Tag Futebol

His efforts handed India their biggest defeat in men’s Tests, and their second whitewash at home in three series

Sidharth Monga26-Nov-20256:06

Karim: ‘Harmer’s variations upset India batters’

In front of empty stands in India’s newest Test venue, South Africa competed their utter domination of the hosts with a whitewash and their heaviest Test defeat in terms of runs. More than just the order of session breaks was turned upside down in India’s eastern-most Test ground where South Africa sealed their first series win in India in 25 years and India’s second series defeat in 12 months after 12 years of spotless record.Simon Harmer out-bowled by miles the home spinners in a country, whose ordinary tour in 2015 resulted in a seven-year hiatus for him in Test cricket. No one has now taken more wickets at a better average in a series in India than his 17 wickets at 8.94. Marco Jansen was a little behind with 12 at 10.08, but he ended the series with yet another thing about which we can say: “only Marco could have done that”. A sensational catch over the shoulder, running back, diving and taking it one-handed. Just the kind of wicket Harmer won’t mind being denied a maiden 10-for by.This was the farthest result on India’s minds when Shubman Gill joked after losing yet another toss in Kolkata that it seems he will win only in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Since then, India lost Gill to injury three balls into his work, and then both the Tests to leave themselves a hill to climb if they want to entertain thoughts of the WTC final. They now have 48.15% points halfway into their league matches. Historically at least 60% has been needed to get through to the final.Related

• South Africa prove again they can win the hard way, and anywhere

• Gambhir: 'This is exactly what transition is'

• Harmer flips Test cricket in India upside down

• 'Can't take anything for granted' – Pant rues missed chances after 2-0 clean sweep

The defending champions, who had to deal with some elitist sniggering about their schedule in the last cycle, now have 75% of their points. Temba Bavuma, the captain who brought home the mace, was still undefeated in Tests after 12 matches at the helm.That Bavuma wouldn’t lose this one had been clear halfway into this Test. Since then, South Africa played India out ruthlessly and started the fifth day needing eight wickets to take the full 12 WTC points from this match. This classic Indian Test pitch was now offering consistent turn and natural variation.Simon Harmer picked up his second Test five-for•BCCI

So a combination of Harmer and Jansen, who took a five-for and a 93 in the first innings, was always going to test India’s resolve to bat the day out. The overnight batters, B Sai Sudharsan and nightwatch Kuldeep Yadav, enjoyed some luck with one wicket denied by a no-ball and another by a drop at slip by Aiden Markram, who took five catches in the first innings.The luck ended around half an hour into the day. It had always looked a matter of time against Harmer’s guile and persistence. Kuldeep was the first one to go, bowled by an offbreak that didn’t turn. You can’t quite make an offbreak not turn, but you can give it every chance to do so by changing the seam orientation, which Harmer did.In the same over, Harmer completed the brace of dream dismissals for an offspinner. He had bowled KL Rahul through the gate on the fourth evening; now he took Dhruv Jurel’s outside edge with drift and less turn than expected.Rishabh Pant is often criticised for taking too many risks, but this innings provided a counterpoint. Against a really slow offbreak from Harmer, Pant was a sitting duck the moment he decided to offer a forward-defensive. The extra bounce took the catch to Markram at slip, who was now moving rapidly towards the world record for most catches in a match.Sai Sudharsan enjoyed another dropped catch as he and Ravindra Jadeja took India into tea. Sai Sudharsan’s luck ran out in the first over after the break with Harmer getting a rest having bowled through the entire first session. He defended a Senuram Muthusamy half-volley. It didn’t turn, and Markram took another catch.South Africa registered their first Test series win in India in 25 years•BCCI

Adequately rested, Harmer came back from the other end than the one that had been giving him wickets and took out Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy in quick succession. With a softer ball now, he started to bowl quicker and took the edge from Washington with a 90kmph offbreak. Markram took a sharp catch to go past Ajinkya Rahane’s world record of eight in a match.The right-hand batters were always going to struggle more now with three dismissals in play: bowled through the gate, outside edge and bat-pad catches. Reddy introduced the glove on the reverse sweep to give Harmer his best match figures, making him South Africa’s most successful bowler in India and the most prolific South Africa bowler after 14 Tests.Jadeja was the one India batter who swept well from the length that had other batters in trouble. He scored a consolatory half-century, read the room and shelved his sword celebrations, and was stumped when trying to take Keshav Maharaj on.The final moment, fittingly, belonged to Jansen. He scored quick runs when India were in control of South Africa’s scoring in the first innings, when it seemed no one could dominate the bowling. His long levers, which made this possible, also created the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first innings, then India’s only half-centurion. Then he unleashed bouncers when the pitch was still flat, taking more wickets with bouncers than anyone has taken in an innings in India.By the time South Africa bowled the second time around, the pitch offered consistent turn and didn’t call out for a superhuman effort from Jansen. Then again, why deny us when you can nonchalantly take an impossible catch to end the match and the series? Lest we forget.

Claudio Echeverri’s loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen has taken a difficult turn, with the Manchester City teenager struggling for minutes and growing increasingly frustrated with his situation in Germany. Pep Guardiola, when asked about the Argentine’s lack of game time and the possibility of a January recall, offered a blunt response, leaving the player’s future wide open amid rising uncertainty.

Pep’s response sparks questions over Echeverri’s future

Guardiola did little to hide his frustration or confusion when questioned about Echeverri’s stagnating loan at Leverkusen. The 19-year-old has barely featured this season, and when asked whether City might bring him back in January, Guardiola cut straight to the point: “It’s a question for his agent.”

He added that City want their loanees to play regularly, but emphasised he has “no idea” what is happening at Leverkusen.

"Always we love that the players on loan play a lot of minutes. We have an incredible appreciation about him as a football player. What's happening at Leverkusen, you have to ask. I don't know but you speak with him, his agent will know everything," said Guardiola in a press-conference.

Echeverri's future has become a growing concern at the club which is further highlighted by Pep's stance on his situation. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportEcheverri's career momentarily stuck

Echeverri arrived in Europe with enormous expectations. After exploding onto the scene with River Plate, from nine goals in a youth tournament in Venice to becoming one of the club’s youngest Copa Libertadores scorers, City secured him on a six-year deal in January 2024, viewing him as a long-term project.

He remained at River until the end of that year, then made brief appearances for City in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, scoring at the Club World Cup before being sent on loan to Leverkusen for the current campaign. The move was meant to be a crucial step in adapting him to European football’s pace and tactical demands.

Instead, he has struggled to break into Leverkusen’s team that has itself been struggling on the managerial front this season. Echeverri has made just eight appearances, only three of them starts, and in the last five matches he hasn’t left the bench. He is yet to record a goal or assist this season.

The lack of continuity has fed mounting frustration. According to reports in Argentina, Echeverri has already told City he wants to return to River Plate, a desire he hinted at with a viral photo kissing the River badge, captioned with a heart and hourglass emoji.

Man City plans for Echeverri

Echeverri’s emotional post reignited speculation about his unhappiness. Fans immediately interpreted it as a message of longing, a young player far from home, yearning for the place where he first felt valued. Sources in Argentina claim discussions have already begun between his camp and City about a possible return.

From City’s perspective, however, a move back to South America is not being considered. The club believes exposure to European football is essential for his tactical and physical evolution. Instead, they are exploring the possibility of redirecting him to another European club in January if his situation at Leverkusen doesn’t improve.

The problem is now two-fold: Echeverri wants trust and minutes, while City want his development to stay on schedule. Leverkusen, meanwhile, are competing at the highest level in the Bundesliga and Champions League, making it difficult for Kasper Hjulmand to offer opportunities without clear match readiness.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesEcheverri at a critical crossroad

For all the noise surrounding him, Echeverri remains one of South America’s brightest prospects. His journey, from River’s academy to becoming a Club World Cup scorer with City, is evidence of his ceiling. But at 19, game time matters more than potential, and the stagnation in Germany risks slowing the rapid trajectory he was once on.

City still view him as a long-term asset, but Guardiola’s comments reveal a clear truth that the club cannot guide his next step alone. His agent must now help broker the right solution, whether that means pushing Leverkusen for more minutes, securing a mid-season loan switch, or recalibrating expectations for his development path.

Jonah Tong made his major league debut on Friday night starting for the Mets against the Marlins at Citi Field. Tong went five innings, gave up six hits and just one earned run and left with the home team leading 12-4.

Tong finished his night by striking out his sixth batter on a very questionable call, but no one in Queens—including home plate umpire Andy Fletcher—seemed to care that his final pitch was low. All that really mattered was that the Mets got to put another maple leaf K up on the scoreboard.

And no one was more excited after that final strikeout than Tong, who walked off the mound screaming. Except maybe his mom who cheered, hid her face in her hands and whistled to show her support from the stands.

Tong's parents, Alex and Karen, were interviewed earlier in the game and they seem awesome. Mom talked about what it was like watching her son pitch, told the story of how Jonah kept working on his craft during the pandemic in Canada and was also startled by a foul ball as she spoke.

On Thursday, Tong told reporters about the experience of telling his mother he had been called up, and said that he had held it together until she told him to "get out." Then he cried for an hour.

If the Mets can make a run and Tong can be a part of it, this seems like a family that New York (and the internet) might really enjoy getting to know better. Friday night was certainly a quality start.

Former England rugby star Joe Marler has impressed Celebrity Traitors viewers with his detective skills in the popular reality TV show, but one discovery the 35 year-old was not ready for was how much professional footballers earn.

Marler is far from the wealthiest figure on BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, with the likes of Jonathan Ross, Stephen Fry, Mark Bonnar and Alan Carr all believed to hold net worths in excess of £10m.

The former England and Harlequins star retired from rugby last year, but despite spending more than a decade at the peak of his profession, was left gobsmacked when he found out how much the average footballer makes.

Speaking on Marler’s Things People Do podcast last year, journeyman footballer Jimmy Bullard revealed: “My biggest contract was £50k-a-week.”

Jimmy Bullard’s career

1998 – 1999: Ebbsfleet

1999 – 2001: West Ham

2001 – 2003: Peterborough

2003 – 2006: Wigan Athletic

2006 – 2009: Fulham

2009 – 2011: Hull City

2011 – 2012: Ipswich Town

2012: MK Dons

Bullard, who never won a major professional trophy or earned an England cap and retired in 2012, refused to admit which club had paid him that figure, which totals around £2.6m annually, leaving Marler in shock.

The Traitors star and his co-host then asked for an estimate on what kind of money a “top Premier League footballer” earns today, to which Bullard responded: “I’d have to say a few of the Man City boys must be on £350k-a-week.”

In fact, Man City’s highest earner is Erling Haaland on a whopping £525k-a-week, which is over £27 million in annual salary.

For context, Antoine Dupont was recently made the highest-paid rugby player in the world, penning a £1.2 million per season deal with Toulouse, while Marler earned an estimated £300k-a-year during his last contract with Harlequins.

That means Haaland takes home Dupont’s yearly pay roughly twice a month and matches Marler’s salary in a matter of days.

Marler’s performance on the hit BBC show has seen him touted for future roles in television, with a source telling MailOnline: “The BBC is constantly looking for new talent and the second he stopped playing rugby, there were eyes on him.

“Bosses knew that getting him on Traitors would be a very good shop window for him and they could test whether or not the viewers would like him. As soon as they saw it, they knew he would be someone the British public would adore and they seem to be right.

“At the same time, he himself is ready for a new career after retiring from rugby. He has long wanted to present from a BBC sofa and The One Show is one of his favourite programmes. To anchor that would be his dream.”

The Phillies saw their postseason run end in truly horrific fashion on Thursday night when relief pitcher Orion Kerkering misplayed a grounder and decided to throw home rather than to first base in the bottom of the 11th inning, resulting in a walk-off error that sent the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series.

Not only did the loss end this year’s run, but it very well may have ended this current iteration of the Phillies, as several key players are set for free agency in the coming offseason.

Headlining that set of potential stars on the outs in Philadelphia is slugger Kyle Schwarber. After the devastating loss, Schwarber was clearly emotional while discussing the year coming to a close, knowing it was very possible he had played his last game as a Phillie.

“Doesn’t feel good. You just make a lot of different relationships in the clubhouse, and you never know how it’s going to work out," Schwarber said. "You make so many personal relationships with guys, you spend how much time with these guys throughout the course of the year. They become family.”

Schwarber went on to note that the Phillies were a team that was trying to win every year, with a fan base and ownership that cared about the team, which is something not every team in the majors can say for themselves.

The Phillies signed Schwarber in March 2022, and he has been a key part of the team’s lineup since his first day at the plate. In four seasons in Philly, Schwarber has averaged more than 44 home runs and 108 RBIs a year, including career highs of 56 dingers and 132 RBIs this past year.

With those numbers, Schwarber, 32, has undoubtedly earned a massive deal in the coming offseason, but with the Phillies already on the books with mega-contracts out to Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and several other stars, it’s fair to wonder whether or not the team will be willing to keep writing monster checks that can match what offers Schwarber is going to rightfully command on the open market.

Earlier in the year, Schwarber hinted that playing for the Reds, the team he grew up rooting for, would undoubtedly be appealing if he weren’t to stay in Philadelphia. Cincinnati is in the bottom third of the league when it comes to payroll on the books for 2026 at just over $60 million. The Phillies, meanwhile, are already down for more than $192 million in 2026 payroll, and that’s before whatever massive contract Schwarber would potentially land.

If it is the last time Schwarber is with the Phillies, it will have been a remarkable run for him. In just four seasons, Schwarber put himself at 12th on the team’s all-time home run list, and would have almost certainly hopped into the top eight with one more year. He also became just the 21st player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game with an astounding show of power earlier this year.

While the emotions of the loss are still too fresh, the Phillies and Schwarber both have big decisions to make in the coming months.

With an absolutely cardinal series against the Mariners looming, the Astros are ready to redeploy one of their best young talents.

Houston is activating third baseman Isaac Paredes from the injured list ahead of the team's three-game series against the Mariners, it announced Friday. Paredes, 26, has not played since July 19 due to a hamstring injury.

When he hurt himself, the two-time All-Star was slashing .259/.359/.470 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs. As noted by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, each of those last two figures led the team at that time.

The Astros acquired Paredes from the Cubs on Dec. 13 in the trade that sent Chicago star right fielder and designated hitter Kyle Tucker. The transaction has worked out for both teams in the near term, as Paredes, Tucker and Houston right fielder Cam Smith have all provided their share of contributions to their new teams.

With nine games remaining, both the Astros and Seattle have 84–69 records. Houston is seeking its fifth straight American League West title, while the Mariners haven't won their division since 2001.

تحدث ياسين منصور، نائب رئيس مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، عن كيفية زيادة دخل القلعة الحمراء خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وقال ياسين منصور، في تصريحات عبر قناة “سكاي نيوز”: “الأهلي عالمي، بالطبع، أكبر نادي في العالم، والأهلي كبير طوال عمره، وكل من تعامل معه وجد حبًا بلا مقابل”.

وواصل: “كنت مع كابتن صالح وكابتن حسن حمدي، والآن مع الخطيب، وبصراحة، هناك تفانٍ تام في حب النادي الأهلي، وهو الأمر الذي يُسعد المصريين”.

وأكمل: “الإنسان يحس أن الله وضعه في مكان يسعد 80 مليونًا من أبناء بلده ومن خارج بلده”.

طالع.. الأهلي يحسم موقفه من عرض برشلونة لضم حمزة عبد الكريم

وواصل: “أرى أن أهم شيء هو قطاع الناشئين، مصر فيها حوالي 110 ملايين نسمة، ومن بينهم بالتأكيد 20 أو 30 لاعبًا على مستوى محمد صلاح، لكن يحتاجون إلى العين التي تستثمر فيهم وهذا جزء أركز عليه مع كابتن الخطيب وكابتن سيد عبد الحفيظ، وأراه مهمًا جدًا”.

وأضاف: “الأمر الثاني هو كيفية التعاون مع الدولة لزيادة مصادر إيرادات الأهلي، والنادي خلال الفترة الأخيرة نجح في ذلك”.

واستمر: “الأهلي يُعد علامة تجارية قوية، وأقوى علامة في الشرق الأوسط وإفريقيا وهذا يحدث بالفعل، لكن يمكن تعزيزه أكثر”.

وتابع: “على سبيل المثال، في أندية أوروبا تمثل مبيعات التذاكر نحو 30% من الإيرادات، بينما هنا لا تتجاوز 1%، وذلك بسبب تجربة حضور المباريات نفسها، مثل الجلوس ثلاث ساعات في الحر”.

وأتم: “لذا، يجب ترتيب الأمور بحيث يذهب المشجع قبل المباراة بخمس دقائق ويجد كرسيه جاهزًا، وهذه أمور ستحدث فرقًا كبيرًا”.

City Connect uniforms hit the baseball diamond beginning the 2021 season, allowing MLB teams a chance to flash some creativity and honor their homes with unique logos and differing color schemes.

In the midst of the '25 season, 28 teams have their own edition, which are mostly worn during Friday home games. Only the New York Yankees and Athletics are without a City Connect uniform. Maybe that will change for the A's when—or if?—they leave their temporary home of West Sacramento for Las Vegas. Don't bet on anyone ever messing with the Yankee pinstripes, though.

The other 28 MLB teams, however, don their own flare through a unique City Connect uniform. Some make sense upon first glance and others, well, you have to look a bit closer. This season, eight teams debuted a second City Connect design—an opportunity to take a new approach and give fans what they really want (cue the new Red Sox Green Monster-inspired jerseys).

Here's each City Connect uniform you could see on the field this season, ranked from worst to best:

28. Texas Rangers

يشهد اليوم الإثنين الموافق 8-12-2025، مجموعة من المواجهات الكروية المرتقبة على مستويات مختلفة، إذ تتجه الأنظار نحو منافسات كأس العرب 2025، إلى جانب مباريات مهمة في الدوريات الأوروبية الكبرى، وعلى رأسها الدوري الإنجليزي والإسباني والإيطالي.

وتتصدر قمة المغرب والسعودية المشهد في ختام دور المجموعات بكأس العرب، حيث يدخل المنتخبان اللقاء بمعنويات مرتفعة وطموحات كبيرة، في مواجهة تحمل الكثير من الندية نظرًا لقيمة المنتخبين الفنية ومشوارهما المميز في البطولة حتى الآن.

كما تشهد المجموعة ذاتها مواجهة لا تقل أهمية بين عُمان وجزر القمر، حيث يسعى المنتخب العماني للحفاظ على حظوظه في المنافسة، بينما يطمح جزر القمر لتحقيق أولى نقاطه رغم صعوبة المهمة بعد خسارته في الجولة الماضية.

وعلى صعيد الدوريات الأوروبية، تتجه الأنظار في الدوري الإنجليزي إلى مواجهة قوية تجمع بين وولفرهامبتون ومانشستر يونايتد، في لقاء يسعى فيه اليونايتد لتعزيز موقعه قبل فترة الأعياد، فيما سيحاول وولفرهامبتون استغلال عامل الأرض لتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية.

كما تُستكمل الإثارة بمواجهات مهمة في الدوريين الإسباني والإيطالي، أبرزها لقاء أوساسونا ضد ليفانتي في الليجا، وعدة مباريات قوية في الكالتشيو، من بينها صدام تورينو مع ميلان.

طالع أيضًا | الحكم يوضح سبب طرد ثلاثي ريال مدريد أمام سيلتا فيجو.. وتصرف غريب من كارفاخال مواعيد مباريات اليوم الإثنين 8-12-2025 والقنوات الناقلةمواعيد مباريات كأس العرب اليوم

المغرب ضد السعودية، الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “بي إن سبورتس المفتوحة”.

عُمان ضد جزر القمر، الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “بي إن سبورت إكسترا 1”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإنجليزي اليوم

وولفرهامبتون ضد مانشستر يونايتد، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “بي إن سبورتس 1 HD”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإسباني اليوم

أوساسونا ضد ليفانتي، الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 11 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “بي إن سبورتس 3 HD”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإيطالي اليوم

بيزا كالتشيو ضد بارما، الساعة 4 عصرًا بتوقيت مصر، 5 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر تطبيق “Starz Play”.

أودينيزي ضد جنوى، الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 8 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر تطبيق “Starz Play”.

تورينو ضد ميلان، الساعة 9:45 مساءً بتوقيت مصر، 10:45 بتوقيت السعودية، وتُذاع عبر تطبيق “Starz Play”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا

MatériaMais Notícias

Segundo apurações da ‘Revista Colorada’, Oscar, jogador do Shanghai Port, da China, está cada vez mais próximo do Flamengo e equipes já avançaram negociações. O atleta tem vínculo com o bicampeão da Superliga Chinesa até novembro de 2024.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

 O meia de 32 anos já tinha acerto verbal desde dezembro de 2023, mas não conseguiu a liberação do time chinês. Agora próximo do final do contrato, Marcos Braz, vice-presidente de futebol do Flamengo, tentará de vez a contratação do meia. Ambos têm uma excelente relação, além de possuir o aval de Tite, técnico do rubro-negro, o que impulsiona ainda mais a negociação.

➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Além do clube carioca, Eduardo Coudet, técnico do Internacional, falou sobre o desejo de trazer o jogador, após a partida contra o São Luiz, pelo Campeonato Gaúcho, e acredita que o ex-colorado pode reforçar o clube.

continua após a publicidade

– Eu quero trazer ele. Não estou tão errado em buscar. Já falei com o empresário que quero o Oscar. É o mesmo do Thiago Maia, já não me aguenta mais. Me pedem que eu não fale, mas às vezes falo demais – afirmou Coudet.

Oscar chegou no Shanghai na temporada 2016/17 e atuou em 216 partidas, além de marcar 63 gols e dar 114 assistências.

Tudo sobre

FlamengoInternacionalOscar