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They enter this WPL after losing back-to-back finals, as Lanning looks to work on “just some small things here and there”

Sruthi Ravindranath11-Feb-2025Two seasons, two top-of-the-table finishes. Two finals, but no trophies. Delhi Capitals (DC) came close to title wins in WPL 2023 and 2024, before falling short in the final against Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively. But for captain Meg Lanning, continuing to do what they’ve done the last two seasons along with “a few little changes” is all the team needs to go one step ahead and clinch the title in 2025.”We’ve had two good seasons without obviously being able to finish it off the way we would have liked in winning the title,” Lanning said. “I guess the key for us is maintaining what we’ve been doing well. We think we have been playing some really good cricket, and doing a lot of things right. We’re just evolving and making a few little changes here and there that we think will make a big difference, and hopefully allows us to take that next step. It’s not [a] big shift from us.”We’ve added some new players, and also the players who have been here previously have also improved and gotten better as well. We feel like we’re [at] a really good spot. It’s not [about] changing too much. We’ve been doing a lot right. It’s just some small things here and there to to take us to the next step.”Related

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Lanning has continued to be part of franchise leagues and domestic cricket after announcing her international retirement in 2023. Not playing for Australia has given her plenty of time at home, which she enjoys, but being around young players during franchise-based tournaments and giving them advice has been gratifying, Lanning admitted. Playing these leagues before a tournament like WPL also helps her get into the “rhythm”.Lanning is not only entering this WPL season as the tournament’s highest-ever run-getter – she has 676 runs across two seasons – but also on the back of some superb scores in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), Australia’s domestic 50-over competition, where she averaged 51.14 in eight games.”Playing matches is important; there’s nothing quite like being out in the middle and being in a good rhythm with that,” she said. “I feel like those games are great for me in that respect. I feel like I’m in a good spot with my game. I always enjoy playing and batting over here in India. I’ve had some success in the past. So far, the couple [of] days I’ve been here, it’s been nice to just get used to the conditions again, and just be really clear on what my plan is and how I want to go about it.”I think having experienced international cricket for so long, I’ve picked up different things along the way on what works and what doesn’t. And I guess now I’ve got the opportunity to work with – particularly back home, but also in tournaments like this – younger players, and try and pass on some of the knowledge that I’ve picked up not just on the field but [also] off the field – in terms of how you can manage yourself with the pressures that come with playing cricket at this level.”So that’s something I try to do with any team I play in now is pass on some of that knowledge and answer any questions that any of the other players [have]. Everybody here wants to learn and ask questions, and I really loved that about the environment.”Meg Lanning on Shafali Verma: “She looks like she’s in really good touch, and enjoying herself and having fun too”•Delhi Capitals’I’ve got the best seat in the house’ – Lanning on batting alongside ShafaliAmong the biggest positives for DC over the last two seasons has been the Lanning-Shafali Verma opening partnership. Lanning has been the solid batter at one end with a regular flow of runs while Shafali has gone for the big shots, and together, they have broken several partnership records. So far, they have put up three 100-plus stands in the tournament, and also hold the record of the highest-ever partnership of 162, which they put up against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023, in the tournament. Lanning hopes to repeat the feat this season as well, adding how much she enjoys playing with Shafali.Shafali has been in terrific form, having returned to domestic cricket after being dropped from the Indian team in November last year. She finished as the top run-getter in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy and the One Day Challenger Trophy.”I love batting with Shafali,” Lanning said. “She often puts on a very entertaining show, and I’ve got the best seat in the house watching from the other end most of the time. In the practice game, she did a very similar thing a few days ago. She looks like she’s in really good touch, and enjoying herself and having fun too, which I think is really important. So for me, just watching her play with freedom, express herself…when she does that, that plays a really important role for our team.”I always enjoy batting with her; we get on really well. Hopefully, this season can continue on through from where we have been the first two.”

Fair to say, this season has not gone quite to plan for Glasgow Rangers and in particular, new Gers boss Russell Martin.

Last time out, Rangers played out statistically the most boring Glasgow derby of all time, the two fierce rivals accumulating a combined xG of just 0.31 at Ibrox.

This means, for the first time since 1983, the Light Blues have failed to win any of their opening four fixtures in a Premiership campaign, having previously played out 1-1 draws with Motherwell, Dundee and then St Mirren.

Scoring goals has certainly proved to be one of the many key issues Martin has faced as Rangers boss, with a lot of attacking talent departing Govan this summer, but could one of his summer signings ultimately solve this issue and turn out to be the new Václav Černý?

Václav Černý's importance at Rangers

Last season, across 58 matches in all competitions, Rangers scored a total of 115 goals.

Well, their top three scorers, namely Cyriel Dessers, Cerny and Hamza Igamane, contributed 63 of these goals (55%), but the trio have all departed during the summer.

Dessers was sold to Panathinaikos for £3.5m on deadline day, Igamane joined Lille for around £10.4m a few days earlier, while Černý did not return, following the expiration of his loan from Wolfsburg.

Instead, the Czechia international joined Beşiktaş for around £6m, but, considering the İstanbul-based giants failed to qualify for the league phase of any European competition, while Rangers are back in the Europa League, supporters may feel aggrieved that he isn’t heading back to Ibrox.

The table below underlines Černý’s importance last season.

Goals

18

2nd

Assists

6

4th

UEL goals

6

1st

Shots

136

1st

Big chances created

9

4th

Shot-creating actions

42

1st

Goal-creating actions

5

2nd

Progressive carries

40

1st

Key passes

14

2nd

Average SofaScore rating

7.40

2nd

As the table documents, Černý was a pivotal figure at Rangers last season, his six goals in the Europa League particularly noteworthy.

The 27-year-old took his tally to eight international goals on Friday night, bagging the second as Czechia beat Montenegro 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Podgorica, but could Rangers have unearthed a winger with even greater potential?

Rangers' Václav Černý​​​​​​​ upgrade

In a season that has so far produced very little for Rangers fans to cheer, the form of Djeidi Gassama has certainly been something to get excited about.

Chalkboard

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

The 22-year-old arrived in Glasgow for a reported fee of £2.2m, joining from crisis club Sheffield Wednesday, who are being completely run into the ground by wantaway owner Dejphon Chansiri, thereby sanctioning a fire sale of all the Owls’ assets.

Thus, it appears as though Rangers have taken advantage of the disastrous situation at Hillsborough and snapped up a bargain.

When he first arrived, manager Martin labelled Gassama “exciting”, adding that he will get fans “on the edge of their seats”, asserting that “he is on an upward trajectory… we look forward to seeing him in action.”

Well, the 21-year-old certainly made a good first impression, scoring four times during the early rounds of Champions League qualifying.

He spectacularly netted on his debut against Panathinaikos, also on target during the return leg in Athens eight nights later, before bagging a brace when Viktoria Plzeň was vanquished 3-0 at Ibrox in the third qualifying round.

As already outlined, what made Černý’s contribution so outstanding was his end product in European competition, something Gassama has already shown signs of being able to replicate.

In the Europa League league phase, the Gers will face: Genk (H), Sturm Graz (A), Brann (A), Roma (H), Braga (H), Ferencváros (A), Ludogorets Razgrad (H) and then Porto (A) on the final matchday.

Even when considering Rangers’ horrendous start to the season, there are certainly some winnable fixtures in that bunch so, if they’re to match last season’s run to the quarter-finals, or even better it, Gassama will be key to the Light Blues’ hopes.

The ex-Rangers striker who has scored 5x more goals than Miovski in 2025

This former Rangers centre-forward has enjoyed a terrific 2025 so far.

ByDan Emery Sep 5, 2025

Rupganj Tigers pick up the first points of the season as Abdul Mazid’s unbeaten hundred seals a last-ball thriller

Mohammad Isam20-Mar-2025Key takeawaysAgrani Bank and Gulshan Cricket Club were the surprise packages in the second week of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Both teams won three matches each and are joint-top on the points table alongside defending champions Abahani Limited. All three have ten points each but Abahani Limited have a better net run rate.Meanwhile, Big-spending Mohammedan Sporting Club dropped points after their 65-run defeat against Gazi Group. Gulshan Cricket Club are also on eight points like Mohammedan, having won their last three matches. Agrani too have been impressive, with Shadman Islam and Imrul Kayes leading with the bat.Related

DPL week 1: Naim's 176 helps Prime Bank breach 400

Best battersGazi Group’s Anamul Haque scored an unbeaten 149 against Mohammedan in their big win at the BKSP-4 ground on March 18. He struck 12 fours and four sixes, batting through their 336 for 5 in 50 overs. He was particularly brutal against Taskin Ahmed, who conceded 107 runs in his ten overs for his three wickets, the most expensive spell in Bangladesh’s List-A history.Best bowlersLeft-arm spinner Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby took the only five-wicket haul this week but it was Agrani Bank’s Robiul Hoque whose 4 for 14 damaged Dhanmondi Sporting Club quite badly. He removed Ashiqur Rahman, Yasir Ali, Moin Khan and Hasan Murad in a miserly spell that helped Agrani Bank to a five-wicket win at the BKSP-4 ground on March 13. Robiul has been knocking on the senior team’s doors for a few years, only being held back by the plethora of fast bowlers around him.Best matchRupganj Tigers picked up their first points this season in dramatic fashion, after their last-ball win against Partex Sporting Club at the BKSP-3 ground. Batting first, Partex were bowled out for 223. Abdul Mazid held things together despite Partex keeping the chase tight. Rupganj needed ten runs in the last over, and three from the final ball. Mazid scooped the last ball for a four to win the game and bring up his first century of the season.Points to ponderWith just over halfway through the first phase, eight teams are in contention for six Super League spots. Dhanmondi Sports Club and Prime Bank Cricket Club seem to be having a hot and cold season so far. The battle for avoiding relegation is also going to be tight, with four teams – Rupganj Tigers, Partex, Brothers Union and Shinepukur Cricket Club – on two points each.Players to watchSeam-bowling allrounder Tofael Ahmed has made some telling contributions for Gazi Group with 192 runs at an average of 48.00, and seven wickets at 11.85. The Sylhet-born Tofael was instrumental in his side’s superb win against Mohammedan, taking on Taskin frequently.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was at his brilliant best in Marseille’s 4-0 Champions League win over Ajax on Tuesday, but it was his simple act of humility that impressed Roberto De Zerbi as his 'new-spirited' team rounded off a perfect week. The veteran ran the show as the French side ran rampant with their third straight win since they opened their Champions League campaign with a defeat to Real Madrid.

Aubameyang leads Marseille charge

Aubameyang scored a goal and provided two assists in Marseille's 4-0 win over Ajax. Igor Paixao’s early brace set the tone, Mason Greenwood added a third before half-time, and the 36-year-old put the final stamp on the game with a goal in the second half to wrap up a night where OM looked a class above. 

AdvertisementAFPDe Zerbi sees a fresh change in Marseille

Things looked messy for the French side after their opening Ligue 1 defeat to Rennes, when Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe clashed in the dressing room and were quickly sold. 

Since then, Marseille have looked like a different team. They beat PSG in Le Classique, got an away win against Strasbourg, and then put Ajax under the pump at the Stade Velodrome. Their only setback was a stinging 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid last week.

The former Brighton manager praised the way his players are working and enjoying themselves again, aiming praise at Aubameyang for giving the captain's armband to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg when the midfielder came on in the second half.

"I like the way my players work, the fun they have, and the relationship they create with the fans," he said after the game. "Aubameyang took off his armband when Hojbjerg came on, and he had the humility to give it to him without anyone asking him."

De Zerbi claims it was the end of the transfer window that flipped the mood, adding: "I think something changed when the transfer window ended, when [Nayef] Aguerd, [Benjamin] Pavard, [Matt] O'Riley, [Hamed] Traore, and [Arthur] Vermeeren arrived. That’s where things started. The good mood returned, and the optimism too."

Aubameyang enjoying his return

The former Arsenal forward is already repaying the faith placed in him after leaving Saudi side Al-Qadsiah last month and signing a new deal until 2027. Back in familiar colours, Aubameyang has made a bright start with four goals and three assists in seven matches across all competitions, including a goal and two assists in Tuesday's win.

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AFPWhat’s next for Roberto De Zerbi’s men?

Marseille sit third in Ligue 1 with four wins and two defeats from six matches. They will be looking to keep the run going when they face Metz on October 4. With Aubameyang in form, and De Zerbi spotting a different energy in his squad, OM suddenly feels like a team on the rise again.

Half-centuries for Smith and Booth reduce deficit after McKinney makes 153 in first innings

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay12-Apr-2025A brilliant bowling performance from Durham put them in a controlling position in their Rothesay County Championship clash with Warwickshire despite excellent half-centuries from Kai Smith and Michael Booth.Durham were bowled out for 387, adding 44 to their overnight total, with Warwickshire spinner Taz Ali mopping up the tail, picking up two wickets to give him figures of four for 66.Warwickshire’s reply started well with their opening pair putting on 57, but the visitors struggled to get a grip of the game as Daniel Hogg and Brendan Doggett put them in a spot of bother at 157 for six.However, Smith and Booth excelled with the bat to combine for a 115-run partnership which gave Warwickshire some hope of getting close to Durham’s score, but a late cluster of wickets meant that the visitors closed on 287 for eight, 100 behind Durham’s score.Resuming on 343 for seven, Ben McKinney and Matthew Potts were looking to pursue quick runs in the opening session of day two. McKinney passed 150 with a nice flick off his pads for four but the opener didn’t last much longer as he was caught behind off an Ethan Bamber ball for 153.Potts smashed a Booth delivery over the square leg boundary for six, but his excellent knock ended soon after as he was stumped by Smith off the bowling of 18-year-old Ali for 70 and the spinner wrapped up the innings in the same over when he got Doggett LBW.Warwickshire’s opening pair of Alex Davies and Rob Yates started their reply well, with Yates producing a lovely cover drive for four off the bowling of Potts.Davies then found the boundary with a super straight drive from a Hogg delivery and a few balls later he picked up back-to-back fours from the same bowler. Hogg responded though and removed the Warwickshire skipper for 38 as Davies chipped a ball to Emilio Gay, who caught excellently at cover.Hogg struck again soon after, with the 20-year-old producing a jaffa to bowl Warwickshire prospect Hamza Shaikh for a two-ball duck just before lunch.The visitors began the afternoon session in a calm manner, but they offered a huge chance to the hosts as Doggett forced Sam Hain into an edge but Will Rhodes dropped a regulation catch at first slip with the Bears batter on nine.Durham continued to probe and Yates and Hain were happy to absorb the pressure, but the pressure was too much for the former as he edged a Ben Raine delivery to second slip for 42.Hain started to make the most of his second chance as he played a lovely cover drive for four, while Dan Mousley looked good for 24, but Rhodes atoned for his drop by getting the England white-ball player LBW to swing the momentum back to Durham.Doggett was then rewarded for his hard work with his first Durham wicket as Hain edged behind to a diving Ollie Robinson for 30. Wickets came like London buses for Doggett as Ed Barnard skied one straight to the hands of Alex Lees at mid-wicket to depart for 12.Young Bears wicketkeeper Smith looked good in the early stages of his innings and he picked up three boundaries from a Raine over.Smith and Booth continued to frustrate Durham, with Smith impressing in particular as he adapted to the match situation and he got his 50 from 86 balls.Smith moved through the gears with a cut shot from the bowling of Rhodes going to the boundary and Booth got in on the act as he hit Colin Ackermann for back-to-back boundaries. However, just before close Smith departed for 79 as he spliced a Hogg delivery in the air and Gay made no mistake with the catch at third man.There was another boost for the hosts when Raine got Ali LBW for one, but Booth reached his half-century in the final over of the day and remains at the crease with the visitors 100 runs behind.

A bombshell report reveals Barcelona's own technical experts rated Camp Nou constructors Limak as the worst option for the job. Club management overruled the 'non-binding' report, prioritising a deadline that has since been missed, with significant delays now hitting the iconic stadium's reopening and contractual penalties going unenforced.

Barca's own experts rated Limak's bid as the worst

Barcelona awarded the €960 million (£832m/$1.12 billion) Camp Nou renovation contract to Turkish construction firm Limak despite the company receiving the lowest score in a technical evaluation conducted by the club's own expert team, according to a bombshell report from . The team of engineers, architects, and financiers rated Limak's bid below 50 out of 100, placing it last behind consortiums led by Ferrovial and FCC. The report cited Limak's inability to justify its proposed construction schedule and its requirement of around €200 million in initial financing, compared to just €12 million requested by its competitors.

AdvertisementAFPManagement overruled 'non-binding' technical report

Despite the damning assessment from their internal experts, Barcelona's Espai Barça management, led by director Joan Sentelles, dismissed the report as "consultative and non-binding." Two days after the technical team's evaluation, a final binding report prepared by Sentelles and Technical Office Director Lluis Moya declared Limak the winner. The club has officially insisted that "the opinion that prevails and is legally binding is the assessment issued by the senior manager." This decision caused significant internal strife, leading to the resignation of Jordi Llaurado, the board director in charge of Espai Barca, who felt the process lacked transparency.

'Impossible' deadline proves the decisive factor

The key reason for overriding the technical advice was Limak's aggressive timeline. The Turkish firm was the only bidder to guarantee a return to a partially reopened Camp Nou by November 2024, a deadline that competing firms, with extensive stadium-building experience, described to the club as "impossible." The final report acknowledged that the tight timeframe was the primary "factor that influenced the contractors' assessments." However, as of October 13, 2025, the project is already 317 days behind schedule, with the partial return now not expected until mid-November 2025 and the final completion pushed back to the 2027-28 season, validating the initial fears of Limak's competitors.

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Club not enforcing penalty clauses despite significant delays

The contract between Barcelona and Limak contains specific financial penalties for each day of delay. However, the club has so far failed to execute these sanctions. Club officials have attributed the delays to external factors, such as a lack of materials. This contradicts a clause in the contract, which explicitly states that "any delay due to a lack or delay in the supply of materials" is the contractor's responsibility and not grounds for an extension. The contract also stipulates that unilateral termination is possible if penalties exceed 10% of the total budget – around €96m.

Chelsea are now ready to open agent talks to sign a “spectacular” forward, who is also being targeted by Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Blues keen on new winger amid slow start for Gittens

Jamie Gittens arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £51.5m deal back in July, but it would be fair to say the winger has made a slow start to life in west London, having failed to record a goal or an assist in his opening four Premier League games.

After struggling against Brentford, touching the ball just 17 times, the 21-year-old has been rested for the last two matches, with Enzo Maresca opting not to call upon the left-winger at Old Trafford, despite the Blues trailing for most of the game.

Gittens still has plenty of time to prove himself ahead of the January transfer window, but the west Londoners have now set their sights on a new winger, who could push for a starting spot on the left-wing.

Chelsea now set to open talks to sign "baller", Maresca thinks he's ideal

The Blues are planning to enter discussions to sign a new midfielder.

ByDominic Lund Sep 21, 2025

That is according to a report from Bianconera News (via Sport Witness), which states Chelsea have ‘come knocking’ for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, who is attracting widespread interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United also keen.

Such is the Blues’ level of interest, they are now ready to open talks with his agents over a deal, but it could be difficult to prise Yildaz away from Juventus, given that the Italian club are reluctant to sanction a departure, and have started working on a new contract.

The report doesn’t state how much the Serie A side are looking to receive, but it may take a huge bid to get a deal over the line, with Maresca’s side having a £61m offer knocked back during the summer transfer window.

"Spectacular" Yildiz could be Gittens upgrade

The 20-year-old has made a flying start to the new Serie A campaign, picking up four goal contributions in his opening four games, while also finding the back of the net against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Scout Jacek Kulig has also lauded the youngster for his ability to make “spectacular solo runs”, and he has outperformed Gittens across a number of key attacking metrics over the past year.

Average per 90

Jamie Gittens

Kenan Yildiz

Assists

0.10

0.21

Progressive passes

4.36

3.47

Shot-creating actions

4.36

2.04

As such, Yildiz could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, but it may take a huge offer to get a deal done, given that a £61m bid was knocked back during the summer, and the Turk is yet to prove himself over a long enough time period to justify paying that sort of fee.

Head coach says teams aren’t winning more at home because their new players are still getting used to home conditions after the mega auction

Shashank Kishore23-Apr-20253:40

How Jofra Archer got his groove back in IPL 2025

Mohammed Siraj. KL Rahul. Yuzvendra Chahal. One by one, ex-RCB players have returned to Bengaluru in IPL 2025 and played a part in beating their former team. Now, the spotlight is on Rahul Dravid.The first RCB captain, now guiding Rajasthan Royals from the dugout, returns home bearing the responsibility of turning around a faltering campaign. RR have won only two out of eight games and are on a four-match losing streak.”Do we have an RCB player from last time? Play him in the XI straightaway!” RR’s head coach Dravid said with a laugh on Wednesday, perhaps having momentarily forgotten that Wanindu Hasaranga and Shimron Hetmyer were once part of RCB. Hasaranga was their highest wicket-taker during their run to the playoffs in 2022.”No, not at all, man. I don’t think about it like that, to be very honest. Just trying to play a good game of cricket,” Dravid was quick to clarify. “We know we have to play well to be still alive in this tournament. I know we’ve lost a couple of close games coming into this, but we’ve played some good cricket as well. It’s one of those tournaments where a few balls going here or there and we might have been in a slightly different position, but you need to play well in those critical moments.”Related

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The hex of the exes – another old boy returns home to take RCB down

In the two close games that Dravid referenced, RR needed just nine runs to win in the final over with plenty of wickets in hand against both Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants. They lost the first via a Super Over and the second by two runs.The pitches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium have proved challenging for batters so far this season. RCB have made first-innings scores of 169 for 8, 163 for 7, and 95 for 9 in a 14-over game in their home games and lost every time.”You just have to go for it irrespective and that’s a given,” Dravid said when asked about how to approach batting on such surfaces. “But I think every surface will be different. The last one, I was just having a chat with the groundsman, it was under covers for a really long period of time, so it was probably not a good one to judge it on.”The wicket I’m seeing here, from at least what I can make of it, looks a really good wicket, so I can’t really say how those wickets looked in earlier games. But the track that’s been produced for this one looks actually to be a very good cricket wicket and I think it should be a pretty high-scoring game.”Like I said earlier, it’s a very important game for us. Every game from here on, the position we find ourselves in, we can’t afford to make many mistakes. We’ve got to start climbing that table quickly and we’ve got to start winning games quickly, there’s no options, no chances of slipping up anymore.”Dravid was asked his opinion on the trend of teams struggling to win at home in IPL 2025. Only Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians have won more than they have lost at home.”I’m not really sure what specific franchises might have wanted from their curators or from their pitches,” Dravid said. “But I think home advantage, generally, the teams are new as well, right? It’s the first year of a big auction cycle, so for a lot of the players, even though they may be your home players, they are playing for those teams or those grounds for the first time.”For example, at RCB, someone like a Phil Salt was at KKR and he’s coming here for the first time. Someone like Nitish Rana who was not with us and he’s playing for us this year, so for him, Jaipur is actually kind of a new ground in some ways.”So maybe sometimes, I think that when you just have a big auction and there’s a change of squad and a change of team, the home advantage may not be that significant. But maybe as you go later on into the cycle, maybe you might start seeing their significance a little bit more because then your players get to practise and play a little bit more on that compared to the opposition team.”

Argentina captain Lionel Messi provided two assists in the 6-0 win over Puerto Rico, reaching 60 total to surpass Neymar (58) and Landon Donovan (58) as the top assist-maker in men’s international football history. Messi is also just two assists away from 400 in his professional career. Argentina wrapped up their U.S. tour with another dominant performance in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Getty Images SportMessi still found ways to make history

Argentina’s opponent – Puerto Rico – posed little threat in Miami, and Messi found yet another way to make history. The Albiceleste captain didn’t score in the 6-0 victory at Chase Stadium but set up goals for Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez, both of whom finished with braces. Gonzalo Montiel and an own goal from Steven Echevarria completed the rout.

While Messi is arguably the greatest scorer in the sport's history, he's also a fantastic playmaker as evidenced by his career tally. His first assist for the national team came over 19 years ago during his World Cup debut in 2006. Argentina beat Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in that encounter. 

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'I like to score'

Mac Allister isn't known for his scoring, as Tuesday night's brace was his fifth and sixth goals scored for the national team after 41 caps. He revealed his teammates were ribbing him for potentially notching his first career hat trick against Puerto Rico.

 “The guys were joking at halftime, asking if I was going to score three goals. I’ve never done that, but I’m not desperate either,” said Mac Allister after the match. “I like to score, but what matters is helping the team win and keep building confidence.”

Getty Images Sport'It’s always special with this shirt'

Martínez, meanwhile, expressed his happiness after scoring again during the final stretch of preparation for the 2026 World Cup. 

“I’m happy to score; it’s always special with this shirt,” said the Inter striker. “A lot of young players made their debuts, we played well, and physically I feel great. I’m very happy with this moment.”

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next?

Messi will now rejoin Inter Miami as they prepare to visit Nashville SC this Saturday in MLS action.

Manchester United got themselves back on track with a vital three points in the Premier League this weekend and supporters will be intrigued to see that one of their targets has been unsettled after an approach from the Old Trafford club.

Manchester United look to build on win over Chelsea

Ruben Amorim has faced plenty of critics this term as his side look to put some troubling times behind them at Old Trafford, and he will feel vindicated in his decision to remain firm on his system after seeing off Chelsea last weekend.

Despite Casemiro’s dismissal and a late Trevoh Chalobah reply from the visitors, Manchester United are now only three points off the Premier League top four and have an encouraging run of matches to come where they will hope to pick up valuable results.

While Amorim’s side have come under the microscope after a mixed start to the season, the former Sporting boss admitted his side made it harder for themselves than it needed to be against Chelsea, though lauded his players after finding a way to come through proceedings.

He stated via BBC Sport: “Every win especially in this moment is important, against a great opponent. We started the game in the right way. Really aggressive. The red card helped us dominate the game but we were already there. We scored two goals and then we tried to complicate our game again. It’s always complicated with us. It should have been different this game.”

Face-to-face consultations between Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe paint their own story. However, it appears both parties are in this for the long haul, and the Red Devils will be aware of the danger that comes with regularly trading in managers before they have time to see through their project.

Above all, Manchester United remain an appealing environment for players due to their status as an elite football club, something reflected in recent comments surrounding one of their targets from an existing Premier League manager.

Fabian Hurzeler admits Carlos Baleba unsettled by Man Utd approach

Speaking to GOAL, Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler has admitted Carlos Baleba could be unsettled after Manchester United made a summer approach for the Cameroon international. In the end, the Red Devils couldn’t force a deal over the line, but the German boss has now issued a revealing response that indicates he has been influenced by the thought of a move to Old Trafford.

Better than Casemiro: Ten Hag sold "incredible" Man Utd star for just £9m

Manchester United must now regret offloading one talent given his rise away from Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 22, 2025

Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte remain to anchor the midfield alongside much debate as to Bruno Fernandes’ role, and there will be a sense of unfinished business in the market for Manchester United that they will hope to rectify in January.

Ultimately, the Red Devils need to deal with the options they have at their disposal for now, though it doesn’t seem like a move is off the table for Baleba further down the line.