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O Fluminense anunciou a Superbet como nova patrocinadora máster do clube. A casa de apostas irá substituir a Betano, que ocupou o principal espaço do uniforme da equipe nos últimos anos. O acordo será válido por três temporadas e prevê o pagamento de R$ 52 milhões por ano.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasDicasFluminense x Colo-Colo: odds, estatísticas e informações para apostar na LibertadoresDicas08/04/2024FluminenseMelhor jogador, decepção, reforços… Torcedores opinam sobre início de 2024 do FluminenseFluminense08/04/2024FluminenseFluminense torce para ter retorno de titulares na próxima partida da LibertadoresFluminense06/04/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Fluminense

– A chegada da Superbet como nossa parceira passa pelo entendimento do valor e do tamanho do Fluminense. Somos um clube com muitas glórias, que passou por um processo de resgate de credibilidade alcançado por uma filosofia de trabalho que também trouxe como resultado grandes títulos. Desejamos que, juntos, Fluminense e Superbet construam uma bela história, dando continuidade ao caminho de vitórias e conquistas – declarou o presidente Mário Bittencourt

➡️No Lance! Betting, você pode levar mais de R$124 se Corinthians e Nacional balançarem as redes

A estreia da patrocinadora na camisa será na partida contra o Colo-Colo, do Chile, no dia 9 de abril, pela segunda rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores.

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– Para nós da Superbet é um prazer e uma honra nos unir a um clube centenário e de glórias mil como o Fluminense. Vamos em busca de novas super temporadas, tendo a certeza de que juntos faremos história – afirmou Alexandre Fonseca, CEO da Superbet Brasil.

💰 Os maiores patrocínios máster do Brasil

O dono do maior acordo de patrocínio máster é o Corinthians, que fechou com a casa de apostas VaideBet por R$ 370 milhões em três anos. Serão R$ 120 milhões anuais e R$ 10 milhões em luvas.

1. Corinthians – Vai de Bet (R$ 120 milhões)
2. Flamengo – Pixbet (R$ 85 milhões)
3. Palmeiras – Crefisa (R$ 81 milhões)
4. São Paulo – SuperBet (R$ 52 milhões)
4. Fluminense – SuperBet (R$ 52 milhões)
6. Grêmio – Banrisul (R$ 30 milhões)
6. Internacional – Banrisul (R$ 30 milhões)
8. Santos – Blaze (R$ 28 milhões)*
9. Botafogo – PariMatch (R$ 27 milhões)
10. Cruzeiro – Betfair (R$ 25 milhões)

* Nota: O Santos renegociou recentemente o seu contrato com a Blaze. O vínculo de dois anos vai render um total de R$ 55,4 milhões ao clube – uma média de R$ 27,7 milhões.

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➡️ Veja tabela com datas, horários dos jogos da Libertadores

Tudo sobre

Fluminense

Despite dropped points at the Stadium of Light, Arsenal supporters are rightly feeling generally pretty good about things.

On Saturday night, goals from Bukayo Saka and then Leandro Trossard turned the game around and had the Gunners on course for a precious three points on Wearside, only for Sunderland to snatch a 94th minute equaliser.

Prior to this, Mikel Arteta’s team had won ten successive matches across all competitions, keeping eight consecutive clean sheets too, equaling the club record set in 1903, so go into a huge week in which they’ll take on Tottenham, Bayern Munich and then Chelsea four points clear of a rather ominous-looking Manchester City.

Nevertheless, in hindsight, it was remarkable that Arsenal managed to string together so many victories considering they currently have six attackers sidelined.

Four of those sidelined forwards are forecast to be back in time for the North London derby, but which member of this sextet will be hoping to dislodge the Gunners’ most productive attacker?

Where Leandro Trossard ranks at Arsenal this season

During the summer, if reports are to be believed, numerous clubs were interested in signing Trossard, Aston Villa, Brentford and Fenerbahçe to name just a few, and many Gooners were of the opinion that an upgrade was required and now was the time to cash in on the 30-year-old.

Well, Arteta certainly did not agree, even rewarding the Belgian with a pay rise, and this decision has been vindicated, given that Trossard currently leads the way at Arsenal this season for combined goals and assists, as the table below documents.

Arsenal – goal & assists 25/26

Players

Goals

Assists

Viktor Gyökeres

6

0

Bukayo Saka

6

0

Leandro Trossard

4

4

Gabriel Martinelli

4

1

Mikel Merino

3

1

Declan Rice

2

5

Jurriën Timber

2

2

Gabriel

2

3

Martín Zubimendi

2

1

Eberechi Eze

2

3

Riccardo Calafiori

1

2

Ethan Nwaneri

1

0

Myles Lewis-Skelly

0

3

Martin Ødegaard

0

2

William Saliba

0

1

Max Dowman

0

1

Stats via Transfermarkt

As the table documents, Trossard ranks first at Arsenal in terms of combined goals and assists with eight.

To date, all four of his goals have come away from home, netting at Athletic Club, Port Vale and Fulham, (bet those three clubs have never been in a list together before!), before this rocket that fired his team in front at the Stadium of Light on Saturday night.

Thus, Trossard remains a key figure in this team, almost certainly set to start against Spurs after the international break, but, as the season progresses, he could once again find himself beginning matches as a substitute.

Equally, in the long-term, while he did receive a bumper wage increase, his contract length was not actually extended, ensuring his current deal will still expire in the summer of 2027 – placing doubt on whether he will still be on the books beyond next summer.

Set to turn 31 next month, the former Brighton star is almost certainly nearer the end than the start of his Emirates journey, with a potential replacement already in the building.

The Arsenal attacker aiming to take Trossard's spot

As already alluded to, the Gunners currently have six attackers sidelined, hence why Arteta has had to return to the well that is Mikel Merino up front in Prague and on Wearside last week.

There is optimism that Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Ødegaard and Noni Madueke could all be involved in the North London derby, with the returns of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus likely to be another few weeks away.

However, it is Madueke who the majority of supporters are most looking forward to seeing in action once again.

The 22-year-old’s £52m move from Chelsea in the summer was controversial, albeit this was nothing to do with him personally, with a certain section of, how shall we put this diplomatically, vocal online supporters simply tired of signing Chelsea’s cast-offs.

Nevertheless, Madueke, who reportedly earns £150k-per-week, quickly proved his worth, starting the second Premier League game of the season against Leeds on the left-hand-side.

During that match however, Saka suffered an injury, meaning Madueke deputised on the right for the next four matches, before himself suffering a knee injury against Manchester City, the day Saka made a timely return.

Of course, with Man City leading 1-0 at half time, everyone was pleased to see Saka introduced, but there was general bewilderment that Madueke was the man replaced, given how sharp he had been both in the first 45 minutes but in general, fans in the stadium not yet aware that this was an enforced change due to injury.

In total, Madueke has only played 396 minutes for Arsenal, about the same as the flight time from London to Lagos, which is not very much at all, leading to the feeling that what we’ve seen so far is merely an amuse-bouche of what is to come.

When he arrived, Arteta asserted that the “exciting and powerful” 23-year-old is “one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League”, showing glimpses of this potential before his injury.

Meantime, back in September, former Manchester United defender Paul Parker exclaimed, “I actually think he’s better than Bukayo Saka”, after Madueke, also deputising for his club team mate at international level, scored his first goal for England during their 5-0 demolition of Serbia at Stadion Rajko Mitić.

That is obviously an bold assertion and, if there is one thing we’ve learned during Arteta’s six-year reign, it is that if Saka is fit and available, he is going to play.

Thus, it is unrealistic to suggest that Madueke can dislodge the Gunners’ joint-top scorer on the right, but the left flank is very much up for grabs.

Martinelli and Eberechi Eze have both started there at various points this season, with Trossard the current tenant, further underlining that the position is up for grabs.

With games against Spurs, Bayern Munich and then his former side Chelsea next on the agenda, Madueke’s electric dribbling and explosive pace will add an extra dimension to the Gunners attack and will prove invaluable assets, suggesting he could make the left-wing spot his own, permanently demoting Trossard to the role of super sub.

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Posts ByMatt Dawson Nov 11, 2025

اعترف آشلي كول، أسطورة نادي آرسنال وتشيلسي، أنه كان قاب قوسين أو أدنى من التوقيع لصالح ريال مدريد، موضحًا أن هناك سببًا واحدًا منع إتمام الصفقة.

كول كان قد تألق وبشدة مع آرسنال في مسيرته وحقق معهم لقب الدوري الإنجليزي في مناسبتين، وذلك قبل الرحيل إلى تشيلسي مقابل 7 ملايين يورو.

وتعثرت مفاوضات تجديد عقد كول مع آرسنال، ليوقع الظهير الأيسر مع تشيلسي ويصنع التاريخ مع البلوز.

لكن كول اعترف في تصريحات نقلها ”triballfootball.com”، أن ظروف زواجه حالت دون انتقاله إلى ريال مدريد، موضحًا أن برشلونة رغب في ضمه.

اقرأ أيضًا.. “أصبحنا متحدين”.. رد قاطع من نجم ريال مدريد على شائعات الخلاف مع ألونسو

وقال كول: “شعرت بقليل من عدم الراحة بشأن تجديد عقدي مع آرسنال، لذلك كان هذا هو ما يشغل عقلي وقلبي، كنت أقول لنفسي لقد سلبتموني الأشياء التي أحبها ولم يكن الأمر يستحق ذلك”.

وأضاف: ”مما قيل لي وسمعته كنت سأنتقل إلى ريال مدريد، كنت أجري محادثات مع وكلاء أعمال لأنه في تلك المرحلة كان بإمكاني التوقيع مسبقًا لفريق خارج إنجلترا، لذا كان الخيار هو ريال مدريد وربما برشلونة، لا أعرف مدى عمق هذا الخيار لكن التطورات الشخصية غيرت أولوياتي”.

واختتم كول: “تغيرت الأمور، تزوجت وفي النهاية لم أرد مغادرة البلاد، ثم بعد حوالي عام ونصف، أتذكر أنني جلست في مكتبي مع وكيل أعمالي، ونادى علي قائلاً لن تصدق من هذا، إنه تشيلسي، فقلت حسنًا”.

, are more amenable to a reduction, though their members seem minded to disagree.The folly of it all is that this final also serves as a reminder of the wrangle for sporting integrity. This is the first time Surrey and Nottinghamshire have met this season, the pitfall of squaring a 10-team top division into 14 fixtures. Should they both end the season in the top-two spots, it would be the fourth season in a row that county champions and runners-up have squared up just the once.It is a quirk of circumstance given the previous three runners-up have all been different (Lancashire 2022, Essex 2023, Hampshire 2024). And a reflection of Surrey’s dominance and robust squad depth that they’ve prevailed in each of those previous seasons – traits which are no less apparent coming into the final eight days of this summer.Gus Atkinson, now England’s more than Surrey’s, was typically incisive for his 4 for 41. He is likely to be utilised as a load-bearing bowler for the winter’s Ashes, and got the ball rolling with the early removal of Nottinghamshire skipper Haseeb Hameed. But it was Matthew Fisher, brought in to cover for Atkinson’s international duties (and, as it turned out, absences through injury) who ended up leading the line with 5 for 61, his first five-wicket haul for Surrey after four previous such hauls for Yorkshire.Gus Atkinson made the breakthrough in the morning session•Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Fisher’s move down from Headingley to south London was a familiar story – a player hoping a new challenge will reignite a career that had looks to have struck a ceiling. By and large, it has, even if the numbers do not quite tell that story.It took nine innings for Fisher to reach double-figures for his new club, at the end of June, despite stitching together some good spells in that period. His efforts spoke of the promise that had brought about his one and only Test cap, on an unforgiving Bridgetown pitch and in even more unforgiving circumstances, given that he featured on that trip as a (premature) replacement for Stuart Broad and James Anderson.Now that that pair have finally left the scene, the likes of Atkinson and Nottinghamshire quick Josh Tongue have shunted Fisher down the pecking order, to the extent his winter remains free. Could a Lions spot on this winter’s tour of Australia be in the offing? As England look for insurance with their quicks, and with Brendon McCullum confirming that that trip will play a key back-up role for the Ashes, it would make a lot of sense.Fisher was undoubtedly Surrey’s best with the Kookaburra ball – more so than South Australian Dan Worrall who was reared on them – and has added consistency and endurance to his naturally hard length and knack of challenging both edges of the bat.He was originally introduced after 20 overs as the fifth bowler used, by which point Nottinghamshire had made it to 51 for 1. After a five-over spell from the Vauxhall End, he switched to the Micky Stewart Pavillion End and earned a much-needed breakthrough ten balls later.Profitting from extra juice from that end, Fisher went wide on the crease from around the wicket, angling into Freddie McCann then leaving him, clipping the edge on the way. A second leftie was sent back soon after when Ben Slater, composed for his 50 from 95 deliveries, fell victim to a better version of the McCann delivery; fuller, straighter, leaving Slater powerless while doing the needful of protecting his off stump just in case.Those dismissals were the first two of the final eight to fall for just 142, but the collapse felt avoidable. Joe Clarke had played engagingly for 29 before needlessly chasing a wide delivery from Atkinson with an angled bat. Brett Hutton’s unbeaten 30, while motivated by an imminent end to Nottinghamshire’s first innings, demonstrated that the surface still rewarded application, having last been used against Somerset at the end of April.South African keeper-batter Kyle Verreynne was slowly compiling before Fisher, tighter to the stumps, nipped one into middle from an initial line outside off, for a plumb lbw. Though he did receive a bit of tap as Nottinghamshire swung from the hip in pursuit of bonus points – Hutton deposited him over square leg for the innings’ only six – rewards duly came. Tongue’s booming drive brought a fifth catch for Ben Foakes, before Pennington’s wild hack left his front shin unguarded for a second leg-before.Fisher barely celebrated, jarring his right knee as he turned sharply to appeal to the umpire. He soon shook that off, leading the team back into the dressing room, ball aloft. Whatever is to come in the County Championship, both this season and next, Fisher’s present and immediate future looks far more assured.

Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli, at Unai Emery’s request, and Real Betis’ asking price has been revealed.

Villa’s interest in signing a new forward comes amid doubts surrounding Harvey Elliott’s future, with widespread reports suggesting Liverpool could recall the attacking midfielder from his loan spell in the January transfer window.

Elliott has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular, featuring for just 97 minutes across four matches in the Premier League this season, and Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on whether there is any way back for the Englishman.

The transfer expert said: “At the moment, it depends on his performances in training. The situation is still not changing and of course, Elliott is not happy.”

Should the 22-year-old exit Villa Park this winter, there may be room in the squad to bring in another attacker, and the Villans are now looking to sign a new winger…

Aston Villa join race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli at Unai Emery's request

According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Real Betis star Ezzalzouli, with the forward being monitored closely ahead of the January transfer window, although there could be competition for his signature from Crystal Palace.

The Betis board’s asking price is ‘significantly’ in excess of the Moroccan’s current value of €12m (£11m), with the Spanish club eager to retain one of their key players, and manager Manuel Pellegrini has made it clear he wants to keep hold of him.

The 23-year-old has been personally requested by Emery for January, with the manager setting out to sign a new winger in order to strengthen his side’s chances of winning the Europa League.

It is little wonder Pellegrini is keen to keep hold of the 25-time Morocco international, given that he has impressed at Real Betis for quite some time, with scout Ben Mattinson waxing lyrical about the left-winger during the 2024/25 campaign.

The former Osasuna man has also made a flying start to the season, chipping in with three goals and two assists in his opening eight games, which has helped propel his side to fifth in the La Liga table.

Emery strengthened his options at left-wing in the summer, signing Jadon Sancho, but the Manchester United loanee is yet to make an impact, failing to register a single goal or assist in his opening eight matches in all competitions.

As such, it would make sense to bring in a new winger in the January transfer window, and Ezzalzouli could be a fantastic long-term addition to the squad.

Aston Villa targeting Ansu Fati alongside Abde Ezzalzouli

Aston Villa prepared to make Ansu Fati offer but face complicated roadblock

The Villans are willing to make a bid for a new forward, after Emery’s plea to the board.

By
Dominic Lund

Nov 4, 2025

There comes a time when a club must face the thought of one of their superstars leaving. Not in hostile, bitter circumstances, but because age has caught up with them, and it is the right time to close the door on their glittering stay.

Steven Gerrard’s departure from Liverpool a decade ago was very much representative of this, but now, the Anfield side are beginning to understand that Mohamed Salah is likely into his final stretch at the club, having signed a new £400k-per-week contract in April that will take him to the end of next season.

Last year was Salah’s. The Egyptian forward decided one Premier League trophy wasn’t enough and embarked on a record-breaking journey toward his second title with Liverpool, scoring 29 goals and supplying 18 assists across the top-flight term.

The decline since the summer has been steep, and though there are a number of circumstances likely impacting his performance, Salah is 33 years old and claims that he is suffering the inevitability of a late-career wind down are justified.

Liverpool need a new right winger by the end of 2026/27, but they also need more energy and athleticism, with Salah not the only player culpable of lacking those elements this season.

Liverpool ready to search for Salah successor

There’s been a statistic floating about regarding Liverpool’s running metrics, and it’s concerning, to say the least. Only once across Liverpool’s past seven Premier League matches have they outrun their opponent.

Salah has been at the epicentre of this struggle. The veteran winger’s defensive work rate has decreased over the past several years, but his insane levels of prolificness have eased any frustration over this foible.

But now that his sharpened edge has been dulled, it’s becoming clear that Salah is a weak link, ranking among the bottom 4% of Premier League positional peers this season for tackles won and the bottom 15% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

The sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich hasn’t helped things, with the Colombian among the most electric and tenacious forwards out there. Liverpool did not directly replace Diaz, who chalked up 25 goal contributions in all competitions for Arne Slot last year.

But Liverpool could find their new version of the 28-year-old in his Bayern teammate Michael Olise. According to Spanish sources, the France international is in Richard Hughes’ sights as Liverpool plan for the future, and the Reds are even believed to be preparing a British-record package worth €200m (about £177m).

Olise, 23, has been a revelation in Germany since joining from Crystal Palace over a year ago, and FSG know they need to replace Salah with an elite winger when the time does come.

What Olise would offer Liverpool

Since signing for Bayern in a £50m deal, Olise has scored 27 goals and supplied 30 assists across 72 matches. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in England, called a “magical footballer” by content creator HLTCO, he has established himself as a superstar.

An elegant and intelligent wide forward, Olise is not a clinical goalscorer, but he boasts so many athletic and technical qualities that could see him thrive as Salah’s successor, especially as he wouldn’t be trying to mimic the club legend’s playing style, rather, bring his own flavour.

In the Bundesliga this season, for example, the Les Bleus talent has averaged 1.9 key passes, 1.7 successful dribbles and 4.2 duels per match, as per Sofascore, with seven goal involvements from just eight starts.

Looking at the potential addition through a wider lens, we can see that Olise is actually outstripping Salah over many important metrics across the past year, and with Liverpool’s talisman seemingly declining in front of goal, that gulf will only stretch over the next 18 months.

Mohamed Salah vs Michael Olise (past 12 months)

Stats (per 90)

Salah

Olise

Goals scored

0.62

0.38

Assists

0.33

0.50

Shots taken

3.08

3.55

Shot-creating actions

3.96

6.60

Touches (att pen)

8.64

6.48

Pass completion (%)

70.1

80.7

Progressive passes

3.78

7.15

Progressive carries

4.13

4.90

Successful take-ons

1.28

2.53

Ball recoveries

2.77

3.95

Data via FBref

Olise is not so much of an out-and-out goalscorer as Salah, but in this, Liverpool could strike the jackpot.

With Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike both signed this summer, Liverpool have revamped their central attacking options. Olise would be the perfect add-on, bringing Diaz-esque dribbling and peerless playmaking back to the Premier League, helping Slot’s side’s overall fluency.

Though the Reds ostensibly have the parts to fashion stunning attacking play and sustain it, there’s no question that something is missing. When Salah leaves, that will only become clearer, with the struggles for form up top now that he is not on his A-game already being felt. For so long, Liverpool have been reliant on the iconic winger’s brilliance, and now they need new solutions.

It was a mistake on FSG and Slot’s part not to have added a direct Diaz replacement to their ranks this season, and the ramifications are certainly being felt, stretched and accentuated by Salah’s own woes on the right.

Were a younger iteration of Salah in this struggling Liverpool side, the sale of Diaz would not be so keenly felt. Now, it’s vital that Liverpool and Hughes get it right in sourcing a replacement.

You won’t find many better than Olise, and he has the perfect style of play to stand in the space that Salah will eventually vacate, not an imitation but his own, world-class player.

Related Not Wirtz: Slot's own Firmino proved he can end Gakpo's Liverpool stay

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 14, 2025

Fifties for Ben Charlesworth, Miles Hammond and James Bracey cement strong position against weakened hosts

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025

Graeme van Buuren’s hundred put Gloucestershire in charge•Getty Images

Runaway Division Two leaders Leicestershire edged closer to winning promotion for the first time in their history even though Gloucestershire had the better of things at the Uptonsteel County Ground, finishing day one of their Rothesay County Championship clash on 382 for 7.Needing 20 points from their final three fixtures to be sure of playing Division One cricket next season, they already have two of those. With third-placed Derbyshire able to claim only one batting point at Lord’s, they effectively need 16 more.They have work to do here, though, with Gloucestershire in a strong position, even after losing Graeme van Buuren for 101 from the penultimate ball of the day.The South African-born allrounder 14 fours and a six in a fine, 143-ball innings, supplemented by half-centuries from Ben Charlesworth, James Bracey and Miles Hammond after Gloucestershire’s interim skipper Bracey chose to bat first.Leicestershire veteran Chris Wright took 3 for 56 and left-arm quick Josh Hull 3 for 79, although the 21-year-old’s day ended somewhat ignominiously when a second full toss above waist height saw him ordered out of the attack for the remainder of the innings. Regularly called for overstepping too, Hull racked up 11 no-balls in total.Gloucestershire, themselves not mathematically out of the running for a promotion place, made two changes from their most recent Championship side. Cameron Bancroft and Todd Murphy have both returned to Australia.Leicestershire made five. Peter Handscomb, whose captaincy has been an important element of the county winning six matches so far, has also gone home for the Australian domestic season, giving the armband to Ian Holland, who had not previously led a team at senior level.The availability of Shan Masood, who is staying on after his white-ball stint, and the arrival from Middlesex of Steve Eskinazi, bolstered the batting but with Rehan Ahmed on England duty and Ben Green recalled from loan by parent club Somerset, injuries to Tom Scriven and Liam Trevaskis further weakened their bowling hand.They seemed to feel it in a morning session which, apart from 10 minutes or so during Hull’s opening burst of the day, belonged to the visitors, who were 129 for 2 at lunch after Charlesworth took advantage of too many easy scoring opportunities offered up by the home attack with 10 fours in reaching 52 from 75 balls.Hull’s two successes came as 21-year-old Joe Phillips, opening in regular captain Bancroft’s place, was bowled off an inside edge by a yorker-length delivery and Ben Cox took a diving catch behind the stumps to remove Ollie Price.Leicestershire stemmed the flow of boundaries in the afternoon, earning an important breakthrough when Wright, now well into the autumn of his career, produced a delivery from his heyday to hit the top of Charlesworth’s off stump.Another came when Hammond, becoming increasingly frustrated despite reaching fifty for the eighth time this season, was tempted into pulling a shorter delivery from Hull and was caught at deep backward square. The innings took him past 800 runs for this season but he is still without a century.From 230 for 4 at tea, however, Gloucestershire advanced to a position of strength by the close, Leicestershire’s cause not helped by some untidiness creeping back into their bowling.Apart from Hull’s waywardness and subsequent removal, Ben Mike struggled for rhythm, conceding four boundaries to Bracey in the same over as the the left-hander quickly built on a 92-ball half-century, although he did have the misfortune to see van Buuren caught off a no-ball on 55.Worryingly for the home side, Mike limped off before the close with what looked like another recurrence of his recent hamstring problems.Leicestershire had to wait until the second new ball became available to make another breakthrough but two wickets in the space of six overs gave them a second bowling bonus point, Bracey edging to second slip attempting to drive Holland before Wright found some extra bounce and the edge of Jack Taylor’s bat, then trapping van Buuren in front to close proceedings for the day.

Sam Curran fights for Surrey with unbeaten 69 but Scrimshaw three-for seals win for visitors

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay03-Sep-2025Northamptonshire 154 for 4 (Bopara 105*, Clark 3-13) beat Surrey 147 for 6 (S Curran 69*, Scrimshaw 3-34) by 7 runs Former England all-rounder Ravi Bopara produced an explosive knock of 105 not out from 46 balls to stun Surrey and propel Northamptonshire Steelbacks to their first Vitality Blast Finals Day since 2016.The 40-year-old, a former Blast winner with Essex, turned back the clock with a magnificent display – posting his first Northamptonshire hundred as they fought back after losing two early wickets to post 154 for four in a rain-reduced contest at the Kia Oval.Surrey captain Sam Curran made a valiant attempt to rescue his side with a first half-century of the tournament, an undefeated 69 from 38 – but they came up short on 147 for six.Experienced seam pair Ben Sanderson (two for 24) and David Willey (one for 28) kept their cool in the death overs to clinch the Steelbacks’ success.An early evening downpour trimmed the contest to 14 overs per side and, having won a crucial toss, the Surrey skipper had no hesitation in opting to bowl when play finally began at 7.50pm.That choice was quickly vindicated by Jordan Clark (three for 13), who made the ball swing and removed both Steelbacks openers for ducks in a devastating first over before a flurry of boundaries by Tim Robinson got the scoreboard moving.The New Zealander clubbed 20 from 12, mostly from Tom Curran’s opening over, but tried to pull Chris Jordan’s first ball and perished to a top edge – passing the baton on to Bopara, who seized it eagerly.Runs flowed through the veteran’s combination of power, timing and precision, with Gus Atkinson’s single over disappearing for 18 before Bopara clipped Clark to the fence to post his half-century.Supported by Saif Zaib (17 not out from 12), Bopara hit the accelerator and dominated their unbroken partnership of 74 from 35, hooking Tom Lawes for four from the penultimate ball of the innings to bring up a remarkable 45-ball ton.Like the visitors, Surrey were two down early on as Ryan Patel swung his first ball into the hands of deep square leg and Lewis McManus, standing up to Sanderson, took a thin edge to dismiss Jason Roy.Ollie Pope (41 from 23) went on the offensive, cutting Willey for two fours and driving his namesake, leg-spinner Lloyd, for a straight maximum as he and Sam Curran accumulated steadily and kept the required rate within range.The pair added 74 from 38 before Pope top-edged a short delivery from George Scrimshaw (three for 34) to long leg and, when Dan Lawrence holed out two balls later, the home side still needed another 70 from 32.Curran kept them in contention, slamming Justin Broad over the cover fence and Laurie Evans banged successive fours off Scrimshaw before miscuing the next one to point.Sanderson returned to send down an over that cost him just five before Willey’s spate of yorkers left Surrey needing 19 – and, although Curran smote a Sanderson full toss for six – it was not enough.

Thibaut Courtois admits that Lamine Yamal “lit a bit of a fire” under the latest Clasico clash between arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Said contest took place at Santiago Bernabeu on October 26. Ugly scenes unfolded at the end of a 2-1 victory for the hosts, with teenage wonderkid Yamal attracting plenty of attention during the post-match skirmishes.

What Yamal said ahead of Clasico clash at the Bernabeu

Yamal had stirred the pot ahead of an age-old rivalry being rekindled. Clasico flames rarely require any added fuel, but they got it in the form of a surprising jibe from the hottest of prospects in Catalunya.

Speaking during a Twitch broadcast of the Kings League, Yamal made a tongue-in-cheek comment. Asked by Ibai Llanos whether his Porcinos FC side remind him of Real, the 18-year-old said: “Yes, of course, they steal, they complain…”

While those words were delivered in jest, they did not go down well in the Spanish capital. Yamal was made aware prior to kick-off that he should ready himself for some rough treatment. That was eventually delivered when the final whistle brought an end to a chaotic finish at the Bernabeu – with Pedri being shown a red card in the 100th minute.

Angry words were exchanged by players from both teams, with tempers boiling over. Real ‘Galacticos’ Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham became caught up in the scuffles. Courtois was, along with Dani Carvajal, among those to make a beeline for Yamal – as he was reminded of the need to do less talking away from the pitch.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhy Real Madrid players targeted Yamal after Clasico

Discussing those scenes with and why they unfolded, experienced Belgian goalkeeper Courtois said: “Lamine Yamal spoke in a certain way and lit a bit of a fire under the match, and of course the press took advantage of the topic. I saw that he was talking with Carvajal, and of course if you start saying something, I’ll say something too. But as I said before, we’re in an atmosphere of high tension and adrenaline, and sometimes you say things that weren’t necessary afterward.

“I think the Clásico is like that; sometimes we need this kind of vibe. Last season we lost four times, and I think we need a bit of this excitement again. Barcelona is a rival and we have to go face them; when they won, they didn’t respect us either.”

Fierce foes: Courtois claims no feud with Yamal

While being sure to get his opinion across to Yamal, with the youngster considered to have stepped out of line, Courtois insists that no long-standing feud has been sparked. Both men are considered to have spoken and acted in the heat of the moment.

Courtois went on to say: “I don’t think there’s any problem with Lamine. This is something that happens on the field, and off the field there’s nothing. If I see Lamine in a restaurant tomorrow, I’ll greet him. I think there’s no problem between him and me, and these are football matters.

“But as I said, what he did was a kind of fuel. For us, it was useful to be motivated for the Clasico. The Clasico always motivates, but sometimes hearing things like that increases the motivation even more.”

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GettyBarcelona vs Real Madrid: When is the next Clasico?

Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong believes that Real stars were out of order in targeting Yamal. He said after an eventful contest: “When the referee blew for full-time, several Madrid players went straight for Lamine. It was over the top. If Carvajal wanted to talk to him, he could’ve done it privately. Making gestures on the pitch just fuels the fire. Lamine never said Madrid cheats, I never heard that.”

A return date between Barca and Real at Camp Nou – which will have reopened by then – is not scheduled to take place until May 2026. At the moment, the Blancos sit three points clear of the Blaugrana at the top of the Liga table through 12 rounds of fixtures – with both set to return to domestic action this weekend after the latest international break.

Team-mates and opposition players pay tribute to one of the best allrounders of the modern era after his retirement announcement

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Dec-2024

Ashwin, I’ve always admired how you approached the game with your mind and heart in perfect sync. From perfecting the carrom ball to contributing crucial runs, you always found a way to win.
Watching you grow from a promising talent to one of India’s finest match-winners has been… pic.twitter.com/XawHfacaUh

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 18, 2024