Former USMNT star Michael Bradley earned his first coaching title as New York Red Bulls II captured the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup. His side erased a two-goal deficit to beat Colorado Rapids 2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. A record crowd of 9,095 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., watched the Eastern Conference champs claim the league’s fourth title.

First NEXT Pro Cup penalty shootout

Despite creating early chances through forward Roald Mitchell, Red Bulls II found themselves trailing when Colorado's Golden Boot contender Billo Diop connected with Stevie Flores' low cross in the 34th minute. The visitors doubled their advantage before halftime when James Cameron converted from Alex Harris' long throw.

The hosts mounted their comeback after the break, with Rafael Mosquera scoring in the 65th minute from Nate Worth's assist before Mitchell equalized just two minutes later. Colorado's Antony Garcia restored their lead in the 78th minute, but Mosquera converted a penalty after Worth was fouled to force the first extra time in Cup history, eventually leading to Red Bulls goalkeeper Austin Causey's heroics in the 3-1 shootout victory.

AdvertisementMosquera and Mitchell shine

The dynamic offensive duo of Mosquera and Mitchell proved decisive in the championship campaign, with each player finishing the playoffs with six goal contributions. Mosquera, a Playmaker of the Year finalist, delivered when it mattered most with his brace in the final, while Mitchell's equalizer helped spark the remarkable comeback.

Causey's performance in goal during the penalty shootout highlighted the team's composure under pressure, with the goalkeeper saving one of Colorado's attempts to help secure the trophy.

Developmental league reaches new heights with championship

The dramatic final represents a significant milestone for MLS NEXT Pro, which continues to establish itself as a critical development pathway for young talent across North American soccer. The record attendance demonstrates growing fan interest in the developmental league, while the high-scoring, back-and-forth nature of the match showcased the quality of play.

As the fourth unique champion in four seasons, Red Bulls II's victory also highlights the competitive balance within the league, with two Eastern Conference teams and two Western Conference teams now having claimed the title since the competition's inception.

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GettyPathway opportunities

The title triumph positions several Red Bulls II standouts for potential first-team opportunities heading into 2026, with Mosquera and Mitchell likely to receive increased attention from the MLS squad after their playoff performances. For Colorado Rapids 2, despite the disappointment, players like Diop and Garcia demonstrated qualities that could earn them consideration at the next level.

The win is also a massive one for Bradley, who is widely considered one of the brightest American coaching prospects. 

يخوض فريق ريال مدريد الإسباني، مباراة مساء اليوم الأربعاء في إطار مواجهات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026، حين يواجه أولمبياكوس اليوناني.

ويستقبل أولمبياكوس اليوناني نظيره ريال مدريد الإسباني، ضمن مباريات الجولة الخامسة لمرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، أن الإنجليزي جود بيلينجهام لاعب وسط ريال مدريد، يثير قلق المدرب تشابي ألونسو قبل المباراة المرتقبة.

ويوضح التقرير أن بيلينجهام يعاني من شد في ربلة الساق، وتحوم الشكوك حول إمكانية مشاركته أساسيًا أمام أولمبياكوس.

اقرأ أيضًا | أسطورة ريال مدريد مدافعًا عن ألونسو: يجب على الإدارة حمايته

ويذكر التقرير أن بيلينجهام ليس على ما يرام، وقد لا يُخاطر تشابي ألونسو بمشاركته تجمبًا لتعرضه لإصابة أخرى، والخيار الأكثر ترجيحًا هو تواجد لاعب الوسط الإنجليزي على مقاعد البدلاء.

وسيتم اتخاذ قرار بشأن مشاركة بيلينجهام خلال اللقاء بناء على تطورات المباراة، تخوفًا من خطر الإصابة بسبب الشد الذي يعاني منه.

ويغيب عن ريال مدريد بالفعل كل من أنطونيو روديجر، داني كارفاخال، فرانكو ماستانتونو، إيدير ميليتاو، ديفيد ألابا، دين هويسن، وحارس المرمى تيبو كورتوا.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank will be delighted with where the team is currently at, after moving up to third in the Premier League table on Sunday.

The former Brentford boss inherited a team that finished 17th in the division under Ange Postecoglou last season, despite winning the Europa League, which makes their current form all the more impressive.

Spurs travelled to Merseyside to take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson stadium on Sunday in the Premier League, and came away from that match with a 3-0 win.

Central midfielder Micky van de Ven took his tally for the season to five goals with two strikes in the first half, before Pape Matar Sarr added a third late on by heading in from close-range after Richarlison nodded the ball back across goal.

You would often be hard-pressed to find many negatives from a 3-0 win away from home in the Premier League, but there were some for the Lilywhites on Sunday.

For example, there was another fairly underwhelming performance from summer signing Xavi Simons in the middle of the park, and he needs to step up for Spurs in the coming weeks and months.

Why Xavi Simons needs to step up for Spurs

The Europa League champions splashed out £52m to sign the Netherlands international from RB Leipzig, possibly with the intention of him replacing James Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury in pre-season.

It is easy to see why they were willing to splash the cash on the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona youngster, as he produced consistent quality in the Bundesliga in the last two seasons.

Appearances

32

25

xG

8.26

5.11

Goals

8

10

Big chances created

14

12

Key passes per game

2.5

2.0

Assists

11

7

As you can see in the table above, Simons racked up 18 goals and 26 ‘big chances’ created as an attacking midfielder or winger, proving that he can make a big impact in the final third.

However, the Dutchman has no goals and one assist, which came from a corner, in ten appearances in all competitions for Tottenham since his move to the club in the summer window.

Simons, as of yet, has been unable to translate his influence in the Bundesliga over to the Premier League. Whether that will come with more time and experience in England, it remains to be seen.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder played 62 minutes against Everton on Sunday, per Sofascore, and came off the pitch without any shots on goal or any chances created to show for his efforts for the Lilywhites, which shows that it was an ineffective performances in the final third.

Along with his struggles in the Premier League, Simons also has no goals, one key pass, and no ‘big chances’ created in three appearances in the Championship for Tottenham this term.

This shows that he has been struggling domestically and on the continent stage, which will be a concern for supporters and Frank at this stage, as the Dutch star is clearly capable of much better than he is showing, given his output for Leipzig in his two full seasons in Germany.

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Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

With the £52m signing’s struggles at the top end of the pitch, though, it could be the right time for the Danish head coach to provide a young player with an opportunity to step up.

Luca Williams-Barnett made his first-team debut for the club in the League Cup in a 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers, and he could emerge as a surprise upgrade on Simons.

Spurs travel to Tyneside to take on Newcastle United in the League Cup on Wednesday night, which could be the perfect opportunity to offer the teenage starlet a chance to shine.

Why Luca Williams-Barnett could be a Xavi Simons upgrade

The 17-year-old star’s form for the club at academy level this season suggests that he has the potential to be an exciting player for the first-team if he can make the step up.

As aforementioned, Simons has not stepped up to deliver goals and assists since his big-money move from Leipzig, with a goal contribution every ten matches on average so far.

Williams-Barnett, meanwhile, has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 12 appearances in all competitions this season, including a three-minute cameo for the first-team, per Transfermarkt.

On top of his exceptional form in front of goal in the current campaign for Tottenham’s youth teams, the England U18 international also scored 20 goals in all competitions last season.

Appearances

23

12

Minutes

1857

894

Goals

20

8

Minutes per goal

93

112

Assists

12

7

Minutes per assist

155

128

Minutes per goal contribution

58

60

As you can see in the table above, Williams-Barnett has provided goals and assists on a consistent basis since the start of last season, averaging a goal or an assist every hour or so over the past 18 months.

U23 scout Antonio Mango went as far as to call him the “most underrated talent in English Academies”, which speaks to how impressed he has been with the Spurs youngster’s performances.

His talent has been recognised this season, though, as he won the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for his displays at U21 level in September.

With all of this in mind, and the fact that his main position is as an attacking midfielder, it could be the right time for Frank to provide him with another chance to impress at first-team level after his debut against Doncaster last month.

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He has shown unbelievable form and consistency for the academy team for more than a year, and his numbers at youth level suggest that he does have the potential to be an upgrade on the currently underperforming Xavi Simons, if he can make the step up.

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez is one of the hottest names surrounding Major League Baseball's trade deadline on July 31.

Entering Wednesday, his 36 home runs on the year were tied for the National League lead until Shohei Ohtani mashed a homer for the fifth straight game. Still, Suárez is on a heater as one of the best power hitters in baseball. He trails only Cal Raleigh (39) and Ohtani (37) in home runs and leads the MLB in RBIs with 86.

The D-Backs are in a position to pick their favorite package in return from Suárez if they decide to deal him, which certainly isn't a given. At 50-53 and 5 1/2 games back of the final wild-card spot, it may behoove them to deal Suárez, 34, before he becomes a free agent after this season. Although they could acquire talent by dealing first baseman Josh Naylor or starting pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, Suárez may just be the darling of this year's trade deadline. The thought of adding his bat for a postseason push could lead to some rival clubs offering shiny future-forward prospects to boost MLB's No. 22 ranked farm system.

Below are some of the best fits for Suárez as we approach the trade deadline.

New York Yankees

Of course the Yankees are in on the hottest bat available at the deadline. MLB insider Jon Heyman has long reported the Yankees have inquired with the D-Backs on the 34-year-old slugger. Suárez was asked about the possibility of a Yankees trade during All-Star weekend, to which he responded "it's a team that wants to win," seeming somewhat enticed about the potential of landing in the Bronx. The Yankees are in need of help at the hot corner down the stretch, seeing six different players play at least one game at third base this year: Oswald Peraza (47), Oswaldo Cabrera (33), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (29), Jorbit Vivas (12), Pablo Reyes (5) and J.C. Escarra (2).

Detroit Tigers

Suárez began his career in Detroit before he was quickly dealt to the Cincinnati Reds. Over a decade later, a return to where it all began may make sense. The Tigers won the race to 60 wins this season and had an incredible first half, but have been stuck in a slump, losing nine of their last 10 games. They need pitching support to help their ace Tarik Skubal, but adding a big bat should be a priority too. Plus, with Skubal only under team control through the end of the 2026 season and a massive contract looming, the Tigers could push their chips in and go for it all this year. If they are willing to give up one of their higher-tier prospects, the D-Backs could bite.

Seattle Mariners

Although they have MLB's home-run leader in Cal Raleigh, the Mariners are looking for an upgrade in the corner infield to strengthen their potential postseason push. Seattle traded Suárez to Arizona just two seasons ago, but a reunion may be in order. Rookie Ben Williamson has served as the primary third baseman for the Mariners this season, mainly supported by Miles Mastrobuoni. Both Williamson and Mastrobuoni have just one home run apiece this year. Suárez's bat brings an upgrade for any roster, but especially Seattle's. We'll see if they offer a package the D-Backs can't refuse, which would unite two of baseball's best home-run hitters on the same roster.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds haven't been rumored as a potential Suárez suitor for long. However, according to a recent report from 's C. Trent Rosecrans, there is mutual interest between the Reds and D-Backs in a deal that would return Suárez to Cincinnati, where he has spent the majority of his MLB career.

He played for the Reds from 2015 to '21 before he was traded to the Seattle Mariners and dealt to Arizona two seasons later. With Suárez slated to become a free agent after this year and Arizona in need of pitching, Rosecrans reported the D-Backs are "at least interested in kicking the tires" on young and promising righthander Chase Petty. The Reds are in striking distance of a wild-card spot and they could push to bring in a familiar face to help down the stretch.

The atmosphere around Arsenal at the moment is extraordinary.

Mikel Arteta’s side are flying in the Premier League, League Cup and Champions League.

Moreover, they’re doing so amid an injury crisis which has left them with a threadbare attack and without summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.

Fortunately, even with all the injuries, there are several ways Arteta could address the Swede’s absence for the weekend’s game against Sunderland.

Arsenal's Gyokeres solutions

One way Arteta could solve the problem of Gyokeres being out is by moving Leandro Trossard from the wing to the centre.

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

The Belgian is in fine form at the moment, having produced seven goal involvements in 13 games, and as Ian Wright points out, is arguably the club’s “best finisher.”

However, in playing the 30-year-old up front, the left-hand side is weakened, especially with Gabriel Martinelli out and Eberechi Eze playing in the middle of the park.

Another solution, and a bold one at that, could be to hand Andre Harriman-Annous his first league start for the club, as while he did not start against Brighton, he impressed.

The 17-year-old was making dangerous runs, picking up pockets of space and demonstrating a higher technical level than many might have been expecting.

However, what is far more likely is for Arteta to start Mikel Merino in the nine.

After all, the Spaniard has shown an impressive finishing ability over the last year or so and popped up with two goals against Slavia Prague during the week.

However, there is another option, one that is a little bolder, but could be particularly effective against Sunderland.

Arteta's surprise solution to Gyokeres' injury

Now, there is a very strong chance that Arteta opts to start Merino on Saturday, but there are a few reasons he should consider handing a rare start up top to Ethan Nwaneri.

The Hale Ender is primarily an attacking midfielder who spent much of last season on the right, earning plenty of praise, including from Arteta, who stated that the teenager “has the ability to take the ball in tight areas and to escape a little bit like Jack Wilshere used to do.” Promising signs, indeed.

That said, he is no stranger to playing as a nine. During his time in the academy, he made eight appearances in the position, scoring nine goals and providing two assists.

Appearances

37

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

Moreover, in a press conference last season, Arteta said that the youngster “can play as a right winger and there is another position I think he can develop into – No9.”

It’s not hard to see why the manager might think that, as last season saw the academy gem score nine goals and provide two assists in just 1378 minutes, which is the sort of return you would expect from a top centre-forward.

Finally, the reason the “phenomenal” game-changer, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, could be the perfect choice for this game is his on-the-ball ability.

Unlike Merino, the 18-year-old has shown himself to be a talented dribbler and someone who can beat a defender with the ball at his feet, and as the Black Cats are likely to sit back, that could be incredibly useful.

Ultimately, while the conventional approach would be to start Merino in place of the injured Gyokeres, Arteta might be wise to go with Nwaneri instead.

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Sussex struggle for penetration as big first-innings deficit looms

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Adam Lyth was in the runs once more for Yorkshire•Getty Images

Yorkshire 292 for 4 (Lyth 115, Wharton 85) lead Sussex 222 (Lamb 48, Coles 47, White 3-25) by 70 runsAdam Lyth’s fifth Rothesay County Championship career century on his home ground at Scarborough helped take him beyond 1,000 runs for the summer and put Yorkshire in charge of their clash with Sussex at its halfway stage.Lyth, aged 37, learnt his trade on this ground as a junior and still lives in neighbouring Whitby. He just loves this place, and it showed with 115 off 233 balls, including 16 fours.Day two was almost the perfect day for the ex-England Test opener, who ensured the White Rose county replied strongly to Sussex’s first-innings 222 all out with 292 for four from 90 overs.Lyth and third-wicket partner James Wharton, who contributed 85 off 130 balls, shared 168 either side of tea after Sussex had started the day advancing from 210 for nine. Danny Lamb top-scored with 48, Jack White finished with three wickets.While Sussex, placed fifth before this 11th round Division One fixture, will still be looking over their shoulders, this is a far more important game for ninth-placed Yorkshire, inside the bottom two in the top-flight table.Matt Milnes wrapped up the Sussex innings in the day’s fourth over when he had Lamb caught behind tentatively playing forwards two runs short of his first fifty of the season.Both sides then had success through until lunch, at the start of Yorkshire’s reply.Fin Bean, who made 21 whipped a six over midwicket which was caught by a youngster in the crowd.Lyth, meanwhile, continued his excellent form against the red ball this season and Pakistani debutant Imam-Ul-Haq started brightly. His first three scoring shots in 19 were all boundaries.But Sussex chipped away late in the morning.Lamb’s seam accounted for Bean, caught behind off a top-edged pull, before Jack Carson’s off-spin had Imam caught at slip pushing forwards in the last over of the session, leaving Yorkshire 80 for two.Lyth went to 50 for the eighth time this season in the heart of the afternoon session, off 117 balls.An impressively watchful effort on a pitch with some juice in it, which has not been easy to score runs on, Lyth and third-wicket partner quietly put their county into a very strong position.Wharton claimed a stunning outfield catch at deep square-leg to help White claim the first wicket of the match early on day one. But, as good a fielder as he is, run-scoring is his main suit.And he did it well on day two.He was more aggressive than Lyth, highlighted by successive sixes off Carson to move into the forties and take his side to 161 for two. The first was pulled, the second lofted handsomely over long-on.Wharton reached his seventh fifty of the season shortly afterwards, off 79 balls, and by this stage him and Lyth were upping the ante.Lyth reached the 1,000 mark just before tea where Yorkshire got to in rude health at 199 for two from 58 overs.This is the third successive season he has achieved the feat.Lyth’s third Championship century came up in 200 balls just after tea, with Yorkshire taking the lead moments later.Sussex’s attack, missing the likes of Jofra Archer because of England and Ollie Robinson through injury, came under increasing pressure.But credit to them, they hit back midway through the evening to get rid of Lyth and Wharton inside three overs, leaving Yorkshire 250 for four in the 74th.Lyth was stumped by John Simpson off Carson – two for 70 from 28 overs – and Wharton bowled by the left-arm spin of James Coles.Matthew Revis and Harry Duke then saw the day out for Yorkshire with 22 and 20 respectively.

Liverpool are now reportedly ready to launch an offer worth over £35m to sign a key defensive addition instead of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in 2026.

Carragher admits it's "crisis time" at Liverpool

Liverpool look out on their feet. Mentally and physically, they have simply not competed in the last month. Defeat against Crystal Palace was a warning sign, before games to forget against Chelsea, Manchester United and now Brentford arrived to compile the Reds’ misery.

Off the back of four Premier League defeats in a row, the Premier League champions no longer look inevitable. They look like one of the most beatable sides in the top flight. It has been an inescapable disaster for Arne Slot in the last month, who couldn’t help but admit that even he’s not sure how to solve his side’s current problems after defeat at Brentford.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher went as far as to say that it’s “crisis time” for those at Anfield: “To see the champions lose 4 games in a row in the Premier League with the expenditure in the summer, I think we’re in crisis time for Liverpool right now.”

Serious questions have now been asked about Liverpool’s summer spending. They finally broke the bank, handing Slot the keys to the kingdom with a spending spree worth over £400m.

They broke records to sign Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz while also welcoming Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez, among others, all arrived. It was, barring Guehi’s collapsed move, the perfect summer.

Yet, months later, and only Ekitike has shown signs of real instant quality and the Reds have seemingly been forced back to the drawing board in need of defensive improvements.

Liverpool ready to launch Ordonez offer

As reported by South American outlet Bolavip and relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are now ready to launch an offer to sign Joel Ordonez ahead of Inter Milan worth over €40m (£35m) in 2026.

Related Liverpool lining up January move for starting calibre centre-back wanted by Real Madrid

Would this be a dream addition for Arne Slot?

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The Club Brugge defender would act as an alternative to Guehi, who has interest from Anfield and elsewhere ahead of becoming a free agent next summer.

With Ibrahima Konate yet to sign a new deal and Virgil van Dijk approaching his final year, Liverpool desperately need to organize the future of their backline. If they are to miss out on Guehi, then they must go all out on an alternative like the Ecuador international.

League stats Per 90 25/26

Ordonez

Konate

Van Dijk

Minutes

532

742

810

Progressive Passes

4.83

4.51

6.22

Tackles Won

0.52

1.22

0.44

Successful Aerial Duels

2.41

4.27

5.11

Whilst there should be concerns about Ordonez’s aerial ability, his work in possession would at least help provide a solution for Liverpool, who have struggled to progress play without Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Described as “hyper aggressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the 21-year-old will be one to watch if Liverpool miss out on Guehi and Konate departs in 2026.

MatériaMais Notícias

Punido pela Justiça Desportiva Antidopagem (TJD-AD), Gabigol, atacante do Flamengo, ficará afastado dos gramados até abril de 2025, a princípio. A suspensão definida cabe recurso à Corte Arbitral do Esporte (CAS), na Suíça. Portanto, o jogador tem a possibilidade de reverter o caso, mas também pode sofrer com o aumento da pena.

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Após a apresentação do recurso pela defesa do acusado, que terá auxílio do clube carioca no caso, o CAS fará um novo julgamento. Com isso, novas evidências podem aparecer, e o TJD-AD tem a possibilidade de solicitar um aumento da pena. Porém, o tribunal não pode aumentá-la se apenas Gabigol recorrer da decisão inicial.

– O julgamento na Corte Arbitral do Esporte, que é a próxima fase do processo, será uma questão totalmente submetida à uma nova apreciação da Corte Suíça. Outras linhas de defesa, acusações e evidências podem ser produzidas. Se houver o recurso só do atleta… Quando você recorre, não pode obter uma decisão pior do que tinha. Se só o atleta recorrer, ele fica com a mesma decisão ou uma decisão melhor – explicou Marcelo Franklin, advogado especialista em processos de doping e direito desportivo, em contato com o Lance!.

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Higor Maffei Bellini, especialista em direito esportivo, reforça que a possibilidade existe, mas a Justiça Desportiva Antidopagem também precisaria recorrer para que a pena seja aumentada.

– Não existe a chance (de aumentar a suspensão) se apenas o Gabigol recorrer. A Procuradoria Antidopagem teria que fazer este recurso, visando aumentar a pena. Não é possível aumentar a pena daquele que faz o recurso – afirmou o advogado.

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OUTRO LADO

De acordo com Renata Mansur, mestre em direito desportivo e presidente do Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva do Rio de Janeiro, ainda não é possível prever o desfecho do caso. Apesar de existir a chance do aumento da punição, Gabigol ainda pode solicitar efeito suspensivo (suspensão dos efeitos da decisão de um juiz ou tribunal, até que a decisão final sobre um recurso seja tomada).

– Não há como afirmar a probabilidade de reversão do julgamento. Porém, o atleta ainda poderá recorrer à Corte Arbitral do Esporte, localizada na Suíça. No recurso, o atleta poderá pedir o efeito suspensivo, para que a decisão não produza efeitos de imediato – disse.

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O QUE ACONTECEU?

A Justiça Desportiva Antidopagem julgou Gabigol por tentativa de fraude em exame antidoping, que acontece sem aviso prévio nos clubes, como no Flamengo. Ele foi acusado de infringir o artigo 122 do Código Brasileiro Antidopagem, que prevê suspensão de dois a quatro anos. Em nota oficial, o jogador afirmou acredita que será inocentado.

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Fourth-wicket stand with Jake Libby keeps quarter-finals in sight as Asa Tribe’s unbeaten century goes in vain

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay22-Aug-2025Worcestershire 298 for 5 (Jones 110*, Libby 77) beat Glamorgan 297 for 7 (Tribe 122*, Hurle 56) by five wicketsA career-best List A score of 110 not out from Rob Jones guided Worcestershire Rapids to an important five-wicket win over Glamorgan which keeps them on track for a quarter-final place in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.Asa Tribe had earlier batted through Glamorgan’s innings for 122 in his side’s impressive total of 297 and the visitors looked to be in control early in the reply as they reduced the hosts to 78 for 3.A staggering fourth-wicket partnership of 172 between Jake Libby (77) and Jones anchored the run chase for Worcestershire, as they swung the momentum back in their favour. Jones hit the winning runs in the 49th over.Glamorgan’s bright start in the sunshine was only blemished by the loss of Eddie Byrom for 41.Youngster Henry Hurle caught the eye with some expansive shots, scoring 14 off one Ethan Brookes over as the side bottom of Group A passed 100 in the 20th over.Hurle and Tribe took a liking to a lacklustre Rapids bowling seam attack, as the pair brought up their respective half-centuries in consecutive overs, with Tribe showing his particular disdain towards any short pitched bowling, thrashing the ball through midwicket with frequency.The second-wicket stand of 104 was ended by Brett D’Oliveira, who bowled Hurle for an impressive 56, as Worcestershire seized the initiative, taking three more wickets for just 26 runs.Kieran Carlson was the first in a cluster of three wickets to fall, as he succumbed to Ben Allison, before D’Oliveira (2 for 46) picked up his second wicket of an instrumental spell.Waite’s metronomical afternoon with the ball saw him rewarded when Billy Root feathered a full ball behind to Henry Cullen, as the medium-pacer ended his spell shortly after with outstanding figures of 10-2-23-1.Dan Douthwaite joined the not-out opener, and upped the ante from the get-go, taking Glamorgan beyond the 250 mark, before Tribe notched his maiden List A century with the final ball of the 46th over.Douthwaite’s cameo of 37 from 26 balls was cut short at the death, but Tribe was unbeaten on 122 to see his side finish on an above par 297 for 7.Despite losing D’Oliveira in the first over, the hosts made an otherwise positive start to the chase, largely due to a composed knock for 19-year-old Dan Lategan, that took Worcestershire past fifty without further damage.The 17th over of the proved costly however, as the home side lost both set batters – with Carlson taking a stunning one-handed catch at extra cover to remove Kashif for 22, before a catastrophic mix-up involving Jake Libby saw Lategan run-out four short of a maiden List A fifty.The onus fell on Libby and new man Jones to guide the home side out of their troubling position at 78 for 3, with Glamorgan looking to take advantage of their early wickets.Both batters shouldered the responsibility in fine style, with Jones returning to form and Libby making his way to a fourth fifty of the competition.Their 172-run partnership was ended when Andy Gorvin took a fine catch running back over his head to dismiss Libby for 77, with the departing skipper’s side still requiring 48 from the final six overs.Jones brought up a sensational 101-ball hundred with the chase nearing its climax, but even the departure of Ethan Brookes in the dying stages did not deter the home side, as Cullen batted through with Jones to see the Rapids to a crucial five-wicket victory.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Lionel Messi will receive a statue outside the Camp Nou. The stadium is currently under renovation, with the men's team expected to return to the famous stadium after the international break. Once that work is completed, the club's attention will turn to immortalising their iconic star. Laporta said Messi's family will be consulted on the design.

• Messi to be immortalised outside the new Camp Nou

  The announcement by Laporta will be of scant surprise to any football fan. Messi enjoyed 21 years in Catalonia, originally joining the club as 13-year-old boy. During his time at the club he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances, winning 35 major honours and scooping seven Ballons d'Or.

  Laporta also suggested a special event to commemorate Messi's time at the club will be arranged in the near future. 

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  Laporta's comments on Messi tributes

  On the statue, Laporta said: "All us culés would like to have a statue of Leo Messi at the Spotify Camp Nou. We’re working on it and, if the family wants, when we have the design we’ll talk with them."

  Earlier this week, Barcelona's president also confirmed a special event once the stadium re-opens will also take place. He said: "It’s only right that Leo receives the most beautiful tribute in the world. When it’s finished, we’ll have a capacity of 105,000 fans, so we’d love to have him there.

  "We’re working on the tribute and on ensuring that the best football in the world can be seen, and as part of the tribute, we’d like to offer Leo the tribute he deserves."

• Messi makes emotional return to the Camp Nou

  The news comes after Messi made a surprise return to see the revamped stadium where he enjoyed so much success. The eight-time Ballon D'or winner shared images of him on the Camp Nou pitch to his Instagram account; the post has been liked more than 29million times. 

  The Argentinian spoke with deep emotion about his return. He told Spanish outlet "I really want to go back there, we miss Barcelona a lot. My wife and I, the kids, are constantly talking about Barcelona and the idea of moving back. We have our house there, everything, so that's what we want. I'm really looking forward to going back to the stadium when it's finished because since I left for Paris, I haven't been back to Camp Nou, and then they moved to Montjuic."

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  What comes next?

  The Inter Miami star shared his pain at the manner in which he left the club in 2021, suggesting he would want to wear the famous red and blue once again before he calls time on his glittering career. While a return would be out of the question at this point for the 38-year-old, as Laporta has indeed confirmed, a moment for him and the Barcelona fans to reflect on his many achievements should help provide some closure on the most successful relationship that has ever existed between a player and a club.