and Ibrahim Zadran. Ireland, playing their first ODI series in over 15 months under a new head coach, could not find enough with either bat or ball across the five matches to trouble the visitors, leaving captain Paul Stirling to admit his side had been "thoroughly outplayed" over the series.
India's 600th Test Coincides with Galle's 50th as SL vs IND Series Begins
India's tour of Sri Lanka begins with a landmark occasion at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, as the opening Test of the two-match series doubles up as India's 600th Test match overall. The fixture also falls on India's Independence Day, adding extra significance to the milestone. With this game, India become just the third team in the sport's history to reach 600 Tests, joining England and Australia, who remain the only two sides ahead of them on the all-time list. India's Test journey stretches back to 1932, when they made their debut against England at Lord's. The venue itself reaches a milestone of its own. Saturday's Test is also the 50th Test to be played at Galle, making it the first ground in Asia to reach that mark. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who grew up playing school cricket at the venue, spoke of the pride in leading his side in the stadium's 50th Test. Shubman Gill leads India into the contest, calling it a huge honour to captain the side in such a historic match. The series carries added weight beyond the numbers, with both teams eyeing World Test Championship implications as India continue their build-up towards a possible WTC final appearance. India go into the series without premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, handing opportunities to the rest of the bowling attack to step up on what are traditionally spin-friendly conditions at Galle.
Jemimah Rodrigues Ruled Out of Asia Cup and Asian Games with Hamstring Injury
India have suffered a fresh injury blow ahead of a busy stretch of white-ball cricket. Middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup and the Asian Games in Nagoya with a hamstring injury. Rodrigues picked up the niggle during training and was advised rest and rehabilitation by the BCCI medical team rather than risk further damage during the busy tournament window. She did not travel with the squad and will now undergo a structured recovery programme back home. The timing is a blow for India's plans. Rodrigues has been one of the most consistent performers in India's middle order over the past year, valued both for her calm temperament in run-chases and her handy off-spin option. Her absence leaves a gap in the middle order that the team management will need to address with the squad already finalised for the continental events. Cricket returns to the Asian Games programme this year, with India fielding a full-strength squad for the tournament in Nagoya, Japan. The Asia Cup remains one of the most keenly watched events on the calendar for India's white-ball group, and losing an established middle-order option this close to the start is far from ideal. The selectors are expected to name a replacement in the coming days. This update will be revised once the BCCI confirms who steps in for Rodrigues across both tournaments.
Tanzid Hasan Becomes First Bangladeshi to Score a Test Century in Australia
Tanzid Hasan Tamim has etched his name into Bangladesh cricket history, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a Test century on Australian soil, with a composed 101 on Day 2 of the series-opening Test in Darwin. Playing just his second Test, the 25-year-old opener reached his century off 188 balls, striking eight fours and a six down the ground off Beau Webster along the way. He survived two dropped catches during the innings, including a let-off on 62 when Steve Smith couldn't hold on to a sharp chance at first slip off Nathan Lyon. Tanzid eventually fell for 101, holing out to Mitchell Starc at deep mid-off while attacking Lyon once more. The milestone ends a wait of more than two decades for Bangladesh in Australia — the previous best individual score by a Bangladeshi batter on Australian soil was Hannan Sarkar's 76, made at Cairns back in 2003. Tanzid also became just the second Bangladesh player to score a Test century against Australia in any conditions, after Shahriar Nafees's hundred in 2006. Tanzid's innings, alongside a fifty stand-building effort from Mominul Haque (49) and an unbeaten knock from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, helped Bangladesh take firm control after bowling Australia out for 198 in the first innings at Marrara Stadium.
Bangladesh Set for Direct 2027 World Cup Qualification After Afghanistan's Result
Bangladesh are now set to qualify directly for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, after Afghanistan's win over Ireland in Belfast pushed the Tigers into an unassailable position in the ODI rankings. The top eight teams in the rankings as of September 30, 2026 — excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe — earn automatic qualification, and Bangladesh currently sit ninth overall with 83 rating points, comfortably clear of West Indies on 77. Although the rankings won't be finalised until the September 30 cut-off, Bangladesh cannot realistically be overtaken with fewer than seven weeks remaining, even accounting for their three scheduled ODIs against India in that window. The confirmed direct qualifiers alongside Bangladesh now read: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, and Afghanistan, in addition to co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe. This would mark Bangladesh's fourth consecutive direct qualification for the 50-over World Cup, having also done so for the 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions.
West Indies Face 2027 World Cup Qualifiers Again After Afghanistan Seal Direct Spot
Two-time champions West Indies will have to navigate the qualifying rounds for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup for the third consecutive edition, after Afghanistan's win over Ireland in Belfast sealed their own direct spot and closed the door on the Caribbean side. The top eight teams in the ODI rankings as of September 30, 2026 — excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe — earn automatic qualification. West Indies currently sit 10th in the rankings and cannot make up enough ground even with two ODIs against India still to play before the cut-off. Under the revamped 14-team qualification structure, West Indies will enter the 2027 Qualifier alongside Ireland — the two lowest-ranked non-host Full Members — plus teams progressing from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 and the Qualifier Playoff. Only the Qualifier winner advances directly to the World Cup's group stage; the teams finishing second, third, and fourth instead enter a newly introduced Super Series for one further spot. West Indies missed the 2023 World Cup for the first time in the tournament's history after finishing fifth in the Super Six stage of that qualifier, a shock that also cost them a place in the subsequent Champions Trophy. The 2027 Qualifier is scheduled to begin in February.
Pakistan's National Champions Cup Kicks Off 2026-27 Domestic Season in Multan
Pakistan's 2026-27 domestic cricket season kicks off with the National Champions Cup , a seven-match List A tournament running from August 11 to 18 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The 50-over competition features four sides — Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues, and Pakistan Gold — playing a single round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final on August 18. All matches will be day-night fixtures with a 3pm local start. In a notable structural change, the PCB has fixed playing XIs for each team throughout the tournament, backed by a 13-player reserve pool that can only be used in case of injury or concussion, aimed at ensuring consistent team combinations. The 44-player squad and reserve pool were selected with an eye on the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup , giving national selectors a live platform to evaluate both established performers and emerging talent ahead of the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Entry to all matches is free.
Beau Webster Eyes Permanent Test Spot Alongside Cameron Green Against Bangladesh
Australia all-rounder Beau Webster is determined to nail down a permanent spot in the Test XI as Australia begin a challenging home stretch with a two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting in Darwin from August 13. The 32-year-old, who has played eight Tests since his debut last year, top-scored for Australia in the World Test Championship Final loss to South Africa at Lord's and later starred with 150 runs across two half-centuries during Australia's series sweep of West Indies. He found himself out of the XI during the Ashes against England but earned a recall for the series finale in Sydney, hitting an unbeaten 71 and taking three wickets. With Cameron Green also in the 13-player squad, Webster has ruled out any rivalry between the two, insisting both can coexist in the same XI as batting all-rounders and give captain Pat Cummins added flexibility with the ball. Australia's squad for the series includes Cummins, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Webster. The first Test runs August 13-17 in Darwin, with the second from August 22-26 in Mackay.
Devdutt Padikkal's Unbeaten 142 Strengthens His Case for India's No. 3 Test Spot
Devdutt Padikkal has thrust himself into the conversation for India's No. 3 Test spot after an outstanding unbeaten 142 in the first innings of India's warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. Batting at number three, Padikkal anchored India's innings across 164 balls, striking 18 fours as he built crucial partnerships through the middle order, including an 82-run stand with Manav Suthar. His knock allowed India to declare at 357 for 6, trailing by just six runs, and set the platform for the eventual six-wicket win over the Sri Lanka XI. The timing is significant, with the No. 3 slot up for grabs following Sai Sudharsan's injury withdrawal from the squad. Padikkal's century, combined with the pressure it puts on the selectors, has made him a serious contender to walk into the XI for the opening Test in Galle on August 15.
Shubman Gill Cleared Fit for Sri Lanka Tests After Finger Injury Scare
India captain Shubman Gill has put fitness concerns to rest ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series, returning to action in the final day of India's three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo and playing a fluent 44 off 54 balls. Gill was hit on his right ring finger during a training session in Colombo and missed the first two days of the fixture as a precaution, with KL Rahul leading the side in his absence. He returned on Day 3 and put on a brisk 105-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, striking seven boundaries before being dismissed by spinner Keshara Nuwantha. India's spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule confirmed the knock was purely precautionary and that Gill has been training normally throughout, with the captain fully fit and available for the series opener in Galle starting August 15.
Afghanistan Beat Ireland to Confirm 2027 ODI World Cup Qualification
Afghanistan have secured direct qualification for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in their five-match series against Ireland with a tense three-wicket win in the third ODI at Stormont, Belfast. Chasing a target set up by their bowlers, Afghanistan looked comfortable early on the back of Rahmanullah Gurbaz's fluent 71, reaching 97 for 2. But Irish leg-spinner Gavin Hoey triggered a dramatic middle-order collapse, ripping through the innings with figures of 4 for 34 as Afghanistan slumped from 154 for 6 to 176 for 7. With the target still 31 runs away, Rashid Khan held his nerve, finishing unbeaten on 37 to guide his side home with 31 balls to spare. Rashid also picked up 3 for 44 with the ball earlier in the day. The opening match of the series had been washed out without a ball bowled, before Afghanistan won the second ODI by 92 runs to take a 1-0 lead. This latest win makes the series scoreline 2-0 and unassailable, officially confirming their spot at the 2027 World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Afghanistan become the ninth team to secure direct qualification, joining India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the Netherlands. Ireland, meanwhile, must now navigate the qualifying pathway — via the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 and Qualifier — for a chance to reach the tournament.
Sandeep Lamichhane Named Nepal's New ODI Captain Ahead of ACC Premier Cup
Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been named Nepal's new ODI captain, taking over the 50-over reins from Rohit Paudel as the team heads into the ACC Men's Premier Cup. The 26-year-old, who has picked up 154 ODI wickets across his career, was confirmed as captain by the Cricket Association of Nepal as part of a 14-member squad announcement for the tournament, which will be held in Malaysia from August 30 to September 12. Lamichhane is no stranger to the armband — he previously led Nepal's national side from December 2021, guiding them to their maiden ACC Premier Cup title in 2023, where he was also named Player of the Series. He continues to be Nepal's leading wicket-taker across formats and earlier this year became the fastest bowler to reach 150 ODI wickets by matches played. Rohit Paudel, who had been leading Nepal through their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign and recent Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures, steps aside from the ODI captaincy as the leadership baton returns to Lamichhane ahead of this qualifying tournament for the Asia Cup.
Kusal Mendis Named Inaugural President of New Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association
Sri Lankan cricketers have formally launched their own players' body, with white-ball captain Kusal Mendis named as the inaugural president of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association (SLPCA) . The association was officially launched on Saturday, backed by prominent figures in the national set-up including women's captain Chamari Athapaththu and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga . Its stated aim is to serve as an independent and collective voice for professional cricketers in Sri Lanka, covering their rights, welfare, and broader professional interests. The SLPCA is directly affiliated with the World Cricketers' Association (WCA) , the global federation representing professional cricketers. This brings Sri Lankan players into the same international player-advocacy network as bodies like the Australian Cricketers' Association and England's Professional Cricketers' Association, giving them access to global welfare programmes and support systems they have historically lacked. Sri Lanka had been among a small group of prominent boards, alongside India's BCCI and Pakistan's PCB, without formal WCA affiliation. The timing is notable, with the launch arriving amid a broader phase of administrative reform in Sri Lankan cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket is currently undergoing changes under a government-appointed Transformation Committee focused on strengthening governance and modernising the domestic structure. Unlike previous player unions in the country, the SLPCA is led directly by current marquee players and places the women's game on equal footing. Speaking as SLPCA president, Mendis said the body looks forward to working constructively with Sri Lanka Cricket, the Transformation Committee, and other stakeholders as the game continues to grow.
Sarfaraz Khan Named as Sai Sudharsan's Replacement for Sri Lanka Test Series
Sarfaraz Khan has been named as the replacement for Sai Sudharsan in India's Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, after Sudharsan was ruled out with a toe injury. Sudharsan had been in prime form heading into the tour, having smashed back-to-back centuries for India A against Sri Lanka A last month, but a stress reaction in his right big toe forced him out before the squad even departed for Sri Lanka. Sarfaraz now walks into a strong middle-order pool alongside KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal as the selectors weigh up options for the No. 3 slot. Known for his aggressive strokeplay and hunger for big domestic scores, Sarfaraz has waited patiently for a fresh opportunity at the Test level and will look to make the most of it if handed a chance in the XI. India begin the series on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium, before moving to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo for the second Test from August 23.
2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier Dates Finalised: February 22 to March 23
The ICC has locked in the schedule for the 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier, with the tournament set to run from February 22 to March 23, 2027 . While the dates are now finalised, the host venue is still to be confirmed. The Qualifier is the last stop on the road to the 2027 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027. Under the ICC's revamped 14-team format announced in July, only the Qualifier winner earns a direct berth in the main group stage. The teams finishing second, third, and fourth advance instead to a newly introduced Super Series, competing for the one remaining main-stage spot. The 10-team Qualifier field will be made up of the two lowest-ranked Full Member nations in the ODI rankings (excluding hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe) as of September 30, 2026, along with the top four sides from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 and four more teams emerging from a separate Qualifier Playoff. The West Indies find themselves at the centre of the qualification drama. Currently 10th in the ODI rankings, they have just two ODIs left before the September 30 cut-off, both against India. Their fate could also hinge on the upcoming Afghanistan vs Ireland series — if Ireland win big, two West Indies wins over India could be enough to sneak into the top eight and avoid the Qualifier route altogether. A repeat of their 2023 World Cup qualification heartbreak remains a real possibility.
Sai Sudharsan Ruled Out of Sri Lanka Test Series with Toe Injury
India have suffered a fresh injury setback ahead of their two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. In-form No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan has officially been ruled out with a toe injury. Sudharsan has been battling a stress reaction in his right big toe. He first picked up the issue during India A's tour of Sri Lanka last month. He had been rehabbing at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru ever since. His injury was reported to be nearly healed. But the medical panel felt he wasn't sufficiently recovered to be cleared fit for the series. Sudharsan did not travel with the Indian squad to Sri Lanka. He also missed the ongoing three-day warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. The timing stings for team management. Sudharsan walked into this tour in prime form. He smashed back-to-back centuries for India A in the same shadow series against Sri Lanka A last month. He piled up 332 runs across four innings in that outing. Those knocks had all but sealed his spot at No. 3 in the Test side. He has played seven Tests for India so far, scoring 383 runs at an average of 39 with three half-centuries. With Sudharsan out, the No. 3 spot is now up for grabs. Devdutt Padikkal has put his hand up with a fluent century in the ongoing warm-up fixture. Sarfaraz Khan and Shaik Rasheed are also in the mix as replacement options for the selectors to weigh. This adds to an already stretched India squad. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is already out with a knee issue, with Auqib Nabi Dar drafted in as cover. The two-match series gets underway on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium, before moving to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo for the second Test from August 23. Sudharsan has been removed from India's Test squad for the tour, and this update will be revised once the BCCI names a formal replacement.
Arsenal Close to Signing Bruno Guimarães From Newcastle
Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United. Multiple reports say the two clubs have agreed the framework of a move worth around £75-80 million, with a medical expected before an official announcement. Guimarães has been Newcastle's captain and has made 153 Premier League appearances since joining from Lyon. Newcastle had long resisted selling him, but their position has shifted this summer following a string of exits, including Sandro Tonali's move to Tottenham. Manager Eddie Howe left the club by mutual consent last week, and Arsenal are said to have grown more confident of landing Guimarães since his departure. The 28-year-old Brazilian played for his country at this year's World Cup, where they were eliminated by Norway in the round of 16. For Arsenal, the move would add depth and physicality to a midfield that was stretched thin last season, with injuries hitting Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi carrying a heavy workload. Arsenal have already brought in Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier and Piero Hincapié this summer, while Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard have departed.
Vinícius Júnior Extends Real Madrid Contract Until 2032
Real Madrid have extended Vinícius Júnior's contract through June 2032. The club confirmed the deal on Thursday, ending months of speculation about his future. The Brazilian winger had entered the final year of his previous deal. Arsenal were reportedly monitoring the situation and stood ready to move in had talks with Madrid broken down. Reports had earlier suggested Vinícius rejected a €22 million-a-year offer before an agreement was finally reached. Vinícius joined Real Madrid from Flamengo in 2018 at the age of 18. Since then he has played 375 matches, scored 128 goals and won 14 trophies, including two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles. He was also named FIFA's Best Men's Player in 2024. The club's statement called him one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in its history. Vinícius reacted on Instagram, writing that eight years at the Bernabéu were "too few" and promising "six more years, and forever." The extension arrives just as Real Madrid prepare for the 2026-27 season under returning coach José Mourinho, giving the club long-term certainty over one of its most important attacking players.
Ajinkya Rahane Signs as Marquee Player for Amsterdam Flames in ETPL
Ajinkya Rahane has signed with Amsterdam Flames as the franchise's marquee player for the inaugural European T20 Premier League. The tournament is set to begin on August 26. Rahane retired from international cricket on July 30. Amsterdam Flames is co-owned by former Australia captain Steve Waugh, who reached out to Rahane soon after his retirement was announced. Rahane said he asked for a day to think it over before agreeing to join. Rahane played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India. His last international appearance came against West Indies in a two-match Test series in July 2023. He also led India in Test cricket during his career and remains one of the country's most respected former captains. Steve Waugh, Co-Founder and Chief Cricket Officer of Amsterdam Flames, praised Rahane's leadership and composure under pressure. Tim Thomas, CEO of Amsterdam Flames, called the signing a defining moment for the club. Rahane is currently working as a commentator for The Hundred in England. The ETPL is a new tournament aimed at growing cricket's presence across Europe. Rahane's arrival is being seen as a major boost for the league ahead of its first season.
Pakistan Beat West Indies by 8 Wickets to Level Test Series 1-1
Pakistan pulled off an 8-wicket win in the second Test at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, to square the two-match series 1-1 against West Indies. West Indies posted 344 and 117 in their two innings. Pakistan replied with 387 in the first innings and chased down the target with ease, finishing at 77 for 2 in the second. The result avenged Pakistan's 90-run defeat in the series opener at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, where West Indies had bowled them out for 282 and 120 after posting 311 and 181. Abdullah Shafique was named Player of the Match for a big first-innings hundred, becoming the first Pakistan batter since 1977 to score 150-plus in a Test innings on West Indian soil. The result also moves the needle on the ICC World Test Championship table — Pakistan climb above West Indies into 8th place after the win.
Subhadeep Ghosh Named India's New Fielding Coach
India have a new fielding coach. Subhadeep Ghosh takes over the role, replacing T Dilip, whose contract was not renewed after India's tour of Zimbabwe. Ghosh's first job with the senior team comes straight away. He joins the coaching staff for India's two-match Test series in Sri Lanka this August. The 57-year-old played 17 first-class matches between 1994 and 2004, turning out for Assam and Railways. He later coached the Assam Senior Men's Team and has also worked at the National Cricket Academy. His resume includes stints with India A and the women's team, plus IPL spells with Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Ghosh joins a support staff already reshaped this year. He comes in after the exits of Dilip and Ryan ten Doeschate, and now works alongside batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel under head coach Gautam Gambhir. The Assam Cricket Association welcomed the appointment, calling it a proud moment for the state's cricketing community and a boost for young players and coaches in the region.
Jordan Henderson Completes Chelsea Move on Two-Year Deal
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Jordan Henderson on a two-year contract. The 36-year-old joins on a free transfer after leaving Brentford by mutual consent. It's Henderson's fourth club since leaving Liverpool in 2023. He first moved to Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq, then had a short spell at Ajax, before a year at Brentford in the Premier League. Xabi Alonso has now brought him to Stamford Bridge for his experience and leadership. Henderson has won eight trophies in his career, including the Premier League and the Champions League. He has 91 caps for England and was part of the squad that finished third at this summer's World Cup. "Given the size of the club, the manager, who I have great admiration for, and the quality of the players, this was a huge opportunity I couldn't turn down," Henderson said. Chelsea have also signed Danny Welbeck from Brighton this window, with Alonso keen to add experience to a young squad.
India Finish CWG 2026 with 39 Medals — 13 Gold, 17 Silver, 9 Bronze
India have wrapped up their campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with a tally of 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze. Boxing was India's standout discipline, delivering a best-ever haul of 10 medals including seven golds, more than any other country managed in the ring at a single edition. Para athletics also had a landmark showing, ending a 20-year wait for a Commonwealth Games para athletics medal for India with a six-medal return. Neeraj Chopra added to his collection with a silver in the men's javelin throw, his second Commonwealth Games podium finish. Gulveer Singh became the first Indian man to win two individual track medals at a single Games, taking silver in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5000m. India's para contingent closed out with their best-ever Commonwealth Games showing, finishing with three gold, two silver and two bronze across the para disciplines.
BCCI Confirms Jasprit Bumrah Ruled Out of Sri Lanka Tests, Auqib Nabi Named Replacement
Jasprit Bumrah has officially been ruled out of India's upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. The BCCI confirmed he has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury he picked up during the ODI series against England. The Men's Selection Committee has named Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi as his replacement. It's a maiden call-up to the senior national team for Nabi. Nabi has been in outstanding form over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, picking up 104 wickets in that span. That includes 60 wickets in the 2025-26 season alone, where he played a key role in Jammu & Kashmir's first-ever Ranji Trophy title. He also featured for India A on their recent tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets across two first-class matches there. Bumrah had not bowled since India's second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16, and had been undergoing fitness assessments at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru without being cleared to resume bowling.
Gulveer Singh Wins Bronze in Men's 5000m at CWG 2026, Completes Historic Track Double
Gulveer Singh won bronze in the men's 5000m final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, clocking 13:24.95 to complete a historic track double at these Games. Gulveer ran a patient, tactical race, sitting with the lead pack for most of the distance before unleashing a strong finishing kick on the final lap. He moved up from fifth to third around the final bend and held off Kenya's Cornelius Kemboi by just 0.04 seconds to seal the podium finish. Australia's Matthew Kipsang won gold in 13:23.61, with compatriot Ky Robinson taking silver in 13:24.70. The bronze came days after Gulveer won silver in the men's 10,000m in 27:49.78, making him the first Indian man to win two track medals at a single Commonwealth Games. The 5000m bronze is also India's first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the event. The Army runner from Uttar Pradesh has built a strong international record in distance running, with earlier medals at the Asian Games and Asian Athletics Championships, and holds India's national records in both the 5000m and 10,000m.
Narender Wins Silver in Men's 90+kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Narender won silver in the men's 90+kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, losing a hard-fought heavyweight contest to England's Damar Thomas. The two big men traded evenly through the final, with Thomas eventually using his power to overpower Narender and take the win. It was India's final boxing medal bout of the session, closing out a session that produced seven golds and two silvers for the country's boxers. The silver adds to a historic day for Indian boxing at these Games, with the team matching its best-ever haul in a single edition.
Ankush Panghal Wins Gold in Men's 80kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Ankush Panghal won gold in the men's 80kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, beating England's Dimeji Shittu after a strong fightback. Ankush had a poor opening round against the home favourite but responded well, taking control of the contest with sharper combinations and better ring craft over the next two rounds to secure the gold. The win was India's seventh boxing gold of the day and came in the penultimate Indian final of the session, adding to golds already won by Jaismine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas, Arundhati Choudhary and Sachin Siwach.
Sachin Siwach Wins Gold in Men's 60kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Sachin Siwach won gold in the men's 60kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, beating Namibia's Tryagain Morning Ndevelo 3-2 on a split decision in a thrilling contest. Sachin trailed after the opening round and remained under pressure through the second, with the bout too close to call heading into the decider. He forced a standing count on Ndevelo in the closing seconds of the final round with a big punch that swung momentum his way, and the judges rewarded his late surge with the split verdict. The win completed a remarkable comeback for Sachin and gave India its sixth boxing gold of the day, following wins from Jaismine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary. It set a new Commonwealth Games record for Indian boxing at a single edition.
Unnati Sharma Wins Bronze in Women's 63kg Judo at CWG 2026
Unnati Sharma won the bronze medal in the women's 63kg judo category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, defeating South Africa's Skye Knoester in the bronze-medal contest. Unnati sealed the win with a clean ippon, hooking her opponent's leg to unbalance her before driving her onto her back. The contest was over in just 1 minute and 7 seconds. She had earlier lost her semifinal to Australia's Saya Middleton, the eventual silver medallist, by ippon. Unnati made a bright start in that bout with an early yuko, but Middleton fought back to level the score before sealing the win with two waza-aris in quick succession. Unnati opened her campaign with an ippon win over Eswatini's Lamulela Magagula in the round of 16, then edged past New Zealand's Qona Christie by waza-ari in the quarter-finals. The bronze takes India's judo tally at these Games to four medals, following two golds from Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh and a silver from Yamini Mourya.
Soman Rana Wins Gold, Shubham Juyal Silver in Men's Shot Put F57 at CWG 2026
Soman Rana won gold in the men's shot put F57 final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with a best throw of 13.40m on his second attempt. Fellow Indian Shubham Juyal took silver with 13.28m, giving India a maiden one-two finish in the event. Soman opened with 13.38m before improving to his winning mark in round two, a distance none of his rivals could match for the rest of the competition. Shubham saved his best for last, climbing from an opening 13.08m through several attempts before landing his silver-medal throw of 13.28m on his final attempt. Cameroon's Cedric Idriss Lekezo Azamdzi took bronze with 12.57m. This is India's first-ever gold medal in the men's F57 shot put at the Commonwealth Games. Soman, an Indian Army havildar, lost a leg in a landmine blast in Jammu and Kashmir in 2006. He found his way into para athletics during rehabilitation at Pune's Artificial Limb Centre and has since competed at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics, adding silver at the 2022 Asian Para Games and bronze at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships to his resume. Shubham, who once aspired to join the Army like his father, turned to para sports after a motorcycle accident in 2022 left him with a leg amputation. Both athletes made their Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow and are supported under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
Priya Ghanghas Wins Gold in Women's 60kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Priya Ghanghas won gold in the women's 60kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She beat Canada's Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh 4-1 on a split decision in a closely fought contest. Priya conceded the opening round on a couple of judges' scorecards but stayed composed and gradually took control with sharp combinations and effective counter-attacks. The final round went 4-1 in her favour, with three judges scoring the bout 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27, and one judge scoring it for the Canadian. She had to fight through a tough draw to reach the final, coming back from a lost opening round to beat Scotland's Niamh Mitchell in the quarter-finals, before a dominant 5-0 win over England's Lucy Kings-Wheatley in the semis. The gold is India's fourth boxing gold of the day, coming after wins from Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria and Sakshi Chaudhary. It's a new record for Indian boxing at a single Commonwealth Games, surpassing the previous best of three golds.
Sakshi Chaudhary Wins Gold in Women's 51kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Sakshi Chaudhary won gold in the women's 51kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She beat England's Ruby White 5-0 by unanimous decision. Sakshi controlled the contest from the opening bell, using her superior height and reach to dictate the pace. She took the first round unanimously, then tightened her grip in the second, where three judges scored it 10-9 in her favour and one gave her a dominant 10-8. She carried that advantage into the final round, staying disciplined behind her sharp left jab to keep White under pressure throughout. This is India's third boxing gold of the day, following wins from Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria earlier in the session. It equals India's best-ever boxing performance at a single Commonwealth Games, matching the three-gold tallies from New Delhi 2010, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. Sakshi had a big year leading into these Games. She became the first Indian woman to win gold at the World Boxing Cup, beating the USA's Yoseline Perez in Astana, and also won gold at the Grand Prix in Usti nad Labem. She is a former World Junior champion and two-time World Youth champion.
Arundhati Choudhary Wins Gold in Women's 70kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Arundhati Choudhary won gold in the women's 70kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She beat England's Chantelle Reid 5-0 by unanimous decision, with four judges scoring it 30-27 and one 29-28 in her favour. Arundhati controlled the contest from the opening bell, never letting Reid settle in front of the home crowd. Her clean combinations, sharp counter-punching and disciplined defence saw her edge every round on all five scorecards, closing out a dominant three-round performance. She reached the final by beating defending champion Rosie Eccles of Wales in a close split-decision semifinal, using composed counter-punching to edge past the experienced Welsh boxer. The gold caps off a strong Commonwealth Games boxing campaign for India on the day, with Arundhati becoming the fifth Indian boxer to win gold at these Games.
Lovlina Borgohain Wins Silver in Women's 75kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Lovlina Borgohain won silver in the women's 75kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She lost 4-1 on a split decision to Australia's Emma-Sue Greentree in a tightly fought contest. Lovlina had a bye straight into the semifinals due to the small five-boxer draw in her category, then beat Tuvalu's Tarona Taafaki 5-0 to reach the final. In the gold medal bout, she traded evenly with Greentree in a tactical fight, landing a few sharp shots of her own, but the Australian's forward pressure and more effective scoring punches edged the rounds in her favour. The silver is Lovlina's first Commonwealth Games medal. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist and former world champion has now won medals at every major multi-sport event she's eligible for, including the Olympics and Asian Games.
Jadumani Singh Wins Silver in Men's 55kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Jadumani Singh won silver in the men's 55kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He lost to Australia's Jye Dixon by unanimous decision after a close, hard-fought contest. Jadumani edged the opening round 3-2 with a late flurry of punches, answering Dixon's early success with sharp counters. Dixon then took full control in the second round, sweeping all five judges 5-0 with well-timed combinations that swung the fight in his favour. Jadumani reached the final on a strong unbeaten run. He opened his campaign with a 5-0 win over Scotland's Aaron Cullen, followed it with another 5-0 win over Pakistan's Sumama Rehman, and then beat Namibia's Haoseb Philip Pumulo by unanimous decision in the semifinal to book his place in the gold medal bout. The silver is Jadumani's first Commonwealth Games medal. He had previously won a silver and a bronze at the 2025 World Boxing Cup.
Preeti Pawar Wins Gold in Women's 54kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Preeti Pawar won gold in the women's 54kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She beat Canada's Scarlett Delgado 5-0 by unanimous decision, sweeping all three rounds. Pawar made a composed start even as Delgado landed a few early punches. She settled into her rhythm quickly, using her left hook to control the opening round, which the judges gave her 5-0. She kept up the pressure in the second round with sharp combinations that forced a standing count on Delgado, and closed out the final round on top with clean punches to seal the win. This is India's first boxing gold of the day at these Games, coming just before Jaismine Lamboria's gold in the 57kg final. Pawar had already won titles at the 2026 Asian Boxing Championships and the 2025 World Boxing Cup Final earlier this year. She reached the final unbeaten, having stopped Zambia's Catherine Mwape in the semifinal.
Jaismine Lamboria Wins Gold in Women's 57kg Boxing at CWG 2026
Jaismine Lamboria won gold in the women's 57kg boxing final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She beat reigning champion Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland 5-0 on a unanimous decision. Lamboria stayed patient through a cautious opening round, edging it 3-2 on a split decision. She then took control in the closing rounds, landing the cleaner and more precise punches as Walsh struggled to change the momentum. The two boxers embraced in the ring after the result. This is India's second boxing gold of the day, coming right after Preeti Pawar's win in the women's 54kg final. It's also India's second straight boxing gold at these Games. Lamboria is the reigning world champion and current World No. 1 in the 57kg category. She had won bronze in this event at the 2022 Birmingham Games, so this gold marks a big step up. She reached the final with a dominant RSC win over Lesotho's Rapelang Maselela in the semifinal.
Yash Vir Singh Wins Bronze in Men's Javelin Throw at CWG 2026
Yash Vir Singh won bronze in the men's javelin throw final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. The medal marks his first appearance on a Commonwealth Games podium. Singh competed alongside Neeraj Chopra in the same final, with Chopra taking silver. Their podium finishes gave India a rare 1-2 result in the men's javelin at these Games, a first for the country in this event at the Commonwealth level. Singh has been building his profile on the domestic and international circuit over recent seasons. A bronze at a Commonwealth Games final is his biggest result yet, and it puts him firmly on the radar alongside India's established javelin talent. The result also adds to India's growing athletics medal count at CWG 2026 in Glasgow.
Neeraj Chopra Wins Silver in Men's Javelin Throw at CWG 2026
Neeraj Chopra won silver in the men's javelin throw final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. The result adds another major medal to his growing collection on the global stage. Chopra has been the dominant force in Indian javelin for years. He holds the Olympic gold from Tokyo 2020, the Olympic silver from Paris 2024, and the World Championship gold from 2025. A Commonwealth Games podium finish extends that run of consistency across every major event he competes in. The men's javelin throw has become one of India's most reliable medal events at international meets, largely due to Chopra's presence. His silver in Glasgow keeps that streak alive and adds to India's athletics tally at these Games. Fellow Indian thrower Yash Vir Singh also medalled in the same event, taking bronze, giving India a strong 1-2 finish in the men's javelin at CWG 2026.
Stephen Fleming Appointed England's Test Head Coach
England have confirmed Stephen Fleming as their new Test head coach. The former New Zealand captain takes over a role that's been vacant since Brendon McCullum's exit from the red-ball job last month. Fleming replaces McCullum, who was removed as Test coach after a rough patch of results. That run included a 4-1 Ashes loss and a home series defeat to New Zealand. McCullum stays on as England's white-ball coach, so this is a straight swap in the Test dugout only. Fleming brings a long coaching résumé to the role. He spent close to two decades in charge of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, winning five titles and turning the franchise into the most successful team in the competition's history. That partnership ended earlier this month after CSK missed the playoffs three seasons running. As a player, Fleming captained New Zealand in 80 Tests, more than anyone else in the country's history. He retired in 2008 with over 7,000 Test runs to his name. His switch into coaching started at CSK in 2009 and has now led him to one of the biggest jobs in international cricket. Fleming inherits an England side coming off back-to-back tough results in the format. The ECB had been weighing several names for the position, including former players Andy Flower and Justin Langer, before settling on the New Zealander. England's next Test assignment is the Ashes next summer, giving Fleming time to work with the squad before facing his toughest test yet in the new role.
Harsh Singh Wins Gold in Men's 60kg Judo at CWG 2026
Harsh Singh won the gold medal in the men's 60kg judo category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, marking his first Commonwealth Games title. Harsh had earlier reached the final with a dominant semifinal performance against Australia's Pedro Carlos Antun Neto, winning by Waza-Ari. His gold added to a memorable day for Indian judo at Glasgow 2026, with Asmita Dey also winning gold in the women's 48kg category.
Asmita Dey Wins Gold in Women's 48kg Judo at CWG 2026
Asmita Dey won the gold medal in the women's 48kg judo category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, defeating Heidi Quach in the final. The final was tightly contested, tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time before Asmita edged ahead in Golden Score to seal the win 2-1. Asmita had earlier booked her spot in the final with a thrilling Golden Score victory over Scotland's Sumer Shaw in the semifinal, winning 1-0 (Yuko) in a contest that lasted 6 minutes and 27 seconds.
Seema Kaliramna Wins Bronze in Women's Discus Throw at CWG 2026
India's Seema Kaliramna won the bronze medal in the women's discus throw event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, marking her maiden Commonwealth Games medal. The result added to a strong day for India in the field events, coming on a day that also saw Lovepreet Singh clinch a weightlifting silver. Kaliramna's bronze contributed to India's growing medal tally in athletics at the Glasgow Games. Her achievement was recognised alongside Lovepreet Singh's, with President Droupadi Murmu congratulating both athletes on their performances at the Games.
Lovepreet Singh Wins Silver in Men's +110kg Weightlifting at CWG 2026
India's Lovepreet Singh won the silver medal in the men's +110kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, narrowly missing out on gold by just 1kg. Lovepreet lifted a combined total of 388kg (176kg snatch + 212kg clean and jerk) . He set a new Games record in the snatch with 176kg, taking a commanding lead into the clean and jerk. However, New Zealand's David Liti produced a stunning final lift of 223kg in the clean and jerk to seal gold with a Games record total of 389kg, edging out Lovepreet by a single kilogram. This is Lovepreet's second Commonwealth Games medal, having won bronze in the 109kg category at Birmingham 2022. The 28-year-old from Amritsar, Punjab, took up weightlifting at age 13 and has progressed through India's junior and senior ranks via the SAI National Camp in Patiala. With this result, Indian weightlifters concluded the Glasgow 2026 Games campaign with eight medals overall — one gold (Mirabai Chanu), six silver, and one bronze.
Commonwealth Games 2026: Australia Tops Medal Table, India Cracks Top 10
Australia sit on top of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games medal table with 51 gold, 24 silver and 35 bronze medals. That's 110 medals in total, well clear of the chasing pack. A dominant swimming program has driven most of Australia's gold-medal haul so far. Pos Team G S B Total 1 Australia 51 24 35 110 2 England 15 30 20 65 3 Canada 15 13 17 45 4 Scotland 9 7 9 25 5 Nigeria 8 5 3 16 6 South Africa 6 9 8 23 7 Malaysia 6 3 3 12 8 New Zealand 5 9 7 21 9 Jamaica 4 2 2 8 10 India 3 10 4 17 India have moved into 10th place with 17 medals: three gold, 10 silver and four bronze. Weightlifting and combat sports have carried India's tally so far. Mirabai Chanu won gold in weightlifting, completing a hat-trick of Commonwealth titles. Rishikanta Singh added a silver in the men's 60kg category with a new Games record in snatch. India's bigger tests are still ahead. Athletics and swimming, historically tougher medal sources for the country at these Games, have their biggest days coming up before competition closes on August 2.
Harjinder Kaur Wins Silver With Career-Best Lift in Women's 69kg at CWG 2026
Harjinder Kaur won silver in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, lifting a career-best total of 227kg (101kg snatch, 126kg clean and jerk). She sealed second place with a successful 126kg lift on her final clean and jerk attempt. Canada's Charlotte Simoneau took gold with a total of 235kg, while Australia's Nya Hayman claimed bronze with 218kg. Harjinder also rewrote the Commonwealth Games snatch record twice during the competition en route to the podium. This is her second consecutive Commonwealth Games medal, having won bronze in the 71kg category at Birmingham 2022. Born in Mehas village near Nabha in Punjab, Harjinder grew up in a modest, landless farming family. The result took India's weightlifting medal count at these Games to seven — one gold, five silver and one bronze.
Gulveer Singh Scripts History With India's First-Ever Men's 10,000m CWG Silver
Gulveer Singh won silver in the men's 10,000m final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, becoming the first Indian in Commonwealth Games history to reach the podium in the event. He clocked 27:49.78, unleashing a powerful finishing sprint on the final lap in challenging rainy conditions to seal second place. Australia's Ky Robinson won gold, while Isle of Man's David Mullarkey took bronze. Traditional distance-running powerhouses Kenya and Uganda missed out on the medals entirely. A serving Naib Subedar in the Grenadiers Regiment of the Indian Army, Gulveer hails from Sirsa village in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and started his running journey on village roads and farmland trails. He made his international breakthrough with a 5000m bronze at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships, followed by a 10,000m bronze at the 2022 Asian Games, before winning double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi. The medal was India's second of Day 6 in Glasgow, arriving shortly after Harjinder Kaur's silver in weightlifting, taking India's overall tally to 12 medals — two gold, seven silver and three bronze.
Murali Sreeshankar Wins Second Straight CWG Long Jump Silver
Murali Sreeshankar won silver in the men's long jump final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. His best effort of 8.09m came on his second attempt. Jamaica's Tajay Gayle took gold with 8.15m, while Scotland's Stephen Mackenzie claimed bronze with 8.08m. Sreeshankar stayed in contention for gold right up to his final attempt, managing 7.97m on his sixth jump, six centimetres short of Gayle's winning mark. Fellow Indian Lokesh Sathyanathan finished fifth with a jump of 7.97m. This is Sreeshankar's second consecutive Commonwealth Games long jump silver. He had also won silver at Birmingham 2022 with a best jump of 8.08m. The result makes him the first Indian men's long jumper to win two Commonwealth Games medals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sreeshankar for the achievement, calling his performance outstanding.
Dilip Gavit Wins Gold, Basil Takes Silver in Historic India 1-2 at CWG 2026
Dilip Mahadu Gavit won gold in the men's T47 100m para-athletics final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He clocked 10.71 seconds, setting a new Commonwealth Games record. Mohammed Basil Morssinganakth finished right behind him in 10.83 seconds to take silver. Together they gave India a historic one-two finish in the event. Gavit surged ahead over the final 30 metres to seal the win. Basil held off England's Kevin Santos, who took bronze in 10.85 seconds. Basil was born without his right arm and has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2026. Interestingly, he had actually beaten Gavit at the Commonwealth Games selection trials, making their joint podium finish in Glasgow even sweeter. This is India's first men's para-athletics gold at these Games. It also marked the second multiple-medal day for India in para-athletics at CWG 2026, after Sharmila Dhankhar's gold and Shilpa K Shyla's bronze in the women's shot put F57. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both athletes for their performances, praising Gavit's speed and Basil's determination.
ICC Confirms 12 Venues for Men's Cricket World Cup 2027
The ICC has officially confirmed the 12 venues that will host the Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, set to be jointly staged by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November 2027. This will be the tournament's first return to Africa since 2003. South Africa (8 venues, hosting the bulk of matches): Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), SuperSport Park (Centurion/Pretoria), Newlands (Cape Town), Kingsmead (Durban), St George's Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Buffalo Park (East London), and Boland Park (Paarl). Zimbabwe: Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo) and Harare Sports Club (Harare). Namibia (making its World Cup hosting debut): Namibia Cricket Ground and United Ground, both in Windhoek. The tournament will feature 54 matches in a 14-team format, with the two groups of seven advancing top three teams each to a Super Six stage. South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically as Full Members, while Namibia must go through the ICC qualification pathway as an Associate Member. Fans can head to ICC's official channels for more details and to register interest ahead of the tournament.
Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement From International Cricket
Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket. He confirmed the decision through an emotional video message on social media, captioned "Cap 278 signing off." Rahane made his India debut in 2011 and went on to play 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is . He scored 5,077 runs in Tests at an average of 38.46, with a highest score of 188. In ODIs, he made 2,962 runs at 35.26, and in T20Is he added 375 runs at 20.83. His biggest moment as a leader came in 2020-21 . He stepped in as stand-in captain for an injury-hit India side touring Australia and led them to a stunning series win, one of the most celebrated results in Indian cricket history. Rahane last turned out for India during the 2023 away Test series in the West Indies. He had continued to hold onto hopes of an international comeback as recently as this year's IPL, but said the "timing feels right" to step away now. In his message, Rahane thanked fans for their support through the highs and lows of his career. He said cricket had taught him that defeat is unavoidable, but that he always felt undefeated in the hearts of his supporters.
Harjinder Kaur Bags Silver in Women's 69kg Weightlifting at Commonwealth Games 2026
Harjinder Kaur won the silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She lifted a combined total of 227kg at the SEC Armadillo. Her total included 101kg in the snatch and a career-best 126kg in the clean and jerk. Canada's Charlotte Simoneau took gold with a Games record total of 240kg. Australia's Nya Phebe Hayman won bronze with 218kg. Harjinder sat second after the snatch round behind Simoneau. She then set a Games record of 123kg on her second clean and jerk attempt before topping it with 126kg on her third to seal the podium finish. This is Harjinder's second straight Commonwealth Games medal. She had won bronze in the women's 71kg category at Birmingham 2022 with a total of 212kg. The improvement to silver this time marks a big step up in her career. The 29-year-old lifter is from Patiala, Punjab. Her result kept alive India's dominant run in weightlifting at these Games. Mirabai Chanu had opened India's medal count in the sport with gold in the women's 48kg. Gyaneshwari Yadav, Rishikanta Singh, Muthupandi Raja and Valluri Ajaya Babu had all added silver medals of their own, while Bindyarani Devi took bronze. Harjinder's silver took India's weightlifting tally at Glasgow 2026 to seven medals from eight events contested so far.
Gulveer Singh Wins India's First-Ever Commonwealth Games Medal in Men's 10,000m
Gulveer Singh claimed silver in the men's 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He clocked 27:49.78 at Scotstoun Stadium. Australia's Ky Robinson took gold in 27:48.93. The Isle of Man's David Mullarkey grabbed bronze in 27:50.28. No Indian athlete had ever medalled in this event at the Commonwealth Games before. Gulveer's silver ended that wait. It also marked the first time since 1986 that no African runner finished in the top three of the men's 10,000m at these Games. The race was run in heavy rain over 25 laps. Gulveer stuck close to the lead pack early on. He passed the 3000m mark in 8:39.2. He briefly slipped to fifth around the 6000m mark. He then worked his way back to third before the bell for the final lap. A strong finishing sprint carried him past several rivals to the silver medal position. Gulveer is the reigning Asian champion and already holds India's national record in the 10,000m at 27:00.22. He won bronze in the event at the 2023 Asian Games. He has broken the Indian record multiple times since 2024 and recently entered the top 10 of the World Athletics rankings for the event. This was India's second athletics medal of the Glasgow Games. Sarvesh Kushare had won silver in the men's high jump a day earlier. Gulveer is also set to compete in the 5000m later in the Games.
Zinedine Zidane Named France Head Coach on Four-Year Deal
Zinedine Zidane has officially been named head coach of the France national football team. The French Football Federation confirmed his appointment on Tuesday at their Paris headquarters. He signs a four-year contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup. Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps , who steps down after 14 years in charge. Deschamps led France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2022 final, and the 2026 semi-final. His tenure ended after a fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup. Zidane takes over the role officially on 1 August. He said he turned down several club offers over the past four to five years while waiting for this job. He also revealed he had rejected interest from other national teams, holding out only for France. His first match in charge comes away to Turkey in the Nations League on 25 September 2026. His home debut follows against Italy on 2 October, exactly 20 years after his infamous red card in the 2006 World Cup final. Zidane's playing career with France included the 1998 World Cup title and the Euro 2000 crown, with 31 goals in 108 appearances. As a coach, Zidane won three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, along with two LaLiga titles. He has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
Bindyarani Devi Wins Bronze in Women's 58kg Weightlifting at CWG 2026
Bindyarani Devi won bronze in the women's 58kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She added to India's strong medal haul in the sport at these Games. The result marked another podium finish for India in weightlifting, following medals from Mirabai Chanu, Rishikanta Singh, Muthupandi Raja, Gyaneshwari Yadav, and Valluri Ajaya Babu. India now has one gold, four silver, and two bronze medals in the discipline at Glasgow 2026. Bindyarani has been a consistent performer for India on the international weightlifting circuit, and her bronze in Glasgow adds to a career built on steady progress at major events. The medal keeps India's weightlifting contingent among the standout performers of these Commonwealth Games, continuing the country's tradition of strength in the sport.
Sharmila Dhankar Wins Gold in Women's Shot Put F57 at CWG 2026
Sharmila Dhankar won gold in the women's shot put F57 final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. The 40-year-old Haryana para-athlete produced a season-best throw of 9.81m to top the podium. Ghana's Zinabu Issah took silver with 8.65m. Fellow Indian Shilpa K Shyla was later elevated to bronze after Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi was disqualified following an official review, giving India a double podium finish in the event. Dhankar took up para-athletics just six years ago and has since become one of India's most consistent performers in the discipline. Her gold in Glasgow is one of the standout results of India's campaign at these Games. The win continues India's strong showing in weightlifting and para-athletics at CWG 2026, with medals now coming from across multiple disciplines.
Sarvesh Kushare Wins Silver in Men's High Jump at CWG 2026
Sarvesh Kushare won silver in the men's high jump final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He celebrated with the Indian flag after securing a podium finish in a competitive field. The result adds to India's growing medal tally in athletics at these Games. Kushare has been steadily building his international profile in the high jump over recent seasons, and a Commonwealth Games silver marks one of his biggest results yet. India's medal haul in Glasgow has been led by strong showings across weightlifting and para-athletics, and Kushare's silver extends that success into track and field. He becomes one of the standout Indian performers in athletics at CWG 2026.
Shilpa K Shyla Wins Bronze in Women's Shot Put F57 at CWG 2026
Shilpa K Shyla won bronze in the women's shot put F57 final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She had originally finished fourth with a personal-best throw of 7.26m. Shilpa was elevated to bronze after Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi was disqualified following an official review. The result gave India its first double podium finish of these Games in a single event. Fellow Indian Sharmila Dhankar took gold in the same event with a season-best throw of 9.81m. Ghana's Zinabu Issah claimed silver with 8.65m. This was Shilpa's first Commonwealth Games medal. The Karnataka-based para-athlete lost her leg at age four and trains at SAI Bengaluru. She said the achievement was hard to put into words and thanked her coaches and support staff for helping her reach the podium. The bronze took India's overall medal tally at the Glasgow Games to 10.
Valluri Ajaya Babu Wins Silver in Men's 79kg Weightlifting at CWG 2026
Valluri Ajaya Babu won silver in the men's 79kg weightlifting final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. The 22-year-old lifted a total of 330kg, made up of a 149kg snatch and 181kg clean and jerk. He missed out on gold by just 1kg. Malaysia's Muhammad Erry Hidayat took the top spot with a 331kg total, including a Games-record 184kg clean and jerk. Scotland's Chris Murray claimed bronze with 325kg. Ajaya set his own Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with his 149kg lift, which put him in the lead heading into the clean and jerk. Hidayat then produced a clutch final attempt to snatch gold away in the closing stages. The lifter hails from Kondavelagada village in Andhra Pradesh. His father won bronze in weightlifting at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and Ajaya has now gone one better with silver in Glasgow. He arrived at these Games as the reigning champion from the 2025 Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad, where he lifted 335kg to qualify. The result was India's sixth weightlifting medal of the Glasgow Games, following golds and silvers from Mirabai Chanu, Rishikanta Singh, Muthupandi Raja, and Gyaneshwari Yadav.
India Name Squad for Two-Match Test Series in Sri Lanka
India have named their squad for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, starting August 15. Shubman Gill continues as captain, with KL Rahul as his deputy. The squad blends experience with a few fresh faces. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal add depth at the top of the order, while Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel give India two wicketkeeping options. Sai Sudharsan is also in the squad, subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Ravindra Jadeja , Kuldeep Yadav and uncapped left-arm spinner Manav Suthar lead the spin options on pitches expected to turn. Jasprit Bumrah is included but also carries a fitness tag, with Mohd. Siraj , Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar rounding out the pace attack. Saransh Jain completes the squad. It marks India's first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017. The opening Test is at the Galle International Stadium, followed by the second Test at the SSC in Colombo, with both matches forming part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Full squad: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain. *Subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Justin Greaves Bowls Five Straight Wicket-Maidens, a First in Test History
Justin Greaves produced a spell for the ages on day three of the first Test between West Indies and Pakistan in Trinidad. The all-rounder sent down five consecutive maiden overs, taking a wicket in each one. No bowler had managed that in Test cricket before, going by records that are freely available. Greaves split the feat either side of lunch. He struck twice before the break, then came back after the interval and immediately removed Mohammad Abbas to complete the set. It also handed him his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, with final figures of 5 for 27 from 11 overs. The effort beats the previous best of four consecutive wicket-maidens, held by England's Stuart Broad since a Test against South Africa in Johannesburg back in January 2016. Greaves credited a simple game plan for the breakthrough. Captain Roston Chase had told him to stay disciplined with his lines and lengths and let the wickets come. That's exactly how it played out, as Pakistan lost 6 wickets for just 38 runs during the collapse. Pakistan had looked well placed before the slide, with Shan Masood compiling his seventh Test century. But once Greaves found his rhythm, the innings fell away quickly, and Pakistan were bowled out for 282 in reply to West Indies' first-innings 311, leaving the hosts a slim lead heading into their second innings.
Jhandu Kumar Wins India's First Medal at CWG 2026 with Para Powerlifting Bronze
Jhandu Kumar won India's first medal of the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, claiming bronze in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at the SEC Armadillo. He produced a best lift of 190kg on his second attempt to finish with 130.9 points, edging out Uganda's Dennis Mbaziira and Australia's Ben Wright. Kumar began with a successful 181kg lift before improving to 190kg. He then attempted 196kg in his final lift, a weight that would have surpassed the Commonwealth Games record set at Birmingham 2022, but was unable to complete it and finished third overall. The 28-year-old comes from Nalanda district in Bihar and hails from a humble background as the son of a vegetable vendor. He once sold vegetables and worked as an auto-rickshaw driver, even selling his own vehicle in 2023 to fund a trip to the national championships. He started his sporting career in athletics before switching to para powerlifting. The bronze marked India's first-ever Commonwealth Games podium finish in para powerlifting. Kumar was later felicitated by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his achievement.
Gyaneshwari Yadav Wins Silver in Women's 53kg Weightlifting at CWG 2026
Gyaneshwari Yadav continued India's strong weightlifting run at the Commonwealth Games 2026, winning silver in the women's 53kg category in Glasgow. She lifted a personal-best total of 199kg, made up of 88kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk. The 23-year-old from Bhondiya village in Chhattisgarh pushed Nigeria's Didih Onome Omolola all the way in a closely fought final. Yadav even set a new Commonwealth Games clean and jerk record with a 107kg lift, only for Didih to respond immediately. Didih eventually claimed gold with a 206kg total, rewriting both the Commonwealth and Games records. Canada's Rebeka Groulx took bronze with 178kg. Yadav became the third Indian weightlifter to medal in Glasgow, following Mirabai Chanu's gold and Raja Muthupandi's silver. She trains at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala and has represented India at the Commonwealth Championships, Asian Championships, and World Weightlifting Championships. The result marked India's fourth weightlifting medal and fifth overall at these Games, extending the country's strong tradition in the sport at the Commonwealth level.
Raja Muthupandi Wins Silver in Men's 65kg Weightlifting at CWG 2026
Raja Muthupandi added another weightlifting medal for India at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, winning silver in the men's 65kg category. He competed at the SEC Armadillo, the venue that also saw Mirabai Chanu complete her hat-trick of CWG golds and Rishikanta Singh take silver in the men's 60kg. Muthupandi's silver made it three weightlifting medals for India on a single day of competition. The result reflects the depth of India's lifting squad heading into these Games, coming from a contingent that features six women and five men. India has a strong recent history in Commonwealth Games weightlifting, having topped the medal table at both Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. Muthupandi's podium finish keeps that tradition alive as the competition continues in Glasgow, with more weight categories still to come across the Games. For Muthupandi, the silver marks a big result on the international stage and adds to India's growing medal tally at CWG 2026.
Rishikanta Singh Wins Silver in Men's 60kg Weightlifting at CWG 2026
Rishikanta Singh added to India's opening-day weightlifting haul at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, winning silver in the men's 60kg category. He competed at the SEC Armadillo, the same venue where Mirabai Chanu completed her hat-trick of CWG golds on the same day. Singh's silver came alongside another Indian medal in the discipline, with Raja Muthupandi taking silver in the men's 65kg event. Together, the results gave India three weightlifting medals on a single day of competition, underlining the depth of the country's lifting contingent at these Games. India has traditionally been strong in Commonwealth Games weightlifting, topping the medal standings at both Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. Singh's performance continues that trend heading into Glasgow 2026, with more weight categories still to be contested across the Games. For Singh, the medal marks a significant result on the Commonwealth Games stage, adding to India's growing tally in Glasgow. The Indian weightlifting team, comprising six women and five men, will look to build on this strong start as competition continues through the week.
Mirabai Chanu Completes Hat-Trick of CWG Golds in Glasgow
Mirabai Chanu delivered India's standout moment at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, winning gold in the women's 48kg weightlifting category. She lifted a total of 190kg, an 85kg snatch and a 105kg clean and jerk, breaking Games records in both lifts and the overall total. It was her third straight CWG gold, after Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. Her CWG story began with silver at Glasgow 2014, the same city where she completed the hat-trick. Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo Nyong took silver with 168kg. Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry claimed bronze with 167kg. Chanu finished 22kg clear of the field. Mirabai endured a rare shaky start, failing her opening 82kg snatch before recovering to clear it on her second try. She then produced a flawless 85kg lift on her final attempt to set the new Games snatch record. In the clean and jerk, she missed her opening 105kg attempt but converted it on her second try to seal the gold. The win capped a dominant run for India in weightlifting at the SEC Armadillo and continued Chanu's remarkable Commonwealth Games legacy since her first appearance in 2014.
India Beat Zimbabwe by 35 Runs in 3rd T20I to Complete 3-0 Series Whitewash
India completed a clean sweep of the T20I series in Zimbabwe, beating the hosts by 35 runs in the 3rd T20I at the Harare Sports Club. The result gives India a 3-0 series win. India batted first and posted 192 for 5. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi led the innings with 81 off 49 balls, striking 8 fours and 4 sixes. Rinku Singh played a quick cameo of 25 off 14, and Ishan Kishan added 29. Brad Evans was the pick of Zimbabwe's bowlers with 2 for 41. Zimbabwe's chase never got going. Mayank Yadav struck twice in the powerplay, and Yash Thakur removed Dion Myers and Sikandar Raza off successive balls to leave Zimbabwe reeling. Ryan Burl fought hard for a fifty, finishing unbeaten on 54 off 43 balls, but the required rate had already slipped away. Mayank Yadav finished with 3 for 29, and Zimbabwe fell short at 157 for 7. The win completes a dominant tour for India, who won all three matches of the series. It's Shreyas Iyer 's first series win as India's full-time T20I captain, following winless tours of Ireland and England earlier this year.
Abhishek Sharma Sets Indian Record for Best Bowling Figures by an Opening Batter in T20Is
Abhishek Sharma set a new Indian record in the 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. The left-arm part-timer returned figures of 3 for 17 from his overs. That's now the best bowling figures by an Indian opening batter in T20I history. Abhishek doesn't bowl regularly for India. He came on as a change option in Zimbabwe's chase and made an instant impact. He removed Wessly Madhevere, Newman Nyamhuri and Richard Ngarava, breaking a middle-order stand and cleaning up the tail in the same spell. His bowling has taken a back seat to his batting so far in his young international career. He's better known as India's aggressive opener at the top of the order, with two T20I centuries already to his name. This spell adds a new string to his game, and gives India's think tank another bowling option to call on in tight matches. The all-round effort helped bowl Zimbabwe out for 129, as India completed a 90-run win to seal the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare.
India Back at No. 1 in ICC Men's T20I Rankings After Sealing Zimbabwe Series
India have returned to the top of the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings after sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match series against Zimbabwe. The 90-run win in the 2nd T20I at the Harare Sports Club was enough to push India back above England, who had held the No. 1 spot since July 11. India and England are locked on an identical rating of 268, but India's higher points tally, built over a larger sample of matches, edges them back to top spot. India had previously lost the No. 1 ranking after a 4-0 series defeat in England and a 2-0 series loss in Ireland earlier this year. Below England, Australia (260) sit third, followed by New Zealand (247) and South Africa (244). Pakistan (240) and West Indies (234) round out the top seven, with Bangladesh , Sri Lanka and Afghanistan completing the top ten. India will look to complete a series whitewash in the dead-rubber 3rd T20I, with the rankings picture set to be reassessed after the next full series involving the top sides. ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings - Top 10 Rank Team Rating Points Matches 1 India 268 16088 60 2 England 268 10186 38 3 Australia 260 9868 38 4 New Zealand 247 12348 50 5 South Africa 244 11717 48 6 Pakistan 240 13679 57 7 West Indies 234 13079 56 8 Bangladesh 224 11860 53 9 Sri Lanka 221 9703 44 10 Afghanistan 220 7935 36
India Beat Zimbabwe by 90 Runs to Win T20I Series 2-0, Kishan and Varma Star With the Bat
India wrapped up the three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe with a game to spare, beating the hosts by 90 runs in the 2nd T20I at the Harare Sports Club. The win gives India a 2-0 series lead. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field. India made full use of the batting-first option. Ishan Kishan led the charge with 81 off 44 balls. Tilak Varma stayed unbeaten on 60 off just 29 balls. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also chipped in with a quickfire 20 off 9 at the top. India finished on 219 for 5 in their 20 overs. Zimbabwe never got close to the target. Brian Bennett top-scored with 32, and Tadiwanashe Marumani made 24, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Yash Thakur picked up 2 wickets on debut. Prince Yadav also took 2 before a hamstring issue forced him off the field. Abhishek Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3 wickets from his part-time off-spin. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 129 in 17.5 overs. Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match for his 81. The win also hands Shreyas Iyer his first T20I series win as captain, after a difficult run in the format on India's earlier tours of Ireland and England this year. The two sides meet again in the dead-rubber 3rd T20I at the same venue on July 26, before India's white-ball season moves on to their next assignment.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Handed Direct Entry to Asian Games Cricket Knockouts
The draw for cricket at the 2026 Asian Games was announced on Thursday, and India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have all been handed direct entry into the men's knockout stage as the top four seeds. The men's competition has 10 teams. The remaining six — Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal and Oman — will play a preliminary round for the four spots left in the quarter-finals. Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal make up Group A, while Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman form Group B. The top two from each group advance to face the seeded sides. The draw also keeps India and Pakistan apart, meaning the two can only meet if both reach the final. The men's event runs from September 24 to October 1 in Nagoya. The women's tournament, running September 17 to 22 , starts straight from the quarter-finals with eight teams. The opening fixtures are: India vs Japan, Bangladesh vs China, Sri Lanka vs Malaysia, and Pakistan vs Thailand . India enter both events as defending champions after sweeping gold in both the men's and women's competitions at Hangzhou 2023.
Cricket Australia Boss Open to Playing an Ashes Test in India
Cricket Australia's chief executive Todd Greenberg says the board is open to hosting an Ashes Test in India. He made the comments on the BBC's Stumped podcast. Greenberg said CA's ties with both the ECB and the BCCI are strong. He added that India offers a chance to put "more content into certain areas" of the calendar. The Ashes has been played only in England or Australia since 1882. Moving even one Test to India would break that tradition. Any such move would still need sign-off from CA, the ECB, and cooperation from the BCCI. Greenberg was clear it isn't a current plan. He called it something CA "would certainly be open to consideration" on. The comments come as CA looks to grow its footprint in India. The Big Bash League will stage a match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers in Chennai this December, its first-ever game outside Australia. The next Ashes series is already set for the 2027 English summer, running from June 18 to August 2.
2027 Cricket Calendar: BGT, IPL, WTC Final, Asia Cup, Ashes and World Cup All Set
2027 is shaping up to be one of the busiest years cricket has ever had. Every major format and tournament lines up back to back, starting in January and running all the way through November. The year opens with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy . Australia tour India for a five-Test series running from January 21 to March 3 . It's a rematch after Australia's win in the previous cycle, and it sets the tone for a packed 12 months. Right after that comes IPL 2027 , now set to run from March 10 to May 15 . BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the earlier window, moved up to dodge peak summer heat and pre-monsoon rain. The match count stays at 74. June brings a rare clash of two marquee events on the same day. The World Test Championship Final is set for June 9 to 13 . As reported earlier, the ICC has confirmed The Oval in London as the venue, the same ground that hosted the 2023 final. Australia currently top the WTC 2025-27 points table, with South Africa and New Zealand close behind. The very same week, two more tournaments get underway. The Asia Cup 2027 runs from June 18 to July 4 , and The Ashes also starts on June 18 , continuing all the way to August 2 . That gives fans a genuine test-your-loyalty stretch, with Test cricket, continental T20 cricket, and England-Australia rivalry all competing for attention at the same time. The year closes with the biggest prize of all. The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 runs from October 4 to November 21 . This edition moves to a new three-stage format, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with 14 teams involved. Six major events, one calendar year. From five-day Tests to the shortest format, 2027 promises non-stop cricket for fans to follow from January right through to the World Cup final in November.
ICC Confirms The Oval as Venue for 2027 World Test Championship Final
The ICC has confirmed The Oval in London as the venue for the 2027 World Test Championship Final. The match is scheduled for June 9 to June 13, 2027 . This will be the second time The Oval hosts the WTC Final. It previously staged the 2023 decider, where Australia beat India by 209 runs to win their maiden Test mace. The venue was picked by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which was awarded hosting rights for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 finals last year. All three WTC finals so far have also been played in England, at Southampton in 2021 and Lord's in 2025. The 2027 final carries extra significance too. It falls in the year cricket marks 150 years of Test cricket. ICC General Manager of Events and Operations Gaurav Saxena said the occasion would add weight to what is already one of the sport's biggest fixtures. The race to reach the final is still wide open. Australia currently lead the WTC 2025-27 points table with an 87.50 percentage after winning 7 of their 8 Tests. South Africa , the defending champions, sit second, with New Zealand close behind in third. Several key series remain before the picture clears, including West Indies vs Pakistan starting July 25, Australia vs Bangladesh in August, and India's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka starting August 15.
Mayank Yadav Becomes Third Indian to Take a Wicket on the First Ball of a T20I
Mayank Yadav made an instant impact in India's series opener against Zimbabwe in Harare. Handed the new ball, he struck with the very first delivery of the match, having Brian Bennett caught behind by Ishan Kishan. The wicket makes him only the third Indian bowler to take a wicket on the first ball of a men's T20I. He joins Ajit Agarkar and Arshdeep Singh on that short list. Mayank went on to finish with figures of 2 for 18 from his 4 overs, consistently troubling the Zimbabwe top order with pace touching 149 kmph. His second wicket, Dion Myers, came in similar fashion, caught in the deep off a mistimed pull. The 24-year-old had already made his India T20I debut back in October 2024 against Bangladesh, where he was one over away from becoming just the third Indian to bowl a maiden in his first T20I over. Injuries kept him out of India's white-ball plans through much of the following year, so this outing marked his first international appearance since then. Today's spell was a timely reminder of the pace and impact that first got him into India's setup. Zimbabwe never recovered from the early blow, eventually posting 125 for 7, a target India chased down inside 14 overs to win by 7 wickets.
India Beat Zimbabwe by 7 Wickets in 1st T20I, Sooryavanshi Blazes to Fifty in Harare
India kicked off their three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe with a comfortable 7-wicket win in Harare. Chasing 126, India got home in just 13.2 overs. Zimbabwe were sent in to bat and never really got going against India's new-ball attack. Mayank Yadav struck with the first ball of the innings, removing Brian Bennett for a duck. He finished with 2 for 18. Prince Yadav also picked up 2 wickets. Zimbabwe found some late momentum through Wessly Madhevere , who top-scored with 39, and Tadiwanashe Marumani , unbeaten on 27, as the hosts closed on 125 for 7. India's chase was set up by a blistering start from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi . The teenager smashed 50 off just 19 balls, with 4 fours and 4 sixes, putting the required rate under control inside the powerplay. Ishan Kishan kept the tempo going with 35 off 24 balls. Both fell to Zimbabwe's seamers, but Shreyas Iyer saw India home unbeaten on 28, with Tilak Varma alongside him on 6. The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the series. The two sides meet again in the 2nd T20I at the same venue on July 25.
2027 Women's Ashes Schedule Confirmed: One Test, Three T20Is, Three ODIs
The schedule for the 2027 Women's Ashes is out. The multi-format series between Australia and England runs across June and July, opening with the one-off Test and closing with the ODI leg. The Test starts things off at Headingley, Leeds , from June 24-27 . The series then moves into the T20I leg, with three matches at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on July 3, the Kia Oval, London on July 6, and Old Trafford, Manchester on July 9. The three ODIs follow next. The first is at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton on July 13. The second is at Lord's, London on July 16. The series wraps up at Edgbaston, Birmingham on July 20. As with previous editions, the Women's Ashes points system rewards a win in every format, with the Test worth more points than the white-ball games. Australia go into the series as defending holders of the urn.
FIFA Confirms 6 Teams Already Qualified for 2030 World Cup's Centenary Edition
Six countries already know they're playing at the 2030 World Cup, before a single qualifier has been played. FIFA has confirmed automatic qualification for the six nations set to host the tournament. Spain , Portugal and Morocco are the three main hosts, staging the bulk of the tournament across Europe and Africa. As hosts, all three get the usual automatic entry. The twist is South America. To mark 100 years since the first-ever World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, FIFA is staging three centenary matches on the continent before the tournament shifts to Europe and Africa. Uruguay , Argentina and Paraguay will each host one of these opening matches, and that hosting role earns all three automatic qualification too. Uruguay gets the honour of hosting the ceremonial opener, at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, the same stadium that staged the 1930 final. Argentina and Paraguay each stage one match of their own before the tournament moves fully to its main hosts. Notably, defending champions Spain don't get in on the strength of winning World Cup 2026. Only host status has earned any of the six nations their spot. Every other country, including 2026 runners-up Argentina, will still have to go through the usual continental qualifiers, aside from the automatic entry Argentina gets as a centenary host. With this, the 2030 World Cup becomes the first edition to be staged across three continents, and the first tournament since 2026 to already have confirmed teams before qualifying begins.
FIFA Names Official Team of the Tournament for World Cup 2026
FIFA has named its official Team of the Tournament for the 2026 World Cup. Spain lead the way with three picks after winning the title, but the XI spans seven different countries. The line-up plays out in a 4-3-3. Vozinha gets the goalkeeper's spot after his string of heroics for debutants Cape Verde, including seven saves in a goalless draw with Spain. In defence, Spain's Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro take the full-back berths, with Dayot Upamecano of France and Argentina's Lisandro Martinez at centre-back. The midfield three is Rodri , Jude Bellingham and Michael Olise . Rodri was Spain's on-field leader all tournament and later picked up the Golden Ball. Bellingham gets in for England despite their semi-final exit, and Olise rounds out a strong showing for France in midfield. Up front, it's Lionel Messi on the left, Erling Haaland through the middle and Kylian Mbappe on the right. Haaland's inclusion caps a stunning debut World Cup for Norway, who reached the quarter-finals. Mbappe finished as the tournament's top scorer, while Messi was directly involved in Argentina's run to the final. Position Player Country GK Vozinha Cape Verde LB Marc Cucurella Spain CB Dayot Upamecano France CB Lisandro Martinez Argentina RB Pedro Porro Spain LCM Jude Bellingham England CDM Rodri Spain RCM Michael Olise France LW Lionel Messi Argentina ST Erling Haaland Norway RW Kylian Mbappe France Between them, the XI includes players from the champions, runners-up, and five other nations, spanning stories from title-winners to a 40-year-old shot-stopper from one of the tournament's smallest debutants.
Rahmat Shah Named Afghanistan's New Test and ODI Captain
Afghanistan have a new leader in the longer formats. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named Rahmat Shah as captain of the Test and ODI sides, taking over from Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi steps down after leading Afghanistan through one of its most successful stretches. His tenure included a sixth-place finish at the 2023 ODI World Cup, wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands at that tournament, and a maiden bilateral series win over South Africa. He also led the side to its first-ever appearance at the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Rahmat is no stranger to leadership. He has served as Shahidi's deputy in both formats since 2021. The 33-year-old has played 128 ODIs and 12 Tests for Afghanistan since his debut in 2013, and briefly held the Test captaincy back in 2019 before Rashid Khan was named captain across all formats. Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes over as vice-captain in both formats. The new leadership group gets its first assignment next month. Afghanistan tour Ireland for a five-match ODI series starting August 5, giving Rahmat an immediate chance to put his own stamp on the side ahead of a busy build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Root Cracks Top 10 of ODI Batting Rankings, Rohit Closes In on Top Three
Joe Root is back among the world's top 10 ODI batters. The latest ICC rankings update has him climbing four places to No. 8, his best position since 2020. Root earned the jump with a superb three-match ODI series against India. He stayed unbeaten in all three innings, scoring 76, 99 and 74, and was named Player of the Series with 249 runs at a strike rate near 97. His form helped England win the series 2-1, their first bilateral ODI series win over India since 2018. India's batters also moved up despite the series defeat. Rohit Sharma stayed at No. 4 but closed the gap on the top three after smashing 138 in the third ODI at Lord's. He now sits just nine rating points behind Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill remains second, only one point adrift of New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell at the top. Shreyas Iyer also gained ground, moving up two places to 13th after his 66 in the second ODI at Cardiff. England opener Ben Duckett was another big mover, jumping 11 places to joint-19th after his 141 at Lord's, the highest individual score by a man in an ODI at the venue. Here's the full top 10 after the update: Rank Player Rating 1 Daryl Mitchell (NZ) 802 2 Shubman Gill (IND) 801 3 Virat Kohli (IND) 767 4 Rohit Sharma (IND) 758 5 Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) 712 6 Babar Azam (PAK) 689 7 Harry Tector (IRE) 679 8 Joe Root (ENG) 674 9 Shai Hope (WI) 672 10 Charith Asalanka (SL) 659 Duckett's rise to joint-19th and Iyer's move up to 13th came just outside this top 10 bracket.
Kuldeep Yadav Joins Yorkshire for Maiden County Stint
Kuldeep Yadav has signed with Yorkshire as an overseas player for the rest of the 2026 English season. This will be his first-ever stint in county cricket. The deal covers five One-Day Cup matches to start with. Kuldeep begins his stint against Glamorgan at Neath on Friday, July 24. He will then return to Headingley in September to play three of Yorkshire's final four County Championship matches. The move comes at an interesting time for the 31-year-old wrist-spinner. Kuldeep was part of India's recent tour of England but did not get a single game in the 2-1 ODI series loss. He also missed out during India's T20I series in Ireland and England. The lack of opportunities has been a talking point back home, with several former players questioning the team management's calls. Yorkshire's general manager of cricket, Gavin Hamilton, said the dry summer conditions make Kuldeep's left-arm wrist spin a valuable addition for the closing stages of the season. Kuldeep said he was excited to join a club with such a proud history and looks forward to contributing during his time at Headingley. Kuldeep joins a growing list of Indian players turning out in county cricket this season, including Yuzvendra Chahal at Northamptonshire, Jaydev Unadkat at Sussex, and Ashutosh Sharma at Hampshire.
India, Zimbabwe Both Name Squads for Three-Match T20I Series in Harare
India and Zimbabwe have both named their squads for a three-match T20I series in Harare, starting Thursday. All three matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club, on July 23, 25 and 26. India named their squad first, back on July 6. Shreyas Iyer continues as captain, with Tilak Varma as his deputy. The touring party is a young one, with uncapped players Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh, Ashok Sharma and Harsh Dubey all in the mix, alongside the returning Rinku Singh and Mayank Yadav. Zimbabwe have now followed with their own 15-man squad under Sikandar Raza . The home side have made three changes from the group that played Bangladesh recently. Wessly Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri both return, and Tafadzwa Tsiga earns his first T20I call-up. The two sides last met at the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight stage, where India won by 72 runs in Chennai. This series doubles as a chance for India to test fringe players, while Zimbabwe will fancy home conditions to close the gap.
Anthony Taylor Retires After 831-Match Career Spanning Two World Cups
Anthony Taylor has retired from refereeing at the age of 47, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than two decades and 831 matches. The English official is one of the most established referees in the Premier League era, taking charge of 432 top-flight matches across 16 seasons. Taylor's final assignment came at the 2026 World Cup, where he took charge of the Round of 16 tie between Spain and Portugal. Spain won 1-0 after extra time on their way to lifting the trophy. He spent 14 years on the FIFA International List and officiated at two World Cups, in 2022 and 2026, alongside two European Championships in 2020 and 2024. Domestically, Taylor refereed every major English cup final. His honours include the FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, the 2015 League Cup final, the 2015 Community Shield, and the 2018 Championship play-off final. Reflecting on his decision, Taylor said officiating at the elite level had been an immense privilege, but that the pressure and scrutiny involved had become intense and constant. He said the time was now right to step aside and move on to the next chapter of his career. Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer at Pro Ref, paid tribute to Taylor's contribution to the game both domestically and on the international stage. Taylor had been trusted with some of the biggest fixtures in football for close to two decades, including high-profile European and World Cup assignments. His retirement comes as Pro Ref, formerly known as PGMOL, moves to merge its officials into a single group ahead of the 2026-27 season, marking a moment of transition for English refereeing as one of its most familiar faces steps away from the game.
Spain Reclaim No. 1 Spot as FIFA Releases Post-World Cup Rankings
FIFA released its first official rankings update since the World Cup ended, and the reshuffle at the top tells its own story. Spain jumped back to No. 1 after winning the tournament, moving one place above Argentina, who slip to second despite finishing as runners-up. It's the first time since the World Cup began in 1930 that the top four ranked teams are exactly the four semi-finalists. Spain, Argentina, France and England now occupy the same order in FIFA's list as they did on the pitch. The shakeup goes well beyond the podium. Brazil moved up one place to fifth, and Morocco climbed to sixth, both benefiting from strong tournament runs. Portugal had the opposite experience. Cristiano Ronaldo's side entered the World Cup ranked fifth, but a Round of 16 exit to eventual champions Spain dropped them two spots to seventh, passed by both Brazil and Morocco in the process. Host nations made the biggest ground. Mexico jumped four places into the top ten for the first time since March 2022, while co-hosts the United States rose one spot to 16th. Norway posted the single largest climb anywhere in the rankings, leaping 12 places to 19th after reaching the quarter-finals before losing to England. On the way down, Germany fell out of the top ten entirely, dropping from 10th to 12th. Here is the updated top 20 in the men's rankings, with movement from their pre-tournament position: Rank Team Change 1 Spain +1 2 Argentina -1 3 France — 4 England — 5 Brazil +1 6 Morocco +1 7 Portugal -2 8 Belgium +1 9 Netherlands -1 10 Mexico +4 11 Colombia +2 12 Germany -2 13 Croatia -2 14 Switzerland +5 16 USA +1 17 Japan +1 18 Senegal -3 19 Norway +12 20 Uruguay -4 FIFA's points system rewards results at major tournaments heavily, which explains why a single month of football can move teams so far in either direction. Elimination rounds carry more weight than routine friendlies, so deep tournament runs like Norway's or Mexico's translate directly into ranking jumps, while shock exits like Portugal's or Germany's get punished just as sharply. This is also the last ranking update for a while. FIFA's next official release lands on October 7, 2026 , once the new international window gets underway. Until then, this post-World Cup snapshot stands as the definitive pecking order in men's football, with Spain sitting on top for the first time since April.
Rohit Sharma Becomes First Indian to Score an ODI Century at Lord's
Rohit Sharma answered weeks of retirement talk with a special innings at Lord's. Chasing England's mammoth 387 in the series-deciding third ODI, he smashed 138 off 110 balls, becoming the first Indian man to score an ODI century at the historic ground. Rohit reached his hundred in just 84 balls. He struck 11 fours and 4 sixes along the way, including back-to-back maximums off Josh Tongue that took him into the 90s. He brought up three figures with a four off Adil Rashid. It was his 34th ODI century , and his eighth hundred in England across all formats, the most by any visiting batter in the country. At 39, he also became the oldest Indian batter to score an ODI hundred, and the oldest player of any nationality to reach three figures in an ODI at Lord's. The knock also took him past 1,000 ODI runs against England. Rohit added 147 for the first wicket with captain Shubman Gill , who made 77, before India lost momentum in the middle overs. Despite the century, India fell short, bowled out for 360 in a chase of 388, and lost the match by 27 runs as England sealed the series 2-1. The innings came with the pre-match narrative dominated by questions over his future in the format. For a day at least, Rohit's bat did the talking.
Emiliano Martinez Sets World Cup Final Saves Record Despite Argentina's Defeat
Emiliano Martinez put in a record-breaking display in a losing cause on Sunday. The Argentina goalkeeper made 11 saves in the World Cup final against Spain, the most ever recorded in a final, but it wasn't enough to stop his side losing 1-0 after extra time. Martinez broke the previous record of 8 saves, set in the 1994 final between Brazil and Italy, with his ninth stop late in regulation. Spain dominated possession and peppered his goal throughout, firing 11 shots on target, yet Argentina failed to register a single shot on target of their own in the match. He did it all while carrying a fractured finger on his right hand, an injury he had been managing without surgery through the tournament. His best moments came right at the end of normal time, denying a long-range effort from Nico Williams and then a stoppage-time free-kick from Lamine Yamal to force extra time. The dam finally broke in the 106th minute, when Ferran Torres struck to win it for Spain. Martinez was also the hero of Argentina's 2022 title win, saving a decisive penalty in that final against France. This time, his heroics were not enough to deliver back-to-back titles.
Pau Cubarsi Becomes First-Ever Defender to Win FIFA Young Player Award
Pau Cubarsi made history at the World Cup final whistle. The 19-year-old Spain defender won the FIFA Young Player Award, becoming the first defender to ever take home the prize. Cubarsi started every single one of Spain's eight matches at the back. He helped the team keep seven clean sheets and concede just once all tournament, the tightest defensive record by any champion in World Cup history. That reliability at the back, more than any single moment, is what won him the award. The FIFA Young Player Award goes to the best performer aged 21 or under. It has picked out future superstars before. Kylian Mbappe won it in 2018, Paul Pogba in 2014, and Thomas Muller back in 2010. Cubarsi now joins that list, along with Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, who won it in 2022. He also joins a much smaller club. Cubarsi is only the fifth teenager in World Cup history to win the tournament itself. Coming through Barcelona's academy and into the first team as a teenager, he has already made a habit of skipping steps most defenders take years to reach. For Spain, the award capped a tournament where their youngest players carried as much weight as their most experienced ones. Cubarsi's calm at the back gave the rest of the team room to attack, and FIFA's judges clearly noticed.
Lamine Yamal's Quiet World Cup Still Ends With a Winner's Medal at 19
Lamine Yamal lifted the World Cup on Sunday without ever quite dominating it the way he's dominated everything else in his young career. The Barcelona winger made his World Cup debut this summer as Spain's most hyped attacker, and leaves it as a champion at 19, even though the numbers were modest by his standards. Yamal made seven appearances at this World Cup and scored once, a strike against France in the semi-final that made him Spain's second-youngest ever World Cup scorer, behind only Pele's all-time record. He didn't register an assist all tournament, a quiet return for a player who set up four goals at Euro 2024 two years ago. He came into the tournament managing fitness. A hamstring injury before the World Cup put his opening matches in the group stage in doubt, and he was eased back gradually as Spain progressed. Despite the slow start, Spain didn't need him to carry the attack. They won all eight of their matches and conceded just one goal in the entire tournament, a defensive record that made individual scoring numbers almost secondary. This wasn't Yamal's first taste of major-tournament success. He became the youngest player ever to win a major international trophy when Spain won Euro 2024 the day after his 17th birthday. Now, still a teenager, he adds a World Cup winner's medal to that, becoming a two-time champion with Spain before he's played a single senior tournament where he was the headline scorer. For a player already being talked about as a future Ballon d'Or winner, a World Cup title at 19, even a quiet one statistically, only adds to a résumé that's moving faster than almost anyone in the game's history.
Who Is Ferran Torres? The Super-Sub Who Scored Spain's World Cup-Winning Goal
Ferran Torres came off the bench to become Spain's World Cup hero. The Barcelona forward scored the only goal of the final, a 106th-minute strike that beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time. Torres was born on February 29, 2000, in Foios, a small town near Valencia. He came through Valencia's academy before a big-money move to Manchester City, and later joined Barcelona, where he now plays. He was named Man of the Match for his winning goal in the final. His route to that moment wasn't smooth. Torres has spoken openly about a difficult stretch at Barcelona when he lost form and struggled with confidence, describing it as feeling like "a bottomless pit." He began seeing a psychologist to work through it, and credits that process with turning his career around. He came back to score 11 goals in 2023-24, then 19 the following season, form that helped him force his way back into the Spain squad. At this World Cup, Torres started the final on the bench behind Mikel Oyarzabal. Manager Luis de la Fuente brought him on in the 61st minute, with the game still goalless. Spain and Argentina remained level deep into extra time before Torres finally broke through, arriving at the far post to turn home the winner and send the Spanish bench into celebration. It was Torres's first goal of the tournament, but his third at World Cup level, adding to two he scored back in Qatar in 2022. He now has a Euro 2024 winner's medal and a World Cup winner's medal from Spain's golden run under de la Fuente.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Prize Money: Spain Bank Record $50 Million for Winning the Title
Spain's World Cup triumph came with a record payday. FIFA is handing the champions $50 million in prize money, the largest winner's cheque in the tournament's history. The total prize pool for World Cup 2026 stands at $655 million in performance-based money, part of a wider $727 million package once preparation funds are included. That's a jump of nearly 50% from the $440 million pool at Qatar 2022, driven largely by the expanded 48-team format across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Runners-up Argentina take home $33 million for reaching the final. England, who beat France in the third-place playoff, earn $29 million, with France picking up $27 million for finishing fourth. Every team eliminated at the group stage still walks away with $9 million, and even the earliest-exiting nations were guaranteed money before a ball was kicked. Finish Prize Money Champion (Spain) $50 million Runner-up (Argentina) $33 million Third place (England) $29 million Fourth place (France) $27 million Group stage exit $9 million The money is paid out to national federations rather than directly to players, though players typically receive a share negotiated separately with their federations. For Spain, the $50 million adds a financial exclamation point to a tournament in which they went unbeaten in all eight matches and conceded just once.
Mbappe Finishes as World Cup's All-Time Top Scorer With 22 Goals as Messi Falls Short in Final
Kylian Mbappe finishes the 2026 World Cup as the tournament's all-time top scorer. Lionel Messi went scoreless in Sunday's final, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain, which means Mbappe's tally stands unmatched once the trophy was decided. Mbappe reached the mark with a brace in France's 6-4 win over England in the third-place match, taking his tournament tally to 10 goals. Across this World Cup alone, he scored twice against Senegal, twice against Iraq, twice against Sweden, once against Paraguay, once against Morocco, and twice against England. Add that to 4 goals in 2018 and 8 in 2022, and Mbappe finishes with 22 career World Cup goals, one clear of Messi's 21. Messi had a chance to draw level or retake the record in the final itself. He came into the match on 21 career goals and needed just one more to tie Mbappe, or two to move back in front. Spain's defense, marshalled by a dominant midfield performance from Rodri, kept him quiet all game, and Messi's World Cup story ends on 21. The scoring race also settled the Golden Boot. Mbappe's 10 goals, with 4 assists, means he finishes as the tournament's top scorer outright, his second straight World Cup Golden Boot after also topping the charts in 2022. Between them, Messi and Mbappe have now defined World Cup goalscoring for the best part of a decade. Messi still holds the record for career World Cup assists and remains the only man with a hat-trick in a World Cup final. But for outright goals, the record now belongs to Mbappe, at just 27 years old and with more World Cups likely still ahead of him.
World Cup 2026 Awards: Rodri Wins Golden Ball, Mbappe Takes Golden Boot, Simon Claims Golden Glove
FIFA handed out its individual awards for World Cup 2026 right after Spain's final win over Argentina, and Spain's players swept most of them. Golden Ball (best player): Rodri. Spain's captain anchored the midfield all tournament and was the calm head behind their title run. He beat out Messi and Mbappe, who took silver and bronze respectively, to take the top individual honour. Golden Boot (top scorer): Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman finished with 10 goals and 4 assists, two clear of Messi's 8. He sealed it with a brace in France's third-place win over England, meaning Messi would have needed a hat-trick in the final to catch him. It's Mbappe's second straight Golden Boot, after also winning it in 2022. Golden Glove (best goalkeeper): Unai Simon. The Spain keeper was central to their title, conceding just one goal in the entire tournament, in their group game against Belgium, and keeping seven clean sheets in eight matches. No side has ever won the World Cup while conceding so little. Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsi. The 19-year-old Spain defender was a rock at the back throughout the knockouts and picked up the award given to the standout player born on or after January 1, 2005. He joins past winners like Mbappe and Enzo Fernandez on that list. Fair Play Award: Netherlands. The team award for the tournament's best-behaved side went to the Dutch. Spain's clean sweep of the top individual awards, save for the Golden Boot, underlines just how complete their title run was. They didn't just win the trophy, they set the individual standard almost everywhere else too.
Is This the End? Messi Stays Silent on Argentina Future After World Cup Final Loss
Lionel Messi has not said whether Sunday's World Cup final was his last game for Argentina. At 39, he's stuck to his usual line about taking things one step at a time, and gave no clear answer either way after the 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain. Reports out of the Argentina camp suggest this isn't the end just yet. Journalist Gaston Edul of TyC Sports says Messi is expected to keep playing for the national team, at least through the 2026 Copa America. That would give him one more major tournament in Argentina colours, even though a seventh World Cup in 2030 looks unlikely. Messi would turn 43 partway through that tournament. This is not the first time Messi has stood at this exact crossroads. He announced his retirement from international football back in 2016 after a Copa America final loss to Chile, only to reverse the decision two months later. He also said in 2022 that Qatar would be his last World Cup, before changing his mind and returning for this tournament at 39. Whatever happens next, Messi leaves this World Cup with his numbers intact at the top of the game. He finished as Argentina's talisman once again, with 8 goals and 2 assists in the tournament, behind only Kylian Mbappe's 10 goals in the race for the Golden Boot. Across six World Cups now, Messi has scored 21 goals and set up 8 more for Argentina, numbers no other player in the game's history can match. His club future looks more settled. Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season. Whether Sunday turns out to be his final World Cup appearance or not, the coming Copa America now carries some extra weight for Argentina fans hoping for one more chapter.
Argentina's Title Defense Ends: Defending Champions Fall to Spain in Final
Argentina's reign as world champions is over. The defending champions lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time in Sunday's final, missing out on the chance to become only the second team ever to win back-to-back World Cups, after Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962. It was a tough way to go out. Argentina held firm for most of the game and kept Spain to just one shot on target through 90 minutes, but a Ferran Torres strike in the 106th minute proved decisive. Things got worse late on when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving Argentina to see out the rest of the game a man short. The run to the final was anything but smooth. Argentina needed extra time twice in the knockouts, first to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32, then again to see off Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-final. They also came from behind late to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 and England 2-1 in the semi-final, showing the same fighting spirit that carried them to the title four years ago. Much of that fight came from Lionel Messi , who finished the tournament with 8 goals, second only to France's Kylian Mbappe on 10. Messi was involved in goals right through the campaign, from a hat-trick in the group stage against Algeria to the late strikes that turned games around against Egypt and Cape Verde. For a squad that has now won a World Cup, a Copa America, and reached back-to-back finals under coach Lionel Scaloni, this loss ends one era even as questions begin about what comes next for a team that has been the benchmark in world football for the best part of a decade.
Unbeaten Through Eight Games: How Spain Won the World Cup 2026
Spain went through the whole World Cup without losing a single game, and it showed from their very first match to their last. They opened with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, then put their attacking game on show with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia and a 1-0 win over Uruguay to win Group H. The knockouts followed the same pattern: efficient, controlled, and hard to break down. Spain beat Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32, then edged Portugal 1-0 in a tense Round of 16 clash. Belgium pushed them the closest in the quarter-final, but Spain still came through 2-1. In the semi-final, they beat France 2-0 to book their spot in the final, not conceding a single goal in that match either. Sunday's final against Argentina followed the same script. Spain barely let Argentina threaten all game, and it took extra time before Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute for a 1-0 win. Argentina finished the match with ten men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off late on. Across the tournament, Spain's defense was one of the standout stories. They didn't lose a match at any stage, going unbeaten in eight games from the group stage right through to the final. That run also folded into their bigger unbeaten streak across all competitions, which now stands at 38 games without a loss, a new all-time record for a men's national team, going past Italy's old mark. Young players carried a lot of this team's attacking spark all tournament, with Lamine Yamal a constant threat from wide areas, while more experienced hands like Mikel Oyarzabal chipped in with key goals at big moments, including two in the group stage win over Saudi Arabia. It all added up to Spain's second World Cup title, following their maiden win back in 2010.
Spain Beat Argentina 1-0 After Extra Time to Win World Cup 2026
Spain are World Cup champions once again. They beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium, ending the defending champions' bid for back-to-back titles. The game stayed goalless through 90 tense minutes. Argentina defended deep and made life hard for Spain, who dominated the ball but couldn't find a breakthrough in normal time. The deadlock finally broke in the 106th minute, when substitute Ferran Torres struck to send the Spanish bench into wild celebration. It proved to be the only goal of the game. Argentina's night got worse in the closing stages. Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card in the 90th minute and sent off, leaving Argentina to play the rest of extra time with ten men. It capped a card-heavy night for the South Americans, who picked up six yellow cards in total through Lisandro Martinez (41'), Leandro Paredes (52'), Fernandez (82' and again at 90'), Cristian Romero (90') and Alexis Mac Allister (111'), on top of the red card. The stats show just how one-sided this final was. Spain had 68% possession and fired 20 shots at goal, 11 of them on target. Argentina managed only 3 shots all game and failed to hit the target even once. Spain also completed 803 passes at 90% accuracy, well clear of Argentina's 445 passes at 78%. This is Spain's second World Cup title, adding to their 2010 win. It also extends their unbeaten run to 38 matches, a new all-time record for a men's national team, moving past Italy's old mark. For Argentina, the loss ends their reign as champions and denies them a shot at joining Brazil as the only side to win back-to-back World Cups. Spain's golden generation, built around young stars like Lamine Yamal, now have a World Cup title to show for their dominant run through the tournament.
Kohli and Rohit Become First Indian Pair to Play 400 Internationals Together
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have long been the backbone of India's batting, and fans have a nickname for the pair: "RoKo". Their combined numbers over the years are hard to believe. Between them, they have scored close to 50,000 international runs and hit over 130 centuries . In ODIs alone, Kohli has 14,867 runs from 314 matches with 54 hundreds. Rohit has 11,757 runs from 288 matches with 33 hundreds, heading into the Lord's decider. Across all formats, Kohli sits on 28,285 runs from 562 games, and Rohit on 20,289 runs from 514 games. The pair keeps adding milestones together. At Lord's in the third ODI against England, they walked out to bat in their 400th international match together . That makes them the first Indian pair ever to reach this number, moving past the old record of 391 matches held by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Only six pairs in cricket history, led by Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene with 550 matches, have played more games together than Kohli and Rohit. Their partnership numbers are just as strong. The pair has put together over 21 century stands in ODIs , second only to Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly's 26. Their biggest stand together remains 246 runs , scored against West Indies in Guwahati back in 2018. In that same Lord's ODI, they added another century stand, sharing a brisk 113 runs for the second wicket. Their partnership has powered India to major titles too, including the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and two Champions Trophy wins. Both have now retired from Tests and T20Is, with the ODI format their only remaining stage in international cricket. Every innings the two share from here counts as one of their last together in Indian colours.
England Beat India by 27 Runs at Lord's to Win ODI Series 2-1
England beat India by 27 runs in the third ODI at Lord's. The win gives England the series 2-1. It also caps a rough white-ball tour for India, who had already lost the T20I series earlier on this trip. Put in to bat, England posted a big total of 387 for 3 in their 50 overs. Ben Duckett led the charge with 141. Jacob Bethell backed him up with 91. Joe Root stayed not out on 74, and Jos Buttler smashed a quick 41 not out off just 13 balls at the end. India fought hard in the chase but fell short. Rohit Sharma hit a fine century, finishing with 138. Shubman Gill made 77 at the top, and Virat Kohli added 74. Despite these knocks, India lost too many wickets in the middle overs and ended on 360 for 7. Sam Curran was the pick of the England bowlers, taking 4 wickets. He got rid of Kohli late on, which all but ended India's chase. Jacob Bethell was named Player of the Match for his 91 with the bat and the key wicket of Rohit Sharma with the ball. Looking at the series as a whole, Joe Root was named Player of the Series. He was in fine form with the bat through all three matches, including an unbeaten 99 in the second ODI at Cardiff. This result adds to a tough few weeks for Indian cricket in white-ball formats. India also lost their earlier T20I series on this England tour, and before that, they suffered a shock T20I series defeat to Ireland. Captain Shreyas Iyer and the team will now have time to regroup before their next assignment.
Bukayo Saka's Hat-Trick Seals England's Best World Cup Finish Since 1966
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England beat France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place match in Miami. It's only the second senior hat-trick of his career, and his first ever at a World Cup. His first came back in June 2023, for England against North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford. That night he scored three times in a 13-minute spell in a 7-0 win, becoming the youngest England player to score a hat-trick since Theo Walcott in 2008. This time the goals came in different fashion. Saka struck in the 37th minute, then again right on half-time in first-half stoppage time, before completing his treble from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to put England back in front at 4-3. Jude Bellingham added a fourth soon after, and although Ousmane Dembele pulled one back for France in stoppage time, it wasn't enough to stop England finishing the tournament in third place, their best World Cup finish since they won the trophy in 1966. Saka has been one of England's most reliable performers for years now. He joined Arsenal's academy at just seven years old and has gone on to become the club's talisman, helping them win the Premier League for the first time in over two decades this season. For England, he made his senior debut back in October 2020 and has become a regular starter under Thomas Tuchel, playing a role in England's run to this World Cup semi-final before the defeat to Argentina. A hat-trick in a match that decided nothing but pride is still a rare feat. Very few players manage even one senior hat-trick in their career, and Saka has now done it twice, with this one coming on the biggest stage of all.
Washington Sundar Ruled Out of 3rd ODI Against England Due to Thigh Injury, Harsh Dubey Replaces Him
India have lost Washington Sundar for the series decider against England. He picked up a thigh injury during the second ODI in Cardiff and has now been officially ruled out of the third and final ODI at Lord's. The BCCI confirmed the setback. Sundar will undergo scans and see a specialist to get a clearer picture of the injury. There's no word yet on how long he could be out for. Harsh Dubey has been named as his replacement for the Lord's match. The left-arm spinner joins the squad as India look to cover the gap left by Sundar's all-round skills with both bat and ball. The series is level after two matches. India won the first ODI in Birmingham by 6 wickets, before England hit back in Cardiff, winning by 4 wickets to force a decider. This third ODI at Lord's on July 19 will settle the series. Losing Sundar is a blow for India's balance, since he offers both handy runs down the order and tidy off-spin. How the team management reshuffles the XI without him will be one of the bigger selection calls of the match.
England Beat France 6-4 in Wild Third-Place Thriller at World Cup 2026
England beat France 6-4 in Miami to finish third at the FIFA World Cup 2026. It was the highest-scoring match of the whole tournament, and the third-place game rarely gets talked about this much. Declan Rice put England ahead inside three minutes. Ezri Konsa made it 2-0 in the 18th minute. France looked shaky early, but they hit back fast. Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 48th minute. Bradley Barcola added another six minutes later. Mbappe then grabbed his second in the 66th minute to level the score at 3-3. England did not panic. Bukayo Saka put them back in front in the 87th minute from the penalty spot. That completed his hat-trick, after strikes in the 37th and 45+1st minutes. Jude Bellingham then made it 5-3 deep into stoppage time. France weren't done either. Ousmane Dembele scored in the 90+6th minute to keep the game alive, but Bellingham's earlier goal had already tipped it England's way, and the match finished 6-4. Saka's hat-trick was the standout individual moment of the match. It's a rare thing for any player to manage in a World Cup game, let alone one that doesn't decide the trophy, and it capped a strong tournament for the young forward. Both teams came into this game as disappointed sides. France had lost 2-0 to Spain in the semi-final. England had led for most of their semi-final before Argentina scored twice late to win 2-1. Neither side got the final they wanted, but this match gave fans a proper send-off from the tournament. The stats tell their own story. England had 55% of the ball and 10 shots on target to France's 9. France actually matched England for total shots at 18 apiece, and won more corners, 4 to 3. But it was England's clinical finishing, especially from Saka and Bellingham late on, that won them third place. The World Cup now moves to its final act. Spain play Argentina in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with the trophy on the line.
Minerva Academy's U-12 Boys Retain Gothia Cup Title With Win Over Brazil
Minerva Academy's Under-12 boys are Gothia Cup champions again. The Chandigarh-based side beat Brazil's RS Sports Yellow 2-1 in the World Youth Cup final on July 18, defending the title they won last year. Thangsanglen Kipgen put Minerva ahead first, before the Brazilian side hit back with an equaliser. Mekhamkhraw Nongrem then struck a free-kick winner to seal the match. Kipgen was named the final's best player. Kipgen was the standout performer of the whole campaign, not just the final. He once scored six goals in a single group-stage match. Minerva ran up huge scorelines throughout the tournament, including a 13-1 win and a 12-0 win, on their way to the final. The win caps off a huge few weeks for the academy. Minerva had already won the Helsinki Cup in Finland earlier this month, their first-ever title there. Winning both tournaments back to back gives them what's being called a European double. Gothia Cup is the world's biggest youth football tournament, drawing well over a thousand teams from across the globe every year. Minerva first won it in 2023, beating a Brazilian side in that final too, and have now added a second title on top of it. The result adds to a strong recent run for the academy, which also picked up the Sub Junior League title back home in 2024 and has produced players who've gone on to trials with clubs abroad.
Sir Garry Sobers, Cricket's Greatest All-Rounder, Dies at 89
Sir Garfield "Garry" Sobers , widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder cricket has ever seen, has passed away at his home in Barbados. He was 89, just weeks short of his 90th birthday. Sobers made his first-class debut for Barbados at just 16 in 1953. He earned his West Indies Test cap the following year. He went on to play 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 . With the ball, he picked up 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. He captained West Indies for seven years, from 1965 to 1972. His batting peak came in 1958, when he made an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan at Sabina Park. It stood as the highest individual score in Test history until Brian Lara broke it in 1994, a moment Sobers witnessed and celebrated in person. A decade later, in 1968, Sobers became the first man to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket. He did it playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, taking down bowler Malcolm Nash at St Helen's in Swansea. His first-class numbers were just as remarkable. Across 383 matches for West Indies, Barbados, Nottinghamshire, and South Australia, he scored over 28,000 runs and took more than 1,000 wickets . He could bowl left-arm pace, orthodox spin, and wrist-spin, and was an outstanding close-in fielder, a versatility that led Sir Donald Bradman to call him a "five-in-one cricketer." Sobers was knighted in 1975 for his services to the game. The ICC's award for the top overall performer in men's international cricket is named the Sir Garfield Sobers Award in his honour. Tributes have poured in from across the cricket world. Cricket West Indies said a great innings had come to an end. Nottinghamshire, where Sobers spent much of his county career, called it a deeply saddening loss. Rest in peace, Sir Garry Sobers.
Argentina Under FIFA Review Over Malvinas Banner After Reaching World Cup Final
Argentina's place in Sunday's World Cup final is secure, but their semi-final celebrations are now under FIFA scrutiny. The federation has opened a disciplinary review into a banner displayed by Argentina players after their 2-1 win over England. The banner read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," a reference to the disputed Falkland Islands. The display came moments after Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late to complete Argentina's comeback over England in Atlanta. FIFA has strict rules against political messaging inside the stadium and during official celebrations. A ruling is expected before Argentina take the field against Spain on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where the two sides meet for the first time ever in a World Cup final. Argentina are chasing back-to-back titles, something only Brazil have managed before. The team will be hoping the probe is resolved quickly so the build-up to the final stays focused on the football.
FIFA to Award Championship Rings for the First Time in World Cup History, Ahead of Spain vs Argentina Final
FIFA will hand out championship rings to the winning squad after Sunday's World Cup final. It's a first for the tournament in its 96-year history. The move borrows a tradition long associated with American sports leagues like the NFL and NBA, where winning teams receive custom rings as a lasting keepsake of the title. FIFA has not yet detailed the ring's design, but it marks a symbolic addition to the usual trophy and medal presentation on final day. The announcement lands right before one of the most anticipated finals in years. Spain and Argentina meet on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the first-ever World Cup final between the two nations. Argentina are defending champions chasing back-to-back titles, while Spain are unbeaten in 37 straight games and hunting their second World Cup crown. Whichever side lifts the trophy on Sunday, their players will now walk away with a piece of history beyond the medal around their neck.
Virat Kohli Hits Four Milestones in 2nd ODI Against England
Virat Kohli had a milestone-filled outing during his innings of 65 off 66 balls in the second ODI against England at Cardiff. The knock alone ticked off four separate career landmarks. 1. Most ODI half-centuries by an Indian in SENA countries. Kohli's fifty was his 30th in ODI cricket in SENA nations (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). That took him past Rahul Dravid to become the Indian batter with the most ODI half-centuries in these four countries, conditions traditionally considered the toughest for subcontinental batters to score runs in. The full list now reads: Virat Kohli - 30 Rahul Dravid - 29 Sachin Tendulkar - 25 MS Dhoni - 24 Mohammad Azharuddin - 17 2. Level with Viv Richards for most 50-plus ODI scores against England. The same innings was also Kohli's 14th score of 50 or more against England in ODI cricket specifically, matching the tally West Indies great Sir Vivian Richards built across 36 ODIs against England between 1976 and 1991. Kohli and Richards now sit joint-second on the all-time list. Only Kumar Sangakkara is ahead, with 15 fifty-plus scores against England in ODIs. Kohli's 14 includes 3 centuries and 11 half-centuries from 40 ODIs against England, and he could draw level with Sangakkara in the series decider at Lord's on July 19. 3. Most fifty-plus scores against England across formats for India. The knock was also Kohli's 33rd score of 50 or more against England when combined across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, taking him past Sachin Tendulkar's previous Indian record of 32 such scores against the same opposition. 4. Fifth-most capped player in international cricket history. Separately from his batting, Kohli went past Ricky Ponting during the match to move into fifth place on the all-time list of most capped players, playing his 561st international match. Only Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sanath Jayasuriya have appeared in more international games. Despite the personal landmarks, India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs after being sent in to bat, with the middle order unable to fully capitalise on starts from the top three. England chased the total down with 4 wickets in hand, powered by an unbeaten 99 from Joe Root . The series is level at 1-1 heading into the third and final ODI at Lord's.
Root Falls One Short of Century as England Beat India by 4 Wickets to Level ODI Series
England beat India by 4 wickets in Cardiff to level the ODI series 1-1, with Joe Root left stranded one run short of a century. Chasing 234, England got home in 44.1 overs with 11 balls to spare. Joe Root anchored the chase from the top of the order, finishing unbeaten on 99 off 133 balls. He lost partners around him through the middle overs but stayed till the winning runs came, with Gus Atkinson finishing the job alongside him with an unbeaten 23 off just 16 balls. Earlier, India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs after being sent in to bat. Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 66, and Virat Kohli made 65, but India lost wickets in clusters through the middle overs. A late cameo from Jasprit Bumrah , unbeaten on 20 off just 13 balls, added some late impetus to the total. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson shared six wickets between them for England. In the chase, Gurnoor Brar was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 2 for 67, while Axar Patel and Shivam Dube picked up a wicket apiece to keep India in the contest before Root and Atkinson closed it out. The series is now level at 1-1, with the third and final ODI to be played at Lord's.
Messi Retakes Golden Boot Lead With Two Assists as Argentina Eye Historic Back-to-Back Title, Spain Chase Record Unbeaten Run
Lionel Messi moved back to the top of the Golden Boot race after setting up both Argentina goals in their semi-final win over England. Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe are level on eight goals each for the tournament, but assists are used as the first tiebreaker for the Golden Boot. Messi's two assists against England took his tally to four for the tournament, one more than Mbappe's three, putting him ahead heading into the final. Argentina now have a chance to make history of their own in the final. Only Brazil, in 1958 and 1962, have won back-to-back World Cups. A win over Spain on Sunday would put Argentina in that same company. Spain arrive at the final on a 37-match unbeaten run, matching Italy's all-time record for the longest unbeaten streak by a national team. Their last defeat came in a friendly against Colombia in March 2024. A win in the final would see Spain move past Italy and set a new all-time record.
ICC Confirms New ODI World Cup 2027 Format: Super Series and Super 7 Stages Added for 14-Team Event
The ICC has confirmed a new format for the Men's ODI World Cup 2027, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The changes were approved at the ICC's Annual Conference in Edinburgh, the same meeting where the T20 World Cup format was also revamped. The tournament keeps its 14-team field, but the structure now has three stages before the knockouts. It starts with a new Super Series . The three lowest-ranked qualified teams, ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th, play a round-robin among themselves. Only the winner moves forward, joining the top 11 teams. That leaves 12 teams for the group stage, split into two groups of six , playing 30 round-robin matches. From there, the top three teams in each group qualify for a new Super 7 stage. The seventh and final spot goes to the next best-ranked team across both groups, regardless of which group it came from. The Super 7 is itself a round-robin stage. The top four teams from it advance to the semi-finals, with the 1st-placed side facing the 4th, and 2nd facing 3rd. The winners meet in the final. This replaces the format the ICC had previously approved for 2027, which was two groups of seven leading into a Super Six stage. The ICC said the change was made to avoid dead rubbers and empty stadiums in the early rounds, and to add more jeopardy earlier in the tournament. The exact fixture list will be confirmed at an ICC meeting in October. The 2027 World Cup will have 10 automatic qualifiers, including co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, along with the eight highest-ranked teams as of September 2026. The remaining four spots will be decided through a global qualifier event.
ICC Confirms New T20 World Cup Format for 2028: Five Groups, Super 10, and New Eliminator Round
The ICC has approved a major shake-up of the T20 World Cup format, starting with the 2028 edition. The changes were confirmed at the ICC's Annual Conference in Edinburgh. The tournament will still have 20 teams, but the group stage now moves to five groups of four , up from four groups of five. That means 30 group games instead of 40. The top two from each group progress to a new Super 10 stage, replacing the old Super Eights. This round has two groups of five teams playing round-robin, a jump from 12 matches to 20. The biggest change is what happens after that. Only the team that finishes top of its Super 10 group goes straight to the semi-final. The teams that finish second and third now play each other in a new Eliminator round, with the second-placed side from one group facing the third-placed side from the other. The two Eliminator winners take the remaining semi-final spots. The ICC said the changes were shaped by how well emerging teams performed at the 2026 World Cup, and are meant to keep more teams in contention for longer while making the closing Super 10 matches count for more. Alongside the format change, the ICC also confirmed the qualification path to 2028. Twelve teams have already qualified based on their 2026 results and current rankings: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. Scotland gets a direct spot in the Europe Regional Final because of the unusual circumstances around their 2026 entry, having come in as a late replacement for Bangladesh. The rest, including Canada, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, UAE, and the USA, will go through the Global Qualifier along with teams coming through regional qualifying. The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup also got a format overhaul at the same meeting, moving to a new three-stage structure for its 2027 edition.
France vs England World Cup Third-Place Preview: Mbappe and Kane Lead Two Fallen Contenders
France and England play for third place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on July 18 at Miami Stadium, after both were knocked out in the semi-finals. France lost 2-0 to Spain, while England lost 2-1 to Argentina after leading for most of the match. Both sides came into the tournament as genuine title contenders, which makes this an unusual third-place match. Before their semi-final loss, France had won all six games at this World Cup, scoring 16 goals and conceding just 2. England went five wins and a draw before falling to Argentina. Kylian Mbappe is the tournament's top scorer with eight goals, level with Messi. He'll lead a France side that has struggled to find its usual rhythm in midfield since the semi-final defeat. For England, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have each scored six goals this tournament, with a brace apiece along the way. Kane was left frustrated after the Argentina loss, saying England sat too deep after taking the lead. The third-place match has been part of the World Cup since 1934. Neither side will be lifting the trophy this year, but both will be looking to end their campaign on a high, just a day before the final is played in New York.
Spain vs Argentina World Cup Final Preview: Messi and Yamal Meet for the First Time, With the Trophy on the Line
Spain and Argentina meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. It is the first time the two nations have ever met in a World Cup final. In fact, Spain and Argentina have met just once before at a World Cup, all the way back in 1966. Away from the World Cup, their most recent clash came in a 2018 friendly, which Spain won 6-1. Lionel Scaloni was on Argentina's coaching staff that day. Neither current head coach had even been born the last time these two sides met at a World Cup. Argentina arrive as defending champions, chasing a second straight title. Their route to the final has been anything but smooth. They needed extra time to beat Cape Verde and Switzerland, and came from behind late to beat Egypt and now England. Lionel Messi leads the tournament with eight goals and 12 career World Cup assists, both all-time records, and has now scored 21 World Cup goals in total, also a record. Spain have been the tournament's most controlled side. After a goalless draw with Cape Verde in the group stage, they have won six straight, including a 2-0 win over France in the semi-final. Lamine Yamal , still only 19, has been central to their run and will now face Messi on the biggest stage of all. There is a personal story behind that meeting too. As a baby, Yamal appeared in a photo with Messi at a charity event, a picture that went viral after his father shared it years later. Spain are looking for their second World Cup title, having won it in 2010. Argentina want a third overall, and a second in a row under Scaloni.
Messi Sets Up Both Goals as Argentina Complete Comeback Against England to Reach Back-to-Back World Cup Finals
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta and reach the World Cup final for the second tournament in a row. England led for most of the game through Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute goal. Two late Argentina strikes turned the semi-final on its head. Lionel Messi was the architect of both Argentina goals. He set up Enzo Fernandez for the equaliser in the 85th minute. He then teed up Lautaro Martinez for the winner in second-half stoppage time. England had led since the 55th minute and looked to be closing out the game before the late collapse. England captain Harry Kane did not hide his disappointment after the match. He said the team played well for most of the game. But they sat too deep once they went ahead, and that wasn't enough at this level. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was emotional in his post-match reaction. He said he was proud of a squad that never knows when it is beaten. He called reaching back-to-back finals a historic achievement for the team. The match also had a disciplinary edge. England's Elliot Anderson was booked in the 37th minute. Argentina picked up three late bookings of their own: Lisandro Martinez (42'), Cristian Romero (51'), and Rodrigo De Paul in stoppage time. Argentina dominated possession with 64% of the ball and had 14 shots to England's 6. They will now face Spain in the final. England play France for third place.
Shubman Gill Closes in on World No. 1 ODI Batting Rank, Just 11 Points Behind Daryl Mitchell
Shubman Gill has moved a step closer to the top spot in the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings. His unbeaten 80 in the series opener against England at Edgbaston has lifted him 12 rating points, from 793 to 803. He now sits just 11 points behind New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who holds the No. 1 rank with 814. Gill's knock came off 75 balls and included 11 fours and a six. He retired hurt during India's chase, but his innings kept India ahead of the required rate in a successful run chase of 259. The runs were enough to push him from third to a close second in the rankings table. This is not new territory for the Indian captain. Gill has already held the World No. 1 ODI ranking twice before, once in late 2023 and again in early 2025. He is now chasing a third stint at the top, with the race against Mitchell heating up as both batters have more matches coming up. Mitchell is currently on tour with New Zealand against the West Indies and has scored 65 and 28 in two ODIs so far, with three matches left to defend his spot. Gill has two more ODIs left in the series against England, at Cardiff and Lord's, to try to close the gap or move ahead. Elsewhere in the same rankings update, Axar Patel was the other big mover for India. His all-round show against England, 57 not out and 4 for 62, lifted him 18 places to 73rd among batters and into the top 10 of the all-rounders' list for the first time, at ninth. With two ODIs still to play in the series, the battle for the world's top-ranked ODI batter looks set to go down to the wire.
Oyarzabal Ties Scoring Record, Porro's Second Goal Sends Spain Past France Into World Cup Final
Spain beat France 2-0 in Dallas to reach the World Cup final. The match also had some big personal milestones. Mikel Oyarzabal scored a penalty in the 22nd minute after Yamal was fouled in the box. It was his fifth goal of the tournament. That ties him with David Villa (2010) and Emilio Butragueño (1986) for the most goals by a Spanish player at a single World Cup. Only Villa (13), Alvaro Morata (10), and Fernando Torres (9) have scored more goals for Spain across major tournaments overall. Pedro Porro made it 2-0 in the 58th minute with a neat one-two with Dani Olmo. It was his second goal of this World Cup. He also scored against Austria in the Round of 32. That makes him only the second Spanish defender to score twice at a single World Cup. Fernando Hierro is the other, doing it in both 1998 and 2002. Dani Olmo's assist was also special. He now shares the record for most Spain assists at major tournaments with Cesc Fabregas, both on eight. Olmo has scored or assisted in every one of his three major tournament semi-finals for Spain. Spain's defense had a big night too. This was their sixth clean sheet of the tournament. No team has ever kept six clean sheets at a single World Cup before. For France, Kylian Mbappe made history just by playing. It was his 21st World Cup game for France, the most by any French player. But it wasn't a good night for him on the pitch. He picked up a yellow card in the 86th minute, and in the first half he was caught offside twice while touching the ball inside Spain's box just once. France almost fell further behind when Lamine Yamal curled the ball in from a tight angle. But the goal was ruled out for offside. Spain are now in their second World Cup final ever. Their only other one came in 2010, when they won it. They've also gone 37 games without losing. That ties Italy's all-time record for the longest unbeaten run in men's international football. Spain will play the winner of England vs Argentina, who meet on July 16, in the final.
India Beat England by 6 Wickets in 1st ODI, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar See Off the Chase at Edgbaston
India began their ODI series against England with a comfortable 6-wicket win at Edgbaston, chasing down 259 with 28 balls to spare. It's a much-needed response after a T20I series they lost 4-0 on the same tour. Put in to bat, England were carried by Joe Root , who finished unbeaten on 76. Liam Dawson played the innings of his career alongside him, making 68, his first ODI half-century, in a 121-run stand for the seventh wicket. Ben Duckett got England off to a bright start with 43, but the middle order fell away quickly, and Axar Patel cleaned up the tail with 4 for 62 to restrict England to 258 all out. India's chase had its nervy moments early on. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli , both back in the ODI fold after some time away, fell inside the first nine overs. Shubman Gill kept India ahead of the rate with a fluent 80 before retiring hurt, and Shreyas Iyer added 35 before being run out. From there, it was Washington Sundar and Axar Patel who finished things off. The pair added an unbroken 102 for the fifth wicket, with Sundar unbeaten on 52 and Axar striking the winning six to remain unbeaten on 57. It capped an all-round performance from Axar, who also picked up 4 wickets with the ball earlier in the day. The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Attention now turns to the second ODI in Cardiff on July 16, before the series wraps up at Lord's on July 19.
Harmanpreet Kaur Becomes 4th Indian Captain to Win a Test at Lord's, After Kapil Dev, Dhoni and Kohli
Harmanpreet Kaur has become only the fourth Indian captain, and the first woman, to lead a side to a Test win at Lord's, joining a list that includes some of the biggest names in Indian cricket history. India's win over England Women at the Home of Cricket puts Harmanpreet alongside Kapil Dev , who led India to their first-ever Test win at Lord's back in 1986, MS Dhoni , who did it in 2014, and Virat Kohli , who added to the list in 2021. Harmanpreet's name now joins theirs from 2026, making it four wins across 40 years for India at the historic ground. It's a fitting way to cap a tournament in which Harmanpreet also starred with the bat, having earlier become the first woman to register a half-century at Lord's across all three international formats, a feat only a handful of men's cricketers have managed. With this win, Harmanpreet cements her place not just as one of India's finest captains in the women's game, but as a name that now sits in the same breath as some of Indian cricket's most iconic leaders when it comes to conquering Lord's.
Sophie Ecclestone's Record-Breaking Lord's Test, Even in Defeat
India's win at Lord's was the headline, but Sophie Ecclestone still walked away from the historic Test with a fistful of personal milestones, even on the losing side. Her 5 for 118 in India's second innings made her the first Englishwoman to take a Test five-wicket haul at Lord's , a mark that had stood open through every previous men's and women's Test played at the ground. It was also her fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, underlining her standing as England's premier spinner across formats. The match also pushed her past a long-standing team record. Ecclestone now has two ten-wicket hauls in Women's Tests , the most by any England bowler, moving ahead of the previous mark held by Laura Greenwood. Perhaps the biggest of the three came when she removed Smriti Mandhana in India's second innings. That wicket took her to 338 international wickets , making her England's all-time leading wicket-taker across all three formats, men's or women's, surpassing the previous record held by Katherine Sciver-Brunt. Ecclestone wasn't the only England player to walk away with a milestone despite the defeat. Wicketkeeper Amy Jones became the first keeper to score fifty or more in both innings of a women's Test, finishing with 52 and an unbeaten 52 across the match. Individual landmarks aside, the result stands as a heavy defeat for England, but Ecclestone's numbers are a reminder of the quality still running through this England side, even in a game that will be remembered mainly for India's dominance and Yastika Bhatia's historic hundred.
India Women Complete Historic 270-Run Win Over England at Lord's
India Women completed a famous 270-run win over England Women on Day 4 at Lord's, wrapping up victory in the first-ever women's Test staged at the Home of Cricket. Chasing an out-of-reach 457, England were bowled out for 186 in their second innings, with Sneh Rana finishing the match off in style, taking her final wicket to seal the win. Rana was the standout with the ball across the innings, finishing with 4 for 42, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with 2 wickets as England's lower order was cleaned up on the final morning. Amy Jones fought hard for England, becoming the first wicketkeeper to score fifty-plus in both innings of a women's Test, but the target was always beyond reach once India had set it. The win capped a dominant all-round performance from India across the four days. Kranti Gaud became the first woman to have her name etched on the Lord's honours board with a five-wicket haul in England's first innings, before Yastika Bhatia 's maiden Test century, the first-ever by a woman at Lord's, and a brisk unbeaten fifty from Richa Ghosh powered India's second-innings declaration at 341 for 7. The match also marked an emotional farewell for two England greats, with Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight both playing their final international games and receiving guards of honour from the India players as they walked off. The Test also drew a world-record single-day attendance for a women's Test, with over 15,000 fans packing Lord's. It is a landmark win for India Women, completing a first-ever Test win at Lord's in style and giving the team a huge confidence boost as red-ball cricket continues to grow around the world.
Chennai Super Kings and Stephen Fleming Part Ways After Nearly Two Decades
Chennai Super Kings and Stephen Fleming have parted ways, bringing an end to one of the longest coach-franchise partnerships in IPL history. The Super Kings confirmed the news through an official statement, saying both sides had mutually agreed to end their association. Fleming's journey with CSK goes all the way back to the very first edition of the IPL in 2008, when he turned out for the franchise as a player. He moved into the dugout the following year and stayed on as head coach right through to now, a stretch that different reports put at either 17 or 18 years depending on how the count is measured. Either way, it stands as one of the most stable coaching tenures anywhere in franchise cricket. Under Fleming, CSK became the most successful team in IPL history, lifting the trophy five times, in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023, along with two Champions League T20 titles. His calm, understated style and his long working relationship with MS Dhoni became closely tied to the identity CSK built for itself over the years, one built on consistency and a settled core group of players. The exit follows a rough patch on the field. CSK have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, finishing fifth in 2024, bottom of the table in 2025, and eighth in 2026. Talk of a coaching change had been doing the rounds for a while, though earlier reports through the season suggested the franchise was leaning towards keeping him on. That has now changed with this official announcement. Fleming continues to be involved with two other Super Kings franchises, coaching Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket and Joburg Super Kings in the SA20, so this isn't a complete exit from the wider Super Kings setup, just from the IPL side of it. CSK are yet to announce who will take over as head coach heading into the next season.
Yastika Bhatia's Historic Ton Sets Up Day 3 Declaration as India Close In on Landmark Lord's Win
India Women pushed home their advantage on Day 3 of the historic Lord's Test, declaring their second innings and leaving England needing 327 to win. Stumps came with England on 130 for 6, still 197 runs short with only four wickets in hand. Yastika Bhatia was the standout of India's innings, making a maiden Test century, 113 off 158 balls, becoming the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's in the process. Smriti Mandhana added 70, and Richa Ghosh chipped in with a quick unbeaten 50 down the order as India declared on 341 for 7. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of England's bowlers, finishing with 5 wickets, while Lauren Bell took 2. Chasing an improbable target, England lost early wickets and never got settled. Kranti Gaud and Sneh Rana took 2 wickets apiece, with Sayali Satghare also among the wickets, as England slipped to 130 for 6 by the close. Amy Jones was the one batter to resist, unbeaten on 52, while the rest of the top order fell cheaply. With England still needing 197 more runs and only 4 wickets standing, India go into the final day firmly in control and needing just 4 more wickets to wrap up a landmark win in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's.
Brendon McCullum Sacked as England Test Coach, Stays on in White-Ball Role
Brendon McCullum has been removed as England's Test head coach, bringing an end to the four-year "Bazball" era in red-ball cricket. He remains in charge of England's white-ball setup, covering both ODIs and T20Is. The call comes after a sharp dip in Test results, with England losing the Ashes 4-1 last winter and then falling 2-1 at home to New Zealand last month. Across his full four years in the Test job, McCullum's record reads 27 wins, 20 losses and 2 draws, with the recent slide including seven defeats in the last nine matches. Ben Stokes's shock retirement, announced mid-series against New Zealand, marked McCullum's final Test in the role. McCullum said he was gutted to be stepping away from the Test side but respected the board's decision, adding that his focus now shifts fully to the white-ball teams. The timing is notable, with the news breaking just a day after his white-ball side completed a 4-0 T20I series sweep over India. His white-ball tenure, which began in 2024, will continue through to the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup. England now return to a split-coaching setup, and the ECB has confirmed the hunt for a new Test coach is already underway ahead of next summer's Ashes, with former players including Andy Flower and Justin Langer among the names being discussed.
Prince Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi Replace Injured Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy
India have made two enforced changes to their white-ball squads after hamstring injuries ruled out Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy . Prince Yadav comes in for Rana in the ODI squad for the England series, while Ravi Bishnoi replaces Chakaravarthy in the T20I squad for the tour of Zimbabwe. Both injuries were picked up in the same match, the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge. Rana felt discomfort in his right hamstring, and scans confirmed a Grade 1 injury, ruling him out of the upcoming ODI series against England. Chakaravarthy had a similar issue in his left hamstring, but his scan showed a more serious Grade 2 injury, keeping him out of the T20I series in Zimbabwe. Both bowlers will now report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further assessment and recovery. Prince Yadav was already with the squad in England for the T20Is and now gets a shot at the 50-over format as well. Bishnoi comes in as spin cover for the Zimbabwe leg, having found limited opportunities during the England tour. India begin their three-match ODI series against England on July 14 in Birmingham, before the T20I series against Zimbabwe gets underway on July 23 in Harare, with Shreyas Iyer continuing as captain across both assignments.
Yastika Bhatia Becomes First Woman to Score a Test Century at Lord's
HISTORY AT THE HOME OF CRICKET! 🇮🇳💯 Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has etched her name into cricket history with a sensational 113 off 158 deliveries , bringing up her maiden Test century in unforgettable fashion at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground . Playing with remarkable composure, elegant stroke play, and immense patience, Yastika anchored India's innings and showcased why she is regarded as one of the brightest stars in women's cricket. Her innings was a perfect blend of solid defence and fluent attacking cricket, helping India strengthen their position in the historic Test. This century is much more than just a personal milestone. With this incredible knock, Yastika Bhatia becomes the first woman ever to score a Test century at Lord's , ensuring her name will be permanently inscribed on the legendary Lord's Honours Board , an honour reserved for only the finest performers at the Home of Cricket. Every cricketer dreams of scoring a hundred at Lord's, and Yastika has turned that dream into reality while creating a record that will be remembered for generations. Her achievement marks another proud chapter for Indian women's cricket and serves as an inspiration for young girls aspiring to represent the country on the biggest stage. Congratulations, Yastika Bhatia, on a truly historic milestone! 👏💙 May this be the first of many Test centuries in an extraordinary career.
Heather Knight Retires From International Cricket After Farewell Test at Lord's
Heather Knight has announced her retirement from international cricket. The ongoing Test against India at Lord's is her final appearance in an England shirt. It's the first-ever women's Test played at the ground, the same venue where she lifted the 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup as captain. Knight leads England Women in appearances. She has played 320 matches across all three formats, the most by anyone in the team's history. As captain, she led England in 199 internationals and won 134 of them, with the World Cup triumph on home soil in 2017 standing as her biggest moment in charge. She also became the first England cricketer, male or female, to score international centuries in all three formats. That milestone came with an unbeaten 108 at the 2020 T20 World Cup in Canberra. Her best Test knock arrived two years later, also in Canberra, when she made an unbeaten 168 to rescue England during the Women's Ashes. Her batting numbers stand at nearly 8,000 international runs, with six centuries and fifty half-centuries, figures compiled up to the start of this farewell Test. Her retirement carries extra weight because teammate Tammy Beaumont is also playing her final Test at Lord's in this same match. Two long-serving members of England's dressing room are bowing out together. Knight isn't stepping away from the game entirely. She will take up a new role as General Manager of London Spirit, moving from the field into a leadership position off it.
England vs Argentina Semi-Final Preview: History Locked at 3-3 in One of Football's Fiercest Rivalries
England and Argentina meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on July 16, reviving one of football's most storied rivalries on the game's biggest stage. The two nations have crossed paths at the World Cup four times before, and the history is even, with three wins apiece . England won the first meeting in 1962, then edged a bad-tempered 1966 quarter-final 1-0, a game remembered for Argentina captain Antonio Rattin being sent off. Argentina hit back in the 1986 quarter-final, winning 2-1 in a match forever defined by Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" handball and his stunning solo goal moments later, both scored in the same eight-minute spell. The two sides met again at the 1998 last-16 stage, a 2-2 thriller featuring Michael Owen's wonder goal and David Beckham's red card, with Argentina eventually winning on penalties. England had the last word at the 2002 World Cup, winning 1-0 in the group stage through a Beckham penalty that was widely seen as his redemption after 1998. Beyond World Cup meetings, England hold the wider edge in official fixtures between the sides, with six wins to Argentina's two and five draws across their full history. Their most recent meeting came in a 2005 friendly, which England won. Both teams arrive at this semi-final via extra time in the quarter-finals. England beat Norway 2-1, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice, including a 93rd-minute winner, after Norway had led through Antonio Schjelderup. Argentina came from behind to beat a 10-man Switzerland 3-1, with Breel Embolo's second-half sending off proving decisive as Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time. With an even World Cup head-to-head and both sides in red-hot knockout form, this rematch of two of football's most iconic World Cup collisions could produce another classic.
France vs Spain Semi-Final Preview: A Century-Old Rivalry, But Only Their Second World Cup Meeting
France and Spain meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on July 15, a heavyweight European clash that is, remarkably, only the second time these two nations have ever faced each other at a World Cup. Their solitary previous meeting at the tournament came in the round of 16 back in 2006, when France ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, after David Villa had put Spain ahead. Spain have never beaten France at a World Cup, which makes this semi-final new territory for both sides in terms of World Cup history between them, even though they have plenty of history elsewhere. Away from World Cups, this is one of European football's fiercest rivalries, and Spain hold the overall bragging rights . Across 38 meetings in all competitions, Spain have won 18 to France's 13, with 7 draws. Spain have also won the two most recent competitive meetings between the sides, including a 2-1 win over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final, where a teenage Lamine Yamal announced himself on the big stage with a spectacular, record-breaking equaliser. Spain's edge extends across the bigger tournaments too, with wins over France at Euro 1984, Euro 2000, Euro 2012, Euro 2020, Euro 2024 and in the Nations League all forming part of a rivalry that has swung firmly in La Roja's favour in the competitive era. France did go decades without losing a competitive fixture to Spain, a streak that only ended when Spain won 2-0 in the Euro 2012 quarter-final. Both sides arrive in excellent form. France have been the tournament's most defensively solid side, not conceding a single goal across their last three matches, while Spain have shown they can grind out knockout football, beating Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16 before Mikel Merino struck an 88th-minute winner to see off Belgium in the quarter-final. With history tilted toward Spain and both teams playing knockout football on merit, this looks set to be one of the ties of the round.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Semi-Final Lineup Set as France, Spain, England and Argentina Battle for a Final Spot
The FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final picture is complete, with four heavyweight footballing nations left standing after a dramatic quarter-final round. France face Spain on July 15, before England take on Argentina on July 16, in what promises to be a mouth-watering final four. Notably, this is the first time the world's top four FIFA-ranked teams have all reached the World Cup semi-finals, with Argentina, Spain, France and England occupying the top four spots in the latest rankings. France vs Spain pits two of Europe's most in-form sides against each other. France have been ruthlessly efficient on their way here, beating Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32, edging out Paraguay 1-0 in the last 16, and dispatching Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal in any of those three games. Spain have matched that control in their own way, seeing off Austria 3-0, then needing just one goal to beat Portugal in the round of 16, before grinding past a stubborn Belgium 2-1 in the last eight. England vs Argentina is the standout tie of the round, and both teams have taken the hard road to get here. England needed extra time in the quarter-finals to see off Norway 2-1, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice, including a dramatic 93rd-minute winner, after Norway had led through Antonio Schjelderup. Argentina also required extra time in their quarter-final, coming from behind to beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after Breel Embolo's second-half red card. Both sides have leaned on knockout-stage resilience throughout the tournament, England needed a 3-2 win over Mexico in the round of 16, while Argentina survived a 3-2 last-16 win over Egypt and a 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde in the round of 32. The standout individual story of the tournament remains Lionel Messi , who has been directly involved in goals throughout Argentina's campaign, from a hat-trick against Algeria in the group stage, to further goals against Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout rounds, taking his tournament tally to eight. He'll now face an England side built around the in-form Bellingham, fresh off his quarter-final brace. With both semi-finals promising goals, drama and knockout football at its highest level, fans have a blockbuster week ahead before a place in the World Cup final is decided.
Argentina Survive Ten-Man Switzerland Scare to Reach World Cup Semi-Finals
Argentina needed extra time to see off a determined 10-man Switzerland and book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, winning 3-1 in Kansas City. Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina an early lead inside the first ten minutes, and it looked to be a comfortable afternoon until Dan Ndoye pulled Switzerland level midway through the second half. The game then turned five minutes later when Breel Embolo , already on a yellow card from the first half, picked up a second caution and was sent off, leaving Switzerland to defend their equaliser a man short. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Switzerland held firm through the remainder of normal time and forced the tie into extra time. Argentina's extra bodies eventually told, with Julian Alvarez restoring the lead just after the restart of extra time, before Lautaro Martinez added a third deep into stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt. It was a stretched, feisty finish overall, with Argentina picking up three second-half and extra-time bookings of their own through Thiago Almada , Martinez, and Jose Manuel Lopez as fatigue and frustration crept in late on. The win extends Argentina's dominant run through the tournament and sets up a heavyweight semi-final clash against England, who edged past Norway in their own extra-time thriller. For Switzerland, the exit ends an otherwise credible campaign, undone by the numerical disadvantage they were forced to play with for almost 50 minutes.
Bellingham Brace Sends England Past Norway Into World Cup Semi-Finals
Jude Bellingham was the difference as England battled past a stubborn Norway side 2-1 after extra time to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Norway made the early running in Miami and were rewarded in the 36th minute when Antonio Schjelderup put them ahead, leaving England chasing the game heading into the closing stages of normal time. England found their response deep into first-half stoppage time when Bellingham levelled things up, and with the scores level at the end of 90 minutes, the tie went to extra time. Bellingham then popped up again in the 93rd minute to complete his brace and hand England the lead they would not relinquish. The game had little in the way of discipline issues, with Norway's Kristoffer Ajer picking up a yellow card late in extra time as the Scandinavian side pushed for a way back in. The win extends England's fine run in the tournament and sets up a last-four meeting with the winner of Argentina and Switzerland. For Norway, it brings a highly credible World Cup campaign to a close, having gone all the way to the quarter-finals on their return to the global stage.
England Reclaim No. 1 T20I Ranking, Ending India's 1,602-Day Reign at the Top
England have reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, effective July 11, ending India's 1,605-day reign at the top of the format. The milestone follows England's dominant 4-0 series whitewash of India at home, one of their most emphatic bilateral results in the format. In the latest rankings update, England move to the summit with 269 rating points , with India dropping to second on 268 points . Just a single point separates the two sides. It's also a landmark return for England, marking their first time back at No. 1 in the format since September 2012 , completing a long climb back to the top of T20I cricket.
India's T20I Slide Continues: Series Loss to Both Ireland and England
India have now lost back-to-back bilateral T20I series on this white-ball tour, first to Ireland and then to England, a run that has raised real questions about the side's form in the format. The tour opened in Belfast, where Ireland stunned India 2-0 . The Irish won the series opener by 34 runs, posting 182 for 9 and bowling India out for 148. They then held their nerve in a thriller in the second match, defending 154 for 8 to win by just 1 run as India fell short at 153 for 9. It was India's first-ever bilateral T20I series defeat to Ireland. The tour moved on to England, and the slide got worse. The series opener in Chester-le-Street was washed out by rain with India having posted 189 for 7. England then took control, winning in Manchester by 4 wickets, before handing India their biggest-ever T20I defeat by runs , a 125-run hammering in Nottingham where India were bowled out for just 76. A 9-wicket loss in Bristol sealed the series 3-0 with a match to spare, and England completed a 4-0 sweep with a 56-run win in the fifth T20I at Southampton, where Jos Buttler's 131 and an unbeaten 95 from Harry Brook powered England to 257 for 3, their highest-ever T20I total against India. Together, the two results mean India have now lost consecutive bilateral T20I series for the first time since 2019. Captain Shreyas Iyer remains without a series win since taking over, and head coach Gautam Gambhir has pointed to a young, transitioning side as the reason for the rough patch. Attention now turns to the 50-over leg of the England tour, with the three-match ODI series starting July 14 at Edgbaston, giving India a chance to arrest the slide before a packed white-ball year ahead.
England Complete 4-0 T20I Series Sweep of India With 56-Run Win in Southampton
England completed a 4-0 sweep of the T20I series against India, winning the fifth and final match at the Rose Bowl by 56 runs. It's England's biggest-ever margin of victory over India in a bilateral T20I series. Jos Buttler set up the win with 131 off 64 balls, and Harry Brook finished unbeaten on 95 as England posted 257 for 3, their highest T20I total against India. India fought back through Tilak Varma , who smashed a 24-ball fifty, and Ishan Kishan 's 56, but the chase always trailed the required rate and India were bowled out for 201 with three balls unused. The result caps a dominant tour for England. They won four of the five completed matches, with the series opener in Chester-le-Street washed out by rain. It's India's heaviest bilateral T20I series defeat by matches, and continues a difficult stretch for captain Shreyas Iyer , who remains without a T20I series win since taking charge. Attention now turns to the 50-over leg of the tour. The two sides meet in a three-match ODI series starting July 14 at Edgbaston, giving India a chance to reset before a busier white-ball year ahead.
Kranti Gaud's Five-For Puts India Women in Command on Day 2 of Historic Lord's Test
India Women closed Day 2 of the historic Lord's Test firmly on top. Kranti Gaud took 5 for 37, bowling out England for 170, and India then raced to 154 for 1 by stumps. India lead by 269 runs with 9 wickets in hand. Gaud's five-wicket haul was the standout performance of the day. It also made her the first woman to have her name inscribed on the Lord's Honours Board, coming in the first-ever women's Test played at the ground. England were bowled out in 59.1 overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt top-scored with 44 off 85 balls before falling lbw to Gaud. Amy Jones made a fighting 52 down the order, while Maia Bouchier added 23. Sayali Satghare and Sneh Rana picked up two wickets apiece, and Deepti Sharma wrapped up the innings by trapping Lauren Filer lbw for a duck. India, batting again, were untroubled through the final session. Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 69 off 124 balls, continuing her strong form from Day 1. Shafali Verma made 33 before holing out off Sophie Ecclestone, and Yastika Bhatia finished the day unbeaten on 39, putting on a solid partnership with Mandhana. With Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma still to bat, India have plenty of depth left to extend the lead further on Day 3 and set England a stiff target in this landmark Test.
Merino strikes again as Spain edge Belgium 2-1 to reach World Cup semifinal
Spain reached their first World Cup semifinal since 2010, beating Belgium 2-1 in a tense quarterfinal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Fabián Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute, but Charles De Ketelaere levelled for Belgium just before halftime. It stayed 1-1 until the 88th minute, when substitute Mikel Merino struck the winner off a rebound. Merino has now made a habit of this. He came off the bench in the Round of 16 too and scored the only goal to knock out Portugal. This time he needed just under two minutes after coming on to make the difference. Pau Cubarsí's shot was spilled by Belgium keeper Senne Lammens, and Merino was first to the loose ball to poke it in. Belgium went into the game already missing captain Youri Tielemans, who picked up an injury in the warmup. It got worse for them in the second half when first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went off injured, bringing on Lammens. It was Lammens' error that ultimately cost Belgium the match. Spain dominated the numbers, with 18 shots to Belgium's 5 and 68% possession. Four yellow cards were shown late on, including bookings for Kevin De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, and Axel Witsel, as both sides pushed hard in the closing stages. Spain move on to face France in the semifinal on Tuesday, a repeat of their tense group meeting years ago and a fresh test for a Spanish defense that has been one of the stories of this tournament. For Belgium, the World Cup ends in the quarterfinals, their run undone by two separate goalkeeping mishaps in as many games.
India Dominate Day 1 of Historic Lord's Test, Mandhana's 83 Sets Up 285 Before England Slip to 21-1
India ended Day 1 of the historic women's Test at Lord's firmly on top. They were bowled out for 285 in 74.5 overs, then had England reeling to 21 for 1 at stumps. England trail by 264 runs with 9 wickets in hand. Smriti Mandhana led the way with 83 off 108 balls. It's the highest score by any batter on Day 1 of this historic occasion, the first-ever women's Test played at Lord's. She fell to Issy Wong, caught behind by Amy Jones, but not before setting the tone for India's innings. India lost Shafali Verma cheaply, out for a duck in the very first over. But the middle order took over from there. Jemimah Rodrigues struck 35 off just 38 balls, and Harmanpreet Kaur anchored a key stand with a patient 58. Deepti Sharma chipped in with 57, and Richa Ghosh was unbeaten on 13 when the innings folded. England's bowling was led by Sophie Ecclestone , who picked up 3 for 68 in 21.5 overs. Issy Wong and Mady Villiers took 2 wickets apiece, while Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer shared the rest between them. In reply, England lost Tammy Beaumont early, trapped lbw by Kranti Gaud for just 2. Maia Bouchier and captain Heather Knight saw out the rest of the day, with Bouchier unbeaten on 17 and Knight on 1 at the close. With a big first-innings total already on the board and early wickets in hand, India will look to press home the advantage on Day 2.
Big Bash League to Open 2026-27 Season in Chennai, First-Ever Game Outside Australia
Australia's Big Bash League will start its 2026-27 season in India. The opening match will be played at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium in December. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement in Melbourne, alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . This will be the first-ever BBL match played outside Australia. Cricket Australia has confirmed the fixture will be between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers . The Renegades will be the designated home side. The match kicks off BBL 16 on December 12 . Chennai is known for one of the most passionate cricket crowds in India, thanks to years of IPL nights at Chepauk. That reputation is a big reason the venue was picked to host cricket's newest visitor to Indian shores. The announcement is part of a wider Sports Cooperation Roadmap signed between Australia and India. The two countries have agreed to work together on sports training, technology, and industry investment. The deal also touches the Olympic calendar, with Australia preparing to host the 2032 Games in Brisbane and India building its case for the 2036 edition. For Indian fans, it means a taste of Australia's franchise league without leaving home. For the BBL, it's a direct shot at growing its reach in the world's biggest cricket market.
Spain Face Belgium in Quarterfinal Rematch of Their 1986 World Cup Classic
Spain and Belgium meet in the quarterfinals on Friday, renewing a rivalry that hasn't played out in a World Cup knockout round in almost four decades. It's only the third World Cup meeting between the two, and the first since a group-stage clash back in 1990. Spain's campaign has been close to perfect. They opened with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, then found their rhythm, thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 and edging Uruguay 1-0 to top Group H. In the knockouts, they beat Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 before needing a stoppage-time winner from Mikel Merino to see off Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16. Spain haven't conceded a single goal all tournament, a defensive record built around goalkeeper Unai Simón and anchored in midfield by Rodri, with Pedri, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal driving the attack. Belgium's route has been livelier. They drew both Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0, playing much of the second half a man down after a red card) before beating New Zealand 5-1 to close out their group. The knockouts have been dramatic: a 3-2 extra-time win over Senegal, then a 4-1 demolition of the USA in the Round of 16, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku sealing it off the bench. Kevin De Bruyne remains their creative heartbeat when fit, while Thibaut Courtois, who plays his club football in Spain with Real Madrid, gives Belgium a world-class presence between the posts. History heavily favors Spain, who have won 6 of the 7 meetings between the sides, with the solitary exception being Belgium's penalty-shootout win in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, the last time these two met at this stage of the tournament. Spain haven't lost to Belgium since, winning the last five encounters by an aggregate of 13-1, most recently a 2-0 friendly win in 2016. With both sides unbeaten through six matches so far, this quarterfinal looks set to be one of the tightest tests either team has faced at this World Cup.
India's Winless T20I Run Hits Six as First-Ever Series Loss to England Confirmed
India's slide in T20I cricket has now stretched to a historic low. After going down 3-0 to England in Bristol, India are winless in six straight men's T20Is , their longest such streak ever, easily surpassing the previous worst run of four defeats in a row, which had happened twice before, in 2009 and again in 2021. The streak began with a shock 2-0 series loss in Ireland last month, India's first defeat to the Irish in international cricket. It has carried straight into England, where the tourists lost the second and third T20Is before Thursday's 9-wicket defeat in the fourth, sealing the series with a game still to play. Only the series opener in Chester-le-Street was spared, washed out by rain without a result. This is India's first-ever bilateral T20I series defeat to England in a series of two or more matches. In every previous meeting across formats, India had managed at least a share of the spoils. England's 3-0 sweep in this series flips that record entirely, and it comes on the back of a similarly chastening 125-run loss in Nottingham, India's heaviest T20I defeat by runs. It also marks India's second consecutive bilateral T20I series defeat, the first time that's happened since 2019, when they lost back-to-back series to New Zealand and Australia. Captain Shreyas Iyer remains winless through his opening matches in charge, a tough start to a new leadership era that was supposed to build on India's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has called the phase a rebuild, pointing to a young side featuring a 15-year-old opener in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and several fringe bowlers getting their first taste of international cricket against a strong England attack. India will get a chance to end the streak in the dead-rubber fifth T20I in Southampton on Saturday, before a three-match ODI series starting July 14 in Birmingham.
France Down Morocco 2-0, Book Third Straight World Cup Semifinal
France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to reach the World Cup semifinal. Kylian Mbappé scored in the 60th minute, and Ousmane Dembélé added a second in the 66th. It was a rematch of the 2022 semifinal in Qatar, where France also beat Morocco 2-0 on their way to the final. This time Morocco couldn't find the same magic that took them all the way to the last four four years ago. France controlled the game from the start and didn't let Morocco settle into any rhythm. Mbappé was involved in both goals. He set up Dembélé for the second after combining well with him in the build-up to the first. Morocco's Issa Diop picked up a yellow card in the 63rd minute, his second of the knockout rounds, but it won't matter for his side now since their tournament ends here. The shot count summed up how one-sided the game was. France had 22 shots to Morocco's 5, and 9 were on target compared to Morocco's 1. Morocco actually had more of the ball, with 52% possession to France's 48%, but couldn't turn it into anything dangerous. With this win, France become just the third team in World Cup history to reach the semifinal in three straight tournaments (2018, 2022, 2026), joining Germany and Brazil in that exclusive club. They now wait to face the winner of Spain vs Belgium in the semifinal, still chasing a third World Cup title.
India Slump to Another T20I Series Defeat, This Time 3-0 Against England
India have suffered another T20I series defeat, this time losing 3-0 to England with a game still to play. Half-centuries from Phil Salt and Harry Brook guided the hosts to a comfortable chase in Bristol, sealing the series with a match to spare in the fourth T20I. The result completes a miserable run for India in the format. After a rain-abandoned opener in Chester-le-Street, England took control with a four-wicket win in Manchester, then delivered India's biggest-ever T20I defeat , a 125-run hammering in Nottingham where the visitors were bowled out for just 76. That collapse was their second-lowest T20I total in history, and the fastest they have ever been dismissed in the format. Captain Shreyas Iyer has now gone winless through his opening matches in charge, continuing a difficult start to his tenure. This marks India's second consecutive bilateral T20I series defeat, following a 2-0 whitewash in Ireland earlier on this tour, raising fresh questions about the team's transition since their T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. England, under Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum, have now won 18 of their last 21 completed T20Is, and this series victory marks their first-ever bilateral T20I series win over India. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue have been especially destructive with the ball throughout, repeatedly exposing gaps in India's middle order with pace and bounce that the batting unit has struggled to counter. The two sides will play a dead-rubber fifth T20I in Southampton on Saturday before moving into a three-match ODI series starting July 14 in Birmingham, giving India a chance to arrest the slide before the 50-over leg of the tour begins.
Haaland's 7 World Cup Goals Outscore Messi, Mbappe and Ronaldo's Debut Campaigns Combined
Erling Haaland has scored 7 goals in his debut FIFA World Cup, the best tournament tally by a debutant since Poland's Grzegorz Lato managed the same in 1974. His run has been built on a hat-trick of multi-goal games, including two braces, most recently in Norway's stunning 2-1 win over Brazil that sent them into their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal. What makes the number even more striking is the comparison it invites. In their own debut World Cups, Lionel Messi scored just 1 goal, Kylian Mbappe scored 4, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored 1 — a combined total of 6. Haaland's 7 goals this tournament alone have already outscored all three of their debut campaigns put together. Haaland now sits level at the top of the Golden Boot race alongside Messi and Mbappe heading into the quarterfinals, with Norway dreaming of a first-ever run deep into the tournament, 28 years after their last World Cup appearance.
Historic Women's Test at Lord's Set to Begin With Record Ticket Sales
England and India will play the first-ever women's Test at Lord's, starting Friday, July 10. More than 30,000 tickets have already been sold. That makes it one of the biggest women's Test matches ever staged. The match carries several milestones. It is the first women's Test to be played at Lord's. It also arrives exactly 50 years after the first-ever women's international was held at the venue. An opening ceremony will honour both former and current England women's cricketers before play begins. The Test doubles as an international farewell for Tammy Beaumont . She recently announced her retirement from international cricket, and this will be her final appearance in an England shirt. It's a fitting stage for her to sign off on, given the occasion and the history riding on this match.
Tammy Beaumont to Retire From International Cricket After Lord's Test
England opener Tammy Beaumont is retiring from international cricket. Her final appearance will be the ongoing Test against India at Lord's. It is the first-ever women's Test played at the historic ground. It also marks the 261st international of her career. Beaumont made her England debut in 2009. She went on to play 260 matches across formats before this farewell Test. She leaves as England's leading century-maker in ODIs with 12 hundreds , the most by any England woman. She was Player of the Tournament at the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup on home soil. She finished that tournament as the leading run-scorer with 410 runs, as England lifted the trophy. Her Test record stands out too. In 2023, she became the first Englishwoman to score a Test double-century, with an unbeaten 208 against Australia at Trent Bridge. That knock put her among a small group of players, 2 from England and 5 in the world, to have scored an international century in all 3 formats of the game. Across all formats for England, she has scored 7,325 runs. Beaumont was part of the first group of 18 players to receive an England Women's Central Contract, back in 2015. That was a milestone in the sport's move toward professionalism. She said playing for England for nearly 17 years had been the greatest honour of her career. She is not done with the game entirely, and will continue playing domestic cricket for The Blaze and Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. England Women's managing director Clare Connor called her contribution remarkable. She pointed out that Beaumont started her England career in the amateur era and went on to become one of the most complete batters the women's game has produced.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal Lineup Confirmed
The World Cup 2026 quarterfinal lineup is confirmed, with all 8 teams now known after Switzerland's penalty win over Colombia in the last Round of 16 tie sealed the final spot alongside defending champions Argentina. The last 8 line up as: France vs Morocco, Spain vs Belgium, Norway vs England, and Argentina vs Switzerland. It's a genuine mix of usual heavyweights and first-time deep runners — Morocco and Norway have been two of the standout stories of the tournament, while Switzerland's run already matches their best World Cup showing since the 1950s. Quarterfinal action gets underway on July 10 and runs through July 12, with the 4 winners advancing to the semifinal stage.
AIFF and ISL Clubs Sign Four-Year Deal to Run the League
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League clubs have signed a 4-year agreement to jointly run the league, ending months of uncertainty over its future. The deal was formalised on July 8, and sets September 4 as the start date for the 2026-27 season. Under the new structure, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be set up as a private limited company to handle ISL operations. The clubs will run the commercial side of the league, while the AIFF continues to look after regulatory duties like referees, anti-doping and integrity. Clubs get a unilateral option to exit the model after 2 years, though AIFF officials say that is unlikely given how talks have progressed. All 14 clubs, including IFL champions Diamond Harbour FC who earn direct promotion, are expected to take part. Each club will pay an annual fee of Rs 1.1 crore, split into 2 instalments, generating close to Rs 15.4 crore a year for the AIFF. Profits from the league will be split 90-10 in favour of the clubs, overseen by an independent auditor. On player rules, there is no mandatory Indian striker policy, and no change to the existing rule of 6 foreign players per squad. The AIFF has encouraged clubs to sign Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) players if they choose to, but this remains optional rather than mandatory. AIFF general secretary Satyanarayan said strengthening the ISL is central to building a stronger Indian national team over the next 5 to 7 years, though he was clear that World Cup qualification is not an immediate target.
Sourav Ganguly to Be Inducted Into ICC Hall of Fame
Sourav Ganguly is set to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. The formal ceremony takes place on July 11, at the conclusion of the ICC's annual conference in Edinburgh. The announcement came on his 54th birthday. It makes him the 12th Indian overall, and the 10th Indian men's cricketer, to receive the honour. Ganguly joins a list of Indian greats already in the Hall of Fame: Sunil Gavaskar , Kapil Dev , Anil Kumble , Rahul Dravid , Sachin Tendulkar , Vinoo Mankad , Bishan Singh Bedi , Virender Sehwag , Diana Edulji , Neetu David and MS Dhoni . He thanked the ICC and chairman Jay Shah on social media soon after the news broke. He called it a huge honour to be part of such a list. Across a career spanning 3 formats, Ganguly scored 18,575 international runs with 38 centuries . In Tests, he made 7,212 runs from 113 matches at an average of 42.17, with 16 hundreds. In ODIs, he piled up 11,363 runs in 311 games at an average of 41.02, including 22 centuries. His opening partnership with Tendulkar remains the most productive in ODI history. It's his captaincy, though, that changed the course of Indian cricket the most. He took over in 2000, in the aftermath of the match-fixing scandal. Ganguly led India in 196 matches and won 97 of them . Under him, India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home in 2001. India also reached the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup, and the final of the inaugural ICC KnockOut Trophy in 2000. He backed a generation of young players too, including MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag. Many of them went on to become key figures in India's later ICC title wins. Ganguly retired from international cricket in 2008. He now serves as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal. He is also head coach of the Pretoria Capitals in SA20.
Messi Becomes World Cup's All-Time Leader in Assists as Well as Goals
Lionel Messi added two more milestones to his World Cup legacy in Argentina's round of 16 win over Egypt. His assist for Cristian Romero's equaliser in the 79th minute was his ninth of the tournament, taking him past Diego Maradona's mark of eight and making him the all-time leader in World Cup assists. Messi then scored the equaliser himself four minutes later, his 21st World Cup goal, which keeps him as the outright top scorer in the competition's history. That strike also gave him eight goals for this edition alone, putting him clear at the top of the Golden Boot race ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. He has now scored in nine straight World Cup matches, a run going back to Argentina's title-winning campaign in 2022. Not everything went his way, though. Messi missed a penalty in the first half, his second missed spot kick of this tournament and the fourth of his World Cup career from just eight attempts — a record no other player has matched.
World Cup 2026: All Eight Quarterfinalists Confirmed
The World Cup 2026 quarterfinal lineup is now complete, with all eight teams confirmed after Switzerland's penalty win over Colombia sealed the final spot alongside defending champions Argentina. Here's how the last eight shapes up: France vs Morocco Spain vs Belgium Norway vs England Argentina vs Switzerland Between them, the group blends World Cup heavyweights with sides enjoying rare deep runs — Morocco and Norway in particular have been among the standout stories of the tournament so far, while Switzerland's run has already matched their best showing since the 1950s. The quarterfinals get underway on July 10 and continue through July 12, with all four winners advancing to the semifinal stage.
Switzerland Reach World Cup Quarterfinals for First Time Since 1954
Switzerland are into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, after knocking out Colombia on penalties in the round of 16. It also marks the first time the Swiss have won multiple knockout matches in a single World Cup edition. Manager Murat Yakin called it a release of an old "curse" — Switzerland had never won a World Cup shootout before, having lost their only previous one against Ukraine back in 2006, and had managed just a single shootout win in their last six across all competitions. The win came at a cost, with breakout star Johan Manzambi already missing through injury before kickoff. He'd been one of the team's standout performers so far, contributing three goals and two assists in Switzerland's first four games. Vargas himself trained only partially the day before the match but was fit enough to come off the bench and net the winning penalty. Switzerland now turn their attention to defending champions Argentina in the last eight.
Switzerland Edge Out Colombia on Penalties After Goalless 120 Minutes
Switzerland edged past Colombia 4-3 on penalties at BC Place in Vancouver after neither side could break the deadlock across 120 goalless minutes. Colombia actually had the better of the extra-time chances, with Jhon Lucumí striking the crossbar and Jáminton Campaz blazing over an open goal after a slip from Granit Xhaka, but they couldn't turn possession and shots into a breakthrough. The shootout came down to missed kicks from Davinson Sánchez and Cucho Hernández, with the latter saved by Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel. Manuel Akanji also missed for the Swiss, but it didn't matter in the end — substitute Rubén Vargas, who had only just come on in stoppage time, stepped up and slotted home the winner to send Switzerland through. It's a cruel repeat for Colombia, who now exit on penalties in back-to-back World Cup appearances, having also lost a shootout to England in the 2018 round of 16.
India Suffer Their Biggest-Ever T20I Defeat by Runs, Crushed by England in Nottingham
India's T20I side hit a new low at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, going down to England by 125 runs — the largest margin by runs the team has ever lost by in the format. Put in to bat, England piled up 201 for 7, then bundled India out for a mere 76 in just 11.4 overs to seal the third T20I of the five-match series and move 2-0 up. This beats the earlier mark of an 80-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington, which had stood as India's heaviest T20I defeat by runs. India's innings fell apart inside the powerplay itself, with five wickets down inside the first six overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the top scorer with just 13, while four other batters were dismissed without reaching double figures. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue did the damage for England, taking three wickets apiece. Captain Shreyas Iyer's start to life as India's T20I skipper continues to be a struggle — he is now winless in his first four matches in charge. India will look to respond quickly, with the fourth T20I coming up on July 9 in Bristol, as they try to keep the series alive.
Egypt see four yellow cards in tense finish to World Cup exit against Argentina
Egypt's Round of 16 exit ended on a heated note, with four yellow cards shown to their players in the space of just a few minutes as the final whistle approached against Argentina. Goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir and midfielder Hamdy Fathy were both booked in the 90+5th minute, followed by Marawan Attia in the 90+8th minute, and finally head coach Hossam Hassan, who picked up a card of his own after the match had already ended. The bookings came right after Argentina completed a dramatic comeback, scoring three goals in the final fifteen minutes to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win. With the result slipping away in the closing stages, frustration clearly boiled over on the Egypt side, leading referee Francois Letexier to reach for his cards repeatedly in quick succession. None of the cards changed the outcome of the match, but the timing made them stand out, coming as the final whistle drew a hard-fought World Cup run to a close. Egypt had already made history earlier in the tournament by beating Australia on penalties for their first-ever World Cup knockout win, and they pushed the defending champions all the way in this one before falling just short. For Egypt, the tournament ends at the Round of 16 stage, but the run itself, capped by a spirited, if bad-tempered, finish against Argentina, will be remembered as one of the country's best World Cup showings.
Messi's late double sinks Egypt as Argentina survive 3-2 scare
Lionel Messi turned this game on its head in the space of fifteen minutes, dragging Argentina back from the brink to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16. For most of the match it looked like Egypt might pull off the shock of the tournament, but the champions found a way through when it mattered most. Egypt led twice through Youssef Ibrahim and Mahmoud Ziko, and looked composed and organised for long stretches, frustrating an Argentina side that never quite got going in open play. Cristian Romero got Argentina back on level terms in the 79th minute with a header, but it was Messi who produced the moment of the match four minutes later, firing home a deflected effort that cannoned in off the crossbar to make it 2-2. Enzo Fernandez then sealed the win deep into stoppage time, capping a wild finish that saw Argentina score three times in the last quarter of an hour. The goal put Messi back on top of the race for the tournament's Golden Boot, and keeps alive the idea that this could be one of his last World Cup appearances for Argentina, a thought that's been following him through the whole tournament. It also stretches Argentina's unbeaten run to twelve matches, though back-to-back knockout games that needed a late twist, first extra time against Cape Verde and now this comeback, suggest the champions still have work to do if they want to go all the way again. For Egypt, there's no shame in this one. Reaching the Round of 16 was already a big step for a squad that arrived with modest expectations, and pushing the defending champions this close will only add to a tournament that's already been a success back home. The game also ended on a sour note, with four late yellow cards shown to Egypt players in stoppage time and just after the final whistle, as frustration boiled over in the closing moments. Argentina now move on to face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia in the quarterfinals, while Egypt's World Cup journey comes to an end at the Round of 16 stage.
Spain make World Cup history with sixth straight clean sheet, Simon sets shutout record
Spain have made World Cup history with their defense. The 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16 was their sixth straight clean sheet at the World Cup, the most any team has ever managed in a row. The old record of five was shared by Italy in 1990 and Switzerland across 2006-2010. The streak did not start this tournament. It goes back to a 0-0 draw against Morocco in the 2022 Round of 16, and has continued through this year's group stage draw with Cape Verde, wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, a 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 32, and now the Portugal game. Goalkeeper Unai Simon deserves a lot of credit. He has now gone 609 minutes without conceding a goal at the World Cup, breaking the old record of 517 minutes held by Italy's Walter Zenga since 1990. Against Portugal, Simon had to make two real saves, both off Cristiano Ronaldo, including a strong diving stop in the first half. With this defense behind them, Spain look like one of the strongest teams left as they head into the quarterfinals against Belgium.
Australia dominate ICC's Team of the Tournament after record 7th T20 World Cup title
The ICC has picked its Team of the Tournament for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, and champions Australia (AUS) lead the way with four players in the XI. Sophie Molineux (AUS) was named captain after leading Australia to their seventh title, going unbeaten through the whole tournament including a comfortable seven-wicket win over England in the final at Lord's. Beth Mooney (AUS) takes the keeper's spot and was also named Player of the Tournament, thanks to match-winning fifties in both the semifinal and the final. England (ENG), who lost the final, still get two players in. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (ENG) was the standout, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 302 runs, the most ever by anyone at a single Women's T20 World Cup. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG) also made the cut despite missing games with a calf injury. The rest of the team comes from six different countries. Ellyse Perry (AUS) rounds out Australia's strong showing with steady all-round performances through the tournament. India's Shree Charani (IND) was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, the most ever by an Indian bowler at this tournament, despite India going out before the semifinals. Ireland's Orla Prendergast (IRE), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (SL), South Africa's Marizanne Kapp (SA) and Pakistan's Fatima Sana (PAK) round out the XI, with Scotland's Darcey Carter (SCO) picked as the 12th player, the first time a Scotland player has ever made this list. Full XI: Danni Wyatt-Hodge (ENG), Sophie Molineux (AUS) (C), Beth Mooney (AUS) (WK), Ellyse Perry (AUS), Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG), Orla Prendergast (IRE), Chamari Athapaththu (SL), Marizanne Kapp (SA), Ashleigh Gardner (AUS), Shree Charani (IND), Fatima Sana (PAK). 12th player: Darcey Carter (SCO).
Belgium thrash co-hosts USA 4-1 to reach World Cup quarterfinals
Belgium ended the USA's home World Cup dream in style, beating the co-hosts 4-1 in a one-sided Round of 16 clash. It is a big result because USA are one of the three countries hosting this World Cup, and going out this early, and by this scoreline, will hurt. Charles De Ketelaere was the star of the night. He scored twice, once inside the first ten minutes and again just before the half-hour mark, giving Belgium a firm grip on the game early on. Malik Tillman pulled one back for USA in the 31st minute to keep hope alive, but Belgium never really looked worried after that. Hans Vanaken added a third in the second half, and Romelu Lukaku wrapped things up with a goal in stoppage time to make the final score 4-1. The numbers back up how comfortable Belgium were. They had 15 shots to USA's 6, more shots on target, and did not concede a single yellow card while USA picked up two, to Weston McKennie in the first half and Tillman later on. USA had more of the ball and passed it well, but could not turn that control into real chances. For USA, this is a tough way to bow out of a tournament played on home soil. For Belgium, it is a strong statement going into the quarterfinals, where they will now face Spain, fresh off their own win over Portugal.
No trophy, no regrets: Ronaldo's sixth World Cup ends in Dallas
There was no trophy at the end of it, just a 41-year-old man clapping alone toward a stand full of people who had crossed an ocean to watch him one last time. That was how Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth and final World Cup finished — beaten, eliminated, and unmistakably at peace with it. He had already said the quiet part out loud before a ball was kicked. Sat in front of the cameras the day before facing Spain, Ronaldo dropped the hedging he'd offered for years whenever the retirement question came up. This one was it. No more World Cups after this, whatever the scoreline said at the final whistle. It's a strange thing to announce your own ending in advance and then have to go play the match anyway, knowing every touch might be your last on this particular stage. He took it in stride, by his own admission enjoying this tournament more freely than the five that came before, unshackled from the weight of chasing the one trophy that was always going to be the hardest to reach. The numbers that walk away with him are staggering on their own: 233 caps, 146 international goals, and a place as the only man to find the net across six separate World Cups. None of it bought him the trophy his rivals and countrymen believed he deserved. Portugal's deepest run stayed frozen at the 2006 semifinal, a teenager's tournament, and everything since has ended earlier than the story demanded. Monday's exit follows the same script — a narrow game decided by fine margins, a Portugal side that competed without quite breaking through, and a captain who gave what he had until the substitute whistle blew for the last time in this competition. What happens next for Ronaldo at international level is genuinely open. He stopped short of confirming a full international retirement, leaving the door ajar for a Nations League evening or a friendly send-off somewhere down the line. But the World Cup chapter, the one that mattered most to the way his career gets remembered, is closed. He leaves it the way he said he would going in — without the medal, but by his own account, without regret either.
Merino's late strike ends Ronaldo's World Cup dream as Spain edge Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo's international story closed the way few expected: not with a trophy, but with a quiet substitute doing the damage in the dying seconds. Mikel Merino, on for barely a few minutes, poked home the only goal in first-half-injury-time-plus-one of stoppage in the second half, sending Spain past Portugal and out of the Iberian derby that had promised fireworks but delivered a tense, cagey affair instead. For long stretches the match refused to open up. Spain controlled territory and the ball, finishing with well over half the possession and more than fifty extra passes, but their final ball lacked sharpness until deep into the night. Portugal, leaning on structure rather than tempo, absorbed patiently and looked content to take their chances late through set pieces and moments of individual quality from their captain. It nearly worked. Ronaldo had two efforts on target, more than anyone else wearing red, but a well-organized Spanish backline and a goalkeeper in inspired form kept the sheet clean until that Merino intervention turned the game on its head. The closing minutes turned feisty, with three bookings shown in a span of barely ten minutes as fatigue and frustration set in — Bernardo Silva first, then Renato Veiga for the hosts, and Ferran Torres for the visitors as Spain tried to see out the win. When the whistle finally blew, it was Ronaldo who drew every camera in the stadium, applauding supporters who had made the trip from across the Atlantic, visibly moved by what he had already confirmed before kickoff would be his farewell appearance on this stage. Twenty-seven caps at World Cups, a joint-record for goals scored in the tournament across six different editions, and still no trophy to show for it — his exit line will be remembered for the emotion of the moment rather than the scoreline. Spain move on to face either the USA or Belgium in the quarterfinals, buoyed by a defense that has now gone well over 600 minutes without conceding at this World Cup. For Portugal, the tournament ends in the last 16 once again, and with it, barring a stunning reversal, the international career of one of the sport's most decorated forwards.
Shivam Dube replaces injured Nitish Kumar Reddy in India's ODI squad
Shivam Dube has been added to India's ODI squad for the England series, replacing the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy is out with a quadriceps injury picked up during the third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai, and there's no fixed timeline yet for his return. Dube, who is already in England with the T20I squad, will now stay back for the 50-over leg. It marks his first ODI recall since August 2024. The three-match series against England starts July 14 at Edgbaston, with games in Cardiff and Lord's to follow.
India name 15-man T20I squad for Zimbabwe tour
India have named a 15-man squad for their three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe, starting July 23 at the Harare Sports Club. Shreyas Iyer leads the side, with Tilak Varma named vice-captain, as India take a fairly young group into a short tour that doubles as an audition for fringe players ahead of the busier white-ball season later in the year. The batting group has a mix of experience and youth, with Iyer joined by Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh and uncapped teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Ishan Kishan and Prabhsimran Singh will compete for the wicketkeeping spot. Shivam Dube headlines the all-rounder options alongside Suryansh Shedge and Harsh Dubey, giving the middle order some depth and flexibility. The bowling attack leans on a fresh pace group of Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav, with Varun Chakaravarathy the lone frontline spinner in the squad. All three T20Is will be played at the same venue, on July 23, 25 and 26. Full squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan, Prabhsimran Singh, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarathy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav.
Neymar announces international retirement after Brazil's World Cup exit to Norway
Neymar has announced his retirement from international football, closing out his Brazil career moments after the Seleção's 2-1 Round of 16 exit to Norway at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. "I tried, I tried. Now, it's over," an emotional Neymar told Globo. "I started here; I finished here." The 34-year-old made his senior Brazil debut at the same venue in August 2010, against the United States, and leaves the national team as its all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances, three ahead of Pelé. He played across four World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), but a nagging calf/hamstring injury restricted him to just two substitute appearances in this tournament, against Scotland and Norway. His final touch in a Brazil shirt was a stoppage-time penalty against Norway, a consolation goal in a defeat that marked Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since 1990. Neymar collapsed in tears at the final whistle before being consoled by teammates Raphinha and Vinicius Junior. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Brazil now enters a transition period built around a new generation of players.
Norway reach first-ever World Cup quarterfinal after stunning Brazil
Norway beat Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Erling Haaland scored twice in the final ten minutes to turn the game, after Brazil had held firm for long periods and looked the more likely winners for most of the night. Brazil actually started the stronger side and had a first-half penalty saved by Norway keeper Ørjan Nyland, who was excellent all night. But Norway grew into the game, controlled long spells of possession, and made their pressure count exactly when it mattered, with Haaland finishing clinically both times. Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but it was already too late, and he picked up a yellow card for his frustration soon after. For the five-time champions, it's their earliest World Cup exit since 1990 — the first time in 36 years Brazil have missed the quarterfinal stage. For Norway, this is uncharted territory. In four World Cup appearances stretching back to 1938, their best previous finish was the Round of 16, reached in 1998 and matched again this year before Sunday's win against Brazil finally broke new ground. Haaland, playing in his first major tournament, has now been directly involved in the difference in almost every one of Norway's knockout games, and this result puts him firmly in the conversation for the tournament's Golden Boot. Norway's reward is a quarterfinal against the winner of Mexico vs England, a tie still being played out. Whichever side comes through, Norway will go in as the form team of the round, and after a performance like this, few will be writing them off as underdogs anymore.
Australia beat England to win a seventh Women's T20 World Cup title
Australia beat England by 7 wickets at Lord's on Sunday to win the Women's T20 World Cup, chasing down 150 with 17 balls to spare and extending their record as the most successful side in the tournament's history to seven titles. It's the first title as captain for Sophie Molineux, who takes her place alongside Belinda Clark, Alex Blackwell, Meg Lanning and the rest of Australia's list of World Cup-winning captains across formats. History heavily favoured Australia coming into the final, and they didn't let this one slip — a fourth win over England in as many meetings at global tournament finals. England were given a platform by Nat Sciver-Brunt's unbeaten 58 and a late assault of 44 not out from Freya Kemp, dragging England to 150/4 after a slow start from the top order. Sophie Ecclestone then equalled Katherine Sciver-Brunt's all-time record for England women's wickets during the Australian chase, though it wasn't enough to stop the run flow. In reply, Beth Mooney (64 off 49) and Phoebe Litchfield (48 off 35) put on 100 for the second wicket to put the chase firmly in Australia's control, and Ellyse Perry finished the job unbeaten to seal it with more than three overs to spare. For England, it means a 17-year wait for another Women's T20 World Cup title goes on.
England face Australia's history at Lord's in Women's T20 World Cup final
England and Australia meet at Lord's on Sunday for the Women's T20 World Cup final, and both sides arrive unbeaten. England topped their group before beating South Africa by 40 runs in the semi-final, while Australia won their group and then swept aside the West Indies in theirs. It's a repeat of the venue where England won the very first Women's T20 World Cup back in 2009, and England will be hoping the ground brings them luck again. History, though, heavily favours Australia. This will be the fourth time these two have met in a World Cup final, and Australia have won all three previous meetings, in 2012, 2014 and 2018, each time by a comfortable margin. Australia are also chasing a seventh title overall, which would extend their record as by far the most successful side in the competition's history. England's only World Cup win over Australia in this format came in the 2009 semi-final, on the way to that maiden title. Individually, England have been carried by Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the tournament's leading run-scorer with 294 runs, while Sophie Ecclestone has picked up nine wickets with the ball. Australia's threat is more spread out: Ellyse Perry has been their key batter, captain Sophie Molineux has led the bowling attack with ten wickets, and Georgia Wareham has quietly been one of the most effective all-round performers of the tournament. Perry has been managing a minor injury but is expected to play. With a home crowd fully behind them and a chance to end a 17-year wait for another World Cup title, England have plenty of reasons for belief. But Australia's record in these exact finals, against this exact opponent, is hard to ignore. Whichever way it goes, this is cricket's oldest rivalry writing another chapter at the sport's most famous ground.
Paraguay's underdog run continues against France today
Paraguay's surprise World Cup run continues today in Philadelphia, where they face France in the Round of 16 on a day that also carries extra weight as part of the tournament's Independence Day schedule in the United States. Paraguay have already gone further than almost anyone predicted before the tournament, and they got here the hard way — needing penalties to see off Germany 4-3 in the Round of 32 after normal time finished 1-1. That result alone said a lot about this team: they're not the most talented side left in the competition, but they've shown they can grind out results even when they're not playing their best football, and that they don't panic under pressure. France, by contrast, arrive here as one of the most dangerous attacking teams left in the tournament and go into this game as heavy favourites, with players capable of deciding a match in a moment of individual brilliance. On paper, this looks like a straightforward night for France. But football at this stage of a World Cup rarely goes exactly to plan, and a Paraguay side with nothing to lose can be a genuinely awkward opponent for a team that's expected to win comfortably. There's very little pressure on Paraguay here — reaching the Round of 16 was already beyond most expectations, so anything from this game is a bonus rather than a target they need to hit. That kind of freedom can sometimes bring out a team's best performance, especially against opposition that might be tempted to take the game for granted. For neutrals, it's exactly the kind of fixture that makes World Cup knockout football compelling: a heavy favourite against an underdog who has already shown they can handle high-pressure moments when it matters. Whatever happens tonight, Paraguay's run so far has already given their fans and neutrals around the world a story worth following, and a good performance against France — win or lose — would only add to that.
Switzerland's first World Cup knockout win since 1938
Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32, and in doing so recorded their first World Cup knockout-stage win since 1938 — an 88-year gap that finally came to an end. It wasn't a flashy performance, but it was an efficient one: Switzerland controlled long stretches of the game, limited Algeria's attacking threats, and made the most of the chances that came their way. Algeria pushed for a way back into the game in the second half but couldn't break down a Swiss defence that, once it settled into the match, gave almost nothing away. For a team that's often flown under the radar at major tournaments, this result is a real statement. Switzerland have now gone through the group stage and into the knockout rounds without a loss, a run that few people outside their own camp were predicting before the tournament started. There's a quiet, disciplined quality to how this Swiss side plays that doesn't always draw headlines, but results like this one are starting to make people take notice. Switzerland now face Colombia in the Round of 16 on July 7, and this is likely to be a much tougher test of whether their run has real staying power. Colombia have played with more pace and flair through the tournament so far, and it's a different kind of challenge to the more containable games Switzerland have faced up to this point. If Switzerland can bring the same discipline and game management that got them past Algeria, they'll give themselves a real chance. If Colombia are allowed to play at their preferred tempo, though, this could be the game where Switzerland's run finally meets its match.
USA cruise past Bosnia and Herzegovina, set up Belgium clash
The USMNT beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, one of the more convincing performances from the hosts so far in a tournament where they've had to earn some tougher results than expected. The win eased some of the pressure that had built up after a shakier group stage, and it was exactly the kind of performance a home crowd wants to see heading into the knockout rounds. Bosnia and Herzegovina never really found a foothold in the game and struggled to create clear chances of their own, while the USMNT looked comfortable in possession and clinical when the openings came. The USA now turn to Belgium in the Round of 16 on July 7, a fixture that carries some unfinished business of its own. Belgium have looked dangerous in patches throughout the tournament without ever fully clicking as a team, and this is the kind of game where a well-organised opponent can cause real problems if the USA aren't at their sharpest. A strong performance here would also go some way to settling the ongoing conversation about who's actually been the USA's most important attacking player this tournament. Playing at home adds another layer to this one. Expect a big, loud crowd behind the USMNT, and for a team that's shown it can raise its level under pressure, that support could matter. Getting past Belgium and into the quarterfinals would already be one of the better World Cup runs in the program's history, given how the bracket has opened up elsewhere.
Messi extends World Cup scoring record past Cape Verde
Lionel Messi and Argentina came within a whisker of a genuine World Cup upset against Cape Verde, needing extra time to get past them 3-2 in the Round of 32. Cape Verde, playing in their first-ever World Cup, matched Argentina for long stretches and twice came back to level the score, only for Argentina to eventually find a way through once the game went to extra time. Messi got the goal that mattered and, in doing so, took his career World Cup tally to 20 — now just one behind Kylian Mbappé, who closed the gap himself with a brace in France's group game against Sweden. The two of them chasing the tournament's all-time scoring record has quietly become one of the more interesting subplots of this World Cup, and every round either of them survives keeps that race alive. For Cape Verde, there's no shame in how this one went. A team from a nation of roughly half a million people took the reigning champions to extra time and were unlucky not to force penalties, and it's the kind of run that will be remembered back home for a long time regardless of how the rest of the tournament goes for Argentina. Argentina now move on to face Egypt in the Round of 16 on July 7. It's a game that looked like it would be routine when the draw was made, but Egypt's own run to this stage — including a penalty shootout win over Australia — means it's no longer the formality it might once have seemed. If Argentina want to go all the way again, they'll likely need a cleaner, more controlled performance than the one they just produced.
Ronaldo, Ramos send Portugal past Croatia in stoppage-time drama
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Round of 32, but it was Gonçalo Ramos who settled it with a goal deep into stoppage time. Croatia thought they'd found a way back into the game in the thirteenth minute of added time, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review using the tournament's new sensor-based offside system — one of the most closely watched calls anywhere in the competition so far. It capped off a tie that was far closer than most people expected given how comfortably Portugal had played through the group stage. Croatia pushed hard in the second half and created enough chances that a different result wouldn't have been a surprise, and Portugal's defence had to work harder than it has all tournament to hold on. Ronaldo's goal kept his record intact as one of the most reliable finishers this World Cup has seen, and at this stage of his career it's another reminder of just how long he's been doing this at the highest level. Ramos, meanwhile, continues to look like exactly the kind of player Portugal need alongside him — direct, confident in front of goal, and unafraid of the big moment. Portugal now move on to face Spain on July 6, which is shaping up to be one of the standout fixtures of the Round of 16. Ronaldo has been open about this likely being his final World Cup, and every round Portugal survive adds another chapter to what's already one of the most decorated careers the sport has seen.
Egypt's first-ever World Cup knockout win
Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties in the Round of 32, after normal time in Dallas ended 1-1. It's the first time in the country's history that Egypt have won a knockout-stage match at a World Cup. Mohamed Salah was involved in most of Egypt's better moments and looked sharp throughout the ninety minutes, even though neither side managed a second goal in open play. The shootout went all the way to sudden death before Egypt finally converted the winning kick, and celebrations back home reflected just how long fans had waited for a moment like this. Australia will feel they let this one slip, having matched Egypt for large parts of the game before missing two of their five spot kicks. For Egypt, reaching the Round of 16 already puts this campaign ahead of the expectations most people had before the tournament started, when they were seen as one of the weaker sides in an expanded 48-team field. The shootout also showed a level of composure under pressure that hasn't always been associated with this Egypt squad at big tournaments. Now they face a much sterner test: Argentina in the Round of 16 on July 7. On paper it's a huge step up, but Egypt have already shown they don't fold under pressure, and a penalty shootout win against a well-organised Australia side is not nothing. If Egypt can keep things tight defensively and get anything at all from Salah in the final third, this has the makings of one of the more interesting ties of the round.