da supremo： As serial-winning manager, Jose Mourinho, once poetically put it – “finals are not to be played, they are to win”.

da dobrowin： Whether it’s the EFL Cup or the World Cup final, no team or nation wishes to be on the losing side, with a showpiece outing providing the chance of earning immortality for the victors.

Witnessing two juggernauts going head to head to decide silverware is a real treat, but there’s perhaps nothing better than a David vs Goliath clash. An overwhelming favourite taking on a plucky underdog.

On most occasions, it is the superior outfit that takes the acclaim. But not always. Sometimes the football gods have something different in store for a final.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of football’s biggest showpiece shocks.

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Posts ByStephan Georgiou Feb 8, 2024 8 Denmark v Germany, 1992 European Championship final

Put simply, Denmark just should not have won this tournament. Having famously not qualified for Euro 1992 before taking their place following Yugoslavia’s disqualification, the Danes went on to do much more than make up the numbers.

The shock here is more about their route rather than the final itself, as the Scandinavian nation showed they were more than a match for plenty of European sides.

After seeing off the likes of England, France and the Netherlands, the unlikeliest of final dates came against Germany, where they defeated the world champions 2-0 thanks to goals from John Jensen and Kim Vilfort (plus a bit of good, old-fashioned timewasting).

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 14, 2024 7 Wimbledon v Liverpool, 1988 FA Cup final

“The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club” was the immortal line that followed the final whistle at Wembley in 1988, but this was so much more than a clash of cultures.

Liverpool had not long confirmed their re-found status as champions of England, securing 90 points – 33 more than their cup final opponents.

The Reds had also gone on an incredible unbeaten run that term, losing just two games all year, ironically with a victory over Wimbledon sandwiched between them.

The Dons had never won a major trophy and the fixture was their first appearance in the final.

While overcoming their underdogs tag, they also survived a penalty scare as Dave Beasant saved from John Aldridge to keep Wimbledon in front, as Lawrie Sanchez’s goal proved enough to create history and one of the biggest shocks the competition had ever seen.

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Posts 1 ByRoss Kilvington May 12, 2025 6 Aston Villa v Bayern Munich, 1982 European Cup final

Having somewhat surprisingly won the league title the year before (their first for over 70 years), Aston Villa went one better by going all the way in the European Cup in 1982, beating one of the continent’s finest in the process.

Heading into the final in Rotterdam, it was Bayern Munich who had all the necessary experience to get the job done and secure a fourth European Cup.

However, the likes of Paul Breitner and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge were foiled by Villa – namely substitute goalkeeper Nigel Spink and match-winning goalscorer Peter Withe.

To this day, there has arguably not been a shock like it at that level of the European game.

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Posts ByPatric Ridge May 30, 2025 5 Birmingham v Arsenal, 2011 League Cup final

Birmingham City snatched an unlikely League Cup triumph at Wembley in February 2011, beating title challengers Arsenal in the final moments in dramatic circumstances.

Having taken a surprise lead through Nikola Zigic, Robin van Persie’s equaliser for the Gunners seemed to suggest normal service would be resumed as the favourites took control.

But a defensive mix-up between Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny allowed Obafemi Martins to tap in the easiest of cup final winners, causing delirium in the blue half of Wembley.

It was a seismic shock given Birmingham – eventually relegated that season – had successfully seen off an Arsenal side going for the title and fresh from beating Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona a fortnight earlier.

It wasn’t the first time the Gunners had fluffed their lines in the competition, evoking memories of defeats to Luton Town in 1988 and Swindon Town in 1969.

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Dec 18, 2024 4 Sunderland v Leeds, 1973 FA Cup final

Only two lower-league sides have won the FA Cup since Sunderland did in 1973, but the Black Cats’ victory over Leeds is surely the most impressive of the lot.

By this point, Leeds were consistently finishing highly in the First Division, and 1972/73 marked a 10th successive top-four finish. They’d also won two European Fairs Cups in that span and were reigning FA Cup holders.

But Bob Stokoe’s Sunderland had other plans. Ian Porterfield’s first-half goal was the crucial moment of the final, with the underdogs surviving a Leeds onslaught before hanging on to secure one of the famous tournament’s greatest achievements.

3 Greece v Portugal, 2004 European Championship final

Greece entered the 2004 European Championship as tournament nobodies. They had only qualified for two international final tournaments (Euro 1980 and the 1994 World Cup), winning zero games and scoring zero goals.

So when they were drawn in Group A with hosts Portugal and Spain (who they had beaten in qualifying), even the most optimistic of optimists will have struggled to see a path through the quarter-finals, never mind the final.

But under the guidance of Otto Rehhagel, the Greeks formed a defensive solidity that was the bedrock to their success. They beat Portugal in the opening game and held Spain to a draw, squeezing through the group on goals scored.

They proceeded to dump out reigning European champions France and an impressive Czech Republic side to make the final – both shocks in their own rights.

They kept a third successive clean sheet in the final to defeat Portugal once again and record one of the greatest international shocks – in the men’s game, at least…

2 Japan v United States, 2011 Women's World Cup final

Japan’s victory over the United States in the women’s 2011 World Cup final has to be one of the most remarkable outcomes in international football history.

While the US were not at their scintillating best – they came second in their group and had not tasted World Cup glory since 1999 – it is the journey of their victorious opponents that makes this result magical.

In a similar vein to Greece’s men, Japan had never made it past a World Cup group stage, but two wins from two meant their defeat to England was academic, aside from costing them top spot in Group B.

Their campaign also came off the back of Japan’s devastating tsunami, with all the odds pointing towards yet another World Cup triumph for the US, but for multiple displays of courage and perseverance from the underdogs.

Alex Morgan looked to have netted the winner with her 69th-minute finish, only for Aya Miyama’s late equaliser to force extra-time.

United States then had one hand on the trophy again when Abby Wambach nodded home in the added period, though they were to be left disappointed once more.

Homare Sawa’s flick from a corner saw Japan secure an improbable draw – with penalties deciding the winner, where fate was on their side in a 3-1 shootout success, sealed by Saki Kumagai’s spot-kick.

1 Wigan Athletic v Manchester City, 2013 FA Cup final

The 2013 FA Cup final pitted financial heavyweights and outgoing English champions Manchester City against perennial relegation candidates Wigan Athletic.

The Latics were hanging on for their Premier League lives at the time, while Man City had recently relinquished their hold on the title to their local rivals with a whimper.

However, the Citizens were the overwhelming favourites in what was a modern-day David vs Goliath story, sealed by Wigan’s Ben Watson in the dying moments of normal time.

The midfielder headed home from Shaun Maloney’s corner to hand Wigan their first major trophy and the club’s finest moment.

Unfortunately for the victors, they could not continue their heroics in the league as they were relegated just days later, and haven’t been back in the top flight since.

But the memories will last forever, and we’re unsure how long before another final shock as brutal as this one comes along again.

Related The top 10 FA Cup finals of all time – ranked

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Posts 1 ByAlex Caple May 25, 2024

Former Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison has revealed his ambitious plan to return to Old Trafford.

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• Morrison was a prodigious young talent
• United spell did not work out
• Has eyes on returning in a new role

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Morrison came through the youth system at United, and was hailed as a future first-team star, as he played alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, but his career did not pan out that way. Instead, after just three first-team appearances, he moved to West Ham in 2012, and has since embarked on something of a nomadic career.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Morrison has played for eight clubs permanently since leaving United and is currently playing for Precision in the United Arab Emirates. Now, he has outlined his plans for once he hangs up his boots, and has confirmed that he is attempting to gain his coaching badges, with one eye on a potential appointment at Old Trafford.

• WHAT RAVEL MORRISON SAID

  Morrison told the Undr The Cosh podcast: "I've got my B licence now – I did it in the summer.

  'I do want to get into some type of coaching [after I retire]. That'd be good. I'd like to go back to United!'

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Morrison is now 32 so he may look to move into coaching sooner rather than later. Given his unique career trajectory, culminating in a call-up to the Jamaica national team, he may well have some sound advice to pass on.

Tanzim, Shoriful and Sarkar powered Bangladesh to their ODI win over New Zealand in their backyard

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2023

Shoriful Islam ran through New Zealand’s middle order•Getty Images

Bangladesh’s seamers skittled New Zealand for 98 in a thumping nine-wicket win in the third ODI in Napier to help the visitors avoid a series whitewash. This was New Zealand’s lowest total against Bangladesh.New Zealand head coach Gary Stead had warned about Bangladesh’s improved pace attack in away conditions, and the visitors showed their worth on Saturday as Bangladesh produced their first ODI victory against New Zealand in their own backyard.Only four New Zealand batters reached double-figures as Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Soumya Sarkar picked three wickets each.Tanzim got the party started for Bangladesh, squaring Rachin Ravindra up to have him nick behind in the fourth over. He then got the better of Henry Nicholls in the eighth with a short ball.Will Young, who finished as the top-scorer in the series, then provided some resistance along with Tom Latham, as the two added 36 runs for the third wicket. But Shoriful bowled Latham through the gate with a nip-backer to spark a slide which saw New Zealand lose four wickets in the space of five overs and 12 runs. Shoriful had Young edging one to gully before castling Mark Chapman with another good delivery. Tanzim then had Tom Blundell caught at backward point to leave New Zealand 70 for 6.Sarkar then took over, knocking Josh Clarkson and Adam Milne over and getting Adithya Ashok to nick off. Mustafizur Rahman picked up the final wicket to complete the rout.Bangladesh’s openers started watchfully until Sarkar had to retire hurt after something went into his right eye. He tried applying water and even an eye drop, but could not carry on.Anamul Haque hit Jacob Duffy for two boundaries in the next over as Bangladesh shifted gears. Clarkson and Will O’Rourke conceded three boundaries each in the 10th and 11th overs as Anamul and Najmul Hossain Shanto raced towards the paltry target. O’Rourke had Anamul edging behind for a 33-ball 37, but it was much too little and much too late as Shanto sealed the win two overs later, bringing up a 42-ball half-century in the process.

Can the one-time champions of the tournament find success in its revamped format?

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When Chelsea lifted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in 2021, they briefly stood atop the world. But since then, the English giants have failed to add another continental or intercontinental title to their collection. This summer in the United States, they’ll aim to change that.

Under new manager Enzo Maresca and the leadership of captain Reece James, the Blues are eyeing a strong run through Group D and into the knockout rounds. Chelsea have a long history of contending for trophies, and the revamped Club World Cup will be no exception. The Blues will be expected to make their presence felt as one of the tournament's favorites.

Domestically, the club has hovered in and out of the Premier League’s top four and is battling to secure a return to the UEFA Champions League for the 2025-26 season. They’re also juggling a deep UEFA Conference League campaign, with a quarterfinal berth already secured.

This summer, backed by a star-studded squad featuring EURO 2024 champion Marc Cucurella among others, Chelsea will look to reclaim their place at the summit of world football.

Chelsea will open against in the group stage against LAFC, which replaced Club Leon – expelled from the tournament because of multi-club ownership rules – after stunning Club America, 2-1, in extra time in a special play-in match.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.

Next up is Chelsea, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for the Premier League giants ahead of this summer's tournament.

GettyThe Basics

DOMESTIC LEAGUE: English Premier League

CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: 2021 Champions

GROUP: D (Esperance de Tunis, Flamengo & TBD)

OPENING MATCH:LAFC – June 16, 3 p.m. ET, Atlanta

AdvertisementHow they got here

Chelsea qualified by winning the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League title.

Getty Images SportThe player to watch

Chelsea's talisman Cole Palmer will undoubtedly be one of the players to watch this summer. The England international is a star in the final third of the pitch, and has a wand of a left foot that – if given space – will guarantee you a threatening chance near the net. During their 2024-25 campaign so far, he's led the club in goal contributions in the Premier League, and in the Summer 2024, was a member of England's EURO team that made it to the finals of the competition.

Ahead of him is Senegal international Nicolas Jackson, who, on his best day, is one of the Premier League's fiercest strikers. The 23-year-old can also play off of the left side of the pitch and excels in hold-up play and on the counterattack. His most dangerous asset, however, might be his brute physicality. Jackson is not afraid of engaging in physical contact on the pitch or going up for 50-50 challenges.

Getty Images SportRealistic expectation

should be looking at the tournament as a semifinal appearance or bust. They are a club with high ambitions, and expectations to be competing for a trophy this summer in the U.S. – and anything else will be deemed not good enough for Maresca and his men.

With the likes of Palmer and Jackson, along with a midfield pairing of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, the Blues will look to storm the field as they compete with the world's finest throughout the competition. Realistically, they should top Group D by a wide margin, and proceed to be viewed as one of the most likely teams to compete for the trophy itself come the knockout rounds.

The Premier League side have already claimed the tournament trophy once, and they'll look to do it again this summer.

In January, interim sporting director Jason Ayto had the opportunity to boost Arsenal’s title challenge by signing a new striker.

Alexander Isak was linked but that move was impossible over the winter and will likely still be impossible come the summer.

Benjamin Sesko continues to be touted with a move and it was reported that the Gunners at one stage had agreed personal terms with Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.

So, by the time the deadline surpassed at the beginning of February, no deals were done.

Mikel Arteta subsequently hailed Kai Havertz for his fitness and availability, only for the German to suffer a season-ending hamstring injury, joining Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines until next term.

Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that their title challenge is derailing. Arteta’s side may have a game in hand on league leaders Liverpool but the Reds are 15 points clear. The league is a foregone conclusion.

It’s safe to say the interim solution hasn’t gone well and that was abundantly clear against Manchester United on Sunday.

Mikel Merino’s performance in numbers vs Man Utd

Mikel Merino has done an admirable job since being forced into a makeshift forward role.

With news of Havertz’s cruel injury blow during their warm weather camp in Dubai, the Spaniard was ultimately promoted against Leicester.

Introduced as a second half substitute, Arsenal were drawing 0-0 away at the Foxes until Merino came up with the goods, scoring twice.

Since then has found the net in the Champions League against PSV but a lot of his general play has left much to be desired.

It’s difficult to get frustrated at the player himself, he’s not a natural forward, but it’s criminal that the Arsenal hierarchy left the club in a position where they don’t have a proper striker.

Sadly, Merino saved his worst performance as a forward for their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

He had one chance of note, pulling an effort wide from the edge of the area early in the first half but didn’t pull up many trees that moment aside.

Somehow lasting the full 90 minutes, the former Real Sociedad man trudged from the pitch having completed just 71% of his passes and not registering a single effort on target.

So, the experiment has to end, but what will that mean the attacking positions look like?

Well, it either involves pushing Leandro Trossard into a central role or playing the returning Gabriel Martinelli as the focal point.

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

Yet, if Merino does remain up top as is expected, Trossard is the man who must be sacrificed for Martinelli.

Leandro Trossard’s performance in numbers vs Man Utd

Since signing for Arsenal in a bargain £27m deal, the Belgian has proven himself to be a valuable player.

Only Bukayo Saka scored more than Trossard’s haul of 17 last season but amid the Gunners’ teething problems in attack this time out, he has become a scapegoat.

The former Brighton man has still scored on six occasions and supplied a further seven assists but it’s not the Saka-like levels Arsenal require to get near a Liverpool team boasting Mo Salah.

Trossard is a fine player. He’s optimal as a sub or playing the best part of 60 minutes but in a demanding game like United, you need someone with a bit more life and a bit more vigour.

Unfortunately, that’s been left wanting throughout several of his recent appearances. He did find the net against PSV last time out but that was his first strike in nine games. The 30-year-old simply hasn’t been scoring the goals Arteta craves.

Like Merino, the winger’s performance this weekend was a concerning one. Handed a 4/10 match rating by GOAL, they stated that it was ‘one of those days where nothing really worked for him’. That just about sums up his recent form.

Minutes played

90

Touches

52

Accurate passes

29/35 (83%)

Shots on target

1

Shots off target

3

Successful dribbles

1/1

Big chances missed

1

Key passes

2

Accurate crosses

0/2

Duels won

4/8

Possession lost

12x

Fouls

2

Tackles

2

There were several key moments in the game when Trossard should have done better too. Chief among them was giving away a “silly foul” – in the words of Arsenal podcaster Jamie Kent – which led to the free-kick from which Bruno Fernandes netted the opener.

He also missed a cutback in the second half, one of three efforts that were off target.

With Martinelli back, Ethan Nwaneri firing and Saka potentially set to step up his recovery after the international break, Trossard should be looking at a situation where he’s not in the starting lineup anymore. He simply isn’t good enough to be a regular starter.

He lost the ball 19x: Arteta got it wrong giving Arsenal star the full 90

Arsenal looked toothless in attack again as they drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

4 ByMatt Dawson Mar 9, 2025

Fast, furious and relentless through an unbroken spell of 11.5 overs despite a toe injury, Shamar bowled West Indies to a famous win in just his second Test

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-202430.5: Shamar Joseph to Green, OUT
Bowled him! Through the gate off the elbow! This leapt from a length, gets through the gate, hit the back elbow and dropped onto the stumps! Extra bounce from nowhere. What a delivery. Wobble seam as well and some nip in. Ball tracking says it bounced 12cm more than the average length in this game Australia 113/330.6: Shamar Joseph to Head, OUT
King pair! 141kph yorker thunders into the base of off! What a yorker! Around the wicket, 141kph, missile at the base of off, Head couldn’t get his bat down and West Indies are alive thanks to the wonderkid! Australia 113/4
34.3: Shamar Joseph to Marsh, OUT
Edged and taken! Shamar Joseph gets Mitch Marsh! That’s a peach of a delivery. Dug in back of length on a fourth-stump line at 144kph, the ball straightens. Marsh has to play at that. He looks to defend and the extra bounce means it comes off high on the bat and straight to Athanaze at second slip who can’t hold on. The ball pops out to third slip where Greaves holds on to complete the catch Australia 132/536.2: Shamar Joseph to Carey, OUT
Knocks him over! He nails the yorker again and Australia go six down! Alright, this wasn’t quite on yorker length, but it was fired in full at 145kph. Goes off the pad and knocks the off stump back. Australia 136/640.5: Shamar Joseph to Starc, OUT
In the air again and this time, Starc is gone! Shamar Joseph has two five-wicket hauls in two Tests! What a spell this is. Coming back after that toe injury yesterday. And he gets his revenge on Starc as well. Starc again swings at a back of length delivery going across him. Comes off the toe end and goes high in the air and Sinclair has to just move a little to his left from backward point to grab it. Shamar Joseph kneels with his head on the ground in celebration. This match is very much alive! Australia 171/742.3: Shamar Joseph to Cummins, OUT
Edged to the keeper and Shamar wheels away in celebration! Length ball outside off at 141.6kph kicks up and takes the outside edge. Goes wide of the keeper and Da Silva throws himself at it for a diving catch. Shamar Joseph is kicking up a storm here! Australia 175/850.5: Shamar Joseph to Hazlewood, OUT
West Indies win! Shamar Joseph flattens off stump! They charge off in celebration. Shamar Joseph takes seven! The West Indies huddle together. Brian Lara is nearly in tears in the commentary box! Perfect length, angled into middle and off, it straightens past the edge and flattens off! That is so good. Australia 207/10

Tottenham Hotspur have laid some groundwork over potentially re-signing a former Spurs player who’s also a transfer target for West Ham, with chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange seemingly weighing up the possibility of a reunion at N17.

Tottenham slump to 1-0 Europa League defeat at AZ Alkmaar

Ange Postecoglou watched on from the sidelines as Spurs slumped to another poor away defeat in Europe on Thursday evening.

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Spurs are convinced.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 6, 2025

The travelling side couldn’t force AZ Alkmaar’s keeper into any real saves over their lacklustre 90 minutes abroad, with striker Dominic Solanke also picking up a late knock on what was a night to forget for Tottenham, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

“Yeah, it wasn’t great from us tonight,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to AZ.

“Pretty much all facets of the game. We didn’t really get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball, we weren’t as aggressive as we needed to be without the ball.

“It was a tricky surface but having said that we kind of knew that from yesterday and yeah we just didn’t tackle the challenges we had out there in a real positive way. That allowed AZ to get into a rhythm, which when you’re playing away from home, it is difficult to stem the tide.

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Chelsea (away)

April 2nd

Southampton (home)

April 5th

Wolves (away)

April 12th

“I don’t think it is going out there and not trying, but like I said we didn’t really come to grips and have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe. It is always tough, and we obviously conceded the goal, which was a disappointing set of events but even after that we didn’t really settle down into the game at all. You are going to face some pressure when you play away from home in Europe and weather the storm and get to grips with it, but we never really did, so that was a disappointment.”

A good Europa League run is Spurs’ only real opportunity to make anything of this disappointing campaign, so the pressure is on Postecoglou to turn this first leg deficit around.

Off the field, Tottenham are planning for next season already in terms of transfers. Spurs are believed to be targeting new full-backs, with Flamengo defender Wesley Franca among their options as alternatives to the likes of Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie and the in-form Djed Spence.

Tottenham lay groundwork over re-signing West Ham target Dennis Cirkin

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Lilywhites could even turn to an ex-player of theirs to reinforce the left-back area – Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin.

The 22-year-old left Spurs in 2021 to join the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee (BBC), and he’s since gone on to become a crucial player for Regis Le Bris’ side as they chase promotion back to the Premier League.

Cirkin is currently among their top five best-performers in the Championship by average match rating, according to WhoScored, and his performances are attracting attention from elite English sides – including Tottenham.

According to Bailey, Tottenham have been doing work on re-signing Cirkin, but he’s also a target for a plethora of London rivals like West Ham.

“Keep a close eye on Cirkin,” said Bailey to Sunderland AFC News.

“I am told a lot of Premier League clubs have been doing work on him. Chelsea, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Everton and Leeds – he is an outstanding prospect.”

Only Enzo Le Fee has averaged more tackles per 90 for Sunderland than Cirkin, while the Englishman sits joint-top for their highest number of interceptions per game (WhoScored). Cirkin also has three goals and two assists to his name from 31 Championship appearances.

Jos Buttler said that England’s performance at the World Cup has been “a huge disappointment” and “a shock to everyone” within their set-up, after an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru left them on the brink of elimination with four group games remaining.Buttler captained England to the T20 World Cup in Australia last year and arrived in India quietly confident that his side could win a second consecutive 50-over World Cup to back up their 2019 triumph on home soil. But four defeats in their first five games – all four by substantial margins – have left them needing “a few miracles” to qualify for the semi-finals, in Buttler’s words.”It’s not a lack of talent,” Buttler said. “[We have] a lot of experienced guys who are fantastic cricketers. So absolutely, it’s a huge frustration. This tournament’s gone nowhere near the way we wanted to; it’s been a huge disappointment. If there was one golden egg that we were missing, then you’d hope to see that. But there is no secret, I don’t think.Related

• Unbeaten India look to push England further towards elimination

• England's woes weigh heavy on Jos Buttler, the captain

• Peak Sri Lanka too sharp for England on Mathews' magical return

• England's title defence suffers another crushing blow as Sri Lanka coast to victory

• Are defending champions England out of the World Cup?

“We’re a really good team [who have] done a lot of really good things in the recent past in white-ball cricket, 50-over cricket. We got on the plane with high hopes and a lot of confidence and belief that we can challenge for the title. To be sat here now with the three weeks that have been is a shock – it’s a shock to everyone.”I’ll walk back in the dressing room after this [press conference] and look at the players sat there, and think: ‘How have we found ourselves in this position with the talent and the skill that’s in the room?’ But it is the position we’re in; it’s the reality of what’s happened over the last three weeks and that’s a huge low point.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Buttler has managed 95 runs in five innings in this tournament with only one score above 20. “There’s no-one else who can score your own runs or take your own wickets, and that comes from the start – from the captain at the front,” he said. “I’ve been a long way short of my best. As a leader, you want to lead through your own performance and I’ve not been able to do that.”On his performance as captain, Buttler said: “You’re always questioning, as captain, how you can get the best out of players; how you can get the team moving in the right direction. I certainly have a lot of confidence and belief in myself as a leader and as a captain, and first and foremost, as a player.” Asked if he considered himself the right man to lead England in the future, he said: “Yes.”England’s preparation for this World Cup has been markedly different to four years ago: they played 88 ODIs between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups compared to just 42 in the 2019-23 cycle, and have rarely been at full strength in bilateral series. But Buttler insisted: “I don’t think there’s any blame elsewhere apart from ourselves.”He said: “The schedules are the schedules, and we’ve got a lot of things in our favour: we’ve got fantastic support from the coaches within the environment; we get fantastic support from our fans as a country, and we’ve let them all down. It’s been a really tough few weeks, incredibly disappointing – a shock to perform the way we have with the team that we do have.”And Buttler pushed back again the idea that England had been complacent heading into the World Cup, referring back to a comment he made on the eve of the tournament which has proved prescient – though not in the way he intended. “In any sport, you can’t protect anything or rely on the past; you have to go and create something new every time,” he said.”We know that as players, we touch on experience and things – having banked stuff before – but something we spoke about a lot as a team [was] that you have to go and create it again. You can’t rest of your laurels or try and protect something; try and protect an image, or protect something as a team.”That’s why at the very beginning of the tournament, I said we weren’t here to try and defend our title; we’re here to start something new and try and win something. Obviously, we’re falling a long way short of that at the minute, but as players we certainly didn’t take anything for granted or just think it would be alright on the night. You don’t get to this level by thinking like that.”

تعرض نانت الفرنسي بمشاركة المهاجم المصري مصطفى محمد، للهزيمة الثانية على التوالي، بعد الخسارة ضد ستراسبورج بهدف نظيف في الجولة الثانية من الدوري الفرنسي لكرة القدم.

وجاء هدف ستراسبورج الوحيد في المباراة عن طريق إيمانويل في الدقيقة 81 من أحداث الشوط الثاني من اللقاء.

اقرأ أيضاً.. تقييم مصطفى محمد في مباراة نانت وستراسبورج بالدوري الفرنسي

وحافظ لويس كاسترو مدرب نانت على مصطفى محمد طوال الـ90 دقيقة، رغم أنه لم يحالفه الحظ للمساهمة في تسجيل أي هدف لفريقه.

وكان نانت قد تعرض لهزيمة في الجولة الأولى أمام حامل اللقب وبطل الدوري الفرنسي الموسم الماضي باريس سان جيرمان على ملعب لابوجوار، بهدف نظيف.

وبحسب شبكة “سوفا سوكر” العالمية، فقد حصل المهاجم المصري مصطفى محمد على تقييم 7.2 في المباراة، ويعد هذا التقييم هو الأعلى بالمقارنة مع كل زملائه في الفريق.

ويأتي مصطفى محمد كأفضل لاعب في نانت خلال مباراة اليوم، وبإجمالي تقييم اللاعبين من الفريقين، فإنه يأتي رابع أفضل لاعب في المباراة بعد 3 لاعبين من جانب فريق ستراسبورج.

ولم يسجل أو يصنع مصطفى محمد في المباراة وقام بتسديدة واحدة خارج المرمى ولمس الكرة 30 مرة وقام بـ10 تمريرات صحيحة من أصل 17 وبتمريرة مفتاحية واحدة وفاز بـ6 صراعات أرضية وهوائية من أصل 9 صراعات وارتكب ضده أربعة أخطاء وقام بمنع تسديدة واحدة. ملخص لمسات مصطفى محمد في مباراة نانت وستراسبورج

da poker： There will be no domestic trophies for Manchester United this season as they have already been knocked out of the FA Cup and the League Cup, whilst being out of contention for the Premier League.

da fazobetai： Their top-flight season has been particularly disappointing as they are currently sat in 13th place with just ten wins and 12 losses in the division so far.

The Red Devils have struggled in numerous areas, hence why they are so low down in the table, but goalscoring has been a significant problem for Ruben Amorim’s team, as it was for Erik Ten Hag’s.

Manchester United have only scored 37 goals in 29 matches in the Premier League, which is the second-lowest tally (behind Crystal Palace’s 36) in the top 14 teams in the division.

Despite beating Leicester City 3-0 last time out, goalscoring remains a problem for United moving forward and it has been an issue throughout the squad, not just in the forward department.

Why Manchester United have scored so few goals

The Red Devils have created 42.79 xG worth of chances in the Premier League so far this season, which shows that the overall team have underperformed in front of goal.

Essentially, United have not done enough to make the most of the high-quality opportunities that they have created in matches, and that has cost them throughout the season – as evidenced by their goal output and league position.

Most xG for Manchester United

24/25 Premier League

xG

Goals

xG differential

Bruno Fernandes

8.95

8

-0.95

Alejandro Garnacho

7.35

4

-3.35

Joshua Zirkzee

4.36

3

-1.36

Amad Diallo

3.87

6

+2.13

Rasmus Hojlund

3.47

3

-0.47

Stats via WhoScored

As you can see in the table above, four of the five players with the most xG in the Premier League for the Red Devils this term have underperformed, with only Amad Diallo elevating the quality of his chances to score two more goals.

These statistics can either suggest that United are creating chances for the wrong players and should be looking to create more for other stars, or that the board – simply – need to invest in the squad to improve their attacking options in the upcoming summer window.

Rasmus Hojlund, signed from Atalanta for £72m in the summer of 2023, is the club’s number nine and has only scored three goals in 24 appearances in the top-flight, underperforming against his xG.

Manchester United are, now, reportedly interested in adding another centre-forward to their ranks in the summer, and that could be very bad news for the Danish marksman.

The latest on Man Utd's pursuit of Bundesliga star

According to Football Insider, Manchester United are one of a number of European sides showing an interest in Eintracht Frankfurt number nine Hugo Ekitike.

The report claims that the Red Devils are planning to add a new striker to their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window, and that they are keeping close tabs on the Bundesliga star.

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It adds that Frankfurt will demand a ‘huge’ fee for their centre-forward, although it does not state exactly how much, and reveals that Newcastle United and other ‘elite’ European teams are in the race to secure the former Paris Saint-Germain ace’s signature.

This suggests that Manchester United will face plenty of competition as they plot a swoop to land the France U21 international to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Ekitike, who has been compared to the likes of Alexander Isak and Omar Marmoush, rejected a move to Newcastle in 2022, which suggests that the Red Devils may have the edge over the Magpies in this race unless the 22-year-old forward has changed his mind on a switch to Tynecastle since then.

The news that United are plotting a ‘huge’ swoop to sign the Frankfurt centre-forward should, now, come as very bad news to Hojlund, as it could end his chances of nailing down the number nine position as his own moving forward.

Why signing Hugo Ekitike would be bad news for Rasmus Hojlund

The Denmark international has been competing with Joshua Zirkzee for the striker role this season and they have combined for just six goals between them, which shows that neither of them have been the reliable forward that Amorim has needed.

Because Zirkzee has also struggled for goals, Hojlund has had plenty of chances to start games – starting 17 times in the top-flight – but those opportunities could be limited by the arrival of a new marksman.

Ekitike, who scored a hat-trick against England’s U21s during the break, is a centre-forward who has the potential to nail down the position as his own as a regular starter, leaving Hojlund and Zirkzee feeding on scraps as substitutes or as rotation options in cup competitions.

Analyst Ben Mattinson recently claimed that the 22-year-old star “is one of the best strikers out there” and it is hard to argue with that when you look at his form for club and country.

Along with his hat-trick for France’s U21s, Ekitike has produced 19 goals and eight assists in all competitions for Frankfurt this season, including three goals from 2.58 xG in the Europa League.

24/25

Hojlund (Premier League)

Ekitike (Bundesliga)

Starts

17

23

Goals

3

13

Minutes per goal

483

145

Big chances created

3

7

Key passes per game

0.5

1.4

Assists

0

4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the French starlet has significantly outperformed Hojlund at league level so far this term, with ten more goals and four more assists.

These statistics suggest that the Ekitike would come in as a huge upgrade on the Danish marksman and that is why his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer transfer window would be very bad news for the former Atalanta man.

It could result in his game time being heavily restricted, as Amorim may want his best number nine to start week-in-week-out, and that could force the £72m signing to consider his long-term future at the club.

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Therefore, Hojlund may hope to enjoy a strong end to the Premier League and Europa League season to show the manager and the board that he has what it takes to be the first-choice, because his form to date suggests that the signing of Ekitike is very much needed.