There is increased optimism from all parties that a deal can be finalised for Joshua Zirkzee’s move from Bologna to Manchester United.
Extensive talks have taken place with Zirkzee’s representatives and there is a broad agreement on terms with the player.
As was reported by Sky Sports, United have made it clear they will meet the 23-year-old’s £34m release clause.
Discussions are ongoing internally over whether United will pay the clause in full or negotiate a structure with Bologna.
Zirkzee is with the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024 and made his first appearance of the tournament in Saturday night’s quarter-final win over Turkey, coming on as a late substitute.
Arsenal and AC Milan are also interested in Zirkzee, who has two years left on his contract with Bologna.
Juventus are another club keen on Zirkzee but are currently working on other targets, and they would need to sell a striker to bring one in.
Why is Zirkzee in demand?
Zirkzee graduated through Bayern Munich’s system and had spells with Parma and Anderlecht before joining Bologna in the summer of 2022.
The forward received limited game time in his first campaign in Serie A, scoring only two league goals from 808 minutes.
Last season he scored 11 league goals and the shot map below suggests he is most lethal from the left-of-centre region.
The heat map below also shows how the forward typically plays deeper than a conventional striker.
He also ranks among the top five players in Serie A for creating big chances, attempting dribbles and regaining possession in the final third.
Indeed, the radar graphic below reveals he ranks among the top five per cent across Europe in those three metrics.
When does the summer transfer window close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at midnight in Scotland.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Gareth Southgate hailed England’s character after what he described as their best performance of Euro 2024 in the quarter-final penalty shootout win against Switzerland.
Bukayo Saka cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to take the game to extra-time and onto penalties where Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all scored and Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s opening effort for the Swiss as England reached the semi-finals.
It was a dramatic end to an edgy encounter and England’s first shoot-out win since beating the Swiss in the Nations League third-placed play-off five years ago in Portugal.
“I just thought the players were brilliant. It’s the best we have played,” Southgate told the BBC after the win.
“I thought we caused them a lot of problems. They are a really good side. They are hard to press, they are hard to defend against, their movement is good.
“To come from behind again and show the character and resilience we did, talking to the players about that, winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. It’s not just about that. You’ve got to show other attributes to win and we showed them all tonight.
“We played well today and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.
“We knew we needed to get pressure on their back three and that’s not easy without changing the shape. I thought the players were disciplined with it.
“I thought Phil was a real problem for them to pick up, Kobbie and Jude were finding those gaps on the side of their block. I thought we had good control. For some of the balls into the box, we probably needed more men in the box, but l thought it was the best that we have played.”
Southgate: No doubting Saka would take a pen
Saka missed the decisive penalty in the final of the last Euros against Italy at Wembley Stadium in 2021 as England fell just short in this competition last time around.
On Saka stepping up to take a penalty in the shootout and scoring this time, Southgate said: “So brave. He is one of our best, so we were never in any question that he was going to take one. But we all know what he went through.
“To deliver as he did…. But not just him, Trent and Ivan, to come on and take them as they did; Cole, he’s like an old man in the way he is fearless. So a huge result for us, a huge performance, and we’re still in it.
“We played well today and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.”
Analysis: Saka shows his mettle and quality
England would not be celebrating a place in the last four without Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal forward, England’s most dangerous player throughout the contest, scored a stunning equaliser during a player-of-the-match performance in Dusseldorf.
Even more impressive, though, was his willingness to then step up and take one of England’s penalties in the shootout, only three years after the miss that proved so costly in the final of Euro 2020. Not only that, he converted it too, demonstrating his quality and mettle to help England get over the line.
Emma Raducanu said she had to “win ugly” as she sealed a 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 victory against Mexican lucky loser Renata Zarazua on her Wimbledon comeback.
Raducanu took advantage of her slice of good fortune to claim victory on her comeback at the All England Club.
Raducanu had been preparing to face 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, a big-hitting Russian who reached the fourth round here last year.
But Alexandrova withdrew through illness on Monday morning, and instead Raducanu’s opponent was Zarazua, who had never won a tour-level match on grass and was making her main draw debut here.
Zarazua, ranked 98, has an unconventional game and she made life very tricky for Raducanu in the opening set but the 21-year-old dug in well to secure victory and become the first British winner at the tournament.
“It was an incredibly difficult match,” said Raducanu. “It took a lot of strength to get over the line. All props to her. In the morning you’re not in the draw and then you’re playing in Centre Court.
“It took a little bit of adjusting and finding my feet. I just want to say thanks to everyone for the support. I’m incredibly happy to be back here of course. I was nervous for sure, I think people could see that in my tennis.
“Honestly, like watching the football last night, winning ugly… it all counts!”
David Beckham and Sir David Attenborough were among those watching from the Royal Box, and Raducanu made a statement of intent with a forehand return winner drilled down the line on the first point.
But Zarazua was not about to be blown off court, the diminutive 26-year-old using drop shots, lobs and chopped forehands to prevent Raducanu getting into a rhythm.
After saving a break point in the fourth game with a backhand cross-court winner that fizzed off the line, Raducanu moved ahead in the next game only to hand the advantage back as Zarazua made it 4-4.
Going into the tie-break it was anyone’s set, but a fired-up Raducanu seized the initiative from the start and did not lose a point.
Still it was by no means comfortable, with Raducanu saving two break points at 1-1 in the second set as she sought to find the balance between consistency and aggression.
The breakthrough came at 3-2 as Zarazua’s level dipped, and the 21-year-old had the chance to win the match with a second break.
She could not take it but she was nerveless serving it out, setting up another match point with a brilliant dinked forehand winner, and a backhand long from Zarazua booked Raducanu a second-round clash on Wednesday with Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Raducanu will not want to get too far ahead of herself but, with eighth seed Zheng Qinwen an early loser and the withdrawal of third seed Aryna Sabalenka through injury, her section of the draw is wide open.
Wild Card Lily Miyazaki joined Raducanu in the next round after producing a superb performance to upset Tamara Korpatsch 6-2 6-1.
The Tokyo-born 28-year-old more than doubled her prize money for the year, earning £93,000 for less than an hour’s work.
A comprehensive win over the German world No 73 secured a second-round meeting with 14th seed Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday.
Watson beaten by doubles partner
Heather Watson’s 14th Wimbledon campaign lasted just one hour and 40 minutes after she was beaten in straight sets by her doubles partner Greet Minnen.
Watson, a wild card after slipping to 199 in the rankings, was the first British player in action on day one.
But the 32-year-old was also the first to depart after a 7-5 6-4 defeat to the Belgian world No 80.
Having trailed 4-1 in the first set, Watson won four straight games to serve for it at 5-4.
The serve let her down badly, though, as Minnen forged ahead while Watson was admonished by her mother, Michelle, for being “too lazy to move her feet”.
“She knows a lot about tennis,” said Watson. “I’m so grateful to have her and her support, her knowledge.
“Yeah, she’s maybe not the best tactically, but I would say she’s amazing at making sure I’m entered for all my tournaments and logistical stuff.”
Minnen magic
Last time Greet Minnen won a main draw match at Wimbledon, she took out former champion Garbine Muguruza
Two years later, the Belgian takes out another former Wimbledon winner (2016 mixed doubles), Heather Watson
The second set went with serve until a double fault brought up match point for Minnen which she dispatched to send the former British No 1 packing.
“I just didn’t really feel my game that well today,” Watson added. “I haven’t been serving a lot or hitting backhands a lot because of a back injury. Even still, the last couple of days I’ve been practising really well.
“But in tennis, it’s just such tiny margins and such fine details that can make a big difference. I just wasn’t able to find the court.”
Broom brushed aside by Stan The Man
Charles Broom’s Wimbledon debut ended in a straight-sets loss to three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka.
Broom, from St Albans, earned himself a wild card by reaching the final of the Challenger Tour event in Nottingham last month and the outcome might have been different had he managed to win the second set.
But he tightened up at the wrong moment and Wawrinka completed a 6-3 7-5 6-4 victory in an hour and 49 minutes, becoming just the 10th man in the open era to win a singles match here aged 39 or over.
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Gareth Southgate will make his century. It is an incredible achievement. But Southgate will reach the landmark on the back of a streaky forward-defensive that snicked the edge of his bat, and just evaded the wicketkeeper.
Southgate invited Ben Stokes to talk to the squad in their pre-tournament training camp in County Durham. Cricket is one of the England manager’s favourite sports. And the analogy is apt. Because – just as it is with many centuries scored in Test cricket – Southgate’s England innings has had elements of brilliance, and some moments of good fortune too.
The victory over Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen was certainly Southgate’s biggest stroke of luck in his almost eight years as manager.
England were dreadful for 95 minutes. They didn’t manage a shot on target in that entire time, after Southgate had stubbornly resisted any call to make significant changes to his starting XI, or to his game plan, for the fourth match in a row.
It was England’s worst performance of the tournament so far, and that is quite a statement. They are going backwards, when the aim was to peak for the business end of the competition.
Former Three Lions defender Gary Neville believes England have to step up and take risks if they are to overcome Switzerland in the quarter-finals as the Swiss have been impressive in the tournament so far
I have been saying since before the Euros started that Jude Bellingham is exhausted. It is so, so obvious in every game that he plays. He did nothing against Slovakia. Right up until he did “that”.
It was a moment of sheer brilliance that very few players in world football could manage at any stage in a game, let alone so deep into injury time when your nation is on the verge of exit and ignominy. It is the latest goal England have ever scored in a major tournament, before extra-time.
That moment of mesmeric magic didn’t just save Southgate’s blushes, it saved him from the darkest stain on his England legacy. Had England lost in Gelsenkirchen, it would have – without doubt – been the final act of Southgate’s custodianship. He would have been 99 and out. And his tenure would have come to an end with England unable to match any of their achievements in his previous three tournaments. World Cup semi-final, Euros final, World Cup quarter-final, remember. As it is, whatever happens next, Southgate will be able to walk away from this job knowing the minimum he ever managed with England was a quarter-final. That’s impressive.
It may explain why it seemed a much more breezy Gareth Southgate I saw in the Arena AufSchalke after the game. He was berated by some England fans as he left the pitch after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia, and attacked unforgivably with empty plastic beer cups as he walked down the tunnel. I know that hurt him. He says publicly that he has broad enough shoulders to take all that is thrown at him. “Target me, not the players,” has been his message to supporters. But the truth is that Southgate is a proud and sensitive man, one who strives to please, and someone who desperately wants to win a major trophy for the nation.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford says fans need to keep believing in Gareth Southgate’s side and admits they need the nation to get behind them
I saw him leave the Mixed Zone media area in the bowels of the stadium, and make his way to the team bus with a big smile on his face and a spring in his step. Joking with his media advisers. It was almost as if he knows the pressure has lifted a tiny bit with that win, and that England can only gain more support, the further they progress from here.
Without doubt, England and Southgate could seize that special, tournament-defining moment from Bellingham to galvanise the nation, and the squad, and push them on to new heights in this European Championships. How many times has there been one, singular incident for a team in a tournament when every football lover from the broad spectrum of footballing nations says: “Their name is on the trophy.” That might well be what many non-English fans are thinking right now. It’s certainly what the petrol station attendant told me at 2am as we stopped for fuel on our way back from Gelsenkirchen. “Lucky, lucky England!” he said. “You will win now!”
That Bellingham goal could be England’s moment. It will be remembered as one of the most iconic England goals of the last few decades. Because of its brilliance, because of its importance, and because of its timeliness. It ranks alongside David Platt’s volley against Belgium in Italia ’90. Gazza’s volley against Scotland and the dentist chair celebration in Euro ’96. Michael Owen’s brilliant solo effort against Argentina in the World Cup of 1998. It could be the one moment we all look back upon and say “that’s when it turned.”
Southgate must rip up his pre-tournament plans
But it can only be so if Southgate realises his plan has failed spectacularly for four matches. Only if he is prepared to jettison some stellar names who have repeatedly under-performed, and turn to the understudies. What is the point of understudies if not to replace the primary actors when they are under-performing? The main men have had four games, and none of those team performances has impressed. If England are to capitalise on Bellingham’s majesty, the England manager has to rip up his tournament philosophy and start again.
Southgate said in his post-match interviews that it is for moments like that you leave your game-changers on the pitch. He told the BBC: “With 15 minutes to go, you wonder if he is out on his feet. Him and Harry Kane produce those moments and that is why you don’t make changes when people are clamouring for more changes.”
In essence, he is correct. If Jude Bellingham wasn’t at this tournament, England would have been knocked out after three tame draws in the group stages (he got the winning goal against Serbia, in England’s only victory). If Southgate had substituted him before we got to injury time in Gelsenkirchen, England would have been going home now with their tails firmly between their legs.
But for me, Southgate’s reasoning misses the key point. If England weren’t relying so heavily on Bellingham, maybe they would have played much, much better as a team and been well ahead in the game, and so wouldn’t have needed the Real Madrid star’s spectacular act of salvation.
Gareth Southgate reflects on England’s shaky victory over Slovakia to proceed to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals and what he looks to do to maintain spirit and improve performances
Before the game, I’d called for Bellingham to be rested. Not dropped – rested. Because if you look at his statistics, and just study his body language and impact on games, it is so clear to everyone he is burned out. The game against Slovakia was his 106th in two seasons, and it was the day after his 21st birthday. He is exhausted. Rest him, bring him back in the even more important games to come, was my reasoning. That decision may yet be forced on Southgate for the quarter-final, depending on the outcome of the UEFA disciplinary proceedings that have been issued against England’s matchwinner.
Harry Kane, similarly, is still miles away from full match sharpness. The captain is a special case, and has scored two goals in two games, and so will – correctly – be given special dispensation to continue. But it was a stark reminder of what England have been missing in his game right now, when Ivan Toney came on for his major tournament bow. With Kane regularly trying to drop deep to influence the game, then often unable to get back into the box when crosses come in, Toney was a stark contrast. He acted like a traditional number 9 who leads the line. When England were under the cosh, he held the ball up, ran the channels, and won several free-kicks on halfway with his back to goal, as the England defence made desperate clearances.
Southgate told the media Toney wasn’t happy with him at all when it was suggested he come on in the 94th minute, with England 1-0 down. To be fair, it proved to be a crucial substitution because it was the Brentford striker who set up the Harry Kane winner, 50 seconds into extra-time. It is easy for the manager to justify sticking with the same players when they are playing and winning well. It is much more difficult for Southgate to explain to his substitutes why they are being overlooked when the “first team” is underperforming.
Southgate’s options
So what changes should Southgate make? Kieran Trippier is a brilliant defender and a reliable and indefatigable character. He has played well out here, but the lack of a left-footed option anywhere on England’s left flank is so obviously crippling. Trippier hobbled off against Slovakia and so may not be fit to face Switzerland. He is still nursing a calf injury, remember. But Southgate must abandon any plans of playing Luke Shaw in this tournament. He isn’t fit. He shouldn’t have travelled to Germany. Southgate admitted it was a gamble, and it hasn’t paid off.
That’s not Southgate’s fault – he gave Shaw every chance to prove his fitness. His natural ability in the position, both going forward and defensively, would have been a big asset. But he hasn’t played a minute of football since mid-February, and he cannot be risked now, in a Euros quarter-final, almost five months later.
Nevertheless, England desperately need a left-footer on the left side of defence, and on the left side of their attack. I think they need a right-footed option on the right wing, too. Of England’s four wide options in the starting XI so far, only Kyle Walker is playing on the same flank as his favoured kicking foot. As a result, England are so narrow, and so easy to defend against. Denmark, Slovenia and Slovakia have all been able to prepare for an England side that never looks to go wide, run past them along the wing, get in behind their defence, stretch the full-backs. And so it will be for Switzerland, unless Southgate changes things.
There has been no element of surprise, no real threat. England have been predictable, and impotent. They have tried to beat the low block with intricate passes in the congested centre of the final third. They have scored three goals in four games, in normal time. Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen – all wait patiently in the wings.
England rescued their tournament after they abandoned any game plan, and threw the kitchen sink at Slovakia. When it worked, they then had a major problem because they had to face an extra 30 minutes with the most lop-sided, shapeless England XI I have ever seen. They had four wingers on the pitch, with Ebere Eze playing left-back, and two strikers up top.
The manager and players deserve huge credit for seeing the game out, after Kane gave them the lead, in the midst of the chaos. Conor Gallagher – still licking his wounds after being dispensed with at half-time in his first start at a major tournament (against Slovenia) – was called upon to stiffen the midfield. He did that. And every player ran for their lives in extra-time, as the stunned Slovakia team threw everything at them.
The defence has been a shining success in the four games so far. The fact that Marc Guehi – England’s most consistent player throughout – is suspended for Switzerland, is a real worry. He has been the epitome of calm and class that England have needed. Ezri Konsa is likely to deputise on Saturday, and he is a very decent replacement.
England’s reasons for hope…
But England’s problems elsewhere pre-date this tournament. England have won just two of their last nine matches in normal time. Two wins in nine. That is dreadful form, and certainly doesn’t suggest they are trophy-contenders. It is the worst run of form under Southgate for 24 months.
If that isn’t evidence enough that Southgate’s game plan isn’t working, I don’t know what is. This is not a Southgate-bashing exercise. I think history will judge him very kindly. He is England’s most successful manager, after Sir Alf Ramsey. He has gone closer than any other England manager since 1966 to ending the traumatising trophy drought. He has made the atmosphere in camp so enjoyable, the very best players want to play for their country again. That has not always been the case. And he has made the English nation proud of the vibrant, diverse, and likeable team that represents them.
I feel Southgate may yet be able to give the nation what they want during this, his final tournament. But only if he makes significant changes.
The good news is England have time to come up with a new plan. It is six days after that draining experience in Gelsenkirchen before they face Switzerland in Düsseldorf. It will take the squad two days to recover. They will have the whole of Tuesday off, and have some time with their families. I’m told they are all – even those who didn’t get on the pitch – exhausted by the emotional trauma and then the elation of it all.
They flew back from Gelsenkirchen to their base in Blankenhain, but didn’t get into their beds until after 1am. But we have already been informed that there will be no open training on view for the media on Tuesday. No media interviews that day either. It will be the only proper “dark day” for England in the tournament so far. Rest, lads. Recover. Prepare to go again.
Wednesday is the time for some honest words behind the scenes. That is the day to talk tactics, and find a new way of playing in time for Switzerland, and in time for England to rescue their Euros. It is not too late. If Southgate has finally accepted that it is time for Plan B. This Euros draw has opened up in such a way as to give England fans real hope of silverware. If only the team can play to its spectacular potential.
This is surely Southgate’s final innings. The question now is whether the England manager can tweak his technique whilst still at the crease, and carry his bat right through to a final hurrah in front of the packed stands in Berlin.
At the moment, it feels like he is swishing hopefully outside his off-stump. If he doesn’t change his style, his luck will surely run out when he finally faces a decent delivery from a more dangerous opponent.
South Africa dismantled Afghanistan for just 56 on a difficult pitch as they stormed into their first Men’s T20 World Cup final with a nine-wicket win in Trinidad.
The Proteas had lost all seven of their previous World Cup semi-finals across the T20 and 50-over events but are now one victory away from a maiden trophy after an eighth win out of eight at this year’s competition.
Aiden Markram’s side – who now face England or India in Barbados on Saturday – rolled Afghanistan in 11.5 overs on a surface offering extreme bounce and ample seam movement with Azmatullah Omarzai (10) the only batter to make double figures as the first-time semi-finalist were demolished for their lowest T20I score.
Pacemen Marco Jansen (3-16), Anrich Nortje (2-7) and Kagiso Rabada (2-14) razed the Afghanistan top order – Rashid Khan’s side were 28-6 in 6.3 overs after electing to bat – before spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3-6) polished off the lower order.
South Africa reached their target in 8.5 overs as Reeza Hendricks (29no off 25) followed a hooked six off Azmatullah with the match-clinching four down the ground as he took his stand with Markram (23no off 21) to an unbroken 55 off 43 deliveries.
Score summary – South Africa vs Afghanistan
Afghanistan 56 all out in 11.5 overs: Tabraiz Shamsi (3-6), Marco Jansen (3-16), Anrich Nortje (2-7), Kagiso Rabada (2-14); Azmatullah Omarzai (10)
South Africa 60-1 in 8.5 overs: Reeza Hendricks (29no off 25), Aiden Markram (23no off 21); Fazalhaq Farooqi (1-11)
Quinton de Kock (5), bowled by Afghanistan quick Fazalhaq Farooqi’s in-swinger in the second over after being struck on the body by Naveen-ul-Haq in the first, was the only Proteas player to be dismissed in the chase.
But Markram and Hendricks still had to deal with deliveries flying through dangerously high as well as scuttling through low before securing South Africa’s landmark victory.
Markram’s men will now become the first side to win the T20 World Cup having come through the tournament unbeaten if they see off England or India in Bridgetown this weekend, with the second semi-final in Guyana from 3.30pm on Thursday.
Afghanistan – who finished ahead of Australia in Super 8s Group 1 to reach the semi-finals – were simply blown away by South Africa on the sketchy surface, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) to the sixth ball of the match as the opener edged Jansen behind.
Jansen bowled Gulbadin Naib (9) with a nip-backer in the third over, while Rabada then castled Ibrahim Zadran (2) and Mohammad Nabi (0) in the fourth before Jane struck again in the fifth when Nangeyalia Kharote (2) gloved a short ball down the leg-side.
Top-scorer Azmatullah hold out at deep cover off Nortje in the seventh but South Africa had to wait another three overs for their next breakthrough as Rashid (8) and Karim Janat (8) added 22 from 18 deliveries in partnership.
However, Shamsi took two wickets in three balls in the 10th, removing Janat and Noor Ahmad (0) lbw, before Nortje knocked Rashid’s off stump out of the ground in the 11th and Naveen (2) was then lbw to Shamsi on the sweep from the fifth ball of the 12th.
‘Conditions didn’t let Afghanistan do better’
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan:
“It was a tough, tough match for us as a team. We might have done a bit better than that, but the conditions didn’t let us. That’s what T20 is about, you’ve got to be ready for any situation. They bowled exceptionally well, we couldn’t bat well.”
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram:
“It feels good. It’s not really the captain that gets you to this stage of the competition, it’s a massive squad effort and people behind the scenes. I’m chuffed we have one more crack at winning a trophy.”
Watch the second T20 World Cup semi-final between England and India, in Guyana, live from 3pm on Sky Sports Cricket (first ball at 3.30pm). Then catch the final in Barbados from 3pm on Saturday (3.30pm first ball).
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Katie Boulter beat former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets as she continued her fine form on grass ahead of Wimbledon by reaching the quarter-finals in Eastbourne.
British No 1 Boulter – who successfully defended her title in Nottingham earlier this month – defeated fifth seed Ostapenko 6-4 7-5 and will now face third seed Jasmine Paolini or Elise Mertens.
The world No 32 said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this grass-court season. I’m out here having fun and enjoying myself.”
Boulter took the first set amid a series of errors from Latvian Ostapenko and then broke at 5-5 in the second before holding to complete victory.
“Honestly, I was just trying to slap a little harder than she was,” Boulter said, after beating a Grand Slam winner for the first time.
“She’s so tough to play against, you never know what is going to happen and it’s completely in her control.”
Boulter’s fellow Brit Emma Raducanu will look to join her compatriot in the last eight later on Wednesday as she plays American second seed Jessia Pegula.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, beat 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens in straight sets in Sussex on Tuesday to reach the second round having been awarded a wildcard.
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Afghanistan reached a first ever World Cup semi-final courtesy of a dramatic eight-run victory over Bangladesh which in turn knocked Australia out of the T20 tournament.
Bangladesh came into the game with a chance to progress or send Australia through with a victory but – chasing a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern revised target of 114 in 19 overs as rain affected their innings – were bowled out for 105.
Captain Rashid Khan (4-23) and Naveen-ul-Haq (4-26) each took four wickets in the victory that secures Afghanistan a historic first World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Trinidad on Wednesday evening.
Highlights from the T20 World Cup Group 1 match as Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh to reach their first-ever semi-final where they’ll play South Africa.
Score summary – Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
Afghanistan 115-5 from 20 overs: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (43 off 55 balls), Rashid Khan (19no off 10); Rishad Hossain (3-26)
Bangladesh 105 all out from 17.5 overs: Litton Das (54no off 49); Rashid Khan (4-23), Naveen-ul-Haq (4-26)
Afghanistan’s hopes were earlier dented when restricted to a modest 115-5 batting first, Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scoring, but using up 55 deliveries to reach 43.
Rishad Hossain (3-26) ultimately dismissed the opener Afghanistan suffered a dramatic collapse from 84-1 to 93-5 in the space of 11 balls, before Rashid later blasted three sixes in his 10-ball 19.
During their tense T20 World Cup match, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan lost his cool and threw his bat at his partner Karim Janat following a miscommunication over a second run against Bangladesh
In the final over, the Afghanistan skipper was so desperate for late runs that he hurled his bat at his batting partner Karim Janat in fury when refused a second run.
Needing to chased down their target inside 12.1 overs in order to seal a semi-final spot themselves, Bangladesh came up well short in their rain-affected reply.
Litton Das struck an unbeaten 54 from 49, but wickets regularly tumbled at the other end, including two in two balls for Rashid in the 11th over that reduced the Tigers to 80-7.
Naveen then wrapped up the innings and the semi-final-clinching victory with his own double-strike with back-to-back deliveries in the penultimate over, prompting tearful celebrations from the Afghanistan players.
India, who beat Australia by 24 runs earlier on Monday in St Lucia to leave the qualification hopes of the 2021 champions hanging by a thread, will take on holders England in the second semi-final.
Highlights from St Lucia as Rohit Sharma’s 92 from 41 balls powered India to victory over Australia and into the T20 World Cup semi-finals
What’s next?
Afghanistan face South Africa in the first semi-final in Trinidad (Thursday, 1.30am UK and Ireland), with the Proteas having topped Group 2 of the Super 8s ahead of England.
India took top spot in Group 1 and in doing so set up a Thursday date with England in Guyana (3.30pm).
There is no reserve day available for the second semi-final between England and India – although an extra 250 minutes is available on the scheduled day – so if the game cannot be completed due to weather India will advance by virtue of topping their Super 8s pool.
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Afghanistan’s shock win over Australia at the T20 World Cup means all four sides in Super 8s Group 1 can still qualify for the semi-finals.
India are in pole position after winning their first two second-round matches by a handsome margin, with Bangladesh bang up against it after two heavy defeats.
Here are the permutations ahead of the final round of games, with India taking on Australia on Monday (3.30pm UK) before Afghanistan meet Bangladesh on Tuesday (1.30am UK).
As ever, net run-rate could prove crucial…
What is net run-rate?
This metric is used to separate teams on the same number of points during a league format, in the way that goal difference does in football. A side’s net run-rate in a tournament is the average runs scored by them in an over in each game minus the average runs scored against them. If a team is bowled out, their net run-rate is worked out by dividing the runs by the maximum overs they could have batted, which in the case of this tournament is obviously 20 overs.
India on course for semi-finals
Rohit Sharma’s side, who beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh by 47 and 50 runs respectively, will definitely advance to the semi-finals if they beat Australia or the game is rained off.
They will also go through if they lose and then Bangladesh beat Afghanistan or if that match is abandoned.
Should they lose to Australia and Afghanistan then beat Bangladesh – results that would leave India, Australia and Afghanistan on four points apiece – India’s strong net run-rate, which currently stands at +2.425, would still leave them in good stead.
Highlights from India’s 50-run win over Bangladesh as Hardik Pandya struck an unbeaten 50 from 27 balls
For them to be eliminated on net run-rate, India would have to lose to Australia by 41 runs and for Afghanistan to beat Bangladesh by at least 83 runs.
Australia or Afghanistan likely vying for one place
Australia’s net-run rate (+0.223) is better than Afghanistan’s (-0.65) at the moment, which could give the 2021 champions the edge in the event that those sides both win or both lose.
Highlights from Afghanistan’s historic 21-run win over Australia in the Super 8s
To chuck a scenario out there, if Australia beat India by one run, Afghanistan would need to defeat Bangladesh by 36 runs to leapfrog Australia on net run-rate.
If Afghanistan lose by just one run, Australia would need to have lost by 31 runs for their net run-rate to slip below Afghanistan’s.
If Australia win and Afghanistan lose, Australia are through. If Afghanistan win and Australia lose, Afghanistan are through. No results in both games and Australia advance on NRR.
What about Bangladesh?
Pat Cummins’ hat-trick helped Australia beat Bangladesh in their Super 8s opener
With their net run-rate a poor -2.489, Bangladesh are struggling to make the semi-finals. To do so, they would need a heavy win over Afghanistan and a massive defeat for Australia vs India.
To go ahead of Afghanistan on NRR, they would need to beat their opponents by 31 runs, but that would only be good enough for second place if Australia lost to India by 55 runs.
Watch India vs Australia live on Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm on Monday (3.30pm first ball) and then Afghanistan vs Bangladesh from 1am on Tuesday (1.30am first ball) on the same channel.
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As Scotland prepare to play Hungary in their final Group A game, Sky Sports looks at all the permutations that could see them reach the knockouts with just two points.
Scotland were beaten by Germany in their opening match, but an improved performance saw them draw with Switzerland and give themselves a chance of reaching the round of 16.
Here’s how Steve Clarke’s side can reach the knockout rounds of Euro 2024…
If Scotland lose to Hungary
The easy one. If Scotland lose, they are out of Euro 2024 as they will finish bottom of Group A, and therefore unable to reach the last 16.
If Scotland beat Hungary
Scotland would qualify directly for the Euro 2024 knockout stages in second place if they beat Hungary and Switzerland lose to Germany, plus the Scots overturn a six or seven-goal deficit in goal difference.
For example, if Scotland win 3-0 and Germany also win 3-0, then Scotland will finish in second place on goals scored. The same would occur if Scotland win 4-0 and Germany win 2-0 or Scotland win 5-0 and Germany win 1-0.
However, if Scotland win 1-0 and Switzerland lose 5-0, then Switzerland would finish second on goals scored. Scotland winning 2-0 and the Swiss losing 4-0 would mean it would go down to the best disciplinary record, which the Scots trail in due to Ryan Porteous’ red card.
Any seven-goal overturn of the goal difference deficit would see Scotland finish second.
If Switzerland manage to finish second and Scotland have to settle for third, this is where it gets complicated.
Scotland would face a nervous wait to find out whether four points would be enough to reach the knockout rounds. History would be on their side, however. No third-placed team with four points has ever failed to reach the last 16 of the Euros since this format was introduced.
A lot will depend on how much they can beat Hungary by. A big win would boost their chances massively.
Steve Clarke says the mental side of the game is massive, which is something Scotland improved on in the second game of the Euros
If Scotland win and their goal difference remains low, they would be eliminated if four out of the five following outcomes occur in the two days after the Hungary game:
Monday June 24: Albania beat Spain
Tuesday June 25: Austria avoid defeat to the Netherlands
Tuesday June 25: Slovenia beat England and Denmark vs Serbia does not end in a draw
Wednesday June 26: Either Ukraine vs Belgium and Slovakia vs Romania ends in a draw
Wednesday June 26: Georgia beat Portugal
John McGinn says he hopes one of his nephews is sad following Scotland’s pivotal Euros clash after confirming he has some Hungarian family members
If Scotland draw to Hungary
Scotland drawing to Hungary would be interesting – as two points could be enough for Steve Clarke’s side to qualify as a third-placed team.
If the Scots draw to Hungary, they would need two out of the three outcomes to happen to qualify:
Albania lose to Spain AND Croatia lose against Italy in Group B
England to beat Slovenia by four goals (providing Scotland score the same amount of goals vs Hungary as Slovenia do vs England) AND Denmark beat Serbia
Czech Republic lose against Turkey AND Georgia lose against Portugal in Group D
If one Group B team and one Group D team pick up at least a point in the final group games, then Scotland’s draw would not be enough due to to their poor goal difference of -4.
As England prepare to face USA in their final Super 8s match at the T20 World Cup on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Cricket, we look at what they need to reach the semi-finals.
Plus we assess what is working for the defending champions in the tournament and which parts of their game they need to tidy up…
How can England make the semi-finals?
The simplest way is for England to defeat USA in Barbados on Sunday (from 3.30pm) and then for table toppers South Africa to knock off West Indies in Antigua on Monday. In that scenario, South Africa (six points) and England (four points) will advance, with West Indies (two points) and USA (zero points) going out.
If England and West Indies both win their final matches and end up level with South Africa on four points, the two qualification spots from Super 8s Group 2 will come down to our old friend net run-rate.
West Indies’ is the best of the three sides at the moment so a win over South Africa by any margin will take the host nation through and leave the second spot to whichever of England and South Africa has the superior net-run rate.
England could still progress if they lose to USA, although they would then need West Indies to lose heavily to South Africa in order to end up above the Caribbean side on net run-rate.
Highlights of England’s eight-wicket win over West Indies as Phil Salt top-scored with 87 not out from 47 balls
If USA give England an absolute hiding, they could also make the semis on net run-rate, but they would also require South Africa to thump West Indies so their prospects do seem rather bleak.
For England, the goal is to win and win well.
What is working for England?
The trump cards, as Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain called them, in leg-spinner Adil Rashid and fast bowler Jofra Archer.
Rashid bagged 1-21 from four overs in the eight-wicket win over West Indies and then 1-20 in the seven-run loss to South Africa, with his seven wickets in the tournament coming at an economy rate of 7.40.
Rashid’s two-run 17th over against West Indies was crucial in England winning that game – as was the four-run over from Archer that preceded it with the paceman dismissing set batter Nicolas Pooran in that time.
Archer is England’s leading wicket-taker with nine strikes at an economy rate of 7.29. He received some tap against South Africa with his first over crunched for 21, but he then shipped only 19 runs across his next three.
His ability to ruffle batters with speed and also fox them with slower balls is a vital part of England’s armoury.
England and South Africa put on a show in the field during their Super 8s clash in St Lucia
We should also give a shout-out to England’s fielding, which was stunning against South Africa. Buttler led by example with a spectacular one-handed catch and direct hit run-out, but there were also excellent diving grabs from Harry Brook and Sam Curran.
Elsewhere, one positive after the negative of England’s top order folding against the Proteas was that Brook (53 off 37) and Liam Livingstone (33 off 17) were afforded a decent hit, spanking 78 from 42 balls in partnership from 61-4 in a chase of 164 and threatening to pull off a heist before the South Africa’s death bowlers shone.
With Brook having also smashed 47 against Namibia in the final first-round match, neither he nor Livingstone – so often a peripheral figure with the bat owing to his lower middle-order position – will come in cold should they be needed against USA and, England will hope, in the knockout stages.
What needs to improve?
As entertaining and useful as it may have been, the cavalier stand between Brook and Livingstone cannot mask some of the issues – however mild – higher up the order.
Yes, Phil Salt fired against West Indies with 87 off 47 balls, including 30 runs in one over, but his other knocks have only been fleeting cameos, while opening partner Buttler is still to truly ignite and is yet to pass fifty.
Buttler, arguably the best white-ball batter on the planet when in full flow, said his side lost to South Africa due to the powerplays, with the Proteas, chiefly through Quinton de Kock, pummelling 63-0 and England just 41-1.
The skipper will want more oomph early on against USA, whether setting a score or chasing, while England’s bowling in the first six overs is also an area that needs a lift.
Discounting the Oman game, in which England reduced the associate nation to 25-4 in the powerplay, they have taken just two wickets in the first six overs across their five other fixtures – both of those against Australia but only after they had been creamed for 70 runs inside the first five.
They should have had a powerplay wicket against Scotland but Mark Wood was penalised for a no-ball after George Munsey ballooned to Buttler.
Wood’s form more generally may be a concern for England as around his sizzling 3-12 against Oman he has been smashed around the park by Australia, West Indies and South Africa, going at in excess of 10 runs an over in each of those matches.
Perhaps Chris Jordan will be eyeing a recall in his native Barbados on Sunday, although Tom Hartley is an option if England want more frontline spin, while they could always bring back big hitter and part-time spinner Will Jacks, who has recently lost his place to left-arm seamer Curran.
Watch England vs USA in the T20 World Cup Super 8s live on Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm on Sunday (3.30pm first ball).
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