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New Zealand are missing key players because of the IPL, but should still be formidable in familiar conditions at home

Abhimanyu Bose15-Mar-20251:14

Stead: Looking forward to Bracewell contributing as a leader

Big picture: Change in the air for PakistanFor the longest time, they were inseparable at the top of the order for Pakistan in T20Is. Then, with questions about strike rates and maximising powerplay value cropping up, the team management tried putting some distance between them in the batting order. They found their way back up, together. But now, with just under a year to go for the next T20 World Cup, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are out altogether.This signifies a shift in approach for Pakistan, perhaps triggered by the failure to make an impact at their own Champions Trophy, though that was an ODI contest.Pakistan have opted for three dashers at the top. With Saim Ayub still unavailable, Pakistan have a likely top three of Mohammad Haris, Omair Yousuf and the uncapped Hasan Nawaz – all three have a reputation of being aggressive batters.Related

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Pakistan in NZ: Babar-Rizwan dropped for T20Is

Salman Agha, Pakistan’s new T20I captain, has emphasised the need to improve their intent and approach and the need to play “fearless” and “high-risk cricket”, saying that the squad has players that have displayed that brand of cricket in domestic games.The new-look Pakistan line-up will start off facing a difficult test against a strong New Zealand outfit, even though they are missing key players who are away on IPL duty. There is a formidable bowling attack, with Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi and Jacob Duffy all set to test Pakistan’s inexperience.Key batters are missing, too, in the team led by Michael Bracewell, one of New Zealand’s best performers in their run to the title round at the Champions Trophy. But Finn Allen is back, as are Tim Seifert and Jimmy Neesham. Daryl Mitchell hasn’t gone anywhere. And Mitchell Hay, Mark Chapman and Tim Robinson are hardly pushovers. At home, they will think of themselves as favourites, with or without a Rachin Ravindra or a Devon Conway or a Glenn Phillips. If anything, the changes will give them a better idea of the make-up of the World Cup squad next year.Form guideNew Zealand LWWWL
Pakistan LLLWWHave Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan played their last T20I?•Associated PressIn the spotlight: Finn Allen and Mohammad HarisSince his 137 against Pakistan in January 2024, Finn Allen has failed to cross 50 in nine T20Is. In fact, he crossed 25 only twice in this period, with a high score of 32. He turned out for Perth Scorchers in the BBL, but his form there was also indifferent, as he got just 181 runs from ten innings. Allen, despite not being centrally contracted, wants to play the T20 World Cup next year, but he knows he must turn his form around and marry his explosiveness with consistency. Last year, he scored 275 runs in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan, so there may not be a better team for him to face to get going again.Omair Yousuf has played just six T20Is – three in the Asian Games and three in Zimbabwe. Hasan Nawaz has only three PSL games under his belt, and didn’t get a game last season. That makes Mohammad Haris the most experienced player in Pakistan’s new-look top three and the onus will be on him to break the shackles and play the new aggressive brand of cricket the team management is aiming for. It’s also a comeback series for Haris, whose last international game was in September 2023.Team news: The return of Jimmy Neesham and Finn Allen?Neesham, Seifert and Allen are back in New Zealand’s squad, and Neesham and Allen are likely to start. Sears and O’Rourke are expected to lead the fast-bowling attack, along with Jacob Duffy, who was the highest wicket-taker in New Zealand’s last T20I series, against Sri Lanka.New Zealand (probable): 1 Finn Allen, 2 Tim Robinson, 3 Mark Chapman, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 James Neesham, 6 Mitchell Hay (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell (capt), 8 Ben Sears, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Will O’Rourke, 11 Jacob DuffyApart from Nawaz, Pakistan might also hand a debut to Abdul Samad, who was picked despite having no PSL experience. Shadab Khan is back in the side and should lead the spin attack alongside Abrar Ahmed.Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Haris (wk), 2 Omair Yousuf, 3 Hasan Nawaz, 4 Salman Agha (capt), 5 Abdul Samad, 6 Irfan Khan, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Shaheen Afridi, 9 Haris Rauf, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Abbas AfridiFinn Allen is explosive. Can he also be consistent?•Sarah Reed – CA / Getty ImagesPitch and conditionsThe match will be played at Hagley Oval, and is part of a double-header with New Zealand taking on Sri Lanka in a women’s T20I there earlier in the day. On an average, teams score at around eight runs an over at the ground, and last year, the two T20Is between these two teams were low-scoring affairs, with New Zealand first chasing down 159 and then Pakistan bowling the hosts out for 92 in their defence of 134.Stats and trivia Shaheen Afridi has 33 wickets against New Zealand, the most for him against any country by a big margin (13 against South Africa is his next best). His 13 wickets in New Zealand are also the most he has in any country apart from Pakistan and the UAE. Finn Allen has hit 31 sixes in just nine T20I innings against Pakistan, the most by any batter. He is also just 134 runs away from becoming the the fourth batter from New Zealand to score 500 runs against Pakistan in T20Is. Mark Chapman is the only batter to score 500 runs or more at a 150-plus strike rate against Pakistan in T20Is. He is one of only 10 batters to achieve such a feat against an opponent in T20Is.Quotes”We’ve probably had a bit more of focus on ourselves. With a few new young players coming into the Pakistan side, there is a bit of unknown. But I think as long as we know what we are trying to do, that’ll be good enough for anyone that comes up against us.”

Liverpool so often wrap up all their business nice and early, so prudent are FSG. But not this time, deals have dragged over to the eleventh hour, but Red fans won’t care a jot.

After weeks of posturing, Newcastle United have finally opened the door for Liverpool to sign Alexander Isak in what will prove a British-record £130m deal, including £5m in solidarity figures.

Isak is one of the best strikers in the world, but Liverpool may yet seal a signature considered even more important for the fluency and stability of Arne Slot’s project.

Liverpool confident they will sign Premier League star

As per transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are growing in confidence that a deal can be pulled off for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.

Though Liverpool have agreed personal terms with the England international and have the blessing of Palace chairman Steve Parish, Eagles first-team manager Oliver Glasner has been loath to let the star centre-back leave, and everything hinges on sufficient replacements being welcomed through the gates.

Liverpool have offices in London, and thus a medical will take place in the capital if the Merseysiders get the green light at this late hour. Palace are holding out for £40m and a deal is “expected to happen”.

Why Marc Guehi could make a bigger impact than Isak

Guehi, 25, has been at Crystal Palace for four years after leaving Chelsea for an £18m fee, failing to break into the Stamford Bridge senior side.

But no matter, he’s only gone from strength to strength since, captaining Palace to an incredible FA Cup triumph last year before beating Liverpool in last month’s Community Shield clash.

Hailed as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, the £50k-per-week Guehi has so much quality, and he might even prove to be a better deal at this stage than Isak, who is going to cost FSG a pretty penny indeed.

Liverpool have started the current campaign imperiously from an attacking standpoint, and they were rather good in front of goal last term too.

1.

Liverpool

1st

80

2.

Man City

4th

66

3.

Newcastle

3rd

65

4.

Arsenal

2nd

63

5.

Tottenham

16th

62

The thought of adding Isak to the fold is frightening, to be sure, but given the fragilities of Ibrahima Konate over Liverpool’s opening fixtures in August, and then the Frenchman’s injury scare and ever-looming contractual expiry date at the end of the term, signing Guehi might actually prove to be the most important of the two deadline-day deals for Liverpool.

The England international showcased against Aston Villa on Sunday his aptitude on the ball, scoring a looping finish with the skill of a seasoned attacking midfielder.

And Sofascore record that he has also won 75% of his duels across his opening three matches of the Premier League term. Without a doubt, he has what it takes to become a superstar in Liverpool’s ranks, potentially succeeding Virgil van Dijk as the club’s standout defender over the coming years.

Liverpool have completed the most incredible of transfer windows, but despite all the flashy business at the front end of the field, Guehi might just prove to be the shrewdest and most impactful of the lot.

Van Dijk-esque: Liverpool can forget Guehi with D-day bid for £23m "leader"

Liverpool are looking to sign a centre-back before the transfer window slams shut at 7pm.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 1, 2025

Nottingham Forest are “pushing” to sign an “exciting” new forward, with talks over a deal now “advanced”, it has been revealed.

Forest set sights on new winger after missing out on Lukebakio

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Forest were willing to match Sevilla’s asking price for Dodi Lukebakio, with Nuno keen to add another winger to his squad before the 7pm deadline this evening, but the 27-year-old is now set to sign for Benfica.

As such, the Tricky Trees have been forced to move on to alternative options, with it being revealed that the deal for Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa is still alive, but the Frenchman is not the only option on the shortlist…

Nottingham Forest now agree deal to sign gem with same agent as Chris Wood

Forest are set to complete a deadline day move for a defender.

ByDominic Lund Sep 1, 2025

According to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri on X, Nottingham Forest are now “pushing” to sign S.C. Braga winger Roger Fernandes, having now missed out on a deal for Lukebakio.

Talks with the Portuguese club are now at an “advanced” stage, with the Tricky Trees looking to get a deal over the line before Monday’s 7pm deadline.

Chelsea have also been named as potential suitors for Fernandes over the past few days, with the Blues reportedly weighing up whether to trigger the £35m release clause in his contract, but a move to the City Ground now looks like the most likely scenario.

Fernandes would be "exciting" Lukebakio alternative

Just 19-years-old, the Portuguese starlet has already been impressing in his home country for quite some time, with scout Jacek Kulig praising him for his performances in the 2023-24 Liga Portugal campaign.

The teenager is much younger than Lukebakio, who is 27, but he has outperformed the Belgian across a number of key attacking and defensive metrics over the course of the past year.

Average per 90

Dodi Lukebakio

Roger Fernandes

Assists

0.06

0.19

Progressive carries

3.50

4.78

Tackles

0.59

1.96

Interceptions

0.32

0.96

As such, there are clear signs the Braga ace could be a more well-rounded player than Lukebakio, and he already has a great deal of first-team experience under his belt, chipping in with 12 goals and 16 assists in 91 appearances for the Liga Portugal side.

Fernandes could be a fantastic signing for Nottingham Forest, so they should look to get a deal over the line quickly, before Chelsea decide to step up their interest.

Having opened in the first three matches against India, he was dropped for the final two games in favour of Sam Konstas

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2024

Nathan McSweeney’s Test career has stalled after three matches•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Nathan McSweeney has spoken of his heartbreak at being dropped from the Australia Test squad after three matches against India, and revealed trying to counter Jasprit Bumrah was a key to the selectors’ decision, but is determined to turn his mind towards pushing for a recall.McSweeney, who had never opened before playing for Australia A against India A in the game before the squad was selected for the first Test, was axed on Friday in favour of 19-year-old Sam Konstas who is now the favourite to open on Boxing day at the MCG.Related

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McSweeney made 72 runs in six innings in the face of challenging batting conditions but appears to have paid the price for the selectors wanting more impetus from the top order.”Yeah, I mean devastated, I get the dream come true and then didn’t quite work the way I wanted,” McSweeney told as he flew back to Brisbane from Adelaide. “But it’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity.”While low on runs, McSweeney had been praised for his role in soaking up overs, especially the first innings under lights in Adelaide where he and Marnus Labuschagne made it through a crucial session on the first day, but his other five dismissals were between 0 and 10.”It’s the game we’re in,” he said. “If you don’t take an opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe. So I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity but as I said I’ll work really to make sure that if the opportunity comes round again I’m definitely ready.”Speaking subsequently to on arrival in Brisbane, McSweeney detailed the challenges of Bumrah.”They had seen my results against Bumrah in the first three Tests and George said they wanted to try someone else who has a slightly different skill set and that suits the batting order,” he said. “I faced some balls and spent a bit of time out there so that helped my confidence but I did not get the scores that I wanted. As everyone was saying it probably does not get much harder.””But learning on the go is a different challenge. In Sheffield Shield cricket you face a good bowler and you might see him again after Christmas. It’s different and unique playing a five Test series and fronting up against him a week later so you are thinking on the run a lot.”McSweeney’s route back to Test cricket would now appear to be in the middle order although he will need to wait for a vacancy to open up. The return of Cameron Green from injury later in the year will create competition for those batting positions.Chair of selectors George Bailey admitted it had been a difficult message to relay to McSweeney.”[It was a] really hard decision for Nathan and one that we spent a lot of time deliberating over,” he said. “Particularly after a small sample size of three Tests… That’s never a great phone call, is it? Nathan was disappointed and really the message to him was much the same as at the start of the series, that we believe he has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level.”Whether McSweeney is available for Brisbane Heat on Sunday, when they face Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba in the BBL, will be confirmed later on Saturday.

Suwandewi has the best career economy rate in WT20I cricket, bar none, and caught the eye of Scorchers’ management on their visit to Bali earlier in the year

Tristan Lavalette22-Oct-2024Armed with a menacing inswinger and deceptive slower ball, Indonesia quick Ni Made Putri Suwandewi caught the eye of Perth Scorchers women’s coach Becky Grundy and high performance boss Kade Harvey during their visit to Bali earlier in the year.After closely monitoring her in the ensuing months, and needing pace depth with veteran quick Piepa Cleary sidelined for the entire summer due to a knee injury, Scorchers have signed Suwandewi for the upcoming WBBL season as an Associate rookie.”The WBBL has been a competition I have admired from afar for a long time, and I am looking forward to being involved as a player this season,” said Suwandewi, who joins a Scorchers team led by New Zealand T20 World Cup winning captain Sophie Devine.WBBL rules allow clubs to sign players from the Associate nations and place them outside the 15-player squad. Suwandewi, 26, has been a leading player for Indonesia since making her international debut in 2019 and has taken 49 wickets from 40 WT20Is at an average of 8.18. Her career economy of 2.97 is the best in the history of T20I women’s cricket.”She bowls a natural inswinger, but has excellent variety with a good slower ball and can hit the yorkers,” Harvey told ESPNcricinfo. “She’s quite short, but a really skilful bowler.”Suwandewi arrived in Perth on Saturday and has made an early impression during training. “She’s got the potential to play a role for us in the tournament,” Harvey said.

“She bowls a natural inswinger, but has excellent variety with a good slower ball and can hit the yorkers. She’s quite short, but a really skilful bowler.”Scorchers’ high performance boss Kade Harvey on Ni Made Putri Suwandewi

“We’re going to be missing some international players at different stages. It was a good opportunity to utilise the rules in terms of the Associate rookie. But we wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t think she was capable of contributing.”Suwandewi’s signing emphasises a growing partnership between WA Cricket and Persatuan Cricket Indonesia with an initial focus on women’s cricket development.It led Grundy and Harvey to visit Bali on a four-day trip in April, where they watched Suwandewi play a starring role for Indonesia against Mongolia in various white-ball formats.”We were really impressed with the standard of cricket from the girls in Indonesia,” Harvey said. “They play on astro turf, so we think a big part of their development is getting on good turf wickets.”But the potential is vast with 200,000 women playing across 21 provinces, which is bigger than what we thought. They’ve just got such a great work ethic and passion for the game. They probably just need a little bit of help in how to channel that.”While believed to have first been played there in the 1880s, cricket is a minor sport in Indonesia but encouraging progress has been made with the women’s team currently ranked 21 in T20Is.”They want to be a top 10 team in the world,” Harvey said. “They’ve got a really clear goal and we’re hoping to facilitate a shift in their high performance environment to help them get there.”Scorchers open the season on October 27 against Melbourne Stars at the WACA.

Sunderland are back in the Premier League and look poised to pursue another statement signing that may help their quest for survival, according to a report.

Sunderland in surprise Armand Lauriente U-turn

While the Black Cats’ ability to attract premium talent this summer cannot be faulted, supporters may be surprised at the swift turnaround involving a proposed deal to sign Sassuolo striker Armand Lauriente.

Taking to social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano confirmed Sunderland will no longer sign Lauriente after his move collapsed despite traveling to the North East for a medical.

He stated: “Armand Lauriente’s move to Sunderland has collapsed after player travelled for medical and signature on Saturday. Deal off with Sassuolo winger due to return to Italy.”

Despite a peculiar turn of events on that front, the Black Cats have already closed out six deals in an eventful window, with Habib Diarra, Enzo Le Fee, Simon Adingra, Noah Mandava, Reinildo Mandava and Chemsdine Talbi arriving at the Stadium of Light.

Granit Xhaka could be another high-profile addition at Sunderland and links to players with such pedigree are a major source of encouragement for supporters, though it remains to be seen if he will be willing to give up regularly challenging for the title in Germany.

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ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025

Sourcing an imposing centre-back to deal with Premier League strikers is also a priority for Regis Le Bris, so it will come as no surprise to hear that the Wearsiders are sizing up a move for Bologna star Jhon Lucumi.

Plenty of time exists to make sure Sunderland find deals that suit their aims. Either way, they don’t seem to be wasting a moment as another defender has cropped up on their radar.

Sunderland make approach to sign Igor Julio

According to The Mirror, Sunderland have enquired about Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Igor Julio, therefore making an approach for the Brazilian defender who is also subject to interest from other clubs.

Intriguingly, Real Sociedad were in talks over signing the 27-year-old, but their efforts to bring him to La Liga have stalled and offered a window for the Black Cats to swoop in under their noses.

Five similar players to Igor Julio (FBRef)

Kevin Vogt

Bochum

Pierre Kalulu

Juventus

Archie Gray

Tottenham Hotspur

Anthony Jung

Freiburg

Becir Omeragic

Montpellier

Labelled an “animal” by former Seagulls boss Inigo Calderon, Julio struggled for fitness last term and made just 16 appearances across all competitions due to a hamstring problem, which forced him further down the pecking order on the South Coast.

Nevertheless, he did make 42 recoveries on Premier League duty when called upon, illustrating that there is a place for him somewhere in the top-flight.

Sunderland will hope to capitalise on his need for a new challenge, leaving a potential scenario open where £45,000 per week earner Julio could move to the North East to strengthen Le Bris’ backline.

Management reshuffle continues at Chelmsford following resignation of CEO John Stephenson

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2024

Anthony McGrath takes charge of a catching drill before play•Getty Images

Anthony McGrath has been appointed as Essex’s new Director of Cricket, as part of a management restructure that was triggered by the resignation of the chief executive, John Stephenson, earlier this month.McGrath, 48, will continue in the role of men’s head coach, a post he has held since 2018, but will now oversee all areas of the club’s professional cricket, including men’s, women’s, Academy, and Player Pathway.With Essex having been named as one of the eight inaugural Tier 1 teams in the new women’s competition from 2025 onwards, he will also work closely with the club’s new women’s head coach, as and when that role is filled.After seven seasons in his Essex role, McGrath had been widely viewed a possible candidate to become the new director of cricket at his former club Yorkshire, with the deadline for applications earlier this week. He could also have been a contender to replace Ottis Gibson as their coach, with Gibson’s contract up at the end of the season.Instead, he has recommitted to the club that he helped to win a County Championship and Vitality Blast double in 2019, as well as the Bob Willis Cup win in the Covid-affected summer of 2020.”I’m honoured to take up this position,” McGrath said. “The club gave me the chance to become a Head Coach for the first time in 2018 and the backing I’ve received has been fundamental to our success.”I’ve got a trusted network of exceptional coaches, who always go above and beyond to deliver elite performance. This is now an opportunity for us to shape the strategic vision of cricket played by men, women, boys and girls in the county.”His promotion follows that of Dan Feist, Essex’s former operations manager who is now in charge of the club’s day-to-day running as general manager. McGrath will continue to work alongside the club’s Cricket Committee, chaired by former Essex and England batter, Jason Gallian.Anu Mohindru, Essex’s chair, said: “The club is delighted to appoint Anthony to the newly-created role of Director of Cricket. We have achieved sustained success during his tenure as Head Coach, including the memorable and as yet unmatched achievement of winning the Championship and the T20 in the same season in 2019.”This will allow the club to create a clear identity and playing style across all our representative teams, and I look forward to seeing every one of those teams continue to flourish under his expanded leadership.”

The transfer window might have only officially opened a few days ago, but Premier League clubs are moving fast, and Arsenal need to keep up.

For example, while the signing of Martin Zubimendi feels imminent, Liverpool have already picked up Jeremie Frimpong and look set to land Florian Wirtz at some point.

Even Manchester United, who endured one of their worst seasons ever, are making moves, with Matheus Cunha already secured and Bryan Mbeumo making it clear he wants to join them.

The Brentford star has previously been linked with the Gunners, but while missing out on him is far from ideal, recent reports suggest the North Londoners are progressing with another attacker who’d be their answer to the Cameroonian.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal might not have secured any offensive signings just yet, but it feels more like a matter of when and not if, as over the last few weeks, the club have been linked with more than their fair share of exciting options, like Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former could cost around £68m this summer, and while that might be a lot to pay for a 22-year-old, he has proven himself to be a reliable attacking outlet, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists in 45 games this season.

On the other hand, Pedro might cost up to a staggering £70m, and while he’s undoubtedly a talented player, we aren’t entirely sure his haul of ten goals and seven assists this season quite justifies that price tag.

Fortunately, another free-scoring phenom is high on the Gunners’ shortlist this summer: Viktor Gyokeres.

According to a recent report from Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Arsenal are among several teams incredibly interested in the Sporting CP star.

The report claims that the Gunners, Manchester United and Napoli are among the frontrunners to land the Swedish international but to do so, they’ll have to pay up to €70m, which is around £59m.

It could be a complicated and costly deal to get over the line, but Gyokeres would certainly be worth pushing the boat out for, especially as he could be the North Londoners’ answer to Mbeumo.

Why Gyokeres could be Arsenal's answer to Mbeumo

Now, while Mbeumo is primarily a winger and Gyokeres is an out-and-out striker, there are several similarities between the pair that could make the latter Arsenal’s answer to United signing the former.

Firstly, both players honed their craft in the EFL, with the Cameroon international joining Brentford from Troyes in the summer of 2019 at just 19 years old and making 86 appearances in the Championship, in which he scored 23 goals and provided 18 assists.

Likewise, following a couple of middling loans, the Sporting star joined Coventry City on a short-term deal in January 2021 and then on a permanent deal that summer.

During his two-and-a-half seasons with the Sky Blues, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace made 110 second-tier appearances, in which he scored 41 goals and provided 15 assists, which was enough to earn him his move to Portugal.

This brings us to the second reason he’d be the North Londoners’ answer to the Red Devils’ question, which is that, like the Bees ace, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, would be their own game-changing attacking signing.

Gyokeres & Mbeumo’s 24/25
Player	Gyokeres	Mbeumo
Appearances	52	42
Minutes	4248′	3577′
Goals	54	20
Assists	13	9
Goal Involvements per Match	1.28	0.69
Minutes per Goal Involvement	63.40′	123.34′
All Stats via Transfermakrt

For example, there can be no doubt that Reuben Amorim’s side will be more dangerous next season with a player who racked up 29 goal involvements this season.

In the Gunners’ case, the addition of a striker who managed to score 54 goals and provide 13 assists in 52 games this season could be utterly transformational and turn them from an almost side to one who could win it all next year.

Ultimately, while they aren’t exactly the same sort of player, there is no doubt that signing Gyorkeres would be the perfect response from Arsenal to United signing Mbeumo.

Their answer to Wirtz: Arsenal moving to sign "terrifyingly good" £85m star

The international superstar would be an incredible addition to Arsenal’s squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 3, 2025

The Champions League final is the pinnacle of any football season. With the showpiece finale set to bring the curtain down on another dazzling European campaign, it brings around a chance to look back at some of the best finals from years gone by.

While finals can often be drab affairs – the last four editions have all been decided by a single goal – the Champions League final has been no stranger to some of the most dramatic affairs over the years. Here is Football FanCast’s attempt at ranking the very best finals since the first one in 1956, based on the drama and significance of each match.

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Rank

Final

Year

Milan 3-3 Liverpool

2005

Man Utd 2-1 Bayern Munich

1999

Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea

2008

Benfica 1-4 Man Utd

1968

Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid

2014

Bayern Munich 1-1 Chelsea

2012

Real Madrid 7-3 Frankfurt

1960

Celtic 2-1 Inter

1967

Steaua Bucharest 0-0 Barcelona

1986

Bayern Munich 0-1 Aston Villa

1982

Milan 4-0 Barcelona

1994

Liverpool 1-1 Roma

1984

Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Real Madrid

2002

Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool

2018

Barcelona 3-1 Man Utd

2011

15 Barcelona 3-1 Man Utd (2011) Guardiola's stars beat United in the final again

Barcelona’s class of 2011 are considered one of the greatest club sides of all time, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta bringing Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka philosophy to life.

The 2011 final, held at Wembley Stadium, pitted the same finalists as in 2009, when Barca overcame United 2-0 in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

First-half goals from Pedro and Wayne Rooney suggested this would be a more even contest, but the second half saw Barcelona’s star men come alive.

Messi put Barcelona back in front shortly after the interval, while David Villa sumptuously curled home to seal the match and the Catalans’ third Champions League triumph in six seasons. The only surprise is that their dominance didn’t exactly endure after this.

14 Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool (2018) Karius clangers and Bale wonder-strike completes Euro hat-trick

While maybe not the most spectacular of matches, this game did provide one of the most spectacular goals in a Champions League final, while also including one of the most bizarre. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius gifted Karim Benzema the opener in Kyiv by inexplicably rolling the ball into his path before Sadio Mane equalised for the Reds.

Gareth Bale came off the bench to score an incredible overhead kick, before the Welshman finished the job with the help of another Karius mistake. It was a third consecutive Champions League triumph for Real Madrid – a feat that hadn’t been achieved for over 40 years.

Date

26th May 2018

Venue

NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv

Attendance

61,561

Goalscorers

Benzema 51′, Bale 63′, 83′ / Mane 55′

13 Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Real Madrid (2002) Zidane's worldie wins Los Blancos' ninth CL

Another sensational Champions League final goal; another sensational volley and another Madrid victory. This time it was Zinedine Zidane who scored one of the most iconic goals in the competition’s illustrious history, sending a luscious, looping effort into the top-left corner from just inside Leverkusen’s penalty area at Hampden Park. Zidane’s goal on the stroke of half-time proved the winner, with Lucio having cancelled out Raul’s early opener.

Date

15th May 2002

Venue

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Attendance

50,499

Goalscorers

Lucio 14′ / Raul 8′, Zidane 45′

12 Liverpool 1-1 Roma (1984) Reds win on penalties to upset hosts and favourites Roma

It won’t have been often that Liverpool headed into a European Cup final as underdogs, but Joe Fagan’s Reds were up against it as they prepared to take on Roma in their own backyard, in what was just the hosts’ second European final, having won the Fairs Cup in 1961.

Phil Neal put Liverpool ahead before Roberto Pruzzo levelled things up before half-time. The teams could not be separated, leading to a penalty shootout. It is perhaps best known for Bruce Grobbelaar’s ‘spaghetti legs’ antics in goal, with Francesco Graziani blazing his effort over, handing the Reds match point.

Alan Kennedy netted the winning spot-kick, making Liverpool European champions for a fourth time.

Date

30th May 1984

Venue

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Attendance

69,693

Goalscorers

Neal 13′ / Pruzzo 42′

11 Milan 4-0 Barcelona (1994) Johan Cruyff's Barcelona swept aside by brutal Milan display

Johan Cruyff’s swashbuckling Barcelona side were expected to wipe the floor with a Milan team shorn of several key players, including Marco van Basten and Franco Baresi, due to injury.

Those expectations could have not ended up being further from the truth, with the Rossoneri delivering one of the finest team performances in a single game in the history of the competition to win 4-0 and claim their fifth European crown. Dejan Savicevic’s exquisite lob over a helpless Andoni Zubizarreta was the pick of the goals as Milan ran riot in Athens.

Date

18th May 1994

Venue

Olympic Stadium, Athens

Attendance

70,000

Goalscorers

Massaro 22′, 45′, Savicevic 47′, Desailly 58′

10 Bayern Munich 0-1 Aston Villa (1982) Peter Withe winner upsets odds as Villans reign in Europe

Not very often does the European Cup final pit a David and Goliath together, but that’s what we got in 1982 when an unfancied Aston Villa set up a grand finale against Bayern Munich.

Bayern were three-time European Cup winners and boasted international stars such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner in their starting XI.

In contrast, Villa had somewhat surprisingly won the First Division a year prior, and were forced to substitute their first-choice goalkeeper nine minutes into the final, leaving Nigel Spink – who had one first-team appearance to his name – to make his European debut for a Villa side decidedly lacking in star names.

That did not deter them, and they made the breakthrough midway through the second half through Peter Withe’s strike from Tony Morley’s cross, sparking jubilant scenes on the pitch and in the stands.

Bayern then had a late equaliser ruled out for offside as Tony Barton’s side held on to create history.

9 Steaua Bucharest 0-0 Barcelona (1986) Duckadam saves four in incredible shootout

You’re probably wondering what a goalless draw is doing in a best finals piece. Well, in a great example of not needing goals to have drama and heroics, Steaua Bucharest’s only European Cup triumph can be put down to an unbelievable goalkeeping display from Helmuth Duckadam.

The Romanian saved all four of Barcelona’s spot-kicks to win the European Cup for his team. The shootout itself ended 2-0 in favour of Steaua after a goalless draw, with each of the first four attempts saved before Marius Lacatus finally converted.

Granted, some of the penalties weren’t the best, but there’s no denying the greatness of Duckadam’s exploits.

Date

7th May 1986

Venue

Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville

Attendance

70,000

Goalscorers

None

8 Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (2014) Real blitz Atletico in extra time to earn La Decima

Madrid had to wait 12 long years to claim ‘La Decima’, their tenth top-level European crown. They got the job done in style in 2014, though, beating city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1.

Diego Godin put Atletico ahead, but Diego Simeone’s stubborn rearguard was not enough. Sergio Ramos sent the game to extra time with a last-minute equaliser, in which Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored to complete the rout for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Date

24th May 2014

Venue

Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

Attendance

60,976

Goalscorers

Ramos 90′, Bale 110′, Marcelo 118′, Ronaldo 120′ (p) / Godin 36′

7 Celtic 2-1 Inter (1967) Lisbon Lions come from behind to become first British champs

The famous Celtic side of 1967, dubbed ‘The Lisbon Lions’, triumphed over Inter to become the first British side to win the European Cup.

Celtic went behind through an early penalty, but from then on, it was an onslaught of green and white, with goals from Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers getting the job done. Incredibly, all but two of Celtic’s squad were born within a 10-mile radius of the club’s ground – just one of the reasons that team is still revered today.

Date

25th May 1967

Venue

Estadio Nacional, Lisbon

Attendance

45,000

Goalscorers

Gemmell 63′, Chalmers 84′ / Mazzola 7′ (p)

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ByRobin Mumford May 14, 2025 6 Real Madrid 7-3 Eintracht Frankfurt (1960) Ten-goal final hands Madrid fifth European crown on the spin

We’ll level with you: we didn’t watch the 1960 European Cup final. But its significance remains, as does its status as one of the greatest football matches of all time.

High-scoring games weren’t as rare back in the day, with both Real Madrid and Frankfurt reaching the final having put 12 goals past the likes of Jeunesse Esch and Rangers respectively – the latter coming in two brutal semi-final demolitions.

That theme continued into the final, with four-time winners Madrid – who had won every edition of the competition to this point – responding to Frankfurt’s opener by striking six times, while there was still time for Erwin Stein to bag a consolation double either side of Ferenc Puskas’ fourth goal of the final.

Alfredo Di Stefano also netted a hat-trick for Los Blancos as they stretched their historic run in front of well over 100,000 fans at Hampden Park. As the highest-scoring final, it just had to be on this list.

In an attempt to avoid what would be a frustrating transfer blow this summer, the 49ers are now reportedly set to go all out to keep hold of one of their most talented Rangers stars.

Rangers' important summer looms

Having been forced to watch on as Celtic picked up yet another Scottish Premiership this season, Rangers are set for a crucial summer transfer window. Before any incomings on the pitch, however, the Gers must finally find a permanent replacement for Philippe Clement, who they sacked back in February. And whilst Barry Ferguson has had some moments to remember as interim boss, it looks as though the 49ers are set to look elsewhere.

In the space of three months, several names have been mentioned in relation to the job with a decision needed sooner rather than later at the end of the season. Just who leads the race to enter the technical area between the likes of Steven Gerrard, Marco Rose and Rafael Benitez remains to be seen, however, ahead of a decision that the 49ers must get right.

On the pitch, meanwhile, the show must go on and Rangers must prepare to end their season on a high with just three Scottish Premiership games left to play. Playing host to Aberdeen on Sunday, Ferguson will be undoubtedly keen to see his side take any positives gained in a 1-1 draw against Old Firm rivals Celtic and turn those into all three points.

The interim boss reiterated that he’s ready to take the job on a permanent basis after the Gers earned a point against the champions, telling reporters: “Everybody’s got an opinion, I don’t care about people’s opinion, I know I can do the job.

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“I know I’ve got a real good staff behind me. I’ve been asked this question two or three weeks in a row, I think it’s clear, it doesn’t scare me one single bit. I know there’s a hell of a lot of work to be done, everybody knows that. And that’s a challenge that I would meet head on. And I know I would change it.”

Rangers desperate to keep Nicolas Raskin

It’s not just the technical area that those at Ibrox must worry about this summer, of course. The Gers also need to fend off any interest in their star men in order to hand whoever they hire the best chance possible at success.

With that said, according to TeamTalk, the 49ers are now set to go all out to keep Nicolas Raskin and fend off interest from Premier League sides Aston Villa and Leeds United. The midfielder has been a bright spark in a difficult season at times and is set to be offered a new deal which reiterates his importance.

Earning plenty of praise as a result of his performances, Belgium manager Rudi Garcia told reporters when asked about Raskin: “I have Youri Tielemans, I have Amadou Onana and who do I have behind? Well of course when you see Raskin’s match in the return leg against Ukraine well you tell yourself that we’ve won a midfielder for the future.

“Because Nico has shown the he’s able to be aggressive, defensive, win duels, he’s able to propose himself because he likes to come search the balls, he played almost 100 balls during the game with more than 90% pass accuracy, while playing forward, because it’s easy to have 90% pass accuracy when you only play backwards.”