A noite de domingo será quente no Maracanã. O Grêmio visita o Flamengo e o duelo marca um reencontro especial do time carioca com Renato Gaúcho, treinador do Tricolor.
O comandante passou rapidamente pelo rubro-negro em 2021 e a história terminou de forma trágica, com insultos da torcida e revés na final da Libertadores da América.
Conhecido pela forte personalidade, Renato Gaúcho teve em suas mãos um dos principais elencos dos últimos anos, mas não rendeu o esperado.
Em baixa, deixou o Flamengo e só voltou aos trabalhos na reta final da temporada 2022 para recolocar o Grêmio na elite.
Atualmente, o treinador vive um bom momento na equipe gaúcha e espera mostrar o seu valor em solo carioca neste fim de semana.
James Maddison has been an impressive option for Tottenham Hotspur over the last couple of years, after joining the side in a £40m deal from Leicester City in 2023.
However, injuries have massively halted his progress in North London, suffering four separate setbacks within his two-season stint at the Lilywhites to date.
His latest issue will undoubtedly be his biggest, suffering an ACL injury in the pre-season outing, with the Englishman expected to be out for the vast majority of the 2025/26 campaign.
FFC Spurs – James Maddison
Thomas Frank would’ve been excited to work with the 28-year-old during his first year at the helm, but any success the pair endure together will have to be put on hold for the foreseeable future.
As a result of the injury setback, the hierarchy have had to dip back into the transfer market to help bolster the first-team squad in an attempt to strengthen their chances of building on their Europa League success.
2
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer
Eberechi Eze has once again been linked with a summer move to Spurs this window, looking to pounce and take advantage of the £60m release clause in his contract.
The Lilywhites are facing a battle with North London rivals Arsenal to land the England international, who registered 16 goal contributions in the Premier League last season.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
However, he’s not the only player in England’s top-flight currently on their radar, with Brighton star Facundo Buonanotte a player they’re tracking, according to the Daily Mail.
Their report claims that Frank’s side are following the Argentine’s progress ahead of a potential move between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It also states he’s just one of a number of players that the club are monitoring, but it’s unclear whether the Seagulls will be willing to part ways with the 20-year-old before the deadline.
sS from earlier this summer suggested that Brighton could be willing to sell for around £30m
1
Why Spurs’ latest target would be the perfect Maddison replacement
Whilst Eze remains a player firmly on their shortlist, other options are currently being explored, as the side look to have a contingency plan should they miss out on his signature.
His consistency in England’s top-flight would make him an excellent addition, offering the player the next step in his career, allowing him to become a leading talent under Frank’s guidance.
However, the interest from their bitter rivals could make for an interesting battle, with one of the two sides having to suffer a blow in missing out on his signature.
It wouldn’t be the end of the world for the Lilywhites, having options to fall back on, as seen by their recent hunt for a new attacking midfielder over the last few days.
Buonanotte is just one of many on such a list, potentially having the tools to be a huge hit with the supporters if he makes the move to join Frank’s men.
When comparing his stats to Maddison from last season, the youngster highlighted that he has all the tools to fill the void left after his long-term injury setback.
The Argentine, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Clinton Morrison, completed more progressive carries and more carries into the final third – having the ability to thrive with the ball at his feet.
How Buonanotte & Maddison compare in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Buonanotte
Maddison
Games played
31
31
Goals & assists
7
16
Progressive carries
2.4
2.2
Take-ons completed
1.7
1.6
Carries into final third
2.1
1.9
Shots taken
2.2
1.9
Through balls completed
0.8
0.6
Recoveries made
4.7
3.7
Stats via FBref
He also completed more take-ons per 90, along with a higher tally of through balls completed – able to add an end product to his mazy runs, handing those ahead of him with the tools for success.
Out of possession, Buonanotte has also impressed, making more recoveries and tackles per 90, fitting perfectly into Frank’s system, which requires a huge amount of running – especially without the ball.
No fee has yet been touted for the Brighton star, but it’s clear that he has the ability to be an excellent option for the Lilywhites in their hunt for future success.
Eze will still remain a key option, but if they miss out on the Englishman, a deal for Buonanotte could be an excellent alternative, having the ability to develop further under the Dane’s guidance.
Alongside Savinho: £60m Gibbs-White upgrade now keen to join Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making huge moves in the transfer market ahead of the September 1st deadline.
West Ham United were turned down in the final hours of the summer transfer window after making a last-gasp approach to sign a “leader”, a reporter has revealed.
Igor delighted after signing for West Ham
West Ham’s deadline day was ultimately relatively quiet, with Igor Julio proving to be the only arrival, joining on loan from fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Igor chose to move to the London Stadium rather than joining Crystal Palace, which may have caused the knock-on effect of Marc Guehi not signing for Liverpool, with Oliver Glasner always reluctant to sanction a move unless adequate cover was brought in.
Speaking after joining Graham Potter’s side, the Brazilian said: “I am really happy to be here at West Ham United,” said Igor. “It is a big Club, a historic Club, with fantastic support and a special identity. I saw this in Prague during the Europa Conference League final two years ago, and I feel very proud to now be representing the colours.”
Potter needed to get another centre-back through the door to replace the outgoing Nayef Aguerd, who has now signed for Marseille, but the Brighton defender was not the only target, with West Ham also making a last-gasp approach to sign Chelsea’s Axel Disasi.
However, reporter Graeme Bailey has since revealed that Disasi “said no” to a move to the London Stadium, while also shunning interest from the likes of AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ajax to remain at Stamford Bridge.
"Outstanding" manager is "leading" West Ham candidate to replace Potter
The Hammers have set their sights on a Graham Potter replacement.
ByDominic Lund Aug 31, 2025 Julio could be better signing for Potter than Disasi
It is unclear why the Chelsea centre-back, who is valued at around £25m, was so reluctant to leave, given that there was widespread interest in his signature, and the Frenchman clearly isn’t a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans.
The 27-year-old, who has been described as a “leader” by journalist Nizaar Kinsella, was shipped out on loan to Aston Villa last January, and has failed to make a single appearance for the Blues so far this season.
The fact Igor actually wants to go and play football is an encouraging sign, and there are clear indications he is a more forward-thinking defender, who is comfortable in possession of the ball.
Average per 90 (past year)
Axel Disasi
Igor Julio
Passes attempted
58.50
68.37
Progressive passes
3.31
4.59
Blocks
1.01
2.25
Consequently, West Ham should not be too disheartened by the fact they missed out on the signing of Disasi, and they will be hoping picking up their first clean sheet of the season against Nottingham Forest last time out will be an early turning point.
Kieran Elliott had earlier taken a six-wicket haul of his own as the home side were bundled out for 93
AAP18-Feb-2025
Brendan Doggett took 6 for 40 to bowl South Australia back into the game•Getty Images
Paceman Brendan Doggett sparked a stunning South Australian comeback against Tasmania as 20 wickets tumbled on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash.Shield leaders SA were skittled for 98 at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday with Tasmanian quick Kieran Elliott bagging a career-best six wicket haul.Related
Kuhnemann's action to be tested despite thumb injury
2.1 overs, 30 for 1: Konstas involved in wild Shield start
Konstas under the microscope as Boland, Davies shine
Doggett then shredded Tasmania, taking 6 for 40 as the visitors crashed to 101 all out. He captured five of the initial six Tasmania wickets on a pitch offering considerable movement off the seam.Just three Tasmanians reached double-figures with new Test allrounder Beau Webster top-scoring with 28.Doggett started his spree by dismissing former SA opener Jake Weatherald for a golden duck when the left-hander edged to wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen. Two more batters perished in identical fashion before the end of the fourth over with Tim Ward and Jordan Silk also caught behind off a rampant Doggett.Kieran Elliott continued his stunning form with six wickets•Getty Images
Liam Scott chipped in with the wicket of Doran – the left-hander pulled a short delivery to midwicket where Lloyd Pope plucked a screamer of a one-handed catch.Doggett then returned to take another two consecutive wickets including Hobart Hurricances’ BBL hero Mitchell Owen for a second-ball duck.Webster launched a counter-attack before legspinner Pope helped clean up the tail and ensure opening-day honours were shared.Earlier, SA’s batsmen collapsed amid precision seam bowling from Elliott and Gabe Bell. Elliott took 6 for 23, the best return in first-class cricket for the Victorian born 29-year-old, to follow his 10-wicket match haul against Victoria in the previous round.SA lost 7 for 17 in the middle session and only three batters reached double-figures – Jason Sangha, Conor McInerney and captain Nathan McSweeney.
Manchester United’s transfer window has been a success to date, with Ruben Amorim already addressing worrying issues in one area of his first-team squad.
The attacking department has been in desperate need of an overhaul this summer, especially after the Red Devils only managed to net 44 Premier League goals throughout 2024/25.
Players such as Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have all completed their respective moves to Old Trafford – costing a staggering £200m in the process.
The trio netted 48 league goals between them last campaign at their various clubs, undoubtedly providing the manager with the added threat he’s craved since taking the reins last November.
However, despite the big-money additions in forward areas, the 40-year-old has already signalled his intent to bolster his midfield – subsequently turning his attention to Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimapplauds fans after the match
Man Utd’s move to land Carlos Baleba this summer
Over the last couple of weeks, United have made their ambitions of landing the Cameroonian known, even entering talks with the player’s representatives over a move to join the Red Devils.
However, at one stage, it appeared a deal could be completed for the 21-year-old defensive midfielder, leading to reports suggesting the talent was keen on a move to join Amorim’s men.
Despite the talks, any deal would’ve been an expensive one, with the Seagulls demanding a fee in the region of £100m to offload Baleba – a deal that would’ve been a club-record for United.
As a result of the interest, Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler was quizzed about the youngster’s future, stating that he was ‘very, very, very confident’ that the former Lille star would remain at the AMEX beyond the end of the summer window.
It’s now been confirmed by The Athletic that Amorim’s side are prepared to walk away from a move and have subsequently prepared a shortlist of alternatives before the September 1st deadline.
Man Utd’s Baleba alternatives this window
Valencia star Javi Guerra has been strongly linked with a move to join United over recent months, even agreeing personal terms to move to the Theatre of Dreams earlier this summer.
Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.
Like Baleba, a deal for the Spaniard now could be unlikely in the next couple of weeks, after the 22-year-old penned a new deal until 2029 at the LaLiga outfit.
However, another name has entered the mix over recent days, which has seen Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller being touted as another option to bolster the midfield department, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim the Red Devils hierarchy are closely monitoring the German star, who made a total of 47 appearances across all competitions throughout 2024/25.
It also states that a move could be made for the 24-year-old, with a €60m (£50m) price tag previously being mooted for his signature in recent months.
Why United’s £50m target would be the perfect Baleba alternative
There’s no denying that, given his Premier League experience, Baleba would have been many of the United fanbase’s first choice for the midfield department this window.
He is undoubtedly a top-level talent, with bags of potential given his tender age of just 21, but given the funds spent elsewhere – the £100m asking price may be a tad too much this summer.
However, a move for Stiller instead of Baleba could prove to be a blessing in disguise, with the German a player who can make a greater impact on the current first-team squad.
When comparing his stats to those of the Cameroonian from 2024/25, he managed to massively outperform him in multiple key areas – offering Amorim a key presence at both ends of the pitch.
Stiller, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, ranked in FBref’s 97th percentile for progressive passes made (9.5), along with the 95th percentile for passes into the final third (8.9).
Games played
32
34
Goals & assists
9
4
Progressive passes made
9.5
3.9
Pass accuracy
88%
87%
Passes into final third
8.9
3.6
Interceptions made
1.8
1.5
Clearances made
1.6
1.4
Take-on success
67%
57%
Both figures were nearly three times higher than those of Baleba, subsequently highlighting his talent on the ball, which could provide the new attacking trio ahead of him with countless chances in front of goal.
Whilst the German is primarily a ball-player, he’s also highlighted his ability without the ball, which could make him a viable option in the Red Devils’ hunt for a new number eight.
VfB Stuttgart'sAngeloStillercelebrates scoring their first goal
The Stuttgart talent posted tallies of 1.8 interceptions and 1.6 clearances made per 90 – both figures which once again were higher than those produced by the £100m target.
Such numbers have contributed to his mammoth rise back in his homeland, helping him make four senior appearances for his national team during the most recent season.
However, a move to Old Trafford could be the perfect platform for the 24-year-old to continue his excellent rise to stardom, arguably being the missing piece in Amorim’s midfield.
At half the price of Baleba, he would be a sensational pick-up by the hierarchy, completing another crucial department in the club’s hunt to return to Premier League glory.
He's perfect for Bruno: Man Utd to make bid for "complete" £42m sensation
Manchester United’s summer of transfer activity looks set to continue once more before deadline day.
Liverpool’s frenetic summer transfer window is coming to a head, with deals for Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi progressing as Monday’s deadline looms.
Having won the Premier League with minimal transfer investment last season, Arne Slot’s side have spent richly across the past few months, reshaping the defensive flanks and remoulding the frontline, with Hugo Ekitike and British-record man Florian Wirtz hinting at an exciting partnership for many years to come.
Maybe Liverpool’s start to the campaign has been laden with inconsistencies and a somewhat out-of-kilter tactical layout, but this was always going to be a potential hazard at the start of Slot’s second term, with so much change and upheaval since the Premier League title was lifted in May.
One area, however, that hasn’t received much attention is the midfield. While Wirtz is something of an attacking midfielder, his attacking quality and style of play effectively see him play in and around the final third with regularity.
Would it be worth the Reds investing in their engine room before the window slams shut on Monday?
Why Liverpool could sign a midfielder
The summer of 2023 was one of significant change at Liverpool, out with the old and in with the new. So it goes. The likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho, stalwarts all, departed and made way for a new wave of midfield talent.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo. All four have played big roles in the trophy-laden successes of recent seasons, and all four remain important members of the squad.
Gravenberch, recipient of the 2024/25 Young Player of the Year, was particularly influential in winning the Premier League, filling a void at number six and doing so with aplomb, having been peripheral across his maiden term in England.
However, the Netherlands international showed signs of burnout toward the latter end of the campaign, having started 37 matches in the top flight by Slot. Up until December, the 22-year-old didn’t miss a minute of league or Champions League action.
Endo, industrious and dependable, isn’t a starting player on the biggest occasions, and so Liverpool might want to make a move for a deep-lying rival before the window closes.
Liverpool planning move for Premier League star
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are showing a strong interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with the multi-club chase for the England international expected to go down to the wire.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
Palace, having sold Eberechi Eze to Arsenal and potentially Guehi to Liverpool, will play hardball and have listed the 21-year-old at a staggering £100m as they anticipate last-minute offers from interested parties.
Liverpool will find some rather daunting competition in their battle, with Manchester City and Real Madrid both ready to rival the Reds and sign the ball-playing specialist for themselves.
What Adam Wharton would bring to Liverpool
Injuries limited Wharton’s Premier League action last season, but his emergence onto the top-flight scene showcased his potential and then some, maybe operating with a similar quality and scope as Gravenberch in all his brilliance under Slot’s wing last year.
Matches (starts)
16 (15)
37 (37)
Goals
0
0
Assists
3
4
Touches*
49.6
66.5
Pass completion
81%
89%
Big chances created
5
3
Key passes*
1.3
0.9
Dribble success
60%
1.0
Ball recoveries*
5.3
5.2
Tackles + interceptions*
4.3
3.5
Duels (won)*
4.9 (54%)
5.0 (57%)
Wharton is silky on the ball, like Gravenberch, but he also boasts a superior range of passing, ranking among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 15% for through balls and the top 5% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.
With this in mind, he could be the perfect signing to unlock the inbound Isak, whose movements, progressiveness and deadly finishing seem a perfect fit for Wharton, playing those surgical passes between the lines with frightening consistency and accuracy.
Isak, 25, was remarked by pundit Ally McCoist last year to be the “best all-round centre-forward” in the English game. He might not have the same ridiculous ball-striking ability as Erling Haaland (who does?), but the Sweden star is undoubtedly a layered and dynamic player, offering so much more than a simple focal point from which teammates can channel their creativity.
His link-up play and intelligence, both in possession and when against the ball, are of the highest class, and there’s little to be said about Isak’s ability to ruffle the feathers of his opponents, slipping this way and that, knowing exactly when to make the right move.
Much has been said of his likeness to Ekitike, but Isak is at his core a deadly finisher, the rest simply embellishments of genuine substance, and while he would help to dynamise Liverpool’s exciting frontline, he would also serve as that perfect outlet for players like Wharton to target.
Wharton would jockey with Gravenberch for a starting berth, but we saw last term the necessity of adding such competition to the ranks, especially if Liverpool hope to wade their way into the deeper fathoms of the campaign’s various offshoots, on top of defending the Premier League title.
Described as a “passing machine” by journalist Henry Winter, Crystal Palace’s rising sensation has so much more to his game. There’s a reason that the biggest clubs across the continents are all keen, after all.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Whether Liverpool’s pursuit proves fruitful remains to be seen, but there’s little question that Wharton has what it takes to raise the level of Slot’s midfield and feed through his skill into Isak’s path too.
New Gakpo: Liverpool agree personal terms for "unplayable" new signing
Liverpool are looking to complete a few more signings before the transfer deadline on Monday.
While it’s always tricky to determine who has ‘won’ the transfer window, Arsenal certainly have a strong shout this year.
New Sporting Director Andrea Berta has been transformational since his arrival, overseeing eight additions to Mikel Arteta’s squad over the last few months.
Moreover, while a number of those players have been signed to bolster the squad, others could be real game-changers for the starting lineup, like Eberechi Eze.
The Englishman is an unbelievably exciting signing for the Premier League hopefuls, although they did sell their own version of him not too long ago.
Eze's return to Arsenal
Signing a player of Eze’s quality is hugely exciting and would have been enough to delight the Arsenal fanbase regardless of the nature of the deal.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.
However, the fact that it looked like the club had cooled their interest in him weeks prior, only to suddenly reenter the conversation in the 11th hour and steal (rescue) him from Tottenham Hotspur, was enough of a story to send the fans into delirium.
It’s easy to see why Arteta was reportedly so keen to bring the 27-year-old to the Emirates this summer as well, as not only is he a creative force, but he also knows exactly where the goal is.
Despite playing for a mid-table side last season, the Greenwich-born “magician,” as dubbed by Micah Richards, was an output machine, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling 3303 minutes.
In other words, the versatile game-changer, who can play in the middle of the park or out wide, averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes – just imagine what he’ll do with better players around him.
Moreover, it’s not just the hijacking of his move to Spurs or the quality he’ll add to the side that makes this transfer so special; there is the human side, which is the fact that the club released him as a 13-year-old and has finally made his way back.
In short, Eze’s move to Arsenal is one of the best of the summer, even though the club sold someone who could’ve been described as their version of the Englishman not too long ago.
Arsenal's former Eze
It would be fair to say that fans were left quite disappointed by Edu Gaspar’s final summer transfer window at Arsenal, as he only oversaw five signings, two of which were the loan deals for Raheem Sterling and Neto.
However, while he failed on the incoming front, he did do reasonably well regarding outgoings, as he saw Eddie Nketiah move to Crystal Palace for £30m, Aaron Ramsdale join Southampton for up to £25m, and Emile Smith Rowe move to Fulham for up to £34m.
The latter was undoubtedly the one most fans were sad to see go, as even though the money was good for someone who had fallen out of Arteta’s plans, there was a belief he could be something special.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the former fan favourite is the player who could have been described as the Gunners’ own Eze.
The first reason stems from the positions he’d play under Arteta.
Smith Rowe’s versatility
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Attacking Midfield
102
19
15
Left Midfield
45
15
3
Central Midfield
41
8
5
Right Midfield
12
4
1
Left Winger
3
0
0
Centre-Forward
2
0
0
Right Winger
1
0
0
All Stats via Transfermarkt
While he now almost exclusively plays as an attacking midfielder for the Cottagers, he would spend plenty of time in other areas of the pitch at the Emirates.
For example, across his time with the Gunners, the “phenomenal” talent, as dubbed by one analyst, made 54 appearances in attacking midfield, 25 in left-midfield, ten in central midfield, three at left-wing, three in right-midfield, and he even played up top on two occasions.
It wasn’t just where he played that made him similar to the former Palace man, though, but how he played, and still does to an extent.
Even though he wore the number ten in North London – another similarity to the club’s new star – the Croydon-born gem was far more of a ball-carrier than someone who’d play pinpoint passes like traditional tens. In the words of his manager while on loan at Huddersfield, Danny Cowley, he was “like Dennis Bergkamp but with pace.”
For example, in the 20/21 season, his best at Arsenal, the 25-year-old ranked in the top 9% of Premier League midfielders for progressive carries and the top 14% for carries into the penalty area per 90, per FBref.
Finally, in addition to the similarities in their game, both players have featured for the national team and progressed through the Gunners’ legendary Hale End academy.
Ultimately, while they have finally signed the real thing, for some time, Smith Rowe was Arsenal’s own Eze.
Arsenal sold homegrown Gyokeres for £4m, now he's one of the best in Europe
Arsenal had a promising talent in their ranks who could have been their own homegrown Gyokeres.
Ruben Amorim has revealed that Amad Diallo has been given permission to miss Manchester United's trip to Brentford after the death of his father. Amad will remain in Manchester rather than return to his home in the Ivory Coast. The coach hopes his team can pay tribute to Amad by securing a second consecutive Premier League win for the first time since he took charge.
Getty Images Sport
Amad's father death follows social media abuse
Amad has endured a rough week. He deleted all posts and pictures from his Instagram account after being flooded with abuse for posting a picture of him and former team-mate Alejandro Garnacho following United's game with Chelsea last week. Amad and Garnacho are friends and have the same agent. The club offered emotional support to Amad after the social media abuse and have now granted him compassionate leave following his father's death.
Advertisement
Amorim: Players should shut down social media
Referring to the social media abuse, Amorim said: "I say the same thing to my players – shut down social media. It's like that nowadays. It's a price you have to pay. But the important thing is the club and his friends are real life for Amad. We are here for him."
Getty
Amorim: Let's win for Amad
The coach added that United were capable of beating Brentford without the winger and emphasised that him mourning his father properly was more important than the match.
He said: "It's a tough moment and in this kind of moment, the next game is not important. We can win without Amad and we want to win also for him."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Mazraoui out until mid-October
Amorim also revealed that Noussair Mazraoui would be out until after the international break after picking up an injury in the win over Chelsea. It means the Morocco international will miss the trip to Brentford and the subsequent home game against Sunderland. However, he should be available to take on Liverpool on October 19.
The politicians hadn’t wanted this game to go ahead, but who could have wished to deny the scenes of raw euphoria that unfolded in Lahore as Afghanistan completed the double they had set in motion at the 2023 World Cup, dumping England out of the Champions Trophy in a wildly undulating, anxious scramble for glory.Eight runs was the margin when – with Mark Wood hobbling and all the recognised batters gone – Adil Rashid swung for the hills off the penultimate ball of the match and picked out the man of the hour, Ibrahim Zadran, whose take in front of the dugout was completed with the same coolness with which he had compiled his exceptional 177 from 146 balls – an innings that had simply been too good to fail.Much the same could have been said for England’s main man of their 326-run chase, Joe Root, whose 120 from 111 balls was his 17th in the ODI format but, remarkably, his first since the 2019 World Cup. Had he had a bit more support, and had he not been racked with cramp going into the final push, his run-a-ball tempo might have been more than sufficient to seize the day. Instead, he was undone by an effort ball from the indefatigable Azmatullah Omarzai, whose five-wicket haul followed a priceless knock of 41 from 31 balls that had helped to pull his own team out of a tailspin.Related
Decline and fall: England face up to scale of ODI rebuilding job
Ibrahim Zadran goes from staid to spectacular to finish England off
Buttler on captaincy future: 'You've got to consider all possibilities'
Speaking straight afterwards, a shell-shocked Jos Buttler insisted he would not be making any “emotional” statements about his future as captain, but acknowledged the fundamental lack of confidence that had contributed to his team’s downfall.After Afghanistan had opted to bat first, Jofra Archer’s three-wicket powerplay onslaught should by rights have settled the contest there and then. And yet, from 37 for 3 in the ninth over, Zadran and his captain Hashmatullah Shahidi focused solely on survival until the point that their 103-run fourth-wicket stand had, almost imperceptibly, transformed itself into a platform for a thrillingly smooth acceleration.Ultimately, Afghanistan’s scorecard told the exact tale of their innings. Three single-figure scores at the top – for a combined total of 14 runs from 28 balls – then a trio of 40s, at ever increasing tempos, from Shahidi, Omarzai and the forty-something himself, Mohammad Nabi, whose 24-ball onslaught was a typically ageless display from a player who has been on every step of this Afghanistan journey, right from their exploratory tour of England as a club side way back in 2006.And then, underpinning it all, a performance of rare majesty from Zadran, whose sixth hundred in 35 ODI innings was not only the highest by an Afghan in the format, but the best in Champions Trophy history, trumping the 165 that Ben Duckett had posted against Australia in the previous fixture at Lahore.It was a controlled explosion of an innings, and one of the most impressive ODI performances that can ever have been compiled. Zadran showed the tenacity to hang tough while England’s quicks were dominating the early exchanges, but after reaching his first fifty from 65 balls, he marched through to his hundred from 41 more, then clattered along at a near 200 strike rate thereafter.1:58
Knight: England’s attack has not clicked
By the time he holed out to square leg at the start of the 50th over, Zadran had worked his way so smoothly through the gears that England had been left with scarcely any agency in their predicament. This was summed up when Wood, who had already spent 38 minutes off the field after his left knee gave way midway through his fourth over, was forced to leave the field once again, this time for good and with two overs of his allocation unused.It had been a typically masochistic effort from Wood, whose willingness to bust a gut for the cause has never been in doubt. But England’s desperation to get him back into the fray there epitomised their threadbare resources. In a throwback to the sort of bit-part tactics that dominated ODI cricket in the 1980s and 1990s, Root and Liam Livingstone had been charged with cobbling together 12 overs between them. But when, with nowhere else to turn, Root’s offspin was served up to the hard-swinging Nabi, two massive leg-side sixes ensued in a 23-run 47th over.Not even Archer could stem the tide. He’d already been crashed for a six and three fours by Zadran, now in overdrive, who then launched a slower ball in Archer’s final over over long-on to seize Duckett’s record.England’s target of 326 was daunting but not insurmountable, as they themselves had discovered on this same ground on Saturday night, when their own hefty total of 351 for 8 had been hunted down by Australia with 15 balls to spare. And yet, it was close to double the sort of target that England might at one stage have envisioned.
The scoreboard pressure was quickly brought to bear. Phil Salt started with a confident thump for four that telegraphed the trueness of the surface, but then lost his off bail as he tried to pull a skiddy length ball from Omarzai. And though Jamie Smith is undoubtedly a name for the future, it’s debatable whether he is the No. 3 for the present. Certainly, his dismissal was guileless in the extreme: a no-look gallop at the irrepressible Nabi, who skidded his offbreak through a touch quicker, to claim a wicket with the first ball of his spell for the third ODI in a row.Where there was Root, there was hope, as he and Duckett set about rebuilding the innings much as they had done from an identical starting point against Australia. But after what ought to have been a costly drop from Shahidi at mid-off, when Duckett had 29, Rashid Khan stepped up with a skiddier full length, and sent his man on his way via DRS, just nine runs later.The errors thereafter came with wearying inevitability. Harry Brook looked a million dollars for his first 20 balls, then got caught in two minds as he popped a tame return catch to Nabi for 25, whereupon Buttler – a player whose form seems so overwhelmingly dominated by his mindset – barely survived his first 12 runs before finally landing a slap for six to seemingly ignite his stay. But then, after one more slog-sweep for six off Nabi, Buttler was undone by Omarzai’s energetic lengths, as he spliced a pull straight to midwicket for 38.2:01
Knight: Afghanistan no longer depend only on Rashid to win matches
Now it was all on Root. For the first 90-odd balls of his innings, England’s anchorman might as well have been on a serene stroll in Iqbal Park, with his innings scarcely deviating from a run-a-ball tempo. But then, after reaching his 50 from 50 and his hundred from 98, he felt the early onset of cramp, and with 58 still required from six overs, he inverted his stance into a Buttler-style ramp, and pinged his only six over the keeper’s head.But it was too much to ask for Root to walk the innings home. He kept looking for the angles, and found one final sublime deflection for four through backward square, but at the precise moment at which Afghanistan’s own innings had gone into overdrive, he attempted a flick over deep third off another skiddy Omarzai lifter, and was sent on his way via a scuff of the gloves to the keeper.Overton seemed to have got the memo with the long-levered finish that he had so long promised but rarely delivered, but having brought the chase within reach with 32 from 28 balls, he attempted another takedown and found long-on with 17 still needed. And though Archer seemed to be riding his luck with an under-edge for four and a sprawling reprieve at deep cover, he was unable to close it out either. Thirteen from eight was needed when he flung his hands through an Omarzai slower ball, for Nabi in the deep to make no mistake.Minutes later, it was all done and dusted. Afghanistan march on to what could have been another politically charged showdown with Australia, with a place in the semi-finals at stake, having already crushed the hopes of their new favourite tournament bunnies. Irrespective of the situation in their homeland, a remarkable set of players have once again epitomised the hope and escapism in tough times that only sport can provide.