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Three of the four places are spoken for; MI, LSG and DC in contention for final spot

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-20254:12

Bobat: Break was disruptive but afforded rest for players

Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have confirmed their places in the IPL 2025 playoffs following GT’s victory against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday night.The result left just one playoff spot available, with DC, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in contention for it.GT’s win on Sunday put them on top of the table with 18 points, followed by RCB and PBKS in second and third place with 17 each, with all of them having played 12 games. The maximum LSG can get to if they win their remaining three games is 16 points; while only one of MI (currently on 14) and DC (currently on 13) can get to 17 or more because they play each other on May 21.If DC lose to MI, they will be eliminated. If MI lose to DC, they will need to win their final fixture against PBKS and hope that DC lose their last league match to PBKS, and for LSG to lose at least one of their remaining three games.GT are making the playoffs for the third time in four IPL seasons; RCB for the fifth time in six years. PBKS are guaranteed of a top-four finish for the first time since IPL 2014. The turnaround is a landmark moment for the franchise under their new captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting.While GT, RCB and PBKS have booked their places in the playoffs, they are still competing to finish in the top two, which will give them two chances of making the final. The teams that finish one and two on the points table play each other in Qualifier 1 for a direct route to the final. The loser of Qualifier 1 plays the winner of the Eliminator (between teams that finish No. 3 and 4) for a place in the final.

While Hazlewood is set to return to action for RCB, David is unlikely to play due to injury

Hemant Brar28-May-20259:02

Moody: ‘Two in-form teams, we’re in for an absolute cracker’

Big picture: Ticket to finale

Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, in New Chandigarh, will be a clash of two teams that share a past and a present. To begin with, both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are searching for their maiden IPL title.This is the first time since 2014 that PBKS have made it to the playoffs. They had topped the league stage then also, before losing to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final.Related

• Giving up big names for big impact: RCB's reinvention pays off

• Flavours of Punjab – in-form home team and local Test captain add to the excitement

• IPL playoffs: How the four teams stack up

• The night Jitesh got rid of the enormous weight on his shoulders

RCB have been regulars in the playoffs in the past few years, but the last time they finished in the top two was in 2016. Just like PBKS in 2014, they went on to lose the final then, to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).PBKS’ success in IPL 2025 has revolved around their uncapped Indian players, while RCB have traditionally been the home of the game’s biggest superstars, they have shed that persona this time. Their captain Rajat Patidar has four international caps to his name, their vice-captain Jitesh Sharma nine.The similarities don’t end there. Both teams have key bowlers coming in after brief injury layoffs. Yuzvendra Chahal missed PBKS’ last two games with a wrist issue but is expected to be fit for Thursday’s game. Similarly, RCB are set to be bolstered by Josh Hazlewood’s return after a shoulder injury.At the same time, both teams will be without an important player each. PBKS allrounder Marco Jansen has returned to South Africa to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, while RCB’s Tim David is unlikely to be available due to the hamstring injury he picked up against SRH.Whichever way you look at it, it’s not easy to separate the two teams. If PBKS have the advantage of playing at home (though it’s not a home game, technically), RCB will take confidence from their win against them at this venue earlier in the season. The good thing is that whoever loses on Thursday will get another shot at getting to the final.

Form guide

Punjab Kings WLWWW
Royal Challengers Bengaluru WLWWW2:31

An 18-year wait to end this season?

In the spotlight: Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli

Not only are Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli the most experienced batters of their sides, but also the leading run-getters. Kohli has 608 runs at a strike rate of 147.91; Iyer 514 at 171.90. Of late, both have improved their T20 games: Iyer against pace and bounce, Kohli with his overall intent.But Kohli might have the upper hand on Thursday. Iyer has scored just 25 runs in four innings in New Chandigarh this season and has an underwhelming record against several RCB bowlers (more on that in the stats section below). On the other hand, Kohli was the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 73 off 54 balls the last time these two teams played here. After RCB won that game, Kohli turned towards Iyer and celebrated animatedly. Apparently, Kohli did it in jest, but Iyer did not seem to take it that way. So get ready for round 2.

The big question

Team news and likely XIIs

In their last match, PBKS played both Jansen and Kyle Jamieson, thus giving themselves the option of a fifth frontline bowler while still maintaining the batting cushion. Now with Jansen unavailable, they may have to bring back Azmatullah Omarzai. The other option is to play one of Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak, but that will compromise their batting depth.Punjab Kings (probable): 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Prabhsimran Singh, 3 Josh Inglis (wk), 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Nehal Wadhera, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Azmatullah Omarzai, 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Harpreet Brar, 11 Arshdeep Singh, 12 Yuzvendra ChahalNuwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), but he is the likeliest to make way for Hazlewood. If RCB want to play both, they will have to rejig their overseas combination, something they may not want to do at this stage.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (probable): 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Phil Salt, 3 Mayank Agarwal, 4 Rajat Patidar (capt), 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Krunal Pandya, 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Yash Dayal, 11 Josh Hazlewood, 12 Suyash SharmaThe four games New Chandigarh has hosted so far in IPL 2025•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Pitch and conditions

New Chandigarh has hosted four IPL games so far this season. The first two featured three 200-plus totals. The last two saw 111 all out, 95 all out, and 157 for 6 in 20 overs. It will be interesting to see what sort of pitch is dished out on Thursday. The temperature should be around 30°C with no forecast for rain.

Key stats

• Among the ten batters who have scored over 500 runs in the season, Iyer’s strike rate of 171.90 is second only to Nicholas Pooran’s 196.25.
• But Hazlewood has dismissed Iyer three times in 19 balls in T20 cricket while giving away just nine runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, too, has got Iyer out three times in the IPL while conceding just 45 runs in 50 balls. While Iyer has got out only once to Krunal Pandya, he has a strike rate of just 85.41 (41 runs in 48 balls) against him.
• Arshdeep Singh has dismissed Phil Salt four times in 32 balls while conceding only 25 runs.
• Mayank Agarwal averages just 12.00 against Chahal (six dismissals for 72 runs) in the IPL but has a strike rate of 160.00 (72 runs in 45 balls, with five sixes).

It was a rough year for several veteran American players around the world, but proved to be a breakout campaign for a number of promising youngsters

It was a bittersweet year for American soccer players plying their trade in leagues outside of the United States. Along with managing the hangover left by missing out on the World Cup, it was a year that saw several veterans endure rough campaigns, while some talented youngsters took big steps forward in their careers. 

Geoff Cameron endured a nightmare season at Stoke City, with the Potters being relegated in a campaign that saw him lose his long-standing hold as a regular starter. Omar Gonzalez also endured a roller-coaster year that saw him go from playing in the Club World Cup in December to not even dressing for Pachuca for much of the Clausura season.

Bobby Wood has also had a season to forget, with his Hamburg side on the verge of relegation from the Bundesliga. John Brooks and Fabian Johnson weren't a part of the national team last October, but they were members of last year's Americans Abroad Best XI. Both have endured injury-riddled club seasons in Germany.

Ethan Horvath was another American who has struggled to get playing time in 2018, stuck on the bench at Club Brugge since losing his role as a starter last October. But who did make Goal's Americans Abroad Best XI?

• Guillermo Arias
  

  William Yarbrough | Club Leon

  A repeat selection, William Yarbrough had a strong year with Club Leon, but he is also the only American goalkeeper to spend the past year as a regular starter abroad. Ethan Horvath's benching at Brugge eliminated Yarbrough's toughest competition for this spot, with Bill Hamid's move to FC Midtjylland yielding just three appearances to date.

  Yarbrough was consistent in net for Club Leon, helping the team reach the Apertura play-offs. The Clausura campaign was an overall disappointment, with Leon finishing in 13th place. Landon Donovan's surprising arrival grabbed the attention, but it was Yarbrough who finished the season as one of his team's better players.

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• Tim Ream | Fulham

  Tim Ream is in the final stages of what has been a standout season at Fulham, which he has helped guide to the brink of promotion to the Premier League. The Cottagers fell just short of automatic promotion, and now face a promotion play-off clash with Derby County.

  The 30-year-old has been instrumental in Fulham's success, serving as his team's most dependable defender. Ream's next match will help him set a new personal record for games played in a season.

• Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
  

  Matt Miazga | Vitesse Arnhem

  Miazga is another repeat Best XI selection, delivering a second strong season on loan with Dutch club Vitesse. The 22-year-old center-back set a new personal best for matches in a season, and he has developed into a threat on set pieces as well, scoring three goals this season. Miazga's confidence on the ball grew as well, as he posted nearly twice as many completed passes this season as last season, converting at an 84 per cent rate.

  A much more well-rounded player than he was when he first left the New York Red Bulls, Miazga will be expected to rejoin Chelsea and contend for a place on the Blues squad next season.

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• Stephen Pond
  

  Cameron Carter-Vickers | Ipswich Town

  It isn't often that a player as young as Cameron Carter-Vickers becomes a starter for two different teams in the same season, but he successfully made the transition from his loan stint with Sheffield United to his loan with Ipswich Town. His play improved in the second half of the season, and he finished strong despite logging more minutes than ever before.

  The 20-year-old central defender played a combined 34 matches, settling in as the right center-back in a three-man system. That experience should help him make a case for a role with Tottenham next season.

Goal takes a look at the coaches who have upset their birth nation by beating them while in charge of a foreign country

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  Otto Gloria

  Nationality: Brazilian
  Defeated Brazil 3-1 with Portugal at the 1966 World Cup

  Brazil were aiming for a third consecutive world crown when they travelled to England for the 1966 World Cup, but the Selecao failed to get out of the group stage when they were beaten by Portugal in the last game of the round.

  Led by Brazilian coach Otto Gloria, Portugal overcame the likes of Pele and Jairzinho to knock the South Americans out and seal first place in Group 3. Gloria guided them to third place in the competition before leaving for Atletico Madrid.

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  Stefan Kovacs

  Nationality: Romanian
  Beat Romania 1-0 while in charge of France

  Romanian Stefan Kovacs was in charge of France when he came up against his own country in a friendly match in 1974. In front of 22,000 spectators at Parc des Princes, Les Bleus won 1-0.

  He left a year later and his next job was at the helm of Romania.

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  Jack Charlton

  Nationality: English
  Beat England with Republic of Ireland at Euro 88

  One of Ireland's greatest achievements in a major international competition is their 1-0 victory over England at the 1988 European Championship.

  Ray Houghton got the only goal of the game as a side led by 1966 World Cup winner Jack Charlton upset the Three Lions in Stuttgart.

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  Sergio Markarian

  Nationality: Uruguayan
  Won 1-0 three times with Paraguay in friendlies and 2002 World Cup

  Markarian masterminded three 1-0 victories over his native Uruguay while in charge of Paraguay – all within an 18-month period between November 1999 and March 2001.

  He almost recorded the same feat over a decade later while in charge of Peru, claiming two victories and a draw against his home nation.

Lionel Messi claimed the prestigious prize last season, after netting 36 times for Barcelona, but who will be the continent's top scorer this term?

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  Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

  Can Lionel Messi win the award for a fourth straight season?

  The Barcelona legend has finished as top-scorer on six occasions in total – his 50-goal haul in 2011-12 remains a record – and will be favourite to win it again this season.

  Messi scored 36 times in La Liga last season and with the Blaugrana's attack having been bolstered by Antoine Griezmann, there is no reason why the Argentine can't enjoy a similarly productive campaign this time around.

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  Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

  Cristiano Ronaldo scored 21 times in Serie A last season – his lowest total in a domestic league since he struck 18 for Manchester United in 2008-09.

  However, the Portuguese will be confident of racking up even more goals this term, given the conservative Massimiliano Allegri has been replaced as Bianconeri boss by the more attack-minded Maurizio Sarri.

  Ronaldo has claimed the Golden Shoe on four previous occasions, but not since 2014-15, when he hit a career-high 48 goals.

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  Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

  Mohamed Salah has become one of the world's best goalscorers since joining Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.

  The Egyptian wizard went close to winning the Golden Shoe in his first season in the Premier League, in 2017-18, by scoring 32 goals, just two fewer than Messi.

  He managed an impressive 22 strikes last campaign but will need to get back to his very best form if he is to have a chance of taking top spot this term.

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  Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

  Kylian Mbappe followed up his sensational performances for France during their triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign by netting 33 goals for Paris Saint-Germain last season to finish as runner-up to Messi in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

  It is worth remembering that the former Monaco forward is still only 20, so there is every chance that he could be set for an even more prolific 2019-20 campaign.

Erling Haaland continued his incredible scoring start as Manchester City thrashed Sevilla 4-0 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

It's too easy, isn't it?

The Norwegian striker scored twice with Phil Foden and Ruben Dias also on target in an emphatic victory in their Group G opener.

Haaland is the first player ever to score 25 goals in his first 20 Champions League appearances. He's also off to the most prolific start in Premier League history.

Despite never winning the trophy, Manchester City are many people's favourites for European glory, with Haaland's influence at the forefront for their popularity.

Pep Guardiola's side dominated throughout and while Sevilla have made a poor start to the season, they were completely outclassed at home.

• The Winners

  Erling Haaland:

  OK, Haaland has made a great start to the Premier League so maybe the Champions League might slow him down? Not a chance.

  The Norwegian scored a hat-trick on his debut for Salzburg as a 19-year-old and has barely stopped scoring since. He's already a top-40 goalscorer all-time in the competition at 22 years old.

  Haaland now has 12 goals in seven matches since his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund and all sorts of goalscoring records look like they will be in serious threat towards the end of the season.

  Kevin De Bruyne:

  If Haaland keeps scoring at a historic rate for this Manchester City side, then De Bruyne is going to put up some wild assist numbers.

  The Belgian playmaker was outstanding at providing opportunities when Manchester City didn't have a No. 9 in the side so Haaland is making his life even sweeter. Their partnership has blossomed so fast.

  Manchester City's opening goal came when De Bruyne broke into space in the box, a quick glance showing him that Haaland was on the move. He fired in a cross that the Norwegian finished.

  Manuel Akanji:

  A surprise deadline day move followed by a debut in the Champions League a few days later marks a dream week for the Swiss international.

  Guardiola decided to add an extra centre-back with injuries to Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake, and a setback to John Stones before the flight to Spain justified the decision.

  Akanji will have been happy with his first minutes for the club which were spent more helping his team getting forward than defending.

  Guardiola suggested that he was being careful with certain players ahead of an important Premier League clash with Tottenham at the weekend but the defender showed the City boss he should have no fear in considering him for that game too.

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• The Losers

  Julen Lopetegui:

  Manchester City are the last team you want to face when you're on the brink of being fired but unfortunately it's another painful defeat for the Sevilla boss.

  Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga last season but lost central defensive pairing Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde in the summer. One point from four La Liga matches this term is a dreadful start regardless of those losses.

  Despite that, there was a positive atmosphere in the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan for the Champions League opener but boos rang out by full-time.

  Lopetegui tried to keep the ball away from the Premier League champions but they were simply overrun and outclassed, looking bereft of confidence.

  Riyad Mahrez:

  No one in the current squad as scored more Champions League goals than the Algerian winger who has been a major part of runs to the final and semi-finals in the past two years.

  But there was no recall into the starting line-up for a player who has started just two of Manchester City's six Premier League matches this season.

  Mahrez's last start was the victory over Crystal Palace but he was hauled off with Manchester City trailing 2-1 and has now not started the three matches since.

  Jack Grealish came straight back into the side after recovering from injury and Mahrez is facing a fight to win back his place.

  Antonio Conte:

  The Tottenham boss was unhappy with the fixture schedule that sees his side go to the Etihad Stadium between Champions League games against Marseille and Sporting CP.

  Adding to his anger was the fact that Manchester City had an extra 24 hours to prepare for the fixture, although his team remained in England at least.

  But he will be further frustrated that City weren't stretched more in Sevilla, with the game resembling a training drill of attack versus defence on occasions, while key players were taken off early with the game won.

  Tottenham won home and away against City last season and Conte will have to produce something even more special to replicate that.

• Ratings: Defence

  Ederson (6/10):

  Had to be alert to an early, short back pass but spent the majority of the match as a long-distance spectator.

  Joao Cancelo (7/10):

  Linked up well with Foden and De Bruyne as City looked dangerous down the right hand side and was often the furthest forward.

  Manuel Akanji (7/10):

  Fitted in perfectly on his debut. Accomplished on the ball and untroubled defensively.

  Ruben Dias (7/10):

  Solid as ever and went on a couple of uncharacteristic charges forward to help open up the home side.

  Sergio Gomez (6/10):

  Gave away a couple of free-kicks that should have had him in early trouble with the referee but increasingly got forward well.

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• Midfield

  Rodri (7/10):

  After a difficult weekend against Aston Villa, he was back to his best dominating the midfield.

  Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):

  Constantly probing the Sevilla defence and it was no surprise that his perfect cross produced the opener.

  Bernardo Silva (7/10):

  Non-stop running through the centre of midfield with his brilliant touch and guile keeping City moving.

The Reds' South American forwards combined to score all three goals as the Reds signed off for the World Cup break with a win over Southampton

The Darwin Nunez bandwagon is gathering pace at Anfield. The form of Liverpool's £64-million ($72m) man has been on an upward curve for a while now, and it reached a new high here, as the Uruguayan scored twice to ensure the Reds signed off for the World Cup in style, with a 3-1 win over Southampton.

Nunez now has nine goals in as many starts for his new club, and his all-round performance here was comfortably the best he has produced since his summer switch from Benfica. His goals were well-taken, instinctive, first-time finishes from inside the penalty area, and on another day he'd have had a pair of assists too, setting up Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah for chances which Gavin Bazunu saved.

Firmino, left out of the Brazil squad for Qatar this week, had opened the scoring after just six minutes with a fine glancing header from Andy Robertson's free kick, only for Che Adams to hit back almost immediately from a James Ward-Prowse delivery.

Nunez, though, had Liverpool in control by half-time, first finishing off Harvey Elliott's lovely pass on the volley, and rounding off a sweeping move by sliding in to bury Robertson's low cross.

That proved to be the end of the scoring, although Liverpool needed Alisson Becker to make a series of fine saves in the second half to preserve their advantage, and ensure that Nunez was the matchwinner.

• Getty Images
  

  The Winners

  Darwin Nunez:

  So much for 'the new Andy Carroll'. With each passing game, such infantile comparisons look ever more absurd. Nunez is now only two goals shy of Carroll's tally for Liverpool, his first-half brace taking him to nine in all competitions. That they have come in only nine starts (18 appearances total), tells you everything about the Uruguayan's quality and, perhaps more importantly, his potential. The 23-year-old is an absolute magnet for chances – he is averaging more than six shots a game so far – and he took two of the three that came his way here, volleying in with his left foot from Elliott's astute pick-out for 2-1, before arriving perfectly to slide home Robertson's low cross for his second. Just as impressive, though, were the signs that his all-round game, criticised harshly during the early weeks of the season, is improving. Here, Nunez didn't just look like a goalscorer or a chaos-bringer. He looked like a £64m footballer. His superb, swept cross from the left should have brought a goal for Salah, while his gorgeous backheel opened up a chance for Firmino. There was a crossfield diagonal from left to right onto Salah's chest, a show of strength and a Cruyff-turn to evade Romeo Lavia in midfield, and certainly enough pressing and tracking to earn the appreciation of the Kop. They chanted his name when he went off, three minutes from time. Job done. Next stop Qatar. You wouldn't want to be facing Uruguay, on this evidence.

  Andy Robertson:

  If you ever needed a reminder, here it was. Andy Robertson is, and remains, an absolute class act. With two assists in the first half, the Reds left-back secured himself another bit of history. Only Leighton Baines in the Premier League era has created as many goals as a defender. Fifty-three assists is an absurd number, and speaks to the Scot's consistency, as well as his quality. His first here was a set-piece, a free-kick whipped in from the right which Firmino did superbly to guide home with his head. His second was classic Robertson; too sharp for Southampton's defence and able to get in behind onto Firmino's pass, before proving the perfect fizzed low cross for Nunez to convert. He too got a great ovation when substituted. No World Cup for him, sadly, but signs in recent weeks that he's getting back towards top form for his club.

  Roberto Firmino:

  Six minutes was all it took to expose the folly of Brazil's World Cup selection. Firmino had been devastated to miss out on Tite's 26-man squad for Qatar when it was announced this week, but if you were wondering if he might let it affect his performance here, you needn't have worried. His early header got Liverpool up and running, and it was a superb one too, guided subtly into the far corner from 15 yards. He had a big hand in the Reds' third goal too, sliding in Robertson down the left with a lovely pass inside the full-back. He's had a good start to the season, Firmino. Like Nunez, he has nine goals in all competitions, although seven of the Brazilian's have come in the Premier League. It wasn't enough to get him to Qatar, but it could be enough to give Liverpool food for thought with regards to his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season.

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  The Losers

  Tite:

  Is it too late to change your squad? Brazil's coach, in fairness, is hardly light when it comes to attacking options, but he must have watched Firmino's performance here and wondered if he might have made a mistake. Any side in the world would want a No.9 like him, capable of working with the ball as well as against it, and continually doing the heavy lifting to allow the more heralded, spectacular players to do their business. Tite will, at least, have been enthused by the form of Alisson Becker, who made three outstanding saves to keep Liverpool's advantage at two in the second half. He might be a little more concerned by Fabinho, who was better here but not by much. The midfielder still looks lethargic, and that may cost him his starting spot in Qatar.

  Naby Keita:

  And so we reach the winter break without any sign the fourth-biggest signing in Liverpool's history. Keita hasn't been seen since featuring as a late substitute in the Community Shield back in July, and at this point you have to question whether we have seen the last of the Guinea international in a red shirt. "He's running," said Klopp on Friday, but as Liverpool's midfield has toiled this season, the 27-year-old has, again, been unable to help out and show the quality that persuaded the Reds to pay more than £50m ($60m) to sign him from RB Leipzig four years ago. There have been only 72 starts since then, and only 117 appearances in total. Keita's contract is up at the end of the season, and it is hard to make a case for a renewal. It's a crying shame, because the talent is there, but Liverpool's midfield needs a refresh, and he isn't the man to provide it.

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  Liverpool Ratings: Defence

  Alisson Becker (8/10):

  Beaten to the punch by Adams for the equaliser, but made a string of superb saves in the second half, the best of which was from the same player's close-range header.

  Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

  Some good, crisp passes into the frontmen, and defended well 1v1 for the most part.

  Joe Gomez (6/10):

  Mixed. Good when defending on the front foot. Not so good when standing off.

  Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

  Let Adams go for the equaliser. Was often in the right position to make clearances, and Southampton largely stayed away from him in terms of aerial duels. Close with a couple of headers from corners.

  Andy Robertson (8/10):

  Superb. Two assists in the first half and bundles of energy throughout.

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  Midfield

  Fabinho (6/10):

  Still looks a bit heavy legged. Did OK in spells but Liverpool were too open in the second half.

  Thiago Alcantara (7/10):

  Pulled out turn on multiple occasions in the first half, when the left side of Liverpool's team was purring. Faded a little as the game wore on.

  Harvey Elliott (7/10):

  Beautiful pick-out for Nunez's first goal, and did plenty of other impressive things. Has such a lovely touch, and is growing with each game.

Every player representing their nation at this year's tournament, plus information on injuries, absentees and the names to look out for.

The England women's national team returns to action for the Arnold Clark Cup in February 2023, welcoming Belgium, Italy and South Korea to its shores for the second edition of the round-robin tournament.

Sarina Wiegman's European champions will be one of the favourites to win this summer's Women's World Cup and this competition will serve as important preparation.

Underway on February 17, tickets for the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup can be purchased via the tournament's official website.

So, which players will be on show? From England's Wembley heroes to a South Korean legend returning to a country where she's won every domestic honour, GOAL brings you the squads from every nation involved.

• Getty
  

  England 2023 Arnold Clark Cup squad

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City), Emily Ramsey (Everton, on loan from Manchester United), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
  Defenders:	Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
  Midfielders:	Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
  Forwards:	Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jess Park (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Katie Robinson (Brighton), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash)

  Sarina Wiegman's 26-player squad for the Arnold Clark Cup sees Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Lauren Hemp all return after missing the Lionesses' November camp.

  Young goalkeeper Emily Ramsey has earned just her second senior call-up, while Manchester City midfielder Laura Coombs is back in an England squad for the first time since November 2020.

  Beth England is missing, despite a blistering start to life at Tottenham. The forward joined the club in January, from Chelsea, to get more game time ahead of the World Cup.

  There is no room, either, for Nikita Parris or Gabby George, despite the latter being the Women's Super League's Player of the Month for January. Esme Morgan is not back fit yet after a small injury.

  On February 11, England announced a change to the squad after Fran Kirby suffered a knee problem. Aston Villa's Jordan Nobbs, another to change clubs in the winter window for more minutes, replaced her.

  On February 19, Wiegman revealed that Ramsey would miss the final game of the tournament, after being ruled out of the second game, a win over Italy, due to an ankle injury. She will return to her club for rehab.

  Player to watch: Lauren James

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  There is a lot of talent in this England squad, but Lauren James is a player that gets fans off of their seats when she picks up the ball.

  The 21-year-old is having a sublime season with Chelsea, having found full fitness following a frustrating couple of years.

  She's carried that form into the international breaks, too, with her incredible close control, sublime balance and ability to dance past defenders not only enjoyable to watch, but very effective.

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  Belgium 2023 Arnold Clark Cup squad

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Femke Bastiaen (PSV), Nicky Evrard (OH Leuven), Diede Lemey (Fortuna Sittard)
  Defenders:	Janice Cayman (Lyon), Michelle Colson (Anderlecht), Laura Deloose (Anderlecht), Laura De Neve (Anderlecht), Sari Kees (OH Leuven), Fran Meersman (Gent), Davina Philtjens (Sassuolo), Jody Vangheluwe (Club YLA), Sarah Wijnants (Anderlecht)
  Midfielders:	Valesca Ampoorter (OH Leuven), Julie Biesmans (PSV), Feli Delacauw (Fortuna Sittard), Marie Detruyer (OH Leuven), Kassandra Missipo (Basel), Justine Vanhaevermaet (Reading)
  Forwards:	Jassina Blom (Tenerife), Tine De Caigny (Hoffenheim), Elena Dhont (Twente), Hannah Eurlings (OH Leuven), Welma Fon (Standard), Jill Janssens (OH Leuven), Ella Van Kerkhoven (OH Leuven), Tessa Wullaert (Fortuna Sittard)

  Belgium head coach Ives Serneels named an expanded squad for the Arnold Clark Cup, with 26 players included.

  Defender Amber Tysiak missed out, though that was not a massive surprise given she's yet to feature for West Ham despite joining the club a month ago.

  Femke Bastiaen, Sarah Wijnants, Jassina Blom, Welma Fon, Michelle Colson and Valesca Ampoorter are the six names added to this roster from that which faced Slovakia in a friendly in November, with the latter two receiving their first senior call-ups.

  Player to watch: Hannah Eurlings

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  Tessa Wullaert and Janice Cayman are Belgium's two biggest stars but, in Hannah Eurlings, the Red Flames have an incredibly exciting young talent for the future.

  The winger only turned 20 in January but is likely to hit a quarter century of caps during the Arnold Clark Cup, having already represented her country at a senior tournament by making the Euros squad last summer.

  Described in the Belgian press as the Eden Hazard of the women's national team, Eurlings has wonderful technical ability, lots of energy and works hard to help her team out, too.

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  Italy 2023 Arnold Clark Cup squad

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina)
  Defenders:	Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Federica Cafferata (Fiorentina), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus)
  Midfielders:	Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Aurora Galli (Everton), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina)
  Forwards:	Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Sampdoria), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Martina Piemonte (Milan), Elisa Polli (Inter), Annamaria Serturini (Roma)

  Italy's squad for the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup was revealed on February 8.

  There's a first call-up for teenage midfielder Emma Severini, while Sassuolo defender Benedetta Orsi is back with the national team having recovered from a serious knee injury towards the end of 2022 and shown good form since.

  With an ever-improving domestic league, one at its best level yet this season, there are plenty of stars available at head coach Milena Bertolini's disposal – from Juventus' Cristiana Girelli to Roma's Valentina Giacinti.

  Italy will hope this talented squad can recover from a disappointing Euro 2022 campaign, which ended at the group stages, in preparation for this summer's World Cup. The Azzurre reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in 2019.

  On February 10, the federation announced that Milan midfielder Marta Mascarello had withdrawn from the squad due to a calf problem. Everton's Aurora Galli was called up as her replacement.

  Player to watch: Manuela Giugliano

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  When Manuela Giugliano won plenty of plaudits for her midfield performances at the 2019 Women's World Cup, she was still just 21 years old.

  Fast forward to today and a lot has changed. Following that tournament, she switched clubs, to Roma, and has only got better as she's become a key part of the Giallorosse's team.

  She's developed into one of the most exciting deep lying playmakers on the planet, able to split defences open with her vision and fantastic passing range.

  That continued growth is only making Giugliano a more crucial piece for her national team and, at 25 years old, both her influence and quality will only increase as the years go by.

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• South Korea 2023 Arnold Clark Cup squad

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Kim Jung-mi (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Yoon Young-geul (Unattached), Kim Kyeong-hee (Changnyeong WFC), Ryu Ji-soo (Seoul City Hall)
  Defenders:	Shim Seo-yeon (Seoul City Hall), Hong Hye-ji (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Lim Seon-joo (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Kim Hye-ri (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Jang Sel-gi (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Choo Hyo-joo (Suwon FC Women), Kim Hye-yeong (Gyeongju Hansuwon)
  Midfielders:	Ji So-yun (Suwon FC Women), Kim Yun-ji (Suwon FC Women), Jang Chang (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Chun Ga-ram (Ulsan University of Science), Bae Ye-bin (Pohang Girls' High School), Lee Geum-min (Brighton), Park Ye-eun (Brighton)
  Forwards:	Lee Eun-young (Korea University), Lee Jung-min (Boeun Sangmu), Choe Yu-ri (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Son Hwa-yeon (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Kang Chae-rim (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Park Eun-sun (Seoul City Hall), Jang Yu-bin (Seoul City Hall), Ko Min-jung (Changnyeong WFC)

  The headline name in South Korea's Arnold Clark Cup squad is undoubtedly Ji So-yun, the former Chelsea midfielder set to make her return to England after ending an eight-year spell with the club last summer.

  Lee Geum-min and Park Ye-eun are two more names that will be familiar to many in the stands at the tournament, both playing their club football in the Women's Super League with Brighton.

  Injuries to Madrid CFF defender Lee Young-joo and Tottenham midfielder Cho So-hyun mean the Seagulls' duo are the only names in Colin Bell's 26-player squad who play abroad, with the rest all home-based stars. Lee Min-ah, of Incheon Hyundai Steel, is also sidelined.

  Player to watch: Lee Geum-min

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  When South Korea take to the pitch in this tournament, all eyes will be on Ji, there's no doubt. But Lee Geum-min shouldn't be overlooked as a real threat.

  Only the former Chelsea player has more goals for her country than Lee in this squad, the Brighton star having netted 20 in her 75 appearances.

  Technically excellent with an eye for the spectacular, her talent and creativity is certain to be a real nuisance for defenders this month.