At the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies made the huge acquisition of Michael Lorenzen. It looked like one of the best trades at the deadline but has turned into a complete failure.

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AC Milan have signed forward Noah Okafor from Red Bull Salzburg. The 23-year-old Switzerland international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal running until June 30, 2028. Okafor came through the youth ranks at Basel, making his professional debut in 2018 and scoring seven goals in 54 games. He moved to Salzburg in January 2020 and attracted the attention of Milan after netting 34 times in 110 appearances, helping the club to four Austrian Bundesliga titles and three Austrian Cups. In announcing the move, a message on the Salzburg Twitter feed read: “Noah Okafor has joined @acmilan on a permanent transfer. “We’d like to thank him for the massive contributions he made to our club, and wish him nothing but the absolute best as he joins one of the biggest clubs in the world. See you soon, Noah.” Okafor made his international debut in June 2019 against England, while his first Switzerland goal secured his country’s qualification for the World Cup in Qatar. He was included in the squad for the finals and came on as a substitute in three of Switzerland’s four games. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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An exhibition in how to win a World Cup and a final that delivered a painful example of what England need to do. Sarina Wiegman took her side to the very brink, but something was still just missing against a brilliant Spain. The Women’s World Cup has new champions, but it isn’t England. Spain had the one element that the European champions still lack, beyond that glorious trophy itself. They are the only women’s side with a profound football identity, which amplifies everything they do from within and was visible in the divine Olga Carmona goal that settled this contest. It was a fittingly divine strike to win a fixture like this. Against that, Wiegman could only try and rearrange the pieces to give Spain more of a puzzle to solve. It has been her great strength, but it wasn’t enough. She sadly faces defeat in successive World Cup finals, this one may be all the more painful because her side had seemed more primed for it. It was only 1-0 but the gap in pure football terms felt far greater. This is the immense challenge in facing this Spain, what space to protect, how far you can go. Even Wiegman eventually found a problem she couldn’t solve. It was a challenge - and game - too far. Follow LIVE: Latest reaction from England vs Spain in Women’s World Cup final There is no shame in that. Spain are undeniably the finest squad in the world, as symbolised by that trophy. There will be a far bigger discussion about the meaning of it all, especially as that squad won in spite of an unprecedented series of problems, culminating in this grand debate about the manager. Jorge Vilda was booed when his name was called out before the game. That won’t matter to him or the divisive Luis Rubiales amid the cheers of victory. Such is the Spanish football identity that precedes both, though, that the Spanish players essentially make him a passenger in their journey. That, lamentably, is also what they did to England for long stretches of this final. Georgia Stanway chased everything, Millie Bright won so many important balls, Jess Carter made some crucial interceptions, but it constantly felt like there was another Spanish player over. Their ability in the tightest of spaces is truly special. It very quickly became apparent that this entire game would come down to Spain maximizing their majority of possession, or allow a resolute England to play on those remaining doubts. It is after all a basic fact that Spain have by far the most sophisticated football identity in the women’s game, and that translated into some supremely choreographed passing moves. There was one made up of one-touch balls right up the pitch after about 10 minutes that was really an exhibition of how football should be played. It was also a warning to England. It was not heeded, as it was through that exact area on the right that Lucy Bronze decided to surge into it. She only ran into a phalanx of Spanish ball-players, leaving a huge gap behind. It was quickly exploited in the most exquisite fashion. This was the kind of goal that should come in a World Cup final, a moment of quality befitting the stage. Teresa Abelleira lofted over a luscious cross-field ball, the immediate contrast with Maria Caldentey’s quick touch inside only made it all the more impressive. Then, without breaking stride, Olga Carmona arrowed the ball into the corner. It was all so thrillingly fluid. If that was the perfect goal that had been coming, it wasn’t quite the perfect performance. For all that Aitana Bonmati did to make the World Cup final stage her own, Spain didn’t have complete control. They were susceptible to those sudden breaks from Alessia Russo, although the energy required for them left her looking exhausted by half-time. There was also the issue that, as majestic as 99 percent of Spain’s passes are, they so often struggled with the final ball from out wide. There were about three occasions that could have put them out of sight. When one ball did get through, Salma put it just the wrong side of the post. As it was, at 1-0, England still had a chance. The longer it stayed at that scoreline the likelier Spain were to let it get to them - something that became apparent after Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty miss. Wiegman, for her part, had proactively looked to improve that chance. She again displayed the type of assertiveness that makes her the best coach in the women’s game, switching to a 4-2-3-1 by bringing Chloe Kelly and - of course - Lauren James on for Russo and Rachel Daly. Keira Walsh began to come into the game much more, which made it all the more unfortunate that it was her innocuous handball that brought a penalty. The length of time referee Tori Penso needed to rewatch it showed how debatable it was. It may well have created doubt for Hermoso. Her penalty was poor, but Mary Earps - yet again - made the right decision. The goalkeeper understandably celebrated as if, well, she’d saved the World Cup. There was still some way to go. England were still in it. It was the sort of moment that can completely scramble the psychology of a game. England were beginning to break through more. James forced Catalina Coll into a reaction save. That was about it, though. England got a little desperate by the end, but that is perhaps inevitable from the physical and mental fatigue that comes from chasing the ball this long. These Spanish players have come through too much themselves. Alexia Putellas came on to get them over the final hurdle and enjoy the moment her own career deserves. They show how the game should be played. They show you how to win a World Cup. England should not look at that with shame. They should look at it as the final step required. Read More England v Spain LIVE: Women’s World Cup final score and updates as Lionesses search for equaliser Anti-Putin protest interrupts Women’s World Cup final Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? Anti-Putin protest interrupts Women’s World Cup final Why are England wearing their blue kit against Spain? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup

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Adolis García hit two solo home runs, Corey Seager also went deep and newly acquired left-hander Jordan Montgomery won his debut for the Texas Rangers

This was meant to be Germany’s rebuild year ahead of hosting the European Championship

Sir Jim Ratcliffe could finalise a deal to become a minority shareholder at Manchester United during the upcoming international break. Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is expected to pay in the region of £1.25billion for a 25 per set stake in the Old Trafford club, while also acquiring significant control over footballing operations. There is no a firm timetable for the deal to be finalised, but the PA news agency understands it could come as early as next week, with Ineos optimistic it will be done before the Premier League campaign resumes on November 25 after the international break. Reports that the deal could come as soon as Monday have, however, been dismissed as that is the date of Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral. It is almost a year since the Glazer family announced, on November 22, 2022, that they were considering “strategic alternatives” to help the club grow, which included consideration of a sale. Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Ratcliffe emerged from a large field of interested parties, and made offers in the region of £5bn for a complete takeover, but that fell short of the Glazer family’s valuation. Sheikh Jassim then withdrew from the process last month, while Ratcliffe continued to pursue a minority shareholding which could later be increased. The 71-year-old, who tried to buy Chelsea last year, grew up in the Manchester region and describes himself as a lifelong fan of United. The deal is expected to lead to a major shake up of United’s football operations. Sir Dave Brailsford, the former performance director of British Cycling, is expected to take on significant influence in his role as Ineos’s director of sport. The group already owns French Ligue 1 club Nice and Swiss club Lausanne, as well as the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team and Ineos Britannia – the sailing team led by Sir Ben Ainslie. They also have a stake in Formula One team Mercedes, whose team principal Toto Wolff last week said he would also consider investing in United once Ratcliffe’s deal is completed. Ongoing speculation and uncertainty over the club’s ownership has come at a time when United are struggling on the pitch. Wednesday’s stunning 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen has left Erik ten Hag’s side bottom of their Champions League group, while they are eighth in the Premier League, having lost nine of 17 games in all competitions.

A first of its kind “climate-friendly” soccer tournament is underway in India's remote desert region of Ladakh, an ecologically fragile territory where oxygen is thin and breathing is hard