Tag Futebol

Erling Haaland scored for the first time at the Bernabeu as Manchester City earned a priceless and fully deserved 2-1 win at Real Madrid in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's side went behind to a brilliant strike from Rodrygo, but reacted perfectly, levelling through a Nico O'Reilly tap-in before Haaland earned a penalty and showed nerves of steel to calmly slot it home.

City looked nervous in the early stages and appeared to have conceded a penalty in the second minute when Matheus Nunes felled Vinicius Jr, only for the referee to overturn the decision because the contact was outside the box. They were punished, however, when Bernardo Silva lost the ball and Madrid broke quickly, leading to Rodrygo slamming the ball in to score his first goal after a 32-game drought.

City worked their way back into the game from a corner, Josko Gvardiol rising high to meet the delivery and O'Reilly reacting quickest after Thibaut Courtois spilled the effort to his feet. City also won the penalty via a corner, Antonio Rudiger grappling with Haaland and giving away a spot-kick after a VAR check.

Haaland won the psychological battle with Courtois to score for the first time in his third trip to the Spanish capital, and City kept their cool in the second half, grinding out only a second-ever away victory against the aristocrats of European football.

The victory took Guardiola's side into fourth in the league phase standings, and they are on track to secure a top-eight finish and a place in last 16, in contrast to their stuttering last campaign which led to them facing Madrid in the play-offs and being dumped out.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Bernabeu…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):

  His height and the angle made it very difficult for him to stop Rodrygo's brilliant strike. Didn't have many saves to make, but his footwork was spot-on.

  Matheus Nunes (5/10):

  His credentials as a converted full-back were really put to the test by Vinicius, who forced him into an early foul that looked to be a penalty before being overturned. Fortunate to not concede a spot-kick when Vinicius' shot hit his arm, too.

  Ruben Dias (7/10):

  Composed on the ball and combative off it, leading by example as City had to defend with their backs against the wall late on.

  Josko Gvardiol (7/10):

  Had a shaky start, struggling to handle Rodrygo and losing the ball in the build-up to the penalty scare. Settled into the game soon enough,  though, demonstrating his immense power in the air to force the equaliser. Made three timely interventions in the second half as City dug in to see out the win.

  Nico O'Reilly (8/10):

  An outstanding performance in his first game at the Bernabeu. Made a difficult start as he was too late to spot the danger before Rodrygo scored, but down the other end he was in the right place at the right time to level and then stormed forward to help set up the chance for Haaland. Made a brilliant defensive intervention in the second half to beat Rodrygo to the ball and took a sacrificial caution for pushing over Valverde.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (4/10):

  Looked like City's weak link, a shadow of the player who has performed so well in this fixture in the past. Lost the ball before the penalty scare while he was shoved off it by Carreras in the build-up to the opening goal. Too ponderous in possession, failing to play in Cherki when he was in a dangerous position. Booked late in the game and suspended for the trip to Bodo/Glimt, which might be a good thing for City.

  Nico Gonzalez (6/10):

  Took his time to get into the game as Madrid dominated the midfield at first, but he soon grew into things, breaking up play smoothly and starting counters immediately.

  Phil Foden (5/10):

  Didn't bring his A-game to the Spanish capital, failing to land a number of passes either due to lack of power or accuracy, sending one attempted through ball out for a throw. Taken off for Reijnders.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Rayan Cherki (6/10):

  Not as classy as against Sunderland but still had the nerve to nutmeg Rudiger while his inviting corner led to the equaliser. Teased Madrid's defenders in the second half after being thwarted from a tight angle by Courtois following up Haaland's effort. Taken off for Savinho.

  Erling Haaland (7/10):

  Finally got the better of Rudiger by winning the penalty leading to his first goal at the Bernabeu in his third visit. Denied a second goal by a good Courtois save after brilliant play by O'Reilly.

  Jeremy Doku (7/10):

  His trickery and pace stretched Madrid throughout the game, although he only had one moment of real quality, forcing a save from Courtois in the second half.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Savinho (6/10):

  A useful weapon to keep Madrid on their toes thanks to his pace, although he didn't cause an actual threat, over-hitting a pass that would have played in Marmoush.

  Omar Marmoush (6/10):

  Didn't get many openings in hi 20 minutes on the pitch.

  Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):

  Tried an ambitious flick which just missed Marmoush.

  Nathan Ake (N/A):

  Brought on in the 88th minute and made a vital headed clearance in the dying seconds.

  Pep Guardiola (7/10):

  Picked the same starting XI as against Sunderland, and although City started badly, they were in control for most of the game and picked up a rare but fully deserved victory at the home of the Kings of Europe.

MatériaMais Notícias

Esta será a primeira vez na história do Vasco em que o clube terá no comando um técnico estrangeiro na estreia do Brasileirão. O argentino Ramón Díaz é quem estará na beira do campo na partida contra o Grêmio.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasVascoGaldames revela que Mocca torce para o Vasco: ‘Ganhou uma camisa’Vasco12/04/2024VascoGaldames abre o jogo e revela motivo da escolha pelo Vasco: ‘Passo perfeito a carreira’Vasco12/04/2024Mercado do EsporteBrasileirão 2024 inicia com sete SAFs; veja valores e detalhesMercado do Esporte12/04/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Ramón Díaz chegou ao Vasco no ano passado para fazer com que o clube escapasse de mais um rebaixamento. O desempenho do técnico foi positivo: dez vitórias, seis empates e oito derrotas em 24 jogos.

Já em 2024, Ramón Díaz acumula seis vitórias, cinco empates e duas derrotas em 13 partidas disputadas.

Apesar do fato inédito, o técnico estrangeiro a comandar o Vasco. Além de Ramón Díaz, o Cruz-Maltino já foi treinado por outros nove treinadores gringos.

continua após a publicidade

🗒️ CONFIRA OUTROS TÉCNICOS ESTRANGEIROS DO VASCO:
– Henry Welfare (Inglaterra): novembro de 1926 a junho de 1937;
– Carlos Scarone (Uruguai): abril de 1938 a maio de 1939;
– Ramón Platero (Uruguai): maio de 1939 a abril de 1940;
– Ondino Vieira (Uruguai): março de 1943 a julho de 1946;
– Ernesto Santos (Portugal): julho a outubro de 1946;
– Roque Calocero (Argentina): outubro de 1946 até janeiro de 1947;
– Filpo Núñez (Argentina): abril a agosto de 1960;
– Abel Picabéa (Argentina): outubro de 1960 a fevereiro de 1961;
– Ricardo Sá Pinto (Portugal): outubro a dezembro de 2020.

O Vasco enfrenta o Grêmio após um hiato de mais de um mês sem partidas. No entanto, o Cruz-Maltino fez três jogos-treino neste período. A bola rola às 16h, em São Januário.

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

Futebol NacionalRamón DíazVasco

His 38-ball-101 put Rajasthan Royals in the driving seat in their chase of 210 against Gujarat Titans

Abhimanyu Bose28-Apr-20255:27

‘Otherworldly’ Suryavanshi wows Bishop, Aaron

Chris Gayle – 30 balls

175* vs Pune Warriors, Bengaluru, 2013
It was the day on which Gayle rewrote T20 record books at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. His unbeaten 175 remains the highest individual score in the format, and his 30-ball century is the fastest in IPL history even after 12 years. After a watchful first over, Gayle took 21 off Ishwar Pandey and 28 off Mitchell Marsh to bring up a 17-ball fifty. Aaron Finch’s 29-run over only added to the charge and Gayle brought up his century in the ninth over. Of his first 103 runs, 98 came in boundaries. He finished unbeaten on 175 and later returned to pick up two wickets, capping off a surreal day.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi – 35 balls
101 vs Gujarat Titans, Jaipur, 2025Walking out to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) chase of 210, Suryavanshi made history as he hammered a bowling attack comprising Rashid Khan, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna to bring up the second-fastest century in the IPL. By the time Prasidh dislodged him with a yorker, he had hit 11 sixes and seven fours and left RR needing 44 off 49 deliveries. In a phenomenal display of hitting, Suryavanshi took 26 off an Ishant over on the way to a 17-ball half-century, and then hit three sixes and three fours off Karim Janat’s first over in the IPL. He reached his century with a six off Rashid, no less.

Yusuf Pathan – 37 balls

100 vs Mumbai Indians (MI), Brabourne, 2010
Pathan teed off when Rajasthan Royals (RR) needed 143 off 57 balls to chase down MI’s 212. He hit 54 off his next 11 deliveries, including three successive sixes off Ali Murtaza and 24 in the following over from R Sathish. The carnage continued as he brought up what was then the fastest century in the IPL with a towering six. He was run out the very next ball, leaving RR with 40 to get from 17 balls – a bridge too far in the end. However, his captain, Shane Warne, described it as the best innings he had ever seen.

David Miller – 38 balls

101* vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mohali, 2013Miller’s 38-ball century rescued Kings XI Punjab (now PBKS) from 64 for 4 and powered them in a jaw-dropping chase of 191, with 99 runs coming in the last five overs. It began with a flurry of boundaries off Vinay Kumar before he tore into RP Singh for 26 in a single over. With three runs needed and Miller on 95, he launched a length ball straight over the sightscreen to bring up his century in style. After the match, Miller shared his father’s advice: “If it’s in the V, it’s in the tree. If it’s in the arc, it’s out of the park.”

Travis Head – 39 balls

102 vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Head had already signaled their intent with a 277-run blitz earlier in the season. In Bengaluru, they went one better. Head had set the tone with a powerplay assault that saw SRH race to 76 for 0, bringing up his fifty along the way. By the time he was dismissed in the 13th over for a 41-ball 102, SRH had rocketed to 165. They eventually finished on 287 – the highest total in IPL history.

Priyansh Arya – 39 balls

103 vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mullanpur, 2025PBKS picked 24-year-old Delhi opener Arya for INR 3.8 crore after a bidding war at the auction and he’s already showing why. After a 23-ball 47 on debut, Arya delivered on his potential against CSK. He began the innings with a first-ball six and didn’t let the fall of wickets at the other end disrupt his intent. He later smacked Matheesha Pathirana for three consecutive sixes and a four to bring up a stunning maiden IPL century in just the 13th over of the innings.Watch – Highlights of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking hundred on JioHotstar (only in India)

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco largou atrás do Nova Iguaçu para chegar na grande final do Campeonato Carioca. Isso porque a Laranja da Baixada tem a vantagem de dois resultados iguais. Diante do cenário, é possível que o Cruz-Maltino seja um dos finalistas? O Lance! lista abaixo cinco motivos para os vascaínos acreditarem.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasVascoPiton curte fase artilheira pelo Vasco, mas descarta rótulo de heróiVasco15/03/2024Fora de CampoNão é o Palmeiras! Leila Pereira revela que pai e irmãos torcem para outro gigante da Série AFora de Campo15/03/2024Futebol NacionalConsórcio Maracanã critica comportamento do Vasco: ‘Vitimização’Futebol Nacional14/03/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco

1️⃣ CONFIANÇA EM RAMÓN DÍAZ
O técnico do Vasco pediu para os torcedores acreditarem na equipe. Inclusive, Ramón Díaz bateu na mesa mais uma vez, que nem no episódio do “no va a abajar!”.

2️⃣ ATMOSFERA
O Vasco vai entrar em campo com o Maracanã lotado. A promessa é de casa cheia com mais de 60 mil vascaínos empurrando o time.

3️⃣ NOVA IGUAÇU DESGASTADO
A situação foi invertida. No primeiro jogo da semifinal, o Vasco jogou pela Copa do Brasil no meio da semana. Agora, o Nova Iguaçu que disputou a competição e foi eliminado pelo Internacional.

continua após a publicidade

4️⃣ TALENTOS INDIVIDUAIS
O Vasco conta com diversos nomes de peso que podem decidir a semifinal. Dentre eles está o goleiro Léo Jardim, que vive uma grande fase e foi convocado para a Seleção Brasileira.

Além disso, o Vasco também conta com Lucas Piton, que tem salvado o time de derrotas. O camisa 10, Dimitri Payet, que é o melhor jogador cruz-maltino na temporada e o “Pirata” Pablo Vegetti, que gosta de balançar a rede.

continua após a publicidade

5️⃣ RETROSPECTO FAVORÁVEL
Ao longo de todos os anos, Vasco e Nova Iguaçu se enfrentaram 14 vezes e o Cruz-Maltino é soberano. No total são oito vitórias, três empates e três derrotas.

Tudo sobre

cariocaNova IguaçuVasco

The wheels are in danger of coming off for Chelsea this season, if they haven’t already.

Enzo Maresca’s side have looked a shadow of the team that demolished Barcelona over the last week or so.

First, they lost to Leeds United, then drew with Bournemouth, and then, to make matters even worse, they threw away a one-nil lead and lost to Atalanta on Tuesday night in the Champions League.

It’s a run of form that should see the board reflect on who is and isn’t good enough to represent Chelsea, and there is one player who has been even worse than the underwhelming Jamie Gittens and therefore shouldn’t play another minute this season.

Chelsea's poor performers vs Atalanta

Unfortunately for Maresca, although he bears a great deal of responsibility for the loss, more than a handful of Chelsea players were seriously poor against Atalanta on Tuesday night.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Gittens, for example, once again put in a performance that should seriously worry fans as he was utterly ineffective against the 12th-placed Serie A side.

Somehow, the former Borussia Dortmund gem remained on the pitch for the full 94 minutes, despite doing nothing of any note on or off the ball.

For example, he registered a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.26, lost seven of his ten duels, failed to take a single shot on target and played just a single key pass.

To say it was an underwhelming showing from the Englishman would be an understatement, and therefore the 5/10 match rating he received from the Standard’s Dom Smith was more than justified.

The journalist gave Benoit Badiashile the same rating, and it’s hard to disagree.

Sure, the French centre-back made a few good interceptions and tackles in the first half, but he was partly responsible for Charles De Ketelaere’s winner, as he kept backing off from the Belgian before he shot.

It was also a really disappointing night for Enzo Fernández.

The World Cup winner has been crucial for the Blues at times this season, and a source of goals from the middle of the park.

However, against the Bergamo outfit, he was hugely frustrating, as while he did get into dangerous positions on more than one occasion, he either fluffed his lines or made the wrong decision.

Minutes

67′

Expected Goals

0.01

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.42

Assists

0

Key Passes

1

Crosses (Accurate)

1 (0)

Passes (Accurate)

24/33 (73%)

Lost Possession

15

Dribbles

0

Duels (Won)

10 (3)

Now, there is an argument that all three of these players should be dropped for this weekend’s game, but there is another player in the squad, someone who’s been worse than Gittens, who should probably never play for the club again.

The Chelsea flop who cannot play another minute for Maresca

While there are a few Chelsea players who need to be sold in the upcoming transfer window, the first one out the door should be Tosin Adarabioyo.

Now, it should be said that he was far from the worst player on the pitch on Tuesday night, but he still managed to disappoint in the 18 minutes he spent on the pitch.

For example, he lost 100% of his ground duels, committed a foul, lost the ball four times and didn’t even make a tackle, despite the hosts pushing more in the closing minutes.

However, the defeat to Atalanta is not the sole reason the 28-year-old should no longer be getting any minutes for the team, as he has cost the side on multiple occasions this season.

The most recent example of this came in the game against Leeds United.

It was at Elland Road that, under very little pressure, he lost the ball in the Blues’ penalty area, which led directly to the hosts scoring, and content creator Tom Overend calling him “utterly embarrassing.”

Moreover, the statistics from his season overall do not make for pleasant reading.

In the four Champions League appearances he’s made this season, the former Fulham star has averaged just one point per game and conceded eight goals.

Games

9

5

1

Starts

5

3

1

Minutes

557′

239′

90′

Goals

0

0

0

Assists

0

0

0

Points per Game

1.78

1.00

3.00

Then, in the Premier League, he has averaged just 1.78 points per game across nine appearances, five of which have been starts.

Finally, FBref have ranked him in just the top 38% of centre-backs in the league for tackles won per 90, but the top 13% for tackles attempted, meaning he simply isn’t winning enough of them.

Ultimately, Gittens has been disappointing this season, but he’s still young and could come good.

However, Tosin is an experienced defender who has directly cost Chelsea points and, given he was signed for free, should be sold as soon as possible.

Watch out Delap: Chelsea set sights on "one of Europe's most in-form CFs"

The free-scoring forward could spell the end of Liam Delap at Chelsea.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 3 days ago

Clayton Kershaw will officially make his final MLB regular season start on Sunday when the Dodgers face the Mariners to close out the 2025 season. The three-time Cy Young award winner will retire after this season, but his retirement is delayed as the Dodgers clinched a playoff spot.

Los Angeles begins the wild-card series on Tuesday, Sept. 30 against either the Reds or the Mets, depending on who clinches that postseason spot on Sunday. But, will Kershaw compete for the Dodgers in this series?

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Sunday that Kershaw will not be on the wild-card roster for Los Angeles, via ' Jack Harris. However, there is still a chance the veteran pitcher will return to the roster if the Dodgers reach the NLDS.

This decision makes sense since Kershaw is starting on Sunday. He will rest this upcoming week during the wild card. But, will Sunday's start be the final appearance of Kershaw's MLB career? It all depends how the Dodgers do in the postseason.

Manchester United’s hierarchy ensured that Ruben Amorim was well backed in the 2025 summer transfer window. Despite another season filled with inconsistencies under the Portuguese manager, the Red Devils’ owners have backed their manager, highlighted by the amount of money they spent over the summer.

Star forward Bryan Mbeumo has been the biggest success story after his £71m move from Brentford. He was one of three marquee attackers who United signed, along with Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko for £74m.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens rounded out a busy summer where Amorim was well and truly backed.

If recent rumours are to be believed, INEOS are willing to give Amorim even more money to spend.

United’s next marquee signing

It is certainly an exciting time to be a United fan with all the incomings. They have been linked with a few big names from within the Premier League, including Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, in recent days.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Yet, the man who the Red Devils could turn to first in midfield is Real Madrid and France international Aurelien Tchouameni. According to reports in Spain, via Football365, United have ‘put forward an offer’ to sign the former AS Monaco star as soon as January.

This is certainly not a deal that will come cheap for United. The reported bid they have played for the midfielder would see him become Amorim’s most expensive signing, at £79m including add-ons.

However, the report suggests Los Blancos are not open to the move as things stand.

Man Utd's next Casemiro in the making?

At 25 years of age, the 43-cap France international is about to enter the peak years of his career. Since moving to the Bernabeu in 2022 from Monaco, he has become a key player in midfield, helping Madrid win multiple titles, including the Champions League and La Liga.

This season under Madrid’s new head coach, Xabi Alonso, Tchouameni has featured 15 times, in all competitions. Operating at the base of midfield, he’s completed 90 minutes 12 times, racking up 1224 minutes so far.

There are a couple of smaller things in Tchouameni’s game that make him such an appealing addition for Amorim. One of those is his versatility, with the Frenchman able to slot in at centre-back. The other his his knack for goal.

England fans won’t forget this strike in the 2022 World Cup, highlighting how dangerous he can be from range.

If the Red Devils were able to bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford this term, he would, in many ways, be the second coming of Casemiro. United’s number 18 has shone under Amorim this term, playing all ten Premier League games he’s been available for. Indeed, there are a couple of striking similarities between the pair.

Indeed, the fact that Casemiro was also a big money signing from Los Blancos is one of the main ways this deal feels alike. Versatility is also a similarity, with the Brazilian able to operate at centre-back too, as well as his natural role in midfield.

The former Madrid star is also prone to a goal just like Tchouameni, with three to his name already this term.

One of his best strikes in Red came last season in the Carabao Cup, when he hit this long-range screamer against Leicester City.

Tchouameni and Casemiro also share a statistical likeness, as can be seen when looking at their stats this season, as per FBref..

For example, the French star averaged 5.88 progressive passes and 3.3 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, compared to 4.41 progressive passes and 3.97 tackles and interceptions each game from the Brazil international.

Progressive passes

5.88

4.41

Tackles and interceptions

3.33

3.97

Clearances

1.96

1.76

Progressive carries

1.03

0.15

Ball recoveries

4.23

5.74

It is easy to see how this deal to sign Tchouameni could be the second coming of Casemiro at Old Trafford. They have followed a similar career path and are statistically alike. He could well be the Brazilian’s replacement down the line.

As football analyst Raj Chohan said, Tchouameni is “one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet” and he would certainly add more midfield quality to United.

Garnacho 2.0 at Man Utd: INEOS in talks with agent to sign £70m "monster"

One Garnacho-esque new signing could help add firepower to Man United’s attack.

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 19, 2025

The England batter has been mightily prolific this year, making a century about every four innings

Ian Chappell20-Oct-2024The England selectors did Joe Root a huge favour when they unburdened him from the captaincy and released him to become a run-making machine.He was already an exceptional batter – as a struggling skipper he still made 14 centuries in 118 innings – but let’s face it, captaincy and Joe Root shouldn’t appear in the same sentence. Since becoming solely a team member two and a half years ago, Root has regularly amassed big scores with an amazing ten centuries in just 54 innings.Incredibly, in this calendar year he has already sped past the thousand-run mark whilst piling up centuries at the incredible rate of around one every four innings. That is a superhuman performance.On this run rampage he passed the defiant opener Sir Alastair Cook as England’s highest Test run-scorer. Root is now in the process of increasing his advantage. He will only enter his 35th year as the calendar flips over, so the difference will likely be substantial by the time he retires.Related

Joe Root, the Peter Pan of batting, has pulled ahead of Cook and Pietersen. Will he reel Tendulkar in?

Duckett defends Root dismissal: Reverse-scoop to slip the same as nicking off

Joe Root notches record 34th Test hundred as England close in

Alastair Cook hails 'genius' Root after England-record 34th Test hundred

Joe Root reaches the batting heights for which his career was destined

Root was born to make runs and posted a highly respectable 73 in his first Test innings, in India. He’s a joy to watch, as he balances a solid technique with the desire to score at every opportunity.Some of his partnerships with fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow were exhilarating, as both players ran brilliantly between wickets and continually looked to keep the scoreboard ticking over.As England entered the Ben Stokes captaincy era and some of the batting became frenetic, Root occasionally succumbed to the idea of adopting modern shots. Not surprisingly, he handled the change comfortably but one ill-judged scoop that landed in the hands of an opposition slip fielder made him re-evaluate his priorities.Root sensibly went back to his old ways and has become an even more difficult batter to dismiss. I’m not sure why he temporarily changed his approach because scoring rate has never been an issue for Root.The glue to England’s rapid scoring has been Root, who is prepared to compile big innings while some of his team-mates take the wrecking ball to the opposition attack.One of the few anomalies in Root’s record is his failure to score a Test century in Australia despite having played 27 innings there. His last chance to rectify that statistic will likely come in 2025-26, when – barring injury or retirement – he will play another Ashes series.

Root was born to make runs. He’s a joy to watch, as he balances a solid technique with the desire to score at every opportunity

It’s not as though Root has performed poorly in Australia, as his average of around 35 is respectable. However, the lack of a century despite making nine scores in excess of 50 is most unlike Root.In Australia, the four main bowlers have dismissed Root a number of times and this could be pointed to as a weakness. Nevertheless there’s an easy answer: if you’re going to be dismissed, it’s preferable to get out to a good bowler.The more worrying Root statistic in Australia is the number of times he’s been caught behind. Keepers have had a bonanza as ten times they’ve clasped Root’s edges in just 27 innings. While he could counter with “you’ve got to be good enough to nick ’em”, it does suggest he needs to re-assess the extra bounce Australian pitches provide.Root’s phenomenal run-making will again be tested when first he faces India at home and then Australia away. In those two series Root will be facing the best attacks in Test cricket, and his technique against both pace and spin will again be fully scrutinised.Those are difficult challenges that Root and England will face in the future. Currently they’re desperately involved in a bid to win after Pakistan levelled their three-game series with a spin-revolution victory against a clueless England.As the most technically gifted, Root will have the task of convincing his fellow team-mates that numerous versions of the sweep shot aren’t the ideal way to combat good spinners. Despite Root’s proven talent, that will be a very difficult task.

Tottenham Hotspur are now preparing a January move to sign a £53m “monster” who plays in the Champions League, having identified him as their top target in defence.

Spurs looking to sign new centre-back amid defensive struggles

Thomas Frank is well-known for being more of a pragmatic manager than predecessor Ange Postecoglou, but Tottenham have been very poor from a defensive point of view over the past few weeks, conceding 13 goals in their last four matches in all competitions.

Most recently, Spurs came unstuck against Fulham at home, with Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson finding the back of the net within just six minutes, and the Cottagers ultimately held out for a 2-1 victory, despite Mohammed Kudus pulling one back just before the hour mark.

Following a run of one win, one draw and five defeats in the last seven outings, Frank is now under real pressure, with it recently being revealed that Xavi could be brought in if results don’t improve by the end of December.

It remains to be seen whether the Dane makes it to the January transfer window, with a tough trip to Newcastle United up next, but plans are already being formulated, and ENIC are particularly keen to strengthen in defence.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Tottenham are now preparing a €60m (£53m) move for Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, who has now risen to the top of the north Londoners’ shortlist of defensive targets.

It could be difficult to get a deal done, given that Bremer is regarded as one of the Italian club’s prized assets, but they may be tempted to cash-in if they receive a bid that is simply too good to turn down.

A whole host of Europe’s top clubs could also be set to rival Spurs for the Brazilian’s signature, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich being named as potential suitors.

Tottenham & Lange now pushing hard to sign "powerful" £30m Rodri-esque maestro

Spurs are keen to strengthen their options in the engine room, and there has been a new update on their pursuit of a midfielder.

ByDominic Lund Nov 30, 2025 "Monster" Bremer could be ideal addition for Spurs

It is clear that Tottenham could do with some fresh options in defence, given the sheer number of goals they have conceded recently, and the Juventus star could be the ideal addition to the backline.

Lauded as a “monster” by scout Ben Mattinson, the five-time Brazil international, who is under the same agency as James Maddison and Pedro Porro, has put in some solid performances this season, most notably in Juventus’ 2-0 Serie A victory against Parma.

Gleison Bremer’s key statistics vs Parma

Number completed

Clearances

8

Ground duels (won)

3 (2)

Passes completed

46/52 (88%)

Clearances off line

1

Not only that, but the 28-year-old is also very impressive on the front foot for a defender, having picked up eight goals and four assists in 96 outings for Juventus, setting up two goals in his side’s 4-3 victory against Inter Milan earlier this season.

Bremer has spent the majority of the current campaign out injured, and missed 45 games last season due to an ACL injury, so there may be some concerns about his fitness, but the centre-back has proven himself as a top defender on his day.

The Mets are calling up their No. 4 prospect, minor league pitching star Jonah Tong to start Friday's game vs. the Marlins in New York. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the news when speaking to media on Tuesday.

"I think it's all about dominating the minor leagues," Mendoza said. "It's hard to keep him there."

Tong's future in MLB will be determined "one start at a time," Mendoza noted.

"Dominating" is definitely the right word to describe Tong's minor league performances this season. Tong leads the minor leagues with 179 strikeouts. On top of that, the 22-year-old has not allowed a run in 11 2/3 innings since being promoted to Triple A Syracuse on Aug. 11. He previously pitched in 20 games for Double A Binghamton. Across both stops this season, Tong is 10–5 with a 1.43 ERA in 22 starts.

The Mets just placed right-handed pitcher Frank Montas on the 60-day injured list, effectively ending his season, on Monday. Additionally, right-hander Reed Garrett was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with right elbow inflammation.