Tensions are running high in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.

In the bottom of the fourth inning Saturday night, Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski hit Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez with a 96.4 mph four-seam fastball in the forearm.

Giménez dropped his bat and held his arms out wide while staring at Wrobleski on the mound. The reliever took a few steps toward Giménez, and that’s when chaos ensued on the field.

Both the Dodgers’ and Blue Jays’ benches cleared, and even the relievers in the dugout did their ceremonial trot down to the field to get closer to the confrontation.

Despite showing the early signs of a fracas, no shoves or punches were thrown, and every player remained in the game. Wrobleski struck out Nathan Lukes and got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to line out to center field to get out of the fourth inning without giving up a run.

Through five-and-a-half innings of Game 7, the Blue Jays lead the Dodgers 3–2.

أعلن تشابي ألونسو، المدير الفني لنادي ريال مدريد، عن قائمة فريقه لمباراة مانشستر سيتي، والتي سوف تلعب ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وسوف يستضيف ريال مدريد مانشستر سيتي على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو مساء اليوم الأربعاء، وذلك لحساب بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا ضمن الجولة السادسة من مرحلة الدوري.

ويسعى ريال مدريد إلى الفوز على مانشستر سيتي واستعادة الثقة، وذلك في ظل النتائج السلبية التي ضربت الميرنجي بشكل متتالي خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

وتعتبر مباراة اليوم بمثابة عنق الزجاجة لمدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو، والذي ورد أنه قد تتم إقالته من تدريب النادي الإسباني حال الخسارة أمام مانشستر سيتي.

طالع .. أسطورة ريال مدريد مدافعًا عن ألونسو: تعرض لظلم كبير .. والإصابات أثرت على مستوى الفريق

وشهدت قائمة ريال مدريد تواجد كيليان مبابي، رغم التقارير العديدة التي أكدت أن مشاركة الدولي الفرنسي ضد مانشستر سيتي صعبة للغاية، بسبب الإصابة.

وعلى الجانب الآخر غاب العديد من اللاعبين عن قائمة ريال مدريد، مثل دين هويسن، وداني كارفاخال، وترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، وديفيد ألابا، وإدورادو كامافينجا، وإيدير ميليتاو، وفيرلاند ميندي، وذلك بسبب الإصابة.

ويتواجد جود بيلينجهام بجانب أردا جولر في وسط الملعب، في حين يزين خط هجوم ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، ورودريجو جوس. قائمة ريال مدريد لمباراة مانشستر سيتي في دوري أبطال أوروبا

حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا، أندري لونين، فران جونزاليز.

خط الدفاع: أنطونيو روديجر، فران جارسيا، ألفارو كاريراس، راؤول أسينسيو، خوان مارتينيز، فالديبانيس.

خط الوسط: أوريلين تشواميني، فيديريكو فالفيردي، أردا جولر، داني سيبايوس، جود بيلينجهام ، سيستيرو.

خط الهجوم: فينيسيوس جونيور، كيليان مبابي، رودريجو جوس، إبراهيم دياز، فرانكو ماستانتونو، جونزالو جارسيا، إندريك فيليبي.

South Africa’s centurion felt responsible for shortcoming in Ranchi as he set the stage for the big hitters

Firdose Moonda03-Dec-20254:14

Takeaways: Markram and SA’s middle order ace record chase

From handing India their heaviest Test defeat by runs in Guwahati to chasing down their own highest successful target away from home in Raipur, it’s fair to say South Africa’s tour is going rather well, even if Aiden Markram hasn’t quite seen all of it.Markram admitted he was “hiding at the back of the change-room” when Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj completed a series-levelling win, and hoping no-one would notice his nerves. “It feels like everything’s going along smoothly, and then all of a sudden the game might change,” he said. “At the death, the run-rate can go up really quickly as well. I was biting my nails and trying not to engage with anyone.”He emerged when the winning runs were hit to tell the next batter in – injured Nandre Burger – that he was “impressed with how calm he was, because I would never have been that way”. To be fair to Markram, he was also carrying something else: pressure to perform in his primary discipline, especially after the way things went in the series opener. Chasing 350 in Ranchi on Sunday, South Africa had been 11 for 3 in the fifth over of their reply. Markram, the third man out on that occasion, felt “responsible” for that poor start and was determined to make amends. So he became the pace-setter for a similar chase in similar conditions today.He seized the initiative in his 98-ball 110, batting aggressively from the get-go when he made Harshit Rana pay for small errors in length and line in his opening over, then steadying things after the early wicket of de Kock by taking pressure off Temba Bavuma, who took some time to settle. Even as the required run-rate climbed, neither Markram nor Bavuma looked hurried with the top-order blow-out from three days earlier top of their minds. Neither did Markram seem overly fussed when his 101-run stand with Bavuma was broken, as he was well set enough to understand what he needed to do.In Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi and especially Dewald Brevis, South Africa have exciting players who bat with freedom and they want to encourage them to keep playing that way. That means, more often than not, that Markram has to drop anchor. He and Breetzke duly saw off a Kuldeep Yadav over but, given the opportunity to ramp Prasidh Krishna, charge Washington Sundar and hit Ravindra Jadeja over his head, Markram still took his chances. Though he was scoring at a rapid rate, his 88-ball century was still the slowest of the four in his ODI career and the only one he’s so far made in a chase. When he was dismissed, he did not yet know it would be in a successful cause, which was actually all that he cared about. “Runs only matter if you win games to be fair, or at least for me,” Markram said.Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke carried on the chase for South Africa•BCCISo he would have been furious when, at the end of the 30th over, he was foxed by a Harshit slower ball with South Africa 162 runs away from victory. They had seven wickets in hand, so the equation was favourable, but their most experienced batters were all out and they had to rely on the mavericks.Breetzke, with an intensity his former SA20 captain Keshav Maharaj in the past has compared to Virat Kohli’s, is fast moving out of the latter category into the former. He has seven fifties from his first 11 ODIs and the consistency of his game means South Africa have confidence in him. “He managed the situation really well today,” Markram said. “He has only played 11 games but the way he batted today, it was like this guy’s got at least 50 caps under his belt.”When Markram was caught at long-on, Breetzke had reached a run-a-ball 23 and the required run-rate was just above eight an over. He didn’t go for broke immediately. The next two overs brought only four runs and when the third seemed to be going the same way, Brevis made room for himself to hit Kuldeep for a straight six. That over went for 10 but the one after it, just three. Breetzke only got a boundary in the following over thanks to a combination of dew and a Kuldeep misfield at short third, but he let Brevis do the big-hitting, as anyone would.”Obviously Brevis hits the ball miles,” Markram said. “He takes the game on and he’s not afraid to put bowlers under pressure and stuff like that. As cricket lovers, it’s great to watch. It’s really entertaining.”Brevis reached a 33-ball fifty to overtake Breetzke and though he was out the ball after he raised his bat, his breezy innings changed the momentum. By the 40th over, South Africa’s required run-rate was under eight and when Brevis was dismissed, it had dipped to 7.5. That allowed de Zorzi and Breetzke to bat normally, and not take many risks. Even when Breetzke was trapped lbw, and de Zorzi had to limp off the field with a hamstring concern, South Africa didn’t have to panic. They bat deep, down to Maharaj at No.9, though he may not like how Markram assessed his ability. “We’ve got eight really good batters and then Kesh who can do his thing,” he said.No offence was intended. Ahead of Maharaj, South Africa have the two seam-bowling allrounders, Marco Jansen and Bosch, whom they back to hunt down big totals. “We’ve got some great hitters and great batters in the middle to lower order,” Markram said. “If you give them a chance, they can do damage.”Related

When South Africa and India went off the scale

'I'm easy wherever I fit in' – Bavuma not fussed about batting spot ahead of must-win ODI

Nandre Burger and de Zorzi pick up injuries during Raipur ODI

Shadowing the king: When Gaikwad matched Kohli shot for shot

Hardik back in India's T20I squad for South Africa, Gill to play subject to fitness

In the first match, with South Africa 228 for 7 in the 34th over, chasing 350, Jansen and Bosch manufactured their team’s chance as they each went past their half-centuries, though they ultimately fell 17 runs short. In this one, they were given the opportunity to finish the chase off and they did. “We can do incredible things when things are set up,” Bosch told the broadcasters. “There’s always the belief that we can chase anything.”Over the last two months, on the tours in the subcontinent, South Africa have used that b-word liberally and it shows that theirs is growing, which is exactly what they want ahead of a series decider on Saturday.”To chase quite a big number, I think gives the group belief and confidence that the next time we’re in that position, we can do it again,” Markram said. “We’re playing a world-class team in their home conditions and to get a win against India in their own backyard is no easy feat.”The series finale will be played in Vizag on Saturday.

Vinicius Junior is all set to face Erling Haaland in the international arena as a Brazil football chief has revealed plans to organise a pre-World Cup friendly with Norway in a potential repeat of the 1998 classic. The Manchester City goal machine emerged as the highest scorer in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as his 16 goals helped Norway reach the finals in North America.

Brazil to face Norway in pre-World Cup friendly

Brazil national football team sporting director Rodrigo Caetano has confirmed they are in talks with the Norway FA over organizing a pre-World Cup friendly match between the two nations before they head to North America to take part at the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking to , Caetano said: "We are still negotiating the last warm-up match. Of course, we have a preference. It still requires negotiations, but our first choice is the Norwegian national team, which is a strong team right now."

AdvertisementGOAL/GettyWhy are Brazil facing Norway before World Cup?

According to Norwegian sporting commentator Arne Scheie, the five-time world champions are impressed by Norway's World Cup qualification performance, where they earned a direct qualification despite being in the same group as Italy and Israel. Also, Norway are the only national team the Selecao have never beaten. 

Speaking to , Scheie said: "It's fantastic. There's not much that sounds better than having Brazil at Ullevaal as a last test before the World Cup. Norway is the only nation Brazil has faced that they have not beaten. In total, Norway has played Brazil four times. The first meeting between the national teams came in a friendly match in 1988, which ended 1-1. In 1997, Norway won 4-2 at Ullevaal Stadium, one year before the teams met again in the 1998 World Cup. As is well known, Norway won 2-1.

"Brazil has upbeat leaders, and they have seen what Norway has achieved. They want to test themselves against the best teams, and they will get that matchup against Norway. That's how it is with the results Norway has had recently. They score a lot of goals, and hardly concede."

Haaland to face Vinicius Junior before meeting Mbappe

Haaland has a blockbuster list of fixtures in 2026. The City goal machine is guaranteed to face Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe at the 2026 World Cup as France, Senegal, Norway and the winner of FIFA play-off 2 – one of Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq – have been drawn together in the same group.

Reacting to the World Cup draw, Haaland has said: "France and Senegal, that’s tough [laughing emoji]. What do you guys think?"

With Brazil now organising a friendly against Norway, Haaland will go up against Mbappe's Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior before facing the Frenchman in North America next summer.

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GettyWhere will Norway vs Brazil take place?

The venue for the friendly has not been finalised yet as the two football federations are negotiating the game. However, VG reports that the match is unlikely to be held on Norwegian soil and rather a neutral venue will be picked. 

The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) told NTB: "We will inform on our website when opponents in upcoming private international matches are ready."

Manchester United are now seriously considering a move for a “lightning quick” Paris Saint-Germain star, with a surprise Marcus Rashford swap deal on the cards.

Rashford tearing it up on loan at Barcelona

Rashford has really managed to kick on since joining Barcelona on loan in the summer, amassing six goals and ten assists in all competitions, but it has recently emerged that the forward isn’t expected to make his stay at the Camp Nou permanent.

The Englishman is likely to have plenty of options to choose from next summer, however, with it being revealed Chelsea have held talks over a potential deal, while Tottenham Hotspur are determined to win the race for the 28-year-old’s signature and give him a leading role.

It is difficult to envisage a way back for the United academy graduate at Old Trafford, given his sour relationship with Ruben Amorim, and it has now been revealed the manager could get him off the books in a different way at the end of the season.

According to a report from Spain, Man United are now seriously considering signing PSG forward Bradley Barcola, and a surprise swap deal is possible, with Rashford potentially set to be sent in the opposite direction.

Barcola’s negotiations with the French club over a new contract have now stalled, which could open the door for a move to Old Trafford, although his current employers are very reluctant to sanction a departure.

With a market value of around €70m (£61m), a deal for the Frenchman would be on the expensive side, but there are indications he could be worth every penny…

"Lightning quick" Barcola impressing in Ligue 1 and Europe

Hailed as “lightning quick” by journalist Raj Chohan, the PSG star has put in some top performances in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season, regularly contributing with goals and assists.

The 23-year-old also played a major role in the French side winning the Champions League for the first time last season, chipping in with three goals and four assists in 17 appearances.

Man United appear to have recruited well in the summer, with new forward Matheus Cunha grabbing an assist in the 4-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, while Bryan Mbeumo already has six Premier League goals to his name.

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However, with the Red Devils looking to return to Europe next season, they may need more depth in attacking areas, and Barcola could be a brilliant addition to Amorim’s squad, so they should definitely try to negotiate a swap deal involving Rashford.

Jose Mourinho has revealed what was said during his post-match chat with Scott McTominay, with the Benfica boss getting one over on his former Manchester United charge in a Champions League clash with Napoli. Scotland international McTominay is now starring in Italy, with his old boss at Old Trafford using the 29-year-old as an example to the teenage hopefuls he is helping to bring through in Lisbon.

• Friends reunited: Mourinho worked with McTominay at Old Trafford

  Back in 2017, it was Mourinho who handed McTominay his senior bow for the Premier League heavyweights. He was introduced off the bench in a meeting with Arsenal in May of that year, before starting a final-day showdown with Crystal Palace.

  At just 20 years of age, McTominay became a regular in the 2017-18 campaign – taking in 23 appearances and becoming a full international. There were plenty of occasions in which the versatile midfielder was favoured over World Cup winner Paul Pogba – who had been signed by the Red Devils for a world-record £89 million ($119m) transfer fee in 2016.

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• Getty
  

  High praise & a gift: What Mourinho said to McTominay

  Mourinho was reunited with McTominay when seeing Benfica take on Napoli in elite European competition. They exchanged words afterwards, with the ‘Special One’ revealing that he was also handed a special gift.

  At his press conference, Mourinho told reporters when asked about the accessories that he had with him: “The bag is mine. It’s McTominay’s shirt. I gave him his debut. I benched Pogba and let him play. The least he could do was give me the shirt!”

  Mourinho went on to say of his chat with McTominay, which saw the Scot lauded for all that he has achieved since stepping out of a fabled youth system in Manchester: “I told him that the kids I put in today in the final minutes are my 'Next McTominay'. I've given many of them their debuts at Roma too. [Jose] Neto is 17, and I had to be the first to play him because he'll make history, trust me.”

  While Mourinho was feeling upbeat after seeing goals from Richard Rios and Leandro Barreiro earn Benfica an impressive 2-0 victory over Napoli, he added on McTominay’s mood: “He was sad because he lost. That’s Scott, that’s the nature of winning players. He chatted with me for five minutes, but he lost, and he was sad.

  “But he’s very happy in Naples. Winning the award for best foreign player is absolutely fantastic, it qualifies Scotland for the World Cup after so many years. He’s having a really, really good time. He gave Manchester United a real boost, and there’s a connection with him. When he’s 70, he’ll still remember me.”

• Notable scalp: Mourinho proud of Benfica's performance

  McTominay was recently named the Serie A Player of the Year for 2025, becoming the first Scot to win that prize. He savoured title glory with Napoli last season, posting a career-best return of 13 goals across all competitions.

  McTominay and Co are back in the hunt for another domestic crown this term, sitting level on points with AC Milan at the top of the table, and Mourinho said of seeing Benfica claim a notable scalp on home soil: “We deserved it, we played an extraordinary match. Some will say that Napoli weren't the team we know, but I disagree. Benfica did an extraordinary job, controlling the game at all times. For us, beating Napoli like this and still being alive in this competition is a great thing.”

  He went on to say: “We have six points. Benfica lost at home to Qarabag early on, otherwise we'd have nine and be one step away from qualifying. The schedule is incredibly tough, but losing that match put us on the edge right away. It was important to win today, otherwise the story would have ended.”

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  Mourinho is a two-time Champions League winner

  Benfica remain in contention for a Champions League play-off spot, which would extend their European adventure into the spring of 2026. Mourinho will be hoping to guide them down that path, having previously claimed the most prestigious of continental honours during his time with Porto and Inter.

Manchester City are now obsessed with signing a “generational” forward, joining the race for his signature alongside a number of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Man City kicking into gear ahead of Real Madrid clash

Man City were a little shaky at the start of the season, losing against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, but Bernardo Silva believes they are starting to kick into gear, ahead of the tough Champions League clash against 15-time champions Real Madrid tonight.

Silva said: “The team has been growing a lot since [the start of the season]. We’re improving day by day. It’s true that our teams have always been much better in the second part of the season than the first and hopefully it happens again this season.”

Pep Guardiola’s side have looked very potent on the front foot, having already scored 35 Premier League goals, seven more than any other side, with Phil Foden starting to get back to his best, regularly providing goals and assists.

Phil Foden’s attacking record

Appearances

Goal contributions

Premier League

13

8

Champions League

4

3

EFL Cup

2

2

However, Man City remain keen on making more additions to their forward line, according to a report from Spain, which states they now have an ‘obsession’ with signing RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, who has emerged as one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe.

A plethora of top Premier League clubs are keen on Diomande, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, but City are the ‘most persistent’, having conducted a number of scouting missions since October.

Leipzig have no desire to sanction a move, with the German club eager to tie him down to a new contract, and interested clubs will need to make offers in the region of €80m – €100m (£70m – £87m) to tempt them into a sale.

"Generational" Diomande likened to Haaland

Journalist Bence Bocsak is a huge admirer of the left-winger, recently saying: “Just catching up on RB Leipzig’s game tonight and oh my Yan Diomande is a special player. I actually think he’s one of those players you break all your recruitment models for.

Yes, the same size is small. But he’s a generational talent.”

Bocsak also likens the Ivorian to a current Man City star, saying: “Haaland was another level even to Diomande but the RB Leipzig winger is not far off.”

It is clear to see why the 19-year-old has received rave reviews, most recently making a real statement by scoring a hat-trick in RB Leipzig’s 6-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The four-time Ivory Coast international has now amassed seven goals and four assists in 15 matches in all competitions, which is a very impressive tally, given that it is his first season in the Bundesliga.

Pep's a big fan: Man City leading race for "superstar" and ready to bid £65m+

City have moved into pole position in the race for a new defender, with a bid now being prepared.

ByDominic Lund 3 days ago

City certainly aren’t struggling from an attacking point of view, but the opportunity to sign Diomande may be too good to pass up…

India have exposed weaknesses in the Australian side before and they have to do it again in the second Women’s World Cup semi-final

S Sudarshanan28-Oct-20251:08

Mithali: ‘Game awareness’ will be key against Australia

Familiar foes Australia and India will face off in the second semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai. India remain the last team to beat Australia at the ODI World Cup – in the 2017 semi-final – with the defending champions unbeaten in 15 completed matches since. Here are a few areas of tactical interest ahead of this huge clash.

Mandhana vs Schutt and Gardner

Smriti Mandhana is the leading run-scorer at this World Cup with 365 runs at a strike rate of 102.52. Her latest ODI avatar features her as the enforcer with the bat, which comes across in the numbers as well.Till 2024, Ashleigh Gardner vs Mandhana went the offspinner’s way – five dismissals in eight innings, an average of 13.60 and a strike rate of 89.47. Megan Schutt vs Mandhana was not too dissimilar – four dismissals in 12 innings, an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 70.50.Related

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• How to beat Australia in three easy steps (step 1 – invent a miracle)

• Ashleigh Gardner ranked in top three among ODI batters, bowlers and allrounders

In four matches against Australia in 2025, Mandhana has two centuries and two half-centuries. She has faced 71 balls from Gardner and scored 96 runs (135.21 strike rate) and hasn’t been dismissed yet. Against Schutt, she has scored 41 off 28 balls (146.42 strike rate) for zero dismissals. Mandhana has also been severe on the legspinners Alana King (225 strike rate) and Georgia Wareham (176.19) as well as on left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux (164.70), with only Molineux dismissing her earlier in the World Cup.