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This T20 World Cup has already produced some notable twists and turns, from Logan van Beek’s snake-hipped celebrations as Netherland qualified for the Super 12s to India’s thrilling victory over Pakistan at a fever-pitched MCG, an early exit for two-time winners West Indies and New Zealand’s dismantling of defending champions Australia. But it is hard to see England vs Ireland venturing too far off-piste.England wobbled in their opening match against Afghanistan, where they were 65 for 3 in the 11th over chasing just 113 before winning by five wickets, a victory built largely on Sam Curran’s brilliant death bowling as he claimed 5 for 10 in 3.4 overs. Ireland, who successfully navigated the first round for just the second time in their history by knocking West Indies out with a convincing nine-wicket victory, dropped their first Super 12s match by the same margin when they were outplayed by Sri Lanka.England will want to address a misfire after their top four all failed to reach 20 against Afghanistan and the team managed just seven boundaries in all off the bat, including three in five balls to No. 5 Liam Livingstone. But seamers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes made continued good progress along their respective injury comeback trails to bolster Curran’s diamond run. Ireland opener Paul Stirling looks in decent touch with an unbeaten 66 against West Indies and 34 from 25 balls as his team’s second-highest scorer behind Harry Tector’s 45 against Sri Lanka, but both will need more against England.These sides have only faced off once in T20Is, when their match at the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in Guyana was washed out in the fourth over of Ireland’s run-chase with eventual champions England attempting to defend a meagre 120 for 8 and avoid bowing out in the first round. Ireland have beaten them twice in ODIs, however, including at the 2011 World Cup in India but, in winning 4-3 in Pakistan and beating Australia 2-0 (their final game was rained off) immediately before this tournament, England remain favourites.

Form guide

England WWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Ireland LWWLWAndy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling will be key for Ireland•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight

Alex Hales has a prime opportunity to rediscover the form on Australian soil that was key to his recall for England after three years on the outer. His return started brightly with a half-century against Pakistan in Karachi last month, his first international match since March 2019. Upon reaching Australian shores again, where he had amassed 11 fifties and a ton in 45 matches for Sydney Thunder during that time in the Big Bash League, Hales scored 84 in the first of three matches with the hosts.Since then, however, he has posted 4, 0, 9 (in the World Cup warm-up against Pakistan in Brisbane) and 19 in England’s tournament opener against Afghanistan. In the 10 T20Is he has played since his international comeback, Hales averages 23.70 with a strike rate of 137.9 and two fifties compared to a career average of 29.85 and strike rate of 136.80 with 10 fifties and a century. Getting back into a rhythm in the next match could spell danger for Ireland – and the sides to follow.Andy Balbirnie‘s quick-fire 37 off 23 balls against West Indies hinted at the Ireland captain playing a key role in his side’s fortunes at this event. But since a half-century followed by 46 at home to Afghanistan in August, it’s his only innings of note.Four single-figure scores, including 1 against Sri Lanka, during a stretch where he has otherwise failed to pass 15 could pique his desire to dig deep for a big innings. With Stirling, Balbirinie can forge a formidable partnership, as England discovered in their 50-over encounter at Southampton in 2020. Reprise that sort of stand and anything can happen.

Team news

The poser for England is whether they exercise caution with Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, making their way back from elbow and knee surgery respectively. Woakes, who had been in doubt for the first game because of a thigh problem before taking 1 for 24 from his four overs, said he was hopeful of playing all five Super 12s games. Jos Buttler said on match eve that he was keen to play his strongest available side according to conditions, which would suggest both play. Should they place one or both seamers in cotton wool, England have David Willey and Chris Jordan in the wings, as well as Tymal Mills – a late injury replacement for Reece Topley.England (probable): 1 Jos Buttler (capt, wk), 2 Alex Hales, 3 Dawid Malan, 4 Ben Stokes, 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Harry Brook, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Chris Woakes/David Willey, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood/Chris JordanIreland have plumped for the same XI for their first four games, including two victories which followed their first-up defeat to Zimbabwe, and may well stick with their line-up. George Dockrell continues to train in isolation from the broader group while experiencing mild symptoms, having played against Sri Lanka after testing positive for Covid-19.Ireland (probable): 1 Paul Stirling, 2 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 3 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4 Harry Tector, 5 Curtis Campher, 6 George Dockrell, 7 Gareth Delany, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Simi Singh, 10 Barry McCarthy, 11 Josh Little

Pitch and conditions

Ireland lost five wickets to spin against Sri Lanka in Hobart, but with some vicious pace and bounce on offer from the MCG pitch during epic India vs Pakistan fixture, Wood’s express speed is a big plus for England. With rain forecast for the afternoon and evening in Melbourne, swing could play a part too, making England the happier side.

Stats and trivia

• England have hit a six once every 17 balls in T20Is since 2021, a record bettered only by India. Will this approach work against the big boundaries of the ‘G?
• Stirling averages just 24.64 from 17 innings at a strike rate of 120.62 in all World Cups.
• Ireland are yet to win a match batting first in T20 World Cup history. They have lost six in seven games with one no result.

Quotes

“Watching the game here between India and Pakistan, there was certainly some quality bowlers on show but they certainly got some assistance… it’s about seeing what’s in front of us on that day. If the ball is swinging, can we use that to our advantage? If it’s not, can we recognise that quickly and change plans if we have to?”
“It’s making sure that we understand the situation, the conditions, the opposition, use that as a competitive advantage that we know that they know that we know that they know.”

Tottenham Hotspur are now seen as the main contenders to sign one Premier League forward, with a January transfer update now coming from a very reliable media source this week.

Tottenham in market to sign new attacker before January deadline day

Having fell short in their pursuit of PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani, who ended up putting pen to paper on a straight loan to Juventus instead, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is still searching for a new forward.

Tottenham and Levy could now hijack Man Utd talks to sign £30m defender

Chairman Daniel Levy has been tipped to swoop in.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 21, 2025

Tottenham were in contact with PSG over signing Kolo Muani early last week (Fabrizio Romano), and were attempting to sway him with a move to north London until the very last minute. However, Juve proved a very tempting option for the Frenchman, with Spurs now returning to the drawing board.

The Premier League strugglers, who are yet to win a single top flight game this calendar year, languish 15th in the table and have suffered defeat on 12 separate occasions in the league alone already – so the under-fire Postecoglou quite simply needs inspiration from somewhere.

Tottenham are coping with vast injuries to first-team players right now, hamstringing Postecoglou’s squad, and it is safe to say that one signing in £12.5 million goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky won’t be good enough come deadline day on February 3rd.

The Lilywhites are reportedly working hard on getting the required, quality fresh faces through the door before time runs out. Spurs remain in the market for a new attacker who can provide an injection of direct threat, with Postecoglou recently offered Lyon star Rayan Cherki (GiveMeSport).

Tottenham are also believed to be eyeing a move for Nice’s Evan Guessand, while other reported targets are emerging as we approach the business end of January.

Tottenham now the "biggest competitor" for Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling

One player who fits the mould of a potential Spurs signing – young, homegrown and good value – is Southampton forward Tyler Dibling.

The versatile 18-year-old has been a mainstay at St. Mary’s Stadium this term, scoring four goals and assisting two others in a wide variety of attacking roles. He could suit Postecoglou down to the ground, and Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that they’re serious contenders for Dibling’s signature.

Indeed, Tottenham are the “biggest competitors” to sign Dibling, who Plettenberg dubs a “super talent”, but face stiff competition from RB Leipzig who are pushing for his services.

He is valued at around £30 million by the Saints, according to other reports, so Spurs would still have to make a significant mid-season investment despite being current favourites.

Match-defining 97, two wickets and a crucial catch make for triumphant return to Trent Bridge

David Hopps17-Sep-2022Out with the old, in with the new. In a match billed as Darren Stevens’ farewell, Kent claimed a 21-run victory in the final of the Royal London Cup as the player best placed to take up Stevens’ mantle, Joey Evison, took the plaudits with a memorable all-round display.Evison, who was loaned out to Kent by Nottinghamshire for the Royal London Cup ahead of a three-year deal, made a triumphant return to Trent Bridge. He followed up a composed innings of 97 with an outfield catch at a crucial period and a yorker to finish it in a nerveless penultimate over to stymie Lancashire’s pursuit of 307.Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire’s coach, was frustrated by Evison’s departure, but the advent of The Hundred, and the current status of the 50-over tournament as a developmental competition has created conditions in which talented young players are more ambitious than ever to quicken their careers.In the frantic closing overs, two alternative paragraphs were vying to be written – and they both involved Derbyshire being well beaten in a List A final. The relevant one turned out to be Kent’s first List A triumph since 1978, a prosaic, low-scoring affair even for those times in which Derbyshire made only 147 – four wickets for John Shepherd – and Bob Woolmer’s sedate 79 completed a six-wicket win.Crucially, Kent’s outfielding was vastly superior to Lancashire’s in the second half of their innings with Alex Blake, Evison and Nathan Gilchrist all holding sharp catches, a contrast to some slipshod moments in the field that left regular Lancashire observers aghast. Evison was denied the best catch of all, a one-handed affair off Grant Stewart to dismiss Liam Hurt for nought, but the ball brushed the ground and further tension ensued before Evison yorked Hurt eight balls from the end and Kent could claim victory.Related

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Keaton Jennings hails development of young talent as Lancashire eye final product

T20 Finals Day has long usurped the 50-over final as county cricket’s one-day jamboree, but more than 9,000 turned out to watch the culmination of a diminished competition which at least was back in its rightful place in early September as the Championship also reaches its climax.Thirteen players involved in The Hundred were absent. Kent omitted their septet as a deliberate show of faith to those who had taken them to the final. Lancashire had no such compunction, but lost three to England, Liam Livingstone to injury and omitted their spinners Matt Parkinson and Tom Hartley.Keaton Jennings batted with such comfort that a match-defining innings appeared to be on the cards, but he fell for 71 (64) in the softest manner as he patted the legspinner Hamidullah Qadri to short extra and stood motionless in disbelief for several seconds.Jennings has led Lancashire ably over 50 overs this summer. It is nearly four years since he played the last of his 17 Tests, but 30 or not he is a capable cricketer and responsive leader and there would be far worse choices as a back-up opener in Pakistan.Keaton Jennings led the chase with a brisk onslaught•ECB via Getty ImagesAt 126 for 3 in the 22nd over, and 181 more needed at 6.3 an over, the match was keenly balanced, and Lancashire lost a second batter of equable temperament in pressure situations when Dane Vilas dragged on trying to pull Evison. Fourteen overs passed without a boundary as Evison and Qadri took control.Steven Croft then broke free, taking four boundaries off successive overs from Evison and Qadri to sweep past his 50. It appeared that, after all, the story would be about a veteran player anxious for a new contract, however it would not be about the man who had attracted all the headlines, Darren Stevens, but Croft, a mere stripling at 37. But the match swung again as Croft hauled Gilchrist to mid on; George Lavelle, aiming for deep midwicket, picked out the diving Evison; and Gilchrist held another thrilling diving catch at deep backward square to remove Rob Jones.Lancashire’s bowling attack had been short on options compared to Kent’s with sixth-bowler duties left to Croft, a redoubtable professional over many seasons, but someone who had bowled only 15 overs of offspin in the competition and whose staccato round-arm delivery suggested a prescription of beneficial stretches might be in order.Kent had lost a wicket after four balls and the identity of the batter determined the nature of their progress. It was Ben Compton, an opener of prudence, who steered a wide delivery from Tom Bailey to backward point, leaving Ollie Robinson to fulsomely carry the fight. Robinson’s future at Kent will not be determined until the end of the season – as well as this cup final he might well be drafted into a relegation scrap – with Durham prominent among his suitors. He took a liking to Will Williams, unafraid to loft him over mid-off, but he was silenced on 43 when the wicketkeeper Lavelle held an excellent, one-handed diving catch off an inside edge. His 534 runs at 66.75 is a runs tally outdone only by Stephen Eskinazi and Cheteshwar Pujara. The player of the tournament, though, went to Leicestershire’s South African Wiaan Mulder.Evison played with great discernment for his 97, most of his 14 fours and one six struck down the ground – a favourite area – and his one uncertain moment coming on 47 when Lancashire’s review for an lbw verdict for Liam Hurt narrowly failed.As Moores doubtless gnashed his teeth in anticipation of an Evison century, he was dismissed three runs short, courtesy perhaps of some well-judged Lancashire professionalism. Lancashire’s review for a glove down the leg side off Danny Lamb was predictably overturned when replays showed the ball had brushed Evison’s hip, but as the seconds ticked by Lancashire had time to grab a drink and regroup and Evison had more time for reflection than was good for him. Lamb’s next ball, a slower inswinger, rattled into middle stump as he missed it by a distance. Joe Denly’s 78 from 69 balls carried Kent through the middle overs, freed from an uncertain start by some canny forays down the pitch.There was to be no flamboyant finale for Stevens, whose memorable match-winning exploits, at 46, had carried Kent into the final and won him many headlines. “Stevo is God” proclaimed a Flag of St George banner in the Fox Road stand, but as much as Godlike status at Kent is not to be sniffed at, he hankers more after a player-coach deal wherever he can get one. He managed only eight overs of his spell before leaving the field with a damaged groin.His unbeaten 32 from 31 had been a bit of a mercy because his touch largely escaped him. He was twice the beneficiary as Lancashire’s fielding fell apart in the final hour. His first cloth down the ground was fumbled by Luke Wells at long on; Jennings drop of a skier to cover was much more culpable. He was also the guilty party in the run out of Stewart, eager to regain the strike after Stewart pushed the ball straight to Croft at point. A flawed legend on this occasion then, but a legend all the same.

Kobbie Mainoo has returned to training with Manchester United for the first time in two months, just in time for the Europa League clash at Lyon.

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• Midfielder back after two months out
• Seen with fresh new trim
• Return is a timely boost for Lyon tie

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mainoo was spotted in United's open training session on Wednesday before flying out to France for the quarter-final first leg against Lyon. The midfielder was sporting a new, no-nonsense haircut as he trained in the glorious sunshine at Carrington with his team-mates for the first time since injuring his hamstring.

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  Mainoo's last match was the FA Cup tie with Leicester on February 7, suffering the injury days later in a terrible training week for the Red Devils which also led to Amad Diallo damaging ankle ligaments and being ruled out for several months. Mainoo is now expected to be available for Thursday's first leg at the Groupama Stadium although fellow midfielder Toby Collyer plus defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven are doubts after being absent from the training session.

• WHAT RUBEN AMORIM SAID

  United head coach Ruben Amorim told a pre-match press conference: "Kobbie Mainoo is training with us, we want to be careful, again, with our players, but maybe he’s going to be in our squad."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mainoo was playing in an advanced role just before he got injured. He played as a No. 10 in the Europa League win at FCSB and to good effect as he scored and set up a goal for Diogo Dalot. But Amorim's plan to play him as the centre-forward against Crystal Palace days later badly backfired. His return further strengthens a United side who are slowly but steadily improving under Amorim ahead of their last chance to win a trophy and salvage one of their worst-ever campaigns in modern times.

“This is a new challenge for me. It makes me very proud. I am looking forward to meet the team,” he said

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jul-2022Lance Klusener has been signed up as the head coach of the Durban franchise in CSA’s new T20 league, which is scheduled for January-February 2023.”This is a new challenge for me. It makes me very proud. I am looking forward to meet the team,” Klusener said in a statement issued by the RPSG group, the owners of the Durban franchise who also own the Lucknow Super Giants team in the IPL.The appointment is the first by the RPSG group. All the six franchises in the league have been bought by current IPL team owners. The league will be run by CSA in partnership with SuperSport, the TV broadcasters.Related

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Klusener has built a strong coaching career since the end of his playing days and was, in fact, coach of the Durban-based Dolphins in the mid-2010s before moving around the world.He rejoined the Zimbabwe men’s team as a batting coach earlier this year, a role he had performed from 2016 to 2018. Following that, he joined the Afghanistan men’s team as their head coach before parting ways with them in late 2021. Klusener has also worked with Khulna Tigers in the BPL and with Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League in between.Prior to that, he had also worked with the South Africa team briefly as their assistant batting coach in late 2019, as the head coach of Rajshahi Kings in the BPL, as consultant coach of Indian domestic side Delhi. He also had short stints with South Africa’s senior men’s side in 2015 and with Mumbai Indians in the IPL in 2011.As of now, CSA is likely to allow four international players in each playing XI and Indian players are not expected to be available for the league.The Durban franchise is the second T20 team the RPSG group has acquired in the last 12 months after paying INR 7090 crore (US$ 940 million approx.) to buy the Lucknow franchise in the IPL in October last year.The owners, or co-owners, of Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals have bought the remaining teams in the competition.

Leeds United, after rescuing a late point against Preston North End, may have no choice but to turn their attention towards the January transfer window, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly looking to seal a repeat of their Archie Gray deal.

Leeds transfer news

The Whites are gunning for automatic promotion after suffering playoff heartbreak last season and whilst a point against Preston would have disappointed those in Yorkshire, that last-gasp draw could yet make all the difference. Coming courtesy of Jack Whatmough’s unfortunate own goal off the bench to make it a cameo to forget, Leeds now find themselves three points adrift of Championship leaders Sheffield United.

With the January transfer window just around the corner, however, those at Elland Road may have no choice but to brace themselves for potential departures after a summer full of big exits.

Fresh from playoff heartbreak, Leeds were forced to bid farewell to Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and, most frustratingly, academy graduate Gray, who swapped Elland Road for Tottenham Hotspur.

Fewer touches than Piroe: 4/10 Leeds flop was worse than Meslier

Leeds United claimed a last-gasp equaliser to draw against Preston earlier today.

By
Ethan Lamb

Dec 14, 2024

Now, as the winter window approaches, the Lilywhites could make their mark once again to repeat their summer swoop for Gray. According to Leeds United News, Spurs are now eyeing a Gray repeat to sign Pascal Struijk from Leeds when the January window swings open in a couple of weeks.

The central defender has proved to be an important figure for Daniel Farke so far this season, starting in every single Championship game at the heart of his side’s backline. With Spurs lacking in numbers at the back following ill-timed injuries to Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, however, Leeds could find themselves opening the door to the North London side for the second time in six months.

"Crucial" Struijk key to Leeds' promotion hopes

Losing Summerville, Gray and Rutter in the summer was difficult enough but Leeds were at least in a position to replace their departed stars, which isn’t always the case in the January transfer window. Simply put, losing any key figures in the middle of their promotion push is almost certain to derail Leeds’ Premier League pursuit, which is currently on course for success.

Struijk certainly comes under that key figure tag too, given the praise that Farke sent his way at the end of October. The German told reporters as relayed by The Leeds Press: “He adapted well to my demands and he’s played a crucial part. We don’t have to tal about his skills with the ball. I’m very pleased with his development.”

At 25 years old, turning down the interest of Spurs would be far from easy, but Struijk must consider potential promotion success and his place at the heart of that success. In North London, it’s likely that he’d eventually find himself as the fourth-choice centre-back behind Van de Ven, Romero and Radu Dragusin when all are fit and firing. At Elland Road, meanwhile, he can remain the main man at the back, which could win the argument.

The 40-year-old can give his country a massive boost if he calls time on his international career before next year's tournament in North America

"If I don't score and someone else scores, it's all the same to me," Cristiano Ronaldo declared after Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Denmark in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie. "If Portugal has to win and I don't play, I'll sign my name right now, tell the coach and I won't play. I'll defend these colours until the death."

In an extremely rare admission of his human capacity for failure, Ronaldo also claimed he's "played 50,000 bad games" since making his professional debut for Sporting CP back in 2002, before adding: "Things don't work out sometimes." It was refreshing to hear the five-time Ballon d'Or winner let his guard down instead of sticking to type and allowing his arrogant streak to run rampant.

However, actions speak louder than words, and what we're seeing on the pitch suggests that Ronaldo's perception of reality remains distorted. Indeed, if the 40-year-old were truly serious about putting Portugal's collective ambitions ahead of his own, he wouldn't still be making himself available for selection to Roberto Martinez.

Things haven't been working out for the Seleccao for a good three years now, and Ronaldo is the main reason for that. The Al-Nassr superstar is still fit enough to bang in goals consistently in the Saudi Pro League, but it's clear he can no longer keep up with the pace of elite-level football, which is completely understandable given his age.

Ronaldo's refusal to acknowledge that is the problem. No one can take away the former Manchester United and Real Madrid frontman's status as an all-time great, but he's done serious damage to his legacy by extending his Portugal career far beyond its sell-by date. It can still be repaired, but only if Ronaldo is willing to break character and make a selfless decision: giving up on his dream of lifting the World Cup.

AFPAttack of self-doubt

Ronaldo only had one chance of note in Denmark last week (a weak header that he put wide of the post), and spent the majority of the game as a passenger. It was a poor performance that should have led to him being benched for the second leg at Jose Alvalade Stadium.

But Martinez seems completely unwilling to even consider taking Ronaldo out of the firing line. "Our teams are very flexible tactically, we have played with two strikers. We need to use our players depending on our opponent. But it is not a question of trying to talk about Cristiano in every game," the Portugal head coach told a pre-match press conference. "If Cristiano Ronaldo scores, he is the most important player in the team. When he does not score, it is because of his age. It is not a fair assessment."

Sure enough, Ronaldo was back in the starting XI on Sunday, and just three minutes in, he had the opportunity to justify his inclusion. He won a penalty after going down easily when competing to reach a cross, and stepped up to take it himself in trademark fashion, shoulders back and cheeks puffed out.

Ronaldo seemed to suffer an attack of self-doubt in his run-up, though, as he stuttered before placing a tame effort straight into the grateful arms of Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Remarkably, it was only the 32nd penalty miss of Ronaldo's career out of 204 attempts, but it will likely be remembered as his worst given the complete lack of conviction.

AdvertisementAFPPlenty of passion, but no mobility

To Ronaldo's credit, he responded well after that humiliating moment. He kept firing in shots to test Schmeichel, and played a key role in Portugal's opening goal, producing a running leap to try and meet a Bruno Fernandes corner that led to Joachim Andersen accidentally nodding the ball into his own net.

Denmark equalised through Rasmus Christensen just before the hour mark, but then luck finally smiled favourably on Ronaldo. Portugal restored their lead in the 72nd minute after Fernandes' long-range shot struck the post before rebounding off Schmeichel into the path of Ronaldo, who managed to steer the ball into the net from a tight angle.

It does seem as though Ronaldo's predatory instincts will be the last thing to leave him, but his mobility went some time ago. That much was evident as he faded into anonymity in the final portion of the game before seemingly asking Martinez to take him off due to an injury.

The tie went to extra-time after a Christian Eriksen effort was cancelled out by substitute Francisco Trincao, who doubled his account just after the restart before Ronaldo's replacement, Goncalo Ramos, put Portugal 5-3 up on aggregate. Much like he did in the Euro 2016 final, Ronaldo adopted the role of assistant coach as he attempted to push his team-mates over the line from the technical area, and when the final whistle blew, he celebrated passionately.

But Portugal may not have emerged victorious had Ronaldo remained on the pitch for the full 120 minutes. It was only after his withdrawal that they went up a gear and Denmark started to wilt, with their talented frontline liberated from the pressure of constantly looking for the captain.

GettyCasting a huge shadow

Ronaldo is now up to six goals in eight games in the latest edition of the Nations League, which is an impressive haul, but four of those efforts came against Scotland and Poland, and the remaining two came in wins over Croatia and Denmark teams who are not as strong as they once were. Portugal will face their first proper examination against top-drawer opposition in the semi-finals, with Julian Nagelsmann's Germany awaiting after their last-eight victory over Italy.

It won't be a surprise if Portugal come unstuck in that tie, because they are still lacking a proper identity under Martinez. His insistence on building the team around Ronaldo is preventing any significant progress from being made.

Ronaldo casts a huge shadow over the squad off the pitch, too, as every move he makes and word he utters is scrutinised to the finest possible degree. Indeed, before the second leg against Denmark, he made headlines for demanding that a reporter look him directly in the eyes after asking a question instead of at their computer screen.

Egotistical outbursts like that were excusable when Ronaldo was making a decisive impact at his peak, but now they are just providing an unwanted distraction. Martinez is letting Ronaldo survive purely based on his past exploits, ignoring the obvious fact he's in decline out of fear, or worse, pure ignorance.

Getty'Football doesn't need Ronaldo at 2026 World Cup'

If Ronaldo does end up going to next year's World Cup, Portugal are pretty much guaranteed more heartbreak. The Seleccao were dumped out of the competition by an unfancied Morocco side in 2022 at the round of 16 stage, and at last summer's European Championship in Germany, they were beaten by a below-par France in the quarter-finals.

Ronaldo appeared in all 10 of Portugal's matches across those tournaments, but only scored once – from the penalty spot. Fernando Santos did at least bench Ronaldo for the Morocco game in Qatar, which should have spelled the end for the Sporting CP academy graduate, who broke down in tears after the 1-0 defeat.

But Martinez's first order of business after replacing Santos at the helm was to inexplicably re-affirm Ronaldo's status as Portugal's most important player. Ronaldo started every game at the Euros, and Martinez only subbed the then-39-year-old off once (in a group stage clash with Georgia after Portugal had already booked a spot in the last 16), despite his ineffectiveness in the final third.

Portugal are arguably an even worse team now than when Martinez initially came in, and it's difficult to imagine their fans tolerating another year of him enabling Ronaldo. Neutral supporters don't want to see Ronaldo embarrass himself on the biggest stage again either, including ex-Chelsea and Netherlands star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

"Football doesn't need Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup," Hasselbaink recently told . "Ronaldo has been one of the best players for a long time; one of the best players in history. I think, at the moment, he’s doing himself more harm than good to be playing for Portugal still."

Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Chelsea for Jude Bellingham's teenager brother Jobe in the summer transfer window.

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Jobe Bellingham starring for SunderlandHas attracted interest already from ChelseaManchester United ready to join race for teenagerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ruben Amorim is planning a summer shake-up at Old Trafford and has identified Jobe as a potential target to strengthen his midfield. The Portuguese coach is keen to offload Casemiro, Victor Lindelof, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Christian Eriksen and may even sell Kobbie Mainoo in a bid to raise funds for summer signings, according to .

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Jude's younger brother has caught the eye after becoming a key player for Sunderland. The 19-year-old is also believed to be wanted at Chelsea this summer, while Tottenham and Brentford are also thought to be admirers of the talented teenager as well.

DID YOU KNOW?

Jobe is currently with the England Under-21 squad and so has been able to catch up with big brother Jude at St. George's Park as the Real Madrid superstar has been included in Thomas Tuchel's first Three Lions squad for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM

Bellingham Jr is contracted to Sunderland until 2028 and it's not clear yet if he's ready to make the big jump to the Premier League. Yet if offers for the teenager do arrive in the summer from the likes of Chelsea and United he'll have a decision to make on his future. In the meantime, Bellingham will be trying to help the Black Cats into the top flight, with his current side in fourth place in the Championship table.

West Indies toil during unbroken 193-run second-wicket stand but rain cuts further time from the game

Valkerie Baynes11-Mar-2022

Joe Root looked genuinely impressed by what he was seeing. As Zak Crawley drove Kemar Roach down the ground for a boundary – not exactly sweetly struck but with the momentum of his considerable levers behind it – the England captain met him in the middle of the pitch for a couple of fist-bumps and approving nods, chattering away in encouragement and eliciting a broad grin from his young charge.Given that it was boundary number eight of 16 and counting for Crawley, who was compiling the second Test century of his career, the exchange may not have been unusual but in the circumstances, it stood out.After a dirty day three when Root more commonly wore a look of anguish as his attack failed to capitalise on prior opportunity, not to mention a tumultuous start to the year, England turned the tables on West Indies with an unbroken second-wicket stand in Antigua worth 193, a century and fifty so far to its protagonists and a 153-run lead heading into the final day.Related

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The hosts failed to make further inroads after Roach removed debutant opener Alex Lees, lbw in single figures for the second time in the match, to put the tourists at 24 for 1, still 40 runs in arrears.On a pitch that had admittedly offered nothing for the bowlers all match, the West Indies bowlers leaked runs, Veerasammy Permaul particularly expensive in conceding 51 off his 10 overs.Fellow left-arm spinner Jack Leach, meanwhile, had been one of the brighter lights for England, bowling 20 maidens – almost half his overs – as he took 2 for 79, including West Indies’ last wicket with the third ball of the day as the hosts took a 64-run first-innings lead.Quick Jayden Seales was the man dismissed, and he did not enjoy much more success with the ball, 12 wicketless overs costing 51 runs.But Roach, who was getting considerable swing with the new ball on the fourth morning, set Lees up with a series of deliveries that moved away from the left-hander before banging one in full and straight to beat the inside edge and slam into the front pad. Lees reviewed, perhaps in hope after seeing Crawley successfully overturn an lbw decision from umpire Gregory Brathwaite in the first over, only to have it confirmed that the ball was crashing into leg stump.Crawley was yet to score when he was reprieved the first time, with Hawk-Eye showing the ball was missing leg stump by some way. He had moved to 18 when West Indies burned a review shortly after Lees’ dismissal, Crawley adjudged not out to a Roach inswinger that hit him high on the back leg outside off stump.He had to wait out a 10-minute rain delay and Alzarri Joseph maidens either side of it on 49 before he regained the strike from Root and flipped Roach off his hip for a single to bring up his fifty off 100 balls. Crawley peeled off his next fifty from 81 balls as he and Root hit full flow and West Indies floundered for ideas despite trying seven different bowling options.Joe Root celebrates his half-century•Gareth Copley/AFP via Getty Images

Caught behind off Seales for just 8 in the first innings, Crawley tightened up his defence but played expansively where it was warranted, pulling the short ball with authority, cutting anything wide and finding the boundary with the sweep and drive also.Root raised his half-century late in the afternoon session with a four off Permaul through third, and Crawley survived a hearty shout by West Indies, thinking he’d been caught at slip off the spinner, but for replays to show he had edged the ball into the pitch before it bobbed up to the fielder.Having scored 267 against Pakistan at Southampton in August 2020, his eighth Test, Crawley had made 12 single-figure scores – including two ducks – in 21 innings since.Called back into the side for the first time since the English summer for the last three Ashes Tests when England initially dropped Rory Burns and then Haseeb Hameed, Crawley scored a second-innings 77 in Sydney and survived the post-series clear-out, which also saw Lees called up to accompany him at the top of the order.Just like 19 months before, Crawley again lived up to the potential that put him there as he and Root gave England something to smile about before the intermittent rain that had punctuated play briefly a few times set in.

AC Milan legend Massimo Ambrosini has hailed Kyle Walker’s impact at San Siro, claiming that the England international has “changed the defence”.

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Loan move made from Man CityHas settled quickly in ItalyExperience being put to good useFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Walker is set to see out the 2024-25 campaign in Italy after completing an initial loan transfer from reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. A permanent switch is expected to be agreed at the end of the season.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Walker is now 34 years of age, but his vast experience and fabled pace over the turf is being put to good use by the Rossoneri. He has settled quickly in new surroundings alongside the likes of USMNT stars Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.

WHAT MASSIMO AMBROSINI SAID

Having made his debut in a derby draw with arch-rivals Inter, Walker has since figured in three domestic wins and a solitary European defeat for Milan. Ambrosini – speaking to , who offer the latest UEFA Champions League odds here – exclusively told GOAL: “I was a little bit surprised to see Kyle Walker join AC Milan because he’s been one of the best defenders in the world over the last five or six years. A time in which football has changed and everyone has to do everything, especially defenders.

“Right now his impact at Milan has been good, I had no doubt that it would be because he has had a career that speaks for itself. He has changed the defence of Milan, they really needed a player like him.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR KYLE WALKER & AC MILAN?

Walker was replaced at half-time during his latest Milan appearance, with Rafael Leao sent on in his place as manager Sergio Conceicao sought more of an attacking spark. He will be hoping to complete the full 90 minutes when facing Feyenoord in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs on Tuesday – with the Rossoneri trailing that contest 1-0 on aggregate.