Mikel Arteta declared himself “extremely proud” after Arsenal produced a commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich, ending years of frustration against the German champions and extending their perfect Champions League record. The Gunners boss hailed his squad’s depth, attitude, and belief following a statement win that underlined their growing status as one of Europe’s most complete teams.

• Arsenal thrash Bayern in 3-1 UCL win

  Arsenal delivered a superb all-round performance at the Emirates Stadium, beating Bayern Munich 3–1 to maintain their flawless Champions League campaign. The Gunners went ahead through Jurrien Timber’s header from a Bukayo Saka corner before the Bavarians equalised via 17-year-old Lennart Karl after a well-worked passing sequence carved open the Arsenal defence. In the second half, Arsenal overwhelmed the Bundesliga side with intensity and precision, with substitutes Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli all playing decisive roles in sealing the victory.

  Their second-half dominance came after sustained pressure on Manuel Neuer, as Arsenal’s midfield duo of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino repeatedly tested the veteran goalkeeper. Bayern’s resistance finally crumbled when Calafiori intercepted Dayot Upamecano’s misplaced pass and set up Madueke for a composed finish that restored Arsenal’s advantage. Minutes later, Neuer’s misjudged sprint off his line allowed Martinelli to collect Eberechi Eze’s long pass, skip past the stranded goalkeeper, and confidently roll the ball into an empty net.

  The win marked Arsenal’s first against Bayern in a decade and confirmed their status as the only team in the Champions League with a 100% record after five matches. Harry Kane endured a frustrating return to north London, unable to influence the game as Arsenal’s back line kept him tightly contained throughout. With this victory, Arsenal climbed to the top of the Champions League standings and reaffirmed their position as one of Europe’s most in-form teams.

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  Arteta 'extremely proud' of Arsenal squad

  Reflecting on the victory, Arteta began with unfiltered joy: “Well, I'm extremely proud to what I've seen tonight. I think, we've seen a team that, in my opinion, playing against the best team in Europe has behaved with a real presence, authority, determination, and belief, and that's what I wanted. You need some huge performance individually. We certainly had that. We took our moments, and I think overall, we just have to win the game.” His summary highlighted not only the collective strength on display but the individual excellence that fueled the win.

  Arteta was also asked about the impact of his substitutes, all three of whom contributed to the decisive goals. He replied: “Yes. I mean, everybody's ready. Whether it's a starter and a finisher, the impact that the boys are having is tremendous because we have dealt with a lot of injuries, this season already. But, the fact that everybody's raising the level is hiding a lot of those issues, and I'm very pleased because, everybody's important. We're gonna need them, and I'm happy that the ones that even given the chance, they're constantly taking it.” The manager emphasised the importance of trust and readiness across his squad.

  Asked whether Arsenal should now be seen as Champions League favourites, Arteta remained grounded but ambitious. He said: “What I'm really pleased with my players is that we do what we have to do, which is try to be better every single day, perform at the highest level consistently, and win a lot of games, and we need to continue to that.”

• Arsenal now unbeaten in 16 games, go top of UCL league table

  Arsenal’s triumph was significant not only for its quality but for the psychological storyline behind it. Bayern Munich had been a recurring tormentor in Arsenal’s European past, often inflicting heavy defeats that created a mental barrier for supporters and players alike. By outplaying Bayern in every department, Arsenal demonstrated the evolution of their identity under Arteta — a side with authority, courage, and a clear plan honed through years of development.

  Inter’s slip against Atletico Madrid made Arsenal the only team left with a perfect record in the competition, enhancing both their confidence and their seeding prospects. The win also extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 matches, adding fuel to discussions about whether this could become a defining year for the club. Arteta may resist the label of Champions League favourite, but results like this inevitably reshape the external narrative.

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  Arsenal suffer Trossard injury but welcome Odegaard back

  Arsenal will now look to secure top spot in the Champions League league-phase table, a finish that would give them a more favourable knockout route and further reward their blistering start. The fitness of Leandro Trossard will be monitored closely, while Martin Odegaard’s return provides a timely boost as the fixtures continue to pile up. With momentum on their side, Arteta will aim to sustain the team’s rhythm while managing rotation to keep the squad fresh.

  Speaking about Trossard and Odegaard, Arteta concluded by saying: “With Leo, he felt something. We didn't wanna take any risk. I don't know the extent of that injury or if it's an injury. And Martin, yeah, is our captain. Great to have him back in the team and contributing. So he's welcome.”

South Africa are already in the semi-finals but Pakistan, despite not winning a game so far, are still in contention for a spot in the last four

Andrew Fidel Fernando20-Oct-20252:48

High-flying South Africa take on deflated Pakistan

Big picture – Can Pakistan find some batting firepower?

South Africa have already booked a semi-final spot. Despite not having won a match so far in the tournament, Pakistan still have a slim chance of sneaking into the knockouts, provided they win their last two matches by huge margins and other results also go their way. With no teams ruled out of contention just yet (at least until Monday’s Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match finishes), there is plenty on the line in every game. This tournament has now arrived at its pointy end.Pakistan’s bowlers will perhaps still be buoyed by their most recent performance. Fatima Sana and Co. struck early and then repeatedly against England, restricting one of the better batting units in the tournament to a low score that Pakistan looked likely to chase down, before a second spell of rains washed the rest of that match out. As had been the case in that game, the rains that have held sway in Colombo will likely envenom seamers, who may get the ball to move appreciably off a slightly moist deck. Often, teams prefer to bat first at the Khettarama – a venue that is notoriously tricky for chasing sides, especially under lights. But at this time of year, bowling first is an advantage too.Related

• Road to the semis: Five teams in contention for one spot

• Bangladesh, Pakistan and SL fall behind in the power game

In fact, Pakistan’s batters were on the receiving end of some good seam bowling in Saturday’s match against New Zealand, when they had been 92 for 5 in an already rain-reduced innings, before more rains ended that match. South Africa have experienced seamers like Masabata Klaas and Marizanne Kapp in their XI. Although they haven’t quite lit this World Cup up so far, both bowlers are very capable of bowling themselves into better rhythm on a helpful deck.The tougher the surface is to bat on, however, the more Pakistan will feel they can compete. As batting is by a distance the weaker of their two main discipline, a low-scoring match would suit them best. In fact, it had been a low-scoring game in which Pakistan last took South Africa down, roughly a month ago in Lahore.South Africa’s batting, which, as Sri Lanka found out on Friday, is led off by one of the best opening combinations going, is looking in increasingly good shape. They appear to have left the embarrassment of being blown away for 69 in their tournament opener well and truly behind them.1:15

Sekhukhune: ‘We want to keep ticking all the boxes’

Form guide

Pakistan: LLLLW
South Africa WWWWL

In the spotlight – Fatima Sana and Nonkululeko Mlaba

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been putting together an excellent World Cup, with nine wickets at an average of 16 so far. Almost 15% of her overs have also been maidens (she has bowled more maidens than any other bowler in this tournament). Against England, her last outing with the ball, Sana bowled some vicious inseaming deliveries, presenting a beautiful wobble-seam, and extracting substantial movement to send balls shooting between right-hand batters’ bats and pads. Both South Africa’s opening batters are right-hand batters. Expect Sana to repeat that same mode of attack against them.Although in T20Is Nonkululeko Mlaba has been a force for some time, this World Cup may be remembered as the tournament in which she stepped up her ODI bowling. She is by a huge distance South Africa’s most penetrative bowler of the tournament, having claimed 11 wickets at an average of 15.18, with an economy rate of 4.63. Pakistan’s batters will know that even if they survive the seamers, they have one of the world’s smartest spinners to counter later in the innings.

Pitch and conditions: Can the rain please stop?

I think we can call it now – the northeast monsoon appears to have properly arrived in Colombo, which makes a match uninterrupted by rain even less likely. There will likely be juice in the pitch for the seamers, but it is a rare match at the Khettarama where the ball does not take significant turn as well.0:58

Nawaz: ‘We are not being able to build momentum with the bat’

Team news: Pakistan might strengthen their batting

Pakistan will search for ways to add muscle to their fragile batting order. Could Eyman Fatima or Sadaf Shamas make it back into the XI as they search for better combinations?Pakistan (possible): 1 Omaima Sohail, 2 Muneeba Ali, 3 Sidra Amin, 4 Aliya Riaz, 5 Natalia Pervaiz, 6 Eyman Fatima/Rameen Shamim, 7 Fatima Sana (capt), 8 Sidra Nawaz (wk), 9 Diana Baig, 10 Nashra Sandhu, 10 Sadia IqbalSouth Africa will likely keep their XI as it is.South Africa (possible): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Annerie Dercksen, 6 Chloe Tryon, 7 Nadine de Klerk, 8 Karabo Meso (wk), 9 Nondumiso Shangase, 10 Masabata Klaas, 11 Nonkululeko Mlaba

Stats and trivia

• Sana has played more ODIs (ten) against South Africa than any other team. But she has a poor record against this opposition, having claimed only six wickets at an average of 62.83.
  
• Before this tournament, Mlaba had bowled in 12 matches in Asia, and claimed 18 wickets at an average of 31.44. Her bowling average in Asia is now 25.27, and her strike rate is down to 29.3. This is more than twice as good as her numbers at home (average 51.18, SR 71.4).
  
• Since 2020, these teams have played each other ten times. Pakistan have won two of those games, both at home. South Africa have won the other eight.

Jake Weatherald’s last bid to push for the opening Ashes Test was undone by a brilliant Fergus O’Neill delivery after centuries to Campbell Kellaway and Marcus Harris put Victoria in the driving seat at stumps on day three against Tasmania at the Junction Oval.For the second time in the match, Tasmania’s openers were forced to negotiate a short new-ball burst before the close after a long day in the field. For the second time in the match, Weatherald was undone by a superb delivery with O’Neill pitching on middle and nipping away to catch Weatherald’s outside edge. Will Sutherland held the low juggling chance at first slip.Related

• Australia's top order: What are the selectors' options?

• Marsh has a route to the Ashes; Khawaja backs Renshaw

• Khawaja on song for Queensland as Ashes loom

It left Weatherald with scores 0 and 12 in the match, after three half-centuries in his first four innings of the summer, ahead of the first Test squad being picked next week. It also left Tasmania at 28 for 1 needing a further 327 to win on the final day.Victoria set the visitors 355 on the back of an excellent 195-run partnership between Kellaway and Harris. Kellaway, 22, continued his rise to becoming one of the best domestic openers in Australia over the last 12 months with a third Shield century in 18 innings since moving to the top of the order for Victoria 11 months ago.Since the start of the 2021-22 Shield season, only Test opener Usman Khawaja averages more in Shield cricket as an opener than Kellaway’s 46.11, with Cameron Bancroft (42.37), Weatherald (40.51) and Daniel Hughes (38.20) the only others to average above 35.”I think my game is pretty well set up to play against the new ball,” Kellaway said after play. “I like to try and bat for a long period of time, so I like having that role of being the guy to try and anchor for the side.”Harris posted his 33rd first-class century, his eighth at the Junction Oval, but his first at No. 6 having slid down the order after experiencing some back tightness prior to batting on the third morning.Marcus Harris celebrated his eighth century at the Junction Oval•Getty Images

“It’s probably just got a bit worse in the last week, just wear and tear and old age,” Harris said. “I think it’s dad back. Hanging onto the kids too much.”The pair came together with Victoria struggling at 91 for 4, leading by 115 with only six wickets in hand, after Tasmania’s bowlers threatened to break the game open in the morning session.Nightwatcher Mitchell Perry edged Gabe Bell to second slip for the first breakthrough of the morning. Peter Handscomb battled to 3 off 20 balls before Riley Meredith exposed his defence. Handscomb showed all three stumps batting outside leg and got an outside edge to a ball that would have missed leg stump and nicked it into the top of off.Ollie Peake then nicked a beauty from Brad Hope which angled in and seamed away to leave Victoria struggling. But Kellaway and Harris then put together a chance-less stand to rip the game away from the visitors.Kellaway was impressive throughout, remaining disciplined in the face of some excellent bowling. He absorbed pressure and then pounced when the bowlers strayed, striking 16 fours and two sixes in his 268-ball knock.”I thought he batted brilliantly today,” Harris said. “Tricky little half an hour last night, and started really well today. He works really hard on his game.”And then I think you saw the shots he can play once he’s in. He’s got good game. He’s played well on one-day cricket. He’s a good package.”Harris meantime thrived in a different role in the middle-order having spent so much of his career grinding against the new ball.”I’ve done it a fair bit in one-day cricket,” Harris said. “I’ve done it a bit in county cricket. I’ve enjoyed it a little bit.”After Kellaway and Harris set the game up, O’Neill and Perry put Tasmania’s top three under enormous pressure with some high-class new ball bowling. Weatherald tried to be positive but was undone by an outstanding delivery. O’Neill was unlucky not have more, beating the bat several times and even hitting the stumps when Tim Ward pulled out of a delivery very late, but it was ruled a dead ball.Perry was equally unlucky at the other, beating the bat three consecutive times at one stage. But Ward and Caleb Jewell survived to set up a fascinating chase on the final day

The Lahore Qalandars batter played for the franchise as an emerging player, but his registration appears to have contravened the PSL’s own rules

Danyal Rasool10-Jun-2025What is the emerging category?Since the start of the PSL in 2016, the league developed a category to propel talented young players into the spotlight. Each side was required to field at least one in every game; current rules stipulate each franchise must have at least two in their squad.What classifies a player as an emerging cricketer?This is somewhat loosely defined, and, as a result, poorly understood; more than one franchise ESPNcricinfo spoke to said they were unclear on the eligibility. Basically, players need to be under 23, and should not have played in the Pakistan national team. More recently, the PCB made an exception for players discovered under their talent hunt programmes, such as the Lahore Qalandars Player Development Programme, which, in certain cases, permits players over the age of 23 to be registered as emerging players.Mohammad Naeem raised three half-centuries during the season•PCBDid those exceptions apply to Naeem?That’s what everyone believed. Naeem was Qalandars’ emerging player in the line-up for all but one game. Qalandars have said they picked Naeem through their player development programme, and invested in him over the years. Since he was registered under the talent hunt discovery programme, he was exempt from the age requirement. Naeem is 26.However, according to the players draft guide from 2017 – the most recent edition that is publicly available – any player to have played competitive domestic cricket becomes ineligible to be registered as an emerging player. At the time, the rules excluded anyone who played Under-19 cricket, too, which Naeem did in 2017. His profile on the PCB’s official website lists him as having played for the FATA Region U-19s.In 2023, before making his PSL debut, he also played senior competitive domestic cricket with regional side FATA.How was he registered as an emerging player, then?This is at the heart of the controversy. When ESPNcricinfo reached out to the PSL, they sent a document insisting Naeem was correctly registered as an emerging player. It said that Qalandars “nominated and protected Mohammad Naeem prior to his debut in competitive domestic cricket in December 2023”. It went on to say that the rules allowed for him to be “protected until the next draft cycle” and that no other franchises raised any concerns at the time.Related

• Afridi, Farhan, Raza headline PSL 2025 team of the tournament

• There's a value to making Shaheen Shah Afridi feel loved

• Perera, Raza star in record chase to take Qalandars to PSL title

The rules mentioned by the PSL’s statement to ESPNcricinfo do not appear in any official document publicly available that concerns the rules governing emerging players. ESPNcricinfo could not find any official update to the draft guide in 2017, which is notable since the PSL’s statement referenced rules governing talent hunt discovery programmes over the past five years.A copy of the playing conditions from 2023 on the PCB’s website does not detail what constitutes an emerging player, and does not mention the talent hunt discovery programme.What do the other franchises think?Multiple franchises that ESPNcricinfo reached out to said they were not aware of this stipulation. Nearly all believed that Naeem’s inclusion under the emerging rules – as they understood them – was a mistake. Karachi Kings nominated and protected fast bowler Fasih Ali, and were under the impression he would lose his emerging status if he went on to play competitive domestic cricket over the next years, as Naeem did.The PSL’s statement mentioned three times that none of the franchises objected at the time of Naeem’s registration. Every franchise ESPNcricinfo spoke to accepted this, though more than one pointed out the obligation upon the PSL to enforce its own rules did not hinge on objections from the franchises.Did Naeem’s performances significantly help Qalandars?Demonstrably so. Naeem was the eighth-highest run-scorer of the tournament with 314 runs including three half-centuries. None of the seven who scored more matched his strike rate of 162.69.What happens now?Well, nothing. Other franchises told ESPNcricinfo they wished to put this behind them and move on, but hoped that the rules would be more clearly spelled out in future. There is no indication of any wrongdoing by Qalandars, given the PSL accepted the franchise’s registration of Naeem as an emerging player. Naeem will no longer be able to be registered as an emerging player in the PSL’s next edition.

With their backs against the wall, the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to pull out a win on Friday night and force a Game 7 against the Blue Jays. Los Angeles won 3-1.

Los Angeles is seeking the first repeat MLB title since 2000, while Toronto hopes to win its first World Series trophy since 1993.

As such, we're all winners, because now we get to enjoy one of the finest offerings sports can produce: The magic of a Game 7 with the title on the line.

Here's everything you need to know about the epic conclusion of the 2025 MLB season.

How the World Series has panned out thus far

Game

Winner

Score

Series

1

Blue Jays

11-4

TOR 1-0

2

Dodgers

5-1

TIE 1-1

3

Dodgers

6-5

LAD 2-1

4

Blue Jays

6-2

TIE 2-2

5

Blue Jays

6-1

TOR 3-2

6

Dodgers

3-1

TIE 3-3

When is Game 7 of the World Series?

Here's all the basic info you need for Game 7.

Date: Friday, November 1First pitch time: 8:00 p.m. ETTV Channel: FoxStream: Fubo.tv, YouTube TV, Fox OneLocation: Rogers Centre, TorontoGame 7 home field advantage

Toronto is the home team for Game 7. But will it actually matter?

Toronto's crowd has been all-in and electric, but home field advantage hasn't mattered as much in recent years.

The Blue Jays have gone 5-4 this postseason at home, but two of those wins were in their divisional round series against the Yankees, who they beat handily. Toronto won two of four in the ALCS and one of three in the World Series.

Despite the road team trend, for a World Series Game 7, the Blue Jays will definitely be happy to be at home.

Who is expected to pitch Game 7 for Blue Jays, Dodgers?

The Blue Jays have already announced that if there is to be a Game 7, Max Scherzer will take the mound. Scherzer started two games this postseason. Toronto won his first start against the Mariners in the ALCS, and lost his second in Game 3 of the World Series. That will be on four days' rest after throwing 79 pitches.

For the Dodgers, their plan is up in the air. Tyler Glasnow appeared to be the most obvious option, with Shohei Ohtani serving as a possibility to start as well. But the Dodgers turned to Glasnow in the bottom of the ninth on Friday. Glasnow suggested after the game that he would be available for Game 7.

How will Dodgers use Shohei Ohtani in Game 7?

Shohei Ohtani will be a huge part of the Dodgers' plans in Game 7, but the question is… In what role?

Manager Dave Roberts could opt to have him start the game. He could also consider him in relief, though the latter option opens up a bit of a mixed bag of options.

If Ohtani enters in relief, the Dodgers would lose their designated hitter, and the pitcher would need to hit. So, if in relief, the Dodgers would likely call on Ohtani to close the game if he is to pitch in relief.

The Dodgers could also use Ohtani in the outfield, a role he hasn't played since 2021 with the Angels.

It remains to be seen.

Though you may have forgotten by the end, considering the Blue Jays stopped pitching to him for fear of what he might do, Dodgers' supertstar Shohei Ohtani had himself a night for the record books.

In addition to his game-tying homer at the bottom of the seventh inning (his second dinger of the night), Ohtani became the first player to reach base nine times in a postseason game; the first player since 1906 to record four extra-base hits in a World Series game; and the first player to be intentionally walked a total of four times in a single game in MLB postseason history. He also refused to stop playing, even as he dealt with cramps in his legs, and even though he'll be pitching Game 4.

All that to say, you can understand why Ohtani was pretty exhausted by the time Freddie Freeman sent everybody home with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning.

So exhausted, in fact, that at one point, Ohtani exited the clubhouse wearing the wrong hat, per 's Tom Verducci.

"Ohtani kept ducking into the clubhouse between at-bats to make sure he was hydrated and to treat his fatigue," Verducci wrote in a column published Tuesday morning. "At one point so haggard was Ohtani that he returned to the dugout wearing an alternate cap, one with a script 'D' rather than the interlocking 'LA.' A coach whispered in his ear, 'Dude, you’ve got the wrong hat.' Ohtani spun on his heels and returned to his locker to get the proper one."

We've all been there—so wiped we grabbed the wrong shoes or jacket or, in this case, hat.

The good news, though, is that Ohtani was not too tired to celebrate with his teammates after the Dodgers had finally won. Hopefully, he got some rest and will be ready to do it all again Tuesday night.

علق الهولندي رود خوليت، محلل قنوات بي إن سبورتس، على الأزمة التي حدثت بين محمد صلاح ونادي ليفربول بسبب التصريحات الأخيرة عقب مباراة ليدز يونايتد بالبريميرليج.

وخرج صلاح بعد انتهاء مباراة ليدز يونايتد وتحدث لوسائل الإعلام وفتح النار على الجميع، وعلى رأسهم مدربه آرني سلوت، بسبب جلوسه على دكة البدلاء لثلاث مباريات متتالية.

بعد تلك التصريحات، انهالت على صلاح تعليقات اللاعبين القدامى والمحللين الإنجليز وانتقدوا حديثه بشدة وعلى رأسهم جيمي كاراجر.

كما قرر الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لليفربول استبعاد محمد صلاح من مباراة إنتر ميلان بعد تصريحاته الأخيرة عقب تعادل الفريق مع ليدز يونايتد ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي.

اقرأ أيضًا | إحالة مشجع ليفربول إلى المحكمة بتهمة الإساءة العنصرية لخليفة محمد صلاح

ويخوض ليفربول الآن مباراته أمام إنتر ميلان ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، على ملعب “جيوسيبي مياتزا”.

وقال خوليت :”إنتر ميلان هو المرشح اليوم بسبب الصعوبات التي يواجهها ليفربول، ليفربول خسر الكثير من الطاقة التي تجعله كفريق لا يُهزم في نظر الآخرين”.

وأكمل: “الكل لديه إحساس الآن أنه يستطيع أن يهزم ليفربول، وما يحدث كذلك مع محمد صلاح الآن جانب آخر، كيف ستكون رد فعلهم؟ هل سيكون في توازن في الفريق بعد ما حدث؟”.

وأتم: “أتمني لـ ليفربول ولصلاح أن يكون هناك اتفاق ما لكي يواصلا العمل مع بعضهما البعض، ولكن ذلك سيكون جيدًا لصلاح لأنه لم يكن مُقنعًا مؤخرًا”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na próxima quinta-feira (13), o Flamengo passará por um momento muito delicado na temporada. O clube terá cinco desfalques para o jogo contra o Grêmio, pela oitava rodada do Brasileirão, em virtude das convocações para a Copa América. Ao todo, o Rubro-Negro Carioca poderá ficar 11 rodadas sem os atletas. Sabendo disso, o técnico Tite fez um pedido para a torcida do Flamengo.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Flamengo

—Uma semana de preparação importante, onde oportunidades são dadas para atletas que não vinham sendo utilizados. Aquele sentimento que o técnico tem de não dar oportunidades a todos… Saindo atletas extremamente importantes, mas oportunizando a outros também, que talvez tivessem merecido oportunidades anteriormente, mas que seguramente vão precisar do auxílio do torcedor— disse Tite, em vídeo divulgado pela FlaTV.

—Aquele que veste o Manto, quando está dentro de campo, quando ouve o aplauso e o incentivo, ele está muito mais condicionado, mentalmente próximo de conseguir coisas boas. Por favor, torcedor, ajude esses atletas e a equipe que está nesse momento (com desfalques)— acrescentou o treinador doFlamengo Tite.

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