All posts by h716a5.icu

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner picked up a devastating injury on the eve of Euro 2022. When did she return and will she play at the 2023 World Cup?

Alexia Putellas is one of the best footballers in the world. The Barcelona star has won seven league titles, eight Copas de la Reina, two Supercopas de Espana and a Champions League title. That team success has also translated into individual success, with Putellas boasting two Ballons d'Or, two of the Best FIFA Women's Player awards, two UEFA Women's Player of the Year accolades and much, much more.

However, the midfielder suffered a devastating injury that not only ruled her out of Spain's Euro 2022 campaign, but almost the entire 2022-23 season.

When did Putellas return from injury? Will she play at the 2023 Women's World Cup? GOAL has all the details you need.

GettyWhen did Alexia Putellas suffer her ACL injury?

Putellas suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament tear on her left knee on July 5, the day before the 2022 Women's Euros began.

She watched Spain's first game of the tournament, a 4-1 win over Finland, then returned to Barcelona to have a knee operation on July 12.

The midfielder had just had another exceptional season with her club and was expected to be one of the stars of the tournament, making the injury all the more cruel. Her country successfully navigated the 'group of death' and led hosts England in their quarter-final clash, but eventually lost in extra time.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWhat big games did Alexia Putellas miss with injury?

July 20, 2022England 2-1 (AET) SpainEuro 2022 quarter-finalNovember 6, 2022Real Madrid 0-4 BarcelonaEl ClasicoDecember 7, 2022Bayern Munich 3-1 BarcelonaBarca's first defeat of the seasonJanuary 19, 2023Barcelona 3-1 (AET) Real MadridSupercopa de Espana semi-finalJanuary 22, 2023Real Sociedad 0-3 BarcelonaSupercopa de Espana finalMarch 21, 2023Roma 0-1 BarcelonaChampions League quarter-finalMarch 25, 2023Barcelona 1-0 Real MadridEl ClasicoMarch 29, 2023Barcelona 5-1 RomaChampions League quarter-finalApril 22, 2023Chelsea 0-1 BarcelonaChampions League semi-final

After missing Spain's Euro 2022 campaign, the list of significant Barcelona games Putellas has missed this season is unsurprisingly long given the Catalans' have one of the best women's teams in the world.

The two Clasicos in the domestic league have come and gone, with Barca getting the better of Real Madrid on both occasions. They also beat Las Blancas in the Supercopa de Espana semi-finals in January before going on to win the trophy, seeing off Real Sociedad in the final.

Then there is the Champions League, a competition Putellas performed so well in last term that she was named its Player of the Season despite Barca losing to Lyon in the final.

So far, Jonatan Giraldez's team have performed well in Europe, reaching the final after overcoming Chelsea in the last four. They did, however, suffer their only defeat of the season so far (on the pitch) in the UWCL when Bayern Munich shocked and impressed many with a 3-1 group stage win in December.

There is another defeat marked on Barca's card this season, a 1-0 loss to Osasuna in the Copa de la Reina. However, that was a result awarded to the lower division outfit after their opponents fielded an ineligible player in a 9-0 victory.

GettyWhen did Alexia Putellas return from injury?

Putellas returned to the pitch on Sunday, April 30, the same day that Barcelona claimed their fourth successive league title.

She replaced Claudia Pina with 74 minutes on the clock as the Catalans beat Sporting Huelva 3-0, with goals from Laia Codina, Jana Fernandez and Asisat Oshoala.

That came three days after Putellas was in the Barcelona squad to face Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. It was the first time she was involved in a matchday squad since playing in a friendly for Spain on July 1, 2022.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

GettyHow has Barcelona’s season gone without Alexia Putellas?

This season, Barca have won the Supercopa, another league title and are in the Champions League final, a competition which they are also the favourites to triumph in. The cherry on the cake is that the Catalans have also won all three of their clashes with rivals Real Madrid.

The one blemish on the team's record for the 2022-23 campaign so far is the Copa de la Reina, a trophy Barca will not retain after being removed from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in their round of 16 clash with Osasuna.

Giraldez's side beat their opponents 9-0 on the day but they did so with Geyse Ferreira on the pitch. The Brazilian was sent off while playing for Madrid CFF in last season's competition and should have served her suspension with her new club, but didn't. Instead, Osasuna were awarded a 1-0 win and progression to the quarter-finals.

While the team has been winning on the pitch, Putellas was also victorious on the sidelines while she recovered from her injury.

The midfielder missed Euro 2022 but she still thrived throughout the season that preceded it, meaning that, in the months since, she has collected a number of individual accolades given for the 2021-22 season.

Most notable are the Ballon d'Or, the Best FIFA Women's Player award and the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award.

John Henry has dropped a bombshell by revealing Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has no plans to sell Liverpool, so what does that mean for the Reds?

Liverpool owner John Henry had been thought to be willing to sell the Reds but has now announced that it's investment he's after, rather than a sale.

FSG claimed in November 2022 it would "consider new shareholders", which had prompted speculation there could be a takeover at Anfield.

Yet a sale is now very much off the table, so what does it mean for the club, manager Jurgen Klopp, potential transfer targets and the future? GOAL takes a look…

(C)Getty ImagesWill FSG be willing to fund Bellingham deal?

Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham is expected to have his pick of top sides this summer after becoming a vital player for club and country at the grand old age of 19.

Liverpool are set to battle the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid for Bellingham's signature and have already made the midfielder their top summer target.

Yet the Reds will be well aware that Bellingham will not come cheap. Liverpool will likely have to break their transfer record and make the midfielder their highest-paid player if they are to bring him to Anfield.

The money will obviously be an issue, particularly if investment is not forthcoming, and the big questions fans will be asking is whether FSG are willing to fund a big-money move for Bellingham in the summer.

Liverpool are also in the midst of a difficult campaign both at home and abroad. Failure to qualify for next season's Champions League will impact the club financially and on a sporting level.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesFans frustration to continue

The news that FSG are not selling up will be met with frustration by some sections of the Liverpool support.

Fans have been angered during FSG's reign by hikes in ticket prices, a failed attempt to trademark the name 'Liverpool' and the decision to furlough non-playing staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. That decision came just six weeks after Liverpool announced pre-tax profits of £42 million and was very swiftly reversed.

There was also the European Super League fiasco which brought another U-turn from Liverpool after players and supporters made it clear they were completely against the idea.

There's no doubting that FSG have done a lot for the Merseysiders, but the team is struggling on the pitch which will leave many fans wanting serious investment in the summer to strengthen the squad.

Liverpool FCFSG to complete Anfield redevelopment

FSG have long wanted to redevelop Anfiled and are not far off seeing their plans realised.

Work on the new Anfield Road End Stand began in 2021 and remains on track to be completed in time for the new 2023-24 season.

FSG's redevelopment plan will see the famous old ground's capacity rise by 7,000 to 61,000 spectators, making it the fifth-biggest stadium in England and the third largest in the Premier League.

Liverpool's owners have made mistakes during their tenure but their work to redevelop the ground certainly shows plenty of ambition.

It will also have attracted jealous glances from neighbours Manchester United who are eager to see their dilapidated Old Trafford redeveloped.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty ImagesBig-name departures?

Given FSG are still rooting around for fresh investment in the club, it won't fill people associated with Liverpool with confidence that their will be funds available to keep everyone happy.

If the Reds don't show ambition in the summer, or simply aren't able to because their hands are tied by financial constraints, that could provoke an exodus – especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Although he signed a new contract last summer, Mohamed Salah's future is still fairly uncertain, while other such as Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate could be tempted away by big-money offers from elsewhere.

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane has been making the most of a rare Christmas break by relaxing on a tropical beach with his wife and children.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Kane enjoying rare Christmas breakStriker spotted on beach with wife and kidsBundesliga resumes in two weeksWHAT HAPPENED?

Kane has discovered that one of the perks of joining Bayern Munich is having Christmas off. The former Tottenham man is used to training and playing during the festive period, but this year he and his family are taking full advantage of the Bundesliga winter break.

Instagram (@katekane)AdvertisementWHAT KANE'S WIFE SHARED

Kane's wife, Kate Goodland, used her Instagram stories to share a glimpse into her family's Christmas getaway. The fitness instructor shared a snap of Kane and her three children on a tropical beach, as well as a video of her daughter petting a horse.

Instagram (@katekane)GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Kane has exceeded all expectations since swapping north London for Bavaria. The England captain has scored 25 goals and laid on eight assists in just 22 games for Bayern, making a mockery of those who doubted he would adapt to playing in a different country.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

WHAT NEXT FOR KANE AND KATE GOODLAND?

Kane spent the first few months of his Bayern career living in a luxury hotel, but he has now found a home for himself and his family. Kate and the kids are expected to join him in Munich after the winter break, perhaps in time to see Kane and Bayern take on Hoffenheim on January 12.

Graeme Swann has insisted there was no bullying culture within the England dressing room as claimed by Kevin Pietersen

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Oct-2014Graeme Swann has insisted there was no bullying culture within the England dressing room, as claimed by Kevin Pietersen in his autobiography, saying that the emotion shown on the field was because the players were involved in “international sport, not the Under-11s”.In his column for the , Swann said he never shouted at one of his own team-mates over a dropped catch. He acknowledged there was some truth to Pietersen’s claims that Jonathan Trott had reacted angrily during a match in Bangladesh on the 2010 tour although said Pietersen had “misinterpreted” the incident.Swann had already called Pietersen’s book a “work of fiction” and the various claims “codswallop” and did not hold back in further criticism.”There was absolutely no bullying. Sure, bowlers shout at fielders if they are out of position or not concentrating,” he said. “A bowler or wicketkeeper delivers a bit of a kick up the backside – just like a goalkeeper shouts at his centre-half. This is international sport, not the Under-11s.”If Kevin or other players can’t take a bollocking for being unprofessional, for being out of position or seemingly not trying, they are in the wrong business.”However, another version of events over how errors in the field were treated came from Ajmal Shahzad, the Nottinghamshire seamer, who played for England in 2010 and 2011 and recalled feeling under pressure to apologise for errors.”There were times when I misfielded balls, in the World Cup I dived over a ball [and] there were some senior players you just didn’t want to look at,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “You knew they were disappointed and [thought it was] a bit of a disgrace … what you’d done was really bad.”If you did something wrong it wasn’t looked kindly upon. It did feel quite bad. I remember misfielding [in Bangladesh] and didn’t want to look up because you knew you were going to get these hard looks, stern looks – and it did feel a little uncomfortable.”Time to move on – Giles

The former England coach Ashley Giles has said “everyone has to move on” amid the fallout from Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography.

Giles was close with Pietersen as a player – he gets a brief mention in the book when Pietersen writes about England’s buddy system in 2004: “My buddy was Ashley Giles. Again, still a mate.”

After the Ashes whitewash, with rumours swirling about Pietersen’s future, Giles called Pietersen a “million pound asset” although he would never have the chance to work alongside him again as coach.

“I played in the dressing room with Kev and got on very well with him, but similarly with those other guys as well,” Giles said in his first press conference as Lancashire’s new head coach. “I coached them, and I never had any major issues with any of them.

“He’d still consider himself a multi-million pound asset, I’m sure. He’s that sort of player, he’s the big show if you like. Things have unfolded, and he’s not going to play for England, by the looks of it, again. I’m sure it’s disappointing for him, and everyone has to move on.”

About the Trott incident in Bangladesh, Swann said it stemmed from a field placement and that Trott had misunderstood a signal from Matt Prior over whether he was able to dive for a ball. “So Trotty started screaming from the boundary, ‘F*** off, f*** off.’ There’s a bit of truth in the story Kevin tells but, really, he has misinterpreted it,” Swann said.Shahzad, meanwhile, added that there was often only one route to dealing with mistakes, and encouragement when things went wrong was in short supply. “There weren’t many times when someone would come up to you and say ‘don’t worry about it – that’s sport, you have ups and downs’. It was a tough environment.”Swann was also strong in condemning Pietersen’s comments about Prior, who came in for a sustained campaign in the book over his perceived role in causing dressing-room splits.”Matt is the most passionate bloke about protecting the team environment. He was the voice of the dressing room … Now Kevin has written a whole chapter assassinating him, even having a pop at him for taking his bike to New Zealand. Kevin’s attack on Matt is, dare I say it, a bit like bullying.”One of the more cryptic responses to the claims in Pietersen’s book has come from Chris Tremlett, who was part of the successful 2010-11 Ashes tour as well as the more recent whitewash. “Glad @KP24 has finally been able to give his side of the story. People can now make an informed opinion of what went on in the dressing room,” he posted on Twitter.

Shane Watson will miss Australia’s one-day international against England in Hobart on Friday after reporting hamstring tightness at training on Thursday

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2015Shane Watson will miss Australia’s one-day international against England in Hobart on Friday after reporting tightness in his right hamstring at training on Thursday. Allrounder Moises Henriques has been called into the squad to cover for Watson and is likely to play his first ODI since the corresponding Hobart game in 2012-13, two years ago to the day.Australia had already been forced to make two changes to their batting line-up for this game, with George Bailey suspended due to Australia’s slow over rates against India at the MCG on Sunday, and David Warner resting his hamstring. The third change became necessary with the selectors taking a cautious approach with Watson.They decided against using Mitchell Marsh, who has been training with the squad in Hobart as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Marsh was due to make his comeback through grade cricket in Sydney this Saturday and that plan is expected to remain in place.”He bowled this morning. I think he’s just a little bit tight,” captain Steven Smith said of Watson. “I don’t think it’s anything too major. I think it’s more a precautionary measure to make sure he’s right for the World Cup.”Henriques will join the squad on Thursday night, meaning he was set to miss the BBL match between the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder at the SCG. Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said Henriques, White and Shaun Marsh were likely only to play the Hobart game.”Moises is one of our leading all-rounders, he has international experience, and in Shane Watson’s enforced absence it made perfect sense to draft him in for this match,” Rod Marsh said. “The intention is to release Moises, along with Cameron White and Shaun Marsh, after the match as it is our expectation that we will have George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh and David Warner available for selection for our match in Sydney on Monday.”Shaun Marsh will open with Aaron Finch on Friday, and spinner Xavier Doherty might be included on his home ground, which would help Australia with their over rates after Sunday’s transgressions in a game where 48 overs of India’s innings were bowled by Australia’s seamers.Australia took an extra 26 minutes to bowl their 50 overs, although match referee Andy Pycroft ruled that after time allowances they were only one over short. However, Bailey’s previous over rate offence as captain, against South Africa in November, meant that was sufficient for him to be suspended.”It’s obviously very disappointing for George not to be here,” Smith said. “That’s not what we’re about with our over rates being down … that’s something that we’re going to have to improve on … If we play that up-tempo game and get around our overs quickly I think you’ll find our fielding will lift as well, which has been a point that we haven’t been quite as strong at in recent times.”

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has said support from family, the board, and fans kept him upbeat through his five-month suspension due to doping charges that have now been withdrawn by the ICC

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-May-2016Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has said support from family, the board, and fans kept him upbeat through his five-month suspension due to doping charges that have now been withdrawn by the ICC.Sangakkara wants Perera for England tour

“Before this tour he’d have been at the T20 World Cup, opening with [Tillakaratne] Dilshan which would have been a huge advantage for us because he’s a fantastic player,” Kumar Sangakkara said during an event in London.
“I’m extremely confused as to what has happened, the labs in Qatar came back with an adverse finding in one of his urine samples and named the steroid that was found, then over the last few days they have withdrawn that, saying there’s been a mistake. The poor boy has been out for quite a long time. [He’s] 24-25, one of the most exciting talents we have, a wicketkeeper, a strong batsman.
“I hope they do [fly him out for the England tour] because when you’ve got through something like that the best support is to be allowed to play cricket again. He’s good enough to be here. But the sad fact is that when you are provisionally banned, you can’t even train, using the facilities that international teams use.
“A sad situation but thankfully that’s all over, he can carry on what he loves doing, but unfortunately Sri Lanka has lost a remarkable player for quite some time now.”

He had been preparing for the Test leg of the New Zealand tour when he was informed of having failed a doping Test. In addition to that tour, he also missed a bilateral T20 series in India, the Asia Cup and the World T20 due to the suspension.”I think people believed me through the whole ordeal,” Perera said. “I said I hadn’t taken illegal then, and I still say it now. The board believed me, and the media believed me and left me alone. The fans also believed me, so I don’t think there has been much damage done to my reputation.”His plight appeared bleak when his initial sample had tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug, 19-Norandrostenedione, but it grew bleaker when the B sample returned identical results, in January. Perera said that despite the findings, he was intent on maintaining his innocence.”People told me after the B sample also was shown to have the substance, that it would be better to accept my fault and hope for a shorter ban. But I didn’t want to accept a wrong that I hadn’t actually committed. If there had been any wrongdoing, I would have accepted it. For four years I had played with no problem.”Perera had also spent a substantial amount of his own money in fighting the WADA-approved lab’s findings. His campaign to be cleared had included a trip to England for a polygraph test, a hair analysis and a separate urine test, as well as substantial coordination with his main legal team, which was based in the UK. He received news of his being cleared on Wednesday evening, but he had already begun to focus on making a return to the game, he said.”I can’t think much about the personal cost to me, because all I want to do is play cricket again. I’ve been out of the game for five months. I need to get back to practice soon. I’m really not thinking much about the financial losses. The first priority is to play for Sri Lanka and get back to form.”Perera is theoretically available for Sri Lanka’s Tests in England, which begin on May 19, but appears unlikely to join the squad immediately, as he has been forced to miss official team practices or training sessions since December 7. It is conceivable that he will play in the limited-overs leg of the tour to UK and Ireland, which starts on June 16 after the three Tests. There is also a full home tour against Australia in July and August.”The first month of the suspension I couldn’t train much because I was getting a lot of legal advice,” Perera said. “I did try to find time to train with a coach. I also worked on my fitness through the period.”I need to do a bit more practice before I think about tours. That’s how I’ll get my form back. Through this period I couldn’t work with the Sri Lanka trainer, so there will be work to do on my fitness as well.”Perera thanked a range of people for assisting him in both clearing his name, and in staying positive through a difficult period.”I’m very happy about being able to come back to cricket. I got the news from Thilanga Sumathipala last night. I’m really happy that the board and fans trusted me. A lot of people had made supportive comments.”I need to thank by family. My brothers were there for me especially. [My manager] Ravi helped me. And a lot of coaches helped me and gave me words of encouragement as well, which helped me along.”Former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene came out in support of Perera’s charges being cleared.

So happy that matter solved and KJP can play again.Disappointed with system and proses.@ICC player should allow to play until all hearings

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) May 12, 2016

No one is guilty till proven and every one deserves a explanation. Let's learn from this .

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) May 12, 2016

Son Heung-min admitted that he "felt pain" during South Korea's World Cup qualifier against Singapore as Tottenham's fitness concerns mount up.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Son scored in Korea's 5-0 routBut sustained a knee knockForward downplayed the severity of the injuryWHAT HAPPENED?

The 31-year-old forward was on target during Korea's 5-0 rout of Singapore. However, he was in some pain after he was at the receiving end of a knock to his right knee which was concerning for coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Although he went to play until the final whistle, he did reveal that his feet went numb in pain after the tackle.

AdvertisementWHAT SON SAID

Speaking to reporters after the match, Son said: “We are making a team for the World Cup, I can’t give up a game just because I feel pain."

“If I can’t run anymore, then I can’t do anything about it but when I can run, I have to give 100 per cent for the team. I am fine now, I don’t like to lie down [on the pitch] in the winter," he added.

"At that moment [when he went down] I couldn’t feel anything on my foot. I’m fine, no injury. I am not the only one hurting out there. Everyone plays with some bumps and bruises.”

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ange Postecoglou's men started the season very well until they succumbed to successive defeats to Chelsea and Wolves this month which knocked them off the perch of the league table. Moreover, their injury concerns continue to mount up as apart from Son, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also left the Italian national team after he complained of flu symptoms. The duo joins a lengthy list of players in the Spurs' treatment room which already has several prominent names like James Maddison, Micky Van de Ven, Richarlison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Alfie Whiteman and Ivan Perisic.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

WHAT NEXT FOR SON AND TOTTENHAM?

Son will continue his journey with South Korea in the World Cup qualifiers when they face China in Shenzhen on Tuesday. After fulfilling his international commitments, he will return to England and will take on Aston Villa on November 26 in a Premier League fixture.

Former England and Manchester United star David Beckham paid a visit to Harvard Business School to give a talk in front of students.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Beckham gave talk at Harvard Business SchoolSpoke to students at prestigious universityInter Miami owner posted images on InstagramWHAT HAPPENED?

The Inter Miami co-owner made a surprise appearance at the prestigious American university on Tuesday to deliver a talk to students. Beckham posted images of himself at Harvard on Instagram afterwards.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The appearance at Harvard is an interesting development for the ex-Real Madrid hero, who came from a working-class background in east London to become a world-famous athlete, starring for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

After his playing days ended, he became a co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami.

WHAT THEY SAID

"Who would have thought the boy from east London talks at Harvard," Beckham wrote.

"Huge honour today spending time with [professor Anita Elberse] at Harvard."

Elberse wrote on her own post: "Yes, you’re seeing it right: the legendary [David Becham] was a guest speaker in my [Harvard Business School] MBA class today.

"So amazing to hear him share his thoughts on topics such as his soccer career, his joint venture with Authentic Brands Group, and of course Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

After the international period, Beckham's Inter Miami team will return to MLS action with a match against Charlotte.

Sri Lanka’s batting has been brittle, and they’re missing their finisher with the ball, but T20 wits, they hope, will be enough to put them into the semi-final as they face off against England

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Delhi25-Mar-2016Sri Lanka’s batting has been brittle, and they are missing their finisher with the ball, but T20 wits, they hope, will be enough to put them into the semi-final. First up in their Delhi double-header is England – a team they have sometimes outsmarted before.There is evidence that this England side is savvier than its predecessors. They have hired experts to advise them on spin, and are led by one of the more unorthodox England captains. But, Sri Lanka are hoping they are savvier still. Since the loss to West Indies on Sunday, Sri Lanka have spent their break training and introspecting, but also plotting, vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal said.”We have six days’ rest since the last match,” he said. “Two of those days were total rest – without training. That was for players to concentrate on their own games – to watch videos of them batting well, and to analyse where they went wrong. In those days, we also made a lot of plans about how to challenge England. There will be a few small changes. Part of the reason for those changes is also to surprise them.”If Sri Lanka have something up their sleeve, there is a chance the plan involves the recently-shortened one belonging to Sachithra Senanayake. Sri Lanka’s offspinners has been effective against England in limited-overs matches before, and Senanayake has been good against them in particular – in one-day cricket at least. He has taken 14 England scalps at an average of 14.57 in ODIs, and stands a strong chance of playing on Saturday, particularly with three left-handers in the England middle order.In any case, Sri Lanka’s plans are likely to feature spin, with Rangana Herath and legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay having bowled well in the tournament so far.”Rangana can cause damage in the next two games against England and South Africa,” Chandimal said. “We all know they are struggling against the spinners. We’ve got Vandersay, who is a surprise package, and Sachithra as well. If those bowlers do their best, we have a good chance. We all expect a lot from Rangana, but he knows how to handle those pressure situations. I think he will have a huge role in the next two games.”Sachithra Senanayake has been effective against England in limited-overs and stands a chance of playing on Saturday•AFPThe spin threat may be magnified by a Feroz Shah Kotla surface that has so far played slow, though there has not been excessive turn yet. The pitch is not exactly what the Sri Lanka side encounter at home, but still presents challenges Sri Lanka may be more comfortable facing than England.”Here, I think the pitch really helps us,” Chandimal said. “England played the first two games in the Wankhede and we all know that’s one of the best pitches India have got. In here, it’s totally different. Wickets are slow. I think we’ll have a good chance.”On the batting front, it is Sri Lanka’s middle order that concerned Chandimal the most. Angelo Mathews continues to bat at No. 5, but is in much leaner form than England are used to seeing him in. The likes of Chamara Kapugedera and Milinda Siriwardana are also yet to make a major impact in the tournament.”We’re struggling with the batting – especially the middle order. It can happen when you come to big games like this. We don’t have experienced guys in the middle. Guys are really working hard in practice. If our middle order clicks together, we’ll have a good chance anyway.”But, you can’t say every time that it’s our transition period. We’ve got some experienced guys, as well as youngsters. We have to put our hands up and perform for the side.”England had been the only side that defeated Sri Lanka during their run to the title in 2014, and yet, Chandimal felt this England side was better equipped than that one.”They’ve got some good players, I think, especially compared to the past five or six years, when I think they weren’t concerned about the T20 format. Now, they are thinking. They’ve got Root and Buttler – they are the key players. They are playing really well. We never underestimate any team. We’ll have to play our brand of cricket.”

The goalkeeper should have saved Ilkay Gundogan's second goal in what turned out to be a tense and tight final that City deservedly won at Wembley

Manchester United pushed Manchester City all the way in the FA Cup final, but when they needed David de Gea to stay on his toes in the tough moments, the goalkeeper fell badly short. The Spaniard was left flummoxed by Ilkay Gundogan's unstoppable volley – the fastest goal ever scored in an FA Cup final – but he really should have done better with the German midfielder's second goal.

De Gea may have had limited visibility due to a crowded penalty area, but the ball seemed to bounce towards his corner in slow motion and he was far too slow to get across goal.

City's second goal arrived after United had admirably fought their way back into the game and equalised through Bruno Fernando's penalty, even if they were fortunate to be awarded it for an accidental handball – spotted by VAR – by Jack Grealish.

United's best hope of an equaliser lay in substitute Alejandro Garnacho, but the truth is City deserved to win the game. The fact United stayed in the match after a nightmare start shows the team are still heading in the right direction.

GOAL rates the Manchester United players from Wembley Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

David de Gea (5/10):

Stationary for Gundogan's first goal and was very slow to get across for the second. Did well to get in the way of a De Bruyne shot after that. His kicking was hit and miss.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10):

Got his tackling spot-on. As usual, left something to be desired in attack, even though he ended up forcing the penalty by challenging Grealish in the air.

Victor Lindelof (6/10):

Composed on the ball and dealt with the danger well. Should not be blamed for heading the ball to Gundogan for the opening goal.

Raphael Varane (7/10):

Showed good positioning and cut out plenty of through balls without over-committing himself. Volleyed wide following the free-kick late in the first half.

Luke Shaw (6/10):

Fine defensively but did not do enough going forward.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Christian Eriksen (5/10):

Did well to contain City after their blistering start. Like the rest of United's midfield, he got overrun in the second half and was the first to go off.

Casemiro (7/10):

Showed real leadership to ensure United did not fall apart in the first half. Imposed himself on the game and made important interventions in defence and attack.

Fred (6/10):

Made the foul which led to Gundogan's second goal and was often over-run but he never stopped trying and showed courage to play the ball out when under pressure.

Getty ImagesAttack

Bruno Fernandes (7/10):

Responsible for some of United's best moments and he showed nerves of steel to roll his penalty past Ortega.

Marcus Rashford (5/10):

Barely got into the game. Was not helped by starting at centre-forward and being asked to knock down balls over the top.

Jadon Sancho (5/10):

Had some nice touches and short passes but too often slowed down the attack. Once more, he left the pitch without doing anything meaningful.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):

Inches away from equalising with a sumptuous curler. Looked like United's only hope in the second half.

Wout Weghorst (6/10):

Played some nice passes when he was on but never looked like scoring.

Scott McTominay (N/A):

Headed over the bar in added time.

Erik ten Hag (6/10):

Made an error by starting Rashford as centre-forward although he had limited options due to Martial's injury.