Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg

Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg
Atletico Madrid's English midfielder #04 Conor Gallagher (C) vies for the ball with Barcelona's Spanish forward #20 Daniel Olmo (R) and Barcelona's French defender #23 Jules Kounde during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on February 25, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 26 February 2025
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Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg

Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg
  • The Norwegian forward grabbed Atletico a last-gasp victory at Barca’s Olympic stadium in December in La Liga and he was in the right place at the right time once more to finish from Samuel Lino’s cut-back

BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid conceded a two-goal lead then fought back from two down in a wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semifinal first leg thriller on Tuesday.
After Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes through Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, Barca raced through the gears in a high-octane performance.
The superb Pedri Gonzalez pulled one back with Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski going on to score for the Catalan giants.
Marcos Llorente netted for Atletico before Alexander Sorloth struck in the 93rd minute to leave the tie perfectly poised ahead of the second leg at the Metropolitano stadium on April 2.
“It’s a terrible result when you go 4-2 up... you have to be more careful, these are things we have to learn,” Pedri told Movistar.
“Today we started badly but I’ll focus on how the team reacted.
“When we got in front we have to be calmer... it will be a difficult (second leg) but we will go there to try and win.”
Hansi Flick left Barca’s top goalscorer Lewandowski out of the starting line-up, with Ferran Torres taking his place in a false nine role.
Simeone picked a strong side despite his side’s extremely tricky fixture list, with this the first of three matches against Barca and a Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid on the horizon.
Atletico took the lead inside the first minute, with Alvarez pouncing at the back post after Griezmann’s cross was flicked on.
Atletico doubled their lead in the sixth minute when Jules Kounde gave the ball away and Alvarez produced a stunning pass to release Griezmann.
The French forward was being pressured by Alejandro Balde but cleverly worked room for a shot, which Wojciech Szczesny got a hand to but could not keep out.
After Atletico’s opening salvo, Barcelona dominated the rest of the first half.
Ferran Torres should have levelled for Barcelona after Raphinha sent him through on goal but his shot was week and Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso saved easily.
The La Liga leaders hit two goals in two minutes to pull back level, with Kounde setting up Pedri for the first before Cubarsi nodded home from a corner.
Torres spurned another golden chance for Barca’s third, rounding Musso but misfiring under pressure from Clement Lenglet, on loan from the Catalans at Atletico.
Szczesny saved well from Griezmann at the start of the second half, with Barca still largely in control.
Sorloth had a goal disallowed for offside as the visitors sought an equalizer, but instead it was Barca who moved further ahead.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal created it with a brilliant dribble, blazing past Reinildo Mandava and squaring for substitute Lewandowski to tap home.
Barcelona’s performance merited their lead but Llorente’s 84th minute strike from the edge of the box opened the door for Sorloth to net late on.
The Norwegian forward grabbed Atletico a last-gasp victory at Barca’s Olympic stadium in December in La Liga and he was in the right place at the right time once more to finish from Samuel Lino’s cut-back.
“It was crazy, a lot of goals, we knew it wouldn’t be easy against one of the best teams in Europe, they’ve proved that,” Alvarez told Movistar.
“We did our work too though and there’s 90 minutes to go... we have to continue on this path.”
On Wednesday Real Madrid visit Real Sociedad in the other semifinal first leg.


Abhishek blitz knocks Lucknow out of IPL playoff race

Abhishek blitz knocks Lucknow out of IPL playoff race
Updated 20 May 2025
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Abhishek blitz knocks Lucknow out of IPL playoff race

Abhishek blitz knocks Lucknow out of IPL playoff race
  • Lucknow became the fifth team to bow out of the playoff contention leaving five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals to battle for one remaining spot
  • Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are already through to the playoffs starting May 29

LUCKNOW, India: Opener Abhishek Sharma struck 59 off 20 balls as Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets on Monday to end their opponents’ chances of reaching the IPL playoffs.

Chasing 206 for victory, Abhishek set up the chase with his blitz laced with four fours and six sixes as Hyderabad achieved the target with 10 balls to spare in Lucknow.

Abhishek departed in the eighth over before Heinrich Klaasen, who hit 47, and Kamindu Mendis, who retired hurt on 32, guided the team to the brink of victory with their fourth-wicket partnership of 55.

Lucknow became the fifth team to bow out of the playoff contention leaving five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals to battle for one remaining spot.

“Definitely it could have been one of our best seasons but coming into the tournament we had a lot of gaps, injuries,” said disappointed Lucknow skipper Rishabh Pant.

“As a team we decided to not talk about that but it became difficult to fill those gaps.”

Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are already through to the playoffs starting May 29.

It was a consolation win for Hyderabad, who were already out of the playoffs although captain Pat Cummins said the win “gives (us) a lot of confidence for next year.”

The left-handed Abhishek took on the attack after he lost his opening partner Atharva Taide, who became New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke’s first wicket on his IPL debut.

Abhishek hit five sixes, including three in succession off Ravi Bishnoi, to reach his fifty in 18 balls and followed it up with another hit over the fence.

Leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi cut short Abhishek’s knock and Hyderabad lost another left-hander Ishan Kishan on 35 before South Africa’s Klaasen and Sri Lankan left-hander Mendis controlled the chase.

Shardul Thakur denied Klaasen his fifty and Mendis hobbled off with a foot injury before Nitish Reddy and Aniket Verma sealed the win.

Earlier Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram laid the foundations for Lucknow’s 205-7 in their opening stand of 115.

Marsh top-scored with 65 in a knock laced with six fours and four sixes and Markram hit 61 before Nicholas Pooran contributed with his 26-ball 45 to boost the total.

The rest of the batters failed to get into double figures including another flop for Pant, who fell caught and bowled for seven off Sri Lanka seam bowler Eshan Malinga.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant has failed to fire since Lucknow splashed a record $3.21 million on him at the November auction, scoring just 135 runs from 11 innings this IPL season.

Lucknow pace bowlers including Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav struggled with injuries leading into the tournament and during the season as well.

Malinga stood out with figures of 2-28 in his four overs.

Pooran missed out on his fifty in an attempt to steal a single in the 20th over which witnessed two run outs and another wicket.

The IPL is into its final phase and restarted Saturday after it was paused due to a conflict between India and Pakistan.

Since the pause in the IPL, the tournament has been rescheduled with the final now set to take place on June 3.


Ousted Brazil FA president Rodrigues drops appeal ahead of election

Ousted Brazil FA president Rodrigues drops appeal ahead of election
Updated 20 May 2025
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Ousted Brazil FA president Rodrigues drops appeal ahead of election

Ousted Brazil FA president Rodrigues drops appeal ahead of election
  • The former president said his decision aims to ‘restore peace to Brazilian football and serenity to the official’s family life’
  • A new election had already been scheduled for next Sunday by the CBF’s interim president, Fernando Sarney, one of the CBF’s vice presidents who requested Rodrigues’ removal

RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA: The ousted president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) Ednaldo Rodrigues officially withdrew his appeal on Monday to remain in office following his removal by a Rio de Janeiro court last week.

In a statement submitted to Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court by Rodrigues’ legal team, the former president said his decision aims to “restore peace to Brazilian football and serenity to the official’s family life.”

A new election had already been scheduled for next Sunday by the CBF’s interim president, Fernando Sarney, one of the CBF’s vice presidents who requested Rodrigues’ removal.

Rodrigues confirmed through his lawyer that he will neither run for any position nor support any candidate in the upcoming vote.

“In relation to the new elections called by the intervener, he declares that he is not running for any office or supporting any candidate,” says the document signed by Rodrigues’ lawyer Gamil Foppel.

According to the document, Ednaldo “wishes success and good luck to those who will take over Brazilian football.”

The document also lists a number of Ednaldo’s “achievements” at the head of the CBF, including the hiring of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is expected to announce his first Brazil squad next week for their next World Cup qualifiers.

The CBF declined to comment.

Only one candidate successfully registered for Sunday’s election — Samir Xaud, president-elect of the Roraima Football Federation, a state with limited influence in Brazilian top-tier football.

To register as a candidate, the interested party must have the support of at least eight state federations and five clubs.

The move follows a court ruling that nullified an agreement which had enabled Rodrigues to secure re-election until 2030.

The agreement was deemed invalid by the Rio de Janeiro court due to the alleged forgery of former CBF president Antonio Carlos Nunes’ signature and concerns over his mental capacity.


Liverpool rocked by Brighton’s late fightback

Liverpool rocked by Brighton’s late fightback
Updated 20 May 2025
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Liverpool rocked by Brighton’s late fightback

Liverpool rocked by Brighton’s late fightback

BRIGHTON: Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool on Monday to leave the Premier League champions without a win since clinching the title.
Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Harvey Elliott’s early opener before Yasin Ayari equalized at the Amex Stadium.
Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s advantage just before the interval, but Brighton staged a late fightback as Kaoru Mitoma levelled before Hinshelwood came off the bench to net with his first touch.
Liverpool have taken just one point from their three matches following the title-clinching rout of Tottenham on April 27.
The Reds have lost at Brighton and Chelsea and squandered a two-goal lead in a draw with Arsenal since their record-equalling 20th English crown was confirmed
They can now look forward to receiving the Premier League trophy in Sunday’s season finale against FA cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield before an open-top bus parade through the city 24 hours later.
Slot had admitted that motivating the champions for the final two matches of the season was a tricky task and his fears were confirmed by this sloppy display.
Slot’s players had a celebratory trip to Dubai this week and only returned to training on Friday, while the Reds boss was seen partying in Ibiza for several days, as they soaked in a title victory secured in April.
“Did you see me on social media!” Slot said with a laugh in reply to a question about how focused he had been on the Brighton game.
After being given a guard of honor by Brighton’s players before kick-off, Liverpool initially showed signs of rebuking the doubters who claimed their minds were elswhere.
Ahead of his widely-expected move to Real Madrid when his contract expires in the close-season, Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench for a second successive game.
Conor Bradley featured at right-back instead and showed why he is a contender to replace Alexander-Arnold with his role in Liverpool’s ninth minute opener.
When Mohamed Salah rolled a pass to Bradley, he shifted gears with a dynamic burst into the Brighton area before clipping a precise pass toward Elliott, who slotted home from close-range.
The goal meant Liverpool had scored in every away game of a league season for the first time in their history.
Bradley’s attacking runs had more than a touch of Alexander-Arnold about them, but his finishing wasn’t up to scratch when he took Federico Chiesa’s pass and fired wide from 10 yards.
Ayari grabbed Brighton’s eye-catching equalizer in the 32nd minute.
The Sweden midfielder eluded Bradley and drilled a fine low finish past Alisson Becker from the edge of the area after Brajan Gruda’s lofted pass prised open the Liverpool defense.
Liverpool regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Szoboszlai caught out Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen with a swerving strike from wide on the right flank that whistled into the top corner.
Szoboszlai’s bemused grin as he celebrated suggested the midfielder’s effort might have been a miscued cross rather than a shot.
Brighton went close twice at the start of the second half as Alisson clawed away Danny Welbeck’s free-kick and kept out Gruda’s 20-yard blast.
Salah was captaining Liverpool for the first time in the Premier League to mark his 300th appearance in the competition.
But the Egypt forward missed an open goal when he flicked Cody Gakpo’s cross wide from five yards.
It was a costly mistake from Salah as Brighton equalized in the 69th minute.
Welbeck’s shot was pushed out by Alisson and Japan winger Mitoma hammered in the rebound.
Hinshelwood completed Brighton’s thrilling comeback in the 85th minute, the substitute slotting home from Matt O’Riley’s cross.


SPL announces five nominees for Player of the Season award

SPL announces five nominees for Player of the Season award
Updated 19 May 2025
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SPL announces five nominees for Player of the Season award

SPL announces five nominees for Player of the Season award
  • Winner will be determined through a voting process distributed as follows: 40% from coaches, 40% from team captains, 15% from sports media professionals, and 5% from fans

RIYADH: The Technical Committee of the Roshn Saudi League has selected five nominees for the Player of the Season award as announced by the league’s official account on the social media platform X, SPL_EN.

The shortlist includes French striker Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal winger Salem Al-Dawsari, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo — the captain of Al-Nassr — Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez from Al-Ahli, and Argentine midfielder Cristian Guanca of Al-Shabab.

The selection was based on the league’s eligibility criteria, which require nominees to have participated in at least 40 percent of their team’s total league matches, regardless of position or nationality.

The winner will be determined through a voting process distributed as follows: 40 percent from coaches, 40 percent from team captains, 15 percent from sports media professionals, and 5 percent from fans.

In terms of performance stats: Benzema played 28 matches, scoring 21 goals and providing 9 assists; Ronaldo also played 28 matches, recording 23 goals and 3 assists.

Al-Dawsari contributed 15 goals and 14 assists in 30 matches, while Guanca appeared in a team-high 32 matches, scoring 10 goals and assisting 11.

Ibanez stood out defensively, leading Al-Ahli’s backline in 30 matches, helping the team keep 8 clean sheets, making 121 clearances, and achieving a 75 percent success rate in tackles.


Al-Nassr unveils new crest to mark club’s 70th anniversary

Al-Nassr unveils new crest to mark club’s 70th anniversary
Updated 19 May 2025
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Al-Nassr unveils new crest to mark club’s 70th anniversary

Al-Nassr unveils new crest to mark club’s 70th anniversary
  • New look unveiled in video showcase with the caption ‘A great legacy and history, and a promising future’
  • The crown atop the crest has gone, the name of the team is now simply ‘Nassr,’ and ‘Riyadh’ is added along with ‘1955,’ the year the club was founded

RIYADH: Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr on Monday unveiled a new official crest, which club officials said is part of a refreshed visual identity in celebration of the team’s 70th anniversary.

A message posted by the team’s official account on social media platform X included a video showcasing the new design with the caption: “A great legacy and history, and a promising future. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary, here is the Al-Nassr logo.”

The redesign features several notable changes, the most obvious of which is the removal of the crown that previously sat atop the crest. The name of the team in English is now stated simply as “Nassr,” the prefix “Al-” used in previous iterations now dropped. “Riyadh” has been added at the bottom of the logo, referencing the club’s home city, along with the year in which the team was founded: 1955. The map of the Arabian Peninsula at the center of the crest remains.

The most recent significant update prior to this came on Oct. 15, 2020, when a laurel wreath around the sides of the crest and a yellow ribbon at the bottom were removed.

Al-Nassr was founded on Oct. 24, 1955, and grew to become one of the most prominent clubs in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. With two matches left to play in the league this season, they sit in fourth place, 13 points behind confirmed champions Al-Ittihad.