Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens, defeated New Zealand by two runs in their debut match at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
The historic game took place on Monday, January 20 at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak.
After their opening match against Samoa was washed out on Saturday, Nigeria’s rising stars finally took to the field. However, the game against New Zealand faced a two-hour delay owing to a wet pitch.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first in the reduced 13-over match. Despite an early setback, Nigeria’s captain, Lucky Piety, led the fightback, hitting the team’s first-ever World Cup six.
New Zealand responded by taking two quick wickets, leaving Nigeria at 28 for three after the powerplay.
Lilian Ude contributed 19 crucial runs, while Omosigho Eguakun struck a four off the final ball, setting New Zealand a target of 66 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs.
In the second innings, the Junior Yellow Greens showed their mettle with the ball. Peace Usen clinched Nigeria’s first World Cup wicket on the opening ball, running out Kate Irwin before Emma McLeod was dismissed for three.
Eve Wolland and Anika Todd steadied New Zealand’s innings, but their dismissals by Piety and Shola Adekunle reignited Nigeria’s hopes. Ude delivered a near-perfect final over, conceding just six runs and securing a run-out on the last ball, sealing a memorable victory for Nigeria.
Piety was named Player of the Match for her game-changing performance, scoring 18 runs off 22 balls and taking one wicket for just eight runs in three overs.
The victory places Nigeria second in Group C with three points, trailing leaders South Africa, who defeated Samoa by 10 wickets to claim their second win of the tournament.
After Sunday’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton, Ruben Amorim admitted it was astonishing that his Manchester United flops were the worst team in club history.
Since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag at Sporting Lisbon, United has lost just six Premier League games.
After his team’s terrible performance at Old Trafford, Amorim remarked, “We are the worst team perhaps in Manchester United’s history.”
“I am saying that because we must acknowledge that and change that because I know you want headlines.” Here you go: your headlines.
Imagine what a Manchester United fan might think of this. For me, imagine what this means. A new coach has been hired, one who is losing more than the previous one. I have full knowledge of that, “he added.
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Despite being 10 points above the relegation zone, Amorim’s side are far from certain to avoid being dragged into the survival struggle by Sunday’s evidence. They are currently 13th place.
With a Brighton opening game of the day, Yankuba Minteh set the tone for United’s moribund performance.
Before half-time, Bruno Fernandes scored the equalizer, but goals from Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma caused a stir for United.
United have lost six home league games this year, the most in their first 12 starts since 1893-1994.
This season, they have lost 10 of their 22 league games, the first time in a top-flight campaign since 1989-90 when they have lost in double figures.
Amorim must find a way to put pressure on himself before he becomes intolerable despite the fact that United has not yet been fully plunged into the survival struggle.
The 39-year-old arrived at United in November, hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches.
But his preferred 3-4-3 formation is not suited to the players in United’s squad.
The Portuguese coach refuses to alter his philosophy, despite the fact that he acknowledged that he is only considering ways to avoid falling into this category right now.
” I am not going to change, no matter what. We must survive this situation, even though I am aware of our ability to succeed. I am not naive. We need to survive now, “Amorim said.
Tottenham’s problems persist after they lost 3-2 to Everton, while Manchester United suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton as Old Trafford remembered the legendary Denis Law on Sunday.
With a 3-2 victory over Southampton, Nottingham Forest defeated Nuno Espirito Santo’s men to bring second-place Arsenal within six points of Liverpool. This is an unlikely title challenge.
United, in contrast, are 24 points clear of the leaders and are only concerned with surviving after Brighton took control of Old Trafford for the third straight season.
After a thrilling 2-2 draw at Liverpool and an FA Cup exit earlier this month, Ruben Amorim’s men appeared to have turned the tables.
But after Amad Diallo’s late hat-trick papered over the cracks in a 3-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Southampton in midweek, Brighton exposed the glaring holes in the foundations of Amorim’s United project.
On January 19, 2025, Manchester United’s English midfielder #37 Kobbie Mainoo (L) and Brighton and Hove Albion’s English striker #18 Danny Welbeck compete for the ball in the English Premier League game at Old Trafford in Manchester, north of England. (Photo by Ian HODGSON / AFP)
Within five minutes, Yankuba Minteh opened the scoring with a square from Kaoru Mitoma.
Before the break, United scored a penalty from Bruno Fernandes.
After Andre Onana dropped a cross into Georginio Rutter’s path on the hour mark, Mitoma restored Brighton’s lead.
Brighton moves up to ninth place and within four points of the top four with Victory.
United is still 13th, but they have a 10-point advantage over the bottom three.
“We can’t be comfortable in thinking that this is ok, because it is not”, said Fernandes.
“I’m not here to lose games, but I’m here to stay where we are right now.”
Before kick-off, tributes were paid to one of the club’s greats in Law, who passed away on Friday aged 84.
On January 19, 2025, Manchester United’s Cameroonian midfielder #20 Carlos Baleba (L) and Brighton’s Moroccan defender #03 Noussair Mazraoui wrestle for the ball in the English Premier League game between Brighton and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in Manchester, north of England. (Photo by Ian HODGSON / AFP)
The only Scot ever to win the Ballon d’Or, Law is the third top scorer in United’s history, with 237 goals in 404 appearances.
As the teams left, a piper performed the Scottish national anthem “Flower of Scotland” and read out a eulogy over the tannoy, featuring United legends Alex Ferguson, Brian Kidd, Paddy Crerand, and Alex Stepney.
Spurs have won six games without a win.
After Everton won their first game of David Moyes’ second spell in charge, Tottenham are now winless in six league games.
The Toffees struck three times before the break, despite not scoring in nine of their previous eleven league games.
On January 19, 2025, during Manchester United’s English Premier League game between Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, Cameroonian goalkeeper #24 Andre Onana reacts after failing to stop Brighton’s third goal, which was scored by Brighton’s French midfielder #14 Georginio Rutter. (Photo by Ian HODGSON / AFP)
The scoring was opened by Dominic Calvert Lewin’s first goal since September, which came after Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliant solo run and finish.
Archie Gray’s own goal compounded Tottenham’s misery.
Spurs’ deficit was reduced thanks to Dejan Kulusevski’s late goals, but they were unable to avoid their 12th defeat in 22 games.
“It is a challenging situation for sure, when you are losing players the amount we are at the moment”, said under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, who was without 10 first-team regulars.
“I have to be good enough to do that,” I said, “and it’s up to me to get us out of this.”
Everton are four points clear of the bottom three and just four points clear of Tottenham, who is 15th.
In the first 45 minutes, Forest were prolific, extending their lead over them in the Champions League the following year.
Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood netted before the break.
With the help of Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu in the second period, Southampton, 10 points adrift of safety, can still claim their title.
In spite of the results from Saturday, Manchester City is currently eighth, but if they win in Ipswich later, they could move up to fourth place with Newcastle.
Real Madrid defeated Las Palmas 4-1 to move into the top of La Liga on Sunday, under the leadership of Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice and produced a brilliant performance.
Los Blancos enjoyed a perfect weekend, overtaking Atletico Madrid by two points after their neighbours slipped up with a shock defeat at Leganes on Saturday, while Barcelona, third, could only draw at Getafe.
After making a shaky start to life at Real Madrid after completing his summer-long dream move from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has returned to top form in recent weeks.
The 26-year-old reached 12 league goals with his brace, becoming the Spanish league’s second top-scorer behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes also on target.
On January 19, 2025, Real Madrid CF and UD Las Palmas play at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, where Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward #16 Endrick and Las Palmas’ Scottish defender #15 Scott McKenna fight for the ball. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Mbappe explained to Real Madrid TV that the game was crucial because “we knew what had happened yesterday, with Atletico and Barca, we wanted to win,” and it was.
“We started badly, letting in a goal (so early) … but the reaction was top.
” We got the ball forward, quickly, attacking the spaces and with quality, we scored a lot of goals… we’re happy because we’re leaders. “
Mbappe has 18 goals for the season in 30 appearances across all competitions, and is looking increasingly crucial for his side in attack.
Vinicius Junior was suspended, but the French forward at Santiago Bernabeu caught the attention with a strong performance.
” I am very happy, I have adapted to the team and I can play how I want, with my team-mates, with personality, “continued Mbappe.
We are all having fun, I believe.
Real Madrid CF and UD Las Palmas play a soccer match against Real Madrid CF on January 19, 2025 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, England’s #05 Jude Bellingham challenges #01 Jasper Cillessen’s Dutch goalkeeper #01. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Barcelona beat Madrid last week in the Spanish Super Cup final, which gave the team some boos when they played at home in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Mbappe urged the fans to unite and support the team in an Instagram post on social media site.
” I think we have to be united, and like that, we can go for all the trophies, “he explained.
In just over 30 seconds, Las Palmas opened Madrid’s defense with a quick move before taking a surprise lead.
Fabio Silva was able to get the finishing touch from close range when Sandro Ramirez crossed for him.
Strong response
Madrid hit back strongly, with Diaz shooting wide when he should have scored, and Mbappe’s fierce effort tipped away by Jasper Cillessen.
After Sandro clumsily felled Rodrygo, Mbappe faced harsh criticism after missing two penalties toward the end of 2024.
The striker was involved in Madrid’s second goal, with the rebound from his saved shot falling to Lucas Vazquez, who squared for Diaz to convert.
After Rodrygo cut the ball back, Mbappe hit the ball back with a fine finish that arced into the top corner.
Mbappe initially believed he had already scored a hat-trick before the break, but the build-up saw the goal ruled as improper.
When Jude Bellingham should have scored early in the second half, Madrid’s fourth goal was not far away.
After Mbappe played the left-back in, Rodrygo scored from Fran Garcia’s low cross.
As Madrid continued to dominate, Bellingham and Fede Valverde had their strikes ruled out for offside, and they were able to bring back David Alaba as a replacement after more than a year without a serious knee injury.
” (Alaba) is a player who can help us a lot, you don’t know how much it means for us to have him back on the pitch with us, “Madrid’s Dani Ceballos told DAZN.
Ceballos, a midfielder for Madrid, won an ovation after one of his best games for the club.
” I have worked, waited for my moment, and now I have to keep working, “he added.
