Sports
Goals galore for Gattuso’s Italy in World Cup qualifiers, France start with win | The Express Tribune

PARIS:
Gennaro Gattuso enjoyed his start to life as Italy coach on Friday as his team beat Estonia 5-0 to get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track, while Kylian Mbappe struck as France began their bid with a win against Ukraine.
A World Cup winner as a combative midfielder in 2006, Gattuso was brought in as coach in June to stop Italy’s slide towards a third-consecutive missed World Cup finals.
His tenure started in style as second-half strikes by Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui — who netted twice — Giacomo Raspadori and
Alessandro Bastoni fired Italy to three points and had fans chanting the coach’s name in Bergamo.
Italy are third in Group I after three matches, six points behind leaders Norway who have played one game more, and boast a superior goal difference.
“We played well and it was all down to the way the boys have conducted themselves this week,” said Gattuso.
“We’ve worked hard and there’s been a good atmosphere around the squad.
“When you play as attacking as we did tonight against a better team you expose yourself to risks, but today we were up against a side that had a bit les than us so it was the right thing to do to be so attack-minded.”
Three points separate Italy from second-placed Israel and the group’s play-off spot which is the likelier route for a place in next year’s finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico with only first place offering direct qualification.
Israel prepared for Monday’s meeting with Italy with a win of their own on Friday as they beat Moldova 4-0 in Chisinau.
‘Brilliant’ Olise
In the Polish city of Wroclaw, Michael Olise’s early strike and Mbappe’s 51st goal for Les Bleus handed the 2018 World Cup winners a 2-0 victory over Ukraine as Group D got underway.
“It was an important match because of the limited number of games (to qualify) against a quality team. We could have sealed the deal in the first half because we were in control and created a lot of chances,” Deschamps said.
“We faltered for four or five minutes in the second half, but the main thing is that we got the result.”
Olise started and finished the opening goal on 10 minutes when he released Bradley Barcola down the left flank from deep.
The Bayern Munich man ghosted the length of the pitch to arrive unmarked into the Ukraine box and calmly sweep Barcola’s return ball into the bottom corner.
Olise and half-time substitute Ousmane Dembele nearly doubled the visitors’ lead either side of the break but goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin denied them impressively.
Ukraine responded by coming within inches of levelling the encounter twice inside two minutes after the hour.
Ibrahima Konate first turned a goalbound Artem Dovbyk header off his own goal-line, before new Paris
Saint-Germain signing Illia Zabarnyi struck the woodwork with a headed effort following a set-piece.
But Mbappe made the win safe for France when he raced onto a pinpoint through-ball from his Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni before cutting inside and rifling home on 82 minutes.
Deschamps had praise, in particular, for 23-year-old Olise after he netted his third goal in nine outings for Les Bleus.
“Michael is brilliant in everything he does, his movement, his combinations, his passing quality,” the coach said.
After the first matchday, France sit second in the four-team group behind Iceland, who beat Azerbaijan 5-0 in Reykjavik.
Elsewhere, Denmark and Scotland played out a goalless stalemate in Copenhagen as Group C started, with Greece topping the pool following their 5-1 victory at home to Belarus.
Switzerland opened Group B with a 4-0 win over Kosovo as group mates Sweden and Slovenia played out a 2-2 draw in Ljubljana.
Former World Cup runners-up Croatia struggled to a 1-0 win away to Faroe Islands to stay second in Group L.
Pool leaders Czech Republic beat third-placed Montenegro 2-0 to remain three points ahead of the Croats, although with two games in hand.
Sports
England make ODI history with largest-ever win margin

England entered the record books by registering their largest-ever victory against South Africa in the third One-Day International (ODI) at the Rose Bowl.
Chasing a massive total of 415, England bundled out the Proteas for just 72 runs, securing a 342-run win — the largest winning margin by runs in the history of the 50-over format.
This triumph surpasses India’s previous record of a 317-run victory over Sri Lanka in 2023 and also becomes England’s biggest-ever ODI win, eclipsing their 242-run win against Australia in Nottingham in 2018.
Batting first, England posted a mammoth total thanks to outstanding performances from their top order.
Team | Margin | Opposition | Date |
England | 342 | South Africa | September 7, 2025 |
India | 317 | Sri Lanka | January 15, 2023 |
Australia | 309 | Netherlands | October 25, 2023 |
Zimbabwe | 304 | US | June 26, 2023 |
India | 302 | Sri Lanka | November 2, 2023 |
Jacob Bethell starred with 110 off 82 deliveries, while Joe Root contributed a classy 100 off 96 balls.
Opening batter Jamie Smith added 62 off 48 deliveries, and wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler blazed his way to 62 off just 32 balls.
South Africa struggled against England’s relentless bowling attack. Corbin Bosch top-scored with 20 off 32 deliveries as the Proteas were dismissed in 20.5 overs.
Captain Temba Bavuma was forced to sit out the innings due to a left calf strain sustained while fielding.
For England, Jofra Archer was the standout with figures of 4/18 in nine overs.
Spinner Adil Rashid claimed three wickets, while Brydon Carse chipped in with two wickets, ensuring a comprehensive demolition of the South African batting lineup.
Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid eye Konate, Upamecano as free agents

Real Madrid are looking at Bayern Munich‘s Dayot Upamecano and Liverpool‘s Ibrahima Konaté as free-agent signings, while Federico Chiesa is linked with a move to Turkey. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades
TOP STORIES
– Konaté on Madrid talk: Mbappé calls every 2 hours
– Sources: Man Utd’s Onana in talks with Trabzonspor
– Alex Morgan unworried by stars leaving NWSL
TRENDING RUMORS
– A move for Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano is being lined up by Real Madrid, according to Bild. Los Blancos are interested in signing the 26-year-old, who entered the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena in the summer, as they continue to identify future options to reinforce their defence. The Bundesliga champions are expected to prioritise signing Upamecano to a new deal by beginning negotiations soon. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano reports that the LaLiga club are also looking at Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté. The Reds are yet to secure the 26-year-old’s future at Anfield beyond the summer of 2026, and after Real Madrid made an enquiry in the summer, they are prepared to make another move if an opportunity arises to sign him as a free agent.
– Besiktas have had an approach for Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa dismissed, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Super Lig are keen to sign a winger before the transfer window closes on Friday, but the Reds are unwilling to consider a loan offer for the 27-year-old. Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, 30, is also on the radar of clubs in Turkey, but he is yet to make a final decision on his future as the Blues look to part ways with him.
– There are no plans by Barcelona to send on-loan winger Marcus Rashford back to Manchester United in January despite reports, according to The Sun. The Blaugrana and manager Hansi Flick are “still giving their full support” to the 27-year-old, who has played 95 minutes across three LaLiga matches. An option clause in the loan deal agreed with the Red Devils would allow him to be signed for a fee of £30 million.
– AC Milan want Christian Pulisic to sign a new contract, reports Calciomercato. The Rossoneri have made contact with the 26-year-old’s representatives as they look to agree a new four-year deal, with manager Massimiliano Allegri considering the 26-year-old to be a key part of his project. The Serie A club are also aware of interest from other clubs. Pulisic turned down a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in the summer.
– Lazio remain keen on free agent winger Lorenzo Insigne, according to Calciomercato. The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Toronto FC in the summer, and he has his sights set on a return to Serie A. The club’s hierarchy are exploring options to improve their financial situation to make a deal possible, and they could have to offload players.
EXPERT TAKE
1:56
Onuoha reflects on Onana’s ‘horrendous spell’ at Man United
Nedum Onuoha talks about André Onana’s performances at Manchester United amid links with a loan move to Trabzonspor.
OTHER RUMORS
– Several clubs are keeping tabs on the progress of on-loan Aston Villa winger Jadon Sancho. (Football Insider)
– Al Shabab are keen on signing free agent midfielder Oriol Romeu. (Marca)
– Barcelona want to sign defender Eric Garcia to a new five-year contract, with hopes of getting the deal over the line before Christmas. (Diario Sport)
– Clubs in MLS are interested in free agent striker Patrick Bamford, who recently left Leeds United (Football Insider)
– Al Qadsiah have agreed a deal to sign Al Nassr attacking midfielder Otavio, who is expected to sign a two-year contract. (Fabrizio Romano)
– AC Milan midfielder Yacine Adli is closing in on a switch to Al Shabab. (Sport Italia)
– Tottenham Hotspur are willing to listen to offers for midfielder Yves Bissouma in the January transfer window. (Football Insider)
– A deal worth €20 million has been agreed by Neom SC to sign Bahia forward Lucho Rodriguez. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Talks are ongoing between Lazio and Anderlecht regarding a move for defender Jan-Carlo Simic. (Calciomercato)
– Juventus full-back Jonas Rouhi is set to join Westerlo on loan. (Fabrizio Romano)
Sports
Salman Ali Agha and Shaheen Afridi to donate Tri-Series earnings to flood relief – SUCH TV

After crushing Afghanistan in the tri-nation series final on Sunday, Pakistan’s T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, took to X and announced he will be donating his earnings from the tournament to flood victims back home.
He said he is joined by star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who will be doing the same.
The green shirts pummelled the Afghan side on Sunday, when Pakistan’s second-inning bowling attack saw Muhammad Nawaz take five wickets, pushing the team to a comfortable 75-run triumph.
Shaheen, who bowled two overs, also took a wicket while only conceding seven runs.
On August 30, Peshawar’s Imran Khan Stadium played host to another effort by prominent cricketers to support flood victims.
Peshawar Zalmi played a charity exhibition match against a dream team of retired stars led by Inzamam ul Haq, who was joined by such names as Shahid Afridi, Younus Khan, Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis.
The stands were packed with spectators who had come to see the legends in action and donate to a good cause.
Floods have been ravaging Pakistan since June in what has become the perfect storm of glacial melts and above average rainfall.
The National Disaster Management Authority reported on Sunday that the death toll has risen to 910 across the country, with the highest number of fatalities recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 504.
KP’s Buner district is the worst impacted, as landslides and floods have killed 256 people, including 23 children. Punjab has also recorded its “worst ever flood” as 4.1 million people have been impacted in the province.
Floodwaters from Punjab are flowing into Sindh this week as the province braces for a spell of heavy rain.
Over 128,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas as flooding is anticipated.
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