Tahuhu’s two-for reduced Pakistan to 92 for 5 and leave their chances of progressing hanging by a thread

Vishal Dikshit18-Oct-2025

New Zealand’s fate will be decided by their games against England and India•Getty Images

No result Pakistan 92 for 5 (Riaz 28*, Tahuhu 2-20, Carson 1-7) vs New ZealandColombo handed a second washout in four days to Pakistan at the Women’s World Cup 2025, leaving their chances of progressing to the knockouts hanging by a thread. As Pakistan and New Zealand shared points, South Africa became the second team to progress to the semi-finals, after Australia, as even a finish on eight points in the league stage will take them through.If two or more teams finish on the same points, it will first be seen who has more wins, and South Africa will progress with four wins already from five games.With Saturday’s washout, Pakistan continue to remain winless in the tournament while New Zealand keep themselves in the running for the knockouts, still placed fifth with just one win and two abandoned games so far. Their next two matches, against India and England, will now decide their fate.Related

Road to the semis: Five teams in contention for one spot

'It's extremely frustrating' – Captain Sophie Devine on New Zealand's back-to-back washouts in Colombo

A fired-up New Zealand side laid the foundation after winning the toss in overcast conditions on Saturday. While their experienced quick Lea Tahuhu returned to the XI to strike twice in her first spell, the Kerr sisters and Eden Carson picked up a wicket apiece to leave Pakistan reeling at 92 for 5 before the second rain break sealed the outcome of the match.Tahuhu was the first to strike and she did it in her first over when Omaima Sohail, who had crawled to 3 off 14, was trapped lbw before two sharp catches dented Pakistan further. Muneeba Ali had dispatched a few boundaries and had been handed a life on 8 when wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze put down a low chance off Jess Kerr. But when Muneeba pulled a short delivery off the same bowler on 22, Suzie Bates threw herself to her left at midwicket to take a stunner. No. 3 Sidra Amin then saw a similar effort from Carson at point when she scythed a short ball from Tahuhu, and Pakistan were 52 for 3. It had been drizzling then for a few minutes, and as soon as Amin walked back after 12.2 overs it got heavier for a break.Pakistan now have two washouts in five games•ICC/Getty ImagesPlay resumed after 95 minutes in what was shortened to a 46-overs-a-side contest as Natalia Pervaiz joined Aliya Riaz. The more experienced Riaz soon charged down to crash Tahuhu to the square-leg boundary even as Pervaiz lived dangerously against Melie Kerr’s variations. Pervaiz even got a life on 9 when Sophie Devine put down a sharp catch at slip off Melie Kerr but lasted only five more balls by holing out off Carson for the simplest of catches to Devine at long-on.Melie Kerr then foxed the new batter – captain Fatima Sana – with a wrong’un which rattled the stumps to leave Pakistan on 80 for 5. Rain interrupted again after five overs and the players walked off with the score on 92 for 5 after 25 overs.It stopped raining within an hour with some lightning also around, and the game was soon reduced to 36 overs per innings. But the drizzle soon returned, turned into a heavy shower to make the ground staff cover the whole field, and the game was eventually called off.

He scored crucial runs down the order and took five wickets but the visitors are still staring at an innings defeat

Mohammad Isam27-Jun-2025Sri Lanka are on the cusp of a big win against Bangladesh in the second Test in Colombo. The visitors are still 96 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat, and with just four wickets in the bag, a big loss is very much on the cards with two days left.While not a lot of positives have come out of the Bangladesh camp, particularly in this second Test, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is among their few success stories. Taijul battled on the second morning with the bat to give the Bangladesh total some respectability. The eventual 247 wasn’t substantial, but that they even got there was down to Taijul’s 33 off 60 balls.He then bowled seven spells of varying lengths to grab his 17th five-wicket haul, and fifth in an overseas Test, putting him on par with Shakib Al Hasan. Taijul’s 5 for 131 in Colombo was the umpteenth example of his doggedness and consistency. He also showed what a technically sound left-arm spinner he is. Taijul demands batters’ attention till the last moment they play or leave the ball. It adds a measure of thrill to his long spells.Related

• Don't jump off the Nahid Rana hype train just yet

• Kusal Mendis counterattack balloons SL's lead before Bangladesh collapse

In both Galle and Colombo, he kept his end of the bargain by bowling as tightly as possible. At times, wicketkeeper Litton Das would remind him to toss the ball a little higher or come a little straighter. And Taijul was mostly on the money.In Colombo, Taijul was a study of patience. He shared the new ball and bowled 23 overs on the trot. Nahid Rana and Ebadot Hossain went for plenty from the other end, so he had to be the captain’s banker. Taijul took one wicket in that spell. He bowled nine more overs on the second day, each time keeping his consistency intact. All this with an elbow injury he picked up while batting.When Najmul Hossain Shanto handed him the ball early on the third morning, it was to stop the bleeding. Sri Lanka had made an impressive start, so Bangladesh couldn’t afford to give runs freely. Taijul removed overnight centurion Pathum Nissanka early with the second new ball. He got one to skid rapidly, with the ball holding up ever so slightly for Sri Lanka’s centurion to chip to short extra cover. Taijul then beat captain Dhananjaya de Silva with his flight, building up to a delivery that had a hint of inward drift, beating his front-foot prod.Taijul was taken off after just four overs on the third morning, for Mehidy Hasan Miraz to bowl against the left-hand batter Kamindu Mendis. The match-up didn’t work and Mehidy had to be taken out of the attack soon. Taijul later came back to take two of the last three wickets to fall. It took his tally to 237, nine short of Shakib’s record 246 for Bangladesh. At the press conference after stumps, one couldn’t draw Taijul into that conversation, such is his introverted nature. He would rather talk about his seam position.Taijul Islam added some crucial runs during Bangladesh’s first innings•Associated Press”I did what comes naturally to me, from the start of my career,” he said. “There is always the odd variation for the spinner. Like sometimes you will check how the ball behaves in certain pitches or seam positions. I was trying that only. I prefer bowling in long spells. I am used to bowling long spells. I never think that I can’t bowl long spells. That’s how I bowl in the nets, too.”Taijul said that Nissanka’s wicket helped Bangladesh restrict Sri Lanka when they looked like running away with a mammoth total on the second day. “He [Nissanka] is in great shape. He has struck two big knocks. He was an important breakthrough for us. I think his wicket helped us bowl them out reasonably quickly.”Taijul lamented Bangladesh’s batting performance in the game, too, and he may yet have to put up another rearguard action on the fourth day, with the visitors struggling.”I am a bowler, but I bat as well,” he said. “Our batting wasn’t that good. In the first innings, the wicket was good. Each batter got out after getting set. Had there been two hundreds or two fifties, the situation might have been different.”Weather could have a say on the fourth day, but Sri Lanka only have to dismantle Bangladesh’s lower order on their way to the series win. Taijul will make way for the white-ball specialists and will get back to training in Dhaka, and maybe get to play some red-ball cricket when the 2025-26 season opens in October.He will eye Shakib’s record against Ireland, though it will likely pale in comparison to the attention that Mushfiqur Rahim will get as he is projected to complete 100 Tests in that series. Taijul probably wouldn’t mind the limelight away from him even then.

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Romário – O Cara, a série documental Max Original que trata de um dos nomes mais icônicos do futebol brasileiro, estreia na plataforma de streaming Max no dia 23 de maio. Com seis episódios, a produção mostra a trajetória de Romário até a histórica conquista do tetracampeonato mundial de 1994, que completa 30 anos no próximo mês de julho. A série também revela quais foram as motivações do ‘Baixinho’, como é conhecido, durante os momentos decisivos de sua carreira. A cada semana, serão lançados dois episódios.

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➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

O público vai acompanhar os bastidores e os desdobramentos de conquistas e polêmicas protagonizadas pelo craque dentro e fora de campo. A produção Max Original conta com depoimentos exclusivos e sem filtros do protagonista Romário e de outros grandes nomes do futebol mundial, como Roberto Baggio, Pep Guardiola, Hristo Stoichkov, Franco Baresi, Ronaldo, Neymar e Bebeto.

Romário – O Cara, dirigida por Bruno Maia e produzida por Feel the Match e Kromaki, recupera as origens e reconstrói os caminhos traçados por um dos maiores atacantes de todos os tempos. O arco narrativo começa em 1992, quando o jogador é colocado no banco de reservas da Seleção Brasileira, entra em conflito com a comissão técnica e fica de fora de importantes convocações seguintes. Entre idas e vindas cronológicas, a série se desenrola até o seu épico retorno à Seleção, que culmina com as conquistas da Copa do Mundo de 1994 e do prêmio de melhor jogador do planeta do mesmo ano.

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A produção também mergulha na intimidade de Romário e aborda relevantes assuntos de sua vida pessoal, como o sequestro de seu pai, às vésperas do Mundial de 1994. O documentário ainda apresenta imagens inéditas das passagens do craque por PSV e Barcelona, além de relembrar marcantes acontecimentos da história recente do Brasil, como a morte de Ayrton Senna e o impeachment do ex-presidente Fernando Collor.

Romário – O Cara é uma produção da Feel The Match e Kromaki para a Warner Bros. Discovery, dirigida por Bruno Maia. Pela WBD, assinam a produção Sergio Nakasone, Adriana Cechetti e Patricio Díaz. Pela Feel the Match e Kromaki, a produção ficou a cargo de Rodrigo Letier, Bruno Maia, Roberta Oliveira, Anna Julia Werneck e Victor Hugo Fiuza.

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Romário

تحدث وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، عن تفاصيل عرض برشلونة لضم مهاجم القلعة الحمراء الشاب حمزة عبد الكريم، وعرض هانوفر بشأن بلال عطية.

وقال صلاح الدين، عبر قناة “النهار”: “هذا الأمر سيكون مع الإدارة، عرض هانوفر الألماني معايشة لبلال عطية، حمزة لا يوجد عرض رسمي أتى للنادي الأهلي”.

طالع.. وليد صلاح الدين يكشف خطة الأهلي لتجديد عقود اللاعبين.. وأسباب اختيار توروب

وواصل: “نعرف قدر اللاعبين ونريد خروجهم للاحتراف ولكن مهم جدًا مصلحة الأهلي إذا كان إعادة بيع أو إعارة أو نية شراء برقم كبير، كل ذلك سيُبحث عندما توجد عروض رسمية بأرقام مؤكدة”.

وذكرت صحيفة سبورت، أن المفاوضات بين برشلونة والأهلي جارية منذ ثلاثة أسابيع بشأن حمزة عبد الكريم، وأن هناك تفاؤلاً في الفريق الكتالوني بإتمام الصفقة، على الرغم من اهتمام العديد من الأندية الأوروبية بضم اللاعب.

وأوضحت الصحيفة، أن رغبة برشلونة هي ضم حمزة عبد الكريم خلال فترة الميركاتو الشتوي المقبل في يناير على سبيل الإعارة لمدة ستة أشهر، مع وجود خيار الشراء النهائي في نهاية الموسم.

وأردفت الصحيفة، أن حمزة عبد الكريم سيبلغ الـ18 من عمره في بداية العام الجديد، ما سيسهل كثيرًا على برشلونة التعاقد معه، حيث يتم الآن وضع اللمسات النهائية على الصفقة.

MLB's Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tn., is going to be quite the spectacle.

When the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves take the field on Saturday, they'll be the first MLB teams to stage a game at a NASCAR track—and will also be setting a new attendance record for MLB, as the venue will seat an astonishing number of fans: over 85,000.

Naturally, one would expect to see some seats in quirky areas, given that most MLB stadiums don't exceed 50,000 fans—Dodger Stadium, at 56,000 fans, is the biggest stadium in MLB.

But some seats at the Speedway Classic are so far away from the action, you have to see them to believe them.

Here's one such section, courtesy of Joe Danneman of Fox 19.

There's something to be said for the mindset of Though that logic may not apply here, given that this is such an odd and unique angle to watch a baseball game from.

Can one even watch a baseball game from this angle? Nobody knows.

At a venue such as SeatGeek, for example, one could procure a seat in this section in the $90-$100 range, albeit with the label that the view is "limited."

The Reds and Braves will start their engines for the Speedway Classic at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.

The final weekend of the 2025 MLB season is upon us, and there is still a lot to play for. Eight teams have secured playoff spots, while eight remain alive fighting for the final two spots.

In addition to the teams desperately trying to punch their tickets to the postseason, two American League division races remain undecided. With all that in mind we’ve ranked the top five series of the season’s final weekend.

1. Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox will host the Tigers in the final weekend’s most important series. The two teams currently hold the AL’s final wild card spots, and Detroit is still in contention for the AL Central. The Tigers’ collapse has been stunning. They led the division by 14 games on July 8, and were ahead of the Guardians by 15 1/2. They also led Cleveland by 10 1/2 games on September 1 and 9 1/2 on September 10. Now they’re tied atop the division. Detroit also leads the Astros by just one game for the AL’s final wild card spot, so there’s a chance they miss the postseason completely.

While the Yankees and Blue Jays are tied atop the AL East, Boston is sitting in a solid position, with a magic number of one. The Red Sox appear locked into the second wild-card spot, which means they’ll be traveling to face New York, Toronto, Cleveland or Detroit in the opening round. It will be Boston’s first postseason berth since 2021.

2. New York Mets at Miami Marlins

The Mets have been a mess for two months, but still have the final playoff spot in the NL cornered. While Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso have done their best to lift the Mets to the playoffs, the team’s pitching staff has utterly disintegrated. They’ll need to perform this weekend to clinch a spot.

New York will travel to Miami to face a plucky Marlins team that wasn’t eliminated until Thursday afternoon. The Fish look like a squad that could be a dangerous next season, led by Kyle Stowers and rookie Jakob Marsee. They’ll do their best to play spoilers this weekend.

Retired tennis great and Real Madrid supporter Rafael Nadal has advised Vinicius Junior to "respect the authority" of Xabi Alonso amid speculation that the Brazilian's relationship with the head coach has reached a breaking point. Nadal emphasised on the need to hold conversations in order to preserve both the image of the club and the unity within the Real Madrid dressing room.

• 'Crisis' spoils Alonso's dream start to Madrid spell

  Alonso's start to life as Real Madrid manager could barely have been any better. In the first 14 games this season, Madrid managed to win 13 games, with the only blip coming in the form of a 5-2 thrashing from cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid. While they also produced a convincing win against Barcelona, all hell broke loose during this month's Champions League visit to Anfield. Los Blancos faced a Liverpool side that had lost six of its previous eight matches going into the clash. Yet Alonso’s team collapsed, looking bereft of ideas in a flat, uninspired performance. Since then, the Reds have dropped two more games, making this current Madrid side appear even worse with every new Liverpool defeat.

  The loss to Arne Slot's men seemingly dampened the spirits within the Madrid dressing room. Indeed, in the previous two La Liga outings, they have failed to record a win, with their winless run now stretching to three games. It has been a difficult away stretch for Alonso and his players, failing to beat either Rayo Vallecano or the newly-promoted but highly entertaining Elche. 

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  Nadal sends advice to Vinicius

  Amid the ongoing crisis, Spanish media reports suggest that Alonso has lost the backing of a significant portion of the Madrid dressing room. Journalists have highlighted Vinicius' angry reaction to being substituted during last month’s Clasico as a potential turning point, with some claiming the Brazilian now maintains only a “strictly professional” relationship with the Bundesliga-winning former Bayer Leverkusen manager.

  Speaking to on Monday, one of tennis' all-time greats Nadal, who is an avid Real Madrid fan, addressed the recent rumours of a fallout between Vinicius and Alonso. He explained how the duo can overcome their alleged problems.

  “I think it can be resolved through dialogue, with everyone on the same page," said Nadal. "I believe Vini needs to understand who is in charge and respect that authority, and also the club, given what it means to be a Real Madrid player. But I think he's doing his best, and those things that come out of him, which sometimes aren't well-received, can be corrected through dialogue and an awareness that things can be improved. 

  “The first person who needs to want to explore that path of improvement has to be him. When I hear him speak in interviews, saying that he wants to improve in every aspect, I think he needs to find strong allies, and I'm convinced that Real Madrid will have the right people, and he will be there to advise him.

  “The basic principle is wanting to do it. And Real Madrid has in Vinicius an asset that they can't devalue and that they have to protect, regardless of any performances that might not be to everyone's liking. As a player, he's a club asset; it's a situation that Real Madrid, being the immense club it is, knows how to manage, and I think they've done it well.

  "The proof is that Vinicius' performance is now better than it was before. Football has a problem that is also a great strength; ultimately, many stories are written every week, and that magnifies things, but footballers are people, and that's how things are resolved, as human beings, by talking, understanding each other, and trying to project an image – one that is truly genuine – of unity, respect, and everyone pulling in the same direction."

• Vinicius reportedly tells Madrid he won't renew due to Alonso

  Earlier this week, reported that Vinicius, whose contract with Madrid expires in 2027, has informed the club of his intention to not renew "while his relationship with head coach Alonso remains so strained." This could come as a huge blow to Madrid's future, with the club viewing their dashing No.7 as a valuable asset. 

  However, amid all the talk in the media, Alonso ensured that they "haven't fallen apart." Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw against Elche on Sunday, he said: "We haven't fallen apart. We're still competing; the context of each match is different. The result is what matters, and we're aware of that and self-critical. The spirit is good; we have to respond to adversity. This is Real Madrid. We live with criticism; we want to improve.

  "The connection is improving; we have more time and interact more, we know each other better. We're all in the same boat, we celebrate victories. We suffer if we don't win. The connection is good. We need to turn this situation around, starting with Athens."

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  Madrid need to turn things around immediately

  Madrid face three consecutive away fixtures, starting with Wednesday’s high-stakes Champions League trip to Greek giants Olympiacos. A win in Europe now feels essential – both to stem the rising noise around Alonso’s leadership and to jolt a struggling squad back into the confidence they so clearly need.

  Despite dropping four points in their previous two league games, Madrid sit at the top of the table, albeit with just a one-point lead over a Barcelona side that seems to have regained their form following losses to Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla, and the 15-time European champions. 

It would be fair to say that Chelsea’s transfer strategy has delivered mixed results over the last few years.

On the one hand, players like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo are unquestionably world-class and would get into any side in the Premier League.

On the other hand, players like Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Axel Disasi have been massive wastes of money and time.

Someone who fits in neither category, as he’s still a recent signing, is Alejandro Garnacho, but if reports are to be believed, his place in the squad might already be under threat.

Chelsea target Garnacho upgrade

It’s not even December, and Chelsea have already been linked with a host of sensational talents from the Premier League and beyond.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, Crystal Palace’s incredible Adam Wharton has been touted for a £100m move to Stamford Bridge, and as if that wasn’t exciting enough, Marseille’s up-and-coming number nine, Robinio Vaz, has also been mentioned as a target.

However, as brilliant as those two players are, neither would be a threat to Garnacho were they to join the West Londoners, unlike Nico Williams.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea have reignited their intense interest in the Athletic Bilbao superstar.

In fact, the report goes further than that, revealing that the Blues have already made an offer of around €70m for his signature, which is about £62m.

Interestingly, the Pensioners aren’t the only London side to make an offer for the young winger, as rivals Tottenham Hotspur have submitted the same bid of around £62m.

It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Williams’ ability and potential, one worth fighting for, even if his arrival would be bad news for Garnacho.

How Williams compares to Garnacho

So, it should be said that while he has not blown anyone away yet, Garnacho has not had a terrible start to his Chelsea career.

In fact, his return of two goals and two assists in ten games matches what Williams has been able to produce for Bilbao so far this season.

However, looking back at their records from last season, it becomes clear that the Spaniard is a far more dangerous winger.

For example, despite having a slow start to the campaign, the 23-year-old ended it with 11 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.5 games.

In contrast, the Argentine amassed a tally of 11 goals and ten assists in 58 appearances, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games.

Games

10

10

Goals

2

2

Assists

2

2

Games

45

58

Goals

11

11

Assists

7

10

Games

27

50

Goals

8

10

Assists

18

7

Unfortunately, things only get worse when you go back another season, as the Pamplona-born “level-raiser,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, ended the 23/24 season with a tally of 26 goal involvements in 37 appearances, which is an average of one every 1.42 games.

The former Manchester United ace, on the other hand, ended that year with a haul of 17 goal involvements in 50 appearances, which is one every 2.94 games.

Now, on top of clearly being the more reliable source of goals and assists, the Bilbao star has also amassed more top-level experience, especially when it comes to the international theatre.

For example, he’s now 30 senior caps for Spain and even scored a goal in the European Championships final last year.

In contrast, the Blues ace has just eight caps for Argentina, although he has yet to win one this year.

Ultimately, Garnacho is a talented footballer and someone who could be a useful squad player, but Williams is clearly the better player, and therefore, Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign him.

Forget Santos: Chelsea star is their closest thing to peak Lampard in years

Enzo Maresca now has Chelsea’s closest thing to Frank Lampard in a long time in this exciting midfield star.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 24, 2025

Weatherald fell for 0 in the last over of the day after Victoria were bowled out for 256 with Webster taking a wicket on return

Alex Malcolm28-Oct-2025

Australia Test allrounder Beau Webster took a wicket and got through 12 overs on return from an ankle injury but Tasmania team-mate and Test hopeful Jake Weatherald fell for a duck late on another day dominated by the bowlers at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.Eleven wickets fell on the opening day. Riley Meredith and Gabe Bell took three wickets apiece for Tasmania as Victoria were bowled out for 256 before Weatherald was caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Perry in the last over of the day. Tasmania finished 4 for 1 at stumps following a nasty two-over batting stint in the late evening sun.Weatherald’s untimely duck adds to Australia’s Ashes first Test squad intrigue when other opening contenders Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw and Sam Konstas did not get a chance to bat at the Gabba as day one of the clash between Queensland and New South Wales was washed out.Webster’s return, however, was a positive for Australia’s selectors. He has not played a Sheffield Shield match so far this season due to an ankle injury he sustained while training ahead of Tasmania’s first match against Queensland. It had led to some concerns about his readiness for the first Test against England as Australia’s selectors ponder the make up of the top six and the need for two allrounders in the same side.But after chair of selectors George Bailey confirmed Webster was a lock for the squad in Perth, Webster made a solid return with the ball after opening the bowling for Tasmania when the coin fell Jordan Silk’s way.Webster initially bowled a five-over spell with the new ball before picking up the wicket of Marcus Harris in his second spell with a cracking delivery that pitched outside leg and nipped across the left-hander to scratch his outside edge.Beau Webster took a wicket on return•Getty Images

He bowled four spells across the day and finished with figures of 12-4-26-1. He also took a catch at slip but dropped another off Oliver Peake. He was fortunate that didn’t cost more after Peake and Peter Handscomb combined for a 100-run stand to rescue Victoria after Meredith, Bell and Webster had reduced them to 55 for 3.The pair batted exceptionally well in tough conditions. Handscomb continued his outstanding form grinding 48 from 157 while Peake played a gem in the conditions, striking seven boundaries in his 46. Both players opted to play off the back foot predominantly and Peake showcased some excellent cuts and pulls. But shortly after he offered a life to Webster at slip, which was a pretty straight forward chance that Webster would normally hold, Peake fell for a trap holing out to deep square of Keiran Elliott.Meredith then pinned Handscomb with an excellent inducker although the Victoria veteran might have got the 50-50 call go in his favour on height on another day. Meredith bagged two in three balls when Sam Harper meekly popped a catch to short leg.Victoria’s tail wagged with Perry, Will Sutherland and Fergus O’Neill all providing excellent contributions. O’Neill was unorthodox in his unbeaten 35 but he continued to show how valuable a competitor he is for his state.The innings dragged on long enough to frustrate Tasmania but was short enough to leave Weatherald and Caleb Jewell 12 balls to negotiate before stumps. Jewell got through the first six from O’Neill unscathed but Weatherald only survived two from Perry. The third pitched outside his leg stump, back of a length, and darted across him as he tried to work leg side. The thin edge was taken by Sam Harper.

Georgia Stanway went home with the match ball on Saturday after bagging a hat-trick in England's record-breaking 8-0 win over China, one just short of a record defeat for the 1999 Women's World Cup finalists. A dominant display, which had the European champions 3-0 up inside just 16 minutes, returned the Lionesses' biggest ever win at Wembley Stadium, surpassing the 6-0 thumping dealt out to Portugal back in May.

It was Beth Mead who initially set the tone on the day, breaking the deadlock after just 12 minutes thanks to a lovely touch and an even better finish. Two minutes later, she had another and was on track for a hat-trick, while also moving to within 13 goals of Ellen White's all-time scoring record for the Lionesses.

But as Lauren Hemp, making her first appearance for England since their European Championship triumph back in July, added a third, it was Stanway who started to steal the show. Having put it on a plate for Hemp just a few minutes earlier, the Bayern Munich midfielder netted her first of the day after a goalkeeping error, made it 5-0 from the penalty spot after VAR harshly penalised Li Mengwen for an inadvertent handball and, after Mead went off at the break, she then bagged that memorable Wembley hat-trick by finishing off a lovely team goal she was central to.

China haven't played a fixture since July and the country's domestic league, which the majority of its squad plays in, finished its 2025 season back in September. The rustiness created by those two factors was certainly on show as the Asian champions were put to the sword by the queens of Europe. But make no mistake, England were brilliant and much the better side here, with Ella Toone scoring the goal that ensured the Lionesses would make this a record Wembley win, with there still time for Alessia Russo to add further gloss late on.

GOAL rates England's players from Wembley Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Anna Moorhouse (6/10):

Confident and accurate in possession on her England debut. Had very little else to do as she watched her team-mates rack up the goals at the other end.

Lucy Bronze (8/10):

A typical all-action performance from the full-back, whose link-up play with Mead in the first half in particular was devastating for China.

Maya Le Tissier (7/10):

Had some good duelling moments with Shao, coming out on top in four of her five aerial battles, and moved the ball fantastically, as usual.

Esme Morgan (6/10):

Had one slightly shaky moment in her 45 minutes but recovered well. Sprayed the ball around nicely while going relatively unchallenged at the back before being subbed off at the break.

Niamh Charles (7/10):

Amid growing competition for her spot, this was a solid display from the Chelsea star, even if she wasn't tested much in defence.

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Keira Walsh (8/10):

Kept England consistently on the front foot with her control of possession, misplacing just one of her 53 attempted passes.

Georgia Stanway (9/10):

An all-round excellent display in which she bagged three goals and also provided an assist. Never stopped running, was effective in possession and clinical in front of goal.

Ella Toone (9/10):

Another brilliant performer who finished the evening with three assists and a goal. Her role in Mead's second was particularly eye-catching, with an excellent turn and cross teeing up the winger to score.

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Beth Mead (9/10):

Was England's brightest spark in a first half that returned two goals, before making way for Kelly at half time.

Alessia Russo (8/10):

Pressed well, linked play brilliantly and got into scoring positions, finally getting her well-deserved goal in the closing stages.

Lauren Hemp (8/10):

Made an exciting return to England action after injury, providing plenty of danger for China down the left and showing up in the right place at the right time for her goal.

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Chloe Kelly (6/10):

Tried to create but couldn't quite reproduce the electricity of Hemp or Mead after coming on at the break, lacking accuracy with her crossing.

Jess Park (7/10):

Lively down the right, offering a different kind of challenge for the China defence with her movement inside. Unlucky not to score when a clever effort clipped the bar.

Lotte Wubben-Moy (7/10):

Settled with ease into the back line, keeping the ball well and not shying away from duels. 

Lucia Kendall (7/10):

Picked up where she left off in the last camp, moving the ball with purpose and confidently demanding possession.

Taylor Hinds (N/A):

Took over at left-back for the closing stages.

Aggie Beever-Jones (N/A):

Replaced Russo for the final five minutes.

Sarina Wiegman (7/10):

Put out a team that dominated and was ruthless, securing a record-breaking win, but there will be some frustration that she didn't use this opportunity to see some different players. Even the subs introduced were mostly established squad members, bar Hinds and Kendall. Did at least take the chance to give ever-presents such as Walsh and Bronze a bit of a rest in the second half.