Wolvaardt and Beaumont’s fifties paved the way for a tense finish
AAP25-Nov-2025South African powerhouse Laura Wolvaardt smacked a half-century in Adelaide Strikers’ tense six-wicket WBBL win over battling Brisbane Heat. After Heat posted 169 for 5, Strikers nudged two a leg bye from the final ball in a thriller at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval.Wolvaardt set an ominous early tone with 51 from 33 balls in a decisive Tuesday night knock, while Bridget Patterson (32* from 22) played a cool hand in the frenetic finale. The Strikers required 31 from the last three overs, an equation reduced to seven from Nadine de Klerk’s final over. With scores tied on the last ball, Patterson tried a leg-side flick, the ball hitting her pads and running to a vacant fine leg.Heat remain winless from six games while Adelaide logged a second win of the campaign.Chasing the tricky total, Wolvaardt and opening partner Tammy Beaumont (51 from 33 deliveries) made early inroads. The pair put on 92 before Wolvaardt fell in the 10th over. She’d struck 10 fours and was caught on the midwicket fence attempting another from the left-arm spin of Jonassen (1-36). Tahlia McGrath (16 from 17) chimed in before Patterson’s final flurry lifted the Strikers to victory.Earlier, the Heat’s innings was powered by Lauren Winfield-Hill (47 from 36 balls), Georgia Redmayne (36* from 20) and Jess Jonassen (37 from 35). Winfield-Hill lost her opening partner Charlie Knott (11 from 14 balls) in the sixth over but attacked Adelaide’s bowlers. She struck a six, and six fours, and was on the cusp of a half-century when she missed a reverse swat and was out lbw to the spin of Jemma Barsby (1-13).Winfield-Hill’s exit left the Heat 87 for 2 after 11 overs and Jonassen continued the momentum until a late flourish. Redmayne and de Klerk (25 from nine balls) produced cameos against a Strikers attack led by legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington (2-31) and Sophie Ecclestone (2-36).
Both teams will hope for better batting support for overburdened talismans Athapaththu and Amin
Andrew Fidel Fernando23-Oct-20252:12
SL vs Pak preview: Chamari Athapaththu’s swansong?
Big picture: Pakistan, SL aim to finish stronglyBoth Pakistan and Sri Lanka are out of contention for the semis. Pakistan were out already, following their big loss to South Africa on Tuesday. Sri Lanka’s exit was confirmed after India beat New Zealand on Thursday.This is both Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s opportunity to finish a campaign strongly. Pakistan are winless as yet in this competition, though rain denied them a near-certain victory over England. Sri Lanka batted poorly in the match against Bangladesh, but were bailed out by their captain in the final over. They will, if nothing else, want to put a stronger stamp on this tournament, which they have essentially co-hosted.The problem areas for both teams overlap. Pakistan are over-reliant on Sidra Amin with the bat, and have tended to crumble around her. Sri Lanka are not quite as reliant on Chamari Athapaththu as they used to be, but they are yet to put in a dominant batting performance so far. Hasini Perera hit her first international fifty against Bangladesh, but the likes of Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari will have hoped to have had better tournaments.Form guideSri Lanka WLLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first) Pakistan LLLLWIn the spotlight: Chamari Athapaththu and Sidra AminChamari Athapaththu will be 36 in February. Unless stars align in extremely fortuitous fashion, Sri Lanka will play their last match of this World Cup on Friday. There is always the chance that Athapaththu will play the next ODI World Cup as well, at age 39. There are certainly no signs that she is slowing down. But realistically, this could be her final ODI World Cup game. She is without a doubt the first woman in Sri Lanka’s cricketing pantheon. If this is her last major game in this format, she deserves a strong finish.Can Sidra Amin finish her World Cup with another strong display?•AFP/Getty Images
Just as an illustration of how far back Pakistan’s batting is from the world leaders, consider this. Alyssa Healy, the top runscorer for this tournament, has hit 294 runs in four innings. Pakistan’s top run-scorer Sidra Amin has hit 138 runs in five innings. Amin and Pakistan have had consistently challenging conditions in Colombo to deal with, of course, but still, there is both a fragility and a stodginess to this top order, which prevents them from even competing in many matches. If they are to impose themselves on the next World Cup, Pakistan need to develop more batters like Amin.Team newsPakistan might search for ways to strengthen their batting order. Could Eyman Fatima or Sadaf Shamas make it back into the XI as they search for better combinations?Pakistan (possible): 1 Omaima Sohail, 2 Muneeba Ali, 3 Sidra Amin, 4 Aliya Riaz, 5 Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), 7 Fatima Sana (capt), 8 Eyman Fatima/Rameen Shamim, 9 Diana Baig, 10 Nashra Sandhu, 10 Sadia Iqbal.Sri Lanka will likely keep their XI from the win over Bangladesh. Seamer Malki Madara was economical in that match, and will likely keep her spot.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Vishmi Gunaratne, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 3 Hasini Perera, 4 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 5 Kavisha Dilhari, 6 Nilakshika Silva, 7 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 8 Sugandika Kumari, 9 Malki Madara, 10, Inoka Ranaweera, 11 Udeshika Prabodhani.Pitch and conditions: Can the rain stop, please?The northeast monsoon shows no signs of easing in Colombo. Expect there to be swing and seam, owing to the rain around. There will also likely be significant turn, so long as the balls aren’t too wet. This is all presuming the rain will allow any cricket to be played at all.Stats and trivia In 19 World Cup innings, Athapaththu averages 37.61 – just slightly better than her overall stats. Her World Cup bowling average of 30.00 is substantially better than her overall average of 40.12.Sidra Amin tops Pakistan’s run-scorers’ chart this year, with 656 ODI runs at 59.63. Their next-highest run-getter, Muneeba Ali, has hit 402 at 30.92. In 33 ODIs between the two sides, Pakistan have won 11 and Sri Lanka 22. Quotes”We’ve seen how the games have tended to go here. There’s been help for the pacers as well. We’ve studied the wicket carefully and are preparing to adjust our game according to the conditions. There’s quite a bit of swing for the fast bowlers, and for the spinners, there’s also good turn.” Sri Lanka batter Harshitha Samarawickrama on conditions at Khettarama at the moment“I’ve learned quite a lot. This was a huge event – the World Cup – and unfortunately, we couldn’t perform as well as we wanted to. But there’s so much we’ve learned from it, and we’ll go back home and work hard on those areas. It’s been quite difficult because many of our matches were affected by rain.” Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal on Pakistan’s takeaways from a rainy Colombo campaign
Ireland star Troy Parrott opens up on his sensational hat-trick against Hungary, which kept his nation's World Cup dreams alive. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker scored thrice in the qualifying match, including a dramatic late winner as Ireland came back from behind twice to beat Hungary 3-2 and book their berth in the qualifying play-offs.
Hungary's dream shattered as Ireland reached play-offs
Hungary captain and Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai was visibly distraught at full time as they gave up on their lead twice in their final qualifying game against Ireland during the weekend and lost the clash 3-2 to see their World Cup dreams shattered. Daniel Lukacs handed Hungary a third-minute lead before Parrott scored an equaliser 12 minutes later. Barnabas Varga then restored the hosts' lead in the 37th minute as they headed into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Parrott, however, had a different plan as he once again equalised in the 80th minute before scoring a last-gasp winner. With three points, Ireland finished second in their group behind Portugal and progressed to the qualifying play-offs, which will be played in March.
Advertisement
AFP
Parrott reacts to incredible hat-trick
After the sensational performance in the World Cup qualifying match, Parrott told RTE: "I'm really, really emotional. They're tears of joy. Ah, what a night, what a night. This is why we love football, because things like this can happen. Look, I love where I'm from, so this means the world to me. My family is here.
"It's the first time I've cried in years as well, I really, really can't believe it. Everyone is crying. I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but this tonight, I don't think I'll ever have a better night in my whole life. That is really a fairy tale. You can't even dream about something like that. Honestly, I have no words to describe my emotions right now."
He added: "I think everyone wrote us off at the start of the group, and I couldn't have said it enough. There's always a chance and we've taken the chance. I think everyone should be proud of the group of players that are over there. To go down in the game twice and then to come back like that is beautiful."
Parrott told he is better than Lionel Messi
Republic of Ireland fans were understandably on cloud nine after Parrott inspired a sensational comeback against Hungary. Fans were jubilant to see their World Cup hopes kept alive by the AZ Alkmaar forward as they hailed him as the best player in the world and a better player than Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
After the game, Parrott had reacted to the victory as he told reporters: "I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but I think tonight, I will never have a better night in my whole life. It is a fairytale. You can't even dream about something like that. I have no words to describe the emotions right now."
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson, on the other hand, told RTE: "We seemed to be nervous at the beginning, struggling with movements and defending too late and not aggressive enough. We put in everything and threw in three strikers in the end. The guys deserved what happened and congratulations to the Irish nation for having the guys."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images Sport
Who will be Ireland's opponents in play-offs?
After the dream night in Budapest, Ireland will now wait to determine their opponents in the World Cup play-offs, which will be played in March. The play-offs will feature 12 runners-up from the UEFA section of qualification, along with the four best-placed UEFA Nations League group winners who failed to finish in the top two of their respective groups. The draw to determine play-off paths will take place at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on November 20.
Joshua Zirkzee has been urged by legendary fellow Dutchman Ruud Gullit to leave Manchester United. The Netherlands international made his way to Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, with the Red Devils crying out for attacking inspiration. He has struggled for form in England and been told “everyone that leaves” United “ends up playing well”.
Supposed Man Utd flops have flourished elsewhere
That has been the case for several supposedly underperforming forwards at the so-called Theatre of Dreams. Marcus Rashford slipped out of favour under Ruben Amorim, only to rediscover his spark during a loan spell at Aston Villa and ultimately secure himself a move to Barcelona that has allowed further England recognition to be enjoyed.
Brazilian winger Antony has quickly become a fan favourite at La Liga side Real Betis, after being branded an £85 million ($112m) flop in Manchester, while Scott McTominay is a Serie A title-winning hero at Napoli and now has Rasmus Hojlund scoring goals alongside him in Italy.
AdvertisementGettyWhy Zirkzee should push for a move away from Man Utd
Alejandro Garnacho has also impressed of late after making a switch to Chelsea, and it could be that Zirkzee makes his own push for the exits in the January transfer window. The former Bologna star has seen a return to the Italian top-flight mooted – with Roma and AC Milan said to be among his suitors.
Gullit believes that the 24-year-old should make a fresh start outside of Manchester, telling : “Everybody that leaves Man United ends up playing well. The problem there maybe is actually United. I should advise Zirkzee to go somewhere else and play more. Go back to Italy if you can on loan or whatever. Just play football. He's a good player. But at the moment, it's difficult at Man United. They found a little form in the past couple of weeks and I hope for Man United that they continue that. Because a good Man United is good for the Premier League as well.”
Can the Netherlands win the 2026 World Cup?
Zirkzee – who registered just seven goals for United last season and is yet to start a Premier League fixture this term – needs regular game time if he is to earn a place in Ronald Koeman’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Quizzed on how the Netherlands could fare at that tournament, 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Gullit said: “We have a very good squad and I have a good feeling about the players. But they concede a lot of goals. We have so many good players. I just don’t know how it is possible that we concede so many easy goals? So we have to figure it out. I think Koeman is doing a great job, but you need a little bit of luck at some moment. I think they can win the World Cup.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportWhy Gullit will not return to management
Gullit will be watching that event from afar as he has no desire to get back into competitive football. He has previously spent time as manager of Chelsea, Newcastle, Feyenoord and MLS outfit the LA Galaxy, but has no plans to return to the dugout at 63 years of age.
The iconic Dutchman said, with the stresses of coaching being highlighted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to Manchester United: “I don't want to be a manager and I never wanted to be a manager. Then it worked out well, I never expected that. You can't enjoy yourself though. Look at these coaches. They're all bald, grey, grumpy. It's a horrible life. I remember Ole Solskjaer when he came to United, he was so happy. He came out afterwards looking like that thing from the Lord of the Rings, Gollum! Look how Jurgen Klopp looks now. He looks a lot happier.”
Klopp, who left Liverpool in 2024, and Solskjaer are both out of management at present. The latter severed ties with Turkish side Besiktas in August. Solskjaer has been cleared to catch more of United in action, with Zirkzee and Co having seen Ruben Amorim’s side come through a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign to sit seventh in the Premier League table.
The Los Angeles Dodgers closed out a five-game World Series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx, staging a dramatic comeback in Game 5 to clinch the franchise's eighth championship.
During a Monday appearance on Mookie Betts's podcast, manager Dave Roberts admitted that he's relieved the series didn't shift back to Los Angeles for a Game 6.
Elaborating, Roberts said that he was afraid of the pressure the Dodgers would face if tasked with having to avoid potentially blowing a 3–0 series lead. Roberts, who was part of the Boston Red Sox team that staged a 3–0 comeback in the ALCS against the Yankees in 2004, made it clear he was hoping to avoid ending up on the wrong side of history.
"When you're down 3–0, you're at the point where you have nothing to lose now… When you're down 3–0 everyone is expecting you to lose anyway. So now, that, for me, is freeing. And they played free, won Game 4. And I will tell you this now, publicly, I was so afraid to come back to Los Angeles for Game 6," said Roberts, when asked if he managed Game 5 with more urgency than usual.
"If we were to come back, the noise, the pressure becomes real. Because then, you're going to start potentially being part of history in the wrong way."
Roberts's urgency in Game 5 paid off, as a disastrous series of Yankees defensive miscues gave life to the Dodgers' comeback. They managed to secure the World Series win on the road, much to the relief of their manager.
Strap in, baseball fans. We have a whopping 17 games to watch and bet on today with two double-headers set to take place.
The Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals will face-off in an interleague double-header and the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox will also play against each other twice in an AL Central double-header.
That means we have a lot of games to get through in today's edition of Rounding the Bases. Let's dive into it.
Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Game 1 Prediction and PickPick: Cardinals -130
We've seen some significant regression from the Royals offense, ranking 29th in OPS over the past 30 days. Now is the time to sell some stock in Kansas City. The Cardinals have a slight pitching advantage with Andre Pallante (4.00 ERA) on the mound against Alec Marsh (4.57 ERA).
Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Game 2 Prediction and PickPick: Cardinals -156
You can go ahead and take what I wrote above and apply it to the second game of the double-header. This time, the Cardinals will be rolling with Sonny Gray, who has been fantastic this season with a 3.30 ERA.
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox Game 1 Prediction and PickPick: Twins -162
The Twins offense is on fire. They lead the Majors in OPS over the last 30 days at .906. The next best team is the Mets who sit at .814 over that time frame. Now is the time to bet on Minnesota and they should be in a great spot in their first game with Bailey Ober (4.12 ERA) on the mound.
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox Game 2 Prediction and PickPick: White Sox +152
Despite what I wrote about Game 1 above, I'm going to back the White Sox in Game 2. The Twins are even bigger favorites in the second game, but I like their chances a lot more in the first game. Therefore, there's some value on the White Sox. Pablo Lopez gets the start in the second game for the Twins and he's struggled at times this season with an 8-7 record and a 5.18 ERA. Chicago could be an interesting underdog pick in this game.
Chicago Cubs vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction and PickPick: Orioles -174
Shota Imanaga has all of a sudden found himself in a slump, allowing at least three earned runs in three straight games. Things won't get easier for him tonight when he takes on the best offense in baseball, the Orioles, who lead all 30 teams in OPS. When Baltimore has Corbin Burnes (2.32 ERA) on the mound, the O's are an intimidating foe.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers Prediction and PickPick: Tigers +122
I'm going to take a shot on the Tigers as home underdogs tonight. Reese Olson is on the mound, who has played much better than his 3-8 record indicates. With an ERA of 3.22, he gives the Tigers a solid chance to pull off the upset against their divisional rival tonight.
Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres Prediction and PickPick: Padres -134
I'm stubborn in my ways, but I refuse to believe the Mariners will continue to play at this level while batting just .209 over the last 30 days. That level of offense isn't going to be effective against Michael King (3.51 ERA) of the Padres.
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction and PickPick: Rays -120
Is now the time to buy low on the Rays? After a rough first half of the season, their offense may finally be waking up. They're now 11th in OPS in the Majors over the past 30 days while the Yankees continue to spiral, ranking 20th in that stat over that span. Give me the Rays as slight home favorites tonight.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction and PickPick: Dodgers +110
I think this game is a true coin flip, so I'm going to back the Dodgers as +110 underdogs in Philadelphia. Gavin Stone (3.03 ERA) and Cristopher Sanchez (2.96 ERA) will make an intriguing pitching matchup. The two offenses are also sixth and seventh in OPS over the last month. All this makes for a must-watch showdown.
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox Prediction and PickPick: Athletics +158
I'll put some faith in the A's as big time underdogs in this one with JP Sears (4.74 ERA) on the mound. Their offense has been better than you may have assumed over the past 30 days, ranking 14th in OPS over that time frame. I don't they deserve to be this big of underdogs tonight.
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Prediction and PickPick: Mets -198
The Mets have the second best offense in the Majors over the last 30 days, ranking second in OPS over that time frame at .814. Now they get to face one of the worst starters in the Majors, Patrick Corbin, who continues to keep his spot in the rotation despite rocking a 1-8 record and a 5.49 ERA. Mets should run away with this one.
Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction and PickPick: Reds -178
It's tough to justify a bet on the Rockies with Kyle Freeland (6.62 ERA) on the mound. I'm not high on the Reds, but they're the bet to place in this National League showdown.
Miami Marlins vs. Houston Astros Prediction and PickPick: Astros -230
This pick is as straightforward as a pick can be. The Marlins have an OPS of .617 over the last month, the worst mark in Major League Baseball. I have no interest in betting on them against anyone right now, let alone the Astros.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers Prediction and PickPick: Pirates +132
The Brewers offense has been slumping, ranking 18th in OPS over the last 30 days. The Pirates are right behind them in that time frame at 21st. Should the Brewers be favored? Yes. Should they be -156 favorites? I don't think so. I'll back the Pirates as road underdogs.
Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction and PickPick: Rangers -126
Michael Lorenzen has had an underrated season for the Rangers, rocking a 3.21 ERA. Meanwhile, you can't say the same thing for the Angels starter, Griffin Canning, who has a 3-9 record and a 4.87 ERA. The Rangers have both the pitching and offensive advantage in this one so they're the bet to place.
Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction and PickPick: Braves -134
Slade Cecconi gets the start for the Diamondbacks tonight and he has a 2-6 record with a 6.10 ERA. The Braves should be able to rack up the runs and get the win tonight.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. San Francisco Giants Prediction and PickPick: Giants -156
I've lost all faith in the Blue Jays after another blown lead last night. Now, the Giants get to start Logan Webb with his 3.09 ERA. They're in a great spot to take down the Jays once again.
O Palmeiras venceu o Corinthians por 6 a 1 no agregado nesta última terça-feira em Itaquera, e garantiu a sua vaga para disputar a grande final do Brasileirão Sub-20 pelo segundo ano seguido.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras chega a mais uma final na base com protagonismo que já dura seis anos; relembre conquistasPalmeiras16/08/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras se reapresenta e atualiza situação física de Gabriel Menino e Luis GuilhermePalmeiras16/08/2023PalmeirasPedro Lima se despede do Palmeiras pintando Itaquera de verdePalmeiras16/08/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Buscando o tricampeonato do torneio (campeão em 2018 e 2022), o Verdão encara o Flamengo pela taça e a decisão será em jogo único, com mando do time carioca, que fez melhor campanha e terá esta vantagem nos 90 minutos finais da competição.
Buscando a revanche de 2019, quando o Palmeiras foi derrotado pelo Flamengo e ficou com o vice-campeonato brasileiro Sub-20, o Verdão não deve contar com Pedro Lima, grande destaque da categoria neste ano, que foi negociado com o Norwich da Inglaterra e deve viajar para a terra da rainha em breve.
continua após a publicidade
Sem Pedro Lima, o grande nome do Sub-20 alviverde é o atacante Kevin, embora sua presença na final seja incerta. O elenco ainda conta com a joia Estevão, de apenas 16 anos, o lateral-esquerdo Ian, o zagueiro Michel e o goleiro Kaíque.
Para o lugar de Pedro Lima, o técnico Lucas Andrade tem algumas opções como Figueiredo, Patrick e Vitor André.
Na última vez em que Flamengo x Palmeiras disputaram um título pelo Sub-20, tivemos diversos nomes conhecidos em campo tanto pelo lado alviverde quanto pelo rubro-negro.
continua após a publicidade
No time do Palmeiras, nomes como Vanderlan, Gabriel Menino, Patrick de Paula, Danilo e Gabriel Silva faziam parte do elenco, enquanto do lado do Flamengo, o goleiro Hugo Moura, Matheuzinho, João Gomes, Lázaro e o hoje palestrino Richard Rios foram campeões brasileiros Sub-20 daquele ano.
Após ganhar a primeira partida da final por 1 a 0, o Palmeiras foi derrotado por 3 a 0 na partida de volta e o Flamengo acabou ficando com a taça.
A CBF ainda não confirmou a data da grande final do Brasileirão Sub-20, mas em seu site consta que o jogo está marcado para o dia 8 de setembro, ainda sem local definido.
+ Cupom LANCEFUT com 10% OFF para os fanáticos por esporte em compras acima de R$299,90
Atual campeão da Copinha e Brasileiro Sub-20, o Palmeiras busca o título para consolidar a sua hegemonia na categoria de base brasileira, onde as grandes conquistas já duram seis anos.
Portugal legend Pepe has heaped praise on his former manager Jose Mourinho following his return to management with Benfica. The pair worked together at Real Madrid in what was, at times, a fractious relationship. But Pepe is delighted to see Mourinho back in his homeland, after he took his place in the dugout at the Estadio da Luz.
Pepe shows Mourinho respect
Mourinho left Fenerbahce after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League proper, but was picked up almost immediately by Benfica, a move Pepe is delighted with. The iconic former centre-back told A Bola: "We have a coach who has just arrived at Benfica and who I know well and who certainly won't give up on a game. Having a coach like Mourinho in our league is always beneficial for the way the game is played, and I think everyone is now engaged in his press conferences. It's even good for the European and international level, globally, because Mourinho attracts a lot of people who can also see the quality of Portuguese football.
"I was trained by him, I know his skills, and he's an excellent coach who will surely do everything he can to help Benfica win. I hope that doesn't happen, because as I've said, I want FC Porto to win titles again. I don't think Mourinho has lost anything; he's still Mourinho. I also speak from experience. The years teach us many things; we don't give so much to our blood or our heart, but rather to our reason, and Mourinho has been improving this. Now he's a much more… not calm, but much more thoughtful coach than he was when his club drew or lost."
Advertisement
AFP
Real deal in Madrid
Mourinho's tenure in the Spanish capital included a complex relationship with Pepe, which was characterised by both reliance and friction between the pair. The Portuguese tactician utilised the player's strength and aggression as a cornerstone of his defensive tactics, sometimes even deploying him as a No.6. Pepe was a key figure in Mourinho's early successes at the Spanish giants, including winning La Liga. However, the relationship deteriorated, particularly towards the end of the head coach's spell in May 2013. Pepe expressed regret over the manager's handling of captain Iker Casillas. Mourinho, in turn, attributed the central defender's criticism to frustration over losing his starting spot to Raphael Varane. This public disagreement highlighted the tensions that arose between the two during Mourinho's final season at the club.
Mourinho’s history of falling out with players
Mourinho has had several well-documented fallouts with players throughout his managerial career, often stemming from his direct and demanding management style. These disputes often revolved around perceived lack of effort, tactical disagreements, or poor performances. One of the most notable examples is the strained relationship with Paul Pogba during his time as boss of Manchester United. Mourinho publicly criticised Pogba's attitude and leadership, once reportedly telling him he was "like a person with a flu, with a virus in a closed room – you pass that virus to the others". Their disagreements escalated, culminating in a training ground confrontation captured on camera. Other players who have experienced Mourinho's wrath include Luke Shaw, who received repeated public criticism regarding his fitness and professionalism, Eden Hazard due to his defensive work-rate at Chelsea, and Casillas was dropped during the prickly coach's time in Madrid.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
Pepe’s twilight years
Pepe enjoyed a remarkable twilight to his career with Porto and the Portugal national team before retiring in 2024 at age 41. He showcased incredible longevity and elite performance, culminating in significant records and tournament appearances. He played a key role for Porto, captaining the side and helping them win the Portuguese Cup in 2023. That year, he became the oldest outfield player to compete in and score in the Champions League. He was already the oldest player to score in a knockout stage match at the 2022 World Cup. His final match was Portugal's quarter-final defeat at Euro 2024, and he officially announced his retirement in August of that year.
Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer strategy this summer has been nothing short of chaotic, and yet strangely ambitious.
For a club that finished 17th in the Premier League last season but secured Champions League football thanks to their Europa League triumph over Manchester United, the need to strengthen has never been more urgent.
Their early business included the £60m acquisition of Mohamed Kudus from West Ham, an exciting attacking player who provides versatility across the forward line.
But departures and missed opportunities have left significant gaps.
Fan favourite Son Heung-min departed for LAFC after a decade of service in North London, while the club’s most creative midfielder, James Maddison, suffered a devastating ACL injury in pre-season against Newcastle.
Their attempts to fill the void have, so far, been met with frustration.
The latest on Spurs' hunt to find a Maddison replacement
A £60m pursuit of Eberechi Eze collapsed when Arsenal hijacked the deal. A move for Morgan Gibbs-White ran into legal complications.
A €70m (£65m) package for Como star Nico Paz was swiftly rebuffed, with the Argentine making clear his intentions to return to Real Madrid in the near future.
Spurs have even looked at Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, but his £100m price tag puts him out of reach.
All of this has forced Tottenham to look elsewhere.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Their search has now led them towards a player long admired in England, one who has already proved himself in the Premier League, but whose reputation has recently been clouded by off-field controversy.
According to reports in the Daily Mail, Spurs are now weighing up a move for Lucas Paquetá, the Brazilian playmaker currently at West Ham United.
Aston Villa are also monitoring his situation, but Tottenham’s need for a creative spark is arguably more urgent. Different reports suggest he could go for around £40m.
Paquetá has endured a turbulent year, but his quality has never been in question.
Former teammate Declan Rice once described him as “mind-boggling”, while he’s also been described as “one of the best 10s in the world” by one data analyst, a reminder of the immense technical ability he brings.
The central midfielder’s form dipped after he became the subject of a betting breach investigation in August 2023.
He continued to play, scoring West Ham’s only goal in their recent 5-1 defeat to Chelsea, but his confidence and consistency were visibly affected by the allegations.
Now that he has been cleared of all charges in 2025, the expectation is that he can finally put the matter behind him and re-establish himself at the top level.
Assessing Paquetá vs Maddison
For Spurs, the appeal is clear. With Maddison sidelined for the season, there is no natural replacement in the squad capable of offering the same vision and incisive passing.
Paquetá, with his flair and ability to turn games in an instant, represents a player in a similar mould.
He may not have matched Maddison’s output in recent seasons, but the tools are there – and in the right environment, he could thrive.
Tottenham Hotspur'sJamesMaddisonreacts
Paquetá’s numbers at West Ham illustrate both his strengths and his limitations.
At 27, he is approaching the prime of his career. He has 55 caps for Brazil and joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022, making 33 Premier League appearances last season with four goals.
The raw statistics do not scream world-class productivity, but they do reveal a midfielder with a valuable mix of creativity and defensive work.
Matches
19
7
Wins
11
0
Goals Scored Per Match
1.8
0.7
Goals Conceded Per Match
1.5
2.4
Points Per Match
1.9
0.4
According to FBref, he ranks in the 74th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 (2.89), the 79th percentile for progressive passes (6.16 per 90), and the 84th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (2.18 per 90).
These metrics underline his ability to link play between midfield and attack, progressing the ball into dangerous areas.
Lucas Paqueta looks dejected for West Ham
His defensive contributions are also notable, with 2.51 tackles per 90 (75th percentile) and an impressive 1.91 aerial duels won per 90 (89th percentile), making him more than just a luxury player.
When compared directly to Maddison, however, there are contrasts. The England international has been one of Spurs’ key players since arriving from Leicester in 2023, with 16 goals and 21 assists in 75 games.
Regrettably, his injury record is a concern. He missed 13 games in 2023/24 and 11 last season – but his impact when fit is undeniable.
Statistically, Maddison outperforms Paquetá in almost every attacking metric: 4.73 shot-creating actions per 90 (to Paquetá’s 3.10), 8.16 progressive passes per 90 (Paquetá’s 5.87), and 0.85 shots on target per 90 (Paquetá’s 0.11).
Even his pass completion rate (81.3%) edges the Brazilian’s 77.3%.
This raises a key question: would Spurs be settling for a downgrade? On paper, Paquetá does not replicate Maddison’s efficiency in front of goal or his ability to sustain attacks through consistent ball progression.
West Ham's Lucas Paqueta against Liverpool.
Yet the Brazilian brings different qualities – a more physical presence, stronger defensive contributions, and the versatility to operate across midfield roles. In that regard, he is a big upgrade.
His 227.8 progressive passing distance per 90 minutes is only slightly behind Maddison’s 250.1, suggesting he can still drive the ball forward effectively.
What truly matters is context. At West Ham, Paquetá has often been tasked with working within a rigid system where creativity can be stifled.
In a more attacking, possession-based setup at Tottenham, his ability to combine with Kudus and Richarlison could unlock a new level of performance.
For Spurs, the decision is not about finding a perfect Maddison clone. It is about ensuring they are not left without a creative heartbeat in midfield for an entire season.
Paquetá may be inconsistent, but he remains capable of brilliance.
If Thomas Frank can provide the structure and confidence that he lacked at West Ham, Tottenham could have a player who, like Maddison, is able to decide games single-handedly.
New Dembele: Spurs make move to sign "one of the best playmakers in Europe"
Spurs are looking to finalise one or two big moves before the deadline closes.
He will work alongside Italy’s new captain, the former Australia opener Joe Burns
ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2025John Davison, the former Canada captain and Australian state cricketer, has been named Italy’s T20I coach as they push for a place at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.Italy will take part in the European Regional Finals of the T20 World Cup qualifying pathway in the Netherlands from late June, which will provide two sides for the main tournament in early 2026. They will feature alongside Netherlands, Scotland, Guernsey and Jersey.”I am excited and honoured to be appointed head coach of the Italian T20 men’s program,” Davison said. “I didn’t take much convincing once I heard about the players and people involved.”I have experienced the thrill of qualifying for World Cups as a player for Canada, and I look forward to repeating that thrill with a diverse and dedicated group of players and staff representing Italy.”Davison’s World Cup playing career was highlighted by his 111 off 76 balls against West Indies at Centurion in 2003.Since retiring, he has been a spin-bowling coach and consultant, including with Australia, and he has worked extensively with the likes of Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann.Davison will work alongside Italy’s new captain, the former Queensland and Australia opener Joe Burns who started playing for them in May last year having qualified through his mother’s heritage.Alongside Burns, Ben and Harry Manenti have also represented Italy. It’s understood that Tasmania pair Jake Doran and Tim Ward are in contention for the qualifiers through their Italian heritage, although they are still awaiting approval to play. Matthew Fotia, a former Victoria quick, and Jason Ralston, who featured for Australia Under-19s, are also in the mix.”I am honoured to take on this role and represent Italy on the international stage,” Burns said when named captain. “For me, it is a return to my family’s roots. Italian cricket has enormous potential and I am excited to contribute to its growth. Together with my team-mates, we are working to achieve ambitious goals and make our fans proud.”