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There was huge drama in Group E as a controversial VAR call sent Japan through, while Germany were knocked out at the group stages yet again.

It was too little, too late for Germany as they crashed out of the World Cup despite beating Costa Rica 4-2 on Thursday night.

Hansi Flick's team were dominant from the beginning of the match as they chased the vital victory they needed to surely put them through. They did their bit and got the three points but with Japan incredibly beating Spain it wasn't enough.

The tension was evident. Germany buckled initially as Costa Rica found a way back into the game, with Manuel Neuer and Antonio Rudiger producing moments of madness to allow their opponents to take a shock lead.

Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz were there to rescue Flick's side, however, with the Bayern Munich winger chipping in with the opening goal and a vital assist, while the Chelsea forward came off the bench to score twice.

Having lost to Japan, drawn with Spain and then allowed Costa Rica to give them a real scare in what should have been an easy win going by the first-half performance, few would argue that Germany really deserved a place in the next round of the tournament.

They were simply too inconsistent and sloppy in the key moments in this competition and although they may turn their anger towards VAR following a controversial call in the clash between Spain and Japan, they must first acknowledge their own shortcomings in Qatar.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Jamal Musiala:

The young attacking midfielder has shown throughout this tournament why he is so revered in Germany and this game was yet another example. He was a real threat for his team with his dribbling and his neat and dangerous passes. He hit the post on two occasions in the second half after Costa Rica equalised and looked like the man most likely to get his team out of danger after they surrendered the lead. He had so much more to offer this tournament and he doesn't deserve it to end like this. One of few German players to enhance their reputation, and transfer value, despite heading home early.

Kai Havertz:

He certainly proved to Hansi Flick that he should have been involved in the starting XI in this game. Thomas Muller got the nod ahead of the Chelsea forward but he came on to take the Bayern Munich star's place and was immediately effective with the 2-2 goal. He then added his side's third, getting on the end of a Serge Gnabry pass. What might have been had Germany made it through, with Havertz's confidence having been restored.

Stephanie Frappart & the match officials:

The referee made history as she was at the front of an all-female team controlling a men's World Cup match for the first time. The referee and her team did not make any big mistakes in this match and were fully in charge, letting the game flow while assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz Medina were valuable in their support.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Manuel Neuer:

Two big blunders from the goalkeeper in the second half saw Germany let their lead slip. He spilled the initial header that allowed Yeltsin Tejeda to spring into action and fire in the equaliser, then he was caught simply flapping at the ball as Juan Pablo Vargas put his team ahead with 20 minutes remaining. A terrible collapse from the Germany legend considering he pulled off a vital save in the first half to deny Keysher Fuller.

Antonio Rudiger:

He was exposed in each half by Fuller. He did nothing to stop the full-back as he was presented with a golden opportunity to equalise in the first half and was too easily shrugged off. Then he barely closed him down to stop the Costa Rica star sending in the cross that resulted in his side's equaliser. Simply not good enough from a defender that should be relied upon to stamp out such danger.

Thomas Muller:

He was barely involved throughout the game as he moved out wide and deep in an attempt to retrieve the ball. It was a completely ineffective performance from the Bayern Munich veteran as he allowed those around him to dictate and threaten the Costa Rica goal. His replacement managed to influence the game immediately, whereas Muller was simply a ghost for the most part. That may have been his last ever game for his country, and what a sad way to bow out.

VAR:

Once again the video assistant referee has been involved in another controversial call at the World Cup and Germany will feel hard done by. Japan were awarded a goal against Spain despite claims that the ball had gone out of play. Even after the replays it is tough to tell who was correct but Japan being awarded that goal has essentially knocked Germany out of the competition as a draw in that other match would have seen Hansi Flick's men progress.

Getty ImagesGermany Ratings: Defence

Manuel Neuer (4/10):

He pulled off a strong save to deny Fuller late in the first half and was on hand to deal with the subsequent corner but his interventions in the second period were woeful. He let the ball slip after saving a shot that allowed Tejeda to equalise and then completely fell apart for the second goal.

Joshua Kimmich (7/10):

Always pushing up from out wide and available for a pass throughout the first half, in which he did not have too much to do defensively but he was alert and quick to get back when he needed to. He moved into the midfield once Klostermann came on for the second half to help improve Germany's use of the ball from the centre of the field.

Niklas Sule (5/10):

Did nothing of note throughout this match.

Antonio Rudiger (5/10):

Barely put up any challenge to Fuller when the Costa Rica star was presented with a goalscoring opportunity. The full-back simply shrugged him off before Neuer came to Rudiger's rescue with the save. He put no effort into stopping Fuller in the second half in the lead up to Costa Rica's eventual equaliser, either.

David Raum (6/10):

Made a quality cross to set up the opening goal and was up and down the left side of the field all night, staying wide and looking to get the ball into the box for the forwards. However, he barely tried to cut out the ball that found its way to Fuller and gave Costa Rica a chance to equalise in the first half.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Leon Goretzka (5/10):

Had an early header saved by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas but otherwise made very little impact in this game before he was substituted at the break.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

The Manchester City midfielder sat deep and mostly tried to move the ball on to Musiala or wide to the full-backs. He kept the ball circulating well but Costa Rica's deep defence often made it hard to pull off more ambitious passes.

Jamal Musiala (8/10):

Looked a threat right from the beginning of the game, finding space outside the Costa Rica box and forcing Keylor Navas into making a save and earning a corner. Shortly afterwards he fed Serge Gnabry through for a dangerous chance but the winger was offside. Musiala had plenty of movement to make sure he was always available for a pass and kept pressing the opposition to win back the ball. Every time he got on the ball and dribbled he looked capable of creating something. Top stuff from a top player.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says he is under no extra pressure following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's partial takeover of the club.

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Ratcliffe completes partial United takeoverTen Hag says he's not under extra pressureHe and new co-owner have same "targets"GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

United announced the sale of a 25% stake of the club to Ratcliffe's INEOS group in December but it was only this week where the deal was officially approved. With the 71-year-old stating it is imperative the Red Devils are competing for the top honours, manager Ten Hag says the two have the "same ambition" and does not feel under the cosh any more now than he did before.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

The Dutchman told reporters on Friday: "We speak a lot, there are many conversations with him [Ratcliffe], with Dave Brailsford about this club, about this team, about the structures, we are very aligned, it totally fits with ambitions I have, ambitions I had when I came in. I'm 19 months in and I see we are going in the right direction. We have had setbacks in the second season but you see the team coming, the squad developing, work hard on the training pitch, work hard during games, it's important to have players fit but also to construct the squad, we will be strong and we will be even stronger when we add to this squad even more qualities."

He added: "Nothing. No more pressure because we have the same ambition, we have the same targets."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

While Ratcliffe is saying all the right things if you are a United fan, the Premier League giants are a long way from competing for silverware at present. Although they have won four on the spin in the English top-flight, they still sit five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in sixth, and suffered early exits in this season's Carabao Cup and Champions League. Success in the FA Cup and a top four finish are still possible, but United never seem too far away from a "crisis" – and Ten Hag's future may not be that secure if results worsen.

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WHAT NEXT?

Now the £1.3 billion ($1.6bn) takeover is finalised, United return to on the field matters on Saturday when they host mid-table Fulham at Old Trafford in the Premier League. To round off the month, they travel to Nottingham Forest in round five of the FA Cup on Wednesday.

Jacques Rudolph hit a splendid 77 as Glamorgan leapt into the NatWest T20 Blast South Group qualification positions and continued Hampshire’s slump in form in the process

ECB/PA03-Jul-2015
ScorecardJacques Rudolph has led Glamorgan into the top four•Getty ImagesJacques Rudolph hit a splendid 77 as Glamorgan leapfrogged Hampshire into the NatWest T20 Blast South Group qualification positions.Former Test star Rudolph scored his third half-century in the competition as the visitors returned to Wales with two points.The Southampton setback completed a bad week for Hampshire who were annihilated at Essex last Friday and outclassed at Lord’s by Middlesex in the LV= County Championship.The 23-run defeat was Hampshire’s fifth in a row across the formats and a sixth finals day in succession looks more and more unlikely.Insights

Five of Glamorgan’s six wins this season have seen them bat first and post a handsome total thanks to one of their South African top order guns. It was Colin Ingram’s turn last week against Somerset but Jacques Rudolph – who scored 50s then a century in Glamorgan’s first three wins – was back on form on Friday. Rudolph consistently struck boundaries – generally conventional shots, but with a reverse sweep and a switch-hit thrown in too – to put pressure on Hampshire’s bowlers. By the time he fell, Meschede had a handsome platform to swipe from.

After winning the toss and batting, Rudolph started as he meant to go on with a sumptuous cover drive and a swipe through the off side for two early boundaries.The opening maximum of the night came from birthday boy Colin Ingram who hit over the covers to the minuscule boundary before offering Vince a steepling catch to give the home side the breakthrough.South African Rudolph reverse-swept a firm four to reach the end of the powerplay 54 for two, before a flurry of wickets.Jackson Bird flew to his left to pluck a Ben Wright drive out of the air and then Chris Cooke pushed straight to Jimmy Adams at backward point to give Danny Briggs his first of the night.Amongst the wickets, Rudolph brought up his half-century with a powerful sweep and a single off 30 balls.Briggs was the pick of the Hampshire bowlers, ending with figures of 2 for 13 and picking up his second wicket of the evening as David Lloyd picked out Chris Wood.Mark Wallace forced a stunning catch from wicketkeeping counterpart Adam Wheater after striking a rapid 21 from 14 before Rudolph produced the shot of the night with a switch-hit but two balls later Wood found a top edge before a second incredible Wheater claim.Glamorgan accelerated towards the close as Craig Meschede smashed 35 off 17 balls, including four sixes, to reach 181 from their 20 overs.Hampshire began their first chase of the season at the Ageas Bowl in sluggish style before Michael Carberry lofted the first six of the innings over the covers in the third over.Carberry and opening partner James Vince began an onslaught on the Glamorgan attack, the former collecting a trio of boundaries off Michael Hogan.Just as the pair were ticking Vince chipped to Andrew Salter to depart for 28 and end a quality opening stand of 69 for the biggest partnership of the night.Carberry smacked his second maximum into the back row of the stand to a grateful fan – which brought up a 31-ball 50, his 25th half-century in this format.Adams and Owais Shah both swung across the line to fall identically leg before wicket for five as Hampshire stuttered, then Carberry fell trying to slog Ruaidhri Smith out of the park for a 45-ball 70.The home side’s crumble continued as Will Smith hit straight to Hogan before Wheater holed out to end the contest.

Hobart Hurricanes, the only non-IPL franchise in the semi-finals, will be facing probably the toughest T20 attack in these conditions in the form of Kolkata Knight Riders’ spinners

The Preview by Abhishek Purohit01-Oct-20145:29

Agarkar: KKR start as clear favourites

Match factsThursday, October 2, 2014
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)Big pictureThere is only one way the first Champions League T20 semi-final will be decided. Hobart Hurricanes, the only non-IPL franchise in the semi-finals, will be facing probably the toughest T20 attack in these conditions. The Kolkata Knight Riders spin army has spared no side this tournament. Perth Scorchers and Dolphins, their two non-subcontinental opponents, were restricted to 151, one batting first and the other batting second. Lahore Lions from Pakistan were also not allowed to go beyond 151. Even the powerful Chennai Super Kings batting line-up managed only 157.Sunil Narine. Kuldeep Yadav. Piyush Chawla. Yusuf Pathan. Mystery, chinaman, legspin, offspin. Had Shakib Al Hasan been available, they would have had left-arm orthodox covered too. They just keep coming at you one after the other. The four have collectively picked up 23 wickets in four matches, which is almost six wickets every game. Add to that a collective economy-rate of 6.20, and you have lost the bulk of your line-up with very few runs on the board.Scorchers coach Justin Langer has compared facing spin in India to eating chilli to make his point about how daunting and unfamiliar a challenge Australian batsmen face in these conditions. Hurricanes have posted big wins over Cape Cobras, Northern Knights and Barbados Tridents, but none of those attacks posed the threat that 16 overs of spin will.The semi-finals are in Hyderabad, where the Knight Riders have been based from the start of the tournament. There is the obvious advantage of having played all their group matches on the same ground. Further, Narine has said that the size of the outfield, which is comfortably larger than at most Indian grounds, has helped him. Batsmen will be more hesitant to take on the boundary-riders, and will find it harder to get away with mishits if they do.What will give Hurricanes hope is Knight Riders’ batting form this tournament. They have struggled all three times chasing, which is their preferred mode, 11 of their 13 successive wins coming batting second. They managed to stutter against Lions even after a century opening partnership. The game not being over till the last ball is bowled is not a cliché when it comes to Knight Riders. It is an opportunity for the opposition.Form guideKolkata Knight Riders WWWWW (completed matches only, most recent first)
Hobart Hurricanes WWWLLWatch out forIt is almost as if the opposition has only 16 overs to chase a target in a T20 if Sunil Narine is in the opposition. Lasith Malinga and Chris Gayle are T20 superstars, but Narine is expected to, and nearly always makes, a huge impact on every single match he plays in the format. Eleven wickets in four games at an economy rate of 5.12 is pure gold in T20. His quicker deliveries may have been reported for a suspect action and it will be interesting to see how he adapts, but he will still be the biggest threat for Hurricanes.Hurricanes will need someone to hold the innings together and push on in case it threatens to fall apart in the face of the spin onslaught. They have the man for that task in Shoaib Malik. The former Pakistan captain is much better suited to these conditions than the Australians are, and while he has not really blazed away, he has had a fine tournament. He is Hurricanes’ second-highest run-getter after Aiden Blizzard and has a strike-rate of 135.89.Stats and trivia Knight Riders’ spinners and Hurricanes’ quicks have taken the same number of wickets in the tournament – 23 At 5.80 runs an over, Hurricanes have had the slowest average opening partnership in the tournamentQuotes”Nothing has been said over the last three years since he has been with KKR. So, it’s a bit of a surprise but Sunil is a character. He is confident that it might be a problem in technique, something he can go on and work on.”

Nikita Miller, the left-arm spinner, has the task of filling Sunil Narine’s shoes at the World Cup after he was chosen as the replacement in West Indies’ squad

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jan-2015Nikita Miller, the left-arm spinner, has the task of filling Sunil Narine’s shoes at the World Cup after he was chosen as the replacement in West Indies’ squad.Narine withdrew from the tournament on Tuesday, little more than 48 hours after taking 6 for 9 in the Nagico Super50 final against Guyana, saying that his action still required more work after it was reported during last year’s Champions League T20.Miller, 32, has played 45 ODIs, the last of which came against England in March 2014 and has taken 40 wickets at 36.52. He is the second left-arm spinner in West Indies’ squad alongside Sulieman Benn. His call-up was approved by the ICC’s event technical committee, which has to rule on all replacement players which normally happen due to injury, and it was termed an “exceptional circumstance.”In the Nagico Super50, Miller claimed six wickets in four matches, along with a frugal economy rate of 2.32 across his 40 overs, but there were other spin options above him in the wicket-taker’s list which was topped by Narine. Veerasammy Permaul, another left-armer, claimed 11 wickets at 13.36 with an outstanding economy rate of 3.12.West Indies completed their tour of South Africa on Wednesday when they were heavily beaten in the final ODI at Supersport Park. Their opening World Cup match is against Ireland in Nelson on February 16.

A round-up of IPL-related news on April 21, 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Apr-2016Governing council to discuss moving IPL 2017 outside IndiaBCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said the IPL governing council will consider moving the next edition of the tournament outside India because of the legal challenges affecting the 2016 season of the league.”The IPL governing council will be looking at the venues in India and abroad. The constant shifting is getting tough. From now, before drawing the schedule, we have to check the availability of the venues and prevailing conditions,” Thakur said in Delhi on Thursday.BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry had also tweeted on April 17: “Very soon the IPL may be played outside the country if this goes on :)! Loss to the GDP would not be insignificant.”IPL matches have been moved out of India twice before. In 2009 the entire tournament was played in South Africa and in 2014 the first 20 matches were held in the UAE. On both occasions, the reason was the general elections in India because of which enough security could not be provided for the IPL.This year, all matches scheduled after April 30 in Maharashtra had to be moved out of the drought-affected state, because of the Bombay High Court ruling on April 13. A week later, though, the high court said Pune could host the May 1 match between Rising Pune Supergiants and Mumbai Indians, after the BCCI filed an application citing logistical difficulties due to a short turnaround time.Kings XI move Nagpur matches to DharamsalaThree of Kings XI Punjab’s home matches that were earlier scheduled in Nagpur will now be played in Dharamsala. The franchise shifted the games to Dharamsala following a Bombay High Court ruling last week that ordered all matches after April 30 to be moved out of Maharashtra due to a severe state-wide drought.Kings XI were originally scheduled to play Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Nagpur between May 7 and 15. The High Court, however, moved out matches in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur in May due to the water crisis. The ruling was in response to a Public Interest Litigation by a Hyderabad-based NGO that questioned the hosting of IPL games while Maharashtra suffered one its worst droughts.Dhawan’s form not a concern, says LaxmanVVS Laxman, the Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor, has dismissed concerns surrounding the form of Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan, who has endured a lean patch, hasn’t registered a single double-digit score, totalling just 16 runs in three innings in IPL 2016.”Shikhar’s form is not a worry for Sunrisers,” Laxman said on Wednesday. “He is a gifted player, and when he plays well, he finishes off the match. He is a match-winning player.”Sunrisers, however, have had a few positives on the bowling front, most notably Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh left-arm seamer. Mustafizur had returns of 2 for 26 in four overs in Sunrisers’ opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where the hosts blasted 227 for 4, and was the only bowler with an economy rate of under seven. He took 1 for 32 against Mumbai Indians to help set up Sunrisers’ seven-wicket win, their first of the tournament.”He (Mustafizur) is a smart bowler. He is exceptionally talented, he has a plenty of variations with the new and old ball, and more important, he is very consistent,” Laxman said.Sunrisers’ batting hasn’t exactly fired in unison and David Warner has done much of the heavy lifting. Laxman commended the captain even as he called on the rest to step up. “Warner has been in fantastic form and he played many match-winning knocks, but other batsmen, particularly domestic players coming in the middle order need to contribute more with the bat,” Laxman said. “If the openers and middle order manage to click, then the team certainly enjoys a comfortable position.”Laxman also had a word of appreciation for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma and left-arm medium pacer Barinder Sran for their contributions to the win against Mumbai Indians. Laxman put the defeats in the first two matches down to improper execution of plans and exuded confidence ahead of Thursday’s clash against Gujarat Lions, who are undefeated in the competition.

Julia Roberts, the A-list Hollywood actress, has once again reiterated her devotion to Manchester United.

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Julia Roberts is a devoted Man Utd fanRevealed how she become supporterRoberts visited Old Trafford in the pastWHAT HAPPENED?

A guest on the the Graham Norton Show – alongside Cher, Timothee Chalamet and Tom Hanks – Roberts was questioned as to the reasons for her love of football and the club. The Hollywood actress saw United play Arsenal in a pre-season game in New York and has been a guest at Old Trafford previously.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT ROBERTS SAID

When Norton asked Roberts how she became a United fan, she replied: "I've been to Old Trafford, I'm a true fan… I have three children and when they were really little and started playing soccer they started watching it on TV. I didn't ever realise how exciting it was to watch it on television. We just got so into it and somehow Manchester United just became our team, the Moder family team. We became sort of possessed.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Rival Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has a deep admiration for Julia Roberts. He spoke of his hurt when Roberts chose to visit United, and not City, when she was in Manchester.

He said at the time: "Julia Roberts years ago came to Manchester – not in the 90s when Sir Alex [Ferguson] was winning titles and titles and titles. She came in the period where we were better than United, in these four or five years, right? She went to visit Man United. She didn't come to see us. That's why even if I win the Champions League it will not compare for the fact that Julia Roberts came to Manchester and didn't come to see us."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Roberts' beloved United will travel to St James' Park this evening hoping to strengthen their efforts to secure Champions League football for next season. Newcastle boss, Eddie Howe, recently claimed everyone is against his side – sadly for him, so will the Hollywood star tonight.

Gremio boss Renato Gaucho admits it “will take a miracle” for his side to prevent Luis Suarez leaving for a reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

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Uruguayan striker in Brazil for nowSet to leave at the end of the yearReady to join all-time great in FloridaWHAT HAPPENED?

The veteran Uruguayan striker is in Brazil at present, but has been cleared to see his contract brought to a close at the end of the calendar year. The expectation is that Suarez will pack his bags at that point and head to the United States.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Inter Miami have made no secret of their interest in the former Liverpool and Barcelona frontman, with another familiar face set to be slotted into their squad alongside eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi – with deals having already been done for Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

WHAT THEY SAID

Gaucho sees Suarez heading for MLS, telling reporters after watching the 36-year-old net the only goal of the game for Gremio in their 1-0 win over Bahia: “It will take a miracle [for Suarez to stay]. He already has plans for 2024. He made that clear a few months ago and I’m not expecting a miracle. It’s his decision. I’d like him to stay, but we have to be honest with our fans. If he ends up staying, it’ll be a miracle, and that miracle comes down to him.”

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Suarez is expected to agree a deal with Inter Miami ahead of the 2024 MLS season, allowing him to take on another new challenge in a career that has already taken him from Uruguay to Brazil via the Netherlands, England and Spain.

Germany legend Andreas Brehme has passed away at the age of 63 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

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Brehme died in Munich hospital on Monday nightPartner confirms his passingTributes pour in for Germany legendWHAT HAPPENED?

As per , Brehme's partner Susanne Schaefer confirmed his death in a statement, which reads: "It is with deep sadness that I announce on behalf of the family that my partner Andreas Brehme died suddenly and unexpectedly tonight as a result of a cardiac arrest. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time and refrain from asking questions."

The report adds that Brehme was admitted to Ziemssenstrasse Hospital near his apartment in Munich after suffering the heart attack on Monday night, but he couldn't be saved.

AdvertisementBREHME'S LEGACY

Brehme, who is survived by Schaefer and his two adult sons from his marriage to Pilar Martinez, won 86 caps for Germany and played for Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan at club level. During his decade-long international career, the defender featured in three World Cups, and famously scored the winning goal in the final of the 1990 tournament against Argentina.

As a modern full-back who never hesitated to push forward, Brehme was a popular figure among supporters and boasted an impressive goal record for a defender. He also won two Bundesliga titles during his time in the German top-flight, and earned a Serie A winners' medal with Inter before going on to play for Real Zaragoza. Brehme eventually retired in 1998 after a second spell at Kaiserslautern.

CLUB TRIBUTES

Tributes started pouring in for Brehme on Tuesday morning, with Bayern among the clubs to pay their respects to their beloved former player. "FC Bayern is deeply shocked by the sudden death of Andreas Brehme," the club said in a statement. "The German record champion is united in mourning with his relatives and friends. We will always keep Andreas Brehme in our hearts – as a world champion and even more so as a very special person. He will always be part of the FC Bayern family. Rest in peace, dear Andi!"

Kaiserslautern said in their own statement: "The FCK mourns the loss of Andreas Brehme. He wore the Red Devils jersey for a total of ten years and became German champion and cup winner with FCK. In 1990 he shot the German national team to the World Cup title with his penalty and finally became a football legend. The FCK family is deeply saddened and its thoughts are with Andi Brehme's relatives and friends. We will honour his memory."

Inter also said goodbye to Brehme in a post on social media, which reads: "A magnificent player, a true Interista. Ciao Andy, forever a legend ⚫️🔵"

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GettyA TRUE LEGEND OF THE GAME

Brehme's death comes just over a month after the passing of another Germany icon in Franz Beckenbauer. says Brehme was "deeply affected" by the loss of Beckenbauer, who coached him for the German national team. After hanging up his boots, Brehme moved into coaching himself, taking charge at Kaiserslautern and Unterhaching before spending a year at Stuttgart in an assistant role.

Lothar Matthaus famously described Brehme as the most talented footballer he played with, and he will forever be remembered for the lasting impact he made on the game.

A three-wicket haul from Tharindhu Kaushal and a run-a-ball 110 from Kusal Perera helped Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A by seven runs and gain an unassailable 2-0 series lead

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Apr-2015Sri Lanka A 265 for 7 (Kusal 110, Tabish Khan 3-55) beat Pakistan A 213 (Khurram 69, Alam 65, Kaushal 3-44) by seven runs (D/L method) ScorecardFile Photo – Fondly called duplicate Murali by his team-mates, Tharindu Kaushal picked important wickets in the middle overs•Associated PressA three-wicket haul from Tharindu Kaushal and a run-a-ball 110 from Kusal Perera helped Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A by seven runs in a truncated game in Hambantota. It gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.After being put in, Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal put on 57 for the first wicket, which ended when Tabish Khan dismissed Jayasuriya for 21 in the 13th over. Kusal was then involved in two 50-plus partnerships – 77-run for the second wicket with Danushka Gunathilaka which took Sri Lanka past 100, and a 55-run stand with Ashan Priyanjan that took Sri Lanka past 200.But seamers Zia-ul-Haq and Tabish picked up three wickets apiece and kept Sri Lanka to 265 for 9.Pakistan were set a revised target of 220 in 40 overs and the openers Mukhtar Ahmed and Israrullah put on 49 in 5.5 overs to kick the chase off. However, Sri Lanka hit back with Dushantha Chameera dismissed both in the space of 10 balls and left Pakistan at 54 for 2.Fawad Alam and Khurram Manzoor rescued them with a 135-run third-wicket stand. But again Sri Lanka found timely wickets with Kaushal dismissing Manzoor (69), Fawad (65) and Saad Nasim as Pakistan slipped to 212 for 6 in the 39th over and finally fell seven runs short.