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Sarina Wiegman’s side had planned to show off to Brazilian fans back home, but they instead watched as Brazil’s fervent supporters danced and sang full-time.

Losing is not something Wiegman ever enjoys, but this is the start of a new cycle for the Lionesses and a new beginning for experimentation.

“You always want to win when you pitch.” Yes, because of the environment we live in, it hurts. She said, “It’s never nice to lose.”

In addition to the things Wiegman tried out, Khiara Keating made her debut by filling in for Hannah Hampton, who had been sidelined for Euro 2025.

Keating, who had her first team debut at Manchester City after graduating from the academy and earning a warm reception at the Etihad Stadium, made it clear that night was going to be special.

Some of the goalkeeper’s green shirts, which bore Keating’s name on the back, were scattered among the white shirts worn by England fans.

However, Keating was not at fault as Brazil went 2-0 up in the opening period, which quickly damaged her dream debut.

She made a comeback, performing a confident performance as England fought back through Georgia Stanway before being forced to accept a 2-1 defeat.

Keating, who became the Lionesses’ first black goalkeeper, was not a fan of the scoreline, who had little to cheer about.

“It felt like home,” said Keating, “probably the best place I’ve ever made my debut.”

I’m the first black female goalkeeper, and I just hope the gap between them two is smaller.

“I’m feeling dead proud that football is moving in the right direction and that the times are changing,” he said.

Wiegman, who is already weighing her options for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, was pleased with Keating’s performance.

She has been with us for a while and is a very talented player. Although it was a difficult first few minutes, Wiegman said, “I think she handled it really well.”

It was good that she didn’t get many shots in the second half, but it’s even harder for a goalkeeper to be present when she’s needed.

Prior to the match, discussion centered on Maya le Tissier’s preferred starting position.

Despite Le Tissier playing her weekly football for United, Wiegman has made it clear that she sees her in the current England squad as a right-back.

The talented 23-year-old has started 72 consecutive games in the Women’s Super League at right back, but she has only made one appearance in total for United at right back.

Last week, Manchester United made a social media post that raised the issue, which sparked discussion among the supporters and raised doubts about Wiegman’s choice.

With just under 40 minutes left, Le Tissier moved to the middle and started in the full-back position against Brazil.

She later said, “I play at center-half every week, so I feel much more at center-half.”

I have to consider this at right-back, but to be honest, I’m happy to play and get on the pitch. For me, it’s been frustrating.

Wiegman praised Le Tissier’s qualities, citing her speed and energy as valuable assets for her desire to play the attacking full-back.

The Dutchwoman emphasized that while Le Tissier is capable of center-back, this was a good opportunity to experiment with new things.

Are there enough backup options available given Lucy Bronze’s long-term commitment to the position, or has Le Tissier fallen victim to the team’s lack of depth?

“I believe we have players, but Niamh Charles is still developing her fitness, and Lucy Bronze is still developing players,” Wiegman said.

It’s what you need from the game as well. Maya and I are both capable of playing center-back, and I constantly believe that.

It’s about what the game asks, they say. The precise time frame should be used. I hope that we have many players competing for that position in the [two years until the World Cup] tournament.

Ella Morris, a young Tottenham full-back, was one of the potential backups after she received a senior call-up for Euro 2025 but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while training with England.

Ruben Amorim’s wisdom prevents him from joining Manchester United in general conversation.

In response to a question about his team’s improved start to the month, he responded, “You said it.” “Three weeks”.

Let’s get some rest.

In response to reports Amorim was concerned about losing his job if his team lost, United entered a game against Sunderland, a team that has just defeated Chelsea and is currently in excellent form.

Before the game, senior club officials vehemently opposed the suggestion, and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has since done so informally.

But that served as the backdrop.

One of those routine home victories that was prevalent during Sir Alex Ferguson’s heyday was won by United. For the first time since 2016, they defeated Liverpool at Anfield last week.

They have now defeated Brighton, who have recently won indie titles against United.

Amorim is now presiding over a success story after 11 months of almost constant negativity. United were fourth in the final 4-2 victory over Brighton, with a positive goal difference. These are sweltering days, in terms of numbers. A significant turning has occurred, in my opinion.

Amorim claims that things are not moving that quickly.

He claimed that the team has performed significantly better since the start of the current season.

Ratcliffe was present for this most recent triumph at Old Trafford. United has won three games in a row for the second time under Amorim. It is the first time they have won three league games in a row since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag, combining the start of the previous season with the conclusion of the previous one.

Ratcliffe, a notoriously sarcastic speaker, said Amorim needed three years to demonstrate his worth, but did he really mean it, or did he simply buy the ex-sporting coach some time?

Ratcliffe seems to agree with Amorim’s perspective. Amorim claims that the improved outcomes are more effective in providing United fans with a glimpse into a brighter future.

He claimed that he never felt embarrassed about what he was up to or how poorly I did it. Jim always seemed to be a believer in our plans and to be accurate.

More to do with the fans, they say. In this situation, the fans are different.

“But I sense the need to stay focused this moment. In a single week, everything in football can change.

Amorim’s words are wise. However, what United have delivered over the past three games does not appear to have any substance.

They have won at home against two teams that have already won at Stamford Bridge by defeating Sunderland and Brighton at Old Trafford.

Why should United be different from Chelsea as a top-five contender, as no one would object to that.

Why should they be different when Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who were both signed this summer for a total of £130 million, give their attack a new purpose and drive?

In this most recent victory, both scored. For the first time this season, Cunha. There are now five for Mobeumo.

In all their different ways, Amorim was eager to praise both.

Amorim remarked, “Matheus feels more self-assured the more the game gets.” He desires accountability. I have no worries about him getting the ball today because he defended really well.

He can try to hide his goals, but I could see why he was struggling.

Bryanton is a “working machine,” he says, “and his relationship with Amad [Diallo] is fantastic.”

We do everything possible to bring this player here, regardless of whether we were in the Champions League or not.

His squad now suits his system much better, Amorim said.

However, that is not all.

Goalkeeper Sanne Lammens does not fit the “system,” but he does not cause panic in his team-mates and the crowd like Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir did before him.

The young Belgian will undoubtedly make mistakes. However, when the ball comes his way, he appears generally solid and doesn’t resemble some feared disaster.

Despite not being in the United leadership team, Matthijs de Ligt excels in leading the defense. Without a superb second-half save from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, skipper Bruno Fernandes would have scored in his 300th game for the club.

Another fantastic night for Casemiro, who scored and assisted. His rehabilitation continues, having fallen surprisingly far in the United pecking order at one point, even behind a West Brom youngster who is currently on loan there. Carlo Ancelotti has given him the Brazil captaincy back.

Amorim remarked, “The other guys need to look at Casemiro.” He fought and worked hard, is back in the national team, and is so important to us at the beginning, even behind Toby [Collyer]. It demonstrates how quickly football can change.

On that terrible, embarrassing night in August at Blundell Park, it didn’t feel like it at the time, but United has now gained from their EFL Cup exit, just as they have no other European countries to turn their heads.

Because there isn’t anything in the middle of the week, they only have one home game in 50 days. They will spend a full week getting ready for their trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, followed by another one before visiting Tottenham seven days later.

United must profit from such a patient fixture list, Amorim said.

Ratcliffe has not been asked whether the fortunes have risen since he initially predicted it would, but his £1 billion+ investment in his boyhood club seems to be giving him some enjoyment.

Although there is still a lot of work to be done, it seems like the situation has turned. Additionally, the first team is not the only one.

After being defeated by James Wade in a heart-felt 10-7 second-round defeat, Luke Littler’s quest to become the world’s number one continues.

Meanwhile, Luke Humphries, who came from behind before winning the decisive leg, defeated Cameron Menzies 10-9.

The four quarter-finals will take place in the afternoon before the semi-final and final will take place on Sunday.

Littler, 18, could have easily and uncontestedly taken the PDC Order of Merit from Englishman Humphries at the event in Dortmund if he had won the title.

Wade went 2-0 up before Littler restored the lead to 3-2 in a tight final-16 contest.

Wade extended his lead to 6-6, but Littler responded once more, drawing the game level at 6-6.

After resuming their legs, Wade took the lead, using Littler’s failure to check out double 10 to make it 8-7, and then completing the feat on 73 before putting together a skillful finish on 108 to win.

Wade, who reached the top of the PDC rankings in 2010 and is an 11-time PDC major winner, told ITV that Littler “played very well” in contrast to his usual high standards.

Wade remarked, “I think I should have gotten away with it a little more before I did.”

“I believe everyone who plays darts knows how to play.”

While Littler and Wade both had averages of 97.75 and Littler did eight 180s to Wade’s three, throwing 11 more 100+ scores and receiving checkout rates of 45.45% and 33.33% demonstrated the difference.

Littler has struggled in recent years in Germany, where he has been forced to skip some matches in order to avoid getting a hostile response from the crowd.

When the pair lost to Germany at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt in June, he and Humphries were booed alongside him.

Humphries faced Scotland’s Menzies with 5-7 and 5-8 behind, but he rallied for a decisive lead with three straight legs and held his throw.

Humphries’ checkout rate was lower, but he was able to beat Menzies thanks to a higher average and 100+ and 140+ throws.

With his victory, he will face compatriot Wade in the final eight.

Humphries claimed that he “really had to work hard” to beat Menzies.

He said, “I’m proud of the way I held myself when I was very frustrated.” “I was attempting to hold myself together.” I’m very proud of what I did and how I came back.

Gian van Veen 2-10 Ryan Searle

Ross Smith versus Daryl Gurney 10-6

Ryan Joyce: 7-10 Ryan Schindler

Michael van Gerwen 5-10 Chris Dobey

Jermaine Wattimena 10-6 Ricardo Pietreczko

Danny Noppert 7-10 Nathan Aspinall

James Wade James Littler 7-10

Gian van Veen vs. Ryan Joyce

Daryl Gurney vs. Michael van Gerwen

Luke Humphries vs. James Wade

Sale Sharks, who won only one game last season, made a strong start to their Premiership Women’s rugby campaign with a 46-17 victory over Leicester Tigers.

A dominant opening-period performance earlier on Saturday earned the Chiefs of Exeter a 24-12 victory over Trailfinders.

As Sale entered half-time leading 34-5, an expert performance before the break changed things.

The hosts also benefitted from a penalty try, which Lizzie Duffy successfully converted, and Amy Cokayne, Erica Jarrell, Holly Thorpe, Rhona Lloyd, Katie Childs, also scored in the opening half.

Tess Feury headed over for Leicester, but Sale quickly responded when Amy Relf converted and added another try in the 43rd minute before Trudy Cowan’s score of 46-5.

After 13 minutes, Liv McGoverne gave Exeter a strong opening lead with a loose ball before Hope Rogers seized a loose ball and headed over with a successful conversion.

Gabriella Nigrelli delivered her team’s third try with the help of Maisy Allen’s excellent quick attack, with McGoverne adding the extras to make it 19-0 at the break.

In the 49th minute, McGoverne’s team scored a looping pass to England’s Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, who had already led 24-0.

Kate Zackary gave the hosts hope when she saw a gap and dived over in the 54th minute, with Meg Jones scoring. Trailfinders appeared to be firmly out of the picture.

However, their encouraging second-half performance saw only five more points as Georgia Ponsonby flung the deficit wide in a packed area.