Sport Updates
Same-day match highlights, records, team news and results from across the sports you follow.
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.