‘Unique talent’ – Lamine Yamal earns Lionel Messi-esque praise from Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta & is backed to deliver more trophies for La Liga giants

Lamine Yamal has earned Lionel Messi-esque praise from Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, with the teenage wonderkid considered to be a “unique talent”.

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  • Record books rewritten by youngster
  • Constantly compared to Argentine GOAT
  • Has agreed a lucrative new contract
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Having stepped out of the same La Masia academy system as eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, comparisons between Yamal and an Argentine icon have never been far away. He has attempted to remove himself from that discussion on a regular basis.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Yamal, at 17 years of age, has set about becoming a global superstar in his own right. Records have tumbled around the youngster as he has landed La Liga, European Championship and Golden Boy honours.

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    He has also committed to a new lucrative contract in Catalunya that is due to take him through to 2031, with those terms officially kicking in when he turns 18 on July 13. Iniesta believes that Yamal will help to deliver more major silverware at Camp Nou.

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    WHAT ANDRES INIESTA SAID

    The legendary midfielder told reporters in Munich ahead of the 2025 Champions League final of seeing Yamal agree fresh terms: “It’s fantastic news for Barca fans that he can be there. I hope he can maintain that level and continue to improve year after year because he truly is a unique talent. I hope he can bring Barca a lot of joy.

    “It’s been a fantastic season, winning those two titles, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League and on the verge of reaching the final. And above all, the feeling that the team transmits, that it’s a young team with a lot of experience at the same time. If they continue on this path, I think they’ll be very close to winning titles every year.”

Matthew Kuhnemann five-for guides Durham to dramatic final-day triumph over Worcestershire

Scott Borthwick, David Bedingham lay foundation for victory with 196-run partnership

ECB Reporters Network16-Apr-2023Durham 425 for 9 dec (Bedingham 118, Raine 71, Lees 70, Gibbon 4-92) and 242 for 4 dec (Borthwick 108*, Bedingham 86) beat Worcestershire 366 for 5 dec (Haynes 134, Potts 3-110) and 192 (D’Oliveira 42, Haynes 40, Kuhnemann 5-53) by 121 runsMatthew Kuhnemann claimed a five-wicket haul to guide Durham to a dramatic final-day victory over Worcestershire in their LV= Insurance County Championship Division Two clash at Seat Unique Riverside.Durham coach Ryan Campbell promised that his side would not settle for a draw, and his team were as good as his word. Scott Borthwick and David Bedingham laid the foundation of the victory with a 196-run partnership in a morning onslaught as Durham’s skipper scored his first first-class century in two years.The Pears required 314 to win from 70 overs after Durham declared. However, after being reduced to 3 for 2, the visitors were in a desperate scramble to rescue a draw. Kuhnemann provided the impetus with his skillful left-arm spin, and was supported by Matthew Potts and Paul Coughlin.Adam Finch and Dillon Pennington almost combined with a late rearguard action to deny the hosts, but Kuhnemann removed the latter to secure Durham’s first win of the campaign.Beginning the final day with a 155-run lead, Borthwick and Bedingham found their rhythm and were able to accelerate the run rate. Borthwick set the tempo and reached three figures for the first time since the 2021 season, and his first hundred at the Riverside since his return to the club.Whereas Borthwick’s innings highlighted his timing and touch, Bedingham offered a brutal assault, scoring four sixes, dispatching one onto the health club balcony, in his 87-ball 86 before being caught one ball removed after being skittled by a Finch no-ball.The declaration came 20 minutes before lunch, and there was time for Potts to make inroads as Jake Libby was caught at the second attempt by Michael Jones at first slip. Ed Pollock blasted the new ball in the first innings, but there would be no repeat performance as the left-hander was well caught by a diving Ben Raine at mid-on.Worcestershire needed to calm proceedings, and it fell upon their first-innings centurion Jack Haynes and Azhar Ali to temporarily halt the Durham charge. However, both Ali and Haynes would make mistakes against Kuhnemann, and two further brilliant diving catches from Raine at deep backward square leg put the pressure squarely back on the Pears.Kuhnemann’s impressive spell continued with a beauty to bowl Gareth Roderick to open up an end for the Durham attack. Matthew Waite and Brett D’Oliveira were in a desperate battle to stem the tide. They put on 44 for the sixth wicket, but Coughlin prised out Waite earning his reward for a tight line before Joe Leach became Kuhnemann’s fourth victim for an 18-ball duck.Durham needed something special to turn a promising position into a victory. It was no surprise that it was Potts that broke the game open. He displayed his international quality by moving the ball just enough to find D’Oliveira’s outside edge. Ben Gibbon was powerless to follow his skipper back the pavilion from the next delivery as Potts put Durham on the brink.Pennington saw off the hat-trick ball, but he and Finch faced the daunting task of fending off 19 overs to see out an improbable draw. The two tailenders put up a great fight and saw out 14 of the 19 overs, but Kuhnemann turned one past Pennington to secure a 121-run win for the hosts.

Update: PSG offer fresh sale stance as Aston Villa plot £25m Asensio deal

Turning their attention towards the summer transfer window, Aston Villa have now been given their answer in pursuit of signing one particular attacking reinforcement on a permanent basis.

Aston Villa receive fresh sale stance

Whilst Unai Emery’s side have struggled to maintain their push to finish inside the Premier League’s top four this season, they have at least enjoyed their European exploits and are gunning to shock the rest of the Champions League.

After thrashing Club Brugge, the Midlands club are set to square off against Paris Saint-Germain in what could see Emery get one over on his former club and reach the last four.

Once again it was Marco Asensio who stole the show, netting twice to score his sixth and seventh Aston Villa goal and continue what has been an impressive loan spell.

At times he has left the Villans with little choice but to consider his permanent arrival, so much so that they’ve now received their answer over that possibility. According to reports in Spain, PSG are now willing to sell Asensio for just €30m (£25m) this summer amid interest over a permanent deal from Aston Villa.

A multiple-time Champions League winner and someone who has already proved his quality in abundance at Villa Park, there’s every chance that Asensio could be among the bargains of the summer.

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He’s one to watch…

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Those in the Midlands are already set to get a glimpse of what life without the Spaniard is like when they square off against PSG and he is unable to play against his parent club and they won’t want to see that glimpse become their reality.

"Special" Asensio has earned permanent move

If there were any doubts over Asensio’s ability to steal the headlines on the biggest stage after a mixed spell at PSG, then those have swiftly been put to bed at Aston Villa.

Scoring seven goals for Emery’s side to take his total to nine for the season at Villa and PSG combined, the 29-year-old has more than earned the chance to complete a permanent move this summer.

Earning plenty of praise as a result of his form, Andros Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast when asked about Asensio: “He is a special, special talent. He always has been. He struggled with a knee injury, which stopped him from being world class, but as we have seen since he has been at Villa, he is still a top, top player.”

Still within four points of the top four, if Aston Villa are to climb back into Champions League qualification then Asensio will no doubt be among the key players to play a crucial part.

Meanwhile, the former Real Madrid star must hope that his teammates get the job done in his absence against PSG in the Champions League.

Sophie Ecclestone fifty rescues Thunder in thrilling rain-forced tie

Thunder and Central Sparks conjured up a thrilling tie in a rain-affected Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match at Emirates Old Trafford.Chasing a Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method revised target of 224 off 45 overs, the Sparks’ last pair of Davina Perrin and Grace Potts scrambled seven of the eight runs required from the final over to finish on 223 for 9 with captain Eve Jones top-scoring for the visitors with 69.Thunder were rescued from a mid-innings collapse by Sophie Ecclestone, who struck a career-best 74 off 65 balls that included two sixes and eight fours to post a competitive 234 all out, with Australian all-rounder Erin Burns taking four wickets on her Sparks debut. But despite faltering over the closing overs, Central Sparks rallied to clinch a tie with a leg bye off the final ball.Put in to bat, Thunder openers Emma Lamb and Naomi Dattani compiled a steady 42 until Sparks’ Issy Wong struck in the ninth over. The England pace bowler banged in two short deliveries to start her spell, both of which were despatched emphatically by the left-handed Dattani to square leg. The first went for four, the second – unfortunately for the batter – arrowed straight into the hands of Potts at deep backward square.Undeterred, Lamb and Fi Morris built another good partnership, adding 63 in 11 overs, with Lamb playing shots all around the wicket in making a second consecutive half-century in the competition from 65 balls. Morris played her part, swinging Wong for a massive six into the midwicket carpark, in making 31 to help steer the hosts to 105 for 1 in the 20th over.The double introduction of spin from Georgia Davis and new signing Burns, the veteran Australian all-rounder, transformed the innings as the Sparks fought back strongly with the Thunder middle order displaying familiar frailty.Davis spun one past the advancing Lamb to have the Thunder opener stumped for 56 while Burns swiftly recovered from a poor first over that went for ten runs, and included a high full-pitch no ball, to have Thunder skipper Ellie Threlkeld caught at mid-on for one.After Morris sliced a drive off Davis to Jones at extra cover, Burns struck with deadly accuracy bowling both Deandra Dottin for eight and Kate Cross for two, either side of having Liberty Heap caught at long-on for 17 as the Thunder slumped to 153 for 7.Ecclestone and Tara Norris rallied with a 38-run alliance for the seventh wicket before the latter was lbw for eight to Emily Arlott. But Ecclestone, who had pulled Burns over midwicket for six in her final over, struck the ball impressively on her way to a 48-ball fifty. The England spinner hit out as she ran out of partners, pulling Grace Potts over square leg for a second six before being last out, caught on the square-leg boundary going for another maximum.Sparks lost early wickets in their reply, Chloe Brewer edging behind off the fifth ball of Cross’ opening over and Abbey Freeborn falling for 17 to an excellent catch by Morris at gully that gave left arm pace bowler Mahika Gaur a wicket on her home debut.Rain took the players off the field with Sparks on 62 for 2 and, following a delay of around fifty minutes, handed a revised target of 224 from 45 overs.Jones had steadied the Sparks innings either side of the rain delay with a composed 75-ball half-century, adding 81 for the third wicket with Burns. With the threat of further rain around, the pair used all their experience to keep the score ahead of the DLS par score despite Burns being bowled for 37 playing back to Alex Hartley.Cross returned to claim two important wickets; Jones for 69 when the Sparks skipper drove to Tara Norris at mid-on and Ami Campbell for a run-a-ball 28, brilliantly caught one-handed by Gaur at backward square to leave the visitors on 173 for 5 and requiring 49 off 58 balls.But the Sparks faltered for the first time as the Thunder exerted pressure with some tight bowling. Ecclestone caught Katie George off her own bowling for six before Norris took two wickets in two balls with Arlott driving to Morris at extra cover for 13 and having Wong bowled first ball.With 18 runs required from 18 balls Ecclestone returned to trap Davis lbw but Perrin, with a valuable unbeaten 27, and Potts held their nerve to level matters in dramatic style.

Leeds eye bid to sign new £8m+ attacker who's impressed Elland Road chiefs

Leeds United are eyeing a move for a teenage winger who is enjoying a superb breakthrough season in Ligue 1, according to a new report.

Leeds drop points again in the Championship with draw at QPR

A month ago, Leeds United were the runaway leaders at the top of the Championship, five points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United.

After just one win in four games, however, that lead has now been eliminated, with Daniel Farke’s side now only leading the Blades on goal difference.

Following a draw at West Bromwich Albion and a defeat to Portsmouth, the Whites’ latest setback came at the weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Queens Park Rangers.

Leeds had trailed Martí Cifuentes’ side by two goals before the break, but fought back to rescue a point, which was enough to ensure they stayed at the top of the Championship.

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“During this period of the season when you have to play the third game in six days and you are 2-0 down after 30 minutes, it’s a good point,” Farke said after the match, according to BBC Sport.

“QPR deserved to be in the lead because we were poor in the first 25-30 minutes. What was good was the reaction of my team today,” he added. “Yes, of course, we wanted to win this game [but] after the story of the game it’s a good point on the road.”

Leeds eyeing move for teenage winger Guirassy

Regardless of whether Leeds end the season by gaining promotion back to the Premier League or not, it already appears they are looking to improve their squad for next year.

According to Le Républicain Sportif, the Whites are already eyeing a summer move for Nantes youngster Herba Guirassy, who is enjoying a fine breakthrough season in Ligue 1.

The 18-year-old winger has scored twice in 15 games in the French top flight, and has impressed with his pace and skill out on the right flank.

Celtic are also understood to be interested in the Guinean, and Le Républicain Sportif report that Nantes, who are currently 13th in the league, could be willing to let him go for a fee in the region of €10 million (£8.4 million). Leeds and Celtic are interested in the attacker due to his ‘impressive technical skills’ and see his ‘potential as a major asset for the future’.

According to Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, Guirassy is a similar mold to former Arsenal and AS Roma star Gervinho, with his strengths being “pace, acceleration, ball control, dribbling, bravery, [and] athleticism.”

The teenager signed his first contract with Nantes in June 2023, and is currently tied to the French club until 2028.

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta teams up with FedEx to deliver UEFA Champions League trophy to Munich for Walk of Champions parade

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta teamed up with FedEx to deliver the UEFA Champions League trophy to Munich as part of the Walk of Champions parade.

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Iniesta & FedEx deliver Champions League trophyBarca legend leads Walk of Champions paradeThrills fans in Munich ahead of PSG vs Inter finalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 2010 World Cup winner led the parade with the iconic trophy in Olympiapark München, while being accompanied by a FedEx courier and renowned German brass band, Knallblech. They were front and centre in the Walk of Champions, which included International Football Club of Bern, DFI Football Academy, and UEFA Foundation for Children’s, SCORING GIRLS*.

AdvertisementFedExWHAT INIESTA SAID

The Barcelona icon said: "It’s been an incredible experience to be a part of the FedEx UEFA Champions League Trophy Delivery this season. I’ve felt honoured to be able to deliver success in all the communities we’ve visited, and to bring everybody together for a celebration of the Trophy delivery has been incredible. I will remember this experience for a long time and hope it can inspire the communities to deliver success in the future."

Tuğba Tekkal, Founder of SCORING GIRLS*, commented: "When the girls first heard about this opportunity, they couldn’t believe it! To walk alongside a football legend in Andrés Iniesta to deliver the UEFA Champions League Trophy is something that they couldn’t imagine to be possible. What has happened today will live in their memories for such a long time, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this experience."

Wouter Roels, Regional President of FedEx Europe, added: "For the past four years, we’ve had the privilege of delivering the UEFA Champions League trophy to the UCL final, taking us from Paris, Istanbul, London, and now here in Munich. This competition means so much to the fans, and bringing joy to their faces today has been truly special. For FedEx, delivering the trophy to Munich is a momentous occasion, made even more extraordinary by doing it alongside a UEFA Champions League legend like Andrés Iniesta."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Iniesta, who accompanied FedEx in collecting the UEFA Champions League trophy from UEFA headquarters in Switzerland last week, is a footballing legend and has won the Champions League on four occasions. It is, therefore, fitting that the ex-Spain international was given this honour at the UEFA Champions’ Festival, which also featured charities, organisations, and local FedEx employees and their families. He will be one of many eagerly awaiting to see who comes out on top in the 2025 final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan this weekend.

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FedExWHAT NEXT?

Now, all eyes will be on who will come out on top between PSG and Inter at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena on Saturday night. Before then, the famous trophy will make its way from Olympiapark München to the stadium where this showpiece event will be played out.

Better dribbler than Gordon: Newcastle now plotting to sign "crazy" winger

As Newcastle United prepare to spend this summer, those at St James’ Park have reportedly set their sights on signing a Premier League winger who’s free to leave his current club.

Newcastle eyeing Premier League ace

The Magpies could yet enjoy the perfect end to the season if they manage to secure Champions League qualification off the back of already winning the Carabao Cup to end 70 years of hurt. And that Champions League qualification would likely go a long way towards a summer of spending at long last for Eddie Howe and his side.

Those at St James’ Park have been forced to sit back and watch others spend big in recent years due to PSR concerns. Champions League qualification would certainly help put an end to those concerns, however, and likely allow PIF to flex their significant spending power once again.

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With that said, names such as Dean Huijsen are already threatening to steal the headlines ahead of the summer transfer window. The Bournemouth defender has enjoyed an excellent debut season in the Premier League and may yet find himself on the move to Tyneside.

The Spaniard isn’t the only Premier League rival that the Magpies have set their sights on, however. According to The Boot Room, Newcastle are now plotting a move to sign Noni Madueke just one summer after they held talks with Chelsea over securing his signature.

Whilst talks failed to result in a move last summer, Newcastle could have far greater luck this time around with Chelsea ready to show their winger the exit door in the coming months.

As Howe looks to complete his frontline and add key depth, Madueke could yet rediscover his best form by completing a move to St James’ Park this summer following a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge.

"Crazy" Madueke needs move

With Geovany Quenda on his way to Chelsea this summer, a move away would certainly do Madueke no harm – particularly if it is to Newcastle following their potential Champions League qualification. The winger, although enduring his struggles at times, has kept up with the output of players such as Anthony Gordon this season.

Starts

19

25

Goals

7

6

Assists

3

5

Take-ons per 90

1.68

1.5

Outscoring Gordon in the Premier League and completing more take-ons per-90 than the Newcastle star, Madueke has more than enough talent to form a deadly front three alongside Alexander Isak and the former Everton man.

Dubbed “crazy” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig in 2021, Madueke must rediscover his most dangerous form next season whether it’s at Chelsea or, indeed, Newcastle.

At his best, his take-on success proves just how impressive the England international can be. And with the World Cup coming up next year, Madueke cannot afford to watch on from the Chelsea bench as the likes of Quenda thrive next season. When the summer arrives, the winger may well be one of several Chelsea stars to watch.

Potter tells West Ham board he wants 175-goal striker who Sullivan passed up

West Ham United manager Graham Potter has told the Hammers board that he wants one prolific striker in particular at Rush Green, coming after the club’s hierarchy once rejected the possibility of completing a deal.

West Ham set for David Moyes reunion against Everton

This weekend, the east Londoners travel to Goodison Park for a showdown against David Moyes’ rejuvenated Everton.

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West Ham parted company with the tactician, who guided them to their first major trophy since the 1980s in 2023, last summer and welcomed Julen Lopetegui as his replacement – but the Spaniard’s dismal tenure at the London Stadium prompted David Sullivan to appoint Potter in his stead. Now, the two managers are set to lock horns on Merseyside, and Potter is welcoming the challenge.

“David’s done a really good job up there. He’s a top, top coach, and someone I have huge respect for,” said Potter on Moyes’ time at West Ham.

Everton manager David Moyes before Brighton match

“He achieved a lot here at West Ham. He won a major trophy and his teams were competitive towards the top end of the Premier League table for several seasons, and I know how hard that is.

“I think we all want to improve all the time, but David set a high bar here, and everyone at the Club has a lot of respect for him. We all wish him well at Everton, just not on Saturday.”

Everton (away)

March 15th

Wolves (away)

April 1st

Bournemouth (home)

April 5th

Liverpool (away)

April 13th

Southampton (home)

April 19th

West Ham head into the game off the back of a mixed run of form – beating Arsenal and Leicester City – but also falling to tepid 1-0 defeats on home turf against Brentford and Newcastle United.

Everton, meanwhile, are undefeated from their last five league games and haven’t lost in the top flight since a 1-0 defeat away to Aston Villa midway through January, so Potter will be forced to deal with a side who have their tails firmly up.

West Ham are playing for nothing but a respectable league position, but it is still imperative for Potter to take some momentum into what will be a crucial first full campaign in charge at the London Stadium.

Graham Potter tells West Ham he wants to sign Jonathan David

The tactician is also set to have a major say on West Ham’s transfer plans before the 2025/2026 season, and it is believed that he’s a massive fan of Lille star Jonathan David.

The Canada international, who’s racked up an impressive career total of 175 goals for club and country combined, is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and will be one of the bargains of the summer.

Lille'sJonathanDavidcelebrates scoring their first goal with Edon Zhegrov

Niclas Füllkrug’s torrid injury record, combined with Michail Antonio’s long-term absence and Danny Ings’ imminent exit, means it is imperative for the Irons to sign a new centre-forward this summer, especially given they have no option to buy in their deal for Evan Ferguson.

According to GiveMeSport, Potter has made it clear to West Ham that he wants David, but they face very stiff competition for the forward, as Arsenal and Barcelona are also contending for his signature.

As things stand, it is unlikely they’ll win the race, but another interesting aspect of this story is that “influential figures” at West Ham once “passed up” the opportunity to sign David – which they’re surely now regretting.

The 25-year-old is one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, and he’s proved that in big Champions League encounters this season against the likes of Real Madrid, making it curious as to why West Ham were previously not keen.

If they cannot strike an agreement with David, it is also believed that West Ham are very interested in Fenerbache striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who’s enjoying a prolific campaign in the Turkish Süper Lig.

Mesmo com um a menos, Fortaleza vence com autoridade o Internacional pelo Brasileirão

MatériaMais Notícias

Mesmo com um jogador a menos desde os 29 minutos do primeiro tempo, o Fortaleza passou por cima do Internacional vencendo pelo placar de 3 a 0, na Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza, em partida válida pela 21ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro da Série A. A vitória do Leão do Pici neste domingo foi construída ainda na etapa inicial, gol de Lucas Crispim. O Leão sacramentou a sua grande vitória na etapa final com Hércules e Robson.

+ Veja a tabela do Brasileiro e simule os resultados dos jogos

Com o resultado, o Fortaleza subiu para 17ª colocação, com 21 pontos, e ficou a somente um ponto para sair da zona de rebaixamento. Já o Internacional está na 6ª posição, com 33 pontos ganhos.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

Na próxima rodada, o Fortaleza faz o Clássico-Rei contra o Ceará, na Arena Castelão, na capital cearense. Já o Internacional recebe o Fluminense, no estádio Beira-Rio, em Porto Alegre. Ambas as partidas serão disputadas no dia 14 de agosto.

PRIMEIRO TEMPO
PRIMEIRA CHEGADA DO FORTALEZA
Os primeiros 15 minutos de Fortaleza e Internacional foram muito disputados, mas praticamente sem oportunidades de perigo criadas por ambos os lados. A única chegada neste primeiro terço do jogo foi do Leão do Pici. Aos 13 minutos, após jogada pelo lado direito, Lucas Sasha apareceu na área, mas sua finalização foi para fora.

PRIMEIRA CHANCE DO INTER E EXPULSÃO DE ROMARINHO
A partida continuou muito truncada e com poucas chances de gol. O Fortaleza finalizou mais, mas o Internacional também conseguiu protagonizar uma oportunidade de gol. Aos 25, Pedro Henrique levantou a bola na área, Braian Romero subiu e cabeceou, mas a bola foi para fora.

Quatro minutos depois, na tentativa de responder, o Fortaleza saiu no contra-ataque com Romarinho. O atacante acabou desarmado por Pedro Henrique e reclamou de forma ríspida com a arbitragem após o lance. O árbitro não tolerou o xingamento e acabou expulsando Romarinho.

LEÃO DO PICI ABRE O PLACAR
Mesmo com um a menos, o Fortaleza foi em busca do gol, mas encontrava dificuldades para furar a defesa do Internacional. O Colorado também não conseguia levar perigo ao gol adversário, mesmo com a vantagem de ter um jogador a mais em campo.

Quando tudo indicava que a partida terminaria empatada na primeira etapa, o Leão do Pici foi lá e abriu a contagem na Arena Castelão. Em falta na entrada da área, Lucas Crispim bateu com precisão e não deu chance para o goleiro Keiller, do Inter: 1 a 0 para o Fortaleza.

SEGUNDO TEMPO
FORTALEZA QUASE MARCA O SEGUNDO, INTER RESPONDE
Nem tinha começado direito a etapa final e o Fortaleza por pouco não aumentou a vantagem. Aos 2 minutos, em contra-ataque, Moisés invadiu a área e bateu forte, Keiller, bem colocado, fez uma grande defesa e salvou o Internacional.

Só que o Colorado respondeu rápido. Aos 4 minutos, em ótima troca de passes entre Renê e Taison pelo lado esquerdo, o cruzamento é feito de forma rasteira para Pedro Henrique, que acabou finalizando para fora e desperdiçando a chance de empatar.

INTER COM DIFICULDADE; FORTALEZA AMPLIANDO O PLACAR
Com um a mais, o Internacional tentava de tudo para empatar o jogo, mas o Fortaleza se superava na defesa e não permitia a penetração da equipe gaúcha. Para piorar, além da dificuldade para criar jogadas em busca de igualar o placar, o Colorado ainda acabou tomando o segundo gol. Aos 24 minutos, após cobrança de lateral, Hércules ficou com a bola, girou e bateu sem dar chance para Keiller: 2 a 0.

LEÃO CONTINUA NO ATAQUE E MATA O JOGO
Com 2 a 0 contra, o Internacional partiu desesperado em busca de diminuir o prejuízo e, na sequência, tentar o empate. Só que o Colorado não contou com os contra-ataques do Fortaleza, que levavam muito perigo ao gol do Keiller. E em um desses contragolpes, o terceiro gol saiu. Aos 38 minutos, o Internacional perdeu a bola no campo de ataque, Moisés foi esperto e acertou uma bela enfiada de bola para Robson, que invadiu a área, driblou o goleiro, empurrou para o fundo das redes e liquidou o a partida: 3 a 0 para o Fortaleza.

FORTALEZA 3 X 0 INTERNACIONAL – CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO SÉRIE A
Data/horário: 07 de agosto 2022 (Domingo), às 18h
Local: Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE)
Árbitro: Wagner Magalhães (RJ)
Auxiliares: Thiago Henrique Neto Correa Farinha (RJ) e Marcio Gleidson Correia Dias (PA)
VAR: Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (RJ)
Cartões amarelos: Braian Romero, Thauan Lara, Johnny, Liziero, Alan Patrick (INT); Ronald (FOR);
Cartões vermelhos: Romarinho (FOR)
Gols: Lucas Crispim, 44’/1ºT (1-0) (FOR); Hércules, 25’/2ºT (2-0) (FOR); Robson, 38’/2ºT (3-0) (FOR).

FORTALEZA (Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda)
Fernando Miguel; Emanuel Brítez, Marcelo Benevenuto, Titi e Juninho Capixaba; Lucas Sasha (Lucas Lima, aos 45’/2ºT), Ronald (Zé Welison, aos 18’/2ºT), Lucas Crispim (Hércules, aos 18’/2ºT) e Romarinho; Robson (Fabrício, aos 45’/2ºT) e Moisés (Depietri, aos 41’/2ºT).

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Mano Menezes)
Keiller; Bustos, Kaique Rocha (Carlos De Pena, aos 16’/2ºT), Vitão e Thauan Lara (Renê, no intervalo); Johnny, Liziero (Edenilson, no intervalo), Pedro Henrique, Alan Patrick e David (Taison, no intervalo); Braian Romero (Alemão, no intervalo).

Simon Harmer's latest ten-for breaks Warwickshire resistance en route to nine-wicket win

Simon Harmer claimed the 14th ten-wicket match haul of his career as he helped Essex to a nine-wicket victory that catapulted them into second place in the Division One table.The South African off-spinner had played a key part in dismissing Warwickshire for 158 in the first innings with his 32nd five-wicket haul for the county, and he added No.33 second time around. He bowled unchanged from the River End throughout the 94 overs of Warwickshire’s second innings for match figures of 10 for 230. He now has 36 wickets this season.However, it was not all plain sailing for Harmer and his team-mates. That Essex did not have the win wrapped up much earlier was down to two lower-order half-century stands, both involving Yorkshire loanee Dom Bess (63).He shared 82 runs from 75 balls with Dan Mousley (61) for the seventh wicket, and 64 runs for the ninth with Jake Lintott, whose T20-esque hitting garnered him a career-best 78.The three of them helped take Warwickshire past and then beyond the total needed to make Essex bat for a second time. The Bears were eventually all out for 381, leaving Essex requiring 83 from a minimum of 122 overs.In the end they needed just 15 of them as Sir Alastair Cook (23 not out) and Tom Westley (12 not out) saw them over the line under leaden Chelmsford skies, reaching the target with four byes. However, en route they lost the aggressive Feroze Khushi who hit two sixes and five fours in a 46-ball 40 before chipping up to bat-pad off the ubiquitous Bess.The back-to-back home wins provided ample amends for Essex’s only defeat in the LV= Insurance County Championship this season in the corresponding fixture at Edgbaston last month.With 299 the target to make Essex bat again, Rob Yates and Will Rhodes, the not-out overnight pair, looked as if they were going to dig in until Christmas. They knocked off 31 in the first 55 minutes of the third day.However, the early tension in the home camp was eased when Jamie Porter brought one in from outside off-stump to Rhodes and Will Buttleman took the catch down legside. Rhodes batted for 118 balls for his 46.Five overs later, Yates became Harmer’s 400th first-class wicket for Essex when the left-hander leaned forward tentatively and fell to another catch behind.Warwickshire sent in Ed Barnard to break up the left-handed sequence at the top of the order. He did not last long, dollying a leading edge off Doug Bracewell to mid-off.Jacob Bethell had looked composed, driving the majority of his seven fours through the covers, but he departed to a bat-pad catch off Matt Critchley for 36. Three balls on, the leg-spinner who has gained a reputation this season as a ‘golden arm’, also accounted for Michael Burgess, caught by a diving Cook at slip.The 21-year-old Mousley reached his fourth Championship fifty of the season during a Harmer over from which he plundered 18 runs.However, as so often, Harmer had his revenge when Mousley charged down the wicket in an attempt to land a fourth maximum and was stumped by several country miles. His disgust with himself was plain to see.Hassan Ali cracked Critchley for a six but his was a short stay as he picked out Khushi at deep midwicket to give Harmer his fourth wicket of the innings.Eight-down, Warwickshire were then still 30 runs away from returning Essex to the crease, but Bess reached a well-deserved fifty just before that breakthrough point was reached in the 83rd over. He departed in an eventful over from Porter in which he hooked a six, was dealt a painful blow in the solar plexus and nicked behind.Lintott’s maiden first-class fifty came at a run-a-ball and had Essex struggling to defend the boundary, His free-wheeling innings of 14 fours and two sixes was ended when Khushi held on in the deep to provide Harmer with another match-ball for his burgeoning collection.

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