Liverpool secured a statement 1-0 win over an in-form Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday, sealed by a single second-half goal from Alexis Mac Allister. On the night that Trent Alexander-Arnold returne to Anfield, receiving a decidedly mixed reception from those inside the famous stadium when he was brought on, the celebrations were all red.

The visitors dominated possession early on, but it was Arne Slot's side who went closer to scoring in the first half, Thibaut Courtois throwing out a foot to deny Dominik Szoboszlai at close quarters while a VAR penalty check for a potential handball from Aurelien Tchouameni wasn’t given.

Courtois continued to frustrate Liverpool as the game progressed, while Giorgi Mamardashvili's goal remained largely unthreatened, and a bullet Mac Allister head broke the deadlock with an hour played.

Kylian Mbappe had one of the few Madrid chances, searching for the equaliser in the later stages, but sent his effort the wrong side of the post, and Liverpool were ultimately good value for a huge confidence-boosting win.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Giorgi Mamardashvili (6/10):

Stood his ground to make a good save to deny Bellingham in the first half. Would have expected to be busier otherwise.

Conor Bradley (9/10):

Trent who? Could have been intimidated by the prospect of going up against Vinicius but rose to the occasion and took the game to the Brazilian superstar, who was barely heard from. Even tried to get forward as often as possible to really turn that screw.

Ibrahima Konate (6/10):

Looked really uncomfortable when he was isolated one-on-one with Bellingham, but Madrid didn't make more of that potential weakness.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

This was more about concentration and being aware of the threats than defending on the front foot with a physical-first approach. Got his head to a few attacking corners at the other end of the pitch.

Andrew Robertson (8/10):

Four starts in the last five games vindicates not pushing for an exit when Kerkez was brought in. Rolled back the years here.

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Ryan Gravenberch (8/10):

Worked hard to cover the ground and close down the spaces in the centre of the pitch. It gave others the platform to play.

Alexis Mac Allister (9/10):

Scored against Madrid for the second season running, throwing his head at Szoboszlai's inch-perfect delivery. Passed well and, off the ball, made it difficult for the visitors to play through the middle.

Dominik Szoboszlai (9/10):

Brought a world-class, close-range save out of Courtois, but also didn't shy away from trying his luck from further out if there was nothing else on. Constantly tried to make things happen and set up Mac Allister's header.

AFPAttack

Mohamed Salah (6/10):

Quiet for large chunks of the game, but a moment of individual brilliance almost made a second Liverpool goal for Gakpo. 

Hugo Ekitike (5/10):

Not much involved in open-play build-up and it was a tough night to be a No.9 when he was well marked.

Florian Wirtz (6/10):

Deserves credit for the way he worked for the team out of possession. On the ball, it's still not quite falling for him, but creatively there were again signs of what Liverpool fans can hope to eventually see with a bit more patience.

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Curtis Jones (6/10):

Didn't have time for a lot but quickly got up to the speed of the game.

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

Forced a save out of Courtois after coming on for the final 11 minutes.

Milos Kerkez (N/A):

Threw himself straight into the mix and immediately needed treatment.

Federico Chiesa (N/A):

On at 88 minutes.

Arne Slot (8/10):

Made just a single change from the XI that started the weekend win over Aston Villa, bringing Wirtz in for Gakpo. After successive wins, this could be the catalyst to get the season back on track.

Danny Rohl is close to being named as the new Rangers boss, and Sky Sports have shared a live update from outside Ibrox after an “11th hour and 59th minute” twist.

Rangers on brink of Rohl announcement after late breakdown in talks

“Let’s start with the huge developments in the last half hour,” said a Sky Sports presenter live on TV on Monday afternoon. “Danny Rohl looks set to be named as the new head coach at Rangers.”

The 36-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday head coach had ruled himself out of the race to become Russell Martin’s successor last week when Kevin Muscat appeared to be front runner.

However, it emerged on Sunday night that no agreement could be reached with Muscat, which threw the Ibrox club into managerial limbo ahead of the Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Brann in Norway.

Sky’s Adam Binnie has now reported live from outside Ibrox, shedding some light on just how close they were to appointing Muscat: “The club continued into advanced talks with Kevin Muscat which fell through at the 11th hour, or the 11th hour and 59th minute.

“After all that falling out, that meant that Rohl was back in contention… now he is the leading candidate and is expected to take over.”

Rohl, who Binnie confirms was third choice after Steven Gerrard and Muscat, led The Owls to a 12th-place league finish in his only full season as a manager before leaving the troubled Yorkshire club in July.

Rangers’ Under-19 boss Stevie Smith was in interim charge for the 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday. Former Gers defender Smith took over first-team training along with B team coach Brian Gilmour, goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo and head of performance Rhys Owen, on Martin’s departure.

The Ibrox club sit sixth in the William Hill Premiership with nine points from eight fixtures and are 13 points behind leaders Hearts.

Gers fans disgruntled by the failure of Martin, the start to the season where Rangers were also bounced out of the Champions League play-off on a 9-1 aggregate defeat by Belgian side Club Brugge, and latterly the new boss recruitment process, have turned against chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

A banner was held up at half-time during the Dundee United game which read: ‘Stewart, Thelwell pack your bags and go before we pack them for you’.

MatériaMais Notícias

A chuva deu as caras desde o início do sábado em São Paulo. Assim, o clássico nacional entre Corinthians e Flamengo foi debaixo de muita água, o que não prejudicou a partida pela 26ª rodada do Brasileirão, na Neo Química Arena. Em um confronto equilibrado, o placar terminou empatado em 1 a 1.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CORINTHIANS 1 X 1 FLAMENGO
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – 26ª RODADA

Local:Neo Química Arena, São Paulo (SP)
Data e hora:7 de outubro de 2023, às 21h (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro:Anderson Daronco (FIFA-RS)
Assistentes:Bruno Boschilia (FIFA-PR) e Alessandro Alvaro Rocha de Matos (BA)
Árbitro de vídeo:Wagner Reway (FIFA-PB)
Público e renda:40.800 pessoas; R$ 2.629.857,00
Cartões amarelos:Fagner, Lucas Veríssimo e Gabriel Moscardo (Corinthians); Léo Pereira, Pulgar e Bruno Henrique (Flamengo)
Cartões vermelhos:

GOL:1-1 Gerson (8’/2T); 1-1 Fábio Santos (33’/2T)

CORINTHIANS
Cássio; Bruno Méndez, Gil, Lucas Veríssimo e Fábio Santos; Gabriel Moscardo (Felipe Augusto, 29’/2T), Maycon e Renato Augusto (Giuliano, intervalo); Matías Rojas (Ángel Romero, 13’/2T), Yuri Alberto e Wesley (Pedro, 13’/2T). Técnico: Mano Menezes.

FLAMENGO
Rossi; Wesley (Matheuzinho, 30’/2T), Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira e Ayrton Lucas; Thiago Maia (Victor Hugo, 30’/2T), Erick Pulgar, Gerson (Arrascaeta, 18’/2T) e Éverton Ribeiro (Luiz Araújo, 41’/2T); Bruno Henrique e Pedro (Gabriel Barbosa, 16’/2T).Técnico:Mário Jorge.

Mexico have revealed the jersey they’ll wear at the 2026 World Cup, marking a return to the traditional green that fans have long associated with El Tri. Inspired by the nation’s cultural roots, the kit features subtle Aztec motifs and will debut on Nov. 15 against Uruguay in Torreón – months before Mexico open the tournament on home soil.

• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Back to tradition

  After experimenting with darker and alternative tones in recent years, and Adidas have unveiled a home kit that brings back one of the country’s most recognizable colors while paying homage to Mexican heritage.

  The jersey features the brand’s signature three stripes across the shoulders, an embossed holographic crest, and a central pattern inspired by the Piedra del Sol – a nod to the design worn during the 1998 World Cup in France. Red and white details on the collar and sleeves complete the classic look, while the phrase “Somos México” is printed on the back of the neck.

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• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Connecting with Mexican culture and pride

  “Every design starts from the idea of connection – with the people, with culture, with pride,” said Rafael Pereira, Adidas’ sports marketing director, in an interview with . “We wanted a shirt that feels iconic, that makes Mexicans proud of their identity.”

  Mexico will debut the new uniform on Nov. 15 in a friendly against Uruguay in Torreón, Coahuila, before wearing it again four days later against Paraguay – closing out their 2025 calendar ahead of the World Cup.

• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Debut date set

  The full kit includes white shorts and red socks with green and white accents, evoking memories of Mexico’s classic World Cup look. Fans, however, are already divided on social media – many have praised the design’s cultural tribute, while others expected something bolder for a host nation’s kit.

  The fan version of the home jersey will retail for $107, while the authentic “player” edition will cost $161. Long-sleeve and goalkeeper versions will range from $107–172.

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• @MiSeleccionMX
  

  Mexico gears up for opening day

  Mexico are set to open the 2026 World Cup on June 11 at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City, where the team is expected to take the field in their new green uniform – a symbolic moment marking both a return to tradition and a celebration of national identity.

Zampa, Curran star with ball to outdo D’Arcy Short in 28-run win at Bristol

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay09-Jul-2025Will Jacks led the way with an impressive half century as Surrey defeated Gloucestershire by 28 runs at the Seat Unique Stadium to move a step closer to quarter-final qualification in the Vitality Blast.The England international hit 57 from 35 balls with a four and 5 sixes and dominated a stand of 87 in 9.2 overs for the third wicket with Sam Curran, who posted 46, as the visitors scored 193 for 7 after being inserted on a used Bristol track. Josh Shaw claimed 3 for 41 as Gloucestershire fought back, but knocks of 32 and 31 not out from Tom Curran and Dan Lawrence respectively carried Surrey to a formidable total.D’Arcy Short kept Gloucestershire in the hunt by scoring an eye-catching 70 from 53 balls, but he lacked support and Jacks and Adam Zampa claimed 4 for 56 between them from seven overs of spin as Surrey restricted the home side to 165 for 9. Seamers Sam Curran and Chris Jordan took 3 for 32 and 2 for 26 respectively as the Londoners won with something to spare.Victory moves second-placed Surrey to within eight points of South Group leaders Somerset, who have played a game more, but defending champions Gloucestershire will need to win their remaining four games if they are to have any chance of making the knockout stages.The evening had begun in promising fashion for Gloucestershire. So often the scourge of Surrey batsmen in the past, left arm seamer David Payne removed Dom Sibley in the first over, Cameron Bancroft taking a catch behind via an inside edge. Unfazed by events at the other end, Jacks hit Shaw for six over square leg and Jason Roy drilled his first ball for four. He top edged his third high to Ajeet Singh Dale at third man as Shaw reduced the visitors to 14 for 2.Sam Curran and Jacks launched a recovery thereafter, advancing the score to 41 for 2 at the end of the powerplay and plundering 15 runs from an over of off spin from Ollie Price to afford the innings much-needed impetus. The 50 partnership occupied 33 balls as the third wicket pair found acceleration, but Curran enjoyed a slice of good fortune when dropped on 29 by Singh Dale at short fine leg off the bowling of Ben Charlesworth.By now timing the ball supremely well, Jacks fed off Singh Dale’s pace, sending successive deliveries for six over long-on and long-off as Gloucestershire came under sustained pressure. Surrey were well-placed on 90 for 2 at halfway and Jacks brought up his 50 from 31 balls in the next over as the partnership flourished. Jacks lifted Matt Taylor over cow corner for six, but perished when he attempted a repeat performance next ball, finding Price at long-on and falling for 57 with the score 101 for 3.That was the cue for Curran to pick up the pace and Surrey’s captain helped himself to a six behind square off van Buuren. But the slow left armer exacted revenge next ball, Curran hitting to Short on the cover boundary and departing for a 33-ball 46. When Laurie Evans played an ugly shot across the line and was bowled by Singh Dale, Surrey had lost three wickets in 16 balls and were 118 for 5.Lawrence and Tom Curran then came together in a restorative alliance of 55 in 4.5 overs as the Londoners re-established their credentials. Curran smashed a quickfire 32 from 15 balls, including 5 fours and a six, while Lawrence finished unbeaten on 31 from 24 deliveries as Surrey raised 75 from the last six overs. Shaw accounted for Tom Curran and Ollie Sykes in the penultimate over, while Payne’s figures of 1 for 18 set him apart.Short and Miles Hammond staged an opening stand of 40 in 5.1 overs to lay solid foundations, but the latter was caught behind for 14 attempting to reverse sweep Jacks as pace off paid dividends for Surrey. Buoyed by his match-winning innings of 83 against Middlesex three days earlier, Short was in good touch, helping himself to three fours and a brace of sixes in the powerplay. Unfortunately for Gloucestershire, fellow Australian Bancroft was unable to stay with him, pulling a short delivery from Jacks to deep backward square and departing for 14 as the home side reached 78 for 2 at halfway.That became 78 for 3 in the next over, Price carving Adam Zampa to backward point as Surrey’s spinners turned the screw. While Short remained at large, the home side were still in with a chance, and their overseas star went to 50 from 39 balls and then celebrated by smashing Zampa over long-on for a huge six.But England bowler Chris Jordan kept things tight and Gloucestershire reached the end of the 15th on 120 for 3, needing another 74 to win at 14.8 an over. Their task became still more difficult when Sam Curran had Short held on the long-off boundary in the 16th. The Australian had accrued eight fours and three sixes and, with him, went Gloucestershire’s last vestige of hope.

Ben Dawkins struck a century and Ralphie Albert claimed a ten-wicket haul as England Under-19 drew against India Under-19 in the second Youth Test in Chelmsford. Kent opener Dawkins made an impressive 136 and shared a 188-run opening stand with Adam Thomas before England declared on 324 for 5 thanks to some middle-order firepower, as they looked to pursue an unlikely win. But Ayush Mhatre’s century extinguished those hopes despite Surrey spinner Albert’s eventual match figures of 10 for 129. The result meant that the two-match series finished level.With the pitch offering little assistance at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, England’s openers picked up where they left off and Dawkins brought up his half-century with a flick off his pads for two in the fourth over of the day.Thomas provided ample support, on his way to 91, as England quickly extended their lead towards 200 in the first hour as the Indian attack toiled.India had a half-chance for an opening wicket as both openers entered the nervous nineties, but Dawkins narrowly avoided a run-out after taking a hasty single to cover.With lunch looming, Aditya Rawat finally got the breakthrough, taking a regulation caught-and-bowled chance as Thomas fell short of a century.Dawkins brought up a deserved hundred on the brink of lunch with a piercing cover drive for four, having nearly been caught on 99 playing the same shot on the previous ball.Ben Mayes looked to counterattack but was dismissed by Rawat for a quickfire 11 when a leading edge flew straight down the throat of Henil Patel at deep third.As England’s lead passed 250, Dawkins and Thomas Rew began to attack more with the skipper hitting a flurry of boundaries before Rawat bowled him for 19.As the runs flowed, so did the wickets, as Dawkins and Rocky Flintoff continued the boundary assault before both were caught in the deep.After Aaryan Sawant and Ekansh Singh smashed a few sixes of their own, England eventually declared on 324 for 5, leaving India with 65 overs to chase down 355 or simply survive.England got off to a dream start when Alex Green’s opening delivery was chopped on by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, fuelling the hopes of victory.But India soon extinguished these hopes. While Vihaan Malhotra dug in, Mhatre attacked, racking up 50 in just 25 balls as India steadied the ship.Albert’s drop at long on when Mhatre was on 54 looked like a potentially pivotal moment as the clouds grew darker and the floodlights switched on.But Albert wasted no time in making amends with the ball, as he dismissed Malhotra in his first over, leaving India 100 for 2 as tea beckoned.India also harboured dim hopes of victory as Abhigyan Kundu joined Mhatre and hit two sixes in the first two overs after the break to keep ahead of the required run rate.Mhatre also kept the momentum going and made the most of his earlier reprieve to bring up a remarkable century off 64 balls.Kundu was equally aggressive in the middle and brought up his half-century with a well-placed four, striking at over 150 in the process.But Mhatre finally fell for 126, caught by Mayes on the long-on boundary as Albert got his revenge, triggering a mini-collapse for India.Kundu edged to slip 15 minutes later before Rahul Kumar chipped the ball straight back to Mayes, swinging the momentum back towards England.However, India’s lower order rallied and when drizzle forced the players off the umpires ended the match as a draw.

Washington traps Stokes on the stroke of lunch on the fifth day with the visitors needing four more wickets

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2025

Akash Deep produced a lion-hearted performance at Edgbaston•Getty Images

Akash Deep’s early double strike and Washington Sundar’s dismissal of England skipper Ben Stokes on the stroke of lunch have India on the verge of a series-squaring victory in this second Test at Edgbaston. England, trailing by 455, having not quashed talk of a potential record chase last night, will be up against it to even draw this match to preserve their 1-0 lead.Akash’s removal of Ollie Pope and Harry Brook inside the first 25 minutes of the first session gave way for a stand of 70 between Stokes and Jamie Smith. But midway through Washington’s second over, a gorgeous amount of drift and enough turn clipped the left-hander’s front pad ahead of the bat. Stokes’ review was in vain.Akash picked up where he left off on Saturday evening, pocketing another two wickets in a six-over morning spell. Pope was undone by steep bounce from a delivery full of a length, which reared up and forced the No.3 to defend into the ground and onto his own stumps. And then, Brook was left hobbling – and trapped in front – with a wicket delivery that seamed in and caught him on the inside of his right knee.Akash could have had more – and thus a maiden five-wicket haul – when another big seaming delivery cut through Smith (on 9 at the time) only to miss leg stump. Smith had arrived on 83 for 5, a run shy of the score when he came to the crease in the first innings before unfurling a stunning 184 not out. He remains unbeaten on 32.Shubman Gill seemed to be targeting Stokes’ wicket more keenly, particularly with Ravindra Jadeja operating from the City End, replacing Akash after the drinks break. The England captain looked to have been given a life on 18, as he turned the left-arm spinner around the corner, only for the catch to drop shot of Gill at leg slip.But Stokes was soon undone by Washington, given a cursory couple of overs in the lead-up to the break.On the evening of day four, England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick had ceded that, of course, a draw would be regarded as a positive result for England. That became a lot more attractive to the hosts following the morning showers which took 10 overs out of the day, even if the required rate to clear the remaining 536 runs was “only” 6.7 an over. Now, a third 400-plus defeat for Stokes and McCullum’s England looms.

The Arizona Diamondbacks missed out on the postseason despite winning 89 games in 2024. With their fate out of their hands, the D-Backs found themselves on the outside of the playoffs looking in after the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves split their doubleheader on Monday, resulting in both NL East teams reaching the postseason.

Speaking candidly during an appearance on Arizona Sports radio's Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick took responsibility for one of the team's failed offseason signings.

When discussing the acquisition of starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, Kendrick admitted that he was responsible for the signing, going as far as to call it a "horrible decision."

"Let me say it the best way I can say it. If anyone wants to blame anyone for Jordan Montgomery being a Diamondback, you're talking to the guy that should be blamed. Because, I brought it to their attention. I pushed for it, they agreed to it. It wasn't in our game plan," said Kendrick.

"Looking back, in hindsight, a horrible decision to invest that money in a guy who performed as poorly as he did. It's our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint, and I'm the perpetrator of that," he added.

Montgomery, formerly a client of Scott Boras, signed with Arizona after spring training on a one-year, $25 million deal, which includes an option in 2025. He endured the worst campaign of his career, logging a 6.23 ERA across 25 appearances and eventually getting demoted into a bullpen role.

It certainly wasn't the production the Diamondbacks anticipated when bringing him on board. Rather than shift the blame elsewhere, Kendrick took ownership of what was ultimately a catastrophic acquisition for the franchise.

There may be a sense that the only thing stopping Arsenal from claiming the Premier League title is themselves, with the Gunners now boasting a remarkable squad depth that has left them perfectly poised to pounce on Liverpool’s woes.

After three second-place finishes in succession, Mikel Arteta is gearing up to go one better this time around, with his in-form side notably conceding just three goals in their first seven league games of the season – a mark of champions?

If anything is to derail this early positivity, however, it could well be injury, with even that aforementioned depth likely to be continually tested if the early-season signs are anything to go by.

Having seen Kai Havertz sidelined before the campaign had even kicked off, following knee surgery, the north Londoners were dealt a further setback as Noni Madueke’s bright start to life at the club was halted by his own issue late last month.

With the likes of Piero Hincapie and Gabriel Jesus currently out of action, perhaps the biggest concern has rested with struggling skipper, Martin Odegaard, with the Norwegian’s latest blow likely to see him ruled for what could be as many as nine games.

While the 26-year-old’s influence has faded over the last 12 months or so – as we’ll come on to – his absence will still have left Arteta plenty to ponder ahead of this weekend’s return to club action.

Why Odegaard has lost his crown as Arsenal’s most creative player

Losing a player of Odegaard’s quality is hardly ideal, with it not too long ago that the ex-Real Madrid man was even being recognised as the best player in the Premier League, as noted by the likes of Luke Shaw.

Across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, for instance, the Arsenal captain registered 40 goals and assists in the top-flight alone, while creating 31 ‘big chances’ in that time, as per Sofascore.

Unfortunately for the £30m man, however, such influence has notably faded since then, not just due to injury, with last term seeing the Gunners’ former creative hub register just 11 goals and assists in the league.

While he did still conjure up 13 ‘big chances’, the creative mantle appears to have passed on to teammate, Bukayo Saka, with the Englishman ranking first in the division in 2024/25 for both shot-creating actions per 90 and goal-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

Saka isn’t alone in having stolen Odegaard’s thunder in that regard either, with new man Eberechi Eze already looking ready to usurp his skipper in that number ten berth, with two assists already to his name in 2025/26.

Bukayo Saka

1.20

James Maddison

0.90

Amad

0.85

Jeremy Doku

0.83

Savinho

0.76

Mo Salah

0.72

Martin Odegaard

0.70

Diogo Jota

0.68

Dwight McNeil

0.66

That included the ex-Crystal Palace man’s stunning lofted pass for Gabriel Martinelli to clinch a point against Manchester City, having also picked out Viktor Gyokeres to tap home against Nottingham Forest, putting the ball on a plate for the Swedish striker to convert.

With Declan Rice also in the equation, not least for his set-piece prowess, with two assists of his own, the burden and reliance on Odegaard appears to have been extinguished, with his absence unlikely to be felt quite so heavily as in previous years.

That being said, a replacement will still need to be found in the midfield ranks – might young Myles Lewis-Skelly be the solution?

Arsenal's perfect Martin Odegaard replacement

As already noted, Eze could comfortably slot into a more central role, although there might be a preference to utilise the England star off the left, flanked by the marauding presence of Riccardo Calafiori.

The rise of the resurgent Italian has had a knock-on effect on that man Lewis-Skelly, with last season’s golden boy limited to just 83 minutes of league action all season for the Gunners, having been ousted from that left-back berth.

Such reduced involvement looks like it could come at a cost for his hopes at international level too, with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel suggesting that a lack of regular minutes may “become a problem” in this vital World Cup year.

Thankfully for the teenage sensation, he is no one-trick pony, with the promotion of Calafiori potentially set to prove a blessing in disguise, should it allow Lewis-Skelly to solidify a central midfield berth instead.

That change to what would be a permanent new role at first-team level would be a welcome one, with the 19-year-old previously flourishing as a left-sided number eight in the academy ranks.

Even in the senior ranks, he has often been utilised as an inverted full-back, popping up for his first goal for the club against City in an advanced position in that left channel, ensuring the transition should be a relatively easy one.

Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has outlined that in the “long-term” the Hale End graduate “is a midfielder”, despite his arrival onto the scene at left-back, ensuring he could slot in alongside Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the weeks to come.

While Mikel Merino is also in the equation, the Spaniard can remain an emergency option at centre-forward, in the absence of Havertz and Jesus, with it likely to be far more exciting to witness Lewis-Skelly being handed a consistent run of games in the centre of the park instead.

Already looking like a “£100m footballer”, as noted by The Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid following the home win over Real Madrid last season, the homegrown superstar is simply far too good not be playing.

He's like Rice: £58m Arsenal star is becoming "one of their best players"

Declan Rice is of course on of Arsenal’s most important players, while a £58m-rated star continues to impress, becoming “one of their best players”.

Oct 14, 2025

USMNT star Folarin Balogun experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows on Saturday against Lens. The AS Monaco striker drew his side level with a 37th-minute penalty, only to be sent off before halftime – a turning point that left Monaco reeling. Lens capitalized, surging to a 3-1 lead by the break before sealing a 4-1 victory.

• AFP
  

  Balogun’s penalty

  Lens took an early lead in the 21st minute through Odsonne Edouard, who capitalized on a swift attack to put the hosts ahead. Monaco struggled to respond until Balogun earned a penalty and confidently converted it in the 37th minute, leveling the score at 1-1. The American striker’s composed finish from the spot was a key moment, signalling Monaco’s intent to fight back.

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• Red card disrupts Monaco’s momentum

  However, Balogun’s influence was curtailed when he received a straight red card in the 45th minute for stamping on an opponent. The stamp was judged violent enough to dismiss him, reducing Monaco to 10 men at a pivotal moment. That marks the first red card of the American striker’s career, and it severely impacted their ability to maintain control as the half drew to a close.

• AFP
  

  Lens capitalize

  Before Balogun’s red card, Wesley Said had already restored Lens’ lead in the 40th minute, and the visitors wasted no time capitalizing on Monaco’s numerical disadvantage. Mamadou Sangaré added a third deep into stoppage time (45+3), giving Lens a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the break.

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• AFP
  

  What comes next…

  In the short term, Balogun faces suspension and a spell on the sidelines that will test Monaco’s depth up front and force others to step up. He’s expected to miss the club’s next two league matches after the international break – possibly more, depending on Ligue 1’s disciplinary decision.