Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana has hailed her team after they secured their first win over India in ODI cricket. After scoring 152 in a rain-hit game, Bangladesh rolled India over for 113 in Mirpur.Bangladesh and India face each other more frequently in T20I cricket, but since their first ODI against India in 2013, they had lost all five ODIs against them until Sunday. This was also Bangladesh’s first ODI win since they beat Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup in March 2022.”We are very happy winning an ODI after a long time,” Nigar said. “It is a huge achievement for the team. It will help us play much better in the future. We have defeated India after a long time. Plus, it happened in Mirpur. It is definitely part of history. We want to create a little more history.”Marufa Akter had set up the victory by removing both Smriti Mandhana and Priya Puniya in the powerplay. Marufa went onto dismiss Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana as well.Related

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• Nigar pushes Bangladesh to believe they can beat big teams

“We wanted to take early wickets,” Nigar said. “They are dependent on their batting department. The coach told us that we should look for wickets in the Powerplay. It will keep them under pressure. Smriti [Mandhana] and Harmanpreet [Kaur] are their key batters. When we got them out, the rest of their batters couldn’t quite do the job. But I think we could have bowled better to bowl them out for a cheaper score.”Marufa bowls well with the new ball and later in the middle overs. She doesn’t think about her bowling too much. She wants to bowl to the team’s requirement. She backs her own strength. It helps us. Batters have struggled against her natural inswing with the new ball.”Nigar said that she brought Marufa back into the attack in the 29th over when coach Hashan Tillakaratne sent her a message for the bowling change. Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur had added 30 runs for the sixth wicket after the visitors were reduced to 61 for 5. Marufa responded by dismissing both Amanjot and No. 8 Rana off successive deliveries.Tillakaratne noted that the spinners couldn’t break the partnership, so he wanted to shake things up by bringing back Marufa. “She is one of the top bowlers in the world right now,” he said. “Also the batters were handling the spinners very well, so we want to break the momentum. That’s one of the reasons we wanted to bowl Marufa.”Tillakaratne, however, wasn’t pleased with Bangladesh’s total and called for a better performance from his batting line-up. “We were looking at least a 200-plus score because the wicket was keeping low,” he said. “There’s no demons on the wicket. The wicket played really well. Unfortunately, our batters faltered and were short by 50-60 runs.”I think there are a few loose ends that we need to tighten up before the second one. So, we’ll have a discussion tomorrow, and we’ll come back strongly for the second and third one.”Nigar, meanwhile, urged her team to hold off any big celebrations and focus on achieving more in this series. “The girls were quite excited but I told them our job isn’t done yet,” she said. “Doing well raises our responsibilities. There are more expectations on us now.”We know that if we continue to play better cricket, we will take another step towards a bigger achievement. So I have kept them calmed down from a big celebration.”

تحدث محمد فتحي نائب رئيس مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة، ومدير البطولة العربية لكرة السلة للسيدات، عن تنظيم مصر للبطولة المقامة خلال الفترة من 1 إلى 8 يوليو الجاري على صالة 3 بستاد القاهرة الدولي.

وتختتم منافسات البطولة اليوم الثلاثاء حيث ستقام مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع، بين الأردن والجزائر في الساعة الخامسة مساءً، ثم تقام المباراة النهائية بين مصر وتونس في الساعة السابعة مساءً.

وقال فتحي في تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي للاتحاد المصري للسلة: “جميع الوفود المشاركة في البطولة تشيد بالتنظيم، من حيث الإقامة والانتقالات والملاعب، الدول الـ4 المشاركة تعتبر من أفضل الدول العربية في كرة السلة، ومستوياتهم جيدة ومتقاربة للغاية”.

وأكمل: “كل دولة من الدول المشاركة لها هدف، حيث يستهدف كل من الجزائر وتونس المشاركة، أما الأردن ومصر هدفهما المشاركة والاستعداد للبطولة الآسيوية والإفريقية المؤهلة لكأس العالم”.

وأردف: “المنتخب المصري شهد تغييرات جذرية بداية من المدير الفني، حيث استعان الاتحاد المصري بالإسباني مارتينيز الذي يملك سيرة ذاتية مميزة وعمل عدة تغييرات في قائمة المنتخب، وهناك محاولات لعودة اللاعبات المحترفات في دوري الجامعات الأمريكي”.

طالع | الزمالك يفاوض لاعبًا من الدوري الأمريكي لتدعيم فريق السلة

وأضاف: “شكل منتخب مصر أصبح أفضل ونأمل في أن يقدموا المرجو منهم في بطولة الأفروباسكت وفي كل البطولات المقبلة، والبطولة العربية تعد خير استعداد وتجربة، للقياس عليها ماذا يستطيع أن يقدم المنتخب في إفريقيا”.

وأشار: “مشاركة 4 منتخبات في البطولة لا يعد رقمًا قليلًا مقارنة بالمستويات، حيث تعد الـ4 فرق، أقوى 4 منتخبات عربية، منتخب لبنان كان سيشارك في البطولة ولكن ظروف المنطقة حالت دون مشاركته في البطولة”.

وأوضح: “اختيار مدير فني أجنبي لـ منتخب مصر السيدات يعد أمرًا جديدًا، ويحاول الاتحاد توفير طلباته، والاتحاد طلب منه أن التركيز على الفئة العمرية الصغيرة، وبالنظر نجد أن أعمار لاعبات المنتخب حاليًا صغيرة، وبالطبع هناك عناصر خبرة ولكن اللاعبات صغار السن هن مستقبل كرة السلة في مصر”.

وأتم: “مارتينيز تعامل بجرأة وقام بإشراك اللاعبات الصغار واعتمد عليهن، كما طلب عدم التدخل في الشؤون الفنية الخاصة بالمنتخب، وهو ما يقوم به الاتحاد ولكن كل هذه الأمور تحت إشراف ومتابعة وتنسيق الاتحاد المصري”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Vitor Roque já é considerado uma realidade no futebol brasileiro apesar de ainda ter apenas 17 anos. O atacante do Athletico-PR vem sendo fundamental na campanha da equipe na Copa Libertadores 2022 e já é olhado como uma joia a ser lapidada para a Seleção.

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Com a assistência no gol de Alex Santana, que deu a vantagem no confronto contra o Palmeiras no jogo de ida das semifinais da Libertadores, o camisa 27 comentou sobre como a equipe do Furacão vai para a volta, em jogo a ser realizado no Allianz Parque.

– Um resultado importante, sempre bom ter uma vantagem, mas não tem nada decidido. Tem mais 90 minutos em São Paulo, sabemos a dificuldade que será, contra uma grande equipe, mas confiamos no nosso potencial e vamos nos preparar para sairmos com a classificação – falou o atacante sobre as chances de chegar à final.

A jogada do gol athleticano nasceu após falha do zagueiro Murilo, contou com a luta de Vitor para dominar a bola dentro da área e ajeitar para Alex Santana estufar o gol defendido por Weverton.

Além disso, o jovem atacante gostou da postura dos companheiros dentro de campo, principalmente após a expulsão de Hugo Moura aos 25 minutos do segundo tempo, demonstrando toda a vontade dos jogadores do Furacão em disputar a segunda final da história do clube, sendo a primeira em 2005, contra o São Paulo.

– Foi uma disputa na área, pude fazer bem o domínio e o Alex Santana teve toda a qualidade para fazer o gol. Mas é destacar o coletivo, toda a garra que demonstramos. Jogamos por um período com um a menos e o time todo correu sem parar, se esforçou e conseguimos o resultado de forma merecida

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been told that he must bring something "unique" to the England team by Thomas Tuchel, or risk being left out consistently.

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Alexander-Arnold barely featured in last int'l breakUnused sub against SenegalTuchel tells him to raise his levelFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Alexander-Arnold played just 26 minutes in the last international break as England beat Andorra and lost to Senegal. Now, while Tuchel has explained that he was left out of the starting XI partly due to the ongoing stress of his move to Real Madrid, he has warned that the right-back must raise his level and consistently bring something "unique" to the team if he wants to be selected on a regular basis.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Alexander-Arnold has somewhat struggled to nail down a consistent England place, and has only won 34 caps since making his debut in 2018. He has represented the Three Lions at three major tournaments – the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and Euro 2024, having missed out on Euro 2020 through injury – but was limited to just six appearances across them, and he was an unused substitute in the Euro 2024 final against Spain.

WHAT TUCHEL SAID

Tuchel told , when asked if he could drop the right-back: "That would be a hard choice, then it depends completely on us. If we have a similar structure and similar players, because we desperately want to have him in the team. He gives us something unique and can make connections with teammates and boost chemistry, then we will try to use him.

"If he gives us something unique, then we will make sure that he has his place – But that applies to any player. If not, then we will always value the team more than individual quality.

"In the end, at international level, it's so important that we arrive with the right team and that everyone in the team knows before, first that we have to quality. [And] that everyone knows their role, why he is there, and what they have to give to the group and from there we go."

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England have a break before their next fixtures, against Andorra and Serbia, in September. Alexander-Arnold will play for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup in the meantime.

Ireland international Harry Tector adds quick-fire 86 to compound Derbyshire’s woes

ECB Reporters Network01-Aug-2023

In-form Ollie Price registered his maiden List-A hundred to steer Gloucestershire to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Derbyshire in their opening Metro Bank One-Day Cup fixture at the Cheltenham Festival.Price carved out an authoritative 116 not out and shared in stands of 142 with debutant Harry Tector and 108 with Jack Taylor for the third and fifth wickets respectively as Gloucestershire chased down a target of 299 with 6.4 overs in hand.Signed for just one game, 23-year-old Ireland international Tector made the most of his only opportunity to impress a substantial Festival audience, scoring a startling 86 from 69 balls, while Taylor finished unbeaten on 51.Pakistan batter Haider Ali had earlier top-scored with 82 and opener Luis Reece hit 50 as Derbyshire posted 298 for 9 after losing the toss, Paul van Meekeren claiming 4 for 66 and Zaman Akhter 3 for 56 to enable Gloucestershire to keep a lid on things.Required to score at 5.98 an over, Gloucestershire made a poor start to their reply, Sam Connors sweeping up openers Ben Charlesworth and Chris Dent in the space of four deliveries from the College Lawn End to reduce the home side to 16 for 2 in the third over.Fresh from representing Ireland against Scotland in a T20 international in Edinburgh three days earlier, Tector took a challenging situation firmly in his stride, scoring at a run-a-ball from the outset to set a defiant tone.Taking advantage of a short boundary at the famous old College Ground, the Dubliner produced an innings of controlled aggression to raise 50 from 52 balls before tucking into Mark Watt’s slow left arm as he pressed on the accelerator.He and Price staged a 100 partnership in 92 balls and, by the time his electrifying innings was terminated by David Lloyd, who had him held at mid-on in the 23rd over, Tector had plundered eight fours and four sixes and given Gloucestershire the upper hand.With a further 141 required at 5.2 an over, Price took it upon himself to see the job through, going to his hundred from 101 balls, a landmark that elicited a standing ovation from all who witnessed it. James Bracey was bowled by Alex Thomson for 23, but Taylor remained at large for long enough to raise a 45-ball 50 and confirm his return to form.These two were still there at the end, Price having faced 115 deliveries and amassed 13 fours to continue his outstanding run of form at the College Ground.Put in to bat, Derbyshire were afforded a super-charged start by openers Reece and Harry Came, who mustered a blaze of boundaries in posting a progressive stand of 71 in 11.1 overs. Josh Shaw and Ajeet Singh Dale proved expensive with the new ball, the visitors rushing to 50 from 51 balls.Severe on anything short or wide, the openers helped themselves to 12 fours and a six, scoring 54 runs in boundaries to take the wind out of Gloucestershire sails. With runs coming too easily, the home side introduced slow left armer Zafar Gohar and experienced paceman van Meekeren in an attempt to apply the brakes.Came had raised 40 from 32 balls and had his eyes trained firmly on a half century when he was bowled by van Meekeren, who then made good the breakthrough by persuading Lloyd to chip to mid-wicket in an incisive five-over spell of 2 got 28.Reece mustered further belligerence in scoring 50 from 58 balls, with eight fours and a six, only to pull Zafar to deep backward square as the Pakistani produced a wicket maiden to reduce the visitors to 101-3 in the nineteenth over.Required to rebuild the innings, Haider and Brooke Guest advanced the score to 140 for 3 at the halfway stage, the 50 partnership occupying 53 balls. These two plundered 29 off three overs of off spin from Ollie Price to give their alliance momentum, Haider collecting a half-century in the process. Content to play a supporting role, Guest contributed a 48-ball 43 in a stand of 104 that served to put Derbyshire back on track.It was Derbyshire’s first hundred stand in any one-day match played at Cheltenham and Gloucestershire were sorely in need of relief by the time Guest pulled the returning van Meekeren to mid-wicket and Zaman Akhter removed Anuj Dal. But while Haider remained at large, anything still seemed possible for the East Midlands county.Having straight-driven and pulled Akhter for four and six in successive balls, the Pakistani international allowed complacency to creep in, chipping the same bowler to mid-wicket and departing for 80. He had faced 65 balls and accrued eight fours and three sixes and, with him, went Derbyshire’s best chance to posting a truly imposing total.Tom Wood struck 28 and Watt 22 not out as the final 10 overs yielded 69 runs, but there was a feeling that the visitors could and should have done better. For their part, Gloucestershire were indebted to van Meekeren and Zafar, who returned figures of 4 for 66 and 1 for 30 respectively, the latter sending down a remarkable 40 dot balls in his 10 overs.

Leeds United are now expecting to complete the transfer of an “excellent” player on a long-term deal at the end of the season, according to a new report.

Leeds eyeing new defender and midfielder this summer

The Whites still have work to do to become a Premier League team, but given how the campaign has gone for them so far, it still looks more likely than not they will be promoted. If that does happen, it is expected to be a busy summer for the Yorkshire side, as the 49ers look to back manager Daniel Farke and make sure they have the best chance of remaining in the top flight.

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Kelan Sarson

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Leeds could be in the market for a new defender, and according to Give Me Sport’s Ben Jacobs, the Whites are keen on signing Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach. Elvedi has been on Leeds’ radar for a while now, with the Championship leaders looking into a deal during January, but the player wasn’t keen on a move to the Championship. However, Elvedi would be willing to move to Elland Road, as long as they are in the Premier League.

As well as looking at signing a new centre-back, Farke also wants to improve his midfield options, and it’s been reported that Leeds are looking to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City. The midfielder is set to be available for a transfer this summer after his loan stint at Ipswich Town, and the Whites are now keen on reuniting with their former player, but a loan deal looks more likely given his hefty wages.

Leeds expect to complete signing of "excellent" £15m forward

But as well as looking at new recruits for next season, Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Leeds are now expected to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent basis this summer.

The Whites signed Solomon on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, and he has performed so well that he has become a key player for Farke in Leeds’ attack. Bailey has now revealed that Solomon is expected to leave Spurs at the end of the season, and the Whites are keen to get a permanent deal completed.

“I don’t believe Ange Postecoglou’s future will matter when it comes to Solomon; he will be allowed to leave. Leeds are keen to do it and firmly believe he will go,” Bailey told LeedsUnited.News.

The 25-year-old, who has seven goals in 31 Championship games this season, is likely to cost Leeds between £10-15 million this summer.

The Israel international has only played a handful of games in the Premier League, but he’s already received huge plaudits from none other than Man City captain Kevin De Bruyne, who called Solomon an “excellent player”.

“I know Manor Solomon from the Premier League. From Fulham, Tottenham, and now he has moved to Leeds. He has the qualities to play at this level. He is an excellent player.”

Imam’s unbeaten 50 steers visitors in a slightly tense and cloudy morning in Galle

Madushka Balasuriya20-Jul-2023It took a little over an hour for Pakistan to wrap things up, as they hunted down the remaining 83 runs in very un-Pakistan fashion – without fuss and little drama. Sure they lost three wickets, but from the very first ball – which was pulled for four – that they’d get there in the end was in little to no doubt. The result means Pakistan take a 1-0 lead against Sri Lanka in this two-match series, and get them off to the ideal start in this new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. It also gives them a first Test win in exactly a year – the last also coming in Galle.Imam-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 50 with Agha Salman for company when the winning runs – a sumptuous loft over long-off for six – were scored. Prabath Jayasuriya ended with figures of 4 for 56 to increase his ever-growing collection of scalps at Galle, but that will be scant consolation for the hosts.And while those of a Pakistani persuasion might have had doubts gnawing away in the back of their minds over a potential collapse, or a snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory performance by the visitors this morning, this was a result that might force a rethink.Related

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On the surface, a four-wicket win when hunting down 131 might point towards some jitters, but this was oddly enough a chase that seemed in control despite those losses.The first delivery of the day in fact provided a microcosm of how both these sides managed their respective briefs throughout this Test, as the sometimes-erratic Ramesh Mendis dragged one short for Babar Azam to put away easily to the boundary behind square leg; Pakistan needed quick runs, Sri Lanka needed to keep things tight, only one side followed the script.This boundary was followed by another later in the over, with the first five overs of the day eventually being plundered for 30 runs. Both Babar and Imam showed uncharacteristic intent during this period, using their feet to the spinners, while the Pakistan captain even gave the sweep a rare outing.When he fell, trapped leg before by Jayasuriya, some of those watching on, familiar with Pakistan’s history, might have been forgiven for bracing for a potential scare. After all, back in 2009, Pakistan had folded alarmingly fast when chasing a similarly paltry total at the very same ground. But this is a new Pakistan – or at least they’re trying to be.They had assured prior to the day’s play that they would play attacking cricket, and so they did, Imam pumping one handsomely over long-off the very next over after Babar’s fall, and Saud Shakeel – the first innings hero – also slashing one behind point.And as the deficit reduced, their intensity only increased. With a little over 20 runs left, Shakeel took Sri Lanka’s best bowler for a pair of boundaries on either side of the wicket. At this point, Shakeel’s average had risen above 100, but he settled for a little less in the end, nicking one through off Mendis before the innings was done.Sarfaraz was the last to fall, top-edging a sweep to deep square leg with just four left to get, but Agha rammed home the point, smoking one long and straight first ball to wrap up the game.As for how long this positive-Pete version of Pakistan carries on remains to be seen, but for the time being, it’s certainly something to be celebrated. Sri Lanka, for their part, have four days to recalibrate on how to combat this new beast and gather themselves for round two in Colombo.

Everton manager David Moyes is believed to be a “driving force” behind a potential move for an “unbelievable” player in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Moyes eyeing new signings for Everton

Once this season reaches its conclusion at Goodison Park, it will be the end of an era, as the Toffees move to their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium. Not only that, but there will be optimism about new signings coming in and taking Moyes’ side up a gear.

One player who has been linked with a summer move to Everton is Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti, who could be an impressive addition. He has started 25 games in Serie A this season, proving that he has been a key man for one of the biggest sides in Europe.

Meanwhile, Emanuel Emegha has emerged as a potential replacement for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the summer window, having netted 11 times in 21 league appearances for Strasbourg in 2024/25 to date. It remains to be seen if the latter will stay put or not, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he departed.

Another attacker, Besiktas ace Semih Kilicsoy, has also been backed to seal a move to Everton before the beginning of next season, with the four-cap Turkey international a 19-year-old with a potentially big future in the game.

Everton pushing to sign "unbelievable" player

According to Football Insider, Everton are continuing to push to sign West Brom winger Tom Fellows, with Moyes said to be a “driving force” behind it.

The Toffees boss wants to strengthen his squad in wide attacking areas ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and he sees the Englishman as a strong choice to bring in.

At this point, Fellows feels like a big target for Everton, having been tracked during the January transfer window, only for the Baggies to hold firm. But with Everton all but securing a fee, they appear to be in a position to succeed at the second time of asking in the summer under Moyes.

The 21-year-old is enjoying an excellent season for West Brom, with no player registering more than his tally of 11 assists in the Championship. Meanwhile, Karlan Grant has heaped praise on him, saying:

“He’s an unbelievable young player. As soon as he does that step-over, I know the ball’s going to be arriving at the back stick and there’s going to be chances.”

There may be some who are apprehensive about Everton spending a lot of money on a Championship player – a £10m price tag has reportedly been slapped on him in the recent past – but Fellows is such an exciting player who could have a big future in the game.

Stronger than Branthwaite: Everton now eyeing move to sign Serie A "hero"

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At just 21 years of age, he is already impressing on a consistent basis in a famously taxing league, not just holding his own, but standing out as one of the most creative players this season. If Moyes desperately wants him, he has to be trusted.

The German needs to find solutions – and fast – if England are to meet their supporters expectations and mount a serious challenge in North America

It's getting serious now. We're exactly one year away from the start of the 2026 World Cup and, for Thomas Tuchel, time is fast running out to construct an England squad that he feels is capable of flying out to North America and bringing the trophy home. By his own admission, and the length of his contract, that's the target, but judging by the last international camp of the 2024-25 season, the Three Lions are a million miles off being capable of navigating that final step and getting over the line at a major tournament.

If Andorra was bad, Senegal was worse. After delivering so many high points and memorable moments during the Gareth Southgate era, you could forgive England for a wobble in a World Cup qualifier that they ultimately won. What followed a few days later, though, and after a proper public dressing down from their manager too, was unacceptable. Friendly or not, Tuesday's disastrous showing at the City Ground shows just how much work needs to be done to put things right.

Hopefully the first defeat of the Tuchel era is the sobering wake-up call and reality check that the players need. Talked up, and rightly so, as one of the favourites to win the World Cup after reaching another Euros final, England have regressed, and significantly. Make no mistake about it, play anything like they have over the last two matches and the Three Lions will be lucky to make it through the group stages.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from England's final camp of the 2024-25 campaign…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WINNER: Harry Kane

  On more than one occasion at Euro 2024, during another unsuccessful quest to finally win a first men's international trophy since 1966, the finger of blame was pointed squarely at Harry Kane. He dropped too deep they said, he'd lost his sharpness they said. Some went as far as saying he was finished, and that it was time for change and to give someone else a go.

  The candidates to step in remain plentiful, but Kane's proved yet again during this international break that he really isn't the problem. Another incredible season at club level that saw him finally end his trophy curse provided further evidence that, in their record goal-scorer, England still possess one of the most lethal finishers in the business.

  Granted, he wasn't at his devastating best against either Andorra or Senegal, but the service was severely lacking, to put it mildly. And yet, even feeding off scraps in the second game especially, Kane still managed to score his 72nd and 73rd goals for his country, becoming the first player in England history to score in four games in a row for a new manager. Kane is Tuchel's Mr. Reliable and he remains one of the first names on the teamsheet. One thing he's not is the problem.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  LOSER: Kyle Walker

  If Kyle Walker was clinging onto his international career beforehand, it's surely slipped from his grasp now. It would be wholly unfair to rip Walker to shreds, given the service he's given England over his 96 caps, and, at the peak of his powers, there was no better right-back in European football – and certainly not one who could rival his breakneck recovery speed that became something of a comfort blanket for England fans and all the managers he's worked under.

  That legendary pace, though, just isn't there anymore at the age of 35, and Walker's dire performance against Senegal should be the straw that broke the camel's back. Switching off like he did for Ismaila Sarr's equaliser, as he failed to sense the obvious danger as Nicolas Jackson prepared to send over the cross, was simply inexcusable.

  Tuchel jumped to the defence of the Manchester City defender in his post-match press conference, as he well might, but he'll be asking for big trouble if Walker remains in his starting XI come the World Cup. Take your pick between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James – and don't rule out Tino Livramento – for the right-back berth, but Walker must now be out of the running.

• AFP
  

  WINNER: Jack Grealish & Phil Foden

  Rewind only a year or so ago and the thought of BOTH Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, free of any injury issues, being left out of an England squad would've been unimaginable. Pie in the sky. Surely just a printing error. But when Tuchel named his 26-man travelling party for the games against Andorra and Senegal that was the reality – the Manchester City duo were nowhere to be seen, two of the more glaring omissions that also included another Southgate regular in Harry Maguire.

  Given the disappointment of City's season, and the lack of meaningful contributions from the aforementioned, it must be said that fans weren't rushing to the German's door with torches and pitchforks. Based on form alone, there were simply more favourable options.

  The drab showings in both matches have at least opened the door to Grealish and Foden winning back their places, not only in the squad but perhaps even the starting XI – of which there's surely now only a handful of guaranteed picks. For Grealish, let's be honest, he urgently needs to escape his current situation at City and ensure he's playing far more regularly over the next 12 months. Foden's position at the Etihad is far less terminal, but he won't need to be told that standards must improve. The challenge is on.

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  LOSER: Ivan Toney

  As the second half ticked on against Senegal, the cameras kept panning to Ivan Toney, sat emotionless on the England bench. It was obvious why he was becoming the focus – the Three Lions were toiling in a home fixture against a nation ranked 15 places below them in the FIFA rankings and yet, repeatedly, Tuchel turned to other options.

  Despite replacing Kane with 59 minutes gone, Al-Ahli striker Toney was overlooked, with Morgan Rogers becoming the most advanced player in a desperate and disjointed system despite the ex-Brentford man being the obvious like-for-like replacement. The 29-year-old was eventually brought on for Myles Lewis-Skelly with with a couple of minutes remaining; it was far too late.

  It begs the question 'why'? Why call up Toney, who was an unused sub in Barcelona in game number one of the camp, if there was no real plan to use him, especially when the game was crying out for someone of his abilities.

  The forward's prospects in an England shirt really don't look great. With Kane being Tuchel's undisputed leader of the attack, and the likes of Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins likely ahead of him in the pecking order – plus the expectation that Chelsea's new signing Liam Delap will soon come into the picture – there's even a possibility that's the last we'll see of Toney in a Three Lions shirt.

Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada has revealed that Simon Inzaghi had agreed to join the club before the Champions League final.

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• Inzaghi agreed to join before Champions League final
• Al-Hilal sacked Jorge Jesus after disappointing season
• Coach's first assignment comes against Real Madrid

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In an interview with , the Al-Hilal chief executive stated that the club were in contact with Inzaghi before the Champions League final, and the manager had verbally agreed to join them. However, he wanted to focus on the final and requested the Saudi Pro League side to wait until that game was over, and signed only after the conclusion of the mega-fixture where Inter lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Al-Hilal, who finished eight points behind the current champions of Saudi Pro League Al-Ittihad, roped in Inzaghi as their new manager after Inter’s 5-0 humbling in the final. Calzada has brought it to daylight that contact was established way before. On 27 April, Al-Hilal lost against compatriots Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals, losing out on potential trophy in the first edition of the newly structured competition by the Asian Football Confederation. Soon after, the most successful side in AFC Champions League sacked Jorge Jesus and finally in June announced Inzaghi as their new boss.

• WHAT CALZADA SAID

  Calzada said: “It might look like it's something that came quickly, but it's the result of hard work. He was playing a massive match and asked (us) to keep things aside until after the final, it was decided but not signed before the final, just because out of respect he asked us to wait, which is certainly fair enough.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AL-HILAL?

  Al-Hilal will face Real Madrid in their first Club World Cup game on 18 June at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.