MatériaMais Notícias

Palmeiras e Athletico Paranaense se enfrentam neste sábado (4), em jogo válido pela 32ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Veja onde assistir, horário e as prováveis escalações das equipes.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasNotíciasBrasileirão: como foram os últimos jogos entre Palmeiras x Athletico?Notícias03/11/2023DicasPalmeiras x Athletico: estatísticas e informações do jogo pela 32ª rodada do BrasileirãoDicas03/11/2023PalmeirasWeverton cala críticos e volta a pegar pênalti no tempo normal após quatro anos no PalmeirasPalmeiras03/11/2023

➡️Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro-2023 clicando aqui

O Alviverde, após conseguir uma virada histórica contra o Botafogo, quer embalar rumo a mais um título. Para isso, vencer em casa é fundamental.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Enquanto isso, o Furacão busca um bom desempenho para alcançar uma vaga dentro do G-6 e ir para a Libertadores do ano que vem.

No primeiro turno, o Athletico Paranaense venceu, por 2 a 0, o Palmeiras, com show de Vitor Roque.

FICHA TÉCNICA
PALMEIRAS X ATHLETICO-PR
32ª RODADA – CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Data e Horário: 04/11/2023, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Arena Barueri, em Barueri (SP)
Árbitro: Wilton Pereira Sampaio
Assistentes: Guilherme Dias Camilo e Leone Carvalho Rocha
VAR: Wagner Reway
Onde Assistir: Premiere, SporTV e tempo real do Lance!

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PALMEIRAS

Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Luan e Naves; Mayke, Zé Rafael, Richard Ríos, Raphael Veiga e Piquerez; Breno Lopes e Endrick. Técnico: Abel Ferreira.

Desfalques: Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Rony (suspensos); Dudu e Gabriel Menino (lesões)

Pendurados: Weverton, Mayke, Piquerez, Fabinho, Gabriel Menino, Raphael Veiga, Artur, Kevin, Abel Ferreira (treinador) e Vitor Castanheira (auxiliar técnico)

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ATHLETICO

Bento; Cacá, Kaique Rocha e Thiago Heleno; Canobbio, Erick, Fernandinho e Lucas Esquivel; Vitor Bueno, Bruno Zapelli e Pablo. Técnico: Wesley Carvalho

Desfalques: Cuello (suspenso); Pedro Henrique, Fernando, Madson, Vidal e Vitor Roque (lesões)

Pendurados: Wesley Carvalho, Léo Linck, Cacá, Kaíque Rocha, Esquivel, Alex Santana, Vidal e Erick.

Tudo sobre

Palmeiras

“The game has evolved, and technology and analytics, and we now have to see a new way of finding ourselves back to being very competitive,” Lara says

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Aug-2025West Indies are “not in the same level-playing field as other playing countries”, and an emergency meeting of Cricket West Indies (CWI), which included Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and current head coach Daren Sammy, among others, has ended with a roadmap of sorts in place for a revival, but “it’s a long road, it’s not going to happen tomorrow”. One of the immediate decisions is, as Lloyd said, to ask the ICC for a “special dispensation” – extra money keeping in mind West Indies’ glorious past.While those in attendance at a press briefing at the end of the two-day meeting in Trinidad – CWI bigwigs as well as Lloyd and Lara – said that a lot of ideas were thrown about, it was not yet time to announce them since they had to go through an internal process before being put into action. There was trepidation too, since the downward spiral of West Indies cricket has been quick and seemingly without end: “Hope to see them come to fruition,” Lloyd said. “Sincerely hope this doesn’t come to some damp squib.””We have identified a list of about a hundred things that we have to improve, but probably among the top five: facilities at every level for our cricketers; practice pitches across the region; the quality of our domestic tournaments, there’s definitely a skills deficiency at various levels that don’t get highlighted till they reach international levels and then you see the glaring deficiencies vis-a-vis our international counterparts, which again is systemic,” Chris Dehring, the CWI chief executive said.Related

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“As the batting coach [Jimmy Adams] pointed out, it’s very difficult to change habits when you are getting somebody who has made so many runs at regional level but clearly has deficiencies when it comes to international level. It’s very difficult to change in a couple of weeks. There are issues concerning strength and conditioning, which again points back to facilities which are available to youngsters and emerging players and ‘A’ teams, etc.”Dehring said that, among other things, CWI planned to have “a proper high-performance centre established in the region, a prototype that will then be modelled and imitated across the region, in other countries, [and] academy systems to ensure that the West Indies way of playing cricket is both documented and taught from very early”.Twenty-seven all out and the aftermathThe last time West Indies played Test cricket, at Sabina Park in Kingston against Australia, they were bowled out for 27, the second-lowest innings score in Test history and the lowest since 1955. The meeting was announced soon after that. Since then, West Indies have played ten white-ball games, winning two and losing eight.”It’s been that case for years, where we are not in the same level-playing field as other playing countries,” Lara said. “Back in the days when skill was the prominent factor, we excelled, we were the best team in the world. But the game has evolved, and technology and analytics, and we now have to see a new way of finding ourselves back to being very competitive.”I said not a level-playing field because a lot of the countries are far ahead in these sorts of areas. The skill factor of the game is still there, but not as prominent as it was in the past.

“What motivates youngsters today? It might not be just representing West Indies 365 days of the year. It might be playing in an IPL or a BBL or something else. We have to find out those interests and see where West Indies cricket can still benefit from the youngsters”Brian Lara

“It’s a long road; it’s not going to happen tomorrow. It was not about the 27 runs. If it was 57 or 107, will we be feeling any better? I don’t think so. It was the fact that we’ve got something to address, and for us to get back on top, or to be a competitive nation in world cricket, we’ve got to address these situations and address them shortly, quickly, and hopefully we can reap the benefits in the years to come.”The challenges are “systemic”, director of cricket Miles Bascombe said, and that they were “across our cricket system”. The goal now, he said, was “identifying the challenges at every level of our production pipeline […] and how to put all of that together. To have a holistic solution and then we will engage all of the stakeholders necessary to help us along the way.”Club vs country, the losing battleIt’s not new, the notion that modern-day West Indian cricketers, called mercenaries in the past, have prioritised franchise T20 leagues around the world, where they are in big demand, and the West Indies team has suffered as a result.If that is the case, what is the way forward?”West Indies cricket is still very important in the minds of all youngsters, male and female, and when looking at cricket as a career,” Lara said in response to a question. “I think you have to understand that in different eras and decades, there are different motivational factors. In the ’50s and early part of the ’60s, we were thinking about the independence – we can show our colonisers that we can play cricket, we can govern ourselves. In the ’70s and ’80s, I believe that under Sir Clive, it was all about trying to be the best in the world. After learning from previous decades.Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have primarily been in action in T20 leagues over the past many years•BCCI”Presently, if I can fast forward, the game has now very much commercialised. The franchise system is definitely in the mind of every young person, and every parent as well. When you see what’s happening around the world with the IPL, the American cricket league [MLC] and much else. The motivational factors we have to tap into: what motivates youngsters today? It might not be just representing West Indies 365 days of the year. It might be playing in an IPL or a BBL or something else. We have to find out those interests and see where West Indies cricket can still benefit from the youngsters.”It’s unfortunate [that] a young man at the age of 29, like Nicholas Pooran, will call an end to his international career. Find out why these things are happening and how we can stem that sort of situation and we get the best players to play for West Indies. Australia, India and England and these countries benefit from wholeheartedness from their players, the passion that they have playing for their country. We have to get that to return to West Indies cricket.”The solution, Bascombe said, was that, “We will never be able to compete with franchise money, everybody acknowledges that. So it has to be pride. Pride in the performance and pride in representing the West Indies.”That, looking at the past many years, might be easier said that done.”People must realise that T20 is an exhibition and Test cricket is an examination. When you are getting offered the type of money that these guys are being offered, there’s only one way they’ll go. It’s a lot of money,” Lloyd said. “The point is we have to try and keep the guys that we have, teach them the right things, and hope that our cricket will still be in shape.”

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been dealt an injury doubt ahead of their crunch Premier League clash with Man United.

Saturday’s early kick-off promises fireworks as Spurs host the Red Devils in North London.

With the two sides coming in off near-identical records of five wins and three losses from their first 10 league matches, with both also scoring 17 goals, this face-off could prove pivotal in the race for European qualification.

Tottenham’s home form has been a significant concern, with the club sitting 17th in the home standings despite topping the away form table this season. Meanwhile, no other Premier League side has lost more home games than the Lilywhites in 2025.

Frank’s side suffered another N17 setback last weekend, registering a lowly expected goals figure of just 0.1 in their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea – the lowest by any Premier League team this season.

However, their midweek 4-0 thrashing of Copenhagen in the Champions League offered a glimpse of their attacking potential, with defender Micky van de Ven bagging a stunning solo goal which drew comparisons to Son Heung-min’s famous Burnley strike in 2019.

Xavi Simons

8.1

Micky van de Ven

8.1

Wilson Odobert

7.9

Pedro Porro

7.8

Randal Kolo Muani

7.6

via WhoScored

In terms of the recent head-to-heads between Spurs and United, the former reigns supreme.

Tottenham are unbeaten against tomorrow’s visitors in their last seven meetings across all competitions, winning five and drawing two, including that historic Europa League final win in Bilbao earlier this year.

What’s more, if they beat them again tomorrow, it’ll be the first time they’ve won three league games in a row against United since 1960.

However, the injury situation adds another layer of complexity for Spurs. They currently have the longest absentee list in the Premier League with 10 players sidelined, including Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.

In the aftermath of Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Copenhagen, star winger Mohammed Kudus strongly hinted he could be fit to face United after missing their European clash with a knock, and Frank has now provided an update on the Ghanaian.

Tottenham star Mohammed Kudus a doubt to face Man United this weekend

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Frank explained that Kudus is “touch and go” to face United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — meaning he might not be ready on time depending on developments.

Potentially being without Kudus would undoubtedly be a bitter blow for Frank, considering the £150,000-per-week star has stood out as their star attacker this campaign.

No other Premier League player has averaged more takes-ons per 90 than the African this season, and he’s currently among the division’s top five best-performing players overall, according to WhoScored.

United arrive in north London with genuine momentum and are unbeaten in their last four league matches with three wins and a draw, their joint-best run under Ruben Amorim.

They’ve been particularly potent in attack too, netting two or more goals in their last four outings. Bruno Fernandes has been instrumental, with the 31-year-old now looking to assist in three consecutive away appearances for the first time since November 2020.

It is perhaps the worst time to face United right now, so Frank will be hoping that Kudus can indeed take part after his electrifying start to life at the club.

Dhoni also hopes CSK are able to ‘plug some loopholes’ in the mini-auction

Edited PTI copy02-Aug-2025

MS Dhoni took over from Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain in IPL 2025•Associated Press

MS Dhoni has said the return of Ruturaj Gaikwad will bolster Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) batting in IPL 2026.Gaikwad was ruled out of IPL 2025 after playing five games with an elbow injury. Dhoni took over the CSK captaincy but could not turn the team’s fortunes around; they finished at the bottom with just four wins from 14 matches, struggling to put together consistent batting efforts.”We are slightly worried about our batting order,” Dhoni said at an event in Chennai. “But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now.”Related

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Dhoni said the team will try to further strengthen the unit at the mini-auction later this year. “I won’t say we [CSK] slacked off [in IPL 2025],” he said. “But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in.”Gaikwad’s last competitive outing remains CSK’s match against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on April 8. He had a county deal with Yorkshire but withdrew citing personal reasons. He has been named in the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025-26, beginning later this month.MS Dhoni wants CSK to use the mini-auction to plug the holes•BCCI

Dhoni admitted CSK were below-par over the last two seasons, and said it was important for the team to identify the areas of concern.”Yes, the last couple of years have not been good for us,” Dhoni said. “We have not been up to the mark. But what is important is for you to see the learnings. Yes, you had a bad season. But what went wrong? And that was the question for us last year also.”We were like, ‘okay, there are some shortcomings’. But first we needed to exactly figure out what were the shortcomings and then look at solutions. I feel more often than not we have been able to figure out what exactly went wrong. In sports, you know you can have a very good time and at the same time there will be periods when you won’t be performing well. In CSK, more often than not, we are on the higher side.”So, we do talk about the processes. But at the same time we do want the result to come to our side. Last year it wasn’t there. But looking ahead, we will try to sort out most of the things, and we will hopefully be at our best.”Dhoni started his journey with CSK in 2008 and has led them to five IPL titles. He said his journey with franchise and the city has played an important part in his personal growth.”It’s a very long relationship that we have had and it started much before the start of IPL … 2005 was the time when I made my Test debut which happened to be in Chennai. So, it started from that point of time. And yes, CSK helped in a big way because all of a sudden I’m spending 45-50 days here.”So, I feel the relationship over the years has grown. It helped me improve as a person. It helped me improve as a cricketer. So, CSK just happened. I think it’s good for Chennai. So, today it’s good for me also. Nowadays when we go and say CSK, it’s not a brand only in India, but when we go to Australia, South Africa, or any of the cricket playing nations.”

حصد ليونيل ميسي أسطورة نادي برشلونة ومنتخب الأرجنتين، جائزة أكثر لاعب محبوب في تاريخ برشلونة والتي تمنح من صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية.

وقد تأثر ليونيل ميسي بشدة وهو يشاهد مقطع الفيديو الذي أظهر فيه مشجعو برشلونة حباً لا يزال قوياً للاعب الأرجنتيني، رغم مرور السنوات.

وقال ميسي في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية :”الحقيقة هي أنه مررنا بالكثير معاً، لحظات جيدة ولحظات سيئة وهذا أمر طبيعي في مسيرة طويلة”.

وأضاف: “ليس كل شئ مثالياً ونمر بأوقات عصيبة، لكن حسناً إنه بيتي ومكاني وشعبي، كنت أتمنى أن أقضي مسيرتي كلها هناك دون الحاجة للانتقال لناد آخر، وحسناً أن ألعب هناك فقط في أوروبا”.

اقرأ أيضاً. بسبب يامال.. لابورتا يلمح لانحياز الإعلام إلى ريال مدريد ويكشف مصير تمثال ميسي

وعلق ميسي حول اضطراره للرحيل عن برشلونة بسبب عدم قدرة خوان لابورتا رئيس النادي على تجديد عقده: “للأسف سارت الأمور بشكل مختلف، لكن ستظل لدي دائماً ذكريات مدى الحياة عن جميع اللحظات التي شاركناها”.

وواصل الأرجنتيني عن وقته مع برشلونة: “أنا ممتن لهذه اللحظات، لقد مر وقت طويل منذ أن كنت في برشلونة، منذ أن ذهبت للملعب، اضطررت للرحيل من النادي بدون جماهير بسبب الوباء في هذه الفترة لذلك كان عام غير عادي أيضاً”.

وأكمل: “حسناً، العديد من الذكريات الجميلة، لذا، شكرًا جزيلًا لجميع الناس في برشلونة، من الواضح أنني أيضًا لدي عاطفة خاصة جدًا للجميع”.

وسئل ميسي عن إمكانية عودته لبرشلونة: “بالتأكيد، سأعود، سأكون في الملعب كأي مشجع آخر، أتابع الفريق والنادي وأكون مجرد مشجع عادي، حاليًا ربما سأبقى في ميامي لبضع سنوات أخرى، لكننا سنعود لبرشلونة، هذا مكاني وبيتي ونفتقده كثيرًا، لذا سنعود”.

It is hard not to feel a little bit sorry for Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl after he watched his team ship three goals for the second time in four matches, albeit after extra time.

The Ibrox giants were beaten 3-1 at Hampden Park by their Glasgow rivals in the semi-finals of the League Cup on Sunday, but it was fairly impressive that they even took the game to extra time after going 1-0 down and down to ten men.

Rohl, who arrived to replace Russell Martin in the dugout, will have learned a lot about his group of players after his first four games in charge, with two wins and two defeats.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss should be pleased with the fight this team showed on Sunday, although his side seemed to lose their legs in extra time, as shown by how slow the defenders were to react to Callum Osmand’s goal in the clip below.

Celtic’s young striker scored his first goal for the club in his second senior appearance, both of which have come under interim manager Martin O’Neill.

That shows that a fresh pair of eyes in the dugout can unearth a talent that was overlooked by the previous management team, which should be a lesson to Rohl, with the players in the Rangers youth ranks.

The academy problem Rangers have at Ibrox

The Light Blues have a problem with their academy at Ibrox because there has not been enough of a reward for the work being done with their youth teams.

Billy Gilmour

£18m

0

Nathan Patterson

£11m

27

Greg Taylor

£5m

0

Ross McCrorie

£2m

55

Lewis Morgan

£2m

0

As you can see in the table above, the five most valuable former Rangers academy players all play for other clubs, and none of them made more than 55 appearances for the first-team before they left.

Only two of them, Nathan Patterson and Billy Gilmour, being worth more than £5m suggests that the club are not doing enough to bring in or develop high-value players in their academy.

On top of potentially not bringing the right players through their academy system, an issue could also be the lack of a pathway to first-team football at Ibrox.

Osmand for Celtic is the perfect example. He did not play a single minute under Brendan Rodgers for the Hoops, after signing in the summer window, and he made an instant impact in a huge match when brought in by O’Neill.

Chalkboard

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

If Rodgers had stayed in post and continued to ignore the striker, Osmand’s development may have stalled, and he could have gone on to leave Glasgow and thrive or fail elsewhere.

Instead, O’Neill provided him with a chance to shine and, after his goal against Rangers, he may kick on to become a star for the Hoops in the coming months because of the opportunity that he has been given.

Now, on the other side of Glasgow, Rohl could unearth his own version of Osmand by finally unleashing Findlay Curtis as a starter for the Ibrox giants.

Why Danny Rohl should unleash Findlay Curtis for Rangers

The Gers academy graduate was given a chance by Martin at the start of this season, with starts against Panathinaikos, and he showed real promise, with an excellent first goal for the club.

It was a terrific run and finish from the “Boy Wonder”, as shown in the clip above, but he has not started a game in any competition since those two games against the Greek side.

Curtis added to his goal tally for the club with goals against both St Mirren and Alloa Athletic, in the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup. Both of those strikes, though, came as a substitute.

Panathinaikos (H)

75

1

Panathinaikos (A)

59

0

Viktoria Plzen (H)

5

0

Dundee (H)

13

0

Alloa Athletic (H)

6

1

St Mirren (A)

14

1

Club Brugge (A)

45

0

Celtic (H)

8

0

Hibernian (H)

13

0

Dundee United (H)

14

0

As you can see in the table above, the 19-year-old attacker has only made ten appearances in all competitions this season, starting two games, and has scored three goals in that time.

Per Sofascore, Curtis has been an unused substitute in seven of his last eight appearances in the matchday squad, with his only outing in that time coming off the bench against Dundee United in Stevie Smith’s game as interim head coach.

Despite his frustrating lack of game time on the pitch, only Djeidi Gassama (five) and James Tavernier (six) have scored more goals for Rangers in all competitions this season, per Transfermarkt, than the teenage winger.

Curtis has scored one goal in 49 minutes of action in the Premiership, across four appearances as a substitute, so far this season, per Sofascore, which shows that he has been effective with the minutes that he has had.

The Scottish forward, who produced four goals and three assists in eight matches for the B team, has delivered quality in the Premiership, in Europe, and in a domestic cup. He has shown that he can make an impact with the first-team.

Yet, as has seemingly been the case for academy players for far too long at Ibrox, Curtis has not been rewarded with regular game time to develop and improve in the senior team.

Rohl must change that by providing the 19-year-old attacker, who can play on the left or the right flank, with more chances to show what he can do on the pitch as a starter for the Light Blues.

Rangers saw firsthand what can happen when a young player is finally given a chance when Osmand found the back of the net against them, and they should learn from that lesson by finally unleashing Curtis.

Martin claimed Rangers star was a "huge asset", now he looks "rotten"

This Rangers signing was heavily praised by Russell Martin, now it looks like he needs to be sold.

ByDan Emery Nov 3, 2025

New Zealand knocked off a target of eight runs in 14 balls to complete a comprehensive win over a Zimbabwe side whose home form continues to suffer. Their only Test win this year was against Bangladesh in Chattogram in April, and they have now lost their last five Tests.The architects of New Zealand’s victory were their bowlers, headlined by Matt Henry’s second Test nine-for, which included three second-innings wickets. Although New Zealand were without Nathan Smith for the third day – he could not take the field to determine the severity of an abdominal strain – Will O’Rourke’s 3 for 28 and stand-in captain Mitchell Santner’s 4 for 27 meant Zimbabwe were bowled out for under 170 in both innings to leave major batting concerns.Despite a good mix of youthful talent and experience in their line-up, Zimbabwe are struggling to post big scores. Only Sean Williams’ 49 was noteworthy in this match, though wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga made a career-best 30 in the first innings and 27 in the second. His contribution forced New Zealand to bat again, and kept an innings defeat at bay.Zimbabwe only had one partnership over 50 in either innings, and it was the second-innings stand of 57 between Craig Ervine and Williams for the fifth wicket that they would have expected to stabilise them. The pair got together after New Zealand dismissed Nick Welch in the fifth over of the third morning, caught behind off a full ball from O’Rourke.Tafadzwa Tsiga frustrated New Zealand•Zimbabwe Cricket

Then New Zealand got nightwatcher Vincent Masekesa, who batted for 58 minutes and faced 40 balls for 2. Masekesa was undone by a surface that started to show signs of variable bounce and gloved a back of a length ball to Rachin Ravindra at short leg.Williams was on 14 off 12 balls at the time, and batting with good intensity. Though Zimbabwe were still 105 runs behind at the stage, the experience of Williams and Ervine calmed nerves, and could have set them up for something more. Ervine, in particular, navigated Henry’s line just outside off fairly well, and drove him for two excellently timed fours.The introduction of spin in the form of Michael Bracewell after the first hour posed challenges for Zimbabwe’s batters as Bracewell beat them in flight. Williams got the better of him when he brought out the reverse sweep, and worked his way into the 40s. But he fell when he tried to help a Santner delivery fine, and got a faint touch through to Tom Blundell.Two overs later, Ervine could do little about a full ball from Henry that nipped off the seam and moved away, taking the edge with it. He was caught behind for 22. Zimbabwe went to lunch on 114 for 6, still 44 runs behind.Henry could have had Tsiga in the third over after the break when he edged to second slip, but Bracewell could not hold on. Tsiga was on 1 at the time. Instead, Henry was rewarded with the wicket of Sikandar Raza, who, for the second time in the match, was dismissed trying to play a big shot. After trying to take on the short ball in the first innings, Raza looked to hit Henry over midwicket but only spliced it high for Ravindra to take a second catch.Mitchell Santner took 4 for 27 in the second innings•Zimbabwe Cricket

With Brendan Taylor in Zimbabwe’s squad for the second Test next week, Raza’s spot, especially after the way he played in this Test, might be most at risk.Raza’s wicket was Henry’s ninth in the match, and came in the seventh over of his spell, though the lunch break had given him some rest. He bowled another four as he went in search of a tenth, and could have got it when there was a sound when Newman Nyamhuri went after a ball that moved away. But it seemed that his bat had hit the pad. Nyamhuri was removed at the other end when he was bowled by Santner, who also had Blessing Muzarabani dropped at deep square leg on 1.Muzarabani and Tsiga’s partnership grew to 36, and Tsiga took Zimbabwe into the lead with a pinpoint four down the ground. But they would have known they needed plenty to make the match competitive. Muzarabani was tempted by flight, and hit Santner to cover. Meanwhile, Tsiga, batting with No.11 Tanaka Chivanga, top-edged a slog sweep, and was caught at point to end Zimbabwe’s innings on the stroke of tea.The break was taken despite the small number of runs New Zealand needed, and the game went into a third session. New Zealand were in a hurry to finish things as quickly as possible on resumption. Devon Conway hit the fifth ball of the innings for four but then came down the track to try and hit Nyamhuri over mid-off but played on.The wicket was as much joy as Zimbabwe got as Henry Nicholls hit the winning runs off Nyamhuri to give both sides the weekend off. The second Test starts next Thursday.

Arsenal dropped further off the Women's Super League title-chasing pace after being held to a goalless draw by Tottenham in the north London derby. The Gunners, who are without a win through their last three games in all competitions, find themselves stuck in fourth place – nine points adrift of leaders Manchester City – after Alessia Russo and Co posted a blank against stubborn Spurs on Sunday.

The home side started brightly, in front of a lively atmosphere, with Tottenham aware of the need to burst out of the blocks in a bid to end their sorry recent record against their arch-rivals. Arsenal’s defence held firm, though, and Renee Slegers’ side slowly grew into the game.

United States star Emily Fox saw a tame effort saved on the 15-minute mark, before Kyra Cooney-Cross curled an ambitious strike inches past the post seven minutes later. England star Russo fired a difficult volley wide of the target with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining, while Stina Blackstenius saw a poor header and low drive from a tight angle easily kept out before the interval was reached.

The first chance of the second 45 also fell to the Swedish striker, but she fired high over the crossbar from eight yards out when leaning back and getting her effort all wrong. Substitute Olivia Smith will feel that she should have done better with a sight of goal on the hour as she drilled straight at Lize Kop before Mariona Caldentey lashed high over the top with her left foot 10 minutes from time as the contest began to fizzle out.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Brisbane Road..

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):

  Did what was required of her on a relatively quiet afternoon – making one early save – with the odd risk being taken in possession when closed quickly by Tottenham forwards.

  Emily Fox (6/10):

  Fired in Arsenal’s first effort of note, which set the tone from that point. Happy to sit and allow others to flood forward, with Spurs being forced deeper into their shell.

  Lotte Wubben-Moy (6/10):

  Never looked flustered and kept Spurs at arm’s length. Does not dive into challenges, forcing opponents to take an extra touch. Kept a clean sheet on her 100th WSL appearance.

  Steph Catley (6/10):

  Shaken up after taking a blow to the head during the first-half, which left her requiring treatment. Played through any pain and was rarely troubled by the Tottenham attack.

  Katie McCabe (5/10):

  Sloppy in possession, doing little to aid Arsenal’s cause when it came to building attacks. Was booked and it came as little surprise when she was hooked at the interval.

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  Midfield

  Kyra Cooney-Cross (6/10):

  Drove the Gunners forward with positive intent. Set-piece delivery from deep caused Spurs problems at times and came as close as anybody to a goal when curling narrowly wide.

  Mariona Caldentey (6/10):

  Surprisingly quiet in the opening exchanges, seeing few touches, but her influence grew as the game wore on. Tried to drive Arsenal through midfield, but lacked any end product.

  Caitlin Foord (5/10):

  Despite Arsenal seeing a lot of the ball, she was rarely involved in their most promising moves. Formed part of a second-half shuffling of the Arsenal pack.

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  Attack

  Alessia Russo (6/10):

  Arsenal’s record when fielding her and Blackstenius is impressive, but the Lionesses striker is better leading the line. Had a couple of half chances while being starved of service.

  Beth Mead (6/10):

  Replaced at half-time. Provided a couple of dangerous deliveries and was always looking to tee up team-mates. Took a terrible free-kick moments before the interval.

  Stina Blackstenius (5/10):

  Found space hard to come by early on. Saw a tame header and shot from a tight angle easily saved. Fired over when well placed early in the second half before being hauled off.

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  Subs & Manager

  Olivia Smith (7/10):

  Strong in the tackle and willing to race forward. Made an immediate impression and posed a threat on the right throughout the second 45 – with one clear sight of goal being passed up.

  Taylor Hinds (5/10):

  Did not have much to do defensively, which may have impacted her concentration. Did not offer much of an improvement on McCabe.

  Frida Maanum (6/10):

  One bright burst into the penalty area troubled Tottenham, but her cross-shot was ultimately cut out before it could reach Russo.

  Chloe Kelly (N/A):

  Thrown on for the final three minutes.

  Renee Slegers (6/10):

  Did her best to mix things up with second-half changes, but was unable to find that attacking spark. Needs a win to raise morale in the Gunners camp.

The Texas Rangers are bringing Nathan Eovaldi back after letting the right-handed pitcher test free agency.

According to Robert Murray of Fansided, Eovaldi and the Rangers are in agreement on new contract. ESPN's Jeff Passan reports the contract is a three-year pact worth $75 million. The 34-year-old will return to Texas, where he's played each of the last two years, and collect an average of $25 million per season over the life of his new deal.

Eovaldi made 29 starts last season and pitched a total of 170 2/3 innings, the most he's thrown since 2021. He registered 166 strikeouts, 42 walks and maintained a 3.80 ERA. Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion, made six starts in the postseason during the Rangers' run to a World Series title in 2023.

2024 was a disappointing season for the Rangers, who failed to reach the postseason after winning the World Series the previous year. They'll hope to get back on track in '25, and ensuring they kept Eovaldi as a key cog of their starting rotation will go a long way towards competing for a postseason spot next season.

Freddie Freeman battled through an ankle injury throughout much of the postseason, pushing past the pain to help the Los Angeles Dodgers secure their World Series title.

After overcoming the pain throughout the course of the playoff run, Freeman addressed the issue during the offseason. The Dodgers announced Thursday that the star first baseman had undergone surgery on his ankle. The team said the procedure, which was performed by Dr. Kenneth Jung, consisted of “debridement and the removal of loose bodies.”

Freeman is expected to be ready to participate in spring training and doesn't figure to miss any of the 2025 regular season as a result of the procedure.

The 35-year-old sustained the ankle injury while running the bases in late September against the San Diego Padres. He missed the team's final series of the regular season but was able to return to action in time for the postseason.

His ankle was causing him some visible discomfort throughout the playoffs, hindering his ability to run the bases at some points. Still, Freeman collected 13 hits in 52 at-bats and ended the postseason with four home runs, 13 RBIs and a .810 OPS.

Last year, across 147 games, Freeman slashed .282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs and 89 RBIs.