Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign striker Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus for a much lower price than expected.

Particularly last season, much was said about Man United. The club endured what was, in terms of points return and league finish, their worst-ever Premier League campaign. Many of the club’s attacking options, such as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, struggled for form.

This, no doubt, contributed to their business ahead of the 2025/26 season. In what marked their first summer transfer window with Ruben Amorim as manager, the Red Devils signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in what was a complete renovation of their attack.

The trio have since secured their places in the first team at Old Trafford, helping Man United record three successive Premier League wins for the first time under Amorim’s guidance before the draw at Nottingham Forest.

It would appear, however, that the Red Devils may look to further reinforce their attacking line in the upcoming January window.

Man United show interest in Vlahovic

As per TEAMtalk, Man United could pursue a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this winter. Such a transfer, however, would only be explored if there is first a departure. Zirkzee could leave, having lost his place in the first team due to both new signings and poor form.

Vlahovic, who reportedly earns £375,000 per week in Turin, will become a free agent in July if he does not depart Juve at an earlier date, having been unable to negotiate a contract extension with the club. Were Vlahovic to remain, he would seemingly have to take a pay cut.

Having been called a “superstar” for his ability, Vlahovic would be available for just £17.5 million according to TEAMtalk, in no doubt due to his contract situation. Were Zirkzee to depart permanently, it would presumably provide Man United with the adequate funds to pursue Vlahovic. Even if the Dutchman left only on loan, it would free up a position within their first-team for the 25-year-old.

Given his lack of minutes so far this season, it can be presumed that Zirkzee has fallen down the pecking order. In Vlahovic, Man United would be signing competition for summer signing Sesko which, in turn, could benefit the Slovenian international.

Reportedly, Man United are “informed” of Vlahovic’s situation, but “that does not mean they will necessarily pull the trigger on the move” and whether a transfer materialises remains to be seen.

"Deadly" Man United academy star is another Bruno Fernandes

يستعد فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، لخوض مباراة مساء السبت في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، ضد نظيره ريال بيتيس.

ويستضيف ملعب “لا كارتوخا” مباراة برشلونة وريال بيتيس، في خضم منافسات الجولة السادسة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.

ويحتل برشلونة صدارة الدوري الإسباني برصيد 37 نقطة، في حين أن ريال بيتيس لديه 25 نقطة حيث يحتل المركز الخامس.

ويسعى برشلونة إلى مواصلة نتائجه الإيجابية على صعيد بطولة الليجا، من أجل تعزيز الصدارة خاصة أن ريال مدريد في المركز الثاني برصيد 36 نقطة. موعد مباراة برشلونة وريال بيتيس اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تنطلق المبارة في تمام الساعة 7:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 8:30 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة وريال بيتيس اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 2. معلق مباراة برشلونة وريال بيتيس اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

سيعلق حفيظ دراجي على أحداث مباراة اليوم.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

There are fewer than two months left in the 2025 MLB regular season, and the playoff races in the American and National Leagues are really starting to heat up. 

In the American League, five teams are within five games of the final wild card spot, while the No. 4 team – the Texas Rangers – is just a half-game out of the third spot. A lot could change in the next few months, especially with teams like the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays selling at the deadline, but there likely will be a team – or two – that misses the playoffs that was expected to make it in.

In the National League, the top wild card teams (New York, Chicago and San Diego) seem pretty set in stone, but the Cincinnati Reds (three games back) are still within striking distance with plenty of games to go.

Here’s a look at the playoff odds for every team in the hunt, and a few storylines to watch when considering bets for these playoff markets. 

American League Playoff Odds

Division Leaders

• Toronto Blue Jays: -2500
• Detroit Tigers: -5000
• Houston Astros: -1000

Toronto (19 games over .500), Detroit (17 games over .500), and Houston (14 games over .500) all appear to be locks to make the playoffs in the 2025 season.

Detroit has a seven-game cushion in the AL Central – the largest of these three division winners – which is why oddsmakers have it priced at -5000 to reach the playoffs for the second straight season.

It would be relatively surprising to see any of these teams fall out of the race, especially since they’d slot in pretty high in the wild card standings if a team were to overtake them in the division. 

Wild Card Race

• Boston Red Sox: -450
• Seattle Mariners: -360
• New York Yankees: -330
• Texas Rangers: +115
• Cleveland Guardians: +320
• Kansas City Royals: +650
• Tampa Bay Rays: +950
• Minnesota Twins: +1800
• Los Angeles Angels: +2500
• Baltimore Orioles: +5000

The AL wild card race is going to be extremely fun to watch down the stretch of the season.

Entering Wednesday’s action, the Texas Rangers could overtake the New York Yankees, who are just a half-game ahead of them in the standings. New York has played under .500 ball over the last few months, and despite some trade deadline moves, it is fading fast in this market.

Oddsmakers project the Yankees to be the team that is currently holding a spot to be the closest one to drop out (-330 to make the postseason). 

While Cleveland, Minnesota, and others are long shots to make the playoffs, Texas is a team to watch since it has been elite at home (36-20) and still has 25 games at Globe Life Field left in the 2025 season. 

National League Playoff Odds

Division Leaders

• Philadelphia Phillies: -3000
• Los Angeles Dodgers: -20000
• Milwaukee Brewers: -10000

All three of these division leaders appear to be locked into a playoff spot, as the implied probability for Philadelphia (the team with the worst odds) to make the playoffs is 96.77 percent.

There’s a chance that all three of these teams could lose their spot atop the division (Milwaukee has the largest lead at four games), but they’d all just fall into a wild card spot, barring a crazy run from the Reds or another fringe wild card team. 

Wild Card Race

• Chicago Cubs: -1400
• New York Mets: -650
• San Diego Padres: -575
• Cincinnati Reds: +250
• San Francisco Giants: +600
• St. Louis Cardinals: +1100
• Arizona Diamondbacks: +2500
• Miami Marlins: +3000
• Atlanta Braves: +5000

There is a lot less intrigue in the National League, as the Reds – who made some big moves at the deadline to acquire Ke’Bryan Hayes, Zack Littell, and others – are the only team that seems to have a chance to supplant New York, Chicago, or San Diego.

However, there is a lot of time left for a team like the Giants or Cardinals (both hovering around .500) to get hot and make some inroads in this race.

For now, Cincinnati is the only team at plus money that I’d consider in the NL playoff market. 

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco conheceu a sua primeira derrota no Brasileirão na noite desta quarta-feira (17), no Estádio Nabi Abi Chedid. A derrota por 2 a 1 começou com a falha de Léo Jardim no início do primeiro tempo e, com isso, o plano de jogo foi comprometido desde os minutos iniciais. Laquintana e Vitinho marcaram para o Massa Bruta, enquanto Vegetti diminuiu para o Cruz-Maltino. Confira a análise completa do “Lance Final” no player acima.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores vão à loucura com gol de Vegetti pelo Vasco: ‘Para de fofoca’Fora de Campo17/04/2024Fora de CampoTorcedores do Vasco se revoltam com falha de Léo Jardim no Brasileirão: ‘Frangueiro’Fora de Campo17/04/2024FinançasBrasileirão ou Copa do Brasil: qual competição paga mais aos clubes?Finanças17/04/2024

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

FICHA TÉCNICA:
BRAGANTINO 2 X 1 VASCO
🗓️ Data e horário: quarta-feira, 17 de abril de 2024, às 19h (horário de Brasília);
📍 Local: Estádio Nabi Abib Chedid, em Bragança Paulista (SP);
🟨 Arbitragem: Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva (FIFA-MG);
🟥 Assistentes: Guilherme Dias Camilo (FIFA-MG) e Fernanda Kruger (FIFA-MT)
📺 VAR: Carlos Eduardo Braga (FIFA-SC).

RED BULL BRAGANTINO (Técnico: Pedro Caixinha)
Lucão; Andrés Hurtado, Douglas Mendes, Luan Cândido e Guilherme Lopes; Raul (Jadsom Silva), Gustavinho (Bruninho), Juninho Capixaba (Vitinho); Laquintana, Eduardo Sasha (Thiago Borbas) e Henry Mosquera (Eric Ramires).

continua após a publicidade

VASCO (Técnico: Ramón Díaz)
Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, João Victor (Maicon), Léo e Lucas Piton; Sforza, Galdames (Clayton) e Mateus Carvalho (Zé Gabriel); Rossi (Rayan), David (Adson) e Vegetti

Tudo sobre

BragantinoBrasileirãoFutebol NacionalVasco

India’s new Test captain and vice-captain face intense scrutiny before their first assignment. Here’s how they can hush the doubters

Sidharth Monga19-Jun-20253:18

Gill: ‘Can’t win a Test without taking 20 wickets’

Aura is arguably the most abused term in sports discourse in recent times. If you know what I mean, you have seen videos mocking Shubman Gill’s slightly high-pitched voice chirping from behind the wicket. In comparison to Virat Kohli’s supposedly more manly and aggressive sledging, that is. You may have seen videos of Gill goofing around with his friend Ishan Kishan, and worried about the aura, or lack thereof. You may have scoffed at the PRINCE on his bat, and felt he hasn’t earned it yet.What of his deputy Rishabh Pant then? Babysitter for the opposition captain during a heated series, singer of Spiderman, Spiderman into the stump mic, somebody who can be called “stupid, stupid, stupid” on air in an age when commentators have been sacked for saying far less about his predecessors. Where is the fear? Without the fear, where is the aura?Related

• Rishabh Pant moves to his own beat

• Buttler: Gill's captaincy 'a mix of Kohli and Rohit'

• Pant relishes 'senior' tag but also focuses on 'individual' game

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• Tendulkar confident Gill will do 'something special', predicts 3-1 series win for India

Temba Bavuma wasn’t supposed to possess aura. Over one week at Lord’s, Bavuma has not just acquired aura but has graduated to the next level. He has “drip” now.Imagine if the internet had discovered the term aura last year, when New Zealand visited India. They would have just laughed and refused to let them play and go on to win 3-0, the first time anyone had beaten India in India in a Test series since 2012. Forget aura, New Zealand didn’t even have Kane Williamson. What chance did they stand against RoKo, the King and the Hitman?Before they became the King and the Hitman, of course, those two players were widely derided as a disrespectful punk and “Nohit”. Gill is now at a similar stage of his career to Kohli’s when Test captaincy first happened to him. Kohli was 26 and coming off a horror tour of England that made observers doubt if he would ever fulfil his potential. He averaged 39.46 before his first Test as captain. He still had six hundreds in 29 Tests, suggesting that the potential was there. Gill, 25, has played 32 Tests, scored five hundreds, and averages 35.05 in a more bowler-friendly era. Like Kohli then, he has had two seasons as an IPL captain and has established himself as an ODI virtuoso.Gill’s numbers at the start of his Test captaincy aren’t dissimilar to Kohli’s at the same stage of his career•ESPNcricinfo LtdThere is a blueprint in place, but it is not easy to start captaining a high-profile team such as India when there is still some doubt around your Test batting. Gill started off beautifully in Australia in 2020-21, but currently averages 25.7 in 11 Tests outside Asia and the West Indies, with no century. In his last series, he missed one Test with injury and was dropped from the XI in another. On two of the most difficult surfaces in the series, in Adelaide and Sydney, he scored 31, 28, 20 and 13.For somebody who has forever been the next big thing, these are not ideal returns. The scrutiny will only grow more intense. It will be in the back of Gill’s mind as he gets to play the entirety of a long series in these countries for the first time in his career. The fight and the competitiveness you need to succeed at this level were never in doubt in Kohli’s case, which is perhaps what those getting nostalgic miss in Gill’s demeanour.But not everyone shows fight in the same way. It was a different time in Indian cricket when Kohli took over. The team had been whitewashed on their last tour of Australia. In their last 17 Tests outside Asia and the West Indies, they had won one and lost 13. That time called for a kicker and screamer.This is a different Indian team in a different time: more used to away success, with more streamlined channels for talent to come through. Gill and Pant are talking about love and care in the dressing room, and the need to make players feel validated and secure.Outside that, Gill just needs to assert himself and walk his pre-game talk of going all out for 20 wickets. It needs conviction from him and Pant. Their coach may not be as in tune with their convictions as the two previous ones were with those of the two previous captains.India’s new Test captain and vice-captain have begun their tenures speaking of love and care in the dressing room, and the need to make players feel validated and secure•Bipin PatelThe right to have convictions, though, comes from runs. The real decision-makers are less anxious about Gill’s handling of the bowlers or the aura discourse than they are about how quickly he can pile on the hundreds and cast the doubters away. This has always been the way. Batters are generally made captains because bowlers – like Jasprit Bumrah now – are not usually available for every Test. And only runs give batters the authority to run the team the way they want. That Gill is a special batter is not in doubt; he just needs the runs now.Batting in Tests is a fickle pursuit reliant on many variables. You can be at your best and prepare your best, but sometimes you just don’t have the luck. That said, this year is a great chance for Gill. Bazball-era pitches are flatter than English pitches used to be before Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes got together. Only Chris Woakes in England’s frontline pace attack at Leeds has played more than five Tests. Even though Bumrah will be available for only three Tests, India have the bowling that can match England if not outdo them.The England batters will look to put India under pressure in the field right away. Gill and Pant – and Bumrah when he plays – will have to react on their feet much more than leadership groups usually have to in Test cricket when they have good attacks.There are so many things to look forward to as India start a new era; aura is not one of them. What Gill and Pant’s plan to take 20 wickets is, as is how they respond to England’s flashing blades, and how well they bat in what could be the best batting conditions India have faced in England in a decade.This is not to suggest there should be any special allowance for the new leadership. There will be scrutiny on them of course. How they deal with it will define their era. Or if they have an era. If they can take care of their own batting, select well, and respond well to Bazball, the aura will take care of itself.

Leeds United made it three defeats in succession in the Premier League when they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

The Whites had the lead at half-time thanks to a goal from Lukas Nmecha, who bundled the ball in from close range after Anton Stach competed with Emi Martinez for a high ball.

Unfortunately, though, the away side struck twice in the second half, both goals coming from Morgan Rogers, and walked away from West Yorkshire with all three points.

Daniel Farke only made one change to his starting line-up from the side that lost 3-1 to Nottingham Forest before the break, and it backfired on the Leeds boss.

The Leeds change that backfired on Daniel Farke

The German head coach opted to take Jaka Bijol out of the team, after he won four of his six duels against Forest, and brought Pascal Struijk back into the side, possibly to have a natural left-footer in that position.

Whilst the Dutchman certainly opens up more passing angles as a left-footer on the left side of the defence, his defensive work left far too much to be desired against the Villans, and that is why the change backfired on the manager.

Per Sofascore, Struijk only won three of his eight duels, losing both of his ground duels, and did not complete a single tackle in the game, which shows that he struggled with the physicality of the match.

The one tackle that the former Ajax man did attempt was his late lunge on Ross Barkley, which resulted in the free-kick from which Rogers scored the winning goal.

Struijk was far from the only poor performer on the pitch, though, as Brenden Aaronson is another player who should be ruthlessly ditched from the starting line-up.

Why Leeds must drop Brenden Aaronson

The USA international had delivered a goal and an assist in the three Premier League matches prior to the international break, which made his inclusion in the side an understandable call from Farke.

However, the return to fitness of Dan James has thrown his place in the line-up into doubt, and their respective performances against Aston Villa on Sunday suggest that the Wales international deserves a chance from the start.

Aaronson, who was awarded a 4/10 player rating by LeedsUnitedNews, lower than Struijk’s 6/10 rating, failed to create a single chance for his teammates in 80 minutes on the pitch, per Sofascore, as he came inside and got crowded out all too often.

Minutes

80

19

Shots

3

3

xG on target

0.15

0.15

Crosses attempted

1

5

Key passes

0

1

Big chances created

0

0

Dribbles completed

1/5

1/1

Possession lost

12x

6x

As you can see in the table above, James offered more to the team on the right flank in 19 minutes than the American lightweight did in his 80-minute outing against the Villans.

The fact that the Welshman attempted five times as many crosses as Aaronson, in roughly an hour less on the pitch, speaks to the difference Leeds could make to their attack by bringing him into the starting XI.

Aaronson, for all his hard work, is not a natural winger who is going to hug the byline and test teams consistently with runs in behind and crosses into the box.

James, however, is that player and almost made an instant impact when his brilliant run and ball across the box led to Dominic Calvert-Lewin finding the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for a handball by the striker.

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The Welshman deserved an assist for his play. Now, he deserves a place in the starting line-up because Aaronson was even worse than Struijk in the defeat to Villa, as he offered little to the team in or out of possession, whilst Struijk, at the very least, completed 95% of his passes and made five clearances, per Sofascore.

Arsenal have been utterly sensational so far this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side are flying in the Champions League, and look near enough unstoppable when it comes to the Premier League.

More impressively, the Gunners tore Tottenham Hotspur to shreds on Sunday afternoon without the man many would consider to have been their best player so far this year: Gabriel Magalhães.

The Brazilian has been sensational in defence and attack, and so fans should be excited about reports linking Arsenal with a star who could be looked at as another version of him.

Arsenal target another Gabriel

With the transfer window just over a month away from opening, it’s not been a surprise to see reports starting to link Arsenal with some brilliant players in recent weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, while the Gunners are fairly well-stacked in the position, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has been touted for a £120m switch to the Emirates.

Likewise, despite Leandro Trossard’s impressive form this year, Kenan Yıldız continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League title challengers.

However, while incredibly talented, neither of these players can really be compared to Gabriel, unlike Murillo.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of a few clubs interested in the Brazilian defender.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Chelsea and Barcelona are keen to sign the talented centre-back, who Forest value at up to €90m, which is about £79m.

Therefore, it could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given his ability and similarities to Gabriel, one Arsenal should be pursuing.

Why Murillo would be another Gabriel

So to start with, there are the more superficial similarities between the pair, such as both being Brazilian centre-backs.

On top of that, there is the fact that when Arsenal signed Gabriel from LOSC Lille in the summer of 2020, he was 22 years old, and if they sign Murillo in the winter window, he’ll be just 23.

However, the comparison goes deeper than that, as, in addition to playing in the same position, the two defenders tend to play in a similar style as well.

For example, while he’s not quite as tall as the Gunners star, the “monstrous” Forest man, as dubbed by journalist Ryan Taylor, is someone who makes the most of his physicality.

Whether it’s in the air or on the ground, the former Corinthians gem is more than happy to go in for a full-throated challenge, which, more often than not, he comes out better off from.

However, don’t let that fool you into thinking the Sao Paulo-born titan is just an old-fashioned defender who can’t compete when it comes to the technical side of the game, as that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Like his compatriot, the 23-year-old is far more accomplished on the ball than most who don’t watch him on a weekly basis would expect.

For example, FBref ranks him in the top 5% of centre-backs in the league for successful take-ons, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for through balls and shot-creating actions from live-ball passes, the top 13% for progressive passes and more, all per 90.

% of Dribblers Tackled

100.0%

Top 2%

Blocks

1.83

Top 3%

Shots from Free Kicks

0.12

Top 5%

Interceptions

2.07

Top 5%

Successful Take-Ons

0.49

Top 5%

SCA (Defensive Action)

0.12

Top 7%

Passes Blocked

0.85

Top 7%

Ball Recoveries

4.87

Top 7%

Shot-Creating Actions

1.46

Top 9%

Tkl+Int

3.65

Top 9%

Goals/Shot

0.25

Top 11%

Goals – xG

+0.09

Top 11%

Non-Penalty Goals – npxG

+0.09

Top 11%

Passes Attempted (Long)

9.99

Top 11%

Through Balls

0.24

Top 11%

SCA (Live-ball Pass)

1.10

Top 11%

SCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.12

Top 11%

Progressive Passes

4.87

Top 13%

SCA (Shot)

0.12

Top 13%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.24

Top 13%

Goals

0.12

Top 15%

When you consider those technical qualities alongside the fact that he helped Forest produce one of the defensive record in the country last season, it’s easy to see why one analyst made the bold claim that he’s “one of the best defenders in the Premier League.”

Ultimately, while he might not be on the exact same level as Gabriel – few defenders are – Murillo is clearly an exceptional player. Therefore, Arsenal would be wise to sign him before one of their rivals gets there first.

Arsenal have signed an "unpredictable" star who's the new Ian Wright

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Umpires’ lack of experience with DRS protocols has contributed to a slew of mis-steps

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2025

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana chats with the fourth umpire after Muneeba Ali’s run-out decision•Associated Press

Umpiring standards have come under scrutiny at the Women’s World Cup 2025, which has witnessed numerous contentious calls in its first two-and-a-half weeks. The most conspicuous of these mistakes have appeared around the use of the decision review system (DRS), which is only sporadically used in the women’s game. As such, the umpires’ experience with DRS protocols has come under the spotlight.One of the most notable mis-steps occurred in the match between England and Bangladesh, when Heather Knight got three reprieves, one of which was a low catch by Shorna Akter. On 13 at the time, with England chasing 179, Knight chipped legspinner Fahima Khatum to Shorna at cover.Knight was happy to walk off, but TV umpire Gayathri Venugopalan ruled otherwise based on “inconclusive” evidence. Earlier, there was also a caught-behind decision that was given out on the field, but overturned by the third umpire, who felt the ball hit Knight’s pad through to the wicketkeeper.”I did the presentation that evening and I put it to Heather Knight, and she did not sit on the fence at all,” Nasser Hussain, who is working as a broadcaster at the tournament, said on * pressroom. “She said, ‘well, I thought it was out, I was walking off’. There were other lbw reviews as well and Heather said, ‘I’ve never been out so many times in a cricket match.’ She then got 60 or 70 not out [79 not out] to win the game, and that really hurts you.”Related

'At first look, I thought it was out' – Knight on the catching reprieve

Muneeba Ali run-out in unusual circumstances against India

Another incident was Muneeba Ali’s run out during the match between India and Pakistan in Colombo. Muneeba, the Pakistan opener, was originally given not-out on the big screen by the TV umpire, before that decision was changed to “out”.On that occasion, TV umpire Kerrin Klaaste had not viewed all the available footage before first ruling it not-out lbw, and changed that decision after viewing further footage that showed there had been a run-out decision to make as well. The correct decision was eventually arrived at, but the process caused significant confusion, leading Muneeba and captain Fatima Sana to seek further clarification from the fourth umpire on the edge of the boundary.Then, during their game against South Africa, India reviewed a not-out lbw call against Sune Luus. The third umpire, Candace la Borde, adjudicated that a murmur on Ultra Edge was enough to indicate an under-edge onto the pad even though a side-on replay showed reasonable distance between the ball and bat at the time of the murmur. Luus remained not out.During the India-Australia game, the catch taken by Sneh Rana at point to dismiss Alyssa Healy was checked by third umpire Jacqueline Williams, who said, “I can see the ball touching the ground,” before she changed her line and ruled the catch clean.Shorna Akter’s low catch of Heather Knight was deemed not out due to ‘inconclusive evidence’•Getty Images”If you look at these replays enough, if you keep zooming in – I can’t remember where I was, I might have been watching on the telly actually – there was another one of those the fingers and the hands get under the ball,” Hussain said about the Healy dismissal. “The third umpire didn’t ask for 15 different replays or whatever. She just looked at it, sort of, a couple of times, gut feel, fingers were under the ball, that’s out. Which I always worry about when I am watching at home or in broadcast. If you keep looking, you will find things; you have to be meticulous.”Of the ten umpires who have performed TV duties through the course of this World Cup, only three have officiated as TV umpire in more than 20 matches with DRS available: Sue Redfern (42), Eloise Sheridan (25), and Kim Cotton (24).There are three umpires who had never previously been a TV umpire in an ODI that used DRS – la Borde, N Janani and Sarah Dambanenava. La Borde, in fact, had never been a third umpire in any international using DRS, while Janani and Dambanenava have had DRS experience in a limited number of T20Is. More significantly, five of the ten TV umpires had performed the role in fewer than five internationals with DRS available. In addition to the three mentioned, Venugopalan and Klaaste are also inexperienced with DRS.There has also been a greater percentage of on-field decisions overturned via the use of reviews than is often seen at major global competitions. In this World Cup, there have been 25 successful overturns of on-field decisions in 36 innings – a rate of 0.67 successful overturns per innings. In the last World Cup to be played in Asia – the men’s ODI World Cup in 2023 – the rate of successful overturns per innings was 0.46.The ICC declined to comment on the umpires’ relative inexperience with DRS, and did not reveal whether teams themselves had raised queries on umpiring missteps. The ICC’s umpire manager, Sean Easey, has been at some venues during this World Cup.

Elche head coach Eder Sarabia has still not gotten over the 2-2 draw against Real Madrid at the weekend, which saw Xabi Alonso's men come back twice from behind. Los Blancos equalised just three minutes from the end of normal time thanks to Jude Bellingham, but controversy erupted during and after the game as the Elche players and manager blasted the officials for what they believed to be an incorrect decision.

• Madrid held to a draw by Elche after controversial Bellingham goal

  Real Madrid endured yet another frustrating evening at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Sunday, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by the newly-promoted but daring Elche. The result stretched their winless run across competitions to three games. 

  After a goalless first half, former Real Madrid youth player and Elche captain Aleix Febas fired the hosts into the lead just eight minutes after the restart, capping off a brilliant team move that cut Madrid open. Dean Huijsen then pulled things back, scoring his first goal for Los Blancos in the 78th minute. However, Sarabia's troops didn't budge. Substitute Alvaro Rodriguez, a La Fabrica product who has featured in several games for Madrid, scored a great individual goal just six minutes later to restore Elche's lead.

  That wasn't the end of the drama. In the 87th minute, Madrid came back from behind for the second time in the game, courtesy of a Bellingham equaliser. Controversy, however, ensued, as the Elche players religiously protested Vinicius Junior's challenge on goalkeeper Inaki Pena, which left the latter bleeding from his nose. 

  The pleas from Elche players could only go in vain. The goal stood, and the match finished all-square, leaving the home team's head coach furious after the game.

  "It's a clear foul. Not a normal part of the game. That's what VAR is for. It's a very clear foul; it hits the goalkeeper and even draws blood. It's crystal clear," ranted Sarabia. "It's to Inaki's credit that he said it was a normal part of the game, but it really wasn't. It's a clear foul.

  "I'm not at all happy with the result, especially considering the decisive moments of the match. Vinicius's foul for the 2-2 equalizer was crystal clear. Inaki didn't see the play, but it wasn't just a normal part of the game, it was a clear foul. It makes me angry to waste time on these things, but you take the lead twice and you feel that there were factors that influenced the final result. It makes you angry."

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  Sarabia takes his anger to social media

  Sarabia took to his official account to express his contempt over the controversial refereeing over the weekend. He wrote: "My apologies to those who make decisions, but for more than 25 years now, "voluntariness/intentionality" has been removed from the regulations (except for hands). Therefore, the fact that an action is "fortuitous" is not a correct argument for deciding whether it is an infraction or not." 

• Alonso reflects on Madrid's poor form

  Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso addressed the media after the game and assured that the team is not in a crisis. "We haven't fallen apart," he told reporters. “That’s football. After a good run, we’re now getting results that aren’t what we wanted. But we still know what we want. We have to keep moving forward.

  “We're not happy because we know perfectly well that we always want to win, and when we don't, we can't be happy. There are still many games left before the end of the year, and we have to start thinking about the next one by analysing what we've done today.  

  “The team never gave up. We’re still competing. We know that the context of each game is different. Obviously, the result could be better. We're aware of that and we're self-critical, but the direction is clear, the spirit remains good and we have to respond in the face of adversity. This is Real Madrid and every unfavourable result attracts criticism, which we have to live with. We want to improve. The team never gave up.

  “The connection is improving because we have more time, we interact more and we're getting to know each other better. We're all in the same boat, everyone together in the same direction. We celebrate victories, we suffer, as we did today, and we're not happy when we don't get the desired result. The connection is good, the day-to-day is good. We need to turn this moment around a little bit and we have the opportunity to do so starting in Athens.”

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  Olympiacos and Girona up next for Madrid

  Despite their recent woes, Madrid hold a one-point lead over rivals Barcelona in La Liga and are in a strong position to secure a top-eight spot in the Champions League. They will visit Greece on Wednesday to lock horns with Greek champions Olympiacos in Europe's premier club competition, followed by another away game against Girona in the league this weekend.   

The South Australia captain made 103 as the home side were only able to pick up four wickets on the third day

Tristan Lavalette30-Oct-2025

Nathan McSweeney reaches his first century of the season•Getty Images

On the opposite bank of the Swan River from where he made his Test debut nearly 12 months ago, South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney returned to form with a classy century to set up an intriguing final day at the WACA where Cameron Green and Brendan Doggett loom large.Trailing by 92 runs on the first innings, South Australia dominated day three on a flattening surface with McSweeney, batting at No. 3, making 103 off 168 balls and sharing a 153-run second-wicket partnership with Henry Hunt.Having scored just 73 runs from his previous four Shield innings, McSweeney is not deemed to be in the Ashes selection mix on the back of a tough start to his Test career last summer.After receiving a life early in his innings, McSweeney was in complete command and showed why he is so highly rated among Australia’s hierarchy.”Any cricketer wants to play for Australia and playing in that Baggy Green is an awesome feeling,” McSweeney said. “For me, it’s just about trying to play my best cricket, win games for South Australia, make hundreds and hopefully one day I get another crack.”Whether it be this series [Ashes], or whenever the time comes, I’ll be ready to go.”McSweeney and Hunt put South Australia in a position where they can dictate with a declaration likely early on day four. There will be spotlight on Doggett and Green as selectors mull over Australia’s Ashes squad.Returning from a hamstring injury, Doggett overcame a rusty start to finish with six wickets in WA’s first innings, including dismissing Green for a duck. Green is playing this match as a specialist batter with a return to bowling likely during WA’s next Shield game against Queensland starting on November 11.There is the threat of damp weather spoiling the finish of this match, with rain forecast on Friday afternoon.The third day finished in sunshine after the start was delayed by 45 minutes due to rain. Hunt and Conor McInerney dug in against a WA pace attack that had run rampant in the first innings.McInerney had started to find his rhythm with a couple of lovely boundaries down the ground. Having toughed out the first 18 overs, McInerney fell in tame fashion after being knocked over having not offered a shot to a straight delivery from offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli bowling around the wicket.While WA’s quicks struggled to penetrate, Rocchiccioli caused problems with his trademark bounce as he tried to once again be the talismanic figure of the attack.But he was thwarted by McSweeney, who started to lift the intensity with sharp footwork as the game went through a lull towards lunch. Out of nowhere, McSweeney on 19 lost concentration and hit quick Cameron Gannon to mid-on but Liam Haskett spilt the catch.The game went back in its shell after lunch until the unusual sight of a swarm of bees hovering over the field caused a five-minute delay. Having reached his 50 off 128 balls, Hunt decided to up the ante on resumption and whacked Rocchiccioli for a towering six into the part of the ground undergoing major redevelopment.McSweeney was in fluent touch and drove superbly, trusting the surface which had shown little of the sharp bounce from earlier in the match. WA captain Sam Whiteman resorted to left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly, whose only two wickets of his first-class career had come during Australia A’s recent tour of India.But Connolly has a knack of making things happen and claimed his maiden Shield wicket when he had Hunt caught behind with a lovely flighted delivery that bounced sharply off the surface.There was no stopping McSweeney, who reached his first century this season with a six over mid-on but he fell shortly after when wicketkeeper Joel Curtis claimed a superb catch diving to his left.WA players wore black armbands as a mark of respect for Ben Austin, a 17-year-old club cricketer in Melbourne who died after being struck on the neck by a ball at training on Tuesday.