Beau Webster has done everything in his power to keep his Test spot, taking five wickets for Tasmania against South Australia with Alex Carey making 59

AAP11-Nov-2025

Beau Webster took 5 for 50•Getty Images

Beau Webster has taken his first five-wicket haul of the summer for Tasmania – but it came on a day when his chances of keeping his Test spot took a hit.Webster claimed 5 for 50 for the Tigers in Hobart on Tuesday to help dismiss South Australia for 177 in reply to the hosts’ first-innings 209. Tasmania then collapsed by losing nine wickets in an extended last session to reach stumps on day two at 177 for 9, with Henry Thornton taking two wickets in the final over to keep the hosts’ lead to 209 with a tight finish looming.Webster was out for eight as Tasmania crumbled, but was still the star of the day and did everything in his power with the ball to keep his Test spot.Related

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However, his wickets came just as Cameron Green was returning to bowl for Western Australia for the first time in six weeks, after battling side soreness.Green bowled with good pace and bounce at the WACA, taking an early wicket and dispelling any concerns over his fitness. If Green is fit to bowl in the first Test from November 21, selectors will be left to decide between keeping Webster or picking a specialist opener in Tasmania teammate Jake Weatherald.A key consideration will also no doubt be that Weatherald’s inclusion would allow Marnus Labuschagne to bat in his preferred position of No.3. Weatherald looked in touch for his 30 on Tuesday, before edging a ball back onto his own stumps off Liam Scott for a pair of squandered starts in this match, after a first-innings 23. He hit Nathan McAndrew for three boundaries in one over, pulling him twice to the rope before a glorious cover drive to the fence.Earlier, Webster was easily Tasmania’s best bowler on Tuesday after having Travis Head caught behind on the opening evening. The seamer bowled Liam Scott through the gate with a ball that swung back in at the right-hander, then also drew Jake Doran’s edge soon afterwards.Beau Webster celebrates his fourth career five-wicket haul•Getty Images

Nathan McAndrew followed in a similar fashion, before Brendan Doggett was the last to go when Webster took the tailender’s off stump.Webster has taken eight wickets at 23.25 since debuting for Australia at the SCG, while also proving a reliable man with the bat at No.6.”Beau does what Beau does, just gets in a nice area,” Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey said. “In conditions like that he gets a lot out of it, and that’s what I’ve seen in his Test career so far.”With wickets that have a bit in it, he comes to the fore and got his five-wicket haul today.”Jake Weatherald, I think, is a really quality player and looked really good for his 30.”Alex Carey drives through cover•Getty Images

Carey (59) was the only South Australian to pass 50, as he played a counter-attacking role in a low-scoring game. On a day when rain, storms and even hail stopped play, the Australian Test wicketkeeper regularly charged the quicks. He used his feet to hit Jackson Bird over the mid-wicket fence, and played another cracking cover drive against Webster.But when Carey guided Gabe Bell to Webster at second slip on 59, it kick-started a collapse of 6 for 33 to end South Australia’s innings.South Australia then went through the Tasmanians by taking nine wickets in an extended final session, with Ben Manenti taking 3 for 26.

Pakistan thundered to victory in the final of the tri-series, their attack blazing through the last nine Sri Lanka wickets for 30 runs, before their batters carried them without major drama to a target of 115. The victory came in the 19th over.Earlier, it had been three-wicket hauls for Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz, and two wickets for Abrar Ahmed, that had seen Pakistan produce the definitive passage of the game – the second half of Sri Lanka’s innings.Sri Lanka had been 84 for 1 in the 11th over when Nawaz had Kusal Mendis caught athletically by Babar Azam, on the boundary. They would nosedive spectacularly from there, losing wickets to spin mainly, but pace too, until they were all out for 114 in 19.1 overs.The chase was low-tempo, but mostly smooth. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub put on 46 together. Babar then produced a steady 37 not out to guide the team home in plenty of time. They never hit a high gear. But they didn’t need to.Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up 3 for 18 as Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap•Associated Press

Sri Lanka’s epic plunge

How do you go from a 64-run second-wicket partnership to 114 all out? Let Sri Lanka show you how.The spinners drove the collapse. After Nawaz dismissed Mendis, Abrar and Ayub ran riot, Abrar having Kusal Perera and Pavan Rathnayake caught attempting big shots within three balls of each other. Ayub had Sri Lanka’s top-scorer Kamil Mishara caught, before Nawaz came back to rattle the stumps of Janith Liyanage and Wanindu Hasaranga.To give you an idea of how quickly wickets were falling, Sri Lanka had seven consecutive partnerships worth six runs or fewer.

Babar keeps coming back

A score of 37 not out off 34 isn’t exactly stellar T20I material, but in the context of having to guide the team to a low target, Babar’s innings was sensibly-paced. It may not deter his critics exactly, but it might hold them off.In a stretch in which Babar has been suggesting that the best version of himself might be back, it was also significant that he had such a good outing in the field in this match. The catch to dismiss Mendis was a nicely-judged overhead take, balancing to keep himself inside the boundary. The catch to dismiss Mishara was taken on the run, coming in from the straight boundary, diving forward. To get Rathnayake, he leapt up inside the circle to hold the catch with outstretched fingers.Kamil Mishara struck a quick half-century to keep Sri Lanka going•Getty Images

Mishara sets a foundation

Although Sri Lanka would fail spectacularly to build on it, their young opener Mishara had set a launching pad with his 59 off 47 balls. He had a powerful aerial game inside the powerplay, his three sixes in that phase coming in the arc between long off and deep midwicket. After the field went back, he settled into a rhythm of singles. With this being his second successive half-century, Sri Lanka are likely to persist with him.

تحدث الإسباني، تشابي ألونسو، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد عن مباراة فريقه أمام أتلتيك بلباو ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

ويخوض ريال مدريد مباراة قوية أمام نظيره أتلتيك بلباو ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ 19 المقدمة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”، غدًا الأربعاء.

وقال ألونسو، في المؤتمر الصحفي والذي نقلته صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “إنها مباراة دوري كلاسيكية، ودائمًا ما تكون الأجواء رائعة، علينا أن نلعب بطاقة كبيرة وتركيز كبير، حان وقت التدريب الآن، ثم سنسافر”.

وعن الأمور التي يجب أن تتحسن: “تحدثنا عن كرة القدم، وعن الوحدة، وعما يجب تحسينه لنكون أكثر ثباتًا، هذا ما يهمنا، نريد كسر سلسلة هزائمنا خارج أرضنا ومباراة الغد فرصة رائعة”.

وحول كلمات كروس الأخيرة: “هو يتمتع بخبرة واسعة، وقد مر بجميع أنواع المواقف هنا، يعرف النادي جيدًا ومتطلباته، ويدرك أن هناك إجراءات ومراحل مختلفة، المهم هو كيفية التعامل معها، لدي ثقة كاملة بالفريق، وأركز على المدى القريب وهو الغد”.

وحول تراجع مستوى بيلينجهام: “أنا أراه يُبلي بلاءً حسنًا يومًا بعد يوم وهو مُتحمس، يُشارك الجميع شعورهم بعدم السعادة لعدم الفوز لكن هذا جزء من الضغط فهو يُريد مساعدتنا جميعًا ونريد مساعدته أيضًا”.

وحول الحديث عن رحيل لاعبين أو التعاقد مع آخرين: “أركز على الغد فقط، أركز على إعداد الفريق، لا يزال الطريق طويلاً فقد بقى أكثر من ثلث الموسم، وكل شيء قريب جدًا، وما زال أمامنا الكثير لنقطعه، هذا قد يتغير كثيرًا، نجد صعوبة في الفوز خارج أرضنا لكننا قادرون على ذلك غدًا”.

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وأردف: “عدم ثقة الجمهور بي؟ نحن في مكاننا الحالي سواءً في الترتيب أو في كل شيء آخر نعيش تحت الضغط، ونركز على ما يمكننا تغييره، لقد تحدثت مع الرئيس (بيريز) أمس وكان في حال جيد”.

حول طبيعة كرة القدم التي يلعبها الفريق: “في كرة القدم، نبذل قصارى جهدنا لكن بعض المباريات لم تكن جيدة وهذا ما نريد تصحيحه”.

وعن سبب سوء أداء لاعبي خط الوسط: “بعد مباراة الكلاسيكو أو فالنسيا، من لديه هذه الشكوك لم يكن ليسأل هذا السؤال، لقد فقد الفريق ككل بعضًا من جودة لعبه ونشاطه لكننا جميعًا نلعب معًا مجددًا”.

وأردف: “تراجع مستوى اللاعبين في الضغط؟ اللاعبون يدركون ما نريد فعله وكيف يمكننا تحسينه، بدون تنظيم، يستحيل تحقيق ذلك وعلينا العمل على ذلك بالطبع، في المباراة الأخيرة، تحسن أداؤنا في الشوط الثاني، ولهذا السبب سنحت لنا فرص أكثر”.

وعن عدم مشاركة جونزالو جارسيا باستمرار: “كان أداؤه في كأس العالم مذهلًا، قد لا يلعب كل الدقائق التي يستحقها لكنه ذكي للغاية، ويعرف دوره جيدًا، ومستعد دائمًا”.

واستطرد: “الطريق أمامنا شاق على الجميع والحفاظ على كامل طاقتنا أمر صعب لكن يجب أن نركز على الثبات والتقدم خطوة للأمام وهذا يأتي من الشعور الإيجابي عندما يسير الفريق بسلاسة، يكون الوضع أفضل”.

حول أنباء اعتزال أراوخو لأسباب نفسية: “علينا احترام اللاعبين فهم ليسوا آلات، إنها مسؤوليتهم، إذا اتخذوا هذا القرار وكان لمصلحة اللاعب، فهو منطقي برأيي”.

وأتم: “سأعطي لكم مثالًا، لقد أمضى مبابي موسمًا كاملًا في مدريد، جميعكم تعلمون كيف غادر العام الماضي، كان أداؤه ممتازًا ولكن كما ذكرت سابقًا، لا يُمكن أن تكون الأهداف حكرًا على كيليان، فهو يُقدم أكثر من ذلك بكثير، القيادة والتأثير جزء كبير من العمل اليومي وهذا في غاية الأهمية”.

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Já com rumores de uma possível saída do Cruzeiro em 2026, Gabigol fechou sua temporada pela equipe mineira errando um pênalti decisivo contra o Corinthians na Neo Química Arena.

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Especialista em penalidades máximas, o camisa 9 da Raposa teve a chance de fechar a decisão e colocar a equipe na final, mas bateu fraco no canto esquerdo, e Hugo Souza fez a defesa. Contra o Corinthians, o atacante entrou justamente para bater a penalidade máxima, no lugar de Kaio Jorge.

Vestindo a camisa do Cruzeiro, Gabigol disputou 48 partidas, com 13 gols marcados e quatro assistências. Contratado para ser o principal nome do time, ele perdeu seu lugar na equipe titular para Kaio Jorge, artilheiro do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Em toda sua carreira, Gabriel Barbosa perdeu apenas nove pênaltis no tempo normal, convertendo 53 de 62 penalidades. Pelo Cruzeiro, este foi o terceiro perdido de oito que cobrou.

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Corinthians x Cruzeiro

Cruzeiro e Corinthians fizeram uma semifinal eletrizante neste domingo (14). Na Neo Química Arena, o time mineiro dominou a partida até o início do segundo tempo, abriu 2 a 0 no placar, dois gols de Arroyo, mas viu o Corinthians diminuir com Matheus Bidu na etapa final. O 2 a 1 levou a decisão para os pênaltis.

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Precisando de dois gols para sair de São Paulo classificado, o Cruzeiro tomou a iniciativa. Controlava o jogo, tentava construir jogadas ofensivas, mas esbarrava na marcação alvinegra. No fim do primeiro tempo, os visitantes abriram o placar com Keny Arroyo.

No início da segunda etapa, o camisa 99 voltou a marcar e colocou o Cabuloso na frente. Entretanto, apenas cinco minutos depois, Matheus Bidu marcou e recolocou o Timão no jogo.

Nas penalidades máximas, Cássio defendeu o primeiro pênalti, cobrado por Yuri Alberto. Gabigol teve a chance de fechar as cobranças, mas perdeu sua cobrança. Nas alternadas, Walace também errou e o Corinthians garantiu sua vaga na decisão.

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A heroic rearguard effort from Greaves, Roach, and Hope ensured West Indies salvaged a thrilling draw after slipping to 72 for 4

Shashank Kishore06-Dec-20251:01

Chase: Roach is a modern-day legend

An epic stonewall from Justin Greaves had him face more than half the deliveries of his 12-Test career in this one innings alone, as West Indies pocketed their first points in their sixth Test of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle in Christchurch. The 163.3 overs they eventually faced is the longest fourth-innings in Tests for West Indies in 95 years.Having played the supporting role to Shai Hope through their 196-run stand that rescued West Indies from 92 for 4 on Day 3, Greaves became the heartbeat of the innings once Hope (140) and Tevin Imlach fell in quick succession.He brought up a stunning maiden Test double ton in the penultimate over when he sliced Jacob Duffy over backward point to pocket what was to be only his second boundary in all of the final session as his colleagues stood up to give him a standing ovation.Related

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Greaves: 'Special, special day for me; special day for the team'

He finished 202 not out, having faced 388 deliveries, turning an innings that began with the typical artistic flair and flamboyance into a steely knock full of purpose and grit. Greaves wore more blows on the body than he could count, batted more deliveries than he had in his career, and reined in his natural instincts with single-minded purpose and determination.His effort led to an astonishing turnaround from the first hour of the day, when West Indies stumbled to 277 for 6 in a mammoth chase of 531. A depleted New Zealand attack down to two weary frontline pacers in Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy, fancied their chances. But Greaves found an able ally in Kemar Roach, the 37-year-old veteran, who batted like his life depended on it in his comeback Test.Roach made 58 not out – his highest first-class score – while facing 233 deliveries himself. Astonishingly, he made just 5 off the last 104 deliveries he faced during a dramatic final two hours of play even as the sun baked down hard on an increasingly docile Hagley Oval surface. Yet that should not take away from the epic rearguard from Hope, Greaves, and Roach.The frustration of not being able to separate Greaves and Roach during the second and third sessions was evident, as New Zealand’s bowlers were ground into the dust. They would also have felt robbed when Roach appeared to have nicked Michael Bracewell to Tom Latham behind the stumps – though perhaps only having themselves to blame for burning all their reviews.Even so, it was the thinnest of spikes that made it all the more challenging for Alex Wharf, the on-field umpire, who only a few minutes earlier made a cracking decision by turning down what everyone believed was an obvious inside-edge onto the pad to the slips, again off Bracewell. Replays showed Wharf had made a terrific call.1:57

Latham: Can’t fault the effort when we were a couple of bowlers down

As admirably as Roach played, he also maximised his opportunities. On 30, he was put down by Foulkes at backward square leg when he attempted an expansive sweep off Bracewell. On 35, Blair Tickner, subbing for Matt Henry, missed a direct hit at the bowler’s end from a few yards away at short mid-on as Roach was misjudging a run.Then on 47 came the most obvious chance, when Roach attempted to loft Bracewell had him nearly hole out to mid-on. Except, Glenn Phillips, the other sub, saw Tickner looking to intercept the ball from mid-off and palm it away.With those three chances firmly behind him, Roach buckled down and offered a dead bat to anything that came his way against Bracewell. Foulkes and Duffy tried to ruffle him with the short ball from around the wicket, only for him to duck and weave.Going into the final session, it became increasingly evident West Indies weren’t going to be enticed by the prospect of chasing down the 132 runs they needed in 31 possible overs. This clarity allowed them to approach the session with dead defence being the sole primary aim, even as Greaves began to tire and suffer cramps that needed medical attention at different times.Not even the possibility of an impending double century enticed Greaves into attempting anything loose, even if Tom Latham gave him the open invitation to drive Bracewell against the turn through the covers. This wasn’t perhaps a risk not worth taking given how easily West Indies’ lower order collapsed in the first innings.But long before a draw became the only possibility, even as New Zealand tried to attack with six fielders around the bat in the final session, Hope and Greaves pocketed runs at every available opportunity as the hosts rushed through their first six overs with part-time spin in a bid to take the second new ball quickly.But even after they took it, there was hardly any assistance for the bowlers. Hope defended comfortably off a length with neither Foulkes nor Duffy consistently able to challenge the outside edge consistently. The occasional misfields, like – Rachin Ravindra letting one through his legs for four, or Will Young overrunning a throw while backing up – added to the sense of raggedness New Zealand had begun to feel.A breakthrough lifted them shortly after drinks when Duffy dug in a short ball down leg, which Hope gloved behind, only for Latham to throw himself to his left and pluck a stunner from his webbing to end a marathon. Then came a second when Imlach was trapped by a nip-backer.They may have thought then it was just a matter of time. It could’ve been had they not reprieved Roach, but those reprieves proved even more costly given they only had two fast bowlers and two part-timers available – all of them going full throttle to the limit – despite not getting much out of the surface.In the end, the manner in which West Indies earned the draw may prove far more valuable. Above all, it was a day that reminded everyone of the slow-burn magic only Test cricket could deliver.

Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to open contract talks with Michael Olise in a bid to ward off serious interest from the Premier League and Paris Saint-Germain. The German giants fear a mammoth offer could arrive for the French winger this summer and are desperate to secure his long-term future at the Allianz Arena with improved terms.

• Bayern brace for summer bids

  Bayern are leaving nothing to chance regarding the future of star winger Olise. Despite the French international being under contract until 2029, the club's hierarchy is reportedly mobilising to improve his standing within the squad. According to German outlet , the Bundesliga champions are anticipating a barrage of high-value offers for the 24-year-old at the end of the season and want to proactively shut down any speculation before the transfer window opens.

  Olise has been nothing short of a revelation since arriving in Bavaria from Crystal Palace in July 2024. Now midway through his second season, his transition to the Bundesliga has been seamless, with the winger scoring 12 goals and registering 15 assists as they reclaimed the league title during his debut campaign. With seven goals and 11 assists across the Bundesliga and Champions League this season, his electrifying performances on the right wing have not gone unnoticed back in England, where Manchester City and Manchester United are reportedly monitoring his situation closely. Furthermore PSG, who have shifted their transfer strategy to target the best French talent, see Olise as a potential cornerstone for their future.

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• AFP
  

  New terms to reflect superstar status

  The report from suggests that Bayern's sporting directors, Max Eberl and Christoph Freund, are eager to adjust Olise’s salary to reflect his rapid rise in status. Although he has been at the club for less than 18 months, his market value has skyrocketed well beyond the reported €60 million fee they paid to bring him to Germany. By offering improved terms, Bayern hope to send a definitive message to suitors that the player is untouchable.

  There is a growing feeling in Bavaria that a "mammoth offer" – potentially exceeding the €150m mark – could be tabled by a Premier League giant or PSG in the summer of 2026. Bayern's strategy is to ensure Olise feels completely valued and settled in Munich, making any financial package from abroad less tempting. The club view him not just as a current asset, but as the future face of the team alongside Jamal Musiala, and they are willing to break their wage structure to keep that partnership intact.

• A sensation in Bavaria

  It is easy to see why Europe's elite are circling. Olise registered extraordinary numbers in his debut campaign and has continued that form into the 2025-26 season. His ability to cut inside onto his left foot, combined with his vision and set-piece prowess, has added a new dimension to a Bayern attack that already boasts Harry Kane. His chemistry with Musiala has been particularly devastating, with the duo forming one of the most creative partnerships in European football.

  Beyond the domestic league, Olise has shone on the Champions League stage, proving he can deliver against the very best. His performances have also cemented his place in Didier Deschamps' France squad, where he has become a regular fixture. For Bayern, he represents a rare profile: a young, productive winger with world-class potential who has already adapted to the pressure of playing for a super-club. Losing him after just two seasons would be viewed as a strategic failure.

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• The Premier League threat remains

  Despite Bayern's confidence, the threat from England remains potent. Olise spent his formative years in the English system, coming through the ranks at Chelsea and Manchester City before making his name at Reading and Crystal Palace. The allure of returning to the Premier League as a superstar is a narrative Bayern are keen to squash.

  Manchester City, in particular, are looking for long-term options in wide areas, and Olise fits the profile of a Pep Guardiola player perfectly. Meanwhile, Manchester United remain on the hunt for marquee signings to boost their attack. However, Bayern hold all the cards. With a long contract already in place and the player reportedly happy with life in Munich, the German side are under no pressure to sell. The proposed new contract is simply the padlock on the door, ensuring that any "mammoth offer" is returned to sender immediately.

Things haven't been easy for Manchester United as of late. The Red Devils went into Sunday's clash with West Ham having lost three of their last four games in all competitions, a run that has seen them fall well behind the pace in the Women's Super League title race and weakened their incredibly strong position in the Champions League, ahead of two very tough final games in the league phase, starting with the hosting of eight-time winners Lyon on Wednesday. The return of Phallon Tullis-Joyce, then, could not have been better timed.

It is no coincidence that in three games without the United States international, since she suffered a fractured eye socket at the start of November, United conceded nine goals. Compare that to the team's first 14 games of the season, prior to her absence, when they conceded just seven times. That's no slight on Safia Middleton-Patel, the young academy product who took her place for those three games and impressed at times, particularly given her inexperience. But to expect her to perform to Tullis-Joyce's level at this stage of her career would've been unfair, especially considering she has played limited minutes with those in the defence in front of her, too.

Now, though, the 29-year-old is back, giving United a much-needed boost ahead of a huge end to 2025. Tullis-Joyce wasn't at her busiest as the Red Devils got a necessary win at home to West Ham on Sunday, against a side second-from-bottom in the WSL standings. But she may be over the next week or so as United bid to sign off for the winter break in a successful manner, with qualification for the Champions League knockout stages a huge part of that.

Getty ImagesWelcome return

While Tullis-Joyce didn't have a lot to do on Sunday, bar picking the ball out of the back of her net after Shekiera Martinez's remarkable overhead kick, her presence did feel impactful. The Hammers registered just 14 shot-creating actions in the game, the lowest by any of United's opponents since a 4-1 win over Everton back in mid-October, and had an expected goals statistic of 0.6, also the lowest United have allowed since victory over the Toffees. 

With Tullis-Joyce back between the sticks, it felt like there was more familiarity and, as such, assuredness in the United defence. Those in front of the goalkeeper did an excellent job of stifling the lively Martinez and limiting West Ham, and the shot-stopper herself did what was necessary when called upon. It wasn't a headline-grabbing return but that also felt important, as the American adapts to wearing a mask as she continues to recover from her injury.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesPromising young prospect

Again, none of that should reflect as criticism of Middleton-Patel, the 21-year-old who deputised for Tullis-Joyce during her three-game absence. It said a lot about the Wales international, in fact, that head coach Marc Skinner chose her over Kayla Rendell, who has the actual No.1 shirt on the United books, made 134 senior appearances during her six years with Southampton and has won England call-ups in recent times.

Middleton-Patel's performance against Paris Saint-Germain, just her second-ever appearance for the Red Devils, was particularly impressive, with her not daunted by the Old Trafford stage of the magnitude of playing in such an important Champions League fixture. Skinner called her "excellent" after that 2-1 win, noting how well she had "acquitted herself and come into the team" under the circumstances.

Getty ImagesLacking familiarity

But it's never easy when a team has to change goalkeepers, especially moving from one with quite a lot of experience to one with much less, and that would become apparent over the course of the next couple of games. Middleton-Patel endured some tough moments in the losses to Manchester City and Wolfsburg, games which will hopefully prove to be valuable learning curves as her career evolves rather than anything else.

United's defence as a unit was guilty of costly errors, too, something unlikely to have been helped by the absence of the reliability and familiarity of Tullis-Joyce. Combine that with the changes already needed at the back due to an injury to central defender Millie Turner, whose time on the sidelines has had a double impact on the spine of the team because it is holding midfielder Dominique Janssen that has filled her spot, and United have not looked like their usually solid selves in recent weeks.

Those struggles have only served to highlight the lack of depth in this squad, caused only by the club's own inactivity in the window, and the fatigue that small squad is feeling harder as it competes in the Champions League proper for the first time.

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Tullis-Joyce's return certainly can't resolve the latter issues, with Skinner again making sure to emphasise that he needs signings in the January window after Sunday's win, but she does have the match-winning qualities to bail out defenders when they make mistakes or produce the sort of world-class save that few shot-stoppers can, to earn her side points almost single-handedly in moments.

In the WSL and Champions League proper this term, the expected goals against statistic calculates that Tullis-Joyce should have conceded 11.9 goals, but she has only picked the ball out of the back of her net on seven occasions. That makes for an incredibly impressive positive differential of 4.9 goals prevented across her 11 appearances.

In baseball, several different roads can lead to a save—and on Friday, Houston Astros pitcher Jason Alexander took the most unconventional.

After Lance McCullers Jr. pitched the first six innings of the Astros' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Alexander entered in his stead. He proceeded to throw three shutout innings and give up two hits, while walking two and striking out two.

The result? A save for Alexander in a game Houston won 18–1, as a pitcher who throws at least three innings in relief and finishes a game with a lead of any size receives a save. That is tied for the 24th-most lopsided margin of victory in a game with a save in baseball history per Baseball Reference; Texas Rangers pitcher Wes Littleton holds the record with a save in his team's infamous 30–3 win over the Baltimore Orioles in 2007.

The historic save was the first of Alexander's career; he's pitched parts of two seasons with three different teams. He has just three saves in the minors, where he reportedly returned after Friday's game and where he has primarily been a starting pitcher.

It feels like a safe bet to say none of those were as painless as this one.

The Saudi Pro League is renowned for its wealth and ability to give players huge wages, but who are the most expensive signings in the competition’s history?

European football remains the dominant force in the modern game, with the likes of the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga generally possessing the best players in the world.

In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has increasingly come to the fore, offering footballers eye-watering weekly wages and tempting them away from European clubs in the process.

To some, it is a sub-standard league where players go to earn big money in the twilight of their careers, but others feel it could only continue to grow in the coming years, especially if it continues to attract some of the biggest names in the sport.

There have been plenty of big-money signings to Saudi clubs since its rise to prominence – here are the 15 most expensive to date.

Rank

Player

Transfer

Date

Fee (£)

Neymar

PSG to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

Jhon Duran

Aston Villa to Al-Nassr

Jan 2025

Mateo Retegui

Atalanta to Al-Qadsiah

July 2025

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool to Al-Hilal

Aug 2025

Malcom

Zenit to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Otavio

Porto to Al-Nassr

Aug 2023

Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2024

Ruben Neves

Wolves to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

Galeno

Porto to Al-Ahli

Jan 2025

Ivan Toney

Brentford to Al-Ahli

Aug 2024

Fabinho

Liverpool to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2023

Mohamed Simakan

RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr

Sep 2024

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Lazio to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Marcos Leonardo

Benfica to Al-Hilal

Sep 2024

15 Marcos Leonardo Benfica to Al-Hilal (£33.7m)

Kicking off the list is Brazilian youngster Marcos Leonardo, who joined Al-Hilal from Benfica earlier this year in a deal worth a reported €40m (£33.7m).

The 21-year-old forward was previously with Santos in his homeland, but he clearly felt that a Saudi move was best for his development at this early stage in his career. Only time will tell if it is the right call, but it has been rare to see such a young footballer head there.

14 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Lazio to Al-Hilal (£34m)

For a long time, it seemed inevitable that Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would end up at one of the best teams in Europe, having stood out as such a dominant performer for Lazio, combining talent and physicality in midfield.

It came as a huge shock to see him join Al-Hilal last year in a deal reportedly worth £34m, especially as he was still only in his late 20s at that point. Will he return to Europe in the future?

13 Mohamed Simakan RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr (£37.9m)

Mohamed Simakan made the decision to leave RB Leipzig and join Al-Nassr in September 2024, in a move worth €45m (£37.9m), linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

Only in his mid 20s, the centre-back’s decision to move away from Europe arguably surprised some, but it is still early days, and the club’s success on the domestic and continental stages may determine whether he’ll come to regret saying goodbye to the Bundesliga.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Frenchman will certainly be looking to make an impression as he seeks a first senior international cap.

12 Fabinho Liverpool to Al-Ittihad (£40m)

Liverpool enjoyed a glorious period in their history under Jurgen Klopp, winning plenty of trophies, and Fabinho played a massive role in the Reds’ success.

A world-class No 6 at his peak, the Brazilian’s ability started to wane in the 2022/23 season, with his body no longer allowing him to cover ground like he once did.

A Saudi move felt like the best outcome for all parties, and Fabinho moved to Al-Ittihad for a reported £40m the following summer.

11 Ivan Toney Brentford to Al-Ahli (£40m)

Much like Milinkovic-Savic, Ivan Toney felt like a player who was only on the up at Brentford, with a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest teams often mooted.

Instead, the England international left the Bees to join Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024 in a move that surprised many, even amid his contract issues in west London.

Reports of his eventual transfer fee were mixed, but most appear to indicate Brentford received a sum of around £40m.

10 Galeno Porto to Al-Ahli (£41.6m)

Former Porto star Galeno was one of two major signings in the January 2025 market for the Saudi Pro League, with the winger joining Al-Ahli for €50m (£41.6m).

Galeno had scored eight in 18 appearances for Porto before departing for the Middle East, and has already written his name into the history books, scoring in the AFC Champions League final against Kawasaki Frontale.

His arrival marks Al-Ahli’s most expensive signing, replacing Ivan Toney.

9 Aleksandar Mitrovic Fulham to Al-Hilal (£46m)

Many players who have moved to the Saudi Pro League have been individuals whose peaks have been and gone, but Aleksandar Mitrovic went there while in his prime.

He was just 28 when he opted to trade Fulham for Al-Hilal, but he is no doubt reaping the financial rewards. Mitrovic’s transfer fee was officially undisclosed, with the Cottagers indicating they had received a “club-record” fee. While it was thought to be close to £50m, a sum of £46m appears to be the most widely mentioned.

8 Ruben Neves Wolves to Al-Hilal (£47m)

Ruben Neves’ move to Saudi Arabia has to stand out as one of the biggest surprises having grown into such a key player at Wolves, while still only being in his mid-20s.

It looked like the Portugal star had the pick of his clubs given the natural talent he possesses in midfield, but the race for his signature was won by Al-Hilal, who paid £47m for Neves’ services.

7 Moussa Diaby Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad (£50m)

It looked like Aston Villa had signed themselves a gem of a player in Moussa Diaby, with the winger catching the eye with his quality and end product during his one season at Villa Park.

His campaign did fizzle out a bit as it went on, but few would have expected to see him ditch the Midlands side for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad, with the Villans receiving around £50m in the process.

It’s hard not to feel as though the Frenchman is wasting the best years of his career in a lesser division, although the financial aspects of the move are undeniably appealing.

6 Otavio Porto to Al-Nassr (£51.1m)

Otavio was always a highly rated figure for Porto, and became a key part of the Portugal setup before opting for a Saudi move instead of a European switch, which cost Al-Nassr €60m (£51.1m) in August 2023.

He’s not set the world alight in the Middle East, scoring just one goal and supplying five assists in 2024/25.

Approaching a critical juncture in the season, an already light Manchester United squad is set to be hampered even further for the foreseeable future, ahead of the start of AFCON next week.

In previous years, the impact on the Red Devils has been minimal, with Andre Onana notably missing just one game back in 2024, as Altay Bayindir took his place for the 4-2 win over Newport County.

This time around, however, the disruption could be far more harmful for Ruben Amorim’s men, with the whole right-hand side from the 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers set to be absent, in the form of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.

That departure of that trio – who could potentially still feature in Monday’s clash with Bournemouth – will leave a significant void for Amorim to fill, particularly with regard to Amad and Mbeumo.

Mazraoui, of course, has been one of United’s best signings in recent years, but there is at least depth in the centre-back ranks. The same can’t be said for the roles ahead of him, however.

How Man Utd can replace Amad and Mbeumo

In the defeat to ten-man Everton late last month, it was stark how two attacking absences could leave United looking so depleted, with Matheus Cunha missing after sustaining a head knock in training, while Benjamin Sesko remained sidelined after limping off with a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur.

Looking to the substitutes bench, with the hosts chasing the game at Old Trafford, Amorim had little in the way of obvious, senior options, ultimately turning to Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot as the only second-half changes.

Even with Sesko still sidelined, the Red Devils have somewhat muddled through since then, with Joshua Zirkzee notably netting against Crystal Palace, while that man Mount has already found his groove with two in his last three.

However, trying to replace the dynamic duo of Amad and Mbeumo on that right flank is a different matter altogether, with Amorim seemingly lacking that real pace and creativity elsewhere in the first-team squad.

A possible solution for Amad’s role at right wing-back is Dalot, while there’s also an argument to be made that Patrick Dorgu could fill either position, having been deployed as a right-winger during his stint at Lecce.

Equally, the aforementioned Mount could slot into a right-sided number ten role, alongside Cunha and Sesko, although again, that lack of genuine speed would be an issue, as would be the absence of a natural left-footer.

As this has made clear, Amorim simply doesn’t have a ready-made replacement for either Amad or Mbeumo in his senior ranks – but might he back at Carrington?

Man Utd may have the next Amad & Mbeumo at Carrington

Amorim’s neglect of the academy, not just because of the 40-year-old’s handling of Kobbie Mainoo, has been a nagging issue for supporters this season, with no youth player having debuted to date.

Of course, an injury crisis did see the likes of Chido Obi and Harry Amass parachuted in last term, notably in the league, as United prioritised their Europa League exploits, although the lack of European football, alongside the debacle at Grimsby Town, has limited the ability to rotate and promote in 2025/26.

The reality of just one game a week is a key factor in those minimal opportunities, although, as was clear in that grim loss to the Toffees, there has certainly been times where Amorim could have been more willing to utilise his homegrown talent.

Amad & Mbeumo – 25/26 PL stats

Stat (*per game)

Amad

Mbeumo

Games

14

15

Starts

13

15

Goals

1

6

Assists

2

1

Big chances missed

3

6

Big chances created

4

3

Key passes*

1.9

1.6

Successful dribbles*

1.4

0.8

Duels won*

52%

33%

Stats via Sofascore

With AFCON now looming, it may simply force his hand, with 18-year-old Shea Lacey – a regular fixture on the bench in recent weeks – surely in line to make his first-team debut.

A name on the lips of fans and reporters alike during his development at Carrington, the ‘next Phil Foden’ has had to bide his time, while notably enduring injury issues in recent seasons.

In nine U21 games this season, however, he has looked back to his best, registering five goals and assists, two of which came against senior opposition in the EFL Trophy.

Typically a figure who operates in a right-sided attacking role, the balletic left-footer could be the natural replacement for Mbeumo, with Como scout and analyst Ben Mattinson previously describing him as “perfect for the right-sided number ten in Amorim’s system”.

As Mattinson also noted, one player who could then partner Lacey down that right flank, in a wing-back role, is 17-year-old Bendito Mantato, with the pair having “shown good understanding” together in the youth ranks.

Mantato, who has earned comparisons to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka in the past, could be a wildcard Amad replacement on that side, having flitted between starting as a full-back and winger in the academy set-up of late.

Another natural left-footer, the Manchester-born starlet would provide that attacking thrust in a wing-back berth, having scored 16 times in 27 recorded U18 games, as per Transfermarkt, while registering six goals and assists in 20 U21 games thus far.

A player of “similar profile” to Sporting’s Geovany Quenda, in the view of Mattinson, Mantato could replicate the Portuguese teenager in flourishing as one of Amorim’s wing-backs, with the United boss having shown no hesitation in throwing the Chelsea-bound talent into the mix back in Lisbon.

Of course, trying to replicate the fine partnership that Amad and Mbeumo have struck up will be no small feat, although in the form of Lacey and Mantato, Amorim might just have the best solution available to him.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb 3 days ago