Ben Stokes says “tired bodies” will affect selection with Chris Woakes and Mark Wood likely to be assessed

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jul-2023

England have named an unchanged 14-man squad for the fifth Ashes Test at the Kia Oval, as they look to bounce back from the disappointment of drawing in Manchester with a win to square the series.Despite being “pretty much perfect throughout”, in the words of captain Ben Stokes, England were unable to force victory at Old Trafford as heavy rain over the weekend meant only 30 overs were possible on day four and none at all on day five. The result meant Australia retained the urn with a game to spare.As in 2019, England go to south London unable to win the series but with the incentive of denying Australia their first win on these shores since 2001. “It is a massive game for us and 2-2 sounds a lot better than 3-1,” Stokes said.England will have to assess the fitness of Chris Woakes, who has had a major impact in his two appearances and is the side’s second-leading wicket-taker with 12, but has reported feeling quad stiffness.The Headingley Test was Woakes’ first in the format since England toured the Caribbean in March 2022 and he said last week, before the fourth Test started, that he had pulled up “extremely sore” after bowling 35 overs across the match in Leeds.He added that playing back-to-back Tests “won’t be an issue” if selected to play at The Oval, and that “the adrenaline and the occasion” would get him through. But with a World Cup in India looming later this year, England may decide not to risk one of their main all-format players.”There are some tired bodies and we have a short period until the Oval so we will have to see who is fit then,” Stokes told the BBC.Mark Wood’s workload is also likely to be monitored and England could face a decision over whether to include James Anderson in their XI. Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, said the selection of Anderson – who has four wickets at 76.75 in the series – had cost England at Old Trafford and his place could come under threat from Ollie Robinson or Josh Tongue.England squad for the fifth Test: Ben Stokes (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

أعلنت رابطة الدوري الإسباني مواعيد مباريات الجولة الأولى من الموسم الجديد 2025/2026، والذي ينطلق مساء يوم الجمعة 15 أغسطس بمواجهة بين جيرونا ورايو فايكانو.

وسيشهد يوم السبت، 16 أغسطس، أولى مباريات نادي برشلونة في بطولة الدوري والتي ستكون أمام ريال مايوركا، كما ستكون هناك مواجهة مثيرة بين نادي فالنسيا وريال سوسيداد في ختام اليوم الثاني.

وسيشهد يوم الأحد، 17 أغسطس، مواجهات قوية وممتعة وتستحق المتابعة، إذ يواجه نادي أتلتيك بلباو نظيره إشبيلية، فيما تختتم مباريات اليوم بمواجهة مثيرة بين أتليتكو مدريد وإسبانيول.

وسيشهد يوم الثلاثاء، 19 أغسطس، ختام الجولة الأولى من بطولة الدوري الإسباني بمواجهة تجمع بين ريال مدريد وأوساسونا على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، إذ يلعب الفريق الملكي في هذا الموعد للحصول على فترة راحة أكبر تحسبًا لوصول الفريق إلى نهائي كأس العالم للأندية 2025. القنوات الناقلة لمباريات الجولة الأولى من بطولة الدوري الإسباني

ومن المقرر أن تُبث مباريات الدوري الإسباني على شاشة قنوات بي إن سبورتس، الناقل الحصري للبطولة في منطقة الشرق الأوسط. موعد مباراة ريال مدريد المقبلة في الدوري الإسباني

سيواجه ريال مدريد بقيادة مدربه الجديد تشابي ألونسو، نظيره أوساسونا في مستهل مشواره ببطولة الدوري الإسباني مساء يوم الثلاثاء، 19 أغسطس، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة. موعد مباراة برشلونة المقبلة في الدوري الإسباني

ومن المقرر أن يواجه نادي برشلونة بقيادة مدربه الألماني هانز فليك، نظيره ريال مايوركا خارج ملعبه، مساء يوم السبت الموافق 16 أغسطس، في تمام الساعة الثامنة ونصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة. موعد مباراة أتليتكو مدريد المقبلة في الدوري الإسباني

يلتقي نادي أتليتكو مدريد نظيره إسبانيول خارج ملعبه، مساء يوم الإثنين الموافق 17 أغسطس، في تمام الساعة العاشرة ونصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla scored a dramatic free-kick, with his weaker foot and at 40 years of age, to book a play-off final berth for Oviedo.

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• Two-time European Championship winner
• Graced the Premier League with Gunners
• Helped boyhood club back to the big time

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The ex-Spain international returned to his boyhood club in 2023, with the lowest possible salary being agreed as he endeavoured to help them clamber back into La Liga. After 25 years outside of the top-flight, Oviedo are one step away from fulfilling that dream.

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  That is thanks to Cazorla, who stepped off the bench to make a decisive contribution in the second leg of their play-off semi-final clash with Almeria. He fired in a free-kick from the edge of the box, with the ball sent fizzing into the bottom corner.

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  What made that strike even more impressive is the fact Cazorla – who once endured eight operations on an ankle problem and saw gangrene pose an amputation risk – took said set-piece with his left foot.

MatériaMais Notícias

A confusão do último fim de semana na Arena continua dando o que falar dentro do Grêmio, principalmente no que diz respeito ao presidente Romildo Bolzan.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE B

O mandatário está inconformado com tudo o que aconteceu e promete que vai investigar as imagens para identificar os torcedores envolvidos na confusão.

‘Esse processo está correndo e a decisão foi no sentindo extra petita. Ministério Público pediu a suspensão das torcidas organizadas. Nunca pediu a interdição do espaço. Se alguém pensa que o Grêmio negligenciou ou deixou de fazer algo combinado. Grêmio tomará todas providencias jurídicas, sem exceção. Vai examinar todas decisões judiciais. Aquelas que não foram julgadas, as que foram tomadas sem as provas necessárias. Vai tomar como tema a decisão do juiz e pelos autos no processo’, declarou o presidente.

‘Grêmio trabalha na busca de responsabilizações pessoais. Os que brigaram, que não têm condição do convívio social, têm que ser punidos exemplarmente. Se tivermos condição disso, vamos fazer. Por outros exemplos e precedentes que aconteceram, injusto interditar o local. É uma punição coletiva’.

Punição

Por conta da briga na Arena, o Juizado do Torcedor RS proibiu as organizadas do Grêmio de acessar o estádio com faixas, bandeiras e camisas. Além disso, o setor Norte está interditado.

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Leeds United are a side who look to be edging closer to ending their two-year stint away from the Premier League, with Daniel Farke doing an excellent job at Elland Road.

The German is no stranger to success in the Championship after previously winning the division twice during his previous stint in charge at Norwich City.

However, he will be looking to add another title to his impressive CV, currently boasting a two-point lead over third-placed Burnley with just eight league games remaining this campaign.

His success in Yorkshire has been made all the more impressive given the high-profile departures from his side over the last few years, with Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville just two attacking stars to depart.

One other star left the Whites before Farke arrived in 2023, taking his career to new heights after his big-money move away from the club – now starring at the top level of European football.

Raphinha’s stats during his time at Leeds United

Brazilian winger Raphinha joined Leeds in a £17m deal from French outfit Stade Rennais in the summer of 2020, looking to add quality to the first-team ahead of their return to the Premier League.

He would star in his first year at the club, notching six goals and nine assists, before playing a pivotal role in their survival during the 2021/22 season – helping the Whites maintain their top-flight status.

The 28-year-old scored in the final day triumph over Brentford, an outing that would be his final one for the club, before joining Barcelona in a £55m deal – the most expensive departure in their history.

Raphinha has since taken his career to new heights, registering 47 goals and 41 assists over the last three years in Spain, currently sitting as the top scorer in this year’s Champions League.

His time at the club and his form after leaving highlight how impressive he has been, but one other player has since arrived in Yorkshire, taking the title as the best signing since the Brazilian.

The player who’s been Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha

Since dropping into the Championship, Leeds have made numerous impressive additions that have massively aided their attempts to return to the top-flight.

Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle have all cemented their place in Farke’s backline, showcasing how impressive they have been since their respective moves to Elland Road in recent months.

However, midfielder Ao Tanaka undoubtedly takes the title of the club’s best signing since Raphinha, exceeding all expectations – especially after arriving in Yorkshire as an unknown quantity.

The Japanese international cost just £3.5m from German side Fortuna Düsseldorf, an absolute bargain given his form in the Whites’ first-team this campaign – leading to Opta Statman Jonny Cooper labelling him as “exceptional”.

He’s made 35 appearances in the second tier to date, scoring four times, with his most important coming in the promotion clash with Sheffield United, edging the side ahead late on.

His underlying stats from 2024/25 are just as impressive, completing 90% of the passes he’s attempting to date, whilst also winning 60% of the tackles he’s entered, cementing his place at the heart of the side.

After such consistent showings, there’s no denying the 26-year-old is now worth a huge amount more than the fee forked out for his signature a couple of months ago, highlighting the superb work done by the hierarchy in the market.

Tanaka’s ability at both ends of the pitch has certainly enabled Farke’s side to be in the current position they find themselves in, undoubtedly being one of the division’s signings of the season.

He’s now more than capable of taking his career to the next level in the Premier League, with the supporters undoubtedly hoping that he’s able to do so with the Whites next season.

The sky is the limit for the midfielder, potentially being the next big-money sale out of Elland Road in the next couple of years, following in the footsteps of Raphinha in having the tools to star at the top level of the European game.

Farke has now finally unearthed Leeds' next Hernandez in "unplayable" star

Daniel Farke could have Leeds United’s next Pablo Hernandez on his hands.

2

By
Kelan Sarson

Mar 19, 2025

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over Chelsea in 2022, they’ve had a clear transfer strategy of buying the best young talent from around the world.

Well, during this time, more than 35 first-team players have arrived and over £1bn has been spent, but they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

So, as the Blues brace themselves for another summer in which they continue to splash the cash, should they focus on giving the youngsters they’ve already signed a chance, one in particular who has been labelled the best midfielder in Ligue 1?

Dário Essugo: Chelsea's latest recruit

Just days after a move for Sporting’s Goevany Quenda was reported, Chelsea have now agreed to sign Sporting CP midfielder Dário Essugo for £18.5m, set to make the move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Nizaar Kinsella of BBC Sport adds that the 20-year-old has agreed a seven-year contract, and the plan is for him to be Moisés Caicedo’s ‘deputy ball-winning defensive midfielder’ and he could debut as soon as June at the FIFA Club World, at which the Blues will take on Flamengo, Club León and Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the group stages.

Essugo is currently out on loan at Las Palmas, making 17 appearances in La Liga this season for los Amarillos, with his side second-bottom of the division, despite scoring twice in injury time to salvage a draw against Alavés on Friday night, a match the Portugal U21 international sat out suspended, having been sent off at Real Betis a few days earlier.

Mohamed Fathalli of Breaking the Lines labels Essugo an ‘impressive talent’, particularly excited about his ‘off-ball movement’, while Feargal Brennan of Football España notes that the youngster has managed to ‘impress’, despite playing for a struggling side.

So, Essugo is clearly a talented midfielder, but do Chelsea already have a brighter midfield talent on their books?

Chalkboard

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

Chelsea talent is already better than Essugo

Given the sheer number of players they have signed, it’s easy to forget and overlook many of Chelsea’s recruits, and Andrey Santos certainly fits into this category, arriving from Vasco da Gama for a reported fee of £18m two years ago.

The 20-year-old is still yet to feature for Chelsea’s first team, spending five months on loan at Nottingham Forest upon his arrival in England, albeit he made just two appearances for them, starting an EFL Cup defeat to Burnley, before seeing seven minutes at Anfield.

However, he’s since found a home in Strasbourg, also owned by Chelsea’s ownership group BlueCo, making 37 appearances for les Bleu et Blanc since his Ligue 1 debut in February last year, taking his game to a new level this season.

With Strasbourg flying-high, chasing European qualification, manager Liam Rosenior recently claimed “Andrey is the best midfielder in the league”, with talent scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “one-man war machine”.

So, let’s assess how he compares to Essugo.

Appearances

26

19

Minutes

2,304

1,342

Goals

9

1

Assists

3

0

Pass completion %

88%

85.8%

Progressive passes

114

62

Shot-creating actions

42

26

% of dribblers tackled

57.8%

62.2%

Interceptions

20

28

Ball recoveries

146

78

% of aerial duels won

60.5%

45.5%

Errors leading to an opponent’s shot

1

7

As the table outlines, Santos comes out on top for pretty much every metric, tackling and interceptions the two exceptions, while noting he has played almost 1,000 more minutes this season.

Nevertheless, of the duo, the Brazilian is clearly more ready to make an impact in Chelsea’s first team next season so, who knows, Essugo could follow a similar path by spending next year out on loan at Stade de la Meinau; actually, thinking about it, that’s by far the most likely outcome isn’t it?

Chelsea already signed a bigger star than Quenda in "world-class talent"

Chelsea have reportedly pounced to sign Sporting CP sensation, Geovany Quenda, ahead of their Premier League rivals

ByRobbie Walls Mar 14, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Thomas Frank as their new manager, following the departure of Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglou.

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Thomas Frank appointed Spurs bossBrentford manager leaves after 7 yearsJoins on three-year dealFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After a hugely successful seven-year spell managing Brentford, the Danish coach will move to North London on a contract that runs until 2028. He'll be joined by his previous assistants at Brentford, Justin Cochrane, Chris Haslam and Joe Newton, with set-piece specialist Andreas Georgson also arriving from Manchester United.

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Frank's pedigree in the English game is undeniable; in 2020 the Danish tactician guided Brentford to the top-flight for the first time in 74 years, and in the seasons since, he's cemented the Bees' Premier League status and boosted their points tally year on year. Whether he will be able to replicate that success at Spurs is another matter entirely, given the club's recent difficulties and the fractured relationship between ownership and fanbase.

WHAT TOTTENHAM SAID

In an official club statement, the club wrote: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Thomas Frank as our new Head Coach on a contract that runs until 2028. Thomas has extensive experience in English football having joined Brentford in 2016 – since becoming one of the longest-serving current managers in the Premier League… In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR FRANK?

The new Spurs boss has a long list of pressing tasks on his plate, from preventing a player mutiny led by Ange-loving stars, to bringing in trusted Brentford disciples like Bryan Mbeumo, who has been heavily linked with a move away from west London. Frank has all the skills required to improve Tottenham's level next season, but many more experienced managers have failed to achieve success at Daniel Levy's club in recent years.

The Ashes is secured, but there is a huge amount at stake for Australia at The Oval. Return home with a 3-1 series win, to go alongside the World Test Championship title, and legacies will be secured. Draw the series, from being 2-0 up, and it will be mission incomplete.Many of this Australian squad featured in the 2019 Ashes series, which ended 2-2 when England won at The Oval. That has gnawed away at them, particularly after they had responded impressively from the Ben Stokes miracle at Headingley to win at Old Trafford.Pat Cummins remembers the final game of that series as the only occasion he worried he would miss a Test through fatigue, although he still ended with five wickets and bowled the most of Australia’s quicks, having also played the ODI World Cup earlier. This time, he is under scrutiny both as bowler and as captain, having endured a tough few days in Manchester. But he insists he has the gas in the tank for one final push. You wouldn’t expect him to say anything different.Related

• England named unchanged XI for Oval Ashes finale

• Anderson: 'There are no thoughts about retirement'

• Australia retain Ashes, but can they close out the series?

• Cummins: 'Good to retain Ashes but work to do next week'

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“I remember turning up here in 2019 for the fifth Test and I was wrecked,” he said. “It’s probably the only time in my career where I thought I genuinely might not be able to play. But I still did a decent job then. And I feel in a much better position now.”So, for the second time in four years, Australia reach The Oval 2-1 up but via different routes and aiming to achieve what they have been unable to do since 2001. This time, they were perhaps two good sessions of cricket away from securing this series outright in Leeds. England were 142 for 7 at lunch on the second day, still 121 behind, and for all their love for a run chase there is a good chance that, had they conceded a hefty lead, the game would have gone.Instead, largely through Ben Stokes and Mark Wood, England cracked 95 off ten overs to draw almost level and then, later in the day with Australia’s lead approaching 100, Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne handed their wickets to Moeen Ali. There were a few twists to come but that’s where the mood of this series shifted.At Old Trafford, Australia were outplayed in a manner that has rarely been seen in recent years – over an extended period, rather than a single crazy session such as the one that cost them in Delhi earlier this year. In Manchester, a lazy first-day batting display then became a rudderless performance in the field as Zak Crawley, Joe Root and latterly Jonny Bairstow made merry.Australia admitted how poor they were, but have also tried to play it down somewhat by saying they always expected it would come given how England play. When it did come, they did not have any answers. Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh ensured a touch of equilibrium was resorted on the fourth day, but only the rain saved them.It all means they come back to London, where this tour started at the beginning of last month with the World Test Championship final, needing a victory (or at least be in a strong position for one should weather intervene again) to honestly be able to leave knowing they were the better team.”It’s a big one,” Cummins said. “If we win this one and you look back, it’s been an incredible tour over here really. We’ve played five games, we’ve won three and only lost one. It’s already a fantastic tour. But to go home winning the urn would be phenomenal. It’s a final thing to tick off the list of titles to win for a few of the guys, who you never [know] if you’ll get another chance at it. We’ve said the whole time, our aim is to come here and win the Ashes and that’s the opportunity ahead of us.”As Cummins alluded to, it will be the last Ashes Test in England for a lot of this side. In fact, it probably marks the start of a transition for both teams: the youngest member of the England attack at Old Trafford was Wood at 33.”They’ve got world class bowlers in their attack,” David Warner said. “They’re all mid-30s, like myself, so it’s just great to see them keep coming. They probably don’t have much cricket left in them and it will be sad to see a lot of those guys leave and we have to applaud the way that they’ve kept coming year after year.”Pat Cummins and Alex Carey could be borderline names when Australia pick the team for their next Ashes series in England•Associated Press

For Australia, of those who have featured in the series, you can only say confidently, as much as is possible with the uncertainties of professional sport, that Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameron Green and Todd Murphy will have the chance of returning in four years’ time. Marsh and Alex Carey (35 by then) are perhaps borderline names, as is Cummins himself who will be 34. The team will start disbanding as soon as the next home summer with Warner the first to depart, at the SCG against Pakistan in early January if he makes it that far.”We know we are an experienced team,” Cummins said. “But that means there are some people who are close to the end of their career. That means we’ll have to find some new guys, who I think it won’t be very hard to find, but no doubt the team’s going to change over time. Maybe it’s this moment, I don’t know.”While some are questioning how long Cummins will be able to marry the role of lead fast bowler and captain, he sees the upcoming changing of the guard as something exciting.”We’re very individualised in how we let everyone be themselves and do it their way,” he said. “Some of that’s down to the fact that we’ve got guys that have played 100 Test matches [and] 15 years of first-class cricket. If there’s new guys [coming] in maybe you need to shift that a little bit more. It’s exciting – that’s what I like about the job.”But before the future, comes the immediate challenge. Being crowned Test world champions was deserving reward for two years of excellent Test cricket, but coupling that with an Ashes series win in England – something that has passed by a number of very fine Australian players – is needed to ensure that this group of players has its place in history.

Bangladesh were never really in the chase and limped along to 189

Mohammad Isam08-Jul-2023Afghanistan lorded over Bangladesh in a 142-run win in the second match in Chattogram, completing their first bilateral ODI series win against this side. Rahmanullah Gurbaz blazed 145 while Ibrahim Zadran glided to 100 as they added a record opening stand of 256 runs in a powerful start.The home side were no match for the visitors’ formidable 331-9, stopped at 189 for 9 in 43.2 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi ensured Bangladesh’s chase never took off, taking three wickets each while and Rashid Khan picked up two wickets. It is Afghanistan’s biggest win against Bangladesh in ODIs.Gurbaz and Zadran also put on Afghanistan’s highest ODI partnership for any wicket, beating the 218 put on by Karim Sadiq and Mohammad Shahzad for the second wicket against Scotland in 2010. Bangladesh’s bowlers did mount a fightback in the last 14 overs of the Afghanistan innings, taking nine wickets for 75 runs. But it was never enough after the big opening stand.Gurbaz and Zadran teed off from the word go, hitting eight boundaries in the first Powerplay. This included Gurbaz’s first sixes, off Mustafizur Rahman, a straight six over the bowler’s head, and a powerful pull, both in the eighth over. Zadran survived a tough chance in the following over when Towhid Hridoy couldn’t latch on to a tough chance running in from long-off.Another spate of eight boundaries in the next ten overs followed, as the power hitting got even more spectacular. Gurbaz hoisted Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz for three sixes during this phase. Their 100-run partnership came up in the 15th over; it was the first opening century stand against Bangladesh since the 2019 World Cup.Rashid Khan castled Towhid Hridoy with a wrong’un•AFP/Getty ImagesGurbaz pressed ahead with the big-hitting as he raced to his fourth ODI century. He got it with a single off Shakib, having already struck six of his eight sixes, and eight boundaries in the run-a-ball century. It was a long celebration from the Afghanistan wicketkeeper as he soaked up the applause of an enthralled stadium.Zadran got struck with his first six around the same time, as the pair ramped up the pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers. From the 31st over till Gurbaz got out, the pair added 69 runs in the next six overs. Gurbaz cracked Mustafizur for a four and a six, before blazing four boundaries in an Ebadot Hossain over. Gurbaz’s last six came off Najmul Hossain Shanto, before he fell to Shakib in the 37th over.The first wicket triggered Afghanistan into a batting collapse as the subsequent batters only tried big hits. Rahmat Shah, despite surviving an easy run out when Mushfiqur crashed into the stumps before completing the run-out, pulled one to Mustafizur Rahman at fine-leg, off Ebadot.Mehidy Hasan Miraz got captain Hashmatullah Shahidi bowled for two in the following over, before he removed Najibullah Zadran caught at long-on in the 44th over. Ibrahim Zadran got out shortly after reaching his century, caught top edging a pull off Mustafizur Rahman. Shakib had Rashid Khan stumped for six, before the tail caved, unable to support Mohammad Nabi who was stranded on an unbeaten 25 off 15 balls.Mustafizur, Mehidy and Shakib pulled things back really well, conceding just 41 runs in nine overs out of the last 14 overs. They also picked two wickets each. Hasan Mahmud also took two wickets while Ebadot picked up one scalp.Bangladesh’s batters hardly made any headway in that late momentum grab by their bowlers. Fazalhaq Farooqi removed both openers Litton Das and Mohammad Naim in the first nine overs. The left-arm quick cramped Litton in the fifth over, as the Bangladesh captain top edged a pull shot to Nabi at short midwicket. Naim played on to his stumps against a Farooqi short ball.In between these two wickets, Mujeeb bowled the delivery of the ODI series; the 100kph delivery zeroing on middle-stump before sharply moving to hit Shanto’s off-stump.A brief resistance followed but Rashid ended Bangladesh’s hopes with two beautiful googlies. The first was a peach that nipped through Towhid Hridoy’s forward prod. He misread the hand, ending up bowled for 16. Afif got a googly first ball, edging it to Nabi at slip.In between these two wickets, Nabi accounted for Shakib’s wicket in the 18th over. The allrounder missed an arm ball that swung into him, having made 25 off 29 balls.Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy added 87 runs for the seventh wicket, but once they were separated in the 37th over, the Bangladesh tail caved in quickly. Mushfiqur was the last wicket to fall, when he pulled a catch to give Farooqi his third wicket, and Afghanistan the series.

GOAL US debate all things MLS at the midseason mark, including Messi's MVP case and which team is likely to win it all

Who's up for a weird MLS season? All of the things that most people predicted might happen a few short months ago have been proven wrong. Inter Miami were supposed to be very good, and instead look like a middling playoff team. Atlanta United seemed poised to return to the top after spending big, but are markedly worse.

The Vancouver Whitecaps are literally on the market. No one wants them. And they are probably the best team in MLS. Meanwhile, everyone thought the dialogue around the Philadelphia Union would be about Cavan Sullivan. He's still mostly MLS Next Pro – or occasionally on the senior side's bench – while the first team dominates the Eastern Conference.

It's s been a bit of a mad first half, and no one can say, with any conviction, that they know what will happen come playoff time. It's an apt moment to check in, though, with the midseason point upon us.

Are Miami and Lionel Messi still presumptive favorites? Who's the front-runner for MVP? And, for the billionth time, what the hell is wrong with Marco Reus and the LA Galaxy?

GOAL US writers discuss answer all of those questions and more in an MLS edition of … The Rondo.

Getty Images SportWhich team is the biggest midseason surprise?

Tom Hindle: San Diego FC, by some distance. Expansion franchises stand on a knife's edge, and tend to either be really good or fairly disastrous. A peek at SD's roster didn't scream "MLS Cup contenders" but it's late June and they're in the picture. Depth is a concern, and a couple of injuries could hurt in the dog days. Still, it's been a great first half.

Jacob Schneider: It has to be San Diego. In no world did ANYONE expect the roster Mikey Varas put together to be this good. They've got Chucky Lozano, Anders Dreyer is the frontrunner for Newcomer of the Year, Anibal Godoy is competing for best XI and Luca De La Torre is firmly back in the conversation with the USMNT. Meanwhile, Paddy McNair and Christopher McVey have created a top-tier center-back partnership. They've been brilliant.

Alex Labidou: Atlanta appeared to be primed for MLS contention prior to the season, and their struggles have been confounding. They actually played their best at the end of last season, once they sold stars and were a harmonious group heading into the playoffs. The decision not to promote Rob Valentino as full-time manager appears to have backfired, as Ronny Deila isn't getting the best out of a strong MLS team. It's a bit surprising that well-respected team executive Garth Lagerwey isn't feeling more heat for the way this season has gone – 13th place isn't good enough for this group.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhich has been the most impressive team, player?

TH: Boring, but it has to be the Whitecaps, doesn't it? Sebastian Berhalter has been excellent all year, and they're a really good side. A word, too, for Quinn Sullivan and the Philadelphia Union. Tai Baribo may be grabbing the goals, and Cavan Sullivan might steal the headlines, but Quinn is a proper footballer in his own right.

JS: Brian White and the Whitecaps. That sounds like the name of an indie band. But wow, what a start to 2025. White has been a late bloomer, earning a USMNT nod in recent months while leading the Western Conference side to the top of the table – and firmly putting their feet in the race for the Supporters' Shield.The 29-year-old is having a career year, and the Whitecaps, led by first-year manager Jesper Sorensen, have been tremendous both in MLS and in CONCACAF competition.

AL: When the Union fired manager Jim Curtin, traded away Jack McGlynn in the preseason, and moved on from Daniel Gazdag early in the season, it looked as if this was a team heading for a rebuild. Yet, here they are, sitting on top of MLS at the midseason mark. New boss Bradley Carnell has maximized a young group and has, in particular, gotten Tai Baribo firing on all cylinders. The Israeli international would be a frontrunner for MVP if a certain Argentine wasn't playing in Miami.

Getty Images SportWhich has been the most disappointing team, player?

TH: Miguel Almiron and Atlanta United. Never go for the nostalgia signing, lads.

JS: It has to be Gabriel Pec and the LA Galaxy. There were rumors that the Brazilian was being looked at by some of Europe's top clubs in the offseason, with talks of the Galaxy wanting more than $20M for the winger. Now, though, the 2024 Newcomer of the Year is sitting on just three goals. He's underperformed, and the Galaxy – the defending MLS Cup champions – as a whole have been a disaster.

AL: The Galaxy rose back into prominence in 2024 – and then saw all of their good work go to waste in what has been an abysmal title defense in 2025. The Galaxy would be lucky to make the playoffs, let contend, and outside of losing MVP candidate Riqui Puig, have largely kept their top attacking pieces intact. It is puzzling how the Galaxy have just eight points in 18 matches. The Rapids, meanwhile, are a disappointing ninth despite largely having the same core of last year's surprise outfit. Part of the team's rise to third – and subsequent fall – lies with the form of star striker Rafael Navarro. Since the team purchased him outright prior to last summer, he's run hot and cold. He's on five goals in 17 overall appearances and hasn't scored since mid-April. At times he's looked like he could be a top-three striker in MLS. But he needs to deliver, or the Rapids might miss the playoffs.

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Getty ImagesWho is the midseason front-runner for MVP?

TH: Lionel Andres Messi. Grow up.

JS: Has to be Messi, even if he isn't in the lead at the moment. However, a few others – such as FCC's Evander, San Diego's Dreyer, and Philly's Tai Baribo – not far behind. The Argentine had a slow start to the season, but his May stretch was second to none in the league. He's on track to become the first to win back-to-back MLS MVPs.

AL: Until Messi either leaves MLS or completely falls off a cliff production-wise, there's only one answer.