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Monterrey fans have gone viral for trampling over a Lionel Messi shirt and performing Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration after beatitng Inter Miami

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• Monterrey beat Inter Miami in CONCACAF Champions Cup
• Mexican side's fans mock Messi with shirt stunt
• Also copy Ronaldo's 'Siu' celebration

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After Monterrey knocked Messi's Miami out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, footage has emerged of the Mexican side's fans rubbing it in the face of the Argentine and his team's fans. In the great Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo greatest of all-time debate, it appears to be clear that they favour the Portuguese.

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• WATCH THE CLIPS

  In one clip, Monterrey fans can be seen copying Ronaldo's iconic celebration and in another, they jumped on a Messi shirt.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There has been bad blood between Monterrey and Inter Miami in recent times. The Mexican side's head coach Fernando Ortiz began by saying Miami enjoyed favourable refereeing, and his assistant, Nico Sanchez, later apologised for branding Messi a “possessed dwarf". There were clashes between players in the tunnel after the first leg – that led to Miami being issued with a fine – and that animosity has seemingly spilled out to the fans, too.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Monterrey will face Colombus Crew in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals later this month, whereas Messi's Miami are next in action away to Sporting Kansas City on in the MLS.

Having lost his Test place on Australia’s tour of the UAE, the middle-order batsman made 123 not out from 215 balls and give Victoria a 101-run lead

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Nov-2018Peter Handscomb drives through the off side•Getty Images

Peter Handscomb has made a statement to Australia’s selectors with a patient unbeaten century to put Victoria in control of the Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the MCG.Handscomb, who lost his Test place on Australia’s tour of the UAE, capitalised on a superb 132-run opening stand from Travis Dean and Marcus Harris to grind out 123 not out from 215 balls and give Victoria a 101-run lead with two days remaining. He struck 15 boundaries in his 14th first-class century, which he brought up with lovely cover drive off Cameron Valente.Victoria at one stage looked set to pile up a huge score but Nick Winter put them back under pressure with three wickets in the space of eight overs. He found the edge of Harris’ bat before trapping Dean in front and got Cameron White caught behind for a duck as well.Handscomb and Matthew Short steadied Victoria for over 18 overs but they again slumped to 5 for 193, losing both Short and wicketkeeper Seb Gotch in quick succession before Handscomb found solid allies in James Pattinson and Peter Siddle. Pattinson made 32 after being promoted to No. 7 while Siddle contributed 13 not out from 72 deliveries in an unbeaten 55-run stand with Handscomb to take the home side through to stumps.However, Victoria’s charge to a third straight win to start the season may be hindered by some wet weather that is due in Melbourne on day three.

Jude Bellingham has, according to Carlo Ancelotti, learned quickly at Real Madrid that he needs to “keep his mouth shut”.

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• England star shining at Santiago Bernabeu
• Has served avoidable ban this season
• Managing work load with club & country

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international has been a revelation at Santiago Bernabeu during his debut campaign with Los Blancos. He has become the first player in La Liga this season to reach 20 goals and 10 assists, with his value to the collective cause clear for all to see.

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• WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID ABOUT BELLINGHAM

  Bellingham has, however, served a ban after picking up an avoidable red card against Valencia in early March for aiming a volley of foul-mouthed abuse at the match officials after he saw a late goal ruled out. The 20-year-old midfielder is now aware of the need to bite his lip, with head coach Ancelotti looking to hammer that point home. The Italian tactician has said of Bellingham’s relationship with referees in Spain: “I don’t know what Bellingham thinks about it, he’s learned very quickly what he has to do and that’s to keep his mouth shut.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bellingham was not on target in Real’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Club, with Ancelotti claiming that the all-action playmaker is still learning how to manage the demands of being a talismanic presence for club and country. He added: “Bellingham was not as fresh today as he usually is. He played two very intense games for England and he paid for it a little bit today. When I speak about intensity it’s because it was lacking a little bit today, like with Bellingham and [Fede] Valverde. Everyone has to be at their best level to beat City. Bellingham has played very well for the national team and that work today will help him in the coming games.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

  Real will not be back in action until April 9, when they play host to Premier League title-holders Manchester City in the first leg of a heavyweight Champions League quarter-final. Another break from domestic duty arrives with an eight-point lead opened up at the top of La Liga.

Roberto De Zerbi has been tipped to be a candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp, however, a former Liverpool star has explained why it won't happen.

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• Klopp set to leave Liverpool
• De Zerbi linked with move to Anfield
• Ex-star says Italian won't be hired

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With Klopp set to leave the Merseyside club at the end of the season after a nine-year-long stint, the biggest question has been set as to who will replace the German at the helm of the club. While Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso seemed to be the first choice, his declaration to remain with the German club has now pointed towards options such as Sporting's Ruben Amorim and the Brighton boss. However, former Reds star Mark Lawrenson has explained why the Anfield hierarchy will not sign De Zerbi.

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  WHAT LAWRENSON SAID

  Speaking to Paddy Power, the former Liverpool star said: "We've seen how much money they’ve made this year. I thought Roberto De Zerbi was a bit naughty last week, saying he wants more players. Brighton gave him his big gig, and he’s done very, very well. But once you go down that route of asking for more players, and maybe his agent is speaking to other clubs, I don’t think Liverpool will go anywhere near him.

  "He’s a good manager, but I think he is getting carried away – Brighton haven’t had a particularly good season. He’s not dealt with the extra games and blamed it on not having enough players. De Zerbi won’t go to Liverpool, and he might’ve put one or two prospective club owners off him. Brighton are a well-run club – they got £22 million for Graham Potter and his backroom staff. They’ll just get another manager in – and being run the way that they are, they probably know who their next manager is."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Klopp and Liverpool are still alive in their desire to win the Premier League in the German coach's last season. They currently sit atop the league with a two-point buffer to Arsenal and are three points ahead of Manchester City. With just eight matches remaining, the Reds will put all efforts towards the league and the Europa League.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  The Reds will likely make their decision on the next manager at the club, the onus will stand on De Zerbi to prove his worth with Brighton, if he wants to remain the man of interest for Liverpool.

The former captain smashed 144, including a last-wicket stand with Tamim Iqbal who came out to bat with a broken hand, to lift Bangladesh to a winning total

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando15-Sep-2018
1:01

Maharoof: SL need specialist batsmen, not allrounders

Mushfiqur Rahim’s sublime 144 hauled Bangladesh kicking and screaming to 261, then a fired-up Mashrafe Mortaza set in motion a Sri Lanka collapse, and the first match of the Asia Cup soon turned into a thrashing – Bangladesh claiming victory by 137 runs, after Sri Lanka crashed to 69 for 7, then 124 all out.A third Bangladesh senior had also played an impressive role in the victory. Tamim Iqbal faced only four deliveries in all, but he had crucially come out to bat again with a broken wrist – which he had sustained in the second over – with nine wickets down. Mushfiqur made spectacular use of his teammate’s bravery, hitting a further three fours and three sixes, as 32 runs were added to the team total, lifting Bangladesh from a modest score to a competitive one.Though his contribution was eventually drowned out by those of Bangladesh’s experienced players, one Sri Lanka old-timer also had an outstanding outing. Lasith Malinga, playing his first international in a year, shook off the rust, struck twice in his first over, and finished with 4 for 23 from 10 overs, to suggest that his one-day career was far from done yet. Had his teammates held all their catches, Malinga might have wreaked even more damage. He should have had Mohammad Mithun – who went on to make 63 in a 131-run stand with Mushfiqur – caught at mid on for one, if Angelo Mathews had held the catch while diving forward. In general, Sri Lanka were woeful in the field, spilling no fewer than four catches, including two off Mushfiqur, who was reprieved on 10 and 85. For the umpteenth time in the last three years, their catching can be said to have cost Sri Lanka a one-dayer.Though perhaps it is their batting that was the worse suit on this evening (it’s often difficult to work out which discipline was the worst with this Sri Lanka ODI team). Kusal Mendis – opening in place of Danushka Gunathilaka – was Bangladesh’s first victim, when he got himself trapped in front of the stumps the first ball he faced. Upul Tharanga had been storming away at the other end, and looked good for a big innings, until, typically, he suddenly played a poor shot. Attempting to steer a Mashrafe delivery to third man, Tharanga only managed to play it on to his stumps. Mashrafe would have a second important wicket soon after – nailing Dhananjaya de Silva in front of the stumps for a duck, with de Silva going on to waste Sri Lanka’s review. The review could potentially have saved Kusal Perera later on.Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates after reaching his sixth ODI century•ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images

In general, this was not an evening of good decision-making from Sri Lanka’s batsmen. Kusal Perera’s lbw (he had actually got a thin inside edge to that ball from Mehidy Hasan) left the team 38 for 4, not long before Angelo Mathews compounded Sri Lanka’s woes by running out Dasun Shanaka as the pair attempted a painstaking recovery. Thisara Perera holed out soon enough, and Mathews was himself dismissed for 16 off 34 balls – trapped lbw by Rubel Hossain. That Sri Lanka even survived into the 36th over and made as many as 124 was down to a plucky tail, who hung around, despite the target being clearly out of their reach. Even the tail’s efforts were not enough to prevent a record though – this victory was Bangladesh’s biggest in terms of runs, away from home.Although Mushfiqur had a little luck early on – having been dropped in the 10th over – his was nevertheless a terrific innings. He had begun slowly, playing out a maiden against the red-hot Malinga, before later producing Bangladesh’s first boundary of the match, off the last ball of the eighth over. He built steadily alongside Mithun, taking an especial liking to Sri Lanka’s finger-spinners, often venturing down the track to them, sometimes to hit boundaries.Although after Mithun fell, Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain followed in quick succession, Mushfiqur batted efficiently with the tail, looking for boundaries at the start of each over, and singles towards the end. Despite his best efforts, the lower order batsmen continued to perish, however, and Bangladesh found themselves nine down in the 47th over, which should have been the end of their innings given one of their batsmen had suffered a fractured wrist earlier in the innings.Tamim, though, made the courageous decision to bat again, with his bottom hand in a cast. He hid that injured left hand behind his body, and rode out a Suranga Lakmal ball at his ribs, to hand the strike over to Mushfiqur, who didn’t disappoint. Mushfiqur moved expertly around the crease to smoke a spate of valuable late boundaries, moving past his previous best ODI score of 117, while twice making sure to take a single off the last ball of the over, to ensure Tamim did not have to face another ball. Mushfiqur had hit successive sixes off the first two balls of the final over, bowled by Thisara Perera, before he holed out attempting a third six. His valiant hand would turn out to be more than enough for Bangladesh to claim an important first victory in the tournament.

The United States women's team will face Mexico on July 13 in an Olympics warm-up match that will also honour the famous 1999 World Cup winners.

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• USMNT to face Mexico on July 13
• New York clash penultimate Olympics warm-up
• 1999 World Cup winners to be honoured

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The USWNT announced in a press release on Friday that they will host Mexico in a friendly match at Red Bull Arena, N.J., on July 13, in what will be their penultimate test before the 2024 Paris Olympics. Beyond the practice on the field, though, the legendary World Cup-winning side of 1999 will also be honoured before kick-off.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That game will mark the 25th anniversary summer of the USWNT's historic run to the World Cup final, where they beat China on a penalties in front of some 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. That victory helped catapult women's soccer in the states and helped change the course of women's sports globally.

• WHAT THE USWNT SAID

  Cindy Parlow Cone, who was a key member of that World Cup-winning team and is now U.S. Soccer President, said in a statement: "This will be a fun and inspirational weekend. The fans will get the chance to show their support for the team before they head to France while also celebrating our 1999 Women’s World Cup Team. This is a group of women who did so much for the sport and the impact of that team and tournament is still being felt 25 years later, especially as we bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. I can’t wait to see my teammates and friends.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  The friendly in July will be a rematch of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup group stage match against the two nations last month, which Mexico won 2-0. It will also be the third time the two sides will face each other at Red Bull Arena.

Arsenal have confirmed that they will screen their pre-season friendly with rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong at Emirates Stadium.

• Arsenal face Spurs in pre-season game
• Rivals face off in Hong Kong
• Emirates Stadium to screen clash

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Arsenal take on Tottenham on July 31 as part of their pre-season campaign, and now the Gunners have decided to hold a screening of the match on Club Level at their home ground. However, it appears to be only open to Arsenal fans, rather than Spurs ones, which is likely to be a wise move.

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  WHAT ARSENAL SAID

  A post on the club's website reads: "If you’re looking for the perfect place to watch our pre-season friendly against Tottenham in Hong Kong, then why not head to Emirates Stadium to witness the thrills and spills with a host of fellow Gooners? We are holding a screening of the match on Club Level at Emirates Stadium on Thursday, 31 July, with doors opening at 10:30am and kick-off at 12:30pm (UK Time). Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Red members can purchase tickets for just £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions. Food and drink will be available to purchase, as well as official merchandise, plus the entertainment continues with a live band roaming around to help build the atmosphere."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal will have been left smarting after seeing their trophy drought extend to five years this summer, plus, rivals Tottenham won the Europa League to end their 17-year wait for silverware. Both teams will look to start the season with a bang but before then, this match will provide bragging rights for a short time.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal and Tottenham will contest the first north London derby outside of the United Kingdom when they lock horns in Hong Kong later this month. In the days prior to this encounter, the Gunners also take on AC Milan and Newcastle United.

The striker position at Manchester City has been full of heritage since the successful silverware-laden days at the Etihad.

While that infamous move for Robinho – the club’s very first marquee signing during the Mark Hughes era – didn’t turn out too successfully, the same cannot be said for a certain Sergio Aguero.

The Argentine is now known as one of the greatest foreign imports the Premier League has ever seen, scoring that title-winning goal which was just one of 260 goals he scored in City blue. He is a legend in these parts, a true icon of English football.

Well, they’ve now found someone capable of usurping Aguero’s record. Yep, you guessed it, it’s the relentless Erling Haaland.

Already a treble-winner, the Norwegian has found the back of the net on 118 occasions in 135 outings. He is certainly one of the best forwards of the modern era.

That said, he should watch out for Omar Marmoush who’s enjoyed a fine start to his time in English football…

What makes Marmoush so good

This January was an important one for the Citizens. For the first time in his tenure, Pep Guardiola was fighting for his life, seemingly unable to turn the tide on a run of form that saw them win just once in 13 matches. It was unheard of.

So, over the winter, they did their due diligence and splashed the cash to bring in the likes of Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Egyptian superstar Omar Marmoush.

The forward had scored 15 Bundesliga goals in 17 matches before switching Germany for England in a £59 move. Since then, he’s continued his menacing form.

The 26-year-old has so far featured off the left, up top and when Haaland has been fit, behind him.

That level of versatility is a key part of why Guardiola wanted to bring him to the Etihad over the winter and he’s rewarded the faith shown, notably scoring a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Newcastle.

That remains the sole game in which Marmoush has contributed with goals but his general play has been eye-catching with teammate Haaland declaring that “you can see he has something special.”

However, the transfer may never have happened if City’s transfer strategy last summer headed in a different direction.

Man City have already sold a Marmoush upgrade

Marmoush’s signing was needed. Haaland, of course, is a man possessed but behind him, they lacked a certain degree of firepower with Kevin De Bruyne now in the latter stages of his career and Phil Foden – the Premier League’s Player of the Season for 2023/24 – failing to meet the same standards. He’s scored just ten times in 36 outings this season, a far cry from his 27-goal exploits of last term.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

In many ways, the sale of Julian Alvarez didn’t help. It certainly benefited the club’s coffers, raking in an enormous sum of £82m. Since then, he’s showcased why City should regret selling him.

This wasn’t your Gabriel Jesus level of back-up striker. He was a constant threat and helped himself to 19 goals and 13 assists last season. Replacing an output like that wasn’t going to be easy.

Marmoush will no doubt help over the forthcoming seasons but Alvarez has now proven himself as one of the finest forwards in European football.

He showcased that in the Champions League this week, taking his tally in the competition this term to seven in nine games – just one behind Haaland – with a breathtaking strike against rivals Real Madrid.

Alvarez danced past Eduardo Camavinga on the left, cut inside and then bent a delicious effort into the far corner. It was postage stamp stuff. Quite brilliant.

That goal means that the Argentine now has 22 for the season and it was hardly a surprise to see pundits and journalists alike wax lyrical.

Joe Cole suggested that “he’s a Ballon d’Or winner of the future” while Spanish football expert Neal Gardner simply stated that he is “the most complete striker in the world right now.”

That was corroborated by Argentine journalist Roy Nemer who even before this goal suggested that Alvarez was the “best forward in the world” this season.

It’s hard to dispute that claim considering he ranks inside the best 7% of positionally similar players in Europe’s big five leagues for progressive carries, the best 11% for progressive passes and the top 15% for tackles, underlining the fact that he can do most things incredibly well.

Usually, City get things spot on when sanctioning sales. However, in a campaign where they will miss out on the Premier League and Champions League, they did get this one wrong.

Still, Marmoush is here now and they will get to enjoy the fruits of his labour before too long.

Savio upgrade: Man City may regret selling 'the best winger in the world'

Man City might rue selling a player who has shone for his current club since leaving.

By
Ross Kilvington

Mar 3, 2025

Four years on from the famous leak, how well do you remember England’s much-derided Ashes 2013-14 cookbook?

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2017

A frustrating week for Manchester City came to an end on Sunday as they were beaten 2-0 by Premier League leaders Liverpool at The Etihad.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai secured all three points for Arne Slot’s men, who are now 11 points clear at the top of the division.

This came off the back of a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, resulting in their exit from the competition, on Wednesday night, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe.

There were some positives for Pep Guardiola and his team to take from the defeat to the Reds, though, and one was the performance of Abdukodir Khusanov at the heart of the defence.

Abdukodir Khusanov's performance against Liverpool

The January signing from Ligue 1 side Rennes was selected alongside Nathan Ake at centre-back, with Ruben Dias left on the bench, and stepped up with an excellent showing for the Cityzens.

Khusanov had a nightmare debut against Chelsea, making an error for Noni Madueke’s goal after just three minutes, but the 20-year-old titan appears to have settled into Premier League life now.

The talented youngster made a terrific last-man challenge on Szoboszlai towards the end of the game and halted Salah, when the score was 0-0, in the first half when the forward appeared set to test Ederson unchallenged.

Chalkboard

In total, he made six clearances, one block, one tackle, and one interception, whilst the centre-back also won two of his three duels and completed 99% (87/88) of his attempted passes.

Khusanov made some vital defensive interventions and produced some excellent moments to keep Liverpool at bay, whilst Ake struggled in the left-sided centre-back role.

Why Nathan Ake should be dropped

Guardiola must instantly drop the Netherlands international from the starting line-up for the next game against Tottenham Hotspur after he put in a dismal display against Liverpool.

As you can see in the clip above, Salah’s goal to open the scoring at The Etihad came via a deflection off Ake, as the left-footed flop dangled a leg out and deflected the effort past Ederson.

The former Chelsea and Bournemouth star offered very little from a defensive perspective, as Salah also burst past him with ease in the left channel and Khusanov had to sweep up and win possession back before the forward could get a shot away in the first half.

As you can see in the table above, Ake lost 100% of his duels in the match and did not make a single tackle, interception, or block to help his side out.

Whereas, Khusanov, as aforementioned won two of his three ground duels and made six clearances, tackles, blocks, and interceptions combined, which means that he showed up the Dutch dud – who is ten years his senior – on Sunday.

Guardiola must, now, instantly drop Ake from the XI and bring Dias, who has won 54% of his duels in the Premier League this season, back into the side to provide a dominant presence alongside Khusanov against Spurs.

Man City now poised to chase "great" £100m ace in blockbuster summer deal

He could replace Kevin De Bruyne…

By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 22, 2025

It will then be down to the Dutchman to show, in training or off the bench, that he can bounce back with an improved display when he next gets an opportunity to start.